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. Your response should be a minimum of 6-8 sentences. Use quotes to support your answer.

Answer 1

In The Prologue to Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer criticizes his contemporaries in medieval society for their moral corruption and hypocrisy. He exposes the stark contrast between their outward appearances and their true nature, shedding light on societal issues. One example is the Pardoner, who is described as having a reputation for selling fake relics and granting pardon for sins in exchange for money. Chaucer writes, "With him there rode a gentle PARDONER/ Of Roncevalles, his friend and his compeer,/ That straightway was as full of pardons clear,/ As is a hive of honey full of bees." This portrays the Pardoner's profession as deceitful and exploitative, revealing the moral corruption within the Church.

Additionally, the Wife of Bath is another character who exemplifies Chaucer's criticism of his contemporaries. She is described as having had five husbands and being well-versed in the art of persuasion and manipulation. Chaucer writes, "In all the parish not a dame dared stir/ Towards the altar steps in front of her," highlighting her dominant and overpowering nature. The Wife of Bath's multiple marriages and her insatiable desire for control and power critique the institution of marriage and expose the moral depravity prevalent in society.

Through the portrayals of these characters, Chaucer reveals the corruption and hypocrisy prevalent in his contemporaries. The Pardoner represents the deceitful practices within the Church, while the Wife of Bath embodies the moral degradation of societal institutions. Chaucer's criticism is not limited to one particular group but extends to all walks of life, emphasizing the widespread nature of moral corruption during the Middle Ages.