Wife Of Bath

The Wife of Bath receives a rather descriptive introduction by Chaucer in the General Prologue of the Canterbury Tales. Not only is her physical description meticulously detailed, there is also much learn about her personality from said description. As result of this hearty illustration, she is often the object of criticism. Some believe she is representing of the anti-feminist movement so often portrayed in literary works of this because of her “nightmarish personification” (Rossignol 384). Other believe she is a positive characterization of the feminist movement because of her independence and self-assuredness in such a male dominated world (Rossignol 385). Either way the reader decides to interpret the Wife of Bath’s personality in the Prologue, …show more content…
Her face is described as fair with a red hue. In this statement, Chaucer is suggesting that she is quite handsome. It is also illustrated that she has gap teeth and has large hips, this contributes to the conclusion that she is a lustful woman. In addition to her outward appearance, she was also partially deaf. Chaucer also describes the Wife of Bath’s clothing and her sewing ability in great detail. He mentions her red stockings, this suggests that she is a bold, adventurous woman. Her kerchiefs were “finely woven”, again illustrating her talent for sewing. It is also mentioned her shoes are new and she wears a scarf covering her head with a hat. It is also stated that she rides a “ambling horse”. Most of these details allude to the wealth of the Wife of Bath, they suggest she is an upper class woman with prosperity. Along with the suggestion of wealth, these descriptive elements suggest she is a lustful …show more content…
Chaucer’s Prologue states that she has had five husbands with company in her youth. The five husbands suggest that she enjoys marital activities. While the company of her youth suggests she also enjoyed the company of men even before she was married off. As mentioned before in her physical description, her gap teeth allude to her lustful behavior as well. She enjoys company to chat and laugh with, this suggests her personality is exuberant and outgoing. All of her Prologue illustrates a woman who enjoys the company of the opposite sex. It also characterizes her as an outgoing women who likes to have a good time and laugh among people. This could be why she enjoys pilgrimages. Her travels give her the opportunity to enjoy the company of other as well as see the