Full Title: An exploration of how Chaucer brings the character of the Miller to life, through “The Portrait of the Miller” and “The Prologue to the Miller’s Tale”

Chaucer creates the character of the Miller to seem vile and despicable by using descriptive language and many other linguistic techniques. The level of detail and intricate web of comparisons and qualities Chaucer creates helps to being the Miller alive.

An example of the sheer level of detail Chaucer goes into when describing the Miller is in “The Portrait of the Miller”, with the line “Upon the cop right of his nose he hade / A werte, and thereon stood a toft of heris,” This describes the Miller’s face down to the details of a wart on his nose and even the hairs protruding from it. The vivid image this description conjures helps us to visualize him more realistically, and therefore helps to bring him alive. Furthermore, in the time of Chaucer, it was thought that the uglier you were the more morally corrupt you were. This stands to be true with the character of the Miller as his appearance truly reflects his personality.

Not only do we learn about what he is wearing and his physical appearance, but we also learn about his background and personality. For example we learn that he plays the bagpipes, “A baggepipe wel koude he blowe and sowne / And therwithal he broghte us out of towne.” This line also tells us that he was at the head of the party, leading the group out of town. This suggests that the Miller is quite keen on being the centre of attention and having people pay attention to him.

Chaucer presents the Miller as being a brute within the first few lines of his portrait. He explains how the Miller was an expert at wrestling and would always win the prize at competitions. The portrait also explains how “Ther was no dore that he nolde heve of harre / Or brekeit at a renning with his heed.” implying that the Miller was a formidable force and by far the strongest man in the party. This also suggests that the Miller could be very arrogant and used to getting his own way due to people being afraid of his brute force. The point of his arrogance is mentioned again in “The Miller’s Prologue”. Chaucer explains how “He nolde avalen neither hood ne hat / Ne abide no man for his curteisie,” which tells us that he has no care for social order or manners, and will do as he pleases when he pleases. This is presented again in the way in which he demands to tell his story next in line, defying the wishes of the host and the order which had been previously set out.

Throughout “The Portrait of the Miller”, his appearance is compared to many different animals and objects. The first simile is in the line, “His berd as any sowe or fox was reed,” which compares the colour of his beard to that of a fox. This associates the Miller with having the same characteristics as a fox, for example being sly and slightly sinister. The Miller is also presented as having connotations with the devil. This is presented firstly is his comparison to a pig. The relationship being that pigs have cloven feet, and this was a mark of the devil. Secondly, his mouth is said to be, “‘as greet was as a greet forneys.” comparing his facial features to a furnace. Furnaces also bear links to the devil and “Furnaces of hell”. Lastly, in Chaucer’s time the bagpipes, which the Miller can play well, were also a symbol of the devil. These comparisons tell us more about the Miller’s personality and nature, reflecting his morals and brining him to life.

A striking example of the Millers’ corrupted morals is in his argument with the Reeve. The Miller says that you should not inquire into your wife’s business just as you should not inquire into God’s business. He then goes on to say, “So he may finde Goddes foison there,” In saying this, the Miller is openly suggesting that as long as you are receiving pleasure from your wife you need not worry if she is sleeping with other men. Even more outrageous is his mention of God in this speech. In Chaucer’s time this manner of speaking and blasphemy would have been incredibly shocking to hear. This gives the Miller’s personality yet another dimension, coupled with the fact that he is openly drunk in public throughout all of these proceedings.

A final example of how the Miller is given humanity is the fact that he is given a name in the prologue, “‘Abyd, Robin, my leeve brother.’” Giving a name to the character of the Miller allows us to collate all of our thoughts and opinions of him into one. The name serves as an anchor for the Miller’s humanity and helps the reader to relate better with him as a person.

In conclusion, by the end of “The Prologue to the Miller’s Tale” Chaucer has presented us with a detailed portrait of the Miller, not only his appearance but also an insight into his personality and morals. This detailed description combined with various comparisons helps us visualise the Miller as a real person with flaws and many facets, bringing him alive.

_{Mark achieved: 14/20}

_{Teacher’s comments: A pleasing response John. You could have included more on his dishonesty – keeping the best quality grain for himself.}

_{References: The web, “The Miller’s Prologue and Tale” by Geoffrey Chaucer.}