From the Canterbury Tales Unit 2. Lesson 3 “The Pardoner’s Tale” From the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

OBJECTIVE: Students will analyze the complex character of the Pardoner in order to evaluate how rhetoric reveals the author’s purpose in “The Pardoner’s Tale.”

Mind Jog: Read the following passage from “The Pardoner’s Tale.” “Not even Death, alas, will take my life;/ So, like a wretched prisoner at strife/ Within himself, I walk alone and wait/ About the earth, which is my mother’s gate,/ Knock-knocking with my staff from night to noon/ And crying, ‘Mother, open to me soon!/ Look at me, mother, won’t you let me in?/ See how I wither, flesh and blood and skin!/ Alas! When will these bones be laid to rest?” (lines 124-131). What is ironic about calling Death “Mother?” What does the Pardoner’s choice of figurative language reveal about his attitude toward Death?

The Pardoner: Recall our discussion about the Prologue from yesterday. List at least three words to describe Chaucer’s attitude about the Pardoner. Make a prediction regarding what the Pardoner’s “moral” tale might be about.

Close Reading Video Option 2: Close Read with Elements of Literature Option 1: Close Read with Collections Watch an animated video of The Pardoner's Tale. Take notes on gender roles as they are portrayed in the video and the tale. The Pardoner's Tale Work individually or in pairs on the Close Reader translation of “The Pardoner’s Tale” (p.19-32) using the questions and activities indicated at the bottom of the pages to complete a close reading of the rhetoric and characterization in the tale. This text is also available with audio using the Collections digital resources. Read “The Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale” in the textbook and answer the questions at the bottom of each page as well as the questions at the end of the selection.

As you read: Think about… Complete… How does Chaucer’s invective tone from “The Prologue” carry into “The Pardoner’s Tale”? How is the Pardoner further characterized in his tale? What is Chaucer’s commentary on morals, corruption, and the Church? How does Chaucer’s questioning of the gender of Pardoner reveal the stereotype of male roles in the Middle Ages?

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT: Option 1: Facebook Profile Option 2: Chat Room In pairs or individually, create a chat room in which the Wife of Bath and the Pardoner discuss gender roles in the Middle Ages. Assume the role of either the Pardoner or the Wife of Bath within your pair, or assume both roles if working independently. In addition, evaluate how the rhetoric used in your chat served to reveal your purpose. In small groups or independently, create a Facebook profile and timeline for the Pardoner based on his description in “The Prologue” and his tale. On the profile, be sure to include examples of rhetoric from the text that served to reveal the purpose for his tale