Canterbury Tales, Wife of Bath The Canterbury Tales is a book of tales written by the great English writer, Geoffrey Chaucer. The story begins in 14th century England and is during a time of hierarchical formed societies, technology based on astrological discoveries, Roman Catholic Church and the Plague. The book is based around a group of pilgrims who meet at an inn to begin a pilgrimage to Canterbury to visit the shrine of St. Thomas of Canterbury. The host of the inn suggests each pilgrim tell a story to and from their voyage to Canterbury, a total of four stories, as a competition as well as means of entertainment. The pilgrim who he felt told the best story was to win a free meal at his inn. Chaucer's General Prologue introduces the main characters taking part in this pilgrimage whom are made up of various interesting members of medieval society of different social standing.
             The Wife of Bath is an exceptionally interesting character. We are introduced to the Wife in the General Prologue and more personally through The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale. Her individuality shines and reflects modern ideas of her time and of today. She realizes many do not agree with the way she has chosen to live her life. This choice to live her life through experience has given her an exciting life, which has allowed her to freely enjoy an abundance of travel, husbands and sexual encounters with her husbands as well as other men. A life she does not regret, but has somewhat misled her. The Wife is now retired from her profession of empowerment over her men and living without her one passion. She maintains that she may in time rediscover it and return to her profession. The Wife's modern way of living her life has truly granted her many experiences which she speaks of in The Wife of Bath's Prologue, but it is in the tale where we can relate to her inner most feelings of where she has been, where she is today and where she dr...