👨‍🏫Chaucer Unit 9 – The Franklin's Tale and Concepts of Gentillesse

Plot Summary

• The Franklin's Tale follows the story of Dorigen, a faithful wife, and her husband Arveragus, a knight who goes abroad to increase his worth
• Dorigen becomes distraught over her husband's absence and the dangerous black rocks along the coast, fearing they may cause his death upon his return
• Aurelius, a young squire, falls in love with Dorigen and tries to woo her, but she rejects his advances
• Dorigen jokingly tells Aurelius that she will love him if he can remove all the rocks from the coast, believing it to be an impossible task
• Aurelius employs a student of magic to create the illusion that the rocks have disappeared, and returns to claim Dorigen's love
• Arveragus returns home and Dorigen tells him of her promise to Aurelius
  • Arveragus, valuing his honor, tells her to keep her word and go to Aurelius
• When Aurelius learns of Arveragus' noble act, he releases Dorigen from her promise out of respect for their marriage
• The magician, moved by Aurelius' generosity, forgives his debt for the illusion, exemplifying the theme of gentillesse

Characters and Their Roles

• Dorigen: The faithful wife of Arveragus who makes a rash promise to Aurelius in her husband's absence
  • Represents the ideal of a loyal and virtuous wife
• Arveragus: Dorigen's husband, a knight who values honor and truth above all else
  • Embodies the chivalric code and the concept of gentillesse
• Aurelius: A young squire who falls in love with Dorigen and tries to win her affection
  • Demonstrates growth and understanding of true gentillesse by releasing Dorigen from her promise
• The Magician: A student of magic hired by Aurelius to create the illusion of removing the rocks
  • Plays a crucial role in the plot and ultimately exemplifies gentillesse by forgiving Aurelius' debt
• The Franklin: The narrator of the tale who presents the story as an example of gentillesse and true nobility
  • Offers commentary on the characters' actions and the themes of the story

Themes and Motifs

• Gentillesse: The central theme of the tale, exploring the concept of true nobility and virtue
  • Demonstrated through the actions of Arveragus, Aurelius, and the magician
• Marriage and fidelity: The story emphasizes the importance of loyalty and trust within a marriage
  • Dorigen and Arveragus' relationship is tested by the events of the tale
• Honor and integrity: The characters' adherence to their word and principles is a driving force in the plot
  • Arveragus prioritizes honor over his own feelings, telling Dorigen to keep her promise
• Forgiveness and generosity: The resolution of the tale hinges on acts of forgiveness and selflessness
  • Aurelius and the magician both demonstrate these qualities in the end
• The power of language: Dorigen's rash promise sets the events of the story in motion
  • Highlights the importance of careful speech and the consequences of one's words

The Concept of Gentillesse

• Gentillesse refers to the idea of true nobility and virtue, independent of social class or wealth
  • The Franklin's Tale explores this concept through the actions of its characters
• Arveragus embodies gentillesse through his adherence to the chivalric code and his prioritization of honor
  • He tells Dorigen to keep her promise to Aurelius, despite the personal pain it causes him
• Aurelius demonstrates growth in understanding gentillesse by releasing Dorigen from her promise
  • He recognizes the nobility of Arveragus' actions and responds in kind
• The magician exemplifies gentillesse by forgiving Aurelius' debt, moved by his generous act
  • Shows that true nobility can be found in all individuals, regardless of status
• The Franklin presents the tale as an example of gentillesse, inviting the audience to consider its meaning
  • Suggests that gentillesse is a virtue to be aspired to and cultivated in oneself

Literary Techniques and Style

• The Franklin's Tale is written in rhyming couplets, a common form in medieval literature
  • Contributes to the story's flow and ease of storytelling
• Chaucer employs irony and subversion of expectations throughout the tale
  • Dorigen's rash promise and the resolution of the story defy traditional narrative conventions
• The use of courtly love conventions is evident in Aurelius' pursuit of Dorigen
  • However, the tale ultimately subverts these conventions by prioritizing marriage and fidelity
• Chaucer uses rhetorical devices, such as repetition and amplification, to emphasize key themes and ideas
  • The repeated references to gentillesse and honor reinforce their importance in the story
• The tale includes elements of magic and illusion, adding a fantastical dimension to the plot
  • The magician's creation of the illusion of the rocks' disappearance serves as a catalyst for the story's resolution

Historical and Cultural Context

• The Franklin's Tale reflects the values and ideals of medieval English society
  • Chivalry, honor, and nobility were highly regarded virtues in this period
• The concept of gentillesse was a topic of debate and discussion in Chaucer's time
  • The tale engages with this discourse by presenting examples of true nobility in action
• The story's setting in Brittany and the presence of a magician suggest the influence of Celtic folklore
  • Reflects the cultural exchange and literary traditions of the time
• The tale also touches on the theme of marriage and the roles of husbands and wives in medieval society
  • Dorigen and Arveragus' relationship is presented as a model of mutual respect and fidelity
• Chaucer's portrayal of the characters and their actions offers insight into the social hierarchies and expectations of his era
  • The interactions between the knight, squire, and magician reflect the complex social dynamics of medieval England

Connections to Other Canterbury Tales

• The Franklin's Tale shares thematic connections with other tales in The Canterbury Tales
  • The theme of marriage and fidelity is explored in tales such as The Wife of Bath's Tale and The Merchant's Tale
• The concept of gentillesse and true nobility is a recurring motif throughout the collection
  • Tales such as The Knight's Tale and The Clerk's Tale also engage with this idea
• The use of magic and supernatural elements is present in other tales, such as The Squire's Tale
  • Demonstrates Chaucer's interest in incorporating fantastical elements into his stories
• The Franklin's Tale serves as a counterpoint to tales that present a more cynical view of human nature and relationships
  • Offers a more optimistic and idealized vision of love, honor, and virtue
• The tale's placement within the larger structure of The Canterbury Tales invites comparisons and contrasts with the stories that precede and follow it
  • Contributes to the overall thematic and stylistic diversity of the collection

Critical Interpretations and Debates

• The Franklin's Tale has been the subject of various critical interpretations and debates
  • Scholars have discussed the tale's engagement with medieval concepts of love, marriage, and social hierarchy
• Some critics have argued that the tale presents an idealized and unrealistic view of human behavior
  • The characters' actions and the neat resolution of the plot have been seen as implausible or contrived
• Others have praised Chaucer's skillful use of irony and subversion of literary conventions
  • The tale's departures from traditional narratives have been interpreted as a deliberate artistic choice
• The portrayal of Dorigen and her agency within the story has been a topic of feminist literary criticism
  • Debates have centered on whether the tale empowers or undermines its female protagonist
• The concept of gentillesse and its relationship to social class has been a focus of critical discussion
  • Scholars have examined how the tale both reinforces and challenges medieval notions of nobility and virtue
• The tale's resolution and the characters' acts of forgiveness have been interpreted through various ethical and philosophical lenses
  • Critics have explored the implications of the story's conclusion for our understanding of moral behavior and decision-making