Courtesy through Satire :: essays research papers

In his Canterbury Tales, Chaucer fully explicates the cultural standard cognise as courtesy through satire. In the fourteenth century, courtesy incarnate sophistication and an education in English international culture. The legends of chivalric knights, conversing in the language of formal love, matured during this later medieval period. Chaucer himself matured in the Kings Court, as is revealed in his cultural status, but he alike carry an anecdotal humor about courtesy. One must only peruse his Tales to discern these sentiments, for Chaucers view of courtesy can seem noble and, all together, obscene at times, its the similarity of the differences that make Chaucers tales superior. An example of this can be seen through Nicholas attempt at case Alison versus Arcita and Palamons endeavors at courting Emily. Nicholas anxious and lewd behavior, in fellowship with his explicit sexual connotation, demonstrates Chaucers more farcical side where as, the means in which Arcita and Palamon court Emily can seem more satirical. In the Millers Tale, Chaucer juxtaposes courtly love with animalistic lust, while in the Knights tale, the domain of chivalry is held with much higher regard, and used as a florid, historied attribute. These numerous references provide the reader with a remarkably rich foresee of the culture and class structure of late fourteenth century England.     In the Millers Tale, Chaucer blatantly mocks courtesy and courtly love in Nicholas exchange with Alison           now sire, and eft sire, so bifel the cas          That on a day this hende Nicholas          Fil with this yonge wyf to rage and pleye,          Whil that hir housbonde was at Oseneye,          As clerkes ben ful subtile and ful queynte     & nbsp    And prively he caughte hire by the queynte,          And seyde, "Ywis, but if ich have my wille,          For deerne love of thee, lemman, I spille."          And heeld hire harde by the haunchebones,          And seyde, "Lemman, love me al atones,          Or I wol dyen, also God me save"           And she sproong as a colt dooth in the trave,          And with hir heed she wryed faste awey,          And seyed, I wol nat kisse thee, by my fey          Why, lat be quod she. Lat be, Nicholas,          Or I wol crie out, harrow and allas   & nbsp      Do wey youre handes, for youre curteisye (3271-87)     Quite literally, Nicholas caught Alison by the crotch to draw her in force(p) to him, and then held her there by her haunches, or rear end. Standing alone, that name provides an element of base humor, but when that event is coupled with Nicholas words, a dramatically ironic, and altogether funny, scene arises.