Character of Nicholas in Chaucers Millers Tale Essay Example for Free

Character of Nicholas in Chaucers Millers Tale EssayNicholas, with his outrageous sense of wittiness and eager pursuit of love, functions as the charming, likeable hero in Millers Tale. He is introduced as hende Nicholas, and his conduct does non at all answer to the usual sense of the adjective which implies great courtesy, but its suggestion of cheers is repeatedly invoked as the Miller refers to his hero by this formula. We learn at once that he is knowing and of his interest in astrology. This is seen as a respectable branch of learning, but Nicholas is aware of its power to instil others, while he is able to supplement his income by weather-forecasting. He is also helped financially by friends. The complex number flood of which Nicholas tells John shows us his cunning, his confident attitude, his inventiveness and especially his contempt for the stupid tradesman Dont like about that, said Nicholas, / His times been badly wasted, if a scholar / Cant get the better of a carpenter. (lines 191-193)In spite of this, however, the Miller presents the astrologer in a way that makes the audience like Nicholas. He does this by making John seem deserving of punishment for his unwise marriage and subsequent jealousy. Nicholass offspring and attractiveness makes us little critical of his boldness, and the comic manner of the tales telling makes his conduct seem less worthy of censure than would be the case with real people. Nicholas seems a more appropriate partner for Alison than does John, and the Millers repeat of the formula hende Nicholas encourages us to be more sympathetic.However, it is important to note that Nicholas does not escape his daring pattern without any consequences. His over-confidence and lack of prudence earn him a punishment appropriate to his offence, and in keeping with the humourous spirit of the tale he is scalded in the towte by his rival, who mistakes him for Alison. Thus, Nicholas may be the character that has the audience grow for him by being likeable and providing good laughs, but his charming yet arrogant attitude does not prevent him from suffering the consequences of his actions.The Canterbury Tales Oxford guides to Chaucer. Oxford Clarendon Press, 1989.