Textuality » 3A Interacting
DMosca - Characterization of The Monk
by - (2011-05-11)
Up to Creative Writing Experiences. Characterization in Poetry
Characterization of the Monk
The description of the monk provided by Chaucer contains information that you don't expect to regard a person devoted to God. That's why the characterization is interesting and involves the reader.
Right from the start, Chaucer keeps the curiosity of the reader high using an introductive formula that is typical of fairy tales. What's more, the use of punctuation draws the reader's attention on the most important elements of the characterization. As an example, the comma used in the 3rd line draws the reader's attention on the expression "manly man". These two words are key words connected by alliteration and assonance and they seem to highlight the features that make the monk a man.
The pieces of information provided by the narrator in the first lines are about one of the character's hobbies: hunting. The reader knows that the monk likes hunting and he has got a lot of fine horses. Right from the start, the character shows an attachment to material goods. The narrator goes on saying that he can ride a horse very well and sound devices like onomatopoeia seem to reproduce the loud sound of the bridle of the monk. The expression aye is a false start: it reminds the reader that this characterization belongs to oral stories told during pilgrimages. The expression "my lord Monk" is ironical: Chaucer insists saying that the monk seems an aristocratic person, not a one who belonged to clergy.
Subsequently, the narrator provides an interesting piece of information: the character doesn't follow the Rule and is attracted by modern world. At that point, some rhetoric questions appear: they want the reader to reflect on the high level of corruption inside Church: why does a monk hunt and eat well instead of learning, following the Rule and working the land?
Also his clothes are really expensive: as a consequence the monk doesn't believe in poverty and charity that should be the basis of Christian thought.
The close of the characterization refers to the physical appearance of the monk: he is bald and fat, his eyes are lively and he doesn't seem to be worried about moral problems at all.
Similitude is a frequent figure of speech within the lines of the characterization: it always refers to elements belonging to the semantic field of gastronomy, in order to underline the obsessive attachment to food of the monk.
The description of the monk provided by Chaucer contains information that you don't expect to regard a person devoted to God. That's why the characterization is interesting and involves the reader.
Right from the start, Chaucer keeps the curiosity of the reader high using an introductive formula that is typical of fairy tales. What's more, the use of punctuation draws the reader's attention on the most important elements of the characterization. As an example, the comma used in the 3rd line draws the reader's attention on the expression "manly man". These two words are key words connected by alliteration and assonance and they seem to highlight the features that make the monk a man.
The pieces of information provided by the narrator in the first lines are about one of the character's hobbies: hunting. The reader knows that the monk likes hunting and he has got a lot of fine horses. Right from the start, the character shows an attachment to material goods. The narrator goes on saying that he can ride a horse very well and sound devices like onomatopoeia seem to reproduce the loud sound of the bridle of the monk. The expression aye is a false start: it reminds the reader that this characterization belongs to oral stories told during pilgrimages. The expression "my lord Monk" is ironical: Chaucer insists saying that the monk seems an aristocratic person, not a one who belonged to clergy.
Subsequently, the narrator provides an interesting piece of information: the character doesn't follow the Rule and is attracted by modern world. At that point, some rhetoric questions appear: they want the reader to reflect on the high level of corruption inside Church: why does a monk hunt and eat well instead of learning, following the Rule and working the land?
Also his clothes are really expensive: as a consequence the monk doesn't believe in poverty and charity that should be the basis of Christian thought.
The close of the characterization refers to the physical appearance of the monk: he is bald and fat, his eyes are lively and he doesn't seem to be worried about moral problems at all.
Similitude is a frequent figure of speech within the lines of the characterization: it always refers to elements belonging to the semantic field of gastronomy, in order to underline the obsessive attachment to food of the monk.