Full Title: In what ways does Chaucer present the place of religion in medieval life?

During medieval times, the church was at the absolute centre of everything. One tenth of every working man’s output went to the church in a form of taxation, and attendance at church was expected without fail. Chaucer presents this grip that religion had over people through the very context of his tales, which takes place on a pilgrimage to Canterbury cathedral. This broad outline for the tales sets the scene for Chaucer to include many other references to religion and how it ruled over peoples lives. This is presented in some parts of the story line of “The Miller’s Tale” and by the characters involved.

Chaucer also builds his presentation of the church within the “Miller’s Prologue.” In this, the Miller presents us with a direct contrast to Christian ideals, being drunk in public and even speaking about adultery being acceptable in some circumstances. Worse still, this is made even more blasphemous by the way his mixes his vocabulary with sacred and religions terms. “Of Goddes privetee, nor his wyf / So he may finde Goddes foison there,” This brashness before he even begins to tell his tale suggests to us how crude it will be. Through this, though, Chaucer also manages to give his first evidence for how ordinary lower class people do not respond well to religion’s teachings. This is countered by the Reeve’s voice of reason, “Lat be thy lewed dronken harlotrie / It is a sinne and eek a greet folie…” which reflects the morally correct viewpoint attempting to put down the blasphemy. However, this fails, and the Miller continues with his tale foreshadowing how immorality triumphs over morality in the bulk of the story. The importance of the church is also demonstrated in the entire collection of tales by the sheer number of characters who have occupations relating to affairs of the church.

In “The Miller’s Tale”, Alison and Absolon both portray how going to church was seen more as a social gathering than a religious necessity. Alison prepares for church by washing and scrubbing her face and forehead, “This goode wyf went on an haliday / Hir forheed shoon as bright as any day,” This quotation also shows the influence religion had over vocabulary and the power over everyday life. Everyone was expected to attend church on their holidays (“Holy days”) as well as on a Sunday. Absolon also spends a great deal of time readying himself for church as “a parissh clerk”. However, the last piece of his apparel Chaucer describes is his religious garb. Before this, and therefore considered to be more important, lies the description of Absolon’s hair, facial features and shoes. This suggests that religion was not the most important aspect of even a parish clerk’s life. Furthermore, whilst swinging the censer, Chaucer describes how Absolon casts loving looks at the women in the congregation “And many a lovely look on hem he caste” which is completely inappropriate.

Nicholas, the main character of the tale, also acts as a vessel through which Chaucer presents the theme of religion. Indeed the very story line of the tale revolves around his quest to commit adultery and spend the night with Alison, breaking one of the ten commandments. To achieve this, Nicholas takes advantage of John’s ignorance and lack of education. By playing off John’s limited knowledge of the story of Noah and the flood Nicholas is able to convince him that a second flood will sweep across the world. The only way John would have known about this would have been through miracle plays, because church services would have been conducted in Latin, leaving the uneducated public completely in the dark. Nicholas also takes advantage of John’s God-fearing nature by making him swear not to repeat the secret he is divulging. It is this loyalty which proves to be his downfall. Along with this disrespectful parody of a bible story, it is described how Nicholas seduces women by, “Angelus and virginem he song”. Another irony in using a religious song in his promiscuity.

Chaucer also describes many examples of how superstition remains among the lower classes, and how this vocabulary has mixed with that of faith. For example when John is attempting to break Nicholas out of his trance, “Awak, and thenk on Cristes passioun! / I crouche thee from elves and fro wightes.” Another example of this superstition is when Absolon identifies his mouth itching as “… a sign of kissing atte leeste.”

Through the Miller, Chaucer also presents his ideas on the corruption of church, and how religious people do not always uphold its values. For example, it is a monk who informs Absolon about John not being seen for a few days and encouraging him to take this chance to commit adultery and woo Alison. Another contrast is presented when the Miller describes the church bells ringing out whilst Alison and Nicholas are finally together in John’s bed. The Miller would have included this as a form of triumphant fanfare, celebrating their achievement. However, it could also be interpreted as a reminder from Chaucer that what they are doing is immoral, and the church still presides over their lives. At the very end of the tale, Chaucer introduces the idea of all all seeing God which still has command over the characters, “This tale is doon, and God save al the rowte!” Which also suggests that some of the participants may be doomed because of their activities after all.

In conclusion, Chaucer presents us with many ideas through the Miller that religion was beginning to play much less of a role in daily life because of the emergence of money and worldly pleasures. There are also many examples that religion was no longer the primary focus of peoples’ lives.

_{Mark achieved: 17/20}

_{Teacher’s comments: Clearly focussed and relevant. Could have included how the Church symbol is used as a fashion statement in the context of Absolon.}

_{References: “The Miller’s Prologue and Tale” by Geoffrey Chaucer.}