Chaucer’s Perspective of Life of Fourteenth Century England Society Who would guess that there could be a lot of diversity among people who lived in fourteenth century England? The court was a part of the King’s closest men and try and please his commands the best they can. The Church was the leading class in society and most of them were corrupt for money. The common people consist of the lower class, where most of them stand, and follow the rules given by the King. Chaucer’s Prologue teaches us about the perspective of the fourteenth century life through the characterization on the three classes of medieval English society: court, Church, and common people. Members of the court have some differences but some try working towards helping …show more content…
Money is the biggest problem of this time because everyone wants it for food mostly. It essentially is a way to get control over anything, like people. Most characters want money to not have to worry about little problems that money can fix. The Parson was the only true member of the Church and never asks for money. He was rich in the thoughts of God, “Yet he was rich in holy thought and work” (489), which was enough to make people follow and listen to what he talks about. Money means nothing to him and all he wants is for people to follow the Church’s teachings, while others, use people’s money to get them to listen. The Pardoner on the other hand, is after the money of the people. He says confessions for a price and makes more money than the congregation, “in money down, he drew more than the Parson in a month or two” (723-724), which shows his greediness. People follow him because of what he gives in return for their money. Most Church members do not follow the proper ways of the teachings and take money for their pleasure, but one shows that words are enough to have people follow