Choose one character from The Canterbury Tales. Answer the following:
Choose and describe one of the following characters from The Canterbury Tales: The Pardoner, The Summoner, The Prioress, The Monk (2pts)
How does this character NOT live up to the ideals of their position in Medieval society? (2pts)
Choose and describe one of the following characters: The Knight, The Wife of Bath, The Squire, The Parson (2pts)
How does this character uphold the values of Medieval society? (2pts)
Character: The Pardoner
The Pardoner is a character in The Canterbury Tales who is responsible for selling indulgences or pardons to people as a means of absolving their sins. He is described as having long, yellow hair and a smooth voice. The Pardoner is portrayed as greedy, deceitful, and manipulative, using his position to exploit people's guilt and fear in order to make money. He is also shown to be hypocritical, as he preaches against the sins of greed and avarice, yet he himself is driven by a strong desire for wealth.
The Pardoner does not live up to the ideals of his position in Medieval society in several ways. Firstly, he is supposed to be a moral and religious figure who guides people towards salvation and repentance. However, instead of genuinely caring about people's spiritual well-being, he uses their vulnerability and fear to his advantage. He exploits their superstitions and beliefs to enrich himself, completely disregarding the spiritual aspect of his role. Secondly, his blatant hypocrisy undermines the trust that people should have in a pardoner. He criticizes others for their sins while indulging in the very same sins himself. This demonstrates a lack of moral integrity and casts doubt on the authenticity of his pardons.
Character: The Parson
The Parson is a character in The Canterbury Tales who is a devout and dedicated clergyman. He is described as humble, diligent, and patient. The Parson is committed to his pastoral duties, truly caring for the spiritual well-being of his community. He is honest, ethical, and lives a simple life, never indulging in worldly temptations. He preaches love, kindness, and charity, teaching his parishioners by example.
The Parson upholds the values of Medieval society through his unwavering commitment to his faith. He exemplifies the ideals of a cleric by truly caring for the souls of his congregation. He lives his life according to the teachings of the church and is dedicated to spreading the message of love and charity. The Parson is selfless, using the offerings he receives for the betterment of his community rather than for personal gain. In doing so, he serves as a role model for others and upholds the moral and ethical values of Medieval society.
Character: The Pardoner
Description: The Pardoner is a clergyman who travels around selling indulgences and relics to the people. He has long, greasy yellow hair and a high-pitched voice. He is very good at preaching and uses persuasive language to manipulate people into buying his goods.
How the Pardoner does not live up to the ideals of his position in Medieval society:
The Pardoner does not live up to the ideals of his position in Medieval society in several ways. Firstly, he is motivated by greed and seeks to make profit from the religious beliefs and desires of the people. He openly admits that his main goals are obtaining money and material wealth, rather than genuinely helping people find salvation. This contradicts the ideals of the clergy, who are supposed to be selfless in their service to God and prioritize the spiritual well-being of the community over personal gain. Additionally, the Pardoner is depicted as being morally corrupt and deceptive. He admits to using tricks and false relics to convince people to buy his indulgences, taking advantage of their fears and vulnerabilities. This unethical behavior goes against the virtuous and honest image that the clergy should uphold according to Medieval society.
Character: The Knight
Description: The Knight is a nobleman who has fought in many battles and is highly respected for his loyalty, bravery, and chivalry. He wears armor and carries a sword, symbolizing his martial prowess.
How the Knight upholds the values of Medieval society:
The Knight upholds the values of Medieval society in several ways. Firstly, he embodies chivalry, which was highly valued during this time period. He is courteous, humble, and honorable in his actions. He shows respect for others, particularly women, and holds himself to a high moral standard. Additionally, the Knight is depicted as being of noble birth, which aligns with the hierarchical structure of Medieval society. He comes from a noble family and has participated in various military campaigns, demonstrating his commitment to serving his king and country. His actions and reputation reflect the ideals of loyalty, bravery, and dedication, which were highly admired in Medieval society.
Let's start with the first set of characters from The Canterbury Tales.
The Pardoner is a character who is responsible for selling forgiveness of sins to the people. However, he does not live up to the ideals of his position in Medieval society. The Pardoner is portrayed as extremely corrupt and hypocritical. He preaches against the sins of greed and avarice, but he himself is greedy and dishonest. He tricks people into giving him money in exchange for pardons, which suggests that he manipulates the faith of others for his own gain. In addition, his appearance is described as being more flamboyant and feminine, which goes against the expectations of a spiritual figure who is supposed to be modest and humble.
Moving on to the next character, the Monk, he also fails to live up to the ideals of his position in Medieval society. Monks were expected to live a life of poverty, humility, and devotion to God, but the Monk in The Canterbury Tales is quite the opposite. He is described as being wealthy and enjoying a luxurious lifestyle. He does not spend his time in prayer or study, as a monk should, but instead, he hunts, eats excessively, and is more interested in worldly pleasures. This behavior is in stark contrast to the ascetic lifestyle that was expected of monks during the time.
Now, let's focus on the second set of characters from The Canterbury Tales.
The Knight is a character who upholds the values of Medieval society. He embodies the ideal of chivalry, which was highly regarded during that time. The Knight is described as being honorable, brave, and courteous to others. He has participated in many battles and has always been loyal to his king and his word. Furthermore, he shows compassion and respect towards others, regardless of their social status. The Knight's behavior exemplifies the virtues of loyalty, courage, and honor, which were considered essential qualities for a knight in Medieval society.
I hope this explanation helps you understand the characters and their roles in The Canterbury Tales.