The Profit

The way Chaucer juxtaposes the knights tale with the millers tale might be part of his plan to capture a wide set of audiences. Because he is representing two very different social classes, his text will appeal to a wide range of readers. The Millers tale is made up of characters that, unlike a knight, are fat and rude. As this excerpt proves the folk that make up this tale are part of a lower social class. The effect this has on the reader is either laughter or indignation. In order to prevent this king of reaction Chaucer is clear when expressing that readers who are offended easily should skip to the next tale.

“3120 The Millere, that for dronken was al pale,

The Miller, who for drunkenness was all pale,

3121 So that unnethe upon his hors he sat,

So that he hardly sat upon his horse,

3122 He nolde avalen neither hood ne hat,

He would not doff neither hood nor hat,

3123 Ne abyde no man for his curteisie,

Nor give preference to any man out of courtesy,

3124 But in Pilates voys he gan to crie,

But in Pilate's voice he began to cry,

3125 And swoor, "By armes, and by blood and bones,

And swore, "By (Christ's) arms, and by blood and bones,

3126 I kan a noble tale for the nones,

I know a noble tale for this occasion,

3127 With which I wol now quite the Knyghtes tale."

With which I will now requite the Knight's tale."

3128 Oure Hooste saugh that he was dronke of ale,

Our Host saw that he was drunk on ale,

3129 And seyde, "Abyd, Robyn, my leeve brother;

And said, "Wait, Robin, my dear brother;

3130 Som bettre man shal telle us first another.

Some better man shall first tell us another.

3131 Abyd, and lat us werken thriftily."

Wait, and let us act properly."” (The Millers Tale)

I have come to the conclusion that Chaucer is merely trying to make a profit when writing these two very different stories. The knight’s tale appeals to the high-class reader that enjoys the typical, censored, writing. On the other hand, the Millers tale appeals to those who act like the Miller and feel as part of his class. There has not been a clear depiction of Chaucer’s favorite story, which leads me to the conclusion that each story is made in order to sell.