The Pardoner’s Tale Summary

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Questions and Answers

Which character symbolizes death and inevitability?

The Pardoner

The Old Man (correct)

The Host

Death

What does avarice refer to?

Causing horror or disgust

Loyalty and faithfulness

An intense desire for wealth (correct)

Excessive indulgence in pleasures

The Pardoner is depicted as a greedy and corrupt character.

True

What did the three rioters set out to find?

Death Signup and view all the answers

The three rioters' quest resulted in their own ________ due to greed.

death Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately caused the three rioters' deaths?

Poisoned drinks Signup and view all the answers

Who was the tavern-knave?

The old friend of the three rioters Signup and view all the answers

What is Avarice?

An intense and often excessive desire for wealth or material gain. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Avarice = Intense desire for wealth Debauchery = Excessive indulgence in pleasures Lechery = Inappropriate sexual desire Pestilence = Fatal epidemic disease Signup and view all the answers

What does Debauchery refer to?

Excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures. Signup and view all the answers

Define Grisly.

Causing horror or disgust. Signup and view all the answers

What is Lechery?

Excessive or inappropriate sexual desire or behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does a Sepulcher refer to?

A tomb or burial chamber. Signup and view all the answers

What is Pestilence?

A fatal epidemic disease that spreads rapidly. Signup and view all the answers

What does Troth signify?

Loyal or pledged faithfulness. Signup and view all the answers

Who is The Pardoner in The Pardoner's Tale?

A church official who sells indulgences and relics. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the Three Rioters?

Young men who set out to find and kill Death. Signup and view all the answers

What do the Rioters find after they set out to kill Death?

A pile of treasure. Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately happens to the Three Rioters?

They kill each other over the treasure. Signup and view all the answers

What moral lesson does The Pardoner convey?

Greed is the source of all evil. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Pardoner’s Tale: Summary

The story begins in a tavern where three young men engage in debauchery, spending their time and money on gluttony, gambling, and prostitution.
The men hear a bell signifying a death, learning that their friend died and that it was Death who killed him.
The men embark on a mission to seek revenge on Death.
They encounter an old man who points them toward a grove, claiming Death is under a tree.
Instead of finding Death, the men discover a treasure.
The three men devise a plan to murder each other so they can claim more of the treasure.
While the youngest gets drinks, the other two plan to kill him.
The youngest returns with poisoned drinks intending to kill the other two.
The two men kill the youngest, then drink the poisoned drinks and die, leaving behind the treasure and a reminder of the tragedy of greed.
The Pardoner, a corrupt church official who sells indulgences, uses this tale to lecture the pilgrims about the dangers of greed.
The Pardoner himself is hypocritical because he uses his moral teachings as a way to trick people into giving him money.

The Pardoner: Key Points

The Pardoner is a complex character who represents the hypocrisy and corruption within the Church.
He is skilled at using fear and guilt to exploit people.
The Pardoner is presented as a deceitful and immoral figure.

The Three Rioters: Analysis

The three rioters represent the destructive nature of greed and the tendency for humans to prioritize wealth and power over other values such as morality and human life.
Their quest to find and kill Death highlights their obsession with revenge.
They are willing to betray and murder those they consider friends to obtain wealth.

Moral Lessons

The Pardoner's Tale is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the corrupting influence of wealth.
The story serves as a reminder of human mortality and the fragility of life.
The Pardoner's hypocrisy and the ultimate fate of the rioters emphasize the importance of seeking spiritual guidance and living a virtuous life.

The Pardoner’s Tale

The Pardoner’s Tale is a story within a story. The Pardoner tells the tale of three young men.
The three men are described as reckless, irresponsible, and indulging in vices including gluttony, liquor, gambling, and prostitution.
They set out to find Death after their old friend dies, believing Death killed him.
The three men encounter an old man who tells them that Death awaits them under a tree in a grove.
The men find a treasure instead of Death and decide to kill each other to gain more of it.
They poison the drinks the youngest brings back and all three die as a result.
The Pardoner uses the story to preach against greed, but ironically, he himself is greedy and corrupt.
The Pardoner uses his position to sell indulgences and relics, taking advantage of people’s fears about their damnation for profit.
The Pardoner’s Tale highlights the dangers of greed, the fragility of human relationships, and the hypocrisy of those who preach morality while acting immorally.

Key Characters

The Pardoner: A corrupt church official who sells indulgences and relics. He is a hypocrite, preaching against greed while being greedy himself.
The Three Rioters: The main characters in the Pardoner’s Tale. They are young, reckless, and consumed by greed and avarice.
The Old Man: A mysterious figure who guides the rioters to their deaths. He represents the inevitability of death.

Key Themes

Greed: The Pardoner’s Tale explicitly explores the dangers of greed and how it can lead to violence and destruction.
Hypocrisy: The Pardoner’s own greed contradicts his sermon against avarice, revealing the hypocrisy of those who preach morality while acting immorally.
Mortality: The story highlights the inevitability of death, with the old man serving as a reminder of life's fragility.
Brotherhood: The story depicts the breakdown of brotherhood, as the rioters turn on each other for the sake of greed.

Key Terms

Avarice: Excessive greed for wealth or material possessions.
Debauchery: Immoral or excessive indulgence in pleasure or sensuality.
Grisly: Horrifying, causing disgust.
Lechery: Inappropriate or excessive sexual desire or behavior.
Sepulcher: A tomb or burial chamber.
Pestilence: A fatal and contagious disease.
Troth: Loyal faithfulness or pledge.

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Description

Explore the dark themes of greed and betrayal in 'The Pardoner's Tale'. This summary outlines how three men's quest for revenge leads them to a tragic fate fueled by their desire for treasure. Discover how the Pardoner uses this tale as a moral lesson against avarice and its consequences.