The Canterbury Tales: The Wife of Bath's Prologue Allusions & Cultural References

Biblical References

• John 2 (Wedding at Cana) (10-11)
• John 4 (Jesus rebukes multiply married Samaritan woman) (16)
• Genesis 1:9 (Be fruitful and multiply) (28)
• Mark 10:7 (Leave father and mother and cleave to wife) (30-31)
• Solomon (35, 685)
• St Paul, a.k.a. 'The Apostle' (55, 70, 79)
• Lamech (60)
• Abraham (61)
• Jacob (62)
• Mark (152)
• Miracle of the Loaves and fishes (153)
• Saint James (318)
• Job (442)
• Ecclesiastes (656)
• Samson and Delilah (726 – 728)

Classical / Mythical References

• Ptolemy, Almagest (330)
• Argus (mythical Greek monster with 100 eyes) (364)
• Metellius (466)
• Venus (610)
• Mars (616)
• Walter Map, Letter of Valerius (677)
• Theophrastus, On Marriage (677)
• Jerome, Against Jovinian (681)
• Tertullian (682)
• Crisippus (682)
• Trotula (682)
• Ovid, Art of Love (686)
• Avianus (698)
• Hercules (731)
• Socrates and Xantippa (734)
• Phasipha, Queen of Crete (739)
• Clitemnestra (743)
• Amphiorax and Eriphilem (749)
• Lyvia (753)
• Lucy (753)
• Latumyus and Arrius (764 – 770)

Historical References

• Heloise (682)
• Darius (Breton saint) (504)
• Appelles (person who made Darius's tomb) (505)
• Simplicius Gallus (649)