A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

 

 



SAT; ACT; GRE

Test Prep Material

Click Here

 


xx

 


Canterbury Tales

Contents

Context
Author
Characters
Introduction
Knights Tale
Millers Tale
Reeve's Tale
Cooks Tale
Man of Laws Tale
Wife of Baths Tale
The Friar's Tale
Summoners Tale
Clerk's Tale
Merchant's Tale
Squire's Tale
Franklin's Tale
Physician's Tale
Pardoner's Tale
Shipman's Tale
Prioress Tale
Tale of Sir Topas
Monks Tale
Nun's Priest's Tale
Second Nun's Tale
Canon Yeoman's Tale
Manciple's Tale
Parson's Sermon
Conclusion
Questions  

 


advertisement

THE MONK’S TALE

Summary

The Monk’s Tale is almost a lecture concerning tragic figures of the past. He starts with Adam and Lucifer’s fall from grace, leading on to the story of Samson and Delilah.

Next he provides brief histories concerning Hercules, Nebuchadnezzar, and Balthasar who refused to abandon the ways of the wicked despite warnings from God.  This led to the loss of his kingdom.

The Monk then provides details of a Persian woman, Zenobia.  Not only was she beautiful, but she was a great warrior and feared neither man nor beast. She fell in love with Prince Idenathus and they had two sons.  The courageous Prince conquered many lands and they soon ruled over a vast area.  When the Prince died, her sons continued to show no mercy for the nations they had captured.  Then they were invaded by the Roman Empire, and they were taken to Rome, mother and sons, as slaves to be jeered at.

Further tragic tales follow concerning Nero the Roman Emperor, King Peter of Spain who was betrayed and slain by his own brother, and Julius Caesar who was assassinated. 

The Monk would have continued if it had not been for the intervention of the Knight, pleading for a merry tale, but he did not comply.

Interpretation

It is not clear what Chaucer’s intentions were in writing this tale for the Monk.  Maybe he wished to impress the reader with his knowledge of world literature and stories from far-off lands, some of which he perhaps translated into English.  However, the tales are not told in chronological order, and there seems to be no organization in this work.  It may be that these were ideas for stories that the Pilgrims would tell on their return journey to London.

******

The Host agrees with the Knight that the stories were too grim, and boring, and that he almost fell asleep. 

The Host turns to the Nun’s Priest and asks if he knows a merry tale.
 




Teacher Ratings: See what

others think

of your teachers



xxxxxxx
Copyright © 1996-
about us     privacy policy     terms of service     link to us     free stuff