ucer depicts people as they are found in real life- Discuss. [2021]
Or, Discuss Chaucer's art of characterization with reference to "The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales." [2018, 2016]
Or, Explain Chaucer's art of characterization in "The General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales". [2020] ✪✪✪
The art of characterization means the skill of creating and presenting characters in a story or poem. Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400) is called the “Father of English Poetry.” In “The General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales,” he shows people as they really are. His pilgrims start their journey from The Tabard Inn at Southwark to Canterbury. Chaucer paints each one with truth, humour, and love. His characters live, talk, and behave like real people of fourteenth-century England.
The Military Class: Three men represent the military class. The Knight and his son, the Young Squire and Yeoman. The Knight has fought 15 mortal battles. He fought in Alexandria, Prussia, Grenada, and Turkey. Chaucer says,
“At mortal batailles hadde he been fiftene.”
(He had been at fifteen mortal battles.)
He fought for faith and fame. He is noble in character and simple in dress. He has recently returned from war and goes to Canterbury to give thanks to God. With him rides his Squire, the Knight’s son. He is only 20 years old. He is brave, handsome, and romantic. He sings, dances, writes songs, and paints. He is compared to the freshness of May,
“He was as fressh as is the month of May.”
(He was as fresh as is the month of May.)
The Yeoman is the Knight’s only servant. He wears a green coat and a hood. He carries a bow, a sword, and a dagger. He is strong, brown-faced, and skilled in woodcraft.
The Clergy/Ecclesiastical/Religious Class: In The Canterbury Tales, the clergy members are the Prioress, Second Nun, Nun’s Priest, Monk, Friar, Parson, Pardoner, Summoner, and Clerk. These characters chose to dedicate their lives to the Church. However, we can see that most of the Clergy are hypocritical and materialistic. The Pardoner sells false relics and pardons for money. The Summoner calls people to the church court but takes bribes to let them go free. He loves to drink wine. The Prioress, Madame Eglentyne, is gentle and kind. She is polite in manners and delicate in eating. She weeps if she sees a mouse in a trap. Chaucer says,
“She wolde wepe, if that she saugh a mouse
Kaught in a trappe.”
(She would weep, if she saw a mouse
Caught in a trap.)
She loves her little dogs more than the poor. She wears a brooch engraved with the words, ‘Amor Vincit Omnia’, which means ‘Love conquers all. The Monk is strong, handsome, and rich. He does not follow old rules. He loves hunting and fine food. He eats fat swans and rides fine horses. The Friar, Huberd, is greedy. He loves rich people and avoids the sick and poor. Chaucer writes,
“He knew the tavernes wel in every toun.”
(He knew the taverns well in every town.)
He sings, jokes, and flirts with women. He earns money by selling forgiveness. In contrast, the Parson is a true man of God. He preaches the Gospel with faith and honesty. He visits every home, rich or poor. He is the best among the clergy. The Clerk (of Oxford) is poor and thin but rich in learning and wisdom. He loves books more than money and speaks few but wise words.
The Merchant Class: Chaucer’s merchant class shows city life and the common people. The Merchant looks rich and proud. Chaucer says about him,
“Wel koude he in eschaunge sheeldes selle.”
(He well knew how to deal in foreign currencies.)
He is clever and full of self-importance. The Wife of Bath lives beside Bathe. She has had five husbands and travels to Jerusalem, Rome, and Cologne. She is bold and talkative. Chaucer says about her knowledge of romantic matters in such a way,
“Of remedies of love she knew per chaunce.”
(She knew, as it happened, about remedies for love.)
The Franklin is rich and generous. He loves food, wine, and pleasure. The Cook is talented in his art. He can make fine pies and soups. But he has a sore on his leg.
In “The General Prologue”, Chaucer shows every corner of society. He observes with humour, love, and truth. His art of characterization makes his pilgrims live forever. They represent true pictures of medieval English life.
Continue Reading
Subscribe to access the full content
Upgrade to Premium