The Pardoner's tale

In what other ways has death affected the village?

He has killed with a plague called the Black Death.

The youngest rioter comes up with his own plan while he is in town. Explain his plan.

He is trying to have all the treasure too for himself. He tries to put poison in their wine.

Who's corpse is in the coffin? Who is the "Privy thief"?

It was an old friend of theirs. Death is the privy thief.

Why do they draw straws?

It's because they have to fetch bread and wine.

Do you think the old man knew that in directing the three rioters to the oak tree he was sending them to their deaths? Why or why not?

The old man was death and that is why he sent them to their deaths.

The three drunk rioters walk towards the village and they come upon an old man. Who or what do they accuse the old man of being?

They accuse him of being Death and killing the people.

Describe the final scene in the woods.

They all end up dying. The two that drank the poison killed the youngest rioter which was the one to poison them.

Where are the three rioters at the beginning of the tale? What did they hear and see pass by?

They are at a tavern having a drink. They heard a hand bell clink. They saw a coffin pass by.

Where does the old man say they can find Death?

They can find him under a tree.

What do the three rioters find under the tree?

They found a pile of golden florins on the ground, and eight bushels. So basically treasure.

How did this discovery change their original plan to find Death?

They now wanted the treasure for themselves.

What do the three rioters pledge to do?

They pledge to defend and protect one another.

Why do they decide to spend the night in the woods?

They spend the night to save the treasure.

Explain the plan of the two remaining rioters to increase their share of the gold.

They stage a fight to kill the other rioter.