A character known for his anger and resentment, the Sompnour, confronts a Friar, accusing him of deceit and hypocrisy. The Sompnour recounts a vision where a Friar is shown hell, revealing that many Friars are condemned. He then tells a story set in Yorkshire about a Friar who preaches for donations, particularly for "trentals," which are masses said for the dead. This Friar, known for his cunning, travels from house to house, begging for food and money while pretending to care for the souls of the deceased. One day, he visits a sick man named Thomas, who is bedridden. The Friar flatters Thomas and his wife, seeking to gain their favor and donations. The wife expresses her dissatisfaction with Thomas, claiming he is irritable despite her efforts to please him. The Friar advises Thomas to avoid anger, citing its destructive nature. He warns that many have suffered due to their tempers, using examples from history to illustrate his point. As the conversation continues, the Friar requests a donation for his convent, claiming that their prayers are more effective than those of the wealthy. Thomas, frustrated, agrees to give but insists that all Friars should receive equal shares. The Friar, eager for the donation, agrees to this condition. However, Thomas tricks the Friar by asking him to reach for a hidden gift, only to let out a loud fart instead. The Friar, enraged, accuses Thomas of disrespect. The commotion draws attention, and the Friar seeks the lord of the village to complain about the insult. The lord, amused, listens to the Friar's grievances and finds the situation absurd. The lord's squire suggests a humorous solution: to test the Friar's claim that all men should receive equal shares of the fart's sound and smell. He proposes a plan involving a cartwheel and twelve Friars, where they would kneel and receive the fart equally. The lord and others find this idea entertaining, and the squire's cleverness earns him praise. Ultimately, the tale highlights themes of hypocrisy, the folly of anger, and the absurdity of social hierarchies, all wrapped in humor and satire. The Sompnour's narrative serves as a critique of religious figures who exploit the faithful for personal gain, while also showcasing the cleverness of the common man in outsmarting those in power.
By Geoffrey Chaucer · First published 1392 · Genre: Satire, Allegory, Comedy