Two Captivating Lecture Topics
From the lectures on The Canterbury Tales, given the opportunity, I would like to further explore two main points that stuck with me across both lectures. In his lecture titled “Chaucer’s World” on October 2, 2018, Dr. Doubleday examined how Chaucer employs ridicule in a mirthful style to break down the social hierarchical boundaries that existed during his time period. During this era, a three estate social system was dominant with aristocrats at the top, followed by the clergy, and finally the peasants. Each estate had a specific role and members of the estates were expected to behave or act in a certain way. However, in the General Prologue, Chaucer portrays many characters who do not fit the norm according to their place and role in society. For instance, when describing the prioress, who is a nun, Chaucer writes “Whose smile was unaffected and demure… And she spoke French well and elegantly” (Chaucer 6). Although the prioress should be more devoted to Christ and concerned about religious affairs, Chaucer focuses on the prioress’s appearance and other qualities such as her “smile” and her multilingualism. Overall, the prioress is illustrated as well-bred and ladylike, emblematic of her elite social status as explained by Dr. Doubleday and thus, the prioress is breaking the boundaries of how she is expected to act. Interestingly, it seems as if Chaucer enjoys describing the prioress; he uses a very lighthearted, mirthful writing style. In creating a jovial mood, Chaucer suggests that the prioress’s deviation from her role as a nun is not necessarily bad and that individuals should not be bound by societal expectations. Had Chaucer used a more direct, upfront, or criticizing style, the reader may have interpreted this as Chaucer not accepting of the prioress; however, Chaucer pokes fun of her with amusement to imply that he does not feel this way. Chaucer’s motives relate to another key part of Dr. Doubleday’s lecture: Chaucer and his belief of tolerance. Chaucer lived in a hybrid world characterized by border crossing and fusion, leading him to be tolerant of differences and many of the characters, like the prioress, from the General Prologue. In the contemporary world, this can be connected to many singers today who stand for cultural fusion and encourage diversity. In their songs, however, rather than take an upfront approach, they hide their meaning behind deeper lyrics, similar to what Chaucer does by being mirthful.
Holloway, Julia. “Benedictine Prioress’ Tale Tells an Analogue of William of Norwich.” CONVENTS, COURTS AND COLLEGES: THE PRIORESS AND THE SECOND NUN .
From Dr. Lay’s lecture, titled “Narrative Transgressions and Chaucer’s Man of Law’s Tale” on October 4, 2018, the idea that Constance ended up as the true “winner” despite all the suffering she faces fascinated me. Due to the miserable position Constance was put in, I did not analyze this tale from an angle favoring Constance. Dr. Lay’s presentation, however, opened my mind to a new perspective that showed me all that Constance gained. In her lecture, Dr. Lay mentioned how the Syrians had to change for her and stated that “Constance will dominate her husband” (Lay, “Narrative Transgressions and Chaucer’s Man of Law’s Tale” 10/4/18). Throughout the tale, Constance is generally associated with being passive; she does not play an active role in taking control of her life. Yet without any preaching or active notions, she is able to cause a conversion to Christianity, win over her husband, and maintain her virtues while overcoming serious adversity. Even though Constance suffers and remains unassertive, she can be considered the true victor in many respects. This concept led me to connect this tale to the Book of Ezekiel, in which Ezekiel must bear the punishment for the Israelites. Although he must suffer, in the end, he is successful as a prophet since he is able to establish the connection between God and the exiles, similar to Constance’s eventual success. Overall, I would love to delve deeper into this idea.
“Christian Cross over Beautiful Sky Background Concept of Religion.” The Evidence for Christianity Is like a Tsunami, Fox News.
Works Cited:
Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Canterbury Tales. Translated by David Wright, Oxford University Press, 2011.
Doubleday, Simon. “Chaucer’s World.” Culture & Expression. 2 Oct. 2018.
Lay, Ethna D. “Narrative Transgressions and Chaucer’s Man of Law’s Tale.” Culture & Expression. 4 Oct. 2018.
Borderless Butterfly 