Greet was the wo the knyght hadde in his thoght,
Whan he was with his wyf abedde ybroght;
He walweth and he turneth to and fro.
His olde wyf lay smylynge everemo.

– Geoffrey Chaucer

The Canterbury Tales, The Wife of Bath’s Tale. The Loathly Lady’s demand for the Knight to marry her for saving his life inflicts a novel kind of punishment on the Knight for his rape. In an ironic reversal of fate, the Knight now becomes the victim, and the old hag his aggressor and tormentor. When they retire to the marriage bed she can’t stop smiling, while he twists and turns and wallows in woe.