In the Canterbury Tales, Chaucer used satire to find characteristics of the characters and describe them in a positive way. This is noticeable in the peaceful way he describes the characters attributes.

Authors Avatar

Satire

        In the Canterbury Tales, Chaucer used satire to find characteristics of the characters and describe them in a positive way.  This is noticeable in the peaceful way he describes the characters attributes.

        The Merchant is a character that Chaucer had described using satire.  He was a worthy man made of good wits, because he knows how to bargain, and always brags about his profit.  In reality, he is just ripping people off, that is why he is never in debt.

        The Plowman is a hard worker, and is charitable.  He was a faithful laborer, but he pays for his own clothes such as his tunic, he was suppose to be considered poor, but instead he is well paid, and has his own property and earnings.

Join now!

        The Prioress in the novel is considered hypocritical, because she feeds food to her dogs, instead of the poor.  Chaucer dislikes her, but describes her humorous and malicious.  He states the Prioress as charitable and full of pity.

        The Monk is also a hardworking person just like the Plowman, but he thinks he has more freedom, he does not care about laws, and is more of the “lazy” side.  He breaks almost every rule that he has vowed to follow.

        Miller is a short, huge, brawny man, but what is humorous about him is that when there was no door, ...

This is a preview of the whole essay