Women in Beowulf and Canterbury Term Paper

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Seeing that he was miserable, she told him he could either have her loyal but ugly or beautiful and unfaithful (Chaucer pp). The knight leaves the decision up to her thus, giving the old hag exactly what she wanted, to be in control of her husband. This decision resulted in the old hag becoming beautiful and loyal (Chaucer pp).

Women are central to this tale from the beginning to the end. The knight is saved by the queen, then is sent on a quest to find what appeared to be an impossible answer to a riddle concerning women, and then is saved again at the last minute by another woman who, although wise, was ugly and undesirable. However, he proved true, loyal and obedient, and granted the hag the one thing she wished, control over her man. And in doing so, he received what he truly wanted which was a beautiful and faithful wife.

Chaucer begins the "Miller's Tale" by describing the social circumstances surrounding the group. The Miller is drunk and some feel it would be best if he simply passed up his chance to speak and let someone else entertain, however the Miller insists and apologizes in advance for anything that he might say (Chaucer pp). This tale does not paint the female character as one of wisdom and loyalty as in the Wife's tale, but rather as a lusty young maiden, who much resembles the Wife herself. The Miller explains that his tale is about a carpenter, his young wife, a student and a clerk.

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The student boarded with the carpenter and his wife, and one day while the carpenter was away, the student came forth with his intentions to the wife, who readily accepted. The student then planned a scheme that would allow him to be alone with the wife long enough to have his pleasure (Chaucer pp). The jest of the story is that the carpenter's wife has two suitors, the student and a clerk, as well as her jealous husband, although she claims to love only the student. The tale resembles a common pub tale, not particularly one that is told in a social gathering. However, it is the men in the tale who prove foolish, while the wife escapes any consequences (Chaucer pp).

The women in "Beowulf" are much portrayed as the "either/or," such as the Madonna - whore, they were either evil or good. While in Chaucer's tales, the women move from being revered, as in "The Wife of Bath" to being instrumental in creating fools of men by using sexual powers. The women in these tales move from an antiquated and restrictive portrayal of female power, as in "Beowulf," to an accepted and appreciative place of honor and reverence, as in the Wife's tale, to a carefree spontaneity in the Miller's story. The women move from conformity to freedom.

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