Based on your answer above: Does Chaucer want you to believe the Pardoner is trustworthy or untrustworthy?
Chaucer wants you to believe that the Pardoner is untrustworthy.
To determine whether Chaucer wants you to believe the Pardoner is trustworthy or untrustworthy, we can look at the way Chaucer portrays the Pardoner in his literary work, specifically in "The Canterbury Tales." Chaucer's portrayal of the Pardoner is complex and multi-faceted, making it challenging to pin down a definitive answer.
However, Chaucer provides several hints throughout the text that suggest the Pardoner's untrustworthiness. For example, the Pardoner is introduced as a morally questionable character who openly admits to using deceit and manipulation to achieve his goals. He is portrayed as a greedy and hypocritical individual who preaches against the sins of others while being guilty of those same sins himself.
Additionally, the Pardoner's tales focus on themes of greed, avarice, and moral corruption, which further contribute to the impression that he is not a trustworthy character. These tales can be interpreted as cautionary tales meant to expose the flaws and vices of society.
Furthermore, Chaucer's use of irony and satire in his depiction of the Pardoner also points to an underlying critique of the character's dishonesty and lack of integrity, suggesting that Chaucer does not want readers to view the Pardoner as trustworthy.
Overall, while Chaucer may not explicitly state whether the Pardoner is trustworthy or untrustworthy, the portrayal of the character through various narrative techniques and themes in "The Canterbury Tales" suggests that Chaucer intends for readers to be skeptical of the Pardoner's trustworthiness. It's important to critically analyze the text, consider the author's intent, and draw inferences based on the characterization and themes presented.