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amelielucy's review
3.0
actually might have been good if it wasn’t for that LOSER ending! rip wife of bath you would of loved amy dunne
gemden15's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
imme_van_gorp's review against another edition
3.0
We were discussing Geoffrey Chaucer for my Medieval Literature course, and The Wife of Bath|963617 seemed like, by far, the most interesting story from The Canterbury Tales to me. So, I figured: why not try and read it?
Well.. Upon starting this tale, I was immediately remembered as to why I do not just "try and read" things from my Medieval Literature class. In this case, the simple reason for it being: I. Do. Not. Speak. Middle. English.
So. Unless I wanted to torturously give myself the biggest headache known to mankind, trying to decipher these word-puzzles, I decided it would be best if I went and read the modern translation of this text rather than the original. So, I did.
And yea, that definitely helped. The story suddenly became readable, and I found out the content of this tale is truly quite interesting. It seems revolutionary almost in its feminism, considering it was written in the 14th century.
The prologue and tale is centred around a woman giving a random male stranger some advice about marriage, seeing how she's quite the expert after being married five times herself already.
The text gives insight into how women were treated and portrayed in the Middle Ages, yet the author also seems to use this story as a critique towards these prejudices and mistreatments towards women of his own time.
I was honestly extremely surprised by that! I didn't expect it at all, and it was kind of cool. Not going to lie.
Of course it’s not all rainbows and sunshine, though, as there are still plenty of misogynistic stereotypes to be found here. But hey. It’s written in the Middle Ages. What do you expect?
I thought this was going to be more boring, honestly, but I quite enjoyed myself while reading this. It's an interesting piece of social history.
Well.. Upon starting this tale, I was immediately remembered as to why I do not just "try and read" things from my Medieval Literature class. In this case, the simple reason for it being: I. Do. Not. Speak. Middle. English.
So. Unless I wanted to torturously give myself the biggest headache known to mankind, trying to decipher these word-puzzles, I decided it would be best if I went and read the modern translation of this text rather than the original. So, I did.
And yea, that definitely helped. The story suddenly became readable, and I found out the content of this tale is truly quite interesting. It seems revolutionary almost in its feminism, considering it was written in the 14th century.
The prologue and tale is centred around a woman giving a random male stranger some advice about marriage, seeing how she's quite the expert after being married five times herself already.
The text gives insight into how women were treated and portrayed in the Middle Ages, yet the author also seems to use this story as a critique towards these prejudices and mistreatments towards women of his own time.
I was honestly extremely surprised by that! I didn't expect it at all, and it was kind of cool. Not going to lie.
Of course it’s not all rainbows and sunshine, though, as there are still plenty of misogynistic stereotypes to be found here. But hey. It’s written in the Middle Ages. What do you expect?
I thought this was going to be more boring, honestly, but I quite enjoyed myself while reading this. It's an interesting piece of social history.
bebeloved's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mbichaela's review against another edition
4.0
ENG
The thorough analysis I had to done for one of my courses has definitely made the book more appealing and easier to process. It even made me to create a special appreciation for the Wife of Bath's character.
I also admire Chaucer's maestrye of writing.
The thorough analysis I had to done for one of my courses has definitely made the book more appealing and easier to process. It even made me to create a special appreciation for the Wife of Bath's character.
I also admire Chaucer's maestrye of writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Rape
hopetull's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
simplycelestial's review against another edition
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
emilyblackburn's review
3.0
Read this for my British Literature until 1800 class. I liked the story that the Wife of Bath told. She seems to be spunky. I liked how she recognized the flawed system and that it was not going to change soon. So she decided to take manners into her own hands and use the system for her benefit. I thought the the actual tale was very reminiscent of the Knight's Tale with an issued challenge and 1 year to complete it with the threat of being beheaded. Overall interesting, but the prologue was much longer than I thought it needed to be.
debbie_likes_to_read_books's review
1.0
No idea what i read, I read this in the norton for english class super confusing
shieldheart's review
1.0
nothing i’ve read for class has ever pissed me off as much as this. congratulations chaucer