Question

In all the parish there was no goodwife Should offering make before her, on my life; And if one did, indeed, so wroth was she It put her out of all her charity. Her kerchiefs were of finest weave and ground; I dare swear that they weighed a full ten pound Which, of a Sunday, she wore on her head. Her hose were of the choicest scarlet red, Close gartered, and her shoes were soft and new. Bold was her face, and fair, and red of hue. She'd been respectable throughout her life, With five churched husbands bringing joy and strife, Not counting other company in youth; But thereof there's no need to speak, in truth.

Based on this passage, and what you know of Medieval society, which best describes the Wife of Bath?
a. A charitable, well-dressed divorcee
b. An extravagant, lustful, veteran widow.
c. A passionate advocate for woman's rights
d. A typical representation of middle class wifehood.

Answer 1

b. An extravagant, lustful, veteran widow.

The passage says that her features and clothes are bold and extravagant--she is wearing red stockings and has beautiful handkerchiefs, and her face has a lot of makeup on.
It also says that she has had five official husbands and many partners, but the narrator is not going to tell the reader just how many.