Lecture on Fairy Tales: "Goat-Face" and "The Flea"

GOAT-FACE

• Eighth Entertainment of the First Day

  • A peasant's daughter becomes a king's wife due to a fairy's favor.

  • She shows ingratitude to the fairy, resulting in her transformation into a goat's face.

  • This leads to scorn and abuse from her husband.

  • A kind old man intervenes, and through humility, she regains her original face and her husband’s affection.

• Paola’s Reflection on Gratitude and Ingratitude

  • All human evils are influenced by:

  • disdain, need, love, or fury.

  • Ingratitude stands apart as it has no justifiable reasoning.

  • Ingratitude leads to:

  • a lack of mercy, extinguishing love, impeding favors, and generates disgust and regret.

  • This theme is illustrated in an ensuing tale.

• The Tale of the Peasant with Twelve Daughters

  • The peasant's wife, Ceccuzza, continually gives birth to daughters.

  • The husband struggles to provide for their family, working diligently each day.

  • One day, while digging, he discovers a deep grotto from which a lizard emerges.

  • The lizard initially frightens the peasant but then reassures him.

  • The lizard wishes to raise the peasant's youngest daughter in exchange for wealth.

• The Peasant’s Dilemma

  • The peasant, Masaniello, is confused by the lizard's request.

  • Feels torn between saving his daughter and his own life.

  • The lizard insists he must comply quickly or suffer dire consequences.

• The Peasant’s Discussion with Ceccuzza

  • Upon returning home, Masaniello shares his plight with his wife.

  • Ceccuzza suggests the lizard might end their poor circumstances, encouraging him to agree to its request, believing it may be fortuitous for their daughter.

• Delivering Renzolla to the Lizard

  • The next morning, he takes Renzolla to the grotto, where the lizard exchanges her for a bag of small change.

  • Masaniello returns home overjoyed, realizing the lizard will provide a better life for Renzolla.

• Renzolla’s Transformation and Treatment

  • The lizard transforms her living conditions into a luxurious palace.

  • Renzolla is raised lavishly, eventually catching the king’s attention.

• The King’s Encounter with Renzolla

  • The king, upon entering the lizard's palace while hunting, is welcomed warmly.

  • Renzolla serves him with grace, captivating his heart.

  • He seeks the fairy’s permission to marry her, who grants it along with a generous dowry.

• Renzolla’s Ingratitude

  • After marrying the king, Renzolla neglects to express gratitude to the fairy.

  • The fairy curses her for her ingratitude; Renzolla's visage transforms into that of a goat.

  • The king, horrified, laments his fate.

• Consequences of the Transformation

  • The king isolates Renzolla, giving her chores to spin flax along with a maid.

  • Renzolla refuses to comply with the king’s demands, hurling the flax away.

• Renzolla’s Second Chance

  • Fearful of consequences, she visits the fairy again, seeking help.

  • The fairy gives her spun flax, but Renzolla returns with no thanks for the fairy.

• The Old Man’s Warning

  • Upon returning home, Renzolla encounters a doorman who declines to recognize her and chides her.

  • He shows her a mirror, leading her to anguish over her transformation.

• Restoration and Regaining Affection

  • The doorman advises Renzolla to apologize sincerely to the fairy.

  • Following his guidance, she regains her form and is dressed lavishly once more.

  • The king is overjoyed to reconcile with her, apologizing for the way he treated her.

• Renzolla’s Lesson

  • Ultimately, she learns to honor the fairy and express gratitude to the old man for his guidance.