What use does Chaucer make of the device of pilgrimage? (MEG 101 CHAUCER)

 What use does Chaucer make of the device of pilgrimage?

Chaucer's use of the device of pilgrimage in "The Canterbury Tales" is multifaceted and serves several purposes.

First, the pilgrimage provides a framing device for the collection of stories. Chaucer uses the framework of a group of pilgrims traveling together to provide a context for the telling of the stories. The pilgrims are from various social classes and professions, and their interactions with each other on the journey provide opportunities for satire and social commentary.

Second, the pilgrimage serves as a way for Chaucer to explore various aspects of medieval life and society. Each of the pilgrims is a representative of a particular social group, and their stories offer insights into the beliefs, values, and practices of those groups. For example, the Knight's Tale explores themes of chivalry and courtly love, while the Wife of Bath's Tale critiques the idea of female subordination in marriage.

Third, the pilgrimage provides a way for Chaucer to comment on the role of religion in medieval society. The pilgrims are all traveling to the shrine of Thomas Becket, a famous Christian martyr, and their journey is imbued with religious symbolism and meaning. However, Chaucer also satirizes the hypocrisy and corruption that he sees in the Church, using the figure of the Pardoner to critique the practice of selling indulgences.

Overall, Chaucer's use of the device of pilgrimage in "The Canterbury Tales" is a way for him to explore the various aspects of medieval life and society, as well as to offer social commentary and critique. The framing device provides a structure for the collection of stories and a context for their telling, while the journey itself provides opportunities for character development and social commentary.