The Merchant's Tale characters and dilemmas helpsheet

A-level students explore a short extract from 'The Merchant's Tale' and comment on the effect created by Chaucer's use of a range of poetic devices. Would work well for pair or group work in class, or for homework prior to class discussion and feedback. The poetic devices include: 

• Adjectives to describe the central characters
• Symbolism
• Rhetorical questions, exclamation / heightened language
• Powerful description of Januarie’s blindness
• Description of Januarie’s jealousy
• Use of proverbs
• The description of May’s love for Damyan
• Presentation of Damyan
• References made to other sources
• Direct address to audience