The Prologue to Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales is an introduction of all different "pilgrims" on the journey. Each comes from different walks of life. Some are wealthy, some are poor, some are moral, and others are corrupt. Identify Chaucer's main criticism about his contemporaries in society during the Middle Ages. Explain, using examples of at least 2 of the pilgrims described in the Prologue, how their portrayals show Chaucer's point.
Chaucer's main criticism about his contemporaries in society during the Middle Ages can be seen in the stark contrast between the outward appearance and moral character of the pilgrims he describes in The Canterbury Tales. Through their portrayals, Chaucer critiques the hypocrisy, corruption, and moral decay prevalent in his society.
One example of Chaucer's criticism is the character of the Pardoner. The Pardoner is a religious figure who is supposed to sell indulgences to people in order to forgive their sins. However, the Pardoner himself is corrupt and indulges in greed and deception. Chaucer exposes the Pardoner's moral hypocrisy by describing his physical appearance in a grotesque manner. He writes, "With us full dangerous is to deal," and goes on to portray the Pardoner as having "bulging eyeballs" and "thin, rat-tail hair." This vivid description serves to highlight the irony of a religious figure who preaches against sin but indulges in it himself, emphasizing Chaucer's criticism of the corruption within the Church during that time.
Another example can be found in the character of the Monk. Monks were expected to live a life of religious devotion and abstain from worldly pleasures. However, Chaucer presents the Monk as a wealthy, materialistic figure who enjoys hunting, luxurious clothing, and fine foods. Chaucer describes him as having "fine grey fur upon his arm" and a love for "hunting the hare." By depicting the Monk as more interested in worldly pursuits than in spiritual matters, Chaucer reveals the moral decay and hypocrisy within the religious orders of his time. This portrayal criticizes the monks' failure to live according to the pious standards they were supposed to uphold and shows Chaucer's disdain for their moral corruption.
In conclusion, Chaucer's main criticism about his contemporaries in society during the Middle Ages can be seen through his portrayal of the pilgrims in The Canterbury Tales. Through characters like the Pardoner and the Monk, he exposes the hypocrisy, corruption, and moral decay prevalent in his society, particularly within the religious institutions. Chaucer's vivid descriptions and ironic portrayals serve to critique his contemporaries and their failure to live up to the moral standards they were supposed to uphold.
Chaucer's main criticism about his contemporaries in society during the Middle Ages can be seen in their moral corruption, hypocrisy, and their excessive focus on material wealth and status. Through their portrayals in the Prologue of The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer highlights these flaws and satirizes the different social classes.
One example of Chaucer's criticism can be seen in the character of the Pardoner. The Pardoner is a church official who sells indulgences, pardons for one's sins. Chaucer presents the Pardoner as someone who is morally corrupt and hypocritical. Despite his religious role, he openly admits to selling fake relics and deceiving people for his own financial gain. For instance, Chaucer writes, "In flattery he had no fellow at church door: / Better than winnings at dice he loved a ." This portrays the Pardoner as someone who is more interested in his personal vices and monetary gain rather than genuinely helping people with their spiritual needs. The Pardoner's portrayal reflects Chaucer's criticism of the corruption within the Church.
Another example of Chaucer's criticism can be seen in the portrayal of the Summoner. The Summoner is responsible for calling people to appear before the church court. However, Chaucer presents the Summoner as morally corrupt and duplicitous. The Summoner is described as having a fiery-red face, indicative of his indulgence in alcohol. Furthermore, he is depicted as someone who easily accepts bribes to overlook people's wrongdoings. Chaucer writes, "There was no lack of physic in the place, / All was for money in that ill-paid case." This suggests that the Summoner, like other officials of the time, was motivated by personal gain rather than upholding justice. Once again, Chaucer criticizes the corruption and hypocrisy within the institutions of medieval society.
Overall, Chaucer's portrayal of the Pardoner and the Summoner in "The Canterbury Tales" reflects his criticism of the moral corruption, hypocrisy, and excessive focus on wealth and status prevalent in medieval society. Through these characters and others, Chaucer exposes the moral failings of his contemporaries, aiming to shine a light on the vices and faults of society during the Middle Ages.
To identify Chaucer's main criticism about his contemporaries in society during the Middle Ages, we can analyze the portrayals of pilgrims in the Prologue to The Canterbury Tales. Chaucer presents a diverse group of people from various social classes and moral backgrounds, providing ample material for critical commentary. Two pilgrims who exemplify Chaucer's criticism are the Pardoner and the Summoner.
The Pardoner is a corrupt church official whose main goal is to exploit people's religious beliefs for personal gain. Chaucer criticizes the rampant abuse of power and the manipulation of faith for financial motives during that time. The Pardoner admits to using deceitful tactics, such as selling fake relics and preaching sermons solely to enrich himself. He exemplifies the greed and hypocrisy prevalent in the church, highlighting the corruption within religious institutions.
Another character is the Summoner, who embodies the moral corruption and abuse of authority within the secular legal system. The Summoner's physical appearance reflects his inner nature, with a face covered in pimples and boils, suggesting a morally tainted character. Chaucer criticizes the Summoner's corrupt actions, such as accepting bribes and utilizing his position to extort money from the accused. The portrayal of the Summoner sheds light on the lack of integrity and justice within the legal system of that time.
Through the portrayals of the Pardoner and the Summoner, Chaucer criticizes the moral decay and corruption that permeated his contemporary society. These characters represent the greed, hypocrisy, and abuse of power that Chaucer believes were common among his contemporaries during the Middle Ages.
To support this interpretation, you can refer to specific lines and descriptions in the Prologue that highlight the questionable actions and moral deficiencies of these characters. These examples will serve as evidence for Chaucer's criticism of the society at that time.