Write a note on the mock-heroic aspect of the Nonne Preestes Tale [British Poetry (2018-19) Assignment 1]

The Nonne Preestes Tale in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales is a classic example of a mock-heroic poem. The tale is a humorous story, which uses parody to poke fun at the serious nature of the epic poems that were popular in the medieval era. The Nonne Preestes Tale follows the adventures of a rooster named Chanticleer and the hen Pertelote, who must outsmart the fox that is trying to catch and eat them.

One of the key features of the mock-heroic aspect of the tale is the way in which it uses language to create a sense of grandeur and importance. The language of the poem is elevated and elaborate, using grandiose terms and lofty metaphors to describe even the most mundane of events. The tale is also full of allusions to classical literature and mythology, which further emphasizes the epic tone.

Another way in which the Nonne Preestes Tale uses mock-heroic elements is through the characterization of the animals. The rooster and hen are depicted as regal and noble figures, despite their inherently comic nature. The fox, on the other hand, is portrayed as a villainous and cunning figure, much like the antagonists in epic poems.

Overall, the Nonne Preestes Tale is a brilliant example of a mock-heroic poem. Through its use of language, characterization, and parody, it highlights the absurdity of epic poetry and provides a comedic take on the genre.