Free Will In Chaucer The Merchant's Tale

Aurelius finds a way to complete her task. He asks a magician to create an illusion that the rocks disappeared. When Dorigen sees that the rocks are no longer there and must fulfill her promise to Aurelius, she becomes hysterical again and contemplates suicide. She would rather die than dishonor her promise to her husband. Averagus returns and Dorigen admits her failure to keep the honor of her word. Averagus forgives her, says he will suppress his own desire for her, and believes it is more important to fulfill her agreement with Aurelius. She obeys her husband’s wishes and knowing her husband has forgiven her, she controls her desire, and leaves to fulfill her promise to Aurelius. “The Merchant’s Tale,” begins with January, a sixty year

Throughout the tale, she is referred to as “Fresh May,” emphasizing her youthful appearance. When the Chaucer describes intimate moments between January and May, he exaggerates January’s physical appearance which shows May’s perspective. “But God knows what May thought in her heart when she saw him sitting up in his nightshirt and nightcap, with his lean neck. She didn’t think his diversions worth a bean” (Chaucer, 607-610). May is not attracted to January. She is not infatuated by his presence and is unhappy in their marriage. Although her desire exists in her unconscious, she is not aware of it until she visits Damian. When May is with January she is denying her desire, Lacan refers to this as “giving ground” (Lacan, 319). As a woman from a lower economic class, May is placed in a position where she must tolerate January to leave her family’s status and obtain the privileges that January has. Lacan continues to states that toleration is betrayal to the self. “Well, if that’s how things are, we should abandon our position; neither of us is worth that much, and especially me” (Lacan, 321). May is in conflict with herself her toleration is not allowing her to give access to her