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The Skipper's Tale. Abby Larson. The Skipper. Tan Worldly Has seen every river/bay in England as well as Ports in Spain and Carthage Steals wine from ship while Captain sleeps. Characters. Wealthy merchant Beautiful Wife Attractive monk named Don John- Is Merchant's friend
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The Skipper's Tale Abby Larson
The Skipper • Tan • Worldly • Has seen every river/bay in England as well as Ports in Spain and Carthage • Steals wine from ship while Captain sleeps
Characters • Wealthy merchant • Beautiful Wife • Attractive monk named Don John- • Is Merchant's friend and hangs around his house • Born in same town- Cousins?
Summary • Merchant must leave town on business • Monk talks to wife about relations with her husband • Wife wants to kill herself • Leads frugal life • Asks monk to lend her 100 francs • Monk goes to merchant and asks for 100 francs • Gives money to wife in exchange for a night in bed • Monk tells merchant that he already paid off his loan to the wife • Husband scolds wife for not telling him, forgives her for all the extravagant items she bought
Facts • Monks have high position • Merchant would be glad to be family member and loan money • Women seen practically as slaves • No need to give her money • Scholars think this story could orignally have been told by Wife of Bath (lines 11-19) but Chaucer changed his mind • Story in form of fabliau: comical and filled with sexual obscenity.