The Canterbury Tales is a story of twenty-nine people who meet and take a pilgrimage to Canterbury. During the journey, the characters narrate two stories that relate to the characteristics of their distinguished lifestyles. Chaucer describes six people, who are components of the church, and he depicts how the power of the individuals within affect the church and those in it. Chaucer, as evidenced by his characters in The Canterbury Tales, expresses his opinion of the church to be that the higher your rank in the church system, the more dishonest you were to the people, and the lower you fell in the power of the church, the more loyal you were to the congregation.
Chaucer presents the characters in the lowest level of the church as being very loyal, honest, and devoted to their studies and teachings. The nun was described as beingall sentiment and tender heart.? The nun was very well mannered and polite. At times, she made herself appear more noble than she really was, but she was still very courtly and sweet. She had close to no power in the church, yet she was still very trustworthy. Chaucer portrays the nun as being a true believer and follower of the church. The parson was onewho truly knew Christ's gospel and would preach it. Devoutly to parishioners, and teach it. Benign and wonderfully diligent, and patient when adversity was sent.? The parson was a true slave of the church. He was very holy-minded, generous and intelligent, he never looked for recognition or glory for his choice of lifestyle. Chaucer demonstrates that the parson was very noble to the congregation although he had very little power in the church, he was always willing to help regardless of the circumstances. The nun and the parson were both so highly devoted to the church, they could barely find sufficiency in all that they did for the parishioners; Chaucer reveals that they were both very faithful, good-natured believers of the church.
