|
The below is a sample preview of the full essay that is available in our database. To see
the full paper, just register for a free account. You get
access to thousands of example term papers in our super free essay database without paying
a cent.
|
Beginning of Paper
Canterbury Tales: Power Corrupts
The pilgrims in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales exhibit human characteristics ranging from righteousness to corruption. Two of the pilgrims, the Clerk and Frere (Friar) demonstrate traits on opposite ends of the spectrum of human nature. The Clerk, wishing to educate h ....
|
|
Middle of Paper
.... taken a vow to poverty and preaching, added as part of his “job” begging people for money. He knew all the gossip about what was going on in the four orders of Friars. The Friar would find husbands for his ex-mistress at his “owene cost” (Prologue, line 213) and would find himself new women to entertain. He was also licensed to hear confessions and give absolution in cases beyond the jurisdiction of the parish priest. This gave him immense power over other people lives. He would grant people penance if they were willing to “donate” money and luxuries to him, even though ....
|
|
|