Question

Read the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales.

I can sting with my tongue; and when I preach
I sting so hard, the fellow can’t escape
Slander and defamation, if so be
He’s wronged my fellow-pardoners, or me,
Even if I don’t give his actual name,
Yet everybody knows that he’s the one
From hints, and other circumstantialities—
That’s how I deal with people who annoy us;
That’s how I spit out venom, under guise
Of piety, and seem sincerely pious.

How does the excerpt satirize the clergy?

by revealing the clergy’s lack of theological knowledge
by revealing the clergy’s disregard for people experiencing poverty
by revealing the clergy’s vindictive abuse of power
by revealing the clergy’s lack of loyalty to one another

Answer 1

by revealing the clergy’s vindictive abuse of power

The speaker admits using sermons and supposed piety to “sting,” slander, and defame people—attacking others under the cover of religion. That exposes clergy who wield their authority vindictively rather than morally.