Does "the Merchant's Tale" relate to the Merchant and his life?
A question always asked at the end of each tale is whether the tale matches the personality and beliefs of the storyteller. In this case, it is whether “The Merchant’s Tale” fits his views and beliefs. The answer to this is no, it does not match the Merchant. In fact, it is quite ironic. The Merchant has a very negative view on marriage. He says, “I have a wife, the worst that there could be;/ For if a fied were coupled to my wife,/ She’d overmatch him, you can bet your life./” (pg 356) The Merchant explains if his wife were to marry a devil, she would be capable of controlling him. In other words, she is worse than a devil. In "The Merchant’s Tale", the views on marriage are very positive, the very opposite of how the Merchant feels. January feels as though marriage is the best gift. He believes he is so lucky to be given the opportunity to have a wife. In some ways, this tale can relate to the Merchant, in the sense that his tale is what he wishes his marriage would be. Unfortunately, this is not his reality. All in all, the tale does not match the teller, but instead matches the teller’s dreams.
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