Perception in Geoffrey Chaucer's Wife of Bath

Presentation Type

Oral and/or Visual Presentation

Presenter Major(s)

Communications - Advertising and Public Relations

Mentor Information

Diane Wright

Department

Modern Languages and Literatures

Location

Kirkhof Center 2201

Start Date

10-4-2013 12:00 AM

End Date

10-4-2013 12:00 AM

Keywords

Gender, Historical Perspectives, Philosophy/ Literature

Abstract

In the _Canterbury Tales_, Geoffrey Chaucer creates the controversial but complex figure of the Wife of Bath. The Wife of Bath can only correctly be analyzed if the reader looks at how she is perceived, how she perceives others and her own moral code. Through Alison's wardrobe, relationships, and ideas about authority, experience and love, the reader may better understand Alison and the contradictions between her Prologue and Tale. Alison's Prologue tells the story of her past marital relationships and her Tale recounts the story of one relationship that parallels the fable of the lion painting mentioned in her prologue. An in-depth analysis of the Wife of Bath's perception of herself and others as well as that of the reader, reveals a story of a woman who is developing a pre-feminist outlook that realizes the need for balance in relationships.

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Apr 10th, 12:00 AM Apr 10th, 12:00 AM

Perception in Geoffrey Chaucer's Wife of Bath

Kirkhof Center 2201

In the _Canterbury Tales_, Geoffrey Chaucer creates the controversial but complex figure of the Wife of Bath. The Wife of Bath can only correctly be analyzed if the reader looks at how she is perceived, how she perceives others and her own moral code. Through Alison's wardrobe, relationships, and ideas about authority, experience and love, the reader may better understand Alison and the contradictions between her Prologue and Tale. Alison's Prologue tells the story of her past marital relationships and her Tale recounts the story of one relationship that parallels the fable of the lion painting mentioned in her prologue. An in-depth analysis of the Wife of Bath's perception of herself and others as well as that of the reader, reveals a story of a woman who is developing a pre-feminist outlook that realizes the need for balance in relationships.