Pardoner's Prologue and Test Review -- Part 1

The Pardoner's prologue let’s readers know his single purpose for speaking sermons and telling stories. What is his purpose? What is his purpose supposed to be as a Pardoner, a representative of the Catholic Church?

• His real purpose is to make money. His purpose is supposed to be saving souls.

• His purpose is to convert people and save their souls. He does this for the Catholic Church.

• His real purpose is to save souls. His purpose is supposed to be collecting money for the Catholic Church.

In his prologue to his tale, the Pardoner describes the "trick" which has been worth a hundred marks a year to the Pardoner. What is the trick he describes?

• The Pardoner has a bird that lands on the shoulder of someone who is about to be forgiven. In reality, the Pardoner looks over his audience, finds someone who looks rich, and signals the bird to land there. The forgiven sinners usually make a large donation.

• He warns his listeners that his relics cannot help those who are guilty of very serious sins and announces to the crowd that those who don’t make an offering to him must be guilty of very serious sins or they would make an offering. He then tells the crowd that those of them who have only committed small sins every once in a while should come make an offering and have their sins forgiven.

• He has one person in the congregation stand up and tell how much more holy his life has been and how he feels spiritually fulfilled since he gave all of his worldly goods to the church.

The rioters go looking for Death because they –

• Want to repent or ask forgiveness for their sins and find salvation

• Plan to avenge the deaths of their friends

It is ironic that the Pardoner preaches against avarice (greed), because he is –

• especially greedy

• a pious, devoutly religious man

What is ironic about the attitude the old man has toward Death?

• The old man thinks it's foolish to seek out death.

• Most people want to avoid death, but the old man seeks death.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Where does the old man send the rioters?

• to the holy land

• to an oak tree up the road

• to a carnival that is visiting

What did they find where the old man sent them?

• A big bag of expensive jewels

• Three beautiful women

• 8 bushels of gold coins

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

Why did the rioters decide to bring the treasure home at night?

• They were afraid of being robbed by highwaymen if they moved the treasure during the day time.

• They were afraid people would accuse them of having stolen the gold if they were seen during the day.

• It was so heavy to carry that it got them overheated in the bright sun. It was easier to carry it at night.

Why was the youngest rioter sent to town?

• He went to buy food and drink so they would have something to eat while waiting for dark.

• He went to buy a horse to carry the load of gold to their homes.

• He went to provide an alibi for the others to the local authorities if they came snooping around.

All the persons or groups below are satirized in our society. Check at least two whose satirized behaviors or attitudes you could explain in writing.

• Politicians

• Famous people/celebrities

• Professional Athletes

  or

  Sports Fans

• Racist cops

• Other (be prepared to explain the person or group you are thinking of if you choose this one.)

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2