Poetry · Chapter
Bereavement explained
A countess from Arno's valley, known more for love than learning, bribes a village scribe to write a book of poetry praising her deceased lover, Prince di Giu.
What happens
A countess from Arno's valley, known more for love than learning, bribes a village scribe to write a book of poetry praising her deceased lover, Prince di Giu. When the scribe asks how he died, she reveals she stabbed him fifty times.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Self-Deception
The countess seeks to memorialize her lover through a falsely idealized poetic tribute, while concealing her own role in his death.
Love and Communication
The countess's grief and love are expressed through a commissioned poem, yet the truth of her violent act undermines the sincerity of her tribute.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The narrator tells the tale of the countess and the scribe.
Key passages
“Write me,” she sobbed—“I pray thee do— A book about the Prince di Giu— A book of poetry in praise Of all his works and all his ways;”
The countess tearfully begs the scribe to compose a poetic book celebrating the life and character of Prince di Giu.
Highlights the countess's desperate desire to immortalize her lover through art.
“Fresh storms of tears the lady shed: “I stabbed him fifty times,” she said.”
The countess bursts into renewed weeping and confesses that she killed him by stabbing him fifty times.
Reveals the dark irony and deception underlying her grief and the commissioned praise.