How Is The Pardoner Characterized In This Passage

The Pardoner's Complex Character: A Deep Dive into Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales"

Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales offers a vibrant tapestry of medieval society, and among its most memorable characters is the Pardoner. This seemingly minor figure, a church official tasked with selling indulgences, becomes a fascinating study in hypocrisy, greed, and self-awareness. This article delves into the Pardoner's characterization, exploring his motivations, flaws, and the complex layers that make him such a compelling and enduring figure in literary history.

The Pardoner's Prologue: A Confession of Vice

The Pardoner's Prologue is arguably one of the most self-revealing sections of the Canterbury Tales. It's not a humble confession, but rather a brazen declaration of his moral bankruptcy. He openly admits to his sins – not to seek redemption, but to showcase his manipulative skills. This immediately establishes his character as a master of deception, one who profits from exploiting the weaknesses of others.

Key aspects of his character revealed in the Prologue:

• Greed and avarice: This is the Pardoner's driving force. He doesn't preach against avarice; he embodies it. His entire existence revolves around acquiring wealth through fraudulent means. His relics, presented as holy objects, are nothing more than worthless trinkets, yet he convinces gullible pilgrims to pay exorbitant sums for them. His detailed description of his scams highlights his callous disregard for religious principles.
• Hypocrisy: The Pardoner preaches against the very sins he commits. He condemns avarice while relentlessly pursuing it. This hypocrisy is not accidental; it's a conscious choice, a calculated strategy to maintain his lucrative profession. The stark contrast between his words and actions underscores his moral corruption.
• Skillful oratory: The Pardoner's skill as a preacher is undeniable. He possesses a remarkable ability to manipulate his audience, employing rhetoric and emotional appeals to sway even the most skeptical. This talent is not used for good, but to exploit the faithful for personal gain. He uses sophisticated language and dramatic flair to enhance his deceitful narrative.
• Self-awareness (with a twist): While the Pardoner is undeniably aware of his own wickedness, he doesn't seem genuinely remorseful. His confession is less a plea for forgiveness and more a boast of his skill in manipulating people. This self-awareness doesn't lead to repentance; rather, it strengthens his resolve to continue his deceitful practices. He understands his actions are wrong but lacks the moral compass to change them.
• Moral Ambiguity: This is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the Pardoner’s character. While he clearly demonstrates despicable traits, there's also a perverse intellectual honesty in his confession. He doesn’t try to hide his villainy; he revels in it. This makes him a complex character, neither purely villainous nor entirely sympathetic. He is a study in the dark side of human nature, devoid of traditional moral constraints.

The Pardoner's Tale: A Mirror Reflecting His Own Vices

The Pardoner's Tale, a story about three rioters who search for Death, ironically serves as a reflection of the Pardoner's own character. The tale's central theme is greed and its destructive consequences – a theme that mirrors the Pardoner's own life.

Connections between the Pardoner and his Tale:

• Irony of the moral: The Pardoner preaches against avarice, the very vice that motivates the three rioters in his tale. This stark irony emphasizes the hypocrisy at the heart of his character. He condemns greed while profiting from it, making his moralizing ring hollow and cynical.
• Parallel structures: The rioters' relentless pursuit of wealth mirrors the Pardoner's own insatiable greed. Their eventual demise serves as a cautionary tale – a tale the Pardoner fails to apply to his own life.
• Narrative skill: The Pardoner's ability to spin a compelling narrative is reflected in the engaging storytelling of his tale. This highlights his rhetorical prowess, a talent he uses to both entertain and deceive. The tale’s dramatic arc and moral ambiguity demonstrate the sophistication of his storytelling skills.
• Thematic resonance: The tale's dark humor and emphasis on the destructive nature of greed underscore the Pardoner's own character. His tale is a twisted reflection of his own moral failings, making him a cautionary figure in a cautionary tale.
• Projection and self-critique (subconscious): It can be argued that the Pardoner unconsciously projects his own flaws onto the characters in his tale. By condemning their greed, he might be attempting to suppress or rationalize his own avarice. The tale acts as a subconscious form of self-critique, although one entirely masked by his self-serving narration.

The Pardoner's Interaction with Other Characters:

The Pardoner's interactions with the other pilgrims further illuminate his character. His attempts to sell indulgences demonstrate his manipulative tactics and his complete disregard for genuine religious faith. He doesn’t engage in meaningful dialogue; he uses language primarily as a tool of manipulation.

Examples of his interactions:

• His confrontation with the Host: The Host's skepticism towards the Pardoner underscores the general distrust the other pilgrims have for his character. The clash between them highlights the Pardoner’s blatant hypocrisy and the conflict between his public persona and his private life.
• His transactional relationships: The Pardoner's relationships with the other pilgrims are primarily transactional; he seeks to extract money from them. This further underlines his avarice and his lack of genuine human connection. He views them not as individuals but as potential sources of income.
• Lack of empathy: The Pardoner shows no empathy or compassion towards others. He exploits their vulnerability and religious piety for profit. His focus is entirely self-serving, emphasizing his detachment from any sense of community or moral responsibility.

The Pardoner's Significance in the Canterbury Tales

The Pardoner's character is significant for several reasons:

• Social commentary: He serves as a powerful critique of the corruption within the Church during the medieval period. His actions highlight the abuse of power and the hypocrisy of some religious figures.
• Literary innovation: The Pardoner's complex character, his self-aware confession, and the ironic juxtaposition of his tale with his character demonstrate Chaucer's innovative approach to characterization.
• Enduring relevance: The Pardoner's flaws – greed, hypocrisy, and manipulative behavior – remain relevant today. His character serves as a timeless reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and moral corruption.
• Ambiguity and complexity: Unlike many stereotypical villains, the Pardoner is not a simplistic caricature. His complexity, his self-awareness, and his perverse honesty make him a captivating and deeply unsettling figure. He challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature and the hypocrisy that can exist even within institutions dedicated to morality.

Conclusion: A Masterful Creation of Moral Ambiguity

The Pardoner, in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, is far more than a simple villain. He's a complex and multifaceted character who embodies the moral ambiguity of the medieval world. His self-awareness, his skill in manipulation, his blatant hypocrisy, and the ironic contrast between his words and actions make him one of the most memorable and enduring characters in English literature. The Pardoner remains a compelling study in human nature, a cautionary tale of unchecked greed, and a testament to Chaucer's masterful ability to create characters of undeniable depth and lasting impact. His enduring legacy lies in his ability to prompt readers to reflect on the complexities of morality, the hypocrisy that can permeate even the most sacred institutions, and the dark side of human ambition. The Pardoner’s story transcends its medieval setting, resonating with readers even centuries later. He remains a powerful symbol of the enduring struggle between virtue and vice, and a reminder that even those who recognize their own failings can still be driven by their destructive impulses.