Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Question of the Week (11/19/10)
Cite (in MLA format) your favorite quote from the tales we read in class. Why is this your favorite quote? Don't say that you like it just because... actually support your reasoning with sound arguments. Also be sure to comment on another classmate's post. Enjoy your weekend and study hard!
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My favorite quote is from The Knight's Tale;
ReplyDelete" 'Just as there never died a man,' said he,
'But had in life some station or degree,
Just so there never lived a man,' he said,
'In all the world but in the end was dead.
This world is but a thoroughfare of woe,
And we are pilgrims passing to and fro.
Death is the end of every world sore.'
On top of this he said a great deal more,
To this effect, with wisest exhortation,
Heartening the people in their tribulation" (Chaucer 79).
I like this quote because I think that it is not only a very important piece in the Knight's tale, but I feel that Chaucer uses strong language to depict the hardships and values in life. I also like this quote because it is Theseus turning to his father, Aegeus, for advice and help in his difficult situation. It is a familial aspect in Chaucer's work that the reader doesn't often see--at least in the selected tales that we, as a class, read.
My favorite quote comes from the Wife of Bath's Tale. It's just after the Knight had to marry the old woman.
ReplyDelete" 'I am your own beloved and your wife,
And I am she, indeed, that saved your life;
And certainly I never did you wrong.
Then why, this first of nights, so sad a song?
You're carrying on as if you were half-witted.
Say, for God's love, what sin have I committed?
I'll put things right if you will tell me how.'
'Put right?' he cried. 'That never can be now!
You're old, and so abominably plain,
So poor to start with, so low-bred to follow
It's little wonder if I twist and wallow!"
Nothing can ever be put right again! (Chaucer, 287-8)
This is my favorite quote because I think it sums up the Wife of Bath's character perfectly through the language Chaucer uses. On the one hand, there's the old woman, or the wife. Even though her husband, the Knight, is being mean and cruel, she doesn't leave him. This reflects the Wife of Bath's marriage with Jenkyn. Even though he made her mad, she never once thought of trying to escape the marriage. I understand that it was a lot harder to just get up and leave then, but Chaucer never wrote her thinking that it would be nice. Also, the insults that Knight threw at his wife remind me of the type of insults the Wife of Bath might have used in her own life.
I thought that Meg had a really good point. Chaucer rarely does include family in his tales. In the Knight's tale, most of the familial aspect was the feud between Paloman and Arcite, who were cousins. There family is almost portrayed in a negative light, so, like Meg said, it was interesting
to see a good relationship within a family.
I don't know whether this is permissible, but the quote Meg used was also my favorite, or at least the most memorable. It reads:
ReplyDelete" 'Just as there never died a man,' said he,
'But had in life some station or degree,
Just so there never lived a man,' he said,
'In all the world but in the end was dead.
This world is but a thoroughfare of woe,
And we are pilgrims passing to and fro.
Death is the end of every world sore.'
On top of this he said a great deal more,
To this effect, with wisest exhortation,
Heartening the people in their tribulation" (Chaucer 79).
Chaucer, or Theseus rather, paints a refreshingly stark picture of life in this quote. What is truly remarkable is that he does so by summing up the essence of life in a sincerely poetic, inspired way. While this excerpt could certainly be used in deeming Theseus to have a negative outlook on things, he's just being honest. Brutally honest, as they say.
I figured someone, or multiple people, would choose Michaela's quote. I think it does capture the real meaning behind the Wife of Bath's character and her tale, and Michaela did a very good job of encapsulating that theme in her response.
My Favorite quote from the Canterbury Tales is from the Wife of Bathes Prologue when she is talking about her marriages:
ReplyDelete"Experience--and no matter what they say
In books--is good enough authority
For me to speak of trouble in marriage.
For ever since I was twelve years of age,
Thanks be to God, I've had no less than five
Husbands at church door--if one may believe
I could be wed so often legally!" (P.220)
I like it because it shows a feministic attitude towards love and marriage that I think is important. Although many of the tales (mostly the Fabliau's) depict the men has having power and control over their wives, this quote from the wife of Bathes tale shows that she can marry as much as she wants have have the power in marriage.
I also like the quote that Gabe and Meg chose. I think it is very important to the tales since it sums up the pilgrimage in a poetic, melancholy way.
"Stuck out his arse, a handsome piece of work,
ReplyDeleteButtocks and all, as far as to the haunch.
Said Absalon, all set to make a launch,
'Speak, pretty bird, I know not where thou art!'
This Nicholas at once let fly a fart
As loud as if it were a thunder-clap.
He was near blinded by the blast, poor chap,
But his hot iron was ready; with a thump
He smote him in the middle of the rump"
(Chaucer 93).
This is my favorite quote, because it is a perfect representation of the fabliau. The characters have used their wits to serve their self-interests in a way very typical of a fabliau, with Nicholas being able to bed down with Allison and Nicholas getting his pay-back.
Furthermore, at the climactic point of the tale, Nicholas nearly blinds Absalon with a blast of flatulence, only to be thrusted in the buttocks with a hot iron. The use of the body and its noises for humor characteristic of a fabliau is evident and most definitely hilarious.
Gabe, note that it is not Theseus talking in this passage, but rather his father Aegeus. When I read that passage, I remember Macbeth's soliloquy (Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. ). The thematic concept that our problems are meaningless and inevitably conquered by death is common between each passage; it is interesting that this cynical perspective on life transcends the centuries.
My favorite quote is from the Knight's Tale:
ReplyDelete"You lovers, here's a question I would offer,
Arcite or Palamon, which had most to suffer?
The one can see his lady day by day,
But he must dwell in prison, locked away.
The other's free, the world lies all before,
But never sall he see his lady more.
Judge as you please between them, you that can,
For I'll tell on my tale as I began."
(Chaucer 39)
This quote really cements the Knight's tale as a tale that should be taken seriously, as opposed to Matt's representation of a fabliau above. The fabliau is meant to be taken as a joke, and I feel like Matt's quote really highlights that: any line that uses the lines "stuck out his arse, a handsome piece of work" (Chaucer 93) is obviously a comedial piece, whereas in the quote I chose, the Knight is obviously trying to get some thought across to the readers as to which fate is more painful. This quote actually made me think about the two poor knights, and so I'm certain it made the pilgrims think, and so obviously it makes it very clear that the Knight is being entirely serious, and that not even his tale exposes a flaw to his character.
"Still lay this innocent child upon his bier
ReplyDeleteAt the high altar while a Mass was said.
The abbot and his convent then drew near
To hasten on his burial, and spread
A rain of holy water on his head;
And as they let the holy water spill
He sang O Alma Redemptoris still."
(Chaucer 175)
Like Cas' quote from the Knight's Tale, I think that my quote from the Prioress's tale is a serious one, though this is not really the reason I like it. I like because it has excellent imagery. I can vividly picture a child fighting for life and singing/preaching/screaming his beliefs to the very end. For some reason I picture him burning at a stake but I'm pretty sure that is not what is happen. In any case this quote puts pretty vivid images into my mind which makes me feel for the child and want to read on to see what happens.
"Never was a man more taken with delight
ReplyDeleteThan January when he received his sight.
And first thought was to behold his love
Only to see that Damian had addressed
HIs wife in ways that cannot be expressed
Unless I use a most discourteous word.
He gave a roaring cry, as might be heard
From stricken mother when their babies die."
(Chaucer 386)
This quote, like the one Matt Jin chose, represents a Fabliau. Although his quote is a little more vulgar and humorous, I chose this one because it describes a very funny scene. January, who had been blind is at the base of the tree and in its branches are Damian and May fornicating. This is a good representation of the humor and irony that Chaucer displays in his tales. It also shows the wide variety of tales, and tones that Chaucer used if you compare this to the Nun Prioress' tale or the Knight's tale.
My favorite is quote from the Miller's tale:
ReplyDelete"The carpenter, startled from sleep above,
And hearing shouts for water and a thud,
Thought, 'Heaven help us! Here comes Nowel's Flood!'
And up he sat and with no more ado
He took his axe and smote the ropes in two
And down went everything. He didn't stop
To sell his bread and ale, but came down flop
Upon the floor and fainted right away." (Chaucer 105)
This is my favorite quote because I laughed really hard while reading it: it was just hilarious! Of all the things that happen in this story, all the bad things happen to John: his wife cheats on him, he breaks several bones and is made a fool.
I completely agree with Matt that his quote represents a fabliaux, and that it is down right hilarious, I don't really think that it is the climatic point of the story. I think that when John cuts the ropes to the tubes is when the climax occurs.
My favorite quote is also from the miller's tale:
ReplyDelete"Yet something quite rough and hairy had appeared.
'What have I done?' he said. 'Can that be you?'
'Teehee!' she cried and clapped the window to.
Off went poor Absalon sadly through the dark.
'A beard! a beard!' cried Nicholas the Spark.
Who's busy rubbing scraping at his lips
With dust, with sand, with straw, with cloth, with chips
But Absalon? He through, 'I'll bring him down!
I wouldn't let this go for all the town.
I'd take my soul and sell it to the Devil
To be revenged upon him! I'll get level . . . .'" (Chaucer 92)
I like this quote because it shows the kind of language used in a fabliaux– there are no complicated words and it uses interjections such as "Teehee!" I also like the way Absalon reacts to this situation; he becomes very vengeful and vows to get revenge.
I agree with Matt (whose quote was almost the same as mine). A fabliaux, as well as a unique writing style, also has unique humorous actions, such as the kiss and jab in the buttocks.
From the Knight's tale:
ReplyDelete" 'thou had had five men usband unto thee
And he that even now thou hast', said He
'Is not thy husband.' Such the words that feel;
But what He meant thereby I cannot tell.
Why was her fifth - explain it if you can
No lawful spouse to the samaritan?
How many might have had her, then, to wife?
I've never heard an answer all my life.
To give the number final definition.
People may guess of frame a supposition
But I can say for certain, it's no lie,
God bade us all to wax and multiply. " (Chaucer, 258)
I like this quote because it perfectly shows the personality and views of the Wife of Bath. It shows a feminist perspective in a time when women were popularly considered to be submissive, and frowned upon for not being virginal.
I agree with Lucy in that Chaucer has mastered the ability to tell a wide variety of tales very well, and expertly uses irony in his stories.
"The carpenter, startled from sleep above,
ReplyDeleteAnd hearing shouts for water and a thud,
Thought, 'Heaven help us! Here comes Nowel's Flood!"
And up he sat and with no more ado
He took his ax and smote the ropes in two
And down everything went. He didn't stop
To sell his bread and ale, but came down flop
Upon the floor and fainted right away." (Chaucer 105)
I like not just this quote, but the entire Miller's Tale, but I chose this quote because I thought it summed up all the humor. The reason I like it is because it shows there can still be humor while writing with iambic pentameter which is a fact I can easily forget. Especially after writing our own tales I have an appreciation for how hard it is to try to bring humor and an interest factor into this type of writing. I also think this quote is great because of just how plain old ridiculous the situation is.
I agree with Christian that his quote is certainly a very powerful one that bring very vivid images to mind. I also can see the almost Joan of Arc like scene.
"You lovers, here's a question I would offer
ReplyDeleteArcite or Palamon, which had most to suffer?
The one can see his lady day by day,
But he must dwell in prison, locked away.
The other's free, the world lies all before,
But never shall he see his lady more.
Judge as you please between them, you that can,
For I'll tell on my tale as I began." (Chaucer 39)
I like this quote because at a time where most readers assume that Arcite gets it better since he was released from prison, Chaucer catches those readers off guard with this question. It really made me think about how if I was Arcite, I might actually prefer staying in prison so I could see Emily, rather than being free and away in another kingdom. I agree with Elizabeth that her quote is good because it offers a view that is not conventional, and shows that the stereotype for women was not followed by every woman.
The miller is a lout, as you're aware;
ReplyDeleteSo was the reeve, and so were many more.
They both told bawdy stories. Then beware,
And do not lay upon me all the blame,
Or take in earnest what is meant in fun."(Chaucer 81)
I liked this quote because after the Knights Tale we would not expect humor as the next tale. Because the Knights tale was so serious this quote got to give us a quick glimpse of what we should expect. "or take in earnest what is meant in fun" this part told us not to take any of this seriously because of how drunk the miller was and set of the Fabliau very well
Here is my Ocean of Commotion Tale:
ReplyDeleteCharacter Intro / Prologue:
An evil, sneering voice began to speak
And all the other fish became quite meek.
The voice came from an evil green moray
Who had smooth skin and piercing eyes of gray.
His slimy body wriggled to and fro
While hov’ring close above the ground below.
His teeth were sharp – he showed them off in full.
Bewitching eyes protruded from his skull.
A pointed snout with nostrils on it’s front
Gave him super’ior senses for a hunt.
His jaws unlatched then slowly clenched down tight
So steadily it seemed without his might.
He eyed each fish as though it were his prey.
The villainous wrongdoer had to say:
“I have for you a story oh so sad
That telling it again makes me so mad.
The story’s of an eel’s experience
With enemies who caused him harm immense.
I hope while telling this I will not wail.”
And on that note the eel began his tale.
Story:
Alive down deep there was a moray eel
Who ate just plants for every single meal.
He lived in peace with all the other fish,
And wanted none of them as his next dish.
The custom was to keep morals humane –
Survival was on no account in vain.
This eel was happy almost all his life,
With fam’ly, friends, and beautiful a wife.
He had ten kids he very much adored,
And always cared for them while they matured.
This colony was peaceful ‘till the age
Where there came forth a monster filled with rage.
A hardened angler fish had come to eat –
Unlike the colony he consumed meat.
He showed no signs of wanting to repent;
The foreign fish was nothing but hellbent.
With no direction did this villain roam –
He made his way through every single home.
This awful fish was raised barbarious
And made our eel become so furious.
As one by one the demon stalked his prey,
The colony continued to decay.
The eël’s* heart began to fill with rage,
Then finally one deed made him engage.
When suddenly he found he lost his wife,
He knew he had to battle for his life.
The eel prepared himself in every way
And he just cast his values far away.
With vigor did the eel attack the beast;
An epic battle raged ‘till one deceased.
For ten whole hours did the skirmish last,
As neither fish would stop ‘till one had passed.
They traded blows and fought with all their might,
Each hoping they would give the final bite.
Then finally the winning move was made –
The eel chomped through his foe’s left shoulder blade.
The moray eel let out a winning roar,
Then realized that his fam’ly was no more.
Destroyed and crushed his town had met its end –
The people, poor, had had no way to fend.
And so the eel just started swimming out;
That he would find a home he had some doubt.
He found a little village filled with krill
Who had their every meal from a kill,
But would not let him join their private pack
And told him just to turn him
self right back.
So, raging mad, the eel attacked their home
And tore away their flesh from every bone.
So after finishing his mighty feast
The eel now saw he was just like the beast.
*Eel has two syllables here. Everywhere else there is one.
Note: Words with apostrophes remove a syllable.
I.E. super’ior = su - peer - yor
This is just one of the many great quotes from Chaucer:
ReplyDelete" Just as there never died a man,' said he, 'But had in life some station or degree, Just so there never lived a man,' he said, 'In all the world but in the end was dead. This world is but a thoroughfare of woe, And we are pilgrims passing to and fro. Death is the end of every world sore.' On top of this he said a great deal more, To this effect, with wisest exhortation, Heartening the people in their tribulation"
I like this quote because I think it shows a lot about life, the hardships, relationships and I think Chaucer has a real way with words and using them in evoke strong emotions, this is a very dramatic quote that shows a sweet passing moment between father and son.
i also really liked Christian's quote from the Knights Tale, Chaucer has a way of describing places that takes you there but his descriptions arn't to wordy or detailed.
ReplyDelete"The serpent Satan, our first enemy,
ReplyDeleteWho has his wasps' nests in the heart of Jews,"
P. 162
As a cynical athiest I find this a great example of the stupidity of reiligon, for the fact that you are portraying the Jews as evil and and like Satan despite the fact that:
1. Jesus was a Jew.
2. The Jew, Muslims and Christians all worship the exact same God, and they all agree on this fact.
3. This is being said by a Nun. A person who should be kind generous and forgiving.
I dislike Bei's quote. It seems like a rhetorical and unimportant question.