Pertelote is Much More Than a Mere Hen How Far Do You...

Pertelote is much more than a mere hen how far do you agree with this? I feel that this comment is extremely justified. Chaucer with the use of a beast fable has helped to elevate what would be considered a conventionally boring set of animals, and turn them into portrayals of human beings. As a cock he may have came from the same batch of eggs as his hens, but as poultry it would not matter whether chauntecleer mates with his sisters. However some critics suggest the introduction of the human concept of love, allows Chaucer to make an indiscriminate joke about the behaviour of chickens and the impropriety of such behaviour among people. This suggests that the farmyard is a microcosm of society, which leaves in no doubt that Pertelote†¦show more content†¦Pertelote acts like a wife who does not want the inconvenience of a sick husband. Form the initial Fy on yow, herteless, I of the beloved, her speech becomes full of medical knowledge and erudition and ends with the triumphant homely distinction pekke hem up right as they growe and ete hym yn. She is far from a suppressed individual and acts like a learned diagnostician and doctor. This is a far cry from the role of a mere hen. Pertelotes confidence in her opinion of the dream as a somnium naturale is shown by the assertion of lines 174 - 175 and the pedantic balance of the effects of choler and melancholy. Her exactness is suggested by the repetition of of.. such an impression is also created by the list of herbs. Her deference to Chauntecleer is suggested by pardee. The following lines then show her smug common sense in not overwhelming her husband with her erudition, although she cannot resist a reference to Cato. This suggests that she is trying to impress her husband so that she will do as he asks. This sections tone is full of encouragement and concern. The imperative for goddess love, as taak some laxatyf is followed by reassurances of Pertelotes good faith. Her own guidance will result in the purge. foryet not this, for gods owene love this second instruction warns him to be careful not to develop a more serious complaint, which is followed by a list of plant purges. This speech