Thus can you preach against that self same vice Which you indulge and that is avarice Ch 28 99 100
The Pardoner is criticizing the hypocrisy of those who preach against avarice (greed) while themselves making a living by exploiting people's greed through indulgences and false relics. He is highlighting the irony of condemning a sin that one benefits from financially.
Hypocrisy
The character who played as a foil in the Pardoner's Tale is the three rioters. They are contrasted with the Pardoner himself, highlighting his hypocrisy and greed by embodying sinful behaviors such as drunkenness and violence.
The character who plays a foil in "The Pardoner's Tale" is the riotous youth who is described as rude, aggressive, and foolish in contrast to the Pardoner's deceitful and manipulative nature. The youth serves to highlight the Pardoner's hypocrisy and greed through his impulsive actions and eventual downfall.
One characteristic of an allegory in The Pardoner's Tale is the use of symbolic characters, like the Pardoner himself, who represent abstract qualities or ideas. In this tale, the Pardoner symbolizes greed and hypocrisy, making him a key figure in conveying the moral message of the story.
It's strange because the Pardoner, as a corrupt and dishonest character, presents himself as holy and virtuous while trying to profit off fake relics. This juxtaposition reflects the Pardoner's hypocrisy and greed, making his attempt to sell relics contradictory and indicative of his fraudulent nature.
In his sketch about the pardoner, Chaucer comments on the corruption and hypocrisy within the Catholic Church during his time. The pardoner is depicted as greedy, manipulating people's faith for personal gain, highlighting the moral decay and exploitation prevalent in medieval society. Additionally, Chaucer critiques the effects of materialism and greed on spiritual values, warning against the dangers of hypocrisy and deception.
"Is it more moral to admit one's faults or deny them?" is a significant thematic question raised by The Pardoner's Tale.
Chaucer portrays the Pardoner as disheveled to suggest he is deceitful and untrustworthy. His unkempt appearance mirrors his corrupt moral character, emphasizing the hypocrisy of his profession as a seller of indulgences.
Is it more moral to admit one's faults or deny them?
Chaucer is satirizing the greed, hypocrisy, and moral corruption of the church, as embodied by the Pardoner. The tale criticizes the Pardoner's manipulation of people's faith for personal gain and highlights the irony of someone preaching against avarice while being consumed by it themselves.
The Pardoner in "The Canterbury Tales" serves as a symbol of greed and hypocrisy, using his position to manipulate people for personal gain. He highlights the theme of moral corruption and the dangers of greed in society.