The Concept of Charity; “The Canterbury Tales” Throughout the “General Prologue” Chaucer presents a vast majority of characters in the mid 1400’s to represent human's instinct of dishonesty and corruption.
Throughout all of Chaucer’s characters that he portrays as the twenty nine pilgrims, three in particular stand out due to their interaction with charity. During this time period of the mid 1400’s the idea of charity was seen as a good religious and human trait. Out of these three characters one exemplifies the true meaning of charity that Chaucer is trying to convey, the Parson, while the
Prioress seems to be in the middle between the right cause and just not understanding the true meaning of charity. The Friar satirizes this idea …show more content…
“With so much care the food upon her plate that never driblet fell upon her breast. In courtesy she had delight and zest. Her upper lip was always wiped so clean that in her cup was no iota seen Of grease, when she had drunk her draught of wine.” (Line;
130-135) Because of the prioress’s upbringing, being a part of a not very religious family, the prioress truly didn't know the meaning of charity except for the definition the church had provided to her once she attended the Nunnary. Although she had no prior knowledge of the definition of charity other than what the church had told her, she decided to interpret the church's definition in a different and unusual way. For instance when the church says “you need to be humble and feed the needy and help the poor” she decided to help and feed animals and not poor people.” She was so charitable and piteous that she would weep if she but saw a mouse Caught in a trap, though it was dead or bled. She had some little dogs, too, that she fed on roasted flesh, or milk and fine white bread.” (Line;
144-148) By giving us this devotion to what the church has asked, Chaucer shows us her level of obedience and dedication to the church by showing the
Throughout all of Chaucer’s characters that he portrays as the twenty nine pilgrims, three in particular stand out due to their interaction with charity. During this time period of the mid 1400’s the idea of charity was seen as a good religious and human trait. Out of these three characters one exemplifies the true meaning of charity that Chaucer is trying to convey, the Parson, while the
Prioress seems to be in the middle between the right cause and just not understanding the true meaning of charity. The Friar satirizes this idea …show more content…
“With so much care the food upon her plate that never driblet fell upon her breast. In courtesy she had delight and zest. Her upper lip was always wiped so clean that in her cup was no iota seen Of grease, when she had drunk her draught of wine.” (Line;
130-135) Because of the prioress’s upbringing, being a part of a not very religious family, the prioress truly didn't know the meaning of charity except for the definition the church had provided to her once she attended the Nunnary. Although she had no prior knowledge of the definition of charity other than what the church had told her, she decided to interpret the church's definition in a different and unusual way. For instance when the church says “you need to be humble and feed the needy and help the poor” she decided to help and feed animals and not poor people.” She was so charitable and piteous that she would weep if she but saw a mouse Caught in a trap, though it was dead or bled. She had some little dogs, too, that she fed on roasted flesh, or milk and fine white bread.” (Line;
144-148) By giving us this devotion to what the church has asked, Chaucer shows us her level of obedience and dedication to the church by showing the