Essay on The Pardoner’s Tale vs. The Chaucer’s Prologue

Geoffrey Chaucer introduces numerous characters in the prologue of The Canterbury Tales; each character possessing a distinct personality and lifestyle. Chaucer gives insight into the lives of the characters on their pilgrimage to Canterbury. The Pardoner unfurls his thoughts and feelings giving us extended insight into his own character, by providing us with a tale of his own. In doing so, he contrasts other pious figures who are introduced in the prologue, with character traits consisting of an effeminate lifestyle, avariciousness, as well as hypocrisy. The Pardoner is first introduced in the prologue, in which Chaucer describes him as gentle (General Prologue 675). Chaucer gives reference to the Summoner and the Pardoner being†¦show more content†¦Chaucer constantly describes the Pardoner as a pejorative character who is not living life as he should, rather enjoying the luxuries and the latest trends of the world. Aside from grooming in feminine-like fashion, the Pardoner also rides his horse side saddle for he aims to â€Å"[ride] in the latest mode (General Prologue 688). Chaucer insists the Pardoner is guilty of greed which he uses to disguise his hypocritical way of life For in his trunk he had a pillowcase Which he asserted was Our Ladys veil (General Prologue 700-01). Chaucer gives hints as to the Pardoner’s traits that later expand throughout the Pardoners Tale. Chaucer’s portrait of him in the Prologue shows him as deficient in body, depraved in soul, and poor in spirituality. Contrarily, the Pardoners character is centered on the professional activities in The Pardoners Tale. Through his tale, the Pardoner tells of a story about three men who spent much of their time gambling, drinking, dancing, and visiting brothels. The three eventually die through trickery and treachery as a result of their own greed. Ironically, the Pardoner emphasizes his own sin through the telling of his tale: greed. He always has his wallet ready on h is lap (General Prologue 692) because Brimful of pardons come from Rome (Prologue 693). Chaucer indicates that the Pardoner takes bribes to pardon people thus living a hypocritical life. In The Pardoners Tale, the Pardoner not only highlightsShow MoreRelated Canterbury Tales Essay - Sexuality in The Wife of Bath and the Pardoner1711 Words   |  7 PagesSexuality in The Wife of Bath and the Pardoner In Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, an eclectic mix of people gathers together at Tabard Inn to begin a pilgrimage to Canterbury. In the General Prologue, the readers are introduced to each of these characters. Among the pilgrims are the provocative Wife of Bath and the meek Pardoner. These two characters both demonstrate sexuality, in very different ways. Chaucer uses the Wife and the Pardoner to examine sexuality in the medieval periodRead MoreWife of Bath vs. the Pardoners1251 Words   |  6 PagesCharlotte Stern Period 6 March 30,2012 Wife of Bath vs. The Pardoners Geoffery Chaucers The Canterbury Tales is an example of an extremely complicated and wondrous piece of fictional work. The main story lines plot is a contest between a diverse group of pilgrims on their way to Thomas Beckets shrine. in order to win the contest the pilgrim must tell â€Å"tales of best sentence and moost solaas,†, which means the stories must be filled with moral and entertainment to win the feast. EvenRead MoreLiterture Final Exam Notes1143 Words   |  5 Pages1st Semester Exam Review Questions English 4 SELECTIONS FOR TESTING 1. Beowulf 2. â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight† 3. Canterbury Tales â€Å"Prologue† 4. â€Å"The Pardoner’s Tale† from CT 5. Sonnets 6. Elements of Style author’s names Terms (know by definition, characteristics or example). 1. Kenning: two-word poetic renamings of people, places, and things such as the kenning whales’ home for the sea ex from Beowulf: â€Å"I have come so far

The Death Of Physician Assisted Suicide - 1348 Words

Throughout many years, Individuals have struggled with the thoughts of physically harming themselves, which usually leads to suicide. Depression and anxiety is a disease that takes over human-beings self-determination. Many young individuals reach the point of believing the concept of if they were no longer alive the world they are associated in will no longer be dark and evil. Also, older individuals believe if they take their own life then they will not suffer anymore. Recently in some states, they passed the right to have physician’s helping with planning their client’s death. Physician assisted suicide means the voluntary notion from a person who wants to terminate their own life by ingesting toxic substances, which causes them to†¦show more content†¦According to scripture, â€Å"What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own† (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, King James Versio n). Does this scripture really mean not to physically kill yourself, or does this scripture mean not to use your body as a canvas for tattoos or piercings because your body should represent the life God has provided for you when cleansed by his salvation. In every individuals daily life we are taught that all sin is equal, so how can one differ on judgment day when standing in front of the Lord. Unfortunately, the Ten Commandments explain, â€Å"Thou Shalt Not Kill.† Does that mean you shall not kill another individual, does that mean you shall not kill yourself, or does that mean you shall not kill anyone? No one knows the exact meaning of this verse except the followers of Jesus and Jesus himself. So, I am not saying that the bible does not tell us we shall not kill ourselves, I am saying how do we know that this is true without asking Jesus himself, and why not let an individual enjoy their last few moments with their family knowing the day they must pass away. However, An individual with a short time to live has the physical and mental right to decide, which path they are going to take: planning their own death or unknowingly waiting their time to die. Having this ability to decide when their own life will come to an end, will give that human-being the ability to

The greatest improvement Free Essays

The greatest improvement in the productive powers of labor, and the greater part of the skill, dexterity, and judgment with which it is any where directed, or applied, seem to have been the effects of the division of labor.† This is the first paragraph excerpted from Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations. We will write a custom essay sample on The greatest improvement or any similar topic only for you Order Now com/compare-and-contrast-karl-marxs-and-walt-rostows-theories/"Adam Smith is regarded as the Father of Modern Economics, and the Father of Capitalism. Smith’s most famous work, The Wealth of Nations was the first systematic attempt to explain the workings of the economy in market terms, emphasizing the importance of the division of labor. The fundamental element in Smith’s viewpoint is his focus on the importance of the free market in ensuring the highest level of quality of commodities at the lowest prices. Smith’s philosophy is that human beings are naturally individualistic. He furthers political theories that emphasize the individual, and proclaims the worth of each individual. He believes that human beings will interact most effectively when they live in a society of economic freedom, with individualistic philosophies that tend to emphasize what people can do as individuals, not what they can do as groups. In The Wealth of Nations, he states that: â€Å"In a free economic system, an individual is led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention†¦ By pursuing his own interest, he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it.† We can understand in this excerpt that because individuals constantly seek to better their own condition, they will continually direct resources to better uses when it is possible to do so. This will result to their and other people’s advantage which can consequently better or improve the conditions of others as well. Adam Smith believes that the tenets of the free market system can improve the living conditions of individuals. In his view, free markets allow all individuals in an economy to improve their conditions. This collective improvement by individuals results to national improvement – the wealth of nations. He believes that a free market enables individuals’ significant self interest to exercise itself within the limits established by a government that controls people from performing positively bad actions. Smith states: â€Å"Man has almost constant occasion for the help of his brethren, and it is vain for him to expect it from their benevolence only. He will be more likely to prevail if he can interest their self-love in his favor, and show them that it is for their own advantage to do for him what he requires of them†¦It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.† This paragraph very well sums up Adam Smith’s philosophy that individualistic tendencies can very well result to the improvement of others, and to the wealth of nations. Smith greatly believes on the benefits of the division of Labor. The division of labor is a fundamental component of economic growth and it is this division allows the wealth of nations and individuals to develop. The division of labor requires a free market in order to be most effective. Where there is a closed or highly regulated market, or monopolies or guilds control productive practices, inefficiencies can often result. Subsequent to John Locke, Smith also sees labor as the ultimate source for all value. Smith states: â€Å"Labor†¦is the real measure of the exchangeable value of all commodities.† Resources: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Great Political Thinkers. Plato to the Present. Sixth Edition. William Ebenstein. Allan Ebenstien. Chapter 23: Smith. Pages 492-497.    How to cite The greatest improvement, Papers