The Wife of Bath's Prologue: One Woman's Response to Early Diatribe and Misogynist Views
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This paper provides an in-depth portrait of a woman's rebellion against the early anti-feminist diatribe of 15th century England, explored through Chaucer's "The Wife of Bath's Prologue" and "The Wife of Bath's Tale". The prologue paints a realistic portrait of a widow (the Wife of Bath) who has turned her bequeathed weaving business into an international success. Her rights to continue her business depend on her marital status, which leaves questions as to the clarity of women's roles in the Middle Ages. In the complimentary text, "The Wife of Bath's Tale", Arthurian legend is turned on its head in order to draw the two texts together philosophically. The pieces are used to illustrate the sharp double standard society held for women as professionals and as wives.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
Article Details
Section
Articles
IUSB Student Journal Copyright Agreement
☐ I declare that this submission is my original work, and that it does not, to the best of my knowledge, infringe upon anyone's copyright.
☐ I agree that that [the journal] may, without changing the content, translate the submission to any medium or format for the purpose of preservation.
☐ The Undergraduate Research Journal may keep copies of my submission, and to translate it to any medium for future reproduction and distribution. I understand that I have the right to request that my submission be removed from IUSB online sources at any time by emailing Stephen Finlay, IUSB ScholarWorks administrator, at scfinlay@iusb.edu. Once I have made the request, the item in question will be taken down immediately.