The Pardoner

Definition

The Pardoner is a character in Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Canterbury Tales,' specifically known for his role as a religious figure who sells indulgences and pardons for sins. This character represents the corruption within the Church and uses his position to exploit people's fears of damnation for personal gain, often delivering morally ambiguous tales that highlight themes of greed and hypocrisy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Pardoner is described as having a voice like a goat and carrying fake relics, which he uses to deceive people into believing in his spiritual authority.
2. He tells a tale that reveals his own greed and corruption, as he encourages listeners to live sinful lives while promoting the sale of indulgences.
3. Chaucer uses the Pardoner to highlight the moral decay within the Church during medieval times, showing how religious figures exploited their power for personal gain.
4. Despite his deceitful nature, the Pardoner is a skilled storyteller, using persuasive rhetoric to manipulate his audience into buying pardons.
5. The character serves as a critique of the broader social and religious practices of the time, representing the clash between genuine faith and exploitation.

Review Questions

• How does the Pardoner's character illustrate the themes of corruption and hypocrisy in 'The Canterbury Tales'?
  • The Pardoner embodies corruption and hypocrisy through his exploitation of religious practices for personal gain. His sale of indulgences reflects a broader critique of how some Church officials manipulate their positions to profit from the fears of sinners. By telling tales that reveal his own moral failings while promoting repentance, he highlights the contradiction between outward appearances of piety and actual behavior.
• In what ways does Chaucer use satire to comment on the role of the Pardoner within medieval society?
  • Chaucer employs satire to expose the flaws in the Pardoner's character, using humor and irony to critique his fraudulent practices. By presenting him as both a corrupt figure and an entertaining storyteller, Chaucer reveals how those in positions of religious authority can mislead their followers. This satirical portrayal invites readers to question the authenticity of similar figures in their own lives and emphasizes the need for genuine morality over empty ritual.
• Evaluate the impact of the Pardoner's tale on the overall narrative structure of 'The Canterbury Tales' and its thematic exploration.
  • The Pardoner's tale is significant in 'The Canterbury Tales' because it serves as both a reflection of his character and an illustration of central themes like greed and moral ambiguity. By sharing a story that reveals his own avarice while simultaneously preaching against it, Chaucer creates a complex narrative layer that enriches the overall work. This impact emphasizes how storytelling can serve dual purposes: entertaining while also provoking thought about ethical behavior, thus enhancing Chaucer's exploration of human nature and societal issues.

Related terms

Indulgence: A grant by the Church that reduces the temporal punishment for sins, often sold by Pardoners as a way to raise money.

Hypocrisy: The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform, exemplified by the Pardoner's actions.

Satire: A literary technique used to criticize or mock individuals or society, often used in 'The Canterbury Tales' to comment on the flaws of characters like the Pardoner.