Historical Background
These secular church members were tasked with selling indulgences to lay members, but often pocketed money for their own gain.
Who are pardoners?
Meaning “an excess” or “too much,” this word describes having more than what is necessary.
What is superfluity?
This corrupt churchman admits he preaches only for money, even while delivering sermons against greed.
Who is the Pardoner?
When a character says one thing but means the opposite, such as when the Pardoner condemns greed while being greedy himself.
What is "verbal irony"?
By having the three men kill each other over gold, Chaucer shows that this vice leads not to wealth, but to destruction.
What is greed?
By selling fake relics and exploiting people’s faith for profit, the Pardoner satirizes the corruption of this institution.
What is the medieval Catholic church?
An older word for “to what place” or “where to,” often found in medieval texts.
What is "wither"?
The gold coins under the oak tree symbolize this destructive human desire that ultimately kills the three rioters.
A medieval belief that a person’s character could be judged by their outward appearance, often their facial features.
What is "physiognomy"?
This phrase sums up the main message of "The Pardoner's Tale."
(Radix malorum est cupiditas.)
What is "Greed is the root of all evil?"
This 14th-century crisis, when multiple men laid claim to papal authority at the same time, led to the division of the Catholic Church.
What is the Great Schism?
The Pardoner falsely sells these supposed holy objects, which were claimed to be connected to saints.
What are relics?
This mysterious figure directs the three rioters to a tree where they find gold, and is often interpreted as a symbol of Death.
Who is the Old Man?
A common phrase whose meaning isn’t literal, such as “kick the bucket” to mean “die.”
What is an "idiom"?
The tavern at the beginning of the tale, where the rioters swear revenge on Death, symbolizes this vice.
What is drunkenness?
This church practice allowed people to financially absolve themselves from their sins.
What are buying indulgences?
A priest could do this to sinners, meaning to forgive them of their sins after confession
What is absolve?
The Pardoner’s pig bones and pillowcase relics symbolize this kind of widespread problem in the medieval Church.
What is church corruption/hypocrisy?
A story told on two levels—literal and symbolic—such as "The Pardoner’s Tale" being about three rioters but also about the greed.
What is an allegory?
One might say another word for this moral lesson is "karma," or that plotting on others' demise for your own personal gain might lead to...
What is "your own downfall"?
Many medieval church officials, like the Pardoner, were criticized for focusing on money rather than this spiritual duty.
What is salvation?
This word can mean both “advice” and “secret discussions shared in confidence.”
What is "counsel"?
After the Host and Pardoner nearly come to blows, this character steps in to restore peace and prevent violence among the pilgrims.
Who is the knight?
A reference to another well-known text, event, or figure, like Chaucer drawing on the Bible or classical stories.
What is an "allusion"?
Tell your grandma you love her today! One lesson from the tale is taken from the rioter's encounter with the Old Man.
What is respect your elders?