The Wife of Bath’s Tale

Instructions: Follow the instructions in this slideshow as you read “The Wife of Bath’s Tale.” You may work with a partner to complete the study guide. Each student must turn in their own completed copy of the study guide. The entire assignment is worth 51 points.

Page 1 Complete vocab practice. Up next: Background Information

Women in Medieval Times It was commonly believed that compared to men, women were… Not as Strong Not as smart Not as morally good It was all because of Eve. Continue to learn why…

Adam and Eve The Medieval church leaders taught that the snake targeted Eve because she was not as strongly committed to God. Also, she was easy to fool and obviously more evil since she gave in to Satan’s temptaion. All women were said to be daughters of Eve who shared her weakness .

The negative view of Eve and of women in general was constantly reinforced. In a popular drama of the story Adam, after hurling a wailing Eve to the ground, kicking her, and dragging her by the hair, cries out in anger: “Oh, evil woman, full of treason, Forever contrary to reason, Bringing no man good in any season: Our children's children to the end of time Will feel the cruel whiplash of your crime!”

Life of Medieval Women Both noble and peasant Medieval women had a difficult life. Most women of both social classes were restricted to household tasks such as cooking, sewing, weaving and spinning. In addition to household tasks, peasant women worked in the fields. However, women also hunted for food and some fought in battles. Chaucer’s character, the Wife of Bath, is not a typical Medieval woman. Watch for ways that she is different from what her time period expects her to be.

Study Guide Page 2 Wife of Bath’s Prologue, Page 180 We heard the Wife of Bath speak about her past five husbands in the video. Due to her experience and expertise, her tale will be about marriage and its problems. Stanza 1- the Pardoner is speaking to the Wife of Bath Stanza 2 – The Wife of Bath speaks to the group Stanza 3 – Pardoner/ Wife of Bath speak Answer 1-3

List of Characters Fill in information as you learn about various characters in this tale. Don’t forget to complete this section when you have finished reading.

During Reading Questions Page 182 The first stanza is a difficult passage in the poem. Here the Wife of Bath is describing the setting of her tale. She wants her audience to think about knights, magic, fairies, elves, and the good old days when those sorts of things were popular. Answer questions 1 & 2

Page 182-183 Answer questions 3-5.

Page 183 Lines 75 – 88 describe the queen or are statements spoken by the queen. In line 75 “him” refers to King Author. She thanks him for giving her the trial. The queen calls for the knight and addresses him by saying… “You stand…in no way certain of your life.” She continues to speak to the knight. Answer questions 6-7

Page 183-185 Read about the knight’s quest in lines 89-126. Answer questions 7-11 Line 127 -158 the Wife of Bath gets sidetracked by another story she remembers which proves her opinion about women. She starts telling that story to make her point.

Page 185-188 Read line 159 “This knight that I am telling you about…” to line 258. Answer questions 12-16

Page 188 Read lines 259-284 And continue…

Unhappily ever after… While in bed, the loathsome hag asks the knight why he is so sad. He replies that he could hardly bear the shame of having such an ugly, lowborn wife. His problems with her: “You are too common, ugly, and too poor for me!” Answer question 17

Page 188- 190 (line 352) The 1st Crone’s argument: Too common Asks him what makes someone “gentle” or noble? Is it really passed through family? Can noble character be bequeathed? There have been sons of noble fathers, she argues, who were shameful and villainous, though they shared the same blood. Gentle and noble deeds make a noble man or woman-- judge by that. Answer question 18

Page 190 - 191 (line 353- 382) The Crone’s 2nd argument: Too poor Yes but the church teaches the value of a life of poverty You don’t have to fear a thief Reveals your true friends You can’t buy happiness: real riches lie in having little and wanting nothing. Answer question 19

Page 191 (beginning at line 383) The Crone’s 3rd argument: Too old and ugly Yes, but … ugly is safe No one will want me so I will never cheat on you You don’t have to worry about your friends or neighbors hitting on me Answer Question 20

The options: Would you rather have a wife who is ugly but loyal and good, or a wife who is young and hot but also flirtatious and unfaithful. (line 395) Answer question 21

Page 192 Read line 404 to the end of the tale. Answer questions 22- 24.

Answer a. by reviewing background information on women and other handouts on this character. Why does it make sense that the Wife of Bath would tell this story?

Answer b. Transformation… “For by my truth, to you I will be both; That is to say, I'll be both good and fair.” Make sure your answer includes the answer which saves the knight’s life.

Check your work and turn it in!