Not Too Far From Reality

We read the Miller's tale and laugh. With a combination of the following aspects, the story can go from conventional to ludicrous.

First aspect: A man so foolish to believe he must be like Noah, and save Nicholas, his wife and himself from a flood that's approximating:

3538 ""Hastou nat herd," quod Nicholas, "also
"Hast thou not heard," said Nicholas, "also
3539 The sorwe of Noe with his felaweshipe,
The sorrow of Noah with his fellowship,
3540 Er that he myghte gete his wyf to shipe?
Before he could get his wife onto the ship?
3541 Hym hadde be levere, I dar wel undertake,
He would rather, I dare well guarantee,
3542 At thilke tyme, than alle his wetheres blake
At that time, than have all his black sheep
3543 That she hadde had a ship hirself allone.
That she had had a ship for herself alone.
3544 And therfore, woostou what is best to doone?
And therefore, knowest thou what is best to do?
3545 This asketh haste, and of an hastif thyng
This needs haste, and of a hasty thing
3546 Men may nat preche or maken tariyng.
Men may not preach nor make tarrying"

Second aspect:

Absolon's description in the story:

3337 "But sooth to seyn, he was somdeel squaymous
But to say the truth, he was somewhat squeamish
3338 Of fartyng, and of speche daungerous.
About farting, and fastidious in his speech."

Followed by his actions and their outcomes.

3805 " "Spek, sweete bryd, I noot nat where thou art."
"Speak, sweet bird, I know not where thou art."
3806 This Nicholas anon leet fle a fart
This Nicholas immediately let fly a fart
3807 As greet as it had been a thonder-dent,
As great as if it had been a thunder-bolt,
3808 That with the strook he was almoost yblent;
So that with the stroke he was almost blinded;
3809 And he was redy with his iren hoot,
And he was ready with his hot iron,
3810 And Nicholas amydde the ers he smoot.
And he smote Nicholas in the middle of the ass."

The author links Absolon's description with Nicholas' action. This detail makes the story humorous and ridiculous. It reminds me of poetic justice; in a certain way, Absolon gets what he deserves.

Third aspect:

How the vulgar word usage in this story matches the Miller's personality, and at the same time, contrasts with the Knight's tale.

3167 "What sholde I moore seyn, but this Millere
What more should I say, but this Miller
3168 He nolde his wordes for no man forbere,
He would not refrain from speaking for any man,
3169 But tolde his cherles tale in his manere.
But told his churl's tale in his manner.
3170 M'athynketh that I shal reherce it heere.
I regret that I must repeat it here."

Joining these three, we are able to make fun of the Miller's tale. We characterize the Miller as vulgar, the carpenter as stupid, and the story in general as ridiculous. While we do this, we are making fun human race overall. We laugh at John because he is fooled by Nicholas but not so long ago we were threatened by swine flu, a pandemic which was going to kill us all. So many people went crazy. Countries bought millions of vaccines which ended up either causing terrible side effects or expiring.

So basically, we're still playing the silly game.

Want to get rich?
Make a disease look awfully lethal and then make countries buy enormous amounts of vaccines.

Want to get the carpenters wife?
Make him believe you can foresee a flood, convince him to build and stay inside a tub while you sleep with his wife.

Not too different, are they?