Who Is the Pardoner's Tale About?

Summary: The Pardoner's Tale. The Pardoner describes a group of young Flemish people who spend their time drinking and reveling, indulging in all forms of excess. After commenting on their lifestyle of debauchery, the Pardoner enters into a tirade against the vices that they practice.

What is the Pardoner's story about?

The cynical Pardoner explains in a witty prologue that he sells indulgences—ecclesiastical pardons of sins—and admits that he preaches against avarice although he practices it himself. His tale relates how three drunken revelers set out to destroy Death after one of their friends had died.

What is the main purpose of the Pardoner's tale?

The purpose of the "Pardoner's Tale" is to show greed and corruption within the church. To understand this, one has to be sure to read the prologue to the tale, which gives us real insight into the Pardoner himself.