The Canterbury Tales

The Wife of Bath Lines 287–298: What is the definition of true nobility, according to the old woman? What details from the text support this definition?

Whoever loves to work for virtuous ends, Public and private, and who most intends To do what deeds of gentleness he can, Take him to be the greatest gentleman. Christ wills we take our gentleness from Him, Not from a wealth of ancestry long dim, Though they bequeath their whole establishment By which we claim to be of high descent. Our fathers cannot make us a bequest Of all those virtues that became them best And earned for them the name of gentlemen, But bade us follow them as best we can.

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According to the text, true nobility is found in virtue.... actions.

Our fathers cannot make us a bequest Of all those virtues that became them best And earned for them the name of gentlemen, But bade us follow them as best we can.

Source(s)

The Canterbury Tales