The Prioress Tale

The Nun from the Prioress tale is very elegant, and had good table manner, Introduced by Geoffrey Chaucer, as the head of the convent she seems to want to live a lifestyle above what was expected from Nuns. “she would weep, if she saw a mouse, caught in a trap, if it were dead or bled” (144-145). she was very kind heart when it  came to living things. fancy she was since she cared for the jewel(broach) she owned around her neck, such misconduct of a Nun who should be setting an example. thus the importance of her appearance which makes the reading ironic because she wasn't a pretty lady; by the description of her forehead by Chaucer. she sang for divine service but didn't show much interest in g.

Nuns

The reading by Geoffrey Chaucer "Nun" introduces to us a Prioress who is the head of the convent, unlike the peasant nun she tries to be sophisticated and fit it a higher social status which is renounce in the convent,  Thus her love for material things, Nuns were expected to behave appropriately,. She tried to pass for french but didn't quite sound original, although she was describe as well put together;she was said to have a ugly forehead(154-155). The prioress adores pets and showed compassion towards them knowing that pets weren't allowed in the convent. The prioress is a woman who is not ready to make such a commitment in the convent since she tries to do all the opposite of what is expected, she carry traits of the wife from "The Shipmans Tale" who adored the nicer things in life.

The Nun's Priest Tale

In Geoffrey Chaucer " The Nun's Priest Tale" a widow who lives with her two daughter in a cottage. survives off her produce and animals in which she holds in her possession. Although her story is different from the previous tales that were read of wives and widow; hers is seen as a peasant woman who lives a simple and humble life, and unlike the peasant girl from the movie "Name of the Rose", the widow did not have to use sexual politics to get food to eat. "No wyn ne drank she, neither whit ne reed", the widow no lavish and expensive living in her life, and although her life was so simple and hard she didn't allow it to keep her down and so she danced to enjoy herself.

THE WIFE OF THE BATH'S

Chaucer introduce to us Alison, a widow and a merchant woman who gained wealth because of her husbands death, thus the fact that she had been through several marriages. She is describes as a woman that dresses extravagant which gives us an image on her social status. " She is bossy and willful, and uses sexual politics to get what she wants in the relationship", the description of her personality brings us back to "The Shipmans Tale" where the wife uses sexual favors to get what she desire from the Monk. However, Alison desire control and power in the marriage and uses sexual favors as a way of accomplishing that goal; which is the opposite of what was read in the comportment books of women conduct. Alison seems to be a very smart and determine woman who gets what she wants and gained riches and social status from it.

Femme Sole

 Femme Sole was a turning point for women where they gained control whether they were married or widowed. They owned property and was very independent and able to socialize. women didn't have to depend on men or husbands anymore, thus they were capable of running their own business. Before the femme sole men had more control over women  properties and bushiness. This information gave women a lot of opportunities to take advantage of their rights, women standing on their own feet and interacting more with the public.

Wifely Duties

     Sometimes when a woman gets married it’s a signed contract with their husbands. The reading of “Margaret Paston” was a good example of wifely duties   which I found a little more modern but too overwhelming with duties for the wife. Married at a young age of eighteen, her duties consist of taking care of the children, making the clothing, oversea the estate and collect the rent, while the husband was away. Her husband trusted her enough to take care of his business and made sure that everything ran smoothly. Margaret had more of a normal family relationship where the women had access to the assets of the husband, although there was a lot to do, women in these times didn't depend on servants but  made use of their own skills in their daily life. I look at this in a positive light because Margaret keeping herself busy helps to keep her out of negative activities.

Shipmans Tale

     The Shipman’s Tale reading written by Geoffrey Chaucer introduced the deceiving activities of a wife while her husband is away. Woman greed for money to pay her dues results in her paying back with sexual favors; similar to the behavior of the peasant girl in “The Name of the Rose”.  Such degrading behavior from a woman with opportunities but to have the finer things in life she lowers her standards as a wife. “That in his hous as famulier was he” line no.31 describes how she brought this man in her home of matrimony to have intimacy. If this woman was busy as Griselda she would have found no time to engage herself in such activities; selling her body like a prostitute.

The Comportment Books

     The significance of The Comportment Books is mold women behavior in the ways of; obedience,wifely duties and respecting their husbands. These books where written by men in the medieval time. Although many might find it to difficult or harsh to live up to, but it was a good way for men to take control of wives and daughter under a moderate control."A woman’s demeanor and behavior reflect her standing in society in relation to her husband and as such she is a representation of him" I prefer women in this manner where they play their part in making a good representation of the husband, thus the women behavior was normally reflected on the husband. Unlike" The Name Of The Rose" movie women were treated with respect.

The Clerks Tale

Clerks Tale written by Geoffrey Chaucer introduces Griselda as a poor peasant girl who was brought into riches through marriage, entitled to live by the comportment text and obey her husband without resentment. Take care of him, serve him like as a lord and keep high morals. blessed with her first child Griselda experiences anguish when the baby was taken to be falsely put to death, which she shows no remorse because she is loyal to her husband and the decision he make; anything to please her husband. her second child, a boy was also taken and she showed no grievance because she was being loyal to her husband. The faith of this woman was tested in so many horrific ways, including her husband telling her to go back home and leave all her riches. She followed his order and did so with out questioning. being that strong woman she is when asked to plan the ceremony for his wedding to his new wife, she agreed and proceeded. Although this man had put her through so much Griselda remained strong and forbid herself to have other mate and husbands, she stayed loyal to the man who woe her. This is to show how strong this woman is no matter what obstacles she faced. It made her stronger and did not get her down regardless of all the pain. however this reading opened a different atmosphere for women with the comparison of "The Name Of The Rose", Griselda was given freedom although she had to work so hard, she was also given a home and a husband who decided to test her love in a painful way.

WOMAN REPRESENTATION

Oh how my heart aches, The medieval film "The Name Of The Rose" directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud depresses me. Although it was about a murder mystery the treatment given to the peasant woman from the monks was dominant; scorned, called a witch,  and almost put to death; as if she was a criminal to society.Sacrificing her body for food because she was poor;living outside the walls of the monastery. "one of the monks must have probably gave it to the peasant girl in exchange for her favors", secretly visiting as a sex slave to the monks and were suppressed by monks after that sacrifice. Her expectation of her female gender has become degrading, treated like a dog, blamed for things she did not do, pointed out as a devil. This is an example of men perception of women as being troublesome and evil spirited in the medieval era.this movie gave me an insight of women treatment during the medieval time