Question

Read the excerpt from The Canterbury Tales.

Thus I know how to preach against the vice
Which masters me—and that is avarice.
Though I myself am guilty of the sin,
I know how to make other people turn
From avarice, and bitterly repent.

Which word best characterizes the Pardoner in this passage?

timid
approachable
honest
hypocritical

Answer 1

hypocritical

He admits he's guilty of avarice while claiming to preach against it and make others repent, which is the definition of hypocrisy.