The Wife of Bath

The Wife of Bath

She is considered to be one of Chaucer's greatest characters.

She has different ideas about virginity and marriage then the time period.

Emphasizes male flaws.

She has been married 5 times since age 12.

The first 3 husbands she married for money, the 4th husband cheated on her so she cheated on him.

The 5th husband she married for love, he deafens her in one ear with a book during an argument.

He returns all her money and land to her.

Plays with quotes from the Bible to justify her lifestyle.

Her tale reflects her ideals and lifestlye.

Believes a happy marriage is one where the wife is in charge.

The Wife of Bath's Tale

A Knight rapes a young maiden and is brought before the queen. He is convicted and sentence to travel for a year to find out what women want.

He comes upon an ugly old woman who promises to tell him the answer if he promises to marry her.

He rejects at first and then accepts.

She tells him the knight is noble in deed not name.

She offers him the choice between being faithful and ugly or unfaithful and beautiful.

The Knight tells her the choice is up to her.

As a reward, the old woman becomes beautiful and faithful.

Moral of the story: Women want the right to make their own decisions.