“The Clerk’s Tale” is one of the stories from Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, a collection of 24 stories written in Middle English at the end of the 14th century. This tale, narrated by the Clerk of Oxford, is a story of patience, loyalty, and the trials of Griselda, a character whose unwavering devotion and humility are put to extreme tests by her husband, Walter.
Synopsis of “The Clerk’s Tale”
The Prologue
In the prologue to “The Clerk’s Tale,” the Clerk of Oxford, a scholarly and reserved figure, introduces his story. He mentions that it is a tale learned from Petrarch, the famous Italian poet and scholar. This reference gives the tale an air of authority and cultural connection, highlighting its literary heritage.
The Story of Griselda and Walter
The tale is set in the Italian region of Saluzzo, where a noble marquis named Walter is urged by his people to marry and produce an heir. Walter agrees but under the condition that he will choose his wife himself. He selects Griselda, a poor but virtuous peasant girl known for her beauty and goodness.
The Marriage Test
Walter marries Griselda, but from the very beginning, he tests her loyalty and obedience. Shortly after their marriage, Walter begins to subject Griselda to a series of cruel trials to see if she will remain faithful and submissive:
- First Test: Walter pretends to doubt Griselda’s ability to be a proper mother and has their first child, a daughter, taken away under the pretense that she will be killed. Griselda accepts this without complaint, demonstrating her unwavering obedience.
- Second Test: Several years later, when Griselda bears a son, Walter repeats the ordeal, having the boy taken away under similar pretenses. Again, Griselda shows no resistance, displaying the same stoic acceptance.
- Final Test: The ultimate test comes when Walter announces that he has been granted permission by the Pope to divorce Griselda and marry another, supposedly more suitable woman. He sends Griselda back to her humble origins, only to later summon her to help prepare his new bride for the wedding. Throughout this ordeal, Griselda remains patient and dutiful.
The Revelation
In the end, Walter reveals that all these trials were merely tests of her virtue and loyalty. He reunites Griselda with their children, who had been safely kept away, and they are restored to their rightful places in the family. Walter acknowledges Griselda’s unmatched patience and loyalty, and they live out their lives together in happiness.
Themes and Analysis
Patience and Loyalty
The central theme of “The Clerk’s Tale” is the virtues of patience and loyalty. Griselda’s character embodies these traits to an almost superhuman degree, enduring extreme hardships without complaint. Her unwavering submission is intended to reflect the ideal of wifely obedience and humility prevalent in medieval society.
Power and Authority
Walter’s role as the testing husband highlights the dynamics of power and authority in marital relationships. His actions can be seen as a critique of the arbitrary and often cruel exercise of power by those in authority. The tale raises questions about the ethics of such tests and the human cost of proving loyalty and virtue.
The Role of Women
Griselda’s portrayal is complex and can be interpreted in various ways. On one hand, she is a paragon of virtue and an example of idealized femininity in medieval literature. On the other hand, modern readers might view her trials as emblematic of the oppression and subjugation of women, highlighting the extreme expectations placed on women to conform to societal norms of obedience and passivity.
Literary and Historical Context
“The Clerk’s Tale” draws heavily from a story by Giovanni Boccaccio, which was later retold by Petrarch. Chaucer’s version is notable for its depth of psychological insight and the way it engages with contemporary debates about marriage and the roles of men and women. The tale reflects medieval values and the period’s literary traditions, including the widespread use of allegory and exemplum.
Conclusion
“The Clerk’s Tale” is a compelling narrative that delves into themes of patience, loyalty, and the exercise of power within relationships. Griselda’s story, while rooted in medieval ideals, continues to provoke discussion and analysis due to its rich character portrayals and the ethical questions it raises. Through this tale, Chaucer offers a poignant reflection on human virtues and the complexities of marital dynamics.