The only two women most significant and described in great detail in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales who provide the broadest insight into contemporary medieval society are the Wife of Bath and the Prioress. These two women appear similar in the general Prologue of the poem but, as we see through their narratives, they are quite unique women and, above all, very different from each other. By examining both the Wife of Bath and the Prioress' tales, we are able to see the stark contrast between their social standards and their behavior. However, although these two women belong to two different social spheres, surprisingly they share some common characteristics. The initial similarity between these two women lies in their appearance but as the poem continues we see that their life experience and their ways and personalities are different from each other. Chaucer's description of the two characters clearly describes the Prioress as a better nun. The Wife of Bath is the only woman, other than the prioress and her nun companion, on this pilgrimage. Chaucer discussed each of the two in general in all aspects, starting with their outward appearance. physical appearance, behavior, beliefs, etc. Despite the first impression that Chaucer's description makes the Wife of Bath and the Prioress as contradictory as day and night, a deeper look reveals their intersecting minor characteristics. As strange as this may seem true, to some extent it is. The first thing we encounter is their physical appearance. The Wife of Bath, even gap-toothed or a little deaf, is depicted wearing rich and tasteful attire with her splendid distinguished dress and fine scarlet red stockings and soft, crisp, brand new leather shoes. This description tells us... half of the paper... Rench of Paris was unknown to her. All these characteristics show how the Prioress nun was focused on things that should not be important to a nun. Among her lesser things, the nun in the tale's actions was cautious and splendid. His ways were unique and practiced with perfection. Her table manners were admirable: she never let a morsel fall from her lips, nor did she dip her fingers too much in the sauce: she delicately brought a morsel to her lips, taking care that no drop fell on her breast: she took great pleasure in correct etiquette. Her manners and education gave her joy, which is not good for a nun. Being polite to her was like giving candy to a kid. Furthermore, the author describes in great detail her ways to show us how important her behavior was for herself, a nun's behavior should reflect on others and not on herself.

Topic > The only two women most significant and described in great detail in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales who provide the broadest insight into contemporary medieval society are the Wife of Bath and the Prioress. These two women appear similar in the general Prologue of the poem but, as we see through their narratives, they are quite unique women and, above all, very different from each other. By examining both the Wife of Bath and the Prioress' tales, we are able to see the stark contrast between their social standards and their behavior. However, although these two women belong to two different social spheres, surprisingly they share some common characteristics. The initial similarity between these two women lies in their appearance but as the poem continues we see that their life experience and their ways and personalities are different from each other. Chaucer's description of the two characters clearly describes the Prioress as a better nun. The Wife of Bath is the only woman, other than the prioress and her nun companion, on this pilgrimage. Chaucer discussed each of the two in general in all aspects, starting with their outward appearance. physical appearance, behavior, beliefs, etc. Despite the first impression that Chaucer's description makes the Wife of Bath and the Prioress as contradictory as day and night, a deeper look reveals their intersecting minor characteristics. As strange as this may seem true, to some extent it is. The first thing we encounter is their physical appearance. The Wife of Bath, even gap-toothed or a little deaf, is depicted wearing rich and tasteful attire with her splendid distinguished dress and fine scarlet red stockings and soft, crisp, brand new leather shoes. This description tells us... half of the paper... Rench of Paris was unknown to her. All these characteristics show how the Prioress nun was focused on things that should not be important to a nun. Among her lesser things, the nun in the tale's actions was cautious and splendid. His ways were unique and practiced with perfection. Her table manners were admirable: she never let a morsel fall from her lips, nor did she dip her fingers too much in the sauce: she delicately brought a morsel to her lips, taking care that no drop fell on her breast: she took great pleasure in correct etiquette. Her manners and education gave her joy, which is not good for a nun. Being polite to her was like giving candy to a kid. Furthermore, the author describes in great detail her ways to show us how important her behavior was for herself, a nun's behavior should reflect on others and not on herself.