In Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, "The Wife of Bath's Prologue" deconstructs the misogynistic rhetoric proposed in texts such as Valerie, Theofraste, and Against Jovinian (Chaucer 673-83 ). Respectively, Valerie and Theofraste instruct husbands on how to limit their wives' duplicity, and Against Jovinian addresses the issue of female sexuality (Greenblatt 297 notes 5, 6, 7). The Wife of Bath's fifth husband, Janekin the Clerk, kept a collection of sexist texts like these "bound in oo volume" for easy reference (Chaucer 687). By night, with the Wife of Bath as his captive audience, Janekin “always riffed” on these misogynistic works, which cast wives as shameful manipulators and husbands as moral authorities (676). Frustrated by Janekin's condescension, the Wife of Bath “rented a page of his book,” but not because she disagreed with the text's charges (673). In contrast, as shown in various parts of her prologue, the Wife of Bath perceives women's inherent cunning and sensuality as positive traits that wives use to dominate their husbands. In other words, she accepts her husband's same reality that women are intriguing and erotic, but interprets this reality antithetically. Her unorthodox interpretation of female stereotypes poses a significant threat against men like Janekin who fail to consider the extent to which women can manipulate them. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Before presenting her argument, the Wife of Bath appeals to the alleged sexism of her fellow pilgrims, a predominantly male group. As far as she knows, these male members of the company have the same opinions as her fifth husband. Thus, at the beginning of the “Prologue of the Wife of Bath” (Chaucer 1 - 8), he recognizes his “experience, though auctoritee of noonday” as an apparent profession of his lack of education (1). Although the Wife of Bath initially discounts her own expertise here, her subsequent critical analyzes illustrate her intellect and contradict this concession. He shows a broad understanding of Christian discourse, the misogynistic literature of his time, and Roman mythology with his allusions ranging from references to King Solomon's marriages to the hundred eyes of Argos (35, 364). In applying these allusions, he also demonstrates an analytical mind, as he repurposes these biblical and classical teachings as credible resources to support his interpretation of women's dominance over men. Therefore, in consideration of the overall prologue, this concession serves as a preventative measure, as an acknowledgment of a prejudice that the Wife of Bath proceeds to dismantle. He draws listeners into his prologue with his unpretentious introduction to later convey his riskier beliefs. This subtle manipulation in the context of the last points of the prologue provides a concrete rather than narrated example of the Wife of Bath's use of deception to gain power in her misogynistic environment. When addressing women's innate cunning, the Wife of Bath describes deception as a necessary way for wives to both maintain control over their husbands and derive pleasure from their husbands' stupidity (Chaucer 403-8). In particular, this concept that women assume the dominant role in the marital relationship through deception directly contradicts the philosophy expounded in texts such as Janekin's. Nonetheless, in the Wife of Bath's opinion, the “deceit, the weeping, the spinning” of women is a blessing from God that cannot be underestimated (407). This membershipto female hysteria tests generalizations about women and redefines them as resources. To support her argument, the Wife of Bath gleefully recounts how she "had a great time" while spying on her first three rich old husbands when they were engaged in extramarital affairs (405). In itself, her ability to amuse her husband's infidelity reveals her autonomy. Rather than hide from the situation or ignore her husband's transgressions, the Wife of Bath amused herself by pestering her husband with constant complaints, “murmurs, or complaints” about his infidelity (412). The Wife of Bath's victory may seem inconsequential, but the symbolism of her rebellion, rather than the magnitude of her reward, marks her true success. Through her cunning alone, the Wife of Bath prevailed over her husbands and reversed the power dynamics of their marriages; he enacted his own social justice, punishing them with his complaints. Providing insight into his machinations allows the company to see the larger meaning behind his petulance. By explaining her actions, the Wife of Bath further establishes the subtle ways in which women exploit men without their knowledge. This example clearly leads to the Wife of Bath's approval of the use of sex as a tool of barter in marriage (Chaucer 415-423). In this example, the Wife of Bath further punished her husband by denying him sex. She rejected his advances until he "had his raunson," and then let him "do his kind work" (417-8). As a business transaction between a prostitute and her client, the Wife of Bath offered sexual favors to her husband in exchange for his money. She capitalized on her husbands' disadvantaged position to her own advantage, a clear demonstration of her power. Furthermore, in this passage, he refers to sex as a banal “kindness,” which exposes his indifference or even resentment of marital sexual intercourse (418). The Wife of Bath goes on to explain to the company that when it comes to women, "al is for to sell" (420). Here, the Wife of Bath builds on the rhetoric that portrays women as opportunistic by interpreting it as a reality that men should understand and respect for the sake of their sexual needs. In other words, women have power over men in sexual situations because without them men cannot satisfy their carnal needs. She assures them that for a man's "victory" she would commit "all her lust" with "feigned appetite" (422-3). This allure-filled proposition both attracts and belittles men, as it provides a guaranteed way to sexual encounters, even if they are not sincere. Essentially, the Wife of Bath's invented interest in any potential male lover allows her to hide her true thoughts. This ambiguity makes him vulnerable and gives her power over him. The erotic nature of its guarantee creates a conflict of interest for men – married or not, celibate or not. They like sexual intercourse, but accepting the Wife of Bath's proposal requires their recognition of women's influence. His presentation of this ultimatum once again illustrates his cunning, as his open acknowledgment of his own deception in turn manipulates the company into considering the validity of his claims. Throughout her prologue, the Wife of Bath's abusive relationships exist as glaring weaknesses in her argument. . Her indifference as she details physical abuse by her fourth and fifth husbands seems to detract from her assertion of female dominance (Chaucer 517-8, 674). However, the circumstance that led to Janekin's beating and its aftermath undoubtedly highlights his wife's audacity.