Dating back to the Reformation in England, the Church has always been viewed as an institution known for its corruption. In discussing Chaucers" The Canterbury Tales, an interesting illustration of the Medieval Christian Church is presented. While people demanded more voice in the affairs of the government, the church became corrupt, this corruption also led to a more crooked society. This portrayal of the Medieval Church is also seen in London by Edward Rutherford, tracing its history through the years. In these novels we are presented with individuals in the Church, revealing corrupt practices as well as evidentiary contradictions within their characters.
In The Canterbury Tales, a great emphasis is placed on social status in society. To this descending social order Chaucer coupled a descending sense of morality. In this manner the theme of corruption in the Church is developed. The knight, who is of highest social rank, has nothing to do with the Church. Yet, he abides by his codes of chivalry, thus earning the highest moral rank among those on the pilgrimage. It is ironic that the Prioress, Pardoner and the Monk, those directly involved with the Church are of lower moral integrity than the knight. In accordance, the theme of corruption is introduced firsthand in the prologue.
In London, the theme of corruption is developed gradually throughout the book, intertwining the lives of the characters with the affairs of the Church. Rutherford reveals how each generation is continuously plagued by corruption in different aspects. He demonstrates the struggles between the Church and the Monarchy for power. He also portrays the Church as a moneymaking institution throughout history. This novel follows successive generations of eight families and the struggles they faced throughout history as a result of various downfalls.
In London the Church played a dominant role in the everyday lives of the people.
THE CORRUPTION OF CHRISTIANITY During the Feudal times, Christianity was faced with countless problems. ... These problems were brought onto the church, by the Church its self. ... This led to the eventual corruption of the priest. Kings controlled the Church Bishops. ... The corruption of Christianity reached its highest peak during this time. ...
Greed and Corruption in The Canterbury Tales Many of the religious characters in The Canterbury Tales represent character traits that are different from what is traditionally expected of them. ... The contrast between the wealth of the church and misery of the people was overwhelming. ... The Summoner is a church official who brings people accused of violating church law to special courts set up by the church. ... Chaucer wrote this tale to show how greedy and corrupt church officials were during the Middle Ages. ... The point Chaucer makes through the words of the Pardoner is that t...
The Protestant Reformation, led by German monk Martin Luther, was a movement in sixteenth century Europe to reform the Catholic Church (which hereafter will be referred to as the Church) by expunging corruption and restricting its power. ... The Papacy controlled so much wealth during the Renaissance that popes were "held up as heroes of art and splendor, and as the very model and definition of corruption.... As the Reformation spread and grew, the Church received lots of reprimand for collecting annates, as it was an act of corruption and oppression. ... Kings also wanted to use church-o...
The next argument against that the works of Erasmus did not undermine the Church is that Erasmus did not criticize the idea of Church but the members of Church because their actions, especially linked with the corruption. For example, Pope Alexander VI epitomized of this corruption, he lived in luxurious conditions, also used money to buy a seat of Pope. ... Therefore, Erasmus wanted to reform the Church and avoid this opportunity for the members of Church. ... All in all, on the one hand, the works of Erasmus undermined the Church because he claimed that there was no need in praying and anot...
Ironically, the clergy members, who should be a shining illustration of Christian morality and compassion, serve as glowing examples of the decadence and corruption of the Medieval Church. ... This is in direct disobedience of the vow of celibacy he took upon being ordained into the church. ... The corruption of the Catholic Church is never more evident than in the greed and dishonesty it is drowning in. ... Thorough Chaucer's detailed character descriptions; the reader easily identifies the decadence and corruption prevailing in the Church. This concealed criticism is much more effec...
Ironically, the clergy members, who should be a shining illustration of Christian morality and compassion, serve as glowing examples of the decadence and corruption of the Medieval Church. ... This is in direct disobedience of the vow of celibacy he took upon being ordained into the church. ... The corruption of the Catholic Church is never more evident than in the greed and dishonesty it is drowning in. ... Thorough Chaucer's detailed character descriptions; the reader easily identifies the decadence and corruption prevailing in the Church. This concealed criticism is much more effec...
Was the Medieval Church Corrupt or Following in Line in the Struggle of Good vs. ... It is stated that corruption and the wealth or luxuries of monastic orders and/or monks themselves was practically tradition. ... Benedict XI was John's successor (1334-1342), and was in tune with the ending of nepotism, corruption, and malpractice among clergy. ... Western Schism (1378-1417) is also another example cited as a way to show the corruption of the medieval church. ... The question is proposed; was the medieval church corrupt? ...
More corruption of Judaism is seen in Bible in chapter 12 of Numbers. ... These men later became the seeds of corruption in Christianity. ... From the fourth century on to the fifteenth century, Western Europe was dominated by the Catholic Church, while Eastern Europe was dominated by The Orthodox Church. These churches held absolute power over the people and the government, and anyone who resisted the churches" teachings was subject to harsh persecution, or death. ... The reform movement lead to the creation of the Protestant Church, which was a Protestant brand of Christianity. ...
He introduced a hierarchy way of organizing the Church. Church officers would now appoint other church officers rather than Lords or Kings as previously. Pope Leo IX, considered it a corruption of the Church for clergyman to be married, and this was done away with. ... As the power of the northern city-states grew, the Papacy increasingly became the seat of an international politician rather than a spiritual leader, and many pontiffs fell prey to the vices of corruption and nepotism that often accompanied a position of such power."... Obviously, this was a form of corruption that the Church...