Weeks 4-6: The Language of Seduction
1. Cite some variations in the Loathly Lady fabula across
the three tales in your Reader. Focus on the conditions by which the lady is
either beautiful or ugly, and the actions of the
knight/king/"hero"...
2. The Wife of Bath's Tale is considered by some critics to indicate that Chaucer may have been a feminist. Why might they believe this? Do you agree? Remember to cite evidence from the text or some other source.
3.Hahn's essay (see critical reader) on The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle identifies the motif of the loathly lady, but arguably it has a different purpose than asserting the feminine. What does he think the function of the story is?
4. In the context of Elizabethan and Jacobean sonnets, how can we define "conceits"?
5. Discuss what you think is the most striking or outrageous example.
6. What does Revard (1997) suggest about the relationship between language, sex, power and transgression in the English Renaissance?
2. The Wife of Bath's Tale is considered by some critics to indicate that Chaucer may have been a feminist. Why might they believe this? Do you agree? Remember to cite evidence from the text or some other source.
3.Hahn's essay (see critical reader) on The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle identifies the motif of the loathly lady, but arguably it has a different purpose than asserting the feminine. What does he think the function of the story is?
4. In the context of Elizabethan and Jacobean sonnets, how can we define "conceits"?
5. Discuss what you think is the most striking or outrageous example.
6. What does Revard (1997) suggest about the relationship between language, sex, power and transgression in the English Renaissance?
3.Hahn's essay (see critical reader) on The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle identifies the motif of the loathly lady, but arguably it has a different purpose than asserting the feminine. What does he think the function of the story is?
ReplyDeleteAnswer:
The 'Loathly Lady' is a part of the common fabula in the middle ages. Fables are tales that can be retold in a variety of ways. From Hahn's essay on 'The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle' although Dame Ragnelle identifies with motifs of the loathly lady, Ragnelle's character has a different approach to asserting feminine. The loathly lady can be interpreted in Niall Noigiallach and his brothers and Lugaid Laidge and his brothers are both similar in characteristic of the Loathly lady being hideous had who later transforms into a beautiful younger woman.
According to Dalton (1971) in the Noigiallach and his brothers story, the loathly lady guarded a water well which the brothers seek to draw water. However, the brother could only receive water, if the hag is given a kiss. Niall agreed to kiss the hag and lay with her. After the hag received her kiss and presence with Niall, she transforms into a beautiful woman clad in a purple mantle, and declared sovereignty over Erin (Dalton, 1971). From my perspective the loathly lady and Ragnelle both possess similar physical features being depicted as a hag and atrocious physical appearances.
However, their character serve different purpose in their own stories. The loathly lady serves her purpose as having authority or sovereignty over her subjects or men she devours. This could represent a feminist view of how beautiful young women seduce men and take all their power. In my view, the loathly lady represents control and dominance. In contrast to Dame Ragnelle she is more of a support system for her men she devours. I perceive Ragnelle as the mediator and support system in the 'Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle' for maintaining the tradition of civility in the middle ages. "she becomes the nexus that ties them together and makes possible the fraternal and hierarchic bonds of chivalric solidarity" (Hahn, 1995).
In conclusion, I believe Hahn's essay was to allow us readers to see the shift in character development between the loathly lady and Ragnelle. Hahn thinks Ragnelle's function is the tradition of civility and harmony between men and women during the middle ages. Ragnelle serves as a counsellor in some sense to fix issues between men which would lead to corruption and destruction.
References:
Hahn, T. (Ed.). (1995). The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle.In Sir Gawain: Eleven Romances and Tales. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Medieval Institute Publications
Dalton, G. F. (1971). The ‘Loathly Lady’: A Suggested Interpretation. Folklore, 82(2), 124-131. doi:10.1080/0015587x.1971.9716718
4. In the context of Elizabethan and Jacobean sonnets, how can we define "conceits"?
ReplyDelete“The conceits mean is the use of such metaphors as a literary character, especially in poetry and which means to take to oneself, or to take into the mind. The conceit, figure of speech, usually a simile or metaphor that forms an extremely ingenious or fanciful parallel between apparently dissimilar or incongruous objects or situations.” (Novik, M. (2009). Conceit. New York: Doubleday Canada.)
In the poems of Elizabethan and Jacobean sonnets, the conceits defined as a symbolic form of speech not only were their verses extravagant.
These poems used Petrarchan conceits for conveying the battled affection of a male to his hardhearted but never forget lover.
A figure of speech involving two objects which are linked together with the help of similes or metaphors is defined as a conceit.
I think conceit is accurate sympathetic to this Story and filled with imaginative. It was like a charming and renovation.
Shakes pear is attempting to associate with the women’s beauty and presence to that of summer and then goes on to compare this woman to characteristics or features of summer.
A conceit can be introduced at the start of a sonnet and used through the rest of the poem. “Ice and Fire” by Edward Spencer which follows the reader to surprise at his very descriptive Petrarchan conceits. A brilliant example of the poet using similes to describe his love for an unknown person. He mentions about how he is fire and burns for the love of this woman. Fire being the over-enthusiastic and desirable affection from one. Love will be pain and denial, but love has the control to change natural existences.
This is an effective way to emotively describe a mutual love that he has.
Almost Elizabethan poems described the feelings and actions of love in numerous forms.
‘She will forever remain more beautiful than a summer’s day’ (line12~13)
He also deliberate attempt to entertain while also provoking a response from his audience.
(Reference)
- Novik, M. (2009). Conceit. New York: Doubleday Canada.
-Spencer, ‘Ice and Fire’, Sonnet LIII
Nice work better than your last week's! Good improvement of using APA Referencing and paraphrasing.
DeleteYour have answered the question mostly correctly and given clear definition of "conceits", good research method of using relevant articles and given your own opinions, well done but you can do even better next time! Keep the good work!
6. What does Revard (1997) suggest about the relationship between language, sex, power and transgression in the English Renaissance?
ReplyDelete“According to Revard (1997), in the period of English Renaissance the discrimination between male and female poets commonly existed he suggests that there is a tentative gap between male and female writers and their work of this era. It was apparently almost impossible in this era to be gender blind”. (Revard , S.P., Summers P. (n.d.). Katherine Philips)
In the masculine society, men mostly valued women for their beauty, features and obedience.
At the time, sex discrimination was very difference; females did not have the same chances as men. This means that women poets against the rule that no women were acceptable to write poetry.
For example, as Revard usually to discuss Katherine Phillip achievement, her beauty and feature had been measured before her personality.
Some male writers even use the bible to criticize the behavior of the female writing, or emphasized their natural productive perquisite to protect their male privilege.
Revard suggests that female should be given optimistic supports and gratitude of their life like a today.
Reference
- (Revard , S.P., Summers P. (n.d.). Katherine Philips)
Nice quotes from Revard (1997), the gender blind is indeed a serious discussion during the period of English Renaissance the discrimination between male and female poets . However, feminism is much more important than man because women can have more children and men can work harder and working for the better life for the family and the children can have the good future as well.
Delete4. In the context of Elizabethan and Jacobean sonnets, how can we define "conceits"?
ReplyDeleteAccording to the online free dictionary, the word “conceit” in Literary & Literary Critical Terms, it means literary an elaborate image or far-fetched comparison, especially as used by the English Metaphysical poetry.
On the other hand, in the context of Elizabethan and Jacobean sonnets, these concepts can be defined as a metaphorical form of speech. According to Abrams (1993), “conceits " is used as a metaphor to express irony, pun or deeper meaning in poetry, and to display descriptive words. So, in my way of definition, I think conceits is vanity, self-regarding, and the sympathy of the cleaver for the artist, which makes their works more attractive, innovative and special; it is a technical term for English literature. There are some language and philosophical features in poetry. In Shakespeare for example, the word “temperate" is a polysemy form that can mean "mild," "reasonable," or "invariant." Polysemy has a broad meaning for the entire content of this poem. Additionally, I think the 'time' feature paradox. From the perspective of respecting similar words, tenderness and time emphasize the topics. The words "ice" and "fire" in this poem use the opposite meaning. Ice means lack of interest, while fire includes love, passion and desire. Confidence allows readers to have a deeper understanding of the comparison. Their meaning is the opposite.
Reference:
Abrams, M.H. (1993). The Norton anthology of English literature, 6th ed. New York: W.W. Norton and company, Inc., p.1081.
The Free Dictionary. (2018). Definition of “conceit”. Retrieved on April 2nd, 2018 from: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/conceit
Good answer !!!! you easily explained conceits.
DeleteWhen I read you examples i notice others story.
1. Cite some variations in the Loathly Lady fabula across the three tales in your Reader. Focus on the conditions by which the lady is either beautiful or ugly, and the actions of the knight/king/"hero"...
ReplyDeleteThe Loathly Lady motif is a common method in the medieval literature. It is typically represented by a clever but extreme ugly old woman who has turned into a beautiful girl through the solution of situational narratives. Our readers refer to the wife of Bath's story, the story of Florent and the wedding work of Sir Gorwen and Mrs. Ramnell. This topic is particularly important, but subtle changes can be observed. In fact, these changes usually involve emphasizing women's direct problems or symbolic issues related to sovereignty and aristocracy.
Therefore, in the in The Wife of Bath’s Tale, the old ugly woman which the knight has met on the trip provided some clues for her mysterious positioning. When the Knight arrived at the conference site for the first time, he scouted 24 young girls to play in an open space. Therefore, the focus of Chaucer’s works seems to be the mystery of women. This issue is related to the issue that women really want to promote the outcome. This is very different from the focus of Florent and Gawain. Their main interest seems to be to strengthen chivalry and chivalry. In fact, in Bass's story, the knight's pursuit of rape is essentially different from the land ownership problem that drives the other two stories.
Answer:
DeleteInteresting analysis of the Loathly Lady motif in the medieval literature. I agree that the loathly lady in many fabula is described as a clever and ugly looking woman. To add, I will recount through the tales the loathly lady’s features of being the ugliest creature. In the ‘The Wife of Bath’s Tale’ the knight describes the woman as an ugly creature that cannot compare to any other creature that bores life on earth. “There can no man imagine an uglier creature”. In this tale, the woman is limited to being ugly, old and poor.
However, in the ‘Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle’ the loathly lady is vividly depicted through her facial and body features. In the Wife’s Bath Tale, the creature (woman) is expressed as an old and poor lady, unlike Dame Ragnelle, described as a creature whose “face was red, her nose running, her mouth wide, her teeth all yellow… Her cheeks were broad as a woman’s hip...” The language used between the two stories have varied, where in Dame Ragnelle has created the loathly lady to the reader’s mind, to be perceived as hag or a deformed witch.
In the last Fabula of the loathly lady which is Steeleye Span’s story on ‘King Henry’. In this story the loathly lady is not described as the ugliest creature, but rather a “fiend that comes from hell”. In this fabula there is variation of the loathly lady being a fiend from hell incorporating the spiritual reality of evil and suffering.
In my perspective, there are major variations between all three fabula of the loathly lady. The Wife’s Bath Tale of the loathly lady is more subtle compared to the story of King Henry. King Henry seems to express a darker side to the loathly lady, referring to her like an animal figure “For she’s eaten up both skin and bone”. It could metaphorically refer to the loathly lady’s qualities of being ugly and old, but the language used is too powerful causing an imagery effect, which reflects evil and darkness.
In the context of Elizabethan and Jacobean sonnets, how can we define "conceits"?
ReplyDeleteAnswer:
To understand conceit in the context of Elizabethan and Jacobean sonnets, we need to define the word. Metaphysical conceit was a more fancy and clever way of comparison language or metaphor, also provides a strong sense of imagery in these particular poems (Tesauro, 1973). Norton Anthology of English Literature defines 'conceits' of poetics as metaphors that are complex and woven in to each verse to express different forms of linguistic features (Abrams, 1993).
For example:
From Sonnet CXXX: "My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red, than her lips red".
The metaphysical conceit can be seen in this poetic verse, where the poet has cleverly made an authentic comparison between the mistress and the sun, or coral and lips. I believe the metaphysical in this verse creates not only strong comparison in the sonnet but also powerful imagery.
Elizabethan and Jacobean sonnets were one type of love poetry written in Elizabethan period. However, sonnets require more skill to compose in structural sequences, but they all share a common cultural vocabulary (Marotti, 1982). Elizabethan period, the language could possibly be influenced by the way a female monarch was courted by the amorous language they used to express ambition and vicissitudes (Marotti, 1982). The conceits used to portray Elizabethan and Jacobean sonnets is powerful and represents theme such as, love and seduction.
In my perspective, I find these sonnets very interesting and the language creates powerful imagery for me. I love reading poetry that I can imagine especially when the use of colors are represented. However, sonnets were not popular in England at the time and the development of sonnets came to a halth when the Elizabethan period ended. The possibilities are due to socioeconomic and socio-political realities in the Elizabethan period (Marotti, 1982).
References:
Proctor, R. E. (1973). Emanuele Tesauro: A Theory of the Conceit. MLN, 88(1), 68. doi:10.2307/2907848
Marotti, A. F. (1982). "Love is not love": Elizabethan sonnet sequences and the social order. ELH, 49(2), 396. doi:10.2307/2872989
Abrams, M.H. (1993). The Norton Anthology of English Literature, 6th ed. New York:W.W. Norton and Company
To add Sonnet CXXX, Shakespeare creates two sonnets CXXX and XVIII. In the CXXX, the basic conceit in this poem is that objects or beautiful things such as the sun and color red of coral could not possibly resemble the mistress. To compare his mistress to such beautiful things like the sun and snow would be a lie. I believe Shakespeare used humor through this sonnet to pull himself from salvation that he buried himself in through conceit, between the mistress and beautiful things.
DeleteIt's good that you used Norton Anthology theory to define "conceits". It is indeed complicated and useful, everything does making a good sense very theoretical, good job mate!
DeleteIn our Critical Reader we have three different tales about the Loathly Lady fabula: G. Chaucer’s “The Wife of Bath’s Tale”, an extract from “The Wedding of Sir Gwain and Dame Ragnell,” and finally “King Henry”. In all three we have the story of a loathly lady demanding something, usually of sexual sort, form her male opponent. In return, she turns beautiful, although this is not shown in the extract of “The wedding of Sir Gwain and Dame Ragnell.”
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that the Loathly Lady in all three texts are indescribably ugly, although they all try their best. Chaucer simply states “There can no man imagine an uglier creature” (Line 999), quite similar to “She was the ugliest creature / that a man ever saw” (part II. Line 4-5) in The Wedding of Sir Gwain and Dame Ragnell. The latter is also followed by a long physical description, as one can also find in King Henry. What the Loathly Lady offers, and what she wants in return, however, differs from story to story.
In The Wife of Bath’s Tale, the Lady offers the knight the answer that will save his life. In return, she wants a favour: “Pledge me thy word in my hand / She said / The next thing that I require of thee / Thou shalt do it, if it lies in your power” (Line 1009-1011). This favour turns out to be his hand in marriage, which the knight, quite unwillingly, agrees to. Also in The wedding of Sir Gwain and Dame Ragnell, the Lady offers knowledge to save a life in return for marriage. However, the major difference here is that she now saves King Arthur, but wants to marry someone else. The story in King Henry differs even more, as the Lady makes a series of demands to the King, but without a promise of anything in return.
Another way in which the stories vary, is the character of the male in question. The knight in The Wife of Bath’s Tale of questionable character. The first description we get of him is “a lusty bachelor” (line 883), followed by an event where he rapes a girl. “By utter force, he took away her maidenhead» (Line 888). On the other hand, Sir Gwain is the definition of loyal and true to his King. “You are my honored king / And have done me good many times. / Therefore, I hesitate not / To save your life, my lord. It is my duty,” and with that he offers to marry Dame Ragnell even before King Arthur even asked him. Therefore, he goes into the marriage willingly, as opposed to the Knight, who does so only to keep a desperate promise he made.
The description of King Henry is short but efficient: “A store of gold, and open heart, / And full of charity; / And this was seen of King Henry” (Line 3-5). He is clearly an honourable person, quite similar to Sir Gwain. However, their motivations are not the same. While Sir Gwain willingly meets Dame Ragnells demands in order to save his king, and the Knight in order to save his life, King Henry’s motivation is not so clear. The Lady demands a series of unpleasant things from King Henry (“Go kill your horse you King Henry”, “Go kill your greyhounds you King Henry” and “Take me for your bride”). He agrees to all, without any clear rewards for him in sight. He might do so out of either chivalry or terror.
So while all these three texts are based on the same fabula, they do in fact vary quite a lot in regard to the text’s hero and the demands of the Lady.
References:
Hahn, T. (Ed.). (1995). The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle.In Sir Gawain: Eleven Romances and Tales. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Medieval Institute Publications
Chaucer, The Wife of Bath’s Tale. retrieved from
http://www.courses.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/index.html 01.01.06
Span, S (1972) King Henry. From Below the Salt.
Question 2: Chaucer as a possible feminist.
ReplyDeleteA feminist is defined as someone who believes in the equality of the sexes. Historically, men have had a higher place in society and more rights than women. Therefore, feminism might also be seen as trying to “help women to get equal opportunities and treatment [as men].”1 In order to achieve that we do need a women willing to break boundaries. The Wife of Bath’s Tale tells the story of a strong, female character. Yes, she is ugly, but nonetheless independent, authoritative and efficient. She knows what she wants and how to get it.
Right after the wedding of the Knight and the Lady, we get to read a relatively long monologue by the Lady. Here she talks about nobility, poverty and beauty, and proposes quite radical ideas. For instance, it is also clear that the Lady is sexually active, and not ashamed of it. In the 14th century, in a much larger scale than today, women were supposed to be virgins up until marriage. The Lady is clearly ahead of her time.
A part from the Loathly Lady herself, we also find feminist ideas through the feminization of Arthur’s court. The queen is left in charge of the punishment of the knight, and for as long as the story continues, the power is always in the hands of a woman. The court that is to decide whether or not the knight found the right answer consists only of women. “Very many a noble wife, and many a maid / And many a widow, because they are wise / The queen herself sitting as a justice / Are assembled, to hear his answer» (Line 1026-1029). In this case, the women possess the power that comes with the positions usually reserved for men.
It is wildly recognised that The Wife of Bath’s Tale is inspired by the Irish myth about the Sovranty Hag. Crater summarises: “The crux of the Irish Sovranty myths is that the hero must embrace and please the grotesque sexually rapacious Other in a test that turns him towards reward and becomes a metaphor for his own experience of kingship.“ (p. 83) Chaucer being English, the entire text might be a humorous mocking of the Irish, and not feminist at all.
The ending of the tale is another part that may, or may not, be seen as feminist work. Specifically why and how the Lady turned beautiful. The Knight is given a choice: To have her ugly and loyal, or beautiful and disloyal. Here it is clear that, despite all her independent thoughts and words, in the end, the Lady gives the power back to the man. The knight, however, cannot choose, and leaves it up to the Lady to decide. She then decides to be both pretty and loyal. One may say that her beauty is a result of the fact that she was given the choice to choose for herself, thus pointing out how giving women more independence also will benefit the men.
Therefore, the question regarding a possible feminist Chaucer remains a personal matter, as critics have not been able to agree. In her text, Susan Crater says “Despite the fact that the Catholic Chaucer presumably is not using the Wife of Bath to present his own views, he allows her to express radical ideas on gender theory and to tell a tale that demonstrates some of what she has theorized.” Personally, I believe that, Catholic or not, Chaucer believed in women, and wanted to strengthen their position in society by providing an example of how leaving women in charge might actually lead to happiness. I would call him a feminist.
References:
Crater, S: COUPLING THE BEASTLY BRIDE AND THE HUNTER HUNTED: WHAT LIES BEHIND
CHAUCER’S WIFE OF BATH’S TALE. (Project MUSE)
Chaucer, The Wife of Bath’s Tale. retrieved from
http://www.courses.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/index.html 01.01.06
1Cambridge University (2018) Dictionary – feminist. Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/feminist 11.04.18
Lewis, J. J. (2017) The Wife of Bath: A feminist character? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/the-wife-of-bath-feminist-character-3529685 11.04.18
6:
ReplyDeleteIn his text “Representing Women in Renaissance England”, Revard has looked into how female poets were welcomed and criticised in the 17th century England. Specifically, he writes about “acceptability of a woman pursuing learning and contesting in the domain of poetry that had been almost exclusively male» (page 19). As examples, he uses Katherine Philips and Aphra Behn.
Revard starts by focusing on what kind of reviews Philips got from her male colleagues. In 1998, Abraham Cowley wrote two Pindarics regarding Philips. Revard points out how, while Cowley’s words seemingly praises a good piece of poetic work, his criticism is colored by the fact that Philips is a woman. Throughout his work, Cowley rates her first by her beauty and secondly by her work. He is not the only one: “All of the commendatory poems […] remark on Philips's sex as well as her status as a poet. It seems an unavoidable issue. None praise her simply as a poet.” (page 20)
Up to this point, wit and education had been reserved for men, while women had virtue and beauty. Now, with female poets as Philips, the male dominance was at stake. Both the position as a famous poet and the reputation and power that came with it was threatened. The possible competition was about to double, as the other sex started to participate as well. They feared the same might happen other places in society, “for if a man and a woman compete in a literary contest and he “loses," as a man he also loses the right to dominate in other areas.” (page 19-20). Cowley’s solution is to focus on her beauty, and by comparing her only to other females. In this way, he never gave her full recognition for her work, or a possible entry the poetic elite.
Another point in which Cowley discreetly criticizes Philips, is by pointing out the so called natural creativity possessed by women. Revard explains that “Nature gave woman creative energy for the procreation of children, which, when employed elsewhere, may threaten that natural creativity.” By insinuating that female poets may in fact be against the nature, Cowley firmly shows Philips back into the more acceptable place for women, focused around caring for the children. Practically enough, this argument is valid not only for poetry, but also for every other area in which women might want to progress.
In the 17th centory, when Philips and Behn were active, women were not allowed in Universities. This severely damaged their possibilities to education. Yes, there was some books to read, but they were mainly in Greek and Latin, which they had no way of learning. So when Thomas Creech made a translation of some of Lucretius’ works, the classical text were suddenly available to women as well. Aphra Behn sent him a Pindriac ode, where she simultaneously praises him for his work and criticizes the lack of education available for women. “Till now, I curst my Birth, my Education, / And more the scanted Customes of the Nation: / Permitting not the Female Sex to tread, / The Mighty Paths of Learned Heroes dead. / The God-like Vergil, and great Homers Verse, / Like Divine Mysteries are conceal'd from us.” (Page 26) The idea of giving women access to school was not very popular in the beginning. Clearly, with women taking education, they would naturally be in a better position to question and challenge man, and thus threatening the male dominance and power.
The coming of female such as Philips and Behn marked the start of an area with more female writers. The translation of literature into English made it more accessible for everyone; educated males no longer had the monopoly. Their unique positon of power was threatened. Met with skepticism and criticism, what Philips and Behn did was undoubtedly important and made it easier for others to follow.
References:
Revard, S.P. (1997)"Katherine Philips, Aphra Behn, and the
Female Pindaric in Representing Women in Renaissance England,
edited by Claude J. Summers and Ted-Larry Pebworth. Columbia:
University of Missouri Press
ReplyDelete1. Cite some variations in the Loathly Lady fabula across the three tales in your Reader. Focus on the conditions by which the lady is either beautiful or ugly, and the actions of the knight/king/"hero"...
In the Wife of Bath’s Tale, the Knight Gawain commited a crime of rape “By utter force, he took away her maidenhead 888” and he was supposed to be dead but “By course of law and should have lost his head 892”given a chance to live“Except that the queen and other ladies as well So long prayed the king for grace 894,985”. He goes a long journey to figure out an answer to what women most desire “what thing it is that woman most desire 905”, meets ugly version of loathly lady “There can no man imagine an uglier creature 999” and makes a deal with her by getting an answer in return he has to marry her”The next thing I require thee Thou shalt do it, if it lies in thy power, And I will tell you before it is night 1010,1011,1012” Knight comes back to the palace and speaks out the answer to the queen “Women desire to have sovereignty As well over her husband as her love, And to be in mastery above him. This is your greatest desire, though you kill me. Do as you please; I am here to subject your will 1038,1040,1041,1042” and nobody argues with his answer “In all the court there was not wife, Nor maid, Nore widow that denied what he said 1043,1044”
then the old lady come up to the court and asks the queen to give justice for telling the knight for an answer and wanting to marry Sir Gawain as a promise of telling him the answer“And with that word up sprang the old women 1046” asks the queen for a request before the court departs “she said, my sovereign lady queen! Before the court departs, do me justice. I taught this answer to the knight for which he pledged me his word there
he had no choice but to marry her 1048,1049,1050,1051” She told the knight I have saved your life and my request is to become your wife and if my words are not true then say no by your faith “that thou take me as thy wife, For well thou know that I have save thy life. I fi say false, say ‘nay’ by your faith! 1055,1056,1057” He refuses to take the old lady as his wife “I know right well that such was my promise. For god’s love choose a new request! Take all my goods and let my body go 1059,1060,1061” He has been forced to marry the old lady to make his wife and sleep with her as well “Constrained was; he must by necessity wed her, takes his old wife and goto bed 1071,1072” After she became his wife he was given a choice between getting young and beautiful wife but who is aplayer or old and ugly wife but who will be obeying and trustworthy “To have me ugly and old until I die and be to you a true, humble wife, and never displease you in all my life, or else you will have me young and fair , and take your chances of the crowd That shall be at your house because of me, or in other place, as it may well be. Now choose yourself 1220,1221,1222,1223,1224,1225,1226,1227”
He decides to obeys his wife and wishes her to do as her will leaves the choice upto her. “My lady and my love, and wife so dear, I put me into wise governance; choose yourself which may be most pleasure and most honor to you and me also .I do not care which of the two , for as it pleases you is enough for me 1228,1229,1230,1231,1232,1233,1234,1235” Then the wife was pleased with his answer and decided to become both to be for fairness “we are no angry-- for, by my troth , I will be to your both-- that is to say yes both fair and good 1239,1240,1241” The Knight lifts up the curtain and sees this finest young lady who obeys everything to him “that she so was beautiful, and so young moreover” “she obeyed in everything that might do him pleasure or enjoyment”
1. Cite some variations in the Loathly Lady fabula across the three tales in your Reader. Focus on the conditions by which the lady is either beautiful or ugly, and the actions of the knight/king/"hero"...
ReplyDeleteFrom II King Arthur meets a really ugly women, the loathly Lady was described as ugliest creature “she was the ugliest creature that a man ever saw”. She reveals that she knows the kings secret and makes a deal with the king to either give his own head or allow her to marry his loyal knight Gawain “Tell me: will you save you life or is my desire in vain? If my answer saves your life Let me marry Sir Gawain Think now, sir king it must be so , or your dead hurry tell me or lose your head ”. Sir Gawain the knight serves the king Arthur and he is very loyal to his highness and he does not deny kings request and be royal and obey his order to marry the ugly women “I shall wed her and wed her again even if she be a fiend. Even were she foul as Beelzebub, I would wed here , I swear by the cross. Otherwise I wouldn’t be your friend You are my honored king and have done me good many times Therefore, I hesitate not to save your life my lord.It is my duty otherwise, I would be false coward My service is better than that!”. The king is very pleased and honored to have Sir Gawain as his knight and promises him to never stop honoring him as long as he is on the land of the king “Of all knights, you are the best that I have ever found! you have saved my life and reputation forever. I will not stop honoring you as long as I am king of the land!”
King Henry discovers this hunted hall and goes inside “For he taken him to a haunted hall” Finds out the loathly lady inside “an in there came a grisly ghost stramping on the floor”and she orders to kill the king's horse,greyhound and goshawk and she eats the flesh of them all only left with their bones, feather and hair “Go kill your greyhound King Henry and bring them here to me” “she's eaten them up both skin and bone left nothing but hide and hair”, She orders to King Henry to bring the wine to her and drank it all up “Some dirnk, Some drink now you king Henry some drink you give to me” She makes him to make her bed “a bed you’ll make for me, oh you must pull the heather green and make it soft for me;” She forces him to sleep with her and get married “take off your clothes now king henry and lie down by my side, now swear, now sewar you king henry to take me for your bride” but the day after so in the morning loathly lady becomes this beautiful young lady and he earns the fairest lady of all “when the night was gone and the day was cone and the sun shone through the hall, the fairest lady that ever seen lay between him and the wall”
It's a good answer. You are easily describe about King Arthur. Before I not interesting King Arthur After read your answer i found a book and read. Thanks.
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ReplyDelete2. The Wife of Bath's Tale is considered by some critics to indicate that Chaucer may have been a feminist. Why might they believe this? Do you agree? Remember to cite evidence from the text or some other source.
ReplyDeleteI totally believe that Chaucer is a feminist, it left much evidences in The Wife of Bath's Tale.
Firstly, when the knight in the tale going to seek the answer of the women most desire thing, many answers comes from women. Such as rich, honor, clothing and freedom, but the most important matter is that woman are flattered and pleased, then it is very close to the truth. However, what's the thing make them pleased that it even better than honor or freedom? In this tale, the answer is "sovereignty, as well over her husband as her love". Here comes to the truth, when women get this sovereignty, it can bring them all these stuff like honor, freedom and so on, then they will be pleased. And obviously, when women said "I want something", it means they haven't this thing in reality. Therefore, this part of the real answer tells that they don't have the sovereignty as well over their husband. If Chaucer is not a feminist, why did he point out this?
CITATIONS: "Some said women love riches best / Some said honor, some said gaiety / Some rich clothing, some said lust in bed / And frequently to be widow and wedded / Some said that our hearts are most eased / When we are flattered and pleased / He goes very near the truth, I will not lie. "
"And some say that we love best / To be free and do just as we please / And that no man reprove us for our vices / But say that we are wise and not at all silly.
We want to be considered wise and clean of sin."
Also, if women say "no ... anymore", which means something/situations did exist and effect their lives, that's why they said "no...".
From the above sentences from the texts, it tells women want that no man reprove them for their vices but say that they are wise and not at all silly, which means the reality is totally opposite. Why would Chaucer knew it so well if he is not a feminist? This part is more like a telling of women's status and how they be treated in that period.
CITATIONS: “This knight deliberates and painfully sighs / But at the last he said in this manner / "My lady and my love, and wife so dear / I put me in your wise governance / Choose yourself which may be most pleasure / And most honor to you and me also / I do not care which of the two / For as it pleases you, is enough for me."
It's quite interesting that the knight finally become the husband that his wife has sovereignty. Based on his words from the texts, it shows his wife is completely handle the rights and he has to obey her will apparently. When he force to do that, the amazing thing happen: his wife become a beauty from a ugly elder. This whole story is pretty feminist style, if you give women sovereignty like the knight, then it would be a best choice and something good happen. In my opinion, it sets a lot metaphors to tell women's power.
5. Discuss what you think is the most striking or outrageous example.
ReplyDeleteThe description on King Arthur Meets a Really Ugly Woman is really ugly, especially the part of describing details the old woman's appearance.
"Her face was red, her nose running, Her mouth wide, her teeth all yellow. Her eyes were bleary, as large as balls, Her mouth just as large. Her teeth hung out of her lips, Her cheeks were as broad as a woman's hips. He back was as curved as a lute. Her neck was long and also thick. Her hair clotted in a heap."
After reading this and picturing it in my brain, I can totally understand why the King Arthur is willing to grant her request. As for me, if I met a woman like that, I would believe deeply that she really have this power to make me die. The writer build her image so well and so terrify, which is most striking to me.