The Element of Satire with Respect to Chaucers...

THESIS: THE ELEMENT OF SATIRE WITH RESPECT TO CHAUCERS CANTERBURY TALES It is human nature to laugh when an event goes wrong or to make a mockery of an all too serious person. But what if authors had the power to use this instinct within humans to drive a point across? In fact they do and they call this literary toolÂ…satire. Many authors have used this tool as a backbone in their writings; others have only managed to throw in elements of satire here and there. However, there was one author who had mastered this literary tool, and who could use it to the extremes. He had the ability to use it as playfully and lightheartedly as if to just tease. But, in an instant, he could use it to denigrate a person and ruin all that was†¦show more content†¦Other reasons for a satirist include, their personal feeling of inferiority or the desire to better society (Highet 240-241). Chaucer was as straightforward as a man can get (Wagenknecht 72). He saw the world as a down to earth fellow who was regarded as sweet (Wagenknecht 141). Being the son of a vintner (victuallers were the peace party), he did not approve of war except that with a religious cause (Wagenknecht 56). It is said that Chaucer would naturally take and present the most unfavorable view of the clerical body, and a correspondingly favorable one of the military (Wagenknecht 56). This is why he is so critical of the Pardoner and Summoner who represent the church. This also explains why he holds the Knight with such high regard. Even though Chaucer wrote with much vulgarity towards the church it is important to note that Chaucer was indeed religious and a Christian at that (Wagenknecht 130). This becomes more evident when looking at how he satirizes the Wife of Bath in the following lines: From the Wife of Baths general prologue In the whole parish there was not a woman Who dared precede her at the almsgiving, And if there did, so furious was she, That she was put out of all charity. (Wright 27) These lines illustrate how the Wife of Bath seems to be the first at the altar, and if she is not she becomes jealous of the other women. The Wife of Bath tends to represent herself as a woman who uses sex as a means of taking in husbands thenShow MoreRelated Powerful Satire in Chaucers Canterbury Tales Essay3466 Words   |  14 PagesPowerful Satire in The Canterbury Tales If one theme can be considered overriding or defining throughout Medieval European society, it would most likely be the concept of social class structure. During this early historical period in Europe, most of society was divided into three classes or estates: the workers, the nobles, and the clerics. 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The Problem Of Hunger By Bill Gates - 992 Words

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For the first few decades technological progress and political cooperation suggest that it might be possible to lower the number of people suffering from hunger around the world. The Millennium Development Goals included goals to the reduce in the proportion of the world s population who suffer from hunger by 2015. This target may appear to be difficult to achieve, because the rise in food or much supporting effort. The people of Africa have been suffering from hunger and many of the goals that are being developed in the articles we have beenShow MoreRelatedAmerica s Stand Point On The Ordeal1565 Words   |  7 Pageswealth, yet there are millions of children who go hungry every day† (Johnson, p.38). When people think of world issues, many do not consider America’s stand point on the ordeal. They are unable to fully comprehend the growing lack of jobs, poverty, hunger, poor health care, and meager education that takes place across the nation. 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Dressing Appropriately Essay Example For Students

Dressing Appropriately Essay Dressing AppropriatelyIn high school, there were the preps, the skaters, and the burnouts, just to name a few. These groups were not only distinguished by the way they acted, but they were also differentiated by the way they dressed. By looking at a particular student in high school, one could probably infer the clique he/she belonged to. So if a person had on big, baggy pants with a oversized T-shirt that had a Etnies logo on it, one could conclude that person to be a skater and if a person had on khakis and a gap sweater, one could deduce that person to be a prep. What is a possible reason that high school students dress as they do? They might use clothing style as a sense of identity(clique) or maybe to stand out among others. I too, in high school, wanted to be included in a group and stand out. During my freshman and sophomore years, I became a skater. Also during this time in my life, my father introduced me to the game of golf. He bought me membership at an exclusive country club and the first day I went I was rejected obviously because of the way I dressed. Private golf courses require a strict rules of dress which is mandatory: khakis and a collared-shirt. Ironically and unknowingly I had gone to the course with an almost exact opposite of the requirements: 38 wide jean pants and an XXL t-shirt! Embarrassed by the situation, I began to realize that there are certain modes of dress appropriate for different occasions. Now, as a college student, I try to dress in a more stylish, refined manner because I want to stand out as a sophisticated student of a distinguished university. Reflecting on my past, I feel it is important to dress to meet the occasion. To clarify, I dont want to make the mistake off going to a golf course with skateboarding clothes again. Obviously this style of dress did not meet the occasion. I would not go to a formal party or job interview with jeans or to a golf course with cut off shorts or to a flamboyant night club dressed wearing khakis and a sweater, for if I did I would offend others. That is why there is no such thing as an appropriate style of dress(in general). There is though, a thing called an appropriate style of dress for a specific occasion.