The Canterbury Tales Group

Question:


ohnoashleyyy
Student
High School - 12th Grade

Explain what Chauntecleer is telling the Fox

Read the following passage from The Nun's Priest's Tale.

"Nay thanne," quod he. "I shrewe us bothe two; But first I shrewe myself, bothe blood and bones, If thou bigile me ofter than ones; Thou shalt namore thurgh thy flaterye, Do me to singe and winken with myn ye. For he that winketh whan he sholde see, Al wilfully, God lat him nevere thee."

Please help me, cause i dont understand this.

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Posted by ohnoashleyyy on Wednesday May 27, 2009 at 9:32 PM and tagged with characters, chauntecleer, fox, the nun's priest's tale.

Answers:


  1. troutmiller Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Best answer as selected by question asker.

    The rooster is saying (in layman's terms) to the fox,

    "I curse us both then.  First I curse myself both blood and bones (all of me) if you let me trick you more than once.  Your flattery will never get me to sing again with my eyes closed. To any person who deliberately closes his eyes when he should keep them open--then he should never thrive."

    He hopefully has learned his lesson and won't fall for the fox's flattery again.

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    Posted by troutmiller on Thursday May 28, 2009 at 11:29 AM