Who didn't study "The Canterbury tales" tale in lit' class? Well, I did
and this is the assignment I had to do about it. I re-wrote the ending of
the wife of bath's tale. The re-writing itself is between the ~~~ the rest
is the "introduction" and "conclusion" (the 'in-class' presentation part
of the assignment but it goes with the rest so I left it).
Disclaimers: "the Canterbury tales" does not belong to me, it belongs
to Chaucer and whoever translated it to modern English (namely my
textbook) some of the lines come directly from the text so I 'stole' them
to make this realistic, OK?
C&C are, as usual, more than welcome!!
The Wife of Bath's Tail
As you know, you authors-to-be
A great writer is busier than a bee.
He will keep a precious notebook
(If you touch it you'll be hung on a hook).
This very well known tradition,
Happens in every single nation.
And, although as old as time,
It is every bit as vital as sunshine.
Chaucer is no exception to the rule:
He, of course, used this great tool.
Not long ago it was discovered
(With mountains of dust it was covered)
By a friend who seemed rather preoccupied
(He later mysteriously died).
The Wife of Bath, you know her tale,
It's true ending I'm here to tell!
So listen closely and hear
A tale that might bring to you a tear.
It starts at the line three-o-nine
After her speech so divine:
~~~
"At last he said, with all care in life,
My lady and love, my dearest wife,
Without your words I would be lost!
You guessed: a faithful wife I desire most
(In a month and a year she will die of old age
And I will fly, free from her cage).
His heart she could read, unfortunately:
"Will you be faithful?" she asked wickedly.
"On my honor I swear, as long as I live!"
More than him, though, she was manipulative:
"Because I know what you truly wanted
I will be beautiful for you, my 'beloved',
Cast up the curtain, husband. Look at me!"
And when indeed the knight turned to see
Lo, she was beautiful, rich in charms
In ecstasy he caught her in his arms.
"Thank you, my lady, for guessing my will.
My heart with great joy you fill!"
She smiled, a smile so full and rich,
"Be happy while my gift you can cherish!"
"Why predict me a future so bad?"
Again she smiled, not at all sad.
She told him: "look in the mirror"
When he did he shrieked in horror.
To her former age he was more than near,
In the corner of his eye shone a tear.
Be assured that his new looks he detested!
As his former narcissism turned to hatred.
Young women he could no longer seduce
At the moment it was all he could deduce.
His wife, laughing with so much contempt,
Said (knowing to out-live her was his earlier intent):
"In a month and a year you will die of old age
And I will fly, free from your cage!"
~~~
Thus to you the truth was brought,
Was it not what you thought?
Oh, proofreading, supreme power
Before which we all cower:
The tale changed a lot since this first draft
A different story Chaucer tried to craft.
It is the first time this tale has been told
And I dare say I feel rather bold
But could you please keep over this a silence?
The friend's mysterious disappearance
Isn't a thing I wish to explain…
I hope I made it clear and plain
Just so you know what the presentation was like: when I said the last line I
smiled and unbuttoned to bottom of my sweater to reveal a knife (fake, but
it was a good imitation). Also a friend of mine drew some illustrations to
go with this so if you want to see them tell me and I'll ask her for
permission (she's really shy and doesn't like when I show her drawings
without asking her fist).
Hila
and this is the assignment I had to do about it. I re-wrote the ending of
the wife of bath's tale. The re-writing itself is between the ~~~ the rest
is the "introduction" and "conclusion" (the 'in-class' presentation part
of the assignment but it goes with the rest so I left it).
Disclaimers: "the Canterbury tales" does not belong to me, it belongs
to Chaucer and whoever translated it to modern English (namely my
textbook) some of the lines come directly from the text so I 'stole' them
to make this realistic, OK?
C&C are, as usual, more than welcome!!
The Wife of Bath's Tail
As you know, you authors-to-be
A great writer is busier than a bee.
He will keep a precious notebook
(If you touch it you'll be hung on a hook).
This very well known tradition,
Happens in every single nation.
And, although as old as time,
It is every bit as vital as sunshine.
Chaucer is no exception to the rule:
He, of course, used this great tool.
Not long ago it was discovered
(With mountains of dust it was covered)
By a friend who seemed rather preoccupied
(He later mysteriously died).
The Wife of Bath, you know her tale,
It's true ending I'm here to tell!
So listen closely and hear
A tale that might bring to you a tear.
It starts at the line three-o-nine
After her speech so divine:
~~~
"At last he said, with all care in life,
My lady and love, my dearest wife,
Without your words I would be lost!
You guessed: a faithful wife I desire most
(In a month and a year she will die of old age
And I will fly, free from her cage).
His heart she could read, unfortunately:
"Will you be faithful?" she asked wickedly.
"On my honor I swear, as long as I live!"
More than him, though, she was manipulative:
"Because I know what you truly wanted
I will be beautiful for you, my 'beloved',
Cast up the curtain, husband. Look at me!"
And when indeed the knight turned to see
Lo, she was beautiful, rich in charms
In ecstasy he caught her in his arms.
"Thank you, my lady, for guessing my will.
My heart with great joy you fill!"
She smiled, a smile so full and rich,
"Be happy while my gift you can cherish!"
"Why predict me a future so bad?"
Again she smiled, not at all sad.
She told him: "look in the mirror"
When he did he shrieked in horror.
To her former age he was more than near,
In the corner of his eye shone a tear.
Be assured that his new looks he detested!
As his former narcissism turned to hatred.
Young women he could no longer seduce
At the moment it was all he could deduce.
His wife, laughing with so much contempt,
Said (knowing to out-live her was his earlier intent):
"In a month and a year you will die of old age
And I will fly, free from your cage!"
~~~
Thus to you the truth was brought,
Was it not what you thought?
Oh, proofreading, supreme power
Before which we all cower:
The tale changed a lot since this first draft
A different story Chaucer tried to craft.
It is the first time this tale has been told
And I dare say I feel rather bold
But could you please keep over this a silence?
The friend's mysterious disappearance
Isn't a thing I wish to explain…
I hope I made it clear and plain
Just so you know what the presentation was like: when I said the last line I
smiled and unbuttoned to bottom of my sweater to reveal a knife (fake, but
it was a good imitation). Also a friend of mine drew some illustrations to
go with this so if you want to see them tell me and I'll ask her for
permission (she's really shy and doesn't like when I show her drawings
without asking her fist).
Hila