Womanliness in the 'Man of Law's Tale'

Author / Editor
Delany, Sheila.

Title
Womanliness in the 'Man of Law's Tale'

Published
Chaucer Review 9 (1974): 63-72.

Description
Reads Constance in MLT as an "Everywoman" who represents humanity in relationship to an "arbitrary and inscrutable God." Several abrupt descents into "crudity" in the tale remind us not to regard Constance as real, and contrasts with her mothers in law engage stereotypical oppositions between traditional Mary and Eve figures still evident in modern depictions of women.

Chaucer Subjects
Man of Law and His Tale