Chaucer's 'Pardoner's Tale' and the Irony of Misinterpretation

Author / Editor
DeNeef, A. Leigh.

Title
Chaucer's 'Pardoner's Tale' and the Irony of Misinterpretation

Published
Journal of Narrative Technique 3 (1973): 85-96.

Description
Shows that confusion of literal and metaphoric understanding characterizes the Pardoner, the rioters of PardT, and the pilgrim audience (including the Host), who fail to "separate the immorality" of the Pardoner from the morality of his exemplum. The Pardoner magnifies his own wickedness and ironically is caught up in his own rote performance.

Chaucer Subjects
Pardoner and His Tale