Name ______Date ______Hour ______The Canterbury Tales Pilgrims : Direct and Indirect Characterization Indirect Characterization Direct Characterization (what is said What is narrator’s real or Pilgrim (named after job) (what does he/she look like, about what kind of person he/she is) implied opinion of the pilgrim what does he/she do)

Most distinguished man, gentle Often sat at table in chair of This knight is just perfect Knight honor, not gaily dressed, Shiny armored bearing modest as a maid (humble, not full of himself) soldier on a horse

Courteous and servicable Knight’s son, locks as curly as if Likes the squire—lives life to the full- Squire they had been pressed, barely est sleeps, knows how to joust and Knight’s assistant dance, hopes to win his lady’s grace Knight-in-training

Proper forester Peacock feathers for arrows, From what the narrator can tell this Yeoman feathers never drooped, yeoman is one of the best— mighty bow, dagger is sharp responsible with his equipment Archer/forester

Pleasant and friendly Quite heavy, feeds her dogs fan- She is terrible, opposite of what she Nun- cy food, has a golden brooch should be, worried about eating than she is about God A servant of God

Monk One of the finest sort, manly Hunting was his sport He is doing things that a monk should not be doing Should be in mon- astery praying and reading

Takes money from poor peo- Jolly and merry He is a terrible Friar ple, knows barmaids, hangs out in taverns Part of the church—helps poor people Indirect Characterization What is narrator’s real or Pilgrim (named after job) Direct Characterization (what is said (what does he/she look like, about what kind of person he/she is) implied opinion of the pilgrim what does he/she do) His food is nasty and he isn’t really a Stands alone Has an ulcer on his knee, Cook good cook—Chaucer is making fun of makes really good creamy him; he is an unclean person chicken and soup

Follows his bad thoughts Bad at riding a horse, he He is a murderer and a thief Skipper steals wine, kills prisoners

sailor

Perfect practicing physician greedy Prescribe medicine that Doctor wasn’t needed to make money, special love of gold

Good at making cloth, mar- Fun, social, lively, independent Woman Worthy woman ried 5 times, liked to laugh and chat, knew the oldest from Bath dances

(Bath is a city.)

Honest, good, holy, true, patient Preach gospel to his parishon- Charitable, benign, wonder- Parson ers, gives all of his money to ful, he is what a person who the poor works in the church is sup- priest posed to be

Honest worker, good and true, peace- Worked steadily, thrashed Good person Plowman ful corn, dug manure, made a ditch, helped poor for the farmer love of Christ, clothing is simple

Wrangler and buffoon Strong, broad shoulders, A thief and idiot Miller master hand at stealing grain, breaks door Crushes grain Indirect Characterization Direct Characterization (what is said What is narrator’s real or Pilgrim (named after job) (what does he/she look like, about what kind of person he/she is) implied opinion of the pilgrim what does he/she do)

Choleric, thin Skilled, old, controlled peo- He is a very bad guy Reeve ple by fear and he was steal- ing Land manager

Gentle and kind Cherub face, carbuncles, eats He is not respectable, he is not good Summoner garlic, onions, and leeks, drinks until he is hazy, takes bribes Sends people and blackmails church trial

He is not respectable Sings for silver instead of a Gentle and graceful Pardoner love of God, rat tail hair, bulg- ing eyeballs Pardons people

Conclusions: What is Chaucer’s general opinion of people who work for the Church? Most are immoral and cheating regular people for their own gain—selfish

Which member of the church is given an admiring description? Parson—poor and helps people

Which of the pilgrims has the most interesting description in your opinion? Why? (Answer this with your own opinion)