Chaucers Justinus and Placebo Essay - 949 Words

Why do you think Chaucer included Justinus and Placebo? What does the latter’s debate contribute to the overall Tale? A number of factors come together to distance the reader from the characters in the tale, not least the complicated and ambiguous series of lenses through which they are viewed. They are all types or allegories to lesser or greater degrees. Justinus and Placebo are examples are personification allegories, representing the abstract properties of good and bad advice. This is drawn from court satire and contemporary advice literature in which the recipient, usually a prince, is told how to choose good counsellors and to avoid flatters whose motive is the advancement of their own careers. This element in the tale†¦show more content†¦Placebo and Justinus represent not only the two sides of the debate on marriage, but also two kinds of friendly advice. Placebo specifically offers flattery, expressing the view that wise men should not presume to advise their elders and social superiors if they want to get on in life. Both Placebo and Justinus act as the Good and Evil Angels and al legorise the two opinions passing through Januarie’s own mind. However, the Merchant’s reference line 280 to ‘a court-man’ also meaning flatter refers to him not being an adviser but a sycophant, presents a very cynical and critical view of courtiers. Line 285, â€Å"Yet hadde I nevere with noon of hem debaat.† Translated, as â€Å"I have never been disagreed with any of them† is a perfect summary of the sycophant’s profession. The speaker becomes repetitive and is falling over himself to prove agreeable as the perfect reflexion of January’s own thoughts. January then turns to Justinus for advice, Line 311, â€Å"Senek, amonges othere wordes wise, Seith that a man oghte him right wel advise/ To whom he yeveth his lond or catel.â€Å" Here Placebo cities Seneca, a Roman playwright who discusses this in Beneficiis I and he reminds him that he must be careful with his goods and even more careful with his body. Justinus, however, appears to hold views based on personal experience which are similar to those of theShow MoreRelated Chaucers Canterbury Tales - Marriage as Portrayed in Merchants Prologue and Tale1193 Words   |  5 PagesPrologue and Tale  Ã‚   The story of Januaries marriage to May and her subsequent infidelity with Damyan allows for not only Chaucers view of marriage to come through, but also includes the opinions of contemporary writers. Chaucer allows his views to be made known as the narrator and his views could also be said to infiltrate the speeches of the Merchant. Justinus and Placebos views are also accounted for as the fictional characters also air their opinions on the institution of marriage. In