Chauncer in Rome

The setting of the play contributes to the religious implications presented throughout the story. The three main characters are in Rome during the Holy year where millions of pilgrims have come in order to purge themselves of sin. The author places great emphasis on Rome being the capital of religion. This is apparent through the words of Pete, “We’re in Rome. God’s Hometown. He hears. You’re fine” (page 6). Although, most Christians and Jews would probably agree that Jerusalem is the hometown of most modern Christian and Jewish beliefs the author claims that Rome is the center of modern religion. The author puts Rome on a pedestal as a religious epicenter in order to condemn what religious foundations lie in the city of Rome, the Catholic Church. B

Father Shapiro, the Catholic Priest and representative of the Vatican, is the antithesis of a stereotypical priest. Father Shapiro doesn’t not represent what one would perceive to be a typical Catholic priest. He is characterized as being unsympathetic, politically motivated, and anti-Catholic. For example, Father Shapiro uses Yiddish words such as tsurris and uses Gods name in vain, a violation of the Ten Commandments. Father Shapiro has no respect for God and audaciously transgresses the boundaries of priesthood by using God’s name in vain. “Oh god. Does he want solace?”(Page 17). This violation of the Ten Commandments is considered a sin as noted by the excerpt from Exodus. “You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain. For the Lord will not leave unpunished him who takes his name in vain” (The New American Bible, Exodus. 20. 7). Not only does father Shapiro not care about his sins but he doesn’t even care if someone is in need of help as noted by his whiny tone, ‘does he want solace?’ When given the opportunity to help pilgrims Father Shapiro offers them a T-shirt rather than comfort. Father Shapiro has no sympathy for those in need, neglects his duties as a priest, and doesn’t honor any of his obligations to God. Father Shapiro’s exaggerated failure as a priest and totally far fetched actions can be interpreted as criticism of the Catholic clergy in general. The characterization of Father Shapiro stands as a representative for a larger whole of corrupt, unjust, and unsympathetic Catholic priests.

The symbolism of the pilgrims in the story plays a vital role into interpreting Guare’s commentary on religion A large magnitude of these religious pilgrims have come to Rome filled with fake religious devotion and hopes of purging their sins. Man

Some topics in this essay:
Catholic Church, Rome Holy, Father Shapiro, John Guare, Rome God, Bible Exodus, Christian Jewish, Week Hustler, Graham Greene, Father Shapiro’s, father shapiro, elijah project, holy city, violation ten commandments, guare’s bitterness, commentary religion, ten commandments, name vain, catholic church, sin patient, god’s hometown,