Essential # 6

What parallels can be drawn between the Pardoner's Prologue and his tale? How is this tale different from the other two that we have studied? Think in regards to the Pardoner's voice and how Chaucer's style changes.

The vices that the Pardoner is speaking of in his tale are ironically vices that he has committed. Throughout his tale, he is constantly shunning these vices, comparing them to “the very sepulcher of human judgement and articulation” (247) and stating that those who indulge in these vices will be “enemies of the cross of Christ” (246). The vices that the Pardoner spoke of in his tale were indulgence, gluttony, vulgarity, debauchery, and avarice. Some specific examples from his tale were drinking, gambling, and swearing. The Pardoner cursed all of these vices, but in his prologue he is engaging in some of these acts: “Now as I’ve drunk a draught of corn-ripe ale” (244).

The Pardoner’s tale differs from the Knight’s tale and the Miller’s tale in various ways. For example, the Knight’s and Miller’s tale are revolved around love, while the Pardoner’s tale is revolved around vices. With that being said, the Knight’s and Miller’s tale were suspenseful and exciting to read. The Pardoner’s tale lacked this excitement because there were no real surprises, everything that happened could have been predicted.