Page 99 - DENG405_BRITISH_POETRY

British Poetry

Notes Law was originally intended to be the first of the travelers to tell his story. This would account for the
very literary nature of the prologue. The extreme wordiness and the rambling nature of the Man of
Law’s introduction certainly do fit the character who is described in the General Prologue as a very
pompous and successful lawyer. It would be natural for such a man to use elaborate language and to
talk in circles. By this time, the reader has noticed that many of The Canterbury Tales relate to themes
examining the nature of love and the nature of marriage. This story of Constance continues in that
vein, extolling the virtues of the good wife through extreme tribulation. Unlike the women in the
fabliau tales, all of whom are sexually “easy,” Constance is chaste and pure. The men who try to steal
her virtue are all killed.
The Wife of Bath tells the travelers that she has buried five husbands and has lived in the married state
since she was 12 years old. Furthermore, she is now looking for her sixth husband. For these reasons,
she considers herself an expert on the subject of matrimony. Before telling her story, the Wife feels
compelled to defend her numerous marriages. In a lengthy monologue, she counters the religions
arguments against multiple marriages. For instance, she says, although God and St. Paul recommend
chastity as a perfect state, neither of them expressly forbid marriage. Since she is not perfect and has
no desire to be, she personally prefers being married as she has an enormous appetite for sexual
activity. In any case, she says, God calls people to Him in many ways: He calls her to marriage.
Continuing the argument, the Wife adds that God would not have given men and women sexual
organs if He did not intend for them to be used. The good Wife has learned to use her sexual organs
to their best advantage, which is, in her opnion, as instruments with which to control her husbands.
The Pardoner interrupts to say that he was about to marry, but now that he has listened to the Wife of
Bath, he is not so sure he wants to volunteer to be controlled in the way she is describing. The Wife
tells him to keep listening.

11.1 The Man of Law’s Tale

11.1.1 Introduction to the Man of Law’s Tale

The Host, realizing that time is moving on, reminds the pilgrims that, while lost cattle can be found,
lost time never returns. Addressing the Man of Law (a lawyer, in modern terms) in a mock-legal way,
the Host asks him to tell the next tale, and “stonden in this cas at my juggement” (a joke, for the Host,
of course, is to judge which tale is the best).
“Host”, the Man of Law, replies, “To breke forward is nat myn entente”, and reiterating that he
does not break agreements, agrees to tell the tale. But, the Man of Law continues, “I kan right now
no thrifty tale seyn” (I have no suitable tale now to tell [say]), because Chaucer–excellent at metre
and at coming up with clever rhymes – has already told them all in one book or another. The Man of
Law then recites a little list of Chaucer’s (actual!) works so far: Ceyx and Alcione (in The Book of the
Duchess), and the Legend of Good Women–noting that Chaucer has never told a tale about wicked
Canacee, who sinfully had an incestuous relationship with her own brother. Nor will the Man of
Law tell a tale about her either.
“I speke in prose”, the Man of Law continues, juxtaposing himself with the poet, Chaucer, and then
with a good cheer begins his tale.

11.1.2 Prologue of the Man of Law’s Tale

The Prologue begins by lamenting the condition of poverty; it makes a person steal, beg or borrow for
money, it makes a person blame Christ, and it makes a person jealous of his neighbor. If you are poor,
the Prologue continues, your brother hates you, and all your friends fly from your side. The Prologue
then finally addresses “rich marchauntz”, who are always happy, because they are always rich –
before the Man of Law’s personal voice seems to segue in, adding that he would be without a tale to
tell, had he not heard a tale from a merchant, many years ago.

92 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY