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Unit 14: The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales (Non-detailed Study): Discussion and Analysis-VI
Digvijay Pandya, Lovely Professional University

Unit 14: The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales Notes

(Non-detailed Study): Discussion and Analysis-VI

CONTENTS

Objectives
Introduction

14.1 The Squire’s Tale

14.1.1 Introduction to the Squire’s Tale
14.1.2 The Squire’s Tale Text

14.2 The Franklin’s Tale
14.2.1 Prologue to the Franklin’s Tale

14.2.2 The Franklin’s Tale Text
14.3 The Physician’s Tale

14.3.1 The Physician’s Tale Text

14.4 Summary
14.5 Keywords

14.6 Review Questions

14.7 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Explain the text and analysis of Squire’s tale
• Explain the prologue and text of Franklin’s tale and Physician’s tale
• Describe briefly the analysis of Franklin’s and Physician’s tale.

Introduction

The prologue to The Squire’s Tale refers back to the deceitful nature of women and looks ahead to a
tale of pure and ideal love. Though it is incomplete. The Squire’s Tale is obviously going to be a
romance. All indications are that it would have been an intricate one with several plot threads and
several important characters. The interesting device of setting a story within a story is used with the
falcon’s tale of an unfaithful lover. This insertion is probably meant either to foreshadow or to contrast
with the love story planned for Canace. Like others of the tales Chaucer invented, this one has roots
in both French and English literature, but unlike any other of Chaucer’s stories. The Squire’s Tale
reveals considerable Oriental influence. This adds an exotic quality absent in the other tales. There is
little mystery, however, as regards the theme of this narration. It strongly promises to deal with
wonders, constancy in love, and virtuous character. Ideal love will no doubt triumph in the end.

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