Literature presents a useful platform of learning morals and values required for a progressive community. Readers obtain vital knowledge and skills from written works of scholars and prominent authors. This analysis, nevertheless, discusses Chaucer’s character’s traits as the narrator of the General Prologue in The Canterbury Tales. This is part of many tales found in The Canterbury Tales which presents vital lessons regarding positive values (Calabrese 509). As will be noted, the narrator’s traits can be obtained using varying techniques. Specifically, this analysis focuses on his perception and attitude towards fellow pilgrims and the event. It is worth noting that the General Prologue’s narrator depicts positive personal traits evidenced in his experience of making pilgrimage to Canterbury.
The narrator begins by describing the physical environment during the spring season. It is during the period when flowers blossom indicating a new weather season. Making pilgrimage during spring is symbolic to the Catholics as it marks new beginnings in one’s life. The narrator of the General Prologue, nonetheless, seems fascinated about travelling to Canterbury (Calabrese 510). He spends the night together with other pilgrims and in the morning begins introducing them sequentially to readers. This context, most fundamentally, illustrates that the narrator is a spiritual person who implements holy works as guided by faith. Making pilgrimage is a vital religious practice attributed with soul cleansing and good luck. Consequently, it is accurate to state that the narrator is spiritually consistent and religiously committed.
Moreover, the narrator’s attitude towards the pardoner is indicative of his personal traits as an individual. Traditionally, people used to judge character and actions based on one’s facial appearance in a process called the physiognomy. In this case, Chaucer describes the pardoner as an impotent man lacking manhood (Calabrese 510). This description arises from the physical appearance, hair color and texture of the clergyman presented as the pardoner. It is accurate to state that the narrator of the General Prologue depicted sexist attributes. Describing people based on gender is considered sexism in the modern social world, hence a regressive practice. The process of judging character based on one’s facial structure appears to be inaccurate and misinforming.
The General Prologue also depicts the narrator’s character during an audience address intended to defend his work. Originality is a vital component of literature as it measures experiences and situations firsthand. Presenting information on such encounters should be copyright protected hence require active and legal defense. In this context, the narrator addresses his reading audience to ensure an accurate understanding for his original works (Calabrese 510). This aspect of literature is indicative of an individual who values his creativity and acknowledges the threat of piracy. He warns the readers to understand the essence of his works and its contribution to historical development of the present day United Kingdom. Documenting the pilgrimage alongside other compatriots marked a great sense of national belonging.
In conclusion, the narrator of the General Prologue depicts moral traits as evidenced throughout the book. The initial phase of this tale entails an introduction of pilgrims who spend the night together. Further description regarding the pardoner indicates a negative trait in sexism as the narrator considers the pardoner as impotent and lacking manhood. The physiognomy approach using facial appearance to judge character was misinformed and irrelevant. This analysis, most importantly, presents a protected sense of originality in literature depicted by the narrator’s address to readers. Chaucer is committed to protecting his works in documenting the pilgrimage during spring. The religious attributes depicted when visiting a sacred place presents the narrator as a spiritual person who respects and practices ethical values in the community.
Work Cited
Calabrese, Michael. “Historians on Chaucer: The” General Prologue” to the” Canterbury Tales.” ed. by Stephen H. Rigby.” Studies in the Age of Chaucer, vol. 40 no.1, 2018, pp. 508-513.