The Pardoner's Tale Analysis
Nearly all authors convey a message through their writings, though many of those messages do not apply to society today. However, the views presented in The Canterbury Tales can be applied to the present society. The Wife of Bath, the Oxford Clerk, and the Pardoner present universal views that are depicted in society today. The moral and ethical views portrayed by the prologues and tales in The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer, are still sometimes valid today. People covet sovereignty over their spouse; people desire loyalty above all; and people use religion as a mean of gaining wealth. Primarily, the “Wife of Bath’s Tale” reveals that one should have sovereignty over her significant other. The Wife of Bath conspicuously states her
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position about marriage by declaring, through her tale, “A woman wants the self-same sovereignty / Over her husband as over her lover, / And master him; he must not be above her" (Chaucer 263). She openly states that “A women wants the self-same sovereignty” and thus, divulging her moral views. In addition, she does not feel hesitant about expressing her belief through the tale by implying her position; rather she explicitly states it to her audience. Moreover, she applies this moral into her own life and she pleases herself by "Remembering how [she] made them work at night!" (264). The Wife of Bath, evident from her tone, is “proud” of herself for having complete dominance over her husbands. She acts as though she has accomplished something great and praiseworthy. Thus, the moral presented by the Wife of Bath is that power is necessary and significant in a relationship. The Wife of Bath’s moral pertaining to power in a relationship is still valid today. For example, sovereignty is prevalent in a few Middle Eastern countries. Unlike the Wife of Bath’s views, men usually have sovereignty over women because of the Quran. The followers of Islam faithfully abide by the Quran which states, “Wives have the same rights as the husbands have on them in accordance with the generally known principles. Of course, men are a degree above them in status…” (Maududi 165) and “Men are managers of the affairs of women because Allah has made the one superior to the other” (329). Thus, sovereignty plays a significant role in Islamic followers, especially women, because it is a concept they were raised and taught to adhere to. Hence, the idea of sovereignty, although slightly altered, is still valid today. On the other hand, the Oxford Clerk, through Walter’s character, demonstrates that a test is necessary to prove worthiness and loyalty. Walter is obstinate in proving Griselda's opposition to his decisions. He tests her patience by "[disposing] [her] daughter" (Chaucer 334). Walter does not feel any remorse; in fact he uses the word “dispose”, indicating his daughter is worthless. His only motive is to prove Griselda’s opposition which causes him to separate his child from Griselda and himself. He does not feel any compunction as this is only the beginning of his burdensome “test”. However, towards the end "The marquis wondered ever more and more / At so much patience in her misery" (340). It is evident from the tone of the Oxford Clerk, Walter does not desire to put such a burden on Griselda. In addition, Walter’s use of the word “misery” proves that he cares about her and knows he is torturing her. However, he is only conducting this “test” to prove Griselda’s capability as a wife. Therefore, through Walter’s character, the Oxford Clerk demonstrates that loyalty can only be proven through the endurance of oppression. The extreme idea that a test is crucial to prove loyalty and worthiness is a concept that is considered unusual today yet it is still present. Though people do have to prove their loyalty and faithfulness today, they only have to do so to a moderate level. However, the extreme idea of loyalty has not dissipated as some countries, such as India, do have old traditions which prove a wife's loyalty like sati. During sati, the wife commits suicide after the death of her husband to prove her loyalty and faithfulness. Though this practice was abrogated in 1829, in 2014, Dahwa Devi, a 65-year-old woman committed sati by jumping into her husband’s funeral pyre. Though many people find out the qualities and virtues of their significant other through interactions, there are still occasions today where people will go to any extent to attain or prove their allegiance. Finally, the ethical view expressed in “The Pardoner’s Tale” is people, including religious officials, use religion to gain wealth.
Although the Pardoner deceives the public, he still confesses his sin "the very vice / [He] makes [his] living out of – avarice" (243). The Pardoner openly admits how much he values wealth over religion by "preaching" against “the very vice” – avarice. Similar to the Wife of Bath, the Pardoner seems “proud” of himself for beguiling innocent people. It is also evident from his tone that he does not believe in religion, but in wealth. Moreover, the Pardoner unambiguously states to the pilgrims, "Let me preach and beg from kirk to kirk / And never do an honest job of work...I mean to have money..." (244). The Pardoner, again, is open about his dishonesty and implies he will “never” be honest in his profession as his only goal is “to have money” despite how sacred his work is. His "work" is to con people of their money by selling pardons and artificial items. Hence, in “The Pardoner’s Tale”, an ethic that was delineated is that corruption, due to cupidity, is present in an infinite number of people, including religious officials, because they act out of arrogance rather than
ethicality. There are con artists everywhere, in every field in today’s society; from the medical field such as quacks, to religion such as televangelists. Modern televangelists can be compared to the Pardoner in several ways, though ultimately it comes down to using people's innocence and faith to gain money. Wealthy preachers such as Benny Hinn and Joyce Meyers use the profit earned from their shows and sermons for themselves rather than for God and charity. They have a salary well over a half million and live in mansions. These televangelists use money, supposedly donated to a non-profit organization, for themselves. Additionally, Creflo Dollar, a television preacher, just recently asked people to donate money so he can buy a $65 million private jet, which he succeeded in buying. Thus, the Pardoner’s ethics are also the ethics of several others in today’s society. Hence, it can be concluded that Chaucer is implying greed is the root of all conflicts and issues despite the time century. Marriage, for some, is a way of achieving selfish motives. People begin to covet more and more, whether it is money or love, which ultimately causes conflicts. Similarly, the Wife of Bath expresses her greed for sovereignty and money by marrying rich, old men and emotionally blackmailing them in order to be superior. In “The Oxford Clerk’s Tale”, Walter shows extreme greed for loyalty and faithfulness. If apprehension causes people to put others through hardships, it will eventually harm them. They will live in compunction or will ruin their relationship with their loved ones. Finally, avarice, an extreme greed for wealth, always has a negative consequence. The Pardoner accentuates the importance of not having avarice as a vice because it will eventually harm someone if not themselves. In addition, it is crucial to remember that the person motivated by avarice does not pay heed for anyone else but themselves. Therefore, greed, the driving force of Chaucer’s tales and prologues, are visible in the Wife of Bath, the Oxford Clerk, and the Pardoner’s morals and ethics and are also visible in today’s society.
position about marriage by declaring, through her tale, “A woman wants the self-same sovereignty / Over her husband as over her lover, / And master him; he must not be above her" (Chaucer 263). She openly states that “A women wants the self-same sovereignty” and thus, divulging her moral views. In addition, she does not feel hesitant about expressing her belief through the tale by implying her position; rather she explicitly states it to her audience. Moreover, she applies this moral into her own life and she pleases herself by "Remembering how [she] made them work at night!" (264). The Wife of Bath, evident from her tone, is “proud” of herself for having complete dominance over her husbands. She acts as though she has accomplished something great and praiseworthy. Thus, the moral presented by the Wife of Bath is that power is necessary and significant in a relationship. The Wife of Bath’s moral pertaining to power in a relationship is still valid today. For example, sovereignty is prevalent in a few Middle Eastern countries. Unlike the Wife of Bath’s views, men usually have sovereignty over women because of the Quran. The followers of Islam faithfully abide by the Quran which states, “Wives have the same rights as the husbands have on them in accordance with the generally known principles. Of course, men are a degree above them in status…” (Maududi 165) and “Men are managers of the affairs of women because Allah has made the one superior to the other” (329). Thus, sovereignty plays a significant role in Islamic followers, especially women, because it is a concept they were raised and taught to adhere to. Hence, the idea of sovereignty, although slightly altered, is still valid today. On the other hand, the Oxford Clerk, through Walter’s character, demonstrates that a test is necessary to prove worthiness and loyalty. Walter is obstinate in proving Griselda's opposition to his decisions. He tests her patience by "[disposing] [her] daughter" (Chaucer 334). Walter does not feel any remorse; in fact he uses the word “dispose”, indicating his daughter is worthless. His only motive is to prove Griselda’s opposition which causes him to separate his child from Griselda and himself. He does not feel any compunction as this is only the beginning of his burdensome “test”. However, towards the end "The marquis wondered ever more and more / At so much patience in her misery" (340). It is evident from the tone of the Oxford Clerk, Walter does not desire to put such a burden on Griselda. In addition, Walter’s use of the word “misery” proves that he cares about her and knows he is torturing her. However, he is only conducting this “test” to prove Griselda’s capability as a wife. Therefore, through Walter’s character, the Oxford Clerk demonstrates that loyalty can only be proven through the endurance of oppression. The extreme idea that a test is crucial to prove loyalty and worthiness is a concept that is considered unusual today yet it is still present. Though people do have to prove their loyalty and faithfulness today, they only have to do so to a moderate level. However, the extreme idea of loyalty has not dissipated as some countries, such as India, do have old traditions which prove a wife's loyalty like sati. During sati, the wife commits suicide after the death of her husband to prove her loyalty and faithfulness. Though this practice was abrogated in 1829, in 2014, Dahwa Devi, a 65-year-old woman committed sati by jumping into her husband’s funeral pyre. Though many people find out the qualities and virtues of their significant other through interactions, there are still occasions today where people will go to any extent to attain or prove their allegiance. Finally, the ethical view expressed in “The Pardoner’s Tale” is people, including religious officials, use religion to gain wealth.
Although the Pardoner deceives the public, he still confesses his sin "the very vice / [He] makes [his] living out of – avarice" (243). The Pardoner openly admits how much he values wealth over religion by "preaching" against “the very vice” – avarice. Similar to the Wife of Bath, the Pardoner seems “proud” of himself for beguiling innocent people. It is also evident from his tone that he does not believe in religion, but in wealth. Moreover, the Pardoner unambiguously states to the pilgrims, "Let me preach and beg from kirk to kirk / And never do an honest job of work...I mean to have money..." (244). The Pardoner, again, is open about his dishonesty and implies he will “never” be honest in his profession as his only goal is “to have money” despite how sacred his work is. His "work" is to con people of their money by selling pardons and artificial items. Hence, in “The Pardoner’s Tale”, an ethic that was delineated is that corruption, due to cupidity, is present in an infinite number of people, including religious officials, because they act out of arrogance rather than
ethicality. There are con artists everywhere, in every field in today’s society; from the medical field such as quacks, to religion such as televangelists. Modern televangelists can be compared to the Pardoner in several ways, though ultimately it comes down to using people's innocence and faith to gain money. Wealthy preachers such as Benny Hinn and Joyce Meyers use the profit earned from their shows and sermons for themselves rather than for God and charity. They have a salary well over a half million and live in mansions. These televangelists use money, supposedly donated to a non-profit organization, for themselves. Additionally, Creflo Dollar, a television preacher, just recently asked people to donate money so he can buy a $65 million private jet, which he succeeded in buying. Thus, the Pardoner’s ethics are also the ethics of several others in today’s society. Hence, it can be concluded that Chaucer is implying greed is the root of all conflicts and issues despite the time century. Marriage, for some, is a way of achieving selfish motives. People begin to covet more and more, whether it is money or love, which ultimately causes conflicts. Similarly, the Wife of Bath expresses her greed for sovereignty and money by marrying rich, old men and emotionally blackmailing them in order to be superior. In “The Oxford Clerk’s Tale”, Walter shows extreme greed for loyalty and faithfulness. If apprehension causes people to put others through hardships, it will eventually harm them. They will live in compunction or will ruin their relationship with their loved ones. Finally, avarice, an extreme greed for wealth, always has a negative consequence. The Pardoner accentuates the importance of not having avarice as a vice because it will eventually harm someone if not themselves. In addition, it is crucial to remember that the person motivated by avarice does not pay heed for anyone else but themselves. Therefore, greed, the driving force of Chaucer’s tales and prologues, are visible in the Wife of Bath, the Oxford Clerk, and the Pardoner’s morals and ethics and are also visible in today’s society.