The Consequences of Greed in The Pardoner's Tale, a Novel by Geoffrey Chaucer

The Pardoner’s Tale: Evil, Greed, Death

Author of The Pardoner’s Tale, Geoffrey Chaucer, uses the symbol greed to portray his lesson, “Money is the root of all evil.” The parable introduces 3 men at a pub who are enraged upon learning a mutual friend was killed. A pact was made to hunt for Death, who is believed to be on a killing spree, in a nearby village about a mile away. Their journey to death begins.

Upon arrival to Death’s location, a pot of gold is to be found instead. “This treasure here Fortune to us has given That mirth and jollity our lives may liven” (Page 5, Line 10-11) Blinded by the abundant amount of riches, Death is all forgotten about. The symbol greed takes place when each man has an agenda to kill one another for the sake of gold. The youngest man heads to buy food, wine, and poison to kill rats. “And fetch us bread and wine here, privately. And two of us shall guard, right cunningly.” (Page 5, Line 35-36) The 2 older men make an agreement on splitting the riches. “Nevertheless, if I can shape it so That it be parted only by us two, Shall I not do a turn that is friendly.” (Page 6, Line 10-12) The food and wine have arrived and the youngest man is killed. Left with the richest to be split, the 2 men have a seat for drinks. Their journey to death has ended.

Geoffrey Chaucer portrays each man of having their own set of greed. Ultimately, it leads to the ceasing of their own “Death.” The lesson of greed shows me what it’s capable of even within close friends. The love of money is the root of all evil.