But always with Chaucer, the value of the tale lies in the narration. As a moral allegory, the tale lies in the tradition of many moral allegories of the fourteenth century. The child, Virginia, represents Christian purity (virginity), and the false judge, Appius, may be identified with impurity. The wicked judge hangs himself when thrown in prison, and his henchman, Claudius, and the other conspirators are exiled or hanged. Viewing the tale as a moral allegory, it is the story of a man (Virginius - one who upholds purity) who, to save his virtuous daughter from a wicked judge (Appius), cuts off her head. For some, it is part romance, part moral allegory, and part realistic horror. Many Chaucerian critics find this tale to be among the weakest, the least well constructed, and direly lacking in motivation. The Physician concludes his tale with the moral that "the wages of sin is Death" and let everyone forsake his sins. Claudius is to be hanged, but the knight pleads mercy and suggests exile instead. The judge orders the knight hanged for murder, but a throng of citizens, aroused by the Apius' treachery, imprisons the judge. Then she faints, and her father "smote off her head." Virginius returns to the judge and hands him Virginia's head. So do your will upon me ("Blissed be God, that I shal dye a mayde! / Yif me my deeth, er that I have a shame / Do with youre child youre wyl"). Virginia tells her father: "Blessed be God that I shall die a Maid (virgin), / I take my death rather than take my shame.
She must, he says, accept either death or shame at the hands of Claudius and Apius.
Virginius returns home and calls his daughter into his presence. Before Virginius can defend himself, the evil judge orders that the young girl be brought immediately to the court. In court before Judge Appius, Claudius falsely accuses Virginius of having stolen a servant girl (Virginia) from his house many years ago and keeping her all these years, pretending that she is his daughter.
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