igious reasons and devote their lives,either separately or in a community, to spiritual perfection. The vows of celibacy,poverty, and obedience under which they live, are termed the religious counsels. Aperson bound by such vows is known as a religious. Chaucer’s Monk’s sport was hunting. “The Rule of good Saint Benet or SaintMaur” (Prologue, 177) says “hunters are not holy men” (Prologue, 182). He does notkeep to his studies, but instead would rather be doing labor. In addition, he holdsworldly possessions, such as his “wrought-gold cunningly fashioned pin” (Prologue,200), which shows that he has money.Friars differ from monks, in that the monk was attached to a specific communitywithin which he led a withdrawn life, having no direct contact with the secular world. Friars, on the other hand, belonged to no particular monastic house, but to a generalorder and worked as an individual in the non-religious world. Thus, friars and monksare not on synonymous terms.Friars are members of certain religious orders who practice the principles ofmonastic life and devote themselves to the service of humanity in the secular world.Originally, their rules forbid holding either community or personal property. Theresulting dependence of friars on voluntary contributions in order to live, caused themto be known as mendicant orders. Charging people to hear their confessions is completely ridiculous. Peoplecome to them for help, and in this case, the Friar is selfish and can only think aboutriches. The Friar dresses like a pope, or a doctor would have in those days. He carriesaround a pocket knife. What would he need that for? He pushes away the sick andbeggars. He has a beautiful voice and is married. Also, he is believed to be playfuland may sleep around with other women.The Parson is known as “a holy-minded man of good renown” (Prologue, 487). He had little money, yet he gave what litt...
