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Parson In The Canterbury Tales

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Writers in the Middle Ages could not directly critic society without incurring strong disapproval from powerful institutions, such as the church. In The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer, critics the pilgrims as individuals to show the overview of the church and society. Chaucer’s personal opinions are thinly veiled as he satirizes and praises certain characters as social criticism. Chaucer presents the Parson and the Friar as religious figures in terms of their morality, their vocation, and dedication to the church to criticize the corruption and virtue within the church.
The Friar is one of the most deceitful and unethical people on the pilgrimage. Chaucer criticizes the Friar to represent how corrupt and dishonorable the church really …show more content…

Chaucer praises the Parson because he represents the goodness and grace in the church. Chaucer describes, In the Canterbury Tales, the Parson’s morality on how he sells his own property to help people. “Nay rather he preferred beyond a doubt giving to poor parishioners round about both from church offerings and his property,” (The Canterbury Tales line 497-499). The Parson is willing to sell his own items to support others. Chaucer honors the Parson’s morality because it represents how the church can be caring and valuable. Chaucer also talks about the Parson’s vocation on how he is willing to help and assist people in any way he can but unlike the Friar, he does not want anything in return. “ His business was to show a fair behavior and draw men thus to heaven and their Savior,” (The Canterbury Tales line 529-530). The Parson’s reason for doing what he does is to bring people closer God and to increase them in their faith. Chaucer admires what the Parson does because he is bringing people closer to the church for the right reasons. Lastly, Chaucer comments on the Parson’s dedication to the church. “There was, and poor, the Parson to a town, yet he was rich in holy thought and work,” (The Canterbury Tales line 488-489). The Parson is very passion and goodhearted about his work with the church. Chaucer is very pleased with the Parson’s love and commitment to the church and his faith.

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