Chaucer’s “Physician’s Tale” follows the story of knight, Virginius, and his beautiful, chaste daughter. The tale tells of an unlawful justice, Apius, who becomes infatuated with this daughter and hires a man, Claudius, to capture the likes of the daughter by means of trickery. In a court of law, Claudius claims that the daughter was born a slave to Apius, but Virginius stole her when she was a baby. Unable to prove himself innocent, Virginius pleads guilty, promising his daughter to Apius. However, before delivering his daughter to Apius, Virginius decapitates her, taking her life before Virginius can take her maidenhead. Interestingly, the daughter sacrifices herself willingly, pledging her allegiance to God and the purity that had directed her life.
“The Physician’s Tale” certainly represents violence against children, through the act of Virginius killing his daughter. The story justifies this violence by angling it as a solution — a way to protect the daughter’s chastity. Furthermore, this justification is fortified by the support of the daughter: she agrees with her father — she must die before her virginity dies.
In our modern society, violence toward children is hardly ever justified. While parents may spank or hit their kids by means of discipline, anything more physical will likely probe investigation/ intervention. In our modern society, parents are meant to protect the lives of their children. Perhaps this reflects a distinction between our current moral code and that of the Middle Ages — perhaps during the Middle Ages, upholding religion (and thus virginity) was more important than protecting physical life. This difference also perpetuates the Christian idea of eternal life after death — in “The Physician’s Tale,” protecting the daughter’s chastity ensured greater benefits in heaven than if she committed sin and lost her virginity. Morals have evolved and customs have changed, but it is certain that our modern period cherishes and protects the lives of children more than the medieval period did.
butterfly }{ effect 
I really like the analysis that you bring to the tale but I think it would be good if you elaborated on your ideas a little bit more. You raise an interesting point in how Virginia is willing to die and I think you can develop that further. When considering modern times I think you do a great job of illuminating the shift away from the importance of religion in raising children. I would encourage you to summarize the tale a little less so that you can dive into the analysis sooner, but overall I think you make some good points about the tale and modern times.
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“Interestingly, the daughter sacrifices herself willingly, pledging her allegiance to God and the purity that had directed her life.” Ok, so ultimately I agree with this claim. However, her submission isn’t totalistic; there is a moment wherein the daughter searches for an alternative, pleads with her father to find another solution. When she’s met with her father’s resounding determination to end her life, however, she asks for nothing apart from the permission to feel sorry for herself.
In response to your second point – I disagree that the daughter and father both believe that she must die before her virginity dies; after all, there is an honor attached to having children and raising a family. I think that it’s critical to consider, though, what circumstances are considered “honorable” when having children. The Judge seems like a socially reputable character, so what is it about his character that makes her prefer death over having to be, in a way, “his”?
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