Anti-feminist Rhetoric in The Wife Of BathIn The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, The Wife of Bath is a strong woman who loudly states her opinions on popular anti-feminist sentiments at the time. Chaucer, however, often discredits his arguments by making them unfounded and generally compromising his character. This calls into question Chaucer's political intent with the Wife of Bath. Does he stand by his views or is he making fun of women who challenge the patriarchal society and its restrictions and distrust towards women? The Wife's comic character, frequent misquotes of authorities, marital infidelity, and her anti-feminist sentiments (as well as Chaucer's) weaken Chaucer's argument for the Wife's views. Chaucer chooses to make a play of the Wife, questioning its seriousness. of his character. What opinion should the reader form of a woman who rails against marriage and female domination when she is described as a battle-ready clown in the General Prologue? Her bright red stockings, bold scarlet face, shield-shaped hat, and sharp spurs paint the picture of a foolish, if not mad, woman whose ways are larger than life. The Wife's "larger than life" comedic characteristics also apply to her feminist beliefs. Equal coexistence is not enough; she says that men "will be both my dictater and my slave" - ​​something probably unheard of when this piece was written. Much of what makes her comical is the plethora of sexual innuendos sprinkled throughout her dialogue. For example, when in his story he irrelevantly mentions the enthusiastic friars who have replaced the fairies of old: The women can go up and down with carefree step: In every bush or under every tree, There is no... ... middle of paper.. .... easily state Chaucer's support for the Wife's views, it is important to note the disabling of his arguments and credibility, as it seriously calls into question Chaucer's intent with the Wife of Bath.Footnotes:458-60, 471-75The Wife's Prologue, 161The Wife's Tale, 884The Wife's Prologue, 585M.H. Abrams, et al; ed., The Norton Anthology of English Literature, sixth edition, volume IWW Norton & Company, New York/London, 1993.The Wife's Prologue, 149The Wife's Prologue, 186-9463The Wife's Prologue, 4General Prologue, 465-70The Wife's Prologue, 563Prologue of the Wife, 549-68Prologue of the Wife, 44-6216-20Prologue of the Wife, 233-4Prologue of the Wife, 540-4Works Cited:Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Canterbury Tales. Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Ed Mack, Maynard et al. W. W. Norton and Co. New York, NY. 1992.