Satire in Chaucer

In Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, satire is prevalent in the text. Chaucer uses the satire to criticize members of the clergy. His levels of criticism range from Horatian to Juvenalian, but his opinions on each character are evident and obvious. The satire creates a contrast between the desired image of the church and the corruption and hypocrisy that actually exists within.

The Parson and the Nun are the most Horatian characters. Of all the members of the clergy, the Parson is the only character that Chaucer admires and respects. He truly knows “God’s gospel, and would preach it/Devoutly to parishioners” (491). The Parson is “benign and wonderfully diligent” (493). He gives to charity, takes care of his flock, and does not live for money. In the Parson’s section of the introduction, there is virtually no satire, because he is “holy and virtuous” (525) and because “there never was a better priest” (534). The satire used to describe the Nun is slightly more severe, but still very Horatian. Chaucer lightly criticizes her airs. The Nun cares deeply about appearances, and does not exhibit the proper level of humility for someone of her position. “For courtliness she had a special zest” (136). She attempts to speak in French, feeds her dogs fine foods, and wears bright and gaudy jewelry. Despite being “charitably solicitous” (147) and “all sentiment and tender heart” (154) she has flaws that Chaucer highlights with his Horatian satire.

The Monk and the Friar are criticized with satire that is between the levels of Horatian and Juvenalian. The Monk behaves in a manner inconsistent with that of a stereotypical monk. Chaucer points this out by stating that the Monk takes “the modern world in a more spacious way” and does not strictly interpret the stringent rules all monks must follow (180). He is fat and tan, and he wears “fine grey fur” and a wrought gold pin. His failure to comply with the rules makes him slightly more Juvenalian than the Nun. The Friar is yet...