Every tale we have read so far has dealt in some way with the concept of sex and virginity, many times in an extremely salacious way.

Knight’s Tale:

“That Emily, who was fairer to be seen

Than lilies rising on their stalks of green” p.80

This was probably the tamest tale of all. The knight portrayed a very idealistic opinion on love and sex. Arcite and Palamon, the two knights, seem to fall in love with Emily because she is a beautiful woman who is comparable to the gods. They continue to vie for her heart with the goal of marrying her. It is even said that love is the supreme law- romantic love not sexual love. Even more, the fact that Emily begs to be a virgin for life makes a strong commentary on the idea of sex. Her desire to be pure shows the value that should be put on virginity. However, that virginity can be ended for the sanctity of marriage. Sex is not explicitly discussed in this tale (which goes to show the Knight’s views on sexual freedom), however, it is instead, hinted at. What I picked up from how the tale was told is that sex is something that comes with love and the contract of marriage.

Reeve’s Tale:

“He got so near she could not bat an eye

Before it was too late to raise a cry”

…

“For hard and deep he went; he thrust like mad” p.154-5

This tale takes a very violent approach to the concept of sex. Sex is a tool for justice; sex is a way to enact revenge. The Miller steals grain from the school and the students are fed up with his thievery. So, they try to hold him accountable but when they realized they have been deceived again, take revenge by raping his daughter and wife. There is no consent or love in this act of sex. However, in the end it seems as if the daughter, Molly, is taken with Alan. I think most people have come to the conclusion that it was rape, but the Reeve and Chaucer portrayed it differently in the tale. Sex is an ugly act in this tale, void of love.

Wife of Bath’s Prologue:

“Thinking of how at night I made them sweat,

….

Their land and wealth they had by then conferred on me” p.212-23

Now, this tale is almost completely about sex. The Wife of Bath constructs an argument to support sexual freedom. She agrees that virginity is nice but someone has to “take one for the team” to create these treasured virgins. She also explains in great detail how sex is a tool for manipulation- one that men and women both use in order to gain power in a relationship. Her opinions on how a woman can conduct herself would have been controversial when The Canterbury Tales were written and even now. She affirms that you can still be religiously faithful even if you have multiple husbands and enjoy yourself sexually. Her tale embodies many complexities of feminism and the double standards that exist between men and women. Sex can accompany love, but sex and marriage are first and foremost a contract that you should try to benefit from.

My question to you all is: What do you think Chaucer’s view is on SEX?

Does he agree with the Knight that it is a religious act and should be treasured with love? Does he see sex as something violent and ugly, as the Reeve’s tale suggests? Or does he think you should embrace your sexual desires and use your sexuality to your advantage? Does he think that women should be able to?

Remember that the different characters are telling their tales but the tales are being retold and recorded by Chaucer, which means that he have his bias. Based on his portrayal of the characters and how he told their tales, where do you think he stands?