The Nun's Priest's Tale summary and analysis

 

After the Monk’s tragic tale, the Knight pleads that no more tragedies be told as it may destroy the pleasant spirit of the journey. He asks that someone tell a tale that is not tragic, one that narrates the extreme good fortune of someone or something ends happily with lots of pleasing moments. The Host picks the Nun’s Priest, in fact he is not described in detail in the general prologue. He was traveling Madame Eglantyne and her nun, and demands that he should tell a tale that will gladden the hearts of the company members. The Nun’s priest readily agrees, and begins the tale.

Once long ago there lived a poor old widow in a small cottage. She kept a few animals, including a rooster named Chanticleer and his seven wives hens. One dawn Chanticleer begins to groan as if having a nightmare. Lady Pertelote, his favorite hen, asked him about the nightmare: A great beast like hound with glowing red eyes had entered their yard and tried to kill him. Pertelote tells him that he is a coward and the nightmare is meaningless. She also prescribes some medicinal herbs.

But Chanticleer feels that he should pay attention to all the dreams, pointing out that dreams often have meaning and any significance. In order to support this Chanticleer tells several stories he's read in books. After this discussion Chanticleer refuses the herbal remedies. The presence of Pertelote next to him makes him feel better. As she was a strong lady.

Later Chanticleer is outside, singing, when he sees a fox in the yard. Startled, Chanticleer prepares to run away, but the fox reassures him that he is friendly and has only come to listen to Chanticleer's beautiful singing. Chanticleer is flattered and begins to sing again when the fox catches him and carries off toward the woods. At this moment all the hens make such uproar that the widow and her daughters came rushing. They see the fox and chased him, accompanied by all their animals.

Chanticleer suggests to the fox that he turn around and shout insults and curses at his pursuers. The fox does this, and Chanticleer takes the opportunity to fly into a tree. The fox then says he didn't mean any harm, so Chanticleer should come down. But Chanticleer now knows that the fox is trying to play trick on him, so he refuses.

 

It's a fable within the larger framework of the Canterbury Tales, told by the Nun's Priest, who is a secular clergyman. The tale is a beast fable, featuring animals as characters, and it explores themes of flattery, dreams, and the unpredictability of fortune.

The tale belongs to the genre of the beast fable, a narrative in which animals act as characters, often embodying human qualities. The structure involves a linear and engaging storyline with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Characters:

Chanticleer: The proud rooster who is the protagonist of the tale. He symbolizes worldly wisdom, yet he falls prey to flattery. It represents the human nature as well.

Pertelote: Chanticleer's favorite hen and his romantic interest. She represents common sense and dismisses the significance of dreams.

The Fox: The antagonist who tricks Chanticleer. The fox embodies deceit and cunning.

Themes:

Flattery and Pride: Chanticleer's downfall comes from his vulnerability to flattery. The fox, through clever manipulation and flattery, exploits the rooster's pride and vanity. This theme explores the dangers of being overly confident and susceptible to praise.

Dreams and Predictions: Pertelote dismisses Chanticleer's fear based on a dream, promoting the idea that dreams are meaningless. However, the tale challenges this notion when the dream becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, blurring the line between reality and imagination.

Irony and Satire: Chaucer employs irony and satire to mock certain human behaviors. Chanticleer, who is supposed to be wise, falls victim to his own folly, highlighting the ironic and often humorous nature of the narrative.

Allegory:

The characters and events in the tale can be interpreted allegorically. Chanticleer represents those who are easily swayed by flattery, Pertelote embodies those who dismiss warnings, and the fox symbolizes deceit and treachery. The narrative, therefore, can be seen as a moral allegory cautioning against these vices.

Humor and Entertainment:

Chaucer employs humor, irony, and wit throughout the tale. The amusing and lighthearted tone, coupled with the animal characters, makes the story entertaining. The tale also serves as a break from the heavier and more serious tales within the Canterbury Tales.

 

The Nun's Priest's Tale in fact is a multi-layered narrative that combines humor, satire, and moral allegory. Through the interactions of its animal characters, the tale explores themes relevant to human behavior, such as pride, flattery, and the consequences of dismissing warnings. Chaucer's clever use of literary devices and his ability to weave entertainment with moral reflection contribute to the enduring appeal of this tale within the Canterbury Tales.