Themes: The Trials and Tribulations of Marriage
Many of the Canterbury pilgrims and many of the characters in their tales are married, but most of them are not happily married. In fact, Chaucer often presents marriage as a state of life that leads to great trials and tribulations. The most prominent of these is infidelity. Many stories in the collection focus on the unfaithfulness of a spouse, most often the wife. Women, of course, have little choice when it comes to their spouses, and some of them, like May in “The Merchant's Tale” and Alison in “The Miller’s Tale,” prefer younger men, to their husbands’ embarrassment. The wife in “The Shipman’s Tale” is tired of her miserly husband, but the wife in “The Manciple’s Tale” provides no reason for her betrayal of the accomplished Phoebus. Wives are not the only unfaithful spouses, however. The Wife of Bath complains that her fourth husband had a mistress, and the falcon’s mate in “The Squire’s Tale” has run off with an attractive kite.
Another trial of marriage presented in the tales is the interference of a third party in a couple’s relationship. This, too, can cause great suffering for both spouses. The Man of Law presents the tribulations of Lady Custance, who endures two vicious mothers-in-law. Both women believe that Custance is not a proper wife for their sons because of her Christian faith, and they act on their prejudices with tragic results. In “The Franklin’s Tale,” Aurelius tries to push his way into a happy marriage because of his love of Dorigen. He recognizes his own selfishness in time to prevent tragedy, however, and the marriage is saved.
Marriage can also suffer when one of the spouses shows disrespect to the other even while remaining technically loyal. The prime example here is Walter in “The Clerk’s Tale.” He cannot resist testing his faithful, loving wife, Griselda, over and over to the point of cruelty. She forgives him and remains an obedient wife every time, yet she suffers greatly. In the end, she forgives the greatest insult and rejoices in her reunited family, ever the model of a heroically patient wife.
Of course not every marriage is unhappy or unfaithful. Some couples in the tales are deliriously happy with each other. The knight and his lady in the Wife of Bath’s contribution find true love in the end when the knight gives his wife the power to choose her own destiny, and she chooses both beauty and fidelity. Saint Cecilie and her husband, Valerian, have a relationship of mutual chastity, love, and faith to the point of martyrdom. Happiness in marriage, it seems, requires respect between the spouses that can lead to true love.
Expert Q&A
What stereotypes of women are present in The Canterbury Tales? Are they oversimplified, weak, foolish, or excessively naive?
In "The Canterbury Tales," women are portrayed through various stereotypes like the beautiful, lustful, old and wise, or overly virtuous woman. These exaggerated depictions enhance the humor without making women the sole targets. Often, male characters appear more foolish, as seen in tales like "The Miller's Tale" and "The Reeve's Tale." While women can be naive or cunning, men frequently suffer more for their flaws, highlighting their own naivety and foolishness.
What complaints do men have about their wives according to the Wife of Bath?
In "The Wife of Bath's Prologue," men complain that wives are faithless, treacherous, and quick to harm them. The Wife of Bath's husband accuses women of extreme disloyalty, even citing stories of wives who murdered their husbands or cheated while their husbands' corpses lay nearby. Additionally, he describes wives as persistent nags who make their husbands' lives miserable, constantly fighting and opposing them without reason.
In The Canterbury Tales, what is the Wife of Bath's opinion of her fifth husband?
The Wife of Bath views her fifth husband, Jankyn, as her favorite because of his youth, education, and sexual prowess. She appreciates his assertiveness, as it matches her own strong personality. Despite the affection, their relationship is tumultuous, marked by physical violence and power struggles. Jankyn's reading of antifeminist texts leads to conflict, but she ultimately claims dominance over him. Their dynamic reflects the limitations faced by women in asserting independence during that era.
Which of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales centers on "what women want"?
In Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Wife of Bath's Tale" from The Canterbury Tales, the central question is "what do women want?" A knight must answer this to save his life, learning that women desire sovereignty over their husbands. The tale explores themes of power and choice, ultimately showing that when the knight gives the old woman the power to decide, she chooses to be both beautiful and good, leading to a happy ending.
Does the Wife of Bath from The Canterbury Tales seek attention or respect?
The Wife of Bath from Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales seeks respect over attention. In her prologue, she recounts how her husband struck her deaf, leading to mutual respect in their relationship. Despite receiving negative attention from her husband, the Wife of Bath values respect, advocating for her rights and openly discussing topics like marriage and sex, which demonstrates her desire for respect over mere attention.
In Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, how does the Wife of Bath control her marriages?
The Wife of Bath controls her marriages using manipulation and cunning tactics. She believes women desire control over their husbands and employs various strategies to achieve this. She falsely accuses her husbands of saying hurtful things while drunk, supported by her maid, to get her way. Additionally, she admits to being unreasonable and challenges her husbands to be patient, thus coercing them into submission. Her unabashed confidence and openness about her methods highlight her power-driven nature.
What are the Wife of Bath's reasons for ignoring the ideal of chastity in "The Canterbury Tales"?
The Wife of Bath in "The Canterbury Tales" argues against chastity by citing religious reasons, suggesting that while chastity is ideal, it is not meant for everyone. She believes God created people to be different, and since she enjoys sex, she sees no shame in it. Her reasoning is that God designed most people as sexual beings, and therefore, it is natural and acceptable for her to embrace her sexuality through marriage.
In Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, does the Wife of Bath's tale reflect her personality?
The Wife of Bath's tale in Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales reflects her personality and views on marriage. She is open, honest, and experienced in love, advocating for female dominance in relationships. Her tale of a knight learning that women desire sovereignty parallels her belief that women should have control in marriage. This aligns with her straightforward and unapologetic nature, as she seeks another husband on the pilgrimage, highlighting her pragmatic approach to life and relationships.
The Wife of Bath's views on marriage, desires, attire, profession, character, and opinions in The Canterbury Tales
In The Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath presents a bold and unconventional view on marriage and gender roles. She advocates for women's dominance over men, emphasizing that women desire control in relationships, including sex, money, and passion. Her tale underscores this by illustrating a knight's quest to learn that women want sovereignty over their husbands. Her attire, described as opulent and assertive, reflects her confidence and wealth, challenging traditional femininity. Chaucer portrays her as a feminist character who enjoys marriage but seeks to redefine its power dynamics.
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