"Struglyng wel and mightily": Resisting Rape in the "Man of Law's Tale."

Author / Editor
O'Connell, Brendan.

Title
"Struglyng wel and mightily": Resisting Rape in the "Man of Law's Tale."

Published
Medium Aevum 84.1 (2015): 16–39.

Description
Unlike Constance in Trevet and Gower, Custance in MLT does not speak with her would-be rapist; further, she immediately struggles with him and receives divine aid in overcoming him. Asserts that Chaucer's treatment of this scene demonstrates knowledge of the law concerning self-defense and justifiable homicide.

Chaucer Subjects
Man of Law and His Tale
Sources, Analogues, and Literary Relations