Question

Consider Chaucer’s use of satire in The Canterbury Tales. What purpose does this satire serve?

Answer 1

Answer:

The use of satire in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" is to mock or criticize the evil practice of greed and corruption prevalent in the England of his time, and especially in the church.

Explanation:

Satire is a literary device that writers use to criticize or point out the problems of the society or in a person through parodies, infused with sarcasm and jokes. In "Canterbury Tales", Geoffrey Chaucer used a whole lot of satire to point out the corruption that was prevalent in the society and the church, which is supposed to be the least place for greed and corruption. Through his characterization of the various personas, he mocks and draws attention to their faults and greed and wants to bring about change for real. Just like Chaucer, many writers had employed satire and parodies in pointing out the faults in society.

Answer 2

Chaucer uses satire in his characterization of the Pardoner to criticize the Church. The Pardoner's sermon against greed humorously contrasts with his exaggerated greediness. Chaucer creates such an excessively greedy character to draw attention to real corruption in the Church and to bring about change.