The Wife of Bath, in Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, primarily dominated her old husbands through a combination of sexual power, skillful manipulation, and assertive control of their finances.
Methods of Domination:
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Sexual Control: The Wife of Bath openly acknowledges using her body as leverage. By granting or withholding sexual favors, she could influence her older husbands' desires and actions. This tactic allowed her to gain control over their decisions and resources.
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Manipulation and Deception: She admits to skillfully manipulating her husbands, often feigning jealousy or accusing them of infidelity to provoke reactions. This created conflict and instability, which she then exploited to gain the upper hand. She also confessed to lying about loving them.
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Financial Control: The Wife of Bath was adept at acquiring and maintaining financial independence, especially from her later husbands. By controlling the money, she wielded significant power over their lives and was able to exert her dominance.
The Wife of Bath's Philosophy:
Her perspective is rooted in a belief that women should have sovereignty ("maistrie") in marriage. She views marriage as a battle of wills, and she is determined to emerge victorious. This philosophy drives her actions and justifies her manipulative tactics. She desires to control and be "free" in her marriages, which she achieves through her various methods.
Example:
While not explicitly detailed, the Wife's Prologue implies that she gradually gained control over her husbands by wearing them down through arguments and constant demands. Her sharp wit and verbal prowess gave her an advantage in these confrontations.
