Chaucer's Perception Of Women In The Canterbury Tales
In Medieval Britain, women were traditionally viewed as prized possessions; therefore, the knight’s answer is a resounding contradiction to the common perception of women as insignificant members of society. In The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer’s positive view of women is conveyed through his use of characterization, diction, and symbols in order to alter his society’s perspective on women. Chaucer utilizes characterization to express women’s confidence in “The Wife of Bath’s Tale.” On their pilgrimage to Canterbury, the wife of Bath unfalteringly tells her tale despite being surrounded by men on a long journey. She explains, “My story’s not begun/ You’ll taste another brew before I’ve done,/ You’ll find it doesn’t taste as good
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Chaucer characterizes the wife of Bath as a woman who teaches men to understand women more through her tale. The woman told the knight the tale of life. “Tell us your tale, spare not for any man/ Instruct us younger men in your technique” (184, 24-25). Men want to know how to keep women for a long time by their side. The Queen is also characterized as wise when she grants the knight the opportunity to reform himself instead of ending his life. After seeing so many trials from her husband, the Queen took this one for her own. ”You stand/ In no way certain of your life/ Yet you shall live as you can answer me” (78-80, 187). This just shows how the queen is wise and has an effect in her court system. The old woman’s wisdom is conveyed when she gives the knight the correct answer about what women most desire. The old woman was wise to share the answer to the knight, knowing she will get something out of it. ”Swear to do whatever I shall next require of you/ And you shall know the answer before night” (190, 186-188). He is willing to anything to repay her. Chaucer’s use of words show all the talent all three women have with wisdom. They do not need a man to make all their decisions for them. They can run the court, men, and the town with all the wisdom they have. This is allowing the society to view them in a different
Chaucer characterizes the wife of Bath as a woman who teaches men to understand women more through her tale. The woman told the knight the tale of life. “Tell us your tale, spare not for any man/ Instruct us younger men in your technique” (184, 24-25). Men want to know how to keep women for a long time by their side. The Queen is also characterized as wise when she grants the knight the opportunity to reform himself instead of ending his life. After seeing so many trials from her husband, the Queen took this one for her own. ”You stand/ In no way certain of your life/ Yet you shall live as you can answer me” (78-80, 187). This just shows how the queen is wise and has an effect in her court system. The old woman’s wisdom is conveyed when she gives the knight the correct answer about what women most desire. The old woman was wise to share the answer to the knight, knowing she will get something out of it. ”Swear to do whatever I shall next require of you/ And you shall know the answer before night” (190, 186-188). He is willing to anything to repay her. Chaucer’s use of words show all the talent all three women have with wisdom. They do not need a man to make all their decisions for them. They can run the court, men, and the town with all the wisdom they have. This is allowing the society to view them in a different