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Corruption of an Institution In the “Prologue” and “The Pardoner’s Tale,” Chaucer views the Medieval Roman Catholic Clergy as primarily being corrupt and not acting in a manner acceptable for their position, as members of the Church. The first of the clergy mentioned in the “Prologue” is the Prioress. As a nun, she is to be entirely devoted to God, but the Prioress seems to break her word of chastity through many descriptions that Chaucer gives revealing her true nature. For one, she is the only character that Chaucer actually assigns a name to (line 125). This indicates that Madame Eglantyne, or the Prioress, has some type of relationship with Chaucer. Chaucer also talks of her coral trinket and golden brooch which she wears (lines 162 and 164). Both of which probably were gifts from previous lovers. The brooch was further described as originally having the letter A engraved into it, which means adultery, but the phrase Amor vincit omnia was later added (lines 164-165). That Latin phrase translates to Love conquers all, and this is not something that a woman who vows to love only God, should be wearing. The Prioress is described as being a larger woman, who is not going to let herself go hungry. Chaucer says, “No morsel from her lips did she let fall” (line 132). He also describes her by saying she is, “A stately bearing fitting to her place” (line 144). As a member of the clergy, it is a duty to help the poor; the Prioress certainly has her own well-being on her mind instead of the poor.
Approximate Word count = 959
Approximate Pages = 3.8
(250 words per page double spaced)
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