10/27 Canterbury Tales (9a)

Wife of Bath

According to the “Wife of Bath” from the Canterbury Tales a women's ultimate desire is to “rule and government above Their husbands” (1753).

The theme is displayed when Bath’s wife gives him the opportunity to choose her to be a loyal wife or a beautiful wife. In giving Bath a choice she shows that she is the one in power, but is offering up some of her authority to her husband. The theme is further validated when Bath returns the choice to his wife. Giving the choice back to her gives her so much pleasure that she becomes both the loyal and beautiful wife.

I think that many women desire to rule over their husbands, but that it is not likely the strongest desire. The fact that it is so prevalent to observe the wife ruling her family demonstrates that many women desire it, otherwise they would not do so. I can only assume that the strongest desire for a woman is to be loved. I gather the assumption from Ephesians 5:25, here husbands are called to love their wife’s. Love is also the ultimate theme in all women’s film, literature and conversation. I have not done a in-depth research, but I am simply not blind and dumb to all of the advertising all women are so easily soled to. Weather it be a diamond ring or a purse it will be successfully advertised with the theme of love.

Pardoner’s Tale

The moral of “The Pardoner’s Tale” is something close to money is the root of all evil. The Pardoner warns against gambling, lustfulness and gluttony, but it is greed the kills the characters he tells about.

The story teller illuminates more about the Medieval era than the story he tells. As a a pardoner the story teller receives money for the work of pardoning the sins of others. Paying for a pardon was not uncommon and shows the dependence the people of this era had on the church.

Extra Credit

There are a couple of feministic ideas in “The Wife of Bath.” The first is the fact that the tale revolves around the fact that a man has no idea what women desire. The second is Bath’s wife calling the shots for Bath, telling him how it is going to be and giving him a horrible ultimatum.

While “The Wife of Bath” is strongly feminist, it actually puts women in a better light than is expected for the Medieval era. Bath’s wife is characteristically shown as a manipulator, but when Bath treats her well she gives Bath everything he could ask from her.