Pardon My Three Rioters

Good Morning Everyman and Everywoman,

So, check out the latest comment from Dr. V. down below in the comment section. She has provided us with some interesting brain fodder, making some connections with other great Western films and medieval plays. I find this “Pardoner’s Tale” connection to the “Treasure of the Sierra Madre” interesting and I am wondering if this tale could have been part of Sergio’s early classical education. Did the Italian schools of the pre-war era teach medieval classics…you would think so? More likely, since we know from GBU history, that Sergio was a fan of all things in western film and that his films, especially the GBU, represented many of the films he loved and the things he loved about them, except twisted.

Notice Dr. V’s reference to the “three rioters” in this play and the film. They are apparently seeking death in their search for gold. Sound familiar. But unlike the “Treasure”, when the three main characters face death over gold in the GBU, only the Bad perishes, while The Good betrays the Ugly, but only to save him…oh and improve his odds. Seems more moral to me.

So the answer here is to delve into the “Pardoner’s Tale” for a time and see what insights it may hold for us. See you when I am done.

Lament