The Ethics of Speech

The Canterbury Tales

This flow traces how promises, curses, flattery, and sermons create consequences beyond the speaker’s immediate intention.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Host’s Contract The Host’s Contract from "The Canterbury Tales". The Host’s Contract Spoken Agreement Harry Bailly reminds the pilgrims of the contest rules and demands payment from anyone who resists his judgment.

The Host’s Contract from "The Canterbury Tales". The Host’s Contract Spoken Agreement Harry Bailly reminds the pilgrims of the contest rules and demands payment from anyone who resists his judgment.

The Host’s Contract Spoken Agreement Harry Bailly reminds the pilgrims of the contest rules and demands payment from anyone who resists his judgment. Speech organizes the journey. Performance as Obligation The promised tales are treated like debts. The company’s social order depends on words becoming enforceable acts.

Arcite’s Confession Arcite’s Confession from "The Canterbury Tales". Arcite’s Confession Love Spoken Aloud Arcite reveals his love for Emily while believing himself alone.

Arcite’s Confession from "The Canterbury Tales". Arcite’s Confession Love Spoken Aloud Arcite reveals his love for Emily while believing himself alone.

Arcite’s Confession Love Spoken Aloud Arcite reveals his love for Emily while believing himself alone. His speech exposes the desire that has driven his disguise and exile. Accidental Consequence Palamon hears him and turns confession into accusation. Private language becomes the immediate cause of renewed violence.

Dorigen’s Promise Dorigen’s Promise from "The Canterbury Tales". Dorigen’s Promise Defensive Wit Dorigen speaks conditionally to repel Aurelius without betraying Arveragus.

Dorigen’s Promise from "The Canterbury Tales". Dorigen’s Promise Defensive Wit Dorigen speaks conditionally to repel Aurelius without betraying Arveragus.

Dorigen’s Promise Defensive Wit Dorigen speaks conditionally to repel Aurelius without betraying Arveragus. The promise seems safe because its condition appears impossible. Unintended Bond Once the rocks seem removed, the words bind her more strongly than she intended. The episode treats speech as an ethical force that exceeds private motive.

Fox’s Flattery Fox’s Flattery from "The Canterbury Tales". Fox’s Flattery Praise as Weapon Russell praises Chanticleer’s singing, parents, wisdom, and beauty.

Fox’s Flattery from "The Canterbury Tales". Fox’s Flattery Praise as Weapon Russell praises Chanticleer’s singing, parents, wisdom, and beauty.

Fox’s Flattery Praise as Weapon Russell praises Chanticleer’s singing, parents, wisdom, and beauty. Each compliment narrows the rooster’s attention until he forgets danger. Vanity’s Disclosure Chanticleer performs for the flatterer and loses physical control. The scene reveals how the desire to be admired can expose the self to violence.

The Pardoner’s Sermon The Pardoner’s Sermon from "The Canterbury Tales". The Pardoner’s Sermon Condemnation The Pardoner describes avarice, drunkenness, gambling, and swearing as paths to ruin. His rhetoric has genuine moral force.

The Pardoner’s Sermon from "The Canterbury Tales". The Pardoner’s Sermon Condemnation The Pardoner describes avarice, drunkenness, gambling, and swearing as paths to ruin. His rhetoric has genuine moral force.

The Pardoner’s Sermon Condemnation The Pardoner describes avarice, drunkenness, gambling, and swearing as paths to ruin. His rhetoric has genuine moral force. Compromised Messenger Because he preaches for profit, his authority is corrupted. Yet the audience can still extract a warning from a speaker who does not follow it.

At Saint Thomas’s watering place

During the grove duel’s preparations

At the May garden gathering

Morning of Chanticleer’s capture

Before the story of the Three Rioters