How we cite our quotes: (Line number)
Quote #4
Of avarice and of swich cursednesse
Is al my prechyng, for to make hem free
To yeven hir pens; and namely, unto me!
For myn entente is nat but for to wynne,
And no thyng for correccioun of synne. (114 – 118)
The Pardoner is totally up front about his motives. He's in this game for no other reason than to make money. This goal results in the somewhat ironic situation that he must preach against greed (the better to part people from their money) because of his own greed. He doesn't seem to see this as particularly ironic; it's just what he has to do to support his lifestyle.
Quote #5
What, trowe ye, the whiles I may preche,
And wynne gold and silver for I teche,
That I wol lyve in poverte wilfully?
Nay, nay, I thoghte it nevere, trewely! (153 – 156)
The Pardoner has a talent for preaching, a gift normally associated with those who live "in poverte," like priests or monks. Yet the Pardoner has no desire to live like that; he has no intention to be the poor virtuous man. He likes the lush life. He's been so self-indulgent that he can even give the pilgrims wine recommendations.
Quote #6
For I wol preche and begge in sondry landes,
I wol nat do no labour with myne handes,
Ne make baskettes, and lyve therby,
By cause I wol nat beggen ydelly. (156 – 160)
In case he didn't make it clear enough, the Pardoner tells us again that he won't be like apostles who wove baskets to make money. No manual labor for him. He prefers to make his money by preaching and begging, which he's found to be more profitable. Although itinerant preachers like friars were allowed to beg, this practice was frowned upon because the beggar was seen as failing to productively contribute to society through honest labor.