Poetry - Monastic Vows of the Church

The monastic vows of the church outline the way a member of the clergy should live their life. These vows stress a life of poverty. In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer describes the clergy. His writings show that the higher ranking clergy members ignored their monastic vows, while the lower class clergy upheld their vow of poverty.

The higher ranking clergy members did not stay true to their vow of poverty. The Monk had Gray Hounds "as swift as birds"(194) and his sleeves were "garnished at the hand with fine gray fur"(197). The Monk spared no expense on the finer things in life. A clergy member should not be making purchases or participating in elite sports according to the tavern owner describing the Monk. The Friar as well lived with money on the mind. If he was sought for penance "Its a sure sign whenever gifts are given"(229). He chose to only help the rich and provide services that should be free, for money. The upper ranks of the clergy lived luxuriously, completely disregarding their vow of poverty.

Opposite of the aristocracy was the poorer clergy members, who took their vows of poverty with the upmost diligence. The Parson "was rich in holy thought"(489), otherwise he is poor. He wore poor clothing and did not spend money. He "preferred beyond a doubt giving to poor parishioners"(489). Unlike the Monk's wealthier clergymen, such as the Monk, and Friar, he helped who needed him, not who would offer him more money. According to Chaucer, the lower class clergy members fulfills their monastic vows better than the aristocracy.

Chaucer's views on the church vary with the social economic status of each member of the church. The higher you go the less that you are true to your vows. The lower class follows their vow of poverty much more closely than than Aristocracy. 8714