Sin: Pride

In the Parson’s Tale the sin I focused on is Pride.

It was interesting to see how the Parson, the only pilgrim that is seen as good, detailing everything that applies when it comes to Pride. The Parson explains that every other sin stems from this sin. Of course, a lot of what the Parson has to say reflects back to God and biblical stories. Pride seems to be mentioned first because it has waterfall effect. The person who is prideful tends to focus only on themselves, in turn making them selfish.  Also, a person that is prideful can tend to boast about everything they have accomplished whether it be good or bad. 

It is clear in the text that it is okay for a person to be aware of what they are and their capabilities but to be prideful about is sinful. The remedy for pride is humility. Being humble allows other people to recognize a person for what they can do and they have accomplished. The parson said humility is shown in the heart, mouth, and works. I think this remedy is very fitting for some of the pilgrims on the trip. Both the prologue and tales by the other pilgrims show lack of humility in both ways. The friar and the summoner take jabs at each other showing their pride. Instead of being humble and not worrying about whose tale is better and whose profession is more respectable they should show it in their actions and then other people can choose for them. Their discourse only heightens the ill thoughts towards their kind. The Wife of Bath shows her pride in her tale and prologue. Maybe pride says one should be more like Griselda. She kept her mouth shut and wins in the end. The wife of Bath gloats about her many disastrous marriages. She’s left to compromise and her tale reflects her own loneliness. Maybe the wife of Bath ought to have been a little more patient and quiet. Not basking in the glory of the power she feels she has. The parson mentions assenting to good counsel as the cure for pride. I do believe Phoebus fails to assent to the crows counsel, in turn he ends up killing his wife as well as cursing his friend who only had his interest in mind. The Pardoner is greatly prideful and resembles that not only in his prologue but in his tale as well.  Though he is prideful his story also resembles where such pride can get a person. All three thieves end up dead because of their pride; they have gathered bounty and see it only good for themselves. This is not respectable (and now I find it quite ironic that the pardoner tells this tale. I always thought it was a double scheme on his part, but now I feel he may be actually looking to good the meal at the end. But then again it is the pardoner trying to feel this way for him. Tricky guy there!).

I do believe each pilgrim may have exhibited pride. The host as well, he exhibits in action taking charge and making those around aware at all times it is home. This pride is a tricky sin and can be seen in many aspects.

Can these pilgrims be categorized into each sin? Is that the purpose of Chaucer writing in this tale? This could be a good time for reflection.