The Franklin's Tale

This story is already different from Marie de France's lais and even "The Clerk's Tale" from the beginning. The marriage of Arviragus and Dorigen was a happy marriage and one of equality, whereas neither one was master nor servant. This was very uncharacterisitc of medieval marriage because normally the man was in charge of the house and the woman was expected to abide. This is very apparent in "The Clerk's Tale" when Walter constantly reminds Griselda where he brought her up from as well as poses "tests" on her.

Characteristics similar to Marie de France's lais come into play with the squire being secretly in love with Dorigen, then professing his love to her while her husband is away. Her response was stern in telling him she would never be an unfaithful wife. Generally in Marie de France's lais, the woman was the first one to be unfaithful, whereas in this story she is happily married and refusing. However, she did say she would be Aurelius' love on the day he could remove the rocks from the coast, foreshadowing maybe she was not as faithful as she made out to be.

The rocks were removed using magic, and Dorigen was then obliged to keep her promise to Aurelius. She revealed her promise to her husband, who was ashamed yet adament that she keep her promise to Aurelius. Aurelius was shocked Arvigarus was so willing to let Dorigen keep her promise and decided to let it go unfulfilled. All debts all around were excused due to the honorable actions of all. The ending is different because everyone ends up happy, with the exception of Aurelius not being able to have an affair with Dorigen.