what genre is the poem?
a fabliau
what are fabliaus?
short, comic narrative tales, usually with ribald and bawdy elements and colourful, lively characters
How does Chaucher use the fabliau form in the poem?
it presents comedy in a more refined way. In addition to the comic tale, there also some extended passages discussing the topic of marriage, the nature of women and relationship between sexes
who did the Merchant paraphrase in the Prologue?
the Clerk
When was Chaucer born?
in 1340
Chaucer’s influence of French poetry?
He was influenced by French erotic poetry who laid down the elaborate code of duties owed by husband to wife and lover to mistress
When does Chaucer die?
1400
Passages in Chaucer’s work revealing his character?
reveals as a man of cheerful and genial nature, full of freshness and humour
Chaucer’s view on womanhood
in many passages he insists on the value of the purity of womanhood and the nobility of manhood. Therefore, we can see that the Merchant-narrator and his hero, Januarie, are far removed from Chaucer’s iedal man.
the four conditions of medieval courtly love in poetry?
- humility
- courtesy
- adultery
- the religion of love
How do the readers feel towards January?
The readers can sympathise with him as he grows senile, becomes blind and is betrayed. They are also repulsed by him due to his delusion over his sexual prowess when in reality he has to take a whole range of aphrodisiacs and read a manual to show him how to proceed sexually
