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. In 8-10 sentences 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 of his contemporaries in society during the Middle Ages can be seen through his portrayal of the pilgrims in the Prologue to The Canterbury Tales. He highlights the moral and social corruption that permeated different walks of life during that time. One example of this is the Pardoner, who is a corrupt church official. Chaucer describes the Pardoner as having a high-pitched voice like a goat, a physical attribute that hints at his lack of moral integrity. The Pardoner preaches against the sin of greed, yet he himself is guilty of it, as he sells indulgences and fake relics for personal gain.
Another example is the Friar, who is portrayed as someone who manipulates individuals for his own benefit. Chaucer describes the Friar as a jolly and festive person who socializes with the wealthy instead of serving the poor. This depiction reflects the prevalent problem of corruption within the church, where religious figures often used their positions for personal gain and indulged in worldly pleasures.
Through these portrayals, Chaucer criticizes the hypocrisy and moral degradation of his contemporaries. The Pardoner and the Friar demonstrate how the church, a trusted institution, had become corrupted and deviated from its true purpose. Chaucer's point is that the social order and hierarchy of the Middle Ages allowed for widespread dishonesty and immorality, and it was necessary to expose and challenge these flaws.
Chaucer's main criticism about his contemporaries in society during the Middle Ages is their hypocrisy and corruption, as well as their obsession with material possessions and social status. He criticizes their lack of moral values and the stark contrast between their outward appearance and inner selves. Chaucer uses the character of the Pardoner, a church official who sells indulgences, to illustrate his criticism. The Pardoner is depicted as a corrupt and deceitful individual who preaches against greed and avarice, while he himself is guilty of those very sins. He specifically mentions that he sells fake relics to unsuspecting people, mocking their faith and willingness to believe in such supernatural artifacts. This character shows the hypocrisy of the church and the corruption within the religious institution during that time.
Another character that highlights Chaucer's criticism is the Summoner. The Summoner is responsible for summoning people to ecclesiastical court hearings, but he is portrayed as being morally corrupt. Chaucer describes the Summoner's appearance in a grotesque way, with a face full of sores and pimples, suggesting his inner corruption. In addition, the Summoner is shown as being easily bribed, accepting wine and money in exchange for looking the other way when it comes to the sins of those he is supposed to accuse. This portrayal reflects the pervasive corruption within the legal system and the blatant disregard for justice during that period.
Overall, through these character portrayals and others in the prologue, Chaucer criticizes the hypocrisy, moral corruption, and materialism that characterized his contemporaries in Middle Ages society. He exposes the deceit and lack of true faith in those who were supposed to be upholding religious and moral values, highlighting the need for reform and a return to genuine spirituality and virtue.
To identify Chaucer's criticism about his contemporaries in society during the Middle Ages, we need to examine the portrayals of different pilgrims in The Prologue to Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. Chaucer's main criticism can be seen through his satirical depiction of the various characters and their flaws. He uses a range of pilgrims, from the upper class to the lower class, to criticize the corruption and moral decay in society.
One example of this criticism can be found in the portrayal of the Pardoner. The Pardoner is a church official who sells indulgences, which were pardons for sins in exchange for money. Chaucer highlights the Pardoner's greed and hypocrisy, as he openly admits to using fake relics to deceive his audience for personal gain. This criticism reflects Chaucer's disdain for the corruption within the Church during that time.
Another example can be seen in the depiction of the Summoner. The Summoner is responsible for calling individuals to ecclesiastical courts for their sins. However, Chaucer portrays the Summoner as someone who frequently abuses his power for personal gain. He is described as having a face covered in boils, symbolizing his corrupt character and immorality. This criticism allows Chaucer to expose the rampant corruption present in the legal system of the time.
Through these examples, Chaucer satirically criticizes the moral decay, greed, and hypocrisy prevalent among the clergy and the legal system of the Middle Ages. He showcases the flaws of individuals from different walks of life, demonstrating that corruption and immorality exist throughout society regardless of social status. The diversity of characters in The Canterbury Tales allows Chaucer to provide a comprehensive critique of his contemporaries, highlighting the societal issues and criticizing the moral decline he observes in his society. By shining a light on these flaws, Chaucer challenges his readers to reflect on the shortcomings of their own society and consider ways to rectify them.