The Friar, like the Monk, does not seem inclined toward a life of poverty or charity. He is “festive” who enjoys his fun. Given his interest in hearing confessions from women of means, a material life “of the coin” appears to be of greater concern than a life “of the cloth.” The friar is somewhat crorupt in lines 237-263, The friar uses his position to gain money. He spends his money on drinking and gifts for women. He does not associate with the poor or unfortunate members of society. The friar abused his power many times in the story witch leads him to seem somewhat courupt in the story. With the money he earned from hearing the confessions he kept his pocket stuffed with hairpins and pocketknives to give to attractive girls he sang confidently and loudly, because he had a good voice and played the lute. He was familiar with the bars of every town, as well as the bartenders and barmaids—much more familiar than he was with lepers, beggars, and others of that sort. The Friar buys hairpins and pocketknives for girls. He also spends his money at inns and taverns. The frair is critisied thorughout the story. The friar and the monk both did not take their vows seriously. the Friar is a not-so-pious religious figure. But his sins are all the more reprehensible because friars, more than any other religious group, were pledged to a life of poverty. One of the stereotypes about friars was that they traveled around seducing women, and we see this in the Friar's portrait in spades: we learn that he has "maad many a mariage / of yonge wommen at his owene cost" (General Prologue 212 – 213). The Friar probably does not pay for these women's dowries out of the goodness of his heart; we are likely meant to understand that he must marry off these women to pay for the virginity he has taken from them. Moreover, the Friar keeps his pockets full of baubles (pins and pocket-knives) to give away to young wives and earn their favor. Another stereotype about friars was that they were so crafty at soliciting donations that they could convince a widow to give away her last penny, and, moreover, that they earned far more than they needed, enabling them to live a life of luxury. This is true of our Friar: though a widow might be shoeless, he can convince her to give him money
