The Wife of Bath's Tale

How many husbands has the Wife of Bath had?

5

"Wommen desiren to have sovereynetee/As wel over hir housbond as his love/And for to been in maistrie hym above" LINE 1038-1040

This is the Knight (and 'old hag's' idea of what women most desire - power over men.

Who does the woman say is truly poor?

Those who do not expect poverty.

Who does the old woman say is truly rich?

Those who expect poverty

What was it that woman desire most?

To control their husbands

"Thou seist that oxen, asses, hors and houndes" LINE 285

Again the Wife uses animal imagery. This could be argued to be degrading to women as the animals are as objected to be traded with. She could be hinting at prostitution or that marriages are all deals and bargains? - not actually involving love at all.

" Al were it that myne auncestres were rude Yet may the hye God, and so hope I, Grante me grace to lyven vertuously." LINE 1172-1175

Here the woman in the tale is admitting that although she may not come from the noblest of families/upper-class ancestors, she still has the chance to live a virtuous and noble live if God so graces her. This could easily be a reflection of Alysoun's own position, as we know she doesn't have a fortune or title, so perhaps worked her way up from a lower-class background.

On what commandment does the Wife of Bath like to dwell?

Husbands should love their wives "thou shall not covet thy neighbors wives"

Bread imagery

Lat hem be breed of puredwhete-seed, And lat us wives hoten barley breed."

The Wife of Bath talks about Solomon, Abraham, Jacob and others from the Bible. What is her point?

Lots of Christians have had several wives; she defends herself

What did the women ask of the knight in return for saving his life?

Marry him

The Wife of Bath says she was her fourth husband's purgatory. Explain.

She was hateful to him and made his life miserable

" 'Thise olde folk kan muchel thyng' quod she" LINE 1004

TWOB could here be making a point about herself, as she is old and is trying to convince her listeners to take on her point of view - she slips in to the story that older people can make good, intelligent points!

Why did the Friar promise to tell a tale poking fun at a Summoner?

The Summoner insulted the Friar

What crime does the knight commit, and what does the queen require of him so that he can save himself from being beheaded?

The knight has stolen the virtue of a maiden. To live, he must answer the question, "What is the thing that women most desire?" He has a year and a day to find the answer.

Define-"self-same soverty"

she wants her own independence.

Knight's heightened emotions

"Allas and weilawey!"

Abraham and Jacob

"And each of hem hadde wives mo than two"

"many a noble wyf...mayde...wydwe, for that they been wise/The queene hirself" LINE 1026-1028

A broad range of women are present at his trial - they will really test his theory as to what women want as they are all from different paths of life

Keep within limits and not sin

"For, be we neverso vicious withinne, We wol been holden wise and clene of sinne."

Freedom

"He putte it in oure owene judgement."

Authority Corinthians

"He seith that to be wedded is no sinne; Bet is to be wedded than to brinne."

Old wife smiling

"He walweth and he turneth to and fro. His olde wyf lay smilinge evermo"

Age difference

"He was, I trowe, a twenty winter oold, And I was fourty, if I shal seye sooth."

Heart swollen

"Hir thoughte it swal so soore aboute hir herte."

Challenging authority about marriage

"How manye mighte she have in mariage?

She isn't chaste

"I am nat precius."

Wife saved his life

"I am she which tht saved hath youre lyf."

No envy

"I have noon envie."

Young knight

"And so bifel it that king Arthour hadde in his hou a lusty bacheler."

Married the old woman

"And taketh his olde wyf, and gooth to bedde"

Obeyed her husband

"And that she obeyed him in every thing tht mighte doon him pleasance or liking."

Queen given authority

"And yaf to the queene at hir wil tochese whiether shewolde him save or spille."

Bacon

"And yet in bacon hadde I nevere delit."

Husband taking control

"Be maister of my body and of my good."

Christ perfection

"But Crist, that of perfeccion is welle, Bad nat every wight he sholde go selle Al that he hadde, and give it to the poore."

Change of time

"But temporal thing, that man may hurte and maime."

Knight commiting sin

"By verray force he rafte hire maydenhede."

Marriage and virginity

"For hadde God comanded maidenhede, Thanne hadde he dampened wedding with the dede."

Knight in sorrow

"For prively hewedded hire on the morwe, And alday after hidde him as an owle."

Ripped a page

"For that I rente out of his book a leef, That of the strook myn ere wax al deef."

Old wive describing herself in three words

"For thogh that I be foul, and oold, and poore"

Freedom and in control

"For to be free, and do right as us lest, And that no man repreve us of oure vice"

Domestic imagery

"For wel ye knowe, a lord in his houshold, He nath nat every vessel al of gold."

Lusty

"Gat-toothed I was, that bicam me weel;"

lustful

"Gat-tothed was she, soothly for to seye."

Authority used to justify birth

"God bad us to wexe and multiplye."

Sovereignty

"I have the power duringe al my lyfUpon his propre body, nd noght he."

Mouse heart

"I holde a mouses herte nat worth a leek."

Desires in Marriage

"I wol bistowe the flour of al myn age In the actes and in the fruit of mariage."

St Paul pure

"I woot wel that th'apostal was a maide"

Male friends

"If that I walke or pleye unto his hous."

Marital obligations

"In wyfhood I wol use myn instrument As frelyas my Makere hath it sent."

Send husbands

"Jhesu Crist us sende Housbondes meeke, yonge, and fresh abedde."

Solomon Reference

"Lo, heere the wise king, daun Salomon; I trowe he hadde wives mo than oon."

Jesus chose a simple life

"May understonde that Jhesus, hevene king, ne wolde nat chese a vicious living. Glad poverte is an honest thing, certeyn."

Men counsel

"Men may conseille a womman to been oon, But conseilling is no commandment."

Disagrees with men

"Men may glosen up and doun, But wel I woot, expres, without lie."

Goose imagery

"Ne noon so grey goos gooth ther in the lake."

Quotes Ptolemy

"Of alle men is his wisdom is the hyeste That rekketh nevere who hath the world in honde."

respectful toward the knight

"Sir knight"

Knight did a bad deed

"That dampned was this knight for to be deed."

Cat imagery

"Thou seydst this, that I was lyk a cat; for whoso wolde senge a catte skin,"

Disruption

"Up stirte the Pardoner, and that annon: 'Now,Dame,' quod he,'byGod and by Seint John! Ye been a noble prechour in this cas."

Planetary imagery

"Venus me yaf my lust, my likerousnesse; And Mars yaf me my sturdy hardinesse."

Positivity towards Virginity

"Virginitee is greet perfeccion."

Difference between female and male

"Were eek to knowe a femelefrom amale, And for noon oother cause, - say ye no?"

Monetary imagery dette

"Whan that him list come forth and paye his dette."

Flattered and pleased

"Whan that we been yflatered and yplesed."

Quest question

"What thing is it that wommen moost desiren."

Married for love

"Whiche that I took for love, and no richesse,"

Weather imagery

"With wilde thonder-dynt and firy levene."

Women's freedom

"Wommen may go nowsaufly up and doun."

Knight's confidence

"with manly vois"

The Wife of Bath and the old woman agree on what is required for a happy marriage. What do you think makes a happy marriage? Explain your views by writing the advice you would give to a young couple about to be married.

Answers will vary widely, depending on student's personal experiences, situations, and viewpoints. Accept any answers that address the concern of the question and are elaborated by examples or details from the literature or from life.

What specific answers does the knight receive in response to the queen's question?

He got plenty of answers like love, riches, honor, clothes, and pleasure

What is your answer to the queen's question?

I believe what women want more than anything in the world is to be lived and have a sense of belonging.

Do you agree or disagree with her answer? Explain.

I personally disagree because women have all the power they need now but they all just want respect and faithfulness.

"Blessing halles, chambres, kitchenes, bournes... ... ... shipnes daieries, This maketh that ther ben no faieries'' LINES 869-872

Notice the listing in these lines. The Wife could be doing this to emphasise how the friars really have taken over. The fact that there are so many examples strengthens her argument: her audience cannot deny what she is saying as there appears too many examples - even if they are not all relevant. Remember the Wife's audience: would they all agree with her?

What does the queen demand of the knight?

That he find what wemon really want

What are the advantages of poverty according to the Wife of Bath?

That the knight doesn't have to worry about her cheating on him.

For Goddes love, as cheese a newe requeste; take al my good and lat my body go. LINE 1060

The knight's plea could be seen as ironic as he didn't let the body of the girl he raped go. This also connotes that in marriage he will be expected to fulfill sexual duties therefore the hag will have even more power over him.

According to the old woman, what brings the most happiness to marriage?

a wife's dominance over her husband

What is the Wife of Bath's opion about noble status in relation in noble character?

based more on your character

What punishment does King Arthur initially order for the knight's crime?

beheaded

According to the old woman, true gentility comes from..

being kind

sly dealings; skill in deceiving

guile

What sin does one of King Arthur's knights commit?

he rapes an innocent woman

The Wife of Bath can best be described as

jovial.

Which of the following best describes the three rioters in "The Pardoner's Tale"?

prating, arrogant, greedy

according to wife of bath, why are there no farries?

the government got rid of all things magic.

How does the story about Mida's hideous secret relate to this tale?

women can't keep secrets

What answer does the old woman give to the knight?

women want to have power over their husband and have the final saying in all matter

Based on "The Wife of Bath's Tale," what is Chaucer's view of life? Compare and contrast Chaucer's view with the Wife of Bath's view of life. Give evidence from the text for the presence of each view of life.

Based on "The Wife of Bath's Tale," Chaucer's view of life is good-humored and expansive, forgiving of human frailty and hopeful of human improvement. It is a view of life that applauds virtue, fairness, decency, and generosity wherever such qualities are found, whether in nobles or commoners. Despite Chaucer's high position in life, he is not taken in by the superficial virtues of wealth or nobility; he knows that true wealth and nobility are in the heart. So far, Chaucer's views as stated here are very similar to those of the Wife of Bath, who is, after all, Chaucer's creation. The Wife's long speech about virtue sounds sincere; it's hard to imagine the author not agreeing with it. Chaucer probably does not share the Wife's view of marriage, however. She views it as a contest for power in which the wife is the rightful winner. Chaucer, being male, would probably not hold that view, but he gives his female characters—the Wife of Bath, the queen, and the old woman—such strength of character that it is equally hard to imagine him thinking that their husbands should be their masters. Chaucer's view is more likely shown in the outcome of the tale, when both spouses show each other their best qualities and learn from them.

"If gentilesse were planted natureelly Unto a certeyn lynage doun the lyne, Pryvee and apert thanne wolde they nevere fyne To doon of gentillesse the faire office" LINES 1134-1137

Here, the Wife/woman is saying that if you actually did inherit nobility then you would consistently act with nobility, regardless of whether you are in public or private. This could be Chaucer challenging the social structures of the time, exposing the upper-classes and the corruption that they often got away with (specific relevance to the Knight's crime, as he was a supposedly a noble himself).

What is the Wife of Bath's complaint about husbands?

Husbands complaining about wives, but it is their own fault. Also, husbands don't trust their wives; husbands think wives try to make their lives miserable

"And yaf him to the queene, al at hir wille, To chese wheither she wolde him save or spille" LINES 897-898

It is ironic now that the queen has his life in her hands. The woman is back in power and we can link this back to the narrative style of the Prologue. Is Chaucer a feminist - he allows Alison to depict the women with power. The fact that the King allows the Queen power could reflect the end of the Tale where we see that by giving women what they want they remain content and so do the men. It is also ironic that the queen spare him even though he has hurt another woman - it perhaps suggests that women are stronger characters; she is being the bigger person. We can link this back to the lion proverb - women are given the chance to spare a man and they don't identifying with the view that women are in fact virtuous - she's painting her picture now!

''As thikke as motes in the sonne beem" LINE 868

Speaking of the friars who used to travel around and 'cleanse' people of their sins for money, the Wife could be suggesting here that they block out genuine happiness - they contort the view of the world because people become so obsessed with pleasing God. It could be of importance to point out the contrasting images used here, the sunlight and the darkness - arguably it emphasises the negative situation. 'Motes' translates as thick specks of dust to describe the friars. Connotations of this are ironic - we associate dust with dirt and decay whilst the friars are supposed to be cleansing believers and ridding them of their corruption. Implications of this could also be that the friars themselves aren't clean, or pure - they aren't celibate so are therefore living in sin. This only adds to the Wife's views that women hold superiority over men, because they are hypocritical and deceitful.

"As perles, ne with gold, ne clohes riche after thy text, ne after thy rubriche" LINE 345

The Wife expresses how she doesn't care about the male anti-feminist literature. She is demonstrating her strong mindset and self-assured attitude, not caring for the texts which subjugate women. As Alysoun is symbolic of all women, Chaucer could be saying women cannot be grouped and categorised. They should not themselves be defined by the literature..(but isn't this exactly what Chaucer is doing by using Alysoun as an allegory for all women?)

"To reden on this book of Wikked Wives. / He knew of hem no legendes and lives/ Than been of goode wives in the Bible." LINES 685 - 687

The Wife is arguing here that Jankyn knew more of the these awful legends of wives than of the good wives in the Biblical sense. We could suggest that this is a way of saying how men are creating negative views of women because they only have these narrow views - they lack the ability to see women positively: they have blinkered views.

"'Thou hast yhad fyve housbondes', quod he, 'And that ilke man that now hath thee is noght thyn housbonde,' thus seyde he certeyn." LINES 17-19

The Wife is directly informing us of the Bible's strict teachings about marriage, and that only a woman's first husband is valid. Her audience can apply and consider this throughout the prologue, considering how the validity of the Wife's marriages stopped once she married her second husband and this affects her standing.

"Heere may ye se wel how that genterye Is nat annexed to possessioun" LINES 1146-1147

The Wife is saying here that nobility is not 'annexed' to possession, which basically means that the two don't come hand in hand. Having wealth and riches does not automatically make you a noble and righteous person.

"In th' olde dayes of King Arthour, Of which that Britons speken greet honour, Al was this land fulfild of faierie.' LINES 857-859

The Wife paints a picture of an idyllic and mythical world. The reference to King Arthur could conjour up the image of legends and honourability. This will link in with the ideas later on in the tale of noble and honourable men maintaining their status through acts, not just by name. The images of fairies could conjour up the idea of a perfect, almost childlike world, and perhaps hints that the tale the Wife is about to tell is like a fairy-story. This contrasts with the rest of the page, as it describes the magical world crumbling because of religious corruption.

"Thou shalt not bothe...be maister of my body and my good" LINE 314

The Wife says a man can have her mind or body but they cannot have both. The wife could be ensuring she always has control and a dominant position in relationships. Note that when we see her give her body and mind away (Jankyn) she ends up hurt.

"with empty hand men may none haukes lure" LINE 415

The Wife says she is a hawk who holds out her hand and men come to her for goods, however she lies. She doesn't provide them with what they want - she only takes what she wants. Hawks as birds of prey also hold connotations of her luring, capturing and devouring men.

"Oon of us two moste bowen, doutelees; And sith a man is moore resonable Than womman is, ye moste been suffrable" LINES 440-443

The Wife says that one member of a relationship must always bend and compromise, and since according to the anti-feminist literature women are stubborn and unreasonable, a man should bend. She cleverly turns the anti-feminist literature to suit her needs, giving herself (and women) the upper hand in relationships.

"Me needed not do lenger diligence to wynne hir love or doon hem reverence. They loved me so wel, by God above. That I ne tolde no denytee of hir love!" LINES 205-208

The Wife states that her three good husbands loved and respected her instantly so that she didn't have to work anymore to gain their admiration. As a result, she didn't have to respect them due to their unconditional love and could treat them how she wanted - denytee means value, and she's saying she didn't value their love at all.

"Thy gentillesse cometh fro God allone Thanne comth oure verray gentillesse of grace" LINE 1162

The Wife states that nobility comes from God alone, and the grace in which we strive to serve him/follow his example. She rejects the idea that you can inherit nobility like you do a title, and instead believes you have to earn it through your (Christian) actions and compassion for others.

"Sith folk ne doon hir operacioun, Alwey, as dooth the fyr, lo, in his kynde." LINES 1148-1149

The Wife uses a metaphor to demonstrate how people will change how they behave in front of others and behind closed doors, whereas fire will always remain constant in it's nature. It will always burn, regardless of who watches it.

"Thou seydest this, that I was lyk a cat; for whosowolde senge a cattes skyn, Thanne wolde the cat wel dwellen in his in; and if cattes skyn be slyk and gay She wol nat dwelle in house half a day" LINES 348 - 553

The Wife uses an analogy of a singed cat and a beautiful cat to demonstrate how beautiful women behave. She argues beautiful women will be unfaithful, whilst ugly women will be faithful. However, the wife admits that she herself is unfaithful whilst also admitting she isn't beautiful. Could she therefore be saying that any woman will cheat and none are trustworthy?

"But in oure bed he was so fressh and gay" LINE 510

The Wife's passion for Jankyn may be confused with his ability to satisify her sexually (which none of the other husbands could). This shows how important the Wife of Bath considers sex to be, in both a relationship and just in general. This is somewhat contradictory of the typical presentation of women in Chaucer's time - she is sexually liberated.

"This was the olde opinion, as I rede;/ I speke of manie hundred years ago' LINES 862-863

The additional clause 'as I rede' draws attention to the fact that the Wife is well read and intelligent. Some others may argue that this is a way to defend herself - the 'olde opinion' is not hers, it's something that other people have suggested. This is indicated further, as she indicates that it was a long time ago too.

"And of his tonge, and of his hand also; And made hym brenne his book anon right tho" LINES 815-816

The burning of the anti-feminist literature could be symbolic of the gender equality Alisyn arguably achieves. The idea that she "made" him burn the book shows her ultimate dominance. However, is one character really representative of all women in this era?

In al the court ne was ther wyf, ne maide, ne widwe, that contraried that he siade. LINE 1043

The knight gets the answer correct, however this is only due to the help of a woman. This puts women in a position of control and may reinforce the knight's statement that women desire sovereignty over men.

Allas that any of my nacioun, Sholde evere so foule disparaged be LINE 1068

The knight is referring to the fact that someone of his status should not be made to marry an old hag. This is socially degrading and may have angered an audience , who at the time would have been against class systems as a result of the Peasants' Revolt.

"Privee and apert, and moost entendeth ay To do the gentil dedes that he kan;" LINES 1115-1116

The woman here is arguing that because the knight is noble he should infact act like a gentleman. The paradoxical nature of the knight's character is here being exposed, the knight is arguing that because he is noble he shouldn't have to marry someone 'below him.' The woman is here cleverly undermining the enemy by showing how fallacious his argument is.

"Swich arrogance is nat worth an hen" LINE 1112

The woman suggests that arrogance is a trait often found in those considered to be noble (but they often only have noble titles.) This line suggests that arrogance makes you worthless, it takes away from a persons 'noble' identity. However, it can be argued that this is merely this characters opinion as during this era it was nobles who almost 'ran' the country.

''And of my tongue a verray jangleresse, And walke I wolde, as I had doon biforn, From hous to hous, although he had it sworn'' LINES 638-640

This idea demonstrates how the Wife is an independent and strong-willed character. Despite the violence from her husband it doesn't stop her from going out socially and talking. The idea that 'he had it sworn' perhaps suggests that the males are trying to control their wives and tying them to their ideologies. Yet the Wife continues to defy him and act on her own terms. (We can link these suggestions to line 653-654 too!)

Eek every wight woot this as wel as I" LINE 1133

This line is an example of a persuasive technique used by the Wife, and it occurs on other occasions throughout the prologue and tale too. By assuming that what she has to say is common knowledge, she not only emphasizes her own intellectualism but makes her audience feel inferior if they do not 'know this as well as her'.

"For of oure eldres may we no thing claime" LINE 1131

This line is essentially saying that you can't claim anything from your ancestors. Nothing in life is given to you, even your nobility you have to earn, it isn't just inherited.

"Crist wole we claime of him oure gentillesse" LINE 1117

This line seems to suggest that the Wife genuinely has a strong Christian belief; this makes us question her previous argument (in the prologue) where the bible is arguabkly satirised. The misleading at the start regarding her religious belief links to Janekyn's portrayal of women, where he takes parts of stories to prove a point. Did the wife do this at the start merely to show that with any text you can prove any argument? Was she just showing the flaws in Janekyn's argument?

"therto comen of so lough a kinde" LINE 1101

This line shows the irony of the marriage that has been created. It shows how strange it is in this era for someone that is low born (the old woman) to educate a knight. This therefore shows the stratified society of this era and how uncommon a marriage from different backgrounds was.

"Ther is noon oother incubus but he, And he ne wol doon hem but dishonour' LINE 880-881

Translated this quote is saying that 'he (the friar) is the only incubus, and he will merely bring a girl dishonour.' From this we could infer that seduction by the friar will bring women to shame as an incubus was a fairy lover - seduced by him women would have children that were half fairy, half human. This idea of bringing a girl dishonour could be foreshadowing the events that are to come in the Tale - when the knight takes the virginity of the young girl he would have pushed dishonour unto her because she wasn't married.

"I was fourty... But yet I hadde always a coltes tooth" # LINE 601

Translation - She was forty but still had youthful nature & desires. She may have been older than Jankyn physically, but here argues that she was still young in spirit and desires young lovers. This could be hypocritical of her, since she criticised her first 3 husbands for being older than her.

"Whan that my fourthe housebonde was on beere/I weep algate, and made sory cheere/ As wyves mooten" LINE 587

Translation - at her 4th husband's funeral she acted as though she was mourning, 'as wives should'. This is ambiguous; does the 'as wyves mooten' line suggest that she was acting, and was really happy that he was dead so she was free to marry Jankyn, or was she genuinely sad, in which case the line is read as 'as any wife would be'? Could be read as cruel/cold hearted or loving/loyal.

"I holde a mouses herte nat worth a leek/ That hath but oon hole for to sterte to/ And if that faille, thanne is al ydo" LINE 572-574

Translation - if you only have one person to rely on, then you are sure to fail. The wife is here arguing that it is practical to have many prospective husbands, as if one dies then she has others to fall back on and won't be alone. Intelligent, logical - widowed women may have been left in a difficult position as it could have been hard to earn their own money; but unemotional, cruel?

"I bar him on honde he hadde enchanted me" LINE 575

Translation - she convinced her 4th husband that she loved him deeply, but she was lying. This idea seems contradictory to the fact that she claimed to be very cruel to her husbands before Jankyn - was she really nice to this one? Adds to the ambiguity & contradictions of her character

How does the knight's decision illustrate the answer to the queen's question?

He loves her no matter what she looked like even though he thought she was ugle and disgting.

The moral of "The Pardoner's Tale" is

Greed is the source of evil.

"Bad hym to be glad and have no fere" LINE 1022

The 'old hag' is like a mother to the Knight - maternal, comforting descriptions are used with their relationship

"I wol be to yow bothe... fair and good" LINE 1240-1241

The old hag decides that she will be both beautiful and honest. She could be rewarding the Knight for truly changing and respecting her, although some argue that the Knight has simply been rewarded for raping the girl! He would have gone to prison but instead has ended up with a beautiful, loving wife - ambiguous and up to personal interpretation. TWOB could be suggesting to men that if you give your wife the freedom she wants, she will be good to you.

What is her opinion about poverty and character?

The old lady believes that poverty isn't a wrong thing

What does the old woman want from the knight in exchange for her life-saving answer to the queen's question?

The old woman asks the knight to marry her in front of all the people who were at the gathering.

why isn't the knight killed?

The queen offerns him a deal.

What deal did he make on his way home after the year was almost ended?

He would marry the old woman for her answer

How much time does the knight have to answer the queen's question?

The knight is given a year and one day.

What happens to the old woman's appearance at the end of the tale?

She becomes beautiful and young.

"For as a spanyel she wol on hym lepe" LINES 267-268

She compares women to dogs/animal imagery. It suggests that women are needy and looking for attention and sex from men. She implies women are incapable of independence always searching for a man to control them and look after them.

The knight tells the old hag, "You're old, and so abominably plain, / So poor to start with. . . ." What arguments does the old woman use to turn poverty and old age into virtues? Do you think her arguments are convincing?

Students should include points similar to the following: a. The old woman argues that poverty is a virtue. She supports her argument by saying that God chose a life of poverty, and if God chose that life, how can man condemn it? She goes on to say that those who accept poverty are rich. Those who don't are poor: "But truly poor are those who whine and fret/And covet what they cannot hope to get." b. She argues that old age in a wife can be an asset. With an old wife, a husband need never worry about her faithfulness: "You say I am old and fouler than a fen./You need not fear to be a cuckold, then." c. Accept any opinion that addresses the concern of the question.

Monetary Imagery: profit

"But it were for my profit and myn ese?"

Wife given sovereingty

"My lady my love, and wyf so deere, I put me in youre governance; cheseth youreself which may be moost pleasance, and moost honour to yow and me also."

Respectful toward the hag

"My leeve mooder"

Knight being respectful toward the queen

"My lige lady"

Speaking to the earth

"Myn housbonde hath longe assese eris two! Now is myn herte al hool, now is it oute. I mygthe no lenger kepe it, out of doute"

no contradictions

"Ne widwe, that contraried that he saide,"

Reiterating that she's an "expert"

"Of which I am expert in al myn age."

Assertive towards authority

"Or where comanded he virginitee?"

Protecting her husband's pride

"She nolde do that vileynie or sinne, to make hir housbonde han so foul a name."

Abiding Chastity

"Shemay no while in chastitee abide,That is assailled upon ech a side."

Admitting that she is stubborn

"Stibourne andstrong, and joly as a pie."

Monetary imagery

"That man shal yelde to his wyf hire dette?"

Christ one Wedding

"That sith Crist ne went nevere but onis to wedding, in the Cane of Galilee."

Viriginity a target

"The dart is set up of virginitee: cacche whoso may, who renneth best lat see."

choice of lifestyle

"The hye God, on whom that we bileeve, In wilful poverte chees to live his lyf."

Queen sovereignty

"The queene sittinge hirself as justice"

Unbreakable bond

"They were bounden unto me."

Burning desires

"Thou liknest it also to wilde fyr;The moore it brenneth, the moore it hath desir"

Men want from women

"Thou seist som folk deisren us for richesse, Somme for oure sha, andsomme for oure fairnesse, And som for she kan outher singe or daunce, Some for hirhandes and hir armes smale;"

Speculating authorative figure

"To be refresshed half so ofte as he! Which yifte of God hadde he for alle his wives!"

wicked book

"To reden on this book of wikked wives."

Expert in Marriage

"To speke of wo that is in mariage." "Housbondes at the chirche dore I have had five."

Poor and rich wives

"To wedde a povre womman, for costage;And if that she be riche, of heigh parage,Thanne seistow that it is a tormentrie To soffre hire pride and hire malencolie."

Chivalric Imagery

"Tou seist men may nat kepe a castel wal, It may so longe assailled been overal."

According to the old woman, what women really want is —

mastery over their husbands

Which adjective does not describe the Wife of Bath's narrative voice?

mournful

The knight was sent on a long quest by....

the queen

As a reward for giving him the answer that will save his life, the old woman demands —

to marry the knight

Define-"crone"

unattractive old woman.

Experience against authority

"Experience though noon auctoritee [...] is right ynogh for me"

Animalistic imagery

"For as a spaynel she wol on him lepe"

Arrogance isn't worth anything

"Swich arrogance is nat worth a hen."

knight was to free himself

"Taak al my good,and lat my body go."

Genitals use

"Telle me also, to what conclusion were membres maadof generacion, And of pafit wys a wight ywroght? Trusteth right wel, they were nat maad for nought."

Christ was pure

"Thanne sholde men take of chastitee no cure.Crist was a maide,and shapen as a man."

What was the result of the fight between the Wife of Bath and her fifth husband?

She is left partially deaf, but they live happily ever after

The Wife of Bath's fifth husband beat her. Why did she stay with him?

She loved him most out of all her husbands

What does the Wife of Bath think of marriage?

She thinks it is a misery and a woe; a pain

What lies did the Wife of Bath tell Johnny?

She told him she dreamed the night away thinking of him and as she laid there, he tried to kill him; she told lies to get Johnny's attention

Nobility in the age of Chivarly

"Crist wole we claime of him oure gentillesse, Nat of oure eldres fr hire old richesse."

Knight's despair

" 'My love? Nay, my dampnacioun! Allas that any of my nacioun sholde evere so foule disparaged be!"

Poor people, more freedom

" 'The pove man, whan he goth by the weye, Bifore the theves he may singe and pleye' "

Cat imagery two "slik"

"And if the cattes skin be slik and gay, She wol nat dwelle in house half a day."

Keep husband's secrets

"And nat biwreye thing that men us telle."

Frivolous, wealth

"weyden ten pounds [...] Hir hosen weren of fyn scarlet reed, Ful streite yteyd, and shoes ful moiste and newe."

Lords son

A lordes sone do shame and vileyne"

Stories from Jankyn's Book of Wicked Wives. LINE 721-740

Although these stories depict women as lying and cheating; they could also be interpreted as carrying a feminist message, as the women are shown as defying their husbands and acting independently.

He tolde me eek for what occasioun Amphiorax at Thebes loste his lyf. LIFE 740

An example of tales from Jankyn's book of Wicked Wives. The detail with which Jankyn knows the book, may show the way in which men were more familiar with antifeminist stereotypes than tales of good wives in the Bible, influencing their treatment of women.

give husbands short lives

And eek I praye Jhesu shorte hir lives

Why did the woman promise him both beauty and fidelity?

Because he let her chose, and that was what women wanted the most

What book did Johnny like to read?

Book of a collection of stories about hateful wives

"He saugh a maide walkinge him biforn, Of which maide anon, maugree hir heed, By verray force, he rafte hire maidenhed" LINES 886-898

By raping the maiden, the knight has committed a huge crime because she was a virgin, and virgins were sacred. We could argue that the Wife is subverting fairytale conventions here by turning the hero into the villain - instead of marrying the princess he dishonours her. Notice the tone that the Wife captures here: it is deliberately blunt to put an emphasis on what he has done - perhaps too much imagery would have distracted from it. To an extent this could reflect the Wife's character she is direct and straight to the point with her views.

"But al for noght, I sette noght an hawe/ Of his proverbes n'of his old sawe./ Ne I wolde not of him corrected be." LINES 659-661

Despite everything, the Wife still doesn't care about the male proverbs. This could be a way of demonstrating how the Wife is independent and strong-willed. She's pushing against Anti-feminist literature and showing how she can rise above the narrow-mindedness of men.

The knight kept his word and married her, but he was miserable. What options did the old woman give him?

For the wife to stay old but be loyal and satisfying, or be young and beautiful, but unloving and unfaithful

why are there no more elves and fairies?

Friers drove them out, and new religion

"Seyde Mida hadde, under his longe heres, Growing upon his heed two asses eres" ... "Quod she...myn housbonde hath longe asses eris two!" LINES 952 - 982

Here the Wife tells Ovid's story of Midas a mythical King who had two long asses ears. The Wife tells the story in the tale, placing blame of Midas' wife for telling everybody and betraying his trust. However, in the actual story, it is the barber who gives away Midas' secret whilst the Wife remains honset. Unlike the tale, here the Wife intentionally twists literature to make women appear negative and lying. She returns to approach of selective reading. The Wife's fast pace and confident manner makes us simply believe the tale, displaying how although her arguments are flawed, she is an intelligent women, able to trick people into believing what she wants them to.

"Fareth every knight thus with his wyf as ye?" LINE 1088

Here the genders are categorised, the 'knight' represents all men. This may therefore depict a social message that women are manipulative and in this way they treat their husbands badly.

What deal does the knight make with the old woman he meets, and how does he fulfill his bargain with her?

In exchange for the correct answer to the queen's question, the knight will do whatever the old woman asks of him. To fulfill the bargain, he marries her, because that is her demand.

"He hadde a book that he read gladly, night and day. For his desport he wolde rede alway." LINE 669

Jankyn would read his book whenever he could to use what it said against the Wife. Notice the use of scholars! Perhaps without this support Jankyn lacks any real depth in his statements. The scholars give him the body of his argument. However, we can argue, as the Wife does, that she is a scholar of marriage - she has enough experience alone to disprove his argument.

"That of thy lyf yet hastow no suretee. I grante thee kyfm if thou kanst tellen me What thing it is that wommen moost desiren." LINES 903-906

Just like in traditional fairytales and in myths the protagonist is given a quest - in this case it is to find out what women want. The Prologue becomes highly relevant now - the Wife is able to highlight exactly what women want (or what she wants) as she has suggested in the Prologue through the Tale. The way the Queen toys with the knight 'of thy lyfyet hastow no suretee' implies that she has the control - she is mocking him, embodying what the Wife does throughout - she mocks and toys with men. It is perhaps ironic how he must now submit to what a women wishes of him and he must go on a quest full of women!

What was the knight forced to do?

Marry the old ugly woman

What was the advantage the old woman had from being ugly?

No man would want her so she couldn't sleep around even if she wanted to

What is one lesson/theme a reader can learn from this tale?

Pay attention; make good decisions

What choice does the knight's wife give him?

Possible responses: She says he can choose to have her old, ugly, but loyal until she dies or he can have her young and pretty and take his chances on her loyalty.

The crime committed at the beginning of the story was?

Rape!

What did the knight do to warrant the punishment of beheading?

Raped a girl

Who saved the knight and under what condition was he let go?

The Queen; only if he could tell her what women desire most

"For all wit is yeven us in oure birthe; Deceite, weping, spinning God hath yive To wommen kindely...thus of O thyng I avaunte me" LINES 400-404

The Wife argues women were given deceit as part of their nature by God. She therefore argues that women should use these gifts to their advantage - as it's their only advantage over men. The Wife agrees to this and becomes everything the anti-feminist literature condemns women for being - unfaithful. Does she therefore loose her right to criticise men when she is actually doing exactly what they accuse her of?

"That they were marked for purgacioun, of urine, and oure bothe thinges smale were eek to knowe a femele from a male, and for noon oothr cause,- say ye no?" LINES 120-123

The Wife ponders the true function of male and female genitals, and how people see them. She challenges the idea from her society that sexual organs were only for urination, almost as if their true function is being glanced over by society in strict adherence to the bible. The Wife is asking, why have the sexual organs if we can't engage in sex?

Like the Pardoner, the Wife of Bath tells the other pilgrims a tale that expresses an important point she wants to make. In some ways the story is similar to a fairy tale, and it teaches a moral. What elements of the story fit the characteristics of a fairy tale, and what is the point that the Wife of Bath wants to make? Use details from the selection to support your answer.

The elements of the story that resemble a fairy tale include: a. It is set in ancient days when there were fairies in the land. b. It involves a knight and a damsel in distress. c. It includes a quest. d. The knight succeeds when he does what is right. e. The old hag is magically transformed into a beautiful young woman. f. The knight and the woman live happily ever after. The Wife of Bath tells this story to make the point that a marriage can only be happy if the wife dominates the husband. Since she has been married five times, she would seem to have a vested interest in this view.

"He yaf me al the bridel in myn hand, To han the governance of hous and land" LINES 813-814

The giving over of power defies the male dominated society of the 14th Century. Generally men had all the wealth-arguably to prevent women from leaving them- if they had no money they had no means to support themselves, independence wasn't an option. The word "bridel" connotes a horse and therefore holding the reign. This conjures the image of a horse and rider where the rider has ultimate control.

"But truly poor are they who whine and fret And covet what they cannot get. And he that, having nothing, covents not, Is rich, though you may think he is a sot [fool]."

The rich are more likely to complain and whine more because they want new things but the poor are happy with everything they recieve.

Which of the following statements best describes the end of the tale?

The rioters meet death.

Tho redde he me how Sampson loste his heres, Slepynge , his lemman kitte it hir sheres. LINE 721

The story of how Sampson's wife cut his hair in his sleep. This is an example of the antifeminist literature in Jankyn's Book of Wicked Wives. The Wife often uses these stereotypes to excuse her behaviour ; by suggesting this is the way women are expected to be.

"I am she which that saved hath your lyf" LINE 1092

This is the old woman protesting about the guilt the knight could be making her feel. This however creates sympathy for the woman despite the idea that she forced the knight into marriage.

"And so bifel it that king Arthour, Hadde in hous a lust bacheler' LINES 882-883

The way that the Wife starts the real narrative of her story could again be linked into a traditional fairytale, she draws her audience in with 'And so bifel' translated as 'it so happened' it is a way of stepping out from the action of the story to reengage her audience. The way the knight is described as a 'lusty bachelor' could be oxymoronic: it is like he is a sexual predator, contrary to the image readers may have of a noble knight - again giving women the upper hand as it seems that men are only desperate to fulfill their sexual desires. However, given Chaucer's time of writing, knights were said to be greedy and chivalrous - which could again be foreshadowing the idea that people cannot simply be born noble - the title of a 'knight' does not imply a gentile nature.

"His olde wyf lay smilinge" LINE 1086

The wife lying smiling suggests that she is mocking him. She knows that she has forced him into a 'horrible' situation and she is taking pleasure from his pain. Alternatively she may be feeling happy that she merely has such an attractive husband. The humour created in this situation reinforces the 'sham' marriage.

And al day after hidde him as an owle, So wo was him his wyf looked so foule. LINE 1078

This presents the knight as selfish and superficial and can be linked to the imagery of the cat previously applied to women. This may also link to the painting of the lion by suggesting that if it had been women depicting men then they would show them in the same way.

"I trowe I loved hym best, for that he Was of his love daungerous to me" LINES 513-514

This quote is crucial to understanding the relationship between Janekyn and Alisyn. It announces the fact that he was the only one she truly cared about. It also potentially speaks volumes about her other husbands, suggesting they weren't loved due to their weak nature.

"What sholde I taken keep hem for to plese, But it were for my profit and myn ese?" LINES 213-214

This quote shows the extremely bold, controversial characterisation of the Wife from Chaucer. She asks why she should have to take care to please and impress her husbands if it didn't *directly benefit* her in wealth. This suggests a lack of true love and also the Wife's fixation on material possessions.

What did the knight choose?

To let the woman pick

What is the lesson or the moral of the tale?

To love people regardless of what they look like.

What final choive does the old woman offer the knight?

To marry her or he will have a curse

"I am al Venerien/ In feelynge, and myn herte is Marcien./ Venus me yaf my lust, my likerousnesse,/ And Mars yaf me my sturdy hardynesse" LINE 609

Translation - She was born at a time when the planets of Mars and Venus crossed paths (astrology). She claims that Mars gave her practicality and strength, while Venus gave her lust and desire. She could use this as an excuse for what some might have seen as sinful/immoral/cruel behaviour as astrology was widely believed in the medieval times, so she could just blame that rather than taking responsibility herself.

What was the first punishment that the knight had?

Was death then he had to go find what woman desired most.

What question does the queen ask the knight to correctly answer in order to spare his life?

What do women want more than anything in the world?

What was the answer to the Queen's question?

Women desire complete control over their husbands

Lo, Heere expres of woman may ye fynde , That womman was the los of al mankynde LINE 719

Women were the downfall of mankind. This is an example of how anti feminist literature condemned women.

Knight's answer

Wommen desiren to havesovereigntee as wel over hir housbondeas hir love, and for to been in maistrie him above. This is youre mooste desir, though ye me kille. Dooth as yow list; I am heer at youre wille."

Is the tale suited to the teller? In other words, is it appropriate that the Wife of Bath should tell this particular tale?

Yes, becasue it's about how love works and how you should love someone for who they are instead of their looks.

Is the tale effective in teaching this moral? Explain.

Yes, because it explains hwo love is not about looks but instead it's about what's on the inside.

unreasonably stubborn

obstinate

God sende...

God sende hem soone verray pestilence.

" 'Syn I may chese and governe as me lest?'/ 'Ye, certes, wyf' quod he, 'I holde it best' " LINE 1237-1238

He appears to have truly changed! He is giving his wife total freedom of choice and sees that it is right for her to have this decision.

What does the knight decide?

He decided to let her decide which of those options will be better for him and her.

In what way does his responce show that he has finaly learned his lesson?

He said she can have whatever she wants.

What are the knight's reasons for not being able to love his new wife?

He says she is old, plain, poor, and low-bred, meaning not of "gentle birth" or nobility.

"No empty-handed man can lure a bird", said the Wife of Bath. Explain what she meant.

Her husband had to do something nice to her before she would do something nice for him

"He saugh upon a daunce go Of ladies foure and twenty, and yet mol towards the whiche daunce he drow ful yerne, in hope that som wisdome sholde he lerne" LINE 991- 994

Here the knight comes across the witchy ladies dancing in the woods. We can see he is immediately drawn to the women which suggests he hasn't yet learnt from his ways and is still lusting after beautiful women. However, it is also important to note that the knight approaches the women in the hope they can teach him what is it is that women want most. It is ironic that the knight now willingly goes towards women seeking knowledge. The Wife's Tale and set the reader up know that men view themselves as greater than women, and so the Knight asking women for help is a very cleverly planned feminist display exposing the need for both sexes.

"For as an hors i koude byte and whyne" LINE 386

Here, the Wife compares herself to a horse. Unlike when compared by men, she casts herself into this animal imagery. A horse is known to be a stubborn animals and she perhaps she is deeming herself stubborn. The Wife also says she can bite and whine suggesting she knows she can be manipulative and cunning, but is proud of these abilities - hence why she is telling this tale to a group of men?

"And for to been a wyf he yaf me leve of indulgence, so nys it no repreve, to wedde me." LINES 83-85

Here, the Wife is directly implying that when one of her husbands dies, there isn't any shame in her wanting to remarry, or at least believes there shouldn't be a general view of shame from others regarding it.

"And that he seyde, 'myn owene trewe wyf..." LINE 819

Here, the Wife is quotes a symbolic turning point in her and Jankyn's relationship - he finally rejects the stereotype that all women are liars and cheats, stops his accusations and accepts Alysoun as his 'own true wife'.

What choice does the old woman give her new husband, the knight?

She gives the choice for her to be old and disgusting until the day she dies but be humble and faithful to him and never upset him or he can have her beautiful and young and take the risk that she'll cheat on him.

"A fouler wight ther may no man devyse" LINE 999

The Knight sees the 'old hag' for the first time - has he really changed? She is immediately described as the object of a man. TWOB could be hinting that he still has to learn.

"I do no fors the wheither of the two" LINE 1234

The Knight tells the 'old hag' that she can choose whether she would like to be young and beautiful or ugly and faithful. He says he will not 'fors' her, which could be ironic, as he raped a girl and so is used to using force on a woman, or could show that he has truly changed.

How does the knight feel about upholding his end of the deal with the old woman?

The knight doesn't want to marry the wrinkly, ugly, and old lady.

"God helpe me so, I was to hym as kynde as any wyf from Denmark unto Ynde" LINE 823-824

This is an ambiguous statement from the Wife, as 'kynde' could be interpreted as literally kind to her husband, or she could mean 'kynde' as in "according to one's nature" - which we know can be devious and manipulative. So, has she really changed at all? Do they really live in wedded bliss after that?

"God myn herte wolde breste!" LINE 1103

This is another use of religion in order to create a more powerful argument. This technique was often used throughout the prologue (another suggestion that the old woman is a representation of TWoB herself.) The woman is suggesting that God treats everyone equal therefore someone so lowly in comparison such as a knight should similarly respect lower classes.

"Al were he short, or long, or blak, or whit;/ I took no kep, so that he liked me" LINE 624

Translation - she doesn't care what her men look like, she will sleep with them as long as they like her/she likes them - ambiguous! This line is very ambiguous and which way it's read changes its meaning hugely. If it is read as 'if they liked me' then some critics argue it hints at prostitution; if read as 'so i liked them', then it emphasises the idea of her huge sexual appetite and could contradict her earlier statement that she was always faithful.

What does the knight accuse the woman of?

being poor