only one consciousness. It also references a subtle shift in the social structure of England in Chaucer's day, with the artisan class—i.e., the dyers and carpenters and weavers—gradually gaining a more important social standing.

There are five different methods of, or features to, characterization: physical traits, actions/attitudes, inner thoughts, other characters' reactions, and things the character says. These five different features can be revealed through two different methods of characterization: direct and indirect. In direct characterization, the narrator comes out and describes the character to the reader. In indirect characterization, the reader gleans a sense of what the character is like as a person through things the character says and does, plus through other characters' reactions to the character. In Geoffrey Chaucer's "General Prologue" to The Canterbury Tales, the narrator uses only the method of direct characterization to describe each character. Each characterization also incorporates all five of the above features.

Looking at the knight as an example, we see that the first thing the narrator does is describe the knight's attitudes. More specifically, we learn that he "loved honor, chivalry, / The spirit of giving, truth and courtesy"--all things that a knight is expected to love and to exemplify. The narrator next goes into a description of the knight's actions by describing him as a "valiant warrior," naming all of the lands he has traveled to fight in the name of Christendom, and stating that "[n]o other noble Christian fought so well." The narrator further describes the knight's actions by describing that he always acted rightly, gently, and spoke kindly. The narrator ends with a physical description of the knight by depicting him wearing a rusted fustian tunic.

As the characterizations continue, we begin to notice that they become contradictory, which helps establish the satirical nature of the book. For example, the monk is described as being richly clad in fur and jewels, which contradicts the traditional role of a monk--to live in humility and poverty so that all may be given to others. In addition, the friar is described as being a "wanton one and merry," which can be understood to mean that he is sexually unrestrained and happy, whereas a friar normally should not be sexually unrestrained because such behavior breaks the vow of chastity. Such characterizations serve to develop Chaucer's dominant theme of corruption within the church.

In "The General Prologue" to Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, his characters are, in some instances, very stereotypical. Most specifically I would cite the members of the clergy. 

It is no secret that all institutions have some level of corruption, and the medieval church was no exception. While Chaucer points out the tendencies of most of the ecclesiastical participants on the pilgrimage to "sin," he is not "preachy," but is simply an observer—allowing the reader to judge the facts as they are presented (as Chaucer sees them).  

In that during this time there was no separation of Church and state, it is important to note that the Roman Catholic Church was in charge of religious and state affairs. Its representatives were the judge and jury: the highest law in the land. To sin was also to break the law. The strength of the Church was complete as it crossed all barriers—language and physical. Until Henry VIII decided to make himself the head of his own church and grant himself a divorce in the 15th Century, the Church's power was unchallenged. 

Chaucer does not try to persuade the reader that all members of the clergy have failed to serve the the Church by giving up worldly goods to serve those in need and win souls for the Church; of the five he describes, only one has done so. The others are cheats, liars and philanderers. Chaucer addresses the difference between the impression these people give with their true character.

The suggestion that outward appearances are reliable indicators of internal character was not considered radical or improper among contemporary audiences.

For example, the Pardoner is assigned to sell pardons from sin to the people. Instead he sells stolen pardons, the profits of which he can keep for himself. His greed is excessive. Chaucer provides...

...the reader with the perception of a man of extreme sexual and spiritual poverty, willingly admitting that he abuses his authority and sells fake relics. 

The Monk is not much better. He has in no way taken a vow of poverty. He owns a horse, hunts (not something the poor could afford to do), owns jewelry, and is fat: he eats well. His clothing is rich, and he spends a great deal of time pursuing forms of entertainment rather than religious service.

The Friar is all about making money, too. He listens to confession for money—the more one pays, the more forgiveness the Friar offers. They were...

...well shriven [if they were willing to] give silver for a poor Friar's care.

The Friar keeps little gifts for the young ladies in his purse, and there is a sense of immoral behavior on his part with these women. He has no time to see to the needs of the poor or infirm. He is friends with food vendors. In essence, he enjoys his station, afforded him by misusing his position with the Church.

The Nun is another who dresses well, has jewelry and keeps dogs, feeding them little tidbits of food.

With roasted flesh, or milk, or fine white bread. (145)

She obviously comes from money, and has not given up the elegant life style she is accustomed to.

The only true servant of God, the one who does not seem stereotypical (especially in that there are several who do not do their jobs and he is the only one who does) is the Parson. Here is a man who has given up all he has in the world...

Who truly knew Christ's gospel and would preach it... (479)

Any gifts he is given for holidays, he gives to the poor. He is a true servant of the people for the Church.