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Women In Chaucer's Tales

687 Words3 Pages

The portrayal of women in literature over the years has often times denoted roles and capabilities through society. Unlike most, Geoffrey Chaucer has been credited to writing various works exemplifying women by showing their equal powers and potentials. Through what ways does Chaucer depict The Wife of Bath to be a stronghold in society within the Canterbury Tales?
The female narration in The Wife of Bath’s Tales firmly sets the main character as strong independent women. The tale told by female narrative point of view, displays individual hopes and dreams of women who are not completely satisfied with the tradition that determines their position in society. The Wife of Bath is shown as one who refuses to accept the destiny of the stereotypical …show more content…

In lines 26-30 it reads, “Men may divine and glosen up and down / But wel woot I express withouten lie / God bad us for to wexe and multiplye / That gentil text can I wel understone” (Chaucer). Amongst this quote, The Wife of Bath is claiming that men are referred to as the procreators and looked upon as deciphers of God’s word. She states that she too is capable of doing so, for the Biblical text is nothing beyond her comprehension. Unfortunately, she strives to justify her intelligence through the word of God, yet comes of as one who simply tries too hard to confirm her feministic behaviors.
During her life, the Wife of Bath is known for having five husbands and referring to herself as a so-called “expert.” While the church community rebukes her life choices and values, she once again alludes to the bible as a support mechanism. In lines 35-40 she states, “Lo, here the wyse king, dan Salomon; I trowe he hadde wyves mo than …show more content…

The Wife is one to reject the possibility in being an outcast, rather strives to be known for her harsh mannerisms and assertiveness. Stereotyping genders has consistently been a common matter at hand for generations in the real world and prominently in literature. Author’s such as Geoffrey Chaucer, like the Wife, are ones to rebuff the norm and preach as they

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