Wommen desiren to have sovereyntee
As wel over hir housbond as hir love,
And for to been in maistrie hym above.”
The old hag is intended to represent the Wife of Bath herself, or rather as she would like others to see her. Though the hag is old and aged, she is very capable of displaying all of the humor, strength, vigor, and inner beauty of her youth if the right man comes along. This is what the Wife did with her fifth and favorite husband, the youthful Jankyn. Although the old hag becomes a beautiful young woman in response to the young knight’s well-timed response, it is unclear whether he truly had enough respect for the old woman that he allowed her to choose for herself, or whether he had simply learned how to supply her with the correct answer. So, is it better to give the answer you know will make your wife happy? Or, to tell the truth?
I commented on Ashley Harding's.
That's a good question. You hear that honesty is the best policy, but you have to take into consideration trying to keep the peace in some situations.
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