1. “The Pardoner’s Tale”

2. Pardoner background information
Pardoner makes a hefty amount of money by selling relics and pardons—show dishonesty
Chaucer also praises Pardoner for his persuasive skills
All his sermons illustrate the biblical saying “Love of money is the root of all evil”

3. Allegories
Allegories- narratives that have both literal and deeper, symbolic meanings
Exemplum- type of allegory in which an example is presented—often a moral story
“Pardoner’s Tale is an exemplum against the sin of greed
“Love of money is the root of all evil”
How does this sermon the Pardoner tells illustrate the sin of greed?
How does it aid to the Pardoner’s swindles?

4. Archetypal Narrative Elements
Characters, events, and other things that come in threes
Example: the three rioters who sit drinking
Test of characters’ moral fiber leading to their destiny
Example: test fails when they plot to kill each other so that they may have more gold. Since the test fails, they all die.
Mysterious guide who helps point the way
Example: the old man that helps point out the way to “Death”
Just ending that rewards good or punishes evil
Example: in the end, they all die

5. Irony in “Pardoner’s Tale”
Preaches that it is a sin to be greedy, yet he himself sells fake relics and tells lies for money. He himself is greedy.
Sins he preaches against in his prologue that he himself commits:
Gluttony
Drunkenness
Gambling
Swearing
Before telling the tale, tells the other pilgrims his relics are fake. After telling the tale, he tries to sell his relics to them.