The Wife of Bath Justification Chaucer Canterbury, “ Wife of Bath”, Is a short tale about an outspoken, aggressive character known as, Alison. “ The Wife of Bath “, Alison, has long since been viewed as a proto-feminist. She shatters the stereotypes of women during the Middle Ages. Women were expected to settle down and willingly submit to their husbands needs. Women were to remain silent, passive, and diligently perform duties wives were expected of. Many of these expectations were established by the Catholic Church. Due to this, it was frowned upon for women to be unwed or marry multiple times, outspoken, of display any sort of behavior deemed rebellious. Alison conforms to none of these rules. In fact, Alison remarries five times. She
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Many of them would agree that Alison behavior is appropriate and justified. At age twelve Alison began marrying. One can assume that she was forced to marry a man probably twice her age. Imagine how mentally detrimental this could be to an adolescent female. Again, one can presume having to settle down at a young age could have cause Alison to loathe commitment. She has to be tied down to a men. Nonetheless, In the eyes of some women including feminist would regard marriage as a legal form of oppression by men. Alison’s character and countless marriages demonstrates her lack of respect for marriage she feels women should be able to remarry. Alison, also makes references to the bible. For instance, she argues her point when refers to King Solomon And Abrahama, these two men had multiple wives. During the middle ages marriage allowed men dominance over women. Yet, Alison believes it is women who want sovereignty over men. Women do not want or love men who try to control them. Alison mentions this when she states,” We love no man that taketh keep or charge wher that we goon…”(Chaucer 289). In an effort to stand up against what she is feel is male oppression, she uses her sensuality and verbal and physical manipulation to dominate her male …show more content…
this allowed her to get any material possession she desired, such as, money or property. She feels mens (her husbands) should cater to her every needs and become what seems like her slave. A prime textual evidence of this is when she states, “ … [let]... come forth and paye his dette…”(Chaucer 286). Alison’s statement not only clarifies how she feels about men but maybe womens secret desires. Also to mention, during the middle ages men typically had sovereignty over women due to religious reason and women physical disadvantages. Women were considered the weaker sex and second class. Alison’s character views this as men’s reasoning for physically and verbally dominating women. A good example of this is how some men more often then not use rape and abuse to over power women. Alison was physically abused by her husband. It is easy to understand why she would, in turn use her body to verbal and physical manipulation to get back at the injustice done by men. Inspite of this, critics of Alisons would argue her tactic and behavior did not properly represent women. Alison actions are honestly quite unjust and borders on
Many of them would agree that Alison behavior is appropriate and justified. At age twelve Alison began marrying. One can assume that she was forced to marry a man probably twice her age. Imagine how mentally detrimental this could be to an adolescent female. Again, one can presume having to settle down at a young age could have cause Alison to loathe commitment. She has to be tied down to a men. Nonetheless, In the eyes of some women including feminist would regard marriage as a legal form of oppression by men. Alison’s character and countless marriages demonstrates her lack of respect for marriage she feels women should be able to remarry. Alison, also makes references to the bible. For instance, she argues her point when refers to King Solomon And Abrahama, these two men had multiple wives. During the middle ages marriage allowed men dominance over women. Yet, Alison believes it is women who want sovereignty over men. Women do not want or love men who try to control them. Alison mentions this when she states,” We love no man that taketh keep or charge wher that we goon…”(Chaucer 289). In an effort to stand up against what she is feel is male oppression, she uses her sensuality and verbal and physical manipulation to dominate her male …show more content…
this allowed her to get any material possession she desired, such as, money or property. She feels mens (her husbands) should cater to her every needs and become what seems like her slave. A prime textual evidence of this is when she states, “ … [let]... come forth and paye his dette…”(Chaucer 286). Alison’s statement not only clarifies how she feels about men but maybe womens secret desires. Also to mention, during the middle ages men typically had sovereignty over women due to religious reason and women physical disadvantages. Women were considered the weaker sex and second class. Alison’s character views this as men’s reasoning for physically and verbally dominating women. A good example of this is how some men more often then not use rape and abuse to over power women. Alison was physically abused by her husband. It is easy to understand why she would, in turn use her body to verbal and physical manipulation to get back at the injustice done by men. Inspite of this, critics of Alisons would argue her tactic and behavior did not properly represent women. Alison actions are honestly quite unjust and borders on