Here's why:
* Fabliau Characteristics: Fabliaux are a type of medieval French tale known for their:
* Humorous and often bawdy subject matter: "The Miller's Tale" is full of pranks, sexual escapades, and crude humor.
* Focus on trickery and deceit: The story revolves around the clever trick played by Nicholas on the old carpenter, John.
* Lower-class characters: The Miller's Tale features characters from the working class, like a miller, a carpenter, and a student.
* Simple plot: The story is straightforward and easy to follow.
* Satirical intent: The tale satirizes the follies of human nature, particularly those of the older and less intelligent.
While other tales like "The Reeve's Tale" and "The Wife of Bath's Prologue" might share some fabliau elements, "The Miller's Tale" is the most clearly defined example within The Canterbury Tales.