The Pardoner

The Pardoner is a character from Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales." He is a church official who sells pardons, or forgiveness, for sins—though he often admits to being greedy and dishonest. Despite his claims of religious authority, he admits to exploiting people's faith for personal gain. The Pardoner's story highlights themes of greed, hypocrisy, and corruption within the Church, illustrating how some clergy prioritized money over genuine spiritual care. His character serves as a critique of ecclesiastical corruption during Chaucer's time.