Rather than addressing the issue of “The Wife of Bath” and what has come out of both the prologue and the tale in terms of change regarding the British society at the time, we consider it important to shed light on the context that created that piece of literature worthy of analysis. One of the most fascinating aspects of Chaucer’s literature is the manner in which he shrouds an explicit portrayal of a male dominated society in the medieval period.
In the middle ages a woman’s duty was to be a wife, a housekeeper and a mother. Men were a superior gender and they were entitled to beat their wives if they misbehaved. Women were dominated by the members of their family. They were expected to obey their father, their brothers or any male member …show more content…
She is an interesting character who speaks to us at many instances seems to be quite modern in her concerns, in her worries, in her expressions, in her questioning of theology and social conventions, in the way she blurs at the gender roles in society. She might be considered as a liberation figure for women generally. Should she be associated with the notions of the 18th, 19th or even 20th century gender divisions. Rather than focusing on all these issues, we have an individual focusing on herself, her own interests, her own desires, her own wants; she seems to be intensely happy. This raises all kinds of interesting notions that can help us broaden our knowledge as well as understanding of that Medieval world they were engaged in. Such issues as social conventions or other relevant cultural matters. The wife of Bath might be considered as a pre-enlightenment figure who recognizes that happiness and fortune are things that can be won through careful planning, organization, manipulation, deception and ruthless pursuit of one’s self interest. She was kind of self- driven. Chaucer presented us with a really fantastic character who represents the human condition which many would identify strongly with in terms of issues like love and
In the middle ages a woman’s duty was to be a wife, a housekeeper and a mother. Men were a superior gender and they were entitled to beat their wives if they misbehaved. Women were dominated by the members of their family. They were expected to obey their father, their brothers or any male member …show more content…
She is an interesting character who speaks to us at many instances seems to be quite modern in her concerns, in her worries, in her expressions, in her questioning of theology and social conventions, in the way she blurs at the gender roles in society. She might be considered as a liberation figure for women generally. Should she be associated with the notions of the 18th, 19th or even 20th century gender divisions. Rather than focusing on all these issues, we have an individual focusing on herself, her own interests, her own desires, her own wants; she seems to be intensely happy. This raises all kinds of interesting notions that can help us broaden our knowledge as well as understanding of that Medieval world they were engaged in. Such issues as social conventions or other relevant cultural matters. The wife of Bath might be considered as a pre-enlightenment figure who recognizes that happiness and fortune are things that can be won through careful planning, organization, manipulation, deception and ruthless pursuit of one’s self interest. She was kind of self- driven. Chaucer presented us with a really fantastic character who represents the human condition which many would identify strongly with in terms of issues like love and