Essay on Verbal and Situational Irony in The Pardoner’s Tale of Chaucer

The Pardoners TaleUse of Verbal and Situational Irony In The Pardoners Tale, Geoffrey Chaucer masterfully frames an wanton homily. Through the use of verbal and situational irony, Chaucer is able to accentuate the moral characteristics of the Pardoner. The essence of the story is exemplified by the blatant discrepancy between the character of the storyteller and the center of his story. By analyzing this contrast, the reader can place himself in the mind of the Pardoner in order to account for his psychological science. In the Prologue of the tale, the Pardoner clearly admits that he preaches for zip fastener but for the greed of gain. His sermons revolve around the biblical idea that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 610). Ironically, however, the Pardoner condemns the real same vice that he lives by, as he proclaims avarice is the theme that I employ in all my sermons, to make the people free in giving penniesespecially to me. Thus, covetousness is both th e substance of his sermons as well as the mechanism upon which he thrives. He clearly states that repentance is not the primeval aim of his preaching, by mentioning my mind is fixed on what I stand to win and not upon correcting sin. Rather, his foremost intention is to acquire as many another(prenominal) shillings as he can in exchange for his meaningless pardons. In this regard, one can argue that although the Pardoner is evil, he is not a dissembler. His psychology is clearly not guided by hypocrisy because he does not conceal his intentions under false pretences. Chaucer clouds the genuine nature of the Pardoners psychology in ambiguity. Upon r... ...nations of his thought processes, it is clear that the Pardoner does not practice what he preaches. It is ambiguous, however, as to whether the Pardoner believes what he preaches, but just doesnt follow his preaches or whether he doesnt believe what he preaches at all. It is evident, though, that the Pardoner has an astute mind. He is highly effective in what he does. Although he exploits the church for his experience personal designs, he succeeds at obtaining that which he pursues. The efficacy of his strategy is confirmed by Chaucers description of the Pardoner as being a horrible ecclesiastic and as being unmatched in his trade . Thus amidst all of his flatteries, there exists a spark of genius that complements his minimal level of ethics. This intelligent finesse is the riverbed from which all of the products of his mind flow.