How we cite our quotes: (Line Number)
Quote #7
"This is my wyf," quod he, "that standeth here.
Honoureth hire and loveth hire I preye
Whoso me loveth; ther is namore to seye." (369-371)
Walter draws on his people's loyalty to him to extract a similar loyalty to his wife. Basically, in order to be loyal to him, they'll have to be loyal to his wife. By saying that those who love him must love and honor her as well, he implies that they will be breaking their feudal oath if they do otherwise. So, is that real loyalty to Grisilde, or isn't it?
Quote #8
This markis in his herte longeth so
To tempte his wyf, hir sadnesse for to knowe. (451-452)
"Sadness" refers to steadfastness or constancy, a complete focus of your attention on one thing and one thing only. In effect, Walter wants to make sure that Grisilde is loyal to him by testing her obedience.
Quote #9
A maner sergeant was this privee man,
The which that feithful ofte he founden hadde
In thinges grete, and eek swich folk wel can
Don execucioun in thinges bade.
The lord knew wel he him loved and dradde. (519-523)
In a striking condemnation of blind obedience, the narrator remarks that the Sergeant's loyalty to Walter makes him just as capable as doing evil things as "grete" or honorable things. Walter can simply capitalize on the love and dread the Sergeant has for him to get him to do just as he wishes. Is the Sergeant loyal? If so, what kind of loyalty is that?