THE CLERK’S TALE: A PLAY

The Clerk’s Tale is a medieval tale by Geoffrey Chaucer, included as one

of ‘The Canterbury tales. It is a story that discusses the role of women in

medieval society and promotes an idea of ‘the ideal woman’ that seems

strange in contemporary times.

Note that the King’s subjects do not seem to support his behavior; the tale

does not condone the King’s conduct, but suggests that Griselda’s

reactions are virtuous.

This play is designed as part of a lesson regarding the role of women in

medieval Europe. Have students act out the roles in the play, then answer

the following questions.

How much control did women have over their own future in Medieval
Europe?

Why did the King test Griselda so much?

What is the moral of the story?

How do you think a woman like Griselda would be seen in today’s

society?

How do you think a man like Walter would be seen in today’s society.

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 The Clerk’s Tale

Characters;

Clerk: A clerk, drinking in a pub.

Pub Man: Another man, in the pub.

King Walter: A King who is told to take a wife.

Griselda: A virtuous woman.

Janicular: Griselda’s father.

Royal Advisor1: An advisor to Walter.

Boy: Griselda’s male child.

Girl: Griselda’s female child.

Enter stage right: Clerk and Pub Man.

Clerk: How’s it going friend?

Pub man: Not well friend.

Clerk: What is the matter?

Pub man: I was married two weeks ago. These last two weeks have been the worst of
my life. My wife drives me mad!

Clerk: If only we could all marry a woman like Griselda.

Pub Man: Who is Griselda?

Clerk: What! You have not heard the tale? Let me tell it. In Italy, there was a King
called Walter, told he ought to take a wife.

Enter stage left: Walter and Royal Advisor.

Royal Advisor: Sire, the people think you must take a wife.

Walter: Then I shall disguise myself and enter the town to find one.

Exit Royal Advisor. Enter Griselda and Janicular.

Walter: Excuse me sir! I am your King. I have been watching you and your daughter.
I want to ask to marry her.
Janicular: Why, of course you may!
1
The children are given way in the tale, but this specific character was not featured.

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Walter: Griselda, if you marry me, you must always trust and obey me. Do you
understand?

Griselda: Yes my lord.

Clerk: They were married, but the King wanted to make certain he could trust
Griselda. So, he took her first born child…

Walter: Griselda, give me my firstborn child please.

Griselda: Here you go.

Gives child. Enter Royal Advisor.

Walter: (to Advisor) Here, take the child, hide it somewhere for a while, I’m playing a
trick on my wife.

Advisor: Very well sir.

Exit Royal Advisor with baby.

Griselda: Husband, where is my daughter?

Walter: I killed it my dear.

Griselda: Well, I suppose you know best.

Clerk: Two years later Griselda had a son. Walter performed another trick.

Walter: Griselda, give me my second child please.

Griselda: Here you go.

Gives child. Enter Royal Advisor.

Walter: (to Advisor) Here, take the child, hide it somewhere for a while, I’m playing
another trick on my wife.

Advisor: Very well sir. Though I warn you, your subjects are getting rather upset,
thinking you’re killing your children.

Exit Royal Advisor with baby.

Griselda: Husband, where is my son?

Walter: I killed it my dear.

Griselda: Well, I suppose you know best.

Clerk: Another ten years passed. Walter decided on one last trick.

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Enter Royal Advisor.

Walter: (To Advisor) Go get my children, bring them to me. I have faked a Papal
Decree telling my wife that our marriage is over, and I will marry again.

Royal Advisor: Very well sire, but I warn you, your subjects are very upset with you.

Exit Royal Advisor.

Walter: (To Griselda) Griselda, I have written to the Pope. He has told me that he will
annul our marriage.

Griselda: Very well husband, you know best.

Walter: As you are still my wife I will have you prepare my new wife for the
wedding.

Griselda: Yes husband.

Enter Royal Advisor with Children.

Walter: (pointing to his daughter) This is my new wife. Make her look beautiful.

Griselda: Yes, husband.

Clerk: So they all went to a marriage together.

Walter: You are all gathered here today to see me wed to a new wife. However, it was
all a big trick. This girl is in fact my daughter, and this boy my son, whom I claimed
to have killed. I did all this to test the love and obedience of my wife, who has shown
me time and again that she is truly a woman of virtue.

Griselda: Oh husband! I knew I would be rewarded for my faith in you.

Clerk: …and they all lived happily ever after.

Pub Man: Well! What a good story. Please sir, tell this tale far and wide; I would give
all the money in the world for my wife to hear this story just once!

Adaptation by Brenton Clutterbuck.