“Whether we are willing to admit it or not, all of us are engaged, to some degree or another, in an ongoing battle with sin and vice.” (Dunnam and Dunnam Reisman 1 [in the following abbriviated as D&DR 1]) If this is the case, we need to become more aware of the ‘important’ sins and strive for as much knowledge about them as possible.
Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.
This collection of Middle English stories was written at the end of the 14th century. The different tales are told by pilgrims who are on a journey to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. The most interesting story which is discussing the subject of sins, is the Parson’s Tale. “The theme of the Parson’s Tale is Penitence, and it is treated under the three main heads of Contrition, Confession, and Satisfaction.” (Cooper 402) A “large proportion of the Tale [is] taken up by the analysis, in the course of the Confession section, of the seven deadly sins.” (Cooper 402) The Parson claims that these seven sins are the source of all other sins, “now been they cleped chieftaynes, for as much as they been chief and spryng of alle othere synnes” (Chaucer Verse 386 [in the following abbreviated by “V386”]) and therefore it is reasonable to focus on these when investigating the subject of sin. However, this paper is unfortunately bound to a very small number of words and can therefore not analyse all seven sins. It will therefore only focus on two, commonly known as the sins of the flesh: gluttony and lust. Consequently, the body of this paper is divided into two sections; each will examine the relevant part of the Parson’s Tale. An overview of the receptions of the sins of the flesh in the Middle Ages and today will be given, in order to understand their gist. This will be done by combining old and new definitions, determining the subcategories and examining occurrences of the sins. Because the New Testament is a source which is frequently used by Chaucer, and to guarantee a complete understanding of the sin, each section will also analyse different sections of the bible. Besides that, the modern understanding of the sin will be discussed and each chapter will be closed off with a brief summary. Finally, the argumentation is rounded off with a conclusion that sums up the findings of this paper and the question of how much the perception of the sins of the flesh has changed over time will be answsered.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Gulâ – Gluttony
3. Luxuria – Lust
4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
Objectives and Core Themes
This essay explores the theological and social reception of the "sins of the flesh"—specifically gluttony and lust—within Geoffrey Chaucer’s "Parson’s Tale," examining how these medieval concepts intersect with both biblical teachings and modern interpretations of human behavior.
- Analysis of gluttony and lust as defined in Chaucer's "Parson's Tale."
- Examination of the metaphor of the "five fingers of the devil."
- Comparison of medieval theological perspectives with contemporary psychological insights.
- The relationship between love, lust, and the human propensity for self-gratification.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Luxuria – Lust
“After Glotonye thanne comth Lecherie, for thise two synnes been so ny cosyns that ofte tyme they wol nat departe.” (V835) Not only the Parson, but several other religious people and authors share this opinion about the close connection of the two sins. Holloway, for example, states that “lust and gluttony share many characteristics” (35). For this reason, lust is the second sin which will be analysed in this essay. Besides that, the importance of this sin becomes obvious when looking through literature. Dorothy L. Sayers, an English essayist and author wrote, for example, in 1943 an address called The Other Six Deadly Sins, an address given to the Public Morality Council. She even explains in her book how she came up with this title: “I am reminded of a young man who once said to me with perfect simplicity: ‘I did not know there were seven deadly sins; please tell me the names of the other six.’” (76)
In order to begin the investigation of this sin, one needs to know what lust is. The first association one usually has is “sex”, which is a word which many definitions in dictionaries include. The Parson uses the synonym “bitwixe” (V864) and describes lust as “filthe”(V881), with which God’s creation of marriage is befouled. Of course sexual acts between unmarried couples are, according to several religious believes, always sinful. However, according to the Parson, even married couples are in danger of committing the sin of luxuria. This happens when “they take no reward in hire assemblynge but only to hire flesshly delit” (V903). This is sinful, because “in hire assemblynge they putten Jhesu Crist out of hire herte and yeven hemself to alle ordure”(V905). Besides that, the Parson names several possible behaviours for many exemplary situations which might lead to the sin of lust, which are, however, too detailed and will therefore not be discussed in this essay.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter contextualizes the study within medieval literature and identifies the "Parson's Tale" as the primary source for investigating the seven deadly sins.
2. Gulâ – Gluttony: This section defines gluttony as a loss of balance and proportion, exploring its subcategories and the psychological drivers like boredom that lead to such behavior.
3. Luxuria – Lust: This chapter analyzes lust as a distortion of love, examining its three faces—promiscuity, homosexuality, and adultery—through the lens of both the "Parson's Tale" and biblical references.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes findings, noting that Chaucer's medieval perception of sin remains remarkably resonant with modern human experiences.
5. Bibliography: This section lists the primary literary and biblical sources utilized throughout the research.
Keywords
Geoffrey Chaucer, Parson’s Tale, Seven Deadly Sins, Gluttony, Lust, Medieval Literature, Theology, Penitence, Adultery, Sin, Christian Ethics, Ovid, Ars Amatoria, Middle Ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper investigates two of the seven deadly sins—gluttony and lust—specifically as they are presented in Geoffrey Chaucer’s "Parson’s Tale."
What are the central themes addressed in the work?
The central themes include the definition and subcategorization of sins, the historical and biblical context of these sins, and the relevance of medieval moral frameworks in a contemporary setting.
What is the main research question of the essay?
The essay explores how the "Parson's Tale" defines these sins and examines the continuity or change in the perception of the "sins of the flesh" from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Which scientific methods does the author employ?
The author uses a comparative analytical approach, combining historical literary analysis of Middle English texts with modern theological and psychological definitions.
What content is covered in the main body?
The main body is divided into two sections, one for gluttony and one for lust, where the author examines definitions, biblical references, and the "remedies" for these sins as described by the Parson.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include Chaucer, Parson’s Tale, Seven Deadly Sins, Gluttony, Lust, and Medieval Literature.
What is the significance of the "five fingers of the devil" metaphor?
It is a metaphorical framework used by the Parson to define the five subcategories of both gluttony and lust, illustrating the structural link between these two particular sins.
How does the author distinguish between love and lust?
The author argues that while lust is characterized by self-gratification and a lack of involvement, love requires effort, personal commitment, and genuine connection.
Does the author consider feasting to be a form of gluttony?
No, the author concludes that feasting can actually serve as an aid to Christian fellowship and faith, distinguishing it from the destructive nature of gluttony.
- Quote paper
- Julia Liese (Author), 2010, 7 deadly sins, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/174542
