The Pardoner’s Prologue and Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer can be seen as an outstanding example of a jape. The shrewd Pardoner thinks he is able to play a game of confidence with the other pilgrims. According to the Middle English Dictionary, the noun “japerie” can also contain the meaning of irony, which is also true for the Prologue and the Tale. At the heart of the definition of irony lies incongruity or contradiction. The Oxford English Dictionary defines irony as:
firstly, “[a] figure of speech in which the intended meaning is the opposite of that expressed by the words used; …. [secondly a] condition of affairs or events of a character opposite to what was, or might naturally be, expected; a contradictory outcome of events as if in mockery of the promise and fitness of things (87).
The Pardoner’s Prologue and the Pardoner’s Tale provide many facets illustrating ironic contradiction. Particularly interesting is to analyze the Pardoner himself, as he is definitely contradictory in his behaviour as well as in his statements. An analysis of the Pardoner’s presentation in his Prologue reveals the contradictions and the irony in the exemplum he chooses for his tale. The exemplum’s characters and actions not only mirror the ambiguous and complex character of the Pardoner, but also contain several instances of irony. Based on that, one can see how the Pardoner’s leitmotif, “Radix malorum est Cupiditas” (l. 334) unifies the ironic contradictions of the Prologue and of the Tale.
Table of Contents
- Ironic Contradictions in the Pardoner's Prologue and the Pardoner's Tale
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the ironic contradictions present in Geoffrey Chaucer's Pardoner's Prologue and Tale. The objective is to examine how these contradictions contribute to the overall meaning and effectiveness of the work.
- Irony and Contradiction as Literary Devices
- The Pardoner's Hypocritical Nature
- The Theme of Greed ("Radix malorum est Cupiditas")
- The Exemplum as a Reflection of the Pardoner
- Dramatic and Situational Irony
Chapter Summaries
Ironic Contradictions in the Pardoner's Prologue and the Pardoner's Tale: This chapter delves into the multifaceted irony and contradictions within Chaucer's Pardoner's Prologue and Tale. It begins by establishing the concept of irony and its presence in the work, focusing on the incongruity between the Pardoner's preachings against avarice and his own avaricious behavior. The chapter extensively analyzes the Pardoner's character, highlighting his hypocrisy as a church official who profits from selling indulgences rather than genuinely seeking repentance. The analysis extends to the Pardoner's exemplum, the tale within the tale, examining how the characters' actions and fates mirror the Pardoner's own moral failings and exemplify the destructive nature of greed. The chapter meticulously unpacks the irony in the rioters' pursuit of Death, their ultimate demise due to their avarice, and the Pardoner's ultimate failure despite his cleverness. The chapter also demonstrates how the recurring theme, "Radix malorum est Cupiditas" (greed is the root of all evil), unifies the ironic contradictions throughout the prologue and tale, connecting the Pardoner's actions to the fates of the characters in his exemplum. The analysis extends to the concluding interaction between the Pardoner and the Host, revealing another instance of dramatic irony where the Host exposes the Pardoner's hypocrisy.
Keywords
Geoffrey Chaucer, Pardoner's Tale, Pardoner's Prologue, irony, contradiction, avarice, greed, hypocrisy, exemplum, "Radix malorum est Cupiditas," dramatic irony, situational irony, morality, medieval literature.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ironic Contradictions in the Pardoner's Prologue and Tale
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes the ironic contradictions found in Geoffrey Chaucer's Pardoner's Prologue and Tale. It examines how these contradictions contribute to the overall meaning and effectiveness of the work.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include irony and contradiction as literary devices; the Pardoner's hypocritical nature; the theme of greed ("Radix malorum est Cupiditas"); the exemplum as a reflection of the Pardoner; and dramatic and situational irony.
What is covered in the chapter on "Ironic Contradictions in the Pardoner's Prologue and the Pardoner's Tale"?
This chapter explores the multifaceted irony and contradictions within Chaucer's work. It analyzes the incongruity between the Pardoner's preachings against avarice and his own avaricious behavior. It examines the Pardoner's hypocrisy, the characters' actions and fates in the exemplum (the tale within the tale) mirroring the Pardoner's moral failings, and the destructive nature of greed. The chapter also unpacks the irony in the rioters' pursuit of Death and their demise, the Pardoner's ultimate failure, and the recurring theme "Radix malorum est Cupiditas." Finally, it examines the dramatic irony in the concluding interaction between the Pardoner and the Host.
What are the key takeaways from the analysis of the Pardoner's character?
The analysis highlights the Pardoner's profound hypocrisy as a church official who profits from selling indulgences instead of genuinely seeking repentance. His actions and the consequences faced by the characters in his exemplum serve to illustrate the destructive nature of greed and the irony of his preaching against it while embodying it.
How does the exemplum contribute to the overall meaning?
The exemplum, or the tale within the tale, acts as a mirror reflecting the Pardoner's own moral failings. The characters' actions and fates directly exemplify the destructive nature of greed, emphasizing the central theme of "Radix malorum est Cupiditas" (greed is the root of all evil).
What types of irony are analyzed in the paper?
The paper analyzes both dramatic irony (where the audience knows something the characters don't) and situational irony (where the outcome is the opposite of what is expected).
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Geoffrey Chaucer, Pardoner's Tale, Pardoner's Prologue, irony, contradiction, avarice, greed, hypocrisy, exemplum, "Radix malorum est Cupiditas," dramatic irony, situational irony, morality, medieval literature.
What is the overall objective of this academic preview?
To provide a comprehensive overview of the analysis of ironic contradictions in Chaucer's Pardoner's Prologue and Tale, highlighting key themes, objectives, and chapter summaries for academic use.
- Quote paper
- Julia Geigenberger (Author), 2007, Ironic Contradictions in the 'Pardoner’s Prologue' and the 'Pardoner’s Tale', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/87772
