How Does Chaucer Wife Of Bath'S Tale End?

I've always been fascinated by Chaucer's 'The Wife of Bath's Tale' because it’s such a bold and unconventional story for its time. The tale ends with a twist that feels surprisingly modern. The knight, who was initially condemned to death for raping a young woman, is given a chance to save his life if he can answer the question: what do women most desire? After a year of searching, he finally learns the answer from an old hag—women want sovereignty over their husbands and lovers. When he presents this answer to the queen and her court, it’s accepted as correct, sparing his life. But the hag then demands that he marry her as her reward. The knight is horrified at the prospect of being wed to an old, unattractive woman, but he has no choice. On their wedding night, she confronts him about his misery and offers him a choice: she can either remain ugly but be a loyal and faithful wife, or she can become beautiful but unfaithful. The knight, having learned his lesson, leaves the decision to her, granting her the sovereignty she had preached about. Pleased by this, she transforms into both beautiful and faithful, and they live happily ever after.

The ending is brilliant because it subverts expectations. The knight’s growth from a selfish, violent man to one who respects a woman’s autonomy is the heart of the tale. The hag’s transformation isn’t just physical—it’s a reward for the knight’s willingness to yield power to her. Chaucer, through the Wife of Bath, critiques the patriarchal norms of medieval society by showing that true harmony in marriage comes from mutual respect, not domination. The tale’s message about women’s desires and agency feels incredibly progressive, especially considering it was written in the 14th century. It’s no wonder this story remains one of the most discussed in 'The Canterbury Tales,' blending humor, satire, and a surprisingly feminist perspective for its time.