REPRESENTATIONS OF FOOD AND SEXUALITY IN GEOFFREY CHAUCER’S FABLIAUX

This paper aims to analyze Chaucer’s use of food as a sexual metaphor in the carnal universe his fabliaux, namely, The Miller’s Tale, Reeve’s and Merchant’s Tale. Fabliaux usually narrate adulterous relationship revolving around young wife, her old husband, virile man. Therefore, sex plays an essential part dynamics these tales. argues that is both associated with female characters’ escapades positive way denoting their power also reveals husbands’ unsuccessful efforts satisfy wives sexually. Thus, metaphors implicitly reflect impotence because age. In this regard, engages subversive Tale investigates how Chaucer overturns gendered struggle between wife husband regard activities by employing food.