Lesson 4 The Wife of Bath Gentillesse was
Lesson 4 The Wife of Bath
‘Gentillesse’ was a concept which linked virtue with high birth. It was thought that members of the nobility automatically inherited the virtues of chivalry, courtesy, generosity and morality. In other words, these people were considered to be naturally genteel in their behaviour. However, writers began to look beyond the superficial attributes of birth towards the essential characteristics of a person. “Gentillesse” became associated with moral qualities, aspects of a person’s virtue. In the Wife of Bath’s tale, the hag’s main point is that these qualities belong to character, not social rank or birth. She dismisses the medieval view- that a person’s quality is determined by their birth- and endorses the modern view that a person’s quality is demonstrated in the quality of their life and actions. Persons of low birth, she argues, can be virtuous by nature too. The Wife of Bath perhaps wants to indicate that all men are at fault because they do not live up to the ideals contained in the word “gentillesse”. When applied to the Wife herself, it is evident that she lacks any of the qualities signalled by “gentillesse”. As Chaucer’s own family rose in social status from fairly humble origins then it is likely that Chaucer had a personal interest in the concept of gentillesse”. Read the text and then explain in your own words what is meant by the term ’gentillesse’. Stretch: What does this quotation suggest? ‘As Chaucer’s own family rose in social status from fairly humble origins then it is likely that Chaucer had a personal interest in the concept of gentillesse’
The Wife of Bath How would you describe this character? Make sure to: • Write in full sentences • Produce at least four sentences • Include at least five impressive adjectives Stretch: Produce a monologue from the perspective of the character giving an indication of her personality.
1. Read the Wife of Bath’s prologue and copy and complete the passage below by locating the answers from the prologue: The Wife of Bath was _____. She was skilled at weaving ________. She was even better than the weavers from ____ and ______. She wore a huge head covering which probably ______ ten pounds. Her stockings were a brilliant _______. She had fine, supple _____. She had an attractive face and a ______ complexion. She had been married ____ times. She had also had other company when she was younger. She had been on many ______. She had been to ____ three times. There were _______ in her teeth. She had broad ______. She wore sharp _____. 2. Write a description in your own words of The Wife of Bath based on evidence from the text. How is The Wife of Bath presented in the text?
The Wife of Bath’s Tale
A lusty young knight in Arthur’s court is riding through the forest when he spies a beautiful maid. Overcome with desire, he rapes her. The court is outraged, and according to law, the knight should be beheaded. But the queen and her ladies intervene to spare him, and King Arthur bows to his wife’s counsel. The queen tells the knight that if, in a year’s time, he can answer the question of what women want, his life will be spared. The knight sets forth sorrowfully through the countryside and asks the question of every woman he meets. Everyone answers differently. Some say riches; some say honor; some, jolliness; lust; clothes; etc. Some say that women want to be free. Some say that women’s greatest desire is to be able to deceive and keep secrets. The day comes when the knight must return to court. As he is riding past the forest, he sees a group of women dancing and decides to ask them his question. But before he can come close, the dancers vanish, and only an remains. She asks him what his question is, and he promises to reward her if she can tell him what women want. The old woman says that she can help him, but he must pledge his life to her. The knight agrees, and she whispers a message in his ear.
The knight and the old woman go to court, where a large audience of the queen and her maids is assembled, waiting to hear the knight’s answer. He tells them that women desire sovereignty over their husbands and lovers. The women in the audience agree that this is the right answer, and his life is spared. At that moment, the old woman comes forward and demands that the knight marry her. The knight recoils in horror, begging her to take his possessions instead of his body, but the old woman insists, and he is forced to wed and bed her, and the knight is miserable the whole time. While they are in bed, the old woman asks the knight why he is so despondent, and the knight replies that he is repulsed by her “loothly” and “oold” appearance. The old woman reminds him that true gentleness and character are on the inside, not the outside. Sons of noble blood may be villainous; true poverty, she says, is in greed and longing for what you do not have. The old woman gives the knight a choice. She can remain ugly but faithful and virtuous; or she can be beautiful, but he must take his chances that she may stray and cuckold him. The knight thinks for a while, then says that the choice is hers, thus granting her sovereignty. Since the knight gives her the authority to choose for herself, the old woman says that she will be both beautiful and true. She tells him to kiss her, and when he does so, she transforms into a young woman, and they live happily ever after. The Wife of Bath concludes with a plea that Christ send all women meek, young, and fresh husbands who will not outlive their wives.
• Are there any morals or messages contained in The Wife of Bath’s Tale? • Stretch: How can the tale of The Wife of Bath be seen as a tale which explores early feminist ideas?
• What knowledge have you learnt today? • What skills have you learnt/developed today? • How has your previous learning helped you today?
- Slides: 9