Oxford+Cleric


 * The Oxford Cleric **

The word Cleric comes from the Latin word clricus, "a man in a religious order, a man in holy orders."
 * History **


 * Questions about the Oxford Cleric **

1. What specific occupation does your character practice? The Oxford Cleric was student who studied philosophy.

2. What is Chaucer’s tone toward this character and how does he convey it? Chaucer has a pleasant satire when describing the Oxford Cleric because he wants the readers to form their own impression of the character.

3. What was his or her social standing? The Oxford Cleric was quite poor. He spent all of his money, and his friends money, on books.

4. What might your character’s day to day life be like? His day to day life would consist of reading books, studying, and learning.

5. What details does Chaucer include about the character’s physical appearance and personality? He is a quiet man who is short and to the point. He is reserved but respectful. The Oxford Cleric was thin because he would spend his money on books instead of food and clothing.

6. What modern day occupation might correspond to your medieval character and why? The Oxford Cleric would be a college student because he spends all of his money on school and books.


 * <span style="color: #a12b2b; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Description of the Oxford Cleric **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Quiet
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Thin
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Hollow look
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Reserved
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Respectful
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Trustworthy
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Formal
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Eager to learn
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Didactic
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Plain
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Simple
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Characterless
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Ungaudy
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Knowledgeable
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Nonmaterialistic
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Unworldly
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Soft-spoken


 * <span style="color: #a12b2b; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Vocabulary **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Didactic: teaches a lesson
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Unworldly: not seeking material advantage
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Genial: friendly, pleasant, agreeable
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Psaltery: ancient stringed instrument
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Aristotle: a Greek philosopher
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Preferment: a promotion
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Commission: act of giving authority to an individual

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> The Oxford Cleric is a young scholar who is quiet, respectful, and modest. He was born a peasant, but became rich in knowledge. The Cleric borrows money from his friends to spend on books and does not have the intention on paying them back with cash, but instead prays for them. He neglected his health and his horses health because he spent all of his money on books. The Oxford Cleric rather have books by his bed (written by Aristotle) than fine clothing or a psaltery. Some might find the Cleric's qualities to be bad, but that is why Chaucer is very genial when describing the Oxford Cleric because he wants the reader to form their own opinion of the character.
 * <span style="color: #a12b2b; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Summary of the Oxford Cleric **

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">"Though a philosopher as I have told, he had not found the stone for making gold."
 * <span style="color: #a12b2b; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Behind the Scenes **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">At the time, alchemists believed that a "philosopher's stone" existed that could turn base metals into gold.