Textuality » 3A Interacting
The Prioress
Social Status: She belongs to the clergy and, in particular, she is a prioress. She is at the highest level than an ordinary nun.
Behaviour: She isn't described as a nun but more like a charming lady and as an attractive woman whose main interest is etiquette.
Language: She speaks French very well. At that time, French was the language used by the nobility.
Actions: She usually sings the divine service prettily, and " through the nose, becomly intoned" thanks these words we understand that she does everything in her power to draw people's attention.
The way she eats: She had learnt good table manners and her way to eat is too precise for a nun.
Appearance: She cures more her physical appearance than her religion faith.
Behaviour with animals: She loves animals more than common people. "If she saw a mouse caught in a trap, and it was dead she would weep"; "she kept some little dogs and these she fed on roast, or on milk and fine white bread."
Physical appearance: Only in the end of the characterization the poet refers to her physical aspect. "Her nose well shaped; eyes blue-grey of great beauty and her mouth tender, very small and red".