The Canterbury Tales
The Reeve's Tale
Summary
Angry and upset, Alan and John seek revenge and compensation, Alan decides to have it by sleeping with the Miller's daughter. John doesn't know what to do but he feels he needs compensation too so he decides to trick the wife. As she leaves to go to the bathroom he moves the baby cradle in front of his bed, so she thinks it is her bed. When she comes back she doesn't realize this since it is so dark and she goes to John's bed thinking he is just the Miller. John throws himself on her and they too sleep together. In the early morning Alan goes to tell of his conquest to John soon to realize he is in the wrong bed talking to the Miller about his daughter. The Miller freaks out and starts beating Alan, the wife panics and finds a staff to hit Alan with, but confuses his white hat for her husband's bald head and knocks out her husband. The boys beat the Miller senseless now that he is on the floor and make their escape and take their flour, horse and the cake.
The Reeve
- He was a craftsman and a carpenter.
- Corrupt, cheated everyone.
- Financially stable.
- From Norfolk.
The Moral
The Reeve was so badly hurt by the Miller's tale that he felt he should return the favor which is similar to his moral. This shows he wanted to teach the Miller a lesson on how bad behavior in general will come back to get you.
Research
A Miller is a person who turns grain into flour.
What is the tool, called the hopper do that is used by the Miller?
A tool used to funnel grain into the milling stone where it will then be crushed and turned into flour.
Five Vocabulary Words
- Yeomanly- pertaining to or befitting a yeoman; loyal, staunch, and sturdy.
- Scrofula- primary tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands, especially those of the neck.
- Besmirched- to detract from the honor or luster of someone.
- Malady- any disorder or disease of the body, especially one that is chronic or deep-seated.
- Shellacked- defeated, trounced.
Essential Question
Did the Miller in the story deserve what happened to him and his family?