Comparing and Contrasting "The Merchant's Tale" and "The Franklin's Tale"

"The Merchant's Tale" and "The Franklin's Tale" tell about the marriages of two couples. In both tales, the manner by which marriage occurs differs between each couple. Furthermore, the exertion of control over the wives in the tales is also different in each story. Moreover, the loyalty of the wives to their husbands varies greatly between the wives in each tale. In spite of these numerous alterities, the stories both share the theme of sexuality. …

…ragus' necessary intervention in Dorigen's dilemma. The level of adherence of the wives to their marital vows serve to demonstrate the ease by which their sacred promises could be ignored and dishonored, as even the most resolute can nearly succumb. The presence of sexuality in the tales shows the desire for woman being present only in that dimension. Chaucer's dislike for women and the institution of marriage is made blatantly obvious in these two tales.