The Friar In Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales

The Friar is the least moral character of all the clergy members according to Chaucer’s “General Prologue”. Clergy members are religious characters who promise to follow four vows. However, many of the members actually immorally break these promises. These vows include poverty, chastity, obedience, and stability. The Friar breaks many of these promised vows, and is the most immoral clergy member in The Canterbury Tales. Here are a few examples. First off, Chaucer states that “instead of weeping and of prayer [o]ne should give silver for a poor Friar’s care” (Chaucer 235-236). This means that The Friar would only allow people to forgive their sins if they gave him money. This breaks the vow of poverty by practically stealing from people. Second,