The Hypocrisy of the Pardoner in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer, the renowned English poet, presents a complex and multifaceted portrait of human nature in his famous work, The Canterbury Tales. One of the most intriguing characters is the Pardoner, whose actions starkly contrast with his words, revealing clear instances of hypocrisy. This article delves into the reasons behind the Pardoner's hypocrisy and how it reflects on both the individual and broader institutional failings of the Church during Chaucer's time.

The Pardoner's Inescapable Guilt: Exploiting Faith for Profit

Central to the character of the Pardoner in The Canterbury Tales is his exploitation of the religiously gullible for profit. He openly admits to selling fake relics, a practice that poses a direct contradiction to his sermons on sincerity and genuine piety. In one of the most stark contrasts, the Pardoner preaches about the importance of true repentance yet continues to peddle fraudulent items, claiming they can grant absolution and indulgences. This dichotomy is a prime example of the hypocritical nature of the Pardoner.

A Call for Genuine Repentance, but None for Himself

The primary message of the Pardoner's sermons is a vehement condemnation of greed, specifically the phrase “Radix malorum est cupiditas”: “the love of money is the root of all evil.” However, his own conduct starkly contradicts this message. The Pardoner is known for his overwhelming greed, using deceitful means to seek wealth and power at the expense of others. His insatiable desire for riches is evident in his manipulation of people's fears and deepest desires for salvation, further exacerbating his hypocrisy.

Manipulation for Profit: Exploiting Vulnerabilities

Perhaps the most telling of the Pardoner’s hypocrisy is his use of manipulation to exploit the fears of damnation and the desire for spiritual salvation. He cleverly preys on the vulnerabilities of his audience, using their deepest insecurities to extort them. For instance, in The Prologue, the Pardoner is described as seeking donations through deceit, indicating that his actions are purely motivated by avarice. His claims of offering spiritual salvation are but a facade for his ulterior motives of enrichment.

Critique of Church Practices Through the Pardoner

Chaucer employs the Pardoner to critique the broader practices of the Church, which often placed financial gain above genuine spiritual guidance. By highlighting the Pardoner's hypocritical behavior, Chaucer draws attention to the systemic issues of corruption that plagued the Church during the late medieval period. The Pardoner embodies the duplicity and moral failings that were widespread, serving as a satirical figure through whom Chaucer exposes the darker aspects of religious institutions.

Conclusion

In summary, the Pardoner's hypocrisy is deeply ingrained in his actions, which fundamentally contradict his words. He preaches about morality and the dangers of greed while embodying the very vices he denounces. This duality serves not only to highlight his personal moral failings but also to critique the broader institutional failings of the Church during Chaucer's time. Through the Pardoner, Chaucer invites us to reflect on the importance of authenticity and the dangers of hypocrisy in both individual and societal contexts.