I graunte it wel , I have noon envie,
Thogh maidenhead preferbigamie.
It liketh hem to be clene, body and goost;
The given lines are from Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales," specifically from the character's (the Wife of Bath) prologue. In these lines, the Wife of Bath is responding to the idea that virginity is preferable to marriage. She dismisses this notion and makes a bold and assertive statement about her own perspective on the matter.
Here is the context in which these lines appear:
The Wife of Bath is one of the pilgrims on a journey to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury, as part of the storytelling contest depicted in "The Canterbury Tales." She is known for her forthright and outspoken nature, as well as her experience with marriage, having been married five times. Her prologue is her opportunity to share her views on marriage and relationships.
In the preceding lines, the Wife of Bath has been discussing how the teachings of the Church often portray virginity as the highest state of purity and righteousness, while marriage is seen as less desirable. She mentions that many people believe that it is better to remain a virgin throughout one's life than to marry. These lines serve as her response to this perspective.
In the lines "I graunte it wel, I have noon envie," the Wife of Bath acknowledges that she doesn't harbor any envy or resentment towards those who choose to remain virgins, even though she has had multiple marriages herself. She is expressing her acceptance of the fact that different people have different choices and preferences when it comes to matters of chastity and marriage.
The phrase "Thogh maidenhead prefer bigamie" conveys the idea that some people may consider maintaining their virginity preferable to the idea of entering into multiple marriages ("bigamie" refers to being married twice or having two spouses in succession). The Wife of Bath is essentially saying that while some may hold this view, she does not begrudge them for it.
In the following line, "It liketh hem to be clene, body and goost," the Wife of Bath acknowledges that those who choose to remain chaste do so because they prefer to keep themselves pure, both in body and spirit. She respects their desire for purity and acknowledges that it is their personal choice.
These lines are significant because they encapsulate the Wife of Bath's views on marriage and virginity. She challenges conventional medieval notions about the superiority of virginity and asserts her own belief in the value of marriage and sexual experience. Through her prologue, Chaucer provides a platform for the Wife of Bath to voice her opinions on gender, sexuality, and social norms, making her one of the most memorable and complex characters in "The Canterbury Tales."
In essence, the Wife of Bath's response in these lines reflects her open-mindedness and her willingness to accept diverse perspectives on matters of love, marriage, and chastity, even as she champions her own experiences and desires.
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