Morgan Stanislaus and Jaclyn Orlando

Period 7/8 Academic English III

FRIAR

Direct Characterization“His neck was whiter than a lily-flower”

(242)“For he sang well and played the hurdy-

gurdy”(240)“Upon his shoulders, and the swelling fold

About him, like a bell about his mold When it is casting, rounded out his dress.”(271-273)

Social class

Friar was part of the clergy social class.

friar

Indirect characterization “He knew the tavern well in every town And every

innkeeper and barmaid too Better than lepers, beggars and that crew, for in so eminent a man as he It was not fitting with the dignity Of his position, dealing with a scum Of wretched lepers; nothing good can come…” (244-250)

From this quotation, we can infer that the friar was hanging around bars and drinking as well as sleeping with women. He was the exact opposite of how he was supposed to act as a member of the clergy.

Deadly sin or moral virtue?

The friar displayed the deadly sin of avarice (greed). He portrayed greed because even he took the vow of poverty, friar only spent time with wealthy and high social status people.

What is chaucer criticizing? Chaucer was criticizing how true the friar was

to his job. He portrayed him as dishonest and not dedicated to his job. He abused his position by scamming people and breaking the vow of obedience and chastity. He had adulterous relationships with many women as well. This was clearly not how a person of the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages was supposed to act.