In the "General Prologue," the writer discusses spring and mentions that many people embark on pilgrimages during this season. He also shares that he is journeying to Canterbury Cathedral to pay homage to the relics of Saint Thomas Becket. Subsequently, he describes his encounter with a group of twenty-nine travelers at a tavern. The prologue's didactic aim is very tangible, as the author desires us to understand the season and the pilgrimage itself. He also seeks to explain his writing intentions and set the stage for the following character descriptions.
"The Pardoner's Tale" serves as a more evident example of a didactic narrative. In this account, the pardoner admits to being guilty of avarice, gluttony, greed, and numerous other sins. Yet, he hypocritically integrates references to God in his dialogue, as seen in "Now, for the love of Crist, that for us dyde... now wol I telle forth my tale.” The tale he unfolds pertains to these very sins, urging us to avoid them, which starkly contrasts with the pardoner's own conduct.
Finally, "The Nun's Priest's Tale" imparts lessons on vanity and pride, designed to caution us against falling prey to flattery.
None of the narratives align with conventional "instructional" tales. They oscillate between moralistic teachings and contrary ideas, often recounted by characters lacking admirable traits. Thus, the stories can be interpreted as ironic.
