How does Chaucer Blend Satire With Humour in the General Prologue To The Canterbury Tales?

Answer

How does Chaucer blend satire with humour in “The General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales”? [2019, 2017]

Or, Comment on Chaucer’s use of humour and irony in “The General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales”. [2015] 

Geoffrey Chaucer (1340–1400) is the first great realist and humorist in English literature. Satire means laughing at human faults to teach truth. Humour means making people smile with love, not hate. Irony means the opposite of what is said. In “The General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales,” Chaucer uses these three. He paints the pilgrims at The Tabard Inn in Southwark with laughter and gentle truth.

The Pilgrimage: Chaucer sets his story at the Tabard Inn in Southwark. Chaucer says, 

“Wel nyne and twenty in a compaignye.” 

They gather to go to Canterbury. This journey becomes a picture of English society. There are nobles like the Knight, churchmen like the Monk and Friar, and commoners like the Miller and Cook. Chaucer’s humour shines when he mixes them together in one inn. It is funny to see a holy nun, a fat monk, and a noisy miller sharing one meal. But behind the laughter, there is gentle satire. Chaucer shows that all classes, high or low, have weaknesses. His humour makes the truth soft and delightful.

Religious Corruption: Chaucer laughs at the church people with loving wit, not anger. The Prioress is a nun. She represents the religious life of women in the 14th century. She is kind-hearted but sentimental. She cries even when she sees a mouse caught in a trap. Chaucer says,

“She wolde wepe, if that she saugh a mouse 

Kaught in a trappe.”

But she loves her little dogs more than the poor. Then comes the Monk, who loves hunting more than prayer. Next comes Friar Huberd. He knows, 

“The tavernes wel in every toun.” 

He avoids the poor. Chaucer mocks him softly through humour. The Pardoner sells false relics and pardons for money. The Summoner