A wealthy knight in Lombardy, having lived a life of indulgence and bachelorhood until the age of sixty, decides to marry. He seeks a young and beautiful wife to enjoy the bliss of marriage and to produce an heir. After consulting his friends, he chooses a maiden named May, who is significantly younger than him. They marry in a grand ceremony filled with joy and celebration. However, the knight's squire, Damian, becomes infatuated with May. Despite her marriage, May feels pity for Damian, who is lovesick. She secretly communicates with him, leading to a clandestine affair. January, oblivious to the betrayal, becomes blind due to jealousy and suspicion. In a twist of fate, Pluto, the king of Faerie, restores January's sight at the moment he witnesses May and Damian together. January, enraged, confronts May, who cleverly defends herself, claiming her actions were innocent. The story concludes with January accepting May's explanation, and they return to their life together, leaving the audience to ponder the complexities of love, fidelity, and the nature of marriage.
By Geoffrey Chaucer · First published 1476 · Genre: Medieval Literature, Allegory, Romance