How we cite our quotes: (Line Number)
Quote #7
For I wol axe if it hire wille be
To be my wyf, and reule hir after me. (326-327)
There are two ways to read the "and" in this passage. Either Walter views Grisilde's willingness to obey him in all things as something she must promise in addition to her regular duties as a wife, or he views this as a necessary part of wifehood. Our money's on the second option.
Quote #8
Nat only this Grisildis thurgh hir wit
Coude al the feet of wyfly hoomlinesse,
But eek whan that the cas requyred it,
The commune profit coude she redresse. (428-431)
Grisilde is great not only at performing her wifely duties but also at caring for the general welfare of Walter's people. This makes her an ideal noble wife: noble wives were supposed to "wed" their husband's people (as well as their husband) and care for their welfare as much as for her own.
Quote #9
But as for me, I seye that yvel it sit
T'assaye a wyf whan that it is no nede
And putten hire in anguish and in drede. (460-462)
The narrator is suggesting that a husband owes his wife consideration for her feelings, and that flies in the face of Walter's idea of a wifely duty of absolute obedience regardless of how she feels about what she's being asked to do.