From Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales The monk From Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales

Monastic Oaths A monk’s life was based on asceticism. Vow of Poverty Based on Christ’s disdain for worldly possessions Vow of Chastity Viewed as rising about the temptations of the flesh, allowing a more personal connection with God Vow of Obedience To Abbots and superiors Vow of Prayer Intended to bring him closer to God and spiritual satisfaction

Abbot: Head of a monastery Prior: usually the rank below Abbot A monk there was, one of the finest sort who rode the country; hunting was his sport. A manly man, to be an Abbot able; Many a dainty horse he had in stable. His bridle, when he rode, a man might hear Jingling in a whistling wind as clear, Aye, as loud as does the chapel bell Where my lord Monk was the Prior of the cell. Abbot: Head of a monastery Prior: usually the rank below Abbot Hunting

The rule of good Saint Benet or Saint Maur As old and strict he tended to ignore; He let go by the things of yesterday and took the modern world’s more spacious way. He did not rate that text at plucked hen Which says that hunters are not holy men Saint Benet (St. Benedict): Wrote a set of regulations for monasteries. Saint Maur (St. Maurice): One of his disciples Disregard for tradition

And that a monk uncloistered is a mere fish out of water, flapping on a pier, that is to say a monk out of his cloister. That was a text he held not worth and oyster; And I agreed and said his views were sound; Was he to study till his head went round pouring over books in the cloisters? Must he toil as Austin bade and till the very soil? Was he to leave the world upon the shelf? Let Austin have his labor himself. Cloister: a secluded place in a monastery, often used for private prayer Austin: Saint Augustine, One of the First Christian authors, Criticized the laziness of monks

This monk was therefore a good man to horse; Greyhounds he had, as swift as birds, to course. Hunting a hare or riding at a fence was all his fun, he spared for no expense.

Luxury Lover’s knot I saw his sleeves were garnished at the hand with fine gray fur, the finest in the land, and on his hood, to fasten it at his chin he had a wrought-gold cunningly fashioned pin; Into s lover’s knot it seemed to pass. His head was bald and shone like looking glass; So did his face, as if it had been greased. He was a fat and personable priest; Luxury Lover’s knot

Prelate: someone with a high position in the church His prominent eyeballs never seemed to settle. They glittered like the flames beneath the kettle; Supple his boots, his horse in fine condition. He was a prelate fit for exhibition, He was not pale like a tormented soul. He liked a far swan best, and roasted whole. His palfrey was as brown as is a berry. Prelate: someone with a high position in the church Palfrey: a horse for riding for sport rather than battle

General Analysis The monk, clearly did not follow the typical ideals of someone in his position. It is arguable that he broke every monastic oath. Poverty He enjoyed things such as fine horses, fine clothing, and hunting dogs. Prayer He does not stay refined to the monastery and insists that prayers be left for the old fashioned. Obedience He blatantly disregards tradition and does not live according to the rules of the monastery. Chastity Though it is not as blantant as the others, its is suggeseted that the Monk had some romantic entanglement (Lover’s knot)

Chaucer’s View? The description of the Monk is reflective of the corruption of the church during this time. Respect?

Modern Day Paralells