The Wife of Bath’s Prologue Summary – Flashcards
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How old was the wife of Bath when she first got married?
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12
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How many husbands has The Wife of Bath had in total?
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5
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Is the Wife of Bath looking for a six husband?
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Yes
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Is not being a virgin wrong?
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No, the Wife of Bath knows that is doesn't say anything about commanding virginity.
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Did Apostle Paul command or advise virginity?
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Advise
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What happened with the Wife of Bath and all of her husbands and was there bigamy involved?
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They all died, and there was no bigamy involved.
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Does she degrade those who are virgins and does she boast about her being one?
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No and no
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Does the Wife of Bath strive to live a perfect life?
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No
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What is the ideal compromise that the Wife of Bath wants with all of her husbands?
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He will be her slave and in return she will be good in bed.
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How many of her husbands were good?
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3
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How many of her husbands were bad?
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2
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What qualities did her "good" husbands have?
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Rich and old
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How did she keep her "good" husbands happy?
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By managing them well with her technique (by being good in bed)
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What did her "good" husbands do for her because she was so good in bed?
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They bought her pretty things for her to wear.
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What are women better at than men?
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Telling lies and swearing
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What can a knowing wife always do if she is worth her salt?
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Prove that her husband is the one at fault.
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Even if a husband has heard that his wife has been cheating, what can his wife do?
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She can convince him that he's crazy and get her maid to convince him also.
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What can a wife expect if she goes somewhere without telling her husband?
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To be scolded.
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According to the Wife of Bath, what do men want in a relationship?
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Sex and money.
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What else do men desire in a woman sometimes?
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wealth, shapeliness, looks, health, singing, dancing, gentleness, dalliant glancing, and small, soft hands.
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What do women do after they are married that they do not do before they are married?
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Show their flaws and true colors.
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What is the symbolic difference between a suit and a woman, according to men?
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You can try a suit on, but not a woman, meaning men could not see through a woman before they were married.
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What do women want from men?
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Compliments, cute nicknames, praise, presents and a feast on her birthday, to show respect for people who she respects.
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Would the Wife of Bath get with handsome Johnny if her husband died tomorrow?
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No
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What is behind coffer doors?
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Money
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What does it mean for the WOB to say, "I bet you'd like to lock me in your coffer!"?
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Her husband thinks of her as his possession.
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What is the WOB's name?
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Allison, but she goes by Alice.
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According to men, what does it mean if a woman dresses up nicely?
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She is being a slut and is trying to impress a guy.
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What is the major difference between a woman who is ugly and pretty?
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An ugly woman will stay home and be faithful while a pretty woman will roam about, whoring it up.
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What is a woman's marriage compared to and what does it do to a man?
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It is compared to hell and it ruins a man's life.
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Who are easier to deal with, younger and older husbands?
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Older husbands
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What was the WOB's fourth husband like?
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Young, strong, and stubborn.
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How did she get back at her 4th husband for being unfaithful?
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She flirted with other men
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Did she make her 4th husbands life happy or miserable?
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Miserable
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Which of her husbands beat her?
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5th
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Which of her husbands did she love the most, or really at all?
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5th
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Did she still love her 5th husband even when he beat her?
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Yes
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What was the WOB's godmother's name?
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Allison
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What did her 5th husband leave for his wife?
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Oxford (school)
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What was the name of her 5th husband?
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Johnny
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What did the WOB tell Johnny while she was still married to husband #4?
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That if she were to be a widow again, he should marry her.
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What did the WOB make up to persuade Johnny to think she was always thinking about him?
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A dream where he killed her.
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What is a bier?
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A funeral bed
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Was the WOB upset at #4's funeral?
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No, since she had Johnny.
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Who was older, the WOB or Johnny and what was the age difference?
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The WOB, she was 40 and he was somewhere in his 20s.
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What was the WOB doing at her 4th husband's funeral?
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Checking out Johnny.
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What does having a gap in your teeth infer for women?
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That she is good in bed.
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What did the WOB give her husband?
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Everything from her previous marriage, and he didn't let her keep anything for herself.
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Why did Johnny hit her so hard that she went deaf?
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She tore a page out of his book.
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What book was Johnny reading?
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Theophrastus and Valerius, a book that dealt with wicked wives.
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Why are women trash-talked in the Bible?
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Because women were not allowed to engage in writing of the Bible, so all men who find fault in the opposite gender. Women were seen as "wicked"
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What is ire?
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Anger
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What did Johnny fall into when she ripped the pages out?
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The fire
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What did he do after he fell into the fire?
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Hit her so hard she fell on the floor and passed out
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What did the WOB say when she woke back up from being hit?
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She accused him of trying to kill her and then taking her money for himself, and then she said she would still love him if that was his plan.
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Did Johnny feel bad after everything that happened? What did he swear to her?
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Yes, and he swore he would never hit her ever again, even though she was asking to be hit.
