The Wife of Bath acknowledges the importance of virginity as preached by prominent Church Fathers, but she believes procreation is also necessary.
Wife of Bath's View on Virginity
While she is aware of the religious emphasis on virginity, particularly as championed by figures like the Apostle Paul, the Wife of Bath presents a counter-argument. Her perspective can be broken down into the following points:
-
Acknowledgement of Virginity's Importance: She explicitly states that the "great Fathers of the Church have proclaimed the importance of virginity." This shows she is aware of the widely held religious view that virginity is a virtuous state.
-
Practical Necessity of Procreation: Despite recognizing the religious importance of virginity, she poses a practical counterpoint. She reasons that if everyone were to remain virgins, there would be no new people, which means there would eventually be no virgins. Her argument is that someone must procreate to create the virgins, which indicates a focus on the continuation of life.
Summary of Her Perspective
In summary, the Wife of Bath doesn't dismiss the value of virginity but instead argues that it is not the only path to holiness and that marriage and procreation are equally important aspects of life. She presents a viewpoint that balances traditional religious teachings with a focus on practical human needs.
| View Point | Description |
|---|---|
| Acknowledges Church Teachings | Recognizes the importance of virginity as preached by religious figures. |
| Emphasizes Procreation | States that procreation is a necessary part of the human condition. |
| Sees a Balance | Suggests that there is a balance needed between spiritual ideals and practicality. |
