Themes: Religion, True and False
Religion often comes off poorly in The Canterbury Tales, but it is important to distinguish between true religion and false religion because Chaucer treats them quite differently. True religion, in the context of The Canterbury Tales, is about worshiping God and obeying his will with devotion, faith, and love. There are characters among the tale-tellers and in the tales who do exactly that. The Parson is a faithful leader and servant to his flock. He cares for his people with love, and while his sermon on penitence may be rather dull, it is spoken with a true intention to change the audience’s minds and hearts so that they can embrace the salvation God offers. The legend of Saint Cecilie, as told by the Second Nun, also reveals a true religious devotion. Cecilie, her husband, and her brother-in-law hold fast to their faith all the way to martyrdom, and they strive to convert others along the way out of real love for the people around them, even those who persecute them.
The innocent eagerness of the little boy martyr in “The Prioress’s Tale” is another instance of true religion. The child longs to worship God by honoring the Virgin Mary, and he receives a miracle meant to strengthen the hearts of Christians. Lady Custance also holds fast to her faith even in the midst of great suffering in “The Man of Law’s Tale,” and she becomes an example of perseverance and trust in Christ. She, too, receives a miracle when her provisions last, and she finds safety and love in the end.
On the other hand, though, many supposedly religious people in The Canterbury Tales are anything but religious. The Pardoner is a prime example. His job is to save souls, but he admits openly that he cares nothing about souls. He cares about lining his own pockets by deceiving people into venerating his false relics. He is a conman who uses religion as his racket. Yet somewhat ironically, the sermons the Pardoner preaches about greed contain important truths. Chaucer seems to be saying that even in the midst of corruption, true religion can shine through, but one must be able to discern, something that the Pardoner’s listeners usually fail to do.
Not all examples of false religion are so exaggerated as that of the Pardoner, yet there are plenty of instances when people put on a show of religious devotion but act the opposite. The miller and his family in “The Reeve’s Tale” spend plenty of time in church, but the miller cheats his customers, and his wife is haughty and proud. Many of the people traveling as pilgrims are also not quite what they seem. They are, after all, on pilgrimage. One would think they would spend their time praying and thinking of holy things. Yet here they are telling stories—sometimes quite bawdy stories—getting drunk, and enjoying the pleasures of life. Religion takes second place.
Expert Q&A
In The Canterbury Tales, why is the Pardoner's story's moral ironic?
In The Canterbury Tales, that the Pardoner should preach a story with this particular moral is ironic because he himself is every bit as greedy and immoral as the characters in the story.
Does The Canterbury Tales suggest Chaucer believed religious leaders to be liars?
Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales suggests he viewed religious leaders as corrupt and hypocritical, though not necessarily liars. Through satire, Chaucer critiques the Catholic Church's corruption, evident in characters like the Pardoner, who sells fake relics, and the Monk, who violates vows of poverty and chastity. By highlighting such hypocrisies, Chaucer draws attention to religious deception, reflecting broader societal issues of his time.
What is the purpose of the "Pardoner's Tale" in The Canterbury Tales?
The purpose of the "Pardoner's Tale" is to highlight greed and corruption within the church, particularly through the Pardoner's own hypocrisy. While he preaches that "money is the root of all evil," he exploits this message to deceive people into buying pardons and relics. The tale itself illustrates how greed leads to betrayal and death, reinforcing the moral against avarice. Chaucer uses this story to critique the church's corrupt practices.
In The Canterbury Tales, does Chaucer respect or mock the Catholic Church? How does he distinguish between the Church and religion in general?
Chaucer mocks the Catholic Church in The Canterbury Tales but distinguishes it from religion, which he respects. Through a pilgrimage framework, he honors devout characters like the Knight and Plowman. However, he satirizes corrupt church figures such as the Pardoner and Summoner, who exploit their positions for personal gain. In contrast, the good Parson exemplifies true religious devotion. Chaucer criticizes church corruption while valuing sincere faith.
What is the theme of all the sermons according to the pardoner in "The Pardoner's Tale"?
The theme of all the Pardoner's sermons is "the love of money is the root of all evil," based on 1 Timothy Chapter 6. He consistently preaches about the dangers of greed. This is ironic because the Pardoner himself is portrayed as greedy, reflecting the general perception of pardoners during that time as being motivated by financial gain.
In the "Pardoner's Tale," what warning does the Pardoner offer about envy?
The Pardoner warns that envy is a destructive force, closely linked to greed, one of the seven deadly sins. His tale illustrates how envy leads to the downfall of three young men who find gold but succumb to greed and betrayal. Each plots against the others, resulting in all their deaths. The tale, an exemplum, underscores the theme "Radix malorum est cupiditas," meaning "The root of all evil is greed." This highlights the moral dangers of envy and greed.
Is The Pardoner in The Canterbury Tales hypocritical or honest?
Evaluate Chaucer's statement, "If gold ruste, what shall iren doo?" in relation to his Church orders.
Chaucer's statement, "If gold ruste, what shall iren doo?" from "The Canterbury Tales" reflects a critique of corruption in the Church. It suggests that if Church leaders (symbolized by gold) are corrupt, ordinary people (iron) will inevitably follow suit. The phrase underscores the importance of moral integrity among clergy, as their example sets the standard for others. Chaucer uses this metaphor to praise the virtuous character of a devout and exemplary church clerk.
How does the nun in "The Canterbury Tales" show her hypocrisy?
The nun in "The Canterbury Tales" displays hypocrisy through her focus on appearance and behavior unbecoming of her religious vows. She wears flashy clothes, jewelry engraved with "Love conquers all," and maintains flirtatious manners, suggesting a lack of chastity. Her indulgence in luxury, such as feeding her pets better than the poor, and her attempts to act above her station by emulating courtly behavior further highlight her deviation from expected nun-like humility and simplicity.
In The Canterbury Tales, why did church corruption occur?
Church corruption in "The Canterbury Tales" is attributed to the unchecked power and impunity of church officials in 14th-century England. The tales highlight abuses such as exploiting believers' emotions for financial gain and blackmailing commoners. The hierarchy's dominance and the entry of non-spiritually motivated nobility into clerical positions exacerbated greed, leading to practices like selling indulgences. This corruption stemmed from the church's significant power, lack of accountability, and materialistic pursuits.
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