“The Prologue” As a Portrait Gallery
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The Prologue has rightly been called a 'portrait-gallery'. The pilgrims, who collect at the Tabard to set out on their journey to Canterbury, belong to a variety of classes and professions. Chaucer is the first English poet to present such a lovely procession of men and women, who are differentiated from one another by the subtlest touches of characterization. The characters come alive on the pages of The Prologue. They are vital and realistic.
The Prologue is often referred to as a social chronicle, and Chaucer as a social historian. Though The Prologue is much more than a mere social chronicle, there is truth in the remark that it gives a cross-section of English society in the fourteenth century. Through the clever device of a pilgrimage, Chaucer has been able to assemble the representatives of the widest possible section of the society of his day. Only the aristocracy and the lowest rungs of society are left out—both classes would have been out of place on such a pilgrimage.
The Knight heads the procession of pilgrims. He has the highest social position among Chaucer's pilgrims. He belongs to the Chivalric code. He is accompanied by his son, who is also his Squire, and by his Yeoman, as was customary for the knights of the medieval times. The Knight has distinguished himself in battle, both in heathen and Christian lands. His son, too, has shown his prowess in wars. He represents the devotee of courtly love. The Yeoman is a forester and a loyal servant to the Knight and the Squire.
After the chivalric order, comes the ecclesiastical order, i.e., the representatives of the regular clergy. We have a Prioress, a Monk, and a Friar. Each presents the various degrees of corruption and degeneracy which was prevalent in the religious orders of the day. The Prioress' mind seems to be divided between the demands of the religious and the attractions of the secular aspects of life. The motto on her brooch, 'Love Conquers All', clearly indicates the confusion. The Monk hunts and enjoys sumptuous food, contrary to his vows of seclusion and abstinence. The Friar is typical of the order as found in Chaucer's time. He makes money by misusing his authority.
After the ecclesiastical characters representing the regular clergy, we have a procession of middle class representatives. Among them are the representatives of trade, the learned professions, a sailor, and other occupations. The Miller typifies his class of the day in his ability to cheat and make money. The Municipal is clever enough to outwit his learned masters. The Reeve cheats both his lord and the tenants.
The rising interest and stability in trade is represented by the Merchant, whose main desire is to keep the seas free of piracy. The Shipmanrepresents England's widening power over the seas. He is typical of the sea captains of the day in his ruthlessness and lack of conscience. There is a Franklinwho is hospitable and well off. The learned professions are represented by The Doctor of Physic and The Oxford Clerk. Typical of his age and, perhaps, typical of some doctors through all ages, Chaucer's physician is not too worried by making money out of an epidemic. He likes gold, we are told. The Lawyer, too, is adept at entailing property for his own benefit.
The rising middle class is represented by the five prosperous guildsmenwhose wives are ambitious of great status and respectability.
If the corruptness of the clergy is once again evident in the lecherous Summonerand the Cheating Pardoner, we have the good Christian spiritexemplified in the Parson and his brother the Ploughman. But the Summoner and The Pardoner exemplify the corruption and degeneracy of morals in Chaucer's time. The Summoner teaches the people the exact opposite of what he is supposed to tell them. He is quite ready to ignore the sins of people if they are willing to bribe him. The Pardoner sells false relics and bogus pardons. Both are partners of an equal temper.
Perhaps the most vibrant personality in The Prologue is the Wife of Bath. While she is more individualised than typical, she also represents the rising middle class. She is a first-rate weaver of cloth, and a very rich woman. A much married woman, she indicates the existing social conditions in which rich single women were never left single for long.
Lastly, Chaucer shows the full realisation that God has created all kinds of human beings, and there is no cause for man to disapprove or criticise violently. He accepted the imperfections in human beings, and presented them in all their variety without castigating their vices or frowning upon their follies. He was an amused and tolerant spectator of God's plenty. He took keen joy in the created world. Life to him was a vast field of delights, and this is very much evident in The Prologue.
The Prologue is often referred to as a social chronicle, and Chaucer as a social historian. Though The Prologue is much more than a mere social chronicle, there is truth in the remark that it gives a cross-section of English society in the fourteenth century. Through the clever device of a pilgrimage, Chaucer has been able to assemble the representatives of the widest possible section of the society of his day. Only the aristocracy and the lowest rungs of society are left out—both classes would have been out of place on such a pilgrimage.
The Knight heads the procession of pilgrims. He has the highest social position among Chaucer's pilgrims. He belongs to the Chivalric code. He is accompanied by his son, who is also his Squire, and by his Yeoman, as was customary for the knights of the medieval times. The Knight has distinguished himself in battle, both in heathen and Christian lands. His son, too, has shown his prowess in wars. He represents the devotee of courtly love. The Yeoman is a forester and a loyal servant to the Knight and the Squire.
After the chivalric order, comes the ecclesiastical order, i.e., the representatives of the regular clergy. We have a Prioress, a Monk, and a Friar. Each presents the various degrees of corruption and degeneracy which was prevalent in the religious orders of the day. The Prioress' mind seems to be divided between the demands of the religious and the attractions of the secular aspects of life. The motto on her brooch, 'Love Conquers All', clearly indicates the confusion. The Monk hunts and enjoys sumptuous food, contrary to his vows of seclusion and abstinence. The Friar is typical of the order as found in Chaucer's time. He makes money by misusing his authority.
After the ecclesiastical characters representing the regular clergy, we have a procession of middle class representatives. Among them are the representatives of trade, the learned professions, a sailor, and other occupations. The Miller typifies his class of the day in his ability to cheat and make money. The Municipal is clever enough to outwit his learned masters. The Reeve cheats both his lord and the tenants.
The rising interest and stability in trade is represented by the Merchant, whose main desire is to keep the seas free of piracy. The Shipmanrepresents England's widening power over the seas. He is typical of the sea captains of the day in his ruthlessness and lack of conscience. There is a Franklinwho is hospitable and well off. The learned professions are represented by The Doctor of Physic and The Oxford Clerk. Typical of his age and, perhaps, typical of some doctors through all ages, Chaucer's physician is not too worried by making money out of an epidemic. He likes gold, we are told. The Lawyer, too, is adept at entailing property for his own benefit.
The rising middle class is represented by the five prosperous guildsmenwhose wives are ambitious of great status and respectability.
If the corruptness of the clergy is once again evident in the lecherous Summonerand the Cheating Pardoner, we have the good Christian spiritexemplified in the Parson and his brother the Ploughman. But the Summoner and The Pardoner exemplify the corruption and degeneracy of morals in Chaucer's time. The Summoner teaches the people the exact opposite of what he is supposed to tell them. He is quite ready to ignore the sins of people if they are willing to bribe him. The Pardoner sells false relics and bogus pardons. Both are partners of an equal temper.
Perhaps the most vibrant personality in The Prologue is the Wife of Bath. While she is more individualised than typical, she also represents the rising middle class. She is a first-rate weaver of cloth, and a very rich woman. A much married woman, she indicates the existing social conditions in which rich single women were never left single for long.
Lastly, Chaucer shows the full realisation that God has created all kinds of human beings, and there is no cause for man to disapprove or criticise violently. He accepted the imperfections in human beings, and presented them in all their variety without castigating their vices or frowning upon their follies. He was an amused and tolerant spectator of God's plenty. He took keen joy in the created world. Life to him was a vast field of delights, and this is very much evident in The Prologue.
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