BACKGROUND: In The Canterbury Tales, Author Geoffrey Chaucer reveals both good and bad traits in his characters, which leads to the idea that no person is good or all bad. In this story, the plot is the characters telling their stories, which reveals the characters, which leads to the aurthor's message about the human condition.

#1. Read and annotate the following selection from The Canterbury Tales. Indicate examples of negative characterization and of positive characterization.

#2. Using Chaucer's characterization of The Knight as a model, write a characterization of the main character in your favorite television show, story, drama, or novel. Be sure to include both the good and bad traits of the character.