Based on the excerpt, the old woman asks the knight to choose which wife he wants because she believes that by giving her husband what he truly wants, he will be happy and fulfilled in the marriage.
The conclusion we can draw about the Knight based on his response to the old woman is that he has listened to the old woman and passed the test.
from The Wife of Bath
“You have two choices; which one will you try?
To have me old and ugly till I die,
But still a loyal, true, and humble wife
That never will displease you all her life,
Or would you rather I were young and pretty
And chance your arm what happens in a city
Where friends will visit you because of me,
Yes, and in other places too, maybe.
Which would you have? The choice is all your own.”
The knight thought long, and with a piteous groan
At last he said, with all the care in life,
“My lady and my love, my dearest wife,
I leave the matter to your wise decision.
You make the choice yourself, for the provision
Of what may be agreeable and rich
In honor to us both, I don’t care which;
Whatever pleases you suffices me.”
“And have I won the mastery?” said she,
“Since I’m to choose and rule as I think fit?”
“Certainly, wife,” he answered her, “that’s it.”
“Kiss me,” she cried. “No quarrels! On my oath
And word of honor, you shall find me both,
That is, both fair and faithful as a wife;
May I go howling mad and take my life
Unless I prove to be as good and true
As ever wife was since the world was new!
And if tomorrow when the sun’s above
I seem less fair than any lady-love,
Than any queen or empress east or west,
Do with my life and death as you think best.
Cast up the curtain, husband. Look at me!”
And when indeed the knight had looked to see,
Lo, she was young and lovely, rich in charms.
In ecstasy he caught her in his arms . . .
Based on the excerpt above, why does the old woman ask the knight to choose which wife he wants?
She is testing him to see if he has learned what wives truly want.
She believes that a man should have all control in a marriage.
She believes that by giving her husband what he truly wants he will be happy and fulfilled in the marriage.
She is skeptical about marriage and his response only further proves her skepticism.
What conclusion can we draw about the Knight based on his response to the old woman?
He does not believe women are capable of making their own decisions.
He does not believe in love or marriage.
He did not learn anything from the lesson she was trying to teach him.
He has listened to the old woman and passed the test.
1 answer
1 answer