The Clerk’s Tale treats a large range of loosely feudal interrelationships, both on a social and private level. Initially, the central focus is on the lord, Walter, who consents to marry at the desire of his people (a sign of a good ruler is one who is concerned for the happiness of his subjects). He breaks with the strict traditions of his time and chooses a peasant girl for his bride, thus violating the social distinctions. He then violates humane standards by cruelly and needlessly testing his wife to prove her worthiness. What interests the Clerk as he tells his story of patient Griselda (judging from his asides to the pilgrims) is the contrast between Griselda’s almost superhuman and determined patience contrasted with Walter’s insufferable tests and his sad deficiency in that virtue of patience.
Griselda presents some problems for the modern reader. Can a peasant girl suddenly lifted from poverty and placed among the riches of the palace maintain her “sweet nobility”? Is it possible for a woman to possess this overwhelming patience and unquestioning obedience? Can a mother actually relinquish her innocent children without a single protest? Many modern readers consider Griselda a rather ridiculous creature and Chaucer’s portrait of this tender maiden one that taxes the imagination.
The character of Walter is a different matter. Having selected Griselda, Walter first asks the free consent of Griselda’s father; afterwards he asks the free consent of Griselda herself — a good beginning because Walter could have simply taken Griselda by any means. Nevertheless, Walter is arrogant, as well as selfish, spoiled, and wantonly cruel. He revels in his eccentric choices of Griselda as his queen and seems to take pleasure in being cruel to her. Chaucer coats this bitter pill by telling us that he is young, handsome, good-natured, and loved by his people.
