Chaucer's main criticism about his contemporaries in society during the Middle Ages can be seen in the stark contrast between the outward appearance and moral character of the pilgrims he describes in The Canterbury Tales. Through their portrayals, Chaucer critiques the hypocrisy, corruption, and moral decay prevalent in his society.
One example of Chaucer's criticism is the character of the Pardoner. The Pardoner is a religious figure who is supposed to sell indulgences to people in order to forgive their sins. However, the Pardoner himself is corrupt and indulges in greed and deception. Chaucer exposes the Pardoner's moral hypocrisy by describing his physical appearance in a grotesque manner. He writes, "With us full dangerous is to deal," and goes on to portray the Pardoner as having "bulging eyeballs" and "thin, rat-tail hair." This vivid description serves to highlight the irony of a religious figure who preaches against sin but indulges in it himself, emphasizing Chaucer's criticism of the corruption within the Church during that time.
Another example can be found in the character of the Monk. Monks were expected to live a life of religious devotion and abstain from worldly pleasures. However, Chaucer presents the Monk as a wealthy, materialistic figure who enjoys hunting, luxurious clothing, and fine foods. Chaucer describes him as having "fine grey fur upon his arm" and a love for "hunting the hare." By depicting the Monk as more interested in worldly pursuits than in spiritual matters, Chaucer reveals the moral decay and hypocrisy within the religious orders of his time. This portrayal criticizes the monks' failure to live according to the pious standards they were supposed to uphold and shows Chaucer's disdain for their moral corruption.
In conclusion, Chaucer's main criticism about his contemporaries in society during the Middle Ages can be seen through his portrayal of the pilgrims in The Canterbury Tales. Through characters like the Pardoner and the Monk, he exposes the hypocrisy, corruption, and moral decay prevalent in his society, particularly within the religious institutions. Chaucer's vivid descriptions and ironic portrayals serve to critique his contemporaries and their failure to live up to the moral standards they were supposed to uphold.
The Prologue to Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales is an introduction of all different "pilgrims" on the journey. Each comes from different walks of life. Some are wealthy, some are poor, some are moral, and others are corrupt. Identify Chaucer's main criticism about his contemporaries in society during the Middle Ages. Explain, using examples of at least 2 of the pilgrims described in the Prologue, how their portrayals show Chaucer's point.
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