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

. . .
Some common words found in the essay are:
Prioress Monk, Bible Pardoner, Mother Superior, Plowman Parson, Church Monk, Parson Plowman, St Augustine, God Church, Canterbury Tales, Church Parson, prioress monk, canterbury tales, canterbury tales prologue, church prioress, tales prologue, chaucer's canterbury, remind christ, church doctrine, geoffrey chaucer, wrong church, church concerned, chaucer's canterbury tales,
Approximate Word count = 969
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)