The Sergeant at the Law was a person of wisdom and knew the law extremely well. He "knew of every judgment, case and crime recorded, ever since King William's time. He could dictate defenses or draft deeds," He was obviously hardworking and wise, and gained a lot of respect. "His fame and learning and his high position had won him many a robe and many a fee." He seemed to be using his talents to earn money, which seemed alright to me. His name stated what he does, and what he does he accomplished well- a successful man. However, the passage implies that he was sensitive and probably stiff necked to what others have to say. "No one could pinch a comma from his screeds". I don't think any opposition would be allowed to tarnish his reputation. He would also probably be a showoff who has little friends. The passage gave no indication of anyone being affiliated closely with him. He probably isolated himself in his own pride. Chaucer could be making fun of those who are wise and successful but whose social life may be sad. The Sergeant at the Law was wise, almost too wise. And that idealization made it almost a satire. He seemed delight in what he does because of its fame and showed off with his clothing. "He wore a homely parti-colored coat girt with a silken belt of pin-stripe stuff;". I do not know what a parti-colored coat, but that sentence gives me a sense of some fanciness in his clothing, probably to make himself appear higher than normal people. Silk was probably extremely expensive then and could only be afforded by the more successful people. During that time period, only the silk road existed to bring items into Europe, and items that came from Asia are considered a rare luxury item. He is not only good at drawing up contracts, but also at buying property too. "There was no such conveyancer as he" all was fee-simple to his strong digestion." His intentions of going on this pilgrimage would probably be to demonstrate his wisdom and to gain the ability to boast on going on such a trip.
