Characters of the pardoner’s tale – In Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales,” the Pardoner’s Tale stands out as a captivating narrative that delves into the depths of human nature and the consequences of greed. The tale introduces a cast of intriguing characters, each with their own motivations and flaws, who play pivotal roles in shaping the story’s themes and messages.
From the cunning Pardoner himself to the naive Three Rioters and the enigmatic Old Man, the characters of the Pardoner’s Tale embody a wide range of personalities and experiences. Their interactions and conflicts drive the plot forward, exploring universal truths about mortality, redemption, and the human condition.
The Pardoner
The Pardoner is a memorable character in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. He is a corrupt individual who exploits the religious beliefs of others for his own gain. His physical appearance and personality traits contribute to his unsavory reputation.
Physical Appearance
- Long, flowing hair:The Pardoner has long, flowing hair that is a sign of his vanity and worldliness.
- Rosy cheeks:His rosy cheeks suggest that he is well-fed and enjoys the finer things in life.
- Gaping teeth:His gaping teeth are a physical manifestation of his greed and avarice.
Personality Traits, Characters of the pardoner’s tale
- Charming and persuasive:The Pardoner is a skilled manipulator who uses his charm and persuasive abilities to win the trust of others.
- Hypocritical:He preaches about the dangers of sin while engaging in sinful behavior himself.
- Greedy:The Pardoner is motivated by greed and will do anything to make a profit, even if it means exploiting the faith of others.
Motivations
The Pardoner’s motivations are driven by his greed and desire for wealth. He sees his role as a pardoner as an opportunity to make money by selling false relics and indulgences to gullible people. He believes that he can outsmart God and avoid punishment for his sins.
The Pardoner’s Tale
The Pardoner’s Tale is a sermon disguised as a story, told by the Pardoner in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the inevitability of death.
Plot Summary
The tale begins with three young men who are drinking and gambling in a tavern. They hear a bell tolling, signaling a funeral procession, and decide to go and see who has died. On their way, they meet an old man who warns them that Death is coming for them, but they ignore him and continue on their way.
At the funeral, they see a corpse being carried into the church. The three young men are horrified by the sight of death, and they resolve to find Death and kill him before he can kill them.
They set out on their quest and eventually come to a forest. In the forest, they meet an old man who tells them that Death is hiding under a tree. The three young men go to the tree and find a pile of gold coins.
They are overjoyed and decide to take the gold and run.
As they are running away, Death appears and kills the three young men. The old man who warned them of Death’s coming reveals that he is Death himself, and that the gold coins were a trap to lure them to their deaths.
Themes
The Pardoner’s Tale explores several themes, including:
- The dangers of greed
- The inevitability of death
- The power of repentance
The tale warns against the dangers of greed, showing how it can lead to death and destruction. It also emphasizes the inevitability of death, reminding us that we all must face death eventually. However, the tale also offers hope through the theme of repentance, showing that it is never too late to turn away from our sins and seek forgiveness.
The Pardoner’s Intentions
The Pardoner tells his tale with the intention of scaring his listeners into repenting their sins. He wants them to realize the dangers of greed and the inevitability of death, and he hopes that they will turn away from their sins and seek forgiveness before it is too late.
However, the Pardoner is also a hypocrite. He preaches against greed, but he is himself greedy for money. He sells fake relics to his listeners, and he uses his position as a pardoner to make a profit. The Pardoner’s hypocrisy shows that he is not a true believer in the message that he preaches.
The Three Rioters
The Three Rioters in The Pardoner’s Tale are described as reckless and debauched individuals who spend their days drinking, gambling, and engaging in other sinful activities. They are named after the vices they represent: Riot, Gluttony, and Dice.Their plan to kill Death stems from their belief that he is responsible for taking away their loved ones and friends.
They resolve to find Death and kill him before he can claim them. However, their plan is ultimately unsuccessful, and they end up killing each other instead.The consequences of the rioters’ actions are severe. Not only do they fail to kill Death, but they also bring about their own deaths.
Their story serves as a warning against the dangers of sin and the futility of trying to escape death.
The Old Man
The Old Man is a mysterious and enigmatic figure in the Pardoner’s Tale. He appears to the three rioters as a wise and benevolent old man, but his true nature is revealed at the end of the tale.
The Old Man is described as having a long white beard, a wrinkled face, and a frail body. He is dressed in simple clothes and carries a staff. He is a kind and gentle old man, and he offers the three rioters food and shelter.
However, he also warns them of the dangers of drinking and gambling.
The Old Man’s Knowledge of Death
The Old Man has a deep knowledge of Death. He tells the three rioters that Death is always lurking, and that no one can escape it. He also tells them that Death is a terrible thing, and that it brings only pain and suffering.
The Old Man’s Role in the Pardoner’s Tale
The Old Man plays an important role in the Pardoner’s Tale. He is the one who warns the three rioters of the dangers of drinking and gambling. He is also the one who tells them about Death. The Old Man’s warnings are ultimately ignored by the three rioters, and they end up meeting a tragic end.
Death: Characters Of The Pardoner’s Tale
Death, the ultimate personification of mortality, manifests in the Pardoner’s Tale as a grotesque and fearsome figure. Envisioned as a skeletal specter, Death exudes an aura of decay and desolation, his bones rattling with each stride and his hollow eyes piercing through the souls of the living.
Death’s role in the tale is both pivotal and symbolic. As the embodiment of the inevitable, he serves as a constant reminder of the transient nature of human existence. His sudden appearance before the three rioters underscores the fragility of life and the futility of their reckless pursuit of pleasure.
Death’s Significance
The appearance of Death in the Pardoner’s Tale carries profound significance. It represents the inescapable reality of death that awaits all mortals, regardless of their wealth, status, or aspirations. Death’s skeletal form symbolizes the stripping away of all worldly possessions and the ultimate equality that awaits all humans in the face of mortality.
The Pardoner’s Moral
The Pardoner’s moral is that greed is a destructive force that leads to misery and death. He illustrates this moral through the story of the three rioters, who are killed by Death after they rob an old man. The Pardoner also reveals that he is a hypocrite who preaches against greed while indulging in it himself.
This hypocrisy further underscores the destructive nature of greed and its ability to corrupt even those who claim to be moral.
The Pardoner’s Character Arc
The Pardoner’s character arc is a journey of self-discovery and redemption. He begins as a greedy and hypocritical man, but through his interactions with the three rioters and the old man, he comes to realize the error of his ways.
He renounces his greed and hypocrisy and becomes a true believer in the power of redemption.
Question & Answer Hub
Who is the Pardoner?
The Pardoner is a corrupt and hypocritical friar who preaches about repentance and sells fake relics to gullible pilgrims.
What is the Pardoner’s Tale about?
The Pardoner’s Tale is a moral fable about three young rioters who encounter Death and learn the consequences of their greed.
Who are the Three Rioters?
The Three Rioters are three young men who are consumed by greed and violence. They plan to kill Death, but they are ultimately outsmarted and killed by him.
