Boccaccio the Philosopher by Filippo Andrei

Author:Filippo Andrei
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Springer International Publishing, Cham

(The theme of death is here anticipated with the deception conceived by Ambrogiuolo : a chest symbolically foreshadows his death.) But when Zinevra manages to escape from the death that her husband had ordered, she runs away disguised as a man and calls herself Sicurano (II.9.42–43), the story takes another turn, and here the characters, rather than being punished or rewarded according to Fortune ’s will, pass through special recognitions induced by the intelligent actions of Zinevra . From the words of Ambrogiuolo , Zinevra , in the disguise of Sicurano , finally understands why her husband has tried to kill her (“Sicurano , udendo questo, prestamente comprese qual fosse la cagione dell’ira di Bernabò verso lei e manifestamente conobbe costui di tutto il suo male esser cagione; e seco pensò di non lasciargliele portare impunita” [II.9.55] [Ambrogiuolo had not done speaking before Sicurano had discerned in him the evident cause of her husband’s animosity against her, and all her woe, and had made up her mind that he should not escape with impunity]). Under the pressure of the Sultan’s questions, Ambrogiuolo fears for his fate (II.9.66). Bernabò repents and falls at his wife’s feet (II.9.71). But the way in which the Sultan understands both the complexity of the deception and the way in which Zinevra , in her ironic final speech, is able to resolve the situation deserves a closer look, at least for its particular language:- Signor mio assai chiaramente potete conoscere quanto quella buona donna gloriar si possa d’amante e di marito; ché l’amante ad una ora lei priva d’onore, con bugie guastando la fama sua, e diserta il marito di lei; e il marito, più credulo alle altrui falsità che alla verità da lui per lunga esperienza potuta conoscere, la fa uccidere e mangiare a’ lupi; e oltre a questo tanto il bene e l’amore che l’amico e ’l marito le porta, che, con lei lungamente dimorati, niuno la conosce. Ma per ciò che voi ottimamente conosciate quello che ciascun di costoro ha meritato, ove voi mi vogliate di spezial grazia fare di punire lo ’ngannatore e perdonare allo ’ngannato, io la farò qui in vostra e in loro presenzia venire. (II.9.64–65)

(My lord, what cause this good lady has to boast of her lover and her husband you have now abundant means of judging; seeing that the lover at one and the same time despoils her of her honour, blasting her fair fame with slanderous accusations, and ruins her husband; who, more prompt to trust the falsehood of another than the verity of which his own long experience should have assured him, devotes her to death and the devouring wolves; and, moreover, such is the regard, such the love which both bear her that, though both tarry a long time with her, neither recognises her. However, that you may know full well what chastisements they have severally deserved, I will now cause her to appear in your presence and theirs, provided you, of your especial grace, be pleased to punish the deceiver and pardon the deceived.

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