Chaucer introduces the audience to three rioters in “The Pardoner’s Tale” who “ made their bargain, swore with appetite,/These three, to live and die for one another/As brother born might swear to his born brother” (122-124). Before greed develops within the rioters, they treat one another with respect and love as if they were family. Chaucer positively describes the rioters through the positive, selfless mindset and brotherly bonds. However, the bonding moment is contrasted as two of the rioters plan to kill the other by “‘To have a wrestle; then, as [one] attack[s],/[the other will] up and put [their] dagger through [his] back/...Then all the money will be [theirs] to spend…’” (248-253). Once greed occupied the rioters’ minds, each rioter turns on one another and contradicted their brotherly bond and promise. Through the irony of rioters’ promise, Chaucer depicts greed as an evil, manipulative occurrence, thus causing the rioters’ deaths. As Chaucer conveys the self destruction of greed, he furthermore contributes to the overarching theme, sacrifice is better than greed, by depicting the evil nature of greed and it’s manipulative ability to lead to self,
Chaucer introduces the audience to three rioters in “The Pardoner’s Tale” who “ made their bargain, swore with appetite,/These three, to live and die for one another/As brother born might swear to his born brother” (122-124). Before greed develops within the rioters, they treat one another with respect and love as if they were family. Chaucer positively describes the rioters through the positive, selfless mindset and brotherly bonds. However, the bonding moment is contrasted as two of the rioters plan to kill the other by “‘To have a wrestle; then, as [one] attack[s],/[the other will] up and put [their] dagger through [his] back/...Then all the money will be [theirs] to spend…’” (248-253). Once greed occupied the rioters’ minds, each rioter turns on one another and contradicted their brotherly bond and promise. Through the irony of rioters’ promise, Chaucer depicts greed as an evil, manipulative occurrence, thus causing the rioters’ deaths. As Chaucer conveys the self destruction of greed, he furthermore contributes to the overarching theme, sacrifice is better than greed, by depicting the evil nature of greed and it’s manipulative ability to lead to self,