How would the story (and its themes) be different if it began at King Arthur’s court, with a lady throwing herself before king and queen, demanding justice and accusing a knight of rape?

However, Arthur’s queen and other ladies of the court intercede on his behalf and ask the king to give him one chance to save his own life. Arthur, wisely obedient to wifely counsel, grants their …

Oct 8, 2024 · Quick answer: King Arthur lets his wife decide the knight's punishment as a way to address the outrage of the women in his kingdom after the knight's crime of rape.

But the queen and her ladies intervene to spare him, and King Arthur bows to his wife’s counsel. The queen tells the knight that if, in a year’s time, he can answer the question of what women …

Both Carruthers and Cooper reflect on the way that Chaucer's Wife of Bath does not behave as society dictates, in any of her marriages. Through her nonconformity to the expectations of her …

On his way back to the court, ready to submit to his fate and accept his execution, he comes across an old hag in a forest. She tells him that she can give him the answer, but only on …

The Wife of Bath's tale begins to worry one of her fellow guests who ask if all women are like her. She quickly bids him to remain silent until the tale is over.