The Pardoner: Chaucer's Religions Diction In "The Prologue" from The Canterbury, by Geoffrey Chaucer, the Pardoner rides with the Summoner to the Canterbury Cathedral. As a member of the clergy, the Pardoner appears to be a religious man. Through a respectful, yet condescending tone, concentrations of descriptions, religious diction, and order of appearance, Chaucer depicts the Pardoner as a religious man in church, but greedy and self-indulgence elsewhere. Chaucer first describes the Pardoner as "gentle" as he rides with the Summoner, giving the first impression that he is a humble and shy figure (689). The description of the Pardoner’s head as havi