An Analysis Of The Wife Of Bath's Tale By Chaucer

In her first three marriages, the wife of bath is not vulnerable because she sees her husbands simply as a source of money; when she allows herself to feel a real bond with the next two husbands, consequences follow. She is never interested in having an emotional connection with the first three men, so there is little risk involved with using them for her own benefit. Her fourth husband however is “a reveller- that is to say, he has a paramour; and [the wife of bath] [is] young and full of wantonness” (Chaucer, “The Wife of Bath’s Prologue” 453-454). As she becomes more confident with her manipulation skills, she makes herself susceptible to being taken advantage of by marrying for attraction. Lastly, the control of her final husband makes her admit “that even if he [beats] [her] on every bone, he could soon win [her] love again.” (Chaucer, “The Wife of Bath’s Prologue” 511-512). At this point, she has truly fallen in love but ends up suffering the most

John “had recently married a wife whom he loved more than his life” (Chaucer, “The Miller’s Tale” 35-36). Since this carpenter is the most sentimentally involved with Alisoun, he ends up the most betrayed and embarrassed by her disloyalty. Conversely, Alisoun doesn’t give Absolom any reassurance that his infatuation is requited, so he does not fall into the trap of falling for her. Consequently, Absolom leaves the situation feeling rejected, but not truly dejected because his connection with Alisoun was only in his dreams. Meanwhile, Nicholas begs her for sex by yelling “sweetheart, love me right away or I’ll die, so help me God!” (Chaucer, “The Miller’s Tale” 94-95). This remark displays that he has shallow reasons in mind for going after Alisoun. Fortunately for him, intense physical attraction is less meaningful and therefore less detrimental than