The Nun’s Priest’s Tale tells the reader a cautionary mock-heroic tale. It warns against flattery about Chanticleer, a rooster with seven wives, and a fox who aims to seize the rooster. The story emphasizes that the extreme good fortune, in the beginning, might bring someone low in the end.
Detailed answer:
The Nun’s Priest is one of the protagonists of The Canterbury Tales written by Geoffrey Chaucer. In The Nun’s Priest’s Tale, the rooster with seven wives sees a prophetic dream where a fox who wants to attack him. The rooster tells his favorite wife, Pertelote, about the dream. Pertelote laughs at him and doesn’t take it seriously.
Chanticleer then meets the fox. It flatters the rooster. He buys into flattery, closes his eyes, and is caught by the fox’s mouth. Chanticleer’s owners and other animals started screaming and running after them. Taking this moment to set him free, Chanticleer suggests the fox tell those who run to turn back. When the fox opens its mouth, the cock escapes and flies to the nearest tree. Thanks to his ingenuity, Chanticleer managed to break free and save his life.
The Nun’s Priest’s Tale presents a story about the adventures of a cunning fox and a cock that is greedy for flattery. Chaucer teaches the reader the crucial moral not to believe flatterers and be flattered. People or animals who have cruel intentions might tempt others, as in the Bible story of Adam and Eve. Chaucer highlights that it is essential to learn from mistakes and avoid those who aim to deceive others.