How we cite our quotes: (Line Number)
Quote #1
I blame him thus, that he considered noght
In tyme cominge what mighte him bityde,
But on his lust present was al his thought,
As for to hauke and hunte on every syde;
We ny alle othere cures leet he slyde,
And eek he nolde-and that was worst of alle –
Wedde no wyf, for noght that may bifalle. (78-84)
As his people's leader, Walter fails in his duty to them by neglecting to think about the future. One of his most important duties is to produce a legitimate heir, something he can only do if he marries.
Quote #2
Accepteth, lord, now of youre gentillesse,
That we with pitous herte unto yow pleyne,
And lete youre eres nat my voys disdeyne. (96-98)
Just as Walter's nobles owe him obedience and loyalty, he owes it to them to take their advice seriously when they offer it. The duty of a lord to listen to counsel has a long-established tradition by this time period.
Quote #3
And ay she kepte hir fadres lyf on lofte
With everich obeisaunce and diligence
That child may doon to fadres reverence. (229-231)
Grisilde is a dutiful daughter, doing everything in her power to sustain her father's life. This kind of makes you wonder what Janicula's going to do when Walter takes Grisilde away.
Quote #4
Nat only this Grisildis thurgh hir wit
Coude al the feet of wyfly hoomlinesse,
But eek, whan that the cas requyred it,
the commune profit coude she redresse.
Ther nas discord, rancour, ne hevinesse
In al that lond that she ne coude apese,
and wysly bringe hem alle in reste and ese. (428-434)
Grisilde easily fulfills her wifely duties, but it's in her role as peacemaker among the people that she fulfills her role as a noblewoman. (The noblewoman's function as a peacemaker was a well-established tradition in literature at the time.)
Quote #5
But now knowe I in verray soothfastnesse
That in gret lordshipe, if I wel avyse,
Ther is gret servitute in sondry wyse.
I may nat don as every plowman may.
My peple me constreyneth for to take
Another wyf. (796-801)
Walter's statement about being constrained echoes the Sergeant's claim to Grisilde that he is constrained by Walter's orders. According to Walter, a lord's duty to his people is just as binding as a subordinate's debt of obedience to his superiors.
Quote #6
"Though thyn array be badde and yvel biseye,
Do thou thy devoir at the leeste weye." (965-966)
Walter's claim that it is Grisilde's "duty" to prepare his chambers for his new wife is a little suspect. After all, wasn't Grisilde released from her promise to obey Walter in everything once she was (supposedly) no longer his wife?