Question 12 (3 points)
Read the following passage from "The Wife of Bath's tale" pages 57 and 58 of the text, beginning on line 274 and ending on line 300. Then select the statement that best identifies the "Old Woman's" opinion.
From Pages 57 and 58 of the course textbook, also available in Course Resources.
“Put right?” he cried. “That never can be now!
Nothing can ever be put right again! line number 275
You’re old, and so abominably plain,
So poor to start with, so low-bred to follow;
It’s little wonder if I twist and wallow!
God, that my heart would burst within my breast!”
“Is that,” said she, “the cause of your unrest?” line number 280
“Yes, certainly,” he said, “and can you wonder?”
“I could set right what you suppose a blunder,
That’s if I cared to, in a day or two,
If I were shown more courtesy by you.
Just now,” she said, “you spoke of gentle birth, line number 285
Such as descends from ancient wealth and worth.
If that’s the claim you make for gentlemen
Such arrogance is hardly worth a hen.
Whoever loves to work for virtuous ends,
Public and private, and who most intends line number 290
To do what deeds of gentleness he can,
Take him to be the greatest gentleman.
Christ wills we take our gentleness from Him,
Not from a wealth of ancestry long dim,
Though they bequeath their whole establishment line number 295
By which we claim to be of high descent.
Our fathers cannot make us a bequest
Of all those virtues that became them best
And earned for them the name of gentlemen,
But bade us follow them as best we can. line number 300
Question 12 options:
a)
The Old Woman reminds the Knight that she may be old and unattractive, but she has wealth and social position, which last much longer than beauty. For that reason she is a suitable spouse.
b)
The Old Woman claims that a "virtuous end" may be desirable, but a real gentleman is one who can provide well for a spouse. A wise and worldly woman would settle for nothing less than a knight with financial means.
c)
The Old Woman lectures the Knight and claims that a Knight's duties are in direct conflict with the obligations of a worthy spouse. A Knight may kill others in battle, which is neither Christlike or gentlemanly.
d)
The Old Woman scolds the Knight for his narrow and misguided notion that position alone and birthright account for being a gentleman. Working for virtuous ends is far more genteel and worthy than social position.
