Wife Of Bath Stereotypes

Wife of Bath and Gender Roles
In the medieval times, Women were perceived to be inferior to men. And because of this stereotype, women were barred from educational and occupational opportunities that men regularly enjoyed. Stuber states, “In the Middle Ages, ideas surrounding masculinity were inherited from classical literature and the Bible. These sources supported male claims to superiority over women.” (Stuber 6). Amidst of these stereotypes, feministic literature pieces were still being published. One of these literature pieces was The Wife of Bath’s Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer. The Wife not only dominated men of society, but she also resembled them. Because of this, the Wife is seen as character that challenged stereotypes that society has …show more content…
Men would often pick their wives based on their attractiveness. Women on the other hand were in a passive position; they waited to be initiated upon by their prospective husbands. This is also known as Blind Marriage for women in the Middle Ages. Women didn’t really choose their prospective husbands, but it was their prospective husbands choosing them. Because of this, love, and sexual tensions for women would have to be developed after the marriage. The Wife of Bath challenges this stereotypical notion, “Blessed be God that I have wedded five / Of whiche I have piked out the beste / Bothe of hir nether purs and of hir cheste” (284). Once again, the Wife of Bath challenges the stereotypes imposed by society. Instead of being passive, and allowing her prospective husband pick her, she chooses to be the aggressor. Thus, the Wife has the husband of her genuine choice. By being the aggressor, it was almost like The Wife is was filling in the shoes of her male counterpart at the premarital …show more content…
Society had instilled beliefs that Medieval women were physically and intellectually subpar to Medieval men. Medieval Women were expected to preserve their virginity for their prospective husbands. Due to this stereotype, Medieval women were barred from educational and occupational opportunities that Medieval men normally would have enjoyed. The Wife challenged this stereotype by doing the opposite of what society expected of her at the time. The Wife was able to wed five different husbands. She was able dominate her husbands. She was able to hold a position of authority. She also able to publicly voice her concerns. The Wife is seen as rebellious character because she is not following the expectations imposed by Medieval stereotypes. The Wife sets her own stereotypes, and precedents. One may argue that the Wife was the first woman to ever marry five husbands. Marrying five different partners was something a Medieval man would possibly do. But, as a woman, the Wife accomplishes this. Dominating the other spouse or partner was something a Medieval man would possibly do. As a woman, the Wife also accomplishes this. Being in a position of authority, and publicly voicing concerns were common feats of a Medieval man. Once again, The Wife also accomplishes this. For a woman to do all of this during the Middle Ages was not normal. The Wife proves that should was not only able to dominate men of