Adultery

The Miller's Tale from The Canterbury Tales, depicts a story of adultery. This is the third book this year that I have read for AP English Literature that contains such actions. The Great Gatsby had Daisy cheating on her husband with Jay Gatsby, and Tom cheating on Daisy with George's wife, Myrtle. Coming Through Slaughter told of Buddy cheating on his partner with more than one woman, and she (after two years of him being gone) cheated on him with one of his best friends. It is like a soap opera!

What is this world coming to? Or at least, what has Literature already gone through? Is the respect of relationships completely gone? Has it been gone since the time when English was spoken with thee, thou, and scottish accents?

Or is it possibly because deceit and trickery is more interesting than just 'they got married, had a couple dozen kids, and grew old together'. Maybe the human mind naturally thinks that lies are more interesting than truths, gossip more fun than fact, and sleeping with multiple partners - a must.