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Essay / Representation of Social Classes in the Canterbury Tales
In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer documented the social and political climate of 14th-century England. Using classic characters, these tales show just how turbulent this era in history was. In the 1340s, the bubonic plague decimated the English population. In medieval times and the Canterbury Tales, the social classes are royalty, nobility, clergy, merchants, skilled artisans and peasantry. It exposes all social strata of its pilgrims and perfectly illustrates how they fail to assume their true responsibilities. In Canterbury Tales, people have different views on society in several ways; Appearances say a lot about a person's character. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Monks in medieval times helped people by feeding the poor, caring for the sick, writing books, and providing education for boys. The monk likes to ride horses, eat and hunt. These are activities enjoyed by the rich and noble classes. The monks made their own clothes, farmed and did household chores for the monastery. However, the monk prefers to ride horses, hunt day and night, and not worry about household chores. The monk in the Canterbury Tales considers living a modern life in medieval society instead of the role monks typically play. The monk is described as being fat and friendly in line 204. Weight in medieval times was represented as wealth, as the poor could not afford to eat enough to be overweight. The monk also loved riding horses and hunting; “who roamed the countryside, hunting was his sport”. Hunting and owning horses was a privilege of the wealthy and noble classes. The monk did not want to follow the rules of the monastery. He is said to be a very handsome and virile man. Although a monk's concerns should be about the needs of the people in his parish, through the details of his clothing the reader is immediately informed where that specific monk's problems lie. His clothing is defined as very luxurious, which includes "his purfiled sleeves at the dog/with grys, and the fyneste of a long" in line 26. Chaucer's view of the clergy class is not not always as effective as that of its ruling class. For example, Chaucer describes the prioress/nun as using an extraordinary amount of satire. He talks about how the nun has excellent etiquette and good manners. She strives to be reputable and seen as having a better status. In line 26 it says, “She strove to emulate judicial behavior, to have a dignified demeanor, and to be seen as worthy of respect.” The Prioress, a religious by profession, is visible as a lady, involved in her manners and conduct. Even though she understands her responsibilities, Nunthe Nun tries to appear rich. The narrator's flattering description of the Prioress is mocking, emphasizing her tedious airs and affected manners. She thinks she sings well. However, she intones indirectly through her nostril. The fact that the Prioress speaks French indicates her preference to adopt the behaviors of a noble lady, as French became the language of the court. Chaucer is honest in his depiction of the Knight as a noble and chivalrous man, determined to fight for God's dignity and continued success. Unlike many images of Chaucer, which satirize the character being demonstrated,.