The+merchant-The+Canterbury+tales

Chaucer is considered the first English writer, because he has been the first to use the middle English in licterature. In the Canterbury Tales, his most important work, he writes about the three orders of the Medieval society and presents them describing some exponents for each order. He particularly talks about the new emerging class,the merchants, and he doesn't dwell much on the noblemen.
 * The merchant **

A Medieval Merchant was a businessperson engaged in retail trade. The word 'merchant' is believed to be derived from the Latin word “mercari” meaning to traffic and the French word “mercies” meaning wares. A Medieval merchant would often travel and traffic with foreign countries. A Medieval merchant would source his supplies and sell them to various customers via shops, markets or Medieval fairs.
 * Medieval Merchant **

The Middle Ages saw the rapid expansion of Medieval trade and commerce in Europe. The most important factor in the expansion of trade and commerce in Europe were the Crusades. Trade made the Medieval merchants and rulers rich. A Merchant Guild was an association of traders that was able to negotiate with the lord to regulate trade taxes, control the way in which trade was conducted in the towns and apply rules to the way in which trade was conducted. The members of the Merchant Guilds became very important members of the Medieval town.


 * The Merchant's Prologue **

Chapter 38: Lines 1-15 of 32

Of weeping and wailing, care and other sorrow I know enough, at eventide and morrow, The merchant said, and so do many more Of married folk, I think, who this deplore, For well I know that it is so with me. I have a wife, the worst one that can be; For though the foul Fiend to her wedded were, She'd overmatch him, this I dare to swear. How could I tell you anything special Of her great malice? She is shrew in all. There is a long and a large difference Between Griselda's good and great patience And my wife's more than common cruelty. Were I unbound, as may I prosperous be! I'd never another time fall in the snare.

The description of the Merchant is notable, beacause it shows the disparity between how the narrator appraises a character and what he describes. After listing a number of unflattering qualities in the Merchant, the narrator still judges him to be a fine man; in these descriptions, the details and anecdotes are far more important in defining character than the final stated opinion of the narrator.

Annalaura Manes, Eleonora D'Imperio e Mario Mosiello.