Recasting any work of literature as important as The Canterbury Tales is risky. You run the risk of changing the author’s original intention and message. But, that’s what parodies and satires do in general. In recasting The Canterbury Tales I would update the character of the Clerk. The Clerk is described as a quiet, wise man. He is a student at Oxford and currently lacking in a job. His education has taken most of his money, leaving him impoverished. He is educated, but has spent so much time in school that his chances of finding a job are slim. He tells a tale of a humble woman named Griselde who marries a rich, powerful Marquis in northern Italy. He cruelly tests her love and devotion to him by taking her children away from her and telling her they must be killed because of her birth into a low social status, all the while actually sending them to live with his sister. His final test to her is a counterfeit order that he may divorce Griselde and marry a woman of higher social status. She accepts this news quietly, not arguing his decision. The Marquis’ test is complete when he writes to Griselde and asks her to help him plan his wedding to his new wife, which she patiently and readily agrees to. She asks that he not treat or trick his new young wife, but says this in a kind tone. The Marquis responds by telling her that she has always been his wife and the new young bride is actually her daughter. Griselde gathers the children in her arms tightly and is brought to live at the palace. She is given fine clothes and endures a happy peaceful marriage for the rest of her life.
The Clerk’s moral to this story does not have anything to do with Griselde’s humility. He does not believe there there is a woman able to follow in Griselde’s example – a woman that humble is impossible to find. Rather he encourages people to remain constant in adversity and accept whatever God sends their way. The tale ends with a warning note to husbands –do not attempt to test your wife’s patience and humility. The husband will lose every single time. Women are advised not to hold their tongues through all adversity, but to take governance for themselves.
In recasting this tale, I would choose to update the Clerk from a medieval student at Oxford to a modern-day student here at Georgia Tech. I have heard many a student remark that “Georgia Tech sucks the money and life right out of you.” Most students here are quiet and must be wise in order to get through Georgia Tech without failing (too much…). So many students are involved in their education here that we do have job prospects coming out, but most choose to stay in school. These various reasons include grad school, research, and a general feeling of loss without having a legitimate reason to complain all the time due to the insane amounts of work and tests expected of every student. The student would appear as a normal student around school – male, a bit on the gawky side, tall, pale, with glasses. He would carry a book bag full of books and his computer at all times. At any point in time, you can borrow a calculator, engineer’s paper, a scale, or a compass for him. If necessary, highlighters, pens, and pencils are available from his pocket protector. His clothes are worn and threadbare, as most college students do not have the extra money necessary to continually buy new clothes. Rather, this college student chooses to spend his money on books for school. These books surround him, helping and guiding him to a better education and, hopefully, one day, a better life.
If that student were to retell the tale of Griselde and the Marquis, he would tell it much the same way, but change a few things. He would update the setting from medieval Saluzzo, Italy to modern day United States. The Marquis would be represented by Donald Trump and Griselde would be represented by an average American girl. She would have the children and he would insist they be sent to boarding school, instead of dying, because his high society doesn’t approve. Instead of submitting to his tests, the wife would choose divorce in an effort to live her life her own way. The moral would reflect today’s societal views on cruel treatment, like the way the Marquis treated Griselde. In today’s society, women do not necessarily stand for such treatment and choose to rather focus on their own lives and the lives of their children if necessary.
Citations:
Hooper, W.D. “The Clerk.” Photo of woodcut. The Geoffrey Chaucer Page. November 28, 2000. February 16, 2010.
“Italy.” Cartoon image. Enchanted Learning. 2009. February 16, 2010. <>
“Woman Milking Cow.” Cartoon image. Medieval Women. 2010. February 16, 2010. <>
“Marquis.” Manuscript on vellum. Medieval Studies Course Union: Florilegium. February 25, 2008. February 16, 2010. <>
"Baby Boy Blocks." Image of napkin. Your Complete Part. 2010. February 16, 2010.
"Divorce Decree." Photo. Cafe Darkness. June 25, 2009. February 16, 2010.
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"Praying Hands." Cartoon. Royal City Church. 2009. February 16, 2010.
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"Baby Boy." A Brooklyn Life. April 3, 2008. February 16, 2010.
"Boarding School." Tonbridge School. February 16, 2010.
"Divorce Papers." Hubpages. 2010. February 16, 2010.
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