A Review of The Canterbury Tales: The Prolugue to The Prioress's Tale

 

I think it has been about one year since I last discussed The Canterbury Tales in detail. I have wanted to return to this subject but one thing after another has just popped up. So, I have finally got back to finishing my reviews of each story from The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. My hurt foot, college work, my readings of classical literature, theology, and The Norton Anthology of English Literature: The Middle Ages, have kept me distracted for a while. Now, however, I am ready to complete this series. 

In the beginning of the prologue to the tale, the Prioress praises God and speaks of how babes themselves adore Him. The Prioress holds both her Lord and the Blessed Virgin in high esteem: 

Wherfor in laude, as best can or may, 

Of thee, and of the whyte lily flour

Which that thee bar, and is a mayde alway, 

To tell a storie I wol do my labour;

Not that I may encresen hir honour;

For she hir-self is honour, and the rote

Of bountee, next hir sone, and soules bote.-

It is interesting that the Prioress refers to Mary, Mother of God, as the ''whyte lily flour.'' The fact that Mary was historically portrayed as a white redhead in much of Medieval art demonstrates the fact that not only were there more redheads at that time, but that many of the Biblical heroes were known to be white. Indeed, Esau is described as having ruddy skin in Genesis 22: 25. Likewise, Jacob tells his brother that he has a face like God (Genesis 33: 10). King David was described as having ruddy skin in scripture as well (1 Samuel 16: 12). Finally, Jews have historically been identified as white. Furthermore, the Jews were often painted as white redheads in Medieval art. The fact that many medievals did not like Jews shows that Medieval artist were not just painting what they perceived as the ideal look. It has been the more recent politically correct multi-cultural society of today, that wants to destroy classical western civilization. For many on the political left it is perfectly fine celebrating the history of minorities and the faith of Islam, but Christianity, and whites that are proud of their heritage, are true enemies of the intolerant leftist.  

After the lines quotes above, the Prioress reflects a strong Mariology that has historically been held by the church. She honours the Mother of God by talking about how Mary points us to Jesus Christ:

Lady! thy bountee, thy magnificence, 

Thy vertu, and thy grete humilitee

Ther may not tonge express in no science;

For som-tyme, lady, er men praye to thee,

Thou goos biforn of thy benignitee,

And getest us the light, thurgh thy preyere,

To gyden us un-to thy sone so dere. 

The Prioress reminds us in the prologue of the importance of the Blessed Virgin. We as Christians should learn from her speech to give her due honour as did the Ancient church father and Medieval saints. Now, with all that said, let me continue the discussion of The Prioress's Tale.