The Frair by Geoffrey Chaucer

7742 Words31 Pages
The Friar , the Summoner, the Friar’s Prologue and the Friar’s Tale 1 The Friar, another cleric, is even less a man of God than the Monk. A member of a mendicant order of men who lived on what they could get by begging, he has become a professional fundraiser, the best in his friary because of some special skills: personal charm, a good singing voice, an attractive little lisp, a talent for mending quarrels and having the right little gift for the ladies, and a forgiving way in the confessional especially when he expects a generous donation. He can find good economic reasons to cultivate the company of the rich rather than the poor. Here is the description of the roguish Friar from the General Prologue A FRIAR there was, a wanton and a merry, lively 1 A limiter, a full solémpn• man. licensed beggar, a v. imposing In all the orders four is none that can that knows So much of dalliance and fair language. of smooth manners He had made full many a marrïage Of young• women at his own• cost.2 Unto his order he was a noble post. pillar Full well beloved and familiar was he With franklins over all in his country, landowners And eke with worthy women of the town, and also His manner in the confessional For he had power of confessïon, As said himself, more than a curate, For of his order he was licentiate.3 Full sweet•ly heard he confessïon And pleasant was his absolutïon. He was an easy man to give penánce 1 210 215 parish priest licensed 220 A Friar (Fr. "frère") was a member of one of four religious orders of men. Some were "mendicants," who depended on what they could get by begging. Our friar, a "limiter," has a begging district within which he must stay. "Solempne" cannot mean "solemn" except as heavy irony. licenciate: Sometimes the pope or bishop would reserve to himself or to a special delegate (licenciate) the right to hear the confessions of prominent
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