Power, Deceit, and Misinterpretation: Uncooperative Speech in the 'Canterbury Tales'

Author / Editor
Petty, George R., Jr.

Title
Power, Deceit, and Misinterpretation: Uncooperative Speech in the 'Canterbury Tales'

Published
Chaucer Review 27 (1993): 413-23.

Description
Chaucer's characters in CT can be seen to use principles of "speech act theory," especially "flouting" of rules in order to induce a different type of meaning from the discourse. Characters gain power or control by deflecting an attack with deliberate misinterpretation.

Chaucer Subjects
Canterbury Tales--General.