CATEGORY A
Characters who seek to kill Death but are ultimately consumed by greed.
The Three Rioters
When the three friends hear a bell, what information do they ask a servant boy to get for them?
The name of the man in the coffin.
What sad news does the servant boy tell the three friends?
The dead man is an old friend of theirs.
What kind of treasure do the young men find under the oak tree?
One pile of gold florins (coins).
A corrupt church official who sells indulgences.
The Pardoner
Why does one of the three go to town?
To get food and wine
When and where does the action of "The Pardoner's Tale" begin?
Early in the morning in a bar or tavern.
What does the youngest rioter plan to use to kill the other two?
Poison in their wine.
Who drew the shortest lot?
The Youngest one
What sin does the Pardoner admit to committing himself?
Greed
How many men are the main characters in the tale?
Three.
What is the cause of death mentioned at the beginning of the tale?
The plague.
Why can't they take the treasure back to their homes during the day?
They can be accused of thievery.
Where are the three rioters when the tale begins?
In a tavern.
In which larger work by Geoffrey Chaucer is The Pardoner’s Tale found?
The Canterbury Tales.
What does the old man tell the rioters they will find under the tree?
Death
What information does the old man give the three rioters when they demand his help to achieve their goal?
He tells them that Death is over there under the oak tree.
What do they decide to do with the gold?
Wait until nightfall to move it.
What happens to all three rioters at the end?
They all die.
Where does the youngest man buy poison?
From an apothecary.
Who is the author of the Pardoner's Tale?
Geoffry Chaucer
According to the pardoner, what is the moral of the sermon he always preaches?
Money is the root of all evil.
Why would this particular sermon convict the people in the congregation to put their money in the collection basket?
Because if they gave up their money, they wouldn't have the temptations to commit evil acts.
Identify two ways that the three rioters mistreat the old man whom they meet on the road.
They make fun of him for his age and tell him he should be dead already.
What is the theme of this tale?
The theme of the tale is the inevitable outcome of wickedness.