By: Chris Maze, Jeremy Mitchell, By: Chris Maze, Jeremy Mitchell, Leeanna Barnes, Johnny JamisonLeeanna Barnes, Johnny Jamison

Pages 133 - 134Pages 133 - 134

Chaucer describes the Cook as an ugly person.

The effect of this gruesome image is that we find his character repulsive. This is because of the fact that Chaucer describes details of his ugly features such as the ulcer on his knee.

The Cook

The Wife of Bath was a wanderer, and liked to

meet new people. Also, she had gapped teeth, which was considered a sign that a person liked and had an aptitude for traveling.

The Pardoner had traveled widely as well. The Wife of Bath went on many pilgrimages to

meet new “friends”. Her lustful personality caused her to want to meet many people, and travel was one way that she achieved this. Her gapped teeth again show her character, as she enjoyed travel and love on her pilgrimages.

The Wife of Bath

The fact that she has married five times shows us that

she is not a particularly religious individual, because in the Middle Ages, divorce (and remarriage) was not accepted in the Church. This is significant because it shows that although she went on many pilgrimages, she wasn’t religious – so there were other reasons that she went. Her remarriage shows her lustfulness again in the form of over 5 different marriages.

Chaucer also reveals his attitude towards the Wife of Bath by describing her in amused tones, hinting at her various affairs and designs. While he doesn’t think that she is a religious or moral character, he is amused and doesn’t think her bad or malicious.

Wife of Bath Continued

The CookUgly and repulsiveUlcers

Wife of BathFancy clothesBright colours, especially redOlder

Their Appearance

The CookHe was a chief, and made excellent delights.His best dish was creamed chicken pie.

Wife of Bath She was an amazing seamstress and weaver. She was a wife, therefore she relied on her various husbands to earn money. It was not common for women to have occupations in the Middle Ages.

Their Jobs

The CookDespite his ugly appearance, he was a master at his trade.

Wife of BathWanderer, traveled muchLustful natureBold and friendly

Character

The CookLikes – Excellent cook, made good dishes. Dislikes – He had a repulsive appearance.

The Wife of BathLikes – She liked to travel, sew, and socialize. Dislikes – She would not like to be the usual stay-at-home spouse.

Likes/Dislikes

The CookChaucer was critical of the Cook’s appearance, but praised his cooking ability. The tone overall was sympathetic, as he felt sorry that such a good cook was so hideous.

The Wife of BathChaucer had an amused tone when speaking about the Wife of Bath. He was not critical of her loose morals, but seemed tickled by her behavior.

Tone

The Firefighter

Tall and strong was his buildAs was fit for those of his guild.

A Firefighter there was as wellWho battled fiery flames of Hell.

Genial he was, always kind,Only care for others was on his mindOr so it seemed, as he professedHelping others is what he does best.

On September the eleventh, two thousand oneHe helped until all work was done,In both towers, and after tooCleaning until there was nothing to do.

From coast to coast he beat down flamesEven in England, on the banks of the Thames.During those riots, he saved livesAnd in California, where cedar thrivesWildfires were quenched by him

A greater firefighter there has never been.His clothes he wore, they were burnedBut he bore them with pride, unconcernedAnd he carried an axe, sharp and keen,But marked by duty, it was not clean.