What makes a good story? A common staple, especially in medieval tales, is a moral or message. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The Franklin's Tale is no exception, with Franklin clearly laying out her worldview, with her aspirations as gentlesses and her (or perhaps even Chaucer's) ideal vision of marriage. However, a contrast in setting and values ​​throughout the tale outlines another set of ideals. While perhaps more subtle, they are no less important in revealing the character behind Franklin and the principles stated by Chaucer. These ideals arise from the contrast between the overtly pagan setting of the tale and the Christian narrator by whom it is told. The question of religion in the tale is important to both Franklin and Chaucer, especially in relation to the depiction of magic and marriage. The Franklin is eager to assert his own orthodoxy, and it becomes clear that, despite the setting of an old pagan world, we are actually never very far from the medieval concerns and beliefs of Chaucer's time, regardless of any narrative discrepancies. is this simply a means to comfort his audience, or is there an underlying argument? Well the first topic in question is the representation of magic. It has a crucial role in the story: it is the main component that guarantees the ending and the final resolution. This obviously causes problems for Chaucer, as magic is not considered compatible with Christianity, and so Franklin instead states that the magic in question is "magik natureel", as opposed to "black magic" which he describes as a "superstitious curse". He also underlines the illusory character of this magic, with phrases such as “It seemed that”, and “at the sight of the mannees”. Even more directly he says, "for illusions and mechanisms of exchange such as the pagans used in these days." Here he not only attempts to portray magic as illusions, but also begins to distance himself from the characters in the tale. An interesting line appears when Franklin first describes the clerk and his magic, where he says "As in oure dayes is nat worth a flye: for hooly chirches in oure bileive." This statement has an almost anxious tone, as if he feels the need to reassure the public of his respectable beliefs, condemning these practices and distinguishing himself from them. As we can see from these clips, Franklin makes a clear distinction between natural magic and natural magic. black magic, claiming that they are nothing more than illusions. And as if that wasn't enough, he anxiously distances himself from this magic, to defend his own orthodoxy. Evidently the Franklin is trying to comfort its Christian audience. In addition to the contradictions in the setting and values, there is another similar contradiction. By medieval standards, it would be impossible to achieve both of these goals, as they are intrinsically opposed. Marriage is an act of God. Parson describes the relationship as “bitwixe crist e santa Chiesa”. Courtly love, on the other hand, is a man-made system that allows the bonds between husband and wife to be separated. Despite these differences, the Franklin combines the two, blending Christian and pagan ideals. Arveragus and Dorigen serve God by deciding to marry, but the description of the relationship is one of courtly love, describing Arveragus' pain and suffering in his attempts to woo Dorigen. Furthermore, the nocturnal sacrifice of his "maistre", pledging to possess only the "name of sovereign", shows his courtly generosity, willing to give up his God-given obligation of sovereignty simply for his appearance. This is aclear example of Franklin's mixing of Christian and pagan values. Chaucer enthusiastically depicts the successes of this system, presenting an idyllic year of happy marriage, with the story ending with the couple living happily ever after. He claims that their love, loyalty and mutual trust ensure a happy marriage. In addition to the overall contrast in setting, Chaucer also uses setting to represent religious metaphors that give an idea of ​​the direction of the tale. For example, in Dorigen's complaint, she deplores God's placement of the "macabre rokkes blake," which reflects her mental state, questioning why he tolerates the existence of suffering. Chaucer was intrigued by such questions about evil and suffering in the world, having translated Bothius' question "How can evil exist in a world with an omnibenevolent and omnipotent God?" they troubled him and perhaps are what pushed Chaucer to write in a pagan setting. This "dark fantasy" is then quickly contrasted with the garden her friends take her to in an attempt to lighten her mood. It is described as "a verray paradis", the word paradise suggests that Chaucer uses this garden as a metaphor for the Garden of Eden. His medieval audience would probably have noticed and recognized the foreshadowing, where Dorigen's reckless promise is analogous to the forbidden fruit. The contrast between the harsh and unloving "macabre rokkes blake" of nature, and the artificial garden, described as a "craft of the hand of man" with "peynted leves and flour", gives the effect of being safe and secure, but the foreshadowing of the forbidden fruit gives it a darker undertone. While it offers comfort to his misery, it is also home to the temptation that almost leads to disaster. Here we see Chaucer use the setting both to convey his own apprehensions towards elements of Christianity and to foreshadow the impact of Dorigen's rash promise. Now throughout the tale we also hear regular references to pagan gods. For example, in the description of Aurelius as a servant of Venus and in Aurelius' prayer to Apollo. These undoubtedly look out of place. Surely this recognition of pagan gods violates Chaucer's principles and opposes any condemnation of pagan principles. Well, upon closer examination, Chaucer actually uses these prayers and descriptions to refute the pagan gods. Aurelius prays to Apollo and Lucina for a two-year flood, in order to submerge the rocks and grant him release from suffering, but his request is never granted. From the Christian perspective, a pagan prayer to a pagan god cannot be effective, and so, unbeknownst to Aurelie, her prayer is in vain. The planets must move at the same relative pace that God has assigned them, and therefore Lucina cannot slow the moon so as to instigate a perpetual full tide. It is the Virgin Mary who truly holds the power that the pagans attributed to Lucina. And so Aurelius lies "In languor and torment furyus" for two years, but none of the pagans come to console him. Instead, Dorigin begs God to remove the black rocks, ironically not expecting a response, and, to his dismay, gets his wish granted. Aurelius eventually resorts to the magician and, once the miracle is completed, thanks Venus, not Lucina to whom he had originally prayed. He also fails to complete his promised pilgrimage to Delphi. This shows his acceptance that Apollo had not granted his wish and is not responsible for this miracle. Furthermore, the moment in which the miracle occurs also underlines that it is the work of the Christian God. When Aurelius and the Magician arrive in Brittany, a description of winter follows. The Franklin points out to his audience that this was “La.