The Man Of Law In The Man Of Law's Tale

In the General Prologue of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, the Sergeant or Man of Law is portrayed as any lawyer might be. Chaucer notes in his opening lines about the Man of Law that he is “wise,” “well endowed with superior qualities and keen practical sense,” and “judicious and with much dignity,” which are all justifiable qualities of a good lawyer. Chaucer, therefore, creates a believable and realistic character with his descriptions. However, when the Man of Law tells his tale, a Christian Romance about Dame Custance, it may seem to be a tale more appropriate for a more religious pilgrim to tell, such as the prioress. Despite the apparent mismatch of the tale to its teller, the manner in which the Man of Law tells his tale greatly reflects his character.

In the Introduction to the Man of Law’s Tale, the host asks the Man of Law to tell his tale next, addressing him with his own legalistic language:

“Sire Man of Lawe,” quod he, “so ye have blis,”

Tell us a tale anon, as forward is.

Ye been submitted, thurgh youre free assent,

To stoden in this cas at my juggement.

Acquiteth yow now of youre biheeste;

Thanne have ye do youre devoir ate leeste.” (33-38)

The host could speak this way ironically, or perhaps he is simply impressing the importance of the deal he has proposed and of his role as the judge of the tales. The Man of Law responds, almost as if in an oath to sworn testimony, quoting in God’s name that he has no intention of breaking the agreement because a promise is an obligation and “for swich lawe as a man yeveth another wight / He sholde hymselven usen it, by right” (43-44).

The Man of Law then continues to defend himself in a legal manner, so as not to breech the agreement, by charging Chaucer with having told all of...

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...he bloody knife by Dame Custance, he utilizes rhetorical question when he says, “Allas, what myghte she seye? / For verray wo hir wit was al aweye” (lines 608-09). This device is used by the Man of Law to show that the Dame Custance was framed and that there is obviously nothing that she could say to prove herself innocent. This part of the story continues as a trial as the king has many witnesses in the household who defend her and her virtue but convicts her despite her innocence.

It is also at this point in the story that it becomes more evident that the Man of Law tells his story as if he is the prosecutor for the trial in which Dame Custance is the victim. The mention of the Man of Law’s busyness in the general prologue becomes significant as he is certainly busy telling the tale of Dame Custance and describing her trial and the legal process in great detail.