The Miller's Tale starts out by mentioning that the carpenter, John, was a rich man "who boarded paying guests" and had just married a young woman who "was eighteen years of age" (Chaucer 151). John was "jealous and kept her on a short leash" even though he knew she was young and full of life unlike himself. John's roommate, Nicholas, was a student who "knew all about secret love and pleasurable consolations", he also took a liking to Alison and began to flirt with her. Alison did not seem to be interested at first, but eventually agreed to sleep with him but only if they could do it without John finding out. While that plan is unfolding, Absalom sees Alison and decides that he has to have her, even though Alison is straightforward about not