The #MeToo movement, which gained global prominence in 2017, is a social movement against sexual harassment and assault, particularly in the workplace. It brought attention to the widespread issue of sexual abuse, power dynamics, and the long-standing oppression of women’s voices in both public and private spheres. While this modern movement is rooted in contemporary struggles, many of the themes it highlights are present in the Wife of Bath’s narrative, offering a glimpse into the ways women in the Middle Ages struggled to navigate patriarchal structures.
At the heart of the Wife of Bath’s story is the notion of consent and agency, topics that were central to the #MeToo movement. Throughout her marriages, the Wife of Bath wrestles with the idea of dominance and submission, often reflecting on the balance of power between men and women. Her declaration that “I will have mastery over my husband’s body” (from her prologue) is an assertion of control that challenges the gender norms of her time, reflecting an early critique of the way women's bodies were seen as belonging to men.
The Wife of Bath also critiques the traditional narratives about women and sexual behavior. She rejects the notion that women should be modest or passive in their relationships and argues that women, too, have desires and should be able to express them freely. This perspective aligns with the modern #MeToo movement, which calls for women to reclaim their power, to be heard, and to define their own boundaries. The Wife of Bath, in this sense, represents a woman who is unapologetically asserting her voice in a world that seeks to silence it.
In the prologue, the Wife of Bath also speaks candidly about her experience with sexual power dynamics. She shares stories of how she manipulated her husbands for financial gain or affection, and how she used her sexuality as a tool to maintain control in her relationships. Though some may interpret this as a morally complex or even controversial aspect of her character, it can be viewed as a form of resistance—a way to navigate and survive in a system where women had little power. shutdown123