FREE ESSAY ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCH THROUGH THE EYES OF GEOFFREY CHAUCER

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH THROUGH THE EYES OF GEOFFREY CHAUCER

The Catholic Church Through The Eyes of Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer uses some of the characters in the Canterbury Tales The Prologue in
Chaucer's Canterbury Tales to point out his view of what was right and wrong within the
Church during his time. He uses the Prioress, Monk, Friar, Summoner, and Pardoner to
illustrate what he saw wrong within the Church. Chaucer uses the Clerk, Parson and the
Plowman to illustrate the attributes the Church should possess.
The Prioress is a nun who is probably equal to the rank of Mother Superior. She does not
show the humility or dedication to God. Her compassion is shown towards animals. She
makes sure her animals eat the best meats. She is more focused on natural love than agape
love by the brooch she wears which says Love conquers all. She does not spend her time
fasting because the author lets us know that she is fat. In correlation to the Church,
the Prioress shows the Church's lack of dedication and humility towards God. The Church
is more concerned with matters which do not deal with the deliverance of the human soul.
Like the Prioress, the Monk does not walk in his calling. He is the monastery's outrider.
This position allows him to roam the countryside at his will. Instead of being separate
from the world, he is of the world. He loves to hunt and enjoys riding his horse. He does
not value the teachings of his monastery because he feels they are somewhat strict. The
Monk does not like to study. Why should he study, and drive himself mad, Over a book in a
cloister always to pour, Or work with his hands, and labor, As St. Augustine bids? How
shall the world be served? Let Augustine have his work to himself reserved (12-13).
Chaucer sees the Church through the Monk as being more involved in its own affairs. The
Church has gotten away from the basic Bible teachings and has instituted its own.
Huburt, the Friar, like the Prioress and Monk, is not operating within his vocation. He
does not spend time with the poor ministering to their phsyical needs as well as their
spiritual needs. The Friar believes that because of his status he couild not spend time
with these needy people. It was not fitting, considering his position, To be acquainted
with sick lepers. It is not creditable, it holds no profit To deal with any such paupers
(16). He spends time begging for donations from the rich farmers and other worthy women
of the town. For a price he will hear confessions and give penance. He believes that ...
instead of weeping and prayers, Men should give silver to the poor friars (15). This
pilgram shows the Church being more concerned with the financial support for itself than
the spiritual needs of the congregation. The Church has devised a way in which to collect
money from it's members by promising them forgiveness with dollar signs attached to it.
The Summoner is responsible for issuing summons for the Church to people who have
violated Church doctrine. His position is interesting because he is handing out summons
for people to appear before the Church when he himself is living in direct violation of
Church doctrine. The Church seems to see what is wrong with everyone else but cannot
focus on it's own violations of the doctrine taught in the Bible.
The Pardoner is the most corrupt pilgram. He provides paper indulges for a price. These
indulges are part of the scam the Pardoner is running. He also offers junk for sale which
he says were relics of the saints. The Church has developed another mechanism for making
money. It uses the selling of crosses, statues, and other trinkets which are supposed to
remind us of what Christ has done for us. If these items were really to remind us of what
Christ did for us they would be free, since Christ gave his life freely.
The Clerk is the first pilgram Chaucer birngs into the script which has some godly
attributes. He spends time in prayer and fasting because the narrator lets us know that
he ...wasn't exactly fat, ...(19) and ...busily prayed for souls (20). He only spoke when
it was necessary and when he did speak people listened to him. And that was said with
care and respect,... Resonant with moral virtue was his speech, (20). The Church lacks
this characteristic based on the corruption which Chaucer points out in the pilgrams
listed above.
The Parson is the ideal clergyman. He places his congregation above himself. He visits
each member of his parish no matter what the weather. He was rich in holy thought,
patient in adversity and doesn't nag his parish for contributions. He is truly a shepherd
in word and in deed. That first he practiced, and afterwards he preached; (32). The
Church needs to be like the Parson, a doer of the word instead of a hearer only. 
The Plowman is the brother of the Parson. He is a good man, also. He possesses humility.
He lived in ...peace and perfect charity(34). He did not have any problems with doing the
jobs no one else wanted to do. The Church is low on the attribute of humility. The Church
wants to be the center of attention instead of focusing on the needs of the people.
Chaucer's Canterbury Tales The Prologue points out the corruption within the Catholic
Church.