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2. CHAUCER’S ART OF CHARACTERIZATION
Presented to:
Dr. Kanwal Zahra
Presented by:
Ayman Batool 20014002-002

3. Outlines
 Introduction
 Humour
 Irony and satire
 Realism
 Distinctness
 Universality

4. INTRODUCTION
• Geoffrey Chaucer was an English poet.
• He is regarded as father of English poetry
• He is best known for his witting “The Prologue to Canterbury tales.”
• Canterbury tales is one of the greatest work in English literature written between 1380 and 1400.
• Thirty pilgrims representing all types and shades of 14th society.
• Symbolizes the Middle ages.

5. Chaucer’s humor:
• Chaucer is a born humorist.
• First and most pervasive element which strikes us is humor.
• He mingles the comic with the tragic. Smiles and tears find here equal.
• Even when Chaucer satirizes and uses irony, the aim is for fun.
• Mansfeild called him “a great Renaissance gentle man mocking the middle
ages”.
• Little humour is present in the character of The Knight.
• There is ironical humor in case of Doctor of Physic.
• Chaucer’s humour is semi farcical in case of wife of bath.
• He describes physical appearance of the Reeve humorously.
• Humour is also found in the meal of the Summoner.

6. Chaucer’s irony
and satire:  Irony and Satire are undoubtedly Chaucer’s most prominent
techniques of characterization.
 The Prioress speaks French fluently. Her dress and her
fashionable manners are also ironically described.
 Irony is employed in the portrait of the Friar, too. He was the
best beggar in his jurisdiction.
 The summoner’s face frightened the children.
 The pardoner is satirical portrait who is extremely corrupt.
 The Lawyer amuses us by pretending to be busier than he is.
 The Shipman has been called a good fellow but actually he is a
rascal.
 Doctor’s love of gold is also satirically described

7. Chaucer’s
Realism: The Pardoner can speak of his deceitful ways of making money by
selling pardons and displaying the so called holy relics.
The wife of Bath can talk of her matrimonial experiences.
The Merchant is another important figure who signifies the
changed conditions of Chaucerian society.
He very realistically portrays “The Friar”. He advises the sinners
not to offer prayers or weep to purgate of their sins.
The portrayal of his characters is a real picture gallery in which
twenty nine portraits are hanging on the wall showing all their
details and specifications.
Depiction of the Shipman represents the salient features of the
trade.
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8. DISTINCTNESS
 Distinctness is another striking quality of
Chaucer’s characterization.
 A critic remarks: "Chaucer is a modern
among the medieval and medieval among
the moderns.”
 The old Knight, the Squire and the
yeoman represents the military class.
 The learned professions are represented
by The Doctor Of Physic, the lawyer and
the oxford clerk.
 The Merchant has all the vanity which comes
from the growing of wealth.
 The Prioress, The Monk Summoner Pardoner
and Friar are the representatives of the regular
clergy.
 The Miller, The Municipal, Wife Of Bath and
The Reeve are middle class representatives.
 Good Christian spirit is exemplified in Parson
and the Ploughman.

9. UNIVERSALITY
• Universality is another striking quality of Chaucer’s characterization.
• His characters have relation with all the ages and climes.
• The old Knight is an example of the chivalrous character which is found in every generation.
• The Squire is just the typical man of any day. He was as fresh as is the month of May.
• The Merchant has all the vanity which comes from the growing of wealth.
• Wife of Bath is still found today.
• Some Franklins are also found.
• The Monk, the Prioress, the Franklin, the Wife of Bath etc., may have changed their names by which they
are known, but they are all human beings, having the same desires and passions as are common to all humanity.

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