What do women
want? I don’t think there has ever been more of a loaded question. There could
easily be a list of complied answers, based off of what women feel are the most
important. I feel as though the Wife of Bath is a woman who feels she needs
certain things from her multiple husbands. She was a woman that wasn’t apprehensive
about what she wanted.
Since I
previously mentioned a list, I wanted to compile one of my own, based off of
what I believe women today might want.
Respect: Being shown through actions is on of the
most effective ways to show women respect. Women don’t need to be agreed with
all the time, a differing is welcomed, but noting our opinions as some valuable
contributions, can speak volumes. I don’t think the Wife of Bath gained a lot
of respect from her husbands.
Communication: This may be another cliché thing to have
on a list, but it’s one of the most important. Today, we have many ways to
communicate with one another. Talking to each other, face to face without any distractions
might actually be hard for those of use who lead busy lives. Without this
crucial aspect, how can a relationship really exist? This is one aspect that I
feel WoB didn’t struggle with too much.
Consistency: This will last on the list. Not because
it isn’t important, but it was relevant with the WoB as it is today. Although constant
doesn’t have to be boring and repetitive. It means women are aware that you
will give us the support we need, emotionally and usually finically. WoB was
definitely consistent in one aspect, and that was that she loves to be married.
In her case, it was to have someone to sleep with. But, I digress.
Is there a
universal answer to the question, What do women want? In my opinion, there is
answer is no. That being said, I think women can agree upon a few key
expectations. We can be quite confusing, especially when we have to make major
life decisions. Marrying someone, for example.
Annie, I like that you made your own list as to what women want! And I agree that respect, communication, and consistency are key aspects in a relationship that women want - and men also! I think Alisoun, the WoB, touches on respect in her tale, but I think our modern understanding of respect may be different than the medieval concept of respect. She does seem to be vying for some level of respect for wives, but I also question the level of respect she has for her husbands in turn.
ReplyDeleteI think making a list of what women want was a perfect theme to center your blog post on. I remember in class we were talking about if there was just one answer to what women want and I know that the simple answer is no. Every women wants something different, and while there are the basics that you mentioned above, I believe it is much more complicated than that. If I'm being honest, even as a women, I don't think I could give a true answer for the question: What Do Women Want?
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