Bellarion the Fortunate · Chapter
VI: The Fruitless Wooing explained
Bellarion gains fame and favor at the Milanese court after his public recognition, but faces persistent romantic advances from the Countess Beatrice, Facino Cane's wife.
What happens
Bellarion gains fame and favor at the Milanese court after his public recognition, but faces persistent romantic advances from the Countess Beatrice, Facino Cane's wife. Despite her efforts to seduce him, Bellarion remains loyal to Facino. The chapter ends with Facino announcing an imminent campaign against Buonterzo, and Bellarion eagerly prepares to join the war.
Themes in this chapter
Loyalty and Betrayal
Bellarion's steadfast loyalty to Facino contrasts with the Countess Beatrice's attempts at betrayal through seduction.
Love and Manipulation
The Countess uses feigned love and emotional manipulation to try to win Bellarion, who resists her advances.
Deception and Identity
Bellarion adopts a guise of simplicity to deflect the Countess's advances, while the court misinterprets his relationship with Facino.
Characters to notice
- Bellarion
Now famous at court, Bellarion navigates social intrigues and resists the Countess Beatrice's advances, remaining loyal to Facino.
- Countess of Biandrate
The Countess Beatrice persistently woos Bellarion, expressing grievances against Facino and seeking romantic consolation.
- Facino Cane
Facino remains unaware of his wife's advances toward Bellarion; he announces the campaign against Buonterzo and prepares to march.
- Filippo Maria Visconti
The Duke chooses to be pleasant to Bellarion and jests about the Countess's attentions toward him.
- Gabriello Maria Visconti
Gabriello conceives an attachment for Bellarion during this period.
- Antonio della Torre
Della Torre, Facino's secret enemy, seeks to conciliate Bellarion.
Key passages
“To have done what Bellarion had done was after all no great matter to the world of the court and would have attracted no attention there. But to have received the public thanks of Milan’s civic head and a gift of five thousand florins in recognition of his services was instantly to become noteworthy.”
Bellarion's actions alone would have gone unnoticed, but the public praise and a reward of five thousand florins from Milan's leader made him famous overnight.
Highlights how recognition and reward elevate Bellarion's status at court.
“He moved about the court of Milan during those three or four weeks of preparation for the campaign against Buonterzo with the ease of one who had been bred in courts.”
During the weeks before the campaign, Bellarion navigated court life as if he had been raised there.
Shows Bellarion's adaptability and natural courtly grace.
“I am twenty years younger than is he, she said, which was an exaggeration, the truth being that she was exactly fifteen years her husband’s junior.”
The Countess claimed to be twenty years younger than Facino, though she was actually fifteen years younger.
Reveals the Countess's tendency to exaggerate her grievances.
“He will be discovering presently that his wife has become by Messer Bellarion’s wizardry his adoptive daughter.”
The Duke joked that Facino would soon find his wife transformed into his adoptive daughter through Bellarion's influence.
Illustrates the court's lewd gossip about the Countess and Bellarion.
“Buonterzo is moving. He left Parma at dawn yesterday, and is advancing towards Piacenza with an army fully four thousand strong.”
Facino announces that Buonterzo has left Parma and is marching toward Piacenza with an army of four thousand men.
Sets the stage for the upcoming battle.
