The Pardoner’s Tale Writing Assignment
Directions:
-I would like you to respond using ONE of the following prompts.
-We will be working on them in class over the next two days, and I will be collecting them before you
leave on Friday.
-They will be handwritten, but it would be beneficial to write a rough-draft or outline, and then re-write
it to hand in.
1. A couplet poem reformation of The Pardoner’s Tale. A couplet poem consists of two
consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme. Chaucer uses this favorite rhyme scheme of his throughout his
story The Canterbury Tales. I would like you to take The Pardoner’s Tale theme and summary, and
transform it into a couplet poem of at least 16 lines. I have provided an example of this on the back of
the page (it is 20 lines).
2. Write a 5-paragraph analysis of the Pardoner. An analysis is a detailed examination of the
elements or structure of something, typically as a basis for interpretation. You will examine the
Pardoner and describe his important characteristics. Think about his- appearance, actions, motives,
personality, his role in the story, etc.
Rubric:
Points
Focus:
1. Write a poem on the
summary and theme of the tale
2. Examine the Pardoner and
give details regarding his
appearance, actions, motives,
personality, role, etc.
Content:
1. 16 focused lines
2. 5 focused paragraphs
Style:
1. Flows in the poetic couplet
form
2. Well developed analysis
(examination, description)
Conventions:
Spelling, grammar, punctuation
Turning in this rubric
Comments
/10
/10
/10
/10
/5
Total= ________/45
The Pardoner’s Tale Writing Assignment
Miss Becker’s Pardoner’s Tale Couplet Poem
Three friends were drinking at the local bar
Heard Death was around and he wasn’t too far.
So they made a promise they would hunt him down
And run that demon right out of town.
They made it just a little down the street
Before they met a man they did not expect to meet.
An old man looking for a similar guy
Waiting to be taken up into the sky.
He told the boys Death would be a bit further
Little did they know they’d get caught up in murder.
The three came across a pile of gold
The oldest and wisest took a hold.
And told the others one would fetch some wine
And celebrate their luck and all be fine.
The youngest was chosen to fetch the drink
And while plotting his rise he did not think
The other two were doing the same
It was all one big shameful game.
Of Greed, that is the moral of this tale
The Pardoner told while drinking his ale.