Black/ Dirty Hearts

Have you ever heard a story or situation between people which make you think "how in the world could they do that to each other? Well, I have. In most cases the man is the guilty figure. The story usually says that the man cheats on the girl or breaks her heart and she is devastated, but in some cases the scenario is switched around.

On the pilgrimage, they continue to tell tales of different varieties and from different people. "The Knight's Tale" was applauded by the pilgrims. They continued telling tales and drinking as the host asked a monk to proceed with another tale. The miller insisted on telling his own tale and next followed "The Miller's Tale." Because of the alcohol present, he uses very suggestive language to tell the tale. This tale questions the loyalty of a woman and the stealthiness of a man.

The tale begins with the background of two men. One man, Nicholas, studied astrology and love, while the other, John, is a rich carpenter who is overprotective of his beautiful wife named Alisuon. Alisoun has many admirers. One of these is Nicholas who manages to get her to sleep with him, and another is the church clerk, Absolon, who serenades her everynight with gifts and money in hope to win over her heart; nevertheless, Alisoun falls in love with Nicholas. She is scared that John will find out of her disloyalty, so Nicholas and her devise a plan in order to sleep together for one full night. They lie to him and make him believe that the gods are upset and will create another flood to destroy all living things. They all sleep on tubs on the roof. Alisoun and Nicholas wait until the carpenter is sound asleep, then they climb down and spend the night in the carpenters bed. How could a human find it in their heart to do this to another? Not only is Alisoun being extremely disloyal, but Nicholas is being deceitful and taking advantage of John's ignorance in order to seduce his wife.

In the last part of "The Miller's Tale," the clerk tries to kiss Alisoun but they play a practical joke on him. Later he returns and brands Nicholas in revenge for their joke. The clerk leaves here, but as if it were not enough to cheat on John, they make him look like a fool infront of the whole town when he explains why he has slept on the roof that night. How could they destroy a man so ruthlessly? How could Alisoun's conscience kick in and her not listen to it? I guess some people just have not been taught the same morals and values which they should have been taught.