Question

The Monk in “The Prologue” to The Canterbury Tales is an avid hunter who “did not rate that text at a plucked hen / Which says that hunters are not holy men / And that a monk uncloistered is a mere / Fish out of water” (lines 181–184). The Narrator agrees with the Monk. How does the Monk’s life reflect this opinion? Discuss these questions in a short paragraph, using evidence from the poem to illustrate your points.

Answer 1

The Narrator agrees with the Monk when the Monk neglectes the monastery's rules "did not rate that text at a plucked hen" stating "which says that hunters are not holy men." He goes against the rules, does as he pleases, and does not belong to the monastery, as mentioned in line 181, "... And that a monk uncloistered is a mere/Fish out of water." All throughout "The Prologue" its made clear that the Monk is quite rebellious.