The Canterbury Tales: The Friar

Vocabulary

• Glib: fluent and voluble but insincere and shallow
• Penitents: a person who repents their sins or wrongdoings and (in the Christian Church) seeks forgiveness from God.
• Absolution: formal release from guilt, obligation, or punishment.
• Tippet: a woman's long fur scarf or shawl worn around the neck and shoulders.
• Lepers: a person suffering from leprosy.

Direct Characterization

• ”Wanton one and Merry… A very festive fellow.” Lines 212-213
• ”Finest beggar of his batch.” Line 256

Indirect characterization

• Loves to sing and play hurdy-gurdy. Line 240
• Is always cheerful to people. Line 254
• Only gives repentance to those who could afford it. Line 253

Prologue In Modern English (Lines 208-234)

• A friar there was, a wanton and a merry, A limiter, a very festive man. In all the Orders Four is none that can Equal his gossip and his fair language. He had arranged full many a marriage Of women young, and this at his own cost. Unto his order he was a noble post. Well liked by all and intimate was he With franklins everywhere in his country, And with the worthy women of the town: For at confessing he'd more power in gown (As he himself said) than it good curate, For of his order he was licentiate. He heard confession gently, it was said, Gently absolved too, leaving naught of dread. He was an easy man to give penance When knowing he should gain a good pittance; For to a begging friar, money given Is sign that any man has been well shriven. For if one gave (he dared to boast of this), He took the man's repentance not amiss. For many a man there is so hard of heart He cannot weep however pains may smart. Therefore, instead of weeping and of prayer, Men should give silver to poor friars all bare. His tippet was stuck always full of knives And pins, to give to young and pleasing wives.

A modern day Friar.