Canterbury Tales and Biblical Allusions - Literature Essay Sample

It can be connoted that it is an innate characteristic of the human to attempt to define things, identify new boundaries in a continuous process of trying to comprehend their surroundings. In the same vein, humans try to redefine existent notions and subjects to comprehend their meanings, origins better and define who they are. In this light, writers from time immemorial have tried to shed new opinions and perspectives as concerns ideas and individuals who were well-thought to be known. Markedly, George Chaucer through his Canterbury Tales redefined the connection between humanity and God and directed respectful criticisms of Church leadership. The paper is purposed at giving comparisons of the Canterbury tales to Biblical references on various themes such as marriage and leadership.

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On this note, it can be denoted that it is a difficult endeavor to attempt to fashion any kind of argument by using the Bible. This is because the Bible is characterized by variant perceptions and interpretations such as its vagueness and the cultural background of the reader. However, there are various consistent themes such as marriage and the Sacred Writ which remain consistent through the generations. In this regard, George Chaucer frequently alludes to marriage in the Canterbury Tales in accordance with the Bible. Therefore, it is important to highlight how various characters such as in the Clerks Tale, fulfill Biblical references as concerns the roles assigned to marriage partners.

Marriage

It can be highlighted that the first mention and reference made to Biblical scripture is the Wife of Baths argumentation as concerns her numerous of marriages. In her argument, she makes references to different personalities in the Bible such as King Solomon and other personas including Abraham, Mark, and Jacob (Chaucer 55, 145, 56). Another obvious reference to the Bible is in the Prioress of Prorogue. She begins her Prolog by praising God, O Lord, Oure Lord, thy name how marvellous (Chaucer 19). In itself, the story about the Prioress is centered majorly on the Virgin Mary and the Christian notions. From this, it is possible to highlight that the mentioned tales are only part of the many in the Canterbury of tales. In addition, there is an underlying fact that presumes many religious connotations since all the characters were on a religious pilgrimage. The Nun, Friar Monk, the Pardoner and the Parson were religious clergy members and were highly detailed in Chaucers Canterbury tales.

Walter is introduced to the spectatorship as a pleasant character in the Clerk Tales. Nonetheless, one misgiving is attributed to his character- a refusal to marry. This disturbs his vassals as portrayed through the narration. However, in linking the situation to the New Testament, in 1st Corinthians 7:1, it is well stated that it is recommended for a man not to marry. However, the verse trudges on to the third verse to highlight the fact that there exists heightened immorality such that every man should marry (verse 3). Therefore, Walter finds himself a wife in Griselda. Griselda is depicted as the perfect wife (Chaucer 507-509) one as described in Proverbs 31: 10-12- a woman of good character. In verse, her value is compared to that of rubies and the confidence of the husband lacking nothing in value. On the other hand, the Chaucers narrator acclaims, His grace into lixel oxes stalle (Benson IV 206), which equates Griseldas attributes to those of Christ. It pleases Griselda to please her husband as the Church propagates. It is implicitly highlighted by Paul that wives should be submissive to their husbands as Christ was committed to the church (Ephesians 5:14).

Walter goes ahead to tempt his wife (Chaucer 451-452) Paul places much importance in loving ones wife as God loved the church. He goes ahead to put forward the notion that the husband should love their wives as they love their own bodies (Ephesians 5:25). In this regard, Walter does not act in accordance with the Bible and its teachings. In addition, Walter goes ahead to divorce his wife who is in contravention with Malachi 2:16 that refutes divorce blatantly. In Mark 10:11, Jesus highlights the fact that divorcing a woman is equivocal to committing adultery against her.

From this, it is evident that there exists a paradox. George Chaucer through the Clerks Tale sets up the ambiguities and shows a conflict in ideas. The wife remains loyal to the husband with the husband set as responsible for exposing the wife to temptations. The husband does not show love as required by the Bible. However, the same scriptures, advise the man not to marry. The Clerks Tales, directly and indirectly, can be seen to allude to the Bible in propagating various notions and in attempting to decipher the institution of marriage. A closer look at the rationale behind Walters motivation in testing Griselda can be said not to involve her vows per se. He fashions his corage, sadnesse and wommanheede to test her love and fidelity as promised prior to their marriage. In addition to her fidelity, Griselda is tested for her virtue as a woman. This can be equated to the absurdity that would be to leave a child with an individual convicted of human trafficking.

Church Leadership

In Matthew 7:15, Jesus is clear in handing a warning to His people to be weary of false ministers and prophets. The verse continues to describe the prophets as wolves cladded in sheeps clothing. Evidently, much of Christs teachings were centered on the confrontation of false teachings and religious leaders (Matt. 16:11-12, 23: 1-39). In Mathew 23:1-39, as mentioned, Jesus warns against acting as the Pharisees and Scribes do in practice but directs his flock to follow what they are told. In this, it is evident that there exist false leadership and notions propagated by the overseers of the church. The pardoner as depicted by Chaucer can be connoted to allude to these facts as defined by the Bible.

In medieval times, it was practice for individuals from the congregation, known as "pardoners," to offer liberalities for anything from absolution of somebody's transgressions to salvation from interminable punishment. In the Canterbury Tales, Chaucer displays the Pardoner as having elegant long blonde hair, wearing decent robes, and conveying with him a wide range of bombastic relics. This speaks to a takeoff from the conventional picture of a devout and poor friar with a shaved head wearing unobtrusive robes. Prior to the Pardoner starting his story of profound morality, he introduces it by openly conceding that he is a fake. He denotes that he is just in the absolving business for the cash and that he is blameworthy of greed. Chaucer presents him as a quack adulterated by voracity. From this, it can be highlighted that Chaucer alludes to the Bible in forwarding respectful criticism to church leadership.

Unlike the Friar or the Monk, Parsons presented a good imagery of how parish priests should be. The individual lives his life in accordance with the gospel and holds on to the motivation attributed to his character and behavior- if gold rust, what shal iren do (Benson 202)? It is meant to mean that if a leader of the flock is not able to live in accordance with the Bible, then it would be difficult for a layperson to do so. The Bible in 1st Timothy 3: 1-2 instructs each and every overseer to be beyond reproach, husband to one wife, sober, and with the ability to teach (International Bible Society). On this note, Parsons views his congregation as his flock and denounces the possibility of leadership from a sinful shepherd. On this note, Chaucer can be seen to highlight that a true Church leader should care for Christian souls and hence, a character that takes on preaching and leading the Christian flock seriously. As mentioned, in comparison of Parson with the Pardoner, Prioress, Friar, and the Monk make the characters look sinful and unfit for church leadership. On this note, Parsons Pilgrimage is essential for showing morality in a new light because without him; it would remain obscure of what a shepherd is required to be.

Conclusion

The paper clearly shows Chaucers Biblical allusions through the Canterbury of tales by using two distinct and consistent themes- marriage and church leadership. Traditionally, the institution of marriage has been a patriarchal one. From the notions propagated through the Clerks tales and Biblical allusions, a paradox can be assumed. In church leadership, through the Canterbury tales, both morality and immorality in church leadership is depicted and can be linked to Biblical teachings.

Work Cited

BIBLIOGRAPHY \l 1033 Benson , Larry. The Riverside Chaucer. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1987. Document.

Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Clerk's Tale, The Riverside Chaucer. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1987. Document.

International Bible Society. The Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984. Document.