Manciple

A character from Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales''

The Manciple as depicted in the Ellesmere manuscript

The Manciple is a character in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. He is one of the many pilgrims traveling to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. The Manciple is responsible for purchasing provisions for a group of lawyers, known as the "Inns of Court," and is noted for his shrewdness and ability to outwit his employers.

Role in The Canterbury Tales

The Manciple is introduced in the "General Prologue" of The Canterbury Tales. Chaucer describes him as a man who is more clever than the lawyers he serves, despite being illiterate. He is able to save money and make a profit by being astute in his purchases, often outsmarting the learned men he works for.

The Manciple's Tale

The Manciple tells a tale about the god Phoebus and his talking white crow. In the story, Phoebus's wife is unfaithful, and the crow reveals her infidelity. In a fit of rage, Phoebus kills his wife and punishes the crow by turning its feathers black and taking away its ability to speak. The tale serves as a moral lesson about the dangers of speaking too freely and the consequences of jealousy and anger.

Character Analysis

The Manciple is portrayed as a cunning and resourceful individual. Despite his lack of formal education, he possesses a natural intelligence that allows him to thrive in his role. His ability to manipulate and manage the finances of the lawyers he serves highlights the theme of appearance versus reality, a common motif in The Canterbury Tales.

Themes

The Manciple's story and character explore themes such as:

• Deception and Cunning: The Manciple's success is based on his ability to deceive and outwit those who are supposedly more educated and knowledgeable.
• Social Class and Education: The Manciple's role challenges the notion that education and social class determine one's intelligence or capability.
• Moral Lessons: The tale he tells imparts a moral about the consequences of jealousy and the importance of discretion.

Related pages

• The Canterbury Tales
• Geoffrey Chaucer
• General Prologue
• Thomas Becket