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

How does Chaucer combine realism and convention through the character and words of the Franklin?The Franklin character is portrayed as a convention primarily by universe a Franklin a nameless type. Chaucers audience is aware of the typical attributes of a Franklin so it is then up to Chaucer to further the character by incorporating realism through aspects of his personality. Therefore giving the reader a connection 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, shown in his disdainful treatment and abeyance of the squire.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 ric h and would have held a good position owning his own land, but he would never be at the corresponding level as the noble classes and there would have been the obvious social climb and striving for further power Chaucers audience would have belike observed amongst Franklins. We see how the Franklin is striving for a better 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 worth londThough it right now were f eachen in myn hond,He were a man of swich discreciounAs that ye been.Through former(a) more specific attributes of the Franklin realism is conveyed such as the outstanding generosity and hospitality of the man and his wide 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 courtly love, stolen from a Breton Lay, such was the style at the tim e to bring back your own twist on an existing story rather than make your own. It is full of stereotypical images youd expect from a courtly love story. With the consideration 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.