A Review of Canterbury Tales: The Franklin's Tale

 In the introduction to to The Franklin's Tale, the Franklin praises the squire's wit. He also says concerning the squire's speech that it has given him much pleasure. The Franklin says he wishes his own son to be like the squire. The Franklin then tells his tale.

In the prologue to The Franklin's Tale, the Franklin speaks of Bretons and their songs. He has remembrance of one of their songs. However, he tells the travelling company that his own speech is just simple and plain. 

As a historical note, the Bretons that the Franklin spoke of, were famous storytellers, particularity of King Arthur and other Celtic legends. Breton Lays were popular short narrative poems, focusing on on love and adventure, with frequent influence of supernatural elements. Like The Franklin's Tale as an example of a Breton Lay, Breton Lays often considered the role of chivalry in their narratives. 

The tale opens, speaking of a knight from Brittany who attempted to serve his lady as best as he could. For the record, the knight bears the name of Averagus. He had worked very hard to win her. The lady herself, by the name of Dorigen, was most beautiful. Averagus promised to never take domination of Dorigen, nor display jealousy against her. His sole intent towards her was to obey her and follow her will in all things. Only in appearance, would he seem to be her sovereign, lest it reflect on his own rank. 

But a squire of the land, Aurelius, desires the lady for his own. He ever mourns with lament that she is not his. He prays to Phoebus Apollo as he desires she be his. She rejects his desire for her as he continues to mourn. Dorigen, desperate for the return of her husband, agrees to love him if can remove the rocks from the coast so as to see her husband safe. In reality, her promise was meant jokingly. However, in a certain sense she sacrifices her own will for her love towards her husband while Aurelius holds her to the promise she made. Aurelius consults his master, Apollo. He continues to pray to the gods and mourn for himself that the lady is not his to take. 

Averagud finally returns and finds his wife weeping over the squire of the story that will not give up pursuing her. Just as the lord returns, more is at hand. Aurelius's older brother tries to help him as he sees his younger brother mourn. He convalescence his younger brother to find one that knows the magic of the planets that can perceive make false illusions.  Through such an illusion, it appears that all the rocks have been taken. Now, Aurelius holds Dorigen to this as he wants her as his wife. Averagud implores his wife to give her love to Aurelius rather than break her word. 

One day, Aurelius meets up with Dorigen in the gardens. He finds her lamenting and pities her with admiration of her love for her husband and her husband's loyalty to seeing his wife keep her word. As a result, Aurelius bids her return to her husband. No surprise, Avergud and Dorigen live happily ever after.

Averagus and Dorigen his wyf

In sovereyn blisse leden forth hir lyf.

Never eft ne was ther angre hem bitwene;

He cherisseth hur as though she were his queen; 

And she was to him trewe for evermore.

Of thise two folk ye gete of me na-more.

As to my own personal thoughts, I see much about chivalry and in this story. The noble couple exemplify perhaps the desired love we all long for: loyalty and compassion. Throughout the text, we see there love for each other unwavering by the amount of time or place that they are in. Their love is constant, their loyalty is tested, but never broken. 

I find The Franklin's Tale to strongly resemble The Odyssey by Homer. Here, we find a noble lord far away from his wife as another man tries to win her heart. Sound familiar? In The Odyssey, Odysseus is gone from his homeland for many years while other princes try to win his wife, Penelope's heart. Like Odysseus in The Odyssey, the knight in The Franklin's Tale successfully returns home to his beloved wife.

The Franklin's Tale maybe one of the best of The Canterbury Tales. Here Chaucer weaves words and important themes essential to practically all stories: love and friendship.  I find it perhaps surprising then that this tale is not more widely well known, and that even many copies of The Canterbury Tales don't even include it!

Holy Scripture gives many accounts of loyal marriages and friendships. Concerning marriage alone, the most obvious example would be the love and humility Christ shows towards the Christian Church, His Bride, which is eternal in nature and dignity. 

What is the overall theme of The Franklin's Tale? I am sure we can find many! For me though, the essential message of the story is that love and loyalty do pay off even when we don't foresee the good results of them. Also, that true love can be tested through hardship, but love is enduring in all things. Perhaps last, honesty is important, and so is not making promises that we can't keep!

Saint Paul the Apostle tells us in 1 Corinthians 13 that of Charity, Faith and Hope, Charity is the greatest of these three. We would take much wisdom to adhere to the apostle's words.