Character satire in chaucers canterbury tales

Wright 27 These lines illustrate how the Wife of Bath seems to be the first at the altar, and if she is not she becomes jealous of the other women. The social satire that the Host sets up in the General Prologue continues throughout the tales that the pilgrims tell.

These were stories told on the way to Canterbury. Even though the Tales are fictitious, Chaucer draws directly on real people and real events in his satire of human life. The Summoner produces false summons, while the Pardoner sells forged pardons. Chaucer makes them the epitome of all that is evil.

These are all things that an honorable Knight should do, as part of their code of chivalry. I agree totally. But, in an instant, he could use it to denigrate a person and ruin all that was left of their self-dignity.

Chaucer further gives us feedback of what actions the characters are taking in their lives. In fact they do and they call this literary tool… satire. Instead, cousins and friends end up hating each other, and they all end up participating in a pointless spectacle of a war game, where the winner dies, and the loser gets the girl.

And, in the end of the tale, everyone ends up somewhat unhappy, and there is no clear winner. As for a hood, for comfort he wore none.