The Prioress and the Wife of Bath – Not Quite Typical Medieval Women

In Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer includes and exploits individuals from all walks of medieval society. He uses irony and satire in varying types of narratives to reveal the components of virtually each pilgrim. Unfortunately Chaucer delegated only two of his tales to be told by women, the tales of the Wife of Bath and the Prioress.

These two female characters in Canterbury Tales are not quite typical of their class and status. The Prioress's grace, elegance, affectation of speech and manners, as well as Wife of Bath's five marriages, apparently does not fit into medieval stereotypes.

The Prioress is a peculiar character. When Chaucer introduces her we quickly begin to understand that something is wrong with this her and that she is concerned with other issues than her ecclesiastical lifework. By title she should be concerned with helping the poor and dedicating her life to God. There is nothing lacking in the Prioress’ character as a medieval woman; she has good manners, ...