Short Fiction · Chapter
A Tale of the Passions explained
In 1268 Florence, during the Guelph triumph, the Ghibelline cobbler Cincolo and his Guelph wife Monna Gegia argue over their divided loyalties.
What happens
In 1268 Florence, during the Guelph triumph, the Ghibelline cobbler Cincolo and his Guelph wife Monna Gegia argue over their divided loyalties. A mysterious young stranger, Ricciardo de' Rossini, arrives seeking refuge, revealing himself as a Ghibelline agent connected to Corradino's cause. Meanwhile, a woman (Despina) pleads with the Guelph leader Lostendardo to support Corradino over Charles d'Anjou, appealing to his former love for her and the Swabian cause.
Themes in this chapter
Political Conflict and Exile
The chapter is steeped in the Guelph-Ghibelline feud, with characters divided by party loyalty, exile, and the violent struggle for control of Florence and Naples.
Love and Loss
Despina appeals to Lostendardo based on their past love, now transformed by death and loss; Monna Gegia and Cincolo's marriage is strained by political hatred.
Family and Duty
Cincolo stays home out of duty to his wife despite his Ghibelline fervor; Monna Gegia mourns her son killed in the Ghibelline cause, showing the cost of political allegiance on families.
Fate and Inevitability
The characters speak of bloodshed and conflict as inescapable, with Cincolo declaring that peace will never come until both parties are 'cold under one bier.'
Characters to notice
- Monna Gegia de' Becari
An old Guelph woman confined at home by a bad leg, she argues with her Ghibelline husband Cincolo about their political loyalties and the bloodshed of past battles.
- Messer Cincolo
A Ghibelline cobbler who longs to fight for Corradino but stays home for his wife; he receives the mysterious youth Ricciardo de' Rossini.
- Ricciardo de' Rossini
A pale, dignified youth of about sixteen who arrives at Cincolo's home, identifies himself as a Ghibelline with the password 'Swabia, Cavalieri!', and asks for shelter until nightfall.
- Despina
A woman who pleads with Lostendardo to support Corradino, invoking their past love and Manfred's memory; she describes herself as the 'bride of Death' and appeals to his better nature.
- Messer Guielmo Lostendardo
A Guelph leader to whom Despina appeals; his face shows 'savage triumph' as he listens, and he paces the hall without replying.
- Prince Corradino
The young Swabian prince and last descendant of the house of Swabia, expected from Germany to lead the Ghibelline cause; praised for bravery, purity, and gentleness.
- Charles d'Anjou
King of Naples and head of the Guelphs, described as hypocritical, bloody, avaricious, and cruel; he is the usurper opposed by Corradino.
- Manfred
The deceased King of Naples; his death is a turning point, and his spirit is invoked by Despina in her appeal to Lostendardo.
Key passages
“All the good depart from this strange earth; and I doubt not that when I am sufficiently elevated above human weaknesses, it will also be my turn to leave this scene of woe.”
The virtuous die young, and I expect to join them once I am purified of human flaws.
Despina expresses a fatalistic view of death as an escape from earthly suffering.
“You can imprison me forever in the dungeons of this palace, as a returned Ghibelline and spy, and have me executed as a criminal. But before you do this, pause for your own sake; reflect on the choice of glory or ignominy that you are now about to make.”
You have the power to kill me as a Ghibelline spy, but consider the moral choice between honor and disgrace.
Despina challenges Lostendardo to weigh his actions against his legacy.
“The bravery of his spirit makes him rise above the weakness of youth and inexperience; he possesses all the nobility of spirit that belongs to the family of Swabia, and, in addition, a purity and gentleness that attracts the respect and love of the old and wary courtiers of Frederic and Conrad.”
Corradino's courage and noble character surpass his young age, earning him admiration even from seasoned courtiers.
Despina praises Corradino's virtues to sway Lostendardo.
“Since the battle of Monte Aperto thou hast never been well washed of that shed by thee and thy confederates; and how could ye? for the Arno has never since run clear of the blood then spilt.”
You have never been cleansed of the blood you spilled at Monte Aperto, and the Arno River still runs red with it.
Monna Gegia accuses Cincolo of being permanently stained by past violence.
“Never—until, as thou sayest, the Arno run clear of the blood shed on its banks;—never while I can pierce the heart of a Guelph;—never till both parties are cold under one bier.”
Peace will never come until the river runs clean of blood, as long as I can kill a Guelph, or until both factions are dead and buried together.
Cincolo vows eternal enmity, rejecting any hope of reconciliation.
