Examples Of Exemplum In The Pardoner's Tale

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An exemplum is a type of allegory used in the “Pardoner’s Tale”. Exemplum is the Latin word for example which is its purpose. The “Pardoner’s Tale” is an exemplum for what he preaches which is greed. The Pardoner preaches about greed and that it's “the root of all evil” (Chaucer, pg 125, 8) then uses his tale of greed as an example so that the villagers can give him money to wash away their sins. The exemplum made his preaching more believable since he uses it as evidence so that they would give him money. The exemplum uses elements like characters and events coming in threes, a test of the characters’ morality, a mysterious guide and an ending that gives a just reward. 1. The Lion in Winter did portray life in the Medieval period accurately