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Essay / Observing true human nature
Humanity is constantly evolving and endlessly fascinating. People of different classes, roles, personalities and appearances combine majestically to form the human race in such a profound and meticulous way. In The Prologue to The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer depicts humanity with frankness and openness as he describes the 29 pilgrims he encountered on a journey to Canterbury. He tells his story by incorporating details about their social status, wealth, employment and appearance. In Chaucer and the Energy of Creation, a critical response to Chaucer's novel, Edward I. Condren states: "To regard Chaucer as a reformer... is to overlook his obvious love affair with the world he creates - a world that It does not condemn, does not approve, It is loaded with ideology and does not seek to improve, but it shows a world as a dynamic, human and infinitely fascinating entity in itself. » Accordingly, Condren believes that Chaucer's intention was not that of reform, since he did not condemn, approve of, or attempt to improve any element of society, but rather described the world as fascinating, dynamic and human. Similar to Condren's argument, Chaucer simply captures the entirety of medieval life by highlighting positive and negative traits in humans. As a neutral realist, Chaucer does not describe life as glorious nor does he wish to reform it. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Chaucer exposes the negative aspects of life by describing the corrupted character traits of the religious figures among the pilgrims. In lines 235-236 and 253-254 it was stated: "Therefore, instead of weeping and praying/One should give money for the care of a poor brother.../But wherever profit could be 'accumulate/ He was courteous and humble in service too...' (108-109). Although a brother is normally seen as religious and caring, this brother ironically cared about wealth and personal gain more than goodwill. He helped others to earn money and lived by begging. The Pardoner was also portrayed as less than exemplary due to his dishonest actions. In lines 700-703 and 709-710 it was written: "In one short day, with money, he attracted/More than the pastor in a month or two/And by his flatteries and prevarications/Had made monkeys from the priest and congregation…/And (well, he could) earn the money from the crowd/That’s why he sang so joyfully and so loudly” (Pages 119-120). As someone who sells pardons, a pardoner must be religious and have minimal sins. Ironically, however, the Pardoner was hypocritical and deceptive. Chaucer exposes the evil and dishonesty of society by stating that the Pardoner mocked the priest and sang loudly to earn money. However, Chaucer adds positive character traits to neutralize his position. Chaucer obviously describes the negative aspects of society, but balances the negativity with other positive details. For example, in describing the nun, a prioress, Chaucer emphasizes her tender feelings and her charitable heart. In lines 141-142 and 145-149 it was stated: "She was certainly very entertaining/ Pleasant and friendly in her manners, and tense.../And appearing dignified in all her relations/ As to her sympathies and tender feelings/ She was so charitably concerned/ She cried if she only saw a mouse/ Caught in a trap, if it was dead or bleeding” (Page 106). Therefore, the nun is an appropriate image for her role. She is kind, gentle, tender and caring. She is also…”