The Janus Symbolism in 'The Merchant's Tale'
- Author / Editor
- Adams, John F.
The Janus Symbolism in 'The Merchant's Tale'
- Published
- Studies in Medieval Culture 4 (1974): 446-51.
- Description
- MerT is both fabliau and romance, both realistic and allegorical. Janus was god of gates and of marriage beds. January falls under Aquarius, associated with old age; May, under Gemini, was associated with youth. The name of the sacred Roman gate was Iannus Geminus.
- Chaucer Subjects
- Merchant and His Tale.