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CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
The Prologue from The Canterbury Tales
Geoffrey Chaucer

Authors want their characters to seem like real people with distinctive natures
and features. To do so, authors develop a character’s qualities through a
method called characterization. The two primary types of characterization
are direct and indirect characterization. Using these types of
characterization enable authors to create fictional characters who are
believable and act in recognizable ways.
In direct characterization, authors directly state a character’s traits, such as
Chaucer saying The Knight “was of sovereign value in all eyes/and though so
much distinguished, he was wise” (lines 69–70).
In indirect characterization, authors describe a character through his or her
behavior, thoughts, and speech. Chaucer uses indirect characterization when
he describes the Knight as “ever honored for his nobles graces” (line 50).

DIRECTIONS: Answer these questions about characterization in “The

Prologue” from The Canterbury Tales. Use textual evidence from the poem to
support your responses.

1. In lines 81–90, identify one example of direct characterization.

A fine young squire

2. In lines 81–90, identify one example of indirect characterization.

And had done valiantly in little space of time

3. What details in lines 105–121 directly characterize the Yeoman?

his hand was like a nut, his face was brown

4. What details in lines 105–121 indirectly characterize the Yeoman?

His arrows never drooped their feathers low

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