Thursday, August 29, 2013
Did Chaucer Anticipate Luther?
Hwaet! I would like to pose an outrageous question that focuses on the clergy in The Canterbury Tales. With his sateric characterization of the prioress, the monk, the friar and the pardoner, did Chaucer anticipate the Reformation?
The prioress is anything but a sister of charity. She is quite worldly, actually. She has impeccable manners, cares more for puppies than for the poor, and she has some great jewelry! The monk would rather be out riding his horse than be in his cell praying. The friar loves the women of the town and loves to trade cash for penance. The pardoner is the worst of all, selling indulgences- false trinkets-- as if they were sacred treasures belonging to St. Peter or even Jesus himself. In contrast stands the poor parson-- a model of what clegy should be. This contrast hints that Chaucer does not condem all clergy.
It was for such sacrilegious crimes as the selling of penance and indulgences that Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses on Wittenberg's door in 1519, 120 years after Chaucer's death. It seems as though Chaucer and Luther had similar concerns.
Did Chaucer anticipate the Reformation?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
There was quite a bit of reforming spirit in the air in the 14th century. The "anti-clerical" tradition was going strong: the portraits of clerics doing things they oughtn't is by no means unique to Chaucer. And the Lollard movement was calling for some pretty radical changes.
ReplyDeleteIt's also important to note - as you do here - that Chaucer also sees the good clerics as well as the ones deserving of his satire. The Parson is certainly the ideal churchman, who practices what he preaches. The contrast reminds us of why satire is important: it's not about condemnation for condemnation's sake, but rather a mirror held up to remind people of their responsibilities to the community at large.
I do appreciate your ideas and although it seems as though Chaucer anticipates the Reformation it seems that he is more aware that a reformation needs to happen. I find the Friar to be an excellent example of the corruption present in the church. Although he works among the laypeople he is expected to uphold his religious duties and, instead, the Friar becomes wordly and sinful.
ReplyDelete