The Squire's Tale

The Squire's Tale

•  Some thoughts about The Squire's Tale: 

 CAMBUSKIAN
The Squire describes him as young (l. 23), but: he's celebrating his 20th year of rule (l. 43), and his three children are probably of age. I'm guessing Algarasif 18, Cambalo 16, and Canacee 14 (makes her old enough to court) (and gives mom time to nurse each one).

THE GIFTS
The Sword

• Cambuskian's
• Good for killing and healing.
• Implies he's going to wound someone he will regret and want to save. 

The Horse

• Cambuskian's, but used by Algarasif to win Theodora by getting him out of many perils.
•  The most popular gift in the court.

The Mirror

• Given to Canacee, but... 
•  Lets a ruler see danger to his kingdom, reign, or self. 
• Of course, if you use the mirror you give up trusting people on their own merit.
• Compare Theseus.
• Lets a woman see if her love is untrue, which again gives up the option of trust.
• Compare Dorigene.
• Also, what does it say that a guy can see a whole kingdom but a chick can only see her suitors?
• Taken away from Canacee to be examined.

The Ring

• given to Canacee.
• Like the sword helps her heal wounds.
• But it can be any wounds, not one she causes.
• Of course, if she understands plants this well she could also poison. 
• Lets her talk with birds.

PEOPLE'S ACTIONS
Cambuskian Will win lots of cities. Will probably mortally wound someone he regrets and wants to save.

Algarasif Uses the horse, even though it wasn't given to him. Faces lots of perils that require the horse to survive. Through those perils wins Theodora to wife.

Canacee Rescues falcon betrayed by untrue lover. Coincidentally has mirror that shows lovers untrue to her. Heals falcon. Then, to show her honor or faith with the falcon, puts her in a cage, and paints the surroundings green with pictures of all sorts of either images of birds, or of untrue birds (645-650). No matter what, the last line means an image of her false love.

Cambalo If Cambalus is the same as Cambalo, he reunites the falcon and her love with her love's repentance. If they are 2 different dudes, well.... Then maybe Cambalus will be Canacee's love interest. Fought in the lists against 2 brothers to win Canacee. I can't really come up with a morally good reason for this.

POSSIBLE MEANINGS:
Cambuskian--to paraphrase Gandalf...there are many in this world who deserve to die, and some that die who deserve to live. Can you give them life? Even the greatest cannot foresee all ends. The pity (compassion) of Bilbo may save us all.  

Algarasif--things of value, relationships of value, are worth risk and working your butt off.  

Canacee--think twice about putting a female in a cage. You don't know when you might be caged. Don't let your father take gifts that might be yours. Men aren't always true and trustworthy. Also, possibly, if you always suspect men of cheating you won't learn to trust and love. Another possibility, if you love something, i.e. the falcon, you have to give it freedom. You're probably going to fall in love with one of two brothers.  

Cambalo--don't lust after your sister. UNLESS, the reason you are fighting against two brothers for her is to save her from 2 evil brothers, in which case the message is be there for family.

If I were writing, I would have some important person die at the end. Probably Cambalo, with both Cambuskian and Canacee regretting actions that led to his death, and him repenting. And even though they both have healing tools, they wouldn't be able to save him, as a reminder that only God has power over life and death.