Medieval Character Generation: Sock Puppets, Catfish, Templates, and Rhetorical Reasoning in Chaucer

This talk will explore processes of medieval character creation, as exemplified in Geoffrey Chaucer's works and particularly the Legend of Good Women, in dialogue with contemporary media and narrative techniques. The presentation will explore the influence of rhetorical education character development in medieval literature, viewing Chaucer as a part of a larger medieval tradition. Much like modern scriptwriters and content creators, Chaucer explored the tension between character types and personsae found in rhetorical and exemplary 'templates' and the particularity of lived experience. This exploration will draw parallels between the narrative strategies of the past and present, highlighting how medieval techniques of character generation resonate in today's media landscape, especially video game design and fan culture.