How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line). We used the line numbering found on Librarius's online edition.
Quote #1
This carpenter hadde wedded newe a wyf
Which that he lovede more than his lyf;
Of eightetene yeer she was of age.
Jalous he was and heeld hire narwe in cage,
For she was wilde and yong, and he was old
And demed himself ben lyk a cokewold.
(113-118)
The narrator claims that John's fear of competition for his wife's affections causes him to keep Alisoun locked up, away from other men. Yet the evidence of John's actions in the tale, such as his tolerance of a young male boarder and his frequent business trips, suggest that John actually does not perceive himself to be in competition with other men.
Quote #2
Nicholas shal shapen him a wyle
This sely jalous housbond to bigyle;
And if so be the game went aright,
She sholde slepen in his arm al night.
(300-303)
The "game" the text refers to here is the competition between Nicholas and John for Alisoun's body. For Nicholas, it is not enough to have sex with Alisoun occasionally; he must do so for an extended period of time in John's bed to consider the game fully gone "aright."
Quote #3
For som folk wol ben wonnen for richesse,
And som fro strokes, and som for gentilesse.
(278-279)
The idea that a lover is a prize to be won turns the lover into an object. This language fits well with the characterization of Alisoun as animal-like, and thus objectified, in her sexuality.
Quote #4
Ful sooth is this proverbe, it is no lye,
Men seyn right thus, 'Alwey the nye slye
Maketh the ferre leve to be looth.'
(288-290)
The implication is that in a competition between lovers, the one who is far away stands no chance of beating out the one who is close to the beloved. This contradicts the maxim "absence makes the heart grow fonder." In fact, suggests the proverb, the cultivation of love requires proximity.
Quote #5
For though that Absolon be wood or wrooth,
By cause that he fer was from hir sighte,
this nye Nicholas stood in his lighte.
(291-293)
Since Absolon prefers to do his wooing through high-visibility self-exhibition (singing love songs and taking a role in the theater, for example), the figure of Nicholas standing "in his lighte" metaphorically renders his exertions worthless.
Quote #6
This sely Absolon herde every deel,
And on his lippe he gan for anger byte;
And to himself he seyde, 'I shal thee quyte.'
(641- 643)
Absolon's desire to give Alisoun as good (or better) than he has received puts him in competition with her. This new positioning of Absolon to Alisoun upsets the logic of the love triangle in which Alisoun was the prize. Perhaps this is why Absolon falls quickly out of love with Alisoun; as fellow competitor, she can no longer be the "prize."