Question

analyze the text
support your responses with evidence from the text.
1 identify chaucers frame story includes the interaction between the wife of bath and the friar in the wife of baths prologue. how is their relationship reflected in the beginning of the tale?
2 infer as a narrator, the wife of bath comments extensively about the various answers to the knights question. what do her comments reveal about her own values and ideas? use evidence from the poem to support your analysis.
3 summarize review lines 272 - 392. in the first column of the chart below, list the reasons why the knight thinks he can never be happy in his marriage. in the second column, summarize the arguments his wife makes to refute his claims.
knights reasons\twifes responses
4 draw conclusions does the knight gain a better understanding of women over the course of the story, or is he basically the same as he was at the beginning? explain your response.
5 critique in the wife of baths prologue, the friar complains about the wife of baths long, rambling preamble. how effective is she at narrating her tale about the knight? explain your response.
6 evaluate in the last four stanzas, the knights response to the old womans tough question resolves his internal conflict as well as the conflict between them. do you find this conclusion satisfying? explain why or why not.

Explanation:

1. In the beginning of "The Wife of Bath's Prologue", the relationship between the Wife of Bath and the Friar is one of mutual - teasing and banter. The Wife is a bold and talkative character, and the Friar's presence sets up a dynamic where they seem to enjoy sparring verbally.
2. The Wife of Bath's comments on the knight's question reveal her values such as female sovereignty. For example, when she discusses the answers, she emphasizes that women desire mastery over their husbands, as seen in lines where she argues for women's right to choose and control in marriage.
3. Knight's Reasons: He thinks his wife is old, poor, and of low - birth, which he believes will bring him social and personal humiliation. Wife's Responses: She argues that true nobility comes from virtue, not birth, and that poverty can be a blessing in disguise as it leads to contentment.
4. The knight gains a better understanding of women. Initially, he is disrespectful and violent towards women (as shown by his crime of raping a maiden). Through his journey and interaction with the old woman, he realizes that women want respect, power, and control in a relationship.
5. The Wife of Bath's long preamble is effective as it builds up her character as a complex and experienced woman. It also serves to draw the audience in, making them more invested in the knight's story. Her rambling style reflects her eagerness to share her life experiences and views on marriage and gender.
6. The conclusion where the knight resolves his internal conflict and the conflict with the old woman can be satisfying. It shows a character arc for the knight, from a chauvinistic figure to one who has learned to submit to a woman's will, which aligns with the Wife of Bath's overall message about women's power in relationships.

Answer:

1. Their relationship is shown as one of verbal sparring and mutual teasing.
2. Her comments reveal her value of female sovereignty in marriage, e.g., women desiring mastery over husbands.
3. Knight's Reasons: Wife is old, poor, of low - birth. Wife's Responses: True nobility from virtue, poverty can be a blessing.
4. The knight gains a better understanding as he learns women want respect and power in relationships.
5. Her preamble is effective as it builds her character and engages the audience.
6. The conclusion can be satisfying as it shows the knight's character development and aligns with the message of women's power.