In Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, the power of lust is a major theme. The characters experience a range of emotions from passionate desire to shameful guilt, illustrating the complex nature of human longing. Through the tales, readers gain insight into the influence of lust on society and how it shapes the lives of those it affects.
Seven deadly sins. Eight stories. Geoffrey Chaucer provides insight into the human character and actions in Canterbury Tales. One of the seven deadly vices, lust, is a constant theme in many stories. Romance and marriage are prominent themes in the story. Many tales deal with sexual desires. They depict characters trying to satisfy their desires through quarrels, deceit, and strong will. These stories all have their own plots but each one conveys the same message about human nature, lust and desire.
The Knight’s Tale’s debut sees lust take over Arcite & Palamon, two men in prison who want Emily. Emily may not even realize they exist. The two men call Emily “goddess” or “Venus” throughout the story, revering Emily’s physical features and showing the lust they have for her (242-243). Chaucer portrays the stupidity and incompetence of the cousins fighting childishly for a woman that they only know from her appearance. One claims that he loved her first (297). Arcite’s murder is the result of their foolishness. Chaucer’s goal is to portray the devastating consequences of lust in this story.
Alison, one the main characters of “The Miller”, is willing to submit to Nicholas, a young squire. “Nicholas had a chance to play and flirt with his young wife after years of secret lust” (87-90). Nicholas continued to flatter his wife as he spoke so prettily that he pushed himself so much that she finally allowed him to be her lover…by Saint Thomas Becket.
Adulation and flattery are still key drivers behind sexual pleasure. But lust doesn’t stop with Nicholas. Absalom is also a victim of lust. He declares, “I yearn like a lamb to the teat.” Even though Alison is not interested in him, sweetheart I do have such love-sickness (518-519). All three men are embarrassed when lust leads them to an embarrassing and chaotic event: Absalom kisses Nicholas on the back, Nicholas is given a burnt “arse”, the old carpenter breaks his elbow. Chaucer introduces several characters in “The Miller”, illustrating the unavoidable, widespread chaos that lust can cause.
Although many tales depict lust in some way, “The Merchant”, despite being a collection of stories, is the most effective at revealing the characteristics and desires of will and desire. January marries May, a beautiful fille, in lust despite Justinus warnings that he would not please her for three years. A wife is a demanding task and requires much work (318-320). The marriage was over a few days later, and January “was ravaged into a state of trance each time he glanced at her face; but in the depths of his soul he began to threaten to restrain her that night in their arms” (506-509). January is not able to hold on to his desires and begins to force May. Jan is lustful and decides that he can have sex with May because May, his wife, must fulfill January’s needs.
Even though January considers May his property, Damian harbors the same lust. “He was so consumed by Venus’ fire that his heart was melted, and he lost his life for it,” (631-633). He writes to May in love, asking for sexual favors. May takes it as a sign of his love. Damian makes use of January’s sight: “Without warning…this Damian pulled up May’s smock, so he thrust” (1108-1109). January sees May and Damian have intercourse and suddenly his vision is restored. He believes May’s explanation despite what he sees.
Each story presents a similar perspective on human nature as well as lust. Chaucer’s stories show that even the most perfect human beings are imperfect and that lust is an ill-effect on whole societies. Chaucer’s stories feature many women who find sexual fulfillment beyond the boundaries of their marriages. This theme is also a common one, as well as courtship and social status. It doesn’t matter how the story is told, what characters are involved, or the plot. Chaucer always reminds readers that love conquers all.
