Humor in "the Merchant's tale"
There are a few different types of humor incorporated in "The Merchant’s Tale". One of which is called blue humor. This relies on impropriety and indecency for comic effect, such as risqué actions. Chaucer demonstrates this while January and May are in the garden, “No matter sir,’ said she,/ ‘For if you would consent/ … Then I could climb up…’ said she,/ ‘Of course,’ he said… upon his back she stood/ … went up into the tree, and Damian/ pulled up her smock…” (pg 386) This quote exemplifies risqué action because Damian and May are having an affair in a pear tree. Meanwhile, January is below unaware of the actions taking place above.