Canterbury Tales Greed

Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales introduces readers to a doctor who might be viewed as greedy. According to the textbook, the Doctor enjoys money. Medieval Life and Times website says what a typical doctor during Chaucer’s era was like. George A. Renn, III argues that the Doctor is not actually as greedy as he seems. The “Doctor’s Tale” revolves around how selfishness can hurt others. The Doctor in the general prologue allows Chaucer to portray greed. Chaucer’s Doctor is shown to be good at what he does but also greedy. The Doctor had a deal to help make extra money. Chaucer says that the apothecaries “were ready with the drugs he would prescribe and each made money from the other’s guile.” This shows that they made money giving people
To become a physician in medieval times, a person had to study various medical authorities. Linda Alchin stated “beliefs about the causes of illnesses were based on the ancient teachings of Aristotle and Hippocrates.” The Doctor from the Canterbury Tales knew the teachings of both of these as well as other people. Medieval doctors did not have medical equipment to diagnose patients, so they had other ways of making a diagnosis. “Medieval Doctors related the Humors to the condition or illness of the patient and treated them accordingly” (Alchin). The Canterbury Tales’ Doctor knew the four humors. Doctors also used astronomy to help figure out patients’ illnesses and treatment. “The astrological signs of the zodiac were also thought to be associated with certain humours,” said Linda Alchin. Chaucer’s Doctor had studied medical authorities, knew astronomy, and understood the humors. Medieval doctors had to do a lot of
The story starts with the judge seeing a girl he decides he wants. “He sends for the town’s most disreputable blackguard, Claudius, and pays him to take part in a scheme to capture the girl’ (Cliffsnotes). Cliffsnotes says “Claudius falsely accuses Virginius of having stolen a servant girl from his house many years ago and keeping her all these years pretending that she is his daughter.” The judge demands the girl to be brought to court. The knight tells his daughter that she must either die or be shamed by Claudius and the corrupt judge. She wishes to remain a virgin, so she chooses death. Her father cuts off her head and gives it to the judge who sentences him to death. The citizens defend the knight and imprison the judge. “Claudius is to be hanged, but the knight pleads mercy and suggests exile instead,” said Cliffsnotes. The greed and actions of one selfish man lead to an innocent person’s death. The Doctor in The Canterbury Tales is portrayed by Chaucer as greedy and self-serving. The textbook shows his greed by discussing his love of gold. The role of a typical physician in Chaucer’s era is described by the Medieval Life and Times website. Some people, such as George A. Renn, III, believe that Chaucer’s Doctor was typical and not greedy. In his tale, the Doctor discusses the side effects of selfishness. Even though Chaucer’s depiction of the Doctor is of one who is