Description is very important when trying to visualize characters in a story. A perfect example of this is the direct characterization used by Geoffrey Chaucer in "The Canterbury Tales." The book is full of interesting characters: The Plowman, The Miller, and The Manciple. The Plowman is the brother of another character in the book and is a good and helpful Christian man. The second Character the Miller is very dishonest man who is selfish. Finally the third is the Manciple who is just as dishonest as The Miller only interested in his own profits. All three of these characters are described specifically giving the reader a direct view into these character's humble selfish ways.
The Plowman is emphasized as a good and true person who lives in peace by himself and is always willing to assist his fellow neighbors. "And then his neighbor as himself repined at no misfortune, slacked for no content, for steadily about his work to thresh his corn, to dig or to manure, or make a ditch; and he would help the poor."(pg. 184) The Plowman is also described as a good church going Christian and a humble man who dresses in a laborers coat and rode an inferior mare. "Loving God best with all of his heartHe wore a tabard smock and a mare" (pg. 184). His counterparts however are nowhere as humble or religious. In fact they are almost The Plowman's complete opposites. .
The Miller is almost the complete opposite of the humble Plowman. He is described by Chaucer as a rich man whose only goal is to increase his profits. His physical appearance is almost a reflection of his personality. He is broad shouldered, has a plump face with a giant red beard, and a ugly nose with an even uglier black wart on it. It is stated that he steals grain and sells it for triple the price, but has a golden thumb. "An honest Miller hath a golden thumb." (pg. 185) This is a pun, as the irony shows that the Miller's golden thumb only serves to increase his profits.
