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Canterbury Tales

Contents

Context
Author
Characters
Introduction
Knights Tale
Millers Tale
Reeve's Tale
Cooks Tale
Man of Laws Tale
Wife of Baths Tale
The Friar's Tale
Summoners Tale
Clerk's Tale
Merchant's Tale
Squire's Tale
Franklin's Tale
Physician's Tale
Pardoner's Tale
Shipman's Tale
Prioress Tale
Tale of Sir Topas
Monks Tale
Nun's Priest's Tale
Second Nun's Tale
Canon Yeoman's Tale
Manciple's Tale
Parson's Sermon
Conclusion
Questions  

 


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THE PARSON’S SERMON

Summary

The Parson advises that it is God’s desire that all men should travel to the celestial city and not perish in the fires of hell. 

There are many ways in which to travel to paradise.  One way is through penitence, lamenting for sin and sinning no more. 

He then details some of the sins man should avoid, such as envy, sloth, gluttony, and lechery, all of which have appeared in the tales told by the Pilgrims. 

He urges that those present should confess their sins freely and obtain satisfaction and God’s grace by the giving of alms to the poor, doing penance for sins committed, and fasting.

 

Interpretation

It is clear that Chaucer is trying to make amends for the way in which he has represented the church through some of the Pilgrims present.

 It is also clear that the tales told by the Pilgrims concerning the church indicate that in Medieval times there was much corruption evident within the Ecclesiastical system.

The final tale, from the Parson, provides a high moral tone, and shows that at least some members of the church do actually carry out God’s work and are not in it for their own purposes.

 The Sermon was actually the work of two 13th Century Dominican Friars, and is not Chaucer’s own work.
 




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