e example of the mouse in a trap and the death of her dogs and how upset she would be by both these occurrences to reinforce his belief of “hir conscience”(8). I believe this explanation of her feelings to be a way that Chaucer tries to make the reader respect her and maybe even respect the church more. This may be due to the power the church had over the people during this era in European history or to sway the opinion of those whom were hostile towards the church or members of the hierarchy of the church.From his physical description of her and the careful attention he pays to her proper etiquette at the dinner table, Chaucer seems to be drawing a parallel between her proper manners and her careful attitudes and ways. Another way he does this is by explaining her singing of the “service divine” (6). I believe this also ties into her proper ways that Chaucer makes a great point of reinforcing line after line.From his discussion and description of her, it seems very probable that Madame Eglantine was a real person and it is interesting that Chaucer elevates her to such a plateau that she seems so perfect and infallible. I believe he may have depicted her this way so that the reader would get a better respect of the church or he may have done this so he would be accepted by the church and not be considered a heretic. In this respect I believe Chaucer does want the reader to evaluate her and he may be using her as a symbol of the church as a flawless institution that was compassionate, beautiful and perfect in its ways....
