Analyzing and Comparing The Canterbury Tales

In the Canterbury Tales , Chaucer reflects his views on society and the values he holds through his representation of his characters in the general prologue and in each of their tales. Chaucer beautifully portrays the values of poverty, chastity, obedience, chivalry and true love. How Chaucer uses the group of people to express and portray the image of what 12th century English society looked like, and how the society was back then .In the Canterbury tales, Chaucer creativity and humorously provides a cross-section of 12th century English society though the group of pilgrims.

In 12th century society people draw straws back then to decide who won and who lost.

“Shortly after the departure day, the pilgrims draw straws” , It obviously shows us how people thought back then, they used sticks instead of coins, or dice compare to modern day society. “The tales are full of secular mirth, sex, and other sins, and the pilgrims themselves are variously drunk” wrote Michelle m Saver. Overall characters of the Canterbury tales represent medieval society and various professions.

“Monk the drunken miller tells story about the carpenter” this shows us how religions figures were corrupt, I’ll be more focusing on how Chaucer said “Monk the Drunken Miller” he is describing monk as drunk, monks are supposed to be respectful and sober, but Chaucer’s description of the monk shows that he doesn't like him and doest now respect him at all , and Poverty was a sworn oath by people of the church that they will not be living rich lives. The Monk does not particularly want to commit to life of poverty, he says “It is not in his nature” , Quote from the book “Ful many a deyntee hors hadde he in stable”, by this Chaucer is saying the Monk owned many lav...

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... not appropriate for a Nun “She wore a coral trinket on her arm, a seat of beads the gaudier tricked in green.” pg 107, line 165.

In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer specifically points of the corruptions in society and praises goodness in those that are honest. To the sinful nature of the Monk and the Nun, and to the great love story and greatness of the Knight. Through all these examples we can see how highly Chaucer held the values of Love, Poverty, Chastity, Obedience, and Chivalry. Chaucer really did very good job on explaining and portraying 12 century, so people in the future would know about the 12th century. now reading back to tale everyone can relate or compare to one of the character to themselves or someone they know, Chaucer used big figures like the Knight and Nun and small figures like the Carpenter and the Miller to give example of their wrong doings.