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Comparison and Contrast: Miller s Tale and Shipman s Tale The Tale of the Shipman and the Miller s Tale may be alike in the fact that they are both fabliau tales, but they do not hold much of the same characteristics. These tales are both in fact stories of tricks and jokes but neither holds any substantial value. Neither of the two tales teaches a moral point, as oppositely do some of Chaucer s other tales in The Canterbury Tales. Neither tale holds a common theme, nor do they hold any moral values. The Miller s tale is only told to get back at the Reeve for a sneer remark on the Miller s behalf. This story is comedic in a bawdy sense.
Both of the tales hold little value, one holds a reason to be told as well as a comedic response. The Shipman s Tale holds no substantial value and is not funny in any aspect. Nevertheless the tales are different for each other and have different characteristics and actions when they are thought to be the same. Nicholas of the Miller s Tale does not contain any of the same features and characteristics as the monk or the merchant of the Shipman s Tale. All three actually do hold one single feature between all of them. They all seem to be cocky and full of themselves.
Absalon is young and overconfident and brings himself to be caught because of his big head. The monk appears to be cocky because of the ways that he hides his bad deeds for the clergy. His lending money to the already beheaded merchant helps to show how him and the merchant are big headed. The Merchant believes that he is above many other people and feels that he is higher in society than others. Chaucer writes of the Merchant s riches, There was a merchant in St Denys once, who being rich was held to be no dunce the silly husband always has to pay, he has to clothe us, he has to array our bodies to enhance his reputation. (Chaucer, 157) This excerpt only helps to show that the merchant feels that he is rich and feels that he has to be seen with his wealth.
Between the two tales the Miller s tale only holds true purpose for being told. The Miller s tale is told to avenge the Reeve s Tale. The Reeve s degrading tale of a stupid and large Miller had only embittered the Miller into telling a story to avenge and hold his standing. Even still there is no moral value in this tale.
It holds no value except to make a joke and avenge the Reeve. The Shipman s tale appears to be told for no reason. It seems that it was told to show how lending and borrowing money could hurt people. The Merchant is aware of money problems, as written, Then someone else will have to bear the cost, Or lend us money, and that s dangerous. Chaucer, 157) This shows how there is a moral point: Don t borrow money. The tale shows how borrowing money can lead to debt and falling behind.
The Merchant went through many troubles to get money for his wife to pay off a current debt. Otherwise there is no significant moral lesson taught from this Tale. The tale is not entertaining to any extent, also seems to have no significance. Being that both of the tales are fabliaux only one stands out as a true fabliau. The Miller s tale is based on clever tricks that involve infidelity. It is entertaining and bawdy all at once which makes it an enjoyable tale.
It may not contain any meaning or moral value but it satisfy readers in the fact that it is funny. Chaucer writes of Absalon's s strange encounters, And at the window out she put her hole, And Absalon, so fortune framed the farce, Put up his mouth and kissed her naked arse. (Chaucer, 103) This excerpt shows how bawdy humor helps to make the Miller s tale more enjoyable than the Shipman s tale. On the other hand the Shipman s tale does not fit in the fabliau category like it is believed to. It has little significance to society and is rather dull and lacks luster.
The Shipman s tale is more moral in the way that is discourages lending and borrowing money. Otherwise the Miller s tale holds no moral lesson and only tells of a funny fiasco with two young people. In finale, the Miller s tale has almost no similarities to that of the Merchant s tale. Neither holds much moral significance.
The Miller s tale is more enjoyable while the Shipman s tale teaches to not borrow or lend money. Few characteristics are alike between the two tales. In contrast, the two tales are in different in many ways and hold almost no similar characteristics. While the Miller s tale is entertaining the Shipman s tale teaches a moralistic lesson. Wrapping up, the Shipman s tale may hold moral value to an extent, it holds no comical traits and cannot amuse readers in the way that the Miller s tale can. This makes the Miller s tale the winner of the two.
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Research essay sample on Moral Lesson Borrowing Money
