Monasticism in Late Medieval Literature

Monasticism in the Late Medieval Literature
The Canterbury Tales

Table of Contents

I. The Reason of Topic Selection

II. Background Information
-Introduction of the Monastic Life in Medieval England

III. The Literary Genre: Estates Satires

IV. The Discussions of the Monastic Characters in the Tales

V. Influences and Conclusion

VI. References

I. The Reason of Topic Selection
As I am taking a course of English Literature, I came across Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. And, it occurred to me that it can be an interesting idea to view upon this work in a different angle, namely the discussion of monasticism in this class. Therefore, my research aims to discuss the depictions and reflections of the monastic life of those characters in the Tales during the late medieval ages in England.

II. Background Information
-Introduction of the Monastic Life in Medieval England
In order to be able to see the differences or to be able to notice the ironies in the Tales, one must first understand what the rules were for the monastic figures, and what kind of lifestyle they were supposed or expected to be leading.
The monastic life consists of four vows—chastity, poverty, obedience and stability. That is, a monk or a nun should remain unmarried, own no private property, promise lifelong obedience to the rule of the monastery and to stay at the cloister if without permission to leave. While friars don’t vow on the last vow for they can travel around begging for offerings yet, they tend to stick to a stricter rules on poverty.
The daily routine of a medieval monastery was rather complex and it varied with the season of the year and to the life of the order. But the Augustinians and Benedictines are the concerns here because they were the most influential ones. According to the primitive Benedictine plan, there was only one meal in the winter, and fasting was carried out twice a week. A marked feature of monastic life was the extensive use of

References: S.H.Rigby 1996: S.H.Rigby, Chaucer in Context, Manchester, U.K.; New York: Manchester University Press Ecker & Crook 1993: Ronald L. Ecker & Eugene J. Crook, The Canterbury Tales Modern Translation: Hodge & Braddock Lauren Day 2011: Lauren Day, Chaucer 's Respectful Critique of Church Officials and Their Abuse of Power: Salve Regina University Silber 1995: Ilana Friedrich Silber, Virtuosity, Charisma, and Social Order: Cambridge University Press Dickinson 1961: J.C.Dickinson, Monastic Life in Medieval England, London: A. and C. Black Ltd Jill Mann 1973: Jill Mann, Chaucer and Medieval Estates Satire: Cambridge University Press Cooper 1989: Helen Cooper, Oxford Guides to Chaucer—The Canterbury Tales, United States: Oxford University Press