The Miller's Tale
Each of the three men seems to receive "poetic justice"--a punishment that is ironically appropriate to the character's own estimate of himself. Show how this is true. Does Alisoun also receive poetic justice? Why or why not?

The Wife of Bath's Tale
The knight who has committed a rape is supposed to go in quest of the answer to the question, "what is it that women most desire?" The knight gathers different opinions, most of which the Wife of Bath says are partially true. Finally, the crone gives him the real answer: "women desire to have dominion / over their husbands as well as their lovers, / and to be above them in mastery."

1) Why, from a woman's point of view, is this the best answer? (Be sure to compare this answer to the other answers.)

After they are married, the knight objects to consummating the marriage because she is ugly, old, poor, and of low birth. She replies by saying that she could "amende al this" if he behaves right, but first she gives him a long speech on nobility and poverty.

2) What does she have to say about nobility? About poverty? What does she imply about the knight's attitude towards her?

As for her ugliness, she says that she could fix that, and gives him a choice of what she will be: old, ugly, and always faithful because no other man will ever want her, or young, beautiful, and attractive to other men. (Note she does not say that she, when beautiful, will be unfaithful, only that he will have to "take your chances on the flocking / of people to your house because of me" [p. 357, lines 368-369].)

3) What does the choice that the crone gives to the knight say about what men really want from women? What answer does the knight make, and why does that make everybody happy?

4) What does the Wife of Bath think the point of her tale is? (This isn't a hard question; look at how she concludes the tale) What do you think that Chaucer thinks the point of her tale is?

The Merchant's Tale
What is the significance of the names of January's two friends who give him advice? What kind of advice does each give, and why does January accept the advice of Placebo and not Justinus? What viewpoint is symbolized by Pluto? By Proserpina? Do you sympathize with January or with May? What's the lesson of the story?