Comparison Of Evil In Beowulf And The Pardoner's Tale

"Evil is a thick rope of many complex, twisted and intertwined strands” ( qtd. In Singer 185), is a quote by psychiatrist Robert L. Simon that demonstrates evil contains many ambiguous aspects. However, even though there are many parts within the concept of evil, Simon suggests that the innumerable forms of evil are connected with one another. Most people are quick to create judgments about cruel acts without considering the reasoning behind the execution of the despicable behavior. If one were to closely examine the sources of evil, one would discover that each situation contains a variety of differences and few similarities. The literary works of Beowulf and The Pardoner’s Tale demonstrate varying motives of evil, use evil to contribute to

the plot in differing ways, and contain similar results from the gruesomeness found.
The author, Marcus G.

Singer once wrote , “ There are numerous evil persons and evil-doers in literature, as distinct from life, it is often possible to be clearer on the motives and intentions of the evil- doer”(200). In fact, within Beowulf and The Pardoner’s Tale different motives of why villainous acts are completed can be discovered. In Beowulf cruelty is used to obtain revenge and to create pleasure for the villain. For example, the work states, “ Grendel came again, so set on murder that no crime could ever be enough, no savage assault quench his lust for evil”(Beowulf 50-53). This description demonstrates that Grendel will never be able to be satisfied with his vicious acts, and he commits to evil behavior for the sake of performing destructive tasks. Another piece from the epic states, “She’d [Grendel’s Mother] taken Hrothgar’s closest friend, the man he most loved of all men on earth; she’d killed a glorious soldier, cut a noble life short” (Beowulf 414- 417). Through this section of the story, the audience learns that Grendel’s mother made a decision to kill a nobleman’s friend because of the loss of her own son. Grendel’s mother was seeking revenge and she used an opportunity to destroy the life of someone Hrothgar cared for, just as Hrothgar had done to her through Beowulf. However, in The Pardoner’s Tale, the pardoner used evil for the sake of avarice. An example of this motive of greed is found when the work states, “ For my[The Pardoner] exclusive

purpose is to win and not at all to castigate their sin” (Chaucer 19-20). This description demonstrates that The Pardoner was deceiving people into believing that he intended to help the people with pardoning of their sins, instead of just writing them pardons for the sole gain of wealth. He commits the evil act of lying to the people he has pledged to serve, and reaps the benefits of the behavior by collecting any form of items that contain monetary value. Anyone who decides to commit an evil act typically has motive behind it even if it may differ from the motive of another evil being.
In addition, Beowulf and The Pardoner’s Tale use diabolic achievements to contribute to the plot in differentiating ways. For example, in Beowulf it is described that, “Then he [Grendel] stepped to another still body, clutched at Beowulf with his claws, grasped a strong-hearted wakeful sleeper...” ( 268-270). This demonstrates through diction and word choice that evil was used to create suspense within the epic. The suspense stems from the vicious description that causes emotional excitement, anticipation, and anxiety to erupt from the mind of the reader. However, The Pardoner’s Tale executes atrociousness for the purpose of devising irony for the character of the Pardoner. Chaucer wrote in his work The Pardoner’s Tale, “Once Dead what matter how their souls may fare? They can go blackberrying for all I care” (21-22). One would have strict standards set for a highly religious figure, but the Pardoner in Chaucer’s tale does not care what is best for the soul of others. Instead he abuses his authority by using all of the skills he has gained at his expense and his deceiving trickery to convince civilians that must provide wealth in exchange for pardons of filthy black sin. Wicked schemes help to create strong emotional power within works of literature.
Furthermore, Beowulf and The Pardoner’s Tale both contain the identical consequence of annihilation of human souls.

The famous author, Ruth Manning Gordon once wrote, “It [evil] is a grim business, in which we are fighting not a fellow human being, but a deadly force” (67).Gordon describes evil as concocting a product of destruction. This is similar to the maliciousness that causes extermination in Beowulf and The Pardoner’sTale. An example of this destruction is illustrated in Beowulf when the author wrote, “… smashed them unknowing in their beds and ran out with their bodies, the blood dripping behind him[Grendel] , back to his lair delighted with his night’s slaughter” (37-40). The monstrous behavior exhibited by Grendel proved deadly to others and cost the innocent the precious treasure of life. Similarly, The Pardoner’s Tale also demonstrates a deathly outcome through savage decisions. For example, Chaucer states, “Thus these two murderers received their due, so did the treacherous young poisoner too” (294- 295). Evil in the end of the course of the tale has lead to the tragic downfall of three men, and the impulsive decision motivated by avarice has been executed in

vain.
In conclusion, the literature of Beowulf and The Pardoner’s Tale execute evil through demonstration of different motives, varying literary contributions, and identical consequences from diabolic decisions. Whether to obtain revenge or wealth viciousness always contains a motive. Wicked behavior can help make a literary piece have suspense and irony. Vile acts may lead to a vengeful downfall. If one were to merely and briefly examine evil, one could identify the complexity from within, and analyze the many connections associated.