Flying Chaucers

Let's revisit a common question.

What do people want? Both guys and girls? This question surfaced during my early British lit class after reading the Wife of Bath's tale. I've been ignoring it since my sophomore year of high school, and I guess it's appropriate that the text once again begs the question. I'm finally going to confront this thing, and I shall begin at the beginning.

It seems necessary to give some context to the question. In the Wife of Bath's tale, a knight errant sees a pretty maiden and rapes her. Unfortunately for our stupid protagonist, the penalty for rape in King Arthur's court is death. The knight is brought before the king, and, luckily for him, the queen intercedes. She tells him that he has a year and a day to figure what it is that women want most. Long story short, he finds an old hag that tells him the answer--women want dominion over their husbands, gets his life saved, is forced to marry the hag, then pisses an moans about having an ugly old wife. When he submits to her will, she becomes young and beautiful and faithful and all that idealistic stuff. Thus, the question is asked: What do women want?

Well, Dr. Stege turned it around when no one had an answer. What do men want?

What do I want?

Fucked if I know, I thought to myself initially, but I resolved to think about it. I've been holding the question in my pocket throughout this afternoon and I think I have a rough idea.

I have an inner need to rebel. Not just typical young adult rebellion; the concept permeates me. I enjoy confrontation. I like angry, politically charged lyrics in my music. I reject the status quo. I hate authority. I suck at keeping schedules. I love philosophical, political, and religious debates.

As such, I find myself romantically attracted to strong-willed women. If you know me well, look at the people I've dated. Love or hate? Maybe I just like to argue. Hell, if you're familiar with the Wife of Bath's prologue, I'm pretty sure you'll notice some similarities between my former interests and that character. Unfortunately, due to this fact, barring a change in attitude, I will likely never cohabitate peacefully with another human being.

That is, if I don't try to find beauty elsewhere. Sure, there's beauty in strength of will, but there seems to be a division amongst strong-willed women. Some of them are, frankly, bitches. I hate using the word, so you'll have to forgive my bitterness. Luckily, there's another group of these women that are ambitious, yet kind. They don't let their ambition interfere with their decency.

I think it's time to switch tracks before I derail.