Satire in The Pardoner's Tale unit 2 lesson 9

To start with, I declare where I've come from, And then produce my certificates, one by one; My licence with the seal of our lord bishop Which I show first—that's to protect myself So that nobody, whether priest or cleric, Dares interdict me from Christ's holy work. In what way does the passage accurately represent real medieval pardoners?

The passage shows that pardoners were officially authorized by the Church.

I'll tell you in a word what I'm about: I preach for money, and for nothing else. -The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer How does the passage satirize pardoners?

by exaggerating the Pardoner's extreme greed

In the Middle Ages, Christians were expected to visit a priest yearly to offer

connfessions

Consider Chaucer's use of satire in The Canterbury Tales. What purpose does this satire serve? Write three to four sentences connecting details from the story to what you know about medieval England.

Chaucer uses satire in his characterization of the Pardoner to criticize the Church. The Pardoner's sermon against greed humorously contrasts with his exaggerated greediness. Chaucer creates such an excessively greedy character to draw attention to real corruption in the Church and to bring about change.

For I'll have money, wool, and cheese, and wheat, Though given by the poorest serving-lad, Or by the poorest widow in the place, Were all her children dying of famine, No, no! I'll drink the ichor of the vine, And have a pretty girl in every town. But hear me out now, gentlemen . . . Which statement best describes the satire in the excerpt?

The Pardoner's disregard for the poor reveals the Church's hypocrisy.

Satire is an author's use of

humor and fully

Thus I know how to preach against the vice Which masters me—and that is avarice. Though I myself am guilty of the sin, I know how to make other people turn From avarice, and bitterly repent. Which word best characterizes the Pardoner in this passage?

hyprocritical

In Flanders there was once a company Of youngsters wedded to such sin and folly As gaming, dicing, brothels, and taverns, Where, night and day, with harps, lutes, and citherns, They spend their time in dicing and in dancing, Eating and drinking more than they can carry; And with these abominable excesses They offer up the vilest sacrifices . . . Which word best characterizes the young people in this passage?

immoral

Imagine that you were writing a modern version of The Canterbury Tales. List five people or types of people you would choose to represent a cross-section of your community.

teacher, parent, police, firefighter, president

"To start with, I declare where I've come from, And then produce my certificates, one by one; My licence with the seal of our lord bishop Which I show first—that's to protect myself So that nobody, whether priest or cleric, Dares interdict me from Christ's holy work." What feature of medieval life is reflected in the excerpt?

the acceptance of the church's authority

"Think what a safeguard it must be for you That I, who can absolve both high and low When soul from body is about to go, Should chance to fall in with your company! Let me suggest that our host here begin, Since he's the one who's most wrapped up in sin. Step forward, Mister Host—your offering first, And you can kiss the relics, every one! All for a penny! Out now with your purse!" Which statement best describes the satire in the excerpt?

Chaucer criticizes the idea that forgiveness is available for purchase.

I only preach of avarice and the like, And in this way induce them to be free In giving cash—especially to me. Because my only interest is in gain; I've none whatever in rebuking sin. No, none! When they are pushing up the daisies, Their souls, for all I care, can go to blazes. How is the Pardoner characterized in this passage

He is greedy and self-centered.

"God's arms!" exclaimed one of these debauchees, "Is the fellow then so dangerous to meet? In highways and in byways, street by street, I'll seek him out, I vow it on God's bones. Now listen, fellows: let us three be one, Each of us hold his hand up to the other, And each of us become the other's brother, And we will kill this black betrayer, Death, And kill the killer, by God's holy breath, And that before the sun goes down on us!" Which statement best describes how the speaker in the excerpt is characterized?

He is impassioned and persuasive.

Which of these are examples of satire? Check all that apply.

a magazine article exaggerating the public's extreme reaction to a celebrity a news report objectively describing a recent event an ironic short story that draws attention to how unmotivated people can be

I preach just as you've heard me say; and tell A hundred taradiddles more as well. And then I do my best to stretch my neck And bob my head in every direction Over the folk, now this way, and now that, Just like a pigeon sitting on a barn. Both hands and tongue are busy, and so quick That it's a joy to watch me at my work. I only preach of avarice and the like, And in this way induce them to be free In giving cash—especially to me. How is the Pardoner characterized in this passage?

The Pardoner is characterized as an effective speaker and a skilled con artist.

I'll tell you in a word what I'm about: I preach for money, and for nothing else. And so my text is what it always was: Radix malorum est cupiditas. Thus I know how to preach against the vice Which masters me—and that is avarice. How is the Pardoner characterized in this passage?

The Pardoner is dishonest and hypocritical.

If any here should wish, out of devotion, To make an offering, and have absolution, Let them come forward now, and kneeling down Humbly receive my blessing and pardon. Or take my pardon as we go along, Take it at every milestone, fresh and new, Only renew, and yet again renew, Your offerings in sound gold and silver coin. What is satirical about this passage from the end of The Pardoner's Tale?

The Pardoner is so greedy that he tries to extract money even from people who know his tricks.

In the Middle Ages, an indulgence was

a document that offered forgiveness for sin.

And it fell to the youngest of them all, And he set off at once towards the town. And thereupon, so soon as he was gone, One of the two who stayed said to the other: "You know, of course, that you are my sworn brother. I'll tell you something that you won't lose by. As you can see, our friend has gone away, And here is gold, and that in greatest plenty, All waiting to be split between us three. How would it be, if I can work it so That it is only shared between us two, Wouldn't I be doing you a friendly turn?" How does Chaucer characterize the young man speaking in this passage?

as deceitful

I only preach of avarice and the like, And in this way induce them to be free In giving cash—especially to me. Because my only interest is in gain; I've none whatever in rebuking sin. How does the excerpt satirize the Church?

by exaggerating the greedy nature of the clergy

I can sting with my tongue; and when I preach I sting so hard, the fellow can't escape Slander and defamation, if so be He's wronged my fellow-pardoners, or me, Even if I don't give his actual name, Yet everybody knows that he's the one From hints, and other circumstantialities— That's how I deal with people who annoy us; That's how I spit out venom, under guise Of piety, and seem sincerely pious. How does the excerpt satirize the clergy?

by revealing the clergy's vindictive abuse of power

I preach just as you've heard me say; and tell A hundred taradiddles more as well. And then I do my best to stretch my neck And bob my head in every direction Over the folk, now this way, and now that, Just like a pigeon sitting on a barn. Both hands and tongue are busy, and so quick That it's a joy to watch me at my work. How does the excerpt satirize pardoners?

by suggesting that their sermons are scripted performances

Dear brethren, God forgive you your trespass, And keep you from the sin of avarice; My holy pardon here can save you all, And will, so long as you make offerings Of gold and silver coin, spoons, brooches, rings— Bow down your heads before this holy bull! What vice is Chaucer satirizing in this passage?

greed