Yesterdays class raised a lot of important topics for the Pardoner's Tale.  The pardoner starts out with 
the exemplum, his tale about the three drunk men who mistake the plague for a man named death.  
He also gives three main examples of sin, which he preaches against.  The main three sins being 
gluttony, gambling and swearing.  The three drunkards are all guilty of these crimes and the pardoner  
preaches to the group to stay away from these things.  He takes his sermon from the Bible and does 
not actually intend to absolve his listeners.  He just wants them to feel guilty and pay him money for 
the absolution of their sins.  The pardoner quotes his tale, rather than preaches it because the 
religious aspect is not what's important to him.  His scheme is only to make money so he just quotes 
the tale instead of actually trying to preach and enlighten his listeners.