What does Chaucer satirize in ‘The Nun’s Priest’s Tale”?

Answer

What does Chaucer satirize in ‘The Nun’s Priest’s Tale”? [2021]

Satire means making fun of human faults to teach a lesson. Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400) uses satire with gentle humour. In “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale”, he shows how people act foolishly through Chauntecleer, Pertelote, and the Fox in a poor widow’s yard.

Satire on Human Pride: Chaucer laughs at the proud nature of people. Chauntecleer, the rooster, feels like a king because of his beauty. Chaucer says,

“His coomb was redder than the fyn coral.”

( His comb was redder than the fine coral.)

He has a fine voice. He forgets that pride brings danger. When the fox flatters him, he proudly closes his eyes to sing and is caught. Chaucer mocks such proud people who love praise and lose everything. He teaches that pride always leads to a fall.

Satire on False Wisdom: Chaucer also satirizes fake wisdom. Pertelote speaks about medicines and body humours as if she were a doctor. She gives him medical advice and speaks of laxatives. She says,

“Taak som laxatyf.”

(Take some laxative.)

Chauntecleer answers her with many examples from old books. Both talk like scholars but act foolishly. Their learning cannot stop the danger. Chaucer laughs softly at people who speak big words but have little common sense.

Satire on Flattery: The fox uses flattery to trick Chauntecleer. He praises the cock’s singing to make him proud. Chauntecleer believes him and falls into the trap. Later, he tricks the fox back by using clever words. Chaucer mocks those who blindly trust false praise. He warns readers that sweet words can hide danger.

Chaucer satirizes human pride, false wisdom, and flattery through this funny farmyard story. He turns a simple tale of a cock and a fox into a mirror of human life. His laughter teaches wisdom and makes the lesson sweet and clear.