Geoffrey Chaucer had a major influence in the development of English literature. His most famous work is The Canterbury Tales since it continues to be read, studied, and reshaped to fit modern audiences. It contains vivid stories that reveal life during the 15th century through the contrasting pilgrims; we are able to see the strife between social classes, differing tastes, and competing professions. One of the most notable ideas to come out of The Canterbury Tales is the role of women during medieval times and their status as human beings in society. In Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, the female characters and narrators are used as to explore the gender role of females in medieval society, and to shed light on the inequalities suffered by
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Men were responsible for providing and protecting the household through financial support As a result, men held most of the power in society, since society was based on how much money and land people owned. However, women had much different roles and expectations in society. Women were expected to be obedient towards male authorities in their lives whether it was their father or their husband. They were raised to be compliant and submissive; thus, there was an expectation that they were never to defy male authority no matter what. As well, women were expected to be virtuous and holy. If a man found out that a woman had sex before marriage, she was no longer considered pure and was made out to be a whore. Many women were represented as stereotypical housewives that were to stay at home and run the household by taking care of the children, cleaning the house, and cooking …show more content…
Allison is described as being beautiful and youthful that is married to a much older and richer carpenter (Chaucer, pg. 83). Her beauty provokes jealousy which causes her to be in constant captivity since the carpenter is cautious of her whereabouts and what she is doing (Chaucer, pg. 83). Despite her husband’s constant watch, Allison “falls in love” with a young scholar named Nicholas (Chaucer, pg. 84); this is a sinful act of adultery. Not only is she defying her husband but she is also being disobedient to God. For God explicitly commands that we shall not commit adultery in the Ten Commandments. Allison comes across as a wicked, clever, and untrustworthy woman because she goes behind her husband’s back in order to be with Nicholas (Chaucer, pg. 87). She is the direct opposite of what was expected in the ideal woman during medieval times. When Allison decides to be with Nicolas she begins her rebellion against her male authority, her husband, by showing her own will and pursuing the relationship she wants. She asserts her independence as a person. This empowers her as a woman, causing her to reject Absolon in such a powerful way by making him kiss her butt. Allison is a symbol of rejection to the idealistic vision of females in medieval society. She lies on the complete opposite spectrum when compared to Constance and Griselda. This spectrum
Men were responsible for providing and protecting the household through financial support As a result, men held most of the power in society, since society was based on how much money and land people owned. However, women had much different roles and expectations in society. Women were expected to be obedient towards male authorities in their lives whether it was their father or their husband. They were raised to be compliant and submissive; thus, there was an expectation that they were never to defy male authority no matter what. As well, women were expected to be virtuous and holy. If a man found out that a woman had sex before marriage, she was no longer considered pure and was made out to be a whore. Many women were represented as stereotypical housewives that were to stay at home and run the household by taking care of the children, cleaning the house, and cooking …show more content…
Allison is described as being beautiful and youthful that is married to a much older and richer carpenter (Chaucer, pg. 83). Her beauty provokes jealousy which causes her to be in constant captivity since the carpenter is cautious of her whereabouts and what she is doing (Chaucer, pg. 83). Despite her husband’s constant watch, Allison “falls in love” with a young scholar named Nicholas (Chaucer, pg. 84); this is a sinful act of adultery. Not only is she defying her husband but she is also being disobedient to God. For God explicitly commands that we shall not commit adultery in the Ten Commandments. Allison comes across as a wicked, clever, and untrustworthy woman because she goes behind her husband’s back in order to be with Nicholas (Chaucer, pg. 87). She is the direct opposite of what was expected in the ideal woman during medieval times. When Allison decides to be with Nicolas she begins her rebellion against her male authority, her husband, by showing her own will and pursuing the relationship she wants. She asserts her independence as a person. This empowers her as a woman, causing her to reject Absolon in such a powerful way by making him kiss her butt. Allison is a symbol of rejection to the idealistic vision of females in medieval society. She lies on the complete opposite spectrum when compared to Constance and Griselda. This spectrum