Date of Award
Spring 5-2012
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Degree Program
English
Department
English
Major Professor
Dr. Kevin Marti and Dr. Robert Shenk
Second Advisor
Dr. Daniel Doll
Abstract
An analysis of both the placement and the philosophical connections between The Tale of Melibee and The Parson’s Tale suggests that a highly individual spiritual philosophy is being presented within The Canterbury Tales. This philosophy is exemplified via an analysis of both the role of The Tale of Melibee within the work, and the manner in which it is historically developed. The highest form of individual spirituality is revealed within The Tale of Melibee, through the spiritual developments occurring within the character Melibeus and his wife Prudence. This development serves to unify the exemplified extremes of satire and spirituality presented throughout the work, as well as to illustrate the manner in which the individual human being develops his or her own individual spirituality through an active engagement with life, which in turn promotes a unity of the aforementioned extremes.
Recommended Citation
Martin, Chelsea R., "Individual Spirituality and The Canterbury Tales: An Analysis of the Philosophical Connection Between The Tale of Melibee and The Parson’s Tale as It Operates within the Narrative Framework" (2012). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 1465.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1465
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.