José Sanchez

Figueroa

Senior English

December 15, 2018

Gender roles

Gender roles have changed throughout history and men and women roles are sometimes

sexist. Chaucer, also known as the father of English, achieved his fame for being an author, an

astronomer and as a philosopher. The wife of Bath tale was written to show what woman desire.

During these Medieval times men really showed they were prominent. So when this knight

disrespects a women, the queen and the ladies of the court decide he punishment and is giving

the task to find out what woman desire the most. Chaucer defines gender roles by giving the

women the power to decide the mans consequence and also having the knight punished for

disrespecting a woman.

Disrespecting a woman might not have been a big deal in medieval times but not in this

case. Having a knight punished for not treating a lady right shows how women have the same or

even more authority than men. They begged King Author for mercy so often and so desperately

to an extent that caused him to say, “ I will give him to the queen, an he may live or die

according to her will” (Chaucer 10-11). Having the queen and the ladies of the court choose

whether a “powerful” knight lives or dies shows that they too have authority and power. After

King Author let the queen decide the punishment they gave the task of finding out what women

desire the most. “The lope is even now about your neck, but on one condition you shall be free.

If in a year and a day you can tell me what it is that woman wish for the most, then your life shall

be spared” (Chaucer 14-16). Chaucer demonstrates his definition of gender roles by making the
women assign the knight a task and show a sense of authority because if the task isn’t fulfilled

then he will not “be free” giving him no option but to complete their request. Women being able

to decide a mans consequence shows gender roles because it’s giving them more authority.

Chaucer defines gender roles by having woman have more authority over a man to a

point where she decides a punishment for him and punishes a knight for his wrong doings against

a woman. Men should never have a right to disrespect woman regardless of how much power

they may have, because at the end, woman always have the last word. If one is really a true man

he will know that woman know best, which is why King Author allowed his wife to have the

final say in this situation.