Jennifer Farquhar

The owner of a large estate who welcomes others in his home and hosted great feasts. The Franklin loved to eat and drink. He is cheery, red-faced, and full of joy and zest.

Before the Franklin tells his tale, he compliments the squire for being such a gentleman. He says he wishes his own son could be so gallant.

From his tale, the reader can infer that the Franklin holds marriage in high regard. He believes that husband and wife are equals in the relationship.

Arveragus, a brave knight, won the love of Lady Dorigen and the happy couple were married.

Arveragus promised his wife that he would never insist that she obey him and that he would not give in to jealousy. Dorigen promised she would be faithful.

Sadly, Arveragus was called away to battle. Lady Dorigen was wrought with grief and cried for her husband.

Dorigen’s friends tried to distract her, but the Lady could not be comforted with picnics and dances. Her mind kept returning to the rigid rocks that lined the shore beneath the castle. Dorigen feared her husband could be drowned on those evil rocks.

One day, a young squire named Aurelius approached Dorigen and confessed that he had been secretly in love with the Lady for two years.

Dorigen was shocked and refused to be unfaithful to Arveragus, her husband. But, the queen promised that if Aurelius could move the hateful rocks beneath the castle, she would be his.

Aurelius knew that task was impossible, and he sank into terrible depression. He was sick with love and looked wretched. Finally, after two years, he confessed his longings to his brother.

Meanwhile, Arveragus, the Knight, had returned home safely. Dorigen, who had missed her husband terribly, was very happy.

The brother recommended that they visit an astrologer in Orleans. On the trip, they run into such a magician who mysteriously knows who they are, and why they have come to Orleans.

The magician feeds them dinner and then conjures up a series of magic scenes. In one of them, Aurelius sees himself dancing with Lady Dorigen.

Aurelius begs the astrologer to help him move the jagged rocks. The magician offers his services for a sum of 1,000 pounds.

The magician does not really move the rocks, but he raised the water level to hide them. This allusion lasts for several weeks.

Aurelius is quite pleased and runs to Dorigen to ask for her hand. The Lady is alarmed- she never though that Aurelius would actually be able to move the rocks. The distressed Lady

confesses to, Arveragus, her husband what has transpired. He is not jealous at all, and encourages his wife to live up to her word. The only thing he asks is that they keep the affair a secret

Aurelius meets the Lady in the garden and realizes how unhappy she is. He could not bear to see her honor ruined and he releases her from her promise. Dorigen thanked him repeatedly.

Even though Aurelius’ plan did not work, he still had to find a way to pay the magician 1,000 pounds.

When the magician learned how gallant Aurelius had been, the magician released him from the contract and rode back to Orleans.

The End

Aurelius: Squire. He is not destructive to the marriage of Arveragus and Dorigen because he does not force Dorigen into an affair.

Arveragus: Noble, generous Knight. He treats his wife as his equal.

Magician: Lives in Orleans, makes illusions and releses Aurelius from contract.

Dorigen: Wife of Arveragus. Very dramatic. Her main fault is being incapacitated without her husband. It is ironic that the only reason she promised herself to Aurelius was to protect her husband and it came back to hurt her husband.

Brother: Aurelius’ brother

This Canterbury Tale teaches three related ideals:

-Be honorable

-What goes around comes around

-You get what you give