Comparing Wife Of Bath's Tale And Sir Gawain And The Green Knight

The Natural Road of Agreements

Spiritual guide, Buddha Shakyamuni argues that “there are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting” (“Buddha Quote”). In order for an agreement to be made, a truth must be spoken. Agreements, certainly, don’t achieve totality until the road to truth goes all the way. If one party decides to omit the truth, the agreement will be dissolved. No matter the time period, this idea of truths and agreements has and will forever hold true. Once one lies, credibility to oneself disappears. In Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” and the anonymous Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, agreements are made but truths become impure which is a direct reflection on one’s character.

Once an agreement is made, a truth is made, a pact that must be fulfilled. Chaucer’s “The Wife of Bath's Tale” centers itself around agreements. The queen says, “‘I’ll grant you life if you can tell to me / What thing it is that women most desire’” (75). A knight agrees to this, which then holds his character until the deep is filled. See, if he fails then he will become a liar. If he becomes a liar, then no one would ever want to make an agreement with him. Towards the end of the tale the knight cries “I so promised I will not protest. / But for God’s love pray make a new request”(5). While he may not

If any knight be so bold as to prove my words let him come swiftly to me here, and take this weapon, I quit claim to it, he may keep it as his own, and I will abide this stroke, firm, on the floor. Then shalt thou give me the right to deal him another, the respite of a year and a day shall he have. Now haste, and let see whether any here dare say aught’