Chaucer's Art of Characterization in Prologue to the Canterbury Tales

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Introduction

"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science.", says Einstein. While Characterization simply means, creating characters through art, imagination and reason. Art of Characterization is an uphill task. It requires extensive labour and psyche of different human beings of different ranks. Charles Dickens, an amiable novelist, has portrayed his characters in his novels in a better sense but they do suffer psychologically. In respect of Chaucer's characters, they are well depicted and shaped as they originally were shaped. Chaucer, in Prologue to the Canterbury Tales, shares the philosophy behind his successful depiction as thus:

It seems a reasonable thing to say 

What their condition was, the full array 

Of each of them, as it appeared to me, 

According to profession and degree, 

And what apparel they were riding in; 

Negative Capability

Negative Capability is a writer's capability to accept and quote the reality and truth as it actually is, without adding personal judgements into it. John Keats, who first used this term in 1817, also sets its target as thus: "An author possessing negative capability is objective and emotionally detached". Chaucer, while portraying a character, remained fully detached subjectively.

Individual Traits

Individual qualities mean portrayal of the traits which are unique from person to person, "We are all, each and every one, unique in the Universe. And that uniqueness is what makes us valuable. ", says James A. Owen. Chaucer had been a keen observer of the company surrounding him, noticing their opinions, dresses and appearances. For example, Reeve possessed thin legs, Corrupt Clergyman's shining bald head could be seen from the far, Prioress had a weird board forehead and Pardoner showcased his hair as yellow as vax, spreading in odious form around his neck, for he thought he had been carrying a new fashion.

Typical Traits

The traits which were popular among the society of the fourteenth century. If a single person of a certain department of life possessed a particular trait, then it would possibly appear in every person, relating to that department. For example, if 'The Doctor' was proficient in astronomy, then every doctor was an expert in astronomy and knowledge of stars because, at that time, this was the only source of treatment. Another well quotable example is of 'The Pardoner', who carried his bag "brimful" of pardons signed by Archdeacon. This was a common practice of the pardoners of Medieval Age to sell the pardons in order to clean a sinful person "financially".

Universal Traits

The features of a person which can be found in all persons universally, regardless of epoch or locality. If Summoner was lecherous then there are some 'black sheep' who outwardly showcase themselves as noble persons but when the time comes, they elope with a respectable lady, destroying her entire family's reputation and honour among the society in which they are leading their life. If avarice was rampant in religious class in Medieval Phase than it is found in almost every religion that their religious class offers their religious service for a shiny gold coin.

Compare and Contrast

It is notable that Chaucer illustrated his characters through comparison, thus following William Blake in this regard. He achieved it by presenting the negative qualities of a person relating to a certain walk of life while presenting some good qualities of another person. For instance, the lustful nature of the Wife of Bath is contrasted with the generosity of Prioress of feeding her pets with expensive food and her meek heart to weep when she sees a person or an animal in distress. The chivalry of Knight is distinguished with his son's talent of composing verse and adding melody to it. Thus showing a decline in chivalric class. Another example is of the corrupt clergyman, who is compared with good-natured Parson in religious matters.

Balanced Characters

"Balance is a feeling derived from being whole and complete", says Joshus. To present characters in a well-balanced manner is a difficult task to accomplish. An author has to mention good qualities along with some bad qualities as well. For example, The Pardoner's negative quality of selling pardons is diluted with his melodious voice and Wife of Bath's repulsive quality of marrying is neutralized with her skill in sewing clothes.

Perfectly Evil-Good Characters

This is where Chaucer loses his balanced approach and presents some characters completely flawless, just like Sir Knight, Clerk of Oxford and Parson, while some characters are presented as if they were the sons of Satan, for example, the frightful summoner.

Technique

Chaucer uses some techniques to beautify his characters. Satire is the first technique which is used by Chaucer. He mocks through the negativities of the people for the sake of their reformation. He also uses irony in this respect, for example, The Summoner was a "gentle and kind rascal". There are also some exaggerated illustrations, the ten-pound wimple and Sergeant of Law knowing about all the cases and their decisions from the reign of William the conqueror are some examples of it. Despite this, he did not appear sarcastic; he remained impartial, not ridiculing a person's moral weakness for his sport.