Manciple: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 06:26, 16 February 2025

A character from Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales''

The Manciple is a character in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. He is one of the many pilgrims traveling to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. The Manciple is responsible for purchasing provisions for a group of lawyers, known as the "Inns of Court," and is noted for his shrewdness and ability to outwit his employers.

Role in The Canterbury Tales[edit]

The Manciple is introduced in the "General Prologue" of The Canterbury Tales. Chaucer describes him as a man who is more clever than the lawyers he serves, despite being illiterate. He is able to save money and make a profit by being astute in his purchases, often outsmarting the learned men he works for.

The Manciple's Tale[edit]

The Manciple tells a tale about the god Phoebus and his talking white crow. In the story, Phoebus's wife is unfaithful, and the crow reveals her infidelity. In a fit of rage, Phoebus kills his wife and punishes the crow by turning its feathers black and taking away its ability to speak. The tale serves as a moral lesson about the dangers of speaking too freely and the consequences of jealousy and anger.

Character Analysis[edit]

The Manciple is portrayed as a cunning and resourceful individual. Despite his lack of formal education, he possesses a natural intelligence that allows him to thrive in his role. His ability to manipulate and manage the finances of the lawyers he serves highlights the theme of appearance versus reality, a common motif in The Canterbury Tales.

Themes[edit]

The Manciple's story and character explore themes such as:

Deception and Cunning: The Manciple's success is based on his ability to deceive and outwit those who are supposedly more educated and knowledgeable.
Social Class and Education: The Manciple's role challenges the notion that education and social class determine one's intelligence or capability.
Moral Lessons: The tale he tells imparts a moral about the consequences of jealousy and the importance of discretion.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Manciple''' is a term that originates from the Middle Ages, specifically within the context of large households or institutions such as monasteries, colleges, and courts. A manciple was responsible for the procurement of provisions, particularly food and drink, ensuring that the establishment was well-stocked with necessary supplies. This role was crucial in maintaining the daily operations of such institutions, where the efficient management of resources was essential for their smooth functioning.
+{{short description|A character from Geoffrey Chaucer's ''The Canterbury Tales''}}
-==Role and Responsibilities==
+[[File:The_Manciple_-_Ellesmere_Chaucer.jpg|thumb|right|The Manciple as depicted in the Ellesmere manuscript]]
-The primary duty of a [[manciple]] was to manage the purchasing of provisions. This involved negotiating prices, ensuring the quality of goods, and maintaining relationships with vendors and suppliers. The manciple needed to have a keen eye for detail and a good understanding of budget management, as they were responsible for ensuring that the institution received the best possible value for its expenditures.
-In addition to procurement, manciples were often involved in the storage and distribution of supplies. They had to ensure that foodstuffs and other provisions were stored properly to prevent spoilage and were distributed fairly and efficiently within the institution. This required a good organizational skill set and an understanding of the needs of the institution they served.
+The '''Manciple''' is a character in [[Geoffrey Chaucer]]'s ''[[The Canterbury Tales]]''. He is one of the many pilgrims traveling to the shrine of [[Thomas Becket]] in [[Canterbury]]. The Manciple is responsible for purchasing provisions for a group of lawyers, known as the "Inns of Court," and is noted for his shrewdness and ability to outwit his employers.
-==Historical Context==
+==Role in ''The Canterbury Tales''==
-The role of the manciple has its roots in medieval Europe, where large households and institutions required a dedicated individual to manage the complex task of provisioning. In monasteries, the manciple worked closely with the [[cellarer]], who was responsible for the storage of food and drink. In colleges and courts, the manciple's role was similar, ensuring that students or members of the court had sufficient provisions.
+The Manciple is introduced in the "[[General Prologue]]" of ''The Canterbury Tales''. Chaucer describes him as a man who is more clever than the lawyers he serves, despite being illiterate. He is able to save money and make a profit by being astute in his purchases, often outsmarting the learned men he works for.
-One of the most famous references to a manciple is found in Geoffrey Chaucer's ''[[The Canterbury Tales]]''. In this collection of 14th-century stories, the Manciple is one of the pilgrims who tells a tale on the journey to Canterbury. Chaucer's depiction provides insight into the role and its perceived importance during the medieval period.
+===The Manciple's Tale===
+The Manciple tells a tale about the god [[Phoebus]] and his talking white crow. In the story, Phoebus's wife is unfaithful, and the crow reveals her infidelity. In a fit of rage, Phoebus kills his wife and punishes the crow by turning its feathers black and taking away its ability to speak. The tale serves as a moral lesson about the dangers of speaking too freely and the consequences of jealousy and anger.
-==Decline and Evolution==
+==Character Analysis==
-As institutions evolved and the management of resources became more complex, the role of the manciple gradually changed. In many cases, the responsibilities associated with provisioning were absorbed into broader administrative roles. However, the legacy of the manciple remains in certain traditional institutions, such as colleges and legal societies, where the title may still be used to denote the individual responsible for procurement and resource management.
+The Manciple is portrayed as a cunning and resourceful individual. Despite his lack of formal education, he possesses a natural intelligence that allows him to thrive in his role. His ability to manipulate and manage the finances of the lawyers he serves highlights the theme of appearance versus reality, a common motif in ''The Canterbury Tales''.
-==Modern Relevance==
+==Themes==
-Today, the term manciple is rarely used outside of historical or specific institutional contexts. However, the functions and responsibilities associated with the role are still relevant in modern supply chain management, procurement, and facilities management. Professionals in these fields continue to ensure that organizations are efficiently and effectively provisioned, echoing the duties of the medieval manciple.
+The Manciple's story and character explore themes such as:
+* '''Deception and Cunning''': The Manciple's success is based on his ability to deceive and outwit those who are supposedly more educated and knowledgeable.
+* '''Social Class and Education''': The Manciple's role challenges the notion that education and social class determine one's intelligence or capability.
+* '''Moral Lessons''': The tale he tells imparts a moral about the consequences of jealousy and the importance of discretion.
-[[Category:Medieval Occupations]]
+==Related pages==
-[[Category:Supply Chain Management]]
+* [[The Canterbury Tales]]
-[[Category:Historical Terms]]
+* [[Geoffrey Chaucer]]
+* [[General Prologue]]
+* [[Thomas Becket]]
-{{stub}}
+[[Category:The Canterbury Tales characters]]
+[[Category:Literary characters introduced in the 14th century]]