Question for September 19: The Pardoner's Tale (8:00 Class)
What we know about the Pardoner's motives for preaching may affect our response to his Tale. Does the tale effectively tell a story with a good moral? How does the tale reflect the Pardoner's character?
I don’t think that the Pardoner’s Tales tells a good moral as much as it just doesn’t tell a bad moral. A story with a good moral demonstrates someone exemplary, someone who does what should be done regardless of personal sacrifice simply because they know it’s for the best. In the tale, everyone acts greedily and maliciously with no though to the good of others. Though there is a “ful greet plentee” of gold, one man suggests killing off the third, saying “if I can shape it so/ That is departed were among us two,/ Hadde I nat doon a freendes turn to thee? (Lines 523-527) The last man himself isn’t much better, and decides to poison his companions, thinking if he “mighte; Have al this tresor to [him]self allone,/ Ther is no man liveth under the trone/ Of God that sholde live so merye (Lines 552-555).” That all the men eventually are killed by their own plotting and manipulations in the end does not make the story well-moraled, just demonstrative of the horrors of a world corrupted by greed.
The Pardoner’s tale is a reflection of his personality and how he sees the world. He believes in the world that this tale exists in, where greed and selfishness are the primary motivators of men. He truly thinks that most men would be willing to kill one another, given the proper incentive. When he tells this story in churches, he’s trying to strengthen their desire for salvation beyond their desire for material wealth. Even to his fellow travelers he offers to “assoile by [his] heigh power-/ye that wol offer-as clene and eek as cleer/As ye were born (Lines 625-627)” Just like the men in the tale, the Pardoner manipulates and tricks his way into gaining wealth.
The Pardoners Tale does not effectively tell a good moral to the story, because in the end the Pardoner does the exact same thing that the three friends did. He only wants riches and money from others. He tries to convince them that if “ye offre nobles or sterlinges or elles silver broches, spones, ringes,” he can guarantee that they will go to heaven. He has the power to absolve them and allow them into heaven. He is no different from the three friends that killed each other over riches. The moral of the story is a strong one, but since the Pardoner does not also live by it, why should anyone else? He is setting a bad example for people and letting them think riches are the way to heaven. The tale tells the reader that the Pardoner has poor character. He preaches to his people to not be greedy and that is not the way to heaven. The Pardoner, however, lives by greed and taking money from people so he can guarantee them salvation. He is not listening to his own service, but rather going by what he wants in life. I don’t think the Pardoner truly realizes what he is doing until the host says “‘Nay, nay,’ quod he, ‘than have I Cristes curs!”. The host realizes that the Pardoner is requiring money in order to be saved. He is not living by what he is preaching, but instead living like the three friends in the story did. In the end it was a good moral but no one will listen to it when no one lives by it.
Notice that he takes as his text states "Love of money is the root of all evil." but he emphasizes how it will bring the purchaser more money.He seems to sell more and gains more money for himself.This seems to be a double irony.This is because his love for money is the root of evil ,and his sales depend upon the purchasers love for money.His technique of relying upon basic psychology by selling only to the good people brings him more money.His sermon on avarice is given because the Pardoner is filled with avarice,and this sermon fills his purse with money.
The pardoner is one of the most complex characters in the pilgrimage.He seems to love money and power too much, but he wishes he could be more sincere in his ways.He seems to be a concscious practitioner of hyprocritsy in the way he decieved the three rioters.He seems to be an instrument by which the three rioters find Death.And for the Pardoner,a conscious practitioner of hyprocrisy,this old man is a splendid example of hyprocrisy in the way he deceived the three rioters. It is the Pardoner's own lesson:the lobe of money is the root of all evil,and those who covet money and death will find it. Throughout the story the Pardoner seems to talk a big talk , but when it comes to him he doesn't seem to live up to the same standard.He isn't setting a very good example and is making the other people think money is the only way to heaven.The moral of the story is a good one,however,no one will live by it because of the example he is setting.
The quote “assoile by [his] heigh power-/ye that wol offer-as clene and eek as cleer/As ye were born (Lines 625-627)” shows how the pardoner tricks his way into gaining money for himself.
Through the Pardoner’s prologue and tale we see his true colors shine. As the tale begins, we are told that the Pardoner has been blessed by the Pope and sells indulgences and relics to help forgive people’s sins. We later lean that he actually uses the profit from these indulgences for person gain. The text reads, “Radix malorum est cupiditas” which is translated as greed is the root to all evil. Through the Pardoner’s greed he becomes selfish and his actions end up defying those of the church. Through our own mistakes, and the mistakes of others is one of the best ways to learn. Even though the Pardoner’s Tale did not have an obvious good moral, through the actions of the Pardoner we can see how not to act and how power can corrupt. The Pardoner was given some authority to spread the words of religion and forgiveness but through greed began taking advantage of his power. Even though there is not an obvious good moral in this story, the idea of knowing right from wrong is carefully imbedded into the storyline. Every person has a good and a bad side, and the Pardoner’s Tale mostly shows the less admirable side of this character. It is hard to judge someone from just one story about their life, but as of now, all we know about the Pardoner is his greedy side. To truly know the Pardoner’s character, we would have to know more about other aspects of his personality. From what we know, we could make assumptions but wouldn’t truly know his accurate character until we found out more about his personality.
The Pardoner’s tale doesn’t have a good moral standing, I mean look at who is telling the tale! A very money hungry religious man, he even says that, “But shortly myn entente I wol devyse: I preche of no thyng but for coveityse. Therfore my theme is yet, and evere was (135-137). He tells the tale of three drunk friends who go looking for Death and find gold instead and end up killing each other for the gold. The three drunk friends trick each other out of their share of the gold, like when friend one says “And I shal rive him thurgh the side twaye” (line 540) also when the youngest says, “Putte in his thought that he sholde poyson beye, With which he myghte sleen his felawes tweye; With which he might slay his two fellows” (lines 557-558). He shows how greed is evil and that it can kill you if you get to obsess over it, but yet and still he tricks and scams people out of their money, by telling them they shouldn’t be greedy and just give their money to the church (or him). He even asked that the Host give an offering on line 655 after his tale is over. Maybe it was the heat of the moment when preaching that he asked for an offering, but it shows how he really is. He preaches the same kind of sermons to get the same kind of reactions. So him teaching about how that greed is the root of all evil, seems very hypocritical of him, because the morals he tries to teach don’t seem have the moral background that’s needed because of how he already acts and views the world.
I agree with all of these comments, the Pardoner’s tale has no good moral whatsoever. He basically just goes on and on about how he is greedy, selfish, and a liar. Not only does preach to all the people about NOT being greedy, selfish, or frauds; he is all of the above. I found it both interesting and a little queer by how the Pardoner starts and ends his tale. In lines 261-264 he talks about drinking and being drunk as well, which is not like our common preachers today. I believe that the Pardoner stands for everything that was unjust and corrupt during that time. He was a hypocrite, a liar, a drunk, a phony etc. He stood for everything bad and yet, had the nerve to admit it to his congregation! The pardoner also does many other things such as pocketing offerings and displaying a fake cross as well as fake relics of the saints. Reading this tale made me a little angry that someone could actually do that to honest people trying to become strong in their faith in the Roman Catholic Church. The Pardoner stated in the text that “Love of money is the root of all evil” and he himself falls victim to this statement, I believe, more than everyone that he preaches to in the church. I feel as if the congregation needs to be having a “come the Jesus” meeting with the Pardoner. Maybe the good moral to this story well be, “People get what they give,” and if so…the Pardoner is in for a world of trouble.
I would have to say that there is an apparent moral to the pardoner’s tale. Although the Pardoner isn’t preaching against greed in the tale, he does show an awesome of example of how evil men are their own undoing. The Pardoner tells of his own greed over a drink in the prologue then goes into the tale of the three men which he describes as prolific sinners; gamblers, drunkards, gluttons, men who lust (lines 174-199) and they become involved in wanting to defeat death. Defeating death is a fools dream, since all men die. The men who then go out in search of death and upon discovering the old man assume that he’s death’s agent due to his poor health and old age. The old man directs them to death, a bag of gold at the trunk of a tree and the evil in the men truly comes out in the face of greed. Killing the other’s for their share of the loot is on the minds of the men and they no longer see that death is what they sought for, the three unwittingly find death in each other as recourse to their own evil ways. The Pardoner may be using this tale to show that greed and distrust caused the men to find death amongst them, and that their path was one of sin; exemplified by one of the men stating “Thou knowest wel thou art my sworne brother” (line 520) although the men turn on each other for his share. I agree with redvelvet that this is the Pardoner’s own lesson, although the Pardoner isn’t preaching the tale for himself but the people of his congregation or the fellow travelers at the tavern; he shows his own true nature by telling of the three men while most certainly expecting that the tale will bring “sinners” to pay for pardons when it is told. The moral, that evil or sin brings its own demise is something that the Pardoner hypocritically preaches but fails to follow due to his own greed.
The Pardoner' Tale itself presents a good moral, however this is overshadowed by the very person who is telling it. Although the tale does get the point across that greed can consume one's life, and eventually someones death, however it is very aggravating that this tale is being told by the very person who is committing the supposed sin in his tale. It is indeed a very good lesson to be learned, but having the audience aware of the lesson and visualizing this man in front of them with no remorse or punishment contradicts the entire moral lesson of the tale. One may question the fact if greed is such a bad thing to be consumed by? Clearly this man is quite well off and is facing no deathly punishment. The tale presents the Pardoner as a hypocrite for contradicting his very own moral lesson in his tale. He is also giving a bad reputation for those preachers that preach the same material and abide by it. Though the Pardoner believes he will never see these pilgrims again and it doesnt matter if he reveals his true colors,but in reality the word will spread that all preachers are like the Pardoner (one who gives moral lessons that he himself is breaking). Soon most will not abide by these moral lessons and realize that maybe (in this case, greed) is the way to success by how the Pardoner is presenting himself.
I don’t think that the Pardoner’s Tales tells a good moral as much as it just doesn’t tell a bad moral. A story with a good moral demonstrates someone exemplary, someone who does what should be done regardless of personal sacrifice simply because they know it’s for the best. In the tale, everyone acts greedily and maliciously with no though to the good of others. Though there is a “ful greet plentee” of gold, one man suggests killing off the third, saying “if I can shape it so/ That is departed were among us two,/ Hadde I nat doon a freendes turn to thee? (Lines 523-527) The last man himself isn’t much better, and decides to poison his companions, thinking if he “mighte; Have al this tresor to [him]self allone,/ Ther is no man liveth under the trone/ Of God that sholde live so merye (Lines 552-555).” That all the men eventually are killed by their own plotting and manipulations in the end does not make the story well-moraled, just demonstrative of the horrors of a world corrupted by greed.
ReplyDeleteThe Pardoner’s tale is a reflection of his personality and how he sees the world. He believes in the world that this tale exists in, where greed and selfishness are the primary motivators of men. He truly thinks that most men would be willing to kill one another, given the proper incentive. When he tells this story in churches, he’s trying to strengthen their desire for salvation beyond their desire for material wealth. Even to his fellow travelers he offers to “assoile by [his] heigh power-/ye that wol offer-as clene and eek as cleer/As ye were born (Lines 625-627)” Just like the men in the tale, the Pardoner manipulates and tricks his way into gaining wealth.
The Pardoners Tale does not effectively tell a good moral to the story, because in the end the Pardoner does the exact same thing that the three friends did. He only wants riches and money from others. He tries to convince them that if “ye offre nobles or sterlinges or elles silver broches, spones, ringes,” he can guarantee that they will go to heaven. He has the power to absolve them and allow them into heaven. He is no different from the three friends that killed each other over riches. The moral of the story is a strong one, but since the Pardoner does not also live by it, why should anyone else? He is setting a bad example for people and letting them think riches are the way to heaven.
ReplyDeleteThe tale tells the reader that the Pardoner has poor character. He preaches to his people to not be greedy and that is not the way to heaven. The Pardoner, however, lives by greed and taking money from people so he can guarantee them salvation. He is not listening to his own service, but rather going by what he wants in life. I don’t think the Pardoner truly realizes what he is doing until the host says “‘Nay, nay,’ quod he, ‘than have I Cristes curs!”. The host realizes that the Pardoner is requiring money in order to be saved. He is not living by what he is preaching, but instead living like the three friends in the story did. In the end it was a good moral but no one will listen to it when no one lives by it.
Notice that he takes as his text states "Love of money is the root of all evil." but he emphasizes how it will bring the purchaser more money.He seems to sell more and gains more money for himself.This seems to be a double irony.This is because his love for money is the root of evil ,and his sales depend upon the purchasers love for money.His technique of relying upon basic psychology by selling only to the good people brings him more money.His sermon on avarice is given because the Pardoner is filled with avarice,and this sermon fills his purse with money.
ReplyDeleteThe pardoner is one of the most complex characters in the pilgrimage.He seems to love money and power too much, but he wishes he could be more sincere in his ways.He seems to be a concscious practitioner of hyprocritsy in the way he decieved the three rioters.He seems to be an instrument by which the three rioters find Death.And for the Pardoner,a conscious practitioner of hyprocrisy,this old man is a splendid example of hyprocrisy in the way he deceived the three rioters.
It is the Pardoner's own lesson:the lobe of money is the root of all evil,and those who covet money and death will find it.
Throughout the story the Pardoner seems to talk a big talk , but when it comes to him he doesn't seem to live up to the same standard.He isn't setting a very good example and is making the other people think money is the only way to heaven.The moral of the story is a good one,however,no one will live by it because of the example he is setting.
The quote “assoile by [his] heigh power-/ye that wol offer-as clene and eek as cleer/As ye were born (Lines 625-627)” shows how the pardoner tricks his way into gaining money for himself.
Through the Pardoner’s prologue and tale we see his true colors shine. As the tale begins, we are told that the Pardoner has been blessed by the Pope and sells indulgences and relics to help forgive people’s sins. We later lean that he actually uses the profit from these indulgences for person gain. The text reads, “Radix malorum est cupiditas” which is translated as greed is the root to all evil. Through the Pardoner’s greed he becomes selfish and his actions end up defying those of the church. Through our own mistakes, and the mistakes of others is one of the best ways to learn. Even though the Pardoner’s Tale did not have an obvious good moral, through the actions of the Pardoner we can see how not to act and how power can corrupt. The Pardoner was given some authority to spread the words of religion and forgiveness but through greed began taking advantage of his power. Even though there is not an obvious good moral in this story, the idea of knowing right from wrong is carefully imbedded into the storyline.
ReplyDeleteEvery person has a good and a bad side, and the Pardoner’s Tale mostly shows the less admirable side of this character. It is hard to judge someone from just one story about their life, but as of now, all we know about the Pardoner is his greedy side. To truly know the Pardoner’s character, we would have to know more about other aspects of his personality. From what we know, we could make assumptions but wouldn’t truly know his accurate character until we found out more about his personality.
The Pardoner’s tale doesn’t have a good moral standing, I mean look at who is telling the tale! A very money hungry religious man, he even says that, “But shortly myn entente I wol devyse: I preche of no thyng but for coveityse. Therfore my theme is yet, and evere was (135-137). He tells the tale of three drunk friends who go looking for Death and find gold instead and end up killing each other for the gold. The three drunk friends trick each other out of their share of the gold, like when friend one says “And I shal rive him thurgh the side twaye” (line 540) also when the youngest says, “Putte in his thought that he sholde poyson beye, With which he myghte sleen his felawes tweye; With which he might slay his two fellows” (lines 557-558). He shows how greed is evil and that it can kill you if you get to obsess over it, but yet and still he tricks and scams people out of their money, by telling them they shouldn’t be greedy and just give their money to the church (or him). He even asked that the Host give an offering on line 655 after his tale is over. Maybe it was the heat of the moment when preaching that he asked for an offering, but it shows how he really is. He preaches the same kind of sermons to get the same kind of reactions. So him teaching about how that greed is the root of all evil, seems very hypocritical of him, because the morals he tries to teach don’t seem have the moral background that’s needed because of how he already acts and views the world.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of these comments, the Pardoner’s tale has no good moral whatsoever. He basically just goes on and on about how he is greedy, selfish, and a liar. Not only does preach to all the people about NOT being greedy, selfish, or frauds; he is all of the above. I found it both interesting and a little queer by how the Pardoner starts and ends his tale. In lines 261-264 he talks about drinking and being drunk as well, which is not like our common preachers today. I believe that the Pardoner stands for everything that was unjust and corrupt during that time. He was a hypocrite, a liar, a drunk, a phony etc. He stood for everything bad and yet, had the nerve to admit it to his congregation! The pardoner also does many other things such as pocketing offerings and displaying a fake cross as well as fake relics of the saints. Reading this tale made me a little angry that someone could actually do that to honest people trying to become strong in their faith in the Roman Catholic Church. The Pardoner stated in the text that “Love of money is the root of all evil” and he himself falls victim to this statement, I believe, more than everyone that he preaches to in the church. I feel as if the congregation needs to be having a “come the Jesus” meeting with the Pardoner. Maybe the good moral to this story well be, “People get what they give,” and if so…the Pardoner is in for a world of trouble.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say that there is an apparent moral to the pardoner’s tale. Although the Pardoner isn’t preaching against greed in the tale, he does show an awesome of example of how evil men are their own undoing. The Pardoner tells of his own greed over a drink in the prologue then goes into the tale of the three men which he describes as prolific sinners; gamblers, drunkards, gluttons, men who lust (lines 174-199) and they become involved in wanting to defeat death. Defeating death is a fools dream, since all men die. The men who then go out in search of death and upon discovering the old man assume that he’s death’s agent due to his poor health and old age. The old man directs them to death, a bag of gold at the trunk of a tree and the evil in the men truly comes out in the face of greed. Killing the other’s for their share of the loot is on the minds of the men and they no longer see that death is what they sought for, the three unwittingly find death in each other as recourse to their own evil ways. The Pardoner may be using this tale to show that greed and distrust caused the men to find death amongst them, and that their path was one of sin; exemplified by one of the men stating “Thou knowest wel thou art my sworne brother” (line 520) although the men turn on each other for his share. I agree with redvelvet that this is the Pardoner’s own lesson, although the Pardoner isn’t preaching the tale for himself but the people of his congregation or the fellow travelers at the tavern; he shows his own true nature by telling of the three men while most certainly expecting that the tale will bring “sinners” to pay for pardons when it is told. The moral, that evil or sin brings its own demise is something that the Pardoner hypocritically preaches but fails to follow due to his own greed.
ReplyDeleteThe Pardoner' Tale itself presents a good moral, however this is overshadowed by the very person who is telling it. Although the tale does get the point across that greed can consume one's life, and eventually someones death, however it is very aggravating that this tale is being told by the very person who is committing the supposed sin in his tale. It is indeed a very good lesson to be learned, but having the audience aware of the lesson and visualizing this man in front of them with no remorse or punishment contradicts the entire moral lesson of the tale. One may question the fact if greed is such a bad thing to be consumed by? Clearly this man is quite well off and is facing no deathly punishment. The tale presents the Pardoner as a hypocrite for contradicting his very own moral lesson in his tale. He is also giving a bad reputation for those preachers that preach the same material and abide by it. Though the Pardoner believes he will never see these pilgrims again and it doesnt matter if he reveals his true colors,but in reality the word will spread that all preachers are like the Pardoner (one who gives moral lessons that he himself is breaking). Soon most will not abide by these moral lessons and realize that maybe (in this case, greed) is the way to success by how the Pardoner is presenting himself.
ReplyDelete