an object. The Miller notes that, “This carpenter hadde wedded newe a wif/ Which that he loved more than his lif./ Of eighteen yeer she was of age;/ Jalous he was, and heeld hire nearwe in cage, / For she was wilde and yong…”(ll.113-117), indicating that the reason why the carpenter is so protective over Alisoun is because she is a young woman who is unable to control her sexual desires. Just like Bercilak’s wife, Alisoun is also aware of the feelings men have about her and in turn uses them to her advantage. For instance, after Nicholas grabs her and begs her for a kiss, Alisoun first teasingly replies, “I wol nat kisse thee, by my fay, / Why, lat be…lat be, Nicholas!/ Or I wol crye ‘Out harrow, and allas!’/ Do way youre handes, for your curteisye” (ll.176-178). An instant later she replies, “Myn housband is so ful of jalousye/ That but ye waite wel and been privee/ I woot right wel I nam but deed, / Ye moste been ful dern as in this cas” (ll. 186-189). Alisoun’s solution and answer to Nicholas’s proposition indicates that she is using her sexuality, not only to have a love affair with Nicholas, but to also, more importantly, deceive her husband whose wild jealousy caused him to “heeld hire narwe in cage” (ll.116). Absolon also falls victim to Alisoun’s tendency to use her own misogyny to her advantage. His infatuation with her leads him to show up on her doorstep proclaiming, “Thanne kis me, sin that it may be no bet, / For Jesus love and for the love of me” (ll.608-609). In turn, Alisoun exploits her sexuality by allowing Absolon to believe that she will comply with his wishes, which, in turn, deceives Abolson and only satisfies her wish of sending him away. In all, the misogyny presented in these two poems is not restricted to the time period they were written. Just as in medieval literature, it is still common for today̵...
