Name
Date
Class
Literary Element (page 125)
Irony
from The Canterbury Tales: The Pardoner’s Tale
GEOFFREY CHAUCER
More than 600 years after it was written, “The Pardoner’s Tale” continues to
appeal to modern audiences partly because it is so rich in irony. In a written work,
irony builds on the discrepancy between what might be expected and what actually takes place. As you look for instances of irony in “The Pardoner’s Tale,” keep in
mind what has been written about a character or an action up to that point. Then
look for dialogue or events that are at odds with earlier circumstances.
AC TIVIT Y
Directions Read the first row in the chart below, analyzing how irony is used in the passage.
Then select three more passages and use the chart to identify examples of dramatic irony,
situational irony, and verbal irony in the passages.
Irony in “The Pardoner’s Tale”
Passage (Line Numbers)
Type of Irony
Explanation
Verbal irony
The “rats” the young rioter
plans to kill are his fellow rioters. We thought at the start of
the tale that these men were
friends.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
80
British Literature, Unit 1
Copyright© by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
“I have a lot of rats I want to
kill/and there’s a polecat too
about my yard . . .” (Lines
198–199)
Unit Resources