To manipulate is defined by Webster’s dictionary as: to cause by clever maneuvering, to act as one wishes. In a class structured society such as the one during the times of the Canterbury Tales, did the ability to manipulate, open doors to those seeking greater power and recognition? In the case of the Knight and the Wife of Bath in Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales manipulation was the key to opening the doors of …showed first 75 words of 795 total…

…showed last 75 words of 795 total…through their perfected qualities in achieving their desires. The Knight used manipulation for indirect gain, he was carrying out acts of God but seemed to be more interested in the gaining reputation and the refinement of his status. The Wife of Bath used her manipulation more directly to gain wealth from men using her sexuality. For each of the individual characters manipulation benefited them but presented negative consequences on the opposite end of the spectrum.