Problem
In The Miller's Tale and The Wife of Bath's Tale, sexuality plays a primary role, whether for better or worse. In this literary lab, I want you to explore how sexuality defines the two genres (fabliau and romance) according to Chaucer. To help you think through these stories (and their prologues), consider these questions
A. Are the women in these two tales examples of the anti-feminist tradition, or do they counter it? Why do you feel this way?
B. How does the Wife manipulate argument and textual authority? Is she justified in manipulating texts and argument in the way she does?
C. How on target is the Wife about why so few stories of good wives exist? How does the character Alison reinforce or push back on this idea?
D. How do you feel about the judgment the knight in her tale receives? Do we, as the audience, feel justified by his treatment? Why/why not? Similarly, do we feel that everyone got what they deserved in The Miller's Tale?