Oxford Cleric- The clearest element of this man's character we receive from Chaucer is his 'one goal' or perhaps 'singular-mindedness' "His only care was study, and indeed/ He never spoke a word more than was need." However to contrast this negative quality, Chaucer provides us with the character's sincerity. The cleric truly desires logic, he is genuine in his love for learning. For whenever he borrowed money for books from his friends he "prayed for them most earnestly, returning / Thanks to them for his learning." The key element of satire provided in Chaucer's characterization of the logician is juxtaposition. The cleric is so focused on the things of life that really matter; he studies logic, Aristotle, and learning. However he cannot take care of the things that matter on a smaller (yet more practical) scale. "his horse was thinner than a rake" "The thread on his over coat was bare" "he was too unworldly to make search/ for secular employment"
The Knight- The knight is a truly surprising character for Chaucer. It is one of the few characters that Chaucer awards and does not demean the Knight's character with any clear satire.
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