Below is the assignment that I administered to you in class on Thursday.
Due this coming Tuesday, October 23 by class-time is a full, well-developed (at least five paragraph) essay in which you elaborate upon what you have already written in class.
If you can access and sign into the blog, please publish online.
If you cannot, then please hand in a typed essay (Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double-spaced).
Please follow the MLA style of documentation that I have modeled for you in my assignment.
Peace,
BRobPeachFSC
Br. Rob Peach, FSC
ENG 141.Sections 04, 05
18.X.2007
Journal, re: The
In his satirical[1] The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer takes us with twenty-nine random peeps for a little dialogical[2] trip to the shrine of the unfortunately assassinated Thomas a Becket.[3] While the initial motive of these “cats” is to touch the shrine of the martyr-saint, they are challenged to tell some tall tales by the host of Tabard Inn—the place of rest before they begin this “divinely inspired” pilgrimage to an area outside of
The
For instance, consider the monk’s character (cf. ii 169-211). He is truly a man of great hypocrisy—a type of irony. For a man who is supposed to be living simply and humbly, the monk flaunts an outfit with “sleeves…garnished at the hand / with fine gray fur, the finest in the land, / and on his hood, to fasten it at his chin / He had a wrought-gold cunningly fashioned pin; Into a lover’s’ knot it seemed to pass” (ii 197-201). Such a display suggests contradiction; what he practices is not the austere way of monastic, cloistered living, but “the modern world’s more spacious way” (ii 180). And so it is by way of such subtle observations that Chaucer’s narrator pinpoints a truth of the human condition called, hypocrisy.
[1] Adjective, exposing human folly to ridicule
[2] Adjective, of or pertaining to dialogue
[3] In case you didn’t know, Becket was commissioned by King Henry II in the 1160’s CE to rock the diocese of
[4] Adjective, of or pertaining to idiosyncrasy: a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual.
[5] Adjective, of, pertaining to, or of the nature of logical argumentation; noun, the art or practice of logical discussion as employed in investigating the truth of a theory or opinion.
[6] Noun, plural: “ies” a technique of indicating, as through character or plot development, an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated.; (esp. in contemporary writing) a manner of organizing a work so as to give full expression to contradictory or complementary impulses, attitudes, etc., esp. as a means of indicating detachment from a subject, theme, or emotion.
10 comments:
Jordan Page
Bro. Rob Peach
Eng 141 Sec. 5
10-19-07
The Canterbury Tales: A Journey Through the Human Condition
In his satirical The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer takes us with twenty nine random peeps for a little dialogical trip to the shrine of the unfortunately assassinated Thomas a Becket. While the initial motive of these “cats” is to touch the shrine of the martyr-saint, they are challenged to tell some tall tales by the host of the Tabard Inn- the place of rest before they begin this “divinely inspired” pilgrimage to an area outside of London. In his prologue to these tales, Chaucer, or the narrator takes the role of an at once distant and close observer, absorbing details about these idiosyncratic characters whose true colors show not only in their outfits, but in their words and actions as well. It is through such indirect characterizations that Chaucer enters into a subtle dialectic with the world, displaying through character and dialogue truths about the human condition.
The first two characters that Chaucer mentions are the noble Knight and his son, the Squire. The Knight was a man of chivalry, a fierce fighter that never lost a battle. He fought in fifteen battles and jousted as well and always killed his man. Although he is as distinguished as they come, do does not dress as a nobleman and he is described as being “modest as a maid” (ii 71). His son, the Squire has also been is service with the cavalry as well. He was a well rounded individual who had many talents. “He knew the way to sit a horse and ride. / He could make songs and poems and recite, / Knew how to joust and dance and, to draw and fight” (ii 96-98)
The third person that Chaucer mentions is the Yeoman. He came across as a fighter because he had many weapons “And peacock-feathered arrows, bright and keen” (ii 106), “And in his hands bore a mighty bow” (ii 110), “and a shield and sword / Hung at one side, and at the other slipped / A jaunty dirk, spear-sharp and well-equipped”
(ii 114-116). He was neatly dressed in green and all matching colors. He wanted to show everyone that he was a Yeoman so he dressed the part. Chaucer describes him as “a proper forester” (ii 121).
The fourth person Chaucer talks about but the last person I am going to talk about is the Nun. The Nun is a warm hearted person, she is “pleasant and friendly in her ways, and straining/ To counterfeit a courtly kind of grace” (ii 142-143). Chaucer knew she was passionate because “She used to weep is she but saw a mouse/ Caught in a trap, if it were dead or bleeding. / And she had little dogs she would be feeding / With roasted flesh, or milk, or fine white bread” (ii 148-151). She too dressed the part, with “a cloak of graceful charm” (ii 161), a coral trinket on her arm and a set of green beads around her neck.
The first four characters that Chaucer describes each portray an aspect of the human condition. The Knight portrays chivalry while his son, the Squire portrays the element of a lady’s man. The yeoman portrays boastfulness through his clothing, while the Nun portrays grace and compassion.
Shane Conway
Br. Rob Peach
Eng 141 Section 5
10/19/07
The Canterbury Tales: A Journey through the Human Condition
In his satirical The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer takes us with twenty nine random peeps for a little dialogical trip to the shrine of the unfortunately assassinated Thomas a Becket. While the initial motive of these “cats” is to touch the shrine of the martyr-saint, they are challenged to tell some tall tales by the host of the Tabard Inn- the place of rest before they begin this “divinely inspired” pilgrimage to an area outside of London. In his prologue to these tales, Chaucer, or the narrator takes the role of an at once distant and close observer, absorbing details about these idiosyncratic characters whose true colors show not only in their outfits, but in their words and actions as well. It is through such indirect characterizations that Chaucer enters into a subtle dialectic with the world, displaying through character and dialogue truths about the human condition.
The first that Chaucer mentions in the prologue is the noble Knight. He describes him as a very fiery and passionate fighter that never lost. He also mentions that he never lost a jousting match as well as the 15 total battles he has been in. In every match he killed his challenger, he probably was a very well known knight but he doesn’t show this in his dress. All he wore a simple tunic discolored and stained from his many battles, he looked as if he just returned from one of his journeys. He describes him as being as “modest as a maid” (ii 71). He may be one of the best in the land but he does not brag and gloat. His horse was good but not gay. This is how Chaucer brings in the first character the Knight.
The next peep that Chaucer mentions is the Yeoman. He was the servant of the Knight and his son the Squire, he describes his dress as “kept yeomanly” (ii 106). He wore a hood of green, a sheaf of peacock arrows bright and keen and under his belt he bore very carefully his arrows had no drooped feathers. In his hand he carried a bow; he had a cropped head and a sun-browned face. Chaucer describes him as man who knows many useful ways like of woodcraft and many others. On his arm he had a bracer; on one side he had a sword and a buckler. On the other he had a dagger that was very sharp. On his chest he wore a Christopher medal and a horn. He dresses as if he was a royalty but he is a servant, he probably was very outdoorsy.
The next peep that shows irony is the merchant. He had a forked beard and wore a motley gown and rode a horse. His shoes were polished and elegant; he wore a beaver hat, and was known to speak out his opinion. He knew how to exchange currencies, buy and sell items. He may have looked good and had much knowledge but there was no person that knew he was in dept, so well he managed all his trade affairs with bargains and with borrowings and with shares.(ii281-284). This shows how people may appear well off when they are financially unstable.
Each of these characters that Chaucer describes has the human element in each of them. He wants to relate each character to some typical person in real life. Like when he describes the knight as an honorable person and you could say he is like a famous person of today but isn’t going to show off and brag that he is better than many others. You could say he is like a professional athlete that is kind and generous and you will never see that person in the news for breaking the law. He describes the Yeoman is a person who thinks he is rich and famous when he is really a servant for one. In real life you could say that he would be a poser and person who always follow the crowd. The merchant is like many middle class people today he dresses well, knows a lot, went to school, and looks like a well of person when really he is in dept and is really struggling to get by. This is how Chaucer uses his characters to relate to real people in real life.
Casey Doyle
Bro. Rob Peach
Eng. 141 Sec. 5
10-22-07
The Canterbury Tales: A journey through the human condition
In his satirical The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer takes us with twenty nine random peeps for a little dialogical trip to the shrine of the unfortunately assassinated Thomas a Becket. While the initial motive of these “cats” is to touch the shrine of the martyr-saint, they are challenged to tell some tall tales by the host of the Tabard Inn- the place of rest before they begin this “divinely inspired” pilgrimage to an area outside of London. In his prologue to these tales, Chaucer, or the narrator takes the role of an at once distant and close observer, absorbing details about these idiosyncratic characters whose true colors show not only in their outfits, but in their words and actions as well. It is through such indirect characterizations that Chaucer enters into a subtle dialectic with the world, displaying through character and dialogue truths about the human condition.
The knight is one of the first characters introduced in this story. The knight is a very distinguished, from the day when he first begun. Chivalry was an important quality asscioated with the knight. The knight also had many other important qualities, such as truth, honor, genorosity, and cortesy. The knight practiced these characteristics in his everyday actions, which made him such a well-known figure in this medevil lifestyle.
Then there was the squire, who was a lover and a cadet. He was a lad of fire, with curly locks as if they has been forever pressed. He was 20 years old and he was of moderate length. He has wonderul agility and strength. All these qualities make the young squire a completely different person from his father, the wounderful and powerful knight in shining armour.
At last, there was the yeoman, or attendant, at the side of the knight. He wore a coat and a hood of green. He had peacock feathered arrows that were brightly keen and neatly sheathed. This servant is very loyal to his master, which is the knight in this circumstance.
Many important characters show many important qualities and characteristics in this story, The Canterbury Tales. The knight shows chivalry and honor. The squire shows love and strength. The yeoman shows neatness and servant like qualities. All of these qualities mixed in with different characters make up a great story we can proudly call The Canterbury Tales.
Charles Destro
Bro. Rob Peach
Eng. 141 Sec. 5
10-22-07
In his Canterbury Tales, Chaucer uses a very subtle type of language to bring his point across to his readers. Much of this language revolves around the way his comically pokes fun at the human condition and the way that he uses parodies. Chaucer uses these devices to communicate with the audience on what seems to be a nearly unconscious level.
One of Chaucer’s characters, also known as the knight, is paired with many words which in fact subtly hint at his identity. Words like truth, honor, generousness, and courtesy are placed in correlation with the knight. This language indirectly suggests these very qualities of the knight.
In addition to the knight is the yeoman. The yeoman is paired with words like: green, peacock feathers, bright, keen, neatly sheathed, and style. This language suggest that the yeoman not only sticks out of the ordinary in dress but also personality; possibly foreshadowing that this character will make a large ruckus in the tale to come.
However another character known as the prioress is subtly described by using words like: simple, sang, French, lips, zest ,clean, pleasant, friendly, and tender. I believe that this dialogue indirectly suggest that this prioress, or nun, is a plain yet pretty woman who is obsessed with order and cleanliness. Because of this I think that this character will attempt to be pleasant but eventually push her cleaning habits upon the other characters.
Whether right or wrong about my predictions of the characters, it is clear that Chaucer is attempting to communicate with the audience by using charged language, double meanings, comical relief, and parodies
Michael Ceoffe
Bro. Rob Peach
Eng 141. Sec 5
October 23, 2007
The Canterbury Tales Journal
In his satirical The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer takes us with twenty-nine random peeps for
a little dialogical trip to the shrine of the unfortunately assassinated Thomas A Becket. While the initial motive of these “cats” is to touch the shrine of the martyr-saint, they are challenged to tell some tall tales by the host of the Tabard Inn- the place of rest before they begin this “divinely inspired” pilgrimage to an area outside London. In his prologue to these tales, Chaucer, or the narrator, takes the role of an at once distant and close observer, absorbing details about these
idiosyncratic characters whose true colors show not only in their outfits, but in their words and
actions as well. It is through such indirect characterization that Chaucer enters into a subtle
dialectic with the world, displaying through the character and dialogue truths about the human condition.
The Knight’s human condition is seen as a very distinguished man who follows “chivalry,truth, honor, generousness, and courtesy.” He is seen as a man of who is greatly honored from his noble graces. Even though he was won numerous battles, he is also see as a man of humility. These battles show his “sovereign value in all eyes”, but don’t show his other side. He does flaunt his victories but is “modest as a maid.” He was “ a true, a perfect gentle knight” that was “not gaily dressed” but wore fustian for battle.
The Knight’s son, a fine young Squire, portrays traits of affection, unlike those traits of his father. The young Squire was known as “a lover and cadet, lad of fire.” He has the “wonderful
agility and speed,” that of a warrior like his father, but does not act upon this abilities. While his father goes out to fight battles, he was “in hope to win his lady’s grace.” His attire, short gown "sleeves were long and wide.” It is ironic how a father and son can display such uncommon traits.
The Monk is another character that displays irony in his human condition in the story. He is supposed to be a humble man that lives the monastic way of life but there is a contradiction. The Monk dresses unlike any normal monk, but “ took the modern world’s more spacious way.” He has
“sleeves garnished at the hand” and “ fine gray fur, the finest in the land.” This Monk displays all of this fancy items when he is supposed to be a humble man.
These characters in The Canterbury Tales, all display some kind of irony in each of their
human conditions. The Knight and Monk have an internal irony which is shown in the way they act
and dress. The Knight and the Squire have a conflict between themselves. They are father and son and they are total opposites. The father displays honor and humility whereas the son does not show any kind of action in battle, he is more compassionate. All three characters show a different human condition in this story.
Jason Weng
Bro. Rob Peach
Brit Lit 141 Section 5
10-23-07
“The Canterbury Tales”
In his satirical The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer takes us with twenty-nine random peeps for a little dialogical trip to the shrine of the unfortunately assassinated Thomas a Becket. While the initial motive of these “cats” is to touch the shrine of the martyr-saint, they are challenged to tell some tall tales by the host of Tabard Inn—the place of rest before they begin this “divinely inspired” pilgrimage to an area outside of London. In his prologue to these tales, Chaucer, or the narrator, takes the role of an at once distant and close observer, absorbing details about these idiosyncratic well. It is through such indirect characterization that Chaucer enters into a subtle dialectic with the world, displaying through character and dialogue truths about the human condition.
The noble knight in the story represented “chivalry, / truth, honor, generousness and courtesy” (ii 45-46). He has ridden into battle many times and has emerged victorious, but he does not boast about it. He is a great warrior who is humble about it. This is ironic in comparison with most of the more known examples of warriors. For example, Beowulf, he is a great fighter and hero but he is also full of himself. He fought for the lives of his fellow man but also wanted to be recognized for it. Even though he was “distinguished, he was wise/ and in his bearing modest as a maid” (ii70-71). As distinguished and respected as he was in the community he did not dress the part. He “was not gaily dressed” (ii 76), like you would expect from a well respected warrior.
The knight’s son, the squire, like himself, was a man of virtue. Though where his father was a warrior, a fighter, he was “A lover and cadet, a lad of fire” (ii 82). For lack of better words, he was a lover not a fighter. Though he has served with the cavalry before, he has not seen as much action and violence as his father. This would not be surprising with the way he appeared. He had “locks as curly as if they had been pressed.” (ii 83) and was “as fresh as the month of May.” (ii 94). Though they were near polar opposites, their morales were one and the same. They were both courteous as well as “lowly and serviceable,” (ii 101)
This next character that was introduced later in the story, the merchant, is a prime example of deception in society. The merchant projects himself as a successful business man but no one knows that he is in debt. It would’ve been hard to notice with the way he sat “high on his horse” (ii 281) and wearing his “Flemish beaver hat” (ii 282). With the way he presented himself, from the way he dressed to the stories about his many expeiriences and the way he “never lost” (ii 285), no one could tell that he was in debt.
Each of these three characters represent some type of human condition. They can be related to some “real” peeps in our society today. The knight is a fighter, like our modern day athletes. His son, a lover, like some actors and musicians of our time. And the merchant, a deceiver…maybe this condition is present in each and every one of us. We all have tried to hide somethin from someone at some point in our lives. Are we not all “merchants” to some extent?
Johnathen Czemerda
Bro. Rob Peach F.S.C.
Brit. Literature 141
October 23, 2007
The Canterbury Tales:
Fiction Truer than Truth
In his satirical, The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer takes us with twenty nine random pilgrims for a little dialogical trip to the shrine of the unfortunately assassinated Thomas a Becket. While the initial motive of these travelers is to touch the shrine of the martyr-saint, they are challenged to tell some tall tales by the host of the Tabard Inn-the place of rest before they begin this “divinely inspired” pilgrimage to an area outside of London. In his prologue to these tales, Chaucer, or the narrator, takes the role of an at once distant and close observer, absorbing details about these idiosyncratic characters whose true colors show not only in there outfits, but in their words and actions as well. It is through such indirect characterization, that Chaucer enters into a subtle dialect with the world, displaying through character and dialogue truths about the human condition.
For example, the Oxford Cleric, possibly one of the best examples, expressed some of the fundamental rules of human nature. The first of his unconscious expressions is that of a willingness to teach. This stems from one of the most raw and fundamental truths about the human condition, humans gather with other humans, and therefore, are communal. For as much time he allotted to unraveling the mysteries of the universe, he also gave some to “gladly teach” (ii 318).
Secondly, the cleric showed curiosity. This is undoubtedly another fundamental rule of human nature, as it is cited in many other fables and cultures spanning centuries of history. Curiosity has been documented influencing discovery of land, scientific discoveries, and treacherous discoveries. The Greeks even make a mention of curiosity in a small tale about a woman and a box. This being said, the cleric shows a history of curiosity, having “taken logic long ago” (ii 296). And not only is he curious, he is also faithful to his lust for discovery. He even gave up all other material wants, preferring “having twenty books in red / and black…to having fine clothes, fiddle, or psaltery”
(ii 304-306). Certainly Chaucer wishes to make some points obvious.
However, having said that, there is one last human nature poked at in the character of the Oxford Cleric that may not make its presence as well known as others. It is also not clear as carnallite because it would not be suspected about the person of someone possessing a background such as the cleric’s. This theme is the quest for omniscience, and through its manipulation and exploitation, power. Simply because he was “too unworldly to make search/ For secular employment” (ii 302-303), can not be enough of a reason to remain constantly an input for knowledge. And surly if he would have found work, his wage would be quite comfortable, considering the reference to how much knowledge he possessed. But there is some part of us that refuses to back away from learning, believing that the answer to the big question is right around the corner. It is this part that continues to yearn and lust for more, never willing to settle until the discovery of some “stone for making gold” (ii 308) or other significant discovery. And this taste for the clarity of understanding flows from, and is indistinguishably intertwined with the human appetite for power.
Though a work of fiction, The Canterbury Tales and its characters are ripples in a pond that subtly reflect the essential and elemental truths of the human condition. Throughout the story, Chaucer continually pokes fun at the irony of our existence. But as we enjoy this parody, his words slip fragments of the essence of his characters into our subconscious. Apparently there is some truth behind every joke. So whether we choose to simply enjoy the fable, all the while being unknowingly fed lessons and morals, or dissect it and disinter its secrets, we will still find the heart of its characters, the heart of a society, and possibly, the heart of ourselves.
Liam Halferty
Bro. Rob Peach
British Lit. 141-05
October 23, 2007
A Journey Through the Human Condition
It is through such indirect characterization that Chaucer enters into a subtle dialect with the world, displaying through character and dialogue truths about the human condition. In the prologue to The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer is both a distant and close observer. He is describing the characters who are taking the journey to the shrine of the assassinated Thomas a Becket. Chaucer describes the details of the idiosyncratic characters through their words and actions.
Chaucer describes the Knight as a very distinguished and honorable man. He says that the Knight is a man of truth, honor, generousness, and courtesy. A knight is usually very proud and arrogant, but Chaucer tells of how this knight, although very successful, is not so proud at all. He explains, “And though so much distinguished, he was wise / And in his bearing modest as a maid. / He never yet a boorish thing had said / In all his life to any, come what might; / He was a true, a perfect gentle-knight” (ii 70-74). The knight is contradicting to what he is supposed to be, an arrogant protector of his people, when in reality he is a very noble and distinguished character. This is an example of irony in The Canterbury Tales, because the Knight’s characteristics are the opposite from what you really would expect him to be like.
Another character that Chaucer describes in an in-depth manor is the Monk. A monk is expected to be a holy person that stays more in the classic and simple ways of the church, but this Monk tended to keep up with the modern world, as Chaucer describes. “As old and strict he tended to ignore: / He let go by the things of yesterday / And took the modern world’s more spacious way. (ii 178-180). He is also not a man of simple dress; he also wears the more “flashy” clothing and such. Chaucer explains, “Was all his fun. He spared for no expense. / I saw his sleeves were garnished at the hand / With fine gray fur, the finest in the land” (ii 196-198) This is another example of irony in this story, because monks are supposed to be holy figures and live like Christ did, as simple as possible. This monk however, lives life like a king, wearing nice clothes and keeping up with the modern world so to speak.
Finally, a third character that Chaucer goes into describing is the Merchant. The merchant is described as someone who is arrogant and someone that thinks he is very successful. Chaucer explains him as “a Merchant with a forking beard / And motley dress, high on his horse he sat” (ii 280-281). He also explains him as a person who “told of his opinions and pursuits / In solemn tones, and how he never lost” (ii 284-285). The irony involved with the merchant is that, he did not sit on a high horse after all. He was in debt and no one really knew of it. The only reason that no one knew this was because he was a big talker and hid the fact that he was in debt very well.
All of these characters that Chaucer describes in the prologue have one thing in common, which is that they all have some sort of irony involved with their characteristics. You would expect one thing of the Knight, Monk, and Merchant, but in reality the truth is something much different, as Chaucer describes. Chaucer gives a very good and helpful analysis of every aspect of each character. You could almost picture each of the characters in your head, and you also know how each character acts. If you just saw each character, and did not know how they acted from Chaucer’s description, you truly would think something totally different from what the characters really are like.
Luke Kunkel
Bro. Peach
Brit Lit Section 5
Oct. 23, 2007
The Canterbury Tales
The characters of the Canterbury tales provide many examples of human traits and characteristics through its many characters. It is through such indirect characterization that Chaucer enters into a subtle dialectic with the world, displaying through character and dialogue truths about the human condition. Through these many characters in the tale I have chosen three to really explore and understand how they depict the cumin condition.
One of the characters that we are early introduced to is the monk. The monk is described as “one of the finest sort/Who rode the country; hunting was his sport./ A manly man, to be an Abbot able;…” (ii 169-172) We learn through this description that the monk is more of a towering outdoorsman instead of a simply Holy Preacher. We also discover that the Monk isn’t very subtle either through this passage, “…I saw his sleeves were garnished at the hand/With fine gray fur, the finest in the land/ and on his hood, to fasten it at his chin/ He had a wrought-gold cunningly fashioned pin…” (ii and we realize that instead of being a humble monk that he flaunts his self-thought-gloriousness and doesn’t exactly seem to praise God more than he praises his own appearance. The human condition depicted here is the classic self-obsession. The person who concentrates maybe a bit too much on themselves and less on what truly should be important in their lives.
Another interesting character and an insight to another human condition is the Oxford Cleric; The student as many depict him as, maybe less of a student and more of an extreme learner. We learn that the Cleric takes little role in the world, “…He had found no preferment in the church/ And he was too unworldly to make search/ For secular employment…” (ii 301-303) and focuses more a on learning thorough, “He preferred having twenty books in red/ And black of Aristotle’s philosophy…” (ii 304-305) So yeah, it is great that the cleric loves to read and learn but, there comes a downside to this which is revealed in this passage, “…Though a philosopher, as I have told,/ He had not found his stone for making gold./ Whatever money from his friends he took/ He spent learning or on another book…” (ii 307-310) So we are now shown that although the cleric learns and learns and learns, he knows little about the world. The cleric does not work but bums money from his friends to continue his endless studies instead of learning through trial and suffering.
Finally we’ll take a look at the positive character, the knight. We know that the knight has fought many battles before and was rich in experience, “…. a most distinguished man/Who from the day on which he first began/To ride abroad had followed chivalry/…” (ii 45-46) So, we know the knight can fight the fight but, what is he like as a person? The answer is shown through this line, “…Truth, honor, generousness and courtesy…” (i 47) The information here is backed up later on when the knight is described in appearance and his personality in this passage, “…And though so much distinguished, he was wise/And in his bearing modest as a maid/He never yet a boorish thing had said/In all his life to any, come what might;/He was true, a perfect gentle knight./ Speaking of his equipment he possessed/Fine horses, but he was not gaily dressed./He wore a fustian tunic stained and dark/With smudges where his aromor had left mark…” (ii 70-78) We learn that the knight, though powerful skilled and strong does not flaunt what he has. He knows that he is mighty but chooses to be subtle and respectable.
Through these three characters we can easily see how Chaucer describes human condition. Most people have a sort of duality, or irony about them. Take the monk for example. A monk is normally quiet and humble yet, the monk in the story chooses to dress extravagantly and show his strength through hunting. We learn that perhaps the knight is the ideal character. For the knight he has spent the years suffering to learn and keeping himself, his personality, humble and respectable. He knows that he has the skill to win in any battle but does not show it off unless he has to. Outward appearance does not matter to him but what dwells inside is what truly counts.
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