The Wife of Bath considered her last husband, Johnny, to be her worst.
The Wife of Bath's Marital Experiences
The Wife of Bath recounts having five husbands in total. While she describes the fourth as "bad" for cheating, it is her experiences with her fifth and final husband, Johnny, that she views as the most detrimental to her well-being. This is due to a number of factors.
Problems with Her Last Husband Johnny:
- Power Imbalance: Dame Alice, the Wife of Bath, states that she married Johnny "for love and not for wealth". This is significant because she willingly gave him complete control over her money and land, which put her in a position of weakness.
- Abusive Behavior: Johnny became physically abusive towards her. The reference directly states that "He last husband also became abusive towards her, leaving her deaf in one ear." This highlights the severe nature of his mistreatment.
- Loss of Autonomy: Unlike her previous marriages where she maintained control, Johnny's hold over her finances and physical well-being created a deeply damaging relationship.
| Husband | Reason for Being "Bad" |
|---|---|
| Fourth | Cheating |
| Fifth (Johnny) | Power imbalance, abuse, financial control |
Conclusion
Based on the information in the references, although her fourth husband cheated, the Wife of Bath's last husband, Johnny, was the worst because of the abusive behavior he subjected her to and her loss of power and autonomy in that relationship.
