Wife of Bath's Justification for Multiple Marriages: Religious, Societal, and Personal Perspectives

The Wife of Bath, a character from Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Canterbury Tales,' justifies herself for getting married multiple times by referencing her religious beliefs, societal expectations, and personal desires. She argues that she follows the biblical command to be fruitful and multiply, emphasizing her belief that God wants humans to procreate. Additionally, she highlights the biblical examples of King Solomon, who had many wives, and Abraham, who married multiple times, as evidence that her actions are not immoral.

Moreover, the Wife of Bath asserts that since God created man and woman to marry, it is both natural and necessary for her to seek companionship and fulfill her sexual desires. She argues that her numerous marriages provided her with financial stability and security, as she gained wealth and property through her unions. By amassing wealth, she believes she has fulfilled her role as a woman in society and has contributed to the economic well-being of her community.

Furthermore, the Wife of Bath suggests that her multiple marriages were a result of her desire for personal autonomy and control. She asserts that she enjoys being in charge within her marriages and having the upper hand over her husbands. She emphasizes her ability to manipulate and dominate her spouses, suggesting that her marriages were a means of asserting her own power and satisfying her own desires.

Ultimately, the Wife of Bath justifies her many marriages by combining religious, societal, and personal arguments. She presents herself as a woman who embraces her sexuality and desires, seeks financial stability, and asserts her autonomy within marriage, all while finding support for her actions in religious texts and historical examples.