Sovereignity and maistrie in the Wife of Bath

Sovereignity and maistrie in the Wife of Bath

1. Control of money and property

   • L. 310 It is mine good as well as thyn!
     • In the 14th century a woman's property automatically became her husbands
     • The Wife objects to her husbands control

2. Control of the body

   • l.153 paye his dette
     • The implies that the husbands owe her sex
   • l408 would do hem no plesaunce... til he had maad his rauson
   • 'might selle my belle chose'

3. Issues concerning constraint and licence

   • L.358 Argus with his hundred yen... he shal nat kepe me'
   • L.318 you should seye: Wyf, go wher thee liste

4. Use of deception

   • L.400 I swoor that al my walkinge out by nighte
   • No man han swere and lyen... as a womman kan

5. Dispute and resolution

   • L.813 he yaf me al the bridel in myn hond

6. In the tale

   • The Knights task
     • To desire what WOMEN most desire
   • The Knight has to give up his freedom
     • For a year and a day
   • Old women gives him an answer
     • But he has to SUBMIT to her
       • Has to give her himself
       • He concedes to the mastery
         • Gives her the choice to be faithful or not