Chaucer's Feelings Towards His Characters

Chaucer's Feelings Towards His Characters

In The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer bestows on each of his characters certain exaggerated characteristics that manipulates language to show his view on each pilgrim. When closely analyzed, it can be determined whether each character is honorable based on Chaucer's observations. He tends to be favorable towards pilgrims of upstanding status, and has an aversion to those that cheat and lie for personal gain. Throughout The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer varies his descriptions and language regarding the pilgrims to subtly display his pride in the characters of good moral fiber, and to slip in undertones of disgust for pilgrims that exploit others.

The Knight, that represents the upper class, holds four key commendable traits, making him the most loved traveler in Chaucer's opinion. The Knight upholds the ideals of chivalry, always genuinely following its principles. His belief in honesty, truthfulness, and being an "exemplar of Christian knighthood" (Barr 1) as portrayed by Chaucer make him an impressive and admirable traveler. The knight, the most honorable pilgrim, "was wise and in his bearing modest as a maid" (Chaucer 96) because he did not advertise his positive characteristics, rather lived them--making him unpretentious and relatable. The qualities of the Knight resemble very few people of the medieval time period, or any time period which is why Chaucer holds him at such a high standard. Chaucer fills the Knight's description in The Canterbury Tales prologue with only positive attributes in order to make clear his admiration for a man of such strong morality.

The Monk, a man of many secrets, is one of the more shocking pilgrims in The Canterbury Tales. The monk is not a glowing definition of a man of Christ, rather, has man worldly attachments that go against the teachings he lives under. Through Chaucer's description, we know that his moral fiber is questionable because there is sexual language tied to his character. Instead of ministering to his duties as a holy man, he indulged in activities in a "more than priestly scope" (Chaucer 100) a classic phallic symbol in which Chaucer is making clear his illegitimacy as a monk. He is expected to live a simple life in poverty, but he "spared for no expense," (Chaucer 99) with a "wrought-gold cunningly fashioned pin." (Chaucer 99) The monk is no exception to the corruption running rampant in the Church during medieval times, and his indulgence in self-gratification make him one of Chaucer's less loved characters.

Chaucer displays the Miller, a peasant, as an obnoxious character that uses his brawn to intimidate and manipulate others. Chaucer's use of physiognomy, describing the Miller as muscular and stout, gives the impression of a rude personality. He treats his fellow travelers with contempt, which Chaucer