So far in
reading The Canterbury Tales, I have
found that “The Man of Law’s Tale” has been my favorite. This is probably a
result of Custaunce, who has been the only character in all the stories that I
have really liked as a result of her situation and character.
Custaunce strikes me as the ultimate damsel in distress. This is because of the
way that she seems to be constantly sent off from her home, then to the “Sowden
of Surrye” (ln 177), and then to “Nothumberlond” (ln 578); nothing seems permanent or stable for her. She is face with one
tragic circumstance after another, and only gets to have a somewhat, short lived
happy ending.
Custaunce is a likeable because she
is a reliable victim. During all the hardships and struggle she faces, I find
myself as a reader hopeful for her, and that is because of her character. Even
though she is shipped off or struggles, she shows an inner bravery and devotion
to her faith, which makes her a strong person despite her position as a woman. When she says,
“But
Crist, that starf for oure redempcioun,
So
yeve me grace his hestes to fulfille.
I,
wrecche woman, no fors thogh I spille.
Wommen
are born to thralldom and penaunce,
And
to been under mannes governaunce”(lines 283-287),
I believe her character is represented. In this statement,
Custaunce has demonstrated her devotion to "God’s plan", as well as trying to be
strong given her situation, while acknowledging her place as a woman. She is a victim of her position and station, but remains strong in her faith, even though she has little control in her own life, and lives by the choices made for her.
I am with you, Heather. I find Custaunce admirable. Most of us will never be set adrift in boats and abandoned by all we know, but life surely does send us unexpected trials and tragedies. And when they come, we need to be steadfast or else be chewed up and spit out. Custaunce stayed true to herself and true to her values. And she did not let bitterness ruin her.
ReplyDeleteI agree as well. It’s interesting that nowadays there is always some kind of negative connotation connected with the label “damsel in distress;” it usually assumed that it equals a shallow character. Yet, through this tale we see how much we can miss with that assumption. There are things more important that trying to have control over our lives. Her faith in God’s plan and her ability to align herself with that plan makes her a far stronger (good word for her) character than the pair of queens who have ample power and no character.
ReplyDeleteI agree that she is the "damsel in distress." She is a victim of her circumstances, yes, but I think that we are more apt to avoid the negative connotations with her situation because of her strong virtues. Her fortitude, in my opinion, is what makes her so wonderful. Even though she is faced with distressing situations, she always stands strong and faces the situation with her head held high. We discussed in class how she is a strong character, and she is, but it's more of a quite strength, almost passive.
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