THe "MErchant'S Tale"- Literary Criticism
A major theme that appears in "The Merchant’s Tale” is the literary criticism, feminism. The main character, January, wants a perfect wife to take care of his needs. He describes a wife to be beautiful, wise, self-disciplined and well mannered. The knight envisions his future wife to be flawless but in reality she is unfaithful to him. January’s wife goes against traditional gender role expectations. He states “like to himself’ and he created Eve / Here lies the proof of what we all believe, / that woman is man’s helper, his resort, / his earthly paradise and his disport” (Chaucer 359). Woman are looked upon as objects in this time period and are controlled by the men. Men in their society took advantage of woman and used them for pleasure.
Throughout "The Merchant’s Tale” January looks for a wife who can please him and make him happy. He has a particular take on how woman should act in the middle ages. January shows “which has its foundation in greed and lust. No longer young, attractive, or able to have sex with any woman he desires, he now determines to "buy" a young and beautiful woman, who, as his wife, will have to obey him in all things” (Rossignol). January is extremely greedy and wants all the characteristics of a perfect wife, though his wife ends up cheating on him. The fact that his wife cheated on him shows how woman in their society are not completely reliable for honesty. This shows how anti-feminism plays a role in "The Merchant’s Tale” because January’s seen stereotyping woman in this time period by the way they look or act.
Throughout "The Merchant’s Tale” January looks for a wife who can please him and make him happy. He has a particular take on how woman should act in the middle ages. January shows “which has its foundation in greed and lust. No longer young, attractive, or able to have sex with any woman he desires, he now determines to "buy" a young and beautiful woman, who, as his wife, will have to obey him in all things” (Rossignol). January is extremely greedy and wants all the characteristics of a perfect wife, though his wife ends up cheating on him. The fact that his wife cheated on him shows how woman in their society are not completely reliable for honesty. This shows how anti-feminism plays a role in "The Merchant’s Tale” because January’s seen stereotyping woman in this time period by the way they look or act.