Exploring the Wife of Bath's Multifaceted Character

This chapter delves into the complexity of the wife of Bath's character in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, analyzing her narratives of manipulation, exchange, and transformation within the context of marriage. It raises questions about whether she represents female agency or is meant to be a figure of mockery, blending serious ethical discussions with comedic elements. The discussion touches on themes of authenticity, misogyny, and the contrast between theoretical ideals of marriage and practical actions.