Federigo’s Falcon’s Irony
Authors use irony to make their audience stop and think about what has just been said, excite the reader, build suspense, or to even emphasize the idea. There are three types of irony: Verbal, Situational, and Dramatic. In Federigo’s Falcon by Giovanni Boccaccio, all three types of irony are used in different ways throughout the story.
For instance, a clear example of Situational Irony is at the end of short story. Federigo gave up everything to win Monna Giovanna’s love, but she did not pay any heed to him. The author explained that Federigo “was spending his plentiful money without restraint; but she, cared little for these things he did on her behalf, nor did she care who did them.” Her son becomes ill and she asked for one act of service which was to hand over Federigo’s beloved falcon to spare her son’s life but he could not because Federigo killed it for their meal. It seems as if he had lost all hope for a shot at her love. Though after a grieving and sorrowful period because of her son’s death, she proudly declared to her brothers ‘Since you wish me to take a husband, you may be sure that I shall take no man
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After her assertion, he said ‘When I heard that you, out of your kindness, wished to dine with me, I considered it only proper and fitting that I honor you with a more precious food than that which I usually serve to other people.’ The ironic point is she did not come out of her generosity, but out of desperation and worrisome. The use of words appeared to say something other than the true meaning. Monna said so herself ‘I have no doubt that you will be amazed by my presumption when you hear what my main reason for coming here is, a gift; This gift is your falcon.’ Federigo made it seem that Monna was sharing a meal with him because of her magnanimity, but it was the exact opposite reason; Her visit accompanying Federigo was for her own selfish