The Pardoner’s Tale Summary, Characters and Themes
“The Pardoner’s Tale” is a narrative within Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales,” and it is presented by a character known as the Pardoner. The tale is a moral fable that explores themes of greed, betrayal, and the consequences of sinful behavior.
The Pardoner’s Summary
The tale begins with three young rioters drinking in a tavern. They hear a funeral bell and inquire about the cause of death. They learn that a friend has been killed by Death, and fueled by anger and a desire for revenge, they swear to find Death and kill him.
On their quest, they encounter an old man who tells them that Death can be found under a nearby tree. When they reach the tree, instead of Death, they discover a large pile of gold coins. Their initial joy turns to greed, and they begin devising plans to move the gold without attracting attention.
One of the rioters is chosen to fetch food and wine, and the remaining two plot to kill him upon his return, ensuring a larger share of the treasure for themselves. However, the two left behind also conspire against each other, and they all end up poisoning each other’s drinks.
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The tale concludes with the Pardoner emphasizing the moral lesson: greed is the root of all evil. He attempts to sell pardons to the other pilgrims, demonstrating the very vice he condemns in his tale.
The Pardoner’s Characters:
- The Pardoner: The narrator of the tale, a clergyman who openly admits to his own moral corruption.
- The Three Rioters: Young men who set out to avenge their friend’s death by killing Death. They represent various vices, including greed, hypocrisy, and treachery.
- The Old Man: An elderly figure the rioters encounter on their journey. He directs them to the pile of gold under the tree and serves as a symbolic figure of mortality.
The Pardoner’s Themes:
- Greed and Avarice: The central theme revolves around the destructive nature of greed. The rioters’ quest for material wealth leads to their own downfall.
- Mortality and Death: The old man symbolizes mortality, and the rioters’ misguided quest to kill Death highlights the inevitability of mortality. The tale serves as a reminder of the transient nature of life.
- Irony and Hypocrisy: The Pardoner’s admission of his own deceit adds layers of irony to the narrative. He condemns the vices he himself practices.
- Betrayal and Treachery: The rioters’ betrayal of each other reflects the theme of treachery. Their initial camaraderie devolves into a lethal struggle for personal gain.
The Pardoner’s Significance and Legacy
“The Pardoner’s Tale” is significant within “The Canterbury Tales” for its exploration of human nature and societal vices. Chaucer uses the character of the Pardoner to satirize the corruption within the church, particularly among those entrusted with matters of spiritual significance.
The tale’s enduring legacy lies in its ability to provoke thought and discussion about the consequences of moral corruption. Its themes of greed, mortality, and hypocrisy resonate across centuries, making it a timeless work within Chaucer’s collection. The Pardoner’s ability to expose his own moral shortcomings while delivering a cautionary tale adds depth and complexity to the narrative, inviting readers to reflect on the consequences of their own actions.
“The Pardoner’s Tale” stands as a classic piece of medieval literature that not only entertains with its narrative complexity but also challenges readers to examine their own moral compass in the face of greed and treachery.
Conclusion
“The Pardoner’s Tale” by Geoffrey Chaucer is a morally charged and satirical narrative that explores themes of greed, betrayal, and the consequences of sinful behavior. The tale, narrated by the morally corrupt Pardoner himself, weaves a cautionary fable about the destructive nature of avarice. The three rioters, motivated by revenge and greed, embark on a quest for Death but find a different fate awaiting them—a fate sealed by their own treacherous actions.
Chaucer expertly uses symbolism and sarcasm to present a potent condemnation of societal vices, especially those found in the church. The story is made more difficult by The Pardoner, a character who is entrusted with matters of spiritual consequence and who freely admits to his own moral failings. The story acts as a deterrent against giving in to the seductions of avarice and betrayal as well as a mirror reflecting the shortcomings of its protagonists.
“The Pardoner’s Tale” stands as a timeless piece within Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales,” inviting readers to reflect on human nature and the consequences of moral corruption. The narrative’s enduring significance lies in its ability to provoke thought and discussion about the timeless themes it addresses.
FAQ.
Who is the Pardoner, and what is his role in the tale?
The Pardoner is a clergyman authorized to sell indulgences, pardons for the forgiveness of sins. In the tale, he serves as the narrator and tells a moral fable warning against the dangers of greed.
What motivates the three rioters in the tale?
The three rioters are motivated by a desire for revenge upon hearing of the death of a friend. Fueled by anger and greed, they embark on a quest to find and kill Death.
What do the rioters find under the tree?
Instead of finding Death, the rioters discover a large pile of gold coins under the tree. This discovery becomes the catalyst for their downfall as greed takes hold.
How does the tale emphasize the theme of irony?
The Pardoner himself, while condemning vices such as greed and treachery, openly admits to practicing these same vices. The irony lies in the Pardoner’s hypocrisy as he condemns the very sins he commits.
What moral lesson does the Pardoner draw from the tale?
The Pardoner concludes that greed is the root of all evil. He uses the tale to emphasize the destructive consequences of avarice and attempts to sell pardons to the other pilgrims as a demonstration of his own hypocrisy.
