A knight named Arviragus marries the beautiful Dorigen, who loves him deeply. He promises her that he will never exert mastery over her, valuing her freedom. Their life together is blissful until Arviragus departs for England, leaving Dorigen in despair. She mourns his absence, and her friends attempt to console her, but her sorrow remains. While walking by the sea, Dorigen expresses her frustration with the dangerous rocks that threaten ships, wishing they would disappear. Aurelius, a squire who secretly loves Dorigen, overhears her lament and vows to win her love by magically removing the rocks. He seeks the help of a magician, who agrees to perform the task for a hefty fee. Aurelius successfully creates the illusion that the rocks have vanished, and Dorigen, believing her promise to Aurelius is now valid, is confronted by him. She is horrified to realize the implications of her earlier words and feels trapped between her loyalty to Arviragus and her promise to Aurelius. Dorigen confesses her predicament to Arviragus upon his return. He, displaying remarkable nobility, encourages her to honor her promise to Aurelius, demonstrating his understanding of love and honor. However, Aurelius, upon learning of Dorigen's loyalty to her husband, selflessly releases her from her promise, valuing her fidelity over his desires. In the end, Arviragus and Dorigen reaffirm their love, living happily together, while Aurelius, though heartbroken, is left with a sense of honor for his actions. The tale concludes with a reflection on the nature of true nobility and the complexities of love and loyalty.
By Geoffrey Chaucer · First published 1405 · Genre: Romance, Allegory, Medieval Literature