Negative Religious Aspects The Canterbury Tales
The Great Poet's Views on Christian Religion in The Canterbury Tales
Sep 28, 2009
The Canterbury Tales was Chaucer's way of not only entertaining the medieval royal court, but also of getting his message across to them about certain issues within medieval society. Possibly his most passionate views were of the Church's role.
The Friar and The Pardoner
These two characters represented the lowest of the low in Chaucer's mind about the corruption and exploitation that went on within the Church. A pardoner is a man selling religious artifacts, generally to the laymen of society. These artifacts, such as splinters from the cross upon which Christ was crucified, would aid the bearer's attempt to get into heaven (the Medieval view of heaven was almost like a point system, and religious artifacts would mean major holy-points).
Clearly this role would be open, by its very nature, to corruption, and Chaucer's Pardoner is just that.
"For in his male [bag] he hadde a pilwe beer [pillow case],
Which that he seyde was oure Lady Veyl;
He seyde he hadde a gobet [piece] of the seyl [sail],
That Seint Peter hadde..." (p. 343, ls 693-696)
i.e. The Pardoner sold fraudulent goods to unsuspecting pilgrims. The Friar is no better, a Friar in Chaucer's time was like a monk but not bound to a convent, they were expected to go into the non-religious world and preach, hear confessions and the like. Again, given the nature of this role, it is well open to corruption. Chaucer's Friar fits the bill perfectly,
"He was an esy man to yeve [give] penaunce,
Thereas he wiste [thought] to have a good pitaunce [donation],
For unto a povre [poor] ordre for to yive [give]
Is a signe that a man is wel yshryve [confessed]," (p. 333, ls. 223 - 226)
i.e. the Friar would essentially take bribes for the absolution of men's souls. Chaucer also implies (although very subtley, and it is quite open to interpretation) that the Friar exploits his position not only for financial, but also sexual gain, and ignored the poor and sick in favour of drinking and ingratiating himself with the rich.
None of these are particularly Christian traits, and the way that Chaucer set out the characters for this poem suggests that this is an archetype, and not a mere accident, that this Friar is simply an example of the corruption which was rife throughout the Church at this time.
Chaucer does show positive aspects to Christian characters in the Parson, and arguably the Prioress, but out of 5 main pilgrims who are religiously connected, only one can be said to be a perfect example of a Christian.
It is important, however, to understand what Chaucer is trying to tell us. There is a possibility that he is not attacking religion, but organised religion. The character of the Parson himself is an exceptional figure, who ignores the loopholes open in the 14th century Catholic Church in order to make sure his own parish is well looked after in every way. The implication is that the Christian ideals by themselves breed a good response, however men themselves, as the 'fallen', have found a way to corrupt religion themselves in the form of the Church.
Quotes from: The Broadview Anthology of British Literature, The Medieval Period (Volume 1), Broadview Press, 2006.
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