# Pars Secunda explained — The Canterbury Tales

> Chapter companion for The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer.

## What happens

The marquis Walter, having decided to marry the poor but virtuous Griseldis, goes to her village and asks her father Janicola for her hand. Griseldis agrees to marry him on the condition that she will obey his every whim without complaint. She is stripped of her old clothes, dressed in new finery, and married in a grand ceremony. Griseldis proves to be a wise and capable ruler, beloved by all, and soon gives birth to a daughter.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage and Sovereignty

Walter's marriage to Griseldis is based on a test of her obedience, reflecting the power dynamics in marriage.

### Social Class and Estate

Griseldis's rise from poverty to nobility illustrates the theme of social class and the potential for virtue to transcend birth.

### Gender and Power

Griseldis's submission to Walter's will and her role as a peacemaker in the land highlight gender roles and power structures.

## Character check-ins

### Walter

The marquis who chooses to marry the poor Griseldis, testing her obedience.

### Griseldis

The virtuous and poor maiden who becomes the marchioness, swearing total obedience to Walter.

### Janicola

Griseldis's poor father who agrees to Walter's proposal.

## Key lines

> But for to speak of virtuous beauty, Then was she one the fairest under sun

In terms of virtuous beauty, she was among the fairest in the world.

_Highlights Griseldis's inner virtue as her true beauty._

> I say this, be ye ready with good heart To all my lust, and that I freely may, As me best thinketh, do you laugh or smart, And never ye to grudgë, night nor day

I ask that you be willing to accept whatever I wish, whether it brings you joy or pain, and never complain.

_Walter's demand for absolute obedience from Griseldis._

> Unneth the people her knew for her fairnéss, When she transmuted was in such richéss.

The people barely recognized her because she looked so beautiful in her new rich clothing.

_Describes Griseldis's transformation through new attire._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_canterbury_tales_se/chapters/pars-secunda
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_canterbury_tales_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_canterbury_tales_se/chapters