Wife of Bath S Tale Assignment

Name: Block: Date:

For this assignment, you and a partner will assume the roles of the knight and the old woman from the Wife of Bath’s tale. You each will write an appeal to the queen in which you prove that your sex should have sovereignty in marriage. Use details from the story to shape your argument. You will write a draft, peer edit with your partner, and hand in your final drafts as a set.

Due Dates: In-class peer edit of rough draft: Thursday 12/1 Final draft due: Monday 12/5

Wife of Bath’s Tale Partner Assignment:

In the Wife of Bath’s tale, so is told A persuasive argument, so bold One more of the letters you must write In the form of logic, reason too From the old woman, all her might To ply a repulsed knight and woo To show the Queen man’s fickle nature Him to her side, forever more Makes him a less worthy creature Lifelong vow, to even the score To hold sovereignty in marriage; The lined old woman, made him sweat That one right is a woman’s carriage. For pleasures he did not know yet. But what if, during the marriage night The grading of these gems, shall be The abject knight did then take flight Based on these foremost qualities: And beg the queen to set him free Thought, creativity, and composition From this agreement’s misery? As well as support for your position. The lines should number thirty and Your task it is to write two letters five One of the knight, to argue to his With end rhyme to keep your readers better live. The queen, that sovereignty lies with And so you’ll have your own grand tale the man, In verse like this, now don’t be stale That women have no thought and can There is wisdom in each one of you! Not protect that ancient right, Now let me see it shine on through! That power is a husband’s might.