Comments on: The Pardoner’s Tale in Deathly Hallows

By: Sol

Sol — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:02:54 +0000

I quite agree with Ginny’s comment about Ignotus. I think that it has to do with his not attempting to utwit Death (an impossible match) and thus because of his wisdom leading a full life.
I’m really pleased with this article, I was reading about Middle English literature and Chaucer, and I though that “the pardoner’s tale” was related to the three brother’s…
Thanks a lot!

By: Ginevra Potter

Ginevra Potter — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 17:10:25 +0000

Mary Jo said, “IGNOTUS is not a personal name at all, as far as I am aware. It simply means ‘unknown’ or ‘anonymous’. It will be interesting to hear what other readers think this name might signify.”

Thanks for putting together all of these meanings. For me, I would imagine that a man who spent his life under the cloak of invisibility to hide from Death would be unknown and anonymous in almost all his work. “Unknown” and “anonymous” are nearly synonymous with “invisible.”

By: Eeyore

Eeyore — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 18:59:34 +0000

I don’t remember which part of Canterbury Tales we read in high school, but considering that my 40th class reunion (which I was unable to attend) was this past weekend, it’s no wonder I don’t remember any of it. I don’t think it was the Pardoner’s Tale that I read, however.

Thanks, Johnny, for telling us the story and for all your insights on how it relates to the Tale of the Three Brothers and to the choices Harry needed to make. Excellent.

And it makes me even more impressed with the detail and thought that Rowling put into the Harry Potter books, particularly Deathly Hallows.

Pat

By: Travis Prinzi

Travis Prinzi — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 01:40:53 +0000

I was actually quite surprised when Rowling answered “The Pardoner’s Tale” when asked about inspiration for the Deathly Hallows. But now I get why she answered that way – she was referring to the structure of the children’s story, not the hallows themselves (I had expected her to answer that question by saying, “Arthurian legend.”)

It’s been way too long since I’ve spent any time with Chaucer.

By: Dave, the Longwinded

Dave, the Longwinded — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 00:58:58 +0000

It’s been so long since I read the Canterbury Tales. I’ve spent a lot of time wondering about “The Tale of the Three Brothers” and its connections. I was certain Rowling pulled it from somewhere. These connections are really interesting.

Oh well, time to pull some other classic literature I haven’t read in a while…

By: Trish

Trish — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 00:42:08 +0000

What makes Harry’s choice so poignant is his youth. In making the choice to die he is giving up much more than someone who is say, my age (early 50’s) would. He is giving up all the things he might have done in life–marriage, children, everything.

reyhan–considering what I think of Mr. Bloom, I rather hope he doesn’t approve. I’d find the book suspect if he did. Sorry.

By: wm

wm — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 19:31:57 +0000

i just read the last book and i have to say it was very enjoyable.i almost cried when harry went back to the forrest to die.i loved the end rowling did a very good job on the seventh book.anyone who did not like it is crazy.does anyone else have any comments?

By: reyhan

reyhan — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 14:28:44 +0000

Thanks for telling us the Pardoner’s Tale, Johnny. I never read the Canterbury Tales, so this is a good cultural “backstory” for me. I’m sure Mr. Bloom would approve.

Or would he? I mean, as a result of this post, potentially thousands of people will have been exposed to what Mr. Bloom would probably consider a keystone of English literature. Doesn’t that then kind of disprove his theory, that reading the Harry Potter books could not possibly be a good step towards greater cultural literacy?

Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Mr. I-am-the-alpha-and-omega-in-deciding-what-is-worth-reading Bloom!

By: Mary Jo Neyer

Mary Jo Neyer — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 21:11:44 +0000

The story of the Three Brothers has very unusual names for the trio. “Antioch” was the capitol of ancient Syria, but I had never heard of the word as a personal name. Knowing JK’s fondness for classical allusions, I decided to research the name “Antiochus”, and found two, father and son, who could fit very well with the warlike, boastful nature of the first brother.
Antiochus III the Great was a Hellenistic ruler who lived about 241-187 B.C.Most of his years as ruler were spent in warfare. He died, perhaps fittingly, in 187 B.C. while attempting to rob a temple at Elymais, Persia.
Antiochus IV, son of Antiochus the Great, reigned from 175 B.C. Rabbinical sources refer to this Antiochus as “the wicked”. His cruelties towards practicing Jews led to the revolt described in the Book of Maccabees. He looted and desecrated the temple, and erected on the altar the “abomination that desecrates.” Antiochus died in Persia in 164 B.C.
Cadmus was, in Greek mythology, the son of the Phoenician King of Tyre. He was credited with introducing the alphabet into Greece, and is said to have founded the city of Thebes. It is interesting that he is associated with the stone of resurrection, for in the founding of Thebes, cadmus, at the instruction of Athena, sowed Dragon’s Teeth which sprang up as a huge number of armed men. Cadmus threw a STONE among them, causing the men to kill one another until only 5 survived, who helped him build the city of Thebes. Eventually, when much older and deeply troubled by misfortune, he was turned into a DRAGON, along with his wife.
IGNOTUS is not a personal name at all, as far as I am aware. It simply means “unknown” or “anonymous”. It will be interesting to hear what other readers think this name might signify. To me, it brings to mind the “unknown soldiers” whom we honor for their sacrifices for freedom. It also makes me think of all those who have gone before us-our ancestors who were farmers, fishermen, tailors, etc., who worked hard, loved their families, and in their daily deeds of kindness and self-sacrifice are unknown to historians, and known only to God.