The Promises in "The Franklin's Tale."

Description: Argues that FranT is one of Chaucer "satiric masterpieces" and that it reveals "how ludicrously and inadequately the Franklin grasps the essence of gentle behavior." The Franklin is well intended, but the morality and reasoning of his Tale are flawed, evident particularly in his treatment of "trouthe" and promising. The "ludicrous ethical acrobatics" of the characters reveal the "affectedly 'gentil' values" of the narrator, Chaucer's ironic target.