IT’S LITERATURE

P. 90 es. 1
How is the Wife of Bath described? Find information in the text about her profession, behaviour, clothes, face, build, physical problems and past experience(s). Write a description of her after finding the following information (90-100 words).

She is a wealthy, enterprising woman and a very expert clothmaker, her clothes bordering on extravagance. Her face is red, her stockings a scarlet color, and the leather of her shoes is soft, radiant and new, all to show just how wealthy she has become. She had many of the physical canons of a sensual woman for the time: she had a gap between her front teeth, large hips, a sassy face, red cheeks.

es. 2
Let’s examine this famous pilgrim in depth.
a. Which colour is repeated twice in Chaucer’s description of the Wife of Bath? What feeling is usually associated to it?
The colour red is repeated twice in Chaucer’s description of the Wife of Bath. The feeling of passion is usually associated to it.
b. In lines 5-8 we read that she is generous in church, but gets angry if other women walk to the altar before her. How would you describe her temperament?
I would describe her temperament bossy and strong-willed.
c. Look at lines 9-13 and 26-29. How would you describe the kind of clothes she wears?
I would describe the kind of clothes she wears expensive and eye-catching.
d. In line 16 she appears a pious woman conforming to Christian precepts. Yet Chaucer adds a detail that disturbs this picture. What?
The detail that disturbs this picture is that she’d had five husbands.
e. Has she got any children? What may this suggest about her personality?
No, she hasn’t got any children. This may suggest about her personality is strong and independent.

es. 3
Focus now on the poet’s language and style.
a. In describing the Wife of Bath, the poet employs one adjective twice. Which one, and where?
In describing the Wife of Bath, the poet employs the adjective worthy twice, in lines 1 and 15.
b. Do you think he is serious, or does the adjective take on an ironic connotation in the light of her overall description?
I think the adjective take on an ironic connotation in the light of her overall description.
c. Lines 8 and 23 contain two puns, one on the expression “to be put out of charity”, and one on the verb “to wander”. Can you explain them?
She looses her mind easily.
d. Does the poet ever criticise the woman’s behaviour?
No, he doesn’t criticise the woman’s behaviour.
e. Does he use discourse markers to comment on what he is saying (or omitting to say)? If so, where?
No, he doesn’t use discourse markers to comment on what he is saying (or omitting to say).
f. In conclusion, how would you define Chaucer’s tone?
I would define Chaucer’s tone humorous, patronising, satirical, informal, ironic.

es. 4
Complete the text choosing from the words below.

Chaucer’s famous pilgrim from Bath is definitely a/an strong and emancipated woman for her times. She is portrayed as a feminine clothmaker who is very skilful at her work; she likes wearing showy clothes and being at the centre of attention, and reveals at times a bossy and unconventional personality too. She enjoys life pleasures such as the company of men, as well as chatting and travelling. Chaucer’s tone in the extract is mildly ironic, as he highlights how her behaviour actually contradicts the respectability of her position.

es. 5
You can’t judge a book by its cover, as the old saying goes; yet, clothes do sometimes tell a lot about us and our personality.

I like to dress casual, not too sporty. I define myself as a more trouser type, indeed only on important occasions do I make the exception of wearing skirts or dresses (even if with great effort). I like to play trying to match shirts, sweaters or t-shirts in the best way. The accessories that can never be missing in my outfit are a belt and a nice pair of shoes. My style is very serious and simple, the colors I usually use are very dull (shades of brown, black, gray, green). I don't particularly like wearing brightly colored clothes that can attract attention.