Canterbury Tales - Downfall of the Church in Chaucer’s General Prologue :: Canterbury Tales

Canterbury Tales - precipitation of the Church in Chaucers General Prologue Light-hearted yet bitingly satirical, Chaucers General Prologue to his Canterbury Tales is a commentary on the corruptions of the Church at the time. Chaucer, world of noble estate, retains his witticism in his vote counter. The narrator devotes many a get to the vivid portrayals of the Prioress and the Frere. Through the actions of these two members of the clergy, it is seen that the lust for material goods, the carry for flaunting ones estate, and the development of hypocrisy all contribute to the shake of the Churchs foundations. Enfolded in the coils of luxury, the Prioress and the Frere bath hardly ring their missions as part of the clergy. Is non gluttony evil in the eye of the Church? Although not allowing any morsel from hir lippes falle (Chaucer, l. 128) can be viewed as a sign of wasting not in the Prioress, Chaucers narrators detailed and realistic description s of the Prioresss table readiness impress upon one that food and drink is the quintessence of this womans faith in the Church. The Frere, too, delights in merry living. Not only does he k flat the taverns in every town, he also knows every hostiler and tappestere,/ roleplay than a lazar or a beggestere (ll. 240-242). The Frere spends most of his time performing the rote and singing ballads (ll. 236-237) he also showers faire wives with gifts such as knives and pinnes (ll. 233-234). How is it and so that the Frere needs to beg? He is the beste beggere in his hous (l. 252), and he can cajole a widwe who hadde nought a sho (l. 255) to give him money. Is this not ridiculous when, during love-dayes, the Frere can - like a butterfly breaking out of its cocoon - barf his begging clothes and wear ceremonial gowns as rich and as fine as a maisters or a popes? Contrary to the Churchs belief in not hoarding material goods, the Prioress delights in dressing fashionably in a neat c loak, with coral around her arms, and a gold buckle about her neck (ll. 157-162). As feasting and dressing shrewdly expect to occupy the bulk of these religious time, it must be that the Church is now based on hedonism instead of faith and humility