Refiguring the 'Scandalous Excess' of Medieval Woman: The Wife of Bath and Liberality

Author / Editor
Blamires, Alcuin.

Title
Refiguring the 'Scandalous Excess' of Medieval Woman: The Wife of Bath and Liberality

Published
Thelma S. Fenster and Clare A. Lees. eds. Gender in Debate: From the Early Middle Ages to the Renaissance (New York and Houndmills, Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2002), pp. 57-78.

Description
Connects Alison's sexual liberality in WBP with the loathly lady's liberality of counsel in WBT, arguing that Chaucer "redoctrinates" his audience by converting notions of feminine excess into the positive virtue of generosity. Also considers Blanche's liberality in BD.

Alternative Title
Gender in Debate: From the Early Middle Ages to the Renaissance

Chaucer Subjects
Wife of Bath and Her Tale.
Book of the Duchess.