Lesson 34: Complaint to His Purse
1) What is the structure of a rime royal?
The rime royal is a septet in iambic pentameter with the rhyme scheme ababbcc. The last two lines are the unification lines.
2) What is the structure of the poem? How do imagery and argument of each sanza develop and intensify the appeal?
The structure of the poem is sequential. It starts with the the appeal’s to his “lady’s” mercy. Then the second stanza almost has the reader hearing the gold coins rattling in the purse. The speaker is trying to use flattery there. The thrit stanza is a begging to the lady for help to leave the town. Also, if the purse will not be filled, she must help him escape from his unpaid debts!
3) How does diction account for the humor in this parody?
Chaucer is using a comparison to compare the money to his love, and uses courtly traditions to ask for what he wants. He places the money on the pedestal and gives it powers, just like they used to do with ladies.
4) how does the envoy continue the tone of the poem even as it addresses a specific person.
Henry IV is acknowledged, rightly, as a conquerer. And he has foudn the land of Brutus Albiun. The descendant of the founder of Rome. The free election shows he is not a tyrant, but the rightful king. The envoy reminds the king that he can help alleviate his problems. Also, all the manners standard of courtliness of the time are upheld.
