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[Task 1] Your task is to identify which extract of the following section from Chaucer's Pardoner's Prologue and Tale is a literary confession:
By this gaude haue I wonne yeer by yeer
An hundred mark sith I was Pardoner
I stonde lyk a clerk in my pulpet
And whan the lewed peple is doun yset
I preche so as ye han herd bifoore
And telle an hundred false Iapes moore
Thanne peyne I me to strecche forth the nekke
And Est & West vp on the peple I bekke
As dooth a dowue sittynge on a berne
Myne handes and my tonge goon so yerne
That it is ioye to se my bisynesse
Of Auarice and of swich cursednesse
Is al my prechyng for to make hem free
To yeuen hir pens and namely vn to me
For myn entente is nat but for to wynne
And no thyng for correccioū of synne
I rekke neuere whan they been beryed
Though þt hir soules goon a blakeberyed
For certes many a predicacioū
Comth ofte tyme of yuel entencioū
Som for plesance of folk and flaterye
To been auaunced by ypocrisye
And som for veyne glorie and som for hate
For whan I dar noon oother weyes debate
Thanne wol I stynge hym w my tonge smerte
In prechyng so that he shal nat asterte
To been defamed falsly if that he
Hath trespased to my bretheren or to me
For though I telle noght his propre name
Men shal wel knowe that it is the same
By signes and by othere circumstances
Thus quyte I folk that doon vs displesances
Thus spitte I out my venym vnder hewe
Of hoolynesse to semen hooly and trewe
But shortly myn entente I wol deuyse
I preche of no thyng but for coueityse
Therfore my theme is yet and euere was
Radix malorum est Cupiditas
Thus kan I preche agayn that same vice
Which þt I vse and that is Auarice
But though my self be gilty in that synne
Yet kan I maken oother folk to twynne
From Auarice and soore to repente
But that is nat my principal entente
I preche no thyng but for coueitise
Of this mateere it oghte ynogh suffise
Thanne telle I hem ensamples many oon
Of olde stories longe tyme agoon
For lewed peple louen tales olde
Swiche thynges kan they wel reporte & holde
What trowe ye the whiles I may preche
And wynne gold and siluer for I teche
That I wol lyue in pouerte wilfully
Nay nay I thoghte it neuere trewely
For I wol preche and begge in sondry landes
I wol nat do no labour with myne handes
Ne make baskettes and lyue therby
By cause I wol nat beggen ydelly
I wol noon of the Apostles countrefete
I wol haue moneie wolle chese and whete
Al were it yeuen of the pouereste page
Or of the pouereste wydwe in a village
Al sholde hir children sterue for famyne
Nay I wol drynke licour of the vyne
And haue a ioly wenche in euery toun
But herkneth lordynges in conclusioun
Your likyng is that I shal telle a tale
Now haue I dronke a draughte of corny Ale
By god I hope I shal yow telle a thyng
That shal by resoū been at youre likyng
For though my self be a ful vicious man
A moral tale yet I yow telle kan
Which I am wont to preche for to wynne
Now hoold your pees my tale I wol bigynne
[Task 2] Then, write a summary for students, to a university level standard, of the Pardoner’s prologue as a literary confession, and how it links to his hypocrisy and role within the church and the religious climate (e.g. theories surrounding God’s involvement in sin to accomplish ‘good’), using the following Wikipedia API output:
Prologue
The prologue takes the form of a literary confession in the same manner as The Wife of Bath's Prologue. However, rather than an apology for his vices, the Pardoner boasts of his duping of his victims, for whom he has nothing but contempt. He says that his "theme"—biblical text for a sermon—is Radix malorum est cupiditas ("Greed is the root of [all] evils", 1 Timothy 6.10). He explains that his false credentials consist of official letters from high-ranking church officials and a superficial use of a few Latin words; then he will produce some "relics", and claim that among them is a bone which has miraculous powers when dipped into a well and a mitten for which:
But he will warn that any person that "hath doon synne horrible" will not be able to benefit from these relics. The Pardoner says to the pilgrims that by these tricks he has acquired a considerable sum of money of a hundred marks a year. He goes on to relate how he stands like a cleric at the pulpit, and preaches against avarice but to gain the congregation's money; he does not care for the correction of sin or for their souls. Against anyone that offends either him or other pardoners, he will "stynge hym with my tonge smerte". Although he is guilty of avarice himself, he reiterates that his theme is always Radix malorum … and that he can nonetheless preach so that others turn away from the vice and repent—though his "principal entente" is for personal gain. The Pardoner explains that he then offers many anecdotes to the "lewed [ignorant, unlearned] people".; from long experience he can tell who are the worst sinners (because of their guilty expressions) and thus who are most eager buyers of his fake relics. He scorns the thought of living in poverty while he preaches; he desires "moneie, wolle [wool], chese, and whete" and does not care whether it were from the poorest widow in the village, even should her children starve for famine. Yet, he concludes to the pilgrims, though he may be a "ful vicious man", he can tell a moral tale and proceeds.
Sources and composition
The prologue—taking the form of a literary confession—was most probably modelled on that of "Faus Semblaunt" in the medieval French poem Roman de la Rose. The tale of the three rioters is a version of a folk tale with a "remarkably wide range" and has numerous analogues: ancient Buddhist, Persian, and African. The Dove's tale from Night 152 of the 1001 Nights about the wealthy merchant from Sindah and the two swindlers who poison one another is also very similar to this story.
[Task 3] Finally, write a guide for university level students about how they might analyse the literary confession within the context of the Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale.ChatGPT output, with API data
(version 4, OpenAI Playground), 17 October 2023
[Task 1/2] The Pardoner’s Prologue in Chaucer’s work is a literary confession, where the Pardoner openly admits to his deceitful practices. He boasts about his manipulation of his victims, showing no remorse or guilt for his actions. His sermon theme is “Greed is the root of all evils,” a biblical text from 1 Timothy 6.10, which is ironic considering his own avarice. He uses false credentials, including official letters from high-ranking church officials, and fake relics to dupe his congregation. He admits to preaching against avarice not to correct sin but to gain money, showing his hypocrisy and disregard for the spiritual well-being of his congregation. Despite his own guilt of avarice, he claims he can preach so that others turn away from the vice and repent. However, his primary intention is personal gain. He also admits to exploiting the guilt of the worst sinners, who are the most eager buyers of his fake relics. He rejects the idea of living in poverty, desiring money, wool, cheese, and wheat, even if it means taking from the poorest widow. Despite his vices, he claims he can tell a moral tale.
The Pardoner’s Prologue is a literary confession that reveals his hypocrisy and manipulation. It provides a critique of the corruption within the church during Chaucer’s time. The Pardoner’s actions contradict the teachings of the church, showing the disconnect between religious ideals and the reality of the church’s practices. His confession also raises questions about the nature of sin and the role of God in allowing such corruption to exist within the church.
[Task 3] To analyse the literary confession within the context of the Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale, students should consider the following:
1. The Pardoner’s Character: Analyse the Pardoner’s character traits, such as his greed, hypocrisy, and deceitfulness. How do these traits contribute to his role as a Pardoner and his interactions with his congregation?
2. Irony: Consider the irony in the Pardoner’s sermon theme and his own actions. How does this irony contribute to the critique of the church’s corruption?
3. The Role of Confession: Examine the role of confession in the Prologue. How does the Pardoner’s confession reveal his character and the corruption within the church?
4. The Pardoner’s Hypocrisy: Analyse the Pardoner’s hypocrisy in preaching against avarice while being guilty of it himself. How does this hypocrisy reflect the church’s practices during Chaucer’s time?
5. The Pardoner’s Manipulation: Consider the Pardoner’s manipulation of his congregation through his use of false credentials and fake relics. How does this manipulation contribute to the critique of the church’s corruption?
6. The Pardoner’s Rejection of Poverty: Examine the Pardoner’s rejection of poverty and his desire for material wealth. How does this desire contradict the teachings of the church?
7. The Pardoner’s Moral Tale: Analyse the moral tale that the Pardoner claims he can tell. How does this tale relate to his confession and his character?
ChatGPT output, without API data
(version 4, OpenAI Playground), 17 October 2023
[Task 1] The literary confession in Chaucer’s Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale is found in the lines: “For myn entente is nat but for to wynne / And no thyng for correccioū of synne / I rekke neuere whan they been beryed / Though þt hir soules goon a blakeberyed.” Here, the Pardoner openly admits that his primary motivation is personal gain, not the spiritual well-being of his congregation. He confesses that he does not care about the fate of their souls, even if they are damned.
[Task 2] Summary:
The Pardoner’s Prologue serves as a literary confession where the Pardoner openly admits to his hypocrisy and greed. He confesses that his sermons, instead of being a means to guide his congregation towards spiritual enlightenment and repentance, are a tool for personal gain. He is indifferent to the spiritual fate of his congregation, focusing instead on accumulating wealth. This confession exposes his role within the church as a corrupt and self-serving individual, contradicting the church’s teachings of humility, charity, and selflessness. It also reflects the religious climate of the time, marked by widespread corruption within the church. The Pardoner’s confession can be linked to the theological debate about God’s involvement in sin to accomplish ‘good’. Despite his sinful ways, the Pardoner’s sermons may lead his congregation to repentance and spiritual growth, raising questions about the role of sin and corruption in achieving a greater good.
[Task 3] Guide for Analysis:
1. Identify the Confession: The first step in analyzing the literary confession is to identify it. Look for instances where the Pardoner admits to his hypocrisy and greed.
2. Analyze the Language: Pay attention to the language used in the confession. The Pardoner’s casual and nonchalant tone underscores his lack of remorse and highlights his audacity.
3. Contextualize the Confession: Consider the confession within the broader context of the Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale. How does it contribute to our understanding of the Pardoner’s character and his role within the church?
4. Link to the Religious Climate: Consider how the confession reflects the religious climate of the time. What does it reveal about the church and its practices?
5. Consider Theological Debates: Consider how the confession relates to theological debates about sin and redemption. Despite his sinful ways, can the Pardoner’s actions lead to any ‘good’?
6. Evaluate the Impact: Finally, evaluate the impact of the confession on the audience, both within the tale and the readers. How might it affect their perception of the Pardoner and the church?
Gemini output, with API data
(Google, Bard version), 17 October 2023
[Task 1/2] Summary of the Pardoner’s Prologue as a Literary Confession
The Pardoner’s Prologue is a literary confession in which the Pardoner boasts of his duping of his victims, for whom he has nothing but contempt. He admits that his primary motivation for preaching is greed, and that he does not care for the correction of sin or for the souls of his congregation. He even goes so far as to say that he would be willing to defame those who have wronged him, even if it means telling lies.
The Pardoner’s hypocrisy is evident in his own words. He claims to be a preacher of morality, but he is guilty of the very sin that he preaches against. He also claims to be a representative of the Church, but he is actually a fraud who is exploiting the ignorance and superstition of the people.
The Pardoner’s confession provides a scathing critique of the religious climate of his time. He shows how the Church has become corrupt and how its representatives are more interested in personal gain than in the spiritual well-being of their flock.
How the Pardoner’s Confession Links to His Hypocrisy and Role Within the Church and the Religious Climate
The Pardoner’s confession is a powerful indictment of his own hypocrisy and the corruption of the Church in his time. He admits that he is a fraud who is exploiting the people for his own personal gain. He also shows how the Church has become more interested in wealth and power than in the spiritual well-being of its flock.
The Pardoner’s confession is also significant in the context of the religious climate of his time. It was a time when the Church was facing a great deal of criticism for its corruption and its failure to live up to its ideals. The Pardoner’s confession is a reflection of this criticism, and it provides a powerful warning about the dangers of hypocrisy and greed.
Theories Surrounding God’s Involvement in Sin to Accomplish ‘Good’
In the Middle Ages, there was a great deal of debate about God’s involvement in sin. Some theologians argued that God permitted sin to exist in order to bring about a greater good, such as the redemption of humanity through the sacrifice of Christ. Others argued that God was completely separate from sin and that he would never permit it to exist.
The Pardoner’s confession can be seen as a reflection of the debate over God’s involvement in sin. On the one hand, the Pardoner seems to be suggesting that God is indifferent to sin, since he allows the Pardoner to get away with his fraud. On the other hand, the Pardoner’s confession can also be seen as a warning about the dangers of sin, since the Pardoner’s victims are ultimately punished for their greed.
[Task 3] Guide for University Level Students on How to Analyse the Literary Confession Within the Context of the Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale
When analyzing the literary confession within the context of the Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale, students should consider the following:
- The Pardoner’s motivation for confessing his sins. Is he truly repentant, or is he simply trying to gain the sympathy of his audience?
- The Pardoner’s hypocrisy. How does his confession contrast with his actions?
- The Pardoner’s role within the Church and the religious climate of his time. How does his confession reflect the corruption of the Church and the growing criticism of its authority?
- The Pardoner’s view of God’s involvement in sin. Does he believe that God is indifferent to sin, or does he believe that God will ultimately punish sinners?
Students should also consider the following questions when analyzing the Pardoner’s confession:
- How does the Pardoner’s confession contribute to the overall meaning of the Pardoner’s Tale?
- How does the Pardoner’s confession reflect the themes of the Canterbury Tales, such as hypocrisy, corruption, and redemption?
- How does the Pardoner’s confession compare to other literary confessions, such as the Wife of Bath’s Prologue?
By considering these questions, students can gain a deeper understanding of the Pardoner’s confession and its significance within the context of the Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale, as well as the Canterbury Tales as a whole.
Gemini output, without API data
(Google, Bard version), 17 October 2023
[Task 1/2] Literary Confession in the Pardoner’s Prologue
In the Pardoner’s Prologue, Chaucer’s Pardoner gives a frank and shocking confession of his hypocrisy and greed. He admits that he preaches against avarice (love of money) solely for the purpose of making money for himself. He also admits to using his sermons to get revenge on those who have wronged him or his fellow pardoners.
The Pardoner’s confession is significant for a number of reasons. First, it is a rare example of a literary character confessing their sins without remorse. Second, it provides a glimpse into the corrupt side of the Catholic Church in Chaucer’s time. Third, it raises questions about the nature of sin and redemption.
The Pardoner’s Hypocrisy
The Pardoner’s hypocrisy is evident in the fact that he preaches against the very sin that he himself is guilty of. He tells the pilgrims that “Radix malorum est Cupiditas” (the root of all evil is love of money), but he then proceeds to sell them indulgences, which are essentially pardons for their sins. The Pardoner knows that the pilgrims are buying these indulgences out of fear of hell, and he exploits their fear for his own financial gain.
The Pardoner’s Role in the Church and the Religious Climate
The Pardoner’s role in the Church and the religious climate of his time is also significant. Pardoners were traveling salesmen who sold indulgences, which were certificates that purported to reduce a person’s time in purgatory after death. Indulgences were a controversial practice, even in Chaucer’s time, and many people believed that they were simply a way for the Church to make money.
The Pardoner is a symbol of the corruption of the Church in Chaucer’s time. He is a greedy and hypocritical man who exploits the faith of others for his own personal gain.
Theories Surrounding God’s Involvement in Sin to Accomplish ‘Good’
Some scholars have argued that the Pardoner’s confession can be seen as a commentary on the theories surrounding God’s involvement in sin to accomplish “good.” These theories suggest that God may allow sin to happen in order to achieve a greater good. In the context of the Pardoner’s Prologue, this could mean that God is allowing the Pardoner to commit his sins in order to test the faith of the pilgrims or to teach them a lesson.
However, it is also possible that the Pardoner is simply using these theories to justify his own hypocrisy. He may be telling himself that his sins are acceptable because they are ultimately serving a greater good.
[Task 3] How to Analyse the Literary Confession Within the Context of the Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale
When analyzing the literary confession within the context of the Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale, students should consider the following questions:
- What are the Pardoner’s motives for confessing his sins?
- How does his confession reveal his hypocrisy?
- What does the Pardoner’s confession say about the role of the Church in society?
- What does the Pardoner’s confession say about the nature of sin and redemption?
Students should also consider the relationship between the Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale. In the Tale, the Pardoner tells the story of three young men who are obsessed with finding Death. They eventually find Death, but instead of killing them, he tells them that they will find him under a tree. The three young men go to the tree, but they find a pile of gold instead. They fight over the gold and kill each other.
The Pardoner’s Tale can be seen as a parable about the dangers of greed. It also echoes the Pardoner’s own confession in that it shows how sin can lead to death and destruction.
Conclusion
The Pardoner’s literary confession is a complex and challenging piece of writing. It offers insights into the Pardoner’s hypocrisy, the corruption of the Church, and the nature of sin and redemption. Students who are interested in studying the Pardoner’s confession should carefully consider the questions and prompts above.