![]() ![]() One of the young men is sent off to seek food and drink, while the two others conspire to murder him in order to enjoy more of the money. ![]() They approach the tree and only to find a hoard of gold coins. An old man reveals to them that Death’s location is near an oak tree in a grove. He continues with a story about three young rioters in Flanders who sought to defeat Death after a friend dies from the plague. The Pardoner consistently preaches that “Greed is the root of all evil” while selling indulgences, or pardons of sin, and keeping the money for himself. According to him, he does not mind if the money comes from “…the poorest page, Or by the poorest widow in the village” (Chaucer 163-164). He also says he would willingly trick vulnerable people like widows and their hungry children. He admits his hypocrisy, but his love for money, food, and liquor stop him from ending his vices. The Pardoner is a swindler, a smooth-talking cleric who offers pardons for sin in exchange for money (known as “indulgences” in the Middle Ages). ![]()
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