The Wife of Bath's Tale

What does the knight discover is the answer to what women want?

• Power and control

• Love and affection

• Beauty and youth

• Equality and sovereignty

Tags

RL.11-12.5

RL.11-12.1

RI.2

RL.11-12.3

The central theme of the tale revolves around the knight's dilemma and his quest to find the answer to the question of what women desire most. This conflict drives the plot forward because the knight discovers that no two women _______.

In the tale, the Wife of Bath explores the dynamics of marriage and relationships, focusing on the _____ of power and control. This becomes a significant aspect of her character and the story she narrates.

1. Chaucer uses _________ throughout the story. For example, the knight must learn about women's desires to avoid punishment, and he learns this from an outspoken and independent woman, the Wife of Bath, who does not conform to traditional gender expectations.

(a)  

• Irony

• Foreshadowing

• Imagery

• Metaphor

Chaucer uses ________ to comment on various aspects of society, including the church and the legal system. The character of the Wife of Bath herself can be seen as a satirical portrayal of women who challenge societal norms.

Tags

RL.11-12.3

RL.11-12.5

RL.11-12.1

RI.2

1. Chaucer using the loathly lady's transformation into a beautiful woman after the knight gives her control is an example of

​ (a)  

• Symbolism

• Idiom

• Allusion

• Hyperbole

Chaucer employs _____ to hint at the moral lessons to be learned from the tale, such as the consequences of not giving women control in a relationship.

Tags

RL.11-12.3

RL.11-12.5

RL.11-12.1

RI.2

Chaucer makes references to classical and biblical literature, adding depth to the narrative and demonstrating his knowledge of and engagement with these texts.

• Metaphor

• Allusion

• Allegory

• Etymology

How does the Wife of Bath justify her multiple marriages?

• By citing religious texts

• By claiming it's for love

• By arguing for women's rights

• By stating it's for financial stability

Tags

RL.11-12.1

RI.2

RL.11-12.5

RL.11-12.3

Is the Wife of Bath's Tale an example of early Feminism?

(We will discuss as a class)

• Yes

• No