The Pardoner's Tale Questions and Answers
The Pardoner's Tale
How did the men die in "The Pardoner's Tale"?
In "The Pardoner's Tale," three men set out to find and kill Death. They discover gold under a tree and decide to wait until night to take it. While one man fetches food, the other two plot to kill...
The Pardoner's Tale
Why is the end of "The Pardoner's Tale" in The Canterbury Tales ironic?
The ending of "The Pardoner's Tale" is ironic because the three rioters, who set out to kill Death, end up killing each other due to their greed. This irony is compounded by their initial abandonment...
The Pardoner's Tale
What is the significance of the number three in "The Pardoner's Tale"?
The number three in "The Pardoner's Tale" signifies a perversion of the Holy Trinity. The three greedy rioters parallel the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit but represent corruption and betrayal. Their...
The Pardoner's Tale
Identify two images that link the "Prologue" to "The Pardoner's Tale." How does imagery function in Julian of...
Images that connect the prologue to "The Pardoner's Tale" are largely physical in nature, that is, they deal with the appearances of the characters, which can also be read as a judgment on their...
The Pardoner's Tale
How does the pardoner reveal his trade secrets in "The Pardoner's Tale"?
The pardoner chooses to reveal his trade secrets by describing them with pride in the prologue to "The Pardoner's Tale." He brags openly about how he cons and defrauds innocent people by using lies...
The Pardoner's Tale
How do the two friends plan to kill the third in "The Pardoner's Tale"?
In "The Pardoner's Tale," two friends plot to kill the third by pretending to engage him in a friendly wrestling match. One of them plans to stab the third friend in the back during the game, while...
The Pardoner's Tale
How does the narrator use allegory in the introduction of "The Pardoner's Tale"?
The narrator uses allegory by personifying abstract concepts like sin and death. In the tale, "rioters," or sinners, aim to confront Death, symbolizing how greed leads to destruction. The rioters'...
The Pardoner's Tale
Who is the murderer in "The Pardoner's Tale"?
In "The Pardoner's Tale," two scoundrels murder their friend in order to divide eight bushels of gold florins between themselves.
The Pardoner's Tale
How does Death kill in Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Pardoner's Tale"?
In "The Pardoner's Tale," Death kills indirectly by exploiting human greed and betrayal. Three men seek to kill Death after learning it is responsible for a local's demise. They find gold, and greed...
The Pardoner's Tale
Why is the rioters' vow to kill Death in "The Pardoner's Tale" ironic?
The rioters' vow to kill Death in "The Pardoner's Tale" is ironic because they seek to conquer Death, yet their greed for gold leads to their own demise. Initially, the idea of killing Death is...
The Pardoner's Tale
How could the outcome in "The Pardoner's Tale" change if the rioters were more scrupulous?
If the rioters in "The Pardoner's Tale" were more scrupulous, the outcome might have been different. Their lack of caution leads to their demise. Greater attention to detail could have made them...