Table of Contents
The Pardoner’s Motto: Radix Malorum
The Pardoner’s Tale is a masterpiece of irony. The Pardoner, arguably the most corrupt pilgrim, preaches a sermon against the very sin he embodies: Avarice (Greed). His professional motto is the Latin phrase "Radix malorum est cupiditas" (Greed is the root of all evil).
The tale is an exemplum (a moral story used to illustrate a point in a sermon) set in Flanders. It begins with three riotous youths in a tavern who hear that a mysterious figure named "Death" has killed one of their friends(Asked in Exam). Fueled by wine and arrogance, they swear a brotherhood to hunt down and "slay" Death.
Death and the Oak Tree: A Moral Irony
During their hunt, the youths encounter a mysterious, sorrowful old man who cannot die. He directs them toward a specific oak tree(Asked in Exam), claiming they will find Death waiting there. However, instead of a person, they find eight bushels of gold florins.
Instantly, their "mission" to destroy Death is forgotten in favor of greed. They decide to wait for nightfall to move the gold. The youngest rioter is sent to town for bread and wine while the other two stay behind. A double betrayal unfolds:
- The two guarding the gold plot to stab the youngest when he returns.
- The youngest secretly buys poison and poisons the wine to kill the other two and keep the gold for himself.
In the end, all three perish: the two older rioters murder the youngest, then drink the poisoned wine and die in agony. They did, indeed, find "Death" under the oak tree—not as a person, but as the inevitable result of their own greed.
The Friar’s Tale: Satire and Sincerity
The Friar’s Tale serves as a direct, hostile attack on the Summoner (as the two pilgrims are engaged in a professional feud). It tells the story of a corrupt summoner who meets a mysterious yeoman while on his way to extort money from a poor widow. The yeoman reveals himself to be the Devil.
The two agree to a partnership: they will share whatever people give them. The core of the tale revolves around the intent of a curse. They encounter a carter whose horses are stuck in the mud; the carter curses the horses to hell, but the Devil refuses to take them because the curse was not "sincere."
Finally, they visit the widow. When the summoner tries to extort her last penny, the widow sincerely curses the summoner to hell. Because her intent is pure and truthful, the Devil immediately seizes the summoner’s soul and drags him down to the underworld. It is a biting satire on the greed and legalistic manipulation of the Church's lower officials.
Match the List Checkpoint
Flanders
The specific geographical setting for the riotous behavior of the three youths in the Pardoner's Tale.
The Oak Tree
The location directed by the old man where the rioters expect to find Death but find gold instead.
The Widow
The figure in the Friar's Tale whose sincere curse allows the Devil to seize the corrupt summoner.
Harry Bailey
The Host who must intervene after the Pardoner tries to sell relics to the pilgrims following his tale.
Active Recall: Check Your Mastery
- Q: What does the Latin motto "Radix malorum est cupiditas" mean?
A: Greed (or avarice) is the root of all evil. - Q: In the Pardoner's Tale, who specifically tells the three rioters where they can find Death?
A: An old man who is unable to die. - Q: Why does the Devil in the Friar's Tale refuse to take the carter's horses when he curses them?
A: Because the carter was not speaking sincerely; it was a curse of frustration, not intent. - Q: What physical object leads to the death of all three rioters in the Pardoner's Tale?
A: Eight bushels of gold coins (florins), which triggered their mutual betrayal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the "Old Man" in the Pardoner's Tale?
The old man is one of the most debated figures in Chaucer. He is often interpreted as a personification of Old Age, or even Death himself, acting as a guide. He seeks death but cannot find it, contrasting with the rioters who find death because they seek gold. He represents the bridge between the physical and the supernatural world.
Why is it ironic that the Pardoner tells this specific story?
It is the "Irony of the Preacher." The Pardoner is a professional thief who uses his talents to manipulate people for money. He tells a story showing that greed leads to death, yet as soon as the story ends, he immediately tries to sell "holy relics" to the other pilgrims for profit. He is so comfortable in his hypocrisy that he doesn't even try to hide it.
What is the "Friar vs. Summoner" feud?
This is a professional and personal rivalry. Friars and Summoners both competed for the same "confession market." A Summoner brought you to court for sins; a Friar could hear your confession and give you penance. By telling stories where the other’s profession ends up in hell, they are attempting to discredit each other in front of the pilgrims.
What was the "Knight's Intervention"?
After the Pardoner's Tale, the Pardoner insultingly suggests the Host (Harry Bailey) is the most sinful and should buy a relic first. The Host is so enraged he threatens to castrate the Pardoner. The Knight, as the figure of peace and highest rank, has to step in and force them to kiss and be reconciled to keep the pilgrimage together.
