Proverbs, "Sententiae," and "Exempla" in Chaucer's Comic Tales: The Function of Comic Misapplication.

Description: Illustrates Chaucer's "comic misapplication" of "monitory elements" as a device of characterization in CT, discussing how the misapplied expressions of traditional wisdom can be used cleverly (as with Nicholas in MilT), foolishly (John in MilT and January in MerT), cynically (the friar in SumT), etc. At times, the issue of intention complicates the characterization (Wife of Bath); at others, effort to impress is involved (Chaunticler in NPT). Generally, Chaucer exploited the "comic contradiction" between the potential for wisdom in pithy sayings and its ironic undercutting when misapplied or manipulated. Also comments on Mel and RvT.

Chaucer Subjects: Style and Versification
Miller and His Tale
Merchant and His Tale
Summoner and His Tale
Wife of Bath an Her Tale
Nun's Priest and His Tale
Tale of Melibee
Reeve and His Tale