Low Class Characters Prologues In Franklin's Tale
There are definitely some echoes in the Franklin’s Prologue to other low class characters’ prologues. For instance, the Franklin prefaces his tale by stating that he is “a burel man” and he beseeches the other pilgrims to excuse him for his “rude speche”(716-718). The Franklin’s tale also responds to previous tales about marriage. Unlike Walter and Griselda, or John and Alisoun, Dorigen and Averagus’ relationship seems to be a healthier model for marriage. Dorigen does not exercise too much sovereignty (which counters the Wife of Bath’s views) and Averagus does not feel the need to test his wife’s patience like Walter. After briefly sketching Averagus’ proposal to Dorigen, the Franklin inserts his own commentary on marriage “[F]reendes everych oother moot obeye,/ If they wol longe holden compaignye./ Love wol nat been constreyned by maistrye./Whan maistrie comth, the God of Love anon/ Beteth his wynges, and farewel, he is gon!” (761-766). The Franklin asserts that the key to a long, happy marriage is one that is founded on mutual respect and he appears to find a solution
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Although perhaps made in jest, Dorigen’s promise that she’ll marry Aurelius only if he can move every rock off the coast of Britanny, unbelievably comes true (or at least it seems so and her husband advises that she keep her word (even though he’ll be cuckolded). Likewise, when Aurelius changes his mind about claiming Dorigen for his wife, he still keeps his promise to the clerk that he will pay him back in full. The Franklin’s last few lines of the tale brings the moral to the forefront: “Lordynges, this question, thanne, wol I aske now,/Which was the mooste fre, as thynketh yow?” It becomes clear to the reader and the Franklin’s listeners that the moral is that keeping one’s promise, no matter the consequences is honorable and admirable
Although perhaps made in jest, Dorigen’s promise that she’ll marry Aurelius only if he can move every rock off the coast of Britanny, unbelievably comes true (or at least it seems so and her husband advises that she keep her word (even though he’ll be cuckolded). Likewise, when Aurelius changes his mind about claiming Dorigen for his wife, he still keeps his promise to the clerk that he will pay him back in full. The Franklin’s last few lines of the tale brings the moral to the forefront: “Lordynges, this question, thanne, wol I aske now,/Which was the mooste fre, as thynketh yow?” It becomes clear to the reader and the Franklin’s listeners that the moral is that keeping one’s promise, no matter the consequences is honorable and admirable