Wednesday, February 5, 2014

The Summoner, repulsive and . . .

I had planned to finish talking about the Summoner in one more entry (2 parts in all). But my good friends who critique these entries felt the need for more information, clarification. So I abandoned the streamlined version and have done a rewrite with additional history and vocabulary.

A particular challenge lies in Aquarius, the sign we're dealing with. The constellation has no outstanding stars; the myth has no outstanding action. So Chaucer provides only the one-word clue "Watte" as identification. The word functions as both Walter and water. This brings the image of the Aquarius, Water Bearer to us. And the sign relates to death because the first attack of the Black Plague occurred in the 19ยบ of Aquarius.
     Chaucer is participating in an artistic genre found all over Europe--allegory on the universality of death. It appears in illustrations and in dramatic works, as well as sermons. And the action performed by a personification of death was to summon individuals. Hence, Chaucer's label for the Summoner is the perfect choice. The poet foregoes the celestial and mythological; he limits the Summoner's portrait to details associated with a personification of death.
     This repulsive Summoner we left, at the close of the last entry, now becomes a dear fellow.
          He was a noble harlot and "a kynde";
          A better fellow should men not find.
With or without irony, "noble" indicates he is skilled at what he does. And "harlot" saw him as an idler, a rogue, not a craftsman. Though "kynde" can mean benevolent, it also means natural, the essential character, as in,"What kind of a person is he?" There are circumstances where death's arrival would actually be welcomed. Chaucer records this thought in the Knight's Tale.
          We be pilgrims, passing to and fro. 
          Death is an end to every worldly suffering.
Therefore repulsive Death can also be kind.
     Strangely enough, we have no more than adjusted to seeing Death as kindly to those who are burdened, than another aspect of the Summoner's personality emerges.
          For a quart of wine he would allow
          A good fellow to have his (the man's) concubine
          For twelve months, and excuse him completely.
The Summoner's duties, in the surface story, involve summoning those accused of moral offenses such as adultery and fornication, to the ecclesiastical court. Yet, here we seen him apparently overlook such wrongdoing! But don't assume he is being tolerant or understanding; the sinner's cask has not yet run dry. The adulterer has false confidence. Death is a trickster!
     Trickery is assumed of Death as an adversary in the Pardoner's Tale. To anticipate "his" coming:
          Ere ye come into his presence 
          Methinks that it is necessary
          To beware of such an adversary.
          Be ready to meet him at every moment.
How does one get ready? The genre originally included a didactic reminder of the inevitability of death. Sinners were strongly advised to be prepared morally at all times to be summoned. For example, Death addresses an Emperor with, "Your sword won't help you. Sceptre and crown are worthless here."
     The Summoner,
          Very "prively" he could "pull a finch."
The line is generally seen with sexual intent, though the phrase begs actual interpretation. The covert sense conveys "cunning," "to pull a clever trick." He moves very stealthily, furtively.
     Chaucer's humble Parson warns, "Death, cometh oft suddenly, with no certainty as to what time it shall be, nor in what place." He too exhorts being prepared at every moment. Today we still accuse Death of presenting his summons at little anticipated, disruptive moments--a life cut short on the brink of success, for example.
     The Summoner's encouraging of false confidence continues.
          If he found a good fellow anywhere,
          He would teach him to have no fear.
Then several lines seem to say a bribe is all that is necessary to remove a curse. That, however, is followed by:
          But well I know he lied in deed.
The Summoner's apparent geniality and reassurance are false! Here is the truth:
          Of cursing ought each guilty man be fearful,
          For the curse will slay right as absolving saves.
A guilty man will be slain (implying spiritual death), while absolution will save his soul (give him eternal life).
     The Pardoner says death is a "privee" thief, that is, one who works treacherously imperceptibly. Besides his kindliness, death is a thief and a liar.

Next time we'll take up the Summoner's language skills and personal appeal.

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