The Nature Of Tyranny In The Monk's Tale

Written in the midst of a cultural and religious revolution, Chaucer’s The Monk’s Tale sets a stage for the medieval times and unfolds layers of society that seemed to be invisible to the rest of the world. The Monk 's Tale interweaves ecclesiastical law and royal law by showcasing an anthology of pure tyrants, meant to provide commentary on the struggles of the English monarchy and the people of 14th century Europe. Chaucer illustrates that tyranny applies not only to a king but any person or group that holds immense power over others. The Monk 's Tale reflects 14th century England through implications of the natural law that formed the medieval ideals of monarchy and the concepts that define the nature of tyranny.

As an illustration of the archetypal tyrant, Chaucer considers the social and political implications of sin as a disorder; therefore the title holder of archetypal tyrant is none other than the infamous Lucifer. Lucifer’s high pride and will to dominion caused him to to rebel against God 's rule. In the 14th century the conception of

As another classic example of a tyrant, Chaucer chooses to demonstrate Nero. Nero is the epitome of the morally corrupt ruler. Nero’s story emphasizes the connection between the corrupt moral order of the monarch and the disordered state. Chaucer 's description of the end of Nero 's reign: his destruction of the state, the rebellion of the people, and Nero 's attempt to seek help from his allies only to discover they had deserted him refers to the traditional distinction between tyranny, and rule in accordance with the law. Chaucer exemplifies how a disordered state is the result of a nefarious monarchy that disorganized the ideals of the church and disabled citizens to speak their minds in the name of the church.

Ultimately The Monk 's Tale brought about a rise of issues and voices in the late 14th century and fueled the revolution of Medieval times. Chaucer aimed at wooing the reader that the temporal ruler