Chaucer's Critique of the Catholic Church in "The Miller's Tale"

Geoffrey Chaucer (1345-1400) portrays a society in "The Millers Tale" that is deeply influenced by the Catholic Church, with social norms centered on worshiping God and attending church. The characters in the tale show rebellion and skepticism towards the Church's authority, challenging its image as a flawless institution. Chaucer's language, though poetic, reflects a society grappling with the constraints and expectations imposed by the Catholic Church in the late 1300s.

Throughout the story, Chaucer undermines the stereotypical belief in the infallibility of the Catholic religion, revealing the church as a corrupt propaganda tool.

Chaucer criticizes the Catholic Church as corrupt and immoral, with a detrimental effect on society. In the prologue of the story, a lower-class drunkard challenges the authority of a higher-status knight, setting the stage for the central theme of the narrative.

Despite the Miller being drunk, he is aware of the presence of the public and asks them not to be offended, saying "if you are offended please don’t fret…don’t blame me if the choice you make is wrong" (Chaucer 2).

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He reassures the audience that his intention is not to offend anyone but to entertain with a story. In "The Miller's Tale," Nicholas is described as a student of astrology who rents a room from a carpenter. Chaucer does not detail Nicholas' physical appearance, but does provide a vivid description of his room, noting "around this room one’s eye in wonder roams and sees on shelves his Ptolomaic tomes" (Chaucer 3).

The Ptolomaic models in Nicholas’ room demonstrate the influence of the Catholic Church on students, scholars, and society.

These models were based on the geocentric theory, which proposed that the earth was the center of the Universe and all other celestial bodies revolved around it. This theory was largely inspired by the church’s belief that the earth was the focal point of existence. However, in reality, the church was mistaken. This highlights Chaucer's suggestion that the Catholic Church may have disseminated misinformation to enhance its own image. Additionally, he engages in flirtatious behavior with the carpenter’s young wife and ultimately has a sexual encounter with her.

Nicolas employs his knowledge of astrology to deceive a "simple carpenter" and develops a plan using a religious tale to further his sexual desires for Alison. He claims, "My learning in astrology lays bare that after midnight on next Monday there shall fall a rain heavy...That Noah’s flood" (Chaucer 10). The mention of Noah's Ark by Chaucer serves to highlight the mockery of the church, using the religious story as a justification for Nicolas's actions. In a sense, Nicolas mimics the behavior of the church, which shares religious stories that are believed by the people.

According to Chaucer, the word of the church can ensnare a person's mind as quickly as it did the naive carpenter in the story. Alison, the sole female character in the tale, is portrayed as a young and attractive woman who is married to an older carpenter. Chaucer provides a detailed physical description of Alison, highlighting the belief that women's roles under the Catholic Church are subordinate to men, existing to fulfill men's desires and serve them. Described as having "a quite lovely face" and a body with "a weasel's grace," Alison is portrayed as a fair young wife.

Alison wore a belt adorned with silk strips and a white apron as pure as milk in the morning. Tiered flounces adorned her waist, while her embroidered white smock and white cap with ribbons wrapped around it seemed to proclaim her beauty. Chaucer uses imagery of animals and nature to depict her beauty and position in society. Her ribbons and white cap symbolize purity according to the church, but Alison rebels against societal expectations by engaging in a sinful affair with Nicolas.

Alison's quote "My husband is with jealousy so filled, That I'm quite sure that I'll be killed" (5) highlights the societal position of women as mere objects of desire inferior to men. Chaucer intentionally provided distinct descriptions for each character to emphasize the gender divide during a time when the Catholic Church was dominant. Absolom, a unique character in the story, serves as a parish clerk tasked with spreading God's message in society.

The parish clerks serve as the representatives of the institutions that promote strict worship of god and exclusion of dissidents. Absolom is a true embodiment of the church, both in appearance and in essence. Chaucer portrays Absolom as having a feminine look to highlight the common perception of the church's outward image. Absolom's long, golden curls, rosy skin, grayish eyes, and elaborate gothic shoes all contribute to his elegant and unique appearance.

He was neatly dressed to serve God. His cassock was a tight Light Blue, as White as a lily, soft as eiderdown. He was a jolly man, I swear by God. A reflection on how the church presents itself to the community. These grand structures known as churches are meticulously crafted by men from the outside, with a physical appearance that cannot be ignored, potentially evoking feelings of purity and holiness. Chaucer suggests that the Catholic Church puts on a show for the public, adorning themselves in gold robes and fancy accessories to elevate their status in society.

The perception of religious organizations is often based on their outward appearance, leading people to assume they are truthful. Absolom's behavior towards the carpenter's wife and his actions in town reveal the darker side of the Church and the hidden evil within. When Absolom tries to kiss Alison, she tricks him by presenting her rear for a kiss, leading Absolom to exclaim in anger, "I unto Lucifer my soul entrust."

Chaucer depicts the church as potentially evil and mysterious, with only those who work for it truly understanding its true meaning. Injustice, according to Epicurus, is only considered evil due to the fear of punishment by those appointed to enforce justice (Chaucer 16) (252).

Chaucer argues that society imposes rules on individuals, instilling fear as a means of control. However, there will always be those who defy these rules and evade punishment. Similarly, the Church warns of damnation for sinners, imposing constraints that may lead to rebellion. Chaucer views the Church as a corrupt institution that manipulates individuals into believing in a God-centered world. He asserts that the Church's influence shapes societal behavior.

Chaucer questions the authority of holy people and challenges their ability to determine good versus evil. He explores whether happiness truly comes from the concept of God. While some find solace in the grandeur of churches with stained glass windows and portraits of saints, others may view religious imagery as violent or corrupt. Ultimately, Chaucer views the Catholic Church as a corrupt and immoral institution with a negative impact on society.