“The Miller's Tale” in The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, tells a story of three men: John, Nicholas, and Absolon, who are in love with one woman, Alisoun. Lies make up a substantial portion of “The Miller's Tale” they are shown in ways of adultery, trickery, and downright lies. These lies pose the question of whether or not the lies told in “The Miller's Tale” can be classified as moral or immoral? The bible states, “no sin is greater than any other”, while that is a spiritual belief, it isn’t a moral belief. Even though lying is seen as a sin, multiple characters lie in many situations in “The Miller's Tale” these characters lie and manipulate in order to fulfill sexual needs that are unjustifiable in the sense of moral belief. At
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Nicholas apparently sees the flood in the stars and states, "That half so greet was never Noës flood.” (Greenblatt pg 273) Meaning it will be twice as bad as Noah’s flood from the bible. If John has any awareness, he would know this to be false because in the bible God said he would never flood the earth again. John is given instructions on how to protect Alisoun from the flood, that they all have to sit in bath tubs and not talk, that way once the water comes they can float away and survive. Once John falls asleep Nicholas and Alisoun sneak out of the tubs and go back to the house. They are together all night while John is hiding from a fake flood. This lie shows how the characters Nicholas and Alisoun will do anything for sex. They tell great lies to spend just a few hours together. One author writes “Alisoun and Nicholas, successful in tricking John to hide in a tub on the roof of his home, lie in the couple's bed and occupy themselves "in bisynesse of myrthe and of solas". Sexual intercourse is thus described as a transaction, "bisynesse" between the young wife and the "poure scoler" who steals her away.” (Carroll) This author states that both parties are at fault. This just shows another lie done to benefit someone’s personal needs. This lie is not morally verified and if John knew …show more content…
While Nicholas and Alisoun are spending time together, Absolon approaches their house and convinces Alisoun to kiss him, she agrees. However, it is dark and hard to see, so Absolon actually kisses Alisoun’s rear end. This causes Absolon to get very angry. He later comes back to ask for another kiss but this time Nicholas uses his rear end and Absolon puts a red hot picker on his rear end, causing him to be in extreme pain. This lie hurts everyone involved, physically and emotionally. In an essay from ST. Thomas University, a writer quotes, “Absolon approaches Alisoun’s window, hoping to replicate the scene he previously played out in his mind. Alisoun, however, in addition to loving Nicholas, chooses another predicate in an effort to resist his insistence that she enact a role that will help him establish and maintain his desired identity as a courtly lover.” (Forbes) Though it is said Alisoun doesn’t like Absolon in a romantic way, she should still morally care about his feelings and emotions as any decent human being
Nicholas apparently sees the flood in the stars and states, "That half so greet was never Noës flood.” (Greenblatt pg 273) Meaning it will be twice as bad as Noah’s flood from the bible. If John has any awareness, he would know this to be false because in the bible God said he would never flood the earth again. John is given instructions on how to protect Alisoun from the flood, that they all have to sit in bath tubs and not talk, that way once the water comes they can float away and survive. Once John falls asleep Nicholas and Alisoun sneak out of the tubs and go back to the house. They are together all night while John is hiding from a fake flood. This lie shows how the characters Nicholas and Alisoun will do anything for sex. They tell great lies to spend just a few hours together. One author writes “Alisoun and Nicholas, successful in tricking John to hide in a tub on the roof of his home, lie in the couple's bed and occupy themselves "in bisynesse of myrthe and of solas". Sexual intercourse is thus described as a transaction, "bisynesse" between the young wife and the "poure scoler" who steals her away.” (Carroll) This author states that both parties are at fault. This just shows another lie done to benefit someone’s personal needs. This lie is not morally verified and if John knew …show more content…
While Nicholas and Alisoun are spending time together, Absolon approaches their house and convinces Alisoun to kiss him, she agrees. However, it is dark and hard to see, so Absolon actually kisses Alisoun’s rear end. This causes Absolon to get very angry. He later comes back to ask for another kiss but this time Nicholas uses his rear end and Absolon puts a red hot picker on his rear end, causing him to be in extreme pain. This lie hurts everyone involved, physically and emotionally. In an essay from ST. Thomas University, a writer quotes, “Absolon approaches Alisoun’s window, hoping to replicate the scene he previously played out in his mind. Alisoun, however, in addition to loving Nicholas, chooses another predicate in an effort to resist his insistence that she enact a role that will help him establish and maintain his desired identity as a courtly lover.” (Forbes) Though it is said Alisoun doesn’t like Absolon in a romantic way, she should still morally care about his feelings and emotions as any decent human being