The General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales

Poetry | Geoffrey Chaucer

How does Chaucer present good clergymen in 'The Prologue?

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How does Chaucer present good clergymen in 'The Prologue Geoffrey Chaucer - shows that not all churchmen are corrupt Some are truly good pure and faithful In The General Prologue he praises the Parson the Clerk of Oxford and the Ploughman Through them Chaucer presents true religion honest work and humble service to God The Parson The Parson is the best example of a good priest He is poor in money but rich in faith He loves God with all his heart Chaucer says about him Riche he was of hooly thoght and werk He was rich in holy thought and work He teaches the Bible in a true way He does not run after gold or fame He stays in his village and cares for his people He walks to visit the sick and sad He is kind gentle and humble He never speaks proudly He does his duty

with honesty Among all the pilgrims he is the most holy and pure His life shows what a real priest should be The Clerk of Oxford The Clerk of Oxford is poor but good He loves studying more than money He spends all he has on books He learns with great care and teaches with joy So Chaucer says And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche And gladly would he learn and gladly teach He speaks little but always speaks wisely His life is simple and pure He is not proud or greedy He prays through learning and lives with peace He shows that true knowledge is also a way to serve God The Ploughman The Ploughman brother of the Parson is a good Christian worker He loves God with all his heart and loves his neighbour too He works hard and helps others without pay He pays his taxes honestly He rides in simple clothes on a small horse His pure heart shows that a poor man can also be holy Through the Parson Clerk and Ploughman Chaucer shows real faith and goodness They are honest wise and kind In a world full of greed they shine like true servants of God

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Geoffrey Chaucer
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from The General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales