How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line). We used the line numbering found on Librarius's online edition.
Quote #7
The knyght answerde, 'Allas and weylawey!
I woot right wel that swich was my biheste!
For Goddesl ove, as chees a newe requeste!
Taak al my good, and lat my body go!'
(1064 – 1068)
In asking that the knight marry her, the hag really has asked for his body since, as we learned in the Wife of Bath's Prologue, a wife has sovereignty over her husband's body for his entire life. The knight recognizes this and asks the hag to 'lat my body go!' This language reminds us of the knight's crime, perpetrated upon a woman's body, and that the knight's punishment fits that crime.
Quote #8
'My lady and my love, and wyf so deere,
I put me in youre wise governance.
Cheese yourself, which may be moost plesance
And moost honour to yow and me also.
I do no fors the wheither of the two;
For, as yow liketh, it suffiseth me.'
(1236 – 1241)
This moment may represent the fulfillment of the knight's rehabilitation; from one who forcibly dominated a woman, he has become one who yields to the "wise governance" of a woman. It definitely represents his understanding of what women most desire. Whether feigned or sincere, his yielding to his wife is exactly what she wants, according to her.
Quote #9
'Thanne have I gete of yow maistrie,' quod she,
'Syn I may chese and governe as me lest?'
'Ye, certes, wyf' quod he, 'I holde it best.'
(1243 – 1245)
It seems to be important to the loathly lady that the knight make verbal acknowledgment of his yielding of "maistrie" in exactly those terms, which he delivers with his "Ye, certes, wyf." Curiously, from this point forward it doesn't seem to be so important that the wife continue to exert control over her husband (see below.)