"By close and detailed analysis, write a character study of the Merchant, as he is present in the general prologue and the prologue to his own tale.".
The Merchant has a forked beard, dresses in motley and .
rides a high horse. From this first section of description of the Merchant it is clear that he is someone that is high in society and is a social success or at least believes people to think so. .
"Upon his heed a flaundrissh bever hat, his bootes clasped faire and fetisly".
He wears a Flemish beaver hat and his boots are described as being clasped elegantly. This suggests the Merchant knows how to look and act, it describes him as being someone who cares about appearance.
It says he gave his opinions on English policy very pompously and these opinions were always dictated by his idea of what would be good for trade and lead to an increase of his own profits. Suggests something about his personality being quite selfish and arrogant it also clear from the text he is extremely pompous in his manners and opinions.
One of these being that he firmly believed that the sea between .
Middleburgh and Orewelle should be guarded at all costs. He .
profitably sold French crowns called "sheeldes" that he received .
in exchange for his goods. Showing he was a successful businessman and he was not afraid of doing things that might get him in to trouble. He is dignified in the management of his affairs and the fact that nobody knew about his debts shows a not so obvious side of the Merchant. He manages his financial affairs cleverly so that nobody knows that he is actually in debt. He never loses any money in his bargains and is extremely knowledgeable about the .
business of borrowing and lending money.
Although he was a worthy man Chaucer doesn't know his name. Suggesting Chaucer knew him, or he based his character on someone that was well know and possibly respected.
The Merchant says that he has had more than his share of weeping, worrying and mourning in his marital life.