THE MONK From Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Monastic Oaths A monk’s life was based on asceticism....
If you can't read please download the document
THE MONK From Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Monastic Oaths A monk’s life was based on asceticism. Vow of Poverty Based on Christ’s disdain for worldly possessions
Monastic Oaths A monks life was based on asceticism. Vow of
Poverty Based on Christs disdain for worldly possessions Vow of
Chastity Viewed as rising about the temptations of the flesh,
allowing a more personal connection with God Vow of Obedience To
Abbots and superiors Vow of Prayer Intended to bring him closer to
God and spiritual satisfaction
Slide 3
A monk there was, one of the finest sort who rode the country;
hunting was his sport. A manly man, to be an Abbot able; Many a
dainty horse he had in stable. His bridle, when he rode, a man
might hear Jingling in a whistling wind as clear, Aye, as loud as
does the chapel bell Where my lord Monk was the Prior of the cell.
Abbot: Head of a monastery Prior: usually the rank below Abbot
Hunting
Slide 4
The rule of good Saint Benet or Saint Maur As old and strict he
tended to ignore; He let go by the things of yesterday and took the
modern worlds more spacious way. He did not rate that text at
plucked hen Which says that hunters are not holy men Saint Benet
(St. Benedict): Wrote a set of regulations for monasteries. Saint
Maur (St. Maurice): One of his disciples Disregard for
tradition
Slide 5
And that a monk uncloistered is a mere fish out of water,
flapping on a pier, that is to say a monk out of his cloister. That
was a text he held not worth and oyster; And I agreed and said his
views were sound; Was he to study till his head went round pouring
over books in the cloisters? Must he toil as Austin bade and till
the very soil? Was he to leave the world upon the shelf? Let Austin
have his labor himself. Cloister: a secluded place in a monastery,
often used for private prayer Austin: Saint Augustine, One of the
First Christian authors, Criticized the laziness of monks
Slide 6
This monk was therefore a good man to horse; Greyhounds he had,
as swift as birds, to course. Hunting a hare or riding at a fence
was all his fun, he spared for no expense.
Slide 7
I saw his sleeves were garnished at the hand with fine gray
fur, the finest in the land, and on his hood, to fasten it at his
chin he had a wrought-gold cunningly fashioned pin; Into s lovers
knot it seemed to pass. His head was bald and shone like looking
glass; So did his face, as if it had been greased. He was a fat and
personable priest; Luxury Lovers knot
Slide 8
His prominent eyeballs never seemed to settle. They glittered
like the flames beneath the kettle; Supple his boots, his horse in
fine condition. He was a prelate fit for exhibition, He was not
pale like a tormented soul. He liked a far swan best, and roasted
whole. His palfrey was as brown as is a berry. Prelate: someone
with a high position in the church Palfrey: a horse for riding for
sport rather than battle
Slide 9
General Analysis The monk, clearly did not follow the typical
ideals of someone in his position. It is arguable that he broke
every monastic oath. Poverty He enjoyed things such as fine horses,
fine clothing, and hunting dogs. Prayer He does not stay refined to
the monastery and insists that prayers be left for the old
fashioned. Obedience He blatantly disregards tradition and does not
live according to the rules of the monastery. Chastity Though it is
not as blantant as the others, its is suggeseted that the Monk had
some romantic entanglement (Lovers knot)
Slide 10
Chaucers View? The description of the Monk is reflective of the
corruption of the church during this time. Respect?