In the Middle Ages there were both male and female gender stereotypes. These stereotypes are especially examined by Chaucer in love stories. Chaucer's attitudes towards stereotypes of men and women are different: in general, he confirms most male stereotypes while challenging female ones. In the following passage, I would like to discuss how Chaucer interrogates stereotypes in his tales from aspects of these two genres. In the gender stereotypes of the male in the Middle Ages, what men should be is mainly based on chivalric values. Chaucer himself is a “courtly poet” writing for “an aristocratic audience whose way of life was indirectly represented in 'courtly' literature” (Miller 156). In this case, Chaucer's tales focus primarily on men under the code of chivalry. Chivalry requires men to possess virtues such as courtesy, sincerity, and loyalty and to behave as a good servant of their kingdom. In Chaucer's tales, he creates several ideal male figures who are in accordance with social expectations and stereotypes of men. For example, he describes Theseus as a duke of 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” who is true and loyal and has won many battles. The loyalty of Theseus and the Knight is directly praised by Chaucer. Another example is Arveragus in The Franklin's Tale who obeys the chivalric code of telling Dorigen to follow his words. Through these chivalric figures, Chaucer confirms the gender stereotypes of the male in such chivalrous s...... middle of paper ...... could be another stereotype created by men. In conclusion, Chaucer confirms the gender stereotypes of the male who should behave according to the chivalric code while he challenges the female stereotypes and discusses the true nature of women, especially from the perspective of the idealism of pure women and anti-feminism against " wicked wives." The interrogation of gender stereotypes in Chaucer's tales reflects his understanding of the role of male and female 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 the satire of medieval estates. London: Cambridge University Press, 1973. Print.Miller, Robert P., ed. Soucer and wallpapers Chaucer. New York: Oxford University Press, 1977. Print.