Use of Variety in the Merchant's Tale The Merchant's Tale tells the story of an old man who searches for a wife and finds one, who in the end is unfaithful to him. Chaucer uses a variety of elements in the poem to show his knowledge of contemporary interests and his ability to tell stories through another figure. Irony flows through the poem, laced with allusions to the Bible. Chaucer's use of his astronomical knowledge not only allows modern scholars to date the events, but also adds another dimension of interest to contemporary audiences and, of course, pilgrims. Januarie's discussion of Heaven and Hell leads to the idea of ​​marriage providing a Heaven on Earth. The wife is said to be the husband's "terrestrial paradise and its sport" (l. 120), but when the idea of ​​paradise is introduced, the reader may begin to contemplate the introduction of a serpent at a later point. Chaucer uses strong irony as Januarie worries about experiencing his only Paradise on Earth. It becomes apparent that May is anything but his paradise. His behavior with Damyan on the pear tree is reminiscent of the story of Adam and Eve and the temptation of the apple tree as Damyan has become the serpent in Januarie's paradise of marital bliss. The biblical allusions used in the story have the effect of broadening the moral behind the story. Using the irony of biblical stories along with Januarie's thoughts, contemporary audiences would immediately sense that there would be problems with the marriage, as they would be relatively knowledgeable about the Bible. The priest at the marriage ceremony "said [May] be lik Sarra and Rebekke" (l.492). While these two figures are considered examples of holy and virtuous women... at the center of the card... the possibility, says Maurice Hussey, that Chaucer knew that San Damiano was the patron saint of medicine, thus giving ironic overtones to the curative excuse of view for the meeting with the pear tree. Geoffrey Chaucer used many different aspects of his vast knowledge when he wrote the Prologue and the Merchant's Tale. Proof of this is the biblical references, parallels and inclusions of mythological characters. The appeal of such references to a medieval audience is broadened by the inclusion of detailed and apparently accurate astronomical minutiae. These details provide another level of information about the characters and their fate, such as the future of the wedding, having been celebrated when the planet of war and the planet of love were in conjunction. Around these imaginative inclusions weaves a line of irony and a use of contemporary visions and literature.