Geoffrey Chaucer was an author of the 12th century. Chaucer is known as the father of
English poetry. He wrote Canterbury Tales which is a collection of narrative short stories written
in verse. 'The Pardoners Tale is among the more popular of these varied tales. It is told by a
pardoner who uses the story to preach against those who are blastfamous and gluttonous. In an
odd twist, after he tells the story he trys to sell others counterfiet relics. In this short story about
greed, disrespect and death Chaucer utilizes three important literary tools personification, irony,
andsymbolism.
In the tale by Chaucer Personification is utilized on the character of Death. When a young
boy is asked what happened to a man who had just died he responds in saying 'There came a
sneaking thief that men call Death, who slays all the people in this country, and with his spear he
struck his heart in two, then went his way without saying another word.'
Geoffrey Chaucer
Portrait of Chaucer from a manuscript by Thomas Ho...
Geoffrey Chaucer, whose Canterbury Tales shares ma...They show there feelings
by pledging to each other to murder death. 'Let each of us hold up his hand to this false traitor
Death. He that slays so many shall be slain himself before nightfall.'
In 'The Pardoners Tale' personification is employed to make Death a person instead of a
process. Death is given human characteristics to make him more real to us. This tool allows the
main characters to focus their feelings.With the use of personification the three men are allowed to
focus their feelings of vengence on a person instead of a biological process.
Another tool that was heavily relied on was irony. There are many examples used to show
irony in the story. The old man sends the three drunkards down a path where he says death...