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The Old Woman in the Wife of Bath’s Tale falls into the medieval archetype of the loathly lady, a beautiful maiden disguised as an older woman who transforms once the hero passes some sort of test. It is common in many stories for the loathly lady to be under a curse from an outside source, such as a wicked stepmother. The Old Woman here has her own magic, able to transform at will. This agency allows her to be both an antagonist to the Knight as a threatening woman forcing him into marriage, and his ultimate love interest, a desirable maiden. Her strength, agency, and duality give her much in common with the Wife of Bath. The Knight in the story undergoes a similar transformation in attitude like Jankyn. The Wife of Bath, despite her age, still acts young at heart. She is eager to court men, both old and young, and remains confident. Although she cannot literally make herself young again, like the Old Woman, she can behave in a youthful manner. Just as the Wife of Bath alters her behavior based on her husband’s submission, when the Knight is reproaching, the Old Woman responds in a manner punishing and foreboding. When he submits, she is eager to be faithful, loving, and passionate.
