Self & Society: British Lit @Hood College

Middle English: For hadde God comanded maydenhede, Thanne hadde he dampned weddyng with the dede. And certes, if ther were no seed ysowe, Virginitee, thanne wherof sholde it growe? Modern Translation: For had God commanded maidenhood, Then had he damned marriage along with the act (of procreation). And certainly, if there were no seed sown, Then from what should virginity grow?

"For half so boldely can ther no man/ Swere and lyen as a womman can./ I sey nat this by wyves that ben wyse,/ But if it be whan they hem misavyse./ A wys wyf, if that she can hir good,/ Shal beren him on hond the cow is wood,/ And take witnesse of hir owene mayde/ Of hir assent." (227-234)

"Eek wel I woot he seyde, myn housbonde/ Shoulde lete fader and moder, and take to me;/ But of no nombre mencioun made he,/ Of bigamye or of octogamye./ Why sholde men thanne speke of it vileinye?" -Wife of Bath's Prologue, lines 30-34

"They wolde han writen of men more wikkednesse Than all the mark of Adam may redresse."  line 695-696 of The Wife of Bath's Prologue

What kind of a man is a frere? In the description about his character it states, " he hadde maad ful many a mariage Of young wommen, at his own cost" (212-213). And it suggests he gave them money   out of his own pocket. But why? Is it because they were in need or he was in need of something else? And it goes on to say, " for he hadde power of confessioun, As seyde himself, more than a curat"(218-219). This is basically stating he had more power than a priest concerning confession. Why is this man so influencing that people will confess to him before a priest or more likely than a priest? This is very concerning because people do things for certain reasons and it's not always good. It baffles me the influence and the description of character concerning men like this frere. He comes from a wealthy place but what did he do to get there. Is he really all that? All I'm saying is dont believe the hype. 

Upon this nombre diffinicioun. Men may devyne and glosen up and doun, But wel I woot express, withoute lye,  God bad us for to wexe and multiplye; That gentil text can I wel understonde. -The Wife of Bath's Prologue, lines 25-29 the Wife of Bath, as depicted on a vintage Cadbury's biscuits tin, circa 1911. photo credit Flickr user Lynda Gray 

Wife of bath They Wolde Han written of men more wikkedness. Than all the mark of Adam may redresse. 695-696