I read the tale of the Canon's Yeoman. The yeoman starts by describing, to his Canon's chagrin, the trials and tribulations in their pursuit of creating gold from other materials. Though clearly vexed, the canon does nothing to stop his yeoman's speech and simply dismisses himself from the conversation. The yeoman continues with his tale, admitting that they owe debts for borrowed materials that they promised would be turned into gold. He also describes a deceitful canon who took advantage of a priest through trickery.
Indirect Characterization-
1. The yeoman's foolishness is revealed through his discussion of his and his Canon's shady business dealings.
2. His disobedience is revealed when he ignores his Canon's advice to quit talking and avoid tainting his reputation.
3. The yeoman demonstrates his humility by admitting that he still can provide no insight to the trade of alchemy despite all his work with his canon.
4. The yeoman is honest and open with their struggles and the fact that alchemy is not a fruitful science and should not be pursued.
5. Before his tale about the deceitful canon, the yeoman concedes that not all canons are bad and they are poorly represented in this story just as Judas poorly represents the apostles.
Purpose-
Chaucer gives the voiceless a voice in this tale by telling it through the voice of a yeoman, or a servant. His canon's inability to shut him up pokes fun at the notion of having a servant. Chaucer also uses irony in the yeoman's tale. The yeoman critically tells of a deceitful canon when he and his canon are involved in very deceitful actions. Another irony is that the yeoman claims that his canon can pave the roads with gold, but he also says the alchemy is not a fruitful science.
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