Journal Entry #3: Machiavelli

How is the Context set in Belfagor; are there the standard European “three context elements” present in the story following the initial setting? If so, what are they?

There are three context elements in Belfagor. The story moves from hell, to an ornate, expensive Florence, to the fields outside the city where Roderigo meets Gianmatteo. After that, there are the three exorcism sites. Roderigo’s wife had three brothers that he had to provide for (the merchants who went East and West, and the one with the jewelry shop). Onesta also had three sisters who Roderigo had to marry off and provide dowries for. These examples show again and again that context in Belfagor is set by repetition, and that things are repeated in threes.

Which sentence begins the Turning Point in the story?

“Roderigo bore all these tribulations for the reasons already given; nor would they have seemed onerous if he had been rewarded with peace and quiet at home and if he had been rewarded with peace and quiet at home and if he had been able to await the day of his ruin in tranquility.” To me, this is where the story really got going. Right here, the problems aren’t little any longer, they’re going to lead directly to his ruin.

What are the Actions of the main character (I’m not looking for every detail here, but the general core Actions which move the story forward)?

-moves to Florence

-finds a wife

-spends lots of money on wife and family

-flees from creditors

-makes a deal with Gianmatteo

-posses three women

-flees from his “wife” at the end

Is there a Moral and if so where does it fall in the story and is it explicit?

There seem to be two morals. One is explicit, one implicit, but they both fall at the end of the story. “Thus, Belfagor, on his return to Hell, testified to the evils that a wife brought into a household. And Gianmatteo, who knew more about such things than the devil, returned home a happy man.” These summarize the morals of the story: be prepared to burn if you get married, and being human brings insight into situations that the devil can’t understand.

What is the Reversal in the story? Is there more than one; if so, what are others?

One reversal is when everything goes wrong for Belfagor; he goes broke, his creditors come after him, and so on. Another is when Gianmatteo has to exorcise the girl (breaking his pact with Roderigo) or be hanged.

What is the Resolution?

Roderigo goes back to hell and attests to the evils brought on by marriage, and Gianmatteo goes home rich and happy after outsmarting the devil.

What did you like most about Machiavelli’s piece?

I liked this work because I thought it was funny. It’s such a contrast to Machiavelli’s Prince, it was kind of refreshing to read. He was so overtly sexist, it was pretty humorous. I think my favorite part of the story was when Roderigo fled at just the thought of his wife coming to get him.