Canterbury Tales: The Power of Lust Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Seven Deadly Sins. Eight stories. In Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer offers insight into human characteristics and actions. Of the seven deadly sins, lust remains a recurring feature in several tales. Since romance and marriage are important motifs throughout the work, many of the tales deal with sexual desires and portray characters trying to satisfy their cravings with arguments (in "The Knight's Tale"), deception (in "The Miller ") or strong will and infidelity. (in "The Merchant"). Although these stories have different plots, each offers a common message regarding human nature and lust. Making her debut in "The Knight's Tale," lust overwhelms Arcite and Palamon, two men locked in prison who desire Emily, a woman who may not even know they exist. Throughout the story, the two men describe Emily as a “goddess” and “Venus,” venerating her physical characteristics and revealing the lust both men feel for this woman (242-243). Chaucer conveys the stupidity of the two cousins ​​as they childishly fight over a woman they know only by appearance; one states, “I loved her first” (297). Several years later, the power of lust brings together Arcite and Palamon as well as "a hundred knights [each]... well armed... to fight for a lady"; a lady who did not speak to them even once (1241-1245). In an act of madness, lust causes both "sworn brothers" to risk their lives in an all-out battle, which ultimately leads to Arcite's death (273). In this tale, Chaucer achieves his goal of portraying the consequences of lust: it darkens human consciousness, causing them to make disastrous choices. Unlike Emily, who prefers to remain a virgin and resist the lust of Arcite and Palamon, Alison, one of the main characters in "The Miller", submits to the young squire, Nicholas. After years of secret lust, "Nicholas flirted and played with his young wife...and secretly grabbed her where he shouldn't have" (87-90). Nicholas continues to flatter her as he "spoke so pretty and tried so hard that she at last bestowed upon him her love...by St. Thomas Becket, who would be at his command" (104-108). Flattery and flattery remain key. driving forces of sexual pleasure. Lust, however, is not limited to Nicholas. Absalom also falls victim to lust, declaring that "like the lamb I long for the teat. Truly darling, I am so lovesick," even though Alison shows no interest in him (518-519). Ultimately, the lust results in a chaotic and embarrassing event for all three men: Absalom kisses the squire's backside, Nicholas receives a burned "ass," and the old carpenter breaks his arm. As Chaucer introduces a variety of characters in "The Miller," their actions represent the widespread and inevitable chaos caused by lust. Although many of the tales depict lust in one way or another, "The Merchant" remains one of the best at revealing lust. characteristics of desire and will. January gives in to lust and marries a daughter named May for her beauty, despite Justin's warnings that he "will not please her for at least three years - that is, he will please her fully: a wife requires much to accomplish" (318-320 ). A few days after the wedding, January «was put into a trance every time he looked at her face; but in his heart he began to threaten that that night he would hold her in his arms” (506-509). January can't hold back his desire and yes,.