2) Both "The Wife of Bath's Tale" and "The Pardoner's Tale" are allegories, meaning they each have an underlying meaning. Choose one of the two tales, and in a paragraph (7-10 sentences) analyze the allegorical meaning of the tale based on its plot. Cite evidence from the text in the form of direct quotes to support your answer.

An allegory is a type of tale in which the figures, characters or actions of the plot are meant to be symbols, which convey generalizations about humanity. In this example, "The Wife of Bath's Tale" is an example of an allegory.

The tale describes a knight who takes advantage of a maiden, and takes her virginity. As punishment, he is required to find what women desire the most. He eventually finds an old, ugly woman who will tell him the secret, but in exchange of marrying her. The secret is that women's greatest desire is to have power over their husband's.

This story is an allegory for the real relationships of people and more importantly, for the concept of sovereignty. Initially, the knight holds all the power, as he is able to abuse the maiden. However, as the story progresses, the knight loses his power against women, first because of the Queen, then because of the old woman, and finally because of the beautiful woman the old woman turns into. This is meant to symbolize the fight for autonomy that takes place within couples. Moreover, it is meant to show the subtle ways in which women might gain more power within a marriage.

An allegory indicates a hidden meaning, or in the case of the "Wife of Bath's Tale" the characters personify a concept or theme. "Woe was this knight" exemplifies the characterization of sorrow in the same knight. The power is delegated to women in her tale. The queen, and not the king, "sitting as justise" is responsible for sentencing the knight. Sovereignty is represented by the female characters.

In the case of the "Pardoner's Tale", the characters also personify concepts, Gluttony for example, "on thee well ought us plaine!", the narrator complains as if it were a person. The main characters in this tale need to defeat Death to keep the gold. Allegory is present in both tales in the form of personification.