The Importance Of Dishonesty In The Miller's Tale By Chaucer

During the 14th century an extreme change took place in society, and a middle class arose between the higher class of nobility and the working class of the commoners (Reid). This significant change caused a median between the two classes, whereas before the higher class and lower class were totally separated from each other. Before the middle class, the upper class looked down upon the commoners, but the establishment of the middle class formed a happy medium where the people could relate to both classes. Chaucer, the author of “The Miller’s Tale”, was a part of this middle class. Chaucer was the son of a wine merchant and spent most of his time at the harbor meeting people of all classes which would later reflect in his writing (Reid). Chaucer made the English language important and wrote in extreme satire, heckling both the noble class and the class of commoners (Reid). For example, “The Miller’s Tale”, tells a fabliau or dirty story that people can relate to for entertainment (Reid). In the poem “The Miller’s Tale”, three characters can be portrayed as evil, but Alison is considerably worse because she is an adulterer, a liar, and inhumane.

Alison and Nicholas are dishonest to everyone around them in order to get what they want. Even today people still use lies to get what they want or to get out of trouble. When someone is dishonest they know that they are in the wrong, but they try to justify themselves, so that they will not feel bad about their wrong doings. However every lie comes with consequences. John is the victim of a lie when he is made a fool in front of the whole town, and considered crazy by everyone. Sir Nicholas also becomes the victim of Alison’s lie, when he is poked in the butt with a hot poker in Absolon’s revenge on Alison. Reader’s today can learn from “The Miller’s Tale”, recognizing that lies may seem to be the best alternative to a situation, but there are always