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What Technique Does Chaucer Use to Create Lively Characters?

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Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales’ author, uses a variety of literary techniques in his writing. They make the characters lively and dynamic. How does it work? The answer is simple! Chaucer describes the characters through their actions, words, and appearance.

Detailed answer:

Geoffrey Chaucer is a poet-writer who lived in England during times of the Middle Ages. He discovered many literary techniques. Thus, some literary critics consider him to be the creator of English literature and poetry.

Chaucer is the author of books that are famous for their originality and antiquity. They also include a precise description of the medieval setting. The tool that he uses the most is indirect characterization. This literary device is widely used in The Canterbury Tales.

Indirect characterization is not an original invention of Geoffrey Chaucer. This literary device was used before him (e.g., in myths and religious texts). Its core principle is “show, not tell.” In other words, the author does not simply describe the characters. He reveals the nature of his characters through their phrases, behavior, and general appearance. The Canterbury Tales contain many examples of indirect characterization. This device makes Chaucer’s characters lively.

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IvyPanda. 2024. "What Technique Does Chaucer Use to Create Lively Characters?" August 20, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/q/what-technique-does-chaucer-use-to-create-lively-characters/.

1. IvyPanda. "What Technique Does Chaucer Use to Create Lively Characters?" August 20, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/q/what-technique-does-chaucer-use-to-create-lively-characters/.


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IvyPanda. "What Technique Does Chaucer Use to Create Lively Characters?" August 20, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/q/what-technique-does-chaucer-use-to-create-lively-characters/.