The Pardoner's Tale Characterization Essay

Sara Mims

Ms. Morris

English 12- 6th period

5 December 2016

Characterization in The Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer, the author of The Canterbury Tales, is an Englishman that traveled throughout Europe as a poet. Chaucer was considered the “father of English poetry” and was one of the first to use English in a major literally work during the 1300s. The Canterbury Tales is said to be Chaucer’s masterpiece. The poem uses Middle English and a frame story, a plot that includes telling a story within a story. Chaucer uses direct and indirect characterization in The Canterbury Tales to expose the values and the charisma of the characters by their clothing, their occupation, and their habits. In medieval society, clothing was used to distinguish if a person was rich, middle-class, or poor. The Wife of Bath character was a

The Pardoner and Summoner are rumored to have a partnership throughout the poem, and they both work for the church. The Pardoner and Summoner’s partnership instigates the tricking and blackmailing people through the church to benefit the pair financially. In The Pardoner’s Tale, the prologue reads, “the Pardoner expounds on the techniques and accoutrements of his profession, including the fake relics and the ecclesiastical bulles that authorize him to dispense indulgences.” (Rory 8). The Pardoner is aware of his actions, but is not willing to admit to them. The Summoner is just as imperfect as the Pardoner, which is shown when the Summoner uses blackmail. Chaucer describes the Summoner with ugly features like “for he had carbuncles with Black, scabby brows” and stating “Garlic he loves, and onions too” detecting that he bad odor (113). The Pardoner and Summoner are taking advantage of their jobs by scaring people into giving them what they want when they are supposed to be granting blessings to others and the