Question

For I’ll have money, wool, and cheese, and wheat,
Though given by the poorest serving-lad,
Or by the poorest widow in the place,
Were all her children dying of famine,
No, no! I’ll drink the ichor of the vine,
And have a pretty girl in every town.
But hear me out now, gentlemen . . .

Which statement best describes the satire in the excerpt?

The Pardoner’s poverty suggests that the Church is too stingy.
The Pardoner’s excessive drinking underscores the need for moderation.
The Pardoner’s indulgent spending draws attention to the need for restraint.
The Pardoner’s disregard for people experiencing poverty reveals the Church’s hypocrisy.

Answer 1

The Pardoner’s disregard for people experiencing poverty reveals the Church’s hypocrisy.

Explanation: He brags about taking goods even from the poorest and caring only for his own pleasures and gain, which satirizes corrupt church officials who exploit and ignore the needy while claiming moral authority.