Sex, Love, and Religion in The Millers Tale, by Chaucer

What is Pornography? When asked some people might say, â€Å"I can not define it, but I know it when I see it.† The word â€Å"Pornography† comes from the Greek for writing about prostitutes. Many people concluded that the Miller’s tale was merely a pornographic story that surrounded four people. This also depended on one’s view of pornography. The Miller’s tale was told by the Miller who was not stable at the time. The Miller’s tale focused on two men, Nicholas and Absolon whose goal is to establish a relationship with Alisoun, the attractive adolescent wife of an older carpenter named John. Alisoun on one hand used old-fashioned romantic strategies such as dressing up in lavish clothes and singing. Nicholas on the other hand tricked John†¦show more content†¦He knew nat Catoun for his wit was rude, that bad man sholde wedde his similitude† (Lines 113-120). Absolon on the other hand just wanted sex, and as much Alisoun despised him he would not stop stalking her. The Miller’s tale is cynical, because love is either misguided or lust and humans often are confused between the two. The author wanted to point that humans must know the difference or else the outcome would most likely be devastating thus leading to one’s own fault. While others might say this theme was not about love, but more about sexual desires, it was not the case. Sexual desires was only part of the theme because sex has always been alined with love in every relationship good or bad. Chaucer want readers to get past the sexual imagery and look at the love theme which incorporated in this story. The love theme represented the trouble behind human minds and how lust can be confused as love. Most compelling is Chaucer’s incorporation of religion in the story. Religion seemed to be something the characters used and abused in order to get what they want in life. Nicolas used the Biblical story of Noahâ⠂¬â„¢s arc in order to fool John so he can sleep with Alisoun. Nicolas was the only one who had a God like role in this tale because he convinced John. Throughout the story, Nicolas got everything he wanted; he had the beautiful girl, tricked the husband, but in the end it was quite the opposite. John was hanging from the roof, theShow MoreRelatedCanterbury Tales Character Analysis1334 Words   |  6 PagesThe Canterbury Tales is a written work, by Geoffrey Chaucer, that is a representation of the society he lived in. His work portrays the feudal system during the medieval times and how each level of livelihood was a character, whose personalities reflect how Chaucer and his culture view them. During his time, his society regarded the Christian Church as corrupt and manipulative, with a few clergy who are honest and genuine in their exertion. 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