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The Wife of Bath’s Tale: The Quest for Sovereignty
The Wife of Bath’s Tale is a beautiful Arthurian romance that serves as a direct extension of her personality. Set in the time of King Arthur, the story begins when a young knight rapes a maiden. While the law demands his death, Queen Guinevere intervenes and grants him a year and a day to discover the answer to one question: What do women most desire?
The knight travels the world, receiving varied and conflicting answers—wealth, beauty, flattery, or freedom. Just as his time is running out, he encounters an old, ugly woman in a forest. She promises to give him the correct answer on the condition that he grant her whatever favor she asks in return. The knight agrees and delivers the answer to the court: Women desire sovereignty (maistrie) over their husbands and lovers.
The women of the court agree unanimously; the knight’s life is spared. However, the old woman then demands her reward: the knight must marry her.
The Loathly Lady and the Knight’s Choice
The knight reluctantly marries the old woman, but on their wedding night, he is unable to hide his disgust at her age and low social status. This leads to a famous sermon by the "Loathly Lady" on the nature of gentilesse (true nobility), arguing that virtue comes from God and character, not from lineage or wealth.
She then offers the knight a impossible choice: She can be old and ugly but a perfectly loyal, humble wife, or she can be young and beautiful but unfaithful and flighty.
Having learned his lesson, the knight gives the choice back to her, granting her the very "sovereignty" she discussed. Because he gave her the power, she transforms into a woman who is both young, beautiful, and eternally faithful. The tale ends with the Wife of Bath’s playful prayer that Jesus send women husbands who are "young, lusty, and fresh in bed," and the grace to outlive those who refuse to be governed by their wives.
The Reeve’s Tale: A Study in Trickery
Shifting from the high ideals of romance to the gritty humor of the fabliau, the Reeve’s Tale tells the story of Symkyn, a dishonest miller who prides himself on his ability to cheat his customers. He is arrogant, well-armed, and his wife boasts of an illegitimate clerical lineage that she believes makes her superior to the townspeople.
Two students from Cambridge, John and Aleyn, attempt to catch Symkyn in the act of stealing their grain. Symkyn outsmarts them initially by untying their horse, forcing them to chase it while he steals half their flour. Forced to stay the night in Symkyn's one-room house, the students plot their revenge.
In a chaotic sequence of nighttime deceptions, Aleyn seduces Symkyn’s daughter, Malyne, while John tricks the miller’s wife into his bed. When Symkyn discovers the truth, a brawl ensues where he is accidentally beaten by his own wife (who thinks he is one of the students). The students escape with their flour and the miller is left utterly humiliated.
Moral Lessons: Maistrie vs. Deception
These two tales highlight the incredible range of Chaucer’s work. The Wife of Bath’s Tale explores the complex social and marital dynamics of the late 14th century, arguing for Maistrie (sovereignty/mastery) as the key to a happy marriage. It challenges the patriarchal norms of the era through the "Loathly Lady" trope.
In contrast, the Reeve’s Tale operates on the classic fabliau principle: The deceiver himself is deceived. It serves as a gritty, realistic "repayment" to the Miller's Tale, showing that in the world of the lower classes, wit and revenge are the only currencies that matter. Notably, the Reeve uses a Northern dialect for the students, marking one of the earliest examples of linguistic characterization in English literature.
Match the List Checkpoint
Queen Guinevere
The Arthurian figure who gives the knight his quest to discover what women most desire.
Maistrie
The Middle English term for "sovereignty" or "mastery," the central theme of the Wife of Bath’s Tale.
Symkyn
The dishonest miller in the Reeve's Tale who is ultimately outsmarted and beaten by two students.
Gentilesse
The philosophical concept of "true nobility" argued by the Loathly Lady in the Wife of Bath’s Tale.
Active Recall: Check Your Mastery
- Q: According to the Wife of Bath’s Tale, what is the one thing women desire above all else?
A: Sovereignty (Maistrie) over their husbands and lovers. - Q: What is the "Choice" offered to the knight by the old woman?
A: To have her be old, ugly, and faithful, or young, beautiful, and potentially unfaithful. - Q: In the Reeve's Tale, what regional dialect do the students John and Aleyn speak?
A: A Northern dialect. - Q: What is the central moral lesson of the Reeve's Tale?
A: "The deceiver himself is deceived."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "Loathly Lady" trope?
The Loathly Lady is a classic motif in medieval folklore and romance. A woman appears to be hideous or monstrous, but after a man treats her with kindness, grants her a wish, or marries her, she is magically transformed into a beautiful woman. It is used to test a knight's virtue and his ability to see beyond physical appearance to the "gentilesse" within.
Why is the Wife of Bath's Tale considered "Feminist"?
While the term is modern, the tale is remarkably progressive. It argues that a successful marriage is based on mutual respect and the woman's agency. It explicitly critiques the "authority" of men over women and uses a woman's voice to define what women actually want, rather than having men decide for them.
How does the Reeve's Tale "quite" the Miller's Tale?
The Miller told a story about a foolish carpenter being tricked. Since the Reeve was a carpenter, he took it personally. He "quites" (repays) the Miller by telling a story where a Miller (Symkyn) is the one being tricked, stolen from, and beaten, essentially turning the joke back on the Miller's own trade.
What is the significance of the "Northern Dialect" in the Reeve's Tale?
Before Chaucer, most writers used their own local dialect for everyone. By giving the students from Cambridge a distinct Northern accent, Chaucer was doing something revolutionary: using language to define social class and regional origin. It adds a layer of realism and humor, as the London audience would have found the Northern accent distinctive and perhaps slightly rustic.
