Wife of Bath an abortionist?

[apollyon exterminans]

No, he doesn't hint. He states it outright: "…she…knew the remedies for love's mischances, An art in which she knew the oldest dances."<br><br>There was little or no contraception available in Europ in Chaucer's time. Human nature was the same then as it is now - people had sex. They got pregnant and if that pregnancy was inconvenient or dangerous in someway, they disposed of the child as we do now.<br><br>The 'wise woman' or 'witch' in Europe at the time was nothing more than a herbalist, a hedge-doctor, a tooth-puller - and an abortionist.

[Unregistered]

She's not an abortionist. When they speak of her knowing the oldest dances of love and it's mischances they're more likely speaking of her extensive knowledge in sexual matters.

[James]

Does Chaucer hint in the Prologue that the Wife of Bath is a skilled abortionist? "…she…knew the remedies for love's mischances, An art in which she knew the oldest dances."<br><br>Thanks for your comments.

[IrishMark]

is it possible that uncle Geoffrey is being ambiguous in his portrayal here as this particular line could be interpreted as being a case for Alisoun knowing and practicing abortion, but also undoubtedly points towards the extensive sexual knowledge she has gained. although i must admit, generally speaking and taking the wider portrait of Alisoun into consideration, there can't be said to be a whole deal of evidence in support of her being an abortionist.

[ale]

I agree with Irish Mark. She never mentions children (neither in her prologue nor in the tale). Besides, she's a religious woman. The fact that she disagrees with (and despises) the Apostle Paul does not mean that she's not a god-fearing person. I feel she would never dare to hint at abortion on a pilgrimage. In addition, she's not a subtle woman. She speaks openly and gives her opinions straightforwardly, so I wonder whether she could merely 'hint' at such a big issue.
I think that "mischances" refers to the problems one could have in marriage (after 5 husbands, she has learnt all the arts!)
Regards,
Ale

[Literary_Cat]

It is curious that the Wife has no children--yet she brags of her sexual prowess. (Chaucer's description of her in the Prologue as being gap-toothed strongly suggests sexuality.) It does not surprise me that she knows the arts of contraception, though I would tend to think of them as herbal rather than surgical.

This suggestion falls in perfectly with her claim that experience, rather than bookish "authority," is of value.

[Kafka's Crow]

No, he doesn't hint. He states it outright: "…she…knew the remedies for love's mischances, An art in which she knew the oldest dances."<br><br>There was little or no contraception available in Europ in Chaucer's time. Human nature was the same then as it is now - people had sex. They got pregnant and if that pregnancy was inconvenient or dangerous in someway, they disposed of the child as we do now.<br><br>The 'wise woman' or 'witch' in Europe at the time was nothing more than a herbalist, a hedge-doctor, a tooth-puller - and an abortionist.

I would not read too much into this. This is an allusion to Ovid's erotic poem 'Art of Love' and Chaucer is just being a bit playful here with the title of that poem, using it to add to the general 'seediness' of her personality.