The Wife of Bath's tale begins with a knight, who fell to lust and raped a beautiful young maiden. The king ordered a death, however the queen insists to give the ill faithed knight another chance. With the king's approval, the queen sent the knight on a mission. His mission, to answer one question. The knight starts his mission with the question, what do women want most in the world. After one year the knight must report his findings to the court. If he is correct he is spared his life, but if found wrong, off with the head.
The knight immediately beings his search for the answer. With every woman in his path, he would question, what do woman want most in the world? As the women answer, his worst fear became a reality. Every answer was different. The knight began homeward in vain. Upon entering the forest, the knight saw a small group of ladies dancing among a fire. He decides this is his last chance to live. As he neared the ladies, they ran away in fear. All except an ugly old woman. Upon his arrival the woman asks if she can help him with anything. The knight then promises the woman he will marry her if she saves him. Both agree and travel to the courts.
The knight and the old woman arrive from their travel to the court, where, the knight tells the queen the answer with which the old woman told him. What women most desire is to be in charge of their husbands and lovers. The women agree that this is the answer, and the queen spared the knight’s life. The old ugly woman proceeded to ask her knight for her hand in marriage in front of everyone. The knight cried out in horror. He begged her to take his material possessions rather than his body, but she refused, and finally the knight agreed to wed by force. Later that day, the knight and the old ugly lady were wed; that very night they consecrated their vow. During this special night, the woman asked the knight why he was so sad. With his response came two insults. Firstly, the fact he was married to her and secondly that she was horrifically unattractive. Surprisingly, the woman ignored the knight's bashing and began to explain to the knight; would he rather be with a young, beautiful, unfaithful woman or a loyal, good hearted woman, who will be by your side. The knight sat in silence then explained his trust in her judgement for the right answer. He left her with the most desired thing among woman. The authority to chose for herself. The two lived a long happy marriage, happy with each other.
The Wife of Bath concludes her story with a plea for woman to gain young husbands who can keep her happy in the bedroom. And the desire to out live the husband. The Wife of Bath's Tale in general summed up the Wife of Bath's opinion in general.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Canterbury tales
The Canterbury Tales
List of Pilgrims
The Knight
The first of the main characters is the knight. The knight is roundly described "Who, from the moment that he first began. To ride about the world, loved chivalry,truth, honour, freedom and all courtesy." Dressed in a simple cloth tunic this knight is a brave strong hearted person; who will fight for what he believes is right. A perfect knight.
The Squire
A son in his early twenties, who is a man of average strength and height, escorts his dad on this journey. The squire is characterized as "A lover and a lively bachelor, wondrously active, agile, and great of strength." This ever merry man sings, writes and draws.
The Yeoman
The Yeoman is a man clothed in a green hood and coat. He is camouflaged with his surroundings. On his person he is armed with his bow and arrow. A person who can only be described as Robin Hood, "bore a horn, the baldric all of green; A forester he truly was."
The Monk
Fur from the finest of lands lined the selves of this monk. The top of his head shinned bright as if it was glass in the sun. This man of the cloth hunts game for fun and enjoys a good feast. "Fat was this lord, he stood in goodly case. His bulging eyes he rolled about, and hot They gleamed and red, like fire beneath a pot". A man who's eyes were described as if they were burning.
The Friar
One word can sum up this "man of the cloth", this word is corrupt. Many everyday chores for this Friar become ways to help himself only. A life fit for a man not like himself. Illustrated as "with the worthy women living in the city: For his power of confession met no equality". Without money the corrupt Friar embraced bribes as penance.
The Merchant
A man of buying and selling as his occupation finds himself broke. However, no one knows and he does not intend to let anyone find out. His dress described, "In motley gown, and high on horse he sat, Upon his head a Flemish beaver hat; His boots were fastened neatly and elegantly." Not very noticeable this well dress merchant seems to know what he is doing.
The Clerk
Riding on a horse thin as a rake, this temperate man does not weight very much himself. Wearing an old worn coat this clerk may not have much money but he is ready for what is to come in life for him. "Filled with moral virtue was his speech; And gladly would he learn and gladly teach. And short and lively, and full of high morality." His studies come first above, which show in his amount of money in his possession. Yet, he sounds as if he understands money is not everything.
The Sergeant of the Law
"He rode but simply in a medley coat, Girded with a belt of silk, with little bars, But of his outfit no more particulars"; this quote from the Canterbury Tales characterizes the Sergeant of the Law. He is said to be undoubtedly wise and well spoken. he high reputation could be accountable for being able to write a contract and have not errors within his writings.
The Franklin
Food could keep this man company. For the Franklin enjoys to eat; I can rightly assume he quite enjoys indulging with food. "White was his beard as is the white daisy.Of sanguine temperament by every sign, He loved to dip his morning bread in wine." This previous sheriff slash tax auditor keeps food and wine stocked for his reasons.
The Shipman
A captain of the Madeleine, this sailor is fully knowledgeable about his job. For every waterway he knew. Yet in the story it is stated "He sadly rode a carthorse, in a gown, Of thick woolen cloth that reached unto the knee. A dagger hanging on a cord had he". His conscience eating away at him for reasons unknown to me. A man of the ocean face and skin browned from the sun
The Physician
The physician is a doctor with great instructed in astronomy. For a number of his patients, he uses natural science to remedy the sick. For he supposedly knows the cause of his patient sickness always."Blue and scarlet his clothes were there withal,Lined with taffeta and with sendal". On his person the doctor carries his apothecaries. To be prepared for anything.
The Wife of Bath
The Wife of Bath is a woman of five past husband and capped tooth mouth. "Wearing a large wimple, and over all a hat As broad as is a buckler or a targe; An over skirt was tucked around her buttocks large,And her feet spurred sharply under that". Love is the Wife of Bath's game, she knew how to laugh and be merry for she knew all the tricks in the book when it comes to love.
The Miller
Big boned and strongly built, the miller was also a jester who knew some poetry. Although his form of poetry is more perverted and sinful to others. "He was stoutly built, broad and heavy; He lifted each door from its hinges, that easy, Or break it through, by running, with his head." A red bread surrounded his large mouth. His clothes cons its of a blue hood and a white coat.
List of Pilgrims
The Knight
The first of the main characters is the knight. The knight is roundly described "Who, from the moment that he first began. To ride about the world, loved chivalry,truth, honour, freedom and all courtesy." Dressed in a simple cloth tunic this knight is a brave strong hearted person; who will fight for what he believes is right. A perfect knight.
The Squire
A son in his early twenties, who is a man of average strength and height, escorts his dad on this journey. The squire is characterized as "A lover and a lively bachelor, wondrously active, agile, and great of strength." This ever merry man sings, writes and draws.
The Yeoman
The Yeoman is a man clothed in a green hood and coat. He is camouflaged with his surroundings. On his person he is armed with his bow and arrow. A person who can only be described as Robin Hood, "bore a horn, the baldric all of green; A forester he truly was."
The Monk
Fur from the finest of lands lined the selves of this monk. The top of his head shinned bright as if it was glass in the sun. This man of the cloth hunts game for fun and enjoys a good feast. "Fat was this lord, he stood in goodly case. His bulging eyes he rolled about, and hot They gleamed and red, like fire beneath a pot". A man who's eyes were described as if they were burning.
The Friar
One word can sum up this "man of the cloth", this word is corrupt. Many everyday chores for this Friar become ways to help himself only. A life fit for a man not like himself. Illustrated as "with the worthy women living in the city: For his power of confession met no equality". Without money the corrupt Friar embraced bribes as penance.
The Merchant
A man of buying and selling as his occupation finds himself broke. However, no one knows and he does not intend to let anyone find out. His dress described, "In motley gown, and high on horse he sat, Upon his head a Flemish beaver hat; His boots were fastened neatly and elegantly." Not very noticeable this well dress merchant seems to know what he is doing.
The Clerk
Riding on a horse thin as a rake, this temperate man does not weight very much himself. Wearing an old worn coat this clerk may not have much money but he is ready for what is to come in life for him. "Filled with moral virtue was his speech; And gladly would he learn and gladly teach. And short and lively, and full of high morality." His studies come first above, which show in his amount of money in his possession. Yet, he sounds as if he understands money is not everything.
The Sergeant of the Law
"He rode but simply in a medley coat, Girded with a belt of silk, with little bars, But of his outfit no more particulars"; this quote from the Canterbury Tales characterizes the Sergeant of the Law. He is said to be undoubtedly wise and well spoken. he high reputation could be accountable for being able to write a contract and have not errors within his writings.
The Franklin
Food could keep this man company. For the Franklin enjoys to eat; I can rightly assume he quite enjoys indulging with food. "White was his beard as is the white daisy.Of sanguine temperament by every sign, He loved to dip his morning bread in wine." This previous sheriff slash tax auditor keeps food and wine stocked for his reasons.
The Shipman
A captain of the Madeleine, this sailor is fully knowledgeable about his job. For every waterway he knew. Yet in the story it is stated "He sadly rode a carthorse, in a gown, Of thick woolen cloth that reached unto the knee. A dagger hanging on a cord had he". His conscience eating away at him for reasons unknown to me. A man of the ocean face and skin browned from the sun
The Physician
The physician is a doctor with great instructed in astronomy. For a number of his patients, he uses natural science to remedy the sick. For he supposedly knows the cause of his patient sickness always."Blue and scarlet his clothes were there withal,Lined with taffeta and with sendal". On his person the doctor carries his apothecaries. To be prepared for anything.
The Wife of Bath
The Wife of Bath is a woman of five past husband and capped tooth mouth. "Wearing a large wimple, and over all a hat As broad as is a buckler or a targe; An over skirt was tucked around her buttocks large,And her feet spurred sharply under that". Love is the Wife of Bath's game, she knew how to laugh and be merry for she knew all the tricks in the book when it comes to love.
The Miller
Big boned and strongly built, the miller was also a jester who knew some poetry. Although his form of poetry is more perverted and sinful to others. "He was stoutly built, broad and heavy; He lifted each door from its hinges, that easy, Or break it through, by running, with his head." A red bread surrounded his large mouth. His clothes cons its of a blue hood and a white coat.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
The Black Plague
Early in the 1330s, an outbreak of deadly bubonic plague occurred in China. The bubonic plague mainly affects rodents, but fleas can transmit the disease to people. Once people are infected, they infect others very fast. The plague causes fever and a painful swelling of the lymph glands. The glandes are called buboes. This is how the plague got its name. The disease also causes spots on the skin that are red at first and then turn black. With China being one of the busiest of the world's trading nations, it was only a matter of time before the outbreak of plague in China spread to western Asia and Europe. In October of 1347, several Italian merchant ships returned from a trip to the Black Sea. The Black Sea was one of the main sea routes with China. When the ships docked in Sicily, many of those on board were already dying of plague. Within days, the plague had spread to the city and the countryside. Between 1347 and 1352, over 25 million people died in under five years. It is believed to have wiped out two thirds of the population. The plague was a hard blow to the population also it affected the everyday lives of the people. It especially affected the Roman Catholic Church and influenced people to live in the moment which caused havoc. The black plague was one of the biggest epidemics in human history.
The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta, or Great Charter, is a document created for the purpose of limiting the powers of the monarch and preserving the basic legal rights of all free men in England. This document was created firstly, to protect only the rich or upper class. The document was called a rebellion in 1215. A rebellion against King John of England. King John was a corrupt leader who did not agree with the Magna Carta. He pretty much made everyone angry under his power expect those who believed in absolute monarchy. On June 19th, a bill similar to the Bill of Rights was issued, the Magna Carta. Land owners and barons help create the Magna Carta. Originally, the bill was intended to protect only the rich and upper class. Many interpretations by leaders and politicians were created for years after the bill was designed. With each leader the Magna Carta slowly began to apply to more and more groups of people. Sir Edward Coke, a 17th century British Secretary of State, helped American colonists by applying them in the bill also. The American colonists believed the government was violating the basic rights granted to them in the charter. They were being taxed without representation. This led to the creation of the Declaration of Independence by the American colonists. Monarch in Britain was the center until the Magna Carta was established. Nobody could violate this bill, not even the royal family or the king. The Magna Carta set a turning point for democracies of today.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
The Murder of Thomas Becket
The year 1118, the place, Normandy, a son was born to an English merchant. A child named Thomas Becket. Thomas Becket was raised in a life of semi luxury. His family was "well off". For his father was formally Sheriff of London. This advantage may have not served him as well as he thought. For he was sent to Paris for his education and from there to England where he joined the household of Theobold, the then Archbishop of Canterbury. With the knowledge and charm gained, his skills advanced him forward. The archbishop sent him to Paris to study law and with his return made him Archdeacon of Canterbury. In the year 1154, Becket was introduced to King Henry II. King Henry and Becket were close acquaints when Archbishop Theobold died in the year 1161. King Henry saw the power to be gain over the church and anointed his loyal advisor, Becket to be ordain as Bishop. The same afternoon, June 2, 1162, Thomas Becket became Archbishop of Canterbury. King Henry anointed Becket in aspect of gaining control. Becket began to favor the church and chose the church over the king. Becket kept his alliance to the church. After this dispute, Becket fearing his life, fled to France where he remained in exile for six years. December 29, four knights arrived in Canterbury and immediately searched for the Archbishop. Becket fled to the Cathedral where mass was taking place. After being found at the alter, the knights drew their swords and began hacking at their victim finally splitting his skull. Miracles were reported at the at the tomb of the martyr. Four years after Becket's death, King Henry II, walked barefoot through the streets of Canterbury while eighty monks flogged him with branches. It is also said the king slept in the tomb of Thomas Becket to try and gain some sense of absolution.
The Crusades
During the year 1093, Pope Urban II, received word of the Turks attacking Christian pilgrims under Alexius Comnenus rule. Before this Pope Urban II, had established "The Truce of God". This "Truce of God" was a law which forbid any fighting from Sunday to Wednesday, and banned fighting involving priests, monks, women, laborers and merchants at any time. After receiving word from emperor, Alexius Comnenus; Pope Urban II, decided this was an opportunity not to pass up. Along with the local problems he could kill two birds with one stone. The first was to rescue the Christians of the East.The second goal was the liberation of Jerusalem and the other places made holy by the life of Christ. Pope Urban himself, advanced a Holy Crusade to recover the Holy Lands from the barbarian Turks. 1096 CE, the first of many began, The First Crusade. France, Italy and England were all involved in helping gaining back the holy lands.The Latin Orient, or Levant modernly know as Israel was being fought over purely for the land. This land was suppose to be "the land of milk and honey". Over this many promises and alliances were broken. And slowly the Crusades became history.
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