Satire In The Pardoner's Tale

In the Middle Ages, Christians were expected to visit a priest yearly to offer

Read the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales. For I'll have money, wool, and cheese, and wheat, Though given by the poorest serving-lad, Or by the poorest widow in the place, Were all her children dying of famine, No, no! I'll drink the ichor of the vine, And have a pretty girl in every town. But hear me out now, gentlemen . . . Which statement best describes the satire in the excerpt?

Read the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales. "God's arms!" exclaimed one of these debauchees, "Is the fellow then so dangerous to meet? In highways and in byways, street by street, I'll seek him out, I vow it on God's bones. Now listen, fellows: let us three be one, Each of us hold his hand up to the other, And each of us become the other's brother, And we will kill this black betrayer, Death, And kill the killer, by God's holy breath, And that before the sun goes down on us!" Which statement best describes how the speaker in the excerpt is characterized?

Read the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales. I can sting with my tongue; and when I preach I sting so hard, the fellow can't escape Slander and defamation, if so be He's wronged my fellow-pardoners, or me, Even if I don't give his actual name, Yet everybody knows that he's the one From hints, and other circumstantialities— That's how I deal with people who annoy us; That's how I spit out venom, under guise Of piety, and seem sincerely pious. How does the excerpt satirize the clergy?

Which statements accurately describe medieval pardoners? Check all that apply.

Read the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales. In Flanders there was once a company Of youngsters wedded to such sin and folly As gaming, dicing, brothels, and taverns, Where, night and day, with harps, lutes, and citherns, They spend their time in dicing and in dancing, Eating and drinking more than they can carry; And with these abominable excesses They offer up the vilest sacrifices . . . Which word best characterizes the young people in this passage?

Read the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales. "Think what a safeguard it must be for you That I, who can absolve both high and low When soul from body is about to go, Should chance to fall in with your company! Let me suggest that our host here begin, Since he's the one who's most wrapped up in sin. Step forward, Mister Host—your offering first, And you can kiss the relics, every one! All for a penny! Out now with your purse!" Which statement best describes the satire in the excerpt?

Read the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales. Thus I know how to preach against the vice Which masters me—and that is avarice. Though I myself am guilty of the sin, I know how to make other people turn From avarice, and bitterly repent. Which word best characterizes the Pardoner in this passage?

Read the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales. "To start with, I declare where I've come from, And then produce my certificates, one by one; My licence with the seal of our lord bishop Which I show first—that's to protect myself So that nobody, whether priest or cleric, Dares interdict me from Christ's holy work." What feature of medieval life is reflected in the excerpt?

Read the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales. I preach just as you've heard me say; and tell A hundred taradiddles more as well. And then I do my best to stretch my neck And bob my head in every direction Over the folk, now this way, and now that, Just like a pigeon sitting on a barn. Both hands and tongue are busy, and so quick That it's a joy to watch me at my work. How does the excerpt satirize pardoners?