In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer presents a variety of characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The Knight, who represents the ideal persona, is a member of the Feudal system. He gives off the impression of a seasoned soldier, weathered by age. Despite his cultural status, he remains humble. It is possible that his experiences in war and battle make him reluctant to discuss or even feel guilty about them. His attire reflects his modesty, not as extravagant as it could be. He embodies the code of chivalry among the group. Both religious and courageous, he has dedicated himself to following the principles of chivalry, truth, honor, generosity, and courtesy since the day he began his journey as a knight. He has traveled far and wide to participate in significant battles. Chaucer describes him as the epitome of what a Knight should be: a true gentleman. Although he possesses fine horses that symbolize wealth during that time period, he does not flaunt this wealth through his clothing or accessories.
The Knights son is the antithesis of his father, lavishly dressed and eager to flaunt his wealth. Despite being a squire in training to become a knight like his father, it seems that he lacks genuine seriousness in his pursuits, as he indulges in the pleasures of life rather than focusing on his training. Chaucer’s description of his appearance implies that he is around twenty years old and of moderate stature, yet possessing remarkable agility and strength (78-80). Furthermore, he chooses to stay up all night partying instead of getting sufficient sleep.
The Oxford Cleric was a peculiar scholar, known for his skinny horse and hollow appearance. His clothes were tattered due to his devotion to learning, as he would use all the money he received from friends to further expand his knowledge. As stated in the text, “Whatever money from his friends he took / He spent on learning or another book” (303-304). His sole focus in life was studying.
The Franklin was extremely focused on pursuing the best possible experiences and utmost happiness. This pursuit extended to his indulgence in top-tier cuisine and wine, which he held a deep obsession for. Religion did not hold much significance in his life. His obsession with food was such that he insisted on only consuming the highest quality available, and would place blame on the cook if his expectations were not met.
The wife of bath, who was deaf, traveled while making long scarves. In church, she disliked anyone going in front of her and perhaps wore red as a symbol of her five husbands who were all accepted by the church. She had already visited the holy land three times and desired to journey to another sacred site. Despite her efforts to conceal her large hips, she possessed knowledge on treating love illnesses.
The Pardoner, one of Chaucer’s most disreputable characters, engages in the sale of pardons and fake religious relics. This enables individuals who have sinned to avoid performing penance. Additionally, he dresses in extravagant attire, possesses wavy blond hair, lacks a beard, and possesses a voice that leans towards the feminine. Notably, he adorns his hat with a relic and unlawfully conducts church services in exchange for monetary compensation.
The Miller is depicted as a repulsive individual, with an unsightly wart on the tip of his nose that is adorned with a tuft of red hair resembling bristles on an old sow’s ear (556-559). Additionally, he is portrayed as a dim-witted man who forcefully barges through doors using his head, and excels at pilfering grain from others. With a single touch, he can accurately assess the value of the stolen grain and demand prices surpassing its actual worth.
Chaucer’s characters in Canterbury Tales display great diversity, as each individual is unique. The pilgrimage to Canterbury attracted people from various backgrounds, not only the most religious ones. People visited the shrine for different reasons, some out of curiosity and others seeking entertainment. In my opinion, this literary work is valuable as it portrays the strengths and weaknesses of a wide range of individuals.
