Character: A MONK
Approach to Characterization (In/direct, when, why):
Chaucer uses both indirect and direct characterization in multiple instances. Direct is used when describing his appearance, all of his nice clothes, and that he wears things made of gold. Indirect characterization is found when speaking of his actions, he was a lazy man judging by the reference to St. Augustine who criticized lazy monks, it can also be implied that he is wealthy, and quite attached to the world and its riches.
Direct
"..his sleeves were garnished at the hand
with fine gray fur, the finest in the land,
and on his hood, to fasten it at his chin
he had a wrought-gold cunningly fashioned pin.."
"His head was bald and shone like looking-glass..
He was a fat and personable priest;
his prominent eyeballs never seemed to settle."
Indirect
"He let go by the things of yesterday
and took the modern world's more spacious way.
..Was he to leave the world upon the shelf?
Let Austin (St Augustine) have his labor to himself."
Tone(in regard to characters):
Chaucer's tone toward this specific character is satirical and humorous. He describes multiple aspects of the character that do not fit in with the typical, and well-known image of a 'monk,' as if criticizing this man who is on a "spiritual" journey.
Humor:
There is definitely a huge amount of humor in this story, all the descriptions, or most, seem to have a comical aspect behind them. However, the humor is also used to prove a point, Chaucer uses it to depict both sides of the character/person, referencing both the good and the bad in each.
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