In the Middle Ages, there were both male and female gender stereotypes. These stereotypes are particularly examined by Chaucer in love stories. Chaucer's attitudes toward stereotypes of men and women are different: in general, he confirms most male stereotypes while questioning those of women. In the following passage, I would like to discuss how Chaucer questions stereotypes in his tales from aspects of these two genres. In gender stereotypes about men in the Middle Ages, what men are supposed to look like is primarily based on chivalrous values. Chaucer himself is a “courtly poet” who writes for “an aristocratic audience whose way of life was described obliquely in ‘courtly’ literature” (Miller 156). In this case, Chaucer's tales focus largely on men subject to the chivalric code. Chivalry requires men to have virtues such as courtesy, truthfulness, and loyalty and to behave as good servants of their kingdom. In Chaucer's tales, he creates several ideal male figures who fit social expectations and stereotypes of men. For example, he depicts Theseus as a duke blessed with chivalry and wisdom, admired for having conquered many countries (The Knight's Tale 864-868). In The Knight's Tale, he plays the role of the ruler who possesses the power to judge the competition between Palamon and Arcite. Likewise, the narrator of the story, the Knight, is praised by Chaucer as “a worthy man,” true and loyal and who has won many battles. The fidelity of Theseus and the Knight is directly praised by Chaucer. Another example is Arveragus in The Franklin's Tale who obeys the chivalrous code to tell Dorigen to follow his words. Through these chivalrous figures, Chaucer confirms the gender stereotypes of men in such a chivalrous environment...... middle of paper ...... perhaps another stereotype created by men. In conclusion, Chaucer confirms the gender stereotypes of men who are expected to behave according to the chivalrous code while he questions the feminine stereotypes and discusses the true nature of women, especially from the perspective of women's idealism pure women and anti-feminism against “bad wives”. The interrogation of gender stereotypes in Chaucer's tales reflects his understanding of the roles of men and women in medieval society. Works Cited Bensen, Larry D. The Riverside Chaucer. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. Cooper, Helen. The structure of the Canterbury Tales. London: Duckworth, 1983. Print. Mann, Jill. Chaucer and satire of medieval domains. London: Cambridge University Press, 1973. Print. Miller, Robert P., ed. Chaucer Soucers and Backgrounds. New York: Oxford University Press, 1977. Print.