Author Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales toward the end of the medieval period. Regarded as the first true English poetic masterwork, The Canterbury Tales describes twenty-nine pilgrims on a journey to Canterbury Cathedral to see the shrine of St. Thomas Becket. Chaucer describes many fictional characters from the different social classes in the Middle Ages; in particular, he includes many figures affiliated with the Church such as the Friar and the Summoner. These two characters share particular similarities as well as differences. While both the Friar and Summoner are described as being morally corrupt and are excellent embezzlers, their relationships with others differ.
In The Canterbury Tales, the Friar is described performing …show more content…
Chaucer states that the Friar is able to hear confessions due to a special license from the Pope; in reality, only ordained priests are allowed to hear confessions and give absolutions. The Friar uses these confessions as blackmail or absolves confessors by having them pay him (ll. 222-236). By blatantly lying to others about his abilities as a clergyman, the Friar takes advantage of others willing to confess their sins as an opportunity to swindle money. In lines 259-261 of the “Prologue,” Chaucer writes, “For though a widow mighn’t have a shoe/ So pleasant was his holy how-d’ye-do/ He got his farthing from her just the same” (ll. 259-261). The Friar’s ability to be able to receive aid from a poor widow shows how excellent of a beggar the Friar is. Despite already earning money from the rich and by his other fraudulent ways, the Friar feels the need to beg from everyone, even the ones who are poorer than him, which exhibits the Friar’s greed. The Friar’s desire for money in any way possible is additionally presented by Chaucer’s description of the Friar’s helpfulness in settling disputes, which costs a small fee (ll. 265-266). In as many ways as possible, the Friar’s objection is obtaining money and he somehow is always able to achieve his goal. Like the Friar, the Summoner is also infamous for being able to attain payment through mischievous
In The Canterbury Tales, the Friar is described performing …show more content…
Chaucer states that the Friar is able to hear confessions due to a special license from the Pope; in reality, only ordained priests are allowed to hear confessions and give absolutions. The Friar uses these confessions as blackmail or absolves confessors by having them pay him (ll. 222-236). By blatantly lying to others about his abilities as a clergyman, the Friar takes advantage of others willing to confess their sins as an opportunity to swindle money. In lines 259-261 of the “Prologue,” Chaucer writes, “For though a widow mighn’t have a shoe/ So pleasant was his holy how-d’ye-do/ He got his farthing from her just the same” (ll. 259-261). The Friar’s ability to be able to receive aid from a poor widow shows how excellent of a beggar the Friar is. Despite already earning money from the rich and by his other fraudulent ways, the Friar feels the need to beg from everyone, even the ones who are poorer than him, which exhibits the Friar’s greed. The Friar’s desire for money in any way possible is additionally presented by Chaucer’s description of the Friar’s helpfulness in settling disputes, which costs a small fee (ll. 265-266). In as many ways as possible, the Friar’s objection is obtaining money and he somehow is always able to achieve his goal. Like the Friar, the Summoner is also infamous for being able to attain payment through mischievous