Physicians Tale Summary

Background Information:

The Physician’s tale is told after the Nun’s Priest Tale.  It is told by the Physician, a middle-class doctor, who is very well-spoken and knowledgeable about medieval medical practices.  He came on the pilgrimage in order to make money off anyone who got sick.

Character Introduction:     Virginius

He is a nobleman/knight of high social status and plentiful wealth.  He came from a proud, well-respected family and he plans to continue preaching good virtue with his family. He bears one child with his wife.  They have a daughter named Virginia.

Character Introduction:     Virginia

She is the only child of Virginius.  She is described as one of the most beautiful girls in all the land. She is also very pure, remaining abstinent, and holding high moral standards.  She acts very womanly for her age (fourteen), which is a result of her gentle upbringing.

Character Introduction:     Claudius

He is a blackguard who lives in the town. As a blackguard, he is known for behaving in a dishonorable way and committing acts that are morally incorrect.

Character Introduction:     Appius

He is a judge responsible for execution of laws in all of the land.

Plot

One day, Virginia and her mother head into town to visit the temple.  Appius, the judge of the land, is astounded by Virginia’s beauty and loveliness.  He vows to himself that he will attain this young girl, no matter what.  Appius decides to summon Claudius to help him capture Virginia.  After planning the conspiracy, Claudius frames Virginius for “stealing one of his servants many years ago, and calling her his daughter.” They take this accusation to court, and Appius judges the case.  After Appius hears Claudius’s false claim, he silences Virginius and demands that he bring Virginia to court.

Virginius goes home and explains this situation to Virginia.  He claims that if she is brought to court, the judge will take her away. Virginius can foresee Appius and Claudius’s bad intentions.  Virginius, devastated that he must give up his innocent daughter, informs Virginia that she has two options.  She can either accept shame and go with Appius and Claudius, or she can die.  She decides she would rather die and allows Virginius to kill her.

Virginius returns to the court with his daughter’s head. Appius is infuriated by this act and demands that Virginus shall be hung.  But suddenly, a thousand men come rushing into the court in order to save the knight and stop Appius’s evil doings.  They imprison Appius and Claudius, who was going to be hanged, is instead sent to exile thanks to Virginius.

The Physician ends his tale by explaining how sin is paid through wages.  He claims you should “forsake your sins before your sins forsake you.”