Assignment Question

answering one question how does the wife challenge sexual and social hierarchies in her “Prologue” and “Tale”?

Answer

Introduction

In Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales,” the character of the Wife of Bath stands out as a formidable and complex figure who challenges prevailing sexual and social hierarchies of her time. Her character is introduced through her Prologue, where she candidly discusses her experiences in marriage and relationships, and later in her Tale, where she offers a narrative that critiques conventional notions of authority and gender roles. The Wife of Bath’s outspoken and unapologetic nature, her sexual agency, and her defiance of societal norms are all ways in which she subverts the established hierarchies. This essay will delve into the ways in which the Wife of Bath challenges sexual and social hierarchies in both her Prologue and Tale, exploring the multifaceted nature of her character and her role as a feminist icon in medieval literature.

The Wife of Bath’s Prologue

Defying Gender Norms

The Wife of Bath’s Prologue begins with a bold declaration of her views on marriage and sexuality, setting the tone for her character’s challenges to sexual and social hierarchies. She boasts about her extensive experience as a wife, having had five husbands, and is unapologetic about her sexual agency. This immediately challenges the traditional perception of women as passive and submissive within marriage. She states, “Experience, though none authority, * * * if that men sooth sayen, shall not ye.”

Here, she asserts that her own life experiences are just as valid as any authority, rejecting the notion that women should be silenced and obedient in the face of male authority. She asserts herself as an expert in matters of marriage and sex, defying the gender hierarchy that places men as the ultimate authorities in these domains.

Furthermore, the Wife of Bath’s sexual confidence and agency challenge the societal norms of her time. She openly discusses her sexual desires and needs, which was unconventional in a society that often demanded female chastity and modesty. She proclaims, “I trowe I hadde ywedded be / * * * For hadde myn instrument been shaped like thine, / It sholde han been to me no plesance.” Her willingness to engage in such explicit discussions of her desires subverts the expectation that women should be passive in sexual matters and challenges the idea that female pleasure is inconsequential.

The Wife of Bath also employs humor and irony in her Prologue to challenge social hierarchies. She playfully admits to using her wit and cunning to manipulate her husbands, saying, “For, certes, I am al Venerien / In feelynge, and myn herte is Marcien.” By framing herself as a Venus-like figure and her heart as Martian, she not only asserts her own sexual prowess but also mocks the traditional association of masculinity with martial qualities and femininity with love and sensuality. This playful inversion of gender roles disrupts the established hierarchy that places men in positions of dominance and women in roles of submission.

The Wife of Bath’s Tale

A Subversive Narrative

The Wife of Bath’s Tale further challenges sexual and social hierarchies through the narrative she presents. In her Tale, she tells the story of a knight who rapes a young maiden and is sentenced to death by King Arthur’s court. However, the queen intervenes and offers the knight a chance to save his life by solving a riddle: “What is it that women most desire?” The knight embarks on a quest to find the answer, and through a series of encounters, he ultimately discovers that women desire sovereignty over their own lives and the freedom to make their own choices.

The Tale is a powerful critique of the patriarchal society in which women were often treated as property, their lives and destinies determined by men. It challenges the notion that women’s desires and agency should be secondary to male authority. The queen’s intervention and the eventual revelation of women’s desires as autonomy directly challenge the established social hierarchy that placed men in control of women’s lives.

Moreover, the Wife of Bath’s Tale emphasizes the importance of consent and respect in relationships. When the knight learns the answer to the queen’s question, he is pardoned, and the young maiden he wronged becomes his wife. However, she grants him the choice of whether she should be beautiful and unfaithful or ugly and faithful. He wisely lets her decide, giving her agency over her own appearance and fidelity. This choice echoes the Wife of Bath’s own desire for control in her marriages and her rejection of male dominance.

The Tale also highlights the Wife of Bath’s feminist perspective through the character of the hag, who argues that women are inherently better wives and partners when they have control over their husbands. She tells the knight, “Gladly wolde I doon the plesaunce; / And saide, ‘Sir, one thing is thee leve; / Bete him in thon.” The hag suggests that women, when given authority, will willingly please their husbands. This notion challenges the conventional belief that women must be subjugated to ensure their obedience and devotion.

Conclusion

In both her Prologue and Tale, the Wife of Bath challenges the sexual and social hierarchies of her time in various ways. She defies traditional gender norms by asserting her sexual agency, challenging male authority, and humorously subverting societal expectations. Her Tale offers a powerful critique of patriarchal society, emphasizing the importance of women’s autonomy, consent, and agency in relationships.

The Wife of Bath emerges as a feminist icon within the medieval literary tradition, boldly challenging the established norms of her era. Her character reminds us that the struggle for gender equality and agency is not a modern phenomenon but has deep historical roots. Through her unapologetic defiance and her narratives that champion women’s autonomy, she remains a timeless symbol of resistance against sexual and social hierarchies, inspiring readers to question and challenge oppressive norms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is the Wife of Bath in Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales”?

The Wife of Bath is one of the characters in Geoffrey Chaucer’s collection of stories known as “The Canterbury Tales.” She is a strong and outspoken woman who challenges societal norms, particularly regarding marriage and gender roles.

What are some key themes in the Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale?

Some key themes in the Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale include gender and sexuality, authority and autonomy, and the role of women in medieval society.

How does the Wife of Bath challenge sexual hierarchies in her Prologue?

In her Prologue, the Wife of Bath challenges sexual hierarchies by openly discussing her experiences and desires within marriage, asserting her sexual agency, and rejecting the idea that women should be passive and obedient in matters of sex.

How does the Wife of Bath challenge social hierarchies in her Prologue?

The Wife of Bath challenges social hierarchies in her Prologue by humorously subverting traditional gender roles, asserting her own authority through her life experiences, and questioning the validity of male authority in matters of marriage and relationships.

What is the central message of the Wife of Bath’s Tale?

The central message of the Wife of Bath’s Tale is a critique of patriarchy and the importance of women’s autonomy, consent, and agency in relationships. It emphasizes that women should have control over their own lives and decisions.