The Canterbury Tales Gender

Most of the Canterbury tales emphasize men and women and the roles that they play. Specifically in marriage, Geoffrey Chaucer has etched out a tradition of literary brilliance. He has taken it upon himself to reverse roles and give women favor over the men. In this way, Chaucer is considered as a pioneer. In several of his tales women are aggressive, self-willed, and powerful. Some of Chaucer’s male characters are against tradition too. Men …

…to explore the world. She is independent and she stands up to men. By allowing his male and female characters to act outside of their normal roles, Chaucer has liberated women through literature. He almost seems to favor women and the influence that they have over men. Maribel Aguilar Eng Prof. Gilles December 8, 2000 Work Cited Page Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. London: Signet Classics, 1997. Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Canterbury Tales. Trans. Nevill Coghill. New York: Penguin Books, 1951.