The Pardoner's Tale

Which of these lines best explains the central irony in “The Pardoner’s Prologue”?

• “By this fraud have I won me, year by year, / A hundred marks, since I’ve been pardoner.”

• “When they are dead, for all I think thereon / Their souls may well black-berrying have gone!”

• “For, when I dare not otherwise debate, / Then do I sharpen well my tongue and sting / The man in sermons, and upon him fling / My lying defamations”

• “Thus can I preach against that self-same vice / Which I indulge, and that is avarice.”

WHAT IS THE PARDONER'S PROFESSION?

• Scammer

• Con artist

• Sort of a preacher

• Highest position in the church

HOW DEEPLY IS THE PARDONER INVESTED IN THE SALVATION OF HIS CONGREGANTS?

• HE CARES DEEPLY FOR THE CONGREGANTS.

• HIS INVESTMENT IS MIXED AS HE DOES CARE BUT DOES NOT DO THE RIGHT THING.

• HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT SAVING THEIR SOULS.

• NONE OF THE ABOVE

In "The Pardoner's Tale," how does the Pardoner's character contribute to the story's main theme related to hypocrisy?

• By showing remorse for his sins at the end of the tale

• By preaching against greed while admitting to practicing it

• Be being the only virtuous character in the story

• By being a victim of the greed he condemns

What is the primary motif in "The Pardoner's Tale"?

• Power of friendship

• Inevitability of death

• Destructiveness of greed

• Importance of honesty

Which character trait best describes the Pardoner in Chaucer's tale?

• Immoral

• Angry

• Greedy

• Forgiving

How does the ending of "The Pardoner's Tale" serve as an example of situational irony?

• The three rioters end up finding the gold they seek.

• The three rioters die because of their greed, which is what they sought to escape.

• The Pardoner is revealed to be a noble character.

• The gold turns out to be cursed, leading to the downfall of the kingdom.

What literary device is used when the old man tells the rioters they will find death under the tree, and they indeed find gold, which leads to their demise?

• metaphor

• simile

• personification

• foreshadowing

How does "The Pardoner's Tale" critique the church and its officials?

• By showing the church as the ultimate authority on morality

• By depicting a Pardoner who exploits his position for personal gain

• Through the Pardoner's attempt to correct his dishonesty and immorality

• By illustrating the church's role in eradicating greed

What is the central theme of 'The Pardoner's Tale'?

• A) The power of love

• B) The destructiveness of greed

• C) The importance of friendship

• D) The inevitability of fate