Avarice as Self-Destruction

The Canterbury Tales

This flow traces greed from sermon and desire to conspiracy, poisoning, and moral self-annihilation.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Root Formula The Root Formula from "The Canterbury Tales". The Root Formula Moral Proposition The Pardoner repeatedly declares that greed is the root of evil.

The Root Formula from "The Canterbury Tales". The Root Formula Moral Proposition The Pardoner repeatedly declares that greed is the root of evil.

The Root Formula Moral Proposition The Pardoner repeatedly declares that greed is the root of evil. The phrase provides a simple interpretive key for the coming exemplum. Irony of the Speaker Because he uses the doctrine to collect money, the formula condemns both his audience and himself. Truth and motive separate immediately.

Gold as False Providence Gold as False Providence from "The Canterbury Tales". Gold as False Providence Unexpected Fortune The Three Rioters find wealth where they expected Death.

Gold as False Providence from "The Canterbury Tales". Gold as False Providence Unexpected Fortune The Three Rioters find wealth where they expected Death.

Gold as False Providence Unexpected Fortune The Three Rioters find wealth where they expected Death. Gold appears to offer a providential escape from mortality. Desire Rewritten Their original oath disappears as soon as possession becomes possible. The treasure reveals the appetite already hidden beneath their rhetoric.

Conspiracy of Two Conspiracy of Two from "The Canterbury Tales". Conspiracy of Two Fraternity Broken Two rioters plan to murder the third and divide the gold.

Conspiracy of Two from "The Canterbury Tales". Conspiracy of Two Fraternity Broken Two rioters plan to murder the third and divide the gold.

Conspiracy of Two Fraternity Broken Two rioters plan to murder the third and divide the gold. Their partnership is founded on betrayal before the victim returns. Arithmetic of Greed The gold is treated as more valuable when shared by fewer people. Calculation turns friendship into a target.

Poisoned Provisions Poisoned Provisions from "The Canterbury Tales". Poisoned Provisions Private Plot The youngest buys poison under the pretense of killing vermin. He imagines a future in which the entire hoard belongs to him.

Poisoned Provisions from "The Canterbury Tales". Poisoned Provisions Private Plot The youngest buys poison under the pretense of killing vermin. He imagines a future in which the entire hoard belongs to him.

Poisoned Provisions Private Plot The youngest buys poison under the pretense of killing vermin. He imagines a future in which the entire hoard belongs to him. Appetite’s Double Edge He carries the means of murder toward men who have made the same decision. Greed creates a closed circle in which every plan points back to death.

Moral Confirmation Moral Confirmation from "The Canterbury Tales". Moral Confirmation Reciprocal Murder The elder pair stab the youngest, then drink the poisoned wine and die.

Moral Confirmation from "The Canterbury Tales". Moral Confirmation Reciprocal Murder The elder pair stab the youngest, then drink the poisoned wine and die.

Moral Confirmation Reciprocal Murder The elder pair stab the youngest, then drink the poisoned wine and die. Every participant receives the consequence he intended for another. Preaching Aftermath The Pardoner immediately tries to monetize the moral. The story condemns avarice while the teller demonstrates its institutional persistence.

Opening of The Pardoner’s Tale

After the rioters reach the tree

After the youngest leaves for provisions

During the youngest rioter’s return from town

At the tale’s conclusion