Unit I: Middle English Poetry 1. Chaucer: "The General Prologue" - Pardoner

 Unit I: Middle English Poetry

1. Chaucer: "The General Prologue" - Pardoner

Two-mark Questions and Answers:

•  Q: Who is the author of "The General Prologue"? A: Geoffrey Chaucer is the author of "The General Prologue". 

•  Q: What is the Pardoner's main job? A: The Pardoner's main job is to sell pardons and relics. 

•  Q: How is the Pardoner's physical appearance described? A: The Pardoner is described as having long, thin yellow hair and no beard. 

•  Q: What does the Pardoner carry with him? A: The Pardoner carries fake relics and pardons from Rome. 

•  Q: What is the Pardoner's most notable character trait? A: The Pardoner's most notable trait is his greed and deceitfulness. 

•  Q: What is unusual about the Pardoner's voice? A: The Pardoner's voice is described as being high-pitched, like a goat's. 

•  Q: What famous relic does the Pardoner claim to possess? A: The Pardoner claims to have a piece of the Virgin Mary's veil. 

•  Q: How does the Pardoner use his sermon? A: The Pardoner uses his sermon to trick people into buying his fake relics. 

•  Q: What is the Pardoner's attitude towards his own fraudulent practices? A: The Pardoner is openly boastful about his ability to deceive people. 

•  Q: What does Chaucer suggest about the Pardoner's sexuality? A: Chaucer hints at the Pardoner's ambiguous sexuality through his effeminate description.

Five-mark Questions and Answers:

1. Q: Analyze Chaucer's portrayal of the Pardoner's hypocrisy.

   A: Chaucer portrays the Pardoner as deeply hypocritical through several aspects of his character. Firstly, while the Pardoner's job is to sell pardons and absolve sins, he is himself a sinful and corrupt individual. He openly admits to preaching against avarice while being motivated purely by greed. The Pardoner sells fake relics, exploiting people's faith for personal gain. His appearance, with "hair as yellow as wax" and a high voice, suggests an effeminate nature, contrasting with his boastful behavior. Chaucer's ironic tone in describing the Pardoner's abilities ("He could read a lesson or a story / But best of all he sang an Offertory") highlights the character's focus on monetary gain rather than spiritual matters. Through these contrasts and ironies, Chaucer creates a vivid portrayal of religious hypocrisy.

2. Q: Discuss the significance of the Pardoner's physical description in "The General Prologue".

   A: Chaucer's physical description of the Pardoner in "The General Prologue" is highly significant and laden with symbolism. The Pardoner's thin, yellow hair and beardless face suggest an effeminate or even eunuch-like quality, which contrasts with his boastful and immoral behavior. This physical ambiguity mirrors the Pardoner's moral ambiguity. His "glaring" eyes suggest a predatory nature, reflecting his exploitative practices. The description of his voice as high-pitched and "like a goat" adds to his unsettling portrayal and may allude to the biblical symbolism of goats representing the damned. The Pardoner's fashionable dress and trendy accessories (like the Veronica cloth) indicate his worldliness and vanity, traits at odds with his supposed religious role. Overall, the physical description serves to externalize the Pardoner's inner corruption and duplicity, making his moral failings visually apparent to the reader.

3. Q: Explain how Chaucer uses satire in his portrayal of the Pardoner.

   A: Chaucer employs satire masterfully in his portrayal of the Pardoner to criticize corruption within the medieval Church. The satire works on multiple levels. Firstly, there's verbal irony in the Pardoner's own admissions of fraud and greed, highlighting the gap between his religious office and his actual behavior. Chaucer uses exaggeration in describing the Pardoner's success in swindling people, emphasizing the gullibility of the faithful and the extent of religious exploitation. The juxtaposition of the Pardoner's holy office with his unholy practices creates situational irony. Chaucer's tone shifts between seemingly admiring descriptions of the Pardoner's skills and revelations of his true nature, creating a satirical effect. By making the Pardoner so openly corrupt and yet successful, Chaucer indirectly criticizes the system that allows such figures to thrive. This satirical portrayal serves as a broader commentary on the state of the Church and society in Chaucer's time.

Essay Question:

Analyze Chaucer's portrayal of the Pardoner in "The General Prologue" to "The Canterbury Tales". How does this character reflect broader themes in the work, and what does it reveal about Chaucer's view of religion and society in medieval England?

Introduction:

Geoffrey Chaucer's portrayal of the Pardoner in "The General Prologue" to "The Canterbury Tales" is a masterful example of medieval satire, offering a scathing critique of religious corruption while illuminating broader themes within the work. Through this character, Chaucer not only exposes the hypocrisy within the Church but also comments on the complex relationship between appearance and reality, the power of rhetoric, and the moral landscape of 14th-century English society.

Character Analysis:

The Pardoner is presented as one of the most morally corrupt characters in "The Canterbury Tales". His physical description – long, thin yellow hair, beardless face, and high-pitched voice – suggests an ambiguous or effeminate nature, which Chaucer uses to hint at the character's moral ambiguity. This external appearance contrasts sharply with the Pardoner's boastful behavior and unscrupulous practices.

Chaucer reveals the Pardoner's true nature through his actions and his own admissions. The Pardoner openly acknowledges his fraudulent practices, selling fake relics and pardons to gullible believers. His motivation is purely financial, as he admits to preaching against avarice while being consumed by it himself. This blatant hypocrisy is at the core of Chaucer's satire.

Themes and Broader Significance:

1. Religious Corruption:

The Pardoner embodies the corruption within the medieval Church. His exploitation of people's faith for personal gain represents a broader issue of religious institutions prioritizing wealth over spiritual guidance. Chaucer's portrayal suggests a deep-seated problem within the Church hierarchy that allows such figures to prosper.

2. Appearance vs. Reality:

The discrepancy between the Pardoner's holy office and his unholy practices highlights a recurring theme in "The Canterbury Tales" – the gap between appearance and reality. This theme extends beyond religious figures to encompass the broader society, where social roles and moral character often diverge.

3. The Power of Rhetoric:

The Pardoner's success in swindling people despite his open admissions of fraud underscores the power of persuasive speech. Chaucer seems to comment on how eloquence can be used to manipulate and deceive, a theme that resonates throughout the tales.

4. Medieval Society and Values:

Through the Pardoner, Chaucer offers a glimpse into the values and vulnerabilities of medieval society. The willingness of people to buy pardons and relics reflects both the deep-seated religious beliefs of the time and the exploitation of those beliefs by unscrupulous individuals.

Chaucer's View of Religion and Society:

Chaucer's portrayal of the Pardoner reveals a critical view of religious institutions in medieval England. While not rejecting religion itself, Chaucer exposes the gap between religious ideals and practices. His satire suggests a desire for reform within the Church and a more authentic expression of faith.

Moreover, Chaucer's nuanced portrayal – where the Pardoner is both despicable and fascinating – demonstrates an understanding of human complexity. The author doesn't simply condemn, but invites readers to reflect on the societal conditions that allow such characters to thrive.

Literary Techniques:

Chaucer employs various literary techniques to bring the Pardoner to life:

- Irony: The contrast between the Pardoner's role and actions is deeply ironic.

- Descriptive Detail: Vivid physical descriptions create a memorable and symbolic character.

- Direct Speech: Allowing the Pardoner to speak for himself adds authenticity and shock value.

- Satire: The exaggerated portrayal serves as a vehicle for social criticism.

Conclusion:

The Pardoner in "The General Prologue" stands as one of Chaucer's most vivid and controversial characters. Through this portrayal, Chaucer not only criticizes corruption within religious institutions but also holds a mirror to society at large. The Pardoner's character becomes a lens through which readers can examine issues of morality, faith, and human nature. Ultimately, Chaucer's nuanced and satirical approach in depicting the Pardoner demonstrates the author's keen insight into the complexities of medieval English society and the enduring human struggles with morality and authenticity.