Those who view the Wife of Bath as an object of satire argue that Chaucer uses her to poke fun at the institution of marriage and the role of women in medieval society. They point to her bawdy tales and her outspoken nature as evidence of her satirical nature. For example, in her tale, the Wife of Bath tells the story of a knight who is forced to marry an old and ugly woman. The knight is initially disgusted by his wife, but he eventually comes to love her. This story can be seen as a satire of the traditional view of marriage, which emphasized the importance of physical beauty and social status.
Those who view the Wife of Bath as an instrument of satire argue that Chaucer uses her to critique the social and political injustices of his time. They point to her sharp wit and her ability to turn the tables on her opponents as evidence of her satirical power. For example, in her prologue, the Wife of Bath argues that women should be treated as equal to men. She supports her argument by citing examples of women who have achieved great things, such as the Queen of Sheba and the Virgin Mary. This speech can be seen as a satire of the misogyny that was prevalent in medieval society.
Still others believe that the Wife of Bath is both an object and an instrument of satire. They argue that Chaucer uses her to poke fun at the institution of marriage and the role of women in medieval society, but he also uses her to critique the social and political injustices of his time. They see the Wife of Bath as a complex and nuanced character who defies easy categorization.
Ultimately, the interpretation of the Wife of Bath is up to the individual reader. She is a complex and multifaceted character, and her portrayal in The Canterbury Tales can be seen as both an object and an instrument of satire.