Chaucer's Wife of Bath and Her Distorted Arthurian Motifs

Author / Editor
Wurtele, Douglas J.

Title
Chaucer's Wife of Bath and Her Distorted Arthurian Motifs

Published
Arthurian Interpretations 2 (1987): 47-61.

Description
An examination of three analogues--"The Marriage of Sir Gawaine," "The Weddynge of Sir Gawen and Dame Ragnell," and Gower's "Tale of Florent"--illuminates Chaucer's handling of Arthurian motifs such as the lady's transformation and the issue of sovereignty in WBT. Whereas Arthurian romance portrays both sexes favorably, Alison aims at a more "realistic" view by placing the knight in the most demeaning position she can imagine.

Chaucer Subjects
Wife of Bath and Her Tale.