The merchant is not only cynical towards May but also cynical of women in general. The merchant is cynical of women in the Bible as well as the Greek goddess Proserpine and Griselda in the initial outburst of the merchant. Pluto tells his wife of her ‘untrouthe and brotilnesse’. The tale concentrates on women who have been unfaithful to their husbands such like Rebekka and Sarra to promote the deception of May and women in general. It is also ironic when Justinus requests for May to be ‘lyk Sarra and Rebekka’. The merchant is also skeptical towards Proserpine who gives May the gift of persuasion. Pluto further disparages women: “Amongst a thousand men yet foond I oon, But of women alle foond I noon”.
However, May’s behavior is the epitome of cynicism towards women. The merchant presents May as being cold-hearted and manipulative. Whilst January is ravishing May, she is described as being ‘as stille as stoon’. There is also suggestion of cynicism towards women that is implicitly and explicitly implied through May’s actions and characters’ language. When May receives Damian’s love letter, she merely shoves it down the toilet. Although this is done with apparent sincerity, it is indeed ironic. The audience would recognize this disparaging action and would immediately reflect this on not only on May, but on women’s attitude in general. This cynicism is further demonstrated by Proserpine’s attitudes and action.
Throughout the entire tale there is a mock en conium of marriage that is consistently evident throughout the tale. Firstly, the reasons for marriage put forth by January are a complete mockery of marriage because his reasons are purely selfish and self-satisfactory. January feels that he should get married merely to avoid sin and to provide him an heir as to which he can give his wealth to.
“On which he mighte engendren him an heir,
And lede his lyf in joye and in solas”
He requests a wife that is ‘fair and tendre of age’ because `bene-straw and greet forage'. There is no consideration of love, only of lust as he declares, “I won noon oold wyf han in no manere”. January treats women, in particular, May with no respect as he views them as meat waiting to be ravished upon. He therefore goes to the market to ‘purchase’ a ‘fresshe’ piece of meat. January’s reasons are not only a parody of marriage but also the Church.
Secondly, the mock en conium of marriage is further shown through the examples of married couples in the tale. All the marriages in the tale are a complete disaster which reinforces the parody of marriage. January and May are the primary display of a failing marriage; even their allegorical names ‘January’ and ‘May’ show that they are not meant for each other. Nevertheless January is still blind to the truth. Pluto and Proserpine are another example of a failed marriage as Proserpine spends most of her time away from her husband. We also hear about the disastrous marriage of the merchant himself and Justinus. Both are synonymous to each other and have therefore parallel views on marriage.
“She may be Goddes meene and Goddes whippe;
Swifter than dooth an arew out of a bowe.
I hope to God, hereafter shul ye knowe
That ther nis no so greet felicitee”
The cynical view of marriage is reinforced by Harry Bailey’s comment at the end.
The merchant’s tale is in thoroughly cynical towards marriage and women however it is equally balanced by the cynicism towards men. Almost all the men in the tale are mocked. Although it may not be as apparent or consistent as the disparagement towards women, Placebo, Damian and especially January are all ridiculed one way or another. Placebo, the sycophant is mocked for his ignorance and blind adoration for January; Damian the adorer is humiliated before January and May at his first appearance and January is constantly being ridiculed and mocked in front of the audience for his literal and metaphorical blindness, the dismissal of Justinus’ advice and his foolishness of marrying someone so young.
When Proserpine gives May the art of deception, May’s surge of confidence is deliverance to the female race. May has successfully had her revenge for January’s previous actions. After all, the cynicism towards May and her actions were arisen from January’s previous actions. May resorts to cuckolding January because of how January treats her in the beginning: ‘buying’ her from the market, ravishing her on their wedding night and building a garden so that he may do to her what cannot be done in the house. Therefore by being cynical towards women and marriage, Chaucer is synonymously being cynical to those who exploit marriage and women such as January. The conversation between Pluto and Proserpine underpin this argument because as they discuss the virtues of men and women in marriage, they come to the conclusion that few men are admirable and no women are worthy.
Therefore it is fair to say that the merchant’s tale presents a thoroughly cynical view of women and marriage but it is equally fair to say that it presents a cynical view of men and those who exploit women and marriage.
