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The Canterbury Tales: The Clerk's Tale Allusions & Cultural References

When authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.

Literary and Philosophical References

  • Job (932)
  • Letter of James (1154)
  • Wife of Bath (1170)
  • Chichevache—a cow from medieval folklore who feeds on patient wives—and is therefore very skinny (1188)
  • Echo—Greek myth (1189)