In Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" the tales of the pilgrims seem to reflect their own shortcomings and life experiences. This is evident in the Pardoner's tale because, he bases his tale on money, greed, and hypocrisy, which are three traits he possesses.
Pardoner's are hired by the Pope to collect money for charity. This money was then used by the church to build things like hospitals. In return for these donations the Pardoner was licensed by the Pope to ward tokens for the remission of the downers" sins. This was considered a gift not a sale because it came from Christ's mercy.
This particular Pardoner in "Canterbury Tales" ignores his job description. He goes to churches to preach, but not to serve charity. He preaches of sin and good deeds, convincing people to repent for their sins. In return he gets money, food, and clothing. These "gifts" are not used for charity, instead they are used for his own benefit.
One of the "gifts" the Pardoner receives is money. Throughout his prologue he explains how he preaches by the theme " Radix malorum est cupiditas" which means the love of money is the root of all evil. Even though the love of money is considered evil, the Pardoner goes on to express how much he loves it.
"But briefly my intention I"ll express I preach no sermon, .
save for covetousness for at my theme is yet and ever was,.
Radix malorum est cupiditas. thus can I preach against that .
self vice which I indulge, and that is avarice.".
- Lines 135-140.
He comes out blatantly and says that he does not preach to save people from their love of money, because he himself loves money. .
A contrast to this is shown in the Pardoner's tale. In this story three friends go on a journey to find and kill Death. People of their village are being killed by Death, which upsets the three friends and sends them on this journey. As they search for Death a man leads them to a large amount of gold.
