Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index

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Record Number: 2846 Author(s)/Creator(s): Raybin , David. Contributor(s): Title: Wommen, of Kynde, Desiren Libertee: Rereading Dorigen, Rereading Marriage [The author suggests we re-read the "Franklin's Tale" from the perspective of its female character, Dorigen, in order to detect Chaucer's view on marital authority and women's agency. Title note supplied by Feminae.]. Source: Chaucer Review 27, 1 ( 1992): Pages 65 - 86. Description: Article Type: Journal Article Subject (See Also): Authority in Literature Chaucer, Geoffrey, Poet- Canterbury Tales- Franklin's Tale Dorigen (Literary Figure) Literature- Verse Marriage in Literature Women in Literature Award Note: Geographic Area: British Isles Century: 14 Primary Evidence: Illustrations: Table: Abstract: In the "Franklin's Tale," Dorigen asserts her place as a woman who can make her own choices. Careful examination of Arveragus's response to her announcement that she has made a promise to Aurelius to become his lover reveals that Arveragus is rather non-committal and that Dorigen acts as a free interpeter of what Arveragus has said. Furthermore, her complaint reveals a woman who recognizes her right to determine what happens to her body, and comprehension that she must make such a choice. As a result her behavior, particularly that which occurs in the public sphere usually reserved for men, undermines that sphere. To love requires freedom of the kind Dorigen asserts she possesses in the "Franklin's Tale." [Reproduced by permission of Peter G. Beidler and Martha A Kalnin Diede, editors of "The Chaucer Review: An Indexed Bibliography."]. Related Resources: Author's Affiliation: Eastern Illinois University Conference Info: - , - Year of Publication: 1992. Language: English ISSN/ISBN: 00092002

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