Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

Symkyn

Symkyn is the antagonist of the "The Reeve's Tale." He turns out to be a formidable one. The miller releases the clerks' horse when they think they've prevented him from stealing, providing himself with the perfect opportunity to cheat them of their corn. Aleyn and John do manage to get payback for this theft when they have sex with Symkyn's wife and daughter and beat him unconscious. Still, though, Symkyn certainly makes it more difficult for them to fulfill their boast than they were expecting.