During the life of Geoffrey Chaucer, he combiled many tales which are located in the well known Canterbury Tales. One could consider a large majority of these tales to be highly motivated by sexual desires. The Knight’s Tale, is focused on the desire for Emilye. The Franklyn’s Tale revolves around Dorigen’s varying ability to manage Aurelius and Averagus’ desire for her. However, even in this textual grouping, Chaucer’s fabliaux stand apart. In the Reeve’s Tale Aleyn, John and Symkin treat the two women, Malyne and Symkin’s wife with a criminal level of force. Though medieval audiences may have laughed, (and some modern ones too), The Reeve’s Tale touches on many aspects that in today’s society, are considered morally wrong. Along these
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By definition ownership is known as the “Treatment of a person like they can be bought or owned” (Dictionary). Symkyn is a man that relies heavily on material wealth. This need for ownership and control results in Symkyn’s own demise when John and Aleyne decide to take what they are rightfully owed. Once again, the two female characters become victimized by Symkyn’s decision. In this account, this sense of ownership could be largely considered as an act of slavery. With the control that is held over the women, “the use of slave as a mere toll of the purpose of the owner” (Nussbaum). By having these women respond to his beckon call and require them to do as he pleases, Symkyn is able to express his ownership in a more prominent and controlling way. With this, we can see this struggle play out throughout the text “This millere into toun his doghter sende” (4136). Because of being a women, Malyne is required to follow the order given to her. Granted, life back then was not simple. Food preparation was not like it is today, but because John and Aleyne decided to spend the night, Malyne was summoned to prepare an unseen amount of work along with “rosted hem a goos” (4137). This food preparation would take hours on end, first she would have to prep the goose, defeather, and then cook this meal, all within a reasonable
By definition ownership is known as the “Treatment of a person like they can be bought or owned” (Dictionary). Symkyn is a man that relies heavily on material wealth. This need for ownership and control results in Symkyn’s own demise when John and Aleyne decide to take what they are rightfully owed. Once again, the two female characters become victimized by Symkyn’s decision. In this account, this sense of ownership could be largely considered as an act of slavery. With the control that is held over the women, “the use of slave as a mere toll of the purpose of the owner” (Nussbaum). By having these women respond to his beckon call and require them to do as he pleases, Symkyn is able to express his ownership in a more prominent and controlling way. With this, we can see this struggle play out throughout the text “This millere into toun his doghter sende” (4136). Because of being a women, Malyne is required to follow the order given to her. Granted, life back then was not simple. Food preparation was not like it is today, but because John and Aleyne decided to spend the night, Malyne was summoned to prepare an unseen amount of work along with “rosted hem a goos” (4137). This food preparation would take hours on end, first she would have to prep the goose, defeather, and then cook this meal, all within a reasonable