Gone Medieval Chaucer's Wife of Bath: Medieval Feminist
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Jul 8, 2025 Hetta Howes, a Senior lecturer in English Literature and author, dives into the world of Chaucer's bold Wife of Bath. They explore her five marriages, her witty defiance of medieval gender norms, and how she challenges societal expectations through humor and sharp wit. The conversation examines her unique voice and role in advocating for female autonomy, revealing timeless connections to modern feminist issues. Howes also highlights the evolving dynamics of marriage and the transformative journey of the Wife of Bath's character.
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Wife of Bath's Extensive Prologue
- The Wife of Bath's prologue is significantly longer than her tale, offering rich personal detail and challenging medieval norms about women and marriage.
- Chaucer uses humor and controversy to present her as a bold voice defying social expectations.
Chaucer's Playful Stereotypes
- The Wife of Bath embodies medieval stereotypes about women, including sexual voracity and talkativeness, but this may be Chaucer’s playful critique rather than straightforward endorsement.
- The text’s humor and contradictions invite readers to question medieval gender roles and misogyny.
Rare Candid Female Voice
- The Wife of Bath, though possibly a playful creation, offers a rare candid female voice exploring free agency and women’s sexuality in medieval literature.
- Her unapologetic stance on marriage as a contract with mutual obligations was bold and somewhat radical for her time.
