Yes, the Wife of Bath is widely interpreted as a sensual woman in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
Chaucer's description of the Wife of Bath in the General Prologue, combined with her own Prologue and Tale, strongly suggests a woman very aware of and engaged with her sexuality. This sensuality manifests in several ways:
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Her Appearance: While not explicitly stated, the descriptions of her clothing, such as her "hosen weren of fyn scarlet red," and her "gap-toothed" smile, are often interpreted as alluding to her vibrant and perhaps even provocative nature. The red color, in particular, often had connotations of passion and strong emotions.
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Her Marital History: Having been married five times, and explicitly discussing her methods for controlling and manipulating her husbands, showcases her engagement with the physical and emotional aspects of relationships. She is not portrayed as a passive participant in marriage, but rather as an active seeker of pleasure and control.
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Her Views on Marriage and Love: The Wife of Bath argues for female dominance in marriage and emphasizes the importance of pleasure and sex within the marital bond. She openly expresses her enjoyment of sex, challenging the conventional view of women as solely virtuous and obedient.
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Her Skill at Manipulation: Her ability to manipulate men, particularly within the context of marriage, suggests a deep understanding of their desires and weaknesses, further reinforcing her sensual and worldly nature. She knows how to appeal to their senses and plays on their expectations.
While the interpretation of sensuality can be subjective, the textual evidence points towards the Wife of Bath as a character who is not only aware of her own sexuality but also uses it to her advantage and derives pleasure from it. Chaucer presents her as a complex and fascinating woman who defies societal norms and embraces her sensual side.
