The Significance of Clothing in The Canterbury Tales...

Throughout The Canterbury Tales: General Prologue, Chaucer’s use of the characters’ clothing, to symbolize what lies beneath the surface of each personality is significant. Chaucer strongly uses the Knight, the Squire and the Prioress’s clothing to symbolize how their personalities are reflected through The Canterbury Tales. The Knight’s true character is portrayed through his modest apparel. His character is displayed by the way he chooses to show himself in public, which is a noble knight, that is why he wears dirty clothes and chooses to come on the pilgrimage straight from battle. â€Å"A Knight there was and that a worthy man, that from time that he first began. To riden out, he loved chivalry. Truth and honour, freedom and courtesy,†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦show more content†¦The Yeomen succumbs to societys inclination that when he dresses the part he will become successful. He decides to wears a coat with a green hood. From a low social standing, he beli eves that the better he looks the more successful he will become. Emphasis should be placed on ones achievements and inner self rather than outward appearance. â€Å"A sheaf of peacock arrows bright and keen,† (104). This demonstrates how the Yeoman appears to be in a moderately high social class, but in reality he is a lowly servant. He wears bright and keen garments which implies that he thinks of himself as an important person. An elaborate brace is worn on his arm to protect it from the bow. At first glance, one would assume that he was a superior archer of high standings rather then a lowly Yeomen. â€Å"A Christopher on his breast of silver sheen,† (115). This â€Å"Christopher† is a medal which he wears on his chest. This implies that he thinks of himself, worthy enough to wear such a glorifying medal. Had it been awarded to another, more humble person, they would have treasured it in their heart, rather than displaying it for its sentimental worthlessnes s. The Yeoman feels as though he needs to dress nicely because he is sentimental or insecure about his low social ranking. â€Å"And on that other side a gay dagger Harnessed well and sharp as point of spear,† (113-114). This quote clearlyShow MoreRelatedThe Complex Character of the Merchant in The Canterbury Tales1388 Words   |  6 Pagesorder to surprise and convey a specific purpose later on. Chaucer demonstrates this idea in The Canterbury Tales, specifically with the Merchant character. In the General Prologue, Chaucer portrays the Merchant as a respectable character; however, he hints aspects of the Merchants personality that question this respectable image. The Merchant’s entire personality is later revealed in his Prologue and Tale, as it is made evident of his cynical and pessimistic outlook, making him less respectful. InRead MoreChaucer, Shakespeare, and Eunuchs4253 Words   |  18 Pageswholeness, just as the reader of a text strives to correctly interpret a story, but neither can be fully satisfied. I find it arguable that most of the characters in The Canterbury Tales and Shakespeare’s works mirror the eunuch pardoner in their partialness. For Chaucer I will primarily focus on â€Å"The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale† and how her inner animus creates conflict within herself and the characters around her ultimately placing her in an in-between state between male and female characteristicsRead More Powerful Satire in Chaucers Canterbury Tales Essay3466 Words   |  14 PagesPowerful Satire in The Canterbury Tales If one theme can be considered overriding or defining throughout Medieval European society, it would most likely be the concept of social class structure. During this early historical period in Europe, most of society was divided into three classes or estates: the workers, the nobles, and the clerics. By Chaucers time, however, the powerful estate structure had begun to wear down. Weaknesses in the system became apparent, as many people, such as ChaucerRead More The Rich Diversity of Meanings of the Pardoners Tale Essay5609 Words   |  23 PagesThe Rich Diversity of Meanings of the Pardoners Tale Chaucer’s innovation in the Pardoner’s performance tests our concept of dramatic irony by suggesting information regarding the Pardoner’s sexuality, gender identity, and spirituality, major categories in the politics of identity, without confirming that information. Our presumed understanding of the Pardoner as a character lacks substantiation. As we learn about the Pardoner through the narrator’s eyes and ears, we look to fit the nobleRead More Post Plague Social, Economic, and Historical Characteristics of Chaucer’s Pilgrims2928 Words   |  12 Pagesplague daily. Throughout his life, it was almost impossible that the plague did not touch some aspect of his life. Chaucer uses his experiences and his observations, to accurately illustrate a proportionate cross section of English society in The Canterbury Tales. Chaucer capitalizes on social, economical, and historical events to place each pilgrim in his/her proper place in society. Most, if not al l, of these events were created or effected by some aspect of the plague. Most important were the impactsRead More Chaucer’s Use of Clothing: an Effective Rhetorical Device Essay1827 Words   |  8 PagesChaucer’s Use of Clothing: an Effective Rhetorical Device In Literature, as in real life, characters are sometimes judged by their appearance. The description of clothing provides detail and comment on those wearing them. Chaucer’s uses of artifice in The Canterbury Tales function as gauges of the social status and economic wealth, and emotional condition of each pilgrim. Artifice effectively provides a badge of humanity, symbolic of each character’s fallibility. Yet clothing simultaneously imposesRead MoreThe Prioress vs. the Wife of Bath2297 Words   |  10 PagesIn Geoffrey Chaucers, The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer narrates the accounts of several pilgrims on their way to visit the shrine of St. Thomas Becket at the Cathedral in Canterbury. Through his narratives, Chaucer presents his audience with a broad representation of life and social class interaction in both the pilgrims and the characters in their tales. Chaucer brings to light various ideas, thoughts, and commentary in regards to medieval society. The two most s ignificant characters who provideRead MoreA Picatrix Miscellany52019 Words   |  209 PagesHeavens for the Fashioning of Images† VI. The Picatrix: Lunar Mansions in Western Astrology VII. W. B. Yeats and â€Å"A Vision:† The Arab Mansions of the Moon On Ritual and Talismans Picatrix Astrological Magic Aphorisms Extracts on Planetary Ritual Clothing Twenty Two Benefic Astrological Talismans Astrology, Magical Talismans and the Mansions of the Moon Ritual of Jupiter An Astrological Election of Mercury in the First Face of Virgo for Wealth and Growth XIV. Invocation of Mercury On the Decans and