The Monk
Monks should be: chaste, poor, and “cloistered” (which means they spend their time secluded in a monastery.) This monk does doesn’t fit this description.
• Loves to travel around the country and loves hunting
• Owns many horses
• Lots of “bling” on his horse (lots of jingling metal and decoration on his bridle)
• Ignores traditional rules and expectations for Monks (rules of St. Benedict and St. Maur) wants to be a more “modern” monk without all the restrictions
• The traditional rules of monks require retreat from the world and devotion to God
• Ignores texts that say Monks should stay “cloistered” and monks shouldn’t hunt
• Ignores rules of St. Austin (which said Monks should perform manual labour and work the land)
• Has many greyhounds too (for hunting)
• Very richly dressed: sleeves garnished with fine grey fur
• Has a gold lover’s knot pinned on his hood to fasten at his chin
• Head is bald and shines “like looking glass”
• Face is shiny and greasy
• Fat and personable
• Glittering eyeballs
• Soft expensive boots
• Likes to eat roasted, whole fat swans (loves expensive and rich food)
What is ironic?
The monk’s dress and way of life make him the very opposite of what a Medieval monk should be. Chaucer (the pilgrim) agrees with the Monk when he justifies how he lives, however we the reader know that the monk should be behaving very differently.
• Loves to travel around the country and loves hunting
• Owns many horses
• Lots of “bling” on his horse (lots of jingling metal and decoration on his bridle)
• Ignores traditional rules and expectations for Monks (rules of St. Benedict and St. Maur) wants to be a more “modern” monk without all the restrictions
• The traditional rules of monks require retreat from the world and devotion to God
• Ignores texts that say Monks should stay “cloistered” and monks shouldn’t hunt
• Ignores rules of St. Austin (which said Monks should perform manual labour and work the land)
• Has many greyhounds too (for hunting)
• Very richly dressed: sleeves garnished with fine grey fur
• Has a gold lover’s knot pinned on his hood to fasten at his chin
• Head is bald and shines “like looking glass”
• Face is shiny and greasy
• Fat and personable
• Glittering eyeballs
• Soft expensive boots
• Likes to eat roasted, whole fat swans (loves expensive and rich food)
What is ironic?
The monk’s dress and way of life make him the very opposite of what a Medieval monk should be. Chaucer (the pilgrim) agrees with the Monk when he justifies how he lives, however we the reader know that the monk should be behaving very differently.