9.2 Analysis of the Franklin's Tale plot and characters

The Franklin's Tale weaves a complex story of love, honor, and moral dilemmas. Dorigen, Arveragus, and Aurelius find themselves entangled in a web of promises and illusions, testing their loyalty and integrity.

The tale explores the power of keeping one's word and the unexpected consequences of rash promises. Through magical elements and noble gestures, characters confront their values, ultimately showcasing the importance of honesty, generosity, and forgiveness in resolving conflicts.

Plot and Characters in the Franklin's Tale

Main plot of Franklin's Tale

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• Dorigen, a noble lady, marries Arveragus, a knight
  • Arveragus departs for England leaving Dorigen distressed and worried about his safety
• Aurelius, a squire, falls in love with Dorigen
  • Aurelius confesses his love to Dorigen who jokingly promises to love him if he can remove the dangerous rocks from the Breton coast
• Aurelius employs a magician to create the illusion of removing the rocks from the coast
  • Dorigen is shocked to find the rocks apparently gone and fears she must keep her promise to Aurelius
• Arveragus returns and learns of Dorigen's promise to Aurelius
  • Arveragus insists that Dorigen keep her word to Aurelius as a matter of honor, even though it pains him
• Aurelius, moved by Arveragus's noble act of sending Dorigen to him, releases Dorigen from her promise
  • The magician, impressed by Aurelius's generous gesture, forgives his debt for performing the illusion

Character roles and motivations

• Dorigen
  • Represents the ideal of a faithful wife devoted to her husband Arveragus
  • Motivated by her deep love for Arveragus and her strong desire to remain true to him despite temptation
  • Struggles with the consequences of her rash promise to Aurelius and the potential loss of her honor
• Arveragus
  • Embodies the chivalric ideals of honor, nobility, and keeping one's word at all costs
  • Motivated by his steadfast love for Dorigen and his unwavering commitment to upholding his moral principles
  • Willing to sacrifice his own happiness to maintain his and Dorigen's integrity
• Aurelius
  • Represents the courtly lover who ardently seeks to win the affections of a married woman
  • Motivated initially by his passionate love for Dorigen and his desire to possess her
  • Transforms to embody his own sense of honor and respect for Arveragus's noble actions in the end
• The magician
  • Serves as a catalyst for the tale's central conflict and eventual resolution
  • Motivated by his desire to demonstrate his impressive magical abilities for profit
  • Comes to admire Aurelius's noble gesture and forgives his debt, showing the power of generosity

Significance of magical elements

• The magical illusion of removing the rocks from the coast
  • Represents the incredible power of human desire and the extreme lengths people may go to achieve their goals
  • Serves as a critical test of the characters' moral principles and their ability to navigate an ethical dilemma
  • Creates an apparent reality that forces characters to grapple with the consequences of promises made
• The magician's role as illusionist
  • Highlights the important theme of appearance versus reality throughout the tale
  • Demonstrates the potential for human actions, even magical ones, to have serious unintended consequences
  • Provides the impetus for characters to confront their true values and make selfless decisions

Implications of tale's resolution

• The resolution hinges on the characters' adherence to their strong moral principles
  • Arveragus's absolute insistence on keeping one's word, even at great personal cost
  • Aurelius's recognition of Arveragus's nobility and awakening of his own sense of honor
  • The magician's appreciation for Aurelius's generous act and decision to forgive the debt
• The resolution suggests that true nobility lies in one's actions and strength of moral character
  • The characters' willingness to sacrifice their own desires for the sake of others is presented as admirable and right
  • Emphasizes the importance of keeping promises, even unwise ones, to maintain one's honor
• The tale's ending implies that honesty, loyalty, and generosity are essential virtues
  • Possessing these qualities allows people to resolve conflicts and maintain social harmony
  • Demonstrates the power of forgiveness and selflessness to break cycles of strife