Directions: The narrator of a story is the character or voice that tells the story to the reader. The narrator often reveals his or her own personality through the telling of the story. In her tale, the Wife of Bath offers her views on certain topics. Summarize each plot event in the chart then explain what each reveals about the narrator’s beliefs.
Plot Event
Narrator’s Beliefs About…
(Lines 10-15): Wife of Bath discourages Pardoner from getting married because of her hardships in married life
Marriage:
(47-56): Describes the role of friars in the land
Clergymen:
(57-64): Knight rapes a young woman
Male Attitude:
(65-74): King sentences Knight to death, but gives Queen control over case at her request
Male Attitude:
(80-86): Queen orders Knight to discover what women most desire for his punishment or he will be killed
Male Weakness:
(101-110; 121-127): Knight asks all kinds of women the question and receives many different answers
Female Desires:
Female Weakness:
(181-189): Knight meets Old Woman who promises to help him if he agrees to grant whatever she later requests
Male Attitude:
(213-221): Knight responds to Queen’s question to save his life
Ultimate Female Desire:
(239-245): Knight upset that Old Woman requests that he marry her for saving his life
Male Priorities for a Wife:
(285-299): Old Woman gives her rebuttal to Knight’s request for a noble wife
Nobility:
(353-366): Old Woman gives her rebuttal to Knight’s request for a rich wife
Poverty:
(383-390): Old Woman gives her rebuttal to Knight’s request for a young & pretty wife
Age & Beauty:
(395-End): Knight lets wife decide whether she will be what he wants or what she wants; she changes into what he wanted because he gave her the power and they live happily ever after
Marriage:
Partner Questions
1. Theme: Do you agree with the Wife of Bath’s conclusion that women desire power over their partners in their relationships? Explain.
2. Plot: Is the conclusion of the story satisfying or disturbing? Consider the knight’s crime and the outcome of his actions.
3. Symbol: A symbol is a person, place, object, or activity that represents something beyond itself. What symbolic characters can you identify from the story?
4. Characterization: The enduring appeal of The Canterbury Tales stems in part from Chaucer’s remarkable ability to match stories and story-tellers. In what way if the Wife of Bath’s tale suited to her personality?
5. Make a Judgment: Compare the tales of the Pardoner and the Wife of Bath. Which character tells a more entertaining story? Which has the better lesson? Explain.
6. Draw Conclusion: In the Prologue to her tale, the Wife of Bath advises the Pardoner to be cautious before marrying. How well does her tale support her advice? Explain.
7. Audience: Who do you think enjoyed hearing the Wife of Bath’s tale more: her male or female listeners? Why?
8. Perspective: Through the pilgrims, Chaucer addresses the question, “What makes a good life?” What answers to this question does the Wife of Bath’s tale suggest?
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