Author Geoffrey Chaucer describes in depth several characters who intend to undertake a religious pilgrimage in his piece The Canterbury Tales. One of the most important characters is the Friar. The Friar is certainly one of the least orthodox characters in the play and is the antithesis of the character qualities expected of a friar. Chaucer's description and implications reveal that the Friar is an adulterous, cold-hearted individual with a false personality that is rooted in his self-centered nature. Chaucer's description of the Friar is quite extensive compared to that of the other pilgrims he talks about, allowing the reader to develop a full picture of him. Throughout the description, Chaucer reveals the Friar's adulterous actions and seductive nature. At the beginning of the section Chaucer describes the friar's attempts to correct the consequences of his promiscuity. He writes: “With him for gallantry; language was his courtship. Many girls were married through him, and this was often done at his own expense” (Chaucer 67 lines 205-207). As a member of the clergy, the friar has sworn an oath of chastity and is therefore prohibited from marrying or having children. Chaucer insinuates in these lines that the friar was forced to provide husbands for the women he impregnated. Chaucer further wrote: “For beautiful women he had nothing but a few contrivances. His cloak was filled with many small gifts, such as knives, pins and the like. He could sing a happy note and pluck a tender string, and had no rival in ballads” (67 lines 227-231). Here the friar's lack of guilt regarding his lust and affairs is revealed, as is his seductive ability to lure women with gifts and charm them with his talents. Yet despite… the middle of the paper… it is adultery to satisfy his physical desires. He demands a fee for granting absolution to satiate his greed for money. He is characterized by Chaucer as a man who would resolutely refuse his duty as a friar because to do so would require his time or money. Ultimately, he reveals himself to be an ambiguous man because doing so can allow him to fully exploit his relationships for profit. The Friar does all these actions to satisfy himself. He is depicted as the antithesis of a member of the clergy who has been entrusted with the task of extending an arm of charity and love towards the community. Rather than do good, the friar chooses to feel good. Works Cited Chaucer, Geoffrey. “The Canterbury Tales”. British Literature for Christian Schools. Greenville, SC: Bob Jones UP, 1995. 59-81. Print.The Holy Bible, new international version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984. Print.