Brief Summary
Twenty nine pilgrims gathered
in “Tabbard” INN. They werepreparing to do pilgrimage in the following morning
becuase it was almost dark and the roads were full of dangers. With the
suggestion of the owner of “Tabbard” INN, they all agreed to tell two stories
on the way to Canterbury an two other stories on the way back to ‘tabbard” INN.
Those who could tell the best stories would be given reward; free of charge to
stay, eat and drink in ‘tabbard” INN. The followings are brief description of
five ecclesiastical characters of the tales.
Ecclesiastical Characters of Canterbury tales
1. Parson
The parson was poor in a
wordly sense but rich in holy thoughts and works. He was man of learning. Hr
truly preached the gospel of Christ, and sincerely looked after the spiritual
welfare of his flock. He never shirked visiting his parishioners becase of rain
or thunder, sickness or trouble. He visited the high and the low, and he went
to them on foot with a staff in his hand. He set a noble example for his
parishioners by actually practicing what he preached.
He lived in his own parish and
looked after his parishioners to prevent them from falling under the influence
of the enemies of the church. He was a true priest, not a businessman aiming at
money. This parson never excommunicated anybody in order to force payment of
the tithes due to him. On the contrary, he helped his parishioner with money
from collection of tithes.
The parson was kind-hearted
and wonderfully industrious. He was not callous or haughty or contemptuous in
dealing with sinners; on the contrary, he was soft spoken and sympathetic n
giving them advie and instruction.
2. Monk
Hunting was indeed the monk’s
favoruite pastime. According to the text hunters were not holy men, but he did
not care about it and he did not hide his irritation with those who objected to
it. he did not confine himself to the cloister, he did not read book and he did
not work with his hand. He even defied St. Augustine’s directive that physical labor
was necessary for monk. This monk did not believe that the world could be
served either by hard study or by hard labor. Tehe monk kept swift greyhounds
for hunting purposes. All his pleasure lay in tracking and hunting harers.
Worldliness and fine living of the monk were greatly emphasized. The monk’s
costume and equipment were most lavish. He had a large number of fine horses,
when he went out the jingling of his horses’ bells couldbe heard from the
distance.
3. Friar
This friar had performed a large
number of marriage of young women at his own cost (probably they had been
mistress). He was familiar to all the rich farmers and also worthy women in
town. If he got enough money from the sinners he would say the sinners were
repentant. He was of the opinion that the sinners instead of shedding tears of
repentance and offering prayers should give money to the poor friar.
The friar used fair language
to win the favour of women and where language failed, he tried to win them over
with ornamental knives and pins. The friar knew the taverns and barmaids of
every town far better than he new the lepers or beggars.
4. Summoner
Physical appearances of the
summoner was ugly. He had pimpled-face, a fire-red complexion, scabby brows,
and shaggy beard. No medicine or cream could cure him of thepimples or the
lumps on his cheeks. He was fond of garlics, onions and leeks and drinking
strong wine, red as blood.
The summoner was morally
corrupt. He would allow a fellow to keep a mistress for twelve month just for a
quart of wine. And he could also take advantage of a girl (that is, he would
seduce a girl if he got the opportunity). He taught people not to feels afraid
of arch-deacon’s curse (excommunication) because he expressed the view tha by
paying a good sum of money, fellow could
get released from that curse.
5. Pardoner
The medieval pardoner had as
his main occupation the selling of indulgences 9that is, the freedom or
remission of punishment to repentant sunners) but he also sold religious relics
and did some preaching. Indulgences were of varying degrees and were sold for
various pricers. Although the money gained through them was meant to be handed
over to the church, dishonest pardoners managedto keep it for themselves. This
pardoner had a bag full to the brim with indulgences which he claimed to have
brought directly from the pope at Rome. He also had in his possession several
articles which he claimed holy relics.
