The Reeve In The Canterbury Tales

The Reeve: A Portrait of Cunning and Resentment in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales offers a vibrant tapestry of medieval English society, woven with characters as diverse and complex as the roads they travel. Among this memorable cast, the Reeve stands out as a figure of striking ambiguity, a master of his craft yet burdened by a deep-seated resentment. This essay will delve into the character of the Reeve, exploring his social standing, his professional expertise, his personality traits, his tale, and his significance within the broader context of The Canterbury Tales.

The Reeve's Social Standing: From Serf to Success

The Reeve, a steward managing a lord's estate, occupies a fascinating position within the feudal hierarchy. He is not a nobleman, but he wields considerable power and authority over the lord's serfs and property. His status is precarious, reliant on the favor of his lord and his own shrewd management. This precariousness likely contributes to his cautious, calculating nature and his inherent distrust of those above and below him. Chaucer meticulously details his physical appearance, highlighting his professionalism and his practicality. He is described as being thin, with a close-cropped beard and hair, suggesting a disciplined and efficient character. His clothing, though not extravagant, speaks of a certain level of prosperity he has achieved through his sharp business acumen. This carefully crafted portrait subtly emphasizes his upward mobility and, concurrently, his awareness of his tenuous position. He is a reminder that success, even within the rigid structure of medieval society, is not always the product of noble birth or divine right.

A Man of Practicality and Calculation

The Reeve's status isn't solely defined by his social position but also by his skill and expertise. He is portrayed as a highly efficient and accomplished manager of the lord’s estate. His expertise extends beyond simple accounting. Chaucer subtly portrays the Reeve's deep understanding of agriculture, animal husbandry, and construction - crucial elements of efficient estate management in that era. This practical knowledge forms the cornerstone of his authority and the source of his wealth. His success, however, is built on a foundation of shrewd calculation and a pragmatic approach to life, a strategy that sometimes veers into ruthlessness.

The Reeve's Personality: A Tapestry of Contradictions

The Reeve is not a simple character; rather, he is a complex blend of contradictory traits. While he is undeniably intelligent and successful, he is also deeply resentful, cynical, and suspicious. His resentment stems from his lower social origins and his awareness of the injustices inherent in the feudal system. He understands the power dynamics at play and uses this knowledge to his advantage, manipulating situations to his benefit and exploiting the weaknesses of those around him. His cunning and his ability to outwit others are presented as both strengths and weaknesses, highlighting the moral ambiguity at the heart of his character.

Cunning and Deceit: Tools of Survival

Chaucer uses vivid imagery and sharp language to portray the Reeve's cunning. The Reeve isn't merely clever; he is a master of deception, using his wit and intelligence to outmaneuver his rivals and protect his position. He understands the importance of controlling information and strategically employing silence and observation to gather crucial intelligence. This aspect of his character is consistently present, from his interaction with the other pilgrims to the plot of his own tale. His deceit, while sometimes morally questionable, is portrayed as a survival mechanism in a world where trust is often misplaced.

A Master of Self-Control and Dissimulation

The Reeve's mastery of self-control is equally notable. He meticulously controls his emotions, presenting a calm and collected exterior even in tense situations. He is a master of dissimulation, concealing his true feelings and intentions behind a veneer of composure. This control enhances his effectiveness as a manager, allowing him to maintain order and discipline. However, this self-control also underscores his inner turmoil, suggesting that he carefully masks his deep-seated resentment and the anxieties that arise from his uncertain position.

The Reeve's Tale: A Clever Reversal of Fortune

The Reeve's tale offers a compelling insight into his character. It's a fabliau – a humorous tale often involving trickery and deception. The story depicts two Cambridge students, John and Alan, who attempt to cheat a miller of his grain. However, the miller, in a clever twist of events, outwits the students, stealing their flour and leaving them humiliated. The tale seemingly contradicts the Reeve’s own cunning, making him a less successful version of his own tale's protagonist.

Social Commentary in the Reeve's Tale

Although the story appears to be simply a comical tale, it offers a subtle social commentary. The Reeve's choice of a tale that involves deception and a reversal of fortunes reflects his own experiences and his cynical view of the world. The tale also subtly points towards the class dynamics of medieval society. By depicting the downfall of the upper-class students at the hands of the lower-class miller, the Reeve underscores the power of wit and resourcefulness, irrespective of social standing. It's a tale that might be seen as a justification for his own sharp practices and as a subtle, almost self-aware, mockery of the inherent injustices of the feudal system.

Irony and the Reeve's Narrative Strategy

The irony in the Reeve's tale is layered and complex. The tale is a direct response to the Miller's tale which similarly depicts a trick played on a wealthy individual. The Reeve's choice to tell such a story is laden with significance. He is, in a way, mirroring the Miller's behavior, engaging in a literary contest of wits and cleverness. By cleverly narrating a tale of deception, he simultaneously reveals his own skills while subtly criticizing the flaws of those he believes are his social superiors.

The Reeve's Significance in The Canterbury Tales

The Reeve stands as one of the most memorable and complex characters in Chaucer’s work. He represents the shrewdness and resourcefulness necessary to navigate the complexities of medieval society. His character, however, serves as a reminder of the human cost of ambition and survival. His success is tinged with bitterness, and his cunning borders on ruthlessness. His tale not only entertains but also invites us to consider the moral ambiguities inherent in social climbing and the challenges of maintaining power in a hierarchical society.

A Symbol of Social Mobility and its Pitfalls

The Reeve's journey serves as a potent symbol of social mobility. His ascent from humble beginnings to a position of relative power is a testament to his intelligence and ambition. However, Chaucer’s portrayal underscores the often-unseen consequences of such ambition. The Reeve's deep-seated resentment and his cynical worldview are the byproduct of his relentless pursuit of success, highlighting the psychological toll of navigating a stratified and often unjust society.

A Counterpoint to the Noble Characters

The Reeve offers a counterpoint to the more idealized noble characters in the Canterbury Tales. While the knights and squires are presented as embodying chivalry and courtly ideals, the Reeve embodies the pragmatic realities of survival and the darker side of human ambition. His presence forces us to confront the limitations of the idealized narratives and to consider the perspectives of those often marginalized in medieval society.

A Master of Language and Narrative Control

Chaucer, through his masterful use of language, subtly reveals the Reeve's character through both his direct descriptions and the nuances of his storytelling. The Reeve's language is precise and economical, reflecting his practicality and his calculated approach to life. His tale, while comical, displays a mastery of narrative control, reflecting his overall mastery of his environment and his manipulation of situations to his own advantage. The reader is constantly reminded that the Reeve is not just observing but strategically controlling the narrative, showcasing his cunning both within the story and through his own presentation.

Conclusion: A Lasting Legacy

The Reeve's character transcends his role as a mere pilgrim in Chaucer's grand narrative. He represents a significant societal archetype, a symbol of both ambition and resentment, success and disillusionment. His story, both in his own tale and in his portrayal throughout The Canterbury Tales, offers a nuanced and compelling commentary on the complexities of medieval society and the enduring power of human ambition, even when tainted by cynicism and a deep-seated sense of injustice. The Reeve's lasting legacy lies in his unwavering realism, his sharp wit, and his enduring complexity, qualities which continue to fascinate and challenge readers centuries after his creation. His character remains a testament to Chaucer's ability to portray not just the idealized, but also the flawed and often conflicted aspects of the human experience. The Reeve is not simply a character; he is a mirror reflecting the multifaceted realities of a bygone era, a testament to the enduring power of storytelling to capture the complexities of human nature.