Geoffrey Chaucer Appropriated and Modernized for the 21st Century -- The Case of "The Pardoner's Tale"

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze three modern screen adaptations of The Pardoner’s Tale as written by Geoffrey Chaucer (c.1343-1400) by focusing on three central questions, the selection of which may be justified by placing the adaptations within their historical, cultural and literary context: (i) how do the three chosen adaptations deal with the concept of “the immortal old man”, (ii) how do they deal with the cultural and religious references, as well as the allusions that are present in Geoffrey Chaucer’s tale, (iii) how do the adaptations deal with the pardoner himself? The conclusion will be as follows: the adaptations may be taken as evidence that certain changes with regards to religion and society, and the perception of these two elements, have taken place.