A Review of The Canterbury Tales: The Parson's Tale and Chaucer's Retraction

                                                      

                                                         1. A Review of The Parson's Tale

The Parson's Tale has rightly been recognized to not actually to be a tale. Instead, it is essentially a theological treatise. Having a more serious character to its writing then some of the other Canterbury Tales, this tale rightly leads to Chaucer's retraction before he died. 

Our sweet Lord God of Heaven, that no man will perish, but will that we come to all to the knowledge of him, and to the blissful life that is perdurable, admonishes us by the prophet Jeremiah, that saith in this wise: ''Stand upon the ways, and see and ask of old paths, that is to say, of old sentences, which is the good way, and walk in that way, and ye shall find refreshing for your souls''...

These are opening words of The Parson's Tale. The work goes on to describe the importance of penitence. Of particular note, the parson teaches that one must be baptized and that he neither commit mortal nor venial sins. Furthermore, The opening of this final tale addresses the importance of true contrition from the heart over sin. Likewise, the treatise promotes the importance of serving the church and partaking in pilgrimages. 

Penitence may be likened to a tree, having its root in contrition, biding itself in the heart as a tree-root does in the earth; out of this root springs a stalk; that bears branches and leaves of confession, and fruit of satisfaction. 

Perhaps my favorite line from this work is one that is such a reminder to all of us to have true repentance: 

Penance is the tree of life to them that receive it. 

That is a beautiful line! Chaucer was not only a great poet but also a person that had a decent knowledge of scriptural truth. 

The Parson's Tale placed heavy emphasis on the importance of true contrition and repentance. Finally, the tale ended with a long discourse on the importance of the sacrament of confession. No doubt, The Parsons Tale's was a fitting end of The Canterbury Tales. It turned all attention from its beautiful rhythm and funny humor to a simple message about salvation and eternal life. The warnings of hell in this last piece of Chaucer's work are a further reminder of the seriousness of beliefs about God's judgment on the wicked in the last days of earth's history. 

All in all, The Parson 's Tale is a worthy successor to the other stories of The Canterbury Tales. Likewise, The Canterbury Tales remains one of the greatest classics of  Mediaeval English literature. 

                                                      2. A Review of Chaucer's Retraction

As Chaucer wanted to make certain of his relationship to Christ before his death, he retracted anything in his writings that went against the Christian faith. Those that take the time to read this work will likely acknowledge his reverence towards Jesus Christ. 

Here is ended the book of the tales of Canterbury, compiled by Geffrey Chaucer, of whos soule Jhesu Crist have mercy. Amen. 

                                                                 3.  My Final Thoughts

It has been my privilege over these last two years discussing The Canterbury Tales with my readers. I encourage those that read my writings to someday study these stories as well. 

Sin is either venial, or deadly; deadly, when a man loves any creature more than Jesus Christ our Creator, venial, if he love Jesus Christ less than he ought. -The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (p.868 Books-a-Million). 

A Review of The Canterbury Tales: The Parson's Prologue

 

 Shortly after The Manciple's Tale was told, the Parson was told by the host to tell a new one. In response to this request, the parson agreed to these terms: 

This Parson him answered all at ones;

''Thou gettest fable none y-told for me, 

For Paul, that writeth unto Timothy, 

Reproveth them that weive sooffastness, 

And telle fables, and such wretchedness. ''

Early on, the parson makes clear the religiosity of his tale: 

I would full fain at Christe's reverence 

Do you pleasance lawful, as I can. 

But, truste well, I am a southern man, 

I cannot gest, rom, ram, ruf, by my letter;

And, God wot, rhyme hold but little better. 

And therefore if you list, I will not glose, 

I will tell you a little tale in prose, 

To knit up all this feast, and make an end. 

And Jesus for his grace wit me send

To shewe you the way, in this voyage,

Of thilke perfect glorious pilgrimage, 

that high Jerusalem celestial. 

Later, the parson said that he did not know how others will receive his tale. The host however, encouraged him on. 

Alas, I approach the last of Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. For the last two years, I have summarized various aspects of The Canterbury Tales in my own posts. With the completion of these posts coming near, it allows me new opportunities to write about other works of Mediaeval literature from the past. Furthermore, and more importantly, my finishing of these analyzing posts on this great classic will allow me to return to my novels and spend more time writing. I have learned more about Mediaeval literature in the last two years than I learned about it before then. Indeed, I feel that my studying of the literature of the Middle Ages has better equipped me as a writer and novelist with a greater confidence to write stories set during Mediaeval Times. 

Quotes from Medieval Popes

It is interesting to read these quotes and see the change of understanding the popes had concerning theology in the thirteenth century compared to the popes of today. Indeed, it is sad to see how much the present day Roman Catholic Church has liberalized from the one ages past. 

Pictures of Emily

These are all Italian Renaissance works of art concerning the character, Emily, from The Knight's Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer.