The Cantebury Tales

Feminism within The Wife of Bath's Tale"

Some of the feminist ideal's found within this story written by Chaucer is that, women "desure to have the sovereignty and sit in rule and government above their husbands and to have their way in love." Also another feministic idea is that the woman is completely okay that her husband leaves her for younger, youthful virgins to satisfy what God has "called us to."

The woman from Bath grately contrasts to the women of the Medieval Times. The women during that time period longed for their husbands. They were not ready to just let them go and have relations with other younger, "better" women. Another thing that is so different is the attitudes of these women. The woman from Bath has basically hardened her heart and just wants control. "A husband, though-- I've not been thwarted yet-- shall always be my debtor and my slave. " It may look like she just wants sex but, it is so much deeper than that. She wants control and to know that she is able to get what she wants, when she wants it. She also has no sensitivity towards these men that she is manipulating into "love." The women studied within the Medieval Time period had dignity. They valued who they were and in my opinion, were stronger women than this woman from Bath.

The Miller's Tale

I do not see much correlation between The Miller's Tale and the Medieval Ages. Being that I have to choose atleast one similarity, it would have to choose common thread of deciet. For example, this deciet can be found within the following lines: "My husband is so full of jealousy, unless you will await me secretly... You must keep all quite hidden in this case." Clearly this is a woman of little integrity and committment. She is an adulterer and her husband is just backslidden. They together make a fool out of the man who attempts to sleep (once more time) with Allison. This seems to be the norm for these people and in the Medieval Time period, such was not the case.