Canterbury Tales – the Monk Essay Example

fur, and a gold pin fastened under his chin. He also wore a double-breasted cloak with a Flemish beaver hat. Despite his indulgences, he still upheld his esteemed position as a monk with his distinct and respected shorn haircut. In addition to his lavish lifestyle, the Monk loved to eat well and dress fashionably. He was described as being "full fat and in good shape" (Line 200), with bright eyes, supple boots, and well-trained horses. His favorite food was roast swan, which was depicted as "a fat swan craving to be roasted" (Line 209-210). Chaucer's description of the Monk contains a lot of hypocrisy, especially evident in the passage: "He was a noble figure in his order! He was well-liked and familiar with wealthy landowners in his region" (Lines 214-216). Despite being depicted as pleasure-seeking and flirtatious, the Monk is still highly respected within the Church. It is also noted that he is famous for forgiving people's sins in exchange for monetary donations, whether it be a generous sum from a wealthy individual or the last few coins of a starving family.

Chaucer also employs unconventional words to describe the Monk, such as "lust" (Line 201) and "want one" (Line 207). Despite the disapproval of the Church, the Monk is well-known among people of higher social rank. He acts according to his own desires, while still maintaining his religious practices. Nevertheless, Chaucer acknowledges The Monk's courteous and serviceable nature, stating that he is exceptionally virtuous (Line 250-251). Throughout The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer portrays The Monk satirically, using him as a symbol of the complex and morally ambiguous aspects of the Catholic Church.

The Monk is portrayed as

greedy, extravagant, and selfish while fulfilling his duties as a devotee of God, promising absolution in exchange for money. Despite the seriousness of a corrupt church, Chaucer remains non-judgemental and even supportive of The Monk’s indulgences and carefree attitude. The enduring relevance of The Canterbury Tales lies in Chaucer’s ability to immortalize and discuss issues intrinsic to human nature. Despite changing styles and eras, humans remain the same and continue to repeat the same mistakes. Just as men have struggled with lust and desire throughout history, the Catholic Church will continue to face instances of bribery and corruption in the future.