The Merchant

The object of present text is to explain how the poet uses the irony to reveal the merchant. Indeed, the irony is a figure of speech according to say something to mean the opposite.

The poet starts the characterization of the merchant with giving some information of physical features and of him dress. Indeed, the poet explain that he uses a motley dress and that he has a forking beard, thus it conveys that the merchant is an eccentric person and he wants to be noticed. As a consequence, the reader wonders why the poet tells about him aspect and he does not tell about him work or him ability. 

In the following lines, the poet uses the expression “high on his horse he sat” to convey the merchant’s self-confidence and pride. In addition, the alliteration of sounds “h” sticks the line in the reader’s mind. Moreover, in the sixth line the merchant’s pride conveyed by the previous line is highlighted by the expression “in solemn tones” and “he harped on his increase”, also connoted by the alliteration of sounds “h”. 

In the eleventh line the adjective “estimable” is associated to merchant. The intelligent reader understands that the poet uses an ironic tone, just reading the following lines, where the poet makes clear that the merchant is in debt.

In the final line the poet makes fun of the merchant, just using an ironic tone to describe him ability. The last line confirms the bad image of the merchant and the rhyme “same”, “name” sticks the line in the mind of reader.

The poet explains the complex character through the irony, indeed the first good appear of merchant is eliminated by the ironic tone and deviation.