“Federigo’s Falcon” by Giovanni Boccaccio: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Federigo’s Falcon” by Giovanni Boccaccio

“Federigo’s Falcon” by Giovanni Boccaccio was published in 1353 as part of his seminal short story collection, The Decameron. It stands as a timeless testament to the themes of selfless love, sacrifice, and the irony of fate. This tale, set within the backdrop of medieval Florence, narrates the story of Federigo, a nobleman who has squandered his fortune in pursuit of an unattainable love. His devotion remains unyielding, symbolized by his most prized possession, a magnificent falcon. The story’s poignant twists illustrate the unexpected ways in which love and sacrifice can find reward, making it a classic exploration of the enduring power of the human spirit.

Main Events: “Federigo’s Falcon” by Giovanni Boccaccio

1. Federigo’s Devotion: Federigo, a noble Florentine, falls deeply in love with Monna Giovanna, a beautiful and virtuous woman who remains indifferent to his affections.
2. Lavish Squandering: Federigo spends his fortune extravagantly trying to impress Monna Giovanna, but she takes no notice of his efforts or gifts.
3. Reduced Circumstances: Federigo ends up impoverished, living modestly on a small farm with only his beloved falcon for company and sustenance.
4. Monna Giovanna’s Son Falls Ill: Monna Giovanna’s wealthy husband dies, and her son later falls ill. He desperately asks for Federigo’s prized falcon, believing it might help him recover.
5. Maternal Dilemma: Monna Giovanna realizes obtaining the falcon will mean asking a favor of the man whose affection she had never returned. She grapples with the moral and social implications.
6. Federigo’s Sacrifice: Unaware of her reason for visiting, Federigo welcomes Monna Giovanna hospitably. Having nothing else to offer her for a meal, he sacrifices his beloved falcon to provide a worthy dish.
7. Tragic Twist of Fate: Monna Giovanna asks for the falcon only to learn of its fate. Deeply moved by his sacrifice, she leaves empty-handed, and her son sadly passes away.
8. A Change of Heart: Widowed and grieving, Monna Giovanna is urged by her brothers to remarry. She remembers Federigo’s selfless generosity and despite his poverty, declares she will wed only him.
9. Fortune Restored: Federigo and Monna Giovanna marry. He gains love and wealth, while she finds a husband of noble spirit.

Characterization in “Federigo’s Falcon” by Giovanni Boccaccio

Major Characters

Minor Characters

• Monna Giovanna’s Son:
  • Represents innocent longing. His desire for the falcon motivates his mother’s actions.
  • Symbolic of fragility. His illness and his untimely death highlight the fragility of life and the importance of recognizing the worth of others before it’s too late.
• Federigo’s Housekeeper:
  • Though unnamed, she demonstrates loyalty and practicality. She carries out Federigo’s orders to prepare the falcon for a meal with little question, underscoring both his desperation to honor his guest and his changed circumstances.

Examples from the story:

• Federigo’s squandering of his wealth on gifts and lavish spectacles to win Monna Giovanna’s favor.
• Federigo’s contentment and resilience while surviving in reduced circumstances.
• Monna Giovanna’s internal struggle when deciding whether to ask Federigo for the falcon to save her son.
• Federigo’s tears when he realizes he cannot give Monna Giovanna the gift she desires because he already sacrificed it out of hospitality.
• Monna Giovanna’s brothers urging her to remarry, reflecting societal expectations for widows of means.

Major Themes in “Federigo’s Falcon” by Giovanni Boccaccio

1. The Power of Selfless Love: Federigo’s unwavering devotion to Monna Giovanna drives the narrative. His love isn’t based on reciprocation but on pure admiration and respect. He risks everything in pursuit of her, squandering his wealth. His ultimate sacrifice, the killing of his prized falcon to offer her a meal, underscores the profound extent to which he places her worth above his own needs. This act of generosity, borne out of selfless love, eventually leads to his reward.
2. The Transformative Nature of Sacrifice: Both Federigo and Monna Giovanna experience the transformative effects of sacrifice. Federigo’s sacrifice of his livelihood for Monna Giovanna is an extravagant but unnoticed gesture. His final sacrifice of the falcon becomes an ironic, bittersweet moment, finally opening Monna Giovanna’s eyes. Monna Giovanna, in turn, sacrifices social comfort and perhaps some pride in overcoming her initial reluctance to choose Federigo as her husband, recognizing his true value.
3. The Ironic Reversals of Fortune: The story hinges on the theme of fortune’s fickleness. Federigo descends from wealth to poverty, all the while his love remains constant. Monna Giovanna experiences a shift as well – from married comfort to widowhood, and the vulnerability of watching her son fall ill. Fate operates unexpectedly: Federigo’s self-denying generosity ultimately brings him far greater reward than his earlier lavish displays ever could.
4. Appearances vs. Reality: The initial perception of Monna Giovanna is of an unyielding woman. However, the reader later witnesses her inner turmoil in grappling with fulfilling her son’s wish. Similarly, Federigo may seem foolish in his relentless pursuit, yet his final, hospitable act reveals a noble heart that appearances didn’t initially suggest. The story highlights how appearances can be misleading and urges the audience to look deeper at a person’s true character and motivations.

“Federigo’s Falcon” by Giovanni Boccaccio in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Explanation	Examples from “Federigo’s Falcon”
Feminist Theory	Examines power dynamics and gender roles within a text. It can look at female representation, agency, and patriarchal systems.	* Monna Giovanna initially embodies passive female virtue. Is she objectified by Federigo’s pursuit? * Social pressures dictate that she remarry despite her wish to remain a widow. * Her ultimate choice of Federigo could signal her gaining agency in a male-dominated society.
Marxist Theory	Focuses on class struggles, economic power, and how characters are impacted by social structures.	* Federigo’s decline from wealth to poverty is central to the story. * The importance of material wealth for both men and women is highlighted (Federigo’s spending, Monna Giovanna’s inheritance). * Does the story offer a critique of society’s focus on wealth, or does it ultimately reaffirm the happy ending of the restored rich couple?
Reader-Response Theory	Asserts that the meaning of a text is constructed by the individual reader’s experience and interpretation.	* A modern reader might find Monna Giovanna’s initial indifference to Federigo harsh. * Some readers could feel the story is romantic, others might see it tinged with sadness over Federigo’s initial unrequited love and the son’s death.
Formalist Theory	Prioritizes the text itself, looking at literary elements like structure, symbolism, and language.	* The falcon as a potent symbol – of Federigo’s former wealth, of his unyielding love, and ultimately of sacrifice. * The story’s structure with its ironic twists (the falcon is both Federigo’s gift to impress her and the meal meant to honor her). * Boccaccio’s language and his use of descriptive detail.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Explores unconscious desires, motivations, and the psychological aspects of characters.	* Federigo’s seemingly obsessive devotion to Monna Giovanna – does it rise above courtly love tropes or suggest something deeper? * Does the son’s fixation on the falcon reveal something about his own unfulfilled desires? * Monna Giovanna’s internal struggle when deciding whether to approach Federigo.

“Federigo’s Falcon” by Giovanni Boccaccio: Topics, Questions, Thesis Statements

Topic	Guiding Questions	Thesis Statement Examples
The Nature of Love	* Does Federigo’s love represent true devotion, or is there an element of obsession? * How does Monna Giovanna’s understanding of love evolve throughout the story? * Does the story ultimately represent a positive view of romantic love, or a more complex one?	* “Federigo’s persistent pursuit of Monna Giovanna, while selfless, reveals the obsessive tendencies inherent in certain forms of courtly love.” * “Monna Giovanna’s journey demonstrates how acts of generosity and sacrifice can ultimately reshape one’s understanding of love.” * “Although ‘Federigo’s Falcon’ offers a seemingly happy ending, it also highlights the potential for heartbreak and unrequited feelings that exist alongside romantic love.”
Social Class and Wealth	* How does Federigo’s change in fortune affect both his actions and society’s perception of him? * Does Monna Giovanna’s desire to save her son outweigh societal expectations? * Is the ending a critique of a materialistic society or a validation of it?	* “Federigo’s decline in wealth highlights the fickle nature of social status and the vulnerability inherent in relying on material possessions.” * “Through Monna Giovanna’s dilemma, Boccaccio examines the tension between social duty and genuine personal connection.” * “While the story initially critiques the importance placed on wealth, it ultimately reinforces a social hierarchy where wealth and virtue become intertwined.”
The Role of Women	* Is Monna Giovanna portrayed as a strong woman making choices or a passive figure acted upon by others? * Does the social system the story depicts oppress women, or offer them some avenues of agency within its confines? * Can the story be interpreted with a feminist lens?	* “‘Federigo’s Falcon’ presents Monna Giovanna as a character trapped by societal constraints, ultimately gaining agency only through her choice of a virtuous husband.” * “Despite operating within a patriarchal society, Monna Giovanna’s decision-making reveals a subtle form of female power and resilience.” * “While a feminist reading of ‘Federigo’s Falcon’ can be challenging, the story offers insights into the complexities of both female desire and societal expectations during Boccaccio’s time.”

Short Questions about “Federigo’s Falcon” by Giovanni Boccaccio

1. How does the falcon symbolize both Federigo’s sacrifice and the ironic twists of fate? The falcon represents his former wealth and the extravagance with which he courted Monna Giovanna. Yet, it becomes his final possession, unwittingly sacrificed out of hospitality. This highlights both his generosity and the cruel irony of Monna Giovanna arriving to seek that very falcon as the potential cure for her son.
2. Is Monna Giovanna’s initial indifference to Federigo justified? While her focus on virtue is admirable, her complete disregard for Federigo’s feelings could be seen as callous or indicative of class snobbery. However, the story doesn’t condemn her, focusing instead on her moral dilemma and later transformation when witnessing his sacrifice.
3. Does the story offer a critique of courtly love traditions? Federigo embodies the ideal courtly lover, yet his devotion initially brings him only ruin. This might suggest a critique of the impracticality or blind obsession such love traditions could encourage. Conversely, the story could uphold courtly values as Federigo’s virtues are ultimately rewarded.
4. What is the significance of setting the story in the aftermath of the Black Death? While not explicitly mentioned, the story’s timing hints at societal upheaval. This adds another layer to Federigo’s decline and perhaps underscores the theme of fortune’s fickleness as entire social orders were overturned by the plague.

Literary Works Similar to “Federigo’s Falcon” by Giovanni Boccaccio

1. “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry: This short story exhibits a thematic resonance with “Federigo’s Falcon” through its exploration of selfless love and profound sacrifice. Both narratives depict protagonists who relinquish their most prized possessions in an act of devotion, resulting in an ironic twist that underscores the depth of their affection.
2. “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant: Though the focus differs, this work similarly explores themes of fortune’s capriciousness and the consequences of sacrifice. Maupassant constructs a narrative arc wherein the protagonist, Mathilde Loisel, endures years of hardship due to her misplaced desire for status symbols – a poignant contrast to Federigo’s selflessness.
3. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer: Chaucer and Boccaccio were contemporaries, and their respective works provide rich social commentary on medieval European life. Within The Canterbury Tales, narratives such as “The Knight’s Tale” and “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” delve into the conventions of courtly love, chivalric ideals, and evolving gender dynamics – themes that resonate throughout “Federigo’s Falcon”.
4. The Sonnets of William Shakespeare: While distinct in form, Shakespeare’s sonnets explore the complexities of love, the lengths to which lovers will extend themselves, and the transitory nature of beauty and materiality. These motifs echo the core concerns of “Federigo’s Falcon”.
5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Superficially, the contrast seems stark. However, Gatsby’s ostentatious displays of wealth in pursuit of Daisy Buchanan bear a resemblance to Federgio’s extravagant gestures to impress Monna Giovanna. Both narratives raise profound questions about the ability of material wealth to secure genuine affection.

Suggested Readings: “Federigo’s Falcon” by Giovanni Boccaccio

Books

• Brown, Peter M. Chaucer, Boccaccio, and the Debate of Love: A Comparative Study of the Decameron and the Canterbury Tales. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1985. (Provides a comparative analysis relevant for understanding courtly love conventions within “Federigo’s Falcon”).
• Martinez, Ronald L. The Decameron: A Handbook. New York: Routledge, 2010. (Offers a more recent perspective and context for the entire Decameron collection).
• McWilliam, G. H., trans. The Decameron. By Giovanni Boccaccio. London: Penguin Classics, 2003. (Since multiple translations exist, it’s helpful to specify the translator, especially if focusing on linguistic aspects of the story).

Articles

• Ascoli, Albert Russell. “A Reading of Boccaccio’s Decameron.” Romanic Review 66.1-2 (1975): 3–32. JSTOR. www.jstor.org/stable/43802294. (Offers a comprehensive analysis of the Decameron as a whole, putting “Federigo’s Falcon” into a broader context).
• Ferrante, Joan M. “Male Fantasy and Female Reality in Courtly Literature.” Women’s Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal 11.1-2 (1984): 67–97. (Provides a feminist lens, highly relevant for exploring Monna Giovanna’s character).
• Marcus, Millicent Joy. “A Reading of the Federigo Episode in the Decameron.” Romance Notes 7.2 (1966):147-153. (An older but focused analysis specifically of the “Federigo’s Falcon” tale.

Websites

• Brown University’s Decameron Web: https://www.brown.edu/Departments/Italian_Studies/dweb/. (A reliable, scholarly resource for in-depth information and analysis of the Decameron).
• The Italian Studies Journal: https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/yits20. (An academic journal where you might find recent publications and critiques specific to “Federigo’s Falcon” or Boccaccio’s other works).