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| Sunday, 20 November 2005 |
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A/L English Literature Made Easy - Poetry Death of the three rioters - Geofrey Chaucer (1340-1400) Translated by Neville Coghill Geofrey Chaucer (1340-1400) is a great medieval writer who introduced the dramatic form of poetry. Geofrey Chaucer's "Troilus and Criseyde" brought him much credit along with his "The Canterbury Tales". He was influenced by French and Italian Literature. He got acquainted with the culture of France and Italy, by his visits to these countries as a special envoy of the king.
This abstract Death of the three rioters is from Pardner's Tale and is a translation by Neville Coghill. Pardner is a priest and the story begins with his confession working as a priest. How he tackled people, and he related a story exposing the evils of sinful deeds. The tale's first verse exposes how three people waited anxiously for the opening of the tavern in the morning, for they had come there too early - - As they sat, they heard the hand-bell clink Before a coffin going to the grave". Very few people existed until they were old and "Death was taken as a retribution for sin". The three rioters were alarmed and they instructed the "tavern knave" to find out who the dead person was. They were informed that the dead person was their friend, slain on his bench, face upward and dead drunk. "There came a privy thief, they call him DEATH who kills us round here, and in a breath He speared him through the heart, he never stirred And then DEATH went his way withou a word". Here, Death is being personified by the poet. In their drunken state they set out to kill 'Death', the murderer of their friend. Though they were warned by the tavern boy that 'Death' was extremely dangerous. "He's killed a thousand in the present plague" So it's best to be on the safe side, as death could be found everywhere. That's what my mother said. It's all I know". When they had walked about half a mile they met a poor old man, who greeted them in a humble manner. The old man looked as though he had more power in him than he posed to be. After earnest requests made by the three rioters, he told them that he knew about DEATH and where DEATH could be spotted. The three rioters united as brothers vowed to kill the traitor Death. The third verse reveals how they swore "to live and die for one another". "They made their bargain, swore with appetite, These three, to live and die for one another As brother-born might swear to his born brother" In their drunken state, they started off as directed by the "page" and "publican". They swore to catch DEATH and put an end to Death. When they had gone less than half a mile and were about to cross a stile they met a poor old man who said to them that he had gone every where, even to India in search of Death but failed to find Death. The three rioters having threatened the old man and got some information about the traiter, Death. "To find out Death turn up this crooked way Towards that grove I left him there today Under a tree and there you'll find him waiting ..." Then the three Rioters began to run and having reached the spot, they found "A Pile of golden florins on the ground" beautiful and bright. They sat down beside the file of florins. "The wickedest spoke first after a while "Brothers', he said 'you listen to what I say I'm pretty sharp although I joke away It's clear that fortune has bestowed this treasure To let us live injollity and pleasure" Each one wanted to have the gold coins for himself. Ultimately they kill each other. The gold coins may be DEATH in one of its forms for DEATH is supposed to possess different forms. The Three Rioters decided to draw lots and "See the way it goes" "The one who draw the longest lucky man Shail run to town as quickly as he can To fetch us bread and wine but keep things dark" 'Drawing Lots' show their greediness for wealth and their mentality and their evilattitudes. The story of 'The three Rioters' is narrated in a very effective manner. There's a mixture of humour and tragic events inviting the reader to experience the various incidents taking place, the tavern boy's advice, the old man's words and finally the gold florins symbolizing avarice. Theer's a tint of humour when the three Rioters raise different questions. " .. and kills the young fellows here about" And you are his spy by God! you wait a bit Say where he is or you shall pay for it" The poet's use of dialogue form is very effective and presented in a pleasing manner, a special feature of this narrative poem is it could "enrapture an audience". The poem leaves a moral irrespective of religious views and the difference in attitudes. The disaster caused by sin is clearly clarified and thereby instil in the minds of the readers the fear of getting succumbed to sinful deeds. "DEATH" is personified in a very significant and symbolic manner. The ironic relationship of Gold and Death highlights the ignorance and greediness of man, irrespective of family connections or relationship. Chaucer's use of different techniques arousing curiosity, maintaining suspense and irony enhances the swift flow of the poem highlighting the poet's anxiety to innovate goodwill sympathy and understanding among the people of all 'faiths'. Rhythm and Rhyme, the blank verse form, creates the background for the tale to be told in the narrative style. The narration of the final episode is dramatically presented in a 'very touching manner. "Now for a drink, sit down and let's be merry for later on there'll be the corpse to bury And as it happened, reaching for a sup He took a bottle full of poison up And drank and his companions nothing loth Drank from it also and they both perished". Thus each one wanting to own the gold killed one another and ended up in a pathetic manner. There's a moral in the poem, 'uncontrolled greediness' results in disaster. The result of the 'Excessive liquor habit' is clearly reflected in the messy behaviour pattern of the Three Rioters. The Pardener's tale, the most interesting section is yet to follow which reveals the real impact of chaucer's. - Canterbury Tales Mrs. C. Ekanayake, Retd., Specialist Teacher Eng. Lit., St. Anne's College, Kurunegala. |
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The poem Death of the Three Rioters, is an extract from the Canterbury
Tales a series of stories in poetry form, and told by twenty seven
pilgrims travelling to Canterbury to enliven themselves. Each member was
supposed to have told two stories, one on the journey to Canterbury and
one on the way back. 
