How Chaucer Combines Realism and Convention through the Franklin :: essays research papers

How does Chaucer combine realism and convention through the caliber and words of the Franklin?The Franklin character is portrayed as a convention primarily by universeness a Franklin a nameless type. Chaucers auditory modality is aware of the emblematic attributes of a Franklin so it is therefore up to Chaucer to further the character by incorporating realism through aspects of his personality. Therefore giving the reader a tie-up with the character and make them appreciate him more as a person.In the prologue of the Franklins tale Chaucer makes his Franklin and individual, by showing his insecurity as a citizen in the shadow of the aristocracy, sh testify in his disdainful treatment and interruption of the fop.In faith, Squier, thow hast thee wel yquitAnd gentilly. I preise wel thy wit,Quod the Frankeleyn, considerin thy yowtheHis patronising attitude reveals his insecurity portraying him as a realistic character but also adding to the conventional Franklin image. A Franklin being a freeman he was rich and would have held a unassailable position owning his own land, but he would never be at the same level as the noble classes and there would have been the overt social climb and striving for further power Chaucers audience would have probably observed amongst Franklins. We see how the Franklin is striving for a get around position for his own family incorporating the convention of the social climb and the realism of his family life.I have a sone, and by the Trinitee,I had levere than twenty pound outlay londThough it right now were fallen in myn hond,He were a man of swich discreciounAs that ye been.Through other more specific attributes of the Franklin realism is conveyed such as the outstanding generosity and hospitality of the man and his considerable learning and travelling.Chaucer further combines realism and convention in the tale the Franklin tells. At first it appears a very conventional unoriginal tale of cultivated love, stolen from a B reton Lay, such was the style at the time to give your own twist on an existing story rather than make your own. It is broad of stereotypical images youd expect from a courtly love story. With the prospect of a lady and a knight in the garden and then the characters themselves starting off as being solely types of the knight, lady and squire and how these characters all stay within their roles. The knight leaves the lady to go on a quest.