Bitching about Medieval Literature

Bait and Switch


Listen Later

In story 7.5, a highly controlling jealous husband decides to pretend to be a priest so he can hear what his wife has to confess. She recognises him, and tricks him into lying in wait near the door while her lover comes in by the roof. In our second tale (7.7, after skipping 7.6), a nobleman-turned-servant arranges an assignation with his master's wife, only for her to wake her husband up when he gets to the bedroom. In the end, though, she and her lover enjoy themselves thoroughly, and her husband gets the worst of it.


CONTENT WARNINGS: In the first story, a highly controlling husband doesn't let his wife leave the house, or even stand at the window. This is socially normed in the cultural context - extreme, but not considered abusive. He pretends to be a priest to listen to her confession, and later, threatens to kill her unless she explains the affair he THINKS she's been having. 

In the second story, a character is tricked into dressing up as his wife and waiting to meet her lover. Meanwhile, the wife arranges with her lover that he should go down and attack 'her' (i.e. her husband), yelling at 'her' for her willingness to cheat and beating 'her' up with a stick.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Bitching about Medieval LiteratureBy Gwen verch David

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

10 ratings