Final answer:
The Objective Summary of 'The Pardoner's Tale' is a direct retelling of the events, focusing on the three men's quest to find Death and the discovery of gold which leads to their demise. The Subjective Summary provides a personal take on the tale, discussing the corruption of greed and the timeless moral message conveyed through Chaucer's storytelling.
Step-by-step explanation:
Objective Summary of The Pardoner’s Tale:
In The Pardoner’s Tale, three young men in a tavern hear about a friend’s death and set out to confront Death, whom they blame for taking their friend. Along their journey, they meet an old man who directs them to a tree where he says they will find Death. Instead of finding Death, they discover a fortune in gold coins. Greed overcomes them, and they plot to kill each other to have the gold to themselves. Eventually, two of the young men plot against the third, killing him upon his return with wine. However, the wine had been previously poisoned by the lone young man, planning to kill the other two. In the end, all three die as victims of their own greed, leaving the gold untouched.
Subjective Summary of The Pardoner’s Tale:
Chaucer's narrative in The Pardoner’s Tale masterfully exposes the corrupting power of greed. The tale's irony and moral lessons are poignant, as the three young men's quest to defeat Death leads them directly to it through their avarice. The characters are driven by base instincts, which culminate in a darkly comedic yet tragic ending, showcasing Chaucer's skill in weaving a moral within a seemingly simple story. This tale serves as a timeless reminder of the dangers of allowing greed to dictate one's actions, making it both a captivating and instructive read.