Fortune, Power, and Humility

The Canterbury Tales

This flow compares rulers and heroes who rise through strength or status before Fortune exposes the limits of worldly mastery.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Nebuchadnezzar’s Beasthood Nebuchadnezzar’s Beasthood from "The Canterbury Tales". Nebuchadnezzar’s Beasthood Imperial Pride Nebuchadnezzar rules Babylon and demands worship of a golden image.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Beasthood from "The Canterbury Tales". Nebuchadnezzar’s Beasthood Imperial Pride Nebuchadnezzar rules Babylon and demands worship of a golden image.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Beasthood Imperial Pride Nebuchadnezzar rules Babylon and demands worship of a golden image. Political power encourages him to mistake authority for divinity. Loss of Human Form He becomes beastlike, eats grass, and lives among animals. Restoration comes only after humility recognizes God’s sovereignty.

Belshazzar’s Feast Belshazzar’s Feast from "The Canterbury Tales". Belshazzar’s Feast Inherited Arrogance Belshazzar repeats his father’s pride by using sacred vessels in a drunken feast.

Belshazzar’s Feast from "The Canterbury Tales". Belshazzar’s Feast Inherited Arrogance Belshazzar repeats his father’s pride by using sacred vessels in a drunken feast.

Belshazzar’s Feast Inherited Arrogance Belshazzar repeats his father’s pride by using sacred vessels in a drunken feast. Memory of punishment does not guarantee moral learning. Writing on the Wall Daniel interprets the mysterious words as the end of the kingdom. Authority collapses in a single night when arrogance meets judgment.

Hercules’ Burning Hercules’ Burning from "The Canterbury Tales". Hercules’ Burning Unmatched Strength Hercules defeats monsters and expands his fame across the world.

Hercules’ Burning from "The Canterbury Tales". Hercules’ Burning Unmatched Strength Hercules defeats monsters and expands his fame across the world.

Hercules’ Burning Unmatched Strength Hercules defeats monsters and expands his fame across the world. His power appears to place him beyond ordinary human limitation. Poisoned Garment A shirt destroys his flesh from within, and he chooses fire over continued torment. Strength cannot protect the body from hidden corruption.

Alexander’s Poison Alexander’s Poison from "The Canterbury Tales". Alexander’s Poison World Conqueror Alexander commands the world through military force and reputation.

Alexander’s Poison from "The Canterbury Tales". Alexander’s Poison World Conqueror Alexander commands the world through military force and reputation.

Alexander’s Poison World Conqueror Alexander commands the world through military force and reputation. His ambition remains unsatisfied even after unprecedented success. Small Cause, Total Fall Poison brought by his own men ends his life. The disproportion between achievement and death exposes the fragility of worldly greatness.

Caesar’s Assassination Caesar’s Assassination from "The Canterbury Tales". Caesar’s Assassination Imperial Triumph Julius Caesar returns crowned after conquering East and West.

Caesar’s Assassination from "The Canterbury Tales". Caesar’s Assassination Imperial Triumph Julius Caesar returns crowned after conquering East and West.

Caesar’s Assassination Imperial Triumph Julius Caesar returns crowned after conquering East and West. Victory has made him powerful but also politically threatening. Daggers and Decorum Brutus and the conspirators kill him in the Capitol. Even while dying, Caesar covers his body, preserving dignity amid the collapse of power.

The Monk’s Tale’s early exempla

After Nebuchadnezzar’s restoration

The Monk’s Tale’s heroic exempla

Later in The Monk’s Tale

Near the end of The Monk’s Tale