The Pardoner's Tale: A Critique of Corruption and Greed in Medieval Society

Introduction to Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales"

Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" is a foundational text in English literature, composed in the late 14th century. The work is structured as a collection of stories told by a group of pilgrims on their way to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. The storytelling is framed as a contest initiated by the host of the Tabard Inn, Harry Bailey, who suggests that each pilgrim tell two tales on the way to Canterbury and two on the return journey, with the winner receiving a meal at the group's expense upon their return. Although Chaucer planned for each of his characters to tell multiple tales, the work remains unfinished, with only 24 tales completed. The pilgrims represent various social classes and occupations, offering a vivid cross-section of medieval English society and a range of narratives that reflect their distinct voices and worldviews.

The Pardoner's Character and Contradictions

The Pardoner is one of the most intriguing figures among the pilgrims, serving as an ecclesiastical official authorized to sell indulgences—pardons for sins—which were a significant source of income for the Church. Chaucer portrays the Pardoner as a complex character who is acutely aware of his own corruption and the efficacy of his preaching, despite his own moral failings. He boasts about his ability to manipulate the guilty consciences of the faithful for his own gain, thus exposing the hypocrisy and avarice that Chaucer saw as rampant in the ecclesiastical hierarchy of his time. The Pardoner's Prologue and Tale offer a stark commentary on the theme of corruption, as he preaches against the very sins he commits.