Animals In Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales

Why does Chaucer give animals human characteristics? Why does he give them human actions, emotions, almost? There’s a simple reason. We grasps concepts better when they are told in story form. For example, fairy tales used to be to warn children, to prepare them, for the dangers, the atrocities of this world. Stories about a big bad wolf, or a slow, but determined turtle, teach us things. They are easily told, easily understood. These concepts of animals having human actions has been around forever. In Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, we hear the story of a destitute widow and her overconfident rooster. He struts around, thinking that he’s the boss of the hens, and is considered one of the wealthiest (if not the most respected and wealthy) roosters
in the land. The contrast between the widow and her rooster is stark. The widow is humble and doesn’t have much to boast on. On the other hand, the rooster, Chaunticleer is cocky, arrogant, and is described with very lavish terms. He has “great” responsibilities. Taking care of all his wives, or the hens, and crowing every single morning. Us humans are often distracted by flattery, as is Chaunticleer. He is obviously a very prideful being. His wife, Lady Pertelote, tells him he is being a coward, because he is afraid of his dream of a beast roaming his yard. Later, Don, the fox, comes into his yard, flattering him. He begs to hear the rooster’s lovely cock-a-doodle-do. As Chaunticleer is distracted by the fox’s compliments, he is quickly snatched up and is being drug off. The whole barnyard is in commotion, worrying about the loss of their precious rooster. He finally manages to get himself away from the fox, up in a tree. The fox tries to flatter the rooster down again, but Chaunticleer has learned his lesson. Pride and cockiness only lead to downfall. I believe this tale shows two things. The first is that it is harder for someone who is rich and/or arrogant to be a humble Christian. The second is that pride and arrogance will get you into trouble. With God, and with man.