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6 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is the Wife's views on multiple marriages? |
The wife believes multiple marriages are legitimate, as long as the are sequential rather than concurrent. She feutes that you should only be married once as Jesus in the Bible "of no nombre made", she regards herself as justified in her 5 marriages citing the case of King Soloman who "hadde wive mo than oon" and others such as Abraham and Jacob. Similarly she refutes that a widow should not re-marry, claiming authority of St Paul "th'apostle seith that I am free/To wedde". As she has a strong sexual appetite she says marriage stops her sinning. |
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Describe the nature of "gentillesse" |
The nature is not precisely define, but is carefully delineated by the had in her digression during the Tale. She starts by explain a "gentil man" is one who is "moost virtuous always... to do the gentil dedes that he kan". That is to say that gentilesse is an inward characteristic expressed by noble actions. She concludes that gentiesse means "to liven virtuously and weive sinne". She also notes that it is a God-given quality - not derived from social position, inheritance or lineage. |
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Why does Jankyn cite the "wikked wyves"? |
Jankyn cites 10 specific examples of "wikked wyves", followed by many general references. In doing so he is following medieval practice - the Middle Ages gave enormous precedence to the power of authorites (not only the Bible but other texts) and given that opinion was more secure given authorities it follows that Jankyn would use as many as possible to validate his opinion. |
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Why did the Wife tell the tale she did? |
The Tale is based on a popular and well-known story that would've been familiar to Chaucer's audience. The story itself suits the Wife's theme of what "wommen moost desiren" and the answer being "sovereinentee" is ideal for the Wife's argument - she can portray males as subdued and easy to control whilst women hold the power this is emphasised by the Wife making the knight guilty of rape thus always at fault.
Remember - The Tale existed before the Wife did. |
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How successful is Chaucer's use of the rhyming couplet form? |
Chaucer uses rhymed iambic pentameters flexibly. The form is known as the Heroic Couplet because it is often used for epic or lofty narratives. Chaucer uses it for vivid and memorable comedy. The Prologue is a technical tour de force, employing a seemingly rigid form to imitate the free and flowing natural speech rhythms of a garrulous woman. At times he cuts it up to produce short phrases, sometimes he cuts across the rhyme to diminish the predictability of the couplet and frequently he allows the couplet to have an epigrammatic force. |
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Comment on the Chaucer's ability to create natural speech for the Wife |
Chaucer gives the Wife natural speech phrasings, colloquial language and usage, frequent exclamations and rhetorical questions, alongside more developed and sophisticated speech structures. The resulting blend creates a distinctive personal voice. He can be seen as the precursor of Shakespeare in this creation of personality of language. |
