Canterbury Tales
by: Taylor Miller
The Parson
- The Parson is a member of the clergy and especially a Protestant pastor.
- In The Canterbury Tales, the audience receives a tone from Chaucer that is relatively favoring of the Parson and his actions.
Quotes
- "A holy-minded man of good renown There was, and poor, the Parson to a town, Yet he was rich in holy thought and work" (Chaucer 136).
- "He hated cursing to extort a fee, Nay rather he preferred beyond a doubt Giving to poor parishioners round about" (Chaucer 1360
- "In sickness or in grief, to pay a call On the remotest, whether great or small, Upon his feet, and in his hand a stave. This noble example to his sheep he gave" (Chaucer 136).
Chaucer's Attitude
- Unlike the Friar or the Monk, who fail to practice what they preach, the Parson lives the Gospel he teaches by being holy and virtuous in all things, giving to the poor while he himself lives a life of poverty, and visiting his widely-spaced parishioners, rain or shine.
- Many parish priests at this time period chose to take a "benefice," or position far away from their parish. This was a way for a priest to make much more money, by rejecting this option, the Parson shows that he is willing to sacrifice his own comfort to do his job as a shepherd of souls.