Ms.

Jeon

ENG3U1

17/11/2014

The Wife of Baths Tale Chivalry Violations

In The Wife of Baths Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer, the knight does not
uphold the code of chivalry. Firstly, the knight violates the part of the code of
chivalry that states that knights must protect the weak and defenseless. In
the beginning of the story the narrator states One day as he came riding
from the river He saw a maiden walking all forlorn Ahead of him, alone as
she was born. And of that maiden, spite all she said, By very force he took
her maidenhead. This is in direct violation of the knights vows because he
took advantage of someone who was weak and defenseless compared to his
strength. Furthermore, the knights second vow of chivalry violation was to
persevere to the end of any enterprise begun. The knight violates this when
he is tasked with finding out what women truly desire. The narrator states
This knight that I am telling you about Perceived at last he never would find
out What it could be that a women loved best. The night does not receive
an answer he deems correct, and gives up, believing he will never find an
answer. This act directly violates the vow he made because it roughly states
to never give up. Next, a violation of a vow the knight makes is to guard the
honour of fellow knights. He violates this when he takes the womens
maiden head and disgraces the name of knight. Finally, the last vow the
knight violates is the vow that states to respect the honor of women. Based
on the knights actions at the beginning of the story and how he speaks to his
new wife towards the end Put Right? he cried. That never can be now!
Nothing can ever be put right again! Youre old, and so abominably plain, So
poor to start with, so low-bred to follow; Its little to wonder if I twist and
wallow! This shows disrespect from the knight towards his wife. It also
shows the knight does not respect his vows and is rude to his wife as a
result. The knight was not chivalrous to women, the weak and defenceless,
he did not protect the honour of fellow knights and did not persevere in his
quest. All in all, the knight did note obey the code or his vows and was not
very knightly.

-Cale Wood