Through this tale, Chaucer highlights the central theme of power dynamics in marriage. In medieval society, marriage was often seen as a hierarchical institution in which the husband held authority over the wife. The Wife of Bath subverts this idea by suggesting that true happiness in marriage can only be achieved when women have equal power and control over their lives and relationships.
The idea of sovereignty in marriage is central to the Wife of Bath’s character. She asserts that she has used her sexual power to manipulate her husbands into giving her what she wants, and she proudly recounts how she has wielded this power throughout her marriages. This manipulation is not presented as immoral or reprehensible; rather, it is depicted as a natural exercise of female agency in a world where women were often denied power.
A Critique of Medieval Attitudes Toward Women
While the Wife of Bath’s views on marriage and women’s roles are radical for her time, they are also a pointed critique of the medieval church and its teachings. Throughout her prologue, the Wife of Bath references the Bible and religious teachings, often in a sarcastic and irreverent manner. For instance, she uses her multiple marriages as evidence that the Church’s teachings on chastity and monogamy are unrealistic and hypocritical. She argues that men are allowed to have multiple sexual partners, but women are expected to remain pure and virtuous. This double standard, she believes, is unfair and oppressive.
The Wife of Bath’s views on sex and marriage challenge the church’s doctrine of celibacy and monasticism, which were highly influential during the Middle Ages. By portraying the Wife of Bath as a woman who embraces her sexuality and seeks fulfillment in her relationships, Chaucer is questioning the sanctity of the church’s teachings on these issues. The Wife of Bath represents a voice of dissent against a society that often restricted women’s choices and relegated them to passive roles in marriage and family life. shutdown123