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1 vote
Choose the meaning of the bold word.

If there be one among you that is willing / to have my absolution for a shilling. (The Canterbury Tales, "The Pardoner's Tale")

A. prayer garment
B. confessions
C. prediction
D. remission of sin

1 Answer

5 votes
In my opinion, the correct answer is D. remission of sin. Absolution means release from the burden of a committed sin. Priests (such as the Pardoner, if he is a priest after all) were entitled to absolve people from their sins, once they confessed. In these lines, however, the Pardoner offers absolution for a shilling - therefore, he sells it to people.
User Enrique Chavez
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