ASSIGNMENT-1
(Unit 1 to 8)
(Course Name- English Poetry: From Chaucer To Milton)
(Course Code: PEG-101)
Q.1. How does Chaucer's deliberate use of diction and stylistic choices in The
Canterbury Tales shape the tone, characterization, and overall narrative, and
what might this reveal about his perspective on medieval society?
SOLUTION
Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, written in the late 14th century, is a
foundational work in English literature, celebrated for its rich language, vivid
characterization, and insightful commentary on medieval society. Chaucer’s
deliberate use of diction and stylistic techniques plays a crucial role in shaping
the tone of the tales, fleshing out complex characters, and weaving a cohesive
narrative. These literary devices are not merely decorative; they serve to subtly
critique, satirize, and reflect upon the social structures, religious institutions,
and cultural norms of the time. Chaucer’s linguistic and stylistic choices thus
reveal a nuanced perspective—simultaneously observant, critical, and
empathetic—toward the society in which he lived.
1. Diction and Tone: Crafting a Layered Narrative Voice
Chaucer’s diction, or word choice, is fundamental in establishing the tone of
The Canterbury Tales. His language ranges from elevated and courtly in some
tales to earthy and colloquial in others. This flexibility allows him to shift tone
depending on the tale and the narrator, creating a multi-voiced, dynamic text.
For example, in The Knight’s Tale, Chaucer employs a lofty, formal diction
reminiscent of classical epics and chivalric romance:
“A knyght ther was, and that a worthy man, / That fro the tyme that
he first bigan / To riden out, he loved chivalrie...”
This grand tone reinforces the knight’s nobility, valor, and adherence to the
chivalric code. Conversely, in The Miller’s Tale, Chaucer uses coarse, bawdy
language to evoke a more comic and vulgar atmosphere:
“This Absolon, that jolif was and gay, / Gooth with a sencer on the
haliday...”
The contrast in diction between these tales shapes the tone and sets
expectations for the reader. Chaucer’s varied use of tone—ranging from
reverent to irreverent, from serious to satirical—reflects his broader
understanding of human complexity. By embracing linguistic diversity, he
mirrors the diversity of his characters and the spectrum of human behavior.
2. Stylistic Choices and Characterization
Chaucer’s stylistic approach to characterization is especially notable. Through
the General Prologue and the individual prologues and tales, he constructs a
vibrant tapestry of personalities, each uniquely voiced and vividly rendered.
One of his most effective stylistic tools is the use of irony and subtle satire.
Take, for example, the description of the Prioress, Madame Eglantine. Chaucer
describes her with delicate, courtly details:
“She was so charitable and so pitous / She wolde wepe if that she
saw a mous / Kaught in a trappe, if it were deed or bledde.”
At first glance, this description appears sympathetic, yet Chaucer’s excessive
focus on her table manners, dainty eating habits, and superficial piety
undercuts her religious sincerity. Her affectation of courtly behavior, more
suited to aristocrats than nuns, subtly critiques the misplaced priorities within
the Church.
Similarly, Chaucer’s portrayal of the Pardoner is a masterclass in ironic
characterization. In his Prologue, the Pardoner admits to his own hypocrisy:
“For though myself be a ful vicious man, / A moral tale yet I you telle
can.”
Here, Chaucer uses the Pardoner’s own words to expose the corruption of
church officials who preach morality but act immorally. The tension between
the tale’s moral message and the teller’s immorality deepens the narrative’s
irony and complexity.
Chaucer’s technique of allowing characters to narrate their own tales, often in
language reflective of their status and worldview, further deepens
characterization. The Miller’s coarse language and ribald humor, for instance,
perfectly match his boisterous, lower-class persona. The Wife of Bath, with her
prologue longer than her tale, reveals her experiences, opinions, and control
over her narrative, making her one of the most psychologically complex
characters in medieval literature.
3. Narrative Structure: Framing Device and Social Commentary
Chaucer’s overarching narrative structure—a storytelling contest among
pilgrims traveling to Canterbury—provides both cohesion and a means for
social commentary. This frame tale enables the juxtaposition of multiple voices
and perspectives, democratizing storytelling and highlighting social diversity.
Through this structure, Chaucer offers a microcosm of medieval society,
including figures from various social estates: nobility (the Knight), clergy (the
Prioress, the Monk, the Friar), the rising bourgeoisie (the Merchant, the
Franklin), and the working class (the Miller, the Plowman). The pilgrims’
interactions, rivalries, and responses to each other’s tales reflect the tensions
and interdependencies of a stratified society.
The Host, Harry Bailey, serves as both a mediator and commentator, helping to
organize the tales and providing occasional insight into the dynamics among
the pilgrims. His character allows Chaucer to inject moments of levity,
authority, or critique without overt authorial intrusion.
Chaucer’s use of the unreliable narrator is another sophisticated narrative
technique. While the frame narrative appears to offer objective descriptions,
the narrator’s biases and limited understanding often color these portrayals.
This unreliability forces readers to engage critically with the text and question
the surface-level depictions.
4. Satire and Social Critique: Chaucer’s Perspective
Chaucer’s use of diction and stylistic choices often serves to satirize societal
norms and institutions. His satire is multifaceted—sometimes gentle,
sometimes biting—and reveals a deep skepticism toward religious hypocrisy,
social pretensions, and gender roles.
For instance, the corruption within the Church is a recurring theme. Characters
such as the Pardoner and the Summoner represent the moral decay of
ecclesiastical officials who exploit faith for personal gain. Chaucer’s linguistic
choices—often exposing contradictions between a character’s role and their
actions—highlight these hypocrisies. The Pardoner, with his fake relics and
self-confessed greed, becomes a vehicle for Chaucer’s critique of the
commodification of religion.
Gender dynamics also come under scrutiny, most notably in The Wife of Bath’s
Prologue. Through her candid discussion of marriage, sexuality, and authority,
Chaucer explores the power struggles between men and women. The Wife’s
mastery of rhetoric and self-justification challenges traditional patriarchal
narratives, suggesting Chaucer’s awareness of and engagement with gender
debates of his time.
Moreover, by giving voice to characters from lower social classes—such as the
Miller, the Reeve, and the Cook—Chaucer disrupts the hierarchical norms of
medieval literature, which traditionally centered on the aristocracy or clergy.
His stylistic choice to represent a range of dialects and registers affirms the
humanity and agency of individuals across the social spectrum.
5. Chaucer’s Linguistic Legacy and Humanism
Chaucer’s decision to write The Canterbury Tales in Middle English rather than
Latin or French was itself a revolutionary stylistic choice. By employing the
vernacular, he not only made literature accessible to a broader audience but
also legitimized English as a literary language.
This choice reflects an emerging humanist spirit—a recognition of the value of
individual experience and a desire to represent a fuller picture of humanity.
Chaucer’s diction is infused with a sensitivity to human foibles, desires, and
contradictions. Whether through satire or sincerity, he portrays his characters
with empathy, recognizing their complexity rather than reducing them to moral
exemplars or stereotypes.
His portrayal of flawed, often contradictory characters—capable of both virtue
and vice—suggests a proto-Renaissance sensibility. Chaucer does not present a
didactic vision of the world; rather, he invites readers to grapple with moral
ambiguities and social paradoxes.
Conclusion
Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales is a triumph of literary artistry, and his
deliberate use of diction and stylistic techniques is central to its enduring
power. Through varied tone, nuanced characterization, and innovative
narrative structure, Chaucer constructs a rich, polyphonic portrait of medieval
society. His linguistic choices illuminate the complexities of class, religion, and
gender, revealing a perspective that is at once critical, compassionate, and
keenly observant. Ultimately, Chaucer’s work transcends its historical context,
offering timeless insights into human nature and the social fabric that binds us.
