Theme Of Feudal Class In The Canterbury Tales - 1218 Words

Now I have told you shortly, in a clause,/ The rank, the array, the number and the cause/ Of our assembly in this company (lines 711-14). Geoffrey Chaucer explains to his readers that he has given a full description of each of his fellow pilgrims in his General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales. Along with naming each character, he provides their profession which classifies each pilgrim into one of three social classes: the religious class, the merchant class, or feudal order. Chaucer provides a social commentary of the major social classes of his day, and though he criticizes characters from each class, he most heavily criticizes the religious class more than any other. Geoffrey Chaucer, author of The Canterbury Tales, is in favor of†¦show more content†¦The last character Chaucer describes in the feudal class is the Miller, a large and imposing man. The physical description of him given includes, His beard, like any sow or fox, was red†¦(138). The color red suggests th at the Miller may be a Scotsman, the British and Scottish historically disliked each other, perhaps extending to Chaucer. Furthermore, Chaucer stated that the Miller was ... a master-hand at stealing grain. He felt it with his thumb and thus he knew its quality and took three times his due†¦ (138). Clearly, the Miller is portrayed as a thief who takes what he wants and is not above violence to achieve his goals. While everyone but the Miller are admired in the feudal class, the people in the merchant class are both admired and criticized leaving Chaucer’s feeling to be neutral to the merchant class. Throughout Chaucers Canterbury tales, he describes the merchant class as more of neutral type of people, some are admired while others are criticized. The author uses his personal knowledge to better explain his thoughts about the characters who belong to the merchant class. The first one he mentions from the merchant class is the Merchant, he is described as sitting high on his horse as well as making it to where none knew that he was bad in debt. The narrator states that he does not care much about him, enough so that he does not know his name. The next character Chaucer mentions is theShow MoreRelatedCanterbury Tales Character Analysis1334 Words   |  6 PagesThe Canterbury Tales is a written work, by Geoffrey Chaucer, that is a representation of the society he lived in. His work portrays the feudal system during the medieval times and how each level of livelihood was a character, whose personalities reflect how Chaucer and his culture view them. During his time, his society reg arded the Christian Church as corrupt and manipulative, with a few clergy who are honest and genuine in their exertion. 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