Ironic Contradictions in the 'Pardoner's Prologue' and the 'Pardoner's Tale'

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, British
Cover of the book Ironic Contradictions in the 'Pardoner's Prologue' and the 'Pardoner's Tale' by Julia Geigenberger, GRIN Verlag
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Julia Geigenberger ISBN: 9783638029537
Publisher: GRIN Verlag Publication: March 28, 2008
Imprint: GRIN Verlag Language: English
Author: Julia Geigenberger
ISBN: 9783638029537
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
Publication: March 28, 2008
Imprint: GRIN Verlag
Language: English

Essay from the year 2007 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: B+ (79%), Bishop's University Lennoxville, 6 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: The Pardoner's Prologue and Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer can be seen as an outstanding example of a jape. The shrewd Pardoner thinks he is able to play a game of confidence with the other pilgrims. According to the Middle English Dictionary, the noun 'japerie' can also contain the meaning of irony, which is also true for the Prologue and the Tale. At the heart of the definition of irony lies incongruity or contradiction. The Oxford English Dictionary defines irony as: firstly, '[a] figure of speech in which the intended meaning is the opposite of that expressed by the words used; .... [secondly a] condition of affairs or events of a character opposite to what was, or might naturally be, expected; a contradictory outcome of events as if in mockery of the promise and fitness of things (87). The Pardoner's Prologue and the Pardoner's Tale provide many facets illustrating ironic contradiction. Particularly interesting is to analyze the Pardoner himself, as he is definitely contradictory in his behaviour as well as in his statements. An analysis of the Pardoner's presentation in his Prologue reveals the contradictions and the irony in the exemplum he chooses for his tale. The exemplum's characters and actions not only mirror the ambiguous and complex character of the Pardoner, but also contain several instances of irony. Based on that, one can see how the Pardoner's leitmotif, 'Radix malorum est Cupiditas' (l. 334) unifies the ironic contradictions of the Prologue and of the Tale.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Essay from the year 2007 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: B+ (79%), Bishop's University Lennoxville, 6 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: The Pardoner's Prologue and Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer can be seen as an outstanding example of a jape. The shrewd Pardoner thinks he is able to play a game of confidence with the other pilgrims. According to the Middle English Dictionary, the noun 'japerie' can also contain the meaning of irony, which is also true for the Prologue and the Tale. At the heart of the definition of irony lies incongruity or contradiction. The Oxford English Dictionary defines irony as: firstly, '[a] figure of speech in which the intended meaning is the opposite of that expressed by the words used; .... [secondly a] condition of affairs or events of a character opposite to what was, or might naturally be, expected; a contradictory outcome of events as if in mockery of the promise and fitness of things (87). The Pardoner's Prologue and the Pardoner's Tale provide many facets illustrating ironic contradiction. Particularly interesting is to analyze the Pardoner himself, as he is definitely contradictory in his behaviour as well as in his statements. An analysis of the Pardoner's presentation in his Prologue reveals the contradictions and the irony in the exemplum he chooses for his tale. The exemplum's characters and actions not only mirror the ambiguous and complex character of the Pardoner, but also contain several instances of irony. Based on that, one can see how the Pardoner's leitmotif, 'Radix malorum est Cupiditas' (l. 334) unifies the ironic contradictions of the Prologue and of the Tale.

More books from GRIN Verlag

Cover of the book Einsatzmöglichkeiten der Balanced Sorecard in Non-Profit-Organisationen by Julia Geigenberger
Cover of the book Die deutsche Farbstoffindustrie zur Zeit des Ersten Weltkriegs. Carl Duisberg und die Entstehung eines deutschen Chemiekartells by Julia Geigenberger
Cover of the book Kants Einteilung der Urteile by Julia Geigenberger
Cover of the book Das Gottesurteil im Mittelalter und seine politische Einsatzmöglichkeit by Julia Geigenberger
Cover of the book Abriss einer kurzen Geschichte des Gesundheitssports by Julia Geigenberger
Cover of the book Francis Galtons Zwillingsforschung. Ein Überblick by Julia Geigenberger
Cover of the book Messung von sprachlichen Teilfertigkeiten by Julia Geigenberger
Cover of the book Auswirkungen von Ressourcenverbrauch by Julia Geigenberger
Cover of the book Handlungsorientierter Unterricht - ein Versuch by Julia Geigenberger
Cover of the book On water, statehood and interdependence - Is water an obstacle to peace between Israelis and Palestinians? by Julia Geigenberger
Cover of the book Entwicklung eines heilpädagogischen Handlungskonzepts für junge Erwachsene im Wachkoma der Phase F by Julia Geigenberger
Cover of the book Die Wirkung des Heiligen Geistes in der Theologie J. Calvins by Julia Geigenberger
Cover of the book Besonderheiten der Bewertung junger Unternehmen (Start ups) by Julia Geigenberger
Cover of the book Vergessen - Erinnern - Verarbeiten - Die Auseinandersetzung mit der Vergangenheit als Selbstfindungsprozess in Rosa Monteros Roman 'El corazón del Tártaro' by Julia Geigenberger
Cover of the book Immanuel Kant 'Zum ewigen Frieden' - Eine Analyse der Präliminarartikel by Julia Geigenberger
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy