The Role Of Anti-Feminism In The Wife's Tale

To the average modern day reader “The Wife’s Tale” is seen as an early account of feminism, a rare story that showcases the ways that a female character gains power in a restrictive, patriarchal society. It seemingly carries the supposed theme of female empowerment but in actuality is a cover for a seething underbelly of anti-feminism. Anti-feminism is any belief that opposes feminism, and can be so ingrained in readers that it is difficult to separate anti-feminism from true feminism. Through the unfavorable portrayal of the Wife of Bath, the dismissal of various female characters, and the glorification of male superiority, Chaucer’s work is not a forerunner of feminism but rather a narrative of medieval misogyny.

Chaucer in his prologue

This young knight then rapes the young maiden “For he, despite all that she did or said,By force deprived her of her maidenhead.” (887-888). Rape is above all one of the most heinous acts, and during this time period the punishment for rape was to be decapitated. However, while the Knight was put to trial for raping the young maiden it can be inferred that the maiden was actually noble, because there would’ve been no trial for the rape of a peasant woman. At the trial the Knight is found guilty and is about to be sentenced to death when Queen Guinevere intevens on his behalf. She gives the knight the chance to save his own life “I'll grant you life if you can tell me what It is that women most desire“ (904-905), and with this decision the young maiden is stripped of any form of justice. Her rapist has been set free, she will have no retribution, and in fact this young maiden is not mentioned at all in the rest of the tale. This dismissal of a crucial character should be unsettling to the readers, here is a woman who just suffered an unimaginable crime and is now suddenly gone from the plotline like she never mattered. Unfortunately this theme continues through the tale. While traveling the country the Knight meets several women who all tell him about what their greatest desire is: money, love, sex, etc... The Knight dismisses these answers, some may interpret

As background to the tale Alyson describes that the country was once ruled by the fae, tells the pilgrims about how incubi used to rape and impregnate human women. However, soon the Friars take over the land by introducing religion, and the Wife explains how they are better by saying that “Won't do a thing except dishonor them.”(881). This is an odd glorification of the Friars they still rape women but are better the incubi because at least they don’t impregnate the women. As the real tale starts it is set during the reign of King Arthur, a mighty and powerful King who is loved by his people. Soon a knight, a “lusty liver,” (883) emerges as a major character due to him raping a young woman. The news of the rape reaches King Arthur’s court and they demand justice for the horrible crime. This knight is put to trial and is (justifiably) sentenced to death via decapitation. However, Queen Guinevere pleads for his life, she wishes for him to learn his lesson. With this pardon the Knight no longer is held to true justice, his crimes have basically been absolved. Even with the threat of death in a year and a day if he doesn’t get the correct answer, the Knight is given the chance to redeem himself and the woman who he raped has to live with the knowledge that her rapist is still out there living a decent life. The Knight is no longer a criminal