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Feminist Instrumentality In Symkyn's Wife

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Instrumentality is another feminist objectification Symkyn’s wife is expose to in the tale. Even though Symkyn’s behavior towards his wife is far from loving and caring, he ensures that she is to be respected and treated as a lady of nobility. If the townspeople do not adhere to his request there will be in the form of his wrath, “Ther dorste no wight clepen hire but ‘dame’; / … / That with hire dorste rage or ones pleye, / But if he wolde be slayn of Symkyn” (Chaucer 3956-3959). The reason Symkeyn threatens physical harm is because he is more concerned about protecting the image he has created, one of higher value. He does not care about his wife’s feelings and expects nothing but the best for himself. He is self-righteous, self-centered and,

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