Examples Of Hypocrisy In The Pardoners Tale

The Pardoners Tale is a tale written by Geoffrey Chaucer in 1392. The Canterbury Tales consists of different people who were on a journey to Canterbury. Each of these travelers would tell a tale as they travel which added up to the many stories in the Canterbury Tales. These tales all entail very diverse yet important themes. One distinctive that happens to occur consistently not only through the Pardoners Tale, but through the Canterbury Tales itself is hypocrisy.

For example, in the pardoners tale hypocrisy plays a huge part when the three men made an oath of brotherhood to find Death together but ended up plotting death on each other. The pardoner states, “The youngest is chosen, and as soon as he has left one of the remaining revellers suggests to his companion that the gold would be better divided into two parts rather than three. They plot to murder their companion so that they will have more of the money for themselves: they agree that one of them will wrestle with him, as if in play, so that the other can stab him.” (768–836). This is significant because it shows how Chaucer categorized the pardoner with the other corrupt males in the Tales, including Absolon, Sir Thopas. Thus, the pardoner’s tale exemplifies the dangers of hypocrisy.

In addition, in the Prologue of the tale, the Pardoner admits that he preaches for only for the greed of

gain. His preaching’s rotate around the idea that “the love of money is the root
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of all evil.” However, the Pardoner doesn’t seem to practice what he preaches, he states, “ For though myself be ful vicous man, a moral tale yet I yow telle kan, which I an wont to preach for to wynne” (459-461). Thus, greediness is the main purpose of his sermons. He says that sorrow is not the essential purpose of his sermons. Rather, his purpose is to gain as much money as he can in exchange for his meaningless amnesties.
Furthermore, in the tale hypocrisy continues to play an important role when the pardoner describes his method of sermons to demonstrate its power. He derives pleasure from his role as a preacher. The pardoner states, “Me to disturb of Christè's holy work. And after that then tell I forth my tales. Bulls of popès and of cardinals, Of patriarchs and bishopès I show, And in Latin I speak a wordès few To saffron with my predicatïon And for to stir them to devotion” (340-345). This is important because it shows the reader what a proud boastful man the pardoner is, especially when it comes to being hypocritical.
Moreover, hypocrisy also makes an appearance in this tale when the pardoner states that it is of the pilgrims good fortune that he is present among them for the salvation of their souls.

He states, “Avarice is the theme that I employ in all my sermons, to make the people free in giving pennies—especially to me” (81-100). This quote is key because it proves that he doesn’t care about the souls of other people. He doesn’t truly have a passion for preaching, all he longs for is his desire to gain money out of people. Thus this tale represents the constant pattern of hypocrisy we continue to perceive throughout the

story.
Additionally, another example of hypocrisy in the tale is when the pardoner condemns others, stating that swearing is one of the worst sins a person can commit. The pardoner starts
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off saying, “Thou shalt not take the Lord God's name in vain. Nay, sooner He forbids us such swearing than homicide or many a wicked thing…. Now for the love of Christ, who for us died,
Forgo this swearing oaths, both great and small” (356, 373). People enjoy telling others how to live their lives yet they lack the idea themselves. The pardoner tells others the way of the Lord and condemns them for the sins they have done; however, he is guilty of the same. As such, this is yet another example of hypocrisy articulated throughout the tale.
Also, hypocrisy plays a part when the pardoner condemns people who drink and says, "Lust is in all wine and drunkenness". “Now have I dronke a draughte of corny ale, By God, I hope I shal yow telle a thing that shal by resoun been at youre liking” (170-173). The pardoner begins speaking against all that participate in drinking, blasphemy, and gambling but yet admits to committing these sins himself. Thus, this proves another form of hypocrisy portrayed by the pardoner throughout his tale.
In conclusion, hypocrisy is the main reason for corruption. The pardoner is someone that symbolizes many people today. He takes pride in condemning others of mistakes they have made; nevertheless, he is just as guilty. Even people today have a tendency to to do the same thing daily. It’s acceptable for us to tell other people how to live their lives yet we take no action in improving ourselves with our sinful actions. All people are just as guilty of being hypocritical and greedy. The only difference between us is the desire to self-improve. So many people are obsessed with the love of money for themselves more than the well-being of people around them. It is thought-provoking that a tale created a century ago, can represent life as we know it today.