Author Geoffrey Chaucer describes in depth several characters who intend to embark on a religious pilgrimage in his play The Canterbury Tales. One of the most prominent characters is the brother. The brother is certainly one of the most unorthodox characters in the play, the opposite of the character qualities expected of a brother. Chaucer's description and implications reveal the Friar to be a cold-hearted adulterous individual with a disingenuous personality that is rooted in his self-centered nature. Chaucer's description of the friar is quite detailed compared to that of the other pilgrims he discusses, allowing the reader to develop a complete picture of him. Throughout the description, Chaucer reveals the adulterous actions and seductive nature of the brother. At the beginning of the section, Chaucer describes the friar's attempts to remedy the consequences of his promiscuity. He writes: “With him for bravery; his language was his court. Many girls were married off through him, and it was often done at his own expense” (Chaucer 67, lines 205-207). As a member of the clergy, the brother took an oath of chastity and is therefore prohibited from marrying or having children. Chaucer insinuates in these lines that the brother was obliged to provide husbands for the women he had impregnated. Chaucer further wrote: “To pretty women he had nothing more than destitutes. His cloak was filled with many small gifts, like knives, pins and others. He could sing a joyous note and pluck a tender string, and had no rival at all in balladry” (67 lines 227-231). Here the brother's lack of guilt regarding his lust and affairs is revealed as well as his seductive ability to lure women with gifts and captivate them with his talents. Yet although the...... middle of paper ...... adulterates to satisfy his physical desires. He demands compensation for granting absolution to satisfy his greed for money. He is characterized by Chaucer as a man who would resolutely reject his duty as a brother because it would require time or money. Finally, he proves himself to be a man of duplicity as this can allow him to fully exploit his relationships for profit. All these actions that the brother undertakes to satisfy himself. He is portrayed as the antithesis of a member of the clergy responsible for extending an arm of charity and love to the community. Rather than doing good, the brother chooses to feel good. Works CitedChaucer, 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.