33- “Whilom ther was dwellynge in Lumbardye/A worthy knyght, that was born of Pavye”
Merchant
52- “for wedlok is so esy and so clene”
January- an ironic statement used to justify his lustful desires for a young wife. He is delusional in his view that marriage will be easy
56-“to take a wyf is a glorious thyng”
January- the verb ‘take’ demonstrates that he views a wife as a possession rather than an equal. He uses biblical language to justify his lustful plans. He views marriage not as a companionship but rather a transaction
86 “a trewe servant dooth more diligence”
January- suggests that a dedicated servant is more loyal and hardworking. This presents his misogynistic views as he seeks a wife of submissive obedience.
139 “upon his bare knees ought al his lyf/thanken his God that hym hath sent a wyf”
About January. He treats them as inanimate objects and servants. The religious imagery of knees evokes a posture of prayer
151-159 “Rebekke” “Ester” “Abigail”
Merchant. The allusion to these biblical women is ironic. The merchant uses figures associated with wisdom and salvation to illustrate his personal bitterness
206 “oold fish and yong flessh wolde I have ful fayn”
January- highlights his crude and mercenary attitude towards marriage and his future wife. Women are reduced to an object of consumption
218 “right as men may warm wex with handes plye”
January- Emphasises his misogynistic delusion view of marriage. he believes he can mould a young woman into submissive obedience, demonstrating his desire for control
303 “to take a yong wyf; be my fader kyn”
Placebo encourages January to marry a young woman to satisfy his desires
458 “Paraunter she may be your purgatorie”
Justininus. Advises that a young wife might be the paradise that January expects, but rather a source of intense suffering. he challenges Placebo’s idealistic view of marriage
478 “And with this word this Justyn and his brother/Han take hir leve”
The departure of Justinus and Placebo symbolises January’s abandonment of logic and caution. This moment secures the premise of the fabliau, as January is able to exercise an unchecked power
536 “Thank she was lyk the brighte morewe of May”
May is compared to a bright morning in May, representing spring and youth. This contrasts heavily with the characterisation of January as winter. She is seen as an innocent figure.
538 “This January is ravysshed in a traunce”
Highlights the irrationality and selifhsness of January’s lust. It marks the moment January fully commits to a self-deluded fantasy, an ironic prelude to his deception.
564- Damyan “almost he swelte and swowned ther he stood”
Despite the extreme reaction of the squire Damyan upon falling in love with May. This marks a dangerous threat
565 “so soore hath Venus hurt hum with hire brond”
Intervention of venus, the goddess of love, signifying his passion as a destructive force
580 “god graunte thee then hoomly for t’espeye”
By praying for January to spy in his own home, the Merchant emphasises January’s inability to do so. Highlights his hamartic quality of foolish pride
595 “he drynketh ypocras, clarre, and vernage”
January’s reliance on medicine to stimulate his sexual performance illustrates his elderly age. Love to him is purely physical, and he has a desire to derive as much pleasure as he can from May
606 “the bryde was brough abbede as still as stoon”
The use of simile creates an uncomfortable tone. She is dehumanised to a rock, AO3 Great Chain of being
612 “with thikke brustles of his berd unsofte”
Use of tactile imagery creates a sense of disgust, emphasises the unpleasant nature of January’s elderly body. This creates a tactile sensory experience for the reader, acting as a direct contrast to his notion of desire.
637 “the slakke skyn about his nekke Shaketh”
This piece of visual imagery is used to characterise January as a grotesque and pathetic figure. The use of sibilance creates a spitting sound, emphasising the disgust associated with him
642 “she preyseth nat his pleyying worth a bene”
This quote contradicts May’s initial portrayal as the submissive bride. A;though she has a lack of agency within the marriage, she is forced to become coming and seek satisfaction elsewhere
663- “that sike Damyan in Venus fyr”
Establishes the love scenario as animalistic and lustful. The imagery of Venus’ fire is foershadowing the intense sexual act that will occur later in the pear tree
671 “and in a purs of sylk, heng on his sherte/He hath it put and leyde it at his herte”
Damyan puts a love letter to May in a silk burse. By placing the letter near his heart, he adopts the stereotype of a courtly lover
702 “I wol myself visite hym, and eek May”
January’s decision to visit Damyan and bring May along is the pinnacle of his folly, he is delivering his wife into the hands of her lover. January is pairing himself with May, yet he ironically delivers her to infidelity
