Examine the poetic methods used by Chaucer to present the theme of
marriage in “The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale”. Focus on the extract
(Lines 35-70).
In Chaucer’s “The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale”, the titular
character is in a constant search for power and “sovereinetee” in her life and
marriages. Therefore, Chaucer portrays marriage in an unorthodox way by
focusing on how it can be used to assert female authority, using marriage as a
tool for power and social rebellion.
Written in the 14th Century, “The Canterbury Tales” was written against
the backdrop of a stern and puritanical society, where remarriage was
condemned as adultery by many members of the Catholic Church. The Wife
defies this standard with her five marriages, and undermines the judgement
which she faces by referencing “the wise king, daun Salomon”, saying “As
wolde God it were leveful unto me / To be refreshed half so ofte as he!”. The
exclamatio highlights the Wife’s bawdy personality, emphasised by the sexual
euphemism. This introduces the recurring theme of sexual desire, which the
Wife believes to be one of the core reasons for marriage. Chaucer’s choice of
biblical exemplum is somewhat ironic, as Solomon later repented his bigamy.
It is unclear if the Wife is aware of this, but the inconsistency acts as a subtle
hint towards her willingness to manipulate biblical teachings to justify her
frequent marriages and social subversions. The exclamatio introduces further
religious undertones, by demonstrating how the Wife views marriage and
sexual pleasure as divine gifts. As a result, it’s clear that the Wife views her
marriages as both moral and justified, rebelling against the sexual double
standard between men and women.
The Wife’s joy in her marriages continues to be seen throughout the
extract, implying to the reader that marriage can be an instrument for female
pleasure and freedom. This is evident when the Wife says “Yblessed be God
, that I have wedded five! / Welcome the sixte, when that evere he shal.” The
exclamation highlights a joyous tone, which contrasts the social expectation of
sobriety imposed upon widows. The religious language suggests a piety which
sharply juxtaposes the flippant tone regarding the Wife’s remarriage. It is
suggested that the Wife uses her frequent pilgrimages to seduce her new
husbands, contrasting the Wife’s projected image of religious devotion. This
displays the performative aspect of the Wife’s character. Therefore, it may be
interpreted that Chaucer portrayed the Wife in this way so that she could act
as the personification of social rebellion, rather than an independent character.
In this way, the Wife’s discussion of marriage can be seen as a rebellion
against social expectations regarding matrimony instead of the opinions of a
distinct individual.
The Wife continues to use religious arguments to justify marriage and
criticise the notion that marriage is inferior to virginity. This is seen when she
argues “th’apostle seith… that to be wedded is no sinne; / Bet is to be wedded
than to brinne.” The entirety of the work is written in rhyming couplets, but this
couplet is particularly emphasised by the use of the end-stop. This
accentuates the Wife’s argument that her extensive marriages (and, by
extension, her unquenchable sexual desire) are not sinful. Once more, the
Wife uses biblical allusions, referencing Paul the apostle. This pattern of
biblical exempla inverts the traditional action of using marriage and the Bible
to repress women, instead suggesting that these tools can be used as agents
of female liberation as well.
The Wife’s argument in defence of her marriages is clearest in “I pray
you, telleth me. / Or where comanded he virginity?”. Throughout the prologue,
the Wife uses repetitive rhetorical questions as a form of amplification,
creating a consistent accusatory tone to emphasise the power which she has
gained in marriage. This mirrors the triumph which she has achieved over
each of her husbands. This aggressive atmosphere is seen once more in “For
marriage in “The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale”. Focus on the extract
(Lines 35-70).
In Chaucer’s “The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale”, the titular
character is in a constant search for power and “sovereinetee” in her life and
marriages. Therefore, Chaucer portrays marriage in an unorthodox way by
focusing on how it can be used to assert female authority, using marriage as a
tool for power and social rebellion.
Written in the 14th Century, “The Canterbury Tales” was written against
the backdrop of a stern and puritanical society, where remarriage was
condemned as adultery by many members of the Catholic Church. The Wife
defies this standard with her five marriages, and undermines the judgement
which she faces by referencing “the wise king, daun Salomon”, saying “As
wolde God it were leveful unto me / To be refreshed half so ofte as he!”. The
exclamatio highlights the Wife’s bawdy personality, emphasised by the sexual
euphemism. This introduces the recurring theme of sexual desire, which the
Wife believes to be one of the core reasons for marriage. Chaucer’s choice of
biblical exemplum is somewhat ironic, as Solomon later repented his bigamy.
It is unclear if the Wife is aware of this, but the inconsistency acts as a subtle
hint towards her willingness to manipulate biblical teachings to justify her
frequent marriages and social subversions. The exclamatio introduces further
religious undertones, by demonstrating how the Wife views marriage and
sexual pleasure as divine gifts. As a result, it’s clear that the Wife views her
marriages as both moral and justified, rebelling against the sexual double
standard between men and women.
The Wife’s joy in her marriages continues to be seen throughout the
extract, implying to the reader that marriage can be an instrument for female
pleasure and freedom. This is evident when the Wife says “Yblessed be God
, that I have wedded five! / Welcome the sixte, when that evere he shal.” The
exclamation highlights a joyous tone, which contrasts the social expectation of
sobriety imposed upon widows. The religious language suggests a piety which
sharply juxtaposes the flippant tone regarding the Wife’s remarriage. It is
suggested that the Wife uses her frequent pilgrimages to seduce her new
husbands, contrasting the Wife’s projected image of religious devotion. This
displays the performative aspect of the Wife’s character. Therefore, it may be
interpreted that Chaucer portrayed the Wife in this way so that she could act
as the personification of social rebellion, rather than an independent character.
In this way, the Wife’s discussion of marriage can be seen as a rebellion
against social expectations regarding matrimony instead of the opinions of a
distinct individual.
The Wife continues to use religious arguments to justify marriage and
criticise the notion that marriage is inferior to virginity. This is seen when she
argues “th’apostle seith… that to be wedded is no sinne; / Bet is to be wedded
than to brinne.” The entirety of the work is written in rhyming couplets, but this
couplet is particularly emphasised by the use of the end-stop. This
accentuates the Wife’s argument that her extensive marriages (and, by
extension, her unquenchable sexual desire) are not sinful. Once more, the
Wife uses biblical allusions, referencing Paul the apostle. This pattern of
biblical exempla inverts the traditional action of using marriage and the Bible
to repress women, instead suggesting that these tools can be used as agents
of female liberation as well.
The Wife’s argument in defence of her marriages is clearest in “I pray
you, telleth me. / Or where comanded he virginity?”. Throughout the prologue,
the Wife uses repetitive rhetorical questions as a form of amplification,
creating a consistent accusatory tone to emphasise the power which she has
gained in marriage. This mirrors the triumph which she has achieved over
each of her husbands. This aggressive atmosphere is seen once more in “For
