Canterbury Tales: Merchant
DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION
There was a merchant with a forking beard (280)
And a motley dress; high on his horse he sat,
Upon his head a Flemish beaver hat
And on his feet daintily buckled boots.
With a cloak of "motley," a "flemish beaver hat," and "dantily buckled boots," the merchant was a fashionable man. These clothing items were popular during that time period.
He told of his opinions and pursuits (284)
In solemn tones, he harped on his increase
He was expert at dabbling in exchanges. (288)
His wits to work, none knew he was in debt, (290)
He was an excellent fellow all the same; (293)
Ironically, although the merchant acts as a successful saslesman, he's actually in debt. Furthermore, Chaucer indicates that many know the merchant soley by his appearance, which shows that he sells few products. In medieval England, debt was a sign of weak morals. Because he does not want to show his weakness, the merchant often acts very confident.