Categories: Beauty

The Prioress of ‘The Canterbury Tales’

In “The Canterbury Tales,” Beauty and looks define some of the characters in the general prologue. The Prioress is classified as attractive by medieval standards. This character is attractive for certain reasons. Some of these attributes would be attractive in modern society and some have fallen by the wayside as the definition of beauty has been modified. Traits thought to be pleasing to the eye in the medieval age, may not be now. The Prioress is described as a purely sweet, feminine, and dainty addition to the ragtag group. She ate with extreme care, wary of any drop of food that might get on her. Compassionate, the nun cared for animals and felt their pain. Her physical appearance is all pure, soft features: “She had a fine nose/ Her eyes were like blue glass/ Her mouth was small soft and red/ But she had a very pretty forehead/ It was as wide as my hand…” (Line 153-56). Her portrayal is supposed to be very beautiful. The nun’s inner attractiveness is skewed. She tries too hard to be a courtly lady and less like a pious servant of God. A broad forehead was very comely in medieval times. Now, it is still accepted, but not necessarily wanted. The prioress’s small, thin nose, clear, blue eyes, and small soft red mouth are all attributes coveted then and now. Those features are still considered beautiful.

This woman was very beautiful for different attributes associated with her character. They would be considered beautiful now: The prioress, for her outward beauty, but not her inward illegitimacy. When compared, Chaucer’s time period versus the modern age, this lady would be revered for her unique features, just as they were in “The Canterbury Tales.” Chaucer characterizes her as a very beautiful lady with pleasing qualities both inside and out. Many, if not all of those qualities would still be considered a desirable trait. Although some other characters could be described as having looks and beauty, the narrator harps on her demeanor, appearance and virtuous ways. Chaucer described this woman this way for a distinct purpose. The purpose may be seen in her story later on.