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When reading Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, one encounters many characters, each more complex than the other. Geoffrey is indisputably the most interesting and thought provoking member of the pilgrimage. While trying to interpret the characters that Geoffrey presents to the reader, one must make judgments of Geoffrey’s character as well. For one to understand the essence of each character, one must understand Geoffrey’s true impression of that character. In many circumstances, it is difficult to do so, because Geoffrey’s descriptions of a person are often ambiguous and contradicting. One must adduce Geoffrey’s true feeling about this person, from the nature of Geoffrey’s descriptions of them. One such complex character is the Wife of Bath. There is much debate as to whether or not the straightforward Geoffrey condemns the Wife as too physical, or if the clever Geoffrey admires the Wife for being so sure of herself. For one to truly comprehend the nature of this issue, one must understand the times that Geoffrey lived in. Women were not thought well of. Geoffrey’s introduction of a female who exudes an air of greatness is a novel idea of those times, and it has a direct correlation to the budding renaissance. Geoffrey’s innovative ideas about the nature of man, voices some truths that are not addressed until centuries later. Therefore, one must decide whether or not Geoffrey is a feminist, or one who scorns those women who have self-pride. Leora Lent 11-7-02 AP English Dr. Reisner At first glance, it is easy for one to argue that Geoffrey is criticizing the behavior of the Wife of Bath.
Approximate Word count = 999
Approximate Pages = 4
(250 words per page double spaced)
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