Courtly Love Vs Tale

“Courtly love” was a popular type of literature used during the Middle Ages that glorifies the romance between a noblewoman and knight. Like many writers in this time period, Chaucer gives an example of a classic plotline used in “courtly love” in the Knight’s Tale and then succeeds with the Miller’s Tale. Unlike the Knight's Tale, the Miller’s Tale gives the perspective of “courtly love” through peasants. Therefore; the concept of “courtly love” that is praised in the Knight’s tale is also satirized and mocked in the Miller’s Tale. Both tales were written to represent the drastic differences between the social classes of the Middle Ages, and the position of the Miller’s tale being placed after the Knight’s Tale displays Chaucer’s intentions

For Palamon and Arcita to battle alone would be improper and goes against the code of Brotherhood among the knights. A formal battle to the death to noblemen is the best way to secure the marriage of a fair maiden. Whereas in the Miller’s Tale, the characters mock formal combat in a more humorous way. As Absolon decides to go see Alison, he does not know Nicholas is also with her. Absolon stands out the window hoping to receive a kiss from her, but Nicholas thinks it would be funny to “[g]et Absolon to kiss him on the bum” (Chaucer 98). Absolon felt a presence and told her to speak, yet Nicholas “let fly a fart” (Chaucer 98). This made Absolon furious and he grabs a hot poker “ready, smoking hot; [s]mack in the middle of the arse” (Chaucer 98). Absolon had enough of the jokes and puts his focus towards avenging Nicholas for embarrassing him. In the end, no one gets the girl, but the satisfaction of revenge was enough to make Absolon satisfied. His character symbolizes how the characteristics of a chivalric man battling for a woman does not work all the time because he won their version of a battle, but did not receive Alison as a reward. Although he did not win the heart of Alison, he realizes that going through all the trouble to get her attention is not worth it. “Courtly love” gives the idea that men have to go through extremes just to win the heart of a woman that may or may not

Lastly, Arcita prays to Mars, god of war, and prays, “...I shall be [y]our true and faithful servant till I die. Take pity on my burning sorrows, Lord; [g]ive me the victory; I ask no more” (Chaucer 63). This exhibits that Arcita did not have enough attraction to Emily compared to Palamon. Then Saturn, god of destiny, ensured that each prayer became true; therefore Arcita won the battle, but Palamon won Emily because he loves her the most. The role of religious figures in the Miller’s tale is not used with the same intention. Instead of a god intervening in order to help the people, a prophecy similar to the story of Noah’s Ark tricks Emily’s husband into believing there will be a flood. Nicholas tells the