"The Wife of Bath's Tale"
Things to Consider:
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Piety vs. Hypocrisy
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Role / View of Women
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Allegory?
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Relation of Storyteller to Story
** Homework Questions **
569:
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What is Chaucer's purpose in telling this tale?
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What is the Wife of Bath's purpose?
570:
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Why, according to the Wife of Bath, are there no more elves and fairies?
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Why is the Knight condemned to die?
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Why does the Queen grant the Knight a reprieve? What task does
she give him?
571:
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What is it that women desire most?
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What must the Knight give as reward to the old woman who gives him the
answer?
572:
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Explain: "Nobility hangs not from ancient possessions, since folk
perform not always its works, as does the fire, lo! according to its nature"
(572). How is fire functioning here?
573:
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Is justice served in this tale? Does everyone get what he or she deserves?
Explain.
Other Discussion Questions:
570:
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What is mendicancy?
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What is a "wight"?
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Who is Midas?
572:
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What does "eke" mean?
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Explain: "Christ wills that we claim our gentility from Him, not
from our ancestors' ancient wealth" (572).
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Explain: "Cheerful poverty is an honorable thing" (572).