Satire in The Pardoner’s Tale Answers

In the Middle Ages, an indulgence was

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 bishopWhich I show first—that’s to protect myselfSo that nobody, whether priest or cleric,Dares interdict me from Christ’s holy work.”

What is a relic?

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Read the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales."Think what a safeguard it must be for youThat I, who can absolve both high and lowWhen 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!”

Read the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales.I only preach of avarice and the like,And in this way induce them to be freeIn giving cash—especially to me.Because my only interest is in gain;I’ve none whatever in rebuking sin.

Read the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales.I can sting with my tongue; and when I preachI sting so hard, the fellow can’t escapeSlander and defamation, if so beHe’s wronged my fellow-pardoners, or me,Even if I don’t give his actual name,Yet everybody knows that he’s the oneFrom hints, and other circumstantialities—That’s how I deal with people who annoy us;That’s how I spit out venom, under guiseOf piety, and seem sincerely pious.

Read the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales."Gentlemen” said he, "I take pains to preach In churches with a lofty, resonant voice, Regular as a bell I ring it out,For everything I say I have by heart:My text’s the same one as it always was . . .”

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 turnFrom avarice, and bitterly repent.

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 neckAnd bob my head in every directionOver the folk, now this way, and now that,Just like a pigeon sitting on a barn. Both hands and tongue are busy, and so quickThat it’s a joy to watch me at my work.