Pride Versus Love Essay, Research Paper
All Things Are Subject to Love:
Pride Versus Love
In the description of the Prioress found in the prologue of The Canterbury
Tales, Chaucer depicts this woman as one who would appear to on-lookers as
being mannerly, becoming, and pleasant. The phrase where Chaucer wrote “She
was a great delight, and always tried, To imitate court ways, and had her
pride” would indicate that not only did the Prioress place a great deal of
importance on her outward appearance but that she also took pride in it as
well. (1, 1174) This might lead the reader to consider that Chaucer is
creating a possibility within the prologue that the Prioress might practice
her religion in a hypocritical fashion. The tale of the Prioress begins
with her praying in such an outlandish manner that it also leaves the
indication of being for show rather than for true devoted worship and praise
directed to God. (2, 186-187)
From the inscription “All things are subject to love” found upon her brooch
to her sympathetic feelings concerning the lowliest of creatures, Chaucer
defines the Prioress inwardly as one who based the true measure of
Christianity upon love and good deeds done to others in need. (1, 1175) An
emphasis is made in the prologue concerning the fact that the Prioress is
only mentioned to hold tender, compassionate feelings for defenseless
creatures. “As for charity and tender feelings, She melted at whatever was
piteous.” Therefore, it could be concluded that while the Prioress is
concerned with helpless creatures, she has little or no concern for those in
society who would be her equals. (Chaucer 1, 1174) However, it is possible
that by her actions and words the Prioress is still trying to display her
great compassion towards those lower than her and thus is doing it for
self-glory and satisfaction. Chaucer in some ways leaves the reader to make
the final judgment concerning the intent of the Prioress. Throughout his
description and the tale it can be inferred that Chaucer felt it was
important for one who professed Christianity to not only worship in deed but
also in heart as well.
Despite any possible dispute about whether or not the Prioress is inspired
to good deeds out of pride or out of pure intent of the heart, the story she
tells reinstates the concept of “All things are subject to love” and the
idea that she is sympathetic to lowly creatures. Chaucer begins by using a
child who lives with only his widow mother and attends a nearby Catholic
school as the main character. Like the animals the Prioress feels pity for
in the prologue, this boy also probably would be considered a “lowly
creature.” In the prologue Chaucer wrote ” She would weep if she but came
upon a mouse Caught in a trap, if it were dead and bleeding.” (1, 1174)
This scenario is used somewhat as a story line for the tale because the boy
is used as the sympathetic character who dies unjustly. This poor boy was
very devoted to his faith and always eager to learn more about God so that
he could worship him better. However, he was persecuted and eventually
killed by some Jews who hated him for his religion because they considered
it to be in opposition to the Jewish religion. In some ways Chaucer
presented forth a concept that even though the Jews felt in their hearts
that they were religious and “in tune” with God, they had no happiness and
no true qualities that would indicate a real relationship with their Maker.
On the other hand, the boy was very humble in every way, truly sought to
worship his God and found happiness in praising God with a devoted heart and
voice in life and in death.
It is obvious throughout the descriptions of the various characters as well
as the tales found within The Canterbury Tales that Chaucer wants to show
how individuals involved in the church were often overcome by the appearance
of religion rather than the existence of true religious devotion. From a
“glance”, the Prioress is shown to be quite perfected in all her ways and as
a result prideful as well. At closer inspection, however, the Prioress is
given deeper qualities through her compassion for lowly creatures. It is
possible that through this compassion and feeling that she lives her life
according to the inscription “All things are subject to love.” Still, it is
unclear to determine exactly whether or not the compassion she shows is out
of pride to “show out for others” or if it indeed is inspired solely by
love.
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