Chaucer Was Not A Sexist

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Chaucer Was Not a Sexist
Introduction
Many people argue that the re-known author Geoffrey Chaucer was a sexist. Their assumptions are based on his various literary works. His writings in the Canterbury Tales have received various criticisms ranging from, degrading women to treating them poorly. In his “wife of bath” piece, there are occasions when women are made to appear as being loose and too willing to men. On other occasions, he makes these women look like queens. Through various characters, he shows how these women are capable of making wise choices in their lives. The choices may range from whom they would like to make sex with, and various other judgments. A closer outlook in the Canterbury Tales shows that, Chaucer looks upon women positively. This is because he characterizes them as being somehow empowered. This paper explores the factors that makes Geoffrey Chaucer, the author of the Wife of Bath’s Tale,” appear as a non-sexist.
Key words: Chaucer, shows, Geoffrey Chaucer, sexual relations,
Why Chaucer is not a sexist
The prologue is itself a character, which masterminds the abuse that Alison encounters. The biblical arguments presented and the anecdote becomes significant in illustrating a cleansed palette where both gender are equal. Alison who is depicted as the “wife of bath” uses the bible to defend her action. For instance, she says that “Men should be able to interpret what Jesus meant by telling the Samaritan woman that her fifth husband was not her own” (Chaucer, 1989, p451). As the narrative commences, a knight forces a maiden to have sex with him. This places him into more problems afterwards. The depiction and explanations of why the characters behave the way they do, makes the readers to view the characters as having their own faults, not gender defects. Additionally, the consequences of faulty actions meet all doers, irrespective o...