In Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, the Prioress is describe in the General Prologue as being a foolishly sentimental woman who would weep over the death of a small dog. She speaks French, has good table manners, and sings the divine services well. She wears fine clothing, and jewelry; including, a gold medal with "Love Conquers All" in Latin inscribed on it. (p.3-4) "The Prioress' Tale" proves that this nun is certainly not the ideal clergy of her time. The tale shows that she is sentimental, un-Christian, and childish of character.
             In her tale, the Prioress tells of a small boy living in a town in Asia. It is a small town mostly inhabited by Jews. The boy is a devout Christian who is eager to learn the meaning of a song in Latin. He diligently learns the song, and is pleased to learn it is about the Virgin Mary. The young boy sings the song while walking home. This disturbs the Jews, and they send a murderer to find him and kill him. Needless to say they boy is caught, killed and placed in a privy. The Virgin Mary visits him and places a kernel on his tongue to allow him to keep praising her with his song. The clergy, and mother of the boy find him, and are astounded that he can still sing. When the kernel is removed, the boy dies, and is buried as a martyr. (p121-127)
             The Prioress' sentimentality is shown by the story she tells.. The Tale is horribly sentimental. The boy is brutally murdered, but is saved by the Blessed Virgin. The Prioress tries to gather sympathy from the other pilgrims with her story. When the mother is searching for her beloved son, the Prioress finds a legitimate fear and concern that shows the more sentimental portion of the tale. She is merely trying to get a rise from her audience, which will teach them a good Christian lesson. If you are praising God, or like there of, you will be saved for your good deeds.
             The Prioress, although she tries to hide it, is fairly un-Christian. She wears nice...