Millers Tale Vs Miller's Tale

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When comparing the style and theme of The Knight’s Tale to The Miller’s Tale it is crucial to start by examining the different genres of both tales. The Knights Tale is a Romance which tends to focus on love, adventure, disguise, and flight. Also, the Romance genre was popular within aristocratic circles of High Medieval and Early Modern Europe; so they were meant to be read seriously. The Miller’s Tale, on the other hand, is a Fabliau which is a comic characterized by an excessiveness of sexual innuendos. Chaucer gets the style of the Fabliau from the French Tradition. By examining the differences in genre alone, it is already clear that there will be a present shift in meaning from one tale to the other. By examining the style and theme between the two stories, it is evident that genre influences the shift in meaning between the two stories. That is, a shift from a tragic idealized courtly love among nobility in The Knight’s Tale, to The Miller’s Tale which is a comic affair among the middle class. First, it is important to discuss the similarities between the two stories; once the similarities are presented, it will be easier to compare the two stories and their shift in meaning. Both stories are grounded in a story that involves a love triangle, an authoritative figure, and a fight for love. In the Knight’s Tale, there is a love triangle between Sir Palamon, Sir Arcite, and Lady Emelye, all of whom are members of nobility. In contrast, The Miller’s Tale features a love triangle between Absolon, a parish clerk, Nicholas a clerk, and Alisoun an 18 year old wild spirit, all of whom are members of the middle class. In both stories there is an authoritative figure that tries to control the future of the lady in the love triangle. ... ... middle of paper ... ...d theme between The Knight’s Tale and The Miller’s Tale, it is evident that genre has an influence on the creation of meaning within the two stories; it also allows the reader to recognize The Miller’s Tale as a parody of the courtly and aristocratic values of The Knight’s Tale. By first recognizing that both stories are grounded in a similar basic plot, it is easier to compare the differences between them. Some major themes that exemplify the influence that genre has on meaning are divinity and predestination and love at first sight. By examining these themes and other aspects of the stories such as the combat and the endings, it is clear that style, theme, and genre are crucial in influencing the creation of meaning in a story. And this is how two stories can shift meaning from a tragic idealized courtly love among nobility, to a comic affair among middle class.

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