The Wife Of Bath Prologue Analysis

In the 21st century, it is evident that sexual innuendos do not have a place in religion and that fact was no different in the 14th century. The Wife of Bath is the enigma of every century when it comes to religion and sexuality, especially the one in which she exists. She manages to maintain both religious and sexual personas. The Wife of Bath’s Prologue includes both religious and sexual elements even though they are in direct conflict with each other. It also utilizes both religious quotes and sexual innuendos in an effort to better represent what the character is actually like and the paradox in which she defies some social norms while conforming to others. Religion, particularly Catholicism, played a huge role in the lives of people in the 14th century. In fact, …show more content…
She starts by referencing what the Paul, the apostle would suggest. “And say these words in the Apostle’s name: ‘In clothing made from chastity and shame/ you women should all dress yourselves’” (Chaucer, WoBP, 340-341). Then she replies by suggesting that a cat with singed skin would stay in, but one with “sleek and gay” skin would want to go out starting in the morning and “go caterwauling” (Chaucer, WoBP, 349 and 354). This is a metaphor for the kind of cloths that women should wear according to the bible compared to what the Wife wants to wear on a day to day basis. The cat with singed skin refers to women wearing plain garb that is boring and not at all appealing, whereas the cat with “sleek and gay” skin refers to women with curled hair, flashy dresses and jewelry. The Wife tries to also make a metaphor comparing her following of the Bible to a gnat following anything. “With your text and rubric, I don’t hold, / Or follow them as much as would a gnat” (Chaucer, WoBP, 346-347). It is not going to happen because her morals are a combination of the two and a contradiction in everyone else’s