The Canterbury Tales The Reeve's Tale

The Reeve's Tale: A Hilarious Tale of Cleverness and Revenge in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales is a treasure trove of medieval storytelling, offering a vibrant tapestry of life in 14th-century England. Among its diverse collection of tales, the Reeve's Tale stands out as a particularly boisterous and witty narrative, showcasing Chaucer's mastery of comedic timing and character development. This tale, a fabliau—a bawdy and often farcical story— revolves around a clever miller's revenge on two Oxford students, demonstrating themes of class conflict, deception, and the triumph of wit over brute force.

The Setting and the Characters: A Stage Set for Deception

The story unfolds in the sleepy village of Trumpington, near Cambridge. The setting itself establishes a crucial element of the tale: the contrasting worlds of the privileged students and the cunning miller. This stark juxtaposition fuels the conflict and enhances the comedic effect.

The key players are:

John and Alan: Two impecunious but relatively bright students from Oxford University, eager to make their mark on the world, or at least, on the miller's daughter. Their youthful ambition, coupled with their naivety, makes them easy targets for the miller's cunning. They represent the academic elite, yet their actions throughout the tale reveal a surprising lack of worldly wisdom.
The Miller, Symkyn: A powerful and imposing figure, he's the antagonist of the story. A wealthy and prosperous man, he embodies the strength and shrewdness of the working class. He's not necessarily evil, but he's certainly self-serving and prone to exploiting those he deems weaker. His character represents a direct contrast to the students' relative helplessness. He utilizes his physical strength and local knowledge to outsmart the unsuspecting students.
The Miller's Wife and Daughter: These characters serve primarily as catalysts for the plot, fueling the students' desires and unknowingly contributing to their downfall. They represent the female presence in the story and, in their own way, contribute to the themes of deception and manipulation.
Daffodil and his Wife: These characters are the miller's neighbors, and their presence underscores the community context of the tale. They unwittingly participate in the students' final act of revenge against the miller.

The Plot: A Carefully Crafted Farce

The plot unfolds in a series of escalating acts of deception and revenge. The students, initially intending a romantic encounter, find themselves outwitted by the miller. Symkyn, aware of their intentions and the lack of resources, uses his cunning to exploit them.

The sequence of events can be broken down as follows:

The Initial Encounter: The students arrive at the miller's house, hoping to borrow some malt and bake their own bread. This seemingly innocent request sets the stage for the conflict. Their naiveté in dealing with the cunning miller is immediately apparent.
The First Deception: Symkyn, aware of their financial constraints, offers them a seemingly generous deal – but only if they help him with his work. He then cleverly overcharges them, exploiting their lack of experience and market awareness.
The Second Deception: The students attempt to take some of the malt for themselves. The miller, who is already aware of their intentions, leaves the grain in a convenient spot, knowing it will be discovered. This is a cleverly orchestrated set-up.
The Revenge: This forms the climax of the tale. The students, however, do not yield to defeat. They plan a rather audacious scheme to get revenge on the Miller. Using the same methods of deception employed against them, they switch the sacks of grain during the night. The comedic aspects are intensified here with physical humor and a degree of slapstick, mirroring the miller's earlier actions against them.
The Final Twist: The morning after, both the miller and the students are engaged in a desperate attempt to discover who stole the grain. The students make off with the stolen malt without any consequences. This represents the final triumph of wit over might. The ambiguity of the ending, however, leaves the reader pondering the moral implications of their actions.

Themes: Exploring Medieval Societal Structures

The Reeve's Tale is more than just a humorous anecdote; it subtly explores several significant themes relevant to medieval society:

Class Conflict: The tale highlights the tension between the privileged class (represented by the students) and the working class (represented by the miller). The conflict underscores the societal inequalities of the time. The miller's shrewdness and his ability to outsmart the students reveals the resilience and resourcefulness of the lower classes in navigating a system designed to favour the wealthy.
Deception and Trickery: Deception is a central element of the narrative. Both the students and the miller resort to trickery to achieve their goals. This reflects the Machiavellian nature of survival and competition, especially in a socio-economic context where resources were often scarce.
The Power of Wit: Ultimately, wit and intelligence triumph over brute strength. The students, though initially outmaneuvered, use their intelligence to plan their revenge, suggesting that cunning and strategy can overcome physical dominance. This is especially relevant in the context of a feudal society.
Gender Roles: The roles of women, while limited, add a layer of complexity to the narrative. The miller's wife and daughter's actions, albeit passive, influence the events of the tale. This adds another dimension to the portrayal of societal norms within the medieval context.
Moral Ambiguity: The tale deliberately avoids a clear-cut moral judgment. Both the students and the miller engage in questionable behavior. This ambiguity challenges the reader to consider the nuances of morality and the complexities of social interactions in a less-than-ideal society.

Literary Devices: Chaucer's Masterful Use of Language

Chaucer's skillful use of literary devices enhances the comedic effect and adds depth to the narrative:

Satire: The tale satirizes the pretensions of the student class, revealing their naiveté and vulnerability. The miller, though not presented as a hero, is depicted as a resourceful figure, thus satirizing the social hierarchies of the time.
Irony: The irony lies in the fact that the students, seeking to exploit the miller, are themselves exploited. The tale is filled with ironic twists and turns.
Dialogue: Chaucer's use of vivid and authentic-sounding dialogue brings the characters to life, making the narrative engaging and believable.
Humor: The humor ranges from slapstick to wordplay, adding to the overall comedic effect. The use of bawdy humor is integral to the story’s genre, highlighting the freedom expressed in the tale.

The Reeve's Response and the Broader Context of the Canterbury Tales

The Reeve's Tale is not presented in isolation within the Canterbury Tales. It follows the Miller's Tale, and the Reeve, a character within the larger frame narrative, responds directly to the Miller's tale. The Reeve, a respected and sophisticated character, tells his story as a counterpoint to the Miller's, highlighting the class conflict and highlighting the themes discussed in the Miller’s tale.

The Reeve’s Tale, therefore, serves as an integral part of the larger narrative structure of the Canterbury Tales. It exemplifies the complex interactions and interwoven narratives that give the collection its richness and complexity. The tales are not just independent stories; they are part of a larger conversation about medieval society and human nature.

Conclusion: A Lasting Legacy of Wit and Wisdom

The Reeve's Tale remains a vibrant and engaging piece of medieval literature. Its enduring appeal lies in its skillful blend of humor, satire, and social commentary. The tale's enduring popularity speaks to its universal themes of deception, revenge, and the triumph of wit, themes which continue to resonate with readers even centuries after its creation. Chaucer's masterful storytelling, characterized by his deft use of language and his insightful portrayal of human nature, makes the Reeve's Tale a memorable and worthwhile contribution to the world of literature. The story's lasting impact lies in its ability to entertain and provoke thought, a testament to Chaucer's genius as a storyteller and his keen observation of the human condition. The tale continues to be studied and enjoyed, highlighting its enduring value as a piece of literature, and as a window into the complexities of medieval life. Its enduring popularity shows its relevance to modern readers who continue to enjoy the timeless themes of cleverness, revenge, and the complexities of human interactions.