Key Quotations (OCR A-Level English Literature): Revision Notes
Key quotations
Understanding how to use quotations effectively is a crucial skill for your exam. Rather than memorising long quotations, focus on developing a strong knowledge of the text. You can demonstrate this through summarising, paraphrasing, referencing single words, or referring to plot events. These are all as valid as using direct quotations. The key is to select references that directly support your response to the question.
When revising quotations, organise them by character or theme. This revision note groups key quotations from The Merchant's Prologue and Tale into four major themes to help you understand how Chaucer explores different ideas in the text.
Morality and sin
Chaucer uses The Merchant's Prologue and Tale to investigate temptation, particularly lust, which was viewed as one of the seven deadly sins in mediaeval society. The poem examines the moral standards promoted by religious teachings of the period, whilst also revealing the hypocrisies and double standards present in these judgements.
Marriage as a holy bond
And for to lyve under that hooly boond/With which that first God man and womman bond.
The Merchant, Lines 1261–62
For wedlok is so esy and so clene,/That in this world it is a paradys.
The Merchant, Lines 1264–65
What this means:
When introducing Januarie's eagerness to marry, the Merchant explains that marriage was established by God. He describes it as a "hooly boond" (holy bond). Later, he reinforces this view by calling marriage both "clene" (pure) and "esy" (natural), suggesting it creates paradise on earth.
Key analysis points:
- Chaucer represents typical mediaeval attitudes that connected marriage with religious duty and divine authority
- The religious vocabulary, particularly "hooly boond", emphasises the belief that marriage was instituted by God
- Describing marriage as "esy" and "clene" presents it as something both natural and morally pure
- The contrast between "world" and "paradys" creates an oxymoron, suggesting marriage brings heavenly perfection to earthly life
Warning about marriage
Paraunter she may be you're purgatorie!/She may be Goddes meene and Goddes whippe;
Justinus, Lines 1670–71
What this means:
Justinus, one of Januarie's friends, cautions that marrying a younger woman could feel like purgatory, a state of suffering before reaching heaven. He suggests that a young wife might serve as God's tool ("Goddes meene") or even his punishment ("Goddes whippe").
Key analysis points:
- Justinus provides a voice of reason, contrasting with Placebo's sycophantic platitudes (flattering but insincere remarks)
- The warning compares marriage difficulties to religious suffering, suggesting spiritual turmoil
- This statement foreshadows the troubled relationship between Januarie and May
- Chaucer challenges idealised Christian views of marriage by showing how the "holy bond" can become corrupted
Biblical allusions to temptation
Lyk to the naddre in bosom sly untrewe
The Merchant, Line 1786
And thynges whiche that were nat doon abedde,/He in the gardyn parfourmed hem and spedde
The Merchant, Lines 2052–53
What this means:
The Merchant compares Damian to a "naddre" (an adder or snake) that is cunning and disloyal. Later, when describing Januarie's paradise garden built for May, the Merchant notes that Januarie carries out ("parfourned" and "spedde") sexual acts there that weren't done in their bed.
Key analysis points:
- Chaucer draws on the Biblical story of Adam and Eve to explore ideas about humanity's moral downfall
- The lines specifically reference Eve's temptation, with May representing Eve and Damian representing the serpent (Satan)
- However, Chaucer presents a more complex view by showing both genders as victims of lustful desires
- Januarie's lustful nature is highlighted from the tale's beginning
- The pattern of temptation continues: Januarie desires May, then May desires Damian
Exam tip:
The Merchant's Tale contains numerous references to marriage. When answering exam questions, select quotations that specifically address the aspect of marriage relevant to your question. For instance, if exploring marriage dynamics among the pilgrims, you might reference The Prologue, where the Merchant calls his wife a "shrewe" (ill-tempered woman) because she lacks the patience and obedience of other wives: "Ther is a long and large difference/Bitwix Grisildis grete pacience". Always ensure your quotations directly support your argument.
Gender
The theme of gender in The Merchant's Prologue and Tale questions patriarchal attitudes in mediaeval England. Chaucer highlights prevailing attitudes through a male narrator whose tale depicts a powerful man freely acting on his sexual desires, whilst a female character who is unfaithful faces condemnation.
The Merchant's wife
She is a shrewe at al
The Merchant, Line 1222
What this means:
As the pilgrims travel, the Merchant complains to his companions about his recent marriage. He labels his new wife a "shrewe", a common mediaeval term for a bad-tempered or disagreeable woman. The phrase "at al" means "in every way" or "completely".
Key analysis points:
- Chaucer depicts widespread gender attitudes through the pilgrims' everyday conversation
- By calling his wife a "shrewe", the Merchant reveals she doesn't meet his expectations of submissiveness, patience and obedience
- The phrase "at al" emphasises his complete dissatisfaction
- This reflects Christian teachings that promoted women's obedience to men
Women created to help men
Woman is for mannes helpe ywroght
The Merchant, Line 1324
And thanne he made him Eve
The Merchant, Line 1329
What this means:
The Merchant states that women were created to assist men. He then describes how God created Eve specifically to help Adam.
Key analysis points:
- Chaucer explores the Biblical concept that Eve was made from Adam's rib and for Adam's benefit
- The possessive pronoun "him" in "made him Eve" implies Eve belonged to Adam
- Within this context, women's submission to men was viewed as holy doctrine
- These beliefs reflected the religious foundations of gender inequality in mediaeval society
Januarie's preference for youth
I wol no womman thritty year of age/It is but bene-straw and greet forage.
The Merchant, Line 1421
What this means:
Januarie explicitly rejects women over thirty years old, comparing an older woman to "bene-straw" (bean straw) and "greet forage" (rough ground where foraging is difficult).
Key analysis points:
- Chaucer exposes hypocrisy in gender standards by emphasising Januarie's advanced age alongside his desire for a young bride, creating cosmic irony
- The comparisons to "bene-straw" and "greet forage" connect to sexuality and fertility
- Since Januarie seeks a wife to bear him an heir, this reveals the attitude that women were valued primarily for procreation
- The metaphor objectifies women, reducing them to their reproductive capacity
Exam tip:
When examining gender, consider how roles are defined for both women and men, and what these roles signify. Also identify characters who challenge or subvert these roles. Januarie reinforces male stereotypes and exercises complete agency, whilst May challenges stereotypes by pursuing her own desires rather than being an obedient young wife to an elderly husband. Nevertheless, Chaucer demonstrates how May's behaviour is vilified by the pilgrims, highlighting mediaeval gender attitudes.
Marriage and love
The Merchant's Prologue and Tale examines societal expectations about marriage, revealing the pilgrims' attitude that it represents a burden to be endured. The tale further highlights how imbalances within social codes of conduct create dysfunctional marriages.
Marriage as a trap
Were I unbounden, also moot I thee,/I wolde nevere eft comen in the snare.
The Merchant, Lines 1226–27
Me reweth soore I am unto hire teyd.
The Host, Line 2420
What this means:
In The Merchant's Prologue, the Merchant laments his unhappy marriage. He states that if he were "unbounden" (released or freed), he would never again be caught in marriage's "snare" (trap). Later, in the epilogue, the Host expresses his dissatisfaction with his own wife, saying he deeply regrets ("reweth") being tied ("teyd") to her ("hire" or "her").
Key analysis points:
- Chaucer undermines the institution of marriage in The Prologue through a husband disillusioned after only two months
- Language suggesting restriction and entrapment, such as "snare", implies marriage is not a choice but something men are deceived into
- However, the tale itself presents a dysfunctional marriage based on flawed societal norms
- This creates irony, as Chaucer's pilgrims become ironic characters
- The Host's description of being "tyed" to marriage emphasises feelings of constraint
- The adverb "soore" intensifies the Host's regret, suggesting deep, painful remorse
Complete wifely submission
Al that hire housbonde lust, hire liketh weel;/She seith nat ones 'nay,' whan he seith 'ye.'
The Merchant, Lines 1345–46
What this means:
As Januarie prepares to marry, the Merchant describes marriage expectations. He states that a wife will do everything her husband desires and will never say "no" ("nay") when he says "yes" ("ye").
Key analysis points:
- Scholars debate whether these lines reflect Januarie's perspective or the Merchant's, though they likely represent the dominant view of the period
- The word "Al" (all) emphasises the expectation of complete wifely submission
- Notably, the word "lust" describes the husband's desires, suggesting wives should comply with all their husband's wishes
- The lines indicate a wife should allow anything her husband "liketh well" (likes well)
- The phrase "nat ones" (not once) stresses that a wife should never disagree with her husband
Love is blind
For love is blynd alday, and may nat see.
The Merchant, Line 1598
What this means:
The Merchant observes that love is perpetually blind and cannot see. He refers to Januarie's decision to marry May based on her youth and beauty.
Key analysis points:
- The metaphor relates to marriages founded on lust rather than genuine love
- It comments on how partners are chosen based on physical appearance
- The symbolism of blindness is ironic since it refers to a choice made on what Januarie "sees"
- The line also suggests Januarie's ignorance and lack of foresight
- It foreshadows Januarie's literal blindness later in the poem
Fate
The characters in The Merchant's Prologue and Tale appear to be controlled by supernatural forces that manipulate their relationships. Through this, Chaucer perhaps cynically suggests the futility of human attempts to create successful partnerships.
Venus's interference
And Venus laugheth upon every wight
The Merchant, Line 1723
So soore hath Venus hurt hym with hire brond,
The Merchant, Line 1777
What this means:
The Merchant describes how the gods attended Januarie and May's wedding. Venus, one of the gods, laughs at every human ("wight"). Later, the Merchant explains that Venus (the Roman goddess of love) severely "hurt" Damian by burning ("brond") him with sudden love for May.
Key analysis points:
- Chaucer's interfering Roman gods add complexity to themes of love by introducing fate
- Venus laughing at Januarie and May's wedding foreshadows her later interference in their marriage
- This presents human actions as foolish, mocked by divine beings
- Later, the Merchant reveals Damian has been badly hurt ("So soore") by Venus
- Damian's love for May therefore appears beyond his free will
- Chaucer portrays this passionate love as orchestrated by forces outside Damian's control
- His sickness causes May's visit, which leads to their secret affair
Astrological influences
The moone … In two of Tawr, was into Cancre gliden
The Merchant, Line 1887
What this means:
When describing a ritual May must perform, the Merchant notes that on her wedding day the moon is at two degrees of Taurus and moving into Cancer. The ritual timing depends on the moon and star positions (constellations).
Key analysis points:
- Chaucer's reference to astrology reflects beliefs that planetary and stellar alignments influenced individuals and earthly events
- This implies the marriage's consequences are predetermined by the stars
- It reinforces the theme of fate controlling human affairs
Divine intervention
And whan that Pluto saugh this grete wrong,/To Januarie he gaf agayn his sighte,
The Merchant, Line 2355
That I shal yeven hire suffisant answere,/And alle wommen after, for hir sake,
Proserpina, Lines 2266–67
What this means:
Whilst May is in the tree with Damian, the god Pluto (who had blinded Januarie for his ignorance) decides to restore his sight so he can witness May's betrayal. However, Pluto's wife, the goddess Proserpina, assists May in concealing the affair. She promises to give May a convincing excuse to persuade Januarie he has seen nothing, and extends this help to all women.
Key analysis points:
- The introduction of meddling gods raises questions about human self-determination and free will
- The gods' interference changes the course of Januarie and May's marriage, as well as affecting Damian's emotions and health
- The employment of a married god and goddess adds further layers to Chaucer's exploration of marriage and love in his society
- This divine involvement suggests human relationships are subject to forces beyond mortal control
Exam tip:
Focus on quality rather than quantity when using quotations. There are no strict rules about how many references to make, but three or four thoughtful, detailed and considered references closely focused on the question will achieve higher marks than six or seven brief and underdeveloped ones.
Remember!
- Group quotations by theme or character rather than memorising them in isolation
- Understanding the context and significance of quotations is more important than word-perfect recall
- You can demonstrate textual knowledge through summarising, paraphrasing, or referencing single words, not just direct quotations
- Select quotations that directly address the specific aspect of the question you're answering
- Always analyse how quotations support your argument rather than simply including them
- Consider how Chaucer uses quotations to reveal hypocrisies in mediaeval attitudes towards morality, gender and marriage