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Wife Of Bath Dbq

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Questions:

2.) In this section, the Wife of Bath comments on the different answers given to the Knight, and her comments give insight to her opinions and views of women. For example, the text states, “Others assert we women find it sweet when we are thought dependable, discreet and secret, firm of purpose and controlled, never betraying things that we are told. But that’s not worth the handle of a rake; women conceal a thing? For Heaven’s sake!” This quote suggests that the Wife of Bath believes all women are incapable of keeping a secret, which is an untrue and harmful stereotype. Her main opinion on women seems to be that while they wish to appear wise, pure, and good on the outside, it does not mean they are perfect internally and many …show more content…

In the very beginning the story, the Wife of Bath mentions that fairy folk had been driven away by holy friars who bless every place they visit. As the text states, “...Saying his matins and his holy things, walking his limit round from town to town. Women can now go safely up and down by every bush or under every tree; there is no other incubus but he, so there is really no one else to hurt you, and he will do no more than take your virtue.” This statement means that while a friar is considered a holy, sinless person, it is common for friars to rape women, or take their virtue. This is an example of looks being …show more content…

In the second-to-last stanza, it appears that the woman had decided that the knight had fully learned his lesson, and they were able to have a happy relationship. The last stanza seems to be an ideal that the Wife of Bath holds. Instead of wives being, “meek and young and fresh in bed,” the Wife of Bath wishes for men to be held to that same standard. She also prays that any man who, “won’t be governed by their wives” to be killed, meaning that she wants men to hold the same amount of respect for their romantic partner as anyone else, otherwise they should be punished. These stanzas offer a satisfying conclusion, while also adding in the Wife of Bath’s ideas of gender equality and respect.

Vocab:

1.) To bequeath means to pass on or grant something to a person. Each of her husbands had something that she wanted, possibly money, estate, or some other gain.
2.) In older terms, virtue refers to a woman’s purity or virginity. If a nun’s outfit protects her virtue, it is most likely plain, full-covering, and considered “unattractive.”
3.) To rebuke someone means to offer sharp disapproval, or scolding. The Wife most likely was very disapproving of the Friar’s tale.
4.) If a person has sovereignty over their financial affairs, it means that they have the independent freedom to spend their money in any way they choose.
5.) A preamble is an introduction to something. If the Wife of Bath gave a very long preamble,

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