The Merchant

1. History

1.1. growth of trade

1.2. circulation of money

1.3. eclosures and private property

1.4. financing wars

1.5. guilds

2. Society

2.1. new social classes

2.1.1. middle class

2.1.1.1. merchants

2.1.1.2. gentry

2.1.1.3. yeomen

3. Text by Chaucer

3.1. description

3.1.1. appearance

3.1.1.1. forking beard

3.1.2. clothes

3.1.2.1. dress

3.1.2.2. hat

3.1.2.3. boots

3.1.3. speeches

3.1.3.1. about business

3.1.3.2. about opinions and pursuits

3.1.3.3. solemn tones

3.1.3.4. hides negative particulars

3.1.3.4.1. "none knew he was in debt"

3.1.4. character

3.1.4.1. an excellent fellow all the same

3.2. style

3.2.1. irony

3.2.2. no harsh criticism