Chaucer's Canterbury Tales - The Character of the Reeve the success he achieved in his profession. It is obvious that Chaucer gives two different perceptions of the prefect, one concerns his physical constitution and the other the success he has achieved in his profession. In Chaucer's introduction to the Reeve, he immediately begins with the Reeve's physical constitution, as shown in this extract from The Canterbury Tales: “His bier was shaved as close as possible; staff, there was no yseene calf (590-594). » This excerpt shows the attention to detail that Chaucer chose to present the Reeve. Chaucer also gives the reeve a name, which is not common for most Canterbur pilgrims...... middle of paper ......w because he does not own the land he presides. Even though he is successful and has acquired some wealth through his profession, he still does not own the property and possessions and therefore cannot achieve the higher social status. In conclusion, Chaucer introduces the Reeve in detail, unusual for most Canterbury pilgrims. Tales. This detail, along with the fact that the Prefect was given a name, suggests that the Prefect tends to be more of a specific individual than a general presentation of a class or type of person. He was also successful in his profession as superintendent of his master's estate, and although he was respected and recognized for his achievements and wealth, he did not have a high social status due to his lack of land ownership..

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