Geschke/British Literature The Pardoner's Tale “The Pardoner’s Tale” By Geoffrey Chaucer

Geschke/British Literature The Pardoner's Tale The Pardoner He is a fraud –Sells fake religious relics to poor people We do not like him We do not trust him

Geschke/British Literature The Pardoner's Tale “The Pardoner’s Tale” Theme –Radix malorum est cupiditas Greed is the root of all evil

Geschke/British Literature The Pardoner's Tale The Three Rioters “Who long before the morning service bell, Were sitting in a tavern for a drink.” (2-3) –The Pardoner presents the rioters as sinners Drinking very early in the morning

Geschke/British Literature The Pardoner's Tale The Three Rioters “The rioter said, “Is he so fierce to meet? I’ll search for him, by Jesus, street by street. God’s blessed bones! I’ll register a vow! Here, chaps! The three of us together now, Hold up your hands, like me, and we’ll be brothers In this affair, and each defend the others, And we will kill this traitor Death, I say! Away with him as he has made away With all our friends. God’s dignity! Tonight!” (33-41)

Geschke/British Literature The Pardoner's Tale The Three Rioters The rioters are presented as pompous, stupid men –Irony Believe they can kill Death –Make oaths using the name of God Considered sacrilegious

Geschke/British Literature The Pardoner's Tale The Three Rioters “They made their bargain, swore their appetite, These three, to live and die for one another As brother-born might swear to his born brother.” (42-44) –All three commit to each other –Irony Consider the ending

Geschke/British Literature The Pardoner's Tale The Old Man “What, old fool? Give place! Why are you all wrapped up except your face? Why live so long? Isn’t it time to die?” (57-59)

Geschke/British Literature The Pardoner's Tale The Old Man Tone –The rioters are disrespectful towards the old man –They believe he is a spy for Death –The old man gives them directions on how to find Death

Geschke/British Literature The Pardoner's Tale The Gold Coins “At once the three young rioters began To run, and reached the tree, and there they found A pile of golden florins on the ground, New-coined, eight bushels of them as they thought. No longer was it Death those fellows sought, For they were all so thrilled to see the sight, The florins were so beautiful and bright, That down they sat beside the precious pile.” ( )

Geschke/British Literature The Pardoner's Tale The Gold Coins No longer concerned with Death Symbol of the gold –Gold leads to Greed –Greed leads to Death –Therefore, Gold equals Death

Geschke/British Literature The Pardoner's Tale Plot Summary One rioter (A) returns to town to buy wine and bread while the other two (B & C) stay to guard the gold B & C conspire to kill A A decides to poison B & C All three end up dying –Greed caused them to die

Geschke/British Literature The Pardoner's Tale Irony The Pardoner tells this tale –He is driven by greed –He is very similar to the three rioters –Hypocrite