Reading Beowulf

He saw a dance upon the leafy floor, Of four and twenty ladies, nay, and more. Eagerly he approached, in hope to learn, Some words of wisdom ere he should return.

-Geoffery Chaucer, “The Canterbury Tales”.

The Wife of Bath’s Tale is one of the most iconic poems from The Canterbury Tales. It questions the role of women, in an era dominated by the patriarchal monarchy. As the narrator describes her previous marriages, she justifies her views through the tale of a disgraced knight who must prove “What women want most?” It is a story of misogyny, fantasy, romance, and often dated views of the specific duties between husband and wife. A common topic throughout the poem is Power and Control among genders that presents many harsh truths about the actions of higher nobles. 

In the beginning of the poem we are introduced to a knight who is caught raping a woman in a nearby village. The knight clearly has little respect for most females, believing his evil desires are justified. During the time of King Arthur, the knight’s queen offers mercy to journey and find truth in what pleases a woman the most. At the time, this seems like quest that grants wisdom, but it also unravels the ignorant beliefs of this era. The queen gives him twelve months to answer the question or he will die as punishment. The knight, oblivious to this answer, finds a field of many women and as he approached them, they all vanished except one. An old lady slouched down on the ground, provides her wisdom and advice for the nobles in waiting. She states that power and control are what women desires the most: My lige lady, generally’ quod he, ‘wommen desiren to have sovereynetee as wel over hir housbon as hir love. (Chaucer). 

This idea that women wish for control and power above all else seems incredibly ignorant. Naturally this was a time when the philosophies of St. Jerome were popular and what was seen as a virtue through Chasity and modesty were admiral qualities in this era. Chaucer was clearing referencing many of his academic contemporaries of whom they felt a women’s place was solely to serve the man and produce a family. In a subconscious way, I feel the author was trying to convince the public of this belief, especially having the female narrator admit to such vices. 

The Wife of Bath’s Tale works as a wonderful historical piece about the societal expectations of women and men. It helps shed light on the beliefs and ideals these people carried. Through religion, political control, and patriarchal power, we discover the attitudes the people of this time believed in.