Prioress In The Canterbury Tales
Expectations vs. Reality of the Prioress
In The Canterbury Tales Prologue, Geoffrey Chaucer introduces many characters that
play a significant role in the Medieval society. While some characters represent their position
well, many do not follow certain rules and codes that are required by their occupation.
Specifically, the nunnery requires a prioress to follow many vows, wear certain clothing, and
perform various religious acts. Chaucer describes certain manners and habits of the Prioress,
Madame Eglantyne, in order to show her non-fulfillment of these requirements. In order to fully
understand her, the readers must know the reasons that women entered nunneries, the duties of a
prioress, and the forbidden luxuries.
The economic …show more content…
Her accessories such as her
golden brooch show her failure in following the Vow of Poverty (Chaucer 158). Also, "Amor
vincit omnia" was engraved on her brooch which shows her secular love instead of spiritual love
(Chaucer 160). This shows her lack of following the Vow of Chastity. Along with the vows, the
prioress had many duties. She was held responsible for "managing internal affairs of her Abbey
as well as of contacts with the outside", discipling, and organizing the convent (Zatta). The
nunnery offered her much freedom. But, this liberty led to many temptations (Power 59). First,
luxury and independence tempted many (Power 60). Some also were tempted to "rule like an
autocrat, instead of consulting [their] sisters" (Power 60). For an example, many complained that
the prioress kept the common seal in her own custody (Power 64). Lastly, the rules forbid her to
express favoritism (Power 60). Often, the prioress invited nuns to dine with her (Power 61). A
group accompanies her on trips due to the unfitness of traveling alone, but obviously Madame
Eglantyne did not follow this trend. (Zatta). She most likely absented herself because of
In The Canterbury Tales Prologue, Geoffrey Chaucer introduces many characters that
play a significant role in the Medieval society. While some characters represent their position
well, many do not follow certain rules and codes that are required by their occupation.
Specifically, the nunnery requires a prioress to follow many vows, wear certain clothing, and
perform various religious acts. Chaucer describes certain manners and habits of the Prioress,
Madame Eglantyne, in order to show her non-fulfillment of these requirements. In order to fully
understand her, the readers must know the reasons that women entered nunneries, the duties of a
prioress, and the forbidden luxuries.
The economic …show more content…
Her accessories such as her
golden brooch show her failure in following the Vow of Poverty (Chaucer 158). Also, "Amor
vincit omnia" was engraved on her brooch which shows her secular love instead of spiritual love
(Chaucer 160). This shows her lack of following the Vow of Chastity. Along with the vows, the
prioress had many duties. She was held responsible for "managing internal affairs of her Abbey
as well as of contacts with the outside", discipling, and organizing the convent (Zatta). The
nunnery offered her much freedom. But, this liberty led to many temptations (Power 59). First,
luxury and independence tempted many (Power 60). Some also were tempted to "rule like an
autocrat, instead of consulting [their] sisters" (Power 60). For an example, many complained that
the prioress kept the common seal in her own custody (Power 64). Lastly, the rules forbid her to
express favoritism (Power 60). Often, the prioress invited nuns to dine with her (Power 61). A
group accompanies her on trips due to the unfitness of traveling alone, but obviously Madame
Eglantyne did not follow this trend. (Zatta). She most likely absented herself because of