Resumo de The Miller's Portrait

The Millers Portrait

The general impression the reader gains from the portrait of the miller is that he is a larger-than-life character, showing characteristics such as combative, sinful, flawed, successful and energetic.
The miller appears to stand out in terms of physical appearance, size and ability. He creates an intimidating picture, being ?Ful big? and ?eek of bones? implying that he was not only tall, but also broad and the first line of his description of him being ?a stout carl for the nones? shows what a strong fellow he was. Hints at his aggressive nature are shown, as ?At wrestling he wolde have alwey the ram, meaning that wherever he went he was always win the prize of a ram for wrestling. Throughout the general description, references are made to several animals, all of who seem to have a connection with the miller himself, such as the ram who could symbolise the miller?s aggression.
He is continued to be describes as ?short-shouldered, brood, a thikke knarre?, meaning he was thickset and broad, and we see how the miller puts this physical strength into practise as ?ther was no dore that he nolde heve of harre?, creating quite a fierce impression of him as this implies that there was no door he could not take off its hinges. However, Chaucer then introduces humour in saying that the method he used for breaking down these doors was to ?breke it at a rennying with his heed?, therefore the almost terrifying image of the miller we have built up has been dissolved at the thought of this ridiculous feat.
His beard is compared with the hair of ?any sowe or fox?, again these are commonplace animals which the miller has been put into context with, perhaps implying several things, the first that his nature was that of a pig, a description which would expect of the miller. However, the second implication is that of being like a fox which are often associated with being sly creatures. This the reader does not expect of the miller as on the surface, he appears a simple person with no hidden layers. The colour of his beard, ?reed?, also suggests that perhaps there is more to the miller than meets the eye as red is often used as a warning colour, and it may symbolise the violence and sinfulness within his nature.
Chaucer has given the miller an unattractive physical appearance, in terms of his facial features such as the ?werte, and theron stood a toft of herys?, which are again linked in a simile to the colour ?reed? and the everyday animal of a ?sowe?. The unpleasant imagery continues as his ?nosethirles blake were and wide?, meaning his nostrils were like an abyss, perhaps having links with hell, the colour black being associated with evil. This implication of hell is linked with ?His mouth? being ?as greet was as a greet forneys?, this simile perhaps suggesting that the millers mouth was like the entrance of fiery hell. In Chaucer?s time, this would have been an obvious link to the reader under the great influence that the church had at that time.
There are hints as to what the miller?s tale may entail, such as in the reference to him being a ?janglere and a goliarddeys? meaning he was loud-mouthed and a coarse joker, therefore we gather that these traits will reflect in his story. It also claims that he talked ?moost of synne and harlotries?, the main theme in his tale.
It is said that miller was dishonest in that ?Wel koude he stelen corn and tollen thries?, however, it is also claimed that ?he hadde a thombe of golde?. Chaucer has deliberately included this as it has two levels; superficially it means that he was adept at testing corn but it also suggests that there are no honest miller?s as it is impossible to have a thumb of gold. This stereotypical image of a miller is dispelled in the mention of the miller?s ?whit cote? as the colour white symbolises purity and goodness.
The final lines hint at the millerr?s natural need to be the centre of attention, playing a ?baggepipe?, a loud instrument played by those low in the social class. The statement that ?he broghte us out of towne? could be a reference to the pied piper of Hamlin in which he deceived animals of a lowly status (rats) to their doom by playing a flute. In general, it can be said that despite the miller?s seemingly straightforward outward appearance, he may have more to him that a coarse, vulgar man.

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