Wife of Bath

Here is what I found out about the Wife of Bath. It's actually really interesting once you tear everything apart!

Gap-toothed
Back then, gap-toothed usually represented a prostitute or a whore
Face was bold, handsome, ruddy; a worthy woman
Ruddy- having a healthy reddish color, ‘ruddy liar’- (she’s a gossiper)
Bold- courageous and daring; not hesitating to break the rules; imaginative; flashy showy
Worthy- a person of eminent worth, merit or position. However, she is of the lowest rank. Maybe Chaucer the pilgrim is sympathetic towards her.
Somewhat deaf, ‘which was a shame’
Her mouth is bigger than her ears meaning she loves to gossip and only listens to the things she wants to hear.
Chaucer the pilgrim’s comment could mean that he felt pity for her.
Chaucer the writer could be criticizing her. Maybe he is being sarcastic.
Wore a hat- as broad as buckler or shield
Wore handkerchiefs on her head- weighed 10 pounds.
Covered her ears. The handkerchiefs show that she is very showy.
Wore scarlet red hose- laced tightly
Red often represents sin. The fact that they are laced tightly could mean that she is passionate.
Laughed and gossiped well
Goes along with the fact that she is deaf. Likes to talk a lot, and not necessarily listen.
Wore sharp spurs on her feet
She’s controlling
From near Bath
Bath- a town or resort visited for medical treatment by bathing; a spa. A city in Avon, Southwest of Bristol in England. Famous for its Georgian architecture and its hot mineral springs. Maybe she is a person of renewal.
Well-whimpled
Wimple- to veer. She is in control of herself. Goes along with her being a wanderer.
A wanderer- went on many pilgrimages before. Went to Jerusalem three times. Also went to Rome, Boulogne, the Shrine of Saint James at Galicia, and Cologne.
Maybe she has sinned and goes on these pilgrimages to seek forgiveness. From this you can tell that she is somewhat religious.
Had 5 husbands. Chaucer does not say anything else about her husbands. ‘but of that there is no need to speak now’
Wife
Goes back to the idea that she ‘gets around’. She might have used her husbands for money in order to go on her voyages.
Who is she a wife of?
Sat ‘easily’ on an ambling horse
Ambling- (of a horse) to go at a slow pace with the rider’s legs on both side.
Had a talent for making cloth ‘of the finest fabric’ and surpassed the weavers of Ypres and Ghent.
Ypres and Ghent- prosperous cities.
Talented. She is of some use.
She knew the remedies of love and art’s old dance
Got around. Goes along with her having 5 husbands.
Foot-mantle was lose about her hips
Mantle- a loose, sleeveless cloak or cape.
Of the Urban Rank; however, Chaucer does not mention that. Chaucer also does not give much physical description of her.
Maybe she is overlooked as a slut, but inside she is really more than that. I think Chaucer the pilgrim is sympathetic towards her.