This is a wonderful book that gives the reader a feel for all social levels during the medieval times. I especially enjoyed The Wife of Bath's Tale. I recommend this book to anyone. It is interesting while being entertaining at the same time.

Chaucer has given me a greater insight into life in the 14th century. We see the hypocrisy of the "genteel" people of the time. He has also transcended the boundaries of time for we can still see evidence of this hypocrisy in todays society. The Wife is a strong female character and the reader can not be certain if she is feminist or anti-feminist nor can they be certain if Chaucer is laughing at her or with her. This was a very crafty device by Chaucer's and he must be commended for it. This device is shown in how long Chaucer allows the Wife to speak about herself, it is the longest prologue in the book except of course for the General Prologue. The Wife's views and issues can also be seen in her choice of tale but her voice seems somewhat more subdued here and we can distinctly see Chaucer's own views and ideas coming out in the tale.The very poetic style in which it is written also intices the reader to read on. Altogether quite an insightful piece of literature.

It was so lovely

Who is the narrator? By the end of the tale i was confused if Chaucer, The Franklin or one of his characters was speaking to me! Chaucer, the author of Canterbury Tales introdues the Franlin who now has to tell his tale to the rest of a pilgrimage on their way to Canterbury. The franklin who is just below the nobility in rank spells out an exquisite teale in which Arveragus marries Dorigen and promises never to be her master or force her to do anything unwillfully. Arveragus soon departs the scene as he goes to fight abroad and along comes Aurelius who declares his true love for Dorigen. Dorigen is upset and is in two minds what to do so she casts Aureilus away by setting him an impossible task of removing all the rocks in the sea to win her love. Aurelius nearly dies but with help from his brother and a magician an illusion is created whereby all the rocks disappear. Dorigen is now in trouble as Arveragus returns and she cannot possibly confess to love both men at the same time. She tells Arveragus of the situation who forces her to live with Aurelius. Dorigen thinks about committing suicide but then decides to approach Aurelius who forgives her and tells her to live with her husband. Aurelius now has no money to pay the magician for his illusion but all ends well as the magician lets him off. Who is the most kindes of them all? It is difficult to suggest who but this tale is so enthralling that you have to read it to believe it!