The Canterbury Tales “The Manciple’s Tale”

Role of the Manciple: In medieval times, a manciple was an officer/steward who was in charge of buying provisions for a college, monastery, or other institution. These provisions may have included food, drink, supplies, equipment, reading/learning materials. The profession no longer exists as a separate entity. RECALL: In the general prologue, the Manciple was introduced as a shrewd gentleman who successfully outwit the attorneys whom he worked for despite their intellectual and scholarly superiority over him.

Role of the Manciple: Chaucer’s Manciple worked for a group of 30 attorneys. His job was to buy food and drink for these lawyers. When it came time to bargaining in the marketplace however, he was smarter than the smartest people. He possessed more common sense over the book smart attorneys he worked for.

Background: The story behind “The Manciple’s Tale” comes from an ancient origin myth Chaucer must have encountered in the writings of Ovid, an ancient Roman poet who lived from 43 BC – 17 AD. MYTH  a traditional story passed down through generations often involving characters who are gods and/or immortal beings and created to explain some natural or geographical phenomenon. ORIGIN MYTHS, in particular, attempt to describe the “origin” of something. As in most myths, the central character is divine. The origin of the modern crow is explained by the god’s actions upon the crow of the myth, changing him from white to black.

Characters: Phoebus  god of the sun. (often, and sometimes better known as, Apollo.) Phoebus’s wife White crow  an animal Phoebus keeps as a “pet.” He loves the animal and it is known for its ability to speak and sing beautifully.

The Manciple’s Prologue The Cook has had so much to drink that he has fallen asleep in the saddle. The Manciple derides and insults him for this, whereupon the Cook’s drunken agitation causes him to fall off his horse. The Manciple doubles his insults. He then reconsiders his position, since he and the Cook are apparently professionally associated and the Cook could retaliate by revealing things the Manciple does not want known. He therefore suggests they placate the Cook with more wine. This tactic works, and the Manciple then tells his tale.

“The Manciple’s Tale” Summary When the ancient Phoebus lived on the earth, he was a wondrous man, greatly to be admired. He kept a pet crow which he taught to speak. The crow was snow white and sang beautifully. Phoebus also had a gorgeous wife whom he loved and tried to please, but he did not trust her. There was something in her personality which warned the young god that his wife might prove unfaithful. “The Manciple’s Tale” Summary

“The Manciple’s Tale” Summary (After giving this background information, the Manciple digresses to remind the listeners that anyone who is naturally evil, licentious, or untrustworthy will behave that way no matter what is done for him. He tries to prove with classical examples that a person’s nature cannot be changed.)

“The Manciple’s Tale” Summary The wife of Phoebus did have an unfaithful nature; she had a lover whom she entertained frequently. One day she took the man into her marriage bed while Phoebus was away. However, the white crow saw everything. When Phoebus returned, the crow revealed the entire sordid episode. In a rage, Phoebus murdered his wife.

“The Manciple’s Tale” Summary Phoebus at once regretted his rash action. In his grief, he turned on the crow, cursing him. Phoebus plucked out all of the white feathers and condemned him to be black. He took away the bird’s lovely song and his ability to speak and threw him to the devil. ‘ Ever since then all crows have been black and can utter only a single ugly sound. “The Manciple’s Tale” Summary

‘The Manciple’s Tale” Summary As a conclusion, the Manciple warns the company to keep silent and never to tell all they know, lest it come back to ruin them. No many, he says, has ever been hurt by saying too little, but many have been ruined by talking too much.

“The Manciple’s Tale” Themes The theme of the story as it originated dealt with the terrible consequences of marital infidelity. As the Manciple concludes, the theme of the tale becomes the foolishness to revealing all and the wisdom of keeping silent. “Silence is golden.” It is appropriate to convey this theme from the mouth of the Manciple when one remembers that the Manciple stopped taunting the Cook for fear of what the Cook could reveal about him.

Phoebus