Friday, October 23, 2009

The Wife of Bath---Wise or Wacky??



For Power Rangers,  Hancock, and BB: The Wife of Bath is one of my favorite Chaucer characters because she is so much bigger than life. She is funny and domineering,loud and opinionated. She is past her prime, yet her experience gives her an edge. Much of what she says is true. She may not seem that exaggerated to you, since loud, bossy women are not such an anomaly today. But in 1400, she must have shocked and delighted her companions (and husbands?). Her story of chivalric love is modern too--kind of a medieval "men are from Mars, women are from Venus" perspective on relationships. Will we ever understand each other?
Some think that her answer to 'what women want' is contemporary too, at least if you listen to hip-hop, country or pop music radio. Women want to be in charge! Think of Carrie Underwood keying her boyfriend's SUV or Mary J. Blige's 411. I am sure you can think of many more that express similar thoughts. Ladies, is this who you are? Gentlemen, are you really all that cynical? Your mission: post a response of 200 words on what your gender really wants in a strong, lasting relationship. Make sure you list specific attributes, just as the Wife did. You may look at the issue from more than one angle, but you may only write about your own gender. When you are finished, we will tally your replies for a class discussion. Yes, this means that I am trusting you to censor any inappropriate words or thoughts. Remember, this will be on the web. Due11.9.09.  Begin.

63 comments:

  1. all i really want in a relationship is a girl that will be fun to hang around with and someone that will always have something to talk about. she must also be nice and outgoing around others and she should be able to make me laugh. i might have done this blog wrong MRS. healy but at least i tried

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  2. i think that a good relationship with a guy is one that is basied on trust and loyalty. your relationship must have a good, solid ground or it will not survive. the relationship should also be about repect to the other person. women want a man that will respect you, love you, and be loyal to you at all times. they also want a good honest man. some women only want young, good looking mn who have money, and we see that in the Wife of Bath's tale, how the old women wants the knight to marry her because he is young and handsome. but today that isnt always how it goes. today women want a strong realtionship full of love, trust, respect and loyalty, not only good looks and money.

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  3. In a relationship women want a guy who is trustworthy and who we can talk to about anything. A guy who is a best friend and a boyfriend in one. Girls want someone who can make them laugh and they can spend time with. Someone who is honest, its easier to trust them if they're always honest about things that they do. Someone who gets along well with her friends and family, also your friends and family should like him. Someone who will do anything just to make you happy or put you in a good mood. Someone who loves you for you truly are. I think every girl just wants someone that they can be themselves around and they enjoy being with them.

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  4. The very first thing girls want in a relationship is honesty. They want to be respected and want you to listen to them. In order to make a strong lasting relationship, you must be open with eachother and communicate. Girls want a guy who likes them for who they are and would never take advantage of them. Some one who is nice, caring, compassionate, and thoughtful makes the ideal partner. We want someone who we can just be ourselves around and not have to worry about being judged. Its the little things he does that make us so happy. We desire someone we feel comfortable around. We want to know that they will always be there for us. Someone who is willing to go out of thier way for you and spend a lot of time with you. My gender, females, want someone who is very compatible with thier personality and shares many similarities with the individual. That is what girls really want in a strong, lasting relationship.

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  5. I have to agree with the Wife of Bath with what women want. The list that she gives, wealth and fortune, jollity and pleasure, clothes, honor, fun in bed, faithfulness, and widowed many times, is pretty much the same today with what women want. Although I wouldn’t agree with being widowed many times, women want long lasting relationships. Women do want to have some control and not be pushed around; we have our opinions and will speak our minds. A good healthy relationship would contain faithfulness, respect, happiness, and appreciation. Now it sounds as if women are selfish for wanting all those things, but it goes both ways. We shouldn’t expect men to give us everything we want and not give anything in return. In a relationship you want to be best friends with someone and you can talk about anything with this person. You want to be able to be yourself and enjoy one another’s company.

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  6. Women are dominant. Where would men be without us women keeping them together? God created the woman because he knew that men needed some help with their lives. In a good strong relationship you need equal contribution and honesty. With honest comes trust and with equal contribution comes new opportunities. You need to be comfortable with the guy and be able to totally be yourself. In great relationships you need not only to be acquaintances with your partners friends but need to become good friends with their friends. You need to go out of your way to show them that your there to stay and want to make it as pleasant as it can be. A lasting relationship is when you are close with each other’s families and understand the reasons of how they are today. Girls are more interested in the little things that guys have to do for them instead of the big things that are real cute but its what leads up too it. Say you get all these little presents like inside joke presents but than gets you a necklace. Yes, the necklace would be beautiful and a great gift but all the little sentimental gifts give off more of a long lasting memory. We all know that memories last longer than gifts. You can throw out the gift but the memory stays with you, which can be a good thing and a bad thing. Memories can be the worse thing in a relationship and a best thing. Remembering things you want to be out of your head can be like a motion picture replaying in your head that is like a horror movie that will always be in the back of your head but good memories will come out more and pop up more often like things will trigger it and you cant get it out of your head because it meant so much to you. But what my sister always taught me was “Go for a guy that likes you more than you like him because in the end you will either grow to love him or it won’t be as hard to leave him.”

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  7. The Wife of Bath knew what she wanted in a relationship with a man, and she was not afraid to say it! Although her desire for power over a man was a rarity back in her time, it’s a common want among women today. Girls don’t want to completely control their man, but they do not want to sit back and do everything they say. This is now the 21st century, we have opinions too! When both of partners contribute to the relationship equally, and respect each other, it can be a great relationship.
    Girls also want someone they can laugh with. Relationships don’t always have to be so serious, or it gets too tedious to want to deal with. When a girl can laugh with her boyfriend or husband, it brings them closer. Laughter can brighten up anyone’s day.
    Another common want that girls have is to be able to trust their partner. When you have trust, you don’t have to be that typical annoying girlfriend constantly after her man trying to see what he is doing. With trust, you don’t have to tie your man to a chair to make sure he is faithful; you can both live separate lives and yet have a happy one together. And of course, every girl wants that boy who gives her butterflies when they see them and makes them feel happy all the time.

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  8. I totally agree with the Wife about what she says what women want because we do want to be in charge. I think that most women want to have someone they can work with and be friends with at the same. They want someone they can tell everything to. In a relationship you need a connection and a bond between to people. It's not just a one-person effort. It takes two people to carry a relationship. To make a relationship work you have to have trust and you have to respect for eachother. Most girls want someone who can accept them for who they are. Someone who will stand by your side through anything. Girl's want someone who will listen to them without being judgemental.

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  9. I believe what the male gender in general wants in a good relationship is to have a confident, powerful, but not to overpowering, woman. She needs to be gentle and kind, but she needs to be able to take care of herself when needed. She needs to have a sense of humor and wants to go out and have a social life. A woman needs to be able to be trustworthy and to be trusting of men. A man should not be questioned every time he goes out and to be able to have friends, of both genders, and have the woman trust him not to do anything bad. In addition, she should not be untrustworthy to us. She should not be going around fooling around with other people. I do not agree what the Wife of Bath said about how women want to control men. A relationship should be 50/50 and not one person should be in charge. There should be some give and take in the relationship. A man would not want to be in a relationship where the woman is the dictator and if we do not go along with what she says there is punishment. That is an unhealthy relationship and would not last because one day the man would have enough and leave.

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  10. In the Wife of Bath’s Tale she has a very strong opinion on relationships, what women want, and how they want to be treated. In modern times some of the ideas of a girls “perfect guy” and what they want out of a relationship still hold true today. We look for guys who are cute, smart, funny, and make us feel good about ourselves. We want a guy who is trustworthy just like the Wife of Bath mentioned in her tale. Girls like to be independent in their choices and don’t always need a guy who is a “10” so to speak. We want a guy that makes us laugh and will laugh with us as well as surprise us with little things just to say “I love you.” It’s important that you can be yourself around him and that he is kind as well as respectful. Girls don’t want a guy who is going to be a jerk because we all feel we should be treated as princesses. This does not necessarily mean women want all the power in a relationship but it’s nice to be in charge. Most importantly a girl wants a guy who makes her feel safe and will protect her. A good personality is also very important and is often what girls look for. We don’t want a guy who is boring or the complete opposite of us because then we won’t have anything to talk about. Girls just want a guy that’s going to make them smile all the time and treats them how they should be treated.

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  11. Something that I feel is a necessity in a relationship is communication or conversation. In a relationship with anyone, you will not make it very far if you do not have the ability to communicate. Communication can be telling her how you feel about a certain subject, it can mean being honest, and it definatley means that you will always tell the truth. In a relationship, honesty is definately the way to go. I feel like almost all my relationships have to be built upon honesty, if you cannot trust someone you cannot communicate, therefore the relationship will not last very long, because if you have no means of communication then all you wind up doing is staring at eachother, and when you stare for too long you start to find non-existent flaws. The next most important thing I think is conversation. If you have ever been with someone where the conversation is just flowing and they are extremely easy to talk about then you know just what I mean. When you have the ability to talk t someone in a situation where you feel comfortable to talk to them about anything, it's alot easier to communicate, therefore tell the truth. So in closoing, I think comfort is probably the most crucial key to a successful relationship- if you are comfortable with eachother and both like eachother, everything else should hopefully fall into place.

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  12. Hancock ETE

    I as a male look for several different things in a female. For one , I want her to be good looking. I could not stand being with a non-attractive girl, not trying to be shallow or anything. Another quality I look for in a girl is someone willing to try new things. I would like to open things up for her and show her a different side of life. In girls I look for someone who is strong and can hold themselves up. I like that in a girl because you do not feel like you need to be around them all the time and you can have a little free space. Also I feel communication is a key thing you should look for in a girl. If u do not have communication then you do not have a healthy relationship and it would be very boring. What I also look for in a girl is that she is outgoing and loves to party. I love to go to parties, so if in my a relationship the girl did not want to go to parties I would not have a fun time. She has to be outgoing because I like that in a girl and it would be more fun in the relationship. Those are all the qualities and traits I look for iin a girl.

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  13. I think a guy most have the proper attributes to be able to stay in a relationship with a woman for a long period of time. The attributes I look for is loyalty, respect, proper, and fun loving. They must be loyal because what is a good relationship with out loyalty? A man should respect a woman well enough not to cheat on her or go around flirting with other women. Respect is one of my biggest things to look for in a guy. If a guy does not respect the girl then there is essence no relationship. I believe that respect comes in many forms such as respect to listen to her or respect to honor what she wants. Or even respect to not push the women into things she doesn’t want to do. I also think a guy should hold himself with respect, because if he can’t respect himself then he can’t respect the women. With that a guy should hold himself properly like not using fowl langue around his girlfriend, or doing inappropriate things. And it is also important that the man and women have the same ideas about things. I believe everyone should be down to earth and fun loving. So for me to get involved with someone they have to believe that too.

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  14. I think loyalty is the most important part of a relationship. Loyalty is important because you have to be able to trust your wife or girlfriend. I don’t mean to sound like Dr. Phil or anything, but trust is an important part in any strong relationship. For example, if you catch your girl cheating on you, it will probably have a negative effect on you relationship. Compatibility is also an important part of relationships. If two people don’t have anything in common, it seems like it would be difficult to be together for very long. Last but not least, I think equal contribution from both sides of a relationship is very important. If a guy just allows himself to be whipped and never have a say in anything, most likely he’ll get fed up after a while. On the other hand, if the guy is too bossy, it will have the same effect on his girlfriend. With loyalty, compatibility, and equal contribution from both the guy and girl, there is a good chance of a relationship running smoothly.

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  15. I think that the Wife of Bath was right, that woman want to be in control. I don’t think it applies to all woman though, it just depends on the type of person that you are. To me, that’s what most woman want, even if they don’t admit it. They don’t like knowing that someone else has power and control over them. I also think that one thing that woman want most is trust . Woman tend to find it hard to trust, and thats an attribute that you can not have a healthy relationship without just like honesty. Woman want to know what is going on, and don’t like there being any secrets. Also, woman want to be able to be themselves around their partner, rather than feeling awkward and uncomfortable. They don’t want to feel like they have to go and “dress up and look pretty” every single time before going out, they just want to be themselves. They want to feel important, and know that the relationship will last, rather then it ending quick, and feeling hurt. They want a long, happy, comfortable, healthy relationship with trust and honesty.

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  16. I think that one of the most important things that girls want in a relationship is honesty and trust. Girls want a guy that they know they can trust and be completely open with. Girls also want respect from a guy and for them to not be completely in control of a relationship. When it comes to control, girls want 50/50 in the relationship. We want to have a say on lots of things, so we love a guy who takes our thoughts and feelings into consideration and really listens to us when we are speaking. Girls want to able to laugh, be silly and just be ourselves and not have to worry at all about being judged. Girls want someone that shares some of the same interests and has some of the same personality traits as they do. We want to know that they will always be there for us. What most girls want is someone who not only trustworthy, but won’t mind our little quirks and will just let us be us.

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  17. I believe that in order to have a good lasting relationship with a female you need to find a girl that you can trust. Without trust the relationship will never last. Another thing you need is a communication. your relationship will not be as strong if you do not communicate with each other the relation ship will not be as strong. Another attribute a guy looks for in a girl is their looks i know it is shallow but that is just how guys are. Guys also look for a good personality they like girls that are easy to talk to and they feel like they can tell them almost anything. Guys also like girls that have a good sense of humor.

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  18. In Wife of Bath’s tale she states that some things women look for in men is wealth and fortune, jollity and pleasure, clothes, honor, fun in bed, faithfulness, and widowed many times. Some of these are true for what girls want in men today, but I can say I have never thought of being widowed many times. I am a very picky person when it comes to choosing a guy. I think there are many things that come into consideration when choosing someone. At my perspective the guy has to be nice, cute, smart, strong, confident, faithful, has good taste in clothes, and lastly he has to be funny. I think in some instances in a relationship the women has a little more control then the guy because girls notice the smaller things that make a relationship work or not work. Girls love to be the ones to make the decisions and tell the guy what to do, even though the guy might not agree with this completely. The guy might have more control because in some instances the guy should make the girl feel safe and willing to her. All of these characteristics put together would make the perfect relationship.

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  19. What women want in a relationship is honesty. You need someone you can trust. Trust is very important in a relationship because if you do not trust each other the relationship will never work. Women also want someone they can talk to about anything with. If you can talk to them about anything and are comfortable around each other and can be yourself around them than the relationship should last. Communication is always a good thing when it comes to relationships. Women also want someone that will make them smile and happy. That is what women want in a lasting relationship.

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  20. I think in relationship you should be able to trust your boyfriend because without trust you will always be fighting and the relationship will not be successful. You should be able to be honest with them and have good communication between each other. You should not let one person control the relationship. For example, the boy should not tell the girl who she can and cannot hang out with. Relationships do not work that way. When this happens you could loose many friends and cause much tension. You should still be able to hang out with both your friends and your boyfriend. Overall I think in a relationship you should be comfortable with that person. You should not have to change to be liked by that person. He should not only be your boyfriend but your bestfriend.

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  21. B.F.G. Barnacle Boy'sNovember 8, 2009 at 4:51 PM

    There are many factors that are crucial to a healthy relationship between a guy and a girl. This is from a guy’s perspective. First off the first attraction is always whether the guy thinks the girl is good looking or not. Personality is important but the process will never get far enough to see what the girl’s like if the guy doesn’t think the girl is attractive. Next the guy will figure out whether the girl is cool or not. A friendship is always made before anything more is formed. Once the guy likes the girl’s looks and personality and she feels the same the relationship is usually formed but now there are a few factors needed to sustain that relationship. The guy needs to have things in common with the girl to keep interest so things don’t get boring. If the girl likes to do some of the same things the guy does they will have lots of fun on the weekends going to the same parties and sports events. Also it is important that the girl does not have psycho parents because if that’s the case the guy will most likely dump her because it’s just not worth it and also the other way around. The girl’s friends also need to be cool and acceptable by the guy because there is nothing worse than having to deal with your girlfriends weird friends. If all of these factors are there then I believe that the relationship will be a very successful one.

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  22. In order to have a good relationship, men believe that their women should have a good heart, funny personality and good looks. The woman shouldn't be overpowering the relationship, neither should we, women and men should have the same amount of say in a relationship. Women should be confident in themselves, but not cocky. They should stand up for themselves, nobody should push them around. Men should be able to have trust in the person that they are dating, and vice versa. They should have somewhat of a social life, I don't mean go out 24/7 but enough to say that you had a good time. Women shouldn''t have to question there relationship, they should be straight up and tell us how they feel. This is a big problem, whenever you go out, say with your boys or something you shouldn't have to be bothered by your girlfriend, wife whatever. They should know you well enough not think that us men are up to something. Just because you have a girlfriend doesn't mean that you can't have frieends that are girls. I don't see what the big deal is about that. when you are trying to carry on a conversation, women shouldnt look off into space. Last is, if and when you get into fights don't call each other nasty names and hang up on the person, that just gets me heated.

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  23. I think females look for common interests in the opposite sex. Music, hobbies, and looks play an important role. But for a serious, lasting relationship to occur I think there should be more to look for than that. Relationships should be based your comfort around the person your with, if communication doesn't come easy for either of you, you obviously feel like you can't be yourself. You should be able to bring this person around your family and friends and feel no shame or embarrassment. Most of the time, you would want your family and friends approval. I think its important that they have a sense of humor, but also have a caring side. The person should feel like a best friend to you. I think females also look for honesty, trust, and respect in a relationship. If there's not any of those in a relationship, it will not work. No one should limit each other in doing things they want to. If you both trust each other, you should let each other live their life freely. You shouldn't be controlling them or putting them down when they do something. You should be understanding and show that you respect and trust them.

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  24. Honestly, I could say that women just want to be loved and be told the truth and blah blah blah. But, there is a different group of women out there that sometimes can be found, the strong ones who are independent and sometimes considered to be rebellious. Those are the women who don’t always need a man, but when they have one they have expectations that they want them to meet. These women are independent and they don’t want to be told what to do or told what they can and cannot do. Also, they want their space, women don’t want to be bombarded every second of the day. Times have changed and through out this the strength of women has emerged. Women do not need a man to rely on but, through all of the toughness we show and the walls we put up, women still want someone who cares. They don’t need all the sappy stuff that makes you look like you weak, but they do want some of the cliché traits. They don’t want to be lied to, because more than anything, the worse thing to do is to lie to a girl. Once you lie, women lose all respect and trust. Also, they want to be respected and taken seriously. Now that times have changed, women aren’t ones who just stand beside their man. They stand on their own, and can support themselves so men, don’t act like they can’t. For women who are independent, being supported by a man and praised and bathed in gifts is not a top priority. But, respect and honesty are things that women do want.

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  25. In a relationship guys look for girls who are attractive on the inside and out. I would be lying if I said I did not want a girl who was pretty but if they are pretty on the outside but cruel on the inside then no thank you. I believe most men want a woman who will communicate with them and not lie to them. Communication and honesty are two big factors in any healthy relationship. I am a big believer of beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes a girl that I might think is beautiful someone else might not that is because I look at what is on the inside, her personality. I would love a girl who I could be comfortable around like just being myself I do not want to put an act on for someone that’s not me. I obviously would want a girl who is a bombshell but what guy wouldn't? I really do not like when women are fake and try to hide who they truly are. I want a girl who will respect me and herself I don’t want a little hoochy mamma running around making out with other guys. But mostly I just want a girl who will love me unconditionally.

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  26. The first thing a girl notices about a guy is his looks before even meeting him and then once meeting him the personality becomes the importance. That’s where the attraction starts. A sense of humor and personality are major keys to a relationship. Once the relationship starts it becomes important to the guy being devoted to you and wanting to make you the most important person to them. Girls want a guy that can make them smile, make their stomachs flip, and be able to count on them for anything. All girls want to be treated with respect and be able to be your total self. A guy that is willing to make you that special girl and make you feel important is what girls look for. The thing most girls look for though is communication and personality. Being able to talk to someone through conflict and ups and downs is a big part to any relationship. Personality is what makes the two people connect and enjoy each other. These days a lot of girls have become independent and lots of songs by women artist have expressed that. But even girls with that attitude of independence still would love for a guy to sweep them off their feet.

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  27. Men always want to assume dominance in any relationship. This is the way it has been set in their minds for thousands of years. What they truly look for in a good relationship is another story completely. For one guys typically look for a girl that will listen to their problems whenever one comes up. Mostly guys say they don't need to talk about their feelings but, deep down they really do. For me talking about my problems really releases a lot of tension and anxiety. It really does make me feel a lot better. Also guys look for a girl that they can really make a lot of connections with. Like they should always have a lot in common. With similar interests and disinterests they will get along much better. Another very important aspect is that the guy should feel totally comfortable around the girl because, then you are then able to show the girl who you truly are on the inside. Then it's in God's hands then, by that I mean if it was meant to be then everything will fall into place. If not then he will just have to move on. The last thing that I think is extremely important in a good healthy relationship is that the girl must have a good sense of humor and think that the guy is funny and fun as well. With that you can provide each other a better time whenever together and therefore create a more comfortable, relaxed atmosphere for both of you. All of these traits are important to me in any healthy relationship. Really to me though both the guy and the girl ahould always be dead even in importance. Without one the other is nothing.

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  28. I think in some aspects the Wife of Bath was right in her assumption of what girls what in a relationship. We would like to have some or equal control in the relationship. But aside from the obvious, such as faithfulness, girls also look for someone that will treat them well, and a guy who will like them for who they are. Also girls look fro guys that can make them laugh, and they know they'll have good time when they're with them. Along with be able to make me laugh, a guy should just generally make me happy when I am around them. Another important thing girls look for in a guy would be honesty. Girls like a guy who doesn't keep secrets, and always tells the truth, which also plays a part in whether he is trustworthy or not. Girls want someone that they can trust, and don't always have to wonder if they're being faithful. Also we like the guy to be able to trust us. Many of these desires are universal, and not subject to change anytime soon for the majority of the female population.

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  29. I believe there are a few simple things that a guy looks for in a relationship. We want someone who is fun to hangout with and someone who we can be ourself around. A guy shouldn't have to change how he acts or how he looks just to impress a girl. A guy looks for a girl that he can trust to be honest to him. No guy wants to be with a girl that is in complete control of the relationship. We want someone who will sometimes give up what they want for what we want. Guys look for a girl with a good personality. We want a girl that can make us laugh and someone that we always have a good time with. We want are girl that is relaxed and someone who stays out of drama. If a girls life is full of drama and she is all caught up in what other people think it gets really annoying for guys. Guys really just look for someone who makes them happy and is fun to be around.

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  30. I am a female. I was agreeing with Wife of Bath’s opinion about what women wanted in relationship with men. She was not afraid to say about it in her century. She desire power in men, certainly it’s the same in nowadays.
    To be a woman, the first thing which we want a relationship with a men is Honesty. We want them can true to us when we face everything, trust with each other it’s a basic thing when we fall in love with a guy. Secondly, is respect and loyalty. We don’t want they are very good looking or worthy, but they must be respect and loyalty. When we live together with them, in our life we must have some frictions and contradictions, so it need tolerant attitude. Lastly, we want a guy who was nice, faithfulness relationship with us. Some guys, who can listen carefully for us and like to be a friend with us; they are very important factories which can hold the good, comfortable and happiness with each other forever. I think, that are the power what women want in men, and just keep with these things, it will be have a memorable and glorious life with a guy who will live with you forever.

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  31. NJC in my opinion a guy wants a girl that he can trust that he can feel safe letting her go somewhere and not have to worry about what she is doing. also i feel that she needs to be able to understand that if the guy needs his time to just hang out with his friends she will accept it and say its okay he that he needs his own time every now and then. she should also now how to be a good friend and be trust worthy of keeping secrets of your relationship between you guys. one more thing is that in the day we live in now its always a plus if she is a good cook and can know how to care for oyu if your sick because if she gives us the things we need and is a respectfull honerable wife and stays to her word most guys will be gratefull and show there gratitude to them too.

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  32. There are many things a woman really wants in a strong, lasting relationship. Any relationship should consist of faithfulness, happiness, trust, and compassion. In a relationship you want someone you can trust. Someone that you wouldn't have to worry about going out with their friends and doing thing they shouldn't be. A woman would want someone that truly cared for her, that would treat her with respect and consider her equal to them. No woman likes being talked down upon like their importance is lower then their significant other. You would also want someone that could make you happy, laugh, and smile when your having a bad day. They should know the different things and ways to make you happy. Communication and comfort are also a key in a relationship. In a relationship you should be comfortable around each other and be yourself. If your not comfortable around each other its going to be hard to communicate in a good way. If you do not have good communication your relationship will not last. You need to be able to communicate to know how the other person feels about your relationship or a problem they feel like you might be having.

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  33. In a strong and lasting relationship there needs to be trust and respect. Honesty is something that is important because if your being shady and keeping secrets then it becomes hard for you trust someone after that and sometimes a relationship will never grow from there. Girls look for guys who they think will treat them right and they want someone who they can truly be themselves around. Another thing is when you have things in common. When you have similar interests there is more to talk about and it becomes easier to get to know one another. Communication is also something that is important. If your not talking and getting through to each other then things can get messed up and it becomes very boring.

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  34. Nowadays, there aren’t specific rules that relationships follow where one person is in charge of the other. It depends on the personalities of the different people. Some girls are shyer and like having a man to take car of them and make all the decisions. Others, like the wife in the story, like to voice their opinions, and have control over their husbands. Guys can feel differently too. Some are controlling and must be in charge of everything. Then there are the guys who are more sensitive and let the girl be in control. For me, I like to be in charge. In a relationship, I feel that the women should be independent and not need her man to take care of her. She should be able to have her own opinions and do what she wants. She should be able to decide for herself and speak her mind. However, I don’t like a guy who can’t stand up for himself and have opinions too. If the guy is too easy to control, it gets boring. So I think for a relationship to work, both sides need to have an equal amount of control. Respect is very important in a relationship and you can’t have that if one person is too controlling of the other.

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  35. In my opinion most guys generally want a girl that will trust them, and can also be trusted. This means that if you are going out with your friends, she should trust you enough to make the right decision without questioning everything that you do. Looks are also important to guys, but they are not everything. When it comes down to it, I would rather have a girl that is good looking and doesn't spend a lot of time worrying about appearances than one who does. Also in a long term relationship guys want a girl that they have a lot in common with such as hobbies, sports, food and all that. In a relationship I would also look for a girl that I can be comfortable being myself with her. I also look for a girl that is outgoing, and likes to go out and have fun, but also doesn't mind just staying in and chilling. It is important that she also has her own friends and isn't too clingy, because that can get annoying sometimes. Aside from a few things, overall I think that what guys want is pretty much the same as what girls want. Even though the person that we end up with doesn't have every quality that we may look for, we learn to love them for who they are.

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  36. Men want a whole lot from women, this list starts with looks. A man wants a pretty girl if he’s going to be with her for a long time, he wants to be able to boast about the looks of his girl. Men also find loyalty very appealing for obvious reasons. Another attractive attribute found in men’s eyes are a smart women but not to smart, a women that makes good money but not more then you. You want women that can figure her own problems out, but for something really tough she needs her man to turn to. Men need women to push them along physically, mentally, and emotionally. We want her to be in shape and able to focus on her work. It’s important for men to wear the pants in the relationship because for most men it would be embarrassing for the women to be the more controlling. A women’s smile is also important as well as her attitude. What most men don’t realize is that how a woman carries herself is something men find extremely appealing. There are many attributes women have that men find attractive and appealing and I have only named a few of them.

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  37. What I look for in a girl is someone I can have fun with. Someone who likes sports and can play them with me and my friends. I like a girl who is healthy and athletic. And who is competitive enough to try and give me a challenge. Also I like a girl that makes me laugh and will laugh at my jokes, a girl with a sence of humor. I want someone that cares about me as much as I do her. Also no stuck up chicks. My girl has to be down to earth and a kind person who cares about the feelings of others. She has to except my family also. I like a girl who gets along with my family like it is her own. And the same for her family. I want a girl who cares about her family and gets along with them. So this is what I look for in a girl.

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  38. The Wife of Bath is a very independent woman. She always speaks her mind and had no problem doing it. In the Wife of Bath's story, she felt that a woman should be in charge. She says that what women really want in a relationship is to be treated exactly the same as men are. I feel that what women really want in a relationship is to be equal to their male companions. No one should be above each other. I think that one of the most important things that needs to be established to keep a strong healthy relationship is trust. Trust is a good basis for which a relationship should be formed and without it a relationship will most likely not last. I believe that in a relationship there should always be honesty because without honestly there can really be no trust. I think that women want to be treated equal in a relationship and not feel as if there partners are in charge of them. Men should respect the woman they are with and the same goes for women. In our society today, men usually seem to assume to dominant position in a relationship. I think, although a woman likes to feel protected and safe, that she should be able to have the same amount of say in making decisions that the man does.

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  39. The Wife of Bath hit the nail on the head with her stories of how we humans use the natural selection variables in finding a spouse that we can last in a relationship for the long haul. I feel the components of The Wife of Baths list still hold true today. All women in today’s society pretty much still want the same things in a partner, as they did in Middle English times. The list that The Wife of Bath gives contains the following desirable equalities; jollity and pleasure, wealth and fortune, clothes, fun in bed, honor, faithfulness, and widowed many times. These qualities create long lasting relationships, yet I don’t think widowing many times is that great of a quality, but in the case of The Wife of Bath that could be another man to have married. Women want a man that can connect on levels of agreeableness. Same hobbies, interest, like/dislikes are some of the things that create an even stronger connection. Also for a man to have the art to bring laughter and a smile to our face can do wonders in a relationship. Having a level of trust both ways can help a relationship exceed to flourishing results. Woman just want a man that will be there thru think and thin, especially when the going gets tough.

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  40. I believe that no matter what your gender is there are things that both people want in a lasting relationship. The first of these is trust. It is impossible for a relationship to last if you can not trust the other person. When one person does not trust the other they may try to control that person. This will most likely lead to anger and frustration, and perhaps even violence. A relationship will be destroyed by violence. A second thin that is important in a lasting relationship is honesty. When two people care for each other they should be able to share their feelings openly. Without honesty one person may feel that that the other is trying to hide something which will lead to mistrust. A third thing that is important in a lasting relationship would be deeply caring for one another. It is important to look out for the other person and their feelings. By doing this the other person will trust you and also will look out for your and your feelings. This in turn helps to build an honest and trusting long lasting relationship. Without these three essential attributes, it is virtually impossible to maintain a long lasting relationship with someone else.

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  41. AC Hancock

    I think every girl is just looking for one dependable person in their life. Just that one person who will be by their side through everything. They can have all the fun in the world but also have the deepest conversations. But it's different compared to their best girl friend. There is a deeper connection. Something you can't have with your friends. A girl just wants’ that never ending fairy tale love. They want someone who they can put all their trust into. They want someone to lie next to them while watching old movies just being there to keep them company. I disagree with the Wife of Bath, I don’t think all women want power. I personally think it is a fifty, fifty thing and that so be in a successful relationship both people need to work at it. They want a few simple I think, and that’s basically it. It is a hard thin to describe, all it is really, is an all around happy feeling. And having that happy feeling turns every other thing that seems miserable into something else. Life is just a genuinely more enjoyable place.

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  42. I think the Wife of Bath was right in thinking what women want most. we do want equality in a relationship. I think what we look for in guys is someone who is trustworthy and loyal. Its important for us to be able to trust in the other person. Girls also want a guy who is respectful and appreciative of what we do for them. I also think communication is key to any good relationship. you need to be able to be open about what your feeling and be able to talk to them about any problems you are facing. a guy should be supportive of what you do in life and they should always be there to help you out. But most importantly i think we look for someone that we can laugh with and someone who we enjoy spending time with.

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  43. In my opinion looks mean a lot in a relationship; no matter what people say you have to be attracted to the girl first. Looks aren’t everything though a girl could be hot but has a bad personality and be annoying and I don’t care how good looking she is if you can’t stand being with her. I think guys like girls who they can have fun with and act the same around her as you do with you boys. She should not be demanding or controlling over you. A guy must wear the pants in the relationship. I like a girl who can make me laugh and have fun hanging out with. She must be outgoing and have some of the same interest as me. I love to play sports so she must be somewhat active. So basically a guy wants a girl who can make him happy and can have a good time with.

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  44. Women today look for many things in a man, just as the Wife of Bath did. The main thing women look for is if a man can make her happy. If a man doesn’t make you happy then you will probabaly not have a strong or lasting relationship. Going along with happiness, girls always look for a man that can make her laugh and that she can just be herself around. If you can’t be yourself the man may never know the real you and vice versa. Also women want to be respected and treated right. Sometimes girls like it when the guy does little things like holding a door because it makes the girl feel important and special. Even though looks should not be an important part of a relationship women still look for a handsome man. Sometimes how a man looks on the outside isn’t always the same as how he looks on the inside, which is why having a good personality is another main attribute women look for. Just like in the Wife of Bath’s tale women want to have equal control in a relationship. For example not always doing what the man wants to do and being able to compromise. Last, but not least women want to be able to trust the man. If you can’t trust the man then your relationship will fall apart because trust is the basis of almost all relationships.

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  45. As a woman, i think that trust and honesty are most important in a relationship. In order to be able to be close to one another and share your life with them, you need to be able to trust them. If you do not trust someone then you can’t let your guard down and show them your true self. If you think about it, even with your friends, you need to be able to trust them to share and even confide in then. Also this goes along with security. Without trust, every time they went somewhere or did something without you, you’d probably worry about them or what they’re doing. It also would make you worry and be unhappy whenever you aren’t with them. You want to be able to really trust and know that they are being honest, or it will just never work. You will never be able to have a true, close, prosperous relationhship with them without trust and honesty.

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  46. I believe that in order to have a strong relationship with someone it takes trust, loyalty, patience and understanding. Its very important to feel completely comfortable around the person and be able to talk to them about anything and have confidence that they will listen and help you with anything you need. Woman like a boyfriend or husband who is willing to be there for them at all times. When talking we like them to pay attention and answer our questions, not just agree with everything we say or ignore us. Its nice to have someone who likes to go out and do fun things, not sit around. Women like to feel appreciated and have nice things done for them every once in awhile. We don't necessarily ask to be waited on, but just be treated nice and make us feel special. These are just a few things women like in a man, but of course in order to get these things women must return the same in order to be treated the way they like. A relationship takes mutual participation.

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  47. Trust, it can be yours to gain or yours to lose in a relationshp. I think trust is what most women want in a relationship. Being able to trust someone is a priority because you need to be stable with them going out on their own and not worrying about what they're doing. Women also want honestly, for when their guy is not trustworthy, he is at least honest about what he's been up to. If you have to lie about something you're doing, then it's obviously wrong and you shouldn't be doing it. Then, there's the obvious things that girls look for in guys. They look for things like respect and loyalty. Girls want a gentleman who will surprise her with flowers and hold the door open for her. But over all things, I think girls are so desperate to be loved. They want that unconditional, Mr. Right kind of love that you see in the movies.

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  48. I am looking at this from a girls perspective on things. Basically, when girls look for a guy to start a relationship with, most of us look for someone that they know will make them happy and won't hurt them. The main things girls look for in a relationship is trust, happiniess, and honesty. If you can't trust your boyfriend, than your constantly going to be fighting. Your always going to be suspicious they're doing something wrong. Girls also look for someone who will make them laugh, and who will be able to make them smile even when they don't feel like smiling. If you can make a girl laugh, it's guaranteed that you'll have her heart. Happiness is key. If you're both happy and you agree to work on continuing to strengthen your relationship together, it will last. Honesty is a major part in a relationship. If a girl feels like a guy isn't always honest with her, she will always be left questioning every little thing the guy says or does. Honesty ties everything together because, without it, there's no trust, no happiness, no communication, and no respect. If you give her the respect she deserves, she'll give you respect right back. No girl wants the guy to "play the field," or in other words, cheat. If a girl knows a guy has a reputation for cheating, she probably won't go for him if she wants a long-lasting and loving relationship. All a girl really wants is to be able to be herself around her boyfriend at all times. She doesn't want to feel like she has to put on a show or act differently because she's scared of what the guy will think about her. In my opinion, a girl should never have to change for someone else. If he doesn't love you for who you are, than you're just not right for eachother. If you are willing to accept each others flaws, stay loyal at all costs to one another, and to love unconditionally, i believe it can be a very healthy, long-lasting relationship.

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  49. From a mans point of view we want many things in a relationship,not nearly as much as women but still alot. Although it varies from every individual there are some characteristics from women we consider in picking a female companion. One, they need to be trustworthy, we cant be having our women running around getting with other guys when we forget to put their collars on. we would also like our ladies to be a dime we cant be going around with ugly girls on our arms, I look at relationships as teams and your only as strong as your weekest player so in that case you should get an equal or better looking girl as yourself. Another is being able to laugh with them no one likes a girlfriend that thinks nothing is funny and is too up-tight. You want your girl to be your bestfriend and if shes not its not worth it so get rid of her and continue on the search of getting that dime piece that you love and loves you back. Those are my views on what the male wants in a female so take the advice and find your perfect girl. peace

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  50. In a good relationship that will last the thing I want most is respect. Without respect the relationship will fall apart. If the girl does respect me she might cheat on me or say things behind my back that might ruin my reputation. Another thing that is important is trust. Trust is important because without trust the relationship wont go anywhere and thing may be said that should not be said. Those are the two things that I want most in a relationship.

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  51. In my opinion a girl wants the “perfect man”, but in reality no one ever finds one. Although we may not find the “perfect” one, some of us are lucky enough too find one that’s pretty darn close too perfect. Honesty is a major part in relationships that works. Girls want guys who they can trust and share anything with them. They want too feel safe, like they can tell them anything with out loosing trust in them. Girls also want too be able too be comfortable around a guy, and for them too not judge them on how weird they are, or loud, or quiet, or if they have a goofy laugh. Girls want too be able to be them selves and not feel self conscious when they are around their boyfriends. Girls want guys too be caring towards them, and always treat them right. No girl or even guy wants to be treated badly in a relationship. Loyalty is another big part in relationships. Every girl wants to know that her boyfriend would never cheat, or be dishonest in their relationship and always stay faithful. And lastly girls mostly want guys too make them happy, and to always love them, and treat them with the outmost respect.

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  52. There are many things that men really want in a strong, long lasting relationship. One thing that I think is important is to have freedom to go and do your own thing every once and a while and have some alone time. Men want time to be with the boys, or simply time away from their significant other. Men also want to be heard. We want girls to listen to what we have say and respond. Men like to joke around and not have to worry about always being serious, so we would like our girls to be the same way and know when to be serious and when to lighten up. Most guys are also looking for looks to go along with a good personality, sometimes too much so where that is all they are concerned of. Men don’t want to get into fights and arguments over petty things, we want to get things over with and move on. Men also hate when their partner nags them and constantly tell them that they aren’t doing things right or that they aren’t doing well enough. They want to be supported not criticized in what they do. Those are some things that men truly want.

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  53. I think the biggest thing girls look for in a relationship is trust. Once a guy has broken trust, it seems like you have nothing. Also a huge idea is honesty, which kind of lies with trust. If a guy does something untrustworthy, he needs to at least be honest about it. It always hurts more when you know you've been lied to because it feels like you weren't worth the truth. I also think guys should always be respectful and have great manners. I believe in chivalry 100%. I think guys should do small things such as opening doors for you, paying for things (not all the time), picking you up to go out, or simply just going out to dinner. I think guys should do these things because they matter a lot in a relationship because it shows that guys are willing to do things not because they are told to, but because that’s how they think women should be treated. I hate to say it but it’s hard to find a good guy these days! I’m sure they think that about us girls too though. Sometimes both genders just need to work on specific attributes that are appealing to the opposite sex so relationships can build and remain healthy.

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  54. In my opinion, girls want a guy they can talk to, who is helpful, kind, and fun. In Modern times, women want to be treated equally in the relationship just as the Wife of Bath explains. This goes for every aspect of the relationship. I'll listen to you if you listen to me. I'll help you if you help me. I think the Wife of Bath was right saying this is what all women want, but they don't want control, they just want to be included. I believe women also want a trustworthy person they can rely on who is faithful and honest to them. A big trait that women frown upon is when a guy is lazy, meaning they don't want to do the work, they just want to get credit. This also refers back to the Wife of Bath's comment on equality. Back in her time, women were expected of to do all the dirty work while the men had the superiority and privilages.

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  55. In a relationship, I would like a boy who gives me my space, but at the same time makes me miss him while we're not together. Someone who I don’t see every day, but talk to quite often. I've been in relationships where the boy is either extremely clingy, the kind of boy who texts you the second you leave, "I miss you already! Are we hanging out tomorrow?" And I have also been in relationships where I never saw or talked to him and they were just pointless. The Wife of Bath thinking that women should be in charge is 100% correct! Women are strong, we don’t need men to be our backbones. It anything, we need to be backbones for the men of this society. Yes, here are many powerful men(such as Bill Gates), but there are powerful women too!(My grandmother! And Hillary Clinton)

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  56. When women look for love, each want different things. A woman wants a man who can be himself and can be relied on. you want this man to be a good friend and someone who will listen yo you and comfort you in your time of need. This is what I want in a man for myself. The one thing that i look for in a man is that he has to be able to cook. You can never turn your back on a man that can cook. Some women want their love to be serious like me. The man should be faithful and fun to be around. The big thing both women and men have to do is TRUST!!

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  57. In a strong, lasting relationship I think women look for a man who is honest, respectful and is willing to let her take control some of the time. Girls look for a guy they can trust and for someone that can be considered both a boyfriend and a best friend. We also look for a guy who is thoughtful and can keep up a conversation and if they’re funny that’s just a bonus. Girls do not want to be with a guy who is untrustworthy, rude, or boring. I agree with the Wife of Bath’s statement on equality being very important in a strong, lasing relationship. Women want to be equal to the man the relationship. Also, in a good relationship needs to have trust and being faithful to one another is very important. Basically every relationship should be based on trust, honesty and love for each other.

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  58. In a relationship woman want trust. They want someone that they can tell things to and be sure it wont get around. Girls want to be able to have an honest conversation with a guy without the fear that there going to tell someone. In a relationship we want a guy that will always be there for us whenever we need them. We want someone that is fun and we enjoy being around. A guy that can make us laugh and that has a good sense of humor. A girl wants a guy that can be her bestfriend as well as somone who will love her. Women want a guy that can just be himself and doesnt have to show off to make himself look cool or to look good infront of friends. We want a guy that shows they respect us and the choices we make and tries to help us whenever needed. A girl also wants a guy that just loves her for who she is, whether or not she is having a good day or a bad day. Being in a relationship is a partnership which is also saying that if they do these things for us, we will do them for them.

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  59. I believe that women want trust in a relationship. Trust is one of the key elements in a relationship. Also us girls want somebody who we can just be ourselves around. Women want to feel as comfortable as possible with a man no matter what. Females want their partner to be their best friend as well as their lover. We want to be able to have fun with a guy and enjoy their company, even when we are fighting. Women want a man who can just be themselves around us and not those who put on acts or pretend to be someone that they're not. Women want someone who will treat them well and love them unconditionally no matter what the circumstances. Making girls laugh is one way to their heart, but knowing when it is or isn't the right time is important. Most guys that are teenagers do not know when it is not the right time to be funny and crack jokes, so often we get mad and it starts a fight. Another thing that girls want is a guy who knows when to apologize when he did something wrong, and who can admit what he did. Being in a relationship is a very special connection with another person and it can really change your life.

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  60. T.C HANCOCK
    In a good, mature relationship, the foundation is trust. Everyone that has been in a realtionship, including myself, knows that the "trust issue" is easier said then done. It takes two people to connect on a higher level then friends. And once you find that person, your so happy and you feel like you will never be happier. Through relationships you have your ups and you have your downs. But how you make it a healthy relationship, is always pulling through together , and coming out from your fights or agruements strong and on top. Dont let the argueing get the best of your relationship. Yes i know that it is annoying to fight , but whether you like it or not, in some weird way it brings you closer. What also is a key to a good relationship is laughter. It is a big step when you both let your guard down to each other and really let them get to know you, share your personal thoughts and feelings , and trusting the other person not to hurt you. When you have a connection with a person that can make you laugh, it will always be good. And once a relationship last for a certain amout of time , the only reason it fails or comes to an end, is if your dont fight to stay together, if you let something get the best of you and your relationship crumbles. Thats what girls want in a boyfriend, someone that will fight to be with us. "If shes amazing, she wont be easy. If shes easy, she wont be amazing. If shes worth it, you wont give up. If you give up, you're not worthy...." Girls simply want a guy who understands them, and appreciates them, to be happy with us, laugh with us, and love us. And most importantly, to realize what they have before its too late.

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  61. The Wife is both wise and wacky. Her views would seem completeky far fetched in Chaucer's time. In that time a woman was thought to be subserviant to a man something that the Wife of Bath definitely does not subscribe to. This is shown by the wish of the hag character in this story, and the fact that she does not treat the men on the pilgrimage with her with as much respect as the time dictated. So in Chaucer's era the Wife would certainly seem out of her mind but in modern time her views would considered really wise. mnbb

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  62. What every girl wants in a relationship is generally the same thing. There is not much that we ask for, but when we do ask, it is usually something that would not take much effort at all. Communication, respect, and last but not least trust in a relationship is what makes it a sufficent foundation. When you communicate then trust becomes a little easier aswell because you and that other person are able to express how either of you feel and let each other in to each others minds; in other words you are killing two birds with one stone. Respect is something that should be like second-hand nature to anyone because that's one of the basic traits all of us were taught when we were younger. Once you respect the person you're in love with, everything will fall into place.

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  63. A guy looks for a fun and caring girl to be around. If the girl your with makes you and laugh and happy then thats the girl you should be with. Guys want an honest and trustworthy girl that he can trust and tell anything. You have to be able to communicate because you become more comfortable with her and feel more safe because she will become more trustworthy. Also one of the main things is being faithful. If you have this it makes the relationship even stronger. By following these things I believe that you can have the strongest relationship possible.

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