The Reeve's Tale

The Reeve's tale was told by the Reeve to get back at the Miller for his tale which made fun of a dumb carpenter. I think it's amazing how well the author is able to describe the characters and the events while making the story rhyme at the same time. The Reeve's tale is not too long, but a lot of things happen and I didn't think there were any parts where it was boring. It was entertaining throughout. I was kind of surprised when the miller would let the two clerks stay the night at his house especially after he had just robbed them of their corn. The scene at night was written in a funny and comedic way, but part of it could also be interpreted as vengeaful rape by John and Alain. In the end, all the characters seemed end up being fooled and the Miller eventually gets humiliated the most I think.


Canterbury Tales is a great example of life in the Middle Ages. Although not displayed in the Reeve's tale, the moral code of chivalry is described in the prologue. Chivalrous knights in the Middle Ages were of the highest honor and showed loyalty to their kings in everything they did. The knight in Canterbury tales exemplifies this ideal as he is said to have, "loved chivalry, truth, honour, freedom, and all courtesy." "Full worthy was he in his sovereign's war."
Also, the knight was an example of a Crusader since he had fought "as well in Christendom as heatheness" meaning that he had gone to Eastern Europe ("Against another heathen in Turkey") and the Middle East to fight in the Holy Wars. This reflects one of the major events of the Middle Ages, the Crusades. Also in the prologue, the medical beliefs of the Middle Ages are shown in the description of the doctor. At that time they believed that the position of the planets had an effect on human life, so they thought if a doctor was a good astronomer he would be a good healer also. ("Well could he calculate the planetary position, To improve the state his patient is in.")