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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 5 page essay which examines how Chaucer's expert use of physical description contributed to his characterization of the Wife of Bath. The writer shows how Chaucer's description laid the basis for the Wife's characterization and helped establish her as a cultural icon which has endured for over 600 years. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_Wifeba2.doc
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
used by Chaucer to create that extraordinary creature, the Wife of Bath, was his use of physical description. After reading Chaucers prologue, her image is crystal clear in the readers
mind. What makes this even more amazing is that the description is not overly long. Chaucer did not give every detail of her appearance, but instead he chose carefully,
so that with a few well written lines, he created an image which was complete and all together unique. Although Chaucer gave other details from the Wifes life, it is
in those lines in which he wrote her physical description that she really comes alive to the reader. The first such image used by Chaucer referred to the kerchiefs
she wore upon her head. "Her kerchiefs were of finest weave and ground; I dare swear that they weighed a full ten pound Which, of a Sunday, she wore on
her head" (Chaucer). Immediately the reader knows that this is not a tiny woman. One can easily visualize her with this immense bundle upon her head. Even though the wearing
of kerchiefs such as this was obviously an acceptable fashion, ten pounds of them would surely be a sight that others would notice; therefore, these lines are also revealing about
the Wifes character, she obviously liked drawing attention to herself. Additionally, since the kerchiefs were of the "finest weave and ground," we know that the Wife appreciated fine things
and had the money to buy them. Chaucers next description pertained to other details of her clothing. "Her hose were of the choicest scarlet red, Close gartered, and her shoes
were soft and new. Bold was her face, and fair, and red of hue." (Chaucer) Even then, the color red had connotations which implied licentiousness. That her hose
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