Customer center

We are a boutique essay service, not a mass production custom writing factory. Let us create a perfect paper for you today!

Example research essay topic: The Effects Of Characterization In Canterbury Tales - 699 words

NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote

In Geoffrey Chaucer's work, The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer implements various techniques of characterization in The Prologue to express attributes of characters in the work. Chaucer reveals the personality of a character by directly commenting on a characters past experiences, interests, actions, and personality. In addition, Chaucer characterizes the pilgrims to provide a perspective of the ecclesiastic, feudal, and middle classes during the medieval period. In fact, Chaucer uses characterization to depict the Knight as a chivalrous man, the Squire as a young man overly concerned with women, and the Monk as a corrupt member of the ecclesiastical class. Certainly, one of Chaucer's most famous characters is the Knight because of his strong belief in chivalry. Chaucer describes the Knight as an undeniable gentlemen: There was a Knight, a most distinguished man / Who from the day on which he first began / To ride abroad had followed chivalry, truth, honour, generousness and courtesy (Chaucer 4).

Unlike other pilgrims, the Knight is the most honorable person on the trip because he places an exceedingly high value on the ideals of chivalry. Chaucer also provides past experiences of the Knight to further characterize the Knight: In fifteen mortal battles he had been / And jousted for our faith at Tramissene / Thrice in the lists, and always killed his man (Chaucer 4). Through Chaucer's description of the Knights accomplishments during the crusades, the reader sees the Knight as a true warrior, and a man of principles by his contributions to the military. Unlike many of the other characters in The Canterbury Tales the Knight perfectly personifies chivalry in the medieval age by being a gentleman and a warrior.

Dissimilar to the Knight, the Squire does not demonstrate characteristics of a veritable knight like his father because of his strong interest in women. Specifically, Chaucer's comment about the Squires past experiences: He loved so hotly that till dawn grew pale (Chaucer 5). Through Chaucer illustrating the Squires past experiences, Chaucer provides the reader with the impression of the Squires sexuality. Furthermore, Chaucer characterizes the Squire through his personality: A lover and cadet, a lad of fire (Chaucer 5).

Chaucer's technique of using personality to describe the Squire provides the reader with a clearer image of the Squire as a young man interested in women, and in pursuit of knighthood in his future. In addition, Chaucer also provides a physical description of the Squire to further characterize him: In stature he was moderate of length / With wonderful agility and strength (Chaucer 5). Through Chaucer's techniques of characterization, the reader acquires a more detailed impression of the Squire. Unlike the Knight or Squire, and as most members of the ecclesiastic class, Chaucer characterizes the Monk as a corrupt member of the church. The Monk strays from the ways of religion by having worldly desires.

Chaucer directly comments on the Monk: He let go of things of yesterday and took modern worlds spacious way (Chaucer 7). Through Chaucer's comment about the Monk, the reader realizes the Monks lack of commitment to the church. Also, Chaucer uses the Monks interest to further characterize him as a fraudulent member of the church, as Chaucer writes, Hunting a hare or riding at a fence / Was all his fun, he spared no expense (Chaucer 8). Chaucer provides the reader with an idea about the corruption involved in ecclesiastic class by commenting on the Monk, and by providing the Monks interests to the reader. Chaucer's techniques of characterization provide the reader with a clear perspective of characters because of the use of multiple techniques in describing a single character.

Chaucer uses characterization to depict the characters in The Canterbury Tales in a way that represents medieval society. Also, Chaucer's characterization of the pilgrims on the journey provides the reader with a description of the type of people in the ecclesiastic, feudal, and middle classes, how they live, and their beliefs. For example, the Knight is a very chivalrous man because of beliefs, compared to the Monk who does not believe in the ways of the church, therefore is a corrupt member of the church. Characterization helps develop plot, and helps the reader keep an interest in the work.


Free research essays on topics related to: middle classes, canterbury tales, chaucer, past experiences, young man

Research essay sample on The Effects Of Characterization In Canterbury Tales

Writing service prices per page

  • $18.85 - in 14 days
  • $19.95 - in 3 days
  • $23.95 - within 48 hours
  • $26.95 - within 24 hours
  • $29.95 - within 12 hours
  • $34.95 - within 6 hours
  • $39.95 - within 3 hours
  • Calculate total price

Our guarantee

  • 100% money back guarantee
  • plagiarism-free authentic works
  • completely confidential service
  • timely revisions until completely satisfied
  • 24/7 customer support
  • payments protected by PayPal

Secure payment

With EssayChief you get

  • Strict plagiarism detection regulations
  • 300+ words per page
  • Times New Roman font 12 pts, double-spaced
  • FREE abstract, outline, bibliography
  • Money back guarantee for missed deadline
  • Round-the-clock customer support
  • Complete anonymity of all our clients
  • Custom essays
  • Writing service

EssayChief can handle your

  • essays, term papers
  • book and movie reports
  • Power Point presentations
  • annotated bibliographies
  • theses, dissertations
  • exam preparations
  • editing and proofreading of your texts
  • academic ghostwriting of any kind

Free essay samples

Browse essays by topic:

Stay with EssayChief! We offer 10% discount to all our return customers. Once you place your order you will receive an email with the password. You can use this password for unlimited period and you can share it with your friends!

Academic ghostwriting

About us

© 2002-2024 EssayChief.com