In "The Knight's Tale" we get Emelye. Emelye is the representation of what every Medieval women wants to be (or at least should want to be). She has goddess like beauty and walks in gardens. Emelye also speaks very little in this tale. In fact the only time she does speak is when she prays to the goddess Diane. In this prayer and sacrifice she also exhibits the traits of what a Medieval woman should be; she prays "As send me him that moist desireth me.\ Bihoold, goddesses of clone chastitee,\ The bittre teeres that on my cheeks falle!\ Sin thow art maide and kepere of us alle,\ My maidenhode thow kepe and we'll conserve,\ And whil I live, a maide I wol thee serve. (Ll. 2325-2330). Emelye reveals two important things for the time her lack of choice and her chastity. Emelye leaves the choice of man she is left with in the end, up to that man. It is the man that loves her the most that gets her; her feelings do not really matter. Also, Emelye keeps her virginity, ultimately for Palamoun.
On we go to "The Miller's Tale". In this tale we get a young bride who is married to a carpenter. Physically, she is a beautiful woman. Alisoun would not be an example of what medieval women should be. She is more like the example of a medieval wife that everyone knows exist and talk about behind closed doors. Alisoun is flirty, wild and unfaithful; but she is married. Being married for a woman during the medieval times seems to be the honorable thing. By the end of "The miller's Tale" we come to realize that a woman like Alisoun does not really win. She is left with a husband that everyone thinks is crazy. At the same time she does not really lose either because her true intentions and actions are never revealed.
The dynamic of the next two tales are very different than the former two. In "The Reeve's Tale" we get two women, a mother and wife as well as her daughter. These women represent a whole different idea a part from the idea of chivalry we had been previously presented with. I believe their role aids the story in advancing the point the Reeve is trying to get across. Who they are and what they do are only important by being a cause not an effect.
The incomplete "Cook's Tale" the woman is even less important. It is here that I stumble as to what the importance of a married prostitute plays in this story. I do think it is important to note that she is important. This further shows the importance marriage is during medieval times.
The dynamic of the next two tales are very different than the former two. In "The Reeve's Tale" we get two women, a mother and wife as well as her daughter. These women represent a whole different idea a part from the idea of chivalry we had been previously presented with. I believe their role aids the story in advancing the point the Reeve is trying to get across. Who they are and what they do are only important by being a cause not an effect.
The incomplete "Cook's Tale" the woman is even less important. It is here that I stumble as to what the importance of a married prostitute plays in this story. I do think it is important to note that she is important. This further shows the importance marriage is during medieval times.
