The Astronomer Ptolemy and the Morality of the Wife of Bath's Prologue

Author / Editor
Laird, Edgar S.

Title
The Astronomer Ptolemy and the Morality of the Wife of Bath's Prologue

Published
Chaucer Review 34: 289-99, 2000.

Description
WBP contains two quotations from Ptolemy (3.180-81, 326-27), setting up a system for classifying knowledge according to practica (the Wife) and theorica (Ptolemy). The Wife recontextualizes and trivializes Ptolemy's efforts to achieve a vision of real excellence.

Chaucer Subjects
Wife of Bath and Her Tale.