Pride

Definition

Pride is an excessive belief in one's own abilities or importance, often leading to arrogance and a failure to recognize the worth of others. In literature, pride can serve as a driving force for characters, influencing their decisions and ultimately their fates. This concept connects deeply with social dynamics and moral themes, highlighting the contrast between self-perception and reality, which is evident in various narratives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In the Miller's Tale, pride manifests through characters like Absolon and Nicholas, whose arrogance leads to comedic situations and their eventual humiliation.
2. The tale illustrates how pride can distort reality and lead to misguided actions, showing that overconfidence often results in failure.
3. Social satire in this tale uses the folly of pride to critique societal norms and human behavior, particularly regarding romantic pursuits.
4. Characters driven by pride often experience a reversal of fortune, highlighting the moral that excessive self-regard can blind one to their flaws.
5. Religious perspectives in Chaucer's works often view pride as a sin, warning against its dangers and emphasizing humility as a virtue.

Review Questions

• How does pride serve as a motivating factor for the characters in the Miller's Tale?
  • Pride acts as a significant motivator for characters like Absolon and Nicholas in the Miller's Tale. Their excessive self-importance drives them to pursue love and recognition aggressively, which leads to humorous but ultimately embarrassing outcomes. This dynamic showcases how pride can warp judgment and decision-making, revealing the characters' flaws and foibles in a social context.
• Discuss how Chaucer uses satire to critique pride among the characters in the Miller's Tale.
  • Chaucer employs satire to expose the foolishness of pride through the misadventures of his characters. By placing arrogant figures like Absolon and Nicholas in ridiculous situations, he highlights how their inflated self-views lead to comedic failures. This satirical lens not only entertains but also serves to critique societal attitudes toward love and courtship, suggesting that an overreliance on pride can lead to public ridicule.
• Evaluate the role of religious perspectives on pride in Chaucer's tales and how they compare to secular themes.
  • In Chaucer's tales, religious perspectives often cast pride as a significant moral failing that leads individuals away from virtue. Characters who exhibit excessive pride frequently face consequences that reflect traditional Christian teachings about humility. When comparing these religious views with secular themes presented through humor and satire, we see a nuanced portrayal of human nature—where pride serves as both a driving force for comedic conflict and a cautionary reminder of its potential pitfalls according to moral standards.

Related terms

hubris: A term from Greek tragedy that refers to excessive pride or self-confidence, often leading to a downfall.

satire:

A literary device that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock societal norms, institutions, or individuals.

vanity: Excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements.