The Parson In Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

The last character to be evaluated in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales is the Parson. When closely exanimating his character, no flaw can be found. He provides great insight on the coexistence of men with good and bad nature in such a time period. Unlike the Friar and the Pardoner, the Parson has no care for money or glory; nor does he ever have immoral relations with women or deceitful actions. There is nothing in his heart but love for God and others. Even as he was surrounded by worldly temptations and corrupt individuals, the Parson remained a humble man. When talking about his character, it was best described that,

There was, and poor, the Parson to a town,

Yet he was rich in holy thought and work.

He also was a learned man, a clerk,

Who 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

(For so he proved in much adversity). (Chaucer 97)

As a man who

He continually humbles himself as he chooses a righteous profession of a parson and withholds judgements of even the most sinful of men. The Parson has nothing but love for others in his heart. Only a man of great compassion is willing to travel by foot in the midst of horrendous weather to the houses of his parishioners. While the Friar and Pardoner are both men of the church, their dedication to their position is nothing in comparison to that of the Parson. The Parson does not guilt people for their sins or rely on repeating the same text like the Friar and Pardoner. Instead, he knows the entirety of the Gospel very well and shares the words of God with villagers in a welcoming manner. Through the Pardoner, it is made known that goodness and morality existed in such a period. What is more important however, is that he gives insight on the coexistence of good and bad