Critical Analysis Of Chaucer s Canterbury TalesThe Prioress s Tale
The Canterbury Tales provides the reader a look into the moral issues facing the people of medieval Europe. The lessons penned by Chaucer not only apply to the people of the 14th century, but also can provide the people of the 21st century insight into the human condition. Through the creation of the character of the prioress, and the Prioress’s Tale Chaucer cunningly criticizes many of the faults within the Catholic Church, yet does so in a brilliant manor. ... Chaucer has painted an utterly charming and elegant portrait of the Prioress. ... I found this name to be quite suitable for this lady for it seems to be a play on the word elegant, which she strives to be, yet quite ironic for a women of her position as a prioress. ... The Prioress’s kindness to her pet dogs is seen as a weakness. ... Thus Chaucer combines strokes of irony with unconcealed appreciation in his presentation of the gentle, demure, aristocratic and worldly Prioress. Summary of the tale. The tale opens with the host politely requesting the Prioress to tell a story, who gladly agrees to do so. The Prioress praises the Virgin as the source of goodness and the balm of souls. She glorifies the Virgin’s divine power, humility, magnificence, goodness and benignity. In her hymn of praise and supplication, she asks for help in her narration of her tale. ... He had been taught to always honor the Virgin Mary and to go down on his knees whenever he saw the Virgin’s image. ... The child’s mother who was a widow waited anxiously all night for him to return home. ... At this moment Jesus in his divine grace directed the widow to where her son’s body had been thrown. ... The city’s magistrate was sent for and upon seeing the miracle he commanded the Jews to be bound up. ... The Prioress’ prologue aptly fits the Prioress’ character and position. As a nun, who relies heavily on the patronage of the Virgin, it is fitting that she chooses a tale that corresponds so. The hymn that she offers in the prologue is a parallel to the central thematic hymn, the Alma Redemtoris of the tale.