How does Chaucer use characterization?

Through indirect characterization, a writer reveals a character’s personality through appearance, actions, or speech. Here, Chaucer generally uses hints such as physical appearance, clothing, hobbies, and activities to make suggestions about the types of people his characters are.

How does Chaucer characterize himself?

By positioning himself as a passive observer of the action, Chaucer skillfully avoids blame or criticism for the inappropriate aspects of his poetry. We can almost imagine Chaucer speaking in his own defense, saying, “I didn’t come up with this stuff! I’m just telling you what I heard!”

What are the 5 types of characterization that Chaucer uses?

Geoffrey Chaucer, the author of The Canterbury Tales, used five methods of characterizations to portray characters in the tale. The methods focused on a central characteristic, touchstone line, use of physiognomy, use of hyperbole, and use of incongruous or inappropriate details.

How does Chaucer characterize the participants in The Canterbury Tales?

The Knight and the Squire are both described in noble terms. The knight’s position as the first in the Prologue shows the esteem of his social standing. Furthermore, Chaucer describes him as being brave, chivalrous, and honorable.

What are 3 characteristics of the nun in Canterbury Tales?

A) modest, quiet, charitable and compassionate. She is the Prioress of her convent, and she aspires to have exquisite taste. Her table manners are dainty, she knows French (though not the French of the court), she dresses well.

How is the Knight described in Canterbury Tales?

Background. The Knight in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales is a chivalrous man who seems to fulfill the principles of a Medieval English knight: chivalry, courtesy, generosity, respect, and truth. … The Knight is described as the most noble of the pilgrims and his son, the Squire, is dutiful and a courteous lover.

How does Chaucer describe the Pardoner?

Chaucer’s description of the Pardoner suggests he’s part of the Middle Age’s emerging middle class. He is well-dressed and groomed; Chaucer even describes him as a bit of a dandy, a man overly concerned with his appearance.

How does Chaucer portray the character of the knight in his prologue?

The narrator begins his character portraits with the Knight. In the narrator’s eyes, the Knight is the noblest of the pilgrims, embodying military prowess, loyalty, honor, generosity, and good manners. The Knight conducts himself in a polite and mild fashion, never saying an unkind word about anyone.

How does Chaucer describe Squire?

Chaucer describes him as “embrouded” as if he were a “meede / al ful of fresshe floures, whyte and reede” (89 – 90) – embroidered like a meadow full of red and white flowers. That sounds more like a description of a maiden than a man!

How does Chaucer describe the Summoner?

Chaucer uses a slightly mocking tone to describe the Summoner in the General Prologue of The Canterbury Tales. He first describes the Summoner as having a “cherubynnes face” but quickly goes on to say that the same face is covered with acne, which is why it resembles the stereotypical red-faced cherub (GP line 626).

How does Chaucer describe the prioress?

In the Knight’s Tale, for example, Chaucer is clearly making fun of the notions of chivalry and courtly love. In the Miller’s Tale and the Reeve’s Tale, he is satirizing class distinctions and prejudices. He probes his character, the Parson, in much the same way as he does the Prioress.

What class was the wife of Bath?

With the Wife, Chaucer is representing the medieval estate, or social class, of wifehood.

Why does Chaucer hate the Summoner?

Not only that, but his descriptions of the character’s actions show that he didn’t believe the Summoner had any morals. Chaucer speaks of the Summoner abusing his position as well as taking bribes and bullying those who wouldn’t bribe him. Chaucer does not attribute any good features to the Summoner.

Why is the Summoner a hypocrite?

He was dishonest towards the church, lying about his expertise in the church requirements. Both of these attribute to his characteristic of being a hypocrite and a liar because of his failing to follow the clergy code that he teaches.

Is the Summoner’s appearance a reflection of his character?

How is the Summoner’s appearance a reflection of his character? He is described as having pimples on his face, scabby eyebrows, and a thin beard. … The Summoner’s unattractive appearance is a reflection of his unattractive character. As a church official, he sells favors for wine and drinks too much.

What characters are corrupt in The Canterbury Tales?

The Pardoner and the Summoner are the two most corrupt clergymen in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Both these men take advantage of their positions to extort money from those they have vowed to serve.

How the friar is greedy Canterbury Tales?

This particular Summoner from “The Friar’s Tale” is a deceitful, greedy person who uses his position as a church official to pressure innocent people into giving him “bribes” or money. He actually has a network of secret spies who report to him so that he can issue false summons and extort money from people.

What color was the Pardoner’s hair?

With blonde hair that he wears long, in the “newe jet,” or style, and a smooth, hairless face, it’s no wonder that Chaucer “trowe [the Pardoner] were a geldyng or a mare” (General Prologue 693) – a neutered or female horse.

Does Chaucer hate the church?

Chaucer was not criticizing the entire institution of the Catholic Church, but merely some of its officials. … Chaucer also appears as a character in his own tales which adds another, and important layer to his narrative.

How does the Wife of Bath characterize herself?

She is a very self-confident woman who thinks highly of herself and her skills as a cloth maker. The ironic part is when Chaucer adds that she has a gap between her teeth. … She is a strong-willed and dominant woman who herself gets what she wants when she wants it. She cannot accept defeat no matter what the cost.

What is the religion in The Canterbury Tales?

The theme of religion, specifically Christianity, is central to both Beowulf and The Canterbury Tales.

How is the merchant described in Canterbury Tales?

Description. The Merchant is a very cynical man who has lots of disgust for his distasteful wife. … He is a wealthier man thanks to his skills in business which helps him sell his clothing and furs. He boasts a long white beard and colorful clothing it is said that he always appears in high standings.

What do the character descriptions in the prologue from The Canterbury Tales most clearly suggest as the speakers opinion of members of the clergy?

What do the character descriptions in the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales most clearly suggest as the speaker’s opinion of members of the clergy? He find some of them insincere and greedy for money. … He provides details that show how the characters act in real-life situations.

What type of style is The Canterbury Tales written in?

The tales (mostly written in verse, although some are in prose) are presented as part of a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims as they travel together from London to Canterbury to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral.