How we cite our quotes: (Line number)
Quote #7
I wol noon of the apostles countrefete;
I wol have moneie, wolle, chese, and whete,
Al were it yeven of the povereste page,
Or of the povereste wydwe in a village,
Al sholde hir children sterve for famyne. (161 – 166)
This comment about the widow's children is really his most heartless remark. Why do you think he'd say something so callous and provocative? The Pardoner's lack of concern about how he gets his money shows us his true religion. He's a devout capitalist.
Quote #8
A moral tale yet I you telle kan,
Which I am wont to preche, for to wynne.
Now hoold your pees! My tale I wol bigynne. (174 – 176)
The idea that a story can be worth money is certainly not an unfamiliar one in the Canterbury Tales: remember that the pilgrims are engaged in a storytelling contest whose winner gets a free dinner at Harry Bailey's tavern after they get back from Canterbury.
Quote #9
And everich of thise riotoures ran
Til he cam to that tree, and ther they founde
Of floryns fyne of gold ycoyned rounde
Wel ny an eighte busshels, as hem thoughte.
No lenger thanne after Deeth they soughte,
But ech of hem so glad was of that sighte,
For that the floryns been so faire and brighte. (482 – 488)
This passage is like a little parable in miniature, illustrating the way that greed can cause people to drop everything in pursuit of money. You can almost see the gold shining; it has a hypnotic effect on the rioters. Money is so enticing.