There is no one better at his profession than the Doctor of Physics. Chaucer states that there was, “…none like him to pick for talk of medicine and surgery.” As a Physician, this man uses many different methods to cure his patience from his origins in astronomy to “…horoscopes and magic natural.” No matter what method he uses, the Doctor is extremely skilled at correctly identifying all the causes of a disease, and exactly how to cure it. In many cases, his expertise often, “…kept a patient from the pall”, by diagnosing the patient’s problem and sending them to the renowned apothecaries he was friendly with to be cured.
Of all the pilgrims in The Canterbury Tales, the Doctor of Physics is one of the most knowledgeable. An interesting contrast is made between the Doctor, who learns for his own monetary benefit, and the Clerk, who learns for the love of knowledge to the detriment of his financial standings. It is understood that the Doctor has a love for, “…the gold he gained from pestilence”, buying extravagant blue and scarlet robes with his immense wealth. Gold was very important to the Doctor of Physics, serving as an ingredient in his most expensive potions while also satisfying his desire for financial success.
Despite his excellent book smarts when it comes to the medical field, it is stated that the Doctor lacks something in the spiritual aspect of life. Distracted by his busy life, it is correct “To say he read but little in the Bible”, focusing on his patience and wealth rather than on religion. There is little physical description of the Doctor of Physics as Geoffrey Chaucer chose to depict his social status through his profession and knowledge rather than his appearance. Overall, the Doctor of Physics is viewed as a man with an important social standing in society, using his knowledge and skill as a professor to satisfy himself with monetary gains.
Of all the pilgrims in The Canterbury Tales, the Doctor of Physics is one of the most knowledgeable. An interesting contrast is made between the Doctor, who learns for his own monetary benefit, and the Clerk, who learns for the love of knowledge to the detriment of his financial standings. It is understood that the Doctor has a love for, “…the gold he gained from pestilence”, buying extravagant blue and scarlet robes with his immense wealth. Gold was very important to the Doctor of Physics, serving as an ingredient in his most expensive potions while also satisfying his desire for financial success.
Despite his excellent book smarts when it comes to the medical field, it is stated that the Doctor lacks something in the spiritual aspect of life. Distracted by his busy life, it is correct “To say he read but little in the Bible”, focusing on his patience and wealth rather than on religion. There is little physical description of the Doctor of Physics as Geoffrey Chaucer chose to depict his social status through his profession and knowledge rather than his appearance. Overall, the Doctor of Physics is viewed as a man with an important social standing in society, using his knowledge and skill as a professor to satisfy himself with monetary gains.