In the story “Federigo’s Falcon,” Giovanni Boccaccio provides the reader with a Medieval term, courtly love. Federigo portrays courtly love in the story by being a selfless man who is willing to provide his services to Monna. Monna in the story is Federigo’s admired noblewoman, who happens to be a widow with a son who commends Federigo. In the picture depicted, the woman seated represents an upper class, an honorable lady. Monna in Federigo’s Falcon, is a well respected widow with a son she cares deeply for and would do anything to please. Beside the woman is a man, sprawled across the floor; the man represents Federigo. In the picture the man is proved to have been working hard, but making little progress. This picture displays Federigo’s effort at showing his compassionate and altruistic characteristics by sacrificing anything and everything he owns to gain the attention of Monna. Although the man in the picture seems to have put forth full effort in gaining the woman’s attention, he is unable to fulfill his desire of obtaining the woman’s love. The photo also shows how hurt the man was by the woman, after he put forth everything for her. Throughout the story Federigo was willing to be selfless just like the man in the picture depicted . In conclusion the drawing by Jacques-Louis David shows a man being selfless for a woman who may or may not notice his effort of courtly love, the theme of the story Federigo’s Falcon.
David, Jacques-Louis. Seated Woman and Man Sprawling on
the Ground. 1775/80. black chalk and laid paper. National
Gallery of Art. Web. 14 Feb. 2014.
I agree with you, Emerald. The picture matches the theme by showing the man trying everything for the woman he cares about, but the woman pushes him away, as if he's just another person. Without her knowing about how much he cares for her, she is missing an opportunity of a lifetime, or it could be the best choice thing she made. The theme also matches the tale "Federigo's Falcon" by the fact that Federigo tries everything to please Monna, but with no victory. His love for her dies down. When she needs to visit him when her son is ill, the spark turns back to a flame of love. He doesn't receive full effort from Monna until her son is ill. Which explains courtly love.
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