Question

Why does Chaucer include both positive and negative representations of people from different estates in The Canterbury Tales? Give one example of a positive representation and one example of a negative representation. Explain how each character shows either positive or negative traits. Your answer should be at least one paragraph.

Answer 1

Chaucer describes different characters focusing on the positives and negatives of the people in an entertaining way. The different states included in the tales are England's clergy, the nobility and merchants.

It shows bad examples like the abuses of the clergy with the reference of the nun and the way she dresses.

A good example could be the Plowman's case. A worker that according to the author lives in pace and is a man of God. He respects the Lord and likes charity helping the poor.