Foreswearing in Chaucer's 'Pardoner's' and 'Franklin's Tales': A Recurring Motif of Tale and Teller

Author / Editor
Jost, Jean E.

Title
Foreswearing in Chaucer's 'Pardoner's' and 'Franklin's Tales': A Recurring Motif of Tale and Teller

Published
Medieval Perspectives 1 (1986): 75-88.

Description
Chaucer uses a medieval commonplace--vowing--as a function of genre: tragedy, comedy, or fabliau. In PardT, fashioning an illegitimate triple vow to eradicate Death, and bound by sworn brotherhood, three hoodlums effect upon themselves a grim, appropriate disaster. In a joyful comic resolution, the Franklin eradicates the foolish highpriced vows for his none-too-wise but good-willed characters.

Chaucer Subjects
Pardoner and His Tale.
Franklin and His Tale.