The Art of Courtly Love rules are actively incorporated into the lives of Arvergus, Dorigen, and Aurelious in The Franklin?s Tale. The regulations that are most actively exhibited are, rule XIV, ?The easy attainment of love makes it of little value; difficulty of attainment makes it prized?, rule XXVI, ?Love can deny nothing to love?, and finally, rule XXXI, ?Nothing forbids one woman being loved by two men or one man by two women? (Capellanus, p. 310-311).
The first decree, implying that easily attained love isn?t worth as much as hard-earned love is show by Aurelius while he attempts to attain the love and affection of Dorigen. Although he is one of the most handsome, charming and well liked male specimens around the kingdom, this lord admires her from a far, and pines away for years trying to win her heart. ??Had loved her best of any for two years and longer so it chanced, but still his fears had never let him bring the matter up? (Chaucer, p.
Geoffrey Chaucer
Portrait of Chaucer from a manuscript by Thomas Ho...
Geoffrey Chaucer, whose Canterbury Tales shares ma...233, lines 231-233). When Dorigen playfully says she will love him best of any if he clears the shore of its rocks, he is so determined to be the receiver of her affections, that he miraculously finds a way to make it appear as if he has removed all the rocks from the beach for her. Due to the fact that he is willing to go the greatest lengths for his Lady, her care will be of much more merit to him when he is finally enabled to enjoy her.
The next rule, instating that love cannot deny love, is shown by all three prominent characters. Arveragus keeps writing letters, professing his undying love for the two full years of his absence over seas, and ultimately returns to his beloved...