The Wife of Bath has her own perception of marriage, which Chaucer shows in both the Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale. Marriage itself was defined by Webster’s Dictionary as thestate of being married, a wedding ceremony and attendant festivities, or a close union. Marry or married is said to be joined as husband and wife according to law or custom, or to take ashusband or wife, says Webster’s Dictionary. In both the Prologue and Tale of the Wife of Bathwe see the institution of marriage used as control over money and sexual powers. Chaucer’sWife of Bath displays a complete sense of mockery toward marriage as a holy institution. ThePrologue and Tale of the Wife of Bath clearly show that the Wife of Bath sees marriage as awoman’s dominance over a man.In the Prologue, the Wife of Bath starts to defend her actions of marrying five men. Sheinterprets from scripture:All I know for sure is, God has plainly bidden us to increase and multiply a nobletext, and one I understand! And, as I’m well aware, He said my husband mustleave father and mother, cleave to me. But, as to number, did He specify? Henamed no figure, neither two nor eight why should folk talk of it as a disgrace?(219-20) She uses her marriages as a sort of fulfillment of God’s word. Using two specific examples from scripture she explains why her marriages are justifiable by God:For then, says the Apostle Paul, I’m free to wed, in God’s name, where it pleases me. Hesays to be married is no sin, better it is to marry than to burn. I know that Abraham wasa holy man, and Jacob too, so far as I can tell; and they had more than two wives, both ofthem, and many another holy men as well. Now you can tell me where, in any age,almighty God explicitly forbade all marrying and giving in marriage? (220) ...
