Marriage In The Wife Of Bath's Tale

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer has remained as one of the most developed pieces of satirical work. Each of Chaucer’s pilgrims depict traits that often conflict with the positions they hold in society. Between four particular tales, the characteristics of their statuses become sardonic over exaggerations of the traditional roles found in marriage. The speakers of each fable portray their perspectives on the institution, showing the complexity in defining the fundamentals of a successful marriage. Throughout these tales, Chaucer shows contrasting perspectives on where governance lies in a marriage and how to achieve bliss in such a custom. In “The Wife of Bath’s Tale”, Chaucer promotes a modern feministic perspective as he implements
Throughout the story, she undergoes a series of trials put forth by her husband, known as the marquis Walter, in order to test her dedication in the marriage. The marquis goes as far as to take her first born child from her, to which Griselda responses with the persistent devotion she always bequeathed to him. As Griselda consistently demonstrates these behaviors, Walter becomes more inclined to assess her wifehood, later speaking of marrying a younger wife. Griselda agrees favorably to this proposal by her husband. However, she proceeds to kindly advise Walter on the treatment of this new bride: “One thing I beg of you, and warn you too, / Never to goad her, never put on trial / This tender girl as I have known you do; / For she was fostered preciously, a vial” (Chaucer 350). Griselda acknowledges her own strength in maintaining a supportive persona to her husband’s horrid deeds, and seeks to protect the new wife by merely asking Walter to be cautious of the delicate temperament most women were expected to possess. The marquis finds Griselda to be wholeheartedly pure in her intentions, announcing her to be the epitome of wifehood. The Clerk’s insight on the institution of marriage is described through Griselda’s persistence: “For since a woman showed such patience to / A mortal man, how much the more we ought / To take in
The tale takes the latter approach, as January is confronted with a series of characteristics that a worthy wife should possess. Vice versa, he becomes conflicted with the cons of women and marital duties. Justinus provides this wisdom of marriage through describing it as a lengthy process: “I’d like to warn you; it is no child’s play / Choosing a wife. It needs consideration, / In fact it asks a long investigation” (Chaucer 364). Even though Justinus counseled him well on the matter, January proceeds to take beauty as the vital trait he seeks in a wife, leading him to May. Ironically, her youthful sexuality is distinctively the flaw in which January previously upheld, and later falls victim to through her affair. The argument persists through the fable as to if whether or not a wise man should marry. The pessimistic perspective on marriage may be perceived as condemnable, but the actions of May and her lover provide “a strong argument in favour of [Justinus’s] negative views of marriage, an argument that Januarie’s scholarly thesis is ultimately unable to overcome” (O’Byrne