, by controlling and dominating males. She takes advantage of them and uses them for their money and standing in society. The Sumnour, a corrupt official of the court, accepts money in return for an excuse. The Miller, a thief, steals produce and sells it for more than it is worth. He, also, purposely puts his thumb on a scale when weighing food, to charge his customers more. The Frere marries off many of the young women at his own expense, probably because he impregnates them himself. Constantly in debt, the Marchant hides it well. Because of the fear of the church, accounts of corruption as specific as the ones in The Canterbury Tales, especially within the church, are not easily found. The Wyf’s reaction to the male dominated era that she lives in also gives insights into the way females deal with their lack of authority in their culture. By refusing to sleep with her husbands, and making them believe that she is having an affair, she is able to control them. Forced to give up their manhood to her, they obey her every word. When they don’t enslave themselves to her she manipulates them until they are finally forced to give in to her power. Her story proves the “battle between the sexes” to be an age-old war, in which women must use their cunning and wiles to advance their position in society. These examples help make The Canterbury Tales, not only a work of literature, but a historical view into the Middle Ages, its people and cultures. ...
