Preview

Doctors Tale in Canterbury Tales

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1002 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Doctors Tale in Canterbury Tales
My Preference of The Doctor’s Tale

The tale that I selected to read was the astronomy practicing Physician. This story of love, in hatred and bigotry was extremely interesting to read however, on the same note the wording was tremendously derived in Middle English tone which made a few sections difficult to understand and comprehend. The non-bible reading doctor’s tale is interesting from beginning to end, he paints a vivid picture of all his characters and there attributes using immense direct and indirect characterization. The strong connection of injustice and segregation of the lower classes made the tale even more appealing to read because the story helped me envision what the world around the pilgrims was like during these times. From line to line his style and wording made the poem flow beautifully enriching the story as the account continued. One distinct aspect about this tale which truly made me be fond of the story has to be the amazing way the Doctor used characterization to develop his characters. For instance, when depicting Sir Viginius’s daughter Virginia the Physician used nature promptly in the spectacular woman’s description, “It seems that Nature thus would say. This maid was fourteen years of age, this may. In whom Dame Nature had so great delight. For just as she can paint a lily white or even redden a rose, even with such a stroke. She did this creature by her art evoke.” These lines indirectly show the readers of how majestic and lovely Virginia was in all her splendor. Another feature that the prefect practicing Physician as Chaucer calls him uses to describe Virginia is by explaining how she acquired her unfeigned beauty using symbolism. For example, “And Phoebus dyed her long hair with such magnanimous gold as have his burning streamers manifold.” Phoebus was the sun God of the Greeks and the Doctor uses his symbolism to make his audience understand how radiant, bright, and wondrously gold Virginuis’s daughter’s hair truly is.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Surgeon as Priest Essay

    • 1505 Words
    • 7 Pages

    In the “Surgeon as Priest,” Richard Selzer dives into the religious and scientific aspects of being a surgeon. He explores and divides the certain aspects of “healing” into five parts, each section demonstrating the different perspectives on healing (spiritually & scientifically) that eventually builds the metaphorical bridge between surgeon and priest. With the use of figurative language and other rhetorical devises, he connects each section of his essay to show his transformation from a scientific healer to a spiritual healer.…

    • 1505 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The Knights tale was the first and best tale told in The Canterbury Tales and I think it should…

    • 950 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    During the reign of Henry VIII (1485-1509) in England, the royal confiscation of monastic land s and church properties put a huge crutch on the entire charitable system. Between 1536 and 1544, one would have to search far and wide for medical help, and there was absolutely no help for indigent people in the city of London. In 1569, royal hospitals were finally restored, including Christ's Hospital for Children, St. Mary's of Bethlem for mental cases, and general hospitals such as St. Bartholomew's and St. Thomas'. However, hospitals were not the only options for a sick individual. Queen Elizabeth I's reign (1558-1603) brought the restoration of general charity, and there were many types of professionals and individuals to turn to for seeking medicals attention. As a result of this broad spectrum of medical choices, a mixture of the theory of Humors, the Doctrine of Signatures, astrology, tradition, chemical science, and magic became the basis…

    • 891 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The most followed medical theory during the Elizabethan era was Galen 's teachings that living things were composed of "humors", or…

    • 1400 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Medieval people viewed physicians in many ways depending on whether on that physician’s gender, religion, and level of education. It not only depended on the physician, but on the person. People differed in economic status and location.…

    • 531 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer's descriptive technique used to present the Reeve emphasized his physical characteristics as well as the success he attained in his occupation. It is evident that Chaucer gives two different perceptions of the Reeve, one perception is of his physical makeup and the other is of his success achieved in his occupation. In Chaucer's introduction of the Reeve, he immediately begins with the Reeve's physical makeup, as shown in this excerpt from The Canterbury Tales: "His beerd was shave as neigh as evere he can; His heer was by his eres ful round yshorn; His top was dokked lik a preest biforn; Ful longe were his legges and ful lene, Ylik a staf, ther was no calf yseene (590-594).…

    • 809 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Directions: The narrator of a story is the character or voice that tells the story to the reader. The narrator often reveals his or her own personality through the telling of the story. In her tale, the Wife of Bath offers her views on certain topics. Summarize each plot event in the chart then explain what each reveals about the narrator’s beliefs.…

    • 507 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Canterbury Tales Satire

    • 1106 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Satire is defined as the use of humor, exaggeration, or irony to describe someone. In “The Canterbury Tales” written by Geoffrey Chaucer, satire is used often. CHaucer uses satire to describe a Prioress (nun), a Cook, and a Friar. Compared to these people today, the features Chaucer gives them do not match up.…

    • 1106 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    One of the most distinguishable points of Chaucer's writing in The Canterbury Tales, is his ability to build a character and then portray that same character through the stories his characters tell. This is exemplified in the tales of the Wife of Bath, the Miller, and the Manciple. Their stories elucidate their personalities and beliefs, whether deliberately or inadvertently.…

    • 1279 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    During the Medieval time period, deaths from diseases were common and widespread. The impact throughout Europe impacted the economy and family matters. Some took the initiative to find cures and care for the sick. New advances in medicine was common but still unable to cure all of the sick Many of these diseases could have been prevented with proper hygienic, something as uncommon and not thought out back in the middle Ages. People of that time period also overlooked simple solutions, which could have potentially saved millions of lives.…

    • 1435 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Canterbury Tales

    • 649 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Geoffrey Chaucer was famous for his Canterbury Tales. I am selecting actors and actresses in which I believe would best fit four of Chaucer’s pilgrims’ personalities. Elizabeth Taylor, Gordon Ramsey, Carol Christine Hilaria Pounder, and Atticus Shaffer will be playing the roles of the Wife of Bath, the Cook, the Nun, and the Oxford Cleric…

    • 649 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Canterbury Tales

    • 1291 Words
    • 6 Pages

    In The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer, each character, such as the Pardoner, Wife of Bath, and the Franklin, epitomizes their spirit and reputation through the tales they tell. The Pardoner uses his tale as a gimmick to make money, because he is a greedy man. The way his tale illustrates each sin, every listener can relate to the three brothers and feel their guilt. The Wife of Bath’s Tale expresses her own values in the way the Knight is given a second chance after raping the young virgin. This greatly undermines her idea of the value of women. Because the Wife of Bath is so sexual, and lacks respect for her self, the Knight’s actions and forgiveness represent her own attitude on men versus women. Lastly, The Franklin’s tale, because of it’s simplicity and honesty in the way the wife stayed true to her husband, is a direct representation of Franklin’s trouble-free and joyful lifestyle. He prefers things without trouble or conflict, which is the tone of the story. Each character tells a tale that is and appropriate match to their persona.…

    • 1291 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Satire in Canterbury Tales

    • 1030 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The aim of any true satirical work is to poke fun at a certain aspect of society, while also inspiring reform to that very same aspect in one way or another. In Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, Chaucer satirizes the Medieval Church and those associated with the church. Medieval society was centered largely around the Church. Ideally, the people were expected to understand that earthly possessions were meaningless when compared to the prospect of closeness with God. Man was expected to work until he died, at which time he would receive eternal salvation. This eternal salvation was achieved by obeying God's commandments. This theory, however, was becoming progressively corrupted as hypocrisy began to pollute the Church, particularly at the higher levels. Chaucer recognized this degradation of religious ideals. He exposes this in his prologue by skillfully and subtly satirizing the religious figures. Using a unique view of ‘Chaucer the Pilgrim' to describe them, he points out that certain characters are not as they should be. The characters that Chaucer uses to satirize the Church are the Monk, the Friar, and the Pardoner. Chaucer does not criticize them openly, however. Chaucer simply emphasizes qualities that, although favorable to the character's general personality, are not consistent with the expectations of their position. Chaucer highlights characteristics in these figures that portray them as good people, but calls attention to the fact that they do not act in a religious manner. Chaucer does respect the fact, however, that some degree of virtue remains in the church. This is represented by the Parson, who was "a holy-minded man of good renown," "first following the word before he taught it." It is clear that Chaucer saw the problem of the Church as being hypocritical.…

    • 1030 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    This representation can translate to suggest Suskind’s perspective towards the supporters of the medical experimentation. The significance of the character, of the Marquis lies in his role of helping Grenouille realise the importance of appearance. Furthermore, this character is also key to Suskind's exploration of Enlightenment. The Marquis' character acts as a hyperbolic example of the acceptance of the age of reason. This is evident in the quote “The earth itself constantly emits a corrupting gas, a so-called fluidum letale… which is why their most valuable parts are lifted heavenwards: the ears of grain, the blossom of flowers, the head of man” (Suskind 145). This quote explains the Marquis’ new scientific theory. Suskind directly critiques the Marquis through his use of dramatic irony. This is because both the reader and the writer know this theory is false. As a result, the character of the Marquis is cast as gullible. Suskind is artfully setting the reader up to also disagree with those who accept enlightenment. Moreover, Suskind uses dark humour when the Marquis “wanted to become borne to the summit at nine thousand feet and left there in the sheerest, finest vitale air for three whole weeks, whereupon, he announced, he would descend from the mountain precisely on Christmas Eve a strapping lad of twenty” (Suskind 167). Suskind’s…

    • 1639 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In the prologue of “Canterbury Tales” Chaucer gives certain values to characters. One can see what Chaucer’s values were from the way he described the characters. One could see who he favored in the story by the way he described them. He had a multitude of different personalities in the story. There is a personality for most anyone. In the prologue of “Canterbury Tales” Chaucer uses certain words to give values to the characters.…

    • 363 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays