Referring to appropriately selected parts of the text, examine the poetic
methods which Chaucer uses to maintain interest in The Wife’s Tale of
the Knight and the Loathly Lady.
Chaucer uses “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” to explore the theme of
gentillesse in the upper classes by criticising the Knight’s character and
actions. However, in order to demonstrate this criticism and fulfil the work’s
didactic purpose, the audience’s attention had to be maintained throughout. To
achieve this, Chaucer created a humorous and entertaining Tale, full of
suspense, which engaged all members of society. For example, Chaucer
shattered the expectations for a traditional tale. The story is one of Chivalric
Romance, using adventure to romanticise a moral parable, yet Chaucer
manipulates the characteristics of the genre to intrigue the audience. The role
of the “Loathly Lady” was an archetype within medieval literature, but Chaucer
diverts from this by adding a darker element to the Tale with the rape of the
maiden, whose virginity was stolen “by verray force”. The aggressive
language contradicts the expectations of chivalry from a knight, shifting a
romantic Tale into a cynical satire that shocks its audience and criticises the
public’s attitude towards nobility. Traditionally, such a tale would involve a man
of higher status, but by choosing a knight, Chaucer can surprise his audience
with his protagonist’s cruelty. The nameless knight is referred to as the “lusty
bacheler”, contradicting public perception of a knight’s apparent nobility. This
emphasises the entertaining satirical aspect of the Tale. Therefore, by twisting
the traditions of a stereotypical mediaeval tale, Chaucer maintains his
audience’s interest with a fresh perspective whilst expressing his social
criticism.
Furthermore, Chaucer also fosters his audience’s attention by building
significant suspense regarding the Knight’s fate, since “dampened was the
knight for to be deed, / By cours of lawe, and sholde han lost his heed”. The
use of the rhyming couplet emphasises how the Knight’s death seemed
methods which Chaucer uses to maintain interest in The Wife’s Tale of
the Knight and the Loathly Lady.
Chaucer uses “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” to explore the theme of
gentillesse in the upper classes by criticising the Knight’s character and
actions. However, in order to demonstrate this criticism and fulfil the work’s
didactic purpose, the audience’s attention had to be maintained throughout. To
achieve this, Chaucer created a humorous and entertaining Tale, full of
suspense, which engaged all members of society. For example, Chaucer
shattered the expectations for a traditional tale. The story is one of Chivalric
Romance, using adventure to romanticise a moral parable, yet Chaucer
manipulates the characteristics of the genre to intrigue the audience. The role
of the “Loathly Lady” was an archetype within medieval literature, but Chaucer
diverts from this by adding a darker element to the Tale with the rape of the
maiden, whose virginity was stolen “by verray force”. The aggressive
language contradicts the expectations of chivalry from a knight, shifting a
romantic Tale into a cynical satire that shocks its audience and criticises the
public’s attitude towards nobility. Traditionally, such a tale would involve a man
of higher status, but by choosing a knight, Chaucer can surprise his audience
with his protagonist’s cruelty. The nameless knight is referred to as the “lusty
bacheler”, contradicting public perception of a knight’s apparent nobility. This
emphasises the entertaining satirical aspect of the Tale. Therefore, by twisting
the traditions of a stereotypical mediaeval tale, Chaucer maintains his
audience’s interest with a fresh perspective whilst expressing his social
criticism.
Furthermore, Chaucer also fosters his audience’s attention by building
significant suspense regarding the Knight’s fate, since “dampened was the
knight for to be deed, / By cours of lawe, and sholde han lost his heed”. The
use of the rhyming couplet emphasises how the Knight’s death seemed
