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What women want
I recently had opportunity to revisit the Canterbury Tales, which is as good a record of debauchery you will find outside of Hansard. Anyway, the Widow of Baths Story was of interest to me because of its subject.Basically it involves a Knight who is charged by his Queen to find out what all women want. He cannot return to the Kingdom without this and fear of death. On his quest he is at a loss, because no two answers to this question are the same. Despondent he is walking through the woods and chances upon an old women, who asks him what is his problem. He tells her, and she says, “if I tell you the answer you must promise to marry me” He does this, for there is nothing to loose. She then says “all women desire to wear the breeches”. He takes this back to the Queen, who is delighted, she questions her maids, and they also agree. The Knights life is saved. The old women re-appears and reminds the Knight of his promise, then she turns into a beautiful maiden before his eyes. She says to him, “would you prefer me as this or, as the old women whom you made the promise to” The Knight is mindful and says ” dear lady-you choose”-And they lived happily ever after.
Its a quirky tale, but then Chaucer was also. I am also left wondering If I was a women what would I want. Would I want to wear the breeches- I don’t think so. Would I want to have babies and a loving knight- I don’t think so either. What would I truly want?. I am not sure of what I would want, but am interested in other views-but don’t take it so seriously.
Ruth
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2 Replies
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Hi.
Im not sure if i would wont to be the knight. now i dont mind being knighted, thats another matter, oh that brings up another matter,
Im a member of our Renaissance group & yes we do have knights , allso a Queen & King, .
So i know i cant be Knighted as a Knight ( male ) yet i have been given the honor of Lady, so with in our world wide S C A , i am a Lady,
In real life i am female so the Honor i was given in front of some 230 people is right its not given to men.
So to the ? if i was a woman , well i am so what would i wont,
One detail for me is of cause i cant have my babies i was not blessed with my womb, other wise i have been blessed in many other ways,
Some times we dont allways know the reasons as to our lacks yet when we take hold of what we have & embrace that theres many other advantages ,
Some of our men Knights are quite lovely very strong & able to carry the armory , when i had a try i gave up pretty quick it was really heavy , & i thought i was strong, so all ill do is watch them wack each other,
Ill stay with our music & singing, plus other dutys .
…noeleena…
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Hello Ruth and Noleena,
I also read the tale of the Knight and the old woman in the woods, but her answer was somewhat different. She told him that women want to be control of their own destiny. That makes sense. I certainly want to be in control of mine.
Are there any other thoughts?Connie.
