Geoffrey Chaucer, the author of Canterbury Tales, gives a realistic view of Middle English life at this time, and can be applied to modern life. The fact that Chaucer wrote in the vernacular illustrates that these tales were written for the common man, so that they could look at themselves. The themes of honor, marital rule, and the belief of the supernatural are indicators that the nature of man is constant. Chaucer, having the opportunity to work with many humans, tells tales that have themes that are relevant today. The questions of "What is the honorable thing to do?" along with stories that glorify the Virgin Mary and justify sovereignty of one spouse or the other ring true today. No matter how advanced man becomes our nature still remains the same. The instincts for sociability, security, and sex still drive man today. The theme of honor is present in the Knight's tale and the Miller's Tale. The Knight's Tale is told so that the Knight's son, and man, can see that good love and persistence pay off in the end. Chivalry is the code to live by. This ideal man is present today in firemen and policemen. The honorable acts of these men are revered. The Miller's Tale uses this theme of honor in the opposite direction. The tale of Alison and Nicholas attempting to betray the husband illustrates the consequences of dishonor. In today's society, when a public person is engaged in dishonorable activity it is placed in public view for general knowledge and opinion. Honor is a virtue that is held in high accord yesteryear and still today. The discussion of who is to be the sovereign power in a marriage has been the backdrop for many literary pieces both ancient and contemporary. The Wife of Bath argues that what women most long for is sovereignty, while the Clerk notes in his tale that all will go well as long as the man if given sovereignty. His example of patient Griselda is the classic case of male dominance. To balan...
