Study Questions
1. What quality of the nobility does the Franklin admire most and try to imitate in his tale?

2. What is the rash promise made by Dorigen which is the source of all the trouble in The Franklin's Tale?

3. In what literary genre is this story written?

4. What is the theme of this tale?

5. From what sources did Chaucer borrow in creating The Franklin's Tale?

6. What is the effect on Aurelius when Dorigen rebuffs him?

7. Who stands by Aurelius during all of his trials?

8. How is the impossible feat of removing the rocks finally accomplished?

9. When he cannot pay his debt, what does Aurelius promise to do?

10. What does the magician do in response?

Answers
1. Education is what the Franklin admires and imitates.

2. She promises to love Aurelius if he can remove the frightening stones.

3. Romance is this tale's genre.

4. The nature of marriage and the faithfulness of the good wife are two of its themes.

5. The story is based on a Breton lais; but Chaucer has also borrowed from the writings of St. Jerome; Boccaccio's Decameron; and Le Roman de la Rose.

6. He falls desperately ill for two years.

7. His brother takes care of Aurelius.

8. The brothers hire a magician who performs the illusion.

9. He says he will pay the balance even if he has to sell everything he owns.

10. He cancels Aurelius' debt.