How we cite our quotes: (Line number)
Quote #4
Thus kan I preche agayn that same vice
Which that I use, and that is avarice.
But though myself be gilty in that synne,
Yet kan I maken oother folk to twynne
From avarice, and soore to repente;
But that is nat my principal entente.
I preche no thyng but for coveitise. (141 – 147)
The Pardoner's actually wrong to say that his "principal entente" isn't to cause people to repent for their greed. Although it's true that greed motivates his sermons, if he didn't make them feel guilty, they wouldn't hand over their money. The Pardoner is a real communication expert. He knows the powerful effect of words on the emotions of the listeners, so he's chosen his topic carefully.
Quote #5
Thanne telle I hem ensamples many oon
Of olde stories longe tyme agoon.
For lewed peple loven tales olde;
Swiche thynges kan they wel reporte and holde. (149 – 152)
Part of the Pardoner's strategy for winning over his audience is simply to give them what they want—good stories. He says that uneducated people like the simple old stories because they can remember them and repeat them to their friends. This is a hugely successful strategy, because if the people associate the Pardoner with entertainment, they'll want to come hear his sales pitch. Today, the equivalent to this strategy is the commercial that tells a story as part of its product endorsement. Fred Craddock, who was considered one of the best sermonizers in the history of preaching, was known for weaving fascinating stories into his preaching. And he wasn't in it for the money; he just knew this was the best way to get a point across to the folks in the pews.
Quote #6
Hir othes been so greet and so dampnable
That it is grisly for to heere hem swere.
Oure blissed lordes body they totere. (186 – 188)
The Pardoner compares the Rioters' blasphemous swearing to tearing Jesus' body to pieces. The origins of this figure of speech are complicated, but here it continues a theme of the real, material effects of speech. This is a pretty powerful deterrent for cursing if you believe that every word is an assault on the body of Jesus. Apparently the rioters didn't believe it.