"Whoso that first to mille comth, first grint" (389). In other words, strike first. She claims to "byte," "whyne," and "pleyne" as though she is offended or hurt before the man does, so then the man will hesitate to complain against her (386-87). Before he is able to challenge her infidelities, she has already retorted with her own questions and criticisms of his social activity, thus creating guilt. For example, she asks him, "What dostow at my neighebores hous? Is she so fair?" (239-40) After this and being called a lecher and drunk (242, 246), how can the man preach to her when he himself is accused of doing sketchy acts?

More than this, she speaks to the husband with the very words that he will use to condemn her. This is a genius way of negating another's argument. She turns his catalogue of grievances against him to make him...
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