The

(

) is the second of three tales in Fragment III (Group D) of Chaucer’s

, immediately following the

(

) and

(

) and preceding the

(

). Chaucer probably wrote the

and

as a pair for this specific context, putting the date of composition at c.1392-95. As the second tale of Fragment III, the FrT serves as a pivot between the

and

while extending issues of power, textuality, and the gendered body introduced by the Wife and complicated by the Summoner. Yet like the First Fragment (

,

,

,

, and

), where the Miller ‘quits’ the Knight and insults the Reeve, and the Reeve in return overmatches the Miller, so too the Friar piques the pilgrim Summoner with his tale, and…

2986 words

Citation: Kline, Daniel. "The Friar's Tale". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 28 January 2009 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=19966, accessed 22 November 2024.]