Corruption In Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales

Chaucer clearly describes the pardoner as a parody, using satirical language to represent the corruption of the fourteenth century Church. This is evident through his immoral intentions, “I preche of no thyng but for coveityse” highlighted by this candid tone and repetition. This is particularly evident as he admits to his own hypocrisy and deceit, “For myn entente is nat but for to wynne, and nothing for correccioun of synne” emphasised by the rhyming of the juxtaposed nouns. The discourse marker “Is al my prechyng, for to make hem free to yeven hir pens, and namely unto me” clearly displays these corrupt motivations and glee at his own trickery. This satirising of pardoners and in turn the church is emphasised further as he repeatedly denounces,
This corrupt approach toward deceit, regardless of their methods or outcome for others, is repeatedly displayed through the Pardoner’s admittance, “I rekke nebere, whan that they have been beryed”, emphasised by the harsh consonants, “rekke” and alliteration “been beryed”. He even attempts to justify this corruption, “For certes, many a predicacioun comth ofte tyme of yvel entencioun…” suggesting his approach is even more shameful, despite his own lack of shame. The use of listing, “Som for pleasance of folk and flaterye…som for veyne lorie, and som for hate” emphasises the vast corrupt behaviours of the fourteenth century church. Similarly, Chaucer lists different religious documents, “telle I forth my tales, Bulles of popes and of cardinales, Of patriarkes, and bishoppes…”reveals how the Pardoner attempts to deceive his audience, emphasising the corruption of his role. This is emphasised as pardoners needed to have an episcopal licence, but many of these were forged which the Pardoner strongly suggests here. For example, in 1378 a Thomas Pardoner was arrested as a “forger of the seal of the Lord of the