1. The Wife's direct and assertive nature: She openly challenges the Pardoner's authority and mocks his profession, calling him a "jack" and accusing him of being a fraud. This boldness is amusing, especially considering the Pardoner's supposed piety.
2. The Pardoner's defensiveness and hypocrisy: The Pardoner becomes flustered by the Wife's attacks, desperately trying to defend himself and his practices. He attempts to use his religious authority to silence her, but his arguments are easily dismantled by her wit.
3. The Wife's sexual innuendo: She uses double entendres and suggestive language, often related to sex and marriage, to provoke the Pardoner and highlight his hypocrisy. This is especially funny because he is supposed to be a celibate clergyman.
4. The Wife's physical description: Chaucer portrays the Wife of Bath as a large, loud, and assertive woman. Her physical presence itself can be humorous, especially when contrasted with the Pardoner's more delicate appearance.
5. The reversal of roles: The Wife of Bath, typically seen as subservient in medieval society, takes control of the situation and exposes the Pardoner's flaws. This role reversal is humorous and subversive, challenging traditional gender roles.
Examples of humorous dialogue:
* The Wife: "I have heard say that you have been a good man in your time. You have had a good trade in selling pardons."
* The Pardoner: "My dear lady, I am not ashamed of my trade, for it is an honest trade. I do it for the love of God."
* The Wife: "For the love of God? That's a good one! You're more likely doing it for the love of money."
* The Pardoner: "I am offended by your words, lady! You must know that I am a holy man!"
In conclusion, the humor in the Wife of Bath's exchange with the Pardoner arises from the clash of personalities, the Wife's sharp wit and directness, the Pardoner's hypocrisy and defensiveness, and the subversive reversal of traditional roles. It is a witty and engaging exchange that highlights the societal contradictions and moral ambiguities of the medieval period.