Final answer:
The Pardoner in Chaucer's work practices and preaches against greed, which is ironic because he himself is greedy and exploits others. This hypocrisy is at the heart of his character and emphasizes the theme of the dangers of not practising what you preach.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Pardoner's Ironic Practice and Preaching
The Pardoner in Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales is known for both practicing and preaching against greed. This is ironic because he is depicted as a morally corrupt character who profits from selling indulgences and relics, often to the poor and uneducated. His sermons typically revolve around the theme of avarice being the root of all evil, yet he admits to his own greedy nature and his exploitation of others for personal gain. This duplicity is a central aspect of his character and is an example of the hypocrisy often criticized by satirists like Juvenal and referenced throughout literature that condemns those who do not practice what they preach.
Through his actions, the Pardoner embodies the very vice he cautions others to avoid, creating a stark contrast between his public teachings and private actions. Literary works frequently explore the concept of individuals who are pious in appearance yet morally lacking in their private lives, drawing attention to the importance of integrity and the dangers of hypocrisy.