Characters
This old knight marries a much younger woman named May.
Who is January?
January decides to do this late in life.
What is get married?
What is deception?
This tale uses humor and exaggeration to criticize society; this is called what.
What is satire?
This young bride secretly has an affair with Damian.
Who is May?
January loses this, allowing May to deceive him.
This theme is shown through May and Damian's secret relationship
What is adultery?
January believes he has a perfect marriage, but in reality is different; this is this literary device.
What is irony?
This squire hides in a pear tree.
Who is Damian?
May arranges to meet Damian in this location.
What is the garden or pear tree?
January's blindness represents this larger idea.
What is ignorance/self deception?
January idealizes marriage as perfect and holy, despite clear flaws; this is an example of this device involving over-the-top exaggeration.
What is a hyperbole?
This friend advises January not to marry, warning him about women.
Who is Justin?
This god restores January's eyesight at the end of the tale.
Who is Pluto?
Chaucer critiques this imbalance between January and May.
What is unequal power or age gap dynamics in relationships?
The contrast between January's expectations of marriage and the reality of May's betrayal highlights this device.
What is a juxtaposition?
This friend encourages January to marry, praising wives.
Who is Placebo?
This goddess helps May explain away her actions.
Who is Proserpine?
The Merchant's cynical tone reflects this about relationships.
What is distrust or bitterness towards marriage?
The use of the garden as both a romantic paradise and a place of deception represents this device where an object has deeper meaning.
What is symbolism?