THE SUMMONER

Indirect Characterization

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

• "And, as you know, a man can teach a jay
• To call out "Walter" better than the Pope."
• Lines 660-661

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

• The summoner would only speak Latin when he
• was drunk, but never had any idea what he was
• saying. He would try to make himself appear much
• smarter than he actually was.

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

• "Why, he'd allow--just for a quart of wine--
• Any good lad to keep a concubine
• A twelvemonth and dispense him altogether!"
• Lines 667-669

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

• The summoner was easily bribed.
• Just by giving him a small bit of wine,
• He would do you a favor, even if it was illegal.

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

• "Outside an ale-house, and he had a cake,
• A round one, which it was his joke to wield,
• As if it were intended for a shield."
• Lines 686-688

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

• The comparison of the cake to a shield shows
• that the summoner believes his deeds to be knightly--
• he thinks he is doing good to the people he breaks
• the law for and that it is his own form of heroism.

Direct Characterization

DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

• "His face on fire, like a cherubin,
• For he had carbuncles. His eyes were narrow,
• He was as hot and lecherous as a sparrow.
• Black scabby brows he had, and a thin beard.
• Children were afraid when he appeared" Lines 642-646

DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

• The summoner was incredibly unattractive.
• He had blatant blemishes on his face that
• made him appear very unsightly and frightening.

DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

• "No quicksilver, lead ointment, tartar creams,
• No brimstone, no boracic, so it seems,
• Could make a salve that had the bower to bite,
• Clean up or cure his whelks of knobby white
• Or purge the pimples sitting on his cheeks." Lines 647-651

DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

• His ailments were incurable, and his blemishes
• could not be removed. Many ointments were tried,
• but they all failed.

DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

• "And drinking strong red wine till all was hazy,
• Then he would shout and jabber as if crazy,"
• Lines 653-654

DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

• He was an avid drinker. Alcohol was
• his passion, and it would make him shout
• and go absolutely crazy.

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