In the Bell Work section of your binder, respond to the following prompt while listening to “Mo Money Mo Problems”:

The Bible tells us, “The love of money is the root of all evil.”

Write down your thoughts about the desire for money and the way it influences human behavior. In what situations is the desire for money evil or harmful? When does the desire seem normal or legitimate to you?

“The Pardoner’s Tale”

• Based on an Oriental folk-tale• Scholars consider “The Pardoner’s Tale” one of

the finest short stories ever written• “The Pardoner’s Tale” is an allegory

Allegory

• A narrative that has both literal and deeper, symbolic meanings

• “The Pardoner’s Tale” is a kind of allegory known as an exemplum, Latin for “example”– The tale is an exemplum against the sin of greed– The Pardoner uses the tale to illustrate the point

of one of his sermons, “Love of money is the root of all evil”

Allegory, cont.

• To teach its lesson effectively, an allegory must be:– Easily understood– Easily remembered

• Allegories use basic storytelling patterns, or archetypal narrative elements that you would find in folk literature around the world

Archetypal Narrative Elements

• Characters, events, and other things that come in threes

• A test of characters’ morality• A mysterious guide who helps point the way • A just ending that rewards good or punishes

evil

A Familiar Exemplum (loosely based on “The Pardoner’s Tale”!)

“The Pardoner’s Tale”

• The Pardoner is viewed as the most complex character on the pilgrimage

• He admits to being guilty of all seven sins, but he can still tell a moral tale and get people to repent

The Pardoner

• Job: sold pardons and indulgences to those charged with sins

• Characteristics:– Loud, high-pitched voice; long, flaxen hair; no

beard; effeminate characteristics– Carries relics, crosses– Rides near the back of the pilgrims– Untrustworthy– Looks to “cash in” on religion

“The Pardoner’s Prologue”

pp. 125-127

“The Pardoner’s Prologue”pp. 125-127

• The Pardoner tells the other pilgrims about his style of preaching

• He uses the same old text he always has: “Radix malorum est cupidatas.”(“Greed is the root of all evil”)

• The Pardoner tells stories and throws in Latin to spice up his teachings

• He brings out “relics” and claims that each has special powers

Relics

• The shoulder bone of a sheep:– If dipped in a well and the water consumed, can:

• Cure livestock from swelling• Cure all animals of skin problems• Multiply the cattle of the owner who drinks from the well• Cure jealousy in a husband, if broth is made from it

• A glove:– If worn by the owner while sowing seeds and if the

owner pays the Pardoner money, can:• Multiply the grain of the owner

“The Pardoner’s Prologue”pp. 125-127

• The Pardoner says he can’t do anything for truly bad sinners – However, “good people” can step forward and pay money

and the Pardoner will purge them of their sins with the authority given to him by the Pope• “That trick’s been worth a hundred marks a year”

• The Pardoner states how he preaches to “yokels” and tells lies and mockeries during his sermons

• When he speaks of “avarice and cupidity” (insatiable greed), people pull out their money and give out of guilt– “For my exclusive purpose is to win/ And not at all to

castigate their sin”

“The Pardoner’s Prologue”pp. 125-127

• The Pardoner admits his main purpose is to acquire money: – “I preach for nothing but for greed of gain”

• Wait…what? How is this ironic? – “And thus I preach against the very vice/ I make

my living out of – avarice.”– “Covetousness is both the root and stuff/ Of all I

preach…”

“The Pardoner’s Prologue”pp. 125-127

• He tells old stories people love to hear• The Pardoner admits he will even take money

from the poorest person• The Pardoner states he is drunk, but can touch

on a moral tale, even though he is a bad person• The Pardoner says he will tell a tale that has

earned him a lot of money in the past• Finally, he asks for silence before he begins…

“The Pardoner’s Tale”

pp. 127-134

Macabre

• A quality of certain artistic or literary works, characterized by a grim or ghastly atmosphere. In these works, there is an emphasis on the details and symbols of death

What to look for while we read:

• Archetypal narrative elements in “The Pardoner’s Tale”• Examples of the Seven Deadly Sins– Gluttony– Greed– Envy– Lust– Wrath– Pride– Sloth

• Examples of the macabre