First of all, you must understand what the story is telling you. Here are some websites that may help:
http://www.courses.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/teachslf/wbt-par.htm
Scroll down for the "interlinear" translation -- that is, modern-day English between the lines of Chaucer's English.
http://www.universalteacher.org.uk/poetry/wifebath.htm
Scroll down to the sections on the Wife of Bath, both in the prologue and her tale.
http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/wife.htm
http://www.unc.edu/depts/chaucer/zatta/wife.html
Once you understand the story, let us know if you still don't know how to answer the questions.
=)
1. Characterize the Wife of Bath's " philosophy" of marriage. Is this philosophy logical from her point of view? How?
2. What elements of the Wife of Bath's tale characterize it as a romance?
I don't understand what #1. is asking me so I have no idea how to respond. I also don't understand how this is a romance I didn't get that when I read the story. Could someone help? Thanks so much!
4 answers
Here is the literary definition of "romance". You will see that the Wife of Bath's tale definitely fits.
The following sites will help you with her philosophy. Be sure to read the preamble to the tale.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/canterbury/section10.rhtml
http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmCanterbury49.asp
The following sites will help you with her philosophy. Be sure to read the preamble to the tale.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/canterbury/section10.rhtml
http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmCanterbury49.asp
Definiton of Romance
2. A mysterious or fascinating quality or appeal, as of something adventurous, heroic, or strangely beautiful: "These fine old guns often have a romance clinging to them" Richard Jeffries.
3.
a. A long medieval narrative in prose or verse that tells of the adventures and heroic exploits of chivalric heroes: an Arthurian romance.
b. A long fictitious tale of heroes and extraordinary or mysterious events, usually set in a distant time or place.
c. The class of literature constituted by such tales.
2. A mysterious or fascinating quality or appeal, as of something adventurous, heroic, or strangely beautiful: "These fine old guns often have a romance clinging to them" Richard Jeffries.
3.
a. A long medieval narrative in prose or verse that tells of the adventures and heroic exploits of chivalric heroes: an Arthurian romance.
b. A long fictitious tale of heroes and extraordinary or mysterious events, usually set in a distant time or place.
c. The class of literature constituted by such tales.
I understand the knight makes a deal with the crone as he swore to do whatever she tells him to do. But how would I cite that she essentially saves his life? Would I use a quote that the crone says or quote the knight's answer to the queen? Or use both?