Chaucer’s Criticism Of The Medieval Catholic Church

Chaucer’s Medieval Clergy easily and often find fault with commoners, yet seem to be oblivious to the dalliances and sins they themselves commit. The vilest hypocrite Chaucer reveals is the Pardoner. While preaching against the sin of avarice, the Pardoner quotes Timothy 1:6 “radix malorum est cupiditas”, or “love of money is the r

Chaucer’s disdain with the Medieval Catholic Church is evidenced by his characterization of a hypocritical, disobedient, and dishonest clergy. His opinions are solidified throughout the tales by many examples of these traits. Thorough Chaucer’s detailed character descriptions; the reader easily identifies the decadence and corruption prevailing in the Church. This concealed criticism is much more effective, and accepted, than an outright condemnation of the Church’s corruption.

The disobedience of the Catholic clergy is illuminated by the disregard they show for the sacred ordination vows they once swore, before God, to uphold. Clergy should be in the world, witnessing to others, they should not be of the world. The Prioress, however, has a worldly air about her. “She took pleasure in good-breeding” and “took pains to imitate the manners of court.” Although the Prioress should radiate agape love for all of mankind, she seems to crave a more secular form of love. Her broach, inscribed with “Amor vincit omnia” or love conquers all, resembles a token from a secular romance. The Friar also appears to be guilty of romantic interludes. The narrator’s account that “he knew the taverns in every town and the innkeepers and tapsters” lends credit to the idea he fraternizes with women of questionable morals. Th

Some topics in this essay:
Additionally Summoner, Catholic Church, Medieval Clergy, Sadly Pardoner, Saint Benedict, St Thomas, Thorough Chaucer’s, Medieval Church, Church Ironically, Tales MacKaye, catholic church, medieval catholic church, medieval catholic, greed dishonesty, love mankind, decadence corruption,