1. THE FRANKLIN’s TALE TYPE OF TALE Saurav Pandey and Aiman Habib
Main Characters Involved
Arveragus (Knight)
Dorigen (Knight’s Wife)
Aurelius (Squire)
Aurelius’ Brother
Scholar /Illusionist
TYPE OF TALE
Nobility/Morality
Generosity
Romance

2. Prologue
- Before beginning his story, Franklin shares that this tale is originally a Breton tale.
- Franklin warns others about his poor story telling skill as he has “never studied rhetoric.”
- He also apologizes that he will have to express the tale in a simple and plain manner.

3. She is from “high birth” and Arveragus tries to serve her well.
Dorigen notices this and willingly marries Arveragus.
This marriage is one of equality as:
Dorigen takes Arveragus as her “lord and servant.”
Arveragus takes Dorigen as his “lady and love.”
THE FRANKLIN’S TALE
The story begins with a Breton knight, Arveragus who loves a beautiful lady by the name of Dorigen.
She is from “high birth” and Arveragus tries to serve her well.
Arveragus and Dorigen

4. THE FRANKLINS TALE
However, Arveragus needs to depart to fulfill his duties in Britain for two years.
Dorigen loves Arveragus and can’t stand being alone as his absence makes her weep.
Her friends try to make her feel better by taking her to walks by the coast.
This backfires as the black rocks remind Dorigen of her husband’s death.

5. THE FRAKLIN’S TALE The Franklin introduces the reader to Aurelius.
Seeking the opportunity, Aurelius attempts to confess love to Dorigen.
Dorigen, who is faithful to husband, is shocked and denies Aurelius stating, “I will always be his to whom I’m knit.”
However, Dorigen does promises that she will love Aurelius if he were to completely remove the rocks from the coast.

6. THE FRANKLIN’S TALE
—Aurelius is heartbroken because he knows this task is impossible, which leads to his depression.
—During that time, Arveragus has returned home and the couple is reunited again.
—Aurelius’ brother suggests visiting a friend in Orleans who can make all the black rocks disappear.
—He promises he can make the rock’s disappear but he requires a fee of 1000 £.
—Aurelius and his brother make a trip to Orleans, where a scholar spots them.

7. The Scholar works night and day perfecting his illusion.
The Franklin’s Tale
Aurelius is very unsettled at the time; anxious to see if the rocks really do disappear.
Dorigen is dumbstruck by the news and goes home crying.
The Scholar successfully is able to make the rocks disappear of the coast.
Aurelius goes immediately to Dorigen to tell her of the news.
She ponders about committing suicide as she faces a difficult decision.

8. Arveragus returns home to find his wife distraught as Dorigen recounts what has occurred.
He sadly explains to Dorigen that she must fulfill her vows because it is the noble thing to do.
He kindly explains that he has freed Dorigen of her vows and tells her to go back home.
He sends Dorigen to the garden to meet Aurelius.
Aurelius sees Dorigen and asks her what is wrong. Dorigen replies that she is there to keep her vow.
Dorigen thanks him as she returns home to tell her husband what occurred at the garden.
Aurelius realizes Arveragus’ noble deed and feels bad for intruding into their relationship.
Arveragus is delighted as the couple spend the rest of their lives eternally with love and peace.
THE FRANKLIN’S TALE

9. THE FRANKLIN’S TALE
Aurelius is dejected as he ponders how he is going to repay the scholar.
He tells his story to the illusionist and he states that it is going to take time for Aurelius to repay the scholar for his aid.
The scholar is so moved that he decides to free Aurelius from the 1000 pounds.
The tale ends with the Franklin addressing his crowd with one question: “Which one of them showed the greatest nobleness?”

10. IRONY Chaucer uses several examples of situational irony in his tale.
Example I: Arveragus giving Dorigen away so that she could complete her vows is ironic.
Arveragus to Dorigen (from line ):
“Ah, wife, leave sleeping what is still.
Perhaps things soon will all be well. But now,
Upon my faith, you’ll be true to your vow!
…A vow’s the highest thing that one may keep.”
IRONY
Example II: However, this ironic situation
is furthered by Aurelius freeing
Dorigen right back.
Aurelius to Dorigen (from line ):
“I’d rather suffer woe my whole life through
Than to divide the love between you two.
So, madam, I release you here and now,
Returning to your hand each oath and vow…”

11. Chaucer also spends an extensive amount of time describing his characters.
Example I: Examples of characterization is seen through Dorigen’s feelings being alone, as well as her general dislike of the black rocks.
Example II: Chaucer’s description of Aurelius is another strong form of characterization.
The Franklin narrates (from line ):
“[Dorigen] Who loved him in her heart as much as life…
…She mourned and wailed, she fasted, lost her rest”
The Franklin admiringly
narrates Aurelius to be (from line ): “One livelier and brighter in array, than is the month of May...
…He better sang and danced than any man
Who is or was since this whole world began…
Among the fairest men alive; a strong
Young man, right virtuous, one rich and wise,
One loved and well esteemed in others' eyes.
And from line , it is described:
“She'd see the black and grisly rocks below,
Her heart for fear then quaking in her so
She couldn't stand up on her feet.”
Characterization

12. I also didn’t like the magical aspect of the tale.
Saurav’s Reflection
Aiman’s Reflection
I thought this tale was intriguing because it displays a sense of humanity. Humanity is an important quality held by very few people. Having this quality shows your natural human nature and caring for other people rather than yourself. Arveragus tells his wife Dorigen that she must keep her word to Aurelius and go and be his lover because he had done as she told him to do.
This was an interesting tale since it tries to discover the idea of generosity and staying true to one’ s word.
However, I fail to accept that Aurelius would so easily give up on his love just by seeing Arveragus’ actions.
I also didn’t like the magical aspect of the tale.
Having said that, I did enjoy the tale and the message it tried to convey.