The Wife of Bath's Tale

A. What crime does the lusty bachelor commit? B. What is "maidenhead"? [Hint: This does not mean he decapitated the girl, as some students have mistakenly declared.]

A. Rape B. Virginity

How does the hag's appearance change at the end of the story?

He kisses her and she becomes pretty. [and then they have sex] (415-427)

When is this tale set? (i.e., during what mythical king's reign)

King Author's time (31)

"By course of law. He was as good as dead (It seems that then the statutes took that view) But that the queen, and other ladies too, Implored the king to exercise his grace So ceaselessly, he gave the queen the case And granted her his life, and she could choose Whether to show him mercy or refuse."

The King had decided to execute the knight, but the queen and other ladies in the court plead for his life. the king left the knights life in the queens hands. in the word of Zack "hold my beer, i got a way to make this entertaining"

How long does the Knight have to fulfill this mission?

12 months and a day (85-86)

What does the Old Hag say she wants in return for providing the answer to the knight's riddle? (Hint: She doesn't tell the knight she wants to marry him.)

"Give me your hand,'' she said "and swear to do Whatever I shall next require of you" (185-186)

"What is the thing that a woman desires most?"

"A Woman wants the self-same sovereignty over her husband as over her lover, and master him; he must not be above her."

Which of these two options does the knight pick (trick question...)?

"My lady and my love, my dearest wife, I leave the matter to you You make the choice yourself," (406-408)

What strange sight does the knight see while riding through the forest on his return journey?

24 ladies dancing in the woods, but when he approaches them they vanish (167- 172)

A. What is the initial punishment King Arthur orders for the knight? B. Who intervenes and requests a special trial?

A. "He condemned the knight to lose his head"(67) B. the queen and the other ladies (70- 71)

A. What defense does the hag provide for her poverty and her ugliness? B. Why are these advantages, according to her?

A. Jesus chose a life of poverty (354-356) B. the poor are rich in other ways heard men respect old age (385-386) "filth and old age" are "powerful wardens over Chasity"

"He saw a dance upon the leafy floor Of four and twenty ladies, nay, an dmore. Eagerly he approached, in hope to learn Some words of wisdom ere he should return; But lo! Before he came to where they were, Dancers and dance all vanished into air!"

He sees 24+ ladies dancing in the woods and decides to approach them to ask his question, but they vanish in thin air.

"You have two choices; which one will you try? To have me old and ugly till I die, But still a loyal, true, and humble wife That never will displease you all her life, Or would you rather I were young and pretty And chance your arm what happens in a city Where friends will visit you because of me, Yes, and in other places too, maybe. Which would you have? The choice is all your own."

I'll give you two choices. I'll be old and ugly forever, but the perfect wife. Or I'll be young and pretty, but something might happen in the city (lovers or rapist) and your friends will visit to see me and might fall in love. Which do you want ?

"My lady and my love, my dearest wife, I leave the matter to your wise decision. You make the choice yourself, for the provision Of what may be agreeable and rich In honour to us both, I don't care which; Whatever pleases you suffices me."

My dearest wife, it is your choice. what ever you want is what I want.

What must the knight do to save his head (i.e., what mission does the court give him)?

answer the question "What is the thing that a woman desires most?" (80-81)

What two options does the hag present to the knight?

have her be old and true or young and the possibility of something happening in the city (395-402)

What problem does the Knight find when he starts asking women what they want?

he keeps getting different answers

According to the Wife of Bath, why can't people see elves anymore? What has driven them out of their natural habitat?

lines 38-40 the " holy friars seem to have purged the air"

What are the Queen and the court's reaction to the knight's answer?

no-one disagrees and "Maid, wife and widow cried, 'He's saved his life!" (219-221)

What does the hag teach the young knight about nobility in her lecture? What makes a person "noble" or "gentle" according to her?

nobility and gentleness are inherited from God and in deeds (285-314) gentleness is not attached to "nature of possesions" (323)

What does the Wife of Bath mean when she states, "There is no other incubus than he [the friar]"?

she is calling the friar a rapist or she is saying that he is the vile thing that got rid of the faeries (53-56)

What happens to the maid riding alone through the corn?

she is raped by the knight: "By very force he took her maidenhead."(64)

"At last she said, 'Bless us! Is this, my dear, How knights and wives get on together here? Are these the laws of good King Arthur's house? Are knights of his all so contemptuous? I am your own beloved and your wife, And I am she, indeed, that saved your life;"

the old woman is the first to break the awkward silence: is this how knights and their wives spend their first knight together? Is this King Arthur's rule? Are all Knights this scornful of their wives? I am your wife, and i saved you live.

Who is in charge of this special trial for the rapist knight?

the queen (72- 74)

What are the wedding celebrations like when the knight marries the hag? (trick question...)

there was no joy or feast, "He married her in private on the morrow and all day long stayed hidden like an owl," (254- 257)

What do the twenty-four women do or what happens to them as the knight approaches?

they they vanish and all that is left is a crone (171-172)

11. Which of the following items listed is NOT a response given by women when he asks them the question? • Honour, • Jollity, • Prettiness, • Gorgeous clothes, • Fun in bed, • Widowhood, • Re-marriage, • Flattery, • Attentions (attentiveness), • Being free to do what they want, • Being held constant and trustworthy

to be held constant and trustworthy

"Yet you shall live if you can answer me: What is the thing that women most desire? Beware the axe and say as I require."

we wont kill you if you can answer: "what is the thing that women want most?" if you answer wrong we kill you.