SOURCE: “Misogynist versus Feminist Chaucer,” in Chaucer in Context: Society, Allegory and Gender, Manchester University Press, 1996, pp. 116-63.

In the following essay, Rigby offers a study of Chaucer's attitude toward women in the Canterbury Tales. Rigby first reviews medieval views regarding sexual difference, demonstrating how many medieval writers presented polarized views of women. Rigby then discusses how Chaucer's presentation of women in “The Wife of Bath's Tale,” The Tale of Melibee,” and “The Parson's Tale” corresponds to or rejects the contemporary conception of women. In conclusion, Rigby states that Chaucer's view of women, while failing to emphasize equality, can be seen as anti-misogynist.

Diverse men diversely hym tolde Of mariage manye ensamples olde. Somme blamed it, somme preysed it, certeyn. 

(‘The Merchant's Tale’, CT, [Canterbury Tales] III: 1469-71)

All of the critical debates we have examined so far come together in the final issue we have to consider...