Final answer:
In "The Miller's Tale," a humorous event occurs when Absalom kisses Alison's backside instead of her face and later returns with a hot iron to seek revenge on her lover, Nicholas, causing chaos and leaving Absalom embarrassed.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Miller's Tale" from The Canterbury Tales, a humorous event unfolds between Absalom, a parish clerk, and Alison, the young wife of a carpenter. Absalom is enamored with Alison and attempts to woo her. In the dark of night, Absalom comes to her window and asks for a kiss. Alison agrees but, instead of presenting her face, she sticks her backside out the window. Absalom inadvertently plants a kiss on her behind, which leads to great humiliation when he realizes the deceit.
Absalom reacts with disgust and a desire for revenge. In an act of retaliation, he returns to the window with a hot iron from a blacksmith. When the opportunity presents itself again, Absalom uses the hot iron to brand the behind of Nicholas, Alison's lover, instead of merely kissing him. This action results in a chain of chaos and, in the end, leaves Absalom embarrassed and seeking solace from the townspeople.