Name the poetic device used in the given line from Chaucer's Prologue to the Canterbury Tales:
"Nor that a monk, when he is cloisterless, is like unto a fish that's waterless."

Correct option is A

Explanation:

The line "Nor that a monk, when he is cloisterless, is like unto a fish that's waterless" uses the poetic device of a simile. In a simile, one thing is compared to another using the word "like" or "as."

In this line, the monk is compared to a fish out of water using the word "like," which is the characteristic feature of a simile.

This comparison implies that just as a fish cannot survive without water, a monk cannot function properly without the monastery (or cloister).

Information Booster:

Simile: A simile is a figure of speech that explicitly compares two different things by using words such as "like" or "as." The purpose of a simile is to create a clearer image or understanding by drawing a direct comparison between the two things.

The "Prologue to the Canterbury Tales" is a significant work in English literature, introducing a diverse range of characters, each embodying different aspects of medieval society. In this particular line, Chaucer humorously critiques the monk's role in society.

The monk's separation from the cloister (monastic life) is portrayed as unnatural, just as a fish is naturally linked to water. The simile emphasizes the monk's disconnection from his spiritual life.

Through the use of the simile, Chaucer underscores the monk's inability to thrive outside his expected environment, drawing a vivid image for the reader that highlights the monk's inappropriate lifestyle for someone dedicated to religious life.

Additional Knowledge:

Metaphor:

A metaphor directly equates one thing to another, without using "like" or "as." For instance, "The monk is a fish out of water" would be a metaphor, but since the sentence uses "like," it is a simile, not a metaphor.

Personification:

Personification is when human qualities are attributed to non-human objects or abstract concepts. In this case, no human qualities are attributed to the fish or the monk, so it’s not an example of personification.

Litotes:

Litotes is an understatement that uses double negatives or negation to express a positive idea. The line does not contain such construction, so it is not an example of litotes.