George Washington

A.M.D.G. Brian Cawneen

Junior English 5

Mr.McKenna/Ms. Bogart

November 22,2005

De Taciturnus Scribus

“As coy and quiet as a virgin-wife, newly espoused and sitting mum at the table! You haven’t said a word since we left the stable”(“The Clerk’s Tale”320). These words that Chaucer uses to begin his exemplary tale on the Clerk, establish the Clerk as an impotent, defenseless, yet vigorous philosophy student. The Clerk is a scrawny, timid character, whose characteristics both contrast and compare to Walter and Griselda respectively.

Generalizations of the Clerk as a scrawny, quiet individual are supported in “The Prologue”. “His only care was study, and indeed he never spoke a word more than was need…short, to the point, and lofty in his theme” (“The Prologue”11). In “The Prologue” Chaucer also states that the horse The Clerk is riding on is skinny as well: “his horse was thinner than a rake”(“The Prologue”11) this quote exemplifies that not only is The Clerk himself, weak in appearance, but his horse and probably other things about him seem weak and powerless. This quote displays that although the Clerk is reserved and softspoken, his words are profound and knowledgable. The Host pokes fun at the Clerk’s lack of speaking throughout the pilgrimage, however his tale proves that his words do truly possess meaning and themes such as feminism

These characteristics and generalizations of the Clerk compare to the timid, obedient image of Griselda and contrast to the fortuitous and noble Walter. Chaucer establishes Griselda’s character to complement the Clerk’s character in “The Prologue”. Instances of both The Clerk and Griselda saying words of obeidience to their “superiors” can be cited in the “Prologue” and “Tale”. The Clerk obeys the Host’s request to tell an exciting tale: “This worthy cleric left the land of nod and said benignly, ‘Sir, I kiss the rod! Our company is under your control and I am all obedience heart and soul” (“The Clerk’s Tale”321). The phrase “I am all obedience, heart and soul” directly relates to the “Tale,” when Walter forces Griselda to agree to a vow of obedience in their marriage. In doing this