Short Fiction · Chapter
The Fisherman's Ring explained
An old Venetian fisherman, Cecco, loses his two sons in a sudden storm at sea.
What happens
An old Venetian fisherman, Cecco, loses his two sons in a sudden storm at sea. Grief-stricken, he blames San Marco for taking them because they once laughed at the saint. That night, he rows three strangers—San Marco, San Giorgio, and San Nicolo—out to sea, where they battle evil spirits threatening Venice. After the victory, San Marco gives Cecco a ring as a sign that he will never forsake Venice, and instructs him to tell the Doge what he witnessed.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
Cecco's deep love for his sons and his willingness to row out to the dangerous sea despite his grief.
Death and Mortality
The sudden death of Cecco's sons in the storm and his confrontation with loss.
Nature and the Supernatural
The storm as a natural force and the supernatural battle between saints and evil spirits.
Characters to notice
- Cecco
Old fisherman who loses his two sons in a storm; later rows saints out to sea and receives San Marco's ring.
- San Marco
Venice's patron saint; appears as a powerful stranger, fights evil spirits, and gives Cecco his ring as a pledge.
- San Marco
Venice's patron saint; appears as a powerful stranger, fights evil spirits, and gives Cecco his ring as a pledge.
Key passages
“Ah me! how strangely things come about! The same morning Cecco had gone down to the Rialto to the fish-market. He went about amongst the stands and strutted about like a fine gentleman because he had no need to work.”
Cecco, proud and carefree, was boasting at the market just hours before learning of his sons' deaths.
Highlights the cruel irony of fate.
“I knew it would happen on the open sea... There San Marco would take them. He bore them a grudge. I have feared it, boy.”
Cecco believes the storm was divine punishment because his sons once mocked San Marco.
Shows Cecco's superstitious guilt and fear of the saint's wrath.
“Tell him that San Marco and San Giorgio and San Nicolo have tonight fought the evil spirits that would destroy Venice, and have put them to flight.”
San Marco instructs Cecco to report the supernatural battle to the Doge.
Emphasizes the saint's role as protector of Venice.
“Even when the last Doge has left Palazzo Ducali I will live and preserve Venice. Even if Venice lose her islands in the East and the supremacy of the sea... even then I will preserve the city beautiful and resplendent.”
San Marco promises eternal guardianship of Venice, regardless of political or territorial decline.
Affirms the enduring spiritual protection of the city.