The Cook & The Wife of Bath

1. The Cook & The Wife of Bath By: Chris Maze, Jeremy Mitchell, Leeanna Barnes, Johnny Jamison Pages 133 - 134

2. The Cook • 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.

3. The Wife of Bath • 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.

4. Wife of Bath Continued • 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.

5. Their Appearance The Cook • Ugly and repulsive • Ulcers Wife of Bath • Fancy clothes • Bright colours, especially red • Older

6. Their Jobs The Cook • He 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.

7. Character The Cook • Despite his ugly appearance, he was a master at his trade. Wife of Bath • Wanderer, traveled much • Lustful nature • Bold and friendly

8. Likes/Dislikes The Cook • Likes – Excellent cook, made good dishes. • Dislikes – He had a repulsive appearance. The Wife of Bath • Likes – She liked to travel, sew, and socialize. • Dislikes – She would not like to be the usual stay-at-home spouse.

9. Tone The Cook • Chaucer 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 Bath • Chaucer 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.

10. The Firefighter

11. A Firefighter there was as well Who battled fiery flames of Hell. Tall and strong was his build As was fit for those of his guild.

12. Genial he was, always kind, Only care for others was on his mind Or so it seemed, as he professed Helping others is what he does best.

13. On September the eleventh, two thousand one He helped until all work was done, In both towers, and after too Cleaning until there was nothing to do.

14. From coast to coast he beat down flames Even in England, on the banks of the Thames. During those riots, he saved lives And in California, where cedar thrives Wildfires were quenched by him

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