The Hybridity of Melibee

In this article, Foster posits the Tale of Melibee as an embodiment of both oral and literate communication. Many scholars doubt that the Tale of Melibee could be performed, being that it would result in over two hours of talking, but Foster regards this view as anachronistic because that would establish Melibee as a relatively short sermon. The Parson’s Tale was even longer, and was definitely read aloud in front of an audience. Additionally, the lengthy prose of Melibee is “dedicated to citing oral discourse, such as proverbs, sermons, and debates, as well as texts that are themselves mixtures of oral and literate communication, most notably the Bible” (411). Melibee is then a hybrid, which is really interesting historically, as it potentially reflects the messy shift from a strictly oral tradition to that of a fully literate culture. Foster’s positioning of Melibee as so allows the tale to operate in a space of possibility of shifting traditions and uncertain ground. Perhaps this is why Prudence is able to be more successful in her negotiations with Melibee (it doesn’t help that she’s incredibly rhetorically skilled, either). The article also argues that Melibee is ultimately a communal discourse, but I think that ignores the importance of Prudence's radically different interpretive approach to texts, which is especially significant because she is a woman and is actually reading in a way that prevents the "carnal literalism" of the Wyf. 

This intermingling of orality and literate communication has definite connections to the paper that I’m working on right now. I’m hoping Foster’s argument will serve the establish the context of Melibee so that I can talk about the ways in which Prudence utilizes/interprets texts in a way that allows her to prevent the violence of Melibee’s wish to avenge. If anyone else is working with Melibee, this is a really helpful article specifically as it relates to orality and literacy, but also as a historical overview for the various rejections/acceptances of Melibee over the years. 

Foster, Michael. "Echoes of Communal Response in the Tale of Melibee." The Chaucer Review 42.4 (2008) : 409-430. Web. 11 Nov. 2015.