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"...
Across the Loathly Lady fabula we see some variation between her portrayal as well as similarities. In The Wife of Bath (Chaucer, 1390) we first hear of the Loathly Lady’s appearance via this line “On the green he saw a woman sitting, there can no man imagine an uglier creature” (Chaucer, p998-999), from that there is a broad perception that she is hideous. Throughout the piece although she is continuously described as ugly there are not many adjectives past that to give one a mental image of her for instance “for though I am ugly, and old, and poor” and “his wife looked so ugly”.
The knight does agree to wed her however after she saves his life, but he makes a point of expressing how little he wants to “Alas! And woe is me. For God’s love choose a new request! Take all my goods and let my body go.” The knight clearly is unhappy with his situation. She the explains her reasoning for appearing aesthetically unappealing “For filth and old age, as I may prosper, Are great guardians of chastity. But nonetheless, since I know your delight, I shall fulfil your worldly appetite” , through this we see her condition was to remain chaste by hiding as an ‘ugly’ woman. Once she is married and convinces her husband to take a risk with her, she becomes a pretty submissive sounding character “and she obeyed him in everything that might to him pleasure or enjoyment”.
In The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle (Hahn, 1995) the Loathly Lady is described in greater detail than in The Wife of Bath as seen here “Her face was red, her nose running, her mouth wide… her hair clotted in a heap”.
There is clear evidence of intertextuality outside of the lore of the Loathly Lady character. For instance the initial impression of the ladies is similar in two of the texts “She was the ugliest creature that a man ever saw” from The Wife of Bath and “There can no man imagine an uglier creature” from The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle. Both state the view of the woman’s beauty specifically through what a man could see or imagine.
We see this similar imagery of the women having large waists, terrible teeth and having hellish presence. In The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle we see this through “Her teeth all yellow”, “like a barrel she was made” and “Even if she was a fiend, even if she were as foul as Beelzebub”. In King Henry the descriptions are reiterated through these lines “her middle you could not span”, “her teeth were like the tether stakes” and “nothing less she seemed to be than a fiend that comes from hell”.
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.
Across the Loathly Lady fabula we see some variation between her portrayal as well as similarities. In The Wife of Bath (Chaucer, 1390) we first hear of the Loathly Lady’s appearance via this line “On the green he saw a woman sitting, there can no man imagine an uglier creature” (Chaucer, p998-999), from that there is a broad perception that she is hideous. Throughout the piece although she is continuously described as ugly there are not many adjectives past that to give one a mental image of her for instance “for though I am ugly, and old, and poor” and “his wife looked so ugly”.
The knight does agree to wed her however after she saves his life, but he makes a point of expressing how little he wants to “Alas! And woe is me. For God’s love choose a new request! Take all my goods and let my body go.” The knight clearly is unhappy with his situation. She the explains her reasoning for appearing aesthetically unappealing “For filth and old age, as I may prosper, Are great guardians of chastity. But nonetheless, since I know your delight, I shall fulfil your worldly appetite” , through this we see her condition was to remain chaste by hiding as an ‘ugly’ woman. Once she is married and convinces her husband to take a risk with her, she becomes a pretty submissive sounding character “and she obeyed him in everything that might to him pleasure or enjoyment”.
In The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle (Hahn, 1995) the Loathly Lady is described in greater detail than in The Wife of Bath as seen here “Her face was red, her nose running, her mouth wide… her hair clotted in a heap”.
There is clear evidence of intertextuality outside of the lore of the Loathly Lady character. For instance the initial impression of the ladies is similar in two of the texts “She was the ugliest creature that a man ever saw” from The Wife of Bath and “There can no man imagine an uglier creature” from The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle. Both state the view of the woman’s beauty specifically through what a man could see or imagine.
We see this similar imagery of the women having large waists, terrible teeth and having hellish presence. In The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle we see this through “Her teeth all yellow”, “like a barrel she was made” and “Even if she was a fiend, even if she were as foul as Beelzebub”. In King Henry the descriptions are reiterated through these lines “her middle you could not span”, “her teeth were like the tether stakes” and “nothing less she seemed to be than a fiend that comes from hell”.
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.
They could believe this
because when the knight chose between the loathly ladies options “To have
me ugly and old until I die, and be to you a true and humble wife, and never
displease you in all my life/ Or else you would have me young and fair, and
take your chances of the crowd. That shall be at your house because of me, or
in some other place” he let her decide. She offered him loyalty whilst
unattractive and old, or to be attractive yet free for whatever promiscuity. By
him allowing her the choice over her appearance he grants her back sovereignty
in her marriage, showing that she is in a way equal.
I personally do not overly agree that Chaucer intended to create a feminist piece or that his views slid in through this. Rather, as he was copying and parodying an Irish text I would say that he meant to find humour in the idea that the loathly lady ends with some power in the marriage or that the man gave up his decision by allowing her to make it.
I personally do not overly agree that Chaucer intended to create a feminist piece or that his views slid in through this. Rather, as he was copying and parodying an Irish text I would say that he meant to find humour in the idea that the loathly lady ends with some power in the marriage or that the man gave up his decision by allowing her to make it.
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?
In
Hahn’s (1995) essay on The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle he notes
that he believes that the stories function is to encourage civility, comradery
and to uncover the mysteries around the characters. Within secure confines and
that romance served more as a background theme rather than a main one. Through
this quote “In this way the romance orders events so that the force of civility
and courtesy prevails, and the challenge of the wild is answered within the
safe precincts of bedroom and court at the conclusion” we see that Hahn believes
the story serves the purpose of creating peace between enemies and strengthens
the bonds of their relationships. He states that this is done through Ragnelle
as she holds the poem together, each character interacts with her and through
that she links them. Through the repetition of these links and problems/solutions
that arise she helps to delve into chivalry such as Gawain marrying her to help
Arthur or reconciling Gromer and Arthur. Which in turn re-establishes the Round
Tables values of mutuality between members.
4. In the context of Elizabethan and Jacobean sonnets, how can we define "conceits"?
In the context of Elizabethan and Jacobean sonnets conceits are used to explain attributes of a person or thing without directly describing the original source. For instance by calling someone the sun you are not directly saying that they are a sphere of hot plasma and gas, a star, the gravitational framework of our planet or a generous contributor to life. Although the star comment could certainly also earn one positive points. Instead you’re alluding to their beauty or warmth. Or like in Ice and Fire (Spenser, 1595) where the temperature themed conceits are used to portray the differences between the lack of romantic pairing between two people. Conceits in these eras allow metaphor and encourage readers to search for a deeper meaning within the couplets.
5. Discuss what you think is the most striking or outrageous example.
The most striking and/or outrageous example of this has to be the entire plot of The Flea (Donne, 1633), in which the main character tries to convince the woman of his desire that due to a flea biting both of them; their fluids have intermingled and they may as well consummate as in a way it already has happened. Logic I feel as if I’ve heard, before from the character Barney in How I Met Your Mother (Bays and Thomas, 2005) , who spends season after season trying any and all ploys to con women into copulating.
Not only does the absurdity of it stand out, but lines such as “Thou know’st that this cannot be said, a sinne, nor shame, nor losse of maidenhead” wherein there is an attempt to proclaim that as the flea doesn’t harbour these after taking their blood, nor will she. Which although in this century we have almost moved aside from these definitions of what a sexual encounter would then decrease a woman to or bolster a man; it does not hold up in the context of its time. Had she slept with him before marriage she may end up pregnant, which ends the illusion of her ‘maidenhood’. In a still Christian influenced society she would be sinning and probably shamed, although it can be said that there is a mention of marriage bed and a large amount of the hypothesising conceits that there is an air of both playfulness if not humour, as well as an acknowledgement that traditions would be upheld if they were to continue. Although one could say with a bit of drama/outrage within that Christian era in mentioning “though parents grudge”, which lacks respect.
4. In the context of Elizabethan and Jacobean sonnets, how can we define "conceits"?
In the context of Elizabethan and Jacobean sonnets conceits are used to explain attributes of a person or thing without directly describing the original source. For instance by calling someone the sun you are not directly saying that they are a sphere of hot plasma and gas, a star, the gravitational framework of our planet or a generous contributor to life. Although the star comment could certainly also earn one positive points. Instead you’re alluding to their beauty or warmth. Or like in Ice and Fire (Spenser, 1595) where the temperature themed conceits are used to portray the differences between the lack of romantic pairing between two people. Conceits in these eras allow metaphor and encourage readers to search for a deeper meaning within the couplets.
5. Discuss what you think is the most striking or outrageous example.
The most striking and/or outrageous example of this has to be the entire plot of The Flea (Donne, 1633), in which the main character tries to convince the woman of his desire that due to a flea biting both of them; their fluids have intermingled and they may as well consummate as in a way it already has happened. Logic I feel as if I’ve heard, before from the character Barney in How I Met Your Mother (Bays and Thomas, 2005) , who spends season after season trying any and all ploys to con women into copulating.
Not only does the absurdity of it stand out, but lines such as “Thou know’st that this cannot be said, a sinne, nor shame, nor losse of maidenhead” wherein there is an attempt to proclaim that as the flea doesn’t harbour these after taking their blood, nor will she. Which although in this century we have almost moved aside from these definitions of what a sexual encounter would then decrease a woman to or bolster a man; it does not hold up in the context of its time. Had she slept with him before marriage she may end up pregnant, which ends the illusion of her ‘maidenhood’. In a still Christian influenced society she would be sinning and probably shamed, although it can be said that there is a mention of marriage bed and a large amount of the hypothesising conceits that there is an air of both playfulness if not humour, as well as an acknowledgement that traditions would be upheld if they were to continue. Although one could say with a bit of drama/outrage within that Christian era in mentioning “though parents grudge”, which lacks respect.
References:
Bays, C. Thomas, C. (2005) How I Met Your Mother, CBS.
Chaucer, Geoffrey (c.1390). The Wife of Bath.
Donne, J. (1633) The Flea
Hahn,
T. (1995) The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle. Sir Gawain: Eleven
Romances and Tales. Kalamazoo, Michigan, Medieval Institute Publications.
Spenser, E. (1595) Ice and Fire.
Steeleye Span (1972). King Henry. In Below the Salt. US: Shanachie
Spenser, E. (1595) Ice and Fire.
Steeleye Span (1972). King Henry. In Below the Salt. US: Shanachie
Comments:
Te Wai - I agree with what you said about Chaucer not being particularly feminist, just due to it not being a mindset of the time. Although through giving her some choice and considering what women most desire etc there's room for a little bit of female narrative which is quite interesting.
In the first instance, it is very essential to know that what is the definition of feminist means. A feminist is normally being referred to a person who advocate the idea and the principle of the feminism, in other words, is a kind of supporting the equality and rights of women as a person belief.
ReplyDeleteGeoffrey Chaucer who is generally identified as the Father of English Literature was born in 1343 and passed away in 1400.
The main issue on whether he was a feminist is a frequently discussed argument however he was, considering that many prominent works are depended on female protagonist at the time. Some instance of these the Book of the Duchess, Legend of Good Women and The Canterbury Tales. Yet, whether or not the underneath is correct might obstruct whether or not he actually was a feminist.
“Some have theorised that the Wife's tale may have been written to ease Chaucer's guilty conscience. It is recorded that in 1380 associates of Chaucer stood surety for an amount equal to half his yearly salary for a charge brought by Cecily Champaign rape or abduction; the same view has been taken of his Legend of Good Women, which Chaucer himself describes as a penance”.
Medieval England in the middle Ages was a patriarchal community. This indicate that males could have played a vital role specially in terms of leading some of the social agencies, ethical authority, and other roles seem to be more suitable to them when compared to women.
"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.
This quote was taken from “The Wife of Baths tale”, in my view and opinion consolidated the peripheries that women possessed in the Middles ages.
This is the report from the young knight who is given a period of one year and one day to find the answer to the question of what is it that women incline most? He is dispatched on this task after committing evil acts (the rape of a young woman).
If it is true about Chaucer in his previous years, is this a possible depiction of himself via his works?
Reference:
Carter, S. (2003). Coupling The Beastly Bride And The Hunter Hunted: What Lies Behind in Chaucer’s Wife Of Bath’s Tale. In The Chaucer Review, Vol. 37, No. 4, 2003.
ReplyDeleteAccording to my own analysis and interpretation as to the concept of conceit within the context of this sonnet is a kind of metaphor which is normally expanded along many lines, or even might include the whole poem. Specifically, in this poem, the main conceit which connects and combines the poem together is the introduction of precious youth as his “eternal summer”.
A conceit usually makes a contrast between two objects in an abnormal or unpredicted manner, and this is absolutely the main issue in this respect. Shakespeare inquires if she could contrast his love “to a summer’s day,”
Reference:
-Shakespeare, Sonnet XVII & CXXX - Spencer, ‘Ice and Fire’, Sonnet LIII - Melville, ‘To his coy mistress’ - Dunne, ‘The Flea’ - Philips, ‘Against Love’, ‘Song’ -Behn, ‘The Dream’, ‘To Fair Clarinda’ - Swift, ‘Meditation upon a brromstick’
How was Bob Dylan's song Masters of War involved in controversy during the Bush administration?
ReplyDeleteTo my own understanding and analysis to Bob Dylan’s song, “took the music industry storm in 1963. The populace agonized since its savage and furious feeling against the “military industrial complex” attracted the heed of several adamant and appalled Americans. It’s believed that the government was unmanageable by announcing meaningless war and then simply contracting the liability it was apparently committed to handle. “Master of War is a kind of captivating protest song (even though Dylan says it isn’t a protest song), “ This here isn’t a protest song or anything like that, cause I don’t write protest song… I’m just writing it as something to be said, for somebody, BY SOMEBODY” (DREIER, (2011) The song stands against the state’s oppressive misuse of its ever-military power.
“Master of War is highly ranked when compared to the remainders of the protest songs which have already been written before. The song was first uploaded onto the album The Freewheelin’Bob Dylan in 1963. Dylan was relatively aware of the time period in which he was used to live. During that time the was Cold War at its high peak and this besides Cuban Missile Crisis led the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic to an imminent nuclear calamity. In one of the segment, Dylan “I hope that die, and your death ‘will come soon. I will watch while you are lowered down to your deathbed, and I will stand over you grave’ til I’m sure you ‘re dead.”In reply to this section of the song, Dylan said, “I don’t sing songs which hope people will die, but I couldn’t help with this one.” (Schlansky (2009).
for example America continuous multiplication of weapons in the early 60s. Dylan still gets appreciation an valuation for this song to this day. In 1991, after his winning to accomplishment award at the Grammys, He performed “Master of War” this had occurred when the United States Of America was in the middle of the Persian Gulf War. The positive aspect of this song is that we can still tie this song to the past wars and clashes, and the wars of the now days. As an instance of the songs endless nature and handling the inquiry offered, 39 years consequently Bob Dylan performed the beat at Madison square garden since he viewed the relationships and the impacts his song that might have on the Bush’s current proclamation of the second war on Iraq. During the Collapse of 2002, November 11th George Bush openly decaled the start of the second Iraq war. One of the dispute’s about Dylan performing this song overtly in this greatly stretched political managerial time, was the song was really held liable for ingraining the minds of the young people carry out them “want Bush dead” (Marcus, (2006). The song in itself is believed to have possessed a huge impact on people, which greatly affected the attitudes and concepts of the youth which will accordingly result in a several versions and performances of Dylan’s classic by others as a real shape of rally against the resolution to trigger a fresh war. Hypothetically speaking, this might be a supporting factor as to why Bush hasn’t offered Dylan a prize after almost a passing of eight years from the date Dylan has achieved. Freakily enough, Obama has offered Dylan with the presidential medal of freedom just after two years from receiving his presidential post.
ReplyDeleteReferences:
Dreier, P. (2011, May 24). The Political Bob Dylan. Dissentmagazine. Retrieved from https://www.dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/the-political-bob-dylan
Greene, A. (2016, November 18). Bob Dylan Before the Nobel: 12 Times He Publicly Accepted an Honor. Rollingstone. Retrieved from https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/bob-dylan-before-the-nobel-12-times-he-accepted-an-honor-w451097/presidential-medal-of-freedom-2012-w451135
Marcus, G. n.d.Stories of a Bad Song. Threepennyreview. Retrieved from https://www.threepennyreview.com/samples/marcus_w06.html
Schlansky, E. (2009, April 30). The 30 Greatest Bob Dylan Songs: #8, “Masters of War”. Americansongwriter. Retrieved from http://americansongwriter.com/2009/04/the-30-greatest-bob-dylan-songs-8-masters-of-war/