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The Canterbury Tales: The Prologue

            The stories conveyed in The Canterbury Tales are observations on certain facets of the Church described by Chaucer. He transmits a vibe that he believes the Church is an institution organized as a business indicating greed and where money is more important than religion. His concept of the Church is revealed through an array of religious figures and how certain characters deviate from their expected pious responsibilities. Chaucer presents these unethical pilgrims ironically as noble and pleasant with judicious characteristics. As they fail to serve the Church he speaks of the differences between the impressions the clergy's describe with their true character. Chaucer points out the hypocrisy of the Church the Nun, the Friar and the Pardoner as corrupt clergy members.
             Though Chaucer describes the Nun as refined and compassionate, her manners are inappropriate to religious beliefs. She worries about her particular appearance instead of having an unconcerned attitude "Her wimple was pleated in a seemly way" (Chaucer 151). In addition, she is engrossed with the passion of noble affection. Instead of rosary beads with a crucifix she wears a brooch engraved with a Latin phrase "'Amor vincit omnia" (Chaucer 162) or the translated meaning "Love conquers all". These behaviors of the Nun are unconventional as nuns are to restrain from physical desires. The Nuns appearance and behavior leans more as nonreligious practices than a spiritual approach to the Church.
             The Friar is revealed as having both decent and immoral traits. He is described as a cheerful imposing beggar of those destitute ".wanton one and merry A Limiter, a very jovial man" (Chaucer 208-209) as well as loved by proprietors "Well-beloved and intimate was he With Franklins within his boundary" (Chaucer 216-217). He is self-absorbed and yearns for money "An everywhere a profit might arise, He wore a courteous and humble guise" Even though friars are not permitted to arbitrate for their own self endurance, the Friar reveals his impious morals.


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