The Physician

The peerless Physician is the master of his profession. Chaucer says that the Physician is "a verray, parfit praktisour". He is trained in astronomy and would observe his patients carefully through the astrological hours and place the waxen figures of his patients when a beneficent planet was ascendant. He knew the cause of every disease - whether it was hot or cold or moist or dry - and also which humor was responsible for it. It was believed during the Middle Ages that physical diseases as well as mental temperaments were the result of the relationship of one humor with another. The term humor refers to the four fluids of the human body: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. An imbalance would result in the dominance of one humor and affect the health of the person accordingly. An excess of black bile for instance resulted in melancholy, brooding and gluttonous temperament. When the humors were in balance, an ideal temperament prevailed. However the Physician was in league with the apothecaries and each worked to increase the other’s profits. Although he was well read in all the medical texts, he devoted little time to read the Bible. He had made a lot of money during the plague and clung to it as if his very life depended on it. He is very conscious of his health and eats moderately. Chaucer suggests that the Physician was greedy by commenting on his fondness for gold. The Physician truly represents the fourteenth century doctor.

CHARACTER ANALYSIS (continued)

The Wife of Bath

The Wife of Bath is Chaucer’s most delightful character. She is a skilled weaver who even surpasses the weavers of Ypres and Ghent. She thinks highly of herself and loses all patience if anybody dares to precede her in making an offering. She is garishly dressed. She wears scarlet red stockings and supple new shoes. Her handkerchiefs are of the finest weave and weigh over ten pounds. Chaucer mentions that she has been married five times and has had innumerable affairs in her youth. She has traveled widely and has been on pilgrimages to Jerusalem, Rome, Bologna, Galicia and Cologne. She is gap-toothed and rides her gentle ambling horse easily. It was believed in the Middle Ages that a gap-toothed person would be very lucky and travel far and wide. The lengthy description of her travels indicates that she has led a fairly comfortable life. She wears a riding skirt round her large hips and a pair of sharp spurs on her heels. She knows how to enjoy herself in company and her special forte lies in her knowledge of all the cures of love. Her knowledge about the remedies of love is probably a reference to Ovid’s "Amor Remedia". The irony lies in her knowledge of "Amor Remedia" rather than "Ars Amatoria". Chaucer comments that it is a pity that the good Wife of Bath is somewhat deaf. The reader learns in the Prologue to her Tale that this is a result of her dominating character. Her fifth husband had struck her angrily on the head in response to her attempt to dominate him. But ultimately the Wife of Bath had governed him for the rest of his life. The Wife of Bath is a happy daughter of Venus from whom she gets her lecherous temperament and Mars from whom she gets her fiery temper. She is frank and forthright in her opinions and believes in leading an enjoyable life. She is the first feminist character in English Literature and appeals for the liberation of women in her tale. She is a charming, lively, energetic character. Although some readers are offended by her coarseness, one must concede that her bold face and domineering spirit make her portrait immensely vivid.

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