Sunday, November 16, 2008
Pardoner's Tale
despite the irony already stated in class about the Pardoner's Tale being about greed being the root of all evil, it was dry, and seemed rehearsed. The Pardoner (well Chaucer) gave it zest only when the old man was introduced and even then...I suppose that was the entire point though; to make his audience (the pardoner's that is) feel the inferiority of their ways etc. so that they'd repent by buying all of his stuff and in turn, help him cash in. But I enjoy Chaucer's obvious disdain for the Church and his inability to take them seriously.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Through history, art and religion have many fundemental similarities... They both are meant to entertain. The Catholic church instated the complex of indulgences. These "pardons" were meant to araise the sins of one man, and his kin, for their entrance into heaven's gates. In this fashion, the Pardoner can be thought of as a conman, a fake.
ReplyDeleteI thought the pardoners tale was very ironic, which made it kind of funny. Of course there is corruption today in all kinds of people, but typically, even though we know it's not true, when we think of the past we try to think of everybody doing whats right, and not wrong. The pardoner was pretty greedy even though he was giving sermons out, ironic. It ties into todays society.
ReplyDeleteThe Pardoner is an advertisment but one of those fake ones (kind of like that weight loss ones) because he sell thing that he knows are not going to work. Also he isa great example of a man that lacks moral because he knows that greed is the root of all evil (because he tells an entire story about it), he knows that he is being greedy (he even admits it), but he doesn't want to change himself because he likes his ways.
ReplyDeleteOn think that has nothing to do with any thing that Im would like to add in regards of the old man:
I think The old man is being followed by death as if school child is looking for his/her backpack and it it on his/her back. The old man can see it but death is everywhere.
The Pardoner’s Tale was actually one of my more favorite tales out of those we read. I enjoyed the immense amount of irony that Chaucer used and I think that it is best enjoyed when the Old Man is viewed as simply an Old Man, and nothing more; it makes the story more ironic and simple, basically. Mr. Bruno, your comment about the point of the story (to point out inferiority, etc.) actually makes me like the story more, because I just think it makes it funnier how the Pardoner is so greedy that he will take any chance he is given to turn it around in his favor, even when it’s something as simple as telling a tale.
ReplyDeleteI did not find the character of the Pardoner to be appealing. He states the wrong doings of his lifestyle, however it appears he will not eventually correct his ways. He preaches of the horrors of gluttony, drinking, and swearing. Although, the Pardoner preaches solely to receive compensation rather than for the benefit of his flock. Those preachers true to God speak to help those in need. In addition, the Pardoner preaches to seek revenge upon those that have hurt both him and those close to him. I view the Pardoner's reasons for preaching as a worse sin than gluttony, drinking, and swearing collectively. The Pardoner is quite the hypocrite and I believe he feels his actions of preaching will assist him on judgement day. However, God has the ability to view the Pardoner's true intentions of the way he lives his life.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the Pardoner's Tale as well. The thing that kept me into it was the talk of "death". Was it an entity or was is the Old Man himself? I thought the lesson behind the story made sense. Stop doing wrongs things so you're not led to a road that might be the end of you. Things like this are mentioned in Sunday School, just not in the same approach as the Pardoner's tale. :/
ReplyDeleteThe Pardoner preached but did not actually practice what he taught. Chaucer's dislike of the Catholic church is obvious. He looked at the faults and the corruption in it's own clergymen and saw the whole thing as a corruption. The Pardoner scares people into believing that they are so corrupt because of their sins so that they will buy their passage into heaven from him. Through this they are feeding his greed and not actually doing anything except making him richer. He's a hypocrite because he teaches that people should live a humble life and only worry about those things that pertain to heaven and their eternal salvation but at the same time is stealing their money to get gain for himself and is extremely guilty of greed which just happens to be one of the seven deadly sins.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Pardoners Tale is very ironic. He is doing the very sin he is warning against. I think it was a very good example of how greed can eventually lead to disasters if one does not watch their actions. We all have some greed in us. Some appear not to, because they don't let it get out of control or act on it. Which is how it should be. I agree that his preachings against these things and then knowingly going against them is a worse sin that actually swearing, drinking, and gluttony. Chaucer obviously does not like the Catholic Church and does not trust those belonging to it.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, religion was meant to entertain? I thought it was to provide reassurance/answers/structure for life, etc.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, this tale definitely had its long and boring points but I found it interesting how the Pardoner was so open in his contradiction-he didn't try to be sinful on the sly...but was rather obvious about it.
What was interesting to be about the meaning of the tale was the different interpretations just concering that old man! Who knew! I prefer thinking of him as a symbol for knowledge and wisdom because I think it gives the tale a spooky aura...I don't know why. If it was just an old man trying to get rid of some cocky hooligans, I think the tale loses some sparkle.
I was amused by this tale simply because the story is ironic considering here you have the Pardoner preaching about greed, when he is extorting the poor by selling fake relics. The Pardoner somewhat exemplifies the people’s dislike at this time of the selling of relics as religious profit. I believe that the Pardoner will always stay a hypocrite, although aware of some of his harmful actions, and will continue to be corrupt with greed. But then, there is also irony in that the three men who go out to seek revenge on death, only to die from killing each other. I also like the interesting aspect that the tale even seems mysterious and the old man could represent many different roles in the tale, good or evil, depending on how the reader chooses to see fit.
ReplyDeleteEileen O'Shaughnessy
Throughout high school, I have learned quite a great deal about the corruption of the church in my history and english classes. I don't want to offend anyone, but these new facts and opinions that I am becoming aware of now are causing me to question a lot about the history of my religion. I find Chaucer's dislike for the church fascinating. How corrupt must the church have been for him to create stories to mimick its corruption? Of course they are entertaining, but at the same time, assuming the church was truly as corrupt as he portrays it, well that's slightly disturbing.
ReplyDeleteThe Pardoners Tale was my least favorite tale. I took me a long time to understand all the irony. But indeed it is very ironic. The Church during this time was very corrupt. Chaucer makes that very clear by the use the Pardoners character. Here is a man who is supposed to be of God and is supposed to be teaching goodness but is selfish, greedy, and hypocritical. This has to do a lot with our society today. Many politicians are doing the exact same thing and it's still ironic because they are supposed to be giving us a brighter future.
ReplyDeleteThe Church during this time is know to be very corrupt, and Chaucer mimics this corruption using the ironic tale. This tale can be compared to today's world, which is also full of greed and corruption.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny that Chaucer had such a dislike, or such a cynical view of the church. That just makes his work more interesting. It would make sense that he would attack it though, but what makes it more fun is that he attacked it and people didn't care. I'm not sure if I would be correct in saying this, but everyone in his time was very concientious of his/her religon, and would defend it. I'm not sure if The Pardoner's tale was to represent the church, but it is an interesting thought.
ReplyDeleteKelly,
ReplyDeleteWhen I say "entertain" I mean this: Man, throughout history has turned to a higher power for guidance, and as you said "reassurance, answers, and structures for life." True. I merely am drawing parallels with "entertain" in this way: People watch television and movies for many reasons... but above all, they are searching for something else, in escape of their own dreary lives, otherwise they'd become bored and pay no attention. Religion offers the same thing. It is otherworldly, outside our own understanding, and appealing because it offers answers and reassurance. Entertainment is so, so similar. Like a sermon, a song can pull realization from our hearts, no? Just thoughts, hope I haven't upset anyone. It makes sense in my head, not as easy writing down.
I was not surprised by the irony of this tale, infact it was expected because the church has been corrupt since the assention of Christ. it is no surprise that a tale of the "Pardoner" would be about Roman Catholic corruption.
ReplyDelete