The Prioress vs. the Wife of Bath

In Geoffrey Chaucer's, The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer narrates the accounts of several pilgrims on their way to visit the shrine of St. Thomas Becket at the Cathedral in Canterbury. Through his narratives, Chaucer presents his audience with a broad representation of life and social class interaction in both the pilgrims and the characters in their tales. Chaucer brings to light various ideas, thoughts, and commentary in regards to medieval society. The two most significant characters who provide the greatest insight into contemporary medieval society are the Wife of Bath and the Prioress. Through both the Wife of Bath's Tale and the Prioress's Tale, Chaucer articulates his opinionated views of the etiquette and conduct of women in the 14th century. By examining both the Wife of Bath and the Prioress's tales, we are able to see the stark contrast between their social standards and demeanors. Chaucer's description of the two characters clearly depicts the Prioress as a better woman than the Wife of Bath according to 14th Century standards of conduct for women in regards to their appearance, common manners, and attitude towards men. The first introduction of the Wife of Bath is in the General Prologue. Chaucer describes her as a woman of exquisite taste, who has donned herself in extravagant garments by saying,

Hir coverchiefs ful fyne weren of ground;
I dorste swere they weyeden ten pound
That on a Sonday weren upon hir heed.
Her hosen weren of fyn scarlet reed,
Ful streite yteyd, and shoes ful moyste and newe.
Her elaborate headdress, bright stockings the color of scarlet red, and shoes that are soft and brand new are all demonstrations of how wealthy she has become. Chaucer reveals later on that she has acquired her wealth from five previous marriages. The Wife of Bath is a woman of extreme poise, as she wears her finest garments on Sundays. Her extensive travels to Rome, Spain, and Jerusalem multiple times are also another sign of her wealth, as it