In the essay, “Men and Women as Represented in Medieval Literature and Society” by Anita Kay O’Pry-Reynolds, she thoroughly explains the gender roles were set in the Medieval Ages. “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” and Reynolds essay show how women and men were seen in the Medieval Ages, and how standards can be switched between the genders.
Women in the Medieval Ages were seen as dainty damsels in distress, and could not fend for themselves on any means. Women were constantly only seen as the good wife or as the lady of the manor, however, women were seen as the root of evil due to Eve's actions. Reynolds wrote “she was expected to be the perfect hostess” the women were supposed to be able to put everyone else above themselves to be the society's …show more content…
The man was supposed to be able to fight, outwit his opponent, and be honorable. Just like the woman the man was defined by a certain action, “defined by who he is, his quests and his victories” (Reynolds 1). However, the honor of the man is a defining factor of his morals, in “The Wife of Bath's Tale” the knight is tested on his own honor. The knight exchanged knowledge for his honor, “But for God’s love think of a new request, Take all my goods, but leave my body free.” (Wife of Bath’s Tale). In the tale, the knight gives an oath, but when he hears his request he asks for it to be changed, but due to honor as a knight, be must do as …show more content…
Unlike the social norms where the man would be irresistible to the woman, the woman in both stories dominates the man. In Reynolds essay, she writes about how Lancelot is seduced by a woman because he needed a quarter to stay in, but she would only take Lancelot in if he would agree to her condition. Due to Lancelot already agreeing he has to lay with a woman, but if he is to do this he, Lancelot, will be going against his own Queen. To compare in “The Wife of Bath’s Tale”, the knight is exiled to find the answer about women and on his quest for the answer he finds a woman. The woman tells the answer in exchange for his honor to do anything she asks once, so he agrees. The knight is forced to marry the woman who is old, but he wanted to take his honor back, but he can not due to his duty as a knight. The idea of the Medieval taboo gender roles in Reynolds essay and in “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” is shared and shown very well by the mis acting knights.
Anita Kay O’Pry Reynolds essay, “Men and Women as Represented in Medieval Literature and Society” and Geoffrey Chaucer's “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” both show the gender roles during the Medieval Ages. Both works are able to show how women and men were seen in the Medieval Ages, and how standards can be switched between the
Women in the Medieval Ages were seen as dainty damsels in distress, and could not fend for themselves on any means. Women were constantly only seen as the good wife or as the lady of the manor, however, women were seen as the root of evil due to Eve's actions. Reynolds wrote “she was expected to be the perfect hostess” the women were supposed to be able to put everyone else above themselves to be the society's …show more content…
The man was supposed to be able to fight, outwit his opponent, and be honorable. Just like the woman the man was defined by a certain action, “defined by who he is, his quests and his victories” (Reynolds 1). However, the honor of the man is a defining factor of his morals, in “The Wife of Bath's Tale” the knight is tested on his own honor. The knight exchanged knowledge for his honor, “But for God’s love think of a new request, Take all my goods, but leave my body free.” (Wife of Bath’s Tale). In the tale, the knight gives an oath, but when he hears his request he asks for it to be changed, but due to honor as a knight, be must do as …show more content…
Unlike the social norms where the man would be irresistible to the woman, the woman in both stories dominates the man. In Reynolds essay, she writes about how Lancelot is seduced by a woman because he needed a quarter to stay in, but she would only take Lancelot in if he would agree to her condition. Due to Lancelot already agreeing he has to lay with a woman, but if he is to do this he, Lancelot, will be going against his own Queen. To compare in “The Wife of Bath’s Tale”, the knight is exiled to find the answer about women and on his quest for the answer he finds a woman. The woman tells the answer in exchange for his honor to do anything she asks once, so he agrees. The knight is forced to marry the woman who is old, but he wanted to take his honor back, but he can not due to his duty as a knight. The idea of the Medieval taboo gender roles in Reynolds essay and in “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” is shared and shown very well by the mis acting knights.
Anita Kay O’Pry Reynolds essay, “Men and Women as Represented in Medieval Literature and Society” and Geoffrey Chaucer's “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” both show the gender roles during the Medieval Ages. Both works are able to show how women and men were seen in the Medieval Ages, and how standards can be switched between the