Alison in "The Miller's Tale" is described as young and wild, like an animal: "Here she koude skippe and plays / Like every child or calf that follows his checkers,” and we know she would be willing to go along with any idea as long as it is “fun.” We observe her childish immaturity in the scenes where she allows herself to be "kissed" by Absolon. Likewise, it doesn't take much persuasion from Nicholas to convince Alison to have an affair with him, as the idea of ​​deceiving her husband is a game to her. With mischievous glee she conspires with Nicholas to create the outlandish plot to convince her husband that a great flood is coming, and with her husband safely ensconced in a bathtub hanging from the roof, Alison successfully plays with Nicholas. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The differences between Nicholas and Absolon emerge early, but although both men compete with each other and with John for sexual access to Alison, true to type, the male rivals actually demonstrate less interest in the female object of the their presumed desire that for their gender and class identity and therefore their mutual relationships fall within a closed sphere of male objectivity. Nicholas, with his blend of esoteric knowledge, scandalous sense of humor and eager pursuit of love is a recognizable type even today. He is presented as "hende Nicholas", but his behavior does not correspond at all to the usual sense of the adjective, which implies great courtesy, but rather to a suggestion of approval, invoked several times when the Miller refers this formula to his protagonist. We also learn early on that he is an expert, “has mastered the art,” and of his interest in astrology. Astrology was seen as a respectable branch of knowledge and Nicholas is aware of its power to impress others. The imaginary flood that Nicholas tells John about shows us his cunning, his ingenuity, his contempt for the dull merchant and his confidence. His reputation (earned with real astrology in the past) is the centerpiece of his plan to assist Alison, the cuckold John. In carrying out his plot, however, Nicola must convincingly play the part of someone who has been briefly struck dumb by what he has foreseen. Although he later laughs at John's gullibility, before he has spent his night of happiness with Alison, he resists the temptation to give himself away with a laugh or a facial expression. Although John's comments about the clerk who fell into the marl pit, "he said that," primarily reflect his lack of foresight, they could apply to Nicholas, who, in his overconfidence, receives the punishment that Absolon has engineered. for Alison. Nicholas's ability as an astrologer is not compromised by this however, as he acts on impulse, having "got up to piss", rather than after consulting his "astrelabia" or his "auguring stones". Although Nicholas takes astrology quite seriously, he is otherwise cynical, unscrupulous, and blasphemous. He has no honorable intentions towards Alison, although, to be fair, he does not deceive her, as his attitude is frankly demonstrated in his direct approach towards her. As a university scholar he is in the minor orders and must be celibate. Although John is fond of him, if condescendingly, he regards his guest as a fool who has no qualms about cuckolding. He is foul-mouthed and uses blasphemous oaths, and a much greater blasphemy lies in his claim to divine authority for his "discovery" of the coming flood, not to mention the use this blasphemy serves. Despite this, the Miller devises that.