Re: Fathifulness

Does the value of faithfulness rises as you go higher up into the estates? I think it does. But, why?

The Miller is the lowest ranking of our selected characters and he seems to place no worth upon faithfulness in his tale. The Wife of Bath comes in second to last, and, while she briefly debates of the use of a faithful wife, her main character places the quality on equal status with a pretty wife. The Franklin however, admires faithfulness and has it hold true in his tale, although it is tested. The Knight, highest ranking of them all, doesn't not even concern himself with faithfulness, simply assuming it will exist.

I think this is perhaps because the Knight, having had a noble and well- educated upbringing, has been told honorable stories ever since he was young, and so takes for granted that faithfulness is another worthy trait he should strive for. The Franklin on the other hand, the wealthy land owner, also probably had an education, and so heard similar stories. The Wife of Bath had less of en education, and so on with the Miller having the least.

Arvéragus

When Arvéragus first swore to love Dorigen, he said he would, "never darken her delight, by exercising his authority." However, after mistaken Aurelius demanded she keep her jest of the rocks, she ran to her husband for help. Then, he broke his word. He forced her to go to Aurelius. By doing so, he used his authority, and made her unhappy. To be a true gentleman, he should have gone to Aurelius and explained to him his mistake. Therefore, Arvéragus can not be a true gentleman because he broke a knight's oath.

Faithfulness

In many of the tales told by the pilgrims, faithfulness is a key element. For the Miller, faithfulness never lasted and was always overcome. For the Wife of Bath, faithfulness was also rather shallow; one could be either pretty or faithful to her spouse. But in the Franklin's tale, faithfulness is a strong force.

Of the three characters listed, the Miller disregards faithfulness the most, saying that no matter who the marriage is between, their faithfulness will not hold. The Wife of Bath regards this trait with more reverence, upholding it as one of the most important elements in a wife, although her knight cannot choose between a good-looking wife and faithful one. The Franklin is one step above these two, creating a relationship where their faithfulness is tested, but holds strong.

Another tale we have read is the Knight's. In his story, faithfulness isn't even a question; he pretty much assumes that Emily will be a perfect wife in every way. His complete and total trust in the honor of a wife is even beyond that of the Franklin's.

This is interesting, because the Miller, a sneaky, tricky worker, the lowest ranking of the four, disregards faithfulness the most. The Wife of Bath is the next lowest on the totem pole, being a wealthy wife of a clerk, and she her trust in faithfulness comes in for third place. The Franklin, being a land owner, believes that unfaithfulness is an issue, but says that people overcome it. The Knight, being the highest ranking, doesn't address faithfulness in either his story or his prologue, rather he assumes that Emily is a perfect women.

The more higher ranking you go, does the value of faithfulness rise?

Dead, Alive, then Dead again.

In Prologe of the Wife of Bath, on page 279-280 after her fourth husband hits her because she ripped his book, she says, "And down I fell upon the floor for dead." Then after she tells him, "O have you murdered me, you robber, you" he says he shall never hit her again, and fears for her. She sits up, smacks him in the face, then lays back on the floor, and says, "Now let me die, I can't speak anymore."

If she had the engery to smack her husband on the face, she should be able to live, or at the very least speak. Why did she have such a burst of energy when she was supposed to be laying as if dead, then afterwords, couldn't speak because she is so near death?

Wife of Bath

In the prologue of the Wife of Bath, she tells of her fourth husband's funeral. She goes on to say that they get married a month after her previous husband was buried in the grave

In this time period, weren't there social rules which forced the lady to mourn for a certain period of time? And even if she did disregard the customs, would a respectable clerk, who hates women, agree to re-marry the Wife of Bath so quickly after the death of her fourth husband? It seems very unrealistic to me.

Love

When Palamon first sees Emily, he blanches and falls madly in love. After being locked in a cell for such a long time with only his friend as company he has not seen a woman for ages. Being so crazed, he cannot belive his eyes, and calls this lady a goddess. However, when Arcite saw her, he must have been more in his senses than his friend.

This lady could be the most beautiful woman in the world, she could also be a normal lady. Like tasting your first meat after weeks of eating nothing but crackers, or seeing color for the first time after living in a gray room. This would explain why Palamon first thought she was a goddess.

Later, Palamon leaves the prison and now loves the woman still, as a woman, not goddess, because he has been exposed to more of real life than just the inside of that cell.

Overall, they do love her equally, despite the fact Palamon first thought her a goddess.

Difference in Love, or not?

In the Knight's tale, two miserable knights are locked in a dungeon and happen to see the beautiful Emily wandering in the gardens. Instantly, both prisinors are smitten with her, although Palamon sees her more of a goddess figure, while Arcite sees her as she is - a pretty woman.

As Arcite and Palamon are arguing over who should love Emily, their varying feelings show through. (Pg. 34) [Palamon to Arcite] "'I loved her first and told my grief to you as to the brother and friend that I swore to further me, as I have said before, so you are bound in honour as a knight to help me, should it lie within your might; else you are false, I say, your honour vain!' Arcite proudly answered back again: 'You shall be judged as false,' he said, 'not me; and false you are, I tell you, utterly! I loved her as a woman before you. What can you say? Just now you hardly knew if she was girl or goddess from above!'"

At first, I think their loves were different, Palamon feeling more worshiping adoration then Arcite, but after they both got out of prision and by the time they went to duel for Emily's hand, they felt the same way about this pretty girl.

~Hannah

Canterbury Tales Rap in Middle English