~~~~~~~
The uses of irony in The
Prologue
According to John Speir, "the irony is as
much in what is left unsaid as in what
is said." The irony is the best method
for exposing the good and bad points of
the characters. Chaucer used irony in a
good manner only to define the
behavior of some characters. His
aim is to bring to light the ugly
behavior of the people of his society.
His ironical remarks are not against
professions but against the people who
belong to these professions.
~~~~~~~~~~
1) Firstly, the whole conception of the
prioress's portrait is based on irony.
The description of her physical beauty
and dress suggests that she is the
heroine of some romance, but owing to
pressing economic stringency she has
to lead her secluded life in a convent.
The irony is highlighted by the conflict
between appearance and reality. The
words inscribed on her golden brooch
are Amor Vincit Omnia, meaning 'Love
conquers all things'. One wonders
whether she means by this motto
celestial or physical love? Here we find
that Chaucer's ironical description lies
in the fact that ' the surfaces reveal
what lies beneath'. The Prioress's
character is ironically presented by
Chaucer. One wonders what this wild
flower has to do in a cloistered
convent. The way she offers divine
prayers in a nasal tone and the way
she speaks French like a sophisticated
aristocrat is quite ironical.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2) Secondly, as we see the character of
the Merchant we find him always
talking about profit. He is always
boasted about the increase in his profit
which is ironical.
~~~~~~~~~
3) Thirdly, the irony lies in the fact that
the Monk is a great lover of horse
riding and hare hunting instead of his
ecclesiastical duties.
~~~~~~~~~
4) Fourthly, Chaucer ironically depicts the
Lawyer, that he pretends to be very
busy. But the situation is just opposite.
' and yet he seemed busier than he was
~~~~~~~~
'5) Fifthly, Chaucer's depiction of the
character of the Doctor of physic is
equally ironical.
~~~~~~~
6) Sixthly, the way the Reeve pleased his
feudal Lord by giving and lending him
from his own possessions is quite
ironical.
~~~~~~~
7) Seventhly, the irony lies in the
character of Wife of Bath. Who enjoyed
the conjugal happiness with five
husband's and is quite prepared for the
sixth one.
.
Chaucer's aim was to provide
entertainment to his readers and not
rectify the corruption of his time. So,
his victim was more the individual
than the instruction.
The uses of irony in The
Prologue
According to John Speir, "the irony is as
much in what is left unsaid as in what
is said." The irony is the best method
for exposing the good and bad points of
the characters. Chaucer used irony in a
good manner only to define the
behavior of some characters. His
aim is to bring to light the ugly
behavior of the people of his society.
His ironical remarks are not against
professions but against the people who
belong to these professions.
~~~~~~~~~~
1) Firstly, the whole conception of the
prioress's portrait is based on irony.
The description of her physical beauty
and dress suggests that she is the
heroine of some romance, but owing to
pressing economic stringency she has
to lead her secluded life in a convent.
The irony is highlighted by the conflict
between appearance and reality. The
words inscribed on her golden brooch
are Amor Vincit Omnia, meaning 'Love
conquers all things'. One wonders
whether she means by this motto
celestial or physical love? Here we find
that Chaucer's ironical description lies
in the fact that ' the surfaces reveal
what lies beneath'. The Prioress's
character is ironically presented by
Chaucer. One wonders what this wild
flower has to do in a cloistered
convent. The way she offers divine
prayers in a nasal tone and the way
she speaks French like a sophisticated
aristocrat is quite ironical.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2) Secondly, as we see the character of
the Merchant we find him always
talking about profit. He is always
boasted about the increase in his profit
which is ironical.
~~~~~~~~~
3) Thirdly, the irony lies in the fact that
the Monk is a great lover of horse
riding and hare hunting instead of his
ecclesiastical duties.
~~~~~~~~~
4) Fourthly, Chaucer ironically depicts the
Lawyer, that he pretends to be very
busy. But the situation is just opposite.
' and yet he seemed busier than he was
~~~~~~~~
'5) Fifthly, Chaucer's depiction of the
character of the Doctor of physic is
equally ironical.
~~~~~~~
6) Sixthly, the way the Reeve pleased his
feudal Lord by giving and lending him
from his own possessions is quite
ironical.
~~~~~~~
7) Seventhly, the irony lies in the
character of Wife of Bath. Who enjoyed
the conjugal happiness with five
husband's and is quite prepared for the
sixth one.
.
Chaucer's aim was to provide
entertainment to his readers and not
rectify the corruption of his time. So,
his victim was more the individual
than the instruction.
very useful information!!!
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