Chaucer takes about a page to deeply introduce the reader to each character who tells their own fable. It has been said of Chaucer's characterization that "the sheer variety of wealth of detail creates the impression of a specific person. And yet, taken together, it all adds up to a comparatively simple stereotype" (Prompt) …show more content…
Chaucer creates these contradictart characterizations to show the flaws in society.
Chaucer sets up the reader with a stereotypical description of each character showing them what characteristics the characters should possess, then simulatenously in the tales points out traits that one would view as corrupt and ironic. In the "Shipman's tale", a monk goes behind his best friend's back and sleeps with his wife. Ironically not something a stereotypical monk should do. In the "Friar's Tale", a summoner corruptly blackmails people to keep from summoning them. Lastly in the "Wife of Bath's Tale", a knight rapes a women which contradict's Chaucer's initial noble description of the Knight.
In the "Wife of Bath's Tale", a "lusty" knight sees a maiden "alone as she was born", and despite her refusal "by very force he took her maidenhead" (282). This Knight contradicts Chaucer's initial direct characterization of the Knight in the prologue having "truth, honor, generousness, and courtesy" (4). Chaucer describes the …show more content…
The "Wife of Bath's
Tale" could not portray the knight in any more ironic of a light. The knight's brutal rape of the maiden creates situational irony as it completely contradicts the description of Chaucer's "gentle" knight (5). Chaucer points out that even the most noble and respected men can committ cruel acts of violence that go against their expected values. But even men who do not have the same class rank as the knight can still committ immoral acts that go against their expected actions.
In Chaucer's prologue, he characterizes a Summoner. He does not necessarily portray the Summoner as a noble man, but respected as "children are afraid when he appears" (20). A respected Summoner that society expects to do his job right, the "Friar's Tale" describes a Summoner who does everything but do his job moraly and respectfully, "he was a theif, a summoner, and a pimp" (295). The "Friar's Tale" exposes a Summoner who
"rode forth to catch his prey" as he would blackmail people ruthlessly for money in order to not Summon them to court (295). Chaucer victimizes the people the Summoner takes advantage of by lableing them as "prey"