Geoffrey Chaucers Use of Characterization Essay - 1308 Words

Characterization has been the cornerstone of literature for centuries. Character presentation can attain any work fame or shame. Geoffrey Chaucer, a pioneer of English Literature’s works carried mass appeal. His best known works appealed to those of all walks of life. Chaucer’s work resulted in mass appeal because it used many forms of characterization to present the characters to the reader. In Geoffrey Chaucer’s Prologue to the Canterbury Tales, Chaucer uses thoughts and actions, his word, and satire to characterize The Squire and The Wife of Bath. Geoffrey Chaucer is well known for his use of characterization in his works. A notable work of Chaucer was Prologue to the Canterbury Tales. This piece was notable because it appealed to a†¦show more content†¦The Squire is also the Knight’s apprentice. The Squire shows a great passion towards battle as he learns how to be a knight. As he gives battle his all he also displays courtly love. Squire’s other passion is his love life. He views his ultimate victory as winning over his dream lady. Squire rarely sleeps due to his great passion for battle and his everlasting lust for love. The Wife of Bath is a career seamstress even though she appears to make a living as a wife. She has a professional knowledge of love through her five marriages and is well known for the love advice she gives to others. Aside from her passion for marriage, she shows great interest in appearing wealthy. This wealth is displayed by her wearing the finest clothing as well as typically being the first to contribute offering while in church. Along with her wealth and marriage experience, she is a very well traveled woman. The career wife and seamstress made three pilgrimages to Jerusalem as well as partaking in many other voyages within Europe. Chaucer uses character’s thoughts and actions to develop characters in his stories. Examples of this method being used can be found in Chaucer’s characterization of the Squire as well as the Wife of Bath in Prologue to the Canterbury Tales. The Squire is characterized by his own thoughts and actions. One specific example of this is when he displays his passion for love as he works with his fellow fierceShow MoreRelatedHypocrisy Revealed in Canterbury Tales891 Words   |  4 PagesIn Geoffrey Chaucers The Canterbury Tales he reveals an underlying flaw in society. Chaucer portrays the Pardoner as hypocritical in order to get his message across to readers. The Pardoner is shown to be the exact definition of a hypocrite by preaching to others to lead a spiritual life, while not living by those preachings himself. In Canterbury Tales, Chaucer reveals hypocritical qualities in the Pardoner through vivid characterization, tone, and morality. 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