Powerful Satire in Chaucers Canterbury Tales Essay

Powerful 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. By Chaucers time, however, the powerful estate structure had begun to wear down. Weaknesses in the system became apparent, as many people, such as Chaucer himself, seemed to no longer belong to any one of the three estates. Wealthy merchants sometimes had more power and influence than poor noblemen, but the merchants technically remained mere workers or peasants. Even Chaucer, who was given the†¦show more content†¦As Paul Strohm has stated, the issue of falling between the classes as an Esquire en Service was clearly a powerful force in Chaucers life. A lack of classification in a society based almost entirely on the concept of rigid class structure is an alien concept in feud al society, and yet, as Strohm states, Chaucers stratum of gentlepersons en service eludes confident characterization (13). It is vital to understand that, despite the apparently volatile nature of Chaucers commentary on the estates, he was in no way suggesting a radical departure from its structure. Modern perspectives make one assume that Chaucer intended his work perhaps as some bold statement on the need for democracy or even simply as a call to overthrow the status quo. In truth, however, the system Chaucer critiques is the only possible system a man in his situation could comprehend. Though he clearly calls for reform to some aspects of society, it would be foolish to associate his intentions with the viewpoint of modern man. In a sense, Chaucers satire becomes all the more poignant when considered as a call for reform rather than revolution: if one was so radical as to call for outright revolution and complete social change, the assumption is that he finds no redeeming qualities in society. Chaucer, quite differently, was a supporter of his society, even a direct supporter to the focal point of feudal society: the King. His retraction at the conclusion of the work, though someShow MoreRelatedUse Of Satire In Canterbury Tales1301 Words   |  6 PagesChaucer’s Satyric Attack (An analysis of Chaucer’s use of satire to reach his intended audience in his Canterbury Tales) Satire is defined as â€Å"the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize peoples stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues† (Oxford). Another term that people would be more familiar with to describe this would be sarcasm. 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