How does medieval society view women? Or more importantly how does Chaucer view women in his society and what does he think about society's views? By examining the way Chaucer portrays women in his tales, perhaps we can get a better understanding of his attitudes towards women. The Prioress and Grisilde are two women in the Canterbury tales that show very specific ideas of how a woman should be. In their portrayal, if you read the text closely, Chaucer is trying to satirize the way society (medieval) thinks women should be against his view that women could not possibly live up to those standards.

If a woman tries to live up to the pious expectations of society and succeeds she ends up looking ridiculous like the character of Grisilde. Or as shown in the character of the Prioress, Chaucer makes a mockery of the very ideals that were popular in the medieval culture.

Medieval England was not a happy place for women to grow up in. Females had very little to no freedom. During this period of history, women were completely dominated by men. The only time females were ever allowed to roam freely around males was from the ages three to twelve.

Another character that I think is a much more humorous interpretation on Medieval views on women, is the Prioress. Chaucer sketches her with just the right amount of irony to make the ideal look ridiculous. The Prioress attempts to be the embodiment of how women should act and instead her act comes out looking forced.

Another major flaw that sums up Chaucer's feeling that such women cannot be found is the very end of the Clerk's Tale.

The Prioress attempts to be worldly, like a good woman should. But she fails. She speaks a bit of French but with a heavy English accent and even thought this line is subtle Chaucer is clearly being ironic. She doesn't really know the French of Paris, as the narrator hints but she pretends that she does for appearance sake. This is another way that Chaucer's point that the courtly woman does not exists. Any attempts to recreate the image fails as in the Clerk's Tale because it cannot possibly be found.

Her clothes are elegant and very well made, which suggests that despite her attempts at being pious she still wants to look good. It's ironic that she is supposed to be very religious, yet she likes wealth as shown by the broche she wears.

"She was so charitable and so pitous

'To done youre lust, but I desire also

I think the most humorous aspect to the Prioress' character sketch is her sweet and sympathetic side. Her piteous nature is shown in these lines:

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1826
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)