V. How Lazaro Went to Work for a Pardoner and the Things That Happened to Him Then

Chapter V of “The Life of Lazaro of Tormes” narrates Lazaro’s experiences while working for a pardoner, a cunning seller of papal indulgences, known for his deceptive practices. Initially, the pardoner attempts to win over clergy with modest gifts to persuade them into encouraging their congregations to purchase indulgences. He employs various tactics to appeal to both educated clergy and those with less formal education, adjusting his use of Latin accordingly.

In the town of Sagra, despite his efforts, the sale of indulgences proves unsuccessful, leading to a planned altercation between the pardoner and the constable to garner attention. The dispute, staged over a game of chance, escalates into a public confrontation, drawing the townspeople’s interest. The following day, during a sermon aimed at selling more indulgences, the constable denounces the pardoner’s indulgences as forgeries, declaring his own repentance and accusing the pardoner of deceit.

The pardoner, in a theatrical display of piety, prays for divine judgment. Instantly, the constable appears to suffer a divine retribution, collapsing and convulsing on the floor, which the assembled crowd interprets as a sign of his guilt and deceit. Despite his violent convulsions, the people restrain him, believing he is being rightfully punished. The pardoner, maintaining an appearance of divine communion, is eventually implored by the congregation to aid the seemingly afflicted constable.

This chapter illuminates the pardoner’s manipulative prowess, his ability to exploit both the gullible and the skeptical, and the extent to which religious belief and superstition can be manipulated for personal gain. Lazaro’s observations reveal a critique of religious hypocrisy and the exploitation inherent in the sale of indulgences, showcasing the pardoner’s role as a master manipulator who capitalizes on the fears and beliefs of the populace.