The Wife of Bath's Reflexive Contradiction for Sexual Equality in the Canterbury Tales The Wife of Bath has been described and depicted as an independent proto-feminist who long ago led the charge for sexual equality. ... She builds her case so strongly and defiantly in her prologue, yet subsequently demolishes her argument in her following tale. ... The Wife introduces her vignette by stating, "And nat biwreye thyng that men us telle / But that tale is nat worth a rake-stele. / Pardee, we wommen konne no thyng hele; / Witnesse on Mida, -- wol ye heere the tale?" ... Earlier than thi...

• Word Count: 1535
• Approx Pages: 6

The Wife of Bath's Reflexive Contradiction for Sexual Equality in the Canterbury Tales The Wife of Bath has been described and depicted as an independent proto-feminist who long ago led the charge for sexual equality. ... She builds her case so strongly and defiantly in her prologue, yet subsequently demolishes her argument in her following tale. ... The Wife introduces her vignette by stating, "And nat biwreye thyng that men us telle / But that tale is nat worth a rake-stele. / Pardee, we wommen konne no thyng hele; / Witnesse on Mida, -- wol ye heere the tale?" ... Earlier than thi...

• Word Count: 1535
• Approx Pages: 6

Today most feminists commonly depict the Wife of Bath from Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, as the ideal model for the feminist literary figure. ... In the Canterbury Tales, Chaucer uses a style of writing that tends to make fun of and point out the inner controversy of each pilgrim. ... (69) In The Wife of Bath's Tale itself Chaucer continues to make fun of women with the question "what it is most desire". ... Dooth as you list: I am here at youre wille... I nil leve no tales: I knowe you for a trewe wif, dame Alis." ...

• Word Count: 1773
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School