The Plowman

1. The Plowman • By Yale & • Joe

2. Direct Characterization • “He wore a tabard smock and rode a mare (Chaucer 555). His appearance was not important to him. • “He was an honest worker, good and true (Chaucer 542). He worked for many people and did his best work no matter the circumstances. Sometimes he didn’t even get paid. • He is a very chivalrous workman, just as the knight was. He treated people the way that he wished to be treated back. All of the community liked him for his kindness and respect for others. • He is certainly not as rowdy as the other characters. He is a decent human being, and portrays a hard-working, devoted citizen.

3. Direct Characterization • He was a humble man who was the perfect example of someone who was being taken advantage of. He had all of the qualities of the Knight, but wasn’t famous. • “He paid his taxes, fully, fairly, well, both by his own toil and by stuff he’d sell” (Chaucer542). His words and actions had described him as a good member of the community. He paid all of the church fee’s that he owed on time and was a responsible member of the community. • The Plowman's personality can be related to the common working  class citizen of today.

4. Indirect Characterization • “He would help the poor for the love of Christ and he never take a penny (Chaucer 544). He would not take money from anyone even if he had none. He would rather sell what little he had to pay off debts. • His clothes described his social class because when you are rich and wealthy it really mattered what you looked like. He was described to be a very filthy man who wore a smock. Although his appearance was misleading inside he had great morals. • For Christ’s own sake, for every poor Wight (man) all without pay, if it lay in his might (Chaucer545). When you our poor and have the same beliefs of The Plowman what mattered was doing God’s word which was to help others no matter what.

5. Social Class • The Plowman was a poor lower class man, who was a peasant. • He was the dirtiest man of his time but the most holy with God. • “He loved God most, and that with his whole heart” (Chaucer542). He was an active member of the church and very much was a” believe in God and the afterlife. • He was the lowest of the food chain. He didn’t have much but he was still a very hard working optimistic man who did what ever it took to help people.

6. Chaucer’s Commentary • “He was an honest worker, good and true (Chaucer 542). He is a kind and respectful person. He lives life treating others as he would like to be treated. • He was a very religious person who respected wishes of God by following his religion strictly. “He loved God most, and that with his whole heart” (Chaucer542). • The moral virtue to be learned from the action of The Plowman is to be a kind person who works hard for what he has. You should treat people how you would like to be treated and respect all aspects of your religion. • The Plowman most definitely uphold the values of his social class. He is the perfect person. He is responsible and helpful. He pays all of his bill on time without help. He is never a burden by asking people to help him. He also is willing to help others do things without receiving a reward. • Chaucer is criticizing the rich people. The people who are fortunate enough to have materials and tools to help them have an easier life choose to make the people who are less fortunate pay. For example The Plowman barely has enough money to support his everyday life needs, but still finds away to pay off his debts. This still happens in today’s society today. Taxes are a good example. Its funny how history repeats itself because in the end the poor will always be paying the same or more as the wealthy.

7. Works Cited • http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=9687 • http://www.enotes.com/canterbury-tales-text/the-plowman • http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/canterbury/characters.html