The Wife of Bath: Analytical Study

Résumé

The Wife of Bath's Tale begins and ends with power in the hands of men, suggesting that a world in which women wield power is only possible in the fantastical land of fairy. This tale only brings one question. What do women desire most? The Wife of Bath's sacrifice of power, to her husband after he has proven his willingness to grant it to her to suggest that what women really desire the most is not power, but love. Another answer could've been sovereignty over their husbands or equal power in a relationship