Chaucer’s Treatment of Dreams in The Nun’s Priest’s Tale

Answer

Evaluate Chaucer’s treatment of dreams in “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale. 

Or, Write a note on dream debate in “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale.”

The English poet and civil servant Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400) is the father of English poetry. He is best known for his remarkable creations, including The Parlement of Foules, Troilus and Criseyde, and The Canterbury Tales. In “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale,” one of The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer utilizes dreams to seek meaning in human life. Here is a point-based discussion with meaningful references to display Chaucer’s treatment of dreams in the poem. 

Dream of Chaunticleer: One morning, Chaunticleer wakes up terrified from a bad dream. He describes Pertelote as his dream that a scary red beast was swallowing him. Pertelote rebukes him and claims him to be a coward. She also says that she cannot love a coward. She mentions the Roman philosopher Cato (234-149 BC), who forbids the fear of dreams.

She thinks Chaunticleer’s dream comes from feeling sick and suggests taking medicine to help him feel better. She thinks it is just some nasty stuff in his body making him dream scary things. She says Chaunticleer’s bad dream comes from his overeating and suggests taking medicine to help him feel better. She says taking no importance of the dream in the following manner:

“Attach no importance of dreams.”

However, Chaunticleer refuses to take laxatives and mentions various references to prove the meaning of dreams. 

Dream of The Two Pilgrims: Chaunticleer first narrates the story of two pilgrims who were two best friends. Chaucer relates,

“That on a time two comrades went

On pilgrimage, and all in good intent;”

They went to a small town for a pilgrimage. However, they did not find a single cottage to stay in at night. They had to stay at different residences. One friend stayed in a stall with oxen, and another housed well. The later friend dreamt of his friend saying that he would be murdered tonight. He did