The Prologue
from
The Canterbury Tales
Geoffrey Chaucer
Authors want their characters to seem like real people with distinctive natures and features. To do so, authors develop a character’s qualities through a method called characterization. The two primary types of characterization are direct and indirect characterization. Using these types of characterization enable authors to create fictional characters who are believable and act in recognizable ways.
In direct characterization, authors directly state a character’s traits, such as Chaucer saying The Knight “was of sovereign value in all eyes/and though so much distinguished, he was wise” (lines 69-70).
In indirect characterization, authors describe a character through his or her behavior, thoughts, and speech. Chaucer uses indirect characterization when he describes the Knight as “ever honored for his nobles graces” (line 50).
Directions: Answer these questions about characterization in “The Prologue” from
The Canterbury Tales
. Use textual evidence from the poem to support your responses.
1. In lines 81-90, identify one example of direct characterization.
Lines 81-90: “He had his son with him, a fine young Squire, A lover and cadet, a lad of fire With locks as curly as if they had been pressed. He was some
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