Grice
e Bottiroli – la seduzione di Ovidio – filosofia italiana – Luigi Speranza (Novi Ligure). Grice: “I like
Bottiroli – he is an Italianist, rather than a philosopher, but typically in
the Italian fashion, he uses philosophical vocabulary – my favourite are his
tracts on ‘seduzione,’ ‘desiderio,’ ‘amore,’ ‘sesso,’ which of course is all
Plato’s symposium – but he has also explored not just pragmatics, but semantics
and syntax – notably with his ‘rigid/flexible’ distinction – Since he is
associated with les belles lettres, philosophers in Italy do not take him too
seriously, though!” -- Giovanni Bottiroli (Novi Ligure) è un filosofo e
professore universitario italiano. Professore
di Teoria della letteratura, da molti anni, a Bergamo. Ha insegnato Retorica e
Narrazione, Teoria dell’interpretazione, Estetica, in questa Università.
Inoltre, è docente all’IRPA (Istituto di Ricerca di Psicoanalisi applicata),
diretto da Massimo Recalcati. È
direttore della rivista “Comparatismi" (rivista della Consulta del SSD
“Critica letteraria e Letterature Comparate”). Dal è Presidente della Consulta di questo settore. Fa parte del Comitato Scientifico di
“Enthymema” e di “Symbolon”, e della Direzione di “L’immagine Riflessa”.
Collabora alla rivista “Segnocinema”.
Pensiero Una filosofia della flessibilità Giovanni Bottiroli ha
elaborato una nuova prospettiva filosofica che si ispira alla nozione di
“flessibilità”, e che egli ha indicato con diverse espressioni: ragione
flessibile, pensiero della Metis, pensiero strategico. Questa prospettiva viene esposta nella forma
più ampia e sistematica in La ragione flessibile () e La prova non-ontologica
(). Dalla filosofia alla letteratura
(come modo di pensare) In Teoria dello stile la letteratura viene intesa come
modo di pensare e ad essere privilegiato è il suo legame con la filosofia. Il
legamenon privo di conflittualitàtra letteratura e filosofia richiede di essere
analizzato mediante il concetto di stile, inteso sia come invenzione
linguistica sia come “stile di pensiero”. Esemplare, da questo punto di vista,
è l’analisi della “Lettera rubata” di Poe, proposta da Lacan negli Scritti
(1966). La teoria della letteratura In
Che cos'è la teoria della letteratura. Fondamenti e problemi, la teoria della
letteratura viene intesa come una disciplina ibrida che deve attingere alle
teorie del linguaggio, alle teorie del desiderio e alle teorie
dell’interpretazione, ispirandosi principalmente a tre fonti: Saussure, Freud,
Heidegger. L'interpretazione dei testi
come conflictual reading L’interpretazione del testo è intesa come un
conflictual reading capace di lasciare emergere la pluralità degli stili, il
problema dell’identità del soggetto e le dinamiche del desiderio. Il suo
orizzonte sono le estetiche conflittuali, a cuiin prospettive assai
diversehanno contribuito Nietzsche e Heidegger, Freud e Lacan, ma anche
Bachtin. Le riflessioni su questo tema sono confluite in diversi articoli tra
cui Il desiderio “effrayant” di Julien Sorel. Un “conflictual reading” per un
romanzo di formazione in “Enthymema”, 21,.
Opere Libri 1975 Parodia Milano: Scheiwiller (con prefazione di Cesare
Segre) 1980 La contraddizione e la differenza. Il materialismo dialettico e la
semiotica di Julia Kristeva, Giappichelli, Torino 1987 Interpretazione e
strategia, Guerini e associati, Milano 1987 Retorica della creatività. Per
l'interpretazione e la produzione di testi, Paravia, Torino 1990 Figure di
pensiero. La svolta retorica in filosofia, Paravia, Torino 1993 Retorica.
L'intelligenza figurale nell'arte e nella filosofia, Bollati Boringhieri,
Torino 1995 Il reggicalze. Come l'abbigliamento diventò seduzione, Gribaudo,
Torino 1997 Teoria dello stile, La nuova Italia, Firenze 2001 Problemi del
personaggio (curatela), Bergamo University Press, Bergamo 2002 Jacques Lacan.
Arte linguaggio desiderio, Bergamo University Press, Bergamo 2005 Le incertezze
del desiderio. Scritti brevi su strategia e seduzione, Ecig, Genova 2006 Che
cos'è la teoria della letteratura. Fondamenti e problemi, Einaudi, Torino La ragione flessibile. Modi d'essere e stili
di pensiero, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino
La prova non-ontologica. Per una teoria del Nulla e del “non”, Mimesis,
Milano-Udine Voci di Enciclopedia Enciclopedia Einaudi: Eros (1978), Piacere
(1980), Pulsione (1980), Soma/Psiche (1981) (quest’articolo in collaborazione
con Guido Ferraro). Enciclopedia Treccani: Letteratura e psicoanalisi, in
Appendice 2000 Manuale di letteratura italiana. Storia per generi e problemi
(diretta da Franco Brioschi e Costanzo Di Girolamo): Il pensiero filosofico e
scientifico e La prosa della filosofia e della scienza, IV, 1996 (21-58 e 945-974) Letteratura
europea (P. Boitani e M. Fusillo): Letteratura e psicoanalisi, 5, 399-417,
POMBA, Torino Articoli di filosofia e di
teoria della letteratura (una selezione) 1990 Bachtin, la parodia del
possibile, in "Strumenti critici", 63, 147-66 1994 Il comico inesistente. I regimi
figurali nell’opera di Calvino in “Calvino e il comico” (L. Clerici e B.
Falcetto), Marcos Y Marcos 1996 Sinistra come "bêtise". Il problema
degli attriti nel "Dono” di Nabokov in "Strumenti critici” 80, 1996
2001 Il comico delle articolazioni, in BarbieriBottiroliPerissinotto “Il Comico:
approcci semiotici”, Documenti di lavoro 303-304-305, Centro Internazionale di
Semiotica e Linguistica, Urbino 2001,
27-39 2002 Introduzione a Flaubert, L’educazione sentimentale, Einaudi,
Torino, V-XXI 2003 Un sogno di
Raskolnikov, in “Nel paese dei sogni” (V. Pietrantonio e F. Vittorini), Le
Monnier, Firenze 2003, 70-84 2004 La
logica del diviso in "William Wilson" in Fantastico Poe (R. Cagliero,
Ombre Corte, Verona) 2007 Non sorvegliati e impuniti. Sulla funzione sociale
dell’indisciplina, in Forme contemporaneee del totalitarismo (Massimo
Recalcati), Bollati Boringhieri, Torino 2007 Metaphors and Modal Mixtures in
Metaphors (di Stefano Arduini), Edizioni di Storia e Letteratura, Roma 2008
L’identità modale nei romanzi di Kafka. Descrizione di un progetto di ricerca
in “Cultura tedesca”, 35 2009 In principio era la bêtise, in Soggettivazione e
destino. Saggi intorno al ‘Flaubert’ di Sartre (G. Farina e R. Kirchmayr),
Bruno Mondadori, Milano Ibridare,
problema per artisti. Alcune tesi, in “Enthymema”, n.1, 154-163
Dalle somiglianze alle differenze di famiglia, in L’immagine riflessa,
n.1-2, 181-2 L’inganno del cortile centrale.
Interpretazione della “Phèdre” come testo diviso, in Ermeneutica letteraria,
VIII Introduzione a “La conversazione
infinita” di M. Blanchot, Einaudi, Torino
Lost in styles. Perché nel cognitivismo non c’è abbastanza intelligenza
per capire l’intelligenza figurale, in “Lo sguardo”, 17 153-193 Il perturbante è l’identità divisa.
Un’interpretazione di “Der Sandmann” in Enthymema, 12, 205-229
The possibility of not coinciding with oneself: a reading of Heidegger
as a modal thinker, in The Italian Psychoanalytic Annual, /10, 133-149, Cortina Editore Le parole uccidono le cose oppure altre
parole? Il linguaggio come perdita e come articolazione agonistica in Per Enza
Biagini (A. Brettoni, E. Pellegrini, S. Piazzesi, D. Salvadori), Firenze
University Press, Firenze Liberatore e
incatenato: le aporie di Dioniso (e del dionisiaco) da Euripide a Nietzsche in
Enthymema, XIV, 51-81 Return to literature. A manifesto in favour
of theory and against methodologically reactionary studies (cultural studies
etc.) in “Comparatismi”, 3, 1-37 What is alive and what is dead in Jakobson.
From codes to styles in Roman Jakobson, linguistica e poetica (E. Esposito, S.
Sini e M. Castagneto), Ledizioni, Milano,
213-220 Il desiderio “effrayant”
di Julien Sorel. Un “conflictual reading” per un romanzo di formazione in
Enthymema, 21, 134-151 Shakespeare e il teatro dell’intelligenza.
Dagli errori di Bruto a quelli di René Girard in Metodo, 6, n. 1,
73-98 Il desiderio e i suoi
destini: dal rapporto ai modi del rapporto, in A. Badiou, Il sesso l’amore (Federico
Leoni e Silvia Lippi), Mimesis, Milano-Udine,
41-52 Sade e il desiderio di
essere in “aut aut” 382 To be and not to be. Hamlet’s Identity, in Enthymema
23, 250-285 Heart of Darkness e la teoria lacaniana dei
registri in Anglistica pisana, XIV, 1-2 ()
The Turn of the Screw. A tale that “turns” in Enthymema 24, 43-58 Articoli di cinema (una selezione) 2007
I registi sono alleati preziosi. Un'interpretazione di Mulholland Drive di
David Lynch, in Segnocinema 144 Identità
come identificazione (nei film e non negli spettatori), in “Imago”, 2 Joe, o le disavventure di una ninfomane
(Nymphomaniac di Lars von Trier), in “Segnocinema” 196 Non infantilizzate, vi prego, Ingmar Bergman.
Desideri senza magia in “Fanny e Alexander” in Segnocinema 214 L’arte è un lusso, la fiction una necessità.
Žižek e Hitchcock, qualche anno dopo in “Segnocinema” 223-224 Recensioni
Niccolò Scaffai, recensione a Che cos'è la teoria della letteratura? Fondamenti
e problemi, in Allegoria, n. 55, 2007 Panella Giuseppe, recensione a Che cos'è
la teoria della letteratura? Fondamenti e problemi, in Ermeneutica letteraria
n. 3, 2007 Franzini Elio, recensione a La ragione flessibile, in “Enthymema”,
n. IX, 412-414, Dalmasso Gianfranco, recensione a La ragione
flessibile, in “Rivista di Filosofia Neo-Scolastica”, 1, 240-245,
Carmello Marco, recensione a La prova non-ontologica, in “Enthymema”, n.
XXV, 703-707, Note Giovanni Bottiroli (database Università degli
Studi di Bergamo), su www00.unibg.
Docenti titolari di materiaIrpa Milano, su istitutoirpa. Comparatismi. Rivista della Consulta di
Critica letteraria e Letterature comparate, su ledizioni. Enthymema, su riviste.unimi. Curriculum Vitae, su unipa. Elio Franzini, La ragione flessibile di
Giovanni Bottiroli, in Enthymema, n. 9.
Marco Carmello, Giovanni Bottiroli "La prova non-ontologica. Per
una teoria del nulla e del 'non' ", Enthymema, n. 25. Giuseppe Panella, A proposito di Giovanni
Bottiroli, "Che cos'è la teoria della letteratura", in Ermeneutica
letteraria. Rivista internazionale, n. 3.
Niccolò Scaffai, Giovanni Bottiroli"Che cos'è la teoria della
letteratura. Fondamenti e problemi", in Allegoria, n. 55. Giovanni Bottiroli, Il desiderio
"effrayant" di Julien Sorel, in Enthymema, n. 21. Letteratura e psicoanalisi, su treccani.
giovannibottiroli/it///www00.unibg/struttura/strutturasmst.asp?rubrica=1&persona=89&nome=Giovanni&cognome=Bottiroli&titolo=Prof.
59307684 I0000 0000 8138 7227
IT\ICCU\CFIV\053603 81043256
135880033 cb144625951 XX1744209
Identitieslccn-n81043256 Biografie
Biografie Letteratura Letteratura
Psicologia Psicologia Filosofo del XX
secoloFilosofi italiani del XXI secoloAccademici italiani del XX
secoloAccademici italiani Professore1951 24 giugno Novi Ligure. THE ART OF SEDUCTION ROBERT GREENE Choose the Right Victim
2 Create a False Sense of Security-Approach Indirectly Send Mixed Signals Appear
to Be an Object of Desire- Create Triangles Create a Need-Stir Anxiety and
Discontent () Master the Art of Insinuation 7 Enter Their Spirit Create
Temptation Keep Them in Suspense-What Comes Next? Use the Demonic Power of
Words to Sow Confusion Pay Attention to Detail A Penguin Book £ Psychology
www.penguin.com THE ART OF SEDUCTION ROBERT GREENE rci A JOOST ELFFERS BOOK Get
what you want by manipulating every one's greatest weakness: the desire for
pleasure. Seduction is the most subtle, elusive, and effective form of power.
It's as evident in John F. Kennedy's hold over the masses as it is in
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of Pozeer has written a handbook synthesizing the classic literature of
seduction from Freud to Kierkegaard and Ovid to Casanova, with cunning
strategies illustrated by the successes and failures of characters throughout
history. And once again Robert Greene identifies the rules of a timeless,
amoral game and explores how to cast a spell, break down resistance, and,
ultimately, compel a target to surrender. The Art of Seduction takes us through
the characters and qualities of the ten archetypal figures of seduction
(including the Siren, the Ideal Lover, the Dandy, the Natural, the Charismatic,
and the Star) and the twenty-four maneuvers by which anyone can overcome a
victim's futile resistance to the practice of this devastating and timeless art
form. Every bit as essential as The 48 Lazes ofPozver, The Art of Seduction is
an indispensable primer of persuasion that reveals one of history's greatest
weapons and the ultimate form of power. ISBN Poeticize Your Presence Disarm
Through Strategic Weakness and Vulnerability Confuse Desire and Reality- The
Perfect Illusion i Isolate the Victim , 1 ( Prove Yourself 1 Effect a
Regression j 18 Stir Up the \ Transgressive and Taboo Use Spiritual Lures 2 (
Mix Pleasure with Pain 21 Give Them Space to Fall-The ¦ Pursuer Is Pursued f I
22 Use Physical j Lures 13 Master the Art of the Bold i Move Beware ' i of the
Aftereffects 0-14-200119-8 U.S. $16.00 CAN. $24.00 PENGUIN BOOKS THE ART OF
SEDUCTION Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power, has a degree in
classical literature. He lives in Los Angeles. Visit his Web site:
www.seductionbook.com Joost Elf fers is the producer of Viking Studio's
bestselling The Secret Language of Birthdays, The Secret Language of
Relationships, as well as Play with Your Food. He lives in New York City. the
art of seduction Robert Greene A Joost Elffers Book PENGUIN BOOKS PENGUIN BOOKS
Published by the Penguin Group Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New
York, New York 10014, U.S.A. Penguin Books Ltd, 80 Strand, London WC2R ORL,
England Penguin Books Australia Ltd, 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell,Victoria
3124, Australia Penguin Books Canada Ltd, 10 Alcorn Avenue, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada M4V 3B2 Penguin Books India (P) Ltd, 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel
Park, New Delhi - 110 017, India Penguin Books (N.Z.) Ltd, Cnr Rosedale and
Airborne Roads, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand Penguin Books (South Africa)
(Pty) Ltd, 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa Penguin
Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R ORL, England First
published in the United States of America by Viking Penguin, a member of
Penguin Putnam Inc. 2001 Published in Penguin Books 2003 13579 10 8642
Copyright (c) Robert Greene and Joost Elffers, 2001 All rights reserved Every
effort has been made to trace copyright holders. The publisher apologizes for
any errors or omissions in the hst that follows and would be grateful to be
notified of any corrections that should appear in any reprint. THE LIBRARY OF
CONGRESS HAS CATALOGUED THE HARDCOVER EDITION AS FOLLOWS: Greene Robert. The
art of seduction / Robert Greene, p. cm. "A Joost Elffers book." ISBN
0-670-89192-4 (he.) ISBN 0 14 20.0119 8 (pbk.) 1. Sexual excitement. 2. Sex
instruction. 3. Seduction. I.Title. HQ31 .G82 2001 306.7-dc21 2001025868
Printed in the United States of America Set in Bembo Designed by Jaye Zimet
with Joost Elffers Except in the United States of America, this book is sold
subject to the condition that it shah not, by way of trade or otherwise, be
lent, re-sold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher's prior
consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is
published and without a similar condition including this condition being
imposed on the subsequent purchaser. The scanning, uploading and distribution
of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of
the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized
electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy
of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author's rights is appreciated.
Grateful acknowledgment is made for permission to reprint excerpts fiom the
following copyrighted works: Falling in Love by Francesco Alberoni, translated
by Lawrence Venuti. Reprinted by permission of Random House, Inc. Seduction by
Jean Baudrillard, translated by Brian Singer. St. Martin's Press, 1990.
Copyright (c) New World Perspectives. 1990. Reprinted by permission of
Palgrave. The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio, translated by G. H. Me William
(Penguin Classics 1972, second edition 1995). Copyright (c) G. H. McWilliam,
1972, 1995. Reprinted by permission of Penguin Books Ltd. Warhol by David
Bourdon, published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission of the publisher. BehindtheMask: OnSexualDemons,
SacredMothers, Transvestites, Gangsters and Other Japanese Cultural Heroes by
Ian Buruma, Random blouse UK, 1984. Reprinted with permission. Andreas
Capcllanus on Love by Andreas Capellanus. translated by P. G. Walsh. Reprinted
by permission of Gerald Duckworth & Co. Ltd. The Book of the Courtier by
Baldassare Castiglione, translated by George Bull (Penguin Classics 1967,
revised edition 1976). Copyright (c) George Bull, 1967, 1976. Reprinted by
permission of Penguin Books Ltd. Portrait of a Seductress: The World of Natalie
Barney by Jean Chalon, translated by Carol Barko, Crown Publishers, Inc., 1979.
Reprinted with permission. Lenin: The Man Behind the Mask by Ronald W. Clark,
Faber & Faber Ltd., 1988. Reprinted with permission. Pursuit of the
Millennium by Norman Cohn. Copyright (c) 1970 by Oxford University Press. Used
by permission of Oxford University Press, Inc. Tales from The Thousand and One
Nights, translated by N. J. Dawood (Penguin Classics, 1955, revised edition
1973). Translation copyright (c) N. J. Dawood. 1954, 1973. Reprinted by
permission of Penguin Books Ltd. Emma, Lady Hamilton by Flora Fraser, Allied A.
Knopf, 1987. Copyright (c) 1986 by Flora Fraser. Reprinted by permission.
Evita: The Real Life of Eva Peron by Nicolas Fraser and Marysa Navarro, W. W Norton
& Company, Inc., 1996. Reprinted by permission. The World's Lure:
FairWomen, TheirLoves, TheirPower, Their Fates by Alexander von
Gleichen-Russwurm. translated by Hannah Waller, Alfied A. Knopf, 1927.
Copyright 1927 by Alfred A. Knopf. Inc. Reprinted with permission. The Greek
Myths by Robert Graves. Reprinted by permission of Carcanet Press Limited. The
Kennedy Obsession: The American Myth ofJFKby John Heilman, Columbia University
Press 1997. Reprinted by permission of Columbia University Press. The Odyssey
by Homer, translated by E. V Rieu (Penguin Classics, 1946). Copyright (c) The
Estate of E. V. Rieu, 1946. Reprinted by permission of Penguin Books Ltd. The
Life of an Amorous Woman and Other Writings by Ihara Saikaku, translated by
Ivan Morris. Copyright (c) 1963 by New Directions Publishing Corp. Reprinted by
permission of New Directions Publishing Corp. "The Seducer's Diary"
fiom Either/Or, Part 1 by Spren Kierkegaard, translated by Howard V. Hong and
Edna H. Hong. Copyright (c) 1987 by Princeton University Press. Reprinted by
permission of Princeton University Press. Sirens: Symbols of Seduction by Meri
Lao, translated by John Oliphant of Rossie, Park Street Press, Rochester.
Vermont, 1998. Reprinted with permission. Lives of the Courtesans by Lynne Lawner,
Rizzoli, 1987. Reprinted with permission of the author. The Theatre of Don
Juan: A Collection of Plays and Views, 1630-1963 edited with a commentary by
Oscar Mandel. Copyright (c) 1963 by the University of Nebraska Press. Copyright
(c) renewed 1991 by the University of Nebraska Press. Reprinted by permission
of the University of Nebraska Press. Don Juan and the Point of Horror by James
Mandrell. Reprinted with permission of Penn State University Press. Bel-Ami by
Guy de Maupassant, translated by Douglas Parmee (Penguin Classics, 1975).
Copyright (c) Douglas Parmee. 1975. Reprinted by permission of Penguin Books
Ltd. The Arts and Secrets of Beauty by Lola Montez, Chelsea House, 1969. Used
with permission. The Age of the Crowd by Serge Moscovici. Reprinted with
permission ot Cambridge University Press. The Tale ofGenji by Murasaki Shikibu,
translated by Edward G. Seidensncker, Alfred A. Knopf, 1976. Copyright (c) 1976
by Edward G. Seidensticker. Reprinted by permission of the publisher. The
Erotic Poems by Ovid, translated by Peter Green (Penguin Classics, 1982).
Copyright (c) Peter Green, 1982. Reprinted by permission of Penguin Books Ltd.
The Metamorphoses by Ovid, translated by Mary M. Innes (Penguin Classics,
1955). Copyright (c) Mary M. Innes, 1955. Reprinted by permission of Penguin
Books Ltd. My Sister, My Spouse: A Biography of Lou Andreas-Salome by H. F.
Peters, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1962. Reprinted with permission. The.
Symposium by Plato, translated by Walter Hamilton (Penguin Classics, 1951).
Copyright (c) Walter Hamilton. 1951. Reprinted by permission of Penguin Books
Ltd. The Rise and Fall of Athens: Nine Greek Lives by Plutarch, translated by
Ian Scott-Kilvert (Penguin Classics, 1960). Copyright (c) Ian Scott-Kilvert,
1960. Reprinted by permission of Penguin Hooks Ltd. Love Declared by Denis de
Rougemont, translated by Richard Howard. Reprinted by permission of Random
House, Inc. The Wisdom of Life and Counsels and Maxims by Arthur Schopenhauer,
translated by T. Bailey Saunders (Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books,
1995). Reprinted by permission of the publisher. The Pillow Book of Sei
Shonagon by Sei Shonagon, translated and edited by Ivan Morris,
Columbia University Press. 1991. Reprinted by permission of Columbia
University Press. Liaison by Joyce Wadler, published by Bantam
Books, 1993. Reprinted by permission of the author. Max Weber:
Essays in Sociology by Max Weber,edited and translated by H. H. Certh and C.
Wright Mills. Copyright 1946, 1958 by H. H. Gerth and C. Wright Mills. Used by
permission of Oxford University Press, Inc. The Game of Hearts:
Harriette Wilson & Her Memoirs edited by LesleyBlanch. Copyright (c) 1955
by Lesley Blanch. Reprinted with permission of Simon & Schuster. To the
memory ofmyfather Acknowledgments First, I would like to thank Anna Biller for
her countlesscontributions to this book: the research, the many discussions,
her invaluable help with the text itself, and, last but not least, her
knowledge of the art of seduction, of which I have been the happy victim on
numerous occasions. I must thank my mother, Laurette, for supporting me so
steadfastly throughout this project and for being my most devoted fan. I would
like to thank Catherine Leouzon, who some years ago introduced me to Les
Liaisons Dangereuses and the world of Valmont. I would like to thank David
Frankel, for his deft editing and for his much-appreciated advice; Molly Stern
at Viking Penguin, for overseeing the project and helping to shape it;
RadhaPancham, for keeping it all organized and being so patient; and Brett
Kelly, for moving things along. With heavy heart I would like to pay tribute to
my cat Boris, who for thirteen years watched over me as I wrote and whose
presence is sorely missed. His successor, Brutus, has proven to be a worthy muse.
Finally, I would like to honor my father. Words cannot express how much I miss
him and how much he has inspired my work. Contents Acknowlegments •
ix Preface • xix Part One The Seductive Character The
Siren A man is often secretly oppressed by the role he has to
play-by always having to be responsible, in control, and rational. The Siren is
the ultimate male fantasy figure because she offers a total release from the
limitations of his life. In her presence, which is always heightened and
sexually charged, the male feels transported to a realm of pure pleasure. In a
world where women are often too timid to project such an image, learn to take
control of the male libido by embodying hisfantasy. The Rake page A woman never
quite feels desired and appreciated enough. She wants attention, but a man is
too often distracted and unresponsive. The Rake is a great female
fantasy-figure -w hen he desires a woman, brief though that moment may be, he
will go to the ends of the earth for her. He may be disloyal, dishonest, and
amoral, but that only adds to his appeal. Stir a woman's repressed longings by
adapting the Rake's mix of danger and pleasure. The Ideal Lover Most people
have dreams in their youth that get shattered or worn down with age. They find
themselves disappointed by people, events, reality, which cannot match their
youthful ideals. Ideal Lovers thrive on people's broken dreams, which become
lifelong fantasies. You long for romance? Adventure? Lofty spiritual communion?
The Ideal Lover reflects your fantasy. He or she is an artist in creating the
illusion you require. In a world of disenchantment and baseness, there is
limitless seductive power in following the path of the Ideal Lover. The Dandy
Most of us feel trapped within the limited roles that the world expects us to
play. We are instantly attracted to those who are more fluid than we are-those
who create their own persona. Dandies excite us because they cannot be
categorized, and hint at a freedom we want for ourselves. They play with
masculinity and femininity; they fashion their own physical image, which is
always startling. Use the power of the Dandy to create an ambiguous, alluring
presence that stirs represseddesires. The Natural. Childhood is the golden
paradise we are always consciously or unconsciously trying to re-create. The
Natural embodies the longed-for qualities of childhood - spontaneity,
sincerity, unpretentiousness. In the presence of Naturals, wefeel at ease,
caught up in their playful spirit, transported back to that golden age. Adopt
the pose of the Natural to neutralize people's defensiveness and infect them
with helpless delight. The Coquette The ability to delay satisfaction is the
ultimate art of seduction-while waiting, the victim is held in thrall.
Coquettes are the grand masters of the game, orchestrating a back-and-forth
movement between hope and frustration. They bait with the promise of reward-the
hope of physical pleasure, happiness, fame by association, power-all of which,
however, proves elusive; yet this only makes their targets pursue them the
more. Imitate the alternating heat and coolness of the Coquette and you will
keep the seduced at your heels. The Charmer Charm is seduction without sex.
Charmers are consummate manipulators, masking their cleverness by creating a mood
of pleasure and comfort. Their method is simple: They deflect attention from
themselves and focus it on their target. They understand your spirit, feel your
pain, adapt to your moods. In the presence of a Charmer youfeel better about
yourself. Learn to cast the Charmer's spell by aiming at people's primary
weaknesses: vanity and self-esteem. The Charismatic Charisma is a presence that
excites us. It comes from an inner quality - self-confidence, sexual energy,
sense of purpose, contentment-that most people lack and want. This quality
radiates outward, permeating the gestures of Charismatics, making them seem
extraordinary and superior. They learn to heighten their charisma with a
piercing gaze, fiery oratory, an air of mystery. Create the charismatic illusion
by radiating intensity while remaining detached. The Star Daily life is harsh,
and most of us constantly seek escapefrom it infantasies and dreams. Stars feed
on this weakness; standing out from others through a distinctive and appealing
style, they make us want to watch them. At the same time, they are vague and
ethereal, keeping their distance, and letting us imagine more than is there.
Their dreamlike quality works on our unconscious. Learn to become an object
offascination by projecting the glittering but elusive presence of the Star.
The Anti-Seducer Seducers draw you in by the focused, individualized attention
they pay to you. Anti-seducers are the opposite: insecure, self-absorbed, and
unable to grasp the psychology of another person, they literally repel
Anti-Seducers have no self-awareness, and never realize when they are
pestering, imposing, talking too much. Root out anti-seductive qualities in
yourself and recognize them in others-there is no pleasure or profit in dealing
with the Anti-Seducer. The Seducer's Victims-The Eighteen Types Part Two The
Seductive Process Phase One: Separation-Stirring Interest and Desire 1 Choose
the Right Victim Everything depends on the target of your seduction. Study your
prey thoroughly, and choose only those who will prove susceptible to your
charms. The right victims are those for whom you can fill a void, who see in
you something exotic. They are often isolated or unhappy, or can easily be made
so-for the completely contented person is almost impossible to seduce. The
perfect victim has some quality that inspires strong emotions in you, making
your seductive maneuvers seem more natural and dynamic. The perfect victim
allows for the perfect chase. 2 Create a False Sense of Security-Approach
Indirectly If you are too direct early on, you risk stirring up a resistance
that will never be lowered. At first there must be nothing of the seducer in
your manner. The seduction should begin at an angle, indirectly, so that the
target only gradually becomes aware of you. Haunt the periphery of your
target's life-approach through a third party, or seem to cultivate a relatively
neutral relationship, moving gradually from friend to lover. Lull the target
into feeling secure, then strike. 3 Send Mixed Signals Once people
are aware of your presence, and perhaps vaguely intrigued, you need to stir
theirinterest before it settles on someone else. Most of us are much too
obvious - instead, be hard to figure out. Send mixed signals: both tough and
tender, both spiritual and earthly, both innocent and cunning. A mix of
qualities suggests depth, whichfascinates even as it confuses. An elusive,
enigmatic aura will make people want to know more, drawing them into your
circle. Create such a power by hinting at something contradictory within
you. 4 Appear to Be an Object of Desire-Create Triangles Few are drawn to the
person whom others avoid or neglect; people gather around those who have
already attracted interest. To draw your victims closer and make them hungry to
possess you, you must create an aura of desirability-of being wanted and
courted by many. It will become a point of vanity for them to be the preferred
object of your attention, to win you away from a crowd of admirers. Build a
reputation that precedes you: If many have succumbed to your charms, there must
be a reason. 5 Create a Need-Stir Anxiety and Discontent pA perfectly satisfied
person cannot be seduced. Tension and disharmony must be instilled in your
targets minds. Stir within them feelings of discontent, an unhappiness with
their circumstances and with themselves. The feelings of inadequacy that you
create will give you space to insinuate yourself to make them see you as the
answer to their problems. Pain and anxiety are the proper precursors to
pleasure. Learn to manufacture the need that you can fill. 6 Master the Art of
Insinuation Making your targets feel dissatisfied and in need of your attention
is essential, but if you are too obvious, they will see through you and grow
defensive. There is no known defense, however, against insinuation-the art of
planting ideas in people's minds by dropping elusive hints that take root days
later, even appearing to them as their own idea. Create a sublanguage - bold
statements followed by retraction and apology, ambiguous comments, banal talk
combined with alluring glances-that enters the target's unconscious to convey
your real meaning. Make everything suggestive. 1 Enter Their Spirit Most people
are locked in their own worlds, making them stubborn and hard to persuade. The
way to lure them out of their shell and set up your seduction is to enter their
spirit. Play by their rules, enjoy what they enjoy, adapt yourself to their
moods. In doing so you will stroke their deep-rooted narcissism and lower their
defenses. Indulge your targets' every mood and whim, giving them nothing to
react against or resist. 8 Create Temptation Lure the target deep into your
seduction by creating the proper temptation: a glimpse of the pleasures to
come. As the serpent tempted Eve with the promise offorbidden knowledge, you
must awaken a desire in your targets that they cannot control. Find that
weakness of theirs, that fantasy that has yet to be realized, and hint that you
can lead them toward it. The key is to keep it vague. Stimulate a curiosity stronger
than the doubts and anxieties that go with it, and they will follow you. Phase
Two: Lead Astray-Creating Pleasure and Confusion 9 Keep Them in Suspense-What
Comes Next? page 241 The moment people feel they know what to expect from you,
your spell on them is broken. More: You have ceded them power. The only way to
lead the seduced along and keep the upper hand is to create suspense, a
calculated surprise. Doing something they do not expectfrom you will give them
a delightful sense of spontaneity-they will not be able to foresee what comes
next. You are always one step ahead and in control. Give the victim a thrill
with a sudden change of direction. 10 Use the Demonic Power of Words to Sow
Confusion It is hard to make people listen; they are consumed with their own
thoughts and desires, and have little time for yours. The trick to making them
listen is to say what they want to hear, to fill their ears with whatever is
pleasant to them. This is the essence of seductive language. Inflame people's
emotions with loaded phrases, flatter them, comfort their insecurities, envelop
them in sweet words and promises, and not only will they listen to you, they
will lose their will to resist you. 11 Pay Attention to Detail Lofty
words of love and grand gestures can be suspicious: Why are you trying so hard
to please? The details of a seduction-the subtle gestures, the offhand things
you do-are often more charming and revealing. You must learn to distract your
victims with a myriad of pleasant little rituals-thoughtful gifts tailored
justfor them, clothes and adornments designed to please them, gestures that
show the time and attention you are paying them. Mesmerized by what they see,
they will not notice what you are really up to. 12 Poeticize Your Presence
Important things happen when your targets are alone: The slightest feeling of
relief that you are not there, and it is all over. Familiarity and overexposure
will cause this reaction. Remain elusive, then. Intrigue your targets by
alternating an exciting presence with a cool distance, exuberant moments
followed by calculated absences. Associateyourselfwithpoeticimages and objects,
so that when they think of you, they begin to see you through an idealized
halo. The more you figure in their minds, the more they will envelop you in
seductive fantasies. 13 Disarm Through Strategic Weakness and Vulnerability Too
much maneuvering on your part may raise suspicion. The best way to cover your
tracks is to make the other person feel superior and stronger. If you seem to
be weak, vulnerable, enthralled by the other person, and unable to control
yourself you will make your actions look more natural, less calculated.
Physical weakness -t ears, bashfulness, paleness-will help create the effect.
Play the victim, then transform your target's sympathy into love. 14 Confuse
Desire and Reality-The Perfect Illusion To compensate for the difficulties in
their lives, people spend a lot of their time daydreaming, imagining a future
full of adventure, success, and romance. Ifyou can create the illusion that
through you they can live out their dreams, you will have them at your mercy.
Aim at secret wishes that have been thwarted or repressed, stirring up
uncontrollable emotions, clouding their powers of reason. Lead the seduced to a
point of confusion in which they can no longer tell the difference
between illusion and reality. 15 Isolate the Victim page 309 An isolated person
is weak. By slowly isolating your victims, you make them more vulnerable to
your influence. Take them away from their normal milieu, friends, family, home.
Give them the sense of being marginalized, in limbo-they are leaving one world
behind and entering another. Once isolated like this, they have no outside
support, and in their confusion they are easily led astray. Lure the seduced
into your lair, where nothing is familiar. Phase Three: The Precipice-Deepening
the Effect Through Extreme Measures 16 Prove Yourself page 321 Most people want
to be seduced. If they resist your efforts, it is probably because you ham' not
gone far enough to allay their doubts-about your motives, the depth of your
feelings, and so on. One well-timed action that shows how far you are willing
to go to win them over will dispel their doubts. Do not worry about looking
foolish or making a mistake-any kind of deed that is self-sacrificing and for
your targets' sake will so overwhelm their emotions, they won't notice anything
else. 17 Effect a Regression page 333 People who have experienced a certain
kind of pleasure in the past will try to repeat or relive it. The
deepest-rooted and most pleasurable memories are usually those from earliest
childhood, and are often unconsciously associated with a parental figure. Bring
your targets back to that point by placing yourself in the oedipal triangle and
positioning them as the needy child. Unaware of the cause of their emotional
response, they will fall in love with you. 18 Stir Up the Transgressive and
Taboo page 349 There are always social limits on what one can do. Some of
these, the most elemental taboos, go back centuries; others are more
superficial, simply defining polite and acceptable behavior. Making your
targets feel that you are leading them past either kind of limit is immensely
seductive. People yearn to explore their dark side. Once the desire to transgress
draws your targets to you, it will be hard for them to stop. Take them farther
than they imagined-the shared feeling of guilt and complicity will create a
powerful bond. 19 Use Spiritual Lures Everyone has doubts and
insecurities-about their body, their self-worth, their sexuality. If your
seduction appeals exclusively to the physical, you will stir up these doubts
and make your targets self-conscious. Instead, lure them out of their
insecurities by making them focus on something sublime and spiritual: a
religious experience, a lofty work of art, the occult. Lost in a spiritual
mist, the target will feel light and uninhibited. Deepen the effect of your
seduction by making its sexual culmination seem like the spiritual union of two
souls. 20 Mix Pleasure with Pain The greatest mistake in seduction
is being too nice. At first, perhaps, your kindness is charming, but it soon
grows monotonous; you are trying too hard to please, and seem insecure. Instead
of overwhelming your targets with niceness, try inflicting some pain. Make them
feel guilty and insecure. Instigate a breakup-now a rapprochement, a return to
your earlier kindness, will turn them weak at the knees. The lower the lows you
create, the greater the highs. To heighten the erotic charge, create the
excitement of fear. Phase Four: Moving In for the Kill 21Give Them Space to
Fall-The Pursuer Is Pursued If your targets become too used to you
as the aggressor, they will give less of their own energy, and the tension will
slacken. You need to wake them up, turn the tables. Once they are under your
spell, take a step bach and they will start to come after you. Hint that you
are growing bored. Seem interested in someone else. Soon they will want to
possess you physically, and restraint will go out the window. Create the
illusion that the seducer is being seduced. 22 Use Physical Lures Targets with
active minds are dangerous: If they see through your manipulations, they may
suddenly develop doubts. Put their minds gently to rest, and waken their dormant
senses, by combining a nondefensive attitude with a charged sexual presence.
While your cool, nonchalant air is
loweringtheirinhibitions,yourglances,voice,and bearing-oozing sex and
desire-are getting under their skin and raising their temperature. Never force
the physical; instead infect your targets with heat, lure them into lust.
Morality, judgment, and concern for the future will all melt away. 23 Master
the Art of the Bold Move A moment has arrived: Your victim clearly desires you,
but is not ready to admit it openly, let alone act on it. This is the time
tothrow aside chivalry,kindness, and coquetry and to overwhelm with a bold
move. Don't give the victim time to consider the consequences. Showing
hesitation or awkwardness means you are thinking of yourself as opposed to
being overwhelmed by the victim's charms. One person must go on the offensive,
and it is you. 24 Beware the Aftereffects Danger follows in the aftermath of a
successful seduction. After emotions have reached a pitch, they often swing in
the opposite direction-toward lassitude, distrust, disappointment. If you are
to part, make the sacrifice swift and sudden. If you are to stay in a
relationship, beware a flagging of energy, a creeping familiarity that will
spoil the fantasy. A second seduction is required. Never let the other person
take you for granted-use absence, create pain and conflict, to keep the seduced
on tenterhooks. Seductive Environment/Seductive Time Soft Seduction:
How to Sell Anything to the Masses Thousands of years ago, power was mostly
gained through physical violence and maintained with brute strength. There was
little need for subtlety-a king or emperor had to be merciless. Only a select
few had power, but no one suffered under this scheme of things more than women.
They had no way to compete, no weapon at their disposal that could make a man
do what they wanted-politically, socially, or even in the home. Of course men
had one weakness: their insatiable desire for sex. A woman could always toy
with this desire, but once she gave in to sex the man was back in control; and
if she withheld sex, he could simply look elsewhere-or exert force. What good
was a power that was so temporary and frail?Yet women had no choice but to
submit to this condition. There were some, though, whose hunger for power was
too great, and who, over the years, through much cleverness and creativity,
invented a way of turning the dynamic around, creating a more lasting and
effective form of power. These women-among them Bathsheba, from the Old Testament;
Helen of Troy; the Chinese siren Hsi Shi; and the greatest of them all,
Cleopatra-invented seduction. First they would draw a man in with an alluring
appearance, designing their makeup and adornment to fashion the image of a
goddess come to life. By showing only glimpses of flesh, they would tease a
man's imagination, stimulating the desire not just for sex but for something
greater: the chance to possess a fantasy figure. Once they had their
victims' interest, these women would lure them away from the mascu line world
of war and politics and get them to spend time in the
feminine world-a world of luxury, spectacle, and pleasure. They
might also lead them astray literally, taking them on a journey, as
Cleopatra lured Julius Caesar on a trip down the Nile. Men would
grow hooked on these refined, sensual pleasures-they would fall in
love. But then, invariably, the women would turn cold and
indifferent, confusing their victims. Just when the men wanted more, they found
their pleasures withdrawn. They would be forced into pursuit, trying
anything to win back the favors they once had tasted and growing weak and
emotional in the process. Men who had physical force and all the social
power-men like King David, the Trojan Paris, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, King
Fu Chai-would find themselves becoming the slave of a woman. In the face of
violence and brutality, these women made seduction a Oppression and scorn,
thus, were and must have been generally the share of women in emerging
societies; this state lasted in all its force until centuries of experience
taught them to substitute skill for force. Women at last sensed that, since
they were weaker, their only resource was to seduce; they understood that if
they were dependent on men through force, men could become dependent on them
through pleasure. More unhappy than men, they must have thought and reflected
earlier than did men; they were the first to know that pleasure was always
beneath the idea that one formed of it, and that the imagination went farther than
nature. Once these basic truths were known, they learned first to veil their
charms in order to awaken curiosity; they practiced the difficult art of
refusing even as they wished to consent; from that moment on, they knew how to
set men's imagination afire, they knew how to arouse and direct desires as they
pleased: thus did beauty and love come into being; now the lot of women became
less harsh, not that they had managed to liberate themselves entirely from the
state of oppression to which their weakness condemned them; but, in the state
of perpetual war that continues to exist between women and men, one has seen
them, with the help of the caresses they have been able to invent, combat
ceaselessly, sometimes vanquish, and often more skillfully take advantage of
the forces directed against them; sometimes, too, men have turned against women
these weapons the women had forged to combat them, and their slavery has become
all the harsher for it. -CHODERLOS DE LACLOS, ON THE EDUCATION OF WOMEN,
TRANSLATED BY LYDIA DAVIS, IN THE LIBERTINE READER, EDITED BY MICHAEL
FEHER Much more genius is needed to make love than to command
armies.-NINON DEL'ENCLOS Menelaus, if you are really going to kill her, Then my
blessing go with you, but you must do it now, Before her looks so twist the
strings of your heart That they turn your mind; for her eyes are like armies,
And where her glances fall, there cities burn, Until the dust of their ashes is
blown By her sighs. I know her, Men elans, \ And so do you. And all those who know
her suffer. - HECUBA SPEAKING ABOUT HELEN OF TROY IN EURIPIDES, THE TROJAN
WOMEN, TRANSLATED BY NEIL CURRY sophisticated art, the ultimate form of power
and persuasion. They learned to work on the mind first, stimulating fantasies,
keeping a man wanting more, creating patterns of hope and despair-the essence
of seduction. Their power was not physical but psychological, not forceful but
indirect and cunning. These first great seductresses were like military
generals planning the destruction of an enemy, and indeed early accounts of
seduction often compare it to battle, the feminine version of warfare. For
Cleopatra, it was a means of consolidating an empire. In seduction, the woman
was no longer a passive sex object; she had become an active agent, a figure of
power. With a few exceptions-the Latin poet Ovid, the medieval troubadours-men
did not much concern themselves with such a frivolous art as seduction. Then,
in the seventeenth century came a great change; men grew interested
inseductionasaway to overcome a young woman's resistance to sex. History's
first great male seducers-the Duke de Lauzun, the different Spaniards who
inspired the Don Juan legend-began to adopt the methods traditionally employed
by women. They learned to dazzle with their appearance (often androgynous in
nature), to stimulate the imagination, to play the coquette. They also added a
new, masculine element to the game: seductive language, for they had discovered
a woman's weakness for soft words. These two forms of seduction-the feminine
use of appearances and the masculine use of language-would often cross gender
lines; Casanova would dazzle a woman with his clothes; Ninon de l'Enclos would
charm a man with her words. At the same time that men were developing their
version of seduction, others began to adapt the art for social purposes. As
Europe's feudal system of government faded into the past, courtiers needed to
get their way in court without the use of force. They learned the power to be
gained by seducing their superiors and competitors through psychological games,
soft words, a little coquetry. As culture became democratized, actors, dandies,
and artists came to use the tactics of seduction as a way to charm and win over
their audience and social milieu. In the nineteenth century another great
change occurred; politicians like Napoleon consciously saw themselves as
seducers, on a grand scale. These men depended on the art of seductive oratory,
but they also mastered what had once been feminine strategies: staging vast
spectacles, using theatrical devices, creating a charged physical presence. All
this, they learned, was the essence of charisma-and remains so today. By
seducing the masses they could accumulate immense power without the use of
force. Today we have reached the ultimate point in the evolution of seduction.
Now more than ever, force or bmtality of any kind is discouraged. All areas of
social life require the ability to persuade people in a way that does not
offend or impose itself. Forms of seduction can be found everywhere, blending
male and female strategies. Advertisements insinuate, the soft sell dominates.
If we are to change people's opinions-and affecting opinion is basic to
seduction-we must act in subtle, subliminal ways. Today no political campaign
can work without seduction. Since the era of John F. Kennedy, political figures
are required to have a degree of charisma, a fascinating presence to keep their
audience's attention, which is half the battle. The film world and media create
a galaxy of seductive stars and images. We are saturated in the seductive. But
even if much has changed in degree and scope, the essence of seduction is
constant: never be forceful or direct; instead, use pleasure as bait, playing
on people's emotions, stirring desire and confusion, inducing psychological
surrender. In seduction as it is practiced today, the methods of Cleopatra
still hold. People are constantly trying to influence us, to tell us what to
do, and just as often we tune them out, resisting their attempts at persuasion.
There is a moment in our lives, however, when weall act differently-when we are
in love. We fall under a kind of spell. Our minds are usually preoccupied with
our own concerns; now they become filled with thoughts of the loved one. We
grow emotional, lose the ability to think straight, act in foolish ways that we
would never do otherwise. If this goes on long enough something inside us gives
way: we surrender to the will of the loved one, and to our desire to possess
them. Seducers are peoplewho understand the tremendous power contained in such
moments of surrender. They analyze what happens when people are in love, study
the psychological components of the process-what spurs the imagination, what
casts a spell. By instinct and through practice they master the art of making
people fall in love. As the first seductresses knew, it is much more effective
to create love than lust. A person in love is emotional, pliable, and
easilymisled. (The origin of the word "seduction" is the Latin for
"to lead astray") A person in lust is harder to control and, once
satisfied, may easily leave you. Seducers take their time, create enchantment
and the bonds of love, so that when sex ensues it only further enslaves the
victim. Creating love and enchantment becomes the model for all
seductions-sexual, social, political. A person in love will surrender. It is
pointless to try to argue against such power, to imagine that you are not
interested in it, or that it is evil and ugly. The harder you try to resist the
lure of seduction-as an idea, as a form of power-the more you will find
yourself fascinated. The reason is simple: most of us have known the power of
having someone fall in love with us. Our actions, gestures, the things we say,
all have positive effects on this person; we may not completely understand what
we have done right, but this feeling of power is intoxicating. It gives us
confidence, which makes us more seductive. We may also experience this in a
social or work setting-one day we are in ait elevated mood and people seem more
responsive, more charmed by us. These moments of power are fleeting, but they
resonate in the memory with great intensity. We want them back. Nobody likes to
feel awkward or timid or unable to reach people. The siren call of seduction is
irresistible because power is irresistible, and nothing will bring you more
power in the modern world than the ability to seduce. Repressing the desire to
seduce is a kind of No man hath it in his power to over-rule the deceitfulness
of a woman. -MARGUERITE OF NAVARRE This important side-track, by which woman
succeeded in evading man's strength and establishing herself in power, has not
been given due consideration by historians. From the moment when the woman
detached herself from the crowd, an individual finished product, offering
delights which could not be obtained by force, but only by flattery .... the
reign of love's priestesses was inaugurated. It was a development of
far-reaching importance in the history of civilization. . . . Only by the
circuitous route of the art of love could woman again assert authority, and
this she did by asserting herself at the very point at which she would normally
be a slave at the man's mercy. She had discovered the might of lust, the secret
of the art of love, the daemonic power of a passion artificially aroused and
never satiated. The force tints unchained was thenceforth to count among the
most tremendous of the world's forces and at moments to have power even over
life and death. . . . • The deliberate spellbinding of man's senses was to have
a magical effect upon him, opening up an infinitely wider range of sensation
and spurring him on as if impelled by an inspired dream. -ALEXANDER VON
GLEICHEN- RUSSWURM, THE WORLD'S LURE. TRANSLATED BY HANNAH WALLER The first
thing to get in your head is that every single \ Girl can be caught-and that
you'll catch her if \ You set your toils right. Birds will sooner fall dumb in
\ Springtime, \ Cicadas in summer, or a hunting-dog \ Turn his back on a hare,
than a lover's bland inducements \ Can fail with a woman, Even one you suppose
\ Reluctant will want it. -OVID, THE ART OF LOVE, TRANSLATED BY PETER GREEN The
combination of these two elements, enchantment and surrender, is, then,
essential to the love which we are discussing. . . . What exists in love is
surrender due to enchantment. -JOSE ORTEGA Y GASSET, ON LOVE, TRANSLATED BY
TOBY TALBOT What is good?-All that heightens the feeling of power, the will to
power, power itself in man. • What is bad?-All that proceeds from weakness. •
What is happiness?-The feeling that power increases-that a resistance is
overcome. -FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE, THE ANTI-CHRIST, TRANSLATED BY R. J.
HOLLINGDALE hysterical reaction, revealing your deep-down fascination with the
process; you are only making your desires stronger. Some day they will come to
the surface. To have such power does not require a total transformation in your
character or any kind of physical improvement in your looks. Seduction is a
game of psychology, not beauty, and it is within the grasp of any person to
become a master at the game. All that is required is that you look at the world
differently, through the eyes of a seducer. A seducer does not turn the power
off and on-every social and personal interaction is seen as a potential
seduction. There is never a moment to waste. This is so for several reasons.
The power seducers have over a man or woman works in social environments
because they have learned how to tone down the sexual element without getting
rid of it. We may think we see through them, but they are so pleasant to be
around anyway that it does not matter. Trying to divide your life into moments
in which you seduce and others in which you hold back will only confuse and
constrain you. Erotic desire and love lurk beneath the surface of almost every
human encounter; better to give free rein to your skills than to try to use
them only in the bedroom. (In fact, the seducer sees the world as his or her
bedroom.) This attitude creates great seductive momentum, and with each
seduction you gain experience and practice. One social or sexual seduction
makes the nextone easier, your confidence growing and making you more alluring.
People are drawn to you in greater numbers as the seducer's aura descends upon
you. Seducers have a warrior's outlook on life. They see each person as a kind
of walled castle to which they are laying siege. Seduction is a process of
penetration: initially penetrating the target's mind, their first point of
defense. Once seducers have penetrated the mind, making the target fantasize
about them, it iseasyto lower resistance and create physical surrender.
Seducers do not improvise; they do not leave this process to chance. Like any
good general, they plan and strategize, aiming at the target's particular
weaknesses. The main obstacle to becoming a seducer is this foolish prejudice
we have of seeing love and romance as some kind of sacred, magical realm where
things just fall into place, if they are meant to. This might seem romantic and
quaint,but it is reallyjust a cover for our laziness. What will seduce a person
is the effort we expend on their behalf, showing how much we care, how much
they are worth. Leaving things to chance is a recipe for disaster, and reveals
that we do not take love and romance very seriously. It was the effort Casanova
expended, the artfulness he applied to each affair that made him so devilishly
seductive. Falling in love is a matter not of magic but of psychology. Once you
understand your target's psychology, and strategize to suit it, you will be
better able to cast a "magical" spell. A seducer sees love not as
sacred but as warfare, where all is fair. Seducers are never self-absorbed.
Their gaze is directed outward, not inward. When they meet someone their first
move is to get inside that person's skin, to see the world through their eyes.
The reasons for this are several. First, self-absorption is a sign of
insecurity; it is anti-seductive. Everyone has insecurities, but seducers
manage to ignore them, finding therapy for moments of self-doubt by being absorbed
in the world. This gives them a buoyant spirit-we want to be around them.
Second, getting into someone's skin, imagining what it is like to be them,
helps the seducer gather valuable information, leam what makes that person
tick, what will make them lose their ability to think straight and fall into a
trap. Armed with such information, they can provide focused and individualized
attention-a rare commodity in a world in which most people see us only from
behind the screen of their own prejudices. Getting into the targets' skin is
the first important tactical move in the war of penetration. Seducers see
themselves as providers of pleasure, like bees that gather pollen from some
flowers and deliver it to others. As children we mostly devoted our lives to
play and pleasure. Adults often have feelings of being cut off from this
paradise, of being weighed down by responsibilities. The seducer knows that
people are waiting for pleasure-they never get enough of it from friends and
lovers, and they cannot get it by themselves. A person who enters their lives
offering adventure and romance cannot be resisted. Pleasure is a feeling of
being taken past our limits, of being overwhelmed by another person, by an
experience. People are dying to be overwhelmed, to let go of their usual
stubbornness. Sometimes their resistance to us is a way of saying. Please
seduce me. Seducers know that the possibility of pleasure will make a person
follow them, and the experience of it will make someone open up, weak to the
touch. They also train themselves to be sensitive to pleasure, knowing that
feeling pleasure themselves will make it that much easier for them to infect
the people around them. A seducer sees all of life as theater, everyone an
actor. Most people feel they have constricted roles in life, which makes them
unhappy. Seducers, on the other hand, can be anyone and can assume many roles.
(The archetype here is the god Zeus, insatiable seducer of young maidens, whose
main weapon was the ability to assume the form of whatever person or animal
would most appeal to his victim.) Seducers take pleasure in performing and are
not weighed down by their identity, or by some need to be themselves, or to be
natural. This freedom of theirs, this fluidity in body and spirit, is what makes
them attractive. What people lack in life is not more reality but illusion,
fantasy, play. The clothes that seducers wear, the places they take you to,
their words and actions, are slightly heightened-not overly theatrical but with
a delightful edge of unreality, as if the two of you were living out a piece of
fiction or were characters in a film. Seduction is a kind of theater in real
life, the meeting of illusion and reality. Finally, seducers are completely
amoral in their approach to life. It is all a game, an arena for play. Knowing
that the moralists, the crabbed repressed types who croak about the evils of
the seducer, secretly envy their power, they do not concern themselves with
other people's opinions. They do not deal in moral judgments-nothing could be
less seductive. Everything is The disaffection, neurosis, anguish and
frustration encountered by psychoanalysis comes no doubt from being unable to
love or to be loved, from being unable to give or take pleasure, but the
radical disenchantment comes from seduction and its failure. Only those who lie
completely outside seduction are ill, even if they remain fully capable of
loving and making love. Psychoanalysis believes it treats the disorder of sex
and desire, but in reality it is dealing with the disorders of seduction. . . .
The most serious deficiencies always concern charm and not pleasure,
enchantment and not some vital or sexual satisfaction. -JEAN BAUDR1LLARD,
SEDUCTION Whatever is done from love always occurs beyond good and evil.
-FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE, BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL, TRANSLATED BY WALTER KAUFMANN
Should anyone here in Rome lack finesse at love- making, \ Let him \ Try
me-read my book, and results are guaranteed! \ Technique is the secret.
Charioteer, sailor, pliant, fluid, like life itself. Seduction is a form of
deception, but people want to be led astray, they yearn to be seduced. If they
didn't, seducers would not find so many willing victims. Get rid of any
moralizing tendencies, adopt the seducer's playful philosophy, and you will find
the rest of the process easy and natural. oarsman, \ All need it. Technique can
control \ Love himself. - OVID, THE ART OF LOVE. TRANSLATED BY PETER GREEN The
Art of Seduction is designed to arm you with weapons of persuasion and charm,
so that those around you will slowly lose their ability to resist without
knowing how or why it has happened. It is an art of war for delicate times.
Every seduction has two elements that you must analyze and understand: first,
yourself and what is seductive about you; and second, your target and the
actions that will penetrate their defenses and create surrender. The two sides
are equally important. If you strategize without paying attention to the parts
of your character that draw people to you, you will be seen as a mechanical
seducer, slimy and manipulative. If you rely on your seductive personality
without paying attention to the other person, you will make terrible mistakes
and limit your potential. Consequently, The Art of Seduction is divided into
two parts. The first half, "The Seductive Character," describes the
nine types of seducer, plus the Anti-Seducer. Studying these types will make
you aware of what is inherently seductive in your character, the basic building
block of any seduction. The second half, "The Seductive Process,"
includes the twenty- four maneuvers and strategies that will instruct you on
how to create a spell, break down people's resistance, give movement and force
to your seduction, and induce surrender in your target. As a kind of bridge
between the two parts, there is a chapter on the eighteen types of victims of a
seduction-each of them missing something from their lives, each cradling an
emptiness you can fill. Knowing what type you are dealing with will help you
put into practice the ideas in both sections. Ignore any part of this book and
you will be an incomplete seducer. The ideas and strategies in The Art of
Seduction are based on the writings and historical accounts of the most
successful seducers in history. The sources include the seducers' own memoirs
(by Casanova, Errol Flynn, Natalie Barney, Marilyn Monroe); biographies (of
Cleopatra, Josephine Bonaparte, John F. Kennedy, Duke Ellington); handbooks on
the subject (most notably Ovid's Art of Love); and fictional accounts of
seductions (Choderlos de Laclos's Dangerous Liaisons, Spren Kierkegaard's The
Seducer's Diary, Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale ofGenji). The heroes and heroines
of these literary works are generally modeled on real-life seducers. The
strategies they employ reveal the intimate connection between fiction and
seduction, creating illusion and leading a person along. In putting the book's
lessons into practice, you will be following in the path of the greatest
masters of the art. Finally, the spirit that will make you a consummate seducer
is the spirit in which you should read this book. The French writer Denis
Diderot once wrote, "I give my mind the liberty to follow the first wise
or foolish idea that presents itself, just as in the avenue de Foy our
dissolute youths follow close on the heels of some strumpet, then leave her to
pursue another, attacking all of them and attaching themselves to none. My
thoughts are my strumpets." He meant that he let himself be seduced by
ideas, following whichever one caught his fancy until a better one came along,
his thoughts infused with a kind of sexual excitement. Once you enter these
pages, do as Diderot advised: let yourself be lured by the stories and ideas,
your mind open and your thoughts fluid. Slowly you will find yourself absorbing
the poison through the skin and you will begin to see everything as a
seduction, including the way you think and how you look at the world. Most
virtue is a demand for greater seduction. -NATALIE BARNEY Part One Seductive
Character W e all have the power of attraction-the ability to draw people in
and hold them in our thrall. Far from all of us, though, are aware of this
inner potential, and we imagine attractiveness instead as a near-mystical trait
that a select few are born with and the rest will never command. Yet all we
need to do to realize our potential is understand what it is in a person's
character that naturally excites people and develop these latent qualities
within us. Successful seductions rarely begin with an obvious maneuver or
strategic device. That is certain to arouse suspicion. Successful seductions
begin with your character, your ability to radiatesome quality that attracts
people and stirs their emotions in a way that is beyond their control.
Hypnotized by your seductive character, your victims will not notice your
subsequent manipulations. It will then be child's play to mislead and seduce
them. There are nine seducer types in the world. Each type has a particular
character trait that comes from deep within and creates a seductive pull.
Siren.': have an abundance of sexual energy and know how touse it. Rakes
insatiably adore the opposite sex, and their desire is infectious. Ideal Lovers
have an aesthetic sensibility that they apply to romance. Dandies like to play
with their image, creating a striking and androgynous allure. Naturals are
spontaneous and open. Coquettes are self-sufficient, with a fascinating cool at
their core. Charmers want and know how to please-they are social creatures.
Charismatics have an unusual confidence in themselves. Stars are ethereal and
envelop themselves in mystery. The chapters in this section will take you
inside each of the nine types. At least one of the chapters should strike a
chord-you will recognize part of yourself. That chapter will be the key to
developing your own powers of attraction. Let us say you have coquettish
tendencies. The Coquette chapter will show you how to build upon your own
self-sufficiency, alternating heat and coldness to ensnare your victims. It
will show you how to take your natural qualities further, becoming a grand
Coquette, the type we fight over. There is no point in being timid with a
seductive quality. We are charmed by an unabashed Rake and excuse his excesses,
but a halfhearted Rake gets no respect. Once you have cultivated your dominant
character trait, adding some art to what nature has given you, you can then
develop a second or third trait, adding depth and mystery to your persona.
Finally the section's tenth chapter, on the Anti-Se cluce r, w i 11 make you
aware of the opposite potential within you-the power of repulsion. At all cost
you must root out any anti-seductive tendencies you may have. Think of the nine
types as shadows, silhouettes. Only by stepping into one of them and letting it
grow inside you can you begin to develop the seductive character that will
bring you limitless power the iren man is often secretly oppressed by the role
he has to play-by always having to be responsible, in control, and rational.
The Siren is the ultimate male fantasy figure because she offers a total
release from the limitations of his life. In her presence, which is always
heightened and sexually charged, the male feels transported to a world of pure
pleasure. She is dangerous, and in pursuing her energetically the man can lose control
over himself something he yearns to do. The Siren is a mirage; she lures men by
cultivating a particular appearance and manner. In a world where women are
often too timid to project such an image, learn to take control of the male
libido by embodying his fantasy. The Spectacular Siren I n the year 48 B.C.,
Ptolemy XIV of Egypt managed to depose and exile his sister and wife. Queen
Cleopatra. He secured the country's borders against her return and began to
rule on his own. Later that year, Julius Caesar came to Alexandria to ensure
that despite the local power struggles, Egypt would remain loyal to Rome. One
night Caesar was meeting with his generals in the Egyptian palace, discussing
strategy, when a guard entered to report that a Greek merchant was at the door
bearing a large and valuable gift for the Roman leader. Caesar, in the mood for
a little fun, gave the merchant permission to enter. The man came in, carrying
on his shoulders a large rolled-up carpet. He undid the rope around the bundle
and with a snap of his wrists unfurled it-revealing the young Cleopatra, who
had been hidden inside, and who rose up half clothed before Caesar and his
guests, like Venus emerging from the waves. Everyone was dazzled at the sight
of the beautiful young queen (only twenty-one at the time) appearing before
them suddenly as if in a dream. They were astounded at her daring and
theatricality-smuggled into the harbor at night with only one man to protect
her, risking everything on a bold move. No one was more enchanted than Caesar.
According to the Roman writer Dio Cassius, "Cleopatra was in the prime of
life. She had a delightful voice which could not fail to cast a spell over all
who heard it. Such was the charm of her person and her speech that they drew
the coldest and most determined misogynist into her toils. Caesar was
spellbound as soon as he set eyes on her and she opened her mouth to
speak." That same evening Cleopatra became Caesar s lover. Caesar had had
numerous mistresses before, to divert him from the rigors of his campaigns. But
he had always disposed of them quickly to return to what really thrilled
him-political intrigue, the challenges of warfare, the Roman theater. Caesar
had seen women try anything to keep him under their spell. Yet nothing prepared
him for Cleopatra. One night she would tell him howtogethertheycould revive the
glory of Alexander the Great, and rule the world like gods. The next she would
entertain him dressed as the goddess Isis, surrounded by the opulence of her
court. Cleopatra initiated Caesar in the most decadent revelries, presenting
herself as the incarnation of the Egyptian exotic. His life with her was a
constant game, as challenging as warfare, for the moment he felt secure with
her she In the mean time our good ship, with that perfect wind to drive her,
fast approached the Sirens' Isle. But now the breeze dropped, some power lulled
the waves, and a breathless calm set in. Rising from their seats my men drew in
the sail and threw it into the hold, then sat down at the oars and churned the
water white with their blades of polished pine. Meanwhile I took a large round
of wax, cut it up small with my sword, and kneaded the pieces with all the
strength of my fingers. The wax soon yielded to vigorous treatment and grew
warm, for I had the rays of my Lord the Sun to help me. I took each of my men
in turn and plugged their ears with it. They then made me a prisoner on my ship
by binding me hand and foot, standing me up by the step of the mast and tying
the rope's ends to the mast itself. This done, they sat down once more and
struck the grey water with their oars. We made good progress and had just come
within call of the shore when the Sirens became aware that a ship was swiftly
bearing down upon them, and broke into their liquid song. "Draw
near," they sang, "illustrious Odysseus, flower of Achaean chivalry,
and bring your ship to rest so that you may hear our voices. No seaman ever
sailed his black ship past this spot without listening to the sweet tones that
flow from our lips . . • The lovely voices came to me across the water, and my
heart was filled with such a longing to listen that with nod and frown I signed
to my men to set me free. - HOMER, THE ODYSSEY, BOOK XII, TRANSLATED BY E.V.
RIEU The charm of [Cleopatra's ] presence was irresistible, and there was an
attraction in her person and talk, together with a peculiar force of character,
which pervaded her every word and action, and laid all who associated with her
under its spell. It was a delight merely to hear the sound of her voice, with
which, like an instrument of many strings, she could pass from one language to
another. -PLUTARCH, MAKERS OF ROME, TRANSLATED BY IAN SCOTT-KILVERT The
immediate attraction of a song, a voice, or scent. The attraction of the
panther with his perfumed scent . . . According to the ancients, the panther is
the only animal who emits a perfumed odor. It uses this scent to draw and
capture its victims. . . . But what is it that seduces in a scent? . . . What
is it in the song of the Sirens that seduces us, or in the beauty of a face, in
the depths would suddenly turn cold or angry and he would have to find a way to
regain her favor. The weeks went by. Caesar got rid of all Cleopatra's rivals
and found excuses to stay in Egypt. At one point she led him on a lavish
historical expedition down the Nile. In a boat of unimaginable
splendor-towering fifty-four feet out of the water, including several terraced
levels and a pillared temple to the god Dionysus-Caesar became one of the few
Romans to gaze on the pyramids. And while he stayed long in Egypt, away from
his throne in Rome, all kinds of turmoil erupted throughout the Roman Empire.
When Caesar was murdered, in 44 B.C., he was succeeded by a triumvirate of
rulers including Mark Antony, a brave soldier who loved pleasure and spectacle
and fancied himself a kind of Roman Dionysus. A few years later, while Antony
was in Syria, Cleopatra invited him to come meet her in the Egyptian town of
Tarsus. There-once she had made him wait for her-her appearance was as startling
in its way as her first before Caesar. A magnificent gold barge with purple
sails appeared on the river Cydnus. The oarsmen rowed to the accompaniment of
ethereal music; all around the boat were beautiful young girls dressed as
nymphs and mythological figures. Cleopatra sat on deck, surrounded and fanned
by cupids and posed as the goddess Aphrodite, whose name the crowd chanted
enthusiastically. Like all of Cleopatra's victims, Antony felt mixed emotions.
The exotic pleasures she offered were hard to resist. But he also wanted to
tame her-to defeat this proud and illustrious woman would prove his greatness.
And so he stayed, and, like Caesar, fell slowly under her spell. She indulged
him in all of his weaknesses-gambling, raucous parties, elaborate rituals,
lavish spectacles. To get him to come back to Rome, Octavius, another member of
the Roman triumvirate, offered him a wife: Octavius's own sister, Octavia, one
of the most beautiful women in Rome. Known for her virtue and goodness, she
could surely keep Antony away from the "Egyptian whore." The ploy
worked for a while, but Antony was unable to forget Cleopatra, and after three
years he went back to her. This time it was for good: he had in essence become
Cleopatra's slave, granting her immense powers, adopting Egyptian dress and
customs, and renouncing the ways o/Rome. Only one image of Cleopatra survives-a
barely visible profile on a coin- but we have numerous written descriptions.
She had a long thin face and a somewhat pointed nose; her dominant features
were her wonderfully large eyes. Her seductive power, however, did not lie in
her looks-indeed many among the women of Alexandria were considered more
beautiful than she. What she did have above all other women was the ability to
distract a man. In reality, Cleopatra was physically unexceptional and had no
political power, yet both Caesar and Antony, brave and clever men, saw none of
this. What they saw was a woman who constantly transformed herself before their
eyes, a one-woman spectacle. Her dress and makeup changed from day to day, but
always gave her a heightened, goddesslike appearance. Her voice, which all
writers talk of, was lilting and intoxicating. Her words could be banal enough,
but were spoken so sweetly that listeners would find themselves remembering not
what she said but how she said it. Cleopatra provided constant
variety-tributes, mock battles, expeditions, costumed orgies. Everything had a
touch of drama and was accomplished with great energy. By the time your head
lay on the pillow beside her, your mind was spinning with images and dreams.
And just when you thought you had this fluid, larger-than-life woman, she would
turn distant or angry, making it clear that everything was on her terms. You
never possessed Cleopatra, you worshiped her. In this way a woman who had been
exiled and destined for an early death managed to turn it all around and rule
Egypt for close to twenty years. From Cleopatra we leam that it is not beauty
that makes a Siren but rather a theatrical streak that allows a woman to embody
a man's fantasies. A man grows bored with a woman, no matter how beautiful; he
yearns for different pleasures, and for adventure. All a woman needs to turn
this around is to create the illusion that she offers such variety and adventure.
A man is easily deceived by appearances; he has a weakness for the visual.
Create the physical presence of a Siren (heightened sexual allure mixed with a
regal and theatrical manner) and he is trapped. He cannot grow bored with you
yet he cannot discard you. Keep up the distractions, and never let him see who
you really are. He will follow you until he drowns. The Sex Siren N orma Jean
Mortensen, the future Marilyn Monroe, spent part of her childhood in Los
Angeles orphanages. Her days were filled with chores and no play. At school,
she kept to herself, smiled rarely, and dreamed a lot. One day when she was
thirteen, as she was dressing for school, she noticed that the white blouse the
orphanage provided for her was torn, so she had to borrow a sweater from a
younger girl in the house. The sweater was several sizes too small. That day,
suddenly, boys seemed to gather around her wherever she went (she was extremely
well-developed for her age). She wrote in her diary, "They stared at my
sweater as if it were a gold mine." The revelation was simple but
startling. Previously ignored and even ridiculed by the other students, Norma
Jean now sensed a way to gain attention, maybe even power, for she was wildly
ambitious. She started to smile more, wear makeup, dress differently. And soon
she noticed something equally startling: without her having to say or do
anything, boys fell passionately in love with her. "My admirers all said
the same thing in different ways," she wrote. "It was my fault, their
wanting to kiss me and hug me. Some said it was the way I looked at them-with
eyes full of passion. Others said it was my voice that lured them on. Still
others said I gave off vibrations that floored them." of an abyss . . . ?
Seduction lies in the annulment of signs and their meaning, in pure appearance.
The eyes that seduce have no meaning, they end in the gaze, as the face with
makeup ends in only pure appearance. . . . The scent of the panther is also a
meaningless message-and behind the message the panther is invisible, as is the
woman beneath her makeup. The Sirens too remained unseen. The enchantment lies
in what is hidden. -JEAN BAUDRILLARD, DE LA SEDUCTION We're dazzled by feminine
adornment, by the surface, \ All gold and jewels: so little of what we observe
\ Is the girl herself And where (you may ask) amid such plenty \ Can our object
of passion be found? The eye's deceived \ By Love's smart camouflage. - OVID,
CURES FOR LOVE. TRANSLATED BY PETER GREEN He was herding his cattle on Mount
Gargarus, the highest peak of Ida, when Hermes, accompanied by Hera, Athene,
and Aphrodite delivered the golden apple and Zeus's message: "Paris, since
you are as handsome as you are wise in affairs of the heart, Zeus commands you
to judge which of these goddesses is the fairest. " "So be it,"
sighed Paris. "But first I beg the losers not to be vexed with me. I am
only a human being, liable to make the stupidest mistakes." • The
goddesses all agreed to abide by his decision. • "Will it be enough to judge
them as they are?" Paris asked Hermes, "or they he naked?" •
"The rules of the contest are for you to decide," Hermes answered
with a discreet smile. • "In that case, will they kindly disrobe?" •
Hermes told the goddesses to do so, and politely turned his back. • Aphrodite
was soon ready, but Athene insisted that she should remove the famous magic
girdle, which gave her an unfair advantage by making everyone fall in love
withthe wearer. "Very well" said Aphrodite spitefully. "/ will,
on condition thatyou remove your helmet-you look hideous without it. " •
"Now, if you please, 1 must judge you one at a time" announced Paris.
. . . Come here, Divine Hera! Will you other two goddesses be good enough to
leave us for a while?" • "Examine me conscientiously," said
Hera, turning slowly around, and displaying her magnificent figure, "and
remember that if you judge me the fairest, 1 will make you lord of all Asia,
and the richest man alive. " • "/ am not to be bribed my Lady . . .
Very well, thank you. Now I have seen all that I need to see. Come, Divine
Athene!" • "Here I am," said Athene, striding purposefully
forward. "Listen, Paris, if you have enough common sense to award me the
prize, I will make you victorious in all your battles, as well as the
handsomest and wisest man in the world." • "/ am a humble A few years
later Marilyn was trying to make it in the film business. Producers would tell
her the same thing: she was attractive enough in person, but her face wasn't
pretty enough for the movies. She was getting work as an extra, and when she
was on-screen-even if only for a few seconds-the men in the audience would go
wild, and the theaters would erupt in catcalls. But nobody saw any star quality
in this. One day in 1949, only twenty-three at the time and her career at a
standstill, Monroe met someone at a diner who toldher that a producer casting a
new Groucho Marx movie. Love Happy, was looking for an actress for the part of
a blond bombshell who could walk by Groucho in a way that would, in his words,
"arouse my elderly libido and cause smoke to issue from my ears."
Talking her way into an audition, she improvised this walk. "It's Mae
West, Theda Bara, and Bo Peep all rolled into one," said Groucho after
watching her saunter by. "We shoot the scene tomorrow morning." And
so Marilyn created her infamous walk, a walk that was hardly natural but
offered a strange mix of innocence and sex. Over the next few years, Marilyn
taught herself through trial and error how to heighten the effect she had on
men. Her voice had always been attractive-it was the voice of a little girl.
But on film it had limitations until someone finally taught her to lower it,
giving it the deep, breathy tones that became her seductive trademark, a mix of
the little girl and the vixen. Before appearing on set, or even at a party,
Marilyn would spend hours before the mirror. Most people assumed this was
vanity-she was in love with her image. The truth was that image took hours to
create. Marilyn spent years studying and practicing the art of makeup. The
voice, the walk, the face and look were all constructions, an act. At the
height of her fame, she would get a thrill by going into bars in New York City
without her makeup or glamorous clothes and passing unnoticed. Success finally
came, but with it came something deeply annoying to her: the studios would only
cast her as the blond bombshell. She wanted serious roles, but no one took her
seriously for those parts, no matter how hard she downplayed the siren
qualities she had built up. One day, while she was rehearsing a scene from The
Cherry Orchard, her acting instructor, Michael Chekhov, asked her, "Were
you thinking of sex while we played the scene?" When she said no, he
continued, "All through our playing of the scene I kept receiving sex
vibrations from you. As if you were a woman in the grip of passion. ... I
understand your problem with your studio now, Marilyn. You are a woman who
gives off sex vibrations-no matter what you are doing or thinking. The whole
world has already responded to those vibrations. They come off the movie
screens when you are on them." Marilyn Monroe loved the effect her body
could have on the male libido. She tuned her physical presence like an
instrument, making herself reek of sex and gaining a glamorous,
larger-than-life appearance. Other women knewjust as many tricks for
heightening their sexual appeal, but what separated Marilyn from them was an
unconscious element. Her background had deprived her of something critical:
affection. Her deepest need was to feel loved and desired, which made her seem
constantly vulnerable, like a little girl craving protection. She emanated this
need for love before the camera; it was effortless, coming from somewhere real
and deep inside. A look or gesture that she did not intend to arouse desire
would do so doubly powerfully just because it was unintended-its innocence was
precisely what excited a man. The S ex Siren has a more urgent and immediate
effect than the Spectacular Siren does. The incarnation of sex and desire, she
does not bother to appeal to extraneous senses, or to create a theatrical
buildup. Her time never seems to be taken up by work or chores; she gives the
impression that she lives for pleasure and is always available. What separates
the Sex Siren from the courtesan or whore is her touch of innocence and
vulnerability. The mix is perversely satisfying: it gives the male the critical
illusion that he is a protector, the father figure, although it is actually the
Sex Siren who controls the dynamic. A woman doesn't have to be born with the
attributes of a Marilyn Monroe to fill the role of the Sex Siren. Most of the
physical elements are a construction; the key is the air of schoolgirl
innocence. While one part of you seems to scream sex, the other part is coy and
naive, as if you were incapable of understanding the effect you are having.
Your walk, your voice, your manner are delightfully ambiguous-you are both the
experienced, desiring woman and the innocent gamine. Your next encounter will
be with the Sirens, who bewitch every man that approaches them. . . . For with
the music of their song the Sirens cast their spell upon him, as they sit there
in a meadow piled high with the moldering skeletons of men, whose withered skin
still hangs upon their bones. -CIRCE TO ODYSSEUS, THE ODYSSEY, BOOK XII Keys to
the Character The Siren is the most ancient seductress of them all. Her
prototype is the goddess Aphrodite-it is her nature to have a mythic quality
about her-but do not imagine she is a thing of the past, or of legend and
history: she represents a powerful male fantasy of a highly sexual, supremely
confident, alluring female offering endless pleasure and a bit of danger. In
today's world this fantasy can only appeal the more strongly to the male
psyche, for now more than ever he lives in a world that circumscribes his
aggressive instincts by making everything safe and secure, a world that offers
less chance for adventure and risk than ever before. In the past, a man had
some outlets for these drives-warfare, the high seas, political intrigue. In
the sexual realm, courtesans and mistresses were practically a social institu-
herdsman, not a soldier," said Paris. . . . ".But I promise to
consider fairly your claim to the apple. Now you are at liberty to put on your
clothes and helmet again. Is Aphrodite ready?" • Aphrodite sidled up to
him, and Paris blushed because she came so close that they were almost
touching. • "Look carefully, please, pass nothing over. ... By the way, as
soon as I saw you, I said to myself: 'Upon my word, there goes the handsomest
young man in Phrygia! Why does he waste himself here in the wilderness herding
stupid cattle?' Well, why do you, Paris? Why not move into a city and lead a
civilized life? What have you to lose by marrying someone like Helen of Sparta,
who is as beautiful as I am, and no less passionate? ... I suggest now that you
tour Greece with my son Eros as your guide. Once you reach Sparta, he and I
will see that Helen falls head over heels in love with you." • "Would
you swear to that?" Paris ashed excitedly. • Aphrodite uttered a solemn
oath, and Paris, without a second thought, awarded her the golden apple.
-ROBERT GRAVES, THE GREEK MYTHS, VOLUME I To whom aw I compare the lovely girl,
so blessed by fortune, if not to the Sirens, who with their lodestone draw the
ships towards them? Thus, I imagine, did Isolde attract many thoughts and
hearts that deemed themselves safe from love's disquietude. And indeed these
two-anchorless ships and stray thoughts - provide a good comparison. They are
both so seldom on a straight course, lie so often in unsure havens, pitching
and tossing and heaving to and fro. Just so, in the same way, do aimless desire
and random love-longing drift like an anchorless ship. This charming young
princess, discreet and courteous Isolde, drew thoughts from the hearts that
enshrined them as a lodestone draws in ships to the sound of the Sirens' song.
She sang openly and secretly, in through ears and eyes to where many a heart
was stirred. The song which she sang openly in this and other places was her own
sweet singing and soft sounding of strings that echoed for all to hear through
the kingdom of the ears deep down into the heart. But her secret song was her
wondrous beauty that stole with its rapturous music hidden and unseen through
the windows of the eyes into many noble hearts and smoothed on the magic which
took thoughts prisoner suddenly, and, taking them, fettered them with desire!
-GOTTFRIED VON STRASSBURG, TRISTAN. TRANSLATED BY A. T. HATTO tion, and offered
him the variety and the chase that he craved. Without any outlets, his drives
turn inward and gnaw at him, becoming all the more volatile for being
repressed. Sometimes a powerful man will do the most irrational things, have an
affair when it is least called for, just for a thrill, the danger of it all.
The irrational can prove immensely seductive, even more so for men, who must
always seem so reasonable. If it is seductive power you are after, the Siren is
the most potent of all. She operates on a man's most basic emotions, and if she
plays her role properly, she can transform a normally strong and responsible
male into a childish slave. The Siren operates well on the rigid masculine
type-the soldier or hero-just as Cleopatra overwhelmed Mark Antony and Marilyn
Monroe Joe DiMaggio. But never imagine that these are the only types the Siren
can affect. Julius Caesar was a writer and thinker, who had transferred his
intellectual abilities onto the battlefield and into the political arena; the
playwright Arthur Miller fell as deeply under Monroe's spell as DiMaggio. The
intellectual is often the one most susceptible to the Siren call of pure
physical pleasure, because his life so lacks it. The Siren does not have to
worry about finding the right victim. Her magic works on one and all. First and
foremost, a Siren must distinguish herself from other women. She is by nature a
rare thing, mythic, only one to a group; she is also a valuable prize to be
wrested away from other men. Cleopatra made herself different through her sense
of high drama; the Empress Josephine Bonaparte's device was her extreme
languorousness; Marilyn Monroe's was her little-girl quality. Physicality
offers the best opportunities here, since a Siren is preeminently a sight to
behold. A highly feminine and sexual presence, even to the point of caricature,
will quickly differentiate you, since most women lack the confidence to project
such an image. Once the Siren has made herself stand out from others, she must
have two other critical qualities: the ability to get the male to pursue her so
feverishly that he loses control; and a touch of the dangerous. Danger is
surprisingly seductive. To get the male to pursue you is relatively simple: a
highly sexual presence will do this quite well. But you must not resemble a
courtesan or whore, whom the male may pursue only to quickly lose interest in
her. Instead, you are slightly elusive and distant, a fantasy come to life.
During the Renaissance, the great Sirens, such as Tullia d'Aragona, would act
and look like Grecian goddesses-the fantasy of the day. Today you might model
yourself on a film goddess-anything that seems larger than life, even awe
inspiring. These qualities will make a man chase you vehemently, and the more
he chases, the more he will feel that he is acting on his own initiative. This
is an excellent way of disguising how deeply youare manipulating him. The
notion of danger, challenge, sometimes death, might seem outdated, but danger
is critical in seduction. It adds emotional spice and is particularly appealing
to men today, who are normally so rational and repressed. Danger is present in
the original myth of the Siren. In Homer's Odyssey, the hero Odysseus must sail
by the rocks where the Sirens, strange female creatures, sing and beckon
sailors to their destruction. They sing of the glories of the past, of a world
like childhood, without responsibilities, a world of pure pleasure. Their
voices are like water, liquid and inviting. Sailors would leap into the water
to join them, and drown; or, distracted and entranced, they would steer their
ship into the rocks. To protect his sailors from the Sirens, Odysseus has their
ears filled with wax; he himself is tied to the mast, so he can both hear the
Sirens and live to tell of it-a strange desire, since the thrill of the Sirens
is giving in to the temptation to follow them. Just as the ancient sailors had
to row and steer, ignoring all distractions, a man today must work and follow a
straight path in life. The call of something dangerous, emotional, unknown is
all the more powerful because it is so forbidden. Think of the victims of the
great Sirens of history: Paris causes a war for the sake of Helen of Troy,
Caesar risks an empire and Antony loses his power and his life for Cleopatra,
Napoleon becomes a laughingstock over Josephine, DiMaggio never gets over
Marilyn, and Arthur Miller can't write for years. A man is often ruined by a
Siren, yet cannot tear himself away. (Many powerful men have a masochistic
streak.) An element of danger is easy to hint at, and will enhance your other
Siren characteristics-the touch of madness in Marilyn, for example, that pulled
men in. Sirens are often fantastically irrational, which is immensely
attractive to men who are oppressed by their own reasonableness. An element of
fear is also critical: keeping a man at a proper distance creates respect, so
that he doesn't get close enough to see through you or notice your weaker
qualities. Create such fear by suddenly changing your moods, keeping the man
off balance, occasionally intimidating him with capricious behavior. The most
important element for an aspiring Siren is always the physical, the Siren's
main instrument of power. Physical qualities-a scent, a heightened femininity
evoked through makeup or through elaborate or seductive clothing-act all the
more powerfully on men because they have no meaning. hi their immediacy they
bypass rational processes, having the same effect that a decoy has on an
animal, or the movement of a cape on a bull. The proper Siren appearance is
often confused with physical beauty, particularly the face. But a beautiful
face does not a Siren make: instead it creates too much distance and coldness.
(Neither Cleopatra nor Marilyn Monroe, the two greatest Sirens in history, were
known for their beautiful faces.) Although a smile and an inviting look are
infinitely seductive, they must never dominate your appearance. They are too
obvious and direct. The Siren must stimulate a generalized desire, and the best
way to do this is by creating an overall impression that is both distracting and
alluring. It is not one particular trait, but a combination of qualities:
Falling in love with statues and paintings, even making love to them is an
ancient fantasy, one of which the Renaissance was keenly aware. Giorgio Vasari,
writing in the introductory section of the Lives about art in antiquity, tells
how men violated the laws, going into the temples at night and making love with
statues of Venus. In the morning, priests would enter the sanctuaries to find
stains on the marble figures. -LYNNE LAWNER, LIVES OF THE COURTESANS The voice.
Clearly a critical quality, as the legend indicates, the Siren's voice has an
immediate animal presence with incredible suggestive power. Perhaps that power
is regressive, recalling the ability of the mother's voice to calm or excite
her child even before the child understood what she was saying. The Siren must
have an insinuating voice that hints at the erotic, more often subliminally
than overtly. Almost everyone who met Cleopatra commented on her delightful,
sweet-sounding voice, which had a mesmerizing quality. The Empress Josephine,
one of the great seductresses of the late eighteenth century, had a languorous
voice that men found exotic, and suggestive of her Creole origins. Marilyn
Monroe was born with her breathy, childlike voice, but she learned to lower to
make it truly seductive. Lauren Bacall's voice is naturally low; its seductive
power comes from its slow, suggestive delivery. The Siren never speaks quickly,
aggressively, or at a high pitch. Her voice is calm and unhurried, as if she
had never quite woken up-or left her bed. Body and adornment. If the voice must
lull, the body and its adornment must dazzle. It is with her clothes that the
Siren aims to create the goddess effect that Baudelaire described in his essay
"In Praise of Makeup": "Woman is well within her rights, and
indeed she is accomplishing a kind of duty in striving to appear magical and
supernatural. She must astonish and bewitch; an idol, she must adorn herself
with gold in order to be adored. She must borrow from all of the arts in order
to raise herself above nature, the better to subjugate hearts and stir
souls." A Siren who was a genius of clothes and adornment was Pauline
Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon. Pauline consciously strove for a goddess effect,
fashioning hair, makeup, and clothes to evoke the look and air of Venus, the
goddess of love. No one in history could boast a more extensive and elaborate
wardrobe. Pauline's entrance at a ball in 1798 created an astounding effect.
She asked the hostess, Madame Permon, if she could dress at her house, so no
one would see her clothes as she came in. When she came down the stairs,
everyone stopped dead in stunned silence. She wore the headdress of a
bacchante-clusters of gold grapes interlaced in her hair, which was done up in
the Greek style. Her Greek tunic, with its gold- embroidered hem, showed off
her goddesslike figure. Below her breasts was a girdle of burnished gold, held
by a magnificent jewel. "No words can convey the loveliness of her appearance,"
wrote the Duchess d'Abrantes. "The very room grew brighter as she entered.
The whole ensemble was so harmonious that her appearance was greeted with a
buzz of admiration which continued with utter disregard of all the other
women." The key: everything must dazzle, but must also be harmonious, so
that no single ornament draws attention. Your presence must be charged, larger
than life, a fantasy come true. Ornament is used to cast a spell and distract.
The Siren can also use clothing to hint at the sexual, at times overtly but
more often by suggesting it rather than screaming it-that would make you seem
manipulative. Related to this is the notion of selective disclosure, the
revealing of only a part of the body-but a part that will excite and stir the imagination.
In the late sixteenth century. Marguerite de Valois, the infamous daughter of
Queen Catherine de Medicis of France, was one of the first women ever to
incorporate decolletage in her wardrobe, simply because she had the most
beautiful breasts in the realm. For Josephine Bonaparte it was her arms, which
she carefully always left bare. Movement and demeanor. In the fifth century
B.C., King Kou Chien chose the Chinese Siren Hsi Shih from among all the women
of his realm to seduce and destroy his rival Fu Chai, King of Wu; for this
purpose, he had the young woman instructed in the arts of seduction. Most
important of these was movement-how to move gracefully and suggestively. Hsi
Shih learned to give the impression of floating across the floor in her court
robes. When she was finally unleashed on Fu Chai, he quickly fell under her
spell. She walked and moved like no one he had ever seen. He became obsessed
with her tremulous presence, her manner and nonchalant air. Fu Chai fell so
deeply in love that he let his kingdom fall to pieces, allowing Kou Chien to
march in and conquer it without a fight. The Siren moves gracefully and
unhurriedly. The proper gestures, movement, and demeanor for a Siren are like
the proper voice: they hint at something exciting, stirring desire without
being obvious. Your air must be languorous, as if you had all the time in the
world for love and pleasure. Your gestures must have a certain ambiguity,
suggesting something both innocent and erotic. Anything that cannot immediately
be understood is supremely seductive, and all the more so if it permeates your
manner. Symbol: Water. The song of the Siren is liquid and enticing, and the
Siren herself is fluid and un- graspable. Like the sea, the Siren lures you
with the promise of infinite adventure and pleasure. Forgetting past and
future, men follow her far out to sea, where they drown. Dangers. N o matter
how enlightened the age, no woman can maintain the image of being devoted to
pleasure completely comfortably. And no matter how hard she tries to distance
herself from it, the taint of being easy always follows the Siren. Cleopatra
was hated in Rome as the Egyptian whore. That hatred eventually lead to her
downfall, as Octavius and the Roman army sought to extirpate the stain on Roman
manhood that she came to represent. Even so, men are often forgiving when it
comes to the Siren's reputation. But danger often lies in the envy she stirs up
among other women; much of Rome's hatred for Cleopatra originated in the
resentment she provoked among the city's stern matrons. By playing up her
innocence, by making herself seem the victim of male desire, the Siren can
somewhat blunt the effects of feminine envy. But on the whole there is little
she can do-her power comes from her effect on men, and she must learn to
accept, or ignore, the envy of other women. Finally, the intense attention that
the Siren attracts can prove irritating and worse. Sometimes she will pine for
relief from it; sometimes, too, she will want to attract an attention that is
not sexual. Also, unfortunately, physical beauty fades; although the Siren
effect depends not on a beautiful face but on an overall impression, past a
certain age that impression gets hard to project. Both of these factors
contributed to the suicide of Marilyn Monroe. It takes a genius on the level of
Madame de Pompadour, the Siren mistress of King Louis XV, to make the
transition into the role of the spirited older woman who continues to seduce
with her nonphysical charms. Cleopatra had such an intellect, and had she lived
long enough, she would have remained a potent seductress for many years. The
Siren must prepare for age by paying attention early on to the more
psychological, less physical forms of coquetry that can continue to bring her
power once her beauty starts to fade. the A woman never quite feels desired and
appreciated enough. She wants attention, but a man is too often distracted and
unresponsive. The Rake is a great female fantasy figure-when he desires a
woman, brief though that moment may be, he will go to the ends of the earth for
her. He may be disloyal, dishonest, and amoral, but that only adds to his
appeal. Unlike the normal, cautious male, the Rake is delightfully
unrestrained, a slave to his love of women. There is the added lure of his
reputation: so many women have succumbed to him, there has to be a reason.
Words are a woman's weakness, and the Rake is a master of seductive language.
Stir a woman's repressed longings by adapting the Rake's mix of danger and
pleasure. The Ardent Rake. F or the court of Louis XIV, the king's last years
were gloomy-he was old, and had become both insufferably religious and
personally unpleasant. The court was bored and desperate for novelty. So in
1710, the arrival of a fifteen-year-old lad who was both devilishly handsome
and charming had a particularly strong effect on the ladies. His name was
Fronsac, the future Duke de Richelieu (his granduncle being the infamous
Cardinal Richelieu). He was impudent and witty. The ladies would play with him
like a toy, but he would Mss them on the lips in return, his hands wandering
far for an inexperienced boy. When those hands strayed up the skirts of a
duchess who was not so indulgent, the king was furious, and sent the youth to
the Bastille to teach him a lesson. But the ladies who had found him so amusing
could not endure his absence. Compared to the stiffs in court, here was someone
incredibly bold, his eyes boring into you, his hands quicker than was safe.
Nothing could stop him, his novelty was irresistible. The court ladies pleaded
and his stay in the Bastille was cut short. Several years later, the young
Mademoiselle de Valois was walking in a Paris park with her chaperone, an older
woman who never left her side. De Valois's father, the Duke d'Orleans, was determined
to protect her, his youngest daughter, from all the court seducers until she
could be married off, so he had attached to her this chaperone, a woman of
impeccable virtue and sourness. In the park, however, de Valois saw a young man
who gave her a look that set her heart on fire. He walked on by, but the look
was intense and clear. It was her chaperone who told her his name: the now
infamous Duke de Richelieu, blasphemer, seducer, heartbreaker. Someone to avoid
at all cost. A few days later, the chaperone took de Valois to a different
park, and lo and behold, Richelieu crossed their path again. This time he was
in disguise, dressed as a beggar, but the look in his eye was unforgettable.
Mademoiselle de Valois returned his gaze: at last something exciting in her
drab life. Given her father's sternness, no man had dared approach her. And now
this notorious courtier was pursuing her, instead of all the other ladies at
court-what a thrill! Soon he was smuggling beautifully written notes to her
expressing his uncontrollable desire for her. She responded timidly, but soon
the notes were all she was living for. In one of them he promised to arrange
everything if she would spend the night with him; imagining it was [After an
accident at sect, Don Juan finds himself washed up on a beach, where he is
discovered by a young woman.] • TISBEA: Wake up, handsomest of all men, and be
yourself again. • D 0 N JUAN: If the sea gives me death, you give me life. But
the sea really saved me only to be killed by you. Oh the sea tosses me from one
torment to the other, for I no sooner pulled myself from the water than I met
this siren - yourself. Why fill my ears with wax, since you kill me with your
eyes? I was dying in the sea, but from today I shall die of love. • TISBEA: YOU
have abundant breath for a man almost drowned. You suffered much, but who knows
what suffering you are preparing for me? . . I found you at my feet all water,
and now you are all fire. If you burn when you are so wet, what will
you do when you're dry again? You promise a scorching flame; I hope to God
you're not lying. • D O N JUAN: Dear girl, God should have drowned me before I
could be charred by you. Perhaps love was wise to drench me before I felt your
scalding touch. But your fire is such that even in water I burn. • TISBEA: So
cold and yet burning? • DON JUAN: So much fire is in you. • TISBEA: How well
you talk! • D O N JUAN: How well you understand! • TISBEA: I hope to God you're
not lying. -TIRSO DE MOLINA, THE PLAYBOY OF SEVILLE, TRANSLATED BY ADRIENNE M.
SCHIZZANO AND OSCAR MANDEL Pleased with my first success, I determined to
profit by this happy reconciliation. I called them impossible to bring such a
thing to pass, she did not mind playing along and agreeing to his bold
proposal. Mademoiselle de Valois had a chambermaid named Angelique, who dressed
her for bed and slept in an adjoining room. One night as the chaperone was
knitting, de Valois looked up from the book she was reading to see Angelique
carrying her mistress's nightclothes to her room, but for some strange reason
Angelique looked back at her and smiled-it was Richelieu,expertly dressed as
the maid! De Valois nearly gasped from fright, but caught herself, realizing
the danger she was in: if she said anything her family would find out about the
notes, and about her part in the whole affair. What could she do? She decided
to go to her room and talk the young duke out of his ridiculously dangerous
maneuver. She said good night to her chaperone, but once she was in her
bedroom, the words she had planned were useless. When she tried to reason with
Richelieu, he responded with that look in his eye, and then with his arms
around her. She could not yell, but now she was unsure what to do. His
impetuous words, his caresses, the danger of it all-her head was whirling, she
was lost. What was virtue and her prior boredom compared to an evening with the
court's most notorious rake? So while the chaperone knitted away, the duke
initiated her into the my dear wives, my faithful rituals of libertinage. companions,
the two bemgs Months later, de Valois's father had reason to suspect that
Richelieu had chosen to make me happy. i sought to turn their broken through
his lines of defense. The chaperone was fired, the precau- heads, and to rouse
in tions were doubled. D'Orleans did not realize that to Richelieu such mea-
them desires the strength of which I knew and which would drive away any
reflections contrary to my plans. The skillful man who knows how to communicate
gradually the heat of love to the senses of the most virtuous woman is quite
certain of soon being absolute master of her mind and her person; you cannot
reflect when you have lost your head; and, moreover, principles of wisdom,
however deeply engraved they may be on the mind, are effaced in that moment
when the heart yearns only for pleasure: pleasure alone then commands and is
obeyed. The man who has had experience of conquests nearly always succeeds
where he who is only timid and in love fails. . . . • When I had brought my two
belles to the state of abandonment in which I sures were a challenge, and he
lived for challenges. He bought the house next door under an assumed name and
secretly tunneled a trapdoor through the wall adjoining the duke's kitchen
cupboard. In this cupboard, over the next few months-until the novelty wore
off-de Valois and Richelieu enjoyed endless trysts. Everyone in Paris knew of
Richelieu's exploits, for he made it a point to publicize them as loudly as
possible. Every week a new story would circulate through the court. A husband
had locked his wife in an upstairs room at night, worried the duke was after
her; to reach her the duke had crawled in darkness along a thin wooden plank
suspended between two upper-floor windows.Two women who lived in the same
house, one a widow, the other married and quite religious, had discovered to
their mutual horror that the duke was having an affair with both of them at the
same time, leaving one in the middle of the night to be with the other. When
they confronted him, the duke, always on the prowl for something novel, and a
devilish talker, had neither apologized nor backed down, but proceeded to talk
them into a menage a trois, playing on the wounded vanity of each woman, who
could not stand the thought of him preferring the other. Year after year, the
stories of his remarkable seductions spread. One woman admired his audacity and
bravery, another his gallantry in thwarting a husband. Women competed for his
attention: if he did not want to seduce you, there had to be something wrong
with you. To be the target of his attentions became a great fantasy. At one
point two ladies fought a pistol duel over the duke, and one of them was
seriously wounded. The Duchess d'Orleans, Richelieu's most bitter enemy, once
wrote, "If I believed in sorcery I should think that the Duke possessed
some supernatural secret, for I have never known a woman to oppose the very
least resistance to him." In seduction there is often a dilemma: to seduce
you need planning and calculation, but if your victim suspects that you have
ulterior motives, she will grow defensive. Furthermore, if you seem to be in
control, you will inspire fear instead of desire. The Ardent Rake solves this
dilemma in the most artful manner. Of course he must calculate and plan-he has
to find a way around the jealous husband, or whatever the obstacle is. It is
exhausting work. But by nature, the Ardent Rake also has the advantage of an
uncontrollable libido. When he pursues a woman, he really is aglow with desire;
the victim senses this and is inflamed, even despite herself. How can she
imagine that he is a heartless seducer who will abandon her when he so ardently
braves all dangers and obstacles to get to her? And even if she is aware of his
rakish past, of his incorrigible amorality, it doesn't matter, because she also
sees his weakness. He cannot control himself; he actually is a slave to all
women. As such he inspires no fear. The Ardent Rake teaches us a simple lesson:
intense desire has a distracting power on a woman, just as the Siren's physical
presence does on a man. A woman is often defensive and can sense insincerity or
calculation. But if she feels consumed by your attentions, and is confident you
will do anything for her, she will notice nothing else about you, or will find
a way to forgive your indiscretions. This is the perfect cover for a seducer.
The kej| is to show no hesitation, to abandon all restraint, to let yourself
go, to show that you cannot control yourself and are fundamentally weak. Do not
worry about inspiring mistrust; as long as you are the slave to her charms, she
will not think of the aftermath. The Demonic Rake. I n the early 1880s, members
of Roman high society began to talk of a young journalist who had arrived on
the scene, a certain Gabriele D'Annunzio. This was strange in itself, for
Italian royalty had only the deepest contempt for anyone outside their circle,
and a newspaper society reporter was almost as low as you could go. Indeed
well-born men paid D'Annunzio little attention. He had no money and few connections,
coming from a strictly middle-class background. Besides, to them he was
downright ugly-short and stocky, with a dark, splotchy complexion and bulging
eyes. The men thought him so unappealing they gladly let him mingle with their
wives and daughters, certain that their women would be safe with this gargoyle
and happy to get this gossip hunter off their hands. No, it was not the men who
talked of D'Annunzio; it was their wives. wanted them, I expressed a more eager
desire; their eyes lit up; my caresses were returned; and it was plain that
their resistance would not delay for more than a few moments the next scene I
desired them to play. I proposed thateach should accompany me in turn into a
charming closet, next to the room in which we were, which I wanted them to
admire. They both remained silent. • "You hesitate?" I said to them.
"I will see which of you is the more attached to me. The one who loves me
the more will be the first to follow the lover she wishes to convince of her
affection. . . I knew my puritan, and I was well aware that, after a few
Struggles, she gave herself up completely to the present moment. 'This one
appeared to be as agreeable to her as the others we had previously spent
together; she forgot that she was sharing me [with Madame Renaud]. . . . •
[When her turn came ] Madame Renaud responded with a transport that proved her
contentment, and she left the sitting only after having repeated continually:
"What a man! What a man! He is astonishing! How often you could be happy
with him if he were only faithful!" - THE PRIVATE LIFE OF THE MARSHAL DUKE
OF RICHELIEU, TRANSLATED BY F. S. FLINT His very successes in love, even more
than the marvellous voice of this little, bald seducer with a nose like Punch,
swept along in his train a whole procession of enamoured women, both opulent
and tormented. D'Annunzio had successfully revived the Byronic legend: as he
passed by full-breasted women, standing in his way as Boldoni would paint them,
strings of pearls anchoring them to life-princesses and actresses, great
Russian ladies and even middle- class Bordeaux housewives-they would offer
themselves up to him. -PHILIPPE JULLIAN, PRINCE OF AESTHETES: COUNT ROBERT DE
MONTESQUIEOU, TRANSLATED BY JOHN HAYLOCK AND FRANCIS KING In short, nothing is
so sweet as to triumph over the Resistance of a beautiful Person; and in that I
have the Ambition of Conquerors, who fly Introduced to D'Annunzio by their
husbands, these duchesses and marchionesses would find themselves entertaining
this strange-looking man, and when he was alone with them, his manner would
suddenly change. Within minutes these ladies would be spellbound. First, he had
the most magnificent voice they had ever heard-soft and low, each syllable
articulated, with a flowing rhythm and inflection that was almost musical. One
woman compared it to the ringing of church bells in the distance. Others said
his voice had a "hypnotic" effect. The words that voice spoke were
interesting as well-alliterative phrases, charming locutions, poetic images,
and a way of offering praise that could melt a woman's heart. D'Annunzio had
mastered the art of flattery. He seemed to know each woman's weakness: one he
would call a goddess of nature, another an incomparable artist in the making,
another a romantic figure out of a novel. A woman's heart would flutter as he
described the effect she had on him. Everything was suggestive, hinting at sex
or romance. That night she would ponder his words, recalling little in
particular that he had said, because he never said anything concrete, but
rather the feeling it had given her. The next day she would receive from him a
poem that seemed to have been written specifically for her. (In fact he wrote
dozens of very similar poems, slightly tailoring each one for its intended
victim.) A few years after D'Annunzio began work as a society reporter, he
married the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Gallese. Shortly thereafter,
with the unshakeable support of society ladies, he began publishing novels and
books of poetry. The number of his conquests was remarkable, and also the
quality-not only marchionesses would fall at his feet, but great artists, such
as the actress Eleanor Duse, who helped him become a respected dramatist and
literary celebrity. The dancer Isadora Duncan, another who eventually fell
under his spell, explained his magic: "Perhaps the perpetually from
victory to m0 st remarkable lover of our time is Gabriele D'Annunzio. And this
Victory and can never prevail with themselves to put a bound to their Wishes.
Nothing can restrain the Impetuosity of my Desires; I have an Heart for the
whole Earth; and like Alexander, I could wish for New Worlds wherein to extend
my Amorous Conquests. -MOLIERE, DON JOHN OR THE LIBERTINE. TRANSLATED BY JOHN
OZELL notwithstanding that he is small, bald, and, except when his face lights
up with enthusiasm, ugly But when he speaks to a woman he likes, his face is
transfigured, so that he suddenly becomes Apollo. . . . His effect on women is
remarkable. The lady he is talking to suddenly feels that her very soul and
being are lifted." At the outbreak of World War I, the fifty-two-year-old
D'Annunzio joined the army. Although he had no military experience, he had a
flair for the dramatic and a burning desire to prove his bravery. He learned to
fly and led dangerous but highly effective missions. By the end of the war, he
was Italy's most decorated hero. His exploits made him a beloved national
figure, and after the war, crowds would gather outside his hotel wherever in
Italy he went. He would address them from a balcony, discussing politics,
railing against the current Italian government. A witness of one of these
speeches, the American writer Walter Starkie, was initially disappointed at the
appearance of the famous D'Annunzio on a balcony in Venice; he was short, and
looked grotesque. "Little by little, however, I began to sink under the
fascination of the voice, which penetrated into my consciousness. . . . Never a
hurried, jerky gesture. ... He played upon the emotions of the crowd as a
supreme violinist does upon a Stradivarius. The eyes of the thousands were
fixed upon him as though hypnotized by his power." Once again, it was the
sound of the voice and the poetic connotations of the words that seduced the
masses. Arguing that modern Italy should reclaim the greatness of the Roman
Empire, D'Annunzio would craft slogans for the audience to repeat, or would ask
emotionally loaded questions for them to answer. He flattered the crowd, made
them feel they were part of some drama. Everything was vague and suggestive.
The issue of the day was the ownership of the city of Fiume, just across the
border in neighboring Yugoslavia. Many Italians believed that Italy's reward
for siding with the Allies in the recent war should be the annexation of Fiume.
D'Annunzio championed this cause, and because of his status as a war hero the
army was ready to side with him, although the government opposed any action. In
September of 1919, with soldiers rallying around him, D'Annunzio led his
infamous march on Fiume. When an Italian general stopped him along the way, and
threatened to shoot him, D'Annunzio opened his coat to show his medals, and
said in his magnetic voice, "If you must kill me, fire first on
this!" The general stood there stunned, then broke into tears. He joined
up with D'Annunzio. When D'Annunzio entered Fiume, he was greeted as a
liberator. The next day he was declared leader of the Free State of Fiume. Soon
he was giving daily speeches from a balcony overlooking the town's main square,
holding tens of thousands of people spellbound without benefit of loudspeakers.
He initiated all kinds of celebrations and rituals harking back to the Roman
Empire. The citizens of Fiume began to imitate him, particularly his sexual
exploits; the city became like a giant bordello. His popularity was so high
that the Italian government feared a march on Rome, which at that point, had
D'Annunzio decided to do it-and he had the support of a large part of the
military-might actually have succeeded; D'Annunzio could have beaten Mussolini
to the punch and changed the course of history. (He was not a Fascist but a
kind of aesthetic socialist.) He decided to stay in Fiume, however, and ruled
there for sixteen months before the Italian government finally bombed him out
of the city. Seduction is a psychological process that transcends gender,
except in a few key areas where each gender has its own weakness. The male is
traditionally vulnerable to the visual. The Siren who can concoct the right
physical appearance will seduce in large numbers. For women the weakness is
language and words: as was written by one of D'Annunzio's victims, the French
actress Simone, "How can one explain his conquests except by his
extraordinary verbal power, and the musical timbre of his voice, put to the
service of exceptional eloquence? For my sex is susceptible to words, bewitched
by them, longing to be dominated by them." The Rake is as promiscuous with
words as he is with women. He chooses words for their ability to suggest,
insinuate, hypnotize, elevate, in- Among the many modes of handling Don Juan's
effect on women, the motif of the irresistible hero is worth singling out, for
it illustrates a curious change in our sensibility. Don Juan did not become
irresistible to women until the Romantic age, and I am disposed to think that
it is a trait of the female imagination to make him so. When the female voice
began to assert itself and even, perhaps, to dominate in literature, Don Juan
evolved to become the women's rather than the man's ideal. . . . Don Juan is
now the woman's dream of the perfect lover, fugitive, passionate, daring. He
gives her the one unforgettable moment, the magnificent exaltation of the flesh
which is too often denied her by the real husband, who thinks that men are
gross and women spiritual. To be the fatal Don Juan may be the dream of a few
men; but to meet him is the dream of many women. -OSCAR MANDEL,"THE LEGEND
OF DON JUAN," THE THEATRE OF DON JUAN feet. The words of the Rake are the
equivalent of the bodily adornment of the Siren: a powerful sensual
distraction, a narcotic. The Rake's use of language is demonic because it is
designed not to communicate or convey information but to persuade, flatter,
stir emotional turmoil, much as the serpent in the Garden of Eden used words to
lead Eve into temptation. The example of D'Annunzio reveals the link between
the erotic Rake, who seduces women, and the political Rake, who seduces the
masses. Both depend on words. Adapt the character of the Rake and you will find
that the use of words as a subtle poison has infinite applications. Remember:
it is the form that matters, not the content. The less your targets focus on
what you say, and the more on how it makes them feel, the more seductive your
effect. Give your words a lofty, spiritual, literary flavor the better to
insinuate desire in your unwitting victims. But what is this force, then, by
which Don Juan seduces? It is desire, the energy of sensuous desire. He desires
in every woman the whole of womanhood. The reaction to this gigantic passion
beautifies and develops the one desired, who flushes in enhanced beauty by his
reflection. As the enthusiast's fire with seductive splendor illumines even
those who stand in a casual relation to him, so Don Juan transfigures in afar
deeper sense every girl. -S0REN KIERKEGAARD, EITHER/OR Keys to the Character A
t first it may seem strange that a man who is clearly dishonest, disloyal, and
has no interest in marriage would have any appeal to a woman. But throughout
all of history, and in all cultures, this type has had a fatal effect. What the
Rake offers is what society normally does not allow women: an affair of pure
pleasure, an exciting brush with danger. A woman is often deeply oppressed by
the role she is expected to play She is supposed to be the tender, civilizing
force in society, and to want commitment and lifelong loyalty. But often her
marriages and relationships give her not romance and devotion but routine and
an endlessly distracted mate. It remains an abiding female fantasy to meet a
man who gives totally of himself, who lives for her, even if only for a while.
This dark, repressed side of female desire found expression in the legend of
Don Juan. At first the legend was a male fantasy: the adventurous knight who
could have any woman he wanted. But in the seventeenth and eighteenth
centuries, Don Juan slowly evolved from the masculine adventurer to a more
feminized version: a man who lived only for women. This evolution came from
women's interest in the story, and was a result of their frustrated desires. Marriage
for them was a form of indentured servitude; but Don Juan offered pleasure for
its own sake, desire with no strings attached. For the time he crossed your
path, you were all he thought about. His desire for you was so powerful that he
gave you no time to think or to worry about the consequences. He would come in
the night, give you an unforgettable moment, and then vanish. He might have
conquered a thousand women before you, but that only made him more interesting;
better to be abandoned than undesired by such a man. The great seducers do not
offer the mild pleasures that society condones. They touch a person's
unconscious, those repressed desires that cry out for liberation. Do not
imagine that women are the tender creatures that some people would like them to
be. Like men, they are deeply attracted to the forbidden, the dangerous, even
the slightly evil. (Don Juan ends by going to hell, and the word
"rake" comes from "rakehell," a man who rakes the coals of
hell; the devilish component, clearly, is an important part of the fantasy.)
Always remember: if you are to play the Rake, you must convey a sense of risk
and darkness, suggesting to your victim that she is participating in something
rare and thrilling-a chance to play out her own rakish desires. To play the
Rake, the most obvious requirement is the ability to let yourself go, to draw a
woman into the kind of purely sensual moment in which past and future lose
meaning. You must be able to abandon yourself to the moment. (When the Rake
Valmont-a character modeled after the Duke de Richelieu-in Laclos'
eighteenth-century novel Dangerous Liaisons writes letters that are obviously
calculated to have a certain effect on his chosen victim, Madame de Tourvel,
she sees right through them; but when his letters really do burn with passion,
she begins to relent.) An added benefit of this quality is that it makes you
seem unable to control yourself, a display of weakness that a woman enjoys. By
abandoning yourself to the seduced, you make them feel that you exist for them
alone-a feeling reflecting a truth, though a temporary one. Of the hundreds of
women that Pablo Picasso, consummate rake, seduced over the years, most of them
had the feeling that they were the only one he truly loved. The Rake never
worries about a woman's resistance to him, or for that matter about any other
obstacle in his path-a husband, a physical barrier. Resistance is only the spur
to his desire, enflaming him all the more. When Picasso was seducing Fran£oise
Gilot, in fact, he begged her to resist; he needed resistance to add to the
thrill. In any case, an obstacle in your way gives you the opportunity to prove
yourself, and the creativity you bring to matters of love. In the
eleventh-century Japanese novel The Tale ofGenji, by the court lady Murasaki
Shikibu, the Rake Prince Niou is not disturbed by the sudden disappearance of
Ukifune, the woman he loves. She has fled because although she is interested in
the prince, she is in love with another man; but her absence allows the prince
to go to extreme lengths to track her down. His sudden appearance to whisk her
away to a house deep in the woods, and the gallantry he displays in doing so,
overwhelm her. Remember: if no resistances or obstacles face you, you must
create them. No seduction can proceed without them. The Rake is an extreme
personality. Impudent, sarcastic, and bitingly witty, he cares nothing for what
anyone thinks. Paradoxically, this only makes him more seductive. In the
courtlike atmosphere of studio-era Hollywood, when most of the actors behaved
like dutiful sheep, the great Rake Errol Flynn stood out in his insolence. He
defied the studio chiefs, engaged in the most extreme pranks, reveled in his
reputation as Hollywood's supreme seducer-all of which enhanced his popularity.
The Rake needs abackdrop of convention-a stultified court, a humdrum marriage,
a conservative culture-to shine, to be appreciated for the breath of fresh air
he provides. Never worry about going too far: the Rake's essence is that he
goes further than anyone else. When the Earl of Rochester, seventeenth-century
England's most notorious Rake and poet, abducted Elizabeth Malet, one of the
most sought- after young ladies of the court, he was duly punished. But lo and
behold, a few years later young Elizabeth, though wooed by the most eligible
bachelors in the country, chose Rochester to be her husband. In demonstrating
his audacious desire, he made himself stand out from the crowd. Related to the
Rake's extremism is the sense of danger, taboo, perhaps even the hint of
cruelty about him. This was the appeal of another poet Rake, one of the
greatest in history: Lord Byron. Byron disliked any kind of convention, and
happily played this up. When he had an affair with his half sister, who bore a
child by him, he made sure that all of England knew about it. He could be
uncommonly cruel, as he was to his wife. But all of this only made him that
much more desirable. Danger and taboo appeal to a repressed side in women, who
are supposed to represent a civilizing, moralizing force in culture. Just as a
man may fall victim to the Siren through his desire to be free of his sense of
masculine responsibility, a woman may succumb to the Rake through her yearning
to be free of the constraints of virtue and decency. Indeed it is often the
most virtuous woman who falls most deeply in love with the Rake. Among the
Rake's most seductive qualities is his ability to make women want to reform
him. How many thought they would be the one to tame Lord Byron; how many of
Picasso's women thought they would finally be the one with whom he would spend
the rest of his life. You must exploit this tendency to the fullest. When
caught red-handed in rakishness, fall back on your weakness-your desire to
change, and your inability to do so. With so many women at your feet, what can
you do? You are the one who is the victim. You need help. Women will jump at
this opportunity; they are uncommonly indulgent of the Rake, for he is such a
pleasant, dashing figure. The desire to reform him disguises the true nature of
their desire, the secret thrill they get from him. When President Bill Clinton
was clearly caught out as a Rake, it was women who rushed to his defense,
finding every possible excuse for him. The fact that the Rake is so devoted to
women, in his own strange way, makes him lovable and seductive to them.
Finally, a Rake's greatest asset is his reputation. Never downplay your bad
name, or seem to apologize for it. Instead, embrace it, enhance it. It is what
draws women to you. There are several things you must be known for: your
irresistible attractiveness to women; your uncontrollable devotion to pleasure
(this will make you seem weak, but also exciting to be around); your disdain
for convention; a rebellious streak that makes you seem dangerous. This last
element can be slightly hidden; on the surface, be polite and civil, while
letting it be known that behind the scenes you are incorrigible. Duke de
Richelieu made his conquests as public as possible, exciting other women's
competitive desire to join the club of the seduced. It was by reputation that
Lord Byron attracted his willing victims. A woman may feel ambivalent about
President Clinton's reputation, but beneath that ambivalence is an underlying
interest. Do not leave your reputation to chance or gossip; it is your life's
artwork, and you must craft it, hone it, and display it with the care of an
artist. Symbol: Fire. The Rake burns with a desire that enflames the woman he
is seducing. It is extreme, uncontrollable, and dangerous. The Rake may end in
hell, but the flames surrounding him often make him seem that much more
desirable to women. Dangers ";e the Siren, the Rake faces the most danger
from members of his J _/Dwn sex, who are far less indulgent than women are of
his constant skirt chasing. In the old days, a Rake was often an aristocrat,
and no matter how many people he offended or even killed, in the end he would
go unpunished. Today, only stars and the very wealthy can play the Rake with
impunity; the rest of us need to be careful. Elvis Presley had been a shy young
man. Attaining early stardom, and seeing the power it gave him over women, he
went berserk, becoming a Rake almost overnight. Like many Rakes, Elvis had a
predilection for women who were already taken. He found himself cornered by an
angry husband or boyfriend on numerous occasions, and came away with a few cuts
and bruises. This might seem to suggest that you should step lightly around
husbands and boyfriends, especially early on in your career. But the charm of
the Rake is that such dangers don't matter to them. You cannot be a Rake by
being fearful and prudent; the occasional pummeling is part of the game. Later
on, in any case, at the height of Elvis's fame, no husband would dare touch
him. The greater danger for the Rake comes not from the violently offended
husband but from those insecure men who feel threatened by the Don Juan figure.
Although they will not admit it, they envy the Rake's life of pleasure, and
like everyone envious, they will attack in hidden ways, often masking their
persecutions as morality. The Rake may find his career endangered by such men
(or by the occasional woman who is equally insecure, and who feels hurt because
the Rake does not want her). There is little the Rake can do to avoid envy; if
everyone was as successful in seduction, society would not function. So accept
envy as a badge of honor. Don't be naive, be aware. When attacked by a moralist
persecutor, do not be taken in by their cmsade; it is motivated by envy, pure
and simple. You can blunt it by being less of a Rake, asking forgiveness,
claiming to have reformed, but this will damage your reputation, making you
seem less lovably rakish. In the end, it is better to suffer attacks with
dignity and keep on seducing. Seduction is the source of your power; and you
can always count on the infinite indulgence of women. the Ideal lover Most
people have dreams in their youth that get shattered or worn down with age.
They find themselves disappointed by people, events, reality, which cannot
match their youthful ideals. Ideal Lovers thrive on people's broken dreams,
which become lifelong fantasies. You long for romance ? Adventure? Lofty
spiritual communion? The Ideal Lover reflects your fantasy. He or she is an
artist in creating the illusion you require, idealizing your portrait. In a
world of disenchantment and baseness, there is limitless seductive power in
following the path of the Ideal Lover. The Romantic Ideal O ne evening around
1760, at the opera in the city of Cologne, a beautiful young woman sat in her
box, watching the audience. Beside her was her husband, the town burgomaster-a
middle-aged man and amiable enough, but dull. Through her opera glasses the
young woman noticed a handsome man wearing a stunning outfit. Evidently her
stare was noticed, for after the opera the man introduced himself: his name was
Giovanni Gi- if at first sight a girl does acomo Casanova. The stranger kissed
the woman's hand. She was going to a ball the following night, she told him;
would he like to come? "If I might dare to hope, Madame," he replied,
"that you will dance only with me." The next night, after the ball,
the woman could think only of Casanova. He had seemed to anticipate her
thoughts-had been so pleasant, and yet so bold. A few days later he dined at
her house, and after her husband had retired for the evening she showed him
around. In her boudoir she pointed out a wing of the house, a chapel, just
outside her window. Sure enough, as if he had read her mind, Casanova came to
the chapel the next day to attend Mass, and seeing her at the theater that
evening he mentioned to her that he had noticed a door there that must lead to
her bedroom. She not make such a deep impression on a person that she awakens
the ideal, then ordinarily the actuality is not especially desirable; but if
she does, then no matter how experienced a person is he usually is rather
overwhelmed. -S0REN KIERKEGAARD, THE SEDUCER'S DIARY. TRANSLATED BY HOWARD V.
HONG AND EDNA H. HONG laughed, and pretended to be surprised. In the most
innocent of tones, he said that he would find a way to hide in the chapel the
next day-and almost without thinking, she whispered she would visit him there
after everyone had gone to bed. So Casanova hid in the chapel's tiny
confessional, waiting all day and evening. There were rats, and he had nothing
to lie upon; yet when the burgomaster's wife finally came, late at night, he
did not complain, but quietly followed her to her room. They continued their
trysts for several days. By day she could hardly wait for night: finally
something to live for, an adventure. She left him food, books, and candles to
ease his long and tedious stays in the chapel-it seemed wrong to use a place of
worship for such a purpose, but that only made the affair more exciting. A few
days later, however, she had to take a journey with her husband. By the time
she got back, Casanova had disappeared, as quickly and gracefully as he had
come. Some years later, in London, a young woman named Miss Pauline noticed an
ad in a local newspaper. A gentleman was looking for a lady lodger to rent a
part of his house. Miss Pauline came from Portugal, and was of the nobility;
she had eloped to London with a lover, but he had been A good lover will behave
as elegantly at dawn as at any other time. He drags himself out of bed with a
look of dismay on his face. The lady urges him on: "Come, my friend, it's
getting light. You don't want anyone to find you here." He gives a deep
sigh, as if to say that the night has not been nearly long enough and that it
is agony to leave. Once up, he does not instantly pull on his trousers. Instead
he comes close to the lady and whispers whatever was left unsaid during the
night. Even when he is dressed, he still lingers, vaguely pretending to be
fastening his sash. • Presently he raises the lattice, and the two lovers stand
together m the side door while he tells her how he dreads the coining day,
which will keep them apart; then he slips away. The lady watches him go, and
this moment of parting will remain among her most charming memories. • Indeed,
one's attachment to a man depends largely on the elegance of his leave- taking;
When he jumps out of bed, scurries about the room, tightly fastens his trouser
sash, rolls up the sleeves of his court cloak, overrobe, or hunting costume, stuffs
his belongings into the breast of his robe and then briskly secures the outer
sash-one really begins to hate him. PILLOW fBML iO F SEI SHONAGON. TRANSLATED
AND forced to return home and she had had to stay on alone for some while
before she couldjoin him. Now she was lonely, and had little money, and was
depressed by her squalid circumstances-after all, she had been raised as a
lady. She answered the ad. The gentleman turned out to be Casanova, and what a
gentleman he was. The room he offered was nice, and the rent was low; he asked
only for occasional companionship. Miss Pauline moved in. They played chess,
went riding, discussed literature. He was so well-bred, polite, and generous. A
serious and high-minded girl, she came to depend on their friendship; here was
a man she could talk to for hours. Then one day Casanova seemed changed, upset,
excited: he confessed that he was in love with her. She was going back to
Portugal soon, to rejoin her lover, and this was not what she wanted to hear.
She told him he should go riding to calm down. Later that evening she received
news: he had fallen from his horse. Feeling responsible for his accident, she
rushed to him, found him in bed, and fell into his arms, unable to control
herself. The two became lovers that night, and remained so for the rest of Miss
Pauline's stay in London. Yet when it came time for her to leave for Portugal,
he did not try to stop her; instead, he comforted her, reasoning that each of
them had offered the other the perfect, temporary antidote to their loneliness,
and that they would be friends for life. Some years later, in a small Spanish
town, a young and beautiful girl named Ignazia was leaving church after
confession. She was approached by Casanova. Walking her home, he explained that
he had a passion for dancing the fandango, and invited her to a ball the
following evening. He was so different from anyone in the town, which bored her
so-she desperately wanted to go. Her parents were against the arrangement, but
she persuaded her mother to act as a chaperone. After an unforgettable evening
of dancing (and he danced the fandango remarkably well for a foreigner),
Casanova confessed that he was madly in love with her. She replied (very sadly,
though) that she already had a fiance. Casanova did not force the issue, but
over the next few days he took Ignazia to more dances and to the bullfights. On
one of these occasions he introduced her to a friend of his, a duchess, who
flirted with him brazenly; Ignazia was terribly jealous. By now she was
desperately in love with Casanova, but her sense of duty and religion forbade
such thoughts. Finally, after days of torment, Ignazia sought out Casanova and
took his hand: "My confessor tried to make me promise to never be alone
with you again," she said, "and as I could not, he refused to give me
absolution. It is the first time in my life such a thing has happened to me. I
have put myself in God's hands. I have made up my mind, so long as you are
here, to do all you wish. When to my sorrow you leave Spain, I shall find
another confessor. My fancy for you is, after all, only a passing
madness." Casanova was perhaps the most successful seducer in history; few
women could resist him. His method was simple: on meeting a woman, he would
study her, go along with her moods, find out what was missing in her life, and
provide it. He made himself the Ideal Lover. The bored burgomaster's wife
needed adventure and romance; she wanted someone who would sacrifice time and
comfort to have her. For Miss Pauline what was missing was friendship, lofty
ideals, serious conversation; she wanted a man of breeding and generosity who
would treat her like a lady. For Ignazia, what was missing was suffering and
torment. Her life was too easy; to feel truly alive, and to have something real
to confess, she needed to sin. In each case Casanova adapted himself to the
woman's ideals, brought her fantasy to life. Once she had fallen under his
spell, a littleruse or calculation would seal the romance (a day among rats, a
contrived fall from a horse, an encounter with another woman to make Ignazia
jealous). The Ideal Lover is rare in the modern world, for the role takes
effort. You will have to focus intensely on the other person, fathom what she
is missing, what he is disappointed by. People will often reveal this in subtle
ways: through gesture, tone of voice, a look in the eye. By seeming to be what
they lack, you will fit their ideal. To create this effect requires patience
and attention to detail. Most people are so wrapped up in their own desires, so
impatient, they are incapable of the Ideal Lover role. Let that be a source of
infinite opportunity. Be an oasis in the desert of the self-absorbed; few can
resist the temptation of following a person who seems so attuned to their
desires, to bringing to life their fantasies. And as with Casanova, your
reputation as one who gives such pleasure will precede you and make your
seductions that much The cultivation of the pleasures of the senses was ever my
principal aim in life. Knowing that I was personally calculated to please the
fair sex, 1 always strove to make myself agreeable to it. -CASANOVA The Beauty
Ideal I n 1730, when Jeanne Poisson was a mere nine years old, a fortune-teller
predicted that one day she would be the mistress of Louis XV. The prediction
was quite ridiculous, since Jeanne came from the middle class, and it was a
tradition stretching back for centuries that the king's mistress be chosen from
among the nobility. To make matters worse, Jeanne's father was a notorious
rake, and her mother had been a courtesan. Fortunately for Jeanne, one of her
mother's lovers was a man of great wealth who took a liking to the pretty girl
and paid for her education. Jeanne learned to sing, to play the clavichord, to
ride with uncommon skill, to act and dance; she was schooled in literature and
history as if she were a boy. The playwright Crebillon instructed her in the
art of conversation. During the early 1970s, against a turbulent political
backdrop that included the fiasco of American involvement in the Vietnam War
and the downfall of President Richard Nixon's presidency in the Watergate
scandal, a "me generation" sprang to prominence-and [Andy] Warhol was
there to hold up its mirror.Unlike the radicalized protesters of the 1960s who
wanted to change all the ills of society, the self- absorbed "me"
people sought to improve their bodies and to "get in touch" with
their own feelings. They cared passionately about their appearance, health,
lifestyle, and bank accounts. Andy catered to their self- centeredness and
inflated pride by offering his services as a portraitist. By the end of the
decade, he would be internationally recognized as one of the leading
portraitists of his era. . . . • Warhol offered his clients an irresistible
product: a stylish and flattering portrait by a famous artist who was himself a
certified celebrity. Conferring an alluring star presence upon even the most
celebrated of faces, he transformed his subjects into glamorous apparitions,
presenting their faces as he thought they wanted to be seen and remembered. By
filtering his sitters' good features through his silkscreens and exaggerating
their vivacity, he enabled them to gain entree to a more mythic and rarefied
level of existence. The possession of great wealth and power might do for
everyday life, but the commissioning of a portrait by Warhol was a sure
indication that the sitter intended to secure a posthumous fame as well.
Warhol's portraits were not so much realistic documents of contemporary faces
as they were designer icons awaiting future devotions. -DAVID BOURDON, WARHOL
Women have served all these centuries as looking glasses possessing the magic
and delicious power of reflecting the figure of a man at twice its natural
size. -VIRGINIA WOOLF, A ROOM OF ONE'S OWN On top of it all, Jeanne was
beautiful, and had a charm and grace that set her apart early on. In 1741, she
married a man of the lower nobility. Nowknown as Madame d'Etioles, she could
realize a great ambition: she opened a literary salon. All of the great writers
and philosophers of the time frequented the salon, many because they were
enamored of the hostess. One of these was Voltaire, who became a lifelong
friend. Through all Jeanne's success, she never forgot the fortune-teller's
prediction, and still believed that she would one day conquer the king's heart.
It happened that one of her husband's country estates bordered on King Louis's
favorite hunting grounds. She would spy on him through the fence, or find ways
to cross his path, always while she happened to be wearing an elegant, yet
fetching outfit. Soon the king was sending her gifts of game. When his official
mistress died, in 1744, all of the court beauties vied to take her place; but
he began to spend more and more time with Madame d'Etioles, dazzled by her
beauty and charm. To the astonishment of the court, that same year he made this
middle-class woman his official mistress, ennobling her with the title of the
Marquise de Pompadour. The king's need for novelty was notorious: a mistress
would beguile him with her looks, but he would soon grow bored with her and
find someone else. After the shock of his choice of Jeanne Poisson wore off,
the courtiers reassured themselves that it could not last-that he had only
chosen her for the novelty of having a middle-class mistress. Little did they
know that Jeanne s first seduction of the king was not the last seduction she
had in mind. As time went by, the king found himself visiting his mistress more
and more often. As he ascended the hidden stair that led from his quarters to
hers in the palace of Versailles, anticipation of the delights that awaited him
at the top would begin to turn his head. First, the room was always warm, and
was filled with delightful scents. Then there were the visual delights: Madame
de Pompadour always wore a different costume, each one elegant and surprising
in its own way. She loved beautiful objects-fine porcelain, Chinese fans,
golden flowerpots-and every time he visited, there would be something new and
enchanting to see. Her manner was always lighthearted; she was never defensive
or resentful. Everything for pleasure. Then there was their conversation: he
had never been really able to talk with a woman before, or to laugh, but the
marquise could discourse skillfully on any subject, and her voice was a
pleasure to hear. And if the conversation waned, she would move to the piano,
play a tune, and sing wonderfully. If ever the king seemed bored or sad, Madame
de Pompadour would propose some project-perhaps the building of a new country
house. He would have to advise in the design, the layout of the gardens, the
decor. Back at Versailles, Madame de Pompadour put hersell in charge of the
palace amusements, building a private theater for weekly performances under her
direction. Actors were chosen from among the courtiers, but the female lead was
always played by Madame de Pompadour, who was one of the finest amateur
actresses in France. The king became obsessed with this theater; he could
barely wait for its performances. Along with this interest came an increasing
expenditure of money on the arts, and an involvement in philosophy and
literature. A man who had cared only for hunting and gambling was spending less
and less time with his male companions and becoming a great patron of the arts.
Indeed he stamped a whole era with an aesthetic style, which became known as
"Louis Quinze," rivaling the style associated with his illustrious
predecessor, Louis XTV. Lo and behold, year after year went by without Louis
tiring of his mistress. In fact he made her a duchess, and her power and
influence extended well beyond culture into politics. For twenty years, Madame
de Pompadour ruled both the court and the king's heart, until her untimely
death, in 1764, at the age of forty-three. Louis XV had a powerful inferiority
complex. The successor to Louis XTV, the most powerful kingin French history,
he had been educated and trained for the throne-yet who could follow his
predecessor's act? Eventually he gave up trying, devoting himself instead to
physical pleasures, which came to define how he was seen; the people around him
knew they could sway him by appealing to the basest parts of his character.
Madame de Pompadour, genius of seduction, understood that inside Louis XV was a
great man yearning to come out, and that his obsession with pretty young women
indicated a hunger for a more lasting kind of beauty. Her first step was to
cure his incessant bouts of boredom. It is easy for kings to be
bored-everything they want is given to them, and they seldom learn to be
satisfied with what they have. The Marquise de Pompadour dealt with this by
bringing all sorts of fantasies to life, and creating constant suspense. She
had many skills and talents, and just as important, she deployed them so
artfully that he never discovered their limits. Once she had accustomed him to
more refined pleasures, she appealed to the crushed ideals within him; in the
mirror she held up to him, he saw his aspiration to be great, a desire that, in
France, inevitably included leadership in culture. His previous series of
mistresses had tickled only his sensual desires. In Madame de Pompadour he
found a woman who made him feel greatness in himself. The other mistresses
could easily be replaced, but he could never find another Madame de Pompadour.
Most people believe themselves to be inwardly greater than they outwardly
appear to the world. They are full of unrealized ideals; they could be artists,
thinkers, leaders, spiritual figures, but the world has crushed them, denied
them the chance to let their abilities flourish. This is the key to their
seduction-and to keeping them seduced over time. The Ideal Lover knows how to
conjure up this kind of magic. Appeal only to people's physical side, as many
amateur seducers do, and they will resent you for playing upon their basest
instincts. But appeal to their better selves, to a higher standard of beauty,
and they will hardly notice that they have been seduced. Make them feel
elevated, lofty, spiritual, and your power over them will be limitless. Love brings
to light a lover's noble and hidden qualities - his rare and exceptional
traits: it is thus liable to be deceptive as to his normal character.
-FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE Keys to the Character E ach of us carries inside us an
ideal, either of what we would like to become, or of what we want another
person to be for us. This ideal goes back to our earliest years-to what we once
felt was missing in our lives, what others did not give to us, what we could
not give to ourselves. Maybe we were smothered in comfort, and we long for
danger and rebellion. If we want danger but it frightens us, perhaps we look
for someone who seems at home with it. Or perhaps our ideal is more elevated-we
want to be more creative, nobler, and kinder than we ever manage to be. Our ideal
is something we feel is missing inside us. Our ideal may be buried in
disappointment, but it lurks underneath, waiting to be sparked. If another
person seems to have that ideal quality, or to have the ability to bring it out
in us, we fall in love. That is the response to Ideal Lovers. Attuned to what
is missing inside you, to the fantasy that will stir you, they reflect your
ideal-and you do the rest, projecting on to them your deepest desires and
yearnings. Casanova and Madame de Pompadour did not merely seduce their targets
into a sexual affair, they made them fall in love. The key to following the
path of the Ideal Lover is the ability to observe. Ignore your targets' words
and conscious behavior; focus on the tone of their voice, a blush here, a look there-those
signs that betray what their words won't say. Often the ideal is expressed in
contradiction. King Louis XV seemed to care only about chasing deer and young
girls, but that in fact covered up his disappointment in himself; he yearned to
have his nobler qualities flattered. Never has there beenabettermoment than now
to play the Ideal Lover. That is because we live in a world in which everything
must seem elevated and well-intentioned. Power is the most taboo topic of all:
although it is the reality we deal with every day in our struggles with people,
there is nothing noble, self-sacrificing, or spiritual about it. Ideal Lovers
make you feel nobler, make the sensual and sexual seem spiritual and aesthetic.
Like all seducers, they play with power, but they disguise their manipulations
behind the facade of an ideal. Few people see through them and their seductions
last longer. Some ideals resemble Jungian archetypes-they go back a long way in
our culture, and their hold is almost unconscious. One such dream is that of
the chivalrous knight. In the courtly love tradition of the Middle Ages, a
troubadour/knight would find a lady, almost always a married one. and would
serve as her vassal. He would go through terrible trials on her behalf,
undertake dangerous pilgrimages in her name, suffer awful tortures to prove his
love. (This could include bodily mutilation, such as tearing off of
fingernails, the cutting of an ear, etc.) He would also write poems and sing
beautiful songs to her, for no troubadour could succeed without some kind of
aesthetic or spiritual quality to impress his lady. The key to the archetype is
a sense of absolutedevotion. A man who will not let matters of warfare, glory,
or money intrude into the fantasy of courtship has limitless power. The
troubadour role is an ideal because people who do not put themselves and their
own interests first are truly rare. For a woman to attract the intense
attention of such a man is immensely appealing to her vanity. In
eighteenth-century Osaka, a man named Nisan took the courtesan Dewa out
walking, first taking care to sprinkle the clover bushes along the path with
water, which looked like morning dew. Dewa was greatly moved by this beautiful
sight. "I have heard," she said, "that loving couples of deer are
wont to lie behind clover bushes. How I should like to see this in real
life!" Nisan had heard enough. That very day he had a section of her house
torn down and ordered the planting of dozens of clover bushes in what had once
been a part of her bedroom. That night, he arranged for peasants to round up
wild deer from the mountains and bring them to the house. The next day Dewa
awoke to precisely the scene she had described. Once she appeared overwhelmed
and moved, he had the clover and deer taken away and the house rebuilt. One of
history's most gallant lovers, Sergei Saltykov, had the misfortune to fall in
love with one of history's least available women: the Grand Duchess
Catherine,future empress of Russia. Catherine's every move was watched over by
her husband, Peter, who suspected her of trying to cheat on him and appointed
servants to keep an eye on her. She was isolated, unloved, and unable to do
anything about it. Saltykov, a handsome young army officer, was determined to
be her rescuer. In 1752 he befriended Peter, and also the couple in charge of
watching over Catherine. In this way he was able to see her and occasionally
exchange a word or two with her that revealed his intentions. He performed the
most foolhardy and dangerous maneuvers to be able to see her alone, including
diverting her horse during a royal hunt and riding off into the forest with
her. He told her how much he sympathized with her plight, and that he would do
anything to help her. To be caught courting Catherine would have meant death,
and eventually Peter came to suspect that something was up between his wife and
Saltykov, though he was never sure. His enmity did not discourage the dashing
officer, who just put still more energy and ingenuity into finding ways to
arrange secret trysts. The couple were lovers for two years, and Saltykov was
undoubtedly the father of Catherine's son Paul, later the emperor of Russia.
When Peter finally got rid of him by sending him off to Sweden, news of his
gallantry traveled ahead of him, and women swooned to be Ms next conquest. You
may not have to go to as much trouble or risk, but you will always be rewarded
for actions that reveal a sense of self- sacrifice or devotion. The embodiment
of the Ideal Lover for the 1920s was Rudolph Valentino, or at least the image
created of him in film. Everything he did-the gifts, the flowers, the dancing,
the way he took a woman's hand-showed a scrupulous attention to the details
that would signify how much he was thinking of her. The image was of a man who
made courtship take time, transforming it into an aesthetic experience. Men
hated Valentino, because women now expected them to match the ideal of patience
and attentiveness that he represented. Yet nothing is more seductive than
patient attentiveness. It makes the affair seem lofty, aesthetic, not really
about sex. The power of a Valentino, particularly nowadays, is that people like
this are so rare. The art of playing to a woman's ideal has almost
disappeared-which only makes it that much more alluring. If the chivalrous
lover remains the ideal for women, men often idealize the Madonna/whore, a
woman who combines sensuality with an air of spirituality or innocence. Think
of the great courtesans of the Italian Renaissance, such as Tullia
d'Aragona-essentially a prostitute, like all courtesans, but able to disguise
her social role by establishing a reputation as a poet and philosopher. Tullia
was what was then known as an "honest courtesan." Honest courtesans
would go to church, but they had an ulterior motive: for men, their presence at
Mass was exciting. Their houses were pleasure palaces, but what made these
homes so visually delightful was their artworks and shelves full of books,
volumes of Petrarch and Dante. For the man, the thrill, the fantasy, was to
sleep with a woman who was sexual yet had the ideal qualities of a mother and
the spirit and intellect of an artist. Where the pure prostitute excited desire
but also disgust, the honest courtesan made sex seem elevated and innocent, as
if it were happening in the Garden of Eden. Such women held immense power over
men. To tMs day they remain an ideal, if for no other reason than that they
offer such a range of pleasures. The key is ambiguity-to combine the appearance
of sensitivity to the pleasures of the flesh with an air of innocence,
spirituality, a poetic sensibility. This mix of the high and the low is
immensely seductive. The dynamics of the Ideal Lover have limitless
possibilities, not all of them erotic. In politics, Talleyrand essentially
played the role of the Ideal Lover with Napoleon, whose ideal in both a cabinet
minister and a friend was a man who was aristocratic, smooth with the
ladies-allthe things that Napoleon Mmself was not. In 1798, when Talleyrand was
the French foreign minister, he hosted a party in Napoleon's honor after the
great general's dazzling military victories in Italy. To the day Napoleon died,
he remembered tMs party as the best he had ever attended. It was a lavish
affair, and Talleyrand wove a subtle message into it by placing Roman busts
around the house, and by talking to Napoleon of reviving the imperial glories
of ancient Rome. This sparked a glint in the leader's eye, and indeed, a few
years later, Napoleon gave himself the title of emperor-a move that only made
Talleyrand more powerful. The key to Talleyrand's power was his ability to
fathom Napoleon's secret ideal: his desire to be an emperor, a dictator.
Talleyrand simply held up a mirror to Napoleon and let him glimpse that
possibility. People are always vulnerable to insinuations like this, which
stroke their vanity, almost everyone's weak spot. Hint at something for them to
aspire to, reveal your faith in some untapped potential you see in them, and
you will soon have them eating out of your hand. If Ideal Lovers are
masters at seducing people by appealing to their higher selves, to something
lost from their childhood, politicians can benefit by applying this skill on a
mass scale, to an entire electorate. This was what John F. Kennedy quite
deliberately did with the American public, most obviously in creating the
"Camelot" aura around himself. The word "Camelot" was
applied to his presidency only after his death, but the romance he consciously
projected through his youth and good looks was fully functioning during his
lifetime. More subtly, he also played with America's images of its own
greatness and lost ideals. Many Americans felt that with the wealth and comfort
of the late 1950s had come great losses; ease and conformity had buried the
country's pioneer spirit. Kennedy appealed to those lost ideals through the
imagery of the New Frontier, which was exemplified by the space race. The
American instinct for adventure could find outlets here, even if most of them
were symbolic. And there were other calls for public service, such as the
creation of the Peace Corps. Through appeals like these, Kennedy resparked the
uniting sense of mission that had gone missing in America during the years
since World War II. He also attracted to himself a more emotional response than
presidents commonly got. People literally fell in love with him and the image.
Politicians can gain seductive power by digging into a country's past, bringing
images and ideals that have been abandoned or repressed back to the surface.
They only need the symbol; they do not really have toworry about re-creating
the reality behind it. The good feelings they stir up are enough to ensure a
positive response. Symbol: The Portrait Painter. Under his eye, all of
yourphysicalimperfectionsdisappear.Hebrings out noble qualities in you, frames
you in a myth, makes you godlike, immortalizes you. For his ability to create
such fantasies, he is rewarded with great power. Dangers T he main dangers in
the role of the Ideal Lover are the consequences that arise if you let reality
creep in. You are creating a fantasy that involves an idealization of your own
character. And this is a precarious task, for you are human, and imperfect. If
your faults are ugly enough, or intrusive enough, they will burst the bubble
you have blown, and your target will revile you. Whenever Tullia d'Aragona was
caught acting like a common prostitute (when, for instance, she was caught
having an affair just for money), she would have to leave town and establish
herself elsewhere. The fantasy of her as a spiritual figure was broken.
Casanova too faced this danger, but was usually able to surmount it by finding
a clever way to break off the relationship before the woman realized that he
was not what she had imagined: he would find some excuse to leave town, or, better
still, he would choose a victim who was herself leaving town soon, and whose
awareness that the affair would be short-lived would make her idealizing of him
all the more intense. Reality and long intimate exposure have a way of dulling
a person's perfection. The nineteenth-century poet Alfred de Musset was seduced
by the writer George Sand, whose larger-than-life character appealed to his
romantic nature. But when the couple visited Venice together, and Sand came
down with dysentery, she was suddenly no longer an idealized figure but a woman
with an unappealing physical problem. De Musset himself showed a whiny, babyish
side on this trip, and the lovers separated. Once apart, however, they were
able to idealize each other again, and reunited a few months later. When
reality intrudes, distance is often a solution. In politics the dangers are
similar. Years after Kennedy's death, a string of revelations (his incessant
sexual affairs, his excessively dangerous brinkmanship style of diplomacy,
etc.) belied the myth he had created. His image has survived this tarnishing;
poll after poll shows that he is still revered. Kennedy is a special case,
perhaps, in that his assassination made him a martyr, reinforcing the process
of idealization that he had already set in motion. But he is not the only
example of an Ideal Lover whose attraction survives unpleasant revelations;
these figures unleash such powerful fantasies, and there issuchahunger for the
myths and ideals they have to sell, that they are often quickly forgiven.
Still, it is always wise to be prudent, and to keep people from glimpsing the
less-than-ideal side of your character. the Dandy Most of us feel trapped
within the limited roles that the world expects us to play. We are instantly
attracted to those who are more fluid, more ambiguous, than we are-those who
create their own persona. Dandies excite us because they cannot be categorized,
and hint at afreedom we wantfor ourselves. They play with masculinity and
femininity; they fashion their own physical image, which is always startling;
they are mysterious and elusive. They also appeal to the narcissism of each
sex: to a woman they are psychologically female, to a man they are male.
Dandies fascinate and seduce in large numbers. Use the power of the Dandy to
create an ambiguous, alluring presence that stirs repressed desires. The
Feminine Dandy W hen the eighteen-year-old Rodolpho Guglielmi emigrated from
Italy to the United States in 1913, he came with no particular skills apart
from his good looks and his dancing prowess. To put these qualities to
advantage, he found work in the thes dansants, the Manhattan dance halls where
young girls would go alone or with friends and hire a taxi dancer for a brief
thrill. The taxi dancer would expertly twirl them around the dance floor,
flirting and chatting, all for a small fee. Guglielmi soon made a name as one
of the best-so graceful, poised, and pretty. In working as a taxi dancer,
Guglielmi spent a great deal of time around women. He quickly learned what
pleased them-how to mirror them in subtle ways, how to put them at ease (but
not too much). He began to pay attention to his clothes, creating his own
dapper look: he danced with a corset under his shirt to give himself a trim
figure, sported a wristwatch (considered effeminate in those days), and claimed
to be a marquis. In 1915, he landed a job demonstrating the tango in fancy
restaurants, and changed his name to the more evocative Rodolpho di Valentina.
A year later he moved to Los Angeles: he wanted to try to make it in Hollywood.
Now known as Rudolph Valentino, Guglielmi appeared as an extra in several
low-budget pictures. He eventually landed a somewhat larger role in the 1919
film Eyes of Youth, in which he played a seducer, and caught women's attention
by how different a seducer he was: his movements were graceful and delicate,
his skin so smooth and his face so pretty that when he swooped down on his
victim and drowned her protests with a kiss, he seemed more thrilling than
sinister. Next came The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, in which Valentino
played the male lead, Julio the playboy, and became an overnight sex symbol
through a tango sequence in which he seduced a young woman by leading her
through the dance. The scene encapsulated the essence of his appeal: his feet
smooth and fluid, his poise almost feminine, combined with an air of control.
Female members of the audience literally swooned as he raised a married woman's
hands to his lips, or shared the fragrance of a rose with his lover. He seemed
so much more attentive to women than other men did; but mixed in with this
delicacy was a hint of cruelty and menace that drove women wild. In his most
famous film. The Sheik, Valentino played an Arab prince (later revealed to be a
Scottish lord abandoned in the Sahara as a baby) who rescues a proud English
lady in the desert, then conquers her in a manner Once a son was born to
Mercury and the goddess Venus, and he was brought up by the naiads in Ida's
caves. In his features, it was easy to trace resemblance to his father and to
his mother. He was called after them, too, for his name was Hermaphroditus. As
soon as he was fifteen, he left his native hills, and Ida where he had been
brought up, andfor the sheer joy of travelling visited remote places. . . .He
went as far as the cities of Lycia, and on to the Carians, who dwell nearby. In
this region he spiedapool of water, so clear that he could see right to the
bottom. . . . The water was like crystal, and the edges of the pool were ringed
with fresh turf and grass that was always green. A nymph [Salmacis] dwelt
there. . . . Often she would gather flowers, and it so happened that she was
engaged in this pastime when she caught sight of the boy, Hermaphroditus. As
soon as she had seen him, she longed to possess him. . . .She addressed him:
"Fair boy, you surely deserve to be thought a god. If you are, perhaps you
may be Cupid? ... If there is such a girl [engaged to you], let me enjoy your
love in secret: but if there is not, then 1 pray that I may be your bride, and
that we may enter upon marriage together." The naiad said no more; but a
blush stained the boy's cheeks, for he did not know what love was. Even
blushing became him: his cheeks were the colour of ripe apples, hanging in a
sunny orchard, like painted ivory or like the moon when, in eclipse, she shows
a reddish hue beneath her brightness. . . . Incessantly the nymph demanded at
least sisterly kisses, and tried to put her arms round his ivory neck.
"Will you stop!" he cried, "orI shall run away and leave this
place and you!" Salmacis was afraid: "I yield the spot to you,
stranger, I shall not intrude," she said; and, turningfrom him, pretended
to go away. . . . The boy, meanwhile, thinking himself unobserved and alone,
strolled this way and that on the grassy sward, and dipped his toes in the
lapping water-then his feet, up to the ankles. Then, tempted by the enticing
coolness of the waters, he quickly stripped his young body of its soft
garments. At the sight, Salmacis was spell-bound. She was on fire with passion
to possess his naked beauty, and her very eyes flamed with abrilliance like
that of the dazzling sun, when his bright disc is reflected in a mirror. . . .
She longed to embrace him then, and with difficulty restrained her frenzy.
Hermaphroditus, clapping his hollow palms against that borders on rape. When
she asks, "Why have you brought me here?," he replies, "Are you
not woman enough to know?" Yet she ends up falling in love with him, as
indeed women did in movie audiences all over the world, thrilling at his
strange blend of the feminine and the masculine. In one scene in The Sheik, the
English lady points a gun at Valentino; his response is to point a delicate
cigarette holder back at her. She wears pants; he wears long flowing robes and
abundant eye makeup. Later films would include scenes of Valentino dressing and
undressing, a kind of striptease showing glimpses of his trim body. In almost
all of his films he played some exotic period character-a Spanish bullfighter,
an Indian rajah, an Arabsheik, a French nobleman-and he seemed to delight in
dressing up in jewels and tight uniforms. In the 1920s, women were beginning to
play with a new sexual freedom. Instead of waiting for a man to be interested
in them, they wanted to be able to initiate the affair, but they still wanted
the man to end up sweeping them off their feet. Valentino understood this
perfectly. His off-screen life corresponded to his movie image: he wore
bracelets on his arm, dressed impeccably, and reportedly was cruel to his wife,
and hit her. (His adoring public carefully ignored his two failed marriages and
his apparently nonexistent sex life.) When he suddenly died-in New York in
August 1926, at the age of thirty-one, from complications after surgery for an
ulcer-the response was unprecedented: more than 100,000 people filed by his
coffin, many female mourners became hysterical, and the whole nation was
spellbound. Nothing like this had happened before for a mere actor. There is a
film of Valentino's, Monsieur Beciucciire, in which he plays a total fop, a
much more effeminate role than he normally played, and without his usual hint
of dangerousness. The film was a flop. Women did not respond to Valentino as a
swish. They were thrilled by the ambiguity of a man who shared many of their own
feminine traits, yet remained a man. Valentinodressed and played with his
physicality like a woman, but his image was masculine. He wooed as a woman
would woo if she were a man-slowly, attentively, paying attention to details,
setting a rhythm instead of hurrying to a conclusion. Yet when the time came
for boldness and conquest, his timing was impeccable, overwhelming his victim
and giving her no chance to protest. In his movies, Valentino practiced the
same gigolo's art of leading a woman on that he had mastered as a teenager on
the dance floor- chatting, flirting, pleasing, but always in control. Valentino
remains an enigma to this day. His private life and his character are wrapped
in mystery; his image continues to seduce as it did during his lifetime. He
served as the model for Elvis Presley, who was obsessedwith this star of the
silents, and also for the modern male dandy who plays with gender but retains
an edge of danger and cruelty. Seduction was and will always remain the female
form of power and warfare. It was originally the antidote to rape and violence.
The man who uses this form of power on a woman is in essence turning the game
around. employing feminine weapons against her; without losing his masculine
identity, the more subtly feminine he becomes the more effective the seduction.
Do not be one of those who believe that what is most seductive
isbeingdevastatingly masculine. The Feminine Dandy has a much more sinister
effect. He lures the woman in with exactly what she wants-a familiar, pleasing,
graceful presence. Mirroring feminine psychology, he displays attention to his
appearance, sensitivity to detail, a slight coquettishness-but also a hint of
male cruelty. Women are narcissists, in love with the charms of their own sex.
By showing them feminine charm, a man can mesmerize and disarm them, leaving
them vulnerable to a bold, masculine move. The Feminine Dandy can seduce on a
mass scale. No single woman really possesses him-he is too elusive-but all can
fantasize about doing so. The key is ambiguity: your sexuality is decidedly
heterosexual, but your body and psychology float delightfully back and forth
between the two poles. I am a woman. Every artist is a woman and should have a
taste for other women. Artists who are homosexual cannot be true artists
because they like men, and since they themselves are women they are reverting
to normality. -PABLO PICASSO The Masculine Dandy I n the 1870s, Pastor Henrik
Gillot was the darling of the St. Petersburg intelligentsia. He was young,
handsome, well-read in philosophy and literature, and he preached a kind of
enlightened Christianity. Dozens of young girls had crushes on him and would
flock to his sermons just to look at him. In 1878, however, he met a girl who
changed his life. Her name was Lou von Salome (later known as Lou
Andreas-Salome), and she was seventeen; he was forty-two. Salome was pretty,
with radiant blue eyes. She had read a lot, particularly for a girl her age,
and was interested in the gravest philosophical and religious issues. Her
intensity, her intelligence, her responsiveness to ideas cast a spell over
Gillot. When she entered his office for her increasingly frequent discussions
with him, the place seemed brighter and more alive. Perhaps she was flirting
with him, in the unconscious manner of a young girl-yet when Gillot admitted to
himself that he was in love with her, and proposed marriage, Salome was
horrified. The confused pastor never quite got over Lou von Salome, becoming
the first of a long string of famous men to be the victim of a lifelong
unfulfilled infatuation with her. In 1882, the German philosopher Friedrich
Nietzsche was wandering around Italy alone. In Genoa he received a letter from
his friend Paul Ree, a Prussian philosopher whom he admired, recounting his discussions
with a remarkable young Russian woman, Lou von Salome, in Rome. Salome was his
body, dived quickly into the stream. As he raised first one arm and then the
other, his body gleamed in the clear water, as if someone had encased anivory
statue or white lilies in transparent glass. "I have won! He is
mine!" cried the nymph, and flinging aside her garments, plunged into the
heart of the pool. The boy fought against her, but she held him, and snatched
kisses as he struggled, placing her hands beneath him, stroking his unwilling
breast, and clinging to him, now on this side, and now on
that. Finally, in spite of ail his efforts to slip from her grasp,
she twined around him, like a serpent when it is being carried off into the air
by the king of birds: for, as it hangs from the eagle's beak, the snake coils
round his head and talons and with its tail hampers his beating wings. . . .
"You may fight, you rogue, but you will not escape. May the gods grant me
this, may no time to come ever separate him from me, or me from him!" Her
prayers found favour with the gods: for, as they lay together, their bodies
were united and from being two persons they became one. As when a gardener
grafts a branch on to a tree, and sees the two unite as they grow, and come to
maturity together, so when their limbs met in that clinging embrace the nymph
and the boy were no longer two, but a single form, possessed of a dual nature,
which could not be called male or female, but seemed to be atonce both and
neither. - OVID,METAMORPHOSES, TRANSLATED BY MARY M. INNES Dandyism is not
even, as many unthinking people seem to suppose, an immoderate interest in
personal appearance and material elegance. For the true dandy these things are
only a symbol oj the aristocratic superiority of his personality. ..."
What, then, is this ruling passion that has turned into a creed and created its
own skilled tyrants? What is this unwritten constitution that has created so
haughty a caste? It is, above all, a burning need to acquire originality, within
the apparent bounds of convention. It is a sort of cult of oneself, which can
dispense even with what are commonly called illusions. It is the delight in
causing astonishment, and the proud satisfaction of never oneself being
astonished. . . . -CHARLES BAUDELAIRE, THE DANDY , QUOTED IN VICE: AN
ANTHOLOGY. EDITED BY RICHARD DAVENPORT-HINES In the midst of this display of
statesmanship, eloquence, cleverness, and exalted ambition, Alcibiades lived a
life of prodigious luxury, drunkenness, debauchery, and insolence. He was
effeminate in his dress and would walk through the market-place trailing his
long purple robes, and he spent extravagantly. He had the decks of his triremes
cut away to allow him to sleep more comfortably, and his bedding was slung on
cords, rather than spread on the hard planks. He had a golden shield made for
him, which was emblazoned not with any there on holiday with her mother; Ree
had managed to accompany her on long walks through the city, unchaperoned, and
they had had many conversations. Her ideas on God and Christianity were quite
similar to Nietzsche's, and when Ree had told her that the famous philosopher
was a friend of his, she had insisted that he invite Nietzsche to join them. In
subsequent letters Ree described how mysteriously captivating Salome was, and
how anxious she was to meet Nietzsche. The philosopher soon went to Rome. When
Nietzsche finally met Salome, he was overwhelmed. She had the most beautiful
eyes he had ever seen, and during their first long talk those eyes lit up so
intensely that he could not help feeling there was something erotic about her
excitement. Yet he was also confused: Salome kept her distance, and did not
respond to his compliments. What a devilish young woman. A few days later she
read him a poem of hers, and he cried; her ideas about life were so like his
own. Deciding to seize the moment, Nietzsche proposed marriage. (He did not
know that Ree had done so as well.) Salome declined. She was interested in
philosophy, life, adventure, not marriage. Undaunted, Nietzsche continued to
court her. On an excursion to Lake Orta with Ree, Salome, and her mother, he
managed to get the girl alone, accompanying her on a walk up Monte Sacro while
the others stayed behind. Apparently the views and Nietzsche's words had the
proper passionate effect; in a later letter to her, he described this walk as
"the most beautiful dream of my life." Now he was a man possessed:
all he could think about was marrying Salome and having her all to himself. A
few months later Salome visited Nietzsche in Germany. They took long walks
together, and stayed up all night discussing philosophy. She mirrored his
deepest thoughts, anticipated his ideas about religion. Yet when he again
proposed marriage, she scolded him as conventional: it was Nietzsche, after
all, who had developed a philosophical defense of the superman, the man above
everyday morality, yet Salome was by nature far less conventional than he was.
Her firm, uncompromising manner only deepened the spell she cast over him, as
did her hint of cruelty When she finally left him, making it clear that she had
no intention of marrying him, Nietzsche was devastated. As an antidote to his
pain, he wrote Thus Spake Zarathustra, a book full of sublimated eroticism and
deeply inspired by his talks with her. From then on Salome was known throughout
Europe as the woman who had broken Nietzsche's heart. Salome moved to Berlin.
Soon the city's greatest intellectuals were falling under the spell of her
independence and free spirit. The playwrights Gerhart Hauptmann and Franz
Wedekind became infatuated with her; in 1897, the great Austrian poet Rainer
Maria Rilke fell in love with her. By that time her reputation was widely
known, and she was a published novelist. This certainly played a part in seducing
Rilke, but he was also attracted by a kind of masculine energy he found in her
that he had never seen in a woman. Rilke was then twenty-two, Salome
thirty-six. He wrote her love letters and poems, followed her everywhere, and
began an affair with her that was to last several years. She corrected his
poetry, imposed discipline on Ms overly romantic verse, inspired ideas for new
poems. But she was put off by Ms childish dependence on her, Ms weakness.
Unable to stand weakness of any kind, she eventually left him. Consumed by her
memory, Rilke long continued to pursue her. In 1926, lying on Ms deathbed, he
begged Ms doctors, "Ask Lou what is wrong with me. She is the only one who
knows." One man wrote of Salome, "There was something terrifying
about her embrace. Looking at you with her radiant blue eyes, she would say,
'The reception of the semen is for me the height of ecstasy.' And she had an
insatiable appetite for it. She was completely amoral ... a
vampire."TheSwedish psychotherapist Poul Bjerre, one of her later
conquests, wrote, "I think Nietzsche was right when he said that Lou was a
thoroughly evil woman. Evil however in the Goethean sense: evil that produces
good. . . . She may have destroyed lives and marriages but her presence was
exciting." The two emotions that almost every male felt in the presence of
Lou Andreas-Salome were confusion and excitement-the two prerequisite feelings
for any successful seduction. People were intoxicated by her strange mix of the
masculine and the feminine; she was beautiful, with a radiant smile and a
graceful, flirtatious manner, but her independence and her intensely analytical
nature made her seem oddly male. This ambiguity was expressed in her eyes,
which were both coquettish and probing. It was confusion that kept men
interested and curious: no other woman was like this. They wanted to know more.
The excitement stemmed from her ability to stir up repressed desires. She was a
complete nonconformist, and to be involved with her was to break all kinds of
taboos. Her masculinity made the relationship seem vaguely homosexual; her
slightly cruel, slightly domineering streak could stir up masochistic
yearnings, as it did in Nietzsche. Salome radiated a forbidden sexuality. Her
powerful effect on men-the lifelong infatuations, the suicides(there were
several), the periods of intense creativity, the descriptions of her as a
vampire or a devil-attest to the obscure depths of the psyche that she was able
to reach and disturb. The Masculine Dandy succeeds by reversing the normal pattern
of male superiority in matters of love and seduction. A man's apparent
independence, Ms capacity for detachment, often seems to give him the upper
hand in the dynamic between men and women. A purely feminine woman will arouse
desire, but is always vulnerable to the man's capricious loss of interest; a
purely masculine woman, on the other hand, will not arouse that interest at
all. Follow the path of the Masculine Dandy, however, and you neutralize all a
man's powers. Never give completely of yourself; while you are passionate and
sexual, always retain an air of independence and self-possession. You might
move on to the next man, or so he will think. You have other, more important
matters to concern yourself with, such as your work. Men do not know how to
fight women who use their own weapons against them; they are intrigued,
aroused, and disarmed. Few men can resist the taboo pleasures offered up to
them by the Masculine Dandy. ancestral device, but with the figure of Eros
armed with a thunderbolt. The leading men of Athens watched all this with
disgust andindignation and they were deeply disturbed by his contemptuous and
lawless behaviour, which seemed to them monstrous and suggested the habits of a
tyrant. The people's feelings towards him have been very aptly expressed by
Aristophanes in the line: "They long for him, they hate him, they cannot
do without him. . . • The fact was that his voluntary donations, the public
shows he supported, his unrivalled to the state, the fame of his ancestry, the
power of his oratory and his physical strength and beauty ... all combined to
make the Athenians forgive him everything else, and they were constantly
finding euphemismsfor his lapses and putting them down to youthful high spirits
and honourable ambition. -PLUTARCH, "THE LIFE OF ALCIBIADES," THE
RISE AND FALL OF ATHENS: NINE GREEK LIVES, TRANSLATED BY IAN SCOTT-KILVERT
Further light-a whole flood of it-is thrown upon this attraction of the male in
petticoats for the female, in the diary of the Abbe de Choisy, one of the most
brilliant men- women of history, of whom we shall hear a great deal more later.
The abbe, a churchman of Paris, was a constant masquerader in female attire. He
lived in the days of Louis XIV, and was a great friend of Louis' brother, also addicted
to women's clothes. A young girl, Mademoiselle Charlotte, thrown muchinto his
company, fell desperately in love with the abbe, and when the affair had
progressed to a liaison, the abbe asked her how she came to be won . . . •
"/ stood in no need of caution as I should have with a man. I saw nothing
but a beautiful woman, and why should I beforbidden to love you? What
advantages a woman's dress gives you! The heart of a man is there, and that
makes a great impression upon us, and on the other hand, all the charms of the
fair sex fascinate us, and prevent us from taking precautions. "
-C.J.BULLIET, VENUS CASTINA Beau Brummell was regarded as unbalanced in his
passion for daily ablutions. His ritualistic morning toilet took upward of five
hours, one hour spent inching himself into his skin-tight buckskin breeches, an
hour with the hairdresser and another two hours tying and "creasing
down" a series of starched cravats until perfection was achieved. But
first of all two hours were spent scrubbing himself with fetish zeal from head
to toe in milk, water and eau de Cologne. . . . Beau Brummell said he used only
the froth of champagne to polish his Hessian boots. He had 365 snuff boxes,
those suitable for summer wear being quite unthinkable in winter, and the fit
of hisgloves was achieved by entrusting their cut to two firms-one for the
fingers, the other for the thumbs. The seduction emanating from a person of
uncertain or dissimulated sex is powerful. -COLETTE Keys to the Character M any
of us today imagine that sexual freedom has progressed in recent years-that
everything has changed, for better or worse. This is mostly an illusion; a
reading of history reveals periods of licentiousness (imperial Rome,
late-seventeenth-century England, the "floating world" of
eighteenth-century Japan) far in excess of what we are currently experiencing.
Gender roles are certainly changing, but they have changed before. Society is
in a state of constant flux, but there is something that does not change: the
vast majority of people conform to whatever is normal for the time. They play
the role allotted to them. Conformity is a constant because humans are social
creatures who are always imitating one another. At certain points in history it
may be fashionable to be different and rebellious, but if a lot of people are
playing that role, there is nothing different or rebellious about it. We should
never complain about most people's slavish conformity, however, for it offers
untold possibilities of power and seduction to those who are up for a few
risks. Dandies have existed in all ages and cultures ( Al- cibiades in ancient
Greece, Korechika in late-tenth-century Japan), and wherever they have gone
they have thrived on the conformist role playing ofothers.The Dandy displays a
true and radical difference from other people, a difference of appearance and
manner. Since most of us are secretly oppressed by our lack of freedom, we are
drawn to those who are more fluid and flaunt their difference. Dandies seduce
socially as well as sexually; groups form around them, their style is wildly
imitated, an entire court or crowd will fall in love with them. In adapting the
Dandy character for your own purposes, remember that the Dandy is by nature a
rare and beautiful flower. Be different in ways that are both striking and
aesthetic, never vulgar; poke fun at current trends and styles, go in a novel
direction, and be supremely uninterested in what anyone else is doing. Most
people are insecure; they will wonder what you are up to, and slowly they will
come to admire and imitate you, because you express yourself with total
confidence. The Dandy has traditionally been defined by clothing, and certainly
most Dandies create a unique visual style. Beau Brummel, the most famous Dandy
of all, would spend hours on his toilette, particularly the inimitably styled
knot in his necktie, for which he was famous throughout early-
nineteenth-century England. But a Dandy's style cannot be obvious, for Dandies
are subtle, and never try hard for attention-attention comes to them. The
person whoseclothes are flagrantly different has little imagination or taste.
Dandies show their difference in the little touches that mark their disdain for
convention: Theophile Gautier's red vest, Oscar Wilde's green velvet suit, Andy
Warhol's silver wigs. The great English Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli had
two magnificent canes, one for morning, one for evening; at noon he would
change canes, no matter where he was. The female Dandy works similarly. She may
adopt male clothing, say, but if she does, a touch here or there will set her
tmly apart: no man ever dressed quite like George Sand. The overtall hat, the
riding boots worn on the streets of Paris, made her a sight to behold.
Remember, there must be a reference point. If your visual style is totally
unfamiliar, people will think you at best an obvious attention-getter, at worst
crazy. Instead, create your own fashion sense by adapting and altering
prevailing styles to make yourself an object of fascination. Do this right and
you will be wildly imitated. The Count d'Orsay, a great London dandy of the
1830s and 1840s, was closely watched by fashionable people; one day, caught in
a sudden London rainstorm, he bought a paltrok, a kind of heavy, hooded duffle
coat, off the back of a Dutch sailor. The paltrok immediately became the coat
to wear. Having people imitate you, of course, is a sign of yourpowers of
seduction. The nonconformity of Dandies, however, goes far beyond appearances.
It is an attitude toward life that sets them apart; adopt that attitude and a
circle of followers will form around you. Dandies are supremely impudent. They
don't give a damn about other people, and never try to please. In the court of
Louis XTV, the writer La Bruyere noticed that courtiers who tried hard to please
were invariably on the way down; nothing was more anti-seductive. As Barbey
d'Aurevilly wrote, "Dandies please women by displeasing them."
Impudence was fundamental to the appeal of Oscar Wilde. In a London theater one
night, after the first performance of one of Wilde's plays, the ecstatic
audience yelled for the author to appear onstage. Wilde made them wait and
wait, then finally emerged, smoking a cigarette and wearing an expression of
total disdain. "It may be bad manners to appear here smoking, but it is
far worse to disturb me when I am smoking," he scolded his fans. The Count
d'Orsay was equally impudent. At a London club one night, a Rothschild who was
notoriously cheap accidentally dropped a gold coin on the floor, then bent down
to look for it. The count immediately whipped out a thousand-franc note (worth
much more than the coin), rolled it up, lit it like a candle, and got down on
all fours, as if to help light the way in the search. Only a Dandy could get
away with such audacity. The insolence of the Rake is tied up with his desire
to conquer a woman; he cares for nothing else. The insolence of the Dandy, on
the other hand, is aimed at society and its conventions. It is not a woman he
cares to conquer but a whole group, an entire social world. And since people
are generally oppressed by the obligation of always being polite and
self-sacrificing, they are delighted to spend time around a person who disdains
such niceties. Dandies are masters of the art of living. They live for
pleasure, not for work; they surround themselves with beautiful objects and eat
and drink Sometimes, however, the tyranny of elegance became altogether
insupportable. A Mr. Boothby committed suicide and left a note saying he could
no longer endure the ennui of buttoning and unbuttoning. - THE GAME OF HEARTS:
HARRIETTE WILSON'S MEMOIRS. EDITED BY LESLEY BLANCH This royal manner which
[the dandy] raises to the height of true royalty, the dandy has taken this from
women, who alone seem naturally made for such a role. It is a somewhat by using
the manner and the method of women that the dandy dominates. And this
usurpation of femininity, he makes women themselves approve of this. . . . The
dandy has something antinaturaland androgynous about him, which is precisely
how he is able to endlessly seduce. -JULES LEMAlTRE, LES CONTEMPORAINS with the
same relish they show for their clothes. This was how the great Roman writer
Petronius, author of the Satyricon, was able to seduce the emperor Nero. Unlike
the dull Seneca, the great Stoic thinker and Nero's tutor, Petronius knew how
to make every detail of life a grand aesthetic adventure, from a feast to a
simple conversation. This is not an attitude you should impose on those around
you-you can't make yourself a nuisance- but if you simply seem socially
confident and sure of your taste, people will be drawn to you. The key is to
make everything an aesthetic choice. Your ability to alleviate boredom by
making life an art will make your company highly prized. The opposite sex is a
strange country we can never know, and this excites us, creates the proper
sexual tension. But it is also a source of annoyance and frustration. Men do
not understand how women think, and vice versa; each tries to make the other
act more like a member of their own sex. Dandies may never try to please, but
in this one area they have a pleasing effect: by adopting psychological traits
of the opposite sex, they appeal to our inherent narcissism. Women identified
with Rudolph Valentino's delicacy and attention todetailin courtship; men
identified with Lou Andreas-Salome's lack of interest in commitment. In the
Heian court of eleventh-century Japan, Sei Shonagon, the writer of The Pillow
Book, was powerfully seductive for men, especially literary types. She was
fiercely independent, wrote poetry with the best, and had a certain emotional
distance. Men wanted more from her than just to be her friend or companion, as
if she were another man; charmed by her empathy for male psychology, they fell
in love with her. This kind of mental transvestism-the ability to enter the
spirit of the opposite sex, adapt to their way of thinking, mirror their tastes
and attitudes-can be a key element in seduction. It is a way of mesmerizing
your victim. According to Freud, the human libido is essentially bisexual; most
people are in some way attracted to people of their own sex, but social
constraints (varying with culture and historical period) repress these
impulses. The Dandy represents a release from such constraints. In several of
Shakespeare's plays, a young girl (back then, the female roles in the theater
were actually played by male actors) has to go into disguise and dresses up as
a boy, eliciting all kinds of sexual interest from men, who later are delighted
to find out that the boy is actually a girl. (Think, for example, of Rosalind
in As You Like It.)Entertainers such as Josephine Baker (known as the Chocolate
Dandy) and Marlene Dietrich would dress up as men in their acts, making
themselves wildly popular-among men. Meanwhile the slightly feminized male, the
pretty boy, has always been seductive to women. Valentino embodied this
quality. Elvis Presley had feminine features (the face, the hips), wore frilly
pink shirts and eye makeup, and attracted the attention of women early on. The
filmmaker Kenneth Anger said of Mick Jagger that it was "a bisexual charm
which constituted an important part of the attraction he had over young girls .
. . and which acted upon their unconscious." In Western culture for
centuries, in fact, feminine beauty has been far more fetishized than male
beauty, so it is understandable that a feminine-looking face like that of
Montgomery Clift would have more seductive power than that of John Wayne. The
Dandy figure has a place in politics as well. John F. Kennedy was a strange mix
of the masculine and feminine, virile in his toughness with the Russians, and
in his White House lawn football games, yet feminine in his graceful and dapper
appearance. This ambiguity was a large part of his appeal. Disraeli was an incorrigible
Dandy in dress and manner; some were suspicious of him as a result, but his
courage in not caring what people thought of him also won him respect. And
women of course adored him, for women always adore a Dandy. They appreciated
the gentleness of his manner, his aesthetic sense, his love of clothes-in other
words, his feminine qualities. The mainstay of Disraeli's power was in fact a
female fan: Queen Victoria. Do not be misled by the surface disapproval your
Dandy pose may elicit. Society may publicize its distrust of androgyny (in
Christian theology, Satan is often represented as androgynous), but this
conceals its fascination; what is most seductive is often what is most
repressed. Leam aplayful dandyism and you will become the magnet for people's
dark, unrealized yearnings. The key to such power is ambiguity. In a society
where the roles everyone plays are obvious, the refusal to conform to any
standard will excite interest. Be both masculine and feminine, impudent and
charming, subtle and outrageous. Let other people worry about being socially
acceptable; those types are a dime a dozen, and you are after a power greater
than they can imagine. Symbol: The Orchid. Its shape and color oddly suggest
both sexes, its odor is sweet and decadent -it is a tropical flower of evil.
Delicate and highly cultivated, it is prizedfor its rarity; it is unlike any
other flower. Dangers T he Dandy's strength, but also the Dandy's problem, is
that he or she often works through transgressive feelings relating to sex roles.
Although this activity is highly charged and seductive, it is also dangerous,
since it touches on a source of great anxiety and insecurity. The greater
dangers will often come from your own sex. Valentino had immense appeal for
women, but men hated him. He was constantly dogged with accusations of being
perversely unmasculine, and this caused him great pain. Salome was equally
disliked by women; Nietzsche's sister, and perhaps his closest friend,
considered her an evil witch, and led a virulent campaign against her in the
press long after the philosopher's death. There is little to be done in the
face of resentment like this. Some Dandies try to fight the image they
themselves have created, but this is unwise: to prove his masculinity,
Valentino would engage in a boxing match, anything to prove his masculinity. He
wound up looking only desperate. Better to accept society's occasional gibes
with grace and insolence. After all, the Dandies' charm is that they don't
really care what people think of them. That is how Andy Warhol played the game:
when people tired of his antics or some scandal erupted, instead of trying to
defend himself he would simply move on to some new image-decadent bohemian,
high-society portraitist, etc.-as if to say, with a hint of disdain, that the
problem lay not with him but with other people's attention span. Another danger
for the Dandy is the fact that insolence has its limits. Beau Brummel prided
himself on two things: his trimness of figure and his acerbic wit. His main
social patron was the Prince of Wales, who, in later years, grew plump. One
night at dinner, the prince rang for the butler, and Brummel snidely remarked,
"Do ring. Big Ben." The prince did not appreciate the joke, had
Brummel shown out, and never spoke to him again. Without royal patronage,
Brummel fell into poverty and madness. Even a Dandy, then, must measure out his
impudence. A true Dandy knows the difference between a theatrically staged
teasing of the powerful and a remark that will truly hurt, offend, or insult.
It is particularly important to avoid insulting those in a position to injure
you. In fact the pose may work best for those who can afford to offend-artists,
bohemians, etc. In the work world, you will probably have to modify and tone
down your Dandy image. Be pleasantly different, an amusement, rather than a
person who challenges the group's conventions and makes others feel insecure.
the Natural. Childhood is the golden paradise we are always consciously or
unconsciously trying to re-create. The Natural embodies the longed- for
qualities of childhood - spontaneity, sincerity, unpretentiousness. In the
presence of Naturals, we feel at ease, caught up in their playful spirit,
transported back to that golden age. Naturals also make a virtue out of weakness,
eliciting our sympathy for their trials, making us want to protect them and
help them. As with a child, much of this is natural, but some of it is
exaggerated, a conscious seductive maneuver. Adopt the pose of the Natural to
neutralize people's natural defensiveness and infect them with helpless
delight. Psychological Traits of the Natural. C hildren are not as guileless as
we like to imagine. They suffer from feelings of helplessness, and sense early
on the power of their naturalcharm to remedy their weakness in the adult world.
They learn to play a game: if their natural innocence can persuade a parent to
yield to their desires in one instance, then it is something they can use
strategically in another instance, laying it on thick at the right moment to
get their way. If their vulnerability and weakness is so attractive, then it is
something they can use for effect. Why are we seduced by children's
naturalness? First, because anything natural has an uncanny effect on us. Since
the beginning of time, natural phenomena-such as lightning storms or
eclipses-have instilled in human beings an awe tinged with fear. The more
civilized we become, the greater the effect such natural events have on us; the
modern world surrounds us with so much that is manufactured and artificial that
something sudden and inexplicable fascinates us. Children also have this
natural power, but because they are unthreatening and human, they are not so
much awe inspiring as charming. Most people try to please, but the pleasantness
of the child comes effortlessly, defying logical explanation-and what is
irrational is often dangerously seductive. More important, a child represents a
world from which we have been forever exiled. Because adult life is full of
boredom and compromise, we harbor an illusion of childhood as a kind of golden
age, even though it can often be a period of great confusion and pain. It
cannot be denied, however, that childhood had certain privileges, and as
children we had a pleasurable attitude to life. Confronted with a particularly
charming child, we often feel wistful: we remember our own golden past, the
qualities we have lost and wish we had again. And in the presence of the child,
we get a little of that goldenness back. Natural seducers are people who
somehow avoided getting certain childish traits drummed out of them by adult
experience. Such people can be as powerfully seductive as any child, because it
seems uncanny and marvelous that they have preserved such qualities. They are
not literally like children, of course;that would make them obnoxious or
pitiful. Rather it is the spirit that they have retained. Do not imagine that
this childishness is something beyond their control. Natural seducers learn
early on the value of retaining a particular quality, and the seductive power
it contains; they Long-past ages have a great and often puzzling attraction for
men's imagination. Whenever they are dissatisfied with their present
surroundings-and this happens often enough-they turn back to the past and hope
that they will now be able to prove the truth of the inextinguishable dream of
a golden age. They are probably still under the spell of their childhood, which
is presented to them by their not impartial memory as a time of uninterrupted
bliss. -SIGMUND FREUD, THE STASDARD EDITION OF THE COMPLETE PSYCHOLOGICAL WORKS
OF SIGMUND FREUD , VOLUME 23 When Hermes was born on Mount Cyllene his mother
Maia laid him in swaddling bands on a winnowing fan, but he grew with
astonishing quickness into a little boy, and as soon as her back was turned,
slipped off and went looking for adventure. Arrived at Pieria, where Apollo was
tending a fine herd of cows, he decided to steal them. But, fearing to betrayed
by their tracks, he quickly made a number oj shoes from the bark of a fallen
oak and tied themuntilplaitedgrassto the feet of the cows, which he then drove
off by night the road. Apollo discovered the loss, but Hermes's trick deceived
him, and though he went as far as Pylus in his westward search, and to
Onchestus in his eastern, he was forced, in the end, to offer a reward for the
apprehension of the thief. Silenus and his satyrs, greedy of reward, spread out
in different directions to track him down but, for a long while, without
success. At last, as a party of them passed through Arcadia, they heard the
muffled sound of music such as they had never heard before, and the nymph a
cave, told them that a most gifted child had recently been born there, to whom
she was acting as nurse: he had constructed an ingenious musical toy from the
shell of a tortoise and some cow-gut, with which he had lulled his mother to
sleep. • "And from whom did he get the cow-gut?" asked the alert
satyrs, noticing two hides stretched outside the cave. "Do you charge the
poor child with theft?" asked Cyllene. Harsh words were exchanged. • At
that moment Apollo came up, having discovered the thief s identity by observing
the suspicious behaviour of a long-winged bird. Entering the cave, he awakened
Maia and told her severely that Hermes must restore the stolen cows. Maia
pointed to the child, still wrapped in his adapt and build upon those childlike
traits that they managed to preserve, exactly as the child learns to play with
its natural charm. This is the key. It is within your power to do the same,
since there is lurking within all of us a devilish child straining to be let
loose. To do this successfully, you have to be able to let go to a degree,
since there is nothing less natural than seeming hesitant. Remember the spirit
you once had; let it return, without self- consciousness. People are much more
forgiving of those who go all the way, who seem uncontrollably foolish, than
the halfhearted adult with a childish streak. Remember who you were before you
became so polite and self-effacing. To assume the role of the Natural, mentally
position yourself in any relationship as the child, the younger one. The
following are the main types of the adult Natural. Keep in mind that the
greatest natural seducers are often a blend of more than one of these
qualities. The innocent. The primary qualities of innocence are weakness and
misunderstanding of the world. Innocence is weak because it is doomed to vanish
in a harsh, cruel world; the child cannot protect or hold on to its innocence.
The misunderstandings come from the child's not knowing about good and evil,
and seeing everything through uncorrupted eyes. The weakness of children
elicits sympathy, their misunderstandings make us laugh, and nothing is more
seductive than a mixture of laughter and sympathy. The adult Natural is not
truly innocent-it is impossible to grow up in this world and retain total
innocence. Yet Naturals yearn so deeply to hold on to their innocent outlook
that they manage to preserve the illusion of innocence. They exaggerate their
weakness to elicit the proper sympathy. They act like they still see the world
through innocent eyes, which in an adult proves doubly humorous. Much of this
is conscious, but to be effective, adult Naturals must make it seem subtle and
effortless-if they are seen as trying to act innocent, it will come across as
pathetic. It is better for them to communicate weakness indirectly, through
looks and glances, or through the situations they get themselves into, rather
than anything obvious. Since this type of innocence is mostly an act, it is
easily adaptable foryour own purposes. Leam to play up any natural weaknesses
or flaws. The imp. Impish children have a fearlessness that we adults have
lost. That is because they do not see the possible consequences of their
actions-howsome people might be offended, how they might physically hurt
themselvesin the process. Imps are brazen, blissfully uncaring. They infect you
with their lighthearted spirit. Such children have not yet had their natural
energy and spirit scolded out of them by the need to be polite and civil.
Secretly, we envy them; we want to be naughty too. Adult imps are seductive
because of how different they are from the rest of us. Breaths of fresh air in
a cautious world, they go full throttle, as if their impishness were
uncontrollable, and thus natural. If you play the part, do not worry about
offending people now and then-you are too lovable and inevitably they will
forgive you. Just don't apologize or look contrite, for that would break the
spell. Whatever you say or do, keep a glint in your eye to show that you do not
take anything seriously. The wonder. A wonder child has a special, inexplicable
talent: a gift for music, for mathematics, for chess, for sport. At work in the
field in which they have such prodigal skill, these children seem possessed,
and their actions effortless. If they are artists or musicians, Mozart types,
their work seems to spring from some inborn impulse, requiring remarkably
little thought. If it is a physical talent that they have, they are blessed
with unusual energy, dexterity, and spontaneity. In both cases they seem
talented beyond their years. This fascinates us. Adult wonders are often former
wonder children who have managed, remarkably, to retain their youthful
impulsiveness and improvisational skills. True spontaneity is a delightful
rarity, for everything in life conspires to rob us of it-we have to leam to act
carefully and deliberately, to think about how we look in other people's eyes.
To play the wonder you need some skill that seems easy and natural, along with
the ability to improvise. If in fact your skill takes practice, you must hide
this and leam to make your work appear effortless. The more you hide the sweat
behind what you do, the more natural and seductive it will appear. The
undefensive lover. As people get older, they protect themselves against painful
experiences by closing themselves off. The price for this is that theygrow
rigid, physically and mentally. But children are by nature unprotected and open
to experience, and this receptiveness is extremely attractive. In the presence
of children we become less rigid, infected with their openness. That is why we
want to be around them. Undefensive lovers have somehow circumvented the
self-protective process, retaining the playful, receptive spirit of the child.
They often manifest this spirit physically: they are graceful, and seem to age
less rapidly than other people. Of all the Natural's character qualities, this
one is the most useful. Defensiveness is deadly in seduction; act defensive and
you'll bring out defensiveness in other people. The undefensive lover, on the
other hand, lowers the inhibitions of his or her target, a critical part of
seduction. It is important to leam to not react defensively: bend instead of
resist, be open to influence from others, and they will more easily fall under
your spell. swaddling bands and feigning sleep. "What an absurd
charge!" she cried. But Apollo had already recognized the hides. He picked
up Hermes, carried him to Olympus, and there formally accused him oftheft,
offering the hides as evidence. Zeus, loth to believe that his own newborn son
was a thief encouraged him to plead not guilty, but Apollo would not be put off
and Hermes, at last, weakened and confessed. • "Very , come with me,"
he said, "and you may have your herd. I slaughtered only two, and those I
cut up into twelve equal portions as a sacrifice to the twelve gods" •
"Twelve gods?" asked Apollo. "Who is the twelfth?" •
"Your servant, sir" replied Hermes modestly. "I ate no more than
my share, though I was very hungry, and duly burned the rest. " The two
gods [ Hermes and Apollo] returned to Mount Cyllene, where Hermes greeted his
mother and retrieved something that he had hidden underneath a sheepskin. •
"What have you there?" asked Apollo. • In answer, Hermes showed his
newly- invented tortoise-shell lyre, and played such a ravishing tune on it
with the plectrum he had also invented, at the same time singing in praise of
Apollo's nobility, intelligence, and generosity, that he was forgiven at once.
He led the surprised and delighted Apollo to Pylus, playing all the way, and
there gave him the remainder of the cattle, which he had hidden in a cave. •
"A bargain!" cried Apollo. "You keep the cows, and I take the
lyre. " "Agreed," said Hermes, and they shook hands on it. • . .
. Apollo, taking the child back to Olympus, told Zeus all that had happened.
Zeus warned Hermes that henceforth he must respect the rights oj property and
refrain from telling downright lies; but he could not help being amused.
"You seem to be a very ingenious, eloquent, and persuasive godling,"
he said. • "Then make me your herald, Father," Hermes answered,
"and I will he responsible for the safety of all divine property, and never
tell lies, though I cannot promise always to tell the whole truth ." •
"That would not be expected of you," said Zeus with a smile. . . .
Zeus gave him a herald's staff with white ribbons, which everyone was ordered
to respect; a round hat against the rain, and winged golden sandals which
carried him about with the swiftness of the wind. -ROBERT GRAVES, THE GREEK
MYTHS. VOLUME I A man may meet a woman and be shocked by her ugliness. Soon, if
she is natural and unaffected, her expression makes him overlook the fault of
her features. He begins to find her charming, it enters his head that she might
be loved, and a week later he is living in hope. The following week he has been
snubbed into despair, and the week afterwards he has gone mad. -STENDHAL, LOVE.
TRANSLATED BY GILBERT AND SUZANNE SALE Examples of Natural Seducers 7. As a
child growing up in England, Charlie Chaplin spent years in dire poverty,
particularly after his mother was committed to an asylum. In his early teens,
forced to work to live, he landed ajob in vaudeville, eventually gaining some
success as a comedian. But Chaplin was wildly ambitious, and so, in 1910, when
he was only nineteen, he emigrated to the United States, hoping to break into
the film business. Making his way to Hollywood, he found occasional bit parts,
but success seemed elusive: the competition was fierce, and although Chaplin
had a repertoire of gags that he had learned in vaudeville, he did not
particularly excel at physical humor, a critical part of silent comedy. He was
not a gymnast like Buster Keaton. In 1914, Chaplin managed to get the lead in a
film short called Making a Living. His role was that of a con artist. In
playing around with the costume for the part, he put on a pair of pants several
sizes too large, then added a derby hat, enormous boots that he wore on the
wrong feet, a walking cane, and a pasted-on mustache. With the clothes, a whole
new character seemed to come to life-first the silly walk, then the twirling of
the cane, then all sorts of gags. Mack Sennett, the head of the studio, did not
find Making a Living very funny, and doubted whether Chaplin had a future in
the movies, but a few critics felt otherwise. A review in a trade magazine
read, "The clever player who takes the role of a nervy and very nifty
sharper in this picture is a comedian of the first water, who acts like one of
Nature's own naturals." And audiences also responded-the film made money.
What seemed to touch a nerve in Making a Living, setting Chaplin apart from the
horde of other comedians working in silent film, was the almost pathetic
naivete of the character he played. Sensing he was onto something, Chaplin
shaped the role further in subsequent movies, rendering him more and more
naive. The key was to make the character seem to see the world through the eyes
of a child. In The Bank, he is the bank janitor who daydreams of great deeds
while robbers are at work in the building; in The Pawnbroker, he is an
unprepared shop assistant who wreaks havoc on a grandfather clock; in Shoulder
Arms, he is a soldier in the bloody trenches of World War I, reacting to the
horrors of war like an innocent child. Chaplin made sure to cast actors in his
films who were physically larger than he was,subliminally positioning them as
adult bullies and himself as the helpless infant. And as he went deeper into
his character, something strange happened: the character and the real-life man
began to merge. Although he had had a troubled childhood, he was obsessed with
it. (For his film Easy Street he built a set in Hollywood that duplicated the
London streets he had known as a boy.) He mistrusted the adult world,
preferring the company of the young, or the young at heart: three of his four
wives were teenagers when he married them. More than any other comedian,
Chaplin aroused a mix of laughter and sentiment. He made you empathize with him
as the victim, feel sorry for him the way you would for a lost dog. You both
laughed and cried. And audiences sensed that the role Chaplin played came from
somewhere deep inside-that he was sincere, that he was actually playing
himself. Within a few years after Making a Living, Chaplin was the most famous
actor in the world. There were Chaplin dolls, comic books, toys; popular songs
and short stories were written about him; he became a universal icon. In 1921,
when he returned to London for the first time since he had left it, he was
greeted by enormous crowds, as if at the triumphant return of a great general.
The greatest seducers, those who seduce mass audiences,
nations,theworld,haveaway of playing on people's unconscious, making them react
in a way they can neither understand nor control. Chaplin inadvertently hit on
this power when he discovered the effect he could have on audiences by playing
up his weakness, by suggesting that he had a child's mind in an adult body. In
the early twentieth century, the world was radically and rapidly changing.
People were working longer and longer hours at increasingly mechanicaljobs;
life was becoming steadily more inhuman and heartless, as the ravages of World
War I made clear. Caught in the midst of revolutionary change, people yearned
for a lost childhood that they imagined as a golden paradise. An adult child
like Chaplin has immense seductive power, for he offers the illusion that life
was once simpler and easier, and that for a moment, or for as long as the movie
lasts, you can win that life back. In a cruel, amoral world, naivete has
enormous appeal. The key is to bring it off with an air of total seriousness,
as the straight man does in stand-up comedy. More important, however, is the
creation of sympathy. Overt strength and power is rarely seductive-it makes us
afraid, or envious. The royal road to seduction is to play up your
vulnerability and helplessness. You cannot make this obvious; to seem to be
begging for sympathy is toseemneedy,whichisentirely anti-seductive. Do not
proclaim yourself a victim or underdog, but reveal it in your manner, in your
confusion. A display of "natural" weakness will make you instantly
lovable, both lowering people's defenses and making them feel delightfully
superior to you. Put yourself in situations that make you seem weak, in which
someone else has the advantage; they are the bully, you are the innocent lamb.
Without any effort on your part, people will feel sympathy for you. Once
people's eyes cloud over with sentimental mist, they will not see how you are
manipulating them. "Geographical" escapism has been rendered
ineffective by the spread of air routes. What remains is
"evolutionary" escapism - a downward course in one's development,
back to the ideas and emotions of "golden childhood," which may well
be defined as "regress towards infantilism," escape to a personal
world of childish ideas. • In a strictly- regulated society, where life follows
strictly-defined canons, the urge to escape from the chain of things
"established once and for all" must be felt particularly strongly. .
. . • And the most perfect of them [ comedians] does this with utmost
perfection, for he [ Chaplin ] serves this principle . . . through the subtlety
of his method which, offering the spectactor an infantile pattern to be
imitated, pscyhologically infects him with infantilism and draws him into the
"golden age" of the infantile paradise of childhood. -SERGEI
EISENSTEIN, "CHARLIE THE KID," FROM NOTES OF A FILM DIRECTOR 2. Emma
Crouch, born in 1842 in Plymouth, England, came from a respectable middle-class
family. Her father was a composer and music professor who dreamed of success in
the world of light opera. Among his many children, Emma was his favorite: she
was a delightful child, lively and flirtatious, with red hair and a freckled
face. Her father doted on her, and promised her a brilliant future in the
theater. Unfortunately Mr. Crouch had a Prince Gortschakojf used to say that
she [Cora Pearl] was the last word in luxury, and that he would have tried to
steal the sun to satisfy one of her whims. -GUSTAVE CLAUDIN, CORA PEARL
CONTEMPORARY Apparently the possession of humor implies the possession of a
number of typical habit-systems. The first is an emotional one: the habit of
playfulness. Why should one be proud of being playful? For a double reason.
First, playfulness connotes childhood and youth. If one can be playful, one
still possesses something of the vigor and the joy of young life ..." But
there is a deeper implication. To be playful is, in a sense, to befree. When a
person is playful, he momentarily disregards the bindingnecessities which
compel him, in business and morals, in domestic and community life. . . . •
What galls us is that the binding necessities do not permit us to shape our
world as we please. . . . What we most deeply desire, however, is to create our
world for ourselves. Whenever we can do that, even in the slightest degree, we
are happy. Now in play we create our own world. . . . -PROFESSOR H . A .
OVERSTREET, INFLUENCING HUMAN BEHAVIOR dark side: he was an adventurer, a
gambler, and a rake, and in 1849 he abandoned his family and left for America.
The Crouches were now in dire straits. Emma was told that her father had died
in an accident and she was sent off to a convent. The loss of her father
affected her deeply, and as the years went by she seemed lost in the past,
acting as if he still doted on her. One day in 1856, when Emma was walking home
from church, a well- dressed gentleman invited her home for some cakes. She
followed him to his house, where he proceeded to take advantage of her. The
next morning this man, a diamond merchant, promised to set her up in a house of
her own, treat her well, and give her plenty of money. She took the money but
left him, determined to do what she had always wanted: never see her family
again, never depend on anyone, and lead the grand life that
herfatherhadpromised her. With the money the diamond merchant had given her,
Emma bought nice clothes and rented a cheap flat. Adopting the flamboyant name
of Cora Pearl, she began to frequent London's Argyll Rooms, a fancy gin palace
where harlots and gentlemen rubbed elbows. The proprietor of the Argyll, a Mr.
Bignell, took note of this newcomer to his establishment- she was so brazen for
a young girl. At forty-five, he was much older than she was, but he decided to
be her lover and protector, lavishing her with money and attention. The
following year he took her to Paris, which was at the height of its Second
Empire prosperity. Cora was enthralled by Paris, and of all its sights, but
what impressed her the most was the parade of rich coaches in the Bois de
Boulogne. Here the fashionable came to take the air-the empress, the
princesses, and, not least the grand courtesans, who had the most opulent
carriages of all. This was the way to lead the kind of life Cora's father had
wanted for her. She promptly told Bignell that when he went back to London, she
would stay on alone. Frequenting all the right places, Cora soon came to the
attention of wealthy French gentlemen. They would see her walking the streets
in a bright pink dress, to complement her flaming red hair, pale face, and
freckles. They would glimpse her riding wildly through the Bois de Boulogne, cracking
her whip left and right. They would see her in cafes surrounded by men, her
witty insults making them laugh. They also heard of her exploits-of her delight
in showing her body to one and all. The elite of Paris society began to court
her, particularly the older men who had grown tired of the cold and calculating
courtesans, and who admired her girlish spirit. As money began to pour in from
her various conquests (the Due de Mornay, heir to the Dutch throne; Prince
Napoleon, cousin to the Emperor), Cora spent it on the most outrageous things-a
multicolored carriage pulled by a team of cream-colored horses, a rose-marble
bathtub with her initials inlaid in gold. Gentlemen vied to be the one who
would spoil her the most. An Irish lover wasted his entire fortune on her, in
only eight weeks. But money could not buy Cora's loyalty; she would leave a man
on the slightest whim. Cora Pearl's wild behavior and disdain for etiquette had
all of Paris on edge. In 1864, she was to appear as Cupid in the Offenbach operetta
Orpheus in the Underworld. Society was dying to see what she would do to cause
a sensation, and soon found out: she came on stage practically naked, except
for expensive diamonds here and there, barely covering her. As she pranced on
stage, the diamonds fell off, each one worth a fortune; she didnot stoop to
pick them up, but let them roll off into the footlights. The gentlemen in the
audience, some of whom had given her those diamonds, applauded her wildly.
Antics like this made Cora the toast of Paris, and she reigned as the city's
supreme courtesan for over a decade, until the Franco- Prussian War of 1870 put
an end to the Second Empire. People often mistakenly believe that what makes a
person desirable and seductive is physical beauty, elegance, or overt
sexuality. Yet Cora Pearl was not dramatically beautiful; her body was boyish,
and her style was garish and tasteless. Even so, the most dashing men of Europe
vied for her favors, often ruining themselves in the process. It was Cora's
spirit and attitude that enthralled them. Spoiled by her father, she imagined
that spoiling her was natural-that all men should do the same. The consequence
was that, like a child, she never felt she had to try to please. It was Cora's
powerful air of independence that made men want to possess her, tame her. She
never pretended to be anything more than a courtesan, so the brazenness that in
a lady would have been uncivil in her seemed natural and fun. And as with a
spoiled child, a man's relationship with her was on her terms. The moment he
tried to change that, she lost interest. This was the secret of her astounding
success. Spoiled children have an undeservedly bad reputation: while those who
are spoiled with material things are indeed often insufferable, those who are
spoiled with affection know themselves to be deeply seductive. This becomes a
distinct advantage when they grow up. According to Freud (who was speaking from
experience, since he was his mother's darling), spoiled children have a
confidence that stays with them all their lives. This quality radiates outward,
drawing others to them, and, in a circular process, making people spoil them
still more. Since their spirit and natural energy were never tamed by a
disciplining parent, as adults they are adventurous and bold, and often impish
or brazen. The lesson is simple: it may be too late to be spoiled by a parent,
but it is never too late to make other people spoil you. It is all in your
attitude. People are drawn to those who expect a lot out of life, whereas they
tend to disrespect those who are fearful and undemanding. Wild independence has
a provocative effect on us: it appeals to us, while also presenting us with a
challenge-we want to be the one to tame it, to make the spirited person
dependent on us. Half of seduction is stirring such competitive desires. 3. In
October of 1925, Paris society was all excited about the opening of the Revue
Negre. Jazz, or in fact anything that came from black America, All was quiet
again. (Genji slipped the latch open and tried the doors. They had not been
bolted. A curtain had been set up just inside, and in the dim light he could
make out Chinese chests and otherfurniture scattered in some disorder. He made
his way through to her side. She lay by herself, a slight littlefigure. Though
vaguely annoyed at being disturbed, she evidently took him forthe woman Chujo
until he pulled back the covers. • . . . His manner was so gently persuasive
thatdevils and demons could not have gainsaid him. • . . . She was so small
that he lifted her easily. As he passed through the doors to his own room, he
came upon Chujo who had been summoned earlier. He called out in surprise.
Surprised in turn, Chujo peered into the darkness. The perfume that came from
his robes like a cloud of smoke told her who he was. . . . [Chujo] followed
after, but Genji was quite unmoved by her pleas. • "Come for her in the
morning," he said, sliding the doors closed. • The lady was bathed in
perspiration and quite beside herself at the thought of what Chujo, and the others
too, would be thinking. Genji had to feel sorry for her. Yet the sweet words
poured forth, the whole gam ut of pretty devices for making a woman surrender.
. . . • One may imagine that he found many kind promises with which to comfort
her. . . . -MURASAKI SHIKIBUTHE TALE OF GENJI. TRANSLATED BY EDWARD G.
SEIDENSTICKER was the latest fashion, and the Broadway dancers and performers
who made up the Revue Negre were African-American. On opening night, artists
and high society packed the hall. The show was spectacular, as they expected,
but nothing prepared them for the last number, performed by a somewhat gawky
long-legged woman with the prettiest face: Josephine Baker, a twenty-year-old
chorus girl from East St. Louis. She came onstage bare-breasted, wearing a
skirt of feathers over a satin bikini bottom, with feathers around her neck and
ankles. Although she performed her number, called "Dame Sauvage,"
with another dancer, also clad in feathers, all eyes were riveted on her: her
whole body seemed to come alive in a way the audience had never seen before,
her legs moving with the litheness of a cat, her rear end gyrating in patterns
that one critic likened to a hummingbird's. As the dance went on, she seemed
possessed, feeding off the crowd's ecstatic reaction. And then there was the
look on her face: she was having such fun. She radiated a joy that made her
erotic dance oddly innocent, even slightly comic. By the following day, word
had spread: a star was born. Josephine became the heart of the Revue Negre, and
Paris was at her feet. Within a year, her facewas on posters everywhere; there
were Josephine Baker perfumes, dolls, clothes; fashionable Frenchwomen were
slicking their hair back a la Baker, using a product called Bakerfix. They were
even trying to darken their skin. Such sudden fame represented quite a change,
for just a few years earlier, Josephine had been a young girl growing up in
East St. Louis, one of America's worst slums. She had gone to work at the age
of eight, cleaning houses for a white woman who beat her. She had sometimes
slept in a rat- infested basement; there had never been heat in the winter.
(She had taught herself to dance in her wild fashion to help keep herself
warm.) In 1919, Josephine had run away and become a part-time vaudeville
performer, landing in New York two years later without money or connections.
She had had some success as a clowning chorus girl, providing comic relief with
her crossed eyes and screwed-up face, but she hadn't stood out. Then she was
invited to Paris. Some other black performers had declined, fearing things
might be still worse for them in France than in America, but Josephine jumped
at the chance. Despite her success with the Revue Negre, Josephine did not
delude herself: Parisians were notoriously fickle. She decided to turn the
relationship around. First, she refused to be aligned with any club, and
developed a reputation for breaking contracts at will, making it clear that she
was ready to leave in an instant. Since childhood she had been afraid of dependenceon
anyone; now no one could take her for granted. This only made impresarios chase
her and the public appreciate her the more. Second, she was aware that although
black culture had become the vogue, what the French had fallen in love with was
a kind of caricature. If that was what it took to be successful, so be it, but
Josephine made it clear that she did not take the caricature seriously; instead
she reversed it, becoming the ultimate Frenchwoman of fashion, a caricature not
of blackness but of whiteness. Everything was a role to play-the comedienne,
the primitive dancer, the ultrastylish Parisian. And everything Josephine did,
she did with such a light spirit, such a lack of pretension, that she continued
to seduce the jaded French for years. Her funeral, in 1975, was nationally
televised, a huge cultural event. She was buried with the kind of pomp normally
reserved only for heads of state. From very early on, Josephine Baker could not
stand the feeling of having no control over the world. Yet what could she do in
the face of her unpromising circumstances? Some young girls put all their hopes
on a husband, but Josephine's father had left her mother soon after she was
born,and she saw marriage as something that would only make her more miserable.
Her solution was something children often do: confronted with a hopeless
environment, she closed herself off in a world of her own making, oblivious to
the ugliness around her. This world was filled with dancing, clowning, dreams
of great things. Let other people wail and moan; Josephine would smile, remain
confident and self-reliant. Almost everyone who met her, from her earliest
years to her last, commented on how seductive this quality was. Her refusal to
compromise, or to be what she was expected to be, made everything she did seem
authentic and natural. A child loves to play, and to create a little
self-contained world. When children are absorbed in make believe, they are
hopelessly charming. They infuse their imaginings with such seriousness and
feeling. Adult Naturals do something similar, particularly if they are artists:
they create their own fantasy world, and live in it as if it were the real one.
Fantasy is so much more pleasant than reality, and since most people do not
have the power or courage to create such a world, they enjoy being around those
who do. Remember: the role you were given in life is not the role you have to
accept. You can always live out a role of your own creation, a role that fits
your fantasy. Learn to playwithyourimage,nevertaking it too seriously. The key
is to infuse your play with the conviction and feeling of a child, making it
seem natural. The more absorbed you seem in your ownjoy-filled world, the more
seductive you become. Do not go halfway: make the fantasy you inhabit as
radical and exotic as possible, and you will attract attention like a magnet.
4. It was the Festival of the Cherry Blossom at the Heian court, in late-
tenth-century Japan. In the emperor's palace, many of the courtiers were drunk,
and others were fast asleep, but the young princess Oborozukiyo, the emperor's
sister-in-law, was awake and reciting a poem: "What can compare with a
misty moon of spring?" Her voice was smooth and delicate. She moved to the
door of her apartment to look at the moon. Then, suddenly, she smelled
something sweet, and a hand clutched the sleeve of her robe. "Who are
you?" she said, frightened. "There is nothing to be afraid of,"
came a man's voice, and continued with a poem of his own: "Late in the
night we enjoy a misty moon. There is nothing misty about the bond between
us." Without another word, the man pulled the princess to him and picked
her up, carrying her into a gallery outside her room, sliding the door closed
behind him. She was terrified, and tried to call for help. In the darkness she
heard him say, a little louder now, "Itwilldo you no good. I am always
allowed my way. Just be quiet, if you will, please." Now the princess
recognized the voice, and the scent: it was Genji, the young son of the late
emperor's concubine, whose robes bore a distinctive perfume. This calmed her
somewhat, since the man was someone she knew, but on the other hand she also
knew of his reputation: Genji was the court's most incorrigible seducer, a man
who stopped at nothing. He was drunk, it was near dawn, and the watchmen would
soon be on their rounds; she did not want to be discovered with him. But then
she began to make out the outlines of his face-so pretty, his look so sincere,
without a trace of malice. Then came more poems, recited in that charming
voice,the words so insinuating. The images he conjured filled her mind, and
distracted her from his hands. She could not resist him. As the light began to
rise, Genji got to his feet. He said a few tender words, they exchanged fans,
and then he quickly left. The serving women were coming through the emperor's
rooms by now, and when they saw Genji scurrying away, the perfume of his robes
lingering after him, they smiled, knowing he was up to his usual tricks; but
they never imagined he would dare approach the sister of the emperor's wife. In
the days that followed, OborozukiyocouldonlythinkofGenji.She knew he had other
mistresses, but when she tried to put him out of her mind, a letter from him
would arrive, and she would be back to square one. In truth, she had started
the correspondence, haunted by his midnight visit. She had to see him again.
Despite the risk of discovery, and the fact that her sister Kokiden, the
emperor's wife, hated Genji, she arranged for further trysts in her apartment.
But one night an envious courtier found them together. Word reached Kokiden,
who naturally was furious. She demanded that Genji be banished from court and
the emperor had no choice but to agree. Genji went far away, and things settled
down. Then the emperor died and his son took over. A kind of emptiness had come
to the court: the dozens of women whom Genji had seduced could not endure his
absence, and flooded him with letters. Even women who had never known him
intimately would weep over any relic he had left behind-a robe, for instance,
in which his scent still lingered. And the young emperor missed his jocular
presence. And the princesses missed the music he had played on the koto. And
Oborozukiyo pined for his midnight visits. Finally even Kokiden broke down,
realizing that she could not resist him. So Genji was summoned back to the
court. And not only was he forgiven, he was given a hero's welcome; the young
emperor himself greeted the scoundrel with tears in his eyes. The story of
Genji's life is told in the eleventh-century novel The Tale of Genji, written
by Murasaki Shikibu, a woman of the Heian court. The character was most likely
based on a real-life man, Fujiwara no Korechika. Indeed another book of the
period. The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon, describes an encounter between the
female author and Korechika, and reveals his incredible charm and his almost
hypnotic effect on women. Genji is a Natural, an undefensive lover, a man who
has a lifelong obsession with women but whose appreciation of and affection for
them makes him irresistible. As he says to Oborozukiyo in the novel, "I am
always allowed my way." This self-belief is half of Genji's charm.
Resistance does not make him defensive; he retreats gracefully, reciting a
little poetry, and as he leaves, the perfume of his robes trailing behind him,
his victim wonders why she has been so afraid, and what she is missing by
spurning him, and she finds a way to let him know that the next time things
will be different. Genji takes nothing seriously or personally, and at the age
of forty, an age at which most men of the eleventh century were already looking
old and worn, he still seems like a boy. His seductive powers never leave him.
Human beings are immenselysuggestible;theirmoods will easily spread to the people
around them. In fact seduction depends on mimesis, on the conscious creation of
a mood or feeling that is then reproduced by the other person. But hesitation
and awkwardness are also contagious, and are deadly to seduction. If in a key
moment you seem indecisive or self- conscious, the other person will sense that
you are thinking of yourself, instead of being overwhelmed by his or her
charms. The spell will be broken. As an undefensive lover, though, you produce
the opposite effect: your victim might be hesitant or worried, but confronted
with someone so sure and natural, he or she will be caught up in the mood. Like
dancing with someone you lead effortlessly across the dance floor, it is a
skill you can leam. It is a matter of rooting out the fear and awkwardness that
have built up in you over the years, of becoming more graceful with your
approach, less defensive when others seem to resist. Often people's resistance
is a way of testing you, and if you show any awkwardness or hesitation, you not
only will fail the test, but you will risk infecting them with your doubts.
Symbol: The Lamb. So soft and endearing. At two days old the lamb can gambol
gracefully; within a week it is playing "Follow the Leader." Its
weakness is part of its charm. The Lamb is pure innocence, so innocent we want
to possess it, even devour it. Dangers A childish quality can be charming but
it can also be irritating; the innocent have no experience of the world, and
their sweetness can prove cloying. In Milan Kundera's novel The Book of
Laughter and Forgetting, the hero dreams that he is trapped on an island with a
group of children. Soon their wonderful qualities become intensely annoying to
him; after a few days of exposure to them he cannot relate to them at all. The
dream turns into a nightmare, and he longs to be back among adults, with real
things to do and talk about. Because total childishness can quickly grate, the
most seductive Naturals are those who, like Josephine Baker, combine adult
experience and wisdom with a childlike manner. It is this mixture of qualities
that is most alluring. Society cannot tolerate too many Naturals. Given a crowd
of Cora Pearls or Charlie Chaplins, their charm would quickly wear off. In any
case it is usually only artists, or people with abundant leisure time, who can
afford to go all the way. The best way to use the Natural character type is in
specific situations when a touch of innocence or impishness will help lower
your target's defenses. A con man plays dumb to make the other person trust him
and feel superior. This kind of feigned naturalness has countless applications
in daily life, where nothing is more dangerous than looking smarter than the
next person; the Natural pose is the perfect way to disguise your cleverness.
But if you are uncontrollably childish and cannot turn it off, you run the risk
of seeming pathetic, earning not sympathy but pity and disgust. Similarly, the
seductive traits of the Natural work best in one who is still young enough for
them to seem natural. They are much harder for an older person to pull off.
Cora Pearl did not seem so charming when she was still wearing her pink flouncy
dresses in her fifties. The Duke of Buckingham, who seduced everyone in the
English court in the 1620s (including the homosexual King James I himself), was
wondrously childish in looks and manner; but this became obnoxious and
off-putting as he grew older, and he eventually made enough enemies that he
ended up being murdered. As you age, then, your natural qualities should
suggest more the child's open spirit, less an innocence that will no longer
convince anyone. the Coquette The ability to delay satisfaction is the ultimate
art of seduction-while waiting, the victim is held in thrall. Coquettes are the
grand masters of this game, orchestrating a back-and-forth movement between
hope and frustration. They bait with the promise of reward-the hope of physical
pleasure, happiness, fame by association, power-all ofwhich,however,proves
elusive; yet this only makes their targets pursue them the more. Coquettes seem
totally self-sufficient: they do not need you, they seem to say, and their
narcissism proves devilishly attractive. You want to conquer them but they hold
the cards. The strategy of the Coquette is never to offer total satisfaction.
Imitate the alternating heat and coolness of the Coquette and you will keep the
seduced at your heels. The Hot and Cold Coquette I n the autumn of 1795, Paris
was caught up in a strange giddiness. The Reign of Terror that had followed the
French Revolution had ended; the sound of the guillotine was gone. The city
breathed a collective sigh of relief, and gave way to wild parties and endless
festivals. The young Napoleon Bonaparte, twenty-six at the time, had no
interest in such revelries. He had made a name for himself as a bright,
audacious general who had helped quell rebellion in the provinces, but his
ambition was boundless and he burned with desire for new conquests. So when, in
October of that year, the infamous thirty-three-year-old widow Josephine de Beauhamais
visited his offices, he couldn't help but be confused. Josephine was so exotic,
and everything about her was languorous and sensual. (She capitalized on her
foreignness-she came from the island of
Martinique.)Ontheotherhandshehadareputationasaloose woman, and the shy Napoleon
believed in marriage. Even so, when Josephine invited him to one of her weekly
soirees, he found himself accepting. At the soiree he felt totally out of his
element. All of the city's great writers and wits were there, as well as the
few of the nobility who had survived-Josephine herself was a vicomtesse, and
had narrowly escaped the guillotine. The women were dazzling, some of them more
beautiful than the hostess, but all the men congregated around Josephine, drawn
by her graceful presence and queenly manner. Several times she left the men
behind and went to Napoleon's side; nothing could have flattered his insecure
ego more than such attention. He began to pay her visits. Sometimes she would
ignore him, and he would leave in a fit of anger. Yet the next day a passionate
letter would arrive from Josephine, and he would rush to see her. Soon he was
spending most of his time with her. Her occasional shows of sadness, her bouts
of anger or of tears, only deepened his attachment. In March of 1796, Napoleon
married Josephine. Two days after his wedding, Napoleon left to lead a campaign
in northern Italy against the Austrians. "You are the constant object of
my thoughts," he wrote to his wife from abroad. "My imagination
exhausts itself in guessing what you are doing." His generals saw him
distracted: hewould leave meetings early, spend hours writing letters, or stare
at the miniature of Josephine he wore around his neck. He had been driven to
this state by the unbearable distance between them and by a slight coldness he
now detected There are indeed men who are attached more by resistance than by
yielding and who unwittingly prefer a variable sky, now splendid, now black and
vexed by lightnings, to love's unclouded blue. Let us not forget that Josephine
had to deal with a conqueror and that love resembles war. She did not
surrender, she let herself be conquered. Had she been more tender, more
attentive, more loving, perhaps Bonaparte would have loved her less. -IMBERT DE
SAINT-AMAND, QUOTED IN THE EMPRESS JOSEPHINE: NAPOLEON'S ENCHANTRESS. PHILIP W.
SERGEANT Coquettes know how to please; not how to love, which is why men love
them so much. -PIERRE MARIVAUX An absence, the declining of an invitation to
dinner, an unintentional, unconscious harshness are of more service than all
the cosmetics and fine clothes in the world. -MARCEL PROUST There's also
nightly, to the unintiated, \ A peril-not indeed like love or marriage, \ But
not the less for this to he depreciated: \ It is-I meant and mean not to
disparage \ The show of virtue even in the vitiated - \
Itaddsanoutwardgraceuntotheircarriage - \ But to denounce the amphibious sort
of harlot, \ Couleur de rose, who's neither white nor scarlet. \ Such is your
cold coquette, who can't say say "no," \And won't say
"yes," and keeps you on- and off-ing \ On a lee shore, till it begins
to blow - \ Then sees your heart wreck'd with an in her-she wrote infrequently,
and her letters lacked passion; nor did she join him in Italy. He had to finish
his war fast, so that he could return to her side. Engaging the enemy with
unusual zeal, he began to make mistakes. "To live for Josephine!" he
wrote to her. "I work to get near you; I kill myself to reach you."
His letters became more passionate and erotic; a friend of Josephine's who saw
them wrote, "The handwriting [was] almost indecipherable, the spelling
shaky, the style bizarre and confused .... What a position for a woman to find
herself in-being the motivating force behind the triumphal march of an entire
army." Months went by in which Napoleon begged Josephine to come to Italy
and she made endless excuses. But finally she agreed to come, and left Paris
for Brescia, where he was headquartered. A near encounter with the enemy along
the way, however, forced her to detour to Milan. Napoleon was away from
Brescia, in battle; when he returned to find her still absent, he blamed his
foe GeneralWiirmser and swore revenge. For the next few months he seemed to
pursue two targets with equal energy: Wiirmser and Josephine. His wife was
never where she was supposed to be: "I reach Milan, rush to your house,
having thrown aside everything in order to clasp you in my arms. You are not
there!" Napoleon would turn angry and jealous, but when he finally caught
up with Josephine, the slightest of her favors melted his heart. He took long
rides with her in a darkened carriage, while his generals fumed-meetings were
missed, orders and strategies improvised. "Never," he later wrote to
her, "has a woman been in such complete mastery of another's heart."
And yet their time together was so short. During a campaign that lasted almost
a year, Napoleon spent a mere fifteen nights with his new bride. inward
scoffing. \ This works a world of sentimental woe, \ And sends new Werters yearly
to the coffin; \ But yet is merely innocent flirtation, \ Not quite adultery,
but adulteration. -LORD BYRON, THE COLD COQUETTE Napoleon later heard rumors
that Josephine had taken a lover while he was in Italy. His feelings toward her
cooled, and he himself took an endless series of mistresses. Yet Josephine was
never really concerned about this threat to her power over her husband; a few
tears, some theatrics, a little coldness on her part,andheremained her slave.
In 1804, he had her crowned empress, and had she born him a son, she would have
remained empress to the end. When Napoleon lay on his deathbed, the last word
he uttered was "Josephine." There is a way to represent one's cause
and in doing so to treat the audience in such a cool and condescending manner
that they are bound to notice one is not doing it to please them. The principle
should always be not to makeconcessions to those who don't have anything to
give but who have everything to gain from us. We can wait During the French
Revolution, Josephine had come within minutes of losing her head on the
guillotine. The experience left her without illusions, and with two goals in
mind: to live a life of pleasure, and to find the man who could best supply it.
She set her sights on Napoleon early on. He was young, and had a brilliant
future. Beneath his calm exterior, Josephine sensed, he was highly emotional
and aggressive, but this did not intimidate her-it only revealed his insecurity
and weakness. He would be easy to enslave. First, Josephine adapted to his
moods, charmed him with her feminine grace, warmed him with her looks and
manner. He wanted to possess her. And once she had aroused this desire, her
power lay in postponing its satisfaction, withdrawing from him, frustrating
him. In fact thetortureofthechasegave Napoleon a masochistic pleasure. He
yearned to subdue her independent spirit, as if she were an enemy in battle.
People are inherently perverse. An easy conquest has a lower value than a
difficult one; we are only really excited by what is denied us, by what we
cannot possess in full. Your greatest power in seduction is your ability to
turn away, to make others come after you, delaying their satisfaction. Most
people miscalculate and surrender too soon, worried that the other person will
lose interest, or that giving the other what he or she wants will grant the
giver a kind of power. The truth is the opposite: once you satisfy someone, you
no longer have the initiative, and you open yourself to the possibility that he
or she will lose interest at the slightest whim. Remember: vanity is critical
in love. Make your targets afraid that you may be withdrawing, that you may not
really be interested, and you arouse their innate insecurity, their fear that
as you have gotten to know them they have become less exciting to you. These
insecurities are devastating. Then, once you have made them uncertain of you
and of themselves, reignite their hope, making them feel desired again. Hot and
cold, hot and cold-such coquetry is perversely pleasurable, heightening
interest and keeping the initiative on your side. Never be put off by your
target's anger; it is a sure sign of enslavement. She who would long retain her
power must use her lover ill. -OVID The Cold Coquette I n 1952, the writer
Truman Capote, a recent success in literary and social circles, began to
receive an almost daily barrage of fan mail from a young man named Andy Warhol.
An illustrator for shoe designers, fashion magazines, and the like, Warhol made
pretty, stylized drawings, some of which he sent to Capote, hoping the author
would include them in one of his books. Capote did not respond. One day he came
home to find Warhol talking to his mother, with whom Capote lived. And Warhol
began to telephone almost daily. Finally Capote put an end to all this:
"He seemed one of those hopeless people that you just know nothing's ever
going to happen to. Just a hopeless, born loser," the writer later said.
Ten years later, Andy Warhol, aspiring artist, had his first one-man show at
the Stable Gallery in Manhattan. On the walls were a series of silkscreened
paintings based on the Campbell's soup can and the Coca-Cola bottle. At the
opening and at the party afterward, Warhol stood to the side, staring blankly,
talking little. What a contrast he was to the older generation of artists, the
abstract expressionists-mostly hard-drinking womanizers full of bluster and
aggression, big talkers who had dominated the art scene for theprevious fifteen
years. And what a change from the Warhol who had badgered Capote, and art
dealers and patrons as well. The critics were both until they are begging on
their knees even if it takes a very long time. -SIGMUND FREUD, IN A LETTER TO A
PUPIL, QUOTED IN PAUL ROAZEN, FREUD AND HIS FOLLOWERS When her time was come,
that nymph most fair broughtforth a child with whom one could have fallen in
love even in his cradle, and she called him Narcissus. . . . Cephisus's child
had reached his sixteenth year, and could be counted as at once boy and man.
Many lads and many girls fell in love with him, but his soft young body housed
a pride so unyielding that none of those boys or girls dared to touch him. One
day, as he was driving timid deer into his nets, he was seen by that talkative
nymph who cannot stay silent when another speaks, but yet has not learned to
speak first herself. Her name is Echo, and she always answers back. . . . • So
when she saw Narcissus wandering through the lonely countryside, Echo fell in
love with him and followed secretly in his steps. The more closely she
followed, the nearer was the fire which scorched her: just as sulphur, smeared
round the tops of torches, is quickly kindled when aflame is brought near it.
How often she wished to make flattering overtures to him,to approach him with
tender pleas! • The boy, by chance, had wandered away from his faithful band of
comrades, and he called out: "Is there anybody here?" Echo answered:
"Here!" Narcissus stood still in astonishment. looking round in every
direction. . . . He looked behind him, and when no one appeared, cried again:
"Why are you avoiding me?" But all he heard were his own words echoed
back. Still he persisted, deceived by what he took to be another's voice, and
said, "Come here, and let us meet!" Echo answered: "Let us
meet!" Never again would she reply more willingly to any sound. To make
good her words she came out of the wood and made to throw her arms round the
neck she loved: but he fled from her, crying as he did so, "Away with
these embraces! I would die before I would have you touch me!" . . . Thus
scorned, she concealed herself in the woods, hiding her shamedface in the
shelter of the leaves, and ever since that day she dwells in lonely caves. Yet
still her love remained firmly rooted in her heart, and was increased by the
pain of having been rejected. . . . • Narcissus had played with her affections,
treating her as he had previously treated other spirits of the waters and the
woods, and his male admirers too. Then one of those he had scorned raised up
his hands to heaven and prayed: "May he himselffall in lovewith another,
as we have done with him! May he too be unable to gain his loved one!"
Nemesis heard and granted his righteous prayer. . . . • Narcissus, wearied with
hunting in the heat of the day, lay down here [by a clear pool]: for he was attracted
by the beauty of the place, and by the spring. While he sought to quench his
thirst, another thirst grew baffled and intrigued by the coldness of Warhol's
work; they could not figure out how the artist felt about his subjects. What
was his position? What was he trying to say? When they asked, he would simply
reply, "I just do it because I like it," or, "I love soup."
The critics went wild with their interpretations: "An art like Warhol's is
necessarily parasitic upon the myths of its time," one wrote; another,
"The decision not to decide is a paradox that is equal to an idea which
expresses nothing but then gives it dimension." The show was a huge
success, establishing Warhol as a leading figure in a new movement, pop art. In
1963, Warhol rented a large Manhattan loft space that he called the Factory,
and that soon became the hub of a large entourage-hangers-on, actors, aspiring
artists. Here, particularly at night, Warhol would simply wander about, or
stand in a corner. People would gather around him, fight for his attention,
throw questions at him, and he would answer, in his noncommittal way. But no
one could get close to him, physically or mentally; he would not allow it. At
the same time, if he walked by you without giving you his usual "Oh, hi,"
you were devastated. He hadn't noticed you; perhaps you were on the way out.
Increasingly interested in filmmaking, Warhol cast his friends in his movies.
In effect he was offering them a kind of instant celebrity (their "fifteen
minutes of fame"-the phrase is Warhol's). Soon people were competing for
roles. He groomed women in particular for stardom; Edie Sedgwick, Viva, Nico.
Just being around him offered a kind of celebrity by association. The Factory
became the place to be seen, and stars like Judy Garland and Tennessee Williams
would go to parties there, rubbing elbows with Sedgwick, Viva, and the bohemian
lower echelons whom Warhol had befriended. People began sending limos to bring
him to parties of their own; his presence alone was enough to turn a social evening
into a scene- even though he would pass through in near silence, keeping to
himself and leaving early. In 1967, Warhol was asked to lecture at various
colleges. He hated to talk, particularly about his own art; "The less
something has to say," he felt, "the more perfect it is." But
the money was good and Warhol always found it hard to say no. His solution was
simple; he asked an actor, AllenMidgette, to impersonate him. Midgette was
dark-haired, tan, part Cherokee Indian. He did not resemble Warhol in the
least. But Warhol and friends covered his face with powder, sprayed his brown
hair silver, gave him dark glasses, and dressed him in Warhol's clothes. Since
Midgette knew nothing about art, his answers to students' questions tended to
be as short and enigmatic as Warhol's own. The impersonation worked. Warhol may
have been an icon, but no one really knew him, and since he often wore dark
glasses, even his face was unfamiliar in any detail. The lecture audiences were
far enough away to be teased by the thought of his presence, and no one got
dose enough to catch the deception. He remained elusive. Early on in life, Andy
Warhol was plagued by conflicting emotions: he desperately wanted fame, but he
was naturally passive and shy "I've always had a conflict," he later
said, "because I'm shy and yet I like to take up a lot of personal space.
Mom always said, 'Don't be pushy, but let everyone know you're around.' "
At first Warhol tried to make himself more aggressive, straining to please and
court. It didn't work. After ten futile years he stopped trying and gave in to
his own passivity-only to discover the power that withdrawal commands. Warhol
began this process inhisartwork,whichchangeddramaticallyintheearly1960s.His new
paintings of soup cans, green stamps, and other widely known images did not
assault you with meaning; in fact their meaning was totally elusive, which only
heightened their fascination. They drew you in by their immediacy, their visual
power, their coldness. Having transformed his art, Warhol also transformed
himself: like his paintings, he became pure surface. He trained himself to hold
himself back, to stop talking. The world is full of people who try, people who
impose themselves aggressively. They may gain temporary victories, but the longer
they are around, the more people want to confound them. They leave no space
around themselves, and without space there can be no seduction. Cold Coquettes
create space by remaining elusive and making others pursue them. Their coolness
suggests a comfortable confidence that is exciting to be around, even though it
may not actually exist; their silence makes you want to talk. Their
self-containment, their appearance of having no need for other people, only
makes us want to do things for them, hungry for the slightest sign of
recognition and favor. Cold Coquettes may be maddening to deal with-never
committing but never saying no, never allowing closeness-but more often than
not we find ourselves coming back to them, addicted to the coldness they
project. Remember; seduction is a process of drawing people in, making them
want to pursue and possess you. Seem distant and people will go mad to win your
favor. Humans, like nature, hate a vacuum, and emotional distance and silence
make them strain to fill up the empty space with words and heat of their own.
Like Warhol, stand back and let them fight over you. [Narcissistic] women have
the greatest fascination for men. . . . The charm of a child lies to a great
extent in his narcissism, his self-sufficiency and inaccessibility, just as
does the charm of certain animals which seem not to concern themselves about
us, such as cats. ... It is as if we envied them their power of retaining a
blissful state of mind-an unassailable libido-position which we ourselves have since
abandoned. -SIGMUND FREUD in him, and as he drank, he was enchanted by the
beautiful reflection that he saw. He fell in love with an insubstantial hope,
mistaking a mere shadow for a real body. Spellbound by his own self, he
remained there motionless, with fixed gaze, like a statue carved from Parian
marble. . . . Unwittingly, he desired himself, and was himself the object of
his own approval, at once seeking and sought, himself kindling the flame with
which he burned. How often did he vainly kiss the treacherous pool, how often
plunge his arms deep in the waters, as he tried to clasp the neck he saw! But
he could not lay hold upon himself. He did not know what he was looking at, but
was fired by the sight, and excited by the very illusion that deceived his
eyes. Poor foolish boy, why vainly grasp at the fleeting image that eludes you?
The thing you are seeking does not exist: only turn aside and you will lose
what you love. What you see is but the shadow cast by your reflection; in
itself it is nothing. It comes with you, and lasts while you are there; it will
go when you go, if go you can. . . . He laid down his weary head on the green
grass, and death closed the eyes which so admired their owner's beauty. Even
then, when he was received into the abode of the dead, he kept looking at
himself in the waters of the Styx. His sisters, the nymphs of the spring,
mourned for him, and cut off their hair in tribute to their brother. The wood
nymphs mourned him too, and Echo sang her refrain to their lament. The pyre,
the tossing torches, and the bier, were now being prepared, but his body was
nowhere to be found. Instead of his corpse, they discovered a flower with a
circle of white petals round a yellow centre. - OVID .METAMORPHOSES, TRANSLATED
BY MARY M. INNES Selfishness is one of the qualities apt to inspire love.
-NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE The Socrates whom you see has a tendency to fall in love
with good-looking young men, and is always in their society and in an ecstasy
about them...but once you see beneath the surface you will discover a degree of
self-control of which you can hardly form a notion, gentlemen. . . . He spends
his whole life pretending and playing with people, and I doubt whether anyone
has ever seen the treasures which are revealed when he grows serious and
exposes what he keeps inside. . . . Believing that he was serious in his
admiration of my charms, I supposed that a wonderful piece ofgood luck had
befallen me; I should now be able, in return for my favours, to find out all
that Socrates knew; for you must know that there was no limit to the pride that
I felt in my good looks. With this end in view I sent away my attendant, whom
hitherto I had always kept with me in my encounters with Socrates, and left
myself alone with him. I must tell you the whole truth; attend carefully, and
do you, Keys to the Character A ccording to the popular concept, Coquettes are
consummate teases, experts at arousing desire through a provocative appearance
or an alluring attitude. But the real essence of Coquettes is in fact their
ability to trap people emotionally, and to keep their victims in their clutches
long after that first titillation of desire. This is the skill that puts them
in the ranks of the most effective seducers. Their success may seem somewhat
odd, since they are essentially cold and distant creatures; should you ever get
to know one well, you will sense his or her inner core of detachment and self-
love. It may seem logical that once you become aware of this quality you will
see through the Coquette's manipulations and lose interest, but more often we
see the opposite. After years of Josephine's coquettish games, Napoleon was
well aware of how manipulative she was. Yet this conqueror of kingdoms, this
skeptic and cynic, could not leave her. To understand the peculiar power of the
Coquette, you must first understand a critical property of love and desire: the
more obviously you pursue a person, the more likely you are to chase them away.
Too much attention can be interesting for a while, but it soon grows cloying
and finally becomes claustrophobic and frightening. It signals weakness and
neediness, an unseductive combination. How often we make this mistake, thinking
our persistent presence will reassure. But Coquettes have an inherent
understanding of this particular dynamic. Masters of selective withdrawal, they
hint at coldness, absenting themselves at times to keep their victim off
balance, surprised, intrigued. Their withdrawals make them mysterious, and we
build them up in our imaginations. (Familiarity, on the other hand, undermines
what we have built.) A bout of distance engages the emotions further; instead
of making us angry, it makes us insecure. Perhaps they don't really like us,
perhaps we have lost their interest. Once our vanity is at stake, we succumb to
the Coquette just to prove we are still desirable. Remember: the essence of the
Coquette lies not in the tease and temptation but in the subsequent step back,
the emotional withdrawal. That is the key to enslaving desire. To adopt the
power of the Coquette, you must understand one other quality: narcissism.
Sigmund Freud characterized the "narcissistic woman" (most often
obsessed with her appearance) as the type with the greatest effect on men. As
children, he explains, we pass through a narcissistic phase that is immensely
pleasurable. Happily self-contained and self-involved, we have little psychic
need of other people. Then, slowly, we are socialized and taught to pay
attention to others-but we secretly yearn for those blissful early days. The narcissistic
woman reminds a man of that period, and makes him envious. Perhaps contact with
her will restore that feeling of selfinvolvement. A man is also challenged by
the female Coquette's independence-he wants to be the one to make her
dependent, to burst her bubble. It is far more likely, though, that he will end
up becoming her slave, givingher incessant attention to gain her love, and
failing. For the narcissistic woman is not emotionally needy; she is
self-sufficient. And this is surprisingly seductive. Self-esteem is critical in
seduction. (Your attitude toward yourself is read by the other person in subtle
and unconscious ways.) Low self-esteem repels, confidence and self-sufficiency
attract. The less you seem to need other people, the more likely others will be
drawn to you. Understand the importance of this in all relationships and you
will find your neediness easier to suppress. But do not confuse self-absorption
with seductive narcissism. Talking endlessly about yourself is eminently
anti-seductive, revealing not self-sufficiency but insecurity. The Coquette is
traditionally thought of as female, and certainly the strategy was for
centuries one of the few weapons women had to engage and enslave a man's
desire. One ploy of the Coquette is the withdrawal of sexual favors, and we see
women using this trick throughout history: the great seventeenth-century French
courtesan Ninon de l'Enclos was desired by all the preeminent men of France,
but only attained real power when she made it clear that she would no longer
sleep with a man as part of her duty. This drove her admirers to despair, which
she knew how to make worse by favoring a man temporarily, granting him access
to her body for a few months, then returning him to the pack of the
unsatisfied. Queen Elizabeth I of England took coquettishness to the extreme,
deliberately arousing the desires of her courtiers but sleeping with none of
them. Long a tool of social power for women, coquettishness was slowly adapted
by men, particularly the great seducers of the seventeenth and eighteenth
centuries who envied the power of such women. One seventeenth-century seducer,
the Due de Lauzun, was a master at exciting a woman, then suddenly acting
aloof. Women went wild over him. Today, coquetry is genderless. In a world that
discourages direct confrontation, teasing, coldness, and selective aloofness
are a form of indirect power that brilliantly disguises its own aggression. The
Coquette must first and foremost be able to excite the target of his or her
attention. The attraction can be sexual, the lure of celebrity, whatever it
takes. At the same time, the Coquette sends contrary signals that stimulate
contrary responses, plunging the victim into confusion. The eponymous heroine
of Marivaux's eighteenth-century French novel Marianne is the consummate
Coquette. Going to church, she dresses tastefully, but leaves her hair slightly
uncombed. In the middle of the service she seems to notice this error and
starts to fix it, revealing her bare arm as she does so; such things were not
to be seen in an eighteenth-century church, and all male eyes fix on her for
that moment. The tension is much more powerful than if she were outside, or
were tartily dressed. Remember: obvious flirting will reveal your intentions
too clearly. Better to be ambiguous and even contradictory, frustrating at the
same time that you stimulate. The great spiritual leader liddu Krishnamurti was
an unconscious coquette. Revered by theosophists as their "World
Teacher," Krishnamurti was also a dandy. He loved elegant clothing and was
devilishly handsome. At the Socrates, pull me up if anything I say is false. I
allowed myself to be alone with him, I say, gentlemen, and I naturally supposed
that he would embark on conversation of the type that a lover usually addresses
to his darling when they are tete-a-tete, and I was glad. Nothing of the kind;
he spent the day with me in the sort of talk which is habitual with him, and
then left me and went away. Next I invited him to train with me in the
gymnasium, and I accompanied him there, believing that I should succeed with
him now. He took exercise and wrestled with me frequently, with no one else
present, but I need hardly say that I was no nearer my goal. Finding that this
was no good either, I resolved to make a direct assault on him, and not to give
up what I had onceundertaken;I felt that I must get to the bottom of the
matter. So I invited him to dine with me, behaving just like a lover who has
designs upon his favourite. He was in no hurry to accept this invitation, but
at last he agreed to come. The first time he came he rose to go away
immediately after dinner, and on that occasion I was ashamed and let him go.
But I returned to the attack, and this time I kept him in conversation after
dinnerfar into the night, and then, when he wanted to be going, I compelled him
to stay, on the plea that it was too late for him to go. • So he betook himself
to rest, using as a bed the couch on which he had reclined at dinner, next to
mine, and there was nobody sleeping in the room but ourselves. •... I swear by
all the gods in heaven thatfor anything that had happened between us when I got
up after sleeping with Socrates, I might have been sleeping with my father or
elder brother. • What do you suppose to have been my state of mind after that?
On the one hand 1 same time, he practiced celibacy, and had a horror of being
touched. In 1929 he shocked theosophists around the world by proclaiming that
he was not a god or even a guru, and did not want any followers. This only heightened
his appeal: women fell in love with him in great numbers, and his advisers grew
even more devoted. Physically and psychologically, Krishnamurti was sending
contrary signals. While preaching a generalized love and acceptance, in his
personal life he pushed people away His attractiveness and his obsession with
his appearance might have gained him attention but by themselves would not have
made women fall in love with him; his lessons of realized that I had been
slighted, but on the other I felt a reverence for Socrates' character, his
self-control and courage . . . The result was that I could neither bring myself
to be angry with him and tear myself away from his society, nor find a way of
subduing him to my will. ... I was utterly disconcerted, and wandered about in
a state celibacy and spiritual virtue would have created disciples but not
physical love. The combination of these traits, however, both drew people in
and frustrated them, a coquettish dynamic that created an emotional and
physical attachment to a man who shunned such things. His withdrawal from the
world had the effect of only heightening the devotion of his followers.
Coquetry depends on developing a pattern to keep the other person off balance.
The strategy is extremely effective. Experiencing a pleasure once, we yearn to
repeat it; so the Coquette gives us pleasure, then withdraws it.The alternation
of heat and cold is the most
commonpattern,andhasseveralvariations.TheeighthcenturyChineseCoquetteYang
Kuei-Fei to- of enslavement to the man tally enslaved the Emperor Ming Huang
through a pattern of kindness and the like of which has never bitterness:
having charmed him with kindness, she would suddenly get angry, blaming him
harshly for the slightest mistake. Unable to live without alcibiades, quoted in
^ p] easure s b e gave him, the emperor would turn the court upside down PLATO,
THE SYMPOSIUM to please her when she was angry or upset. Her tears had a
similar effect: what had he done, why was she so sad? He eventually ruined
himself and his kingdom trying to keep her happy. Tears, anger, and the
production of guilt are all the tools of the Coquette. A similar dynamic
appears in a lover's quarrel: when a couple fights, then reconciles, the joys
of reconciliation only make the attachment stronger. Sadness of any sort is
also seductive, particularly if it seems deep-rooted, even spiritual, rather
than needy or pathetic-it makes people come to you. Coquettes are never
jealous-that would undermine their image of fundamental self-sufficiency. But they
are masters at inciting jealousy: by paying attention to a third party,
creating a triangle of desire, they signal to their victims that they may not
be that interested. This triangulation is extremely seductive, in social
contexts as well as erotic ones. Interested in narcissistic women, Freud was a
narcissist himself, and his aloofness drove his disciples crazy. (They even had
a name for it-his "god complex.") Behaving like a kind of messiah,
too lofty for petty emotions, Freud always maintained a distance between
himself and his students, hardly ever inviting them over for dinner, say, and
keeping his private life shrouded in mystery. Yet he would occasionally choose
an acolyte to confide in-Carl Jung, Otto Rank, Lou Andreas-Salome. The result
was that his disciples went berserk trying to win his favor, to be the one he
chose. Their jealousy when he suddenly favored one of them only increased his
power over them. People's natural insecurities are heightened in group
settings; by maintaining aloofness, Coquettes start a competition to win their
favor. If the ability to use third parties to make targets jealous is a
critical seductive skill, Sigmund Freud was a grand Coquette. All of the
tactics of the Coquette have been adapted by political leaders to make the
public fall in love. While exciting the masses, these leaders remain inwardly
detached, which keeps them in control. The political scientist Roberto Michels
has even referred to such politicians as Cold Coquettes. Napoleon played the
Coquette with the French: after the grand successes of the Italian campaign had
made him a beloved hero, he left France to conquer Egypt, knowing that in his
absence the government would fall apart, the people would hunger for his
return, and their love would serve as the base for an expansion of his power.
After exciting the masses with a rousing speech, Mao Zedong would disappear
from sight for days on end, making himself an object of cultish worship. And no
one was more of a Coquette than Yugoslav leader losef Tito, who alternated
between distance from and emotional identification with his people. All of
these political leaders were confirmed narcissists. In times of trouble, when
people feel insecure, the effect of such political coquetry is even more
powerful. It is important to realize that coquetry is extremely effective on a
group, stimulatingjealousy, love, and intense devotion. If you play such a role
with a group, remember to keep an emotional and physical distance. This will
allow you to cry and laugh on command, project self-sufficiency, and with such
detachment you will be able play people's emotions like a piano. Symbol: The
Shadow. It cannot be grasped. Chase your shadow and it will flee; turn your
back on it and it will follow you. It is also a person's dark side, the thing
that makes them mysterious. After they have given us pleasure, the shadow
oftheir withdrawal makes us yearn for their return, much as clouds make us
yearn for the sun. Dangers C oquettes face an obvious danger: they play with
volatile emotions. Every time the pendulum swings, love shifts to hate. So they
must orchestrate everything carefully. Their absences cannot be too long, their
bouts of anger must be quickly followed by smiles. Coquettes can keep their
victims emotionally entrapped for a long time, but over months or years the
dynamic can begin to prove tiresome. Jiang Qing, later known as Madame Mao,
used coquettish skills to capture the heart of Mao Tse-tung, but after ten
years the quarreling, the tears and the coolness became intensely irritating,
and once irritation proved stronger than love, Mao was able to detach.
Josephine, a more brilliant Coquette, was able to adapt, by spending a whole
year without playing coy or withdrawing from Napoleon. Timing is everything. On
the other hand, though, the Coquette stirs up powerful emotions, and breakups
often prove temporary. The Coquette is addictive: after the failure of the
social plan Mao called the Great Leap Forward, Madame Mao was able to
reestablish her power over her devastated husband. The Cold Coquette can
stimulate a particularly deep hatred. Valerie Solanas was a young woman who
fell under Andy Warhol's spell. She had written aplay that amused him, and she
was given the impression he might turn it into a film. She imagined becoming a
celebrity. She also got involved in the feminist movement, and when, in June
1968, it dawned on her that Warhol was toying with her, she directed her
growing rage at men on him and shot him three times, nearly killing him. Cold
Coquettes may stimulate feelings that are not so much erotic as intellectual,
less passion and more fascination. The hatred they can stir up is all the more
insidious and dangerous, for it may not be counterbalanced by a deep love. They
must realize the limits of the game, and the disturbing effects they can have
on less stable people. the Charmer Charm is seduction without sex. Charmers are
consummate manipulators, masking their cleverness by creating a mood of
pleasure and comfort. Their method is simple: they deflect attentionfrom
themselves andfocus it on their target. They understand your spirit, feel your
pain, adapt to your moods. In the presence of a Charmer you feel better about
yourself. Charmers do not argue or fight, complain, or pester -w hat could be
more seductive? By drawing you in with their indulgence they make you dependent
on them, and their power grows. Learn to cast the Charmer's spell by aiming at
people's primary weaknesses: vanity and self-esteem. The Art of Charm S
exuality is extremely disruptive. The insecurities and emotions it stirs up can
often cut short a relationship that would otherwise be deeper and longer
lasting. The Charmer's solution is to fulfill the aspects of sexuality that are
so alluring and addictive-the focused attention, the boosted self-esteem, the
pleasurable wooing, the understanding (real or illusory)-but subtract the sex
itself. It's not that the Charmer represses or discourages sexuality; lurking
beneath the surface of any attempt at charm is a sexual tease, a possibility.
Charm cannot exist without a hint of sexual tension. It cannot be maintained,
however, unless sex is kept at bay or in the background. The word
"charm" comes from the Latin carmen, a song, but also an incantation
tied to the casting of a magical spell. The Charmer implicitly grasps this
history, casting a spell by giving people something that holds their attention,
that fascinates them. And the secret to capturing people's attention, while
lowering their powers of reason, is to strike at the things they have the least
control over: their ego, their vanity, and their selfesteem. As Benjamin
Disraeli said, "Talk to a man about himself and he will listen for
hours." The strategy can never be obvious; subtlety is the Charmer's great
skill. If the target is to be kept from seeing through the Charmer's efforts,
and fromgrowingsuspicious, maybe even tiring of the attention, a light touch is
essential. The Charmer is like a beam of light that doesn't play directly on a
target but throws a pleasantly diffused glow over it. Charm can be applied to a
group as well as to an individual: a leader can charm the public. The dynamic
is similar. The following are the laws of charm, culled from the stories of the
most successful charmers in history. Birds are taken with pipes that imitate
their own voices, and men with those sayings that are most agreeable to their
own opinions. -SAMUEL BUTLER Make your target the center of attention. Charmers
fade into the background; their targets become the subject of their interest.
To be a Charmer you have to leam to listen and observe. Let your targets talk,
revealing themselves in the process. As you find out more about them-their
strengths, and more important their weaknesses-you can individualize your
attention, appealing to their specific desires and needs, tailoring your
flatteries to their insecurities. By adapting to their spirit and empathizing
with their woes, you can make them feel bigger and better, validating their
sense of self-worth. Make them the star of the show and they will become Go
with the bough, you'll bend it; \ Use brute force, it'll snap. \ Go with the
current: that's how to swimacross rivers -\Fightingupstream's no good. \ Goeasy
with lions or tigers ifyou aim to tame them; \ The bull gets inured to the
plough by slow degrees. . . . \ So, yield if she shows resistance: \ That way
you'll win in the end. fust be sure to play \ The part she allots you. Censure
the things she censures, \ Endorse her endorsements, echo her every word, \ Pro
or con, and laugh whenever she laughs; remember, \ If she weeps, to weep too:
take your cue \ From her every expression. Suppose she's playing a board game,
\ Then throw the dice carelessly, move \ Your pieces all wrong. . . . \ Don't
jib at a slavish task like holding \ Her mirror: slavish or not, such
attentions please. . . . -OVID, THE ART OF LOVE. TRANSLATED BY PETER GREEN
addicted to you and grow dependent on you. On a mass level, make gestures of
self-sacrifice (no matter how fake) to show the public that you share their
pain and are working in their interest, self-interest being the public form of
egotism. Disraeli was asked to dinner, and came in green velvet trousers, with
a canary waistcoat, buckle shoes, and lace cuffs. His appearance at first
proved disquieting, but on leaving the table the guests remarked to each other
that the wittiest talker at the luncheon-party was the man in the yellow
waistcoat. Benjamin had made great advances in social conversation since the
days of Murray's dinners. Faithful to his method, he noted the stages: "Do
not talk too much at present; do not try to talk. But whenever you speak, speak
with self-possession. Speak in a subdued tone, and always look at the person
whom you are addressing. Before one can engage in general conversation with any
effect, there is a certain acquaintance with trifling but amusing subjects
which must be first attained. You will soon pick up sufficient by listening and
observing. Never argue. In society nothing must be discussed; give only
results. If any person differ from you, bow turn the conversation. In society
never think; always be on the watch, or you will miss many and say many
disagreeable things. Talk to women, talk to women as much as you can. This is
the best school. This is the way to gain fluency, because you need not care
what you say, and had better not be sensible. They, too, will rally you on many
points, Be a source of pleasure. No one wants to hear about your problems and
troubles. Listen to your targets' complaints, but more important, distract them
from their problems by giving them pleasure. (Do this often enough and they
will fall under your spell.) Being lighthearted and fun is always more charming
than being serious and critical. An energetic presence is likewise more
charming than lethargy, which hints at boredom,an enormous social taboo; and
elegance and style will usually win out over vulgarity, since most people like
to associate themselves with whatever they think elevated and cultured. In
politics, provide illusion and myth rather than reality. Instead of asking
people to sacrifice for the greater good, talk of grand moral issues. An appeal
that makes people feel good will translate into votes and power. Bring
antagonism into harmony. The court is a cauldron of resentment and envy, where
the sourness of a single brooding Cassius can quickly turn into a conspiracy.
The Charmer knows how to smooth out conflict. Never stir up antagonisms that
will prove immune to your charm; in the face of those who are aggressive,
retreat, let them have their little victories. Yielding and indulgence will
charm the fight out of any potential enemies. Never criticize people
overtly-that will make them insecure, and resistant to change. Plant ideas,
insinuate suggestions. Charmed by your diplomatic skills, people will not notice
your growing power. Lull your victims into ease and comfort. Charm is like the
hypnotist's trick with the swinging watch: the more relaxed the target, the
easier it is to bend him or her to your will. The key to making your victims
feel comfortable is to mirror them, adapt to their moods. People are
narcissists- they are drawn to those most similar to themselves. Seem to share
their values and tastes, to understand their spirit, and they will fall under
your spell. This works particularly well if you are an outsider: showing that
you share the values of your adopted group or country (you have learned their
language, you prefer their customs, etc.) is immensely charming, since for you
this preference is a choice, not a question of birth. Never pester or be overly
persistent-these uncharming qualities will disrupt the relaxation you need to
cast your spell. Show calm and self-possession in the face of adversity.
Adversity and setbacks actually provide the perfect setting for charm. Showing
a calm, un- mffled exterior in the face of unpleasantness puts people at ease.
You seem patient, as if waiting for destiny to deal you a better card-or as if
you were confident you could charm the Fates themselves. Never show anger, ill
temper, or vengefulness, all disruptive emotions that will make people
defensive. In the politics of large groups, welcome adversity as a chance to
show the charming qualities of magnanimity and poise. Let others get flutered
and upset-the contrast will redound to your favor. Never whine, never complain,
never try to justify yourself. Make yourself useful. If done subtly, your
ability to enhance the lives of others will be devilishly seductive. Your
social skills will prove important here: creating a wide network of allies will
give you the power to link people up with each other, which will make them feel
that by knowing you they can make their lives easier. This is something no one
can resist. Follow-through is key: so many people will charm by promising a
person great things-a better job, a new contact, a big favor-but if they do not
follow through they make enemies instead of friends. Anyone can make a promise;
what sets you apart, and makes you charming, is your ability to come through in
the end, following up your promise with a definite action. Conversely, if
someone does you a favor, show your gratitude concretely. In a world of bluff
and smoke, real action and true helpfulness are perhaps the ultimate charm.
Examples of Charmers 1. In the early 1870s, Queen Victoria of England had reached
a low point in her life. Her beloved husband. Prince Albert, had died in 1861,
leaving her more than grief stricken. In all of her decisions she had relied on
his advice; she was too uneducated and inexperienced to do otherwise, or so
everyone made her feel. In fact, with Albert's death, political discussions and
policy issues had come to bore her to tears. Now Victoria gradually withdrew
from the public eye. As a result, the monarchy became less popular and
therefore lesspowerful.In1874,theConservativeParty came to power, and its
leader, the seventy-year-old Benjamin Disraeli, became prime minister. The
protocol of his accession to his seat demanded that he come to the palace for a
private meeting with the queen, who was fifty-five at the time. Two more unlikely
associates could not be imagined: Disraeli, who was Jewish by birth, had dark
skin and exotic features by English standards; as a young man he had been a
dandy, his dress bordering on the flamboyant, and he had written popular novels
that were romantic or even Gothic in style. The queen, on the other hand, was
dour and stubborn, formal in manner and simple in and as they are women you
will not be offended. Nothing is of so much importance and of so much use to a
young man entering life as to be well criticised by women." -ANDRE
MAUROIS, DISRAELI. TRANSLATED BY HAMISH MILES You know what charm is: a way of
getting the answer yes without having asked any clear question. -ALBERT CAMUS A
speech that carries its audience along with it and is applauded is often less
suggestive simply because it is clear that it sets out to be persuasive. People
talking together influence each other in close proximity by means of the tone
of voice they adopt and the way they look at each other and not only by the
kind of
language they use. We
are right to call a good conversationalist a charmer in the magical sense of
the word. -GUSTAVE TARDE, L'OPINION ET LA FOULE. QUOTED IN SERGE MOSCOVICI, THE
AGE OF THE CROWD Wax, a substance naturally hard and brittle, can be made soft
by the application of a little warmth, so that it will take any shape you
please. In the same way, by being polite andfriendly, you can make people
pliable and obliging, even though they are apt to be crabbed and malevolent.
Hence politeness is to human nature what warmth is to wax. - ARTHUR
SCHOPENHAUER, COUNSELS AND MAXIMS, TRANSLATED BY T. BAILEY SAUNDERS Never
explain. Never complain. -BENJAMIN DISRAELI taste. To please her, Disraeli was
advised, he should curb his natural elegance; but he disregarded what everyone
had told him and appeared before her as a gallant prince, falling to one knee,
taking her hand, and kissing it, saying, "I plight my troth to the kindest
of mistresses." Disraeli pledged that his work now was to realize
Victoria's dreams. He praised her qualities so fulsomely that she blushed; yet
strangely enough, she did not find him comical or offensive, but came out of
the encounter smiling. Perhaps she should give this strange man a chance, she
thought, and she waited to see what he would do next. Victoria soon began
receiving reports from Disraeli-on parliamentary debates, policy issues, and so
forth-that were unlike anything other ministers had written. Addressing her as
the "Faery Queen," and giving the monarchy's various enemies all kinds
of villainous code names, he filled his notes with gossip. In a note about a
new cabinet member, Disraeli wrote, "He is more than six feet four inches
in stature; like St. Peter's at Rome no one is at first aware of his
dimensions. But he has the sagacity of the elephant as well as its form."
The minister's blithe, informal spirit bordered on disrespect, but the queen
was enchanted. She read his reports voraciously, and almost without her
realizing it, her interest in politics was rekindled. At the start of their
relationship, Disraeli sent the queen all of his novels as a gift. She in
return presented him with the one book she had written. Journal of Our Life in
the Highlands. From then on he would toss out in his letters and conversations
with her the phrase, "We authors." The queen would beam with pride.
She would overhear him praising her to others- her ideas, common sense, and
feminine instincts, he said, made her the equal of Elizabeth I. He rarely
disagreed with her. At meetings with other ministers, he would suddenly turn
and ask her for advice. In 1875, when Disraeli managed tofinagle the purchase
of the Suez Canal from the debt- ridden khedive of Egypt, he presented his
accomplishment to the queen as if it were a realization of her own ideas about expanding
the British Empire. She did not realize the cause, but her confidence was
growing by leaps and bounds. Victoria once sent flowers to her prime minister.
He later returned the favor, sending primroses, a flower so ordinary that some
recipients might have been insulted; but his gift came with a note: "Of
all the flowers, the one that retains its beauty longest, is sweet
primrose." Disraeli was enveloping Victoria in a fantasy atmosphere in
which everything was a metaphor, and the simplicity of the flower of course
symbolized the queen-and also the relationship between the two leaders.
Victoria fell for the bait; primroses were soon her favorite flower. In fact
everything Disraeli did now met with her approval. She allowed him to sit in
her presence, an unheard- of privilege. The two began to exchange valentines
every February. The queen would ask people what Disraeli had said at a party;
when he paid a little too much attention to Empress Augusta of Germany, she
grew jealous. The courtiers wondered what had happened to the stubborn, formal
woman they had known-she was acting like an infatuated girl. In 1876, Disraeli
steered through Parliament a bill declaring Queen Victoria a
"Queen-Empress." The queen was beside herself with joy. Out of gratitude
and certainly love, she elevated this Jewish dandy and novelist to the peerage,
making him Earl of Beaconsfield, the realization of a lifelong dream. Disraeli
knew how deceptive appearances can be: people were always judging him by his
face and by his clothes, and he had learned never to do the same to them. So he
was not deceived by Queen Victoria's dour, sober exterior. Beneath it, he
sensed, was a woman who yearned for a man to appeal to her feminine side, a
woman who was affectionate, warm, even sexual. The extent to which this side of
Victoria had been repressed merely revealed the strength of the feelings he
would stir once he melted her reserve. Disraeli's approach was to appeal to two
aspects of Victoria's personality that other people had squashed: her
confidence and her sexuality. He was a master at flattering a person's ego. As
one English princess remarked, "When I left the dining room after sitting
next to Mr. Gladstone, I thought he was the cleverest man in England. But after
sitting next to Mr. Disraeli, I thought I was the cleverest woman in
England." Disraeli worked his magic with a delicate touch, insinuating an
atmosphere of amusement and relaxation, particularly in relation to politics.
Once the queen's guard was down, he made that mood a little warmer, a little
more suggestive, subtly sexual- though of course without overt flirtation.
Disraeli made Victoria feel desirable as a woman and gifted as a monarch. How
could she resist? How could she deny him anything? Our personalities are often
molded by how we are treated: if a parent or spouse is defensive or
argumentative in dealing with us, we tend to respond the same way. Never
mistake people's exterior characteristics for reality, for the character they
show on the surface may be merely a reflection of the people with whom they
have been most in contact, or a front disguising its own opposite. A gruff
exterior may hide a person dying for warmth; a repressed, sober-looking type
may actually be struggling to conceal uncontrollable emotions. That is the key
to charm-feeding what has been repressed or denied. By indulging the queen, by
making himself a source of pleasure, Disraeli was able to soften a woman who
had grown hard and cantankerous. Indulgence is a powerful tool of seduction: it
is hard to be angry or defensive with someone who seems to agree with your
opinions and tastes. Charmers may appear to be weaker than their targets but in
the end they are the more powerful side because they have stolen the ability to
resist. 2. In 1971, the American financier andDemocratic Party
power-playerAverell Harriman saw his life drawing to a close. He was
seventy-nine, his wife of many years, Marie, had just died, and with the
Democrats out of office Ms political career seemed over. Feeling old and
depressed, he resigned himself to spending his last years with Ms grandchildren
in quiet retirement. A few months after Marie's death, Harriman was talked into
attending a Washington party. There he met an old friend, Pamela ChurcMll, whom
he had known during World War II, in London, where he had been sent as a
personal envoy of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She was twenty-one at the
time, and was the wife of Winston Churchill's son Randolph. There had certainly
been more beautiful women in the city, but none had been more pleasant to be
around: she was so attentive, listening to Ms problems, befriending Ms daughter
(they were the same age), and calming him whenever he saw her. Marie had
remained in the States, and Randolph was in the army, so wMle bombs rained on
London Averell and Pamela had begun an affair. And in the many years since the
war, she had kept in touch with Mm: he knew about the breakup of her marriage,
and about her endless series of affairs with Europe's wealthiest playboys. Yet
he had not seen her since Ms return to America, and to Ms wife. What a strange
coincidence to run into her at this particular moment in Ms life. At the party
Pamela pulled Harriman out of his shell, laughing at Ms jokes and getting him
to talk about London in the glory days of the war. He felt Ms old power
returning-it was as if he were charming her. A few days later she dropped in on
him at one of Ms weekend homes. Harriman was one of the wealthiest men in the
world, but was no lavish spender; he and Marie had lived a Spartan life. Pamela
made no comment, but when she invited him to her own home, he could not help
but notice the brightness and vibrancy of her life-flowers everywhere,
beautiful linens on the bed, wonderful meals (she seemed to know all of Ms
favorite foods). He had heard of her reputation as a courtesan and understood
the lure of Ms wealth, yet being around her was invigorating, and eight weeks
after that party, he married her. Pamela did not stop there. She persuaded her
husband to donate the art that Marie had collected to the National Gallery. She
got him to part with some of Ms money-a trust fund for her son Winston, new
houses, constant redecorations. Her approach was subtle and patient; she made
him somehow feel good about giving her what she wanted. Within a few years,
hardly any traces of Marie remained in their life. Harriman spent less time
with Ms childrenandgrandchildren. He seemed to be going through a second youth.
In Washington, politicians and their wives viewed Pamela with suspicion. They
saw through her, and were immune to her charm, or so they thought. Yet they
always came to the frequent parties she hosted, justifying themselves with the
thought that powerful people would be there. Everything at these parties was
calibrated to create a relaxed, intimateatmosphere. No one felt ignored: the
least important people would find themselves talking to Pamela, opening up to
that attentive look of hers. She made them feel powerful and respected.
Afterward she would send them a personal note or gift, often referring to
something they had mentioned in conversation. The wives who had called her a
courtesan and worse slowly changed their minds. The men found her not only
beguiling but useful- her worldwide contacts were invaluable. She could put
them in touch with exactly the right person without them even having to ask.
The Harrimans' parties soon evolved into fundraising events for the Democratic
Party. Put at their ease, feeling elevated by the aristocratic atmosphere
Pamela created and the sense of importance she gave them, visitors would empty
their wallets without realizing quite why. This, of course, was exactly what
all the men in her life had done. In 1986, Averell Harriman died. By then
Pamela was powerful and wealthy enough that she no longer needed a man. In
1993, she was named the U.S. ambassador to France, and easily transferred her
personal and social charm into the world of political diplomacy. She was still
working when she died, in 1997. We often recognize Charmers as such; we sense
their cleverness. (Surely Harriman must have realized that his meeting with
Pamela Churchill in 1971 was no coincidence.) Nevertheless, we fall under their
spell. The reason is simple: the feeling that Charmers provide is so rare as to
be worth the price we pay. The world is full of self-absorbed people. In their
presence, we know that everything in our relationship with them is directed
toward themselves- their insecurities, their neediness, their hunger for
attention. That reinforces our own egocentric tendencies; we protectively close
ourselves up. It is a syndrome that only makes us the more helpless with
Charmers. First, they don't talk much about themselves, which heightens their
mystery and disguises their limitations. Second, they seem to be interested in
us, and their interest is so delightfully focused that we relax and open up to
them. Finally, Charmers are pleasant to be around. They have none of most
people's ugly qualities-nagging, complaining, self-assertion. They seem to know
what pleases. Theirs is a diffused warmth; union without sex. (You may think a
geisha is sexual as well as charming; her power, however, lies not in the
sexual favors she provides but in her rare self-effacing attentiveness.)
Inevitably, we become addicted, and dependent. And dependence is the source of
the Charmer's power. People who are physically beautiful, and who play on their
beauty to create a sexually charged presence, have little power in the end; the
bloom of youth fades, there is always someone younger and more beautiful, and
in any case people tire of beauty without social grace. But they never tire of
feeling their self-worth validated. Leam the power you can wield by making the
other person feel like the star. The key is to diffuse your sexual presence:
create a vaguer, more beguiling sense of excitement through a generalized
flirtation, a socialized sexuality that is constant, addictive, and never
totally satisfied. 3. In December of 1936, Chiang Kai-shek, leader of the
Chinese Nationalists, was captured by a group of his own soldiers who were
angry with his policies: instead of fighting the Japanese, who had just invaded
China, he was continuing his civil war against the Communist armies of Mao
Zedong. The soldiers saw no threat in Mao-Chiang had almost annhilated the Communists.
In fact, they believed he should join forces with Mao against the common
enemy-it was the only patriotic thing to do. The soldiers thought by capturing
him they could compel Chiang to change his mind, but he was a stubborn man.
Since Chiang was the main impediment to a unified war against the Japanese, the
soldiers contemplated having him executed, or turned over to the Communists. As
Chiang lay in prison, he could only imagine the worst. Several days later he
received a visit from Zhou Enlai-a former friend and now a leading Communist.
Politely and respectfully, Zhou argued for a united front: Communists and
Nationalists against the Japanese. Chiang could not begin to hear such talk; he
hated the Communists with a passion, and became hopelessly emotional. To sign
an agreement with the Communists in these circumstances, he yelled, would be
humiliating, and would lose me all honor among my own army. It's out of the
question. Kill me if you must. Zhou listened, smiled, said barely a word. As
Chiang's rant ended he told the Nationalist general that a concern for honor
was something he understood, but that the honorable thing for them to do was
actually to forget their differences and fight the invader. Chiang could lead
both armies. Finally, Zhou said that under no circumstances would he allow his
fellow Communists, or anyone for that matter, to execute such a great man as
Chiang Kai-shek. The Nationalist leader was stunned and moved.The next day,
Chiang was escorted out of prison by Communist guards, transferred to one of
his own army's planes, and sent back to his own headquarters. Apparently Zhou
had executed this policy on his own, for when word of it reached the other
Communist leaders, they were outraged: Zhou should have forced Chiang to fight
the Japanese, or else should have ordered his execution-to release him without
concessions was the height of pusillanimity, and Zhou would pay. Zhou said
nothing and waited. A few months later, Chiang signed an agreement to halt the
civil war and join with the Communists against the Japanese. He seemed to have
come to his decision on his own, and his army respected it-they could not doubt
his motives. Working together, the Nationalists and the Communists expelled the
Japanese from China. But the Communists, whom Chiang had previously almost
destroyed, took advantage of this period of collaboration to regain strength.
Once the Japanese had left, they turned on the Nationalists, who, in 1949, were
forced to evacuate mainland China for the island of Formosa, now Taiwan. Now
Mao paid a visit to the Soviet Union. China was in terrible shape and in
desperate need of assistance, but Stalin was wary of theChinese, and lectured
Mao about the many mistakes he had made. Mao argued back. Stalin decided to
teach the young upstart a lesson; he would give China nothing. Tempers rose.
Mao sent urgently for Zhou Enlai who arrived the next day and went right to
work. In the long negotiating sessions, Zhou made a show of enjoying his hosts'
vodka. He never argued, and in fact agreed that the Chinese had made many
mistakes, had much to learn from the more experienced Soviets: "Comrade
Stalin," he said, "we are the first large Asian country tojoin the
socialist camp under your guidance." Zhou had come prepared with all kinds
of neatly drawn diagrams and charts, knowing the Russians loved such things.
Stalin warmed up to him. The negotiations proceeded, and a few days after
Zhou's arrival, the two parties signed a treaty of mutual aid- a treaty far
more useful to the Chinese than to the Soviets. In 1959, China was again in
deep trouble. Mao's Great Leap Forward, an attempt to spark an overnight
industrial revolution in China, had been a devastating failure. The people were
angry: they were starving while Beijing bureaucrats lived well. Many Beijing
officials, Zhou among them, returned to their native towns to try to bring
order. Most of them managed by bribes-by promising all kinds of favors-but Zhou
proceeded differently: he visited his ancestral graveyard, where generations of
his familywere buried, and ordered that the tombstones be removed and the
coffins buried deeper. Now the land could be farmed for food. In Confucian
terms (and Zhou was an obedient Confucian), this was sacrilege, but everyone
knew what it meant: Zhou was willing to suffer personally. Everyone had to
sacrifice, even the leaders. His gesture had immense symbolic impact. When Zhou
died, in 1976, an unofficial and unorganized outpouring of public grief caught
the government by surprise. They could not understand how a man who had worked
behind the scenes, and had shunned the adoration of the masses, could have won
such affection. The capture of Chiang Kai-shek was a turning point in the civil
war. To execute him might have been disastrous: it had been Chiang who had held
the Nationalist army together, and without him it could have broken up into
factions, allowing the Japanese to overrun the country. To force him to sign an
agreement would have not helped either: he would have lost face before his
army, would never have honored the agreement, and would have done everything he
could to avenge his humiliation. Zhou knew that to execute or compel a captive
will only embolden your enemy, and will have repercussions you cannot control.
Charm, on the other hand, is a manipulative weapon that disguises its own
manipulativeness, letting you gain a victory without stirring the desire for
revenge. Zhou worked on Chiang perfectly, paying him respect, playing the
inferior, letting him pass from the fear of execution to the relief of unexpected
release. The general was allowed to leave with his dignity intact. Zhou knew
all this would soften him up, planting the seed of the idea that perhaps the
Communists were not so bad after all, and that he could change Ms mind about
them without looking weak, particularly if he did so independently rather than
while he was in prison. Zhou applied the same philosophy to every situation:
play the inferior, unthreatening and humble. What will this matter if in the
end you get what you want: time to recover from a civil war, a treaty, the good
will of the masses. Time is the greatest weapon you have. Patiently keep in
mind a longterm goal and neither person nor army can resist you. And charm is
the best way of playing for time, of widening your options in any situation.
Through charm you can seduce your enemy into backing off, giving you the
psychological space to plot an effective counterstrategy. The key is to make
other people emotional while you remain detached. They may feel grateful,
happy, moved, arrogant-it doesn't matter, as long as they feel. An emotional
person is a distracted person. Give them what they want, appeal to their
self-interest, make them feel superior to you. When a baby has grabbed a sharp
kmfe, do not try to grab it back; instead, stay calm, offer candy, and the baby
will drop the kmfe to pick up the tempting morsel you offer. 4. In 1761,
Empress Elizabeth of Russia died, and her nephew ascended to the throne as Czar
Peter III. Peter had always been a little boy at heart-he played with toy
soldiers long past the appropriate age-and now, as czar, he could finally do
whatever he pleased and the world be damned. Peter concluded a treaty with
Frederick the Great that was Mghly favorable to the foreign ruler (Peter adored
Frederick, and particularly the disciplined way Ms Prussian soldiers marched).
This was a practical debacle, but in matters of emotion and etiquette, Peter
was even more offensive: he refused to properly mourn Ms aunt the empress,
resuming his war games and parties a few days after the funeral. What a
contrast he was to Ms wife, Catherine. She was respectful during the funeral,
was still wearing black months later, and could be seen at all hours beside
Elizabeth's tomb, praying and crying. She was not even Russian, but a German
princess who had come east to marry Peter in 1745 without speaking a word of
the language. Even the lowest peasant knew that Catherine had converted to the
Russian Orthodox Church, and had learned to speak Russian with incredible
speed, and beautifully. At heart, they thought, she was more Russian than all
of those fops in the court. During these difficult months, wMle Peter offended
almost everyone in the country, Catherine discreetly kept a lover, Gregory
Orlov, a lieutenant in the guards. It was through Orlov that word spread of her
piety, her patriotism, her worthiness for rule; how much better to follow such
a woman than to serve Peter. Late into the night, Catherine and Orlov would
talk, and he would tell her the army was behind her and would urge her to stage
a coup. She would listen attentively, but would always reply that tMs was not
the time for such things. Orlov wondered to himself: perhaps she was too gentle
and passive for such a great step. Peter's regime was repressive, and the
arrests and executions piled up. He also grew more abusive toward his wife,
threatening to divorce her and marry his mistress. One drunken evening, driven
to distraction by Catherine's silence and his inability to provoke her, he
ordered her arrest. The news spread fast and Orlov hurried to warn Catherine
that she would be imprisoned or executed unless she acted fast. This time
Catherine did not argue; she put on her simplest mourning gown, left her hair
half undone, followed Orlov to a waiting carriage, and rushed to the army
barracks. Here the soldiers fell to the ground, kissing the hem of her
dress-they had heard so much about her but had never seen her in person, and
she seemed to them like a statue of the Madonna come to life. They gave her an
army uniform, marveling at how beautiful she looked in men's clothes, and set
off under Orlov's command for the Winter Palace. The procession grew as it
passed through the streets of St. Petersburg. Everyone applauded Catherine,
everyone felt that Peter should be dethroned. Soon priests arrived to give
Catherine their blessing, making the people even more excited. And through it
all, she was silent and dignified, as if all were in the hands of fate. When
news reached Peter of this peaceful rebellion, he grew hysterical, and agreed
to abdicate that very night. Catherine became empress without a single battle
or even a single gunshot. As a child, Catherine was intelligent and spirited.
Since her mother had wanted a daughter who was obedient rather than dazzling,
and who would therefore make a better match, the child was subjected to a
constant barrage of criticism, against which she developed a defense: she
learned to seem to defer to other people totally as a way to neutralize their
aggression. If she was patient and did not force the issue, instead of
attacking her they would fall under her spell. When Catherine came to Russia-at
the age of sixteen, without a friend or ally in the country-she applied the
skills she had learned in dealing with her difficult mother. In the face of all
the court monsters- the imposing Empress Elizabeth, her own infantile husband,
the endless schemers and betrayers-she curtseyed, deferred, waited, and
charmed. She had long wanted to rule as empress, and knew how hopeless her
husband was. But what good would it do to seize power violently, laying a claim
that some would certainly see as illegitimate, and then have to worry endlessly
that she would be dethroned in turn? No, the moment had to be ripe, and she had
to make the people carry her into power. It was a feminine style ofrevolution:
by being passive and patient, Catherine suggested that she had no interest in
power. The effect was soothing-charming. There will always be difficult people
for us to face-the chronically insecure, the hopelessly stubborn, the
hysterical complainers. Your ability to disarm these people will prove an
invaluable skill. You do have to be careful, though: if you are passive they
will run all over you; if assertive you will make their monstrous qualities
worse. Seduction and charm are the most effective counterweapons. Outwardly, be
gracious. Adapt to their every mood. Enter their spirit. Inwardly, calculate
and wait: your surrender is a strategy, not a way of life. When the time comes,
and it inevitably will, the tables will turn. Their aggression will land them
in trouble, and that will put you in a position to rescue them, regaining
superiority. (You could also decide that you had had enough, and consign them
to oblivion.) Your charm has prevented them from foreseeing this or growing
suspicious. A whole revolution can be enacted without a single act of violence,
simply by waiting for the apple to ripen and fall. Symbol: The Mirror. Your
spirit holds a mirror up to others. When they see you they see themselves:
their values, their tastes, even their flaws. Their lifelong love affair with
their own image is comfortable and hypnotic; so feed it. No one ever sees what
is behind the mirror. Dangers T here are those who are immune to a Charmer;
particularly cynics, and confident types who do not need validation. These
people tend to view Charmers as slippery and deceitful, and they can make
problems for you. The solution is to do what most Charmers do by nature:
befriend and charm as many people as possible. Secure your power through
numbers and you will not have to worry about the few you cannot seduce.
Catherine the Great's kindness to everyone she met created a vast amount ofgood
will that paid off later. Also, it is sometimes charming to reveal a strategic
flaw. There is one person you dislike? Confess it openly, do not try to charm
such an enemy, and people will think you more human, less slippery. Disraeli
had such a scapegoat with his great nemesis, William Gladstone. The dangers of
political charm are harder to handle; your conciliatory, shifting, flexible
approach to politics will make enemies out of everyone who is a rigid believer
in a cause. Social seducers such as Bill Clinton and Henry Kissinger could
often win over the most hardened opponent with their personal charm, but they
could not be everywhere at once. Many members of the English Parliament thought
Disraeli a shifty conniver; in person his engaging manner could dispel such
feelings, but he could not address the entire Parliament one-on-one. In
difficult times, when people yearn for something substantial and firm, the
political charmer may be in danger. As Catherine the Great proved, timing is
everything. Charmers must know when to hibernate and when the times are ripe
for their persuasive powers. Known for their flexibility, they should sometimes
be flexible enough to act inflexibly. Zhou Enlai, the consummate chameleon,
could play the hard-core Communist when it suited him. Never become the slave
to your own powers of charm; keep it under control, something you can turn off
and on at will. Charisma is a presence that excites us. It comes from an inner
quality - self-confidence, sexual energy, sense ofpurpose, contentment-that
most people lack and want. This quality radiates outward, permeating the
gestures of Charismatics, making them seem extraordinary and superior, and
making us imagine there is more to them than meets the eye: they are gods,
saints, stars. Charismatics can learn to heighten their charisma with a
piercing gaze, fiery oratory, an air of mystery. They can seduce on a grand
scale. Learn to create the charismatic illusion by radiating intensity while
remaining detached. Charisma and Seduction C harisma is seduction on a mass
level. Charismatics make crowds of people fall in love with them, then lead them
along. The process of making them fall in love is simple and follows a path
similar to that of a one-on-one seduction. Charismatics have certain qualities
that are powerfully attractive and that make them stand out. This could be
their selfbelief, their boldness, their serenity. They keep the source of these
qualities mysterious. They do not explain where their confidence or contentment
comes from, but it can be felt by everyone; it radiates outward, without the
appearance of conscious effort. The face of the Charismatic is usually
animated,full of energy, desire, alertness-the look of a lover, one that is
instantly appealing, even vaguely sexual. We happily follow Charismatics
because we like to be led, particularly by people who promise adventure or prosperity.
We lose ourselves in their cause, become emotionally attached to them, feel
more alive by believing in them-we fall in love. Charisma plays on repressed
sexuality, creates an erotic charge. Yet the origins of the word lie not in
sexuality but in religion, and religion remains deeply embedded in modern
charisma. Thousands of years ago, people believed in gods and spirits, but few
could ever say that they had witnessed a miracle, a physical demonstration of
divine power. A man, however, who seemed possessed by a divine spirit-speaking
in tongues, ecstatic raptures, the expression of intense visions-would stand
out as one whom the gods had singled out. And this man, a priest or a prophet,
gained great power over others. What made the Hebrews believe in Moses, follow
him out of Egypt, and remain loyal to him despite their endless wandering in
the desert? The look in his eye, his inspired and inspiring words, the face
that literally glowed when he came down from Mount Sinai-all these things gave
him the appearance of having direct communication with God, and were the source
of his authority. And these were what was meant by "charisma," a
Greek word referring to prophets and to Christ himself. In early Christianity,
charisma was a gift or talent vouchsafed by God's grace and revealing His
presence. Most of the great religions were founded by a Charismatic, a person
who physically displayed the signs of God's favor. Over the years, the world
became more rational. Eventually people came to hold power not by divine right
but because they won votes, or proved their competence. The great
early-twentieth-century German soci- "Charisma" shall be understood
to refer to an extraordinary quality of a person, regardless of whether this
quality is actual, alleged or presumed. "Charismatic authority,"
hence, shall refer to a rule over men, whether predominately extern l or
predominately internal, to which the governed submit because of their belief in
the extraordinary quality of the specific person. -MAX WEBER, FROM MAX WEBER:
ESSAYS IN SOCIOLOGY. EDITED BY HANS GERTH AND C. WRIGHT MILLS And the Lord said
to Moses, "Write these words; in accordance with these words I have made a
covenant with you and with Israel." And he was there with the Lordforty
days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote upon
the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. When Moses came
down from Mount Sinai, with the two tables of the testimony in his hand as he
came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone
because he had been talking with God. And when Aaron and all the people of
Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to
come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the
congregation returned to him, and Moses talked them. And afterward all the
people of Israel came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord
had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. And when Moses had finished speaking with
them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to
speak with him, he took the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out,
and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, the people of Israel saw
the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses's face shone; and Moses would put the
veil upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him. -EXODUS 34:27 OLD
TESTAMENT ologist Max Weber, however, noticed that despite our supposed
progress, there were more Charismatics than ever. What characterized a modern
Charismatic, according to Weber, was the appearance of an extraordinary quality
in their character, the equivalent of a sign of God's favor. How else to
explain the power of a Robespierre or a Lenin? More than anything it was the
force of their magnetic personalities that made these men stand out and was the
source of their power. They did not speak of God but of a great cause, visions
of a future society. Their appeal was emotional; they seemed possessed. And
their audiences reacted as euphorically as earlier audiences had to a prophet.
When Lenin died, in 1924, a cult formed around his memory, transforming the
communist leader into a deity. Today, anyone who has presence, who attracts
attention when he or she enters a room, is said to possess charisma. But even
these less-exalted types reveal a trace of the quality suggested by the word's
original meaning. Their charisma is mysterious and inexplicable, never obvious.
They have an unusual confidence. They have a gift-often a smoothness with language-that
makes them stand out from the crowd. They express a vision. We may not realize
it, but in their presence we have a kind of religious experience: we believe in
these people, without having any rational evidence for doing so. When trying to
concoct an effect of charisma, never forget the religious source of its power.
You must radiate an inward quality that has a saintly or spiritual edge to it.
Your eyes must glow with the fire of a prophet. Your charisma must seem
natural, as if it came from something mysteriously beyond your control, a gift
of the gods. In our rational, disenchanted world, people crave a religious
experience, particularly on a group level. Any sign of charisma plays to this
desire to believe in something. And there is nothing more seductive than giving
people something to believe in and follow. Charisma must seem mystical, but
that does not mean you cannot learn certain tricks that will enhance the
charisma you already possess, or will give you the outward appearance of it. The
following are basic qualities that will help create the illusion of charisma:
Purpose. If people believe you have a plan, that you know where you are going,
they will follow you instinctively. The direction does not matter: pick a
cause, an ideal, a vision and show that you will not sway from your goal.
People will imagine that your confidence comes from somethingreal--just as the
ancient Hebrews believed Moses was in communion with God, simply because he
showed the outward signs. Purposefulness is doubly charismatic in times of
trouble. Since most people hesitate before taking bold action (even when action
is what is required), single-minded self-assurance will make you the focus of
attention. People will believe in you through the simple force of your character.
When Franklin Delano Roosevelt came to power amidst the Depression, much of the
public had little faith he could turn things around. But in his first few
months in office he displayed such confidence, such decisiveness and clarity in
dealing with the country's many problems, that the public began to see him as
their savior, someone with intense charisma. Mystery. Mystery lies at
charisma's heart, but it is a particular kind of mystery-a mystery expressed by
contradiction. The Charismatic may be both proletarian and aristocratic (Mao
Zedong), both cruel and kind (Peter the Great), both excitable and icily
detached (Charles de Gaulle), both intimate and distant (Sigmund Freud). Since
most people are predictable, the effect of these contradictions is devastatingly
charismatic. They make you hard to fathom, add richness to your character, make
people talk about you. It is often better to reveal your contradictions slowly
and subtly-if you throw them out one on top of the other, people may think you
have an erratic personality. Show your mysteriousness gradually and word will
spread. You must also keep people at arm's length, to keep them from figuring
you out. Another aspect of mystery is a hint of the uncanny. The appearance of
prophetic or psychic gifts will add to your aura. Predict things
authoritatively and people will often imagine that what you have said hascome
true. Saintliness. Most of us must compromise constantly to survive; saints do
not. They must live out their ideals without caring about the consequences. The
saintly effect bestows charisma. Saintliness goes far beyond religion:
politicians as disparate as George Washington and Lenin won saintly reputations
by living simply, despite their power-by matching their political values to
their personal lives. Both men were virtually deified after they died. Albert
Einstein too had a saintly aura-childlike, unwilling to compromise, lost in his
own world. The key is that you must already have some deeply held values; that
part cannot be faked, at least not without risking accusations of charlatanry
that will destroy your charisma in the long run. The next step is to show, as
simply and subtly as possible, that you live what you believe. Finally, the
appearance of being mild and unassuming can eventually turn into charisma, as
long as you seem completely comfortable with it. The source of Harry Truman's
charisma, and even of Abraham Lincoln's, was to appear to be an Everyman. That
devil of a man exercises a fascination on me that I cannot explain even to myself
and in such a degree that, though I fear neither God nor devil, when I am in
his presence I am ready to tremble like a child, and he could make me go
through the eye of a needle to throw myself into the fire. -GENERAL VANDAMME,
ON NAPOLEON BONAPARTE [The masses ] have never thirsted after truth. They
demand illusions, and cannot do without them. They constantly give what is
unreal precedence over what is real; they are almost as strongly influenced by
what is untrue as by what is true. They have an evident tendency not to
distinguish between the two. -SIGMUND FREUD, THSTANDARD EDITION OFTHE COMPLETE
PSYCHOLOGICAL WORKS OF SIGMUND FREUD. VOLUME 18 Eloquence. A Charismatic relies
on the power of words. The reason is simple: words are the quickest way to
create emotional disturbance. They can uplift, elevate, stir anger, without
referring to anything real. During the Spanish Civil War, Dolores Gomez
Ibarruri, known as La Pasionaria, gave pro-Communist speeches that were so
emotionally powerful as to determine several key moments in the war. To bring
off this kind of eloquence, it helps if the speaker is as emotional, as caught
up in words, as the audience is. Yet eloquence can be learned: the devices La
Pasionaria used- catchwords, slogans, rhythmic repetitions, phrases for the
audience to repeat-can easily be acquired. Roosevelt, a calm, patrician type,
was able to make himself a dynamic speaker, both through his style of delivery,
which was slow and hypnotic, and through his brilliant use of imagery, alliteration,
and biblical rhetoric. The crowds at his rallies were often moved to tears. The
slow, authoritative style is often more effective than passion in the long run,
for it is more subtly spellbinding, and less tiring. Theatricality. A
Charismatic is larger than life, has extra presence. Actors have studied this
kind of presence for centuries; they know how to stand on a crowded stage and
command attention. Surprisingly, it is not the actor who screams the loudest or
gestures the most wildly who works this magic best, but the actor who stays
calm, radiating self-assurance. The effect is ruined by trying too hard. It is
essential to be self-aware, to have the ability to see yourself as others see
you. De Gaulle understood that self-awareness was key to his charisma; in the
most turbulent circumstances-the Nazi occupation of France, the national
reconstruction after World War II, an army rebellion in Algeria-he retained an
Olympian composure that played beautifully against the hysteria of his
colleagues. When he spoke, no one could take their eyes off him. Once you know
how to command attention this way, heighten the effect by appearing in
ceremonial and ritual events that are full of exciting imagery, making you look
regal and godlike. Flamboyancy has nothing to do with charisma-it attracts the
wrong kind of attention. Uninhibitedness. Most people are repressed, and have
little access to their unconscious-a problem that creates opportunities for the
Charismatic, who can become a kind of screen on which others project their
secret fantasies and longings. You will first have to show that you are less
inhibited than your audience-that you radiate a dangerous sexuality, have no
fear of death, are delightfully spontaneous. Even a hint of these qualities
will make people think you more powerful than you are. In the 1850s a bohemian
American actress, Adah Isaacs Menken, took the world by storm through her
unbridled sexual energy, and her fearlessness. She would appear on stage
half-naked, performing death-defying acts; few women could dare such things in
the Victorian period, and a rather mediocre actress became a figure of cultlike
adoration. An extension of your being uninhibited is a dreamlike quality in
your work and character that reveals your openness to your unconscious. It was
the possession of this quality that transformed artists like Wagner and Picasso
into charismatic idols. Its cousin is a fluidity of body and spirit; while the
repressed are rigid, Charismatics have an ease and an adaptability that show their
openness to experience. Fervency. You need to believe in something, and to
believe in it strongly enough for it to animate all your gestures and make your
eyes light up. This cannot be faked. Politicians inevitably lie to the public;
what distinguishes Charismatics is that they believe their own lies, which
makes them that much more believable. A prerequisite for fiery belief is some
great cause to rally around-a crusade. Become the rallying point for people's
discontent, and show that you share none of the doubts that plague normal
humans. In 1490, the Florentine Girolamo Savonarola railed at the immorality of
the pope and the Catholic Church. Claiming to be divinely inspired, he became
so animated during his sermons that hysteria would sweep the crowd. Savonarola
developed such a following that he briefly took over the city, until the pope
had him captured and burned at the stake. People believed in him because of the
depth of his conviction. His example has more relevance today than ever: people
are more and more isolated, and long for communal experience. Let your own
fervent and contagious faith, in virtually anything, give them something to
believe in. Vulnerability. Charismatics display a need for love and affection.
They are open to their audience, and in fact feed off its energy; the audience
in turn is electrified by the Charismatic, the current increasing as it passes
back and forth. This vulnerableside to charisma softens the self-confident
side, which can seem fanatical and frightening. Since charisma involves
feelings akin to love, you in turn must reveal your love for your followers.
This was a key component to the charisma that Marilyn Monroe radiated on
camera. "I knew I belonged to the Public," she wrote in her diary,
"and to the world, not because I was talented or even beautiful but
because I had never belonged to anything or anyone else. The Public was the
only family, the only Prince Charming and the only home I had ever dreamed
of." In front of a camera, Monroe suddenly came to life, flirting with and
exciting her unseen public. If the audience doesnot sense this quality in you
they will turn away from you. On the other hand, you must never seem
manipulative or needy. Imagine your public as a single person whom you are
trying to seduce-nothing is more seductive to people than the feeling that they
are desired. Adventurousness. Charismatics are unconventional. They have an air
of adventure and risk that attracts the bored. Be brazen and courageous in your
actions-be seen taking risks for the good of others. Napoleon made sure his
soldiers saw him at the cannons in battle. Lenin walked openly on the streets,
despite the death threats he had received. Charismatics
thriveintroubledwaters;acrisissituationallowsthemtoflaunt their daring, which enhances
their aura. John F. Kennedy came to life in dealing with the Cuban missile
crisis, Charles de Gaulle when he confronted rebellion in 102 In such
conditions, where half the battle was hand- to-hand, concentrated into a small
space, the spirit and example of the leader countedfor much. When we remember
this, it becomes easier to understand the astonishing dfect of Joan's presence
upon the French troops. Her position as a leader was a unique one. She was not
a professional soldier; she was not really a soldier at all; she was not even a
man. She was ignorant of war. She was a girl dressed up. But she believed, and
had made others willing to believe, that she was the mouthpiece of God. • On
Friday, April 29th, 1429, the news spread in Orleans that a force, led by the
Pucelle of Domremy, was on its way to the relief of the city, a piece of news
which, as the chronicler remarks, comforted them greatly.-VITA SACKVILLE-WEST,
SAINTJOAN OF ARC Algeria. They needed these problems to seem charismatic, and
in fact some have even accused them of stirring up situations (Kennedy through
his brinkmanship style of diplomacy, for instance) that played to their love of
adventure. Show heroism to give yourself a charisma that will last you
alifetime.Conversely, the slightest sign of cowardice or timidity will ruin
whatever charisma you had. Magnetism. If any physical attribute is crucial in
seduction, it is the eyes. They reveal excitement, tension, detachment, without
a word being spoken. Indirect communication is critical in seduction, and also
in charisma. The demeanor of Charismatics may be poised and calm, but their
eyes are magnetic; they have a piercing gaze that disturbs their targets'
emotions, exerting force without words or action. Fidel Castro's aggressive
gaze can reduce his opponents to silence. When Benito Mussolini was challenged,
he would roll his eyes, showing the whites in a way that frightened people.
President Kusnasosro Sukarno of Indonesia had a gaze that seemed as if it could
have read thoughts. Roosevelt could dilate his pupils at will, making his stare
both hypnotizing and intimidating. The eyes of the Charismatic never show fear
or nerves. All of these skills are acquirable. Napoleon spent hours in front of
a mirror, modeling his gaze on that of the great contemporary actor Talma. The
key is self-control. The look does not necessarily have to be aggressive; it
can also show contentment. Remember: your eyes can emanate charisma, but they
can also give you away as a faker. Do not leave such an important attribute to
chance. Practice the effect you desire. Genuine charisma thus means the ability
to internally generate and externally express extreme excitement, an ability
which makes one the object of intense attention and unre- flective imitation by
others. -LI AH GREENFIELD Charismatic Types-Historical Examples The miraculous
prophet. In the year 1425, Joan of Arc, a peasant girl from the French village
of Domremy, had her first vision: "I was in my thirteenth year when God
sent a voice to guide me." The voice was that of Saint Michael and he came
with a message from God: Joan had been chosen to rid France of the English
invaders who now ruled most of the country, and of the resulting chaos and war.
She was also to restore the French crown to the prince-the Dauphin, later
Charles VII-who was its rightful heir. Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret also
spoke to Joan. Her visions were extraordinarily vivid: she saw Saint Michael,
touched him, smelled him. The Charismatic • 103 At first Joan told no one what
she had seen; for all anyone knew, she was a quiet farm girl. But the visions
became even more intense, and so in 1429 she left Domremy, determined to
realize the mission for which God had chosen her. Her goal was to meet Charles
in the town of Chinon, where he had established his court in exile. The
obstacles were enormous: Chinon was far, thejourney was dangerous, and Charles,
even if she reached him, was a lazy and cowardly young man who was unlikely to
crusade against the English. Undaunted, she moved from village to village,
explaining her mission to soldiers and asking them to escort her to Chinon.
Young girls with religious visions were a dime a dozen at the time, and there
was nothing in Joan's appearance to inspire confidence; one soldier, however, Jean
de Metz, was intrigued with her. What fascinated him was the detail of her
visions: she would liberate the besieged town of Orleans, have the king crowned
at the cathedral in Reims, lead the army to Paris; she knew how she would be
wounded, and where; the words she attributed to Saint Michael were quite unlike
the language of a farm girl; and she was so calmly confident, she glowed with
conviction. De Metz fell under her spell. He swore allegiance and set out with
her for Chinon. Soon others offered assistance, too, and word reached Charles
of the strange young girl on her way to meet him.On the 350-mile road to
Chinon, accompanied only by a handful of soldiers, through a land infested with
warring bands, Joan showed neither fear nor hesitation. The journey took
several months. When she finally arrived, the Dauphin decided to meet the girl
who had promised to restore him to his throne, despite the adviceof his
counselors; but he was bored, and wanted amusement, and decided to play a trick
on her. She was to meet him in a hall packed with courtiers; to test her
prophetic powers, he disguised himself as one of these men, and dressed another
man as the prince. Yet when Joan arrived, to the amazement of the crowd, she
walked straight up to Charles and curtseyed: "The King of Heaven sends me
to you with the message that you shall be the lieutenant of the King of Heaven,
who is the king of France." In the talk that followed, Joan seemed to echo
Charles's most private thoughts, while once again recounting in extraordinary
detail the feats she would accomplish. Days later, this indecisive, flighty man
declared himself convinced and gave her his blessing to lead a French army
against the English. Miracles and saintliness aside, Joan of Arc had certain
basic qualities that made her exceptional. Her visions were intense; she could
describe them in such detail that they had to be real. Details have that
effect: they lend a sense of reality to even the most preposterous statements.
Furthermore, in a time of great disorder, she was supremely focused, as if her
strength came from somewhere unworldly. She spoke with authority, and she
predicted things people wanted: the English would be defeated, prosperity would
return. She also had a peasant's earthy common sense. She had surely heard
descriptions of Charles on the road to Chinon; once at court, she could Amongst
the surplus population living on the margin of society [in the Middle Ages ]
there was always a strong tendency to take as leader a layman, or maybe an
apostatefriar or monk, who imposed himself not simply as a holy man but as a
prophet or even as a living god. On the strength of inspirations or revelations
for which he claimed divine origin this leader would decree for his followers a
communal mission of vast dimensions and world-shaking importance. The
conviction of having such a mission, of being divinely appointed to carry out a
prodigious task, provided the disoriented and the frustrated with new bearings
and new hope. It gave them not simply a place in the world but a unique and
resplendent place. A fraternity of this kind felt itself an elite, set
infinitely apartfrom and above ordinary mortals, sharing also in his miraculous
powers. -NORMAN COHN, THE PURSUIT OF THE MILLENNIUM "How peculiar
[Rasputin's] eyes are," confesses a woman who had made efforts to resist
his influence. She goes on to say that every time she met him she was always
amazed afresh at the power of his glance, which it was impossible to withstand
for any considerable time. There was something oppressive inthis kind and
gentle, but at the same time sly and cunning, glance; people were helpless
under the spell of the powerful will which could be felt in his whole being.
However tired you might be of this charm, and however much you wanted to escape
it, somehow or other you always found yourself attracted back and held. • A
young girl who had heard of the strange new saint camefrom her province to the
capital, and visited him in search of edification and spiritual instruction.
She had never seen either him or a portrait of him before, and met him for the
first time in his house. When he came up to her and spoke to her, she thought
him like one of the peasant preachers she had often seen in her own country
home. His gentle, monastic gaze and the plainly parted light brown hair around
the worthy simple face, all at first inspired her confidence. But when he came
nearer to her, shefelt immediately that another quite different man,
mysterious, crafty, and corrupting, looked out from behind the eyes that radiated
goodness and gentleness. • He sat down opposite her, edged quite close up to
her, and his light blue eyes changed color, and became deep and have sensed the
trick he was playing on her, and could have confidently picked out his pampered
face in the crowd. The following year, her visions abandoned her, and her
confidence as well-shemade many mistakes, leading to her capture by the
English. She was indeed human. We may no longer believe in miracles, but
anything that hints at strange, unworldly, even supernatural powers will create
charisma. The psychology is the same: you have visions of the future, and of
the wondrous things you can accomplish. Describe these things in great detail,
with an air authority, and suddenly you stand out. And if your prophecy-of
prosperity, say-is just what people want to hear, they are likely to fall under
spell and to see later events as a confirmation of your predictions. Exhibit
remarkable confidence and people will think your confidence comes from real
knowledge. You will create a self-fulfilling prophecy: people's belief in you
will translate into actions that help realize your visions. Any hint of success
will make them see miracles, uncanny powers, the glow of charisma. The
authentic animal. One day in 1905, the St. Petersburg salon of Countess
Ignatiev was unusually full. Politicians, society ladies, and courtiers had all
arrived early to await the remarkable guest of honor: Grigori Efimovich
Rasputin, a forty-year-old Siberian monk who had made a name for himself throughout
Russia as a healer, perhaps a saint. When Rasputinarrived, few could disguise
their disappointment: his face was ugly, his hair was stringy,hewas gangly and
awkward. They wondered why they had come. But then Rasputin approached them one
by one, wrapping his big hands around their fingers and gazing deep into their
eyes. At first his gaze was unsettling: as he looked them up and down, he
seemed to be probing andjudging them. Yet suddenly his expression would change,
and kindness, joy, and understanding would radiate from his face. Several of
the ladies he actually hugged, in a most effusive manner. This startling
contrast had profound effects. The mood in the salon soon changed from
disappointment to excitement. Rasputin's voice was so calm and deep; his
language was coarse, yet the ideas it expressed were delightfully simple, and
had the ring of great spiritual truth. Then, just as the guests were beginning
to relax with this dirty-looking peasant, his mood suddenly changed to anger:
"I know you, I can read your souls. You are all too pampered. . . . These
fine clothes and arts of yours are useless and pernicious. Men must learn to
humble themselves! You must be simpler, far, far simpler. Only then will God
come nearer to you." The monk's face grew animated, his pupils expanded,
he looked completely different. How impressive that angry look was, recalling
Jesus throwing the moneylenders from the temple. Now Rasputin calmed down,
returned to being gracious, but the guests already saw him as someone strange
and remarkable. Next, in a performance he would soon repeat in salons
throughout the city, he led the guests in a folk song, and as they sang, he
began to dance, a strange uninhibited dance of his own design, and as he
danced, he circled the most attractive women there, and with his eyes invited
them to join him. The dance turned vaguely sexual; as his partners fell under
his spell, he whispered suggestive comments in their ears. Yet none of them
seemed to be offended. Over the next few months, women from every level of St.
Petersburg society visited Rasputin in his apartment. He would talk to them of
spiritual matters, but then without warning he would turn sexual, murmuring the
crassest come-ons. He would justify himself through spiritual dogma: how can you
repent if you have not sinned? Salvation only comes to those who go astray. One
of the few who rejected his advances was asked by a friend, "How can one
refuse anything to a saint?" "Does a saint need sinful love?"
she replied. Her friend said, "He makes everything that comes near him
holy. I have already belonged to him, and I am proud and happy to have done
so." "But you are married! What does your husband say?" "He
considers it a very great honor. If Rasputin desires a woman we all think it a
blessing and a distinction, our husbands as well as ourselves." Rasputin's
spell soon extended over Czar Nicholas and more particularly over his wife, the
Czarina Alexandra, after he apparently healed their son from a life-threatening
injury. Within a few years, he had become the most powerful man in Russia, with
total sway over the royal couple. People are more complicated than the masks
they wear in society. The man who seems so noble and gentle is probably
disguising a dark side, which often come out in strange ways; if his nobility
and refinement are in fact a put-on, sooner or later the truth will out, and
his hypocrisy will disappoint and alienate. On the other hand, we are drawn to
people who seem more comfortably human, who do not bother to disguise their contradictions.
This was the source of Rasputin's charisma. A man so authentically himself, so
devoid of self-consciousness or hypocrisy, was immensely appealing. His
wickedness and saintliness were so extreme that it made him seem larger than
life. The result was a charismatic aura that was immediate and preverbal; it
radiated from his eyes, and from the touch of his hands. Most of us are a mix
of the devil and the saint, the noble and the ignoble, and we spend our lives
trying to repress the dark side. Few of us can give free rein to both sides, as
Rasputin did, but we can create charisma to a smaller degree by ridding
ourselves of self-consciousness, and of the discomfort most of us feel about
our complicated natures. You cannot help being the way you are, so be genuine.
That is what attracts us to animals: beautiful and cruel, they have no
self-doubt. That quality is doubly fascinating in humans. Outwardly people may
condemn your dark side, but it is not virtue alone that creates charisma;
anything extraordinary will do. Do not apologize or go halfway. The more
unbridled you seem, the more magnetic the effect. dark. A keen glance reached
her from the comer of his eyes, bored into her, and held her fascinated. A
leaden heaviness overpowered her limbs as his great wrinkled face, distorted
with desire, came closer to hers. She felt his hot breath on her cheeks, and
saw how his eyes, burning from the depths of their sockets, furtively roved
over her helpless body, until he dropped his lids with a sensuous expression.
His voice had fallen to a passionate whisper, and he murmured strange,
voluptuous words in her ear. • Just as she was on the point of abandoning
herself to her seducer, a memory stirred in her dimly and as if from some far
distance; she recalled that she had come to ask him about God. -RENE
FULOP-MILLER, RASPUTIN: THE HOLY DEVIL By its very nature, the existence of
charismaticauthority is specifically unstable. The holder may forego his
charisma; he may feel "forsaken by his God," as Jesus did on the cross;
he may prove to his that "virtue is gone out of him." It is then that
his mission is extinguished, and hope waits and searches for a new holder of
charisma. -- MAX WEBER, FROM MAX WEBER: ESSAYS IN SOCIOLOGY. EDITED BY HANS
GERTH AND C. WRIGHT MILLS The demonic performer. Throughout his childhood Elvis
Presley was thought a strange boy who kept pretty much to himself. In high
school in Memphis, Tennessee, he attracted attention with his pompadoured hair
and sideburns, his pink and black clothing, but people who tried to talk to him
found nothing there-he was either terribly bland or hopelessly shy. At the
school prom, he was the only boy who didn't dance. He seemed lost in a private
world, in love with the guitar he took everywhere. At the Ellis Auditorium, at
the end of an evening of gospel music or wrestling, the concessions manager
would often find Elvis onstage, miming a performance and taking bows before an
imaginary audience. Asked to leave, he would quietly walk away. He was a very
polite young man. In 1953, just out of high school, Elvis recorded his first
song, in a local studio. The record was a test, a chance for him to hear his
own voice. A year later the owner of the studio, Sam Phillips, called him in to
record two blues songs with a couple of professional musicians. They worked for
hours, but nothing seemed to click; Elvis was nervous and inhibited. Then, near
the end of the evening, giddy with exhaustion, he suddenly let loose and
started to jump around like a child, in a moment of complete selfabandon. The
other musicians joined in, the song getting wilder and wilder. Phillips's eyes
lit up-he had something here. A month later Elvis gave his first public
performance, outdoors in a Memphis park. He was as nervous as he had been at
the recording session, and could only stutter when he had to speak; but once he
broke into song, the words came out. The crowd responded excitedly, rising to
peaks at certain moments. Elvis couldn't figure out why. "I went over to
the manager after the song," he later said, "and I asked him what was
making the crowd go nuts. He told me, 'I'm not really sure, but I think that
every time you wiggle your left leg, they start to scream. Whatever it is, just
don't stop.' A single Elvis recorded in 1954 became a hit. Soon he was in
demand. Going onstage filled him with anxiety and emotion, so much so that he
became a different person, as if possessed. "I've talked to some singers
and they get a little nervous, but they say their nerves kind of settle down they
get into it. Mine never do. It's sort of this energy . . . something maybe like
sex." Over the next few months he discovered more gestures and
sounds-twitching dance movements, a more tremulous voice-that made the crowds
go crazy, particularly teenage girls. Within a year he had become the hottest
musician in America. His concerts were exercises in mass hysteria. Elvis
Presley had a dark side, a secret life. (Some have attributed it to the death,
at birth, of his twin brother.) This dark side he deeply repressed as a young
man; it included all kinds of fantasies which he could only give in to when he
was alone, although his unconventional clothing may also have been a symptom of
it. When he performed, though, he was able to let these demons loose. They came
out as a dangerous sexual power. Twitching, androgynous, uninhibited, he was a
man enacting strange fantasies before the public. The audience sensed this and
was excited by it. It wasn't a flamboyant style and appearance that gave Elvis
charisma, but rather the electrifying expression of his inner turmoil. A crowd
or group of any sort has a unique energy. Just below the surface is desire, a
constant sexual excitement that has to be repressed because it is socially
unacceptable. If you have the ability to rouse those desires, the crowd will
see you as having charisma. The key is learning to access your own unconscious,
as Elvis did when he let go. You are full of an excitement that seems to come
from some mysterious inner source. Your uninhibitedness will invite other people
to open up, sparking a chain reaction: their excitement in turn will animate
you still more. The fantasies you bring to the surface do not have to be
sexual-any social taboo, anything repressed and yearning for an outlet, will
suffice. Make this felt in your recordings, your artwork, your books. Social
pressure keeps people so repressed that they will be attracted to your charisma
before they have even met you in person. The Savior. In March of 1917, the
Russian parliament forced the country's ruler. Czar Nicholas, to abdicate and
established a provisional government. Russia was in rums. Its participation in
World War I had been a disaster; famine was spreading widely, the vast
countryside was riven by looting and lynch law, and soldiers were deserting from
the army en masse. Politically the country was bitterly divided; the main
factions were the right, the social democrats, and the left-wing
revolutionaries, and each of these groups was itself afflicted by dissension.
Into this chaos came the forty-seven-year-old Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. A Marxist
revolutionary, the leader of the Bolshevik Communist party, he had suffered a
twelve-year exile in Europe until, recognizing the chaos overcoming Russia as
the chance he had long been waiting for, he had hurried back home. Now he
called for the country to end its participation in the war and for an immediate
socialist revolution. In the first weeks after his arrival, nothing could have
seemed more ridiculous. As a man, Lenin looked unimpressive; he was short and plain-featured.
He had also spent years away in Europe, isolated from his people and immersed
in reading and intellectual argument. Most important, his party was small,
representing only a splinter group within the loosely organized left coalition.
Few took him seriously as a national leader. Undaunted, Lenin went to work.
Wherever he went, he repeated the same simple message; end the war, establish
the rule of the proletariat, abolish private property, redistribute wealth.
Exhausted with the nation's endless political infighting and the complexity of
its problems, people began to listen. Lenin was so determined, so confident. He
never lost his cool. In the midst of a raucous debate, he would simply and
logically debunk each one of his adversaries' points. Workers and soldiers were
im- He is their god. He leads them like a thing \ Made by some other deity than
nature, \ That shapes man better; and they follow him \ Against us brats with
no less confidence \ Than boys pursuing summer butterflies \ Or butchers killing
flies. . . . -WILLI AMS HAKES PE ARE, CORIOLANUS The roof did lift as Presley
came onstage. He sang for twenty-five minutes while the audience erupted like
Mount Vesuvius. "I never saw such excitement and screaming in my entire
life, ever before or since," said I film director Hal ] Kanter. As an
observer, he describ-ed being stunned by "an exhibition of public mass
hysteria ... a tidal wave of adoration surging up from 9,000 people, over the
wall of police flanking the stage, up over the flood-lights, to the performer
and beyond him, lifting him to frenzied heights of response." -A
DESCRIPTION OF ELVIS PRESLEY'S CONCERT AT THE HAYRIDE THEATER, SHREVEPORT,
LOUISIANA, DECEMBER 17, 1956, IN PETER WHITMER, THE INNER ELVIS: A
PSYCHOLOGICAL BIOGRAPHY OF ELVIS AARON PRESLEY No one could so fire others with
theif plans, no one could so impose his will and conquer by force of his
personality as this seemingly so ordinary and somewhat coarse man who lacked
any obvious sources of charm. . . . Neither Plekhanov nor Martov nor anyone
else possessed the secret radiating from Lenin of positively hypnotic effect
upon people-I would even say, domination of them. Plekhanov was treated with
deference, Martov was loved, but Lenin alone was followed unhesitatingly as the
only indisputable leader. For only Lenin represented that rare phenomenon,
especially rare in Russia, of a man of iron will and indomitable energy who
combines fanatical faith in the movement, the cause, with no less faith in
himself. -A. N. POTRESOV, QUOTED IN DANKWARTA. RUSTOW, ED.. PHILOSOPHERS AND
KINGS: STUDIES IN LEADERSHIP "I had hoped to see the mountain eagle of our
party, the great man, great physically as well as politically. I had fancied
Lenin as a giant, stately and imposing. Mow great was my disappointment to see
a most ordinary-looking man, below average height, in no way, literally in no
way distinguishable from ordinary mortals. -JOSEPH STALIN, ON MEETING LENIN FOR
THE FIRST TIME IN 1905,QUOTED IN RONALD W. CLARK, LENIN :THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK
pressed by his firmness. Once, in the midst of a brewing riot, Lenin amazed his
chauffeur by jumping onto the running board of his car and directing the way
through the crowd, at considerable personal risk. Told that his ideas had
nothing to do with reality, he would answer, "So much the worse for
reality!" Allied to Lenin's messianic confidence in his cause was his
ability to organize. Exiled in Europe, his party had been scattered and
diminished; in keeping them together he had developed immense practical skills.
In front of a large crowd, he was a also powerful orator. His speech at the
First All- Russian Soviet Congress made a sensation; either revolution or a
bourgeois government, he cried, but nothing in between-enough of this
compromise in which the left was sharing. At a time when other politicians were
scrambling desperately to adapt to the national crisis, and seemed weak in the
process, Lenin was rock stable. His prestige soared, as did the membership of
the Bolshevik party Most astounding of all was Lenin's effect on workers,
soldiers, and peasants. He would address these common people wherever he found
them-in the street, standing on a chair, his thumbs in his lapel, his speech an
odd mix of ideology, peasant aphorisms, and revolutionary slogans. They would
listen, enraptured. When Lenin died, in 1924-seven years after single- handedly
opening the way to the October Revolution of 1917, which had swept him and the
Bolsheviks into power-these same ordinary Russians went into mourning. They worshiped
at his tomb, where his body was preserved on view; they told stories about him,
developing a body of Lenin folklore; thousands of newborn girls were christened
"Ninel," Lenin backwards. This cult of Lenin assumed religious
proportions. There all kinds of misconceptions about charisma, which,
paradoxically, only add to its mystique. Charisma has little to do with an
exciting physical appearance or a colorful personality, qualities that elicit
short-term interest. Particularly in times of trouble, people are not looking
for entertainment- they want security, a better quality of life, social
cohesion. Believe it or not, a plain-looking man or woman with a clear vision,
a quality of single- mindedness, and practical skills can be devastatingly
charismatic, provided it matched with some success. Never underestimate the
power of success in enhancing one's aura. But in a world teeming with
compromisers and fudgers whose indecisiveness only creates more disorder, one
clear-minded soul will be a magnet of attention-will have charisma. One on one,
or in a Zurich cafe before the revolution, Lenin had little or no charisma.
(His confidence was attractive, but many found his strident manner irritating.)
He won charisma when he was seen as the man who could save the country.
Charisma is not a mysterious quality that inhabits you outside your control; it
is an illusion in the eyes of those who see you as having what they lack.
Particularly in times of trouble, you can enhance that illusion through
calmness, resolution, and clear-minded practicality. It also helps to have a
seductivelysimple message. Call it the Savior Syndrome: once people imagine you
can save them from chaos, they will fall in love with you, like a person who
melts in the arms of his or her rescuer. And mass love equals charisma. How
else to explain the love ordinary Russians felt for a man as emotionless and
unexciting as Vladimir Lenin. The guru. According to the beliefs of the
Theosophical Society, every two thousand years or so the spirit of the World
Teacher, Lord Maitreya, inhabits the body of a human. First there was Sri
Krishna, born two thousand years before Christ; then there was Jesus himself;
and at the start of the twentieth century another incarnation was due. One day
in 1909, the theosophist Charles Leadbeater saw a boy on an Indian beach and
had an epiphany: this fourteen-year-old lad, Jiddu Krishnamurti, would be the
Teacher's next vehicle. Leadbeater was struck by the simplicity of the boy, who
seemed to lack the slightest trace of selfishness. The members of the
Theosophical Society agreed with his assessment and adopted this scraggly
underfed youth, whose teachers had repeatedly beaten him for stupidity. They
fed and clothed him and began his spiritual instruction. The scruffy urchin turned
into a devilishly handsome young man. In 1911, the theosophists formed the
Order of the Star in the East, a group intended to prepare the way for the
coming of the World Teacher. Krishnamurti was made head of the order. He was
taken to England, where his education continued, and everywhere he went he was
pampered and revered. His air of simplicity and contentment could not help but
impress. Soon Krishnamurti began to have visions. In 1922 he declared, "I
have drunk at the fountain of Joy and eternal Beauty. I am
God-intoxicated." Over the next few years he had psychic experiences that
the theosophists interpreted as visits from the World Teacher. But Krishnamurti
had actually had a different kind of revelation: the truth of the universe came
from within. No god, no guru, no dogma could ever make one realize it. He
himself was no god or messiah, but just another man. The reverence that he was
treated with disgusted him. In 1929, much to his followers' shock, he disbanded
the Order of the Star and resigned from the Theosophical . And so Krishnamurti
became a philosopher, determined to spread the truth he had discovered: you
must be simple, removing the screen of language and past experience. Through
these means anyone could attain contentment of the kind that radiated from
Krishnamurti. The theosophists abandoned him but his following grew larger than
ever. In California, where he spent much of his time, the interest in him
verged onculticadoration. The poet Robinson Jeffers said that whenever
Krishnamurti entered a room you could feel a brightness filling the space. The
writer Aldous Huxley met him in Los Angeles and fell under his spell. Hearing
him speak, he wrote: "It was like listening to the discourse of the
Buddha- such power, such intrinsic authority." The man radiated
enlightenment. The actor John Barrymore asked him to play the role of Buddha in
a film. Tirst and foremost there can be no prestige without mystery, for
familiarity breeds contempt. ...In the design, the demeanor and the mental
operations of a leader there must always be a "something" which
others cannot altogether fathom, which puzzles them, stirs them, and rivets
their attention ... to hold in reserve some piece of secret knowledge which may
any moment intervene, and the more effectively from being in the nature of a
surprise. The latent faith of the masses will do the rest. Once the leader has
been fudged capable of adding the weight of his personality to the known
factors of any situation, the ensuing hope and confidence will add immensely to
the faith reposed in him. -CHARLES DE GAULLE, THE OF THE SWORD. IN DAVID
SCHOENBRUN, THE THREE LIVES OF CHARLES DE GAULLE Only a month after Evita's
death, the newspaper vendors' union put forwardher name for canonization, and
although this gesture was an isolated one and was never taken seriously by the
Vatican, the idea of Evita's holiness remained with many people and was
reinforced by the publication of devotional literature subsidized by
government; by the renaming of cities, schools, and subway stations; and by the
stamping of medallions, the casting of busts, and the issuing of ceremonial
stamps. The time of the evening news broadcast was changedfrom 8:30 pm. to 8:25
P.M., the time when Evita had "passed into immortality," and each month
there were torch-lit processions on the twenty-sixth of the month, the day of
her death. On the first anniversary of her death, La Prensa printed a about one
of its readers seeing Evita's face in the face of the moon, and after this
there were more such sightings reported in the newspapers. For the most part,
official publications stopped short of claiming sainthood for her, but their
restraint was not always convincing. . . . In the calendar for 1953 of the
Buenos Aires newspaper vendors, as in other unofficial images, she was depicted
in the traditional blue robes of the Virgin, her hands crossed, her sad head to
one side and surrounded by a halo. -NICHOLAS FRASER AND MARYSA NAYARRO. EVITA
(Krishnamurti politely declined.) When he visited India, hands would reach
outfrom the crowd to try to touch him through the open car window. People
prostrated themselves before him. Repulsed by all this adoration, Krishnamurti
grew more and more detached. He even talked about himself in the third person.
In fact, the ability to disengage from one's past and view the world anew was
part of his philosophy, yet once again the effect was the opposite of what he
expected: the affection and reverence people felt for him only grew. His
followers fought jealously for signs of his favor. Women in particular fell
deeply in love with him, although he was a lifelong celibate. Krishnamurti had
no desire to be a guru or a Charismatic, but he inadvertently discovered a law
of human psychology that disturbed him. People do not want to hear that your
power comes from years of effort or discipline. They prefer to think that it
comes from your personality, your character, something you were born with. They
also hope that proximity to the guru or Charismatic will make some of that
power rub off on them. They did not want to have to read Krishnamurti's books,
or to spend years practicing his lessons-they simply wanted to be near him,
soak up his aura, hear him speak, feel the light that entered the room with
him. Krishnamurti advocated simplicity as a way of opening up to the truth, but
his own simplicity justallowedpeople to see what they wanted in him,
attributing powers to him that he not only denied but ridiculed. This is the
guru effect, and it is surprisingly simple to create. The aura you are after is
not the fiery one of most Charismatics, but one of incandescence,
enlightenment. An enlightened person has understood something that makes him or
her content, and this contentment radiates outward. That is the appearance you
want: you do not need anything or anyone, you are fulfilled. People are
naturally drawn to those who emit happiness; maybe they can catch it from you.
The less obvious you are, the better: let people conclude that you are happy,
rather than hearing it from you. Let them see it in your unhurried manner, your
gentle smile, your ease and comfort. Keep your words vague, letting people
imagine what they will. Remember: being aloof and distant only stimulates the
effect. People will fight for the slightest sign of your interest. A guru is
content and detached-a deadly Charismatic combination. The drama saint. It
began on the radio. Throughout the late 1930s and early 1940s, Argentine women
would hear the plaintive, musical voice of Eva Duarte in one of the lavishly
produced soap operas that were so popular at the time. She never made you
laugh, but how often she could make you cry-with the complaints of a betrayed
lover, or the last words of Marie Antoinette. The very thought of her voice
made you shiver with emotion. And she was pretty, with her flowing blond hair
and her serious face, which was often on the covers of the gossip magazines. In
1943, those magazines published a most exciting story: Eva had begun an affair
with one of the most dashing men in the new military government. Colonel Juan
Peron. Now Argentines heard her doing propaganda spots for the government,
lauding the "New Argentina" that glistened in the future. And
finally, this fairy tale story reached its perfect conclusion: in 1945 Juan and
Eva married, and the following year, the handsome colonel, after many trials
and tribulations (including a spell in prison, from which he was freed by the
efforts of his devoted wife) was elected president. He was a champion of th
edescamisados -the "shirtless ones," the workers and the poor, just
as his wife was. Only twenty-six at the time, she had grown up in poverty
herself. Now that this star was the first lady of the republic, she seemed to
change. She lost weight, most definitely; her outfits became less flamboyant,
even downright austere; and that beautiful flowing hair was now pulled back,
rather severely. It was a shame-the young star had grown up. But as Argentines
saw more of the new Evita, as she was now known, her new look affected them
more strongly. It was the look of a saintly, serious woman, one who was indeed
what her husband called the "Bridge of Love" between himself and his
people. She was now on the radio all the time, and listening to her was as
emotional as ever, but she also spoke magnificently in public. Her voice was
lower and her delivery slower; she stabbed the air with her fingers, reached
out as if to touch the audience. And her words pierced you to the core: "I
left my dreams by the wayside in order to watch over the dreams of others. ...
I now place my soul at the side of the soul of my people. I offer them all my
energies so that my body may be a bridge erected toward the happiness of all.
Pass over it ... toward the supreme destiny of the new fatherland." It was
no longer only through magazines and the radio that Evita made herself felt.
Almost everyone was personally touched by her in some way. Everyone seemed to
know someone who had met her, or who had visited her in her office, where a
line of supplicants wound its way through the hallways to her door. Behind her
desk she sat, so calm and full of love. Film crews recorded her acts of
charity: to a woman who had lost everything, Evita would give a house; to one
with a sick child, free care in the finest hospital. She worked so hard, no
wonder rumor had it that she was ill. And everyone heard of her visits to the
shanty towns and to hospitals for the poor, where, against the wishes of her
staff, she would kiss people with all kinds of maladies (lepers, syphilitic
men, etc.) on the cheek. Once an assistant appalled by this habit tried to dab
Evita's lips with alcohol, to sterilize them. This saint of a woman grabbed the
bottle and smashed it against the wall. Yes, Evita was a saint, a living
madonna. Her appearance alone could heal the sick. And when she died of cancer,
in 1952, no outsider to Argentina could possibly understand the sense of grief
and loss she left behind. For some, the country never recovered. As for me, I
have the gift of electrifying men. -NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, IN PIETER GEYL,
NAPOLEON: FORAND AGAINST I do not pretend to be a divine man, but I do believe
in divine guidance, divine power, and divine prophecy. I am not educated, nor
am I an expert in any particular field-but I am sincere and my sincerity is my
credentials. -MALCOLM X, QUOTED IN EUGENE VICTORWOLFENSTEIN, THE VICTIMS OF
DEMOCRACY: MALCOLM X AND THIS BLACK REVOLUTION Most of us live in a
semi-somnambulistic state: we do our daily tasks and the days fly by. The two
exceptions to this are childhood and those moments when we are in love. In both
cases, ouremotions are more engaged, more open and active. And we equate
feeling emotional with feeling more alive. A public figure who can affect
people's emotions, who can make them feel communal sadness, joy, or hope, has a
similar effect. An appeal to the emotions is far more powerful than an appeal
to reason. Eva Peron knew this power early on, as a radio actress. Her
tremulous voice could make audiences weep; because of this, people saw in her
great charisma. She never forgot the experience. Her every public act was
framed in dramatic and religious motifs. Drama is condensed emotion, and the
Catholic religion is a force that reaches into your childhood, hits you where
you cannot help yourself. Evita's uplifted arms, her staged acts of charity,
her sacrifices for the common folk-all this went straight to the heart. It was
not her goodness alone that was charismatic, although the appearance of
goodness is alluring enough. It was her ability to dramatize her goodness. You
must leam to exploit the two great purveyors of emotion: drama and religion.
Drama cuts out the useless and banal in life, focusing on moments of pity and
terror; religion deals with matters of life and death. Make your charitable
actions dramatic, give your loving words religious import, bathe everything in
rituals and myths going back to childhood. Caughtupintheemotions you stir,
people will see over your head the halo of charisma. The deliverer. In Harlem
in the early 1950s, few African-Americans knew much about the Nation of Islam,
or ever stepped into its temple. The Nation preached that white people were
descended from the devil and that someday Allah would liberate the black race.
This doctrine had little meaning for Harlemites, who went to church for
spiritual solace and turned in practical matters to their local politicians.
But in 1954, a new minister for the Nation of Islam arrived in Harlem. The
minister's name was Malcolm X, and he was well-read and eloquent, yet his
gestures and words were angry. Word spread: whites had lynched Malcolm's
father. He had grown up in a juvenile facility, then had survived as a
small-time hustler before being arrested for burglary and spending six years in
prison. His short life (he was only twenty-nine at the time) had been one long
run-in with the law, yet look at him now-so confident and educated. No one had
helped him; he had done it all on his own. Harlemites began to see Malcolm X
everywhere, handing out fliers, addressing the young. He would stand outside
their churches, and as the congregation dispersed, he would point to the
preacher and say, "He represents the white man's god; I represent the
black man's god." The curious began to come to hear him preach at a Nation
of Islam temple. He would ask them to look at the actual conditions of their
lives: "When you get through looking at where you live, then . . . take a
walk across Central Park," he would tell them. "Look at the white
man's apartments. Look at his Wall Street!" His words were powerful,
particularly coming from a minister. In 1957, a young Muslim in Harlem
witnessed the beating of a drunken black man by several policemen. When the
Muslim protested, the police pummeled him senseless and carted him off to jail.
An angry crowd gathered outside the police station, ready to riot. Told that
only Malcolm X could forestall violence, the police commissioner brought him in
and told him to break up the mob. Malcolm refused. Speaking more temperately,
the commissioner begged him to reconsider. Malcolm calmly set conditions for
his cooperation: medical care for the beaten Muslim, and proper punishment for
the police officers. The commissioner reluctantly agreed. Outside the station,
Malcolm explained the agreement and the crowd dispersed. In Harlem and around
the country, he was an overnight hero- finally a man who took action.
Membership in his temple soared. Malcolm began to speak all over the United
States. He never read from a text; looking out at the audience,hemade eye
contact, pointed his finger. His anger was obvious, not so much in his tone-he
was always controlled and articulate-as in his fierce energy, the veins popping
out on his neck. Many earlier black leaders had used cautious words, and had
asked their followers to deal patiently and politely with their social lot, no
matter how unfair. What a relief Malcolm was. He ridiculed the racists, he
ridiculed the liberals, he ridiculed the president; no white person escaped his
scorn. If whites were violent, Malcolm said, the language of violence should be
spoken back to them, for it was the only language they understood.
"Hostility is good!" he cried out. "It's been bottled up too
long." In response to the growing popularity of the nonviolent leader
Martin Luther King, Ir., Malcolm said, "Anybody can sit. An old woman can
sit. A coward can sit. ... It takes a man to stand." Malcolm X had a
bracing effect on many who felt the same anger he did but were frightened to
express it. At his funeral-he was assassinated in 1965, at one of his
speeches-the actor Ossie Davis delivered the eulogy before a large and
emotional crowd: "Malcolm," he said, "was our own black shining
prince." Malcolm X was a Charismatic of Moses' kind: he was a deliverer.
The power of this sort of Charismatic comes from his or her expression of dark
emotions that have built up over years of oppression. In doing so, the
deliverer provides an opportunity for the release of bottled-up emotions by
other people-of the hostility masked by forced politeness and smiles.
Deliverers have to be one of the suffering crowd, only more so: their pain must
be exemplary. Malcolm's personal history was an integral part of his charisma.
His lesson-that blacks should help themselves, not wait for whites to lift them
up-meant a great deal more because of his own years in prison, and because he
had followed his own doctrine by educating himself, lifting himself up from the
bottom. The deliverer must be a living example of personal redemption. The
essence of charisma is an overpowering emotion that communicates itself in your
gestures. In your tone of voice, in subtle signs that are the more powerful for
being unspoken. You feel something more deeply than others, and no emotion is
more powerful and more capable of creating a charismatic reaction than hatred,
particularly if it comes from deep- rooted feelings of oppression. Express what
others are afraid to express and they will see great power in you. Say what
they want to say but cannot. Never be afraid of going too far. If you represent
a release from oppression, you have the leeway to go still farther. Moses spoke
of violence, of destroying every last one of his enemies. Language like this
brings the oppressed together and makes them feel more alive. This is not,
however, something that is uncontrollable on your part. Malcolm X felt rage
from early on, but only in prison did he teach himself the art of oratory, and
how to channel his emotions. Nothing is more charismatic than the sense that
someone is struggling with great emotion rather than simply giving in to it.
The Olympian actor. On lanuary 24, 1960 an insurrection broke out in Algeria,
then still a French colony. Led by right-wing French soldiers, its purpose was
to forestall the proposal of President Charles de Gaulle to grant Algeria the
right of self-determination. If necessary, the insurrectionists would take over
Algeria in the name of France. For several tense days, the seventy-year-old de
Gaulle maintained a strange silence. Then on lanuary 29, at eight in the
evening, he appeared on French national television. Before he had uttered a
word, the audience was astonished, for he wore his old uniform from World War
II, a uniform that everyone recognized and that created a strong emotional
response. De Gaulle had been the hero of the resistance, the savior of the
country at its darkest moment. But that uniform had not been seen for quite
some time. Then de Gaulle spoke, reminding his public, in his cool and
confident manner, of all they had accomplished together in liberating France
from the Germans. Slowly he moved from these charged patriotic issues to the
rebellion in Algeria, and the affront it presented to the spirit of the
liberation. He finished his address by repeating his famous words of lune 18,
1940: "Once again I call all Frenchmen, wherever they are, whatever they
are, to reunite with France. Vive la Republique! Vive la France!" The
speech had two purposes. It showed that de Gaulle was determined not to give an
inch to the rebels, and it reached for the heart of all patriotic Frenchmen,
particularly in the army. The insurrection quickly died, and no one doubted the
connection between its failure and de Gaulle's performance on television. The
following year, the French voted overwhelmingly in favor of
Alself-determination. On April 11, 1961, de Gaulle gave a press conference in
which he made it clear that France would soon grant the country full
independence. Eleven days later, French generals in Algeria issued a communique
stating that they had taken over the country and declaring a state of siege.
This was the most dangerous moment of all: faced with Algeria's imminent
independence, these right-wing generals would go all the way. A civil war could
break out, toppling de Gaulle's government. The following night, de
Gaulleappearedonceagain on television, once again wearing his old uniform. He
mocked the generals, comparing them to a South American junta. He talked calmly
and sternly. Then, suddenly, at the very end of the address, his voice rose and
even trembled as he called out to the audience: "Francoises, Frangais,
aidez-moi!" ("Frenchwomen, Frenchmen, help me!") It was the most
stirring moment of all his television appearances. French soldiers in Algeria,
listening on transistor radios, were overwhelmed. The next day they held a mass
demonstration in favor of de Gaulle. Two days later the generals surrendered.
On July 1, 1962, de Gaulle proclaimed Algeria's independence. In 1940, after
the German invasion of France, de Gaulle escaped to England to recruit an army
that would eventually return to France for the liberation. At the beginning, he
was alone, and his mission seemed hopeless. But he had the support of Winston
Churchill, and with Churchill's blessing he gave a series of radio talks that
the BBC broadcast to France. His strange, hypnotic voice, with its dramatic
tremolos, would enter French living rooms in the evenings. Few of his listeners
even knew what he looked like, but his tone was so confident, so stirring, that
he recruited a silent army of believers. In person, de Gaulle was a strange,
brooding man whose confident manner couldjust as easily irritate as win over.
But over the radio that voice had intense charisma. De Gaulle was the first
great master of modern media, for he easily transferred his dramatic skills to
television, where his iciness, his calmness, his total self-possession, made
audiences feel both comforted and inspired. The world has grown more fractured.
A nation no longer conies together on the streets or in the squares; it is
brought together in living rooms, where people watching television all over the
country can simultaneously be alone and with others. Charisma must now be
communicable over the airwaves or it has no power. But it is in some ways
easier to project on television, both because television makes a direct
one-on-one appeal (the Charismatic seems to address you ) and because charisma
is fairly easy to fake for the few moments you spend in front of the camera. As
de Gaulle understood, when appearing on television it is best to radiate
calmness and control, to use dramatic effects sparingly. De Gaulle's overall
iciness made doubly effective the brief moments in which he raised his voice,
or let loose a biting joke. By remaining calm and underplaying it, he
hypnotized his audience. (Your face can express much more if your voice is less
strident.) He conveyed emotion visually-the uniform, the setting-and through
the use of certain charged words:the liberation, Joan of Arc. The less he
strained for effect, the more sincere he appeared. All this must be carefully
orchestrated. Punctuate your calmness with surprises; rise to a climax; keep
things short and terse. The only thing that cannot be faked is self-confidence,
the key component to charisma since the days of Moses. Should the camera lights
betray your insecurity, all the tricks in the world will not put your charisma
back together again. Symbol: The Lamp. Invisible to the eye, a current flowing
through a wire in a glass vessel generates a heat that turns into candescence.
All we see is the glow. In the prevailing darkness, the Lamp lights the way.
Dangers O n a pleasant May day in 1794, the citizens of Paris gathered in a
park for the Festival of the Supreme Being. The focus of their attention was
Maximilien de Robespierre, head of the Committee of Public Safety, and the man
who had thought up the festival in the first place. The idea was simple; to
combat atheism, "to recognize the existence of a Supreme Being and the
Immortality of the Soul as the guiding forces of the universe." It was
Robespierre's day of triumph. Standing before the masses in his sky-blue suit
and white stockings, he initiated the festivities. The crowd adored him; after
all, he had safeguarded the purposes of the French Revolution through
theintensepoliticking that had followed it. The year before, he had initiated
the Reign of Terror, which cleansed the revolution of its enemies by sending
them to the guillotine. He had also helped guide the country through a war
against the Austrians and the Prussians. What made crowds, and particularly
women, love him was his incorruptible virtue (he lived very modestly), his
refusal to compromise, the passion for the revolution that was evident in
everything he did, and the romantic language of his speeches, which could not
fail to inspire. He was a god. The day was beautiful and augured a great future
for the revolution. Two months later, on July 26, Robespierre delivered a
speech that he thought would ensure his place in history, for he intended to
hint at the end of the Terror and a new era for France. Rumor also had it that
he was to call for a last handful of people to be sent to the guillotine, a
final group that threatened the safety of the revolution. Mounting the rostrum
to address the country's governing convention, Robespierre wore the same
clothes he had worn on the day of the festival. The speech was long, almost
three hours, and included an impassioned description of the values and virtues
he had helped protect. There was also talk of conspiracies, treacery, unnamed
enemies. The response was enthusiastic, but a little less so than usual. The
speech had tired many representatives. Then a lone voice was heard, that of a
man named Bourdon, who spoke against printing Robespierre's speech, a veiled
sign of disapproval. Suddenly others stood up on all sides, and accused him of
vagueness: he had talked of conspiracies and threats without naming the guilty.
Asked to be specific, he refused, preferring to name names later on. The next
day Robespierre stood to defend his speech, and the representatives shouted him
down. A few hours later, he was the one sent to the guillotine. On July 28,
amid a gathering of citizens who seemed to be in an even more festive mood than
at the Festival of the Supreme Being, Robespierre's head fell into the basket,
to resounding cheers. The Reign of Terror was over. Many of those who seemed to
admire Robespierre actually harbored a gnawing resentment of him-he was so
virtuous, so superior, it was oppressive. Some of these men had plotted against
him, and were waiting for the slightest sign of weakness-which appeared on that
fateful day when he gave his last speech. In refusing to name his enemies, he
had shown either a desire to end the bloodshed or a fear that they would strike
at him before he could have them killed. Fed by the conspirators, this one
spark turned into fire. Within two days, first a governing body and then a
nation turned against a Charismatic who two months before had been revered.
Charisma is as volatile as the emotions it stirs. Most often it stirs
sentiments of love. But such feelings are hard to maintain. Psychologists talk
of "erotic fatigue"-the moments after love in which you feel tired of
it, resentful. Reality creeps in, love turns to hate. Erotic fatigue is a
threat to all Charismatics. The Charismatic often wins love by acting the
savior, rescuing people from some difficult circumstance, but once they feel
secure, charisma is less seductive to them. Charismatics need danger and risk.
They are not plodding bureaucrats; some of them deliberately keep danger going,
as de Gaulle and Kennedy were wont to do, or as Robespierre did through the
Reign of Terror. But people tire of this, and at your first sign of weakness
they turn on you. The love they showed before will be matched by their hatred
now. The only defense is to master your charisma. Your passion, your anger,
your confidence make you charismatic, but too much charisma for too long
creates fatigue, and a desire for calmness and order. The better kind of
charisma is created consciously and is kept under control. When you need to you
can glow with confidence and fervor, inspiring the masses. But when the
adventure is over, you can settle into a routine, turning the heat,out, but
down. (Robespierre may have been planning that move, but it came a day too
late.) People will admire your self-control and adaptability. Their love affair
with you will move closer to the habitual affection of a man and wife. You will
even have the leeway to look a little boring, a little simple-a role that can
also seem charismatic, if played correctly. Remember: charisma depends on
success, and the best way to maintain success, after the initial charismatic
rush, is to be practical and even cautious. Mao Zedong was a distant, enigmatic
man who for many had an awe-inspiring charisma. He suffered many setbacks that
would have spelled the end of a less clever man, but after each reversal he
retreated, becoming practical, tolerant, flexible; at least for a while. This
protected him from the dangers of a counterreaction. There is another
alternative: to play the armed prophet. According to Machiavelli, although a
prophet may acquire power through his charismatic personality, he cannot long
survive without the strength to back it up. He needs an army. The masses will
tire of him; they will need to be forced. Being an armed prophet may not
literally involve arms, but it demands a forceful side to your character, which
you can back up with action. Unfortunately this means being merciless with your
enemies for as long as you retain power. And no one creates more bitter enemies
than the Charismatic. Finally, there is nothing more dangerous than succeeding
a Charismatic. These characters are unconventional, and their rule is personal
in style, ing stamped with the wildness of their personalities. They often
leave chaos in their wake. The one who follows after a Charismatic is left with
a mess, which the people, however, do not see. They miss their inspirer and
blame the successor. Avoid this situation at all costs. If it is unavoidable,
do not try to continue what the Charismatic started; go in a new direction. By
being practical, trustworthy, and plain-speaking, you can often generate a
strange kind of charisma through contrast. That was how Harry Truman not only
survived the legacy of Roosevelt but established his own type of charisma.
Daily life is harsh, and most of us constantly seek escape from it in fantasies
and dreams. Stars feed on this weakness; standing outfrom others through a
distinctive and appealing style, they make us want to watch them. At the same
time, they are vague and ethereal, keeping their distance, and letting us
imagine more than is there. Their dreamlike quality works on our unconscious;
we are not even aware how much we imitate them. Learn to become an object
offascination by projecting the glittering but elusive presence of the Star.
The Fetishistic Star O ne day in 1922, in Berlin, Germany, a casting call went
out for the part of a voluptuous young woman in a film called Tragedy of Love.
Of the hundreds of struggling young actresses who showed up, most would do
anything to get the casting director's attention, including exposing
themselves. There was one young woman in the line, however, who was simply
dressed, and performed none of the other girls' desperate antics. Yet she stood
out anyway. The girl carried a puppy on a leash, and had draped an elegant
necklace around the puppy's neck. The casting director noticed her immediately.
He watched her as she stood in line, calmly holding the dog in her arms and
keeping to herself. When she smoked a cigarette, her gestures were slow and
suggestive. He was fascinated by her legs and face, the sinuous way she moved,
the hint of coldness in her eyes. By the time she had come to the front, he had
already cast her. Her name was Marlene Dietrich. By 1929, when the Austrian-American
director Josef von Sternberg arrived in Berlin to begin work on the film The
Blue Angel, the twenty- seven-year-old Dietrich was well known in the Berlin
film and theater world. The Blue Angel was to be about a woman called Lola-Lola
who preys sadistically on men, and all of Berlin's best actresses wanted the
part-except, apparently, Dietrich, who made it known that she thought the role
demeaning; von Sternberg should choose from the other actresses he had in mind.
Shortly after arriving in Berlin, however, von Sternberg attended a performance
of a musical to watch a male actor he was considering for The Blue Angel The
star of the musical was Dietrich, and as soon as she came onstage, von
Sternberg found that he could not take his eyes off her. She stared at him
directly, insolently, like a man; and then there were those legs, and the way
she leaned provocatively against the wall. Von Sternberg forgot about the actor
he had come to see. He had found his Lola-Lola. Von Sternberg managed to convince
Dietrich to take the part, and immediately he went to work, molding her into
the Lola of his imagination. He changed her hair, drew a silver line down her
nose to make it seem thinner, taught her to look at the camera with the
insolence he had seen onstage. When filming began, he created a lighting
systemjust for her-a light that tracked her wherever she went, and was
strategically heightened by gauze and smoke. Obsessed with his
"creation," he followed her everywhere. No one else could go near
her. The cool, brightface which didn't ask for anything, which simply existed,
waiting-it was an empty face, he thought; a face that could change with any
wind of expression. One could dream into it anything. It was like a beautiful
empty house waiting for carpets and pictures. It had all possibilities-it could
become a palace or a brothel. It depended on the one who fdled it. How limited
by comparison was all that was already completed and labeled. - ERICH MARIA
REMARQUE, ON MARLENE DIETRICH, ARCH OF TRIUMPH Marlene Dietrich is not an
actress, like Sarah Bernhardt; she is a myth, like Phryne. -ANDRE: MALRAUX,
QUOTED IN EDGAR MORIN, THE STARS. TRANSLATED BY RICHARD HOWARD When Pygmalion
saw these women, living such wicked lives, he was revolted by the many faults
which nature has implanted in thefemale sex, and long lived a bachelor
existence, without any wife to share his home. But meanwhile, with marvelous
artistry, he skillfully carved a snowy ivory statue. He made it lovelier than
any woman born, and fell in love with his own creation. The statue had all the
appearance of a real girl, so that it seemed to be alive, to want to move, did
not modesty forbid. So cleverly did his art conceal its art. Pygmalion gazed in
wonder, and in his heart there rose a passionate love for this image of a human
form. Often he ran his hands over the work, feeling it to see whether it was
flesh or ivory, and would not yet admit thativory was all it was. He kissed the
statue, and imagined that it kissed him back, spoke to it and embraced it, and
thought he felt his fingers sink into the limbs he touched, so that he was
afraid lest a bruise appear where he had pressed the flesh. Sometimes he
addressed it in flattering speeches, sometimes brought the kind of presents
that girls enjoy. . . . He dressed the limbs of his statue in woman's robes,
and put rings on its fingers, long necklaces round its neck. . . . All this
finery became the image well, but it was no less lovely unadorned. Pygmalion
then placed the statue on a couch that was covered with cloths of Tynan purple,
laid its head to rest on soft down pillows, as if it could appreciate them, and
called it his bedfellow. • The festival of Venus, which is celebrated with the
greatest The Blue Angel was a huge success in Germany. Audiences were
fascinated with Dietrich: that cold, brutal stare as she spread her legs over a
stool, baring her underwear; her effortless way of commanding attention on
screen. Others besides von Sternberg became obsessed with her. A man dying of
cancer. Count Sascha Kolowrat, had one last wish: to see Marlene's legs in
person. Dietrich obliged, visiting him in the hospital and lifting up her
skirt; he sighed and said "Thank you. Now I can die happy." Soon
Paramount Studios brought Dietrich to Hollywood, where everyone was quickly
talking about her. At a party, all eyes would turn toward her when she came
into the room. She would be escorted by the most handsome men in Hollywood, and
would be wearing an outfit both beautiful and unusual-gold-lame pajamas, a
sailor suit with a yachting cap. The next day the look would be copied by women
all over town; next it would spread to magazines, and a whole new trend would
start. The real object of fascination, however, was unquestionably Dietrich's
face. What had enthralled von Sternberg was her blankness-with a simple
lighting trick he could make that face do whatever he wanted. Dietrich
eventually stopped working with von Sternberg, but never forgot what he had
taught her. One night in 1951, the director Fritz Lang, who was about to direct
her in the film Rancho Notorious, was driving past his office when he saw a
light flash in the window. Fearing a burglary, he got out of his car, crept up
the stairs, and peeked through the crack in the door: it was Diet- rich taking
pictures of herself in the mirror, studying her face from every angle. Marlene
Dietrich had a distance from her own self: she could study her face, her legs,
her body, as if she were someone else. This gave her the ability to mold her
look, transforming her appearance for effect. She could pose in just the way
that would most excite a man, her blankness letting him see her according to
his fantasy, whether of sadism, voluptuousness, or danger. And every man who
met her, or who watched her on screen, fantasized endlessly about her. The
effect worked on women as well; in the words of one writer, she projected
"sex without gender." But this selfdistance gave her a certain
coldness, whether on film or in person. She was like a beautiful object,
something to fetishize and admire the way we admire a work of art. The fetish
is an object that commands an emotional response and that makes us breathe life
into it. Because it is an object we can imagine whatever we want to about it.
Most people are too moody, complex, and reactive to let us see them as objects
that we can fetishize. The power of the Fetishistic Star comes from an ability
to become an object, and notjust any object but an object we fetishize, one
that stimulates a variety of fantasies. Fetishistic Stars are perfect, like the
statue of a Greek god or goddess. The effect is startling, and seductive. Its
principal requirement is self-distance. If you see yourself as an object, then
others will too. An ethereal, dreamlike air will heighten the effect. You are a
blank screen. Float through life noncommittally and people will want to seize
you and consume you. Of all the parts of your bodythat draw this fetishistic
attention, the strongest is the face; so learn to tune your face like an
instrument, making it radiate a fascinating vagueness for effect. And since you
will have to stand out from other Stars in the sky, you will need to develop an
attention-getting style. Dietrich was the great practitioner of this art; her
style was chic enough to dazzle, weird enough to enthrall. Remember, your own
image and presence are materials you can control. The sense that you are
engaged in this kind of play will make people see you as superior and worthy of
imitation. She had such natural poise . . . such an economy of gesture, that she
became as absorbing as a Modigliani. . . . She had the one essential star
quality: she could be magnificent doing nothing. -BERLIN ACTRESS LILI DARVAS ON
MARLENE DIETRICH The Mythic Star O n July 2, 1960, a few weeks before that
year's Democratic National Convention, former President Harry Truman publicly
stated that John F. Kennedy-who had won enough delegates to be chosen his
party's candidate for the presidency-was too young and inexperienced for the
job. Kennedy's response was startling: he called a press conference, to be
televised live, and nationwide, on July 4. The conference's drama was
heightened by the fact that he was away on vacation, so that no one saw or
heard from him until the event itself. Then, at the appointed hour, Kennedy
strode into the conference room like a sheriff entering Dodge City. He began by
stating that he had run in all of the state primaries, at considerable expense
of money and effort, and had beaten his opponents fairly and squarely. Who was
Truman to circumvent the democratic process? "This is a young
country," Kennedy went on, his voice getting louder, "founded by
young men . . . and still young in heart. . . . The world is changing, the old
ways will not do, . . . It is time for a new generation of leadership to cope
with new problems and new opportunities." Even Kennedy's enemies agreed
that his speech that day was stirring. He turned Truman's challenge around: the
issue was not his inexperience but the older generation's monopoly on power.
His style was as eloquent as his words, for his performance evoked films of the
time-Alan Ladd in Shane confronting the corrupt older ranchers, or James Dean
in Rebel Without a Cause. Kennedy even resembled Dean, particularly in his air
of cool detachment. A few months later, now approved as the Democrats'
presidential candidate, Kennedy squared off against his Republican opponent,
Richard Nixon, in their first nationally televised debate. Nixon was sharp; he
knew pomp all through Cyprus, was now in progress, andheifers, their crooked horns
gildedfor the occasion, had fallen at the altar as the axe struck their snowy
necks. Smoke was rising from the incense, when Pygmalion, having made his
offering, stood by the altar and timidly prayed, saying: "If you gods can
give all things, may I have as my wife, I pray-"henot dare to say:
"the ivory maiden," but finished: "one like the golden Venus,
present at her festival in person, understood what his prayers meant, and as a
sign that the gods were kindly disposed, the flames burned up three times,
shooting a tongue of fire into the air. When Pygmalion returned home, he made
straight for the statue of the girl he loved, leaned over the couch, and kissed
her. She seemed : he laid his lips on hers again, and touched her breast with
his hands-at his touch the ivory lost its hardness, and grew soft. -OVID
,METAMORPHOSES, TR ANS L ATEDB YM AR YM .INNES [John F.] Kennedy brought to
television news and photojournalism the components most prevalent in the world
of film: star quality and mythic story. his telegenic looks, skills at self
presentation, heroic fantasies, and creative intelligence, Kennedy was
brilliantly prepared to project a major screen persona. He appropriated the
discourses of mass culture, especially of Hollywood, and transferred them to the
news. By this strategy he made the news like dreams and like the movies-a realm
in which images played out scenarios that accorded with the viewer's deepest
yearnings. . . . Never appearing in an actual fdm, but rather turning the
television apparatus into his screen, he became the greatest movie star of the
twentieth century. -JOHN HELLMANN, THE KENNEDY OBSESSION: THE MYTH OF JFK But
we have seen that, considered as a total the stars repeats, in its own
proportions, the history of the gods. Before the gods (before the stars) the
mythical universe (the screen) was peopled with specters or phantoms with the
glamour and magic of the double. • Several of these presences have
progressively assumed body and substance, have taken form, amplified, and
flowered into gods andgoddesses. And even as certain major gods of the ancient
pantheons metamorphose themselves into hero-gods of salvation, the
star-goddesses humanize and become new mediators between the fantastic world of
dreams and man's daily life on earth. . . . • The heroes of the movies . . .
are, in an obviously attenuated way, mythological heroes in this of becoming
divine. The star is the actor or actress who absorbs some of the heroic - i.e.,
divinized and mythic-substance of the hero or heroine of theenriches this
substance by the answers to the questions and debated with
aplomb,quotingstatisticson the accomplishments of the Eisenhower
administration, in which he had served as vice-president. But beneath the glare
of the cameras, on black and white television, he was a ghastly figure-his five
o'clock shadow covered up with powder, streaks of sweat on his brow and cheeks,
his face drooping with fatigue, his eyes shifting and blinking, his body rigid.
What was he so worried about? The contrast with Kennedy was startling. If Nixon
looked only at his opponent, Kennedy looked out at the audience, making eye
contact with his viewers, addressing them in their living rooms as no
politician had ever done before. If Nixon talked data and niggling points of
debate, Kennedy spoke of freedom, of building a new society, of recapturing
America's pioneer spirit. His manner was sincere and emphatic. His words were
not specific, but he made his listeners imagine a wonderful future. The day
after the debate, Kennedy's poll numbers soared miraculously, and wherever he
went he was greeted by crowds of young girls, screaming andjumping. His
beautiful wife Jackie by his side, he was a kind of democratic prince. Now his
television appearances were events. He was in due course elected president, and
his inaugural address, also broadcast on television, was stirring. It was a
cold and wintry day. In the background, Eisenhower sat huddled in coat and
scarf, looking old and beaten. But Kennedy stood hatless and coatless to
address the nation: "I do not believe that any of us would exchange places
with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the
devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who
serve it-and the glow from that fire can truly light the world." Over the
months to come Kennedy gave innumerable live press conferences before the TV
cameras, something no previous president had dared. Facing the firing squad of
lenses and questions, he was unafraid, speaking coolly and slightly ironically.
What was going on behind those eyes, that smile? People wanted to know more
about him. The magazines teased its readers with information-photographs of
Kennedy with his wife and children, or playing football on the White House
lawn, interviews creating a sense of him as a devoted family man, yet one who
mingled as an equal with glamorous stars. The images all melted together-the
space race, the Peace Corps, Kennedy facing up to the Soviets during the Cuban
missile crisis just as he had faced up to Truman. After Kennedy was
assassinated, Jackie said in an interview that before he went to bed, he would
often play the soundtracks to Broadway musicals, and his favorite of these was
Camelot, with its lines, "Don't let it be forgot / that once there was a spot
/ For one brief shining moment / That was known as Camelot." There would
be great presidents again, Jackie said, but never "another Camelot."
The name "Camelot" seemed to stick, making Kennedy's thousand days in
office resonate as myth. Kennedy's seduction of the American public was
conscious and calculated. It was also more Hollywood than Washington, which was
not surprising: Kennedy's father, Joseph, had once been a movie producer, and
Kennedy himself had spent time in Hollywood, hobnobbing with actors and trying
to figure out what made them stars. He was particularly fascinated with Gary
Cooper, Montgomery Clift, and Cary Grant; he often called Grant for advice.
Hollywood had found ways to unite the entire country around certain themes, or
myths-often the great American myth of the West. The great stars embodied
mythic types: John Wayne the patriarch, Clift the Promethean rebel, Jimmy
Stewart the noble hero, Marilyn Monroe the siren. These were not mere mortals
but gods and goddesses to be dreamed and fantasized about. All of Kennedy's
actions were framed in the conventions of Hollywood. He did not argue with his
opponents, he confronted them dramatically. He posed, and in visually
fascinating ways-whether with his wife,withhis children, or alone onstage. He
copied the facial expressions, the presence, of a Dean or a Cooper. He did not
discuss policy details but waxed eloquent about grand mythic themes, the kind
that could unite a divided nation. And all this was calculated for television,
for Kennedy mostly existed as a televised image. That image haunted our dreams.
Well before his assassination, Kennedy attracted fantasies of America's lost
innocence with his call for a renaissance of the pioneer spirit, a New
Frontier. Of all the character types, the Mythic Star is perhaps the most
powerful of all. People are divided by all kinds of consciously recognized
categories- race, gender, class, religion, politics. It is impossible, then, to
gain power on a grand scale, or to win an election, by drawing on conscious
awareness; an appeal to any one group will only alienate another.
Unconsciously, however, there is much we share. All of us are mortal, all of us
know fear, all of us have been stamped with the imprint of parent figures; and
nothing conjures up this shared experience more than myth. The patterns of
myth, born out of warring feelings of helplessness on the one hand and thirst
for on the other, are deeply engraved in us all. Mythic Stars are figures of
myth come to life. To appropriate their power, you must first study their
physical presence-how they adoptadistinctive style, are cool and visually
arresting. Then you must assume the pose of a mythic figure; the rebel, the
wise patriarch, the adventurer. (The pose of a Star who has struck one of these
mythic poses might do the trick.) these connections vague; they should never be
obvious to the conscious mind. Your words and actions should invite
interpretation beyond surface appearance; you should seem to be dealing not
with specific, nitty-gritty issues and details but with matters of life and
death, love and hate, authority and chaos. Your opponent, similarly, should be
framed not merely as an enemy for reasons of ideology or competition but as a
villain, a demon. People are hopelessly susceptible to myth, so make yourself
the hero of a great drama. And keep your distance-let people identify with you
without being able to touch you. They can only watch and dream. his or her own
contribution. When we speak of the myth of the star, we mean first of all the
process of divinization which the movie actor undergoes, a process that makes
him the idol of crowds. -EDGAR MORIN, THE STARS, TRANSLATED BY RICHARD HOWARD
Age: 22, Sex: female, Nationality: British, Profession: medical student
"[Deanna Durbin] became my first and only screen idol. I wanted to be as
much like her as possible,both in my manners andclothes. Whenever I was to get
a new dress, I would find from my collection a particularly nice picture of
Deanna and ask for a dress she was wearing. I did my hair as much like hers as
1 could manage. If I found myself in any annoying or aggravating situation . .
. I found myself wondering what Deanna would do and modified my own reactions
accordingly. ..." • Age: 26, Sex: female, Nationality: British "I
only fell in once with a movie actor. It was Conrad Veidt. His magnetism and
his personality got me. His voice and gestures fascinated me. I hated him,
feared him, loved him. When he died it seemed to me that a vital part of my
died too, and my world of dreams was bare. " -J. P. MAYER, BRITISH CINEMAS
AND THEIR AUDIENCES The savage worships idols of wood and stone; the civilized
man, idols of flesh and blood. -GEORGE BERNARD SHAW When the eye's rays some
clear, well- polished object-be it burnished steel or glass or water, a
brilliant stone, or other polished and gleaming substance having luster,
glitter, and sparkle . . . those rays of the eye are reflected back, and the
observer then beholds himself and obtains an ocular vision of his own person.
This is what you see when you look into a mirror; in that situation you are as
it were looking at yourself through the eyes of another. -IBN HAZM, THE RING OF
THE DOVE:A TREATISE ON THE ART AND PRACTICE OF ARAB , TRANSLATED BY A.J.
ARBERRY The only important constellation of collective seduction produced by
modern times [is] that of film stars or cinema idols. . . . They were our only
myth in an age incapable of generating great myths or figures of seduction
comparable to those of mythology or art. • The cinema's power lives in its
myth. Its stones, its psychological portraits, its imagination or realism, the
meaningful impressions it leaves-these are all secondary. Only the myth is
powerful, and at the heart of the cinematographic myth lies seduction-that of
the renowned seductive figure, a man or woman (but Jack's life had more to do
with myth, magic, legend, saga, and story than with political theory or
political science. -JACQUELINE KENNEDY, A WEEK AFTER JOHN KENNEDY'S DEATH Keys
to the Character Seduction is a form of persuasion that seeks to bypass
consciousness, stirring the unconscious mind instead. The reason for this is
simple: we are so surrounded by stimuli that compete for our attention,
bombarding us with obvious messages, and by people who are overtly political and
manipulative, that we are rarely charmed or deceived by them. We have grown
increasingly cynical. Try to persuade a person by appealing to their
consciousness, by saying outright what you want, by showing all your cards, and
what hope do you have? You are just one more irritation to be tuned out. To
avoid this fate you must learn the art of insinuation, of reaching the
unconscious. The most eloquent expression of the unconscious is the dream,
which is intricately connected to myth; waking from a dream, we are often
haunted by its images and ambiguous messages. Dreams obsess us because they mix
the real and the unreal. They are filled with real characters, and often deal
with real situations, yet they are delightfully irrational, pushing realities
to the extremes of delirium. If everything in a dream were realistic, it would
have no power over us; if everything were unreal, we would feel less involved
in its pleasures and fears. Its fusion of the two is what makes it haunting.
This is what Freud called the "uncanny": something that seems
simultaneously strange and familiar. We sometimes experience the uncanny in
waking life-in a deja vu, a miraculous coincidence, a weird event that recalls
a childhood experience. People can have a similar effect. The gestures, the
words, the very being of men like Kennedy or Andy Warhol, for example, evoke
both the real and the unreal: we may not realize it (and how could we, really),
but they are like dream figures to us. They have qualities that anchor them in
reality- sincerity, playfulness, sensuality-but at the same time their
aloofness, their superiority, their almost surreal quality makes them seem like
something out of a movie. These types have a haunting, obsessive effect on
people. Whether in public or in private, they seduce us, making us want to
possess them both physically and psychologically. But how can we possess a
person from a dream, or a movie star or political star, or even one of those
real-life fascinators, like a Warhol, who may cross our path? Unable to have
them, we become obsessed with them-they haunt our thoughts, our dreams, our
fantasies. We imitate them unconsciously. The psychologist Sandor Fer- enczi
calls this "introjection": another person becomes part of our ego, we
internalize their character. That is the insidious seductive power of a Star, a
power you can appropriate by making yourself into a cipher, a mix of the real
and the unreal. Most people are hopelessly banal; that is, far too real. What
you need to do is etherealize yourself. Your words and actions seem to come
from your unconscious-have a certain looseness to them. You hold yourself back,
occasionally revealing a trait that makes people wonder whether they really
know you. The Star is a creation of modern cinema. That is no surprise: film
recreates the dream world. We watch a movie in the dark, in a semisomno- lent
state. The images are real enough, and to varying degrees depict realistic
situations, but they are projections, flickering lights, images-we know they
are not real. It as if we were watching someone else's dream. It was the
cinema, not the theater, that created the Star. On a theater stage, actors are
far away, lost in the crowd, too real in their bodily presence. What enabled
film to manufacture the Star was the close-up, which suddenly separates actors
from their contexts, filling your mind with their image. The close-up seems to
reveal something not so much about the character they are playing but about
themselves. We glimpse something of Greta Garbo herself when we look so closely
into her face. Never forget this while fashioning yourself as a Star. First,
you must have such a large presence that you can fill your target's mind the
way a close-up fills the screen. You must have a style or presence that makes
you stand out from everyone else. Be vague and dreamlike, yet not distant or
absent-you don't want people to be unable to focus on or remember you. They
have to be seeing you in their minds when you're not there. Second, cultivate a
blank, mysterious face, the center that radiates Starness. This allows people
to read into you whatever they want to, imagining they can see yourcharacter,
even your soul. Instead of signaling moods and emotions, instead of emoting or
overemoting, the Star draws in interpretations. That is the obsessive power in
the face of Garbo or Dietrich, or even of Kennedy, who molded his expressions
on James Dean's. A living thing is dynamic and changing while an object or
image is passive, but in its passivity it stimulates our fantasies. A person can
gain that power by becoming a kind of object. The great eighteenth-century
charlatan Count Saint-Germain was in many ways a precursor of the Star. He
would suddenly appear in town, no one knew from where; he spoke many languages,
but his accent belonged to no single country. Nor was it clear how old he
was-not young, clearly, but his face had a healthy glow. The count only went
out at night. He always wore black, and also spectacular jewels. Arriving at
the court of Louis XV, he was an instant sensation; he reeked wealth, but no
one knew its source. He made the king and Madame de Pompadour believe he had
fantastic powers, including even the ability to turn base matter into gold (the
gift of the Philosopher's Stone), but he never made any great claims for himself;
it was all insinuation. He never said yes or no, only perhaps. He would sit
down for dinner but was never seen eating. He once gave Madame de Pompadour a
gift of candies in a box that changed color and aspect depending on how she
held it; this entrancing object, she said, reminded her of the count himself.
Saint- Germain painted the strangest paintings anyone had ever seen-the colors
above all a woman) linked to the ravishing but specious power of the
cinematographic image itself. . . . • The star is by no means an ideal or
sublime being: she is artificial. . . . Her presence serves to submerge all
sensibility and expression beneath a ritual fascination with the void, beneath
ecstasy of her gaze and the nullity of her smile. This is how she achieves mythical
status and becomes subject to collective rites of sacrificial adulation. • The
ascension of the cinema idols, the masses' divinities, was and remains a
central story of modern times. . . . There is no point in dismissing it as
merely the dreams of mystified masses. It is a seductive occurrence. ..."
To be sure, seduction in the age of the masses is no longer like that of. . .
Les Liaisons Dangereuses or The Seducer's Diary, nor for that matter, like that
found in ancient mythology, which undoubtedly contains the stories richest in
seduction. In these seduction is hot, while that of our modern idols is cold,
being at the intersection of two cold mediums, that of the image and that of
the masses. . . . • The great stars or seductresses neverdazzle because of
their talent or intelligence, but because of their absence. They are dazzling
in their nullity, and in their coldness-the coldness of makeup and ritual
hieraticism. . . . • These great seductive effigies are our masks, our Eastern
Island statues. -JEAN BAUDRILLARD, SEDUCTION. TRANSLATED BY BRIAN SINGER If you
want to know all about Andy Warhol, just look at the surface of my paintings
and fdms and me, and there I am. There's nothing behind it. -ANDY WARHOL,
QUOTED IN STEPHEN KOCH, STARGAZER: THE UFE. WORLD & FILMS OF ANDY WARHOL
were so vibrant that when he paintedjewels, people thought they were real.
Painters were desperate to know his secrets but he never revealed them. He
would leave town as he had entered, suddenly and quietly. His greatest admirer
was Casanova, who met him and never forgot him. When he died, no one believed
it; years, decades, a century later, people were certain he was hiding
somewhere. A person with powers like his never dies. The count had all the Star
qualities. Everything about him was ambiguous and open to interpretation.
Colorful and vibrant, he stood out from the crowd. People thought he was
immortal, just as a star seems neither to age nor to disappear. His words were
like his presence-fascinating, diverse, strange, their meaning unclear. Such is
thepower you can command by transforming yourself into a glittering object.
Andy Warhol too obsessed everyone who knew him. He had a distinctive
style-those silver wigs-and his face was blank and mysterious. People never
knew what he was thinking; like his paintings, he was pure surface. In the
quality of their presence Warhol and Saint-Germain recall the great trompe
l'oeil paintings of the seventeenth century, or the prints of M. C.
Escher-fascinating mixtures of realism and impossibility, which make people
wonder if they are real or imaginary. A Star must stand out, and this may
involve a certain dramatic flair, of the kind that Dietrich revealed in her
appearances at parties. Sometimes, though, a more haunting, dreamlike effect can
be created by subtle touches: the way you smoke a cigarette, a vocal
inflection, a way of walking. It isoften the little things that get under
people's skin, and make them imitate you-the lock of hair over Veronica Lake's
right eye, Cary Grant's voice, Kennedy's ironic smile. Although these nuances
may barely register to the conscious mind, subliminally they can be as
attractive as an object with a striking shape or odd color. Unconsciously we
are strangely drawn to things that have no meaning beyond their fascinating
appearance. Stars make us want to know more about them. You must learn to
stirpeople's curiosity by letting them glimpse something in your private life,
something that seems to reveal an element of your personality. Let them
fantasize and imagine. A trait that often triggers this reaction is a hint of
spirituality, which can be devilishly seductive, like James Dean's interest in
Eastern philosophy and the occult. Hints of goodness and big-heartedness can
have a similar effect. Stars are like the gods on Mount Olympus, who live for
love and play. The things you love-people, hobbies, animals- reveal the kind of
moral beauty that people like to see in a Star. Exploit this desire by showing
people peeks of your private life, the causes you fight for, the person you are
in love with (for the moment). Another way Stars seduce is by making us
identify with them, giving us a vicarious thrill. This was what Kennedy did in
his press conference about Truman: in positioning himself as a young man
wronged by an older man, evoking an archetypal generational conflict, he made
young people identify with him. (The popularity in Hollywood movies of the
figure of the disaffected, wronged adolescent helped him here.) The key is to
represent a type, as Jimmy Stewart represented the quintessential
middle-American, Cary Grant the smooth aristocrat. People of your type will
gravitate to you, identify with you, share your joy or pain.The attraction must
be unconscious, conveyed not in your words but in your pose, your attitude. Now
more than ever, people are insecure, and their identities are in flux. Help
them fix on a role to play in life and they will flock to identify with you.
Simply make your type dramatic, noticeable, and easy to imitate. The power you
have in influencing people's sense of self in this manner is insidious and
profound. Remember: everyone is a public performer. People never know exactly
what you think or feel; they judge you on your appearance. You are an actor.
And the most effective actors have an inner distance: like Dietrich, they can
mold their physical presence as if they perceived it from the outside. This
inner distance fascinates us. Stars are playful about themselves, always
adjusting their image, adapting it to the times. Nothing is more laughable than
an image that was fashionable ten years ago but isn't any more. Stars must
always renew their luster or face the worst possible fate: oblivion. Symbol:
The Idol. A piece of stone can'ed into the shape of a god, perhaps glittering
with gold and jewels. The eyes of the worshippers fill the stone with life,
imagining it to have real powers. Its shape allows them to see what they want
to see-a god-but it is actually just a piece of stone. The god lives in their
imaginations. Dangers Starscreateillusions that are pleasurable to see. The
danger is that people tire of them-the illusion no longer fascinates-and turn
to another Star. Let this happen and you will find it very difficult to regain
your place in the galaxy. You must keep all eyes on you at any cost. Do not
worry about notoriety, or about slurs on your image; we are remarkably
forgiving of our Stars. After the death of President Kennedy, all kinds of
unpleasant truths came to light about him-the endless affairs, the addiction to
risk and danger. None of this diminished his appeal, and in fact the public
still considers him one of America's greatest presidents. Errol Flynn faced
many scandals, including a notorious rape case; they only enhanced his rakish
image. Once people have recognized a Star, any kind of publicity, even bad,
simply feeds the obsession. Of course you can go too far: people like a Star to
have a transcendent beauty, and too much human frailty will eventually
disillusion them. But bad publicity is less of a danger than disappearing for
too long, or growing too distant. You cannot haunt people's dreams if they
never see you. At the same time, you cannot let the public get too familiar
with you, or let your image become predictable. People will turn against you in
an instant if you begin to bore them, for boredom is the ultimate social evil.
Perhaps thegreatest danger Stars face is the endless attention they elicit.
Obsessive attention can become disconcerting and worse. As any attractive woman
can attest, it is tiring to be gazed at all the time, and the effect can be
destructive, as is shown by the story of Marilyn Monroe. The solution is to
develop the kind of distance from yourself that Dietrich had-take the attention
and idolatry with a grain of salt, and maintain a certain detachment from them.
Approach your own image playfully. Most important, never become obsessed with
the obsessive quality of people's interest in you. in the anti-O jeducer
Seducers draw you in by the focused, individualized attention they pay to you.
Anti-Seducers are the opposite: insecure, self-absorbed, and unable to grasp
the psychology of another person, they literally repel. Anti- Seducers have no
self-awareness, and never realize when they are pestering, imposing, talking
too much. They lack the subtlety to create the promise of pleasure that
seduction requires. Root out anti-seductive qualities in yourself, and
recognize them in others-there is no pleasure or profit dealing with the
Anti-Seducer. Typology of the Anti-Seducers Anti-Seducers come in many shapes
and kinds, but almost all of them share a single attribute, the source of their
repellence: insecurity. We are all insecure, and we suffer for it. Yetwe are
able to surmount these feelings at times; a seductive engagement can bring us
out of our usual selfabsorption, and to the degree that we seduce or are
seduced, we feel charged and confident. Anti-Seducers, however, are insecure to
such a degree that they cannot be drawn into the seductive process. Their
needs, their anxieties, their self-consciousness close them off. They interpret
the slightest ambiguity on your part as a slight to their ego; they see the
merest hint of withdrawal as a betrayal, and are likely to complain bitterly
about it. It seems easy: Anti-Seducers repel, so be repelled-avoid them.
Unfortunately, however, many Anti-Seducers cannot be detected as such at first
glance. They are more subtle, and unless you are careful they will ensnare you
in a most unsatisfying relationship. You must look for clues to their
self-involvement and insecurity: perhaps they are ungenerous, or they argue
with unusual tenacity, or are excessively judgmental. Perhaps they lavish you
with undeserved praise, declaring their love before knowing anything about you.
Or, most important, they pay no attention to details. Since they cannot see
what makes you different, they cannot surprise you with nu- anced attention. It
is critical to recognize anti-seductive qualities not only in others but also
in ourselves. Almost all of us have one or two of the Anti-Seducer's qualities
latent in our character, and to the extent that we can consciously root them
out, we become more seductive. A lack of generosity, for instance, need not
signal an Anti-Seducer if it is a person's only fault, but an ungenerous person
is seldom truly attractive. Seduction implies opening yourself up, even if only
for the purposes of deception; being unable to give by spending money usually
means being unable to give in general. Stamp ungenerosity out. It is an
impediment to power and a gross sin in seduction. It is best to disengage from
Anti-Seducers early on, before they sink their needy tentacles into you, so
learn to read the signs. These are the main types. Count Lodovico then remarked
with a smile: "I promise you that our sensible courtier will never act so
stupidly to gain a woman's favor." • Cesare Gonzaga replied: "Nor so
stupidly as a gentleman I remember, of some repute, whom to spare men's blushes
I don't wish to mention by name. " • "Well, at least tell us what he
did," said the Duchess. • Then Cesare continued: "He was loved by a
very great lady, and at her request he came secretly to the town where she was.
After he had seen her and enjoyed her company for as long as she would let him
in the time, he sighed and wept bitterly, to show the anguish he was suffering
at having to leave her, and hebegged her never to forget him; and then he added
that she should pay for his lodging at the inn, since it was she who had sent
for him and he thought it only right, therefore, that he shouldn't be involved
in any expense over the journey." • At this, all the ladies began to laugh
and to say that the man concerned hardly deserved the name of gentleman; and
many of the men felt as ashamed as he should have been, had he ever had the
sense to recognize such disgraceful behavior for what it was. -BALDASSARE
CAST1GL10NE, THE BOOK OF THE COURTIER. TRANSLATED BY GEORGE BULL The Brute. If
seduction is a kind of ceremony or ritual, part of the pleasure is its
duration-the time it takes, the waiting that increases anticipation. Brutes
have no patience for such things; they are concerned only with their own
pleasure, never with yours. To be patient is to show that you are thinking of
the other person, which never fails to impress. Impatience has the opposite effect:
assuming you are so interested in them you have no reason to wait, Brutes
offend you with their egotism. Underneath that egotism, too, there is often a
gnawing sense of inferiority, and if you spurn them or make them wait, they
overreact. If you suspect you are dealing with a Brute, do a test-make that
person wait. His or her response will tell you everything you need to know. Let
us see now how love is diminished. This happens through the easy accessibility
of its consolations, through one's being able to see and converse lengthily
with a lover, through a lover's unsuitable garb and gait, and by the sudden
onset of poverty. . . . • Another cause of diminution of love is the
realization of the notoriety of one's lover, and accounts of his miserliness,
bad character, and general wickedness; also any affair with another woman, even
if it involves no feelings of love. Love is also diminished if a woman realizes
that her lover is foolish and undisceming, or if she sees him going too far in
demands of love, giving no thought to his partner's modesty nor wishing to
pardon her blushes. A faithful lover ought to choose the harshest pains of love
rather than by his demands cause his partner embarrassment, or take pleasure in
spurning her modesty; for one who thinks only of the outcome of his own
pleasure, and ignores the welfare of his partner, should be called a traitor
rather than a lover. • Love also suffers decrease if the woman realizes that
her lover is fearful in war, The Suffocator. Suffocators fall in love with you
before you are even half- aware of their existence. The trait is deceptive-you
might think they have found you overwhelming-but the fact is they suffer from
an inner void, a deep well of need that cannot be filled. Never get involved
with Suffocators; they are almost impossible to free yourself from without
trauma. They cling to you until you are forced to pull back, whereupon they
smother you with guilt. We tend to idealize a loved one, but love takes time to
develop. Recognize Suffocators by how quickly they adore you. To be so admired
may give a momentary boost to your ego, but deep inside you sense that their
intense emotions are not related to anything you have done. Tmst these
instincts. A subvariant of the Suffocator is the Doormat, a person who
slavishly imitates you. Spot these types early on by seeing whether they are
capable of having an idea of their own. An inability to disagree with you is a
bad sign. The Moralizer. Seduction is a game, and should be undertaken with a
light heart. All is fair in love and seduction; morality never enters the
picture. The character of the Moralizer, however, is rigid. These are people
who follow fixed ideas and try to make you bend to their standards. They want
to change you, to make you a better person, so they endlessly criticize and
judge-that is their pleasure in life. In truth, their moral ideas stem from
their own unhappiness, and mask their desire to dominate those around them.
Their inability to adapt and to enjoy makes them easy to recognize; their
mental rigidity mayalso be accompanied by a physical stiffness. It is hard not
to take their criticisms personally so it is better to avoid their presence and
their poisoned comments. The Tightwad. Cheapness signals more than a problem
with money. It is a sign of something constricted in a person's
character-something that keeps them from letting go or taking a risk. It is the
most anti-seductive trait of all, and you cannot allow yourself to give in to
it. Most tightwads do not realize they have a problem; they actually imagine
that when they give someone some paltry crumb, they are being generous. Take a
hard look at yourself-you are probably cheaper than you think. Try giving more
freely of both your money and yourself and you will see the seductive potential
in selective generosity. Of course you must keep your generosity under control.
Giving too much can be a sign of desperation, as if you were trying to buy
someone. The Bumbler. Bumblers are self-conscious, and their self-consciousness
heightens your own. At first you may think they are thinking about you, and so
much so that it makes them awkward. In fact they are only thinking of
themselves-worrying about how they look, or about the consequences for them of
their attempt to seduce you. Their worry is usually contagious: soon you are
worrying too, about yourself. Bumblers rarely reach the final stages of a
seduction, but if they get that far, they bungle that too. In seduction, the
key weapon is boldness, refusing the target the time to stop and think.
Bumblers have no sense of timing. You might find it amusing to try to train or
educate them, but if they are still Bumblers past a certain age, the case is
probably hopeless-they are incapable of getting outside themselves. or sees
that he has no patience, or is stained with the vice of pride. There is nothing
which appears more appropriate to the character of any lover than to be clad in
the adornment of humility, utterly untouched by the nakedness of pride. • Then
too the prolixity of a fool or a madman often diminishes love. There arc many
keen to prolong their crazy words in the presence of a woman, thinking that
they please her if they employ foolish, ill-judged language, but infact they
are strangely deceived. Indeed, he who thinks that his foolish behavior pleases
a wise woman suffers from the greatest poverty of sense. -ANDREAS
CAPELLANUS,"HOW LOVE IS DIMINISHED," TRANSLATED BY P. G.WALSH The
Windbag. The most effective seductions are driven by looks, indirect actions,
physical lures. Words have a place, but too much talk will generally break the
spell, heightening surface differences and weighing things down. People who
talkalotmostoften talk about themselves. They have never acquired that inner
voice that wonders. Am I boring you? To be a Windbag is to have a deep-rooted
selfishness. Never interrupt or argue with these types-that only fuels their
windbaggery. At all costs leam to control your own tongue. The Reactor.
Reactors are far too sensitive, not to you but to their own egos. They comb your
every word and action for signs of a slight to their vanity. If you
strategically back off, as you sometimes must in seduction, they will brood and
lash out at you. They are prone to whining and complaining, two very
anti-seductive traits. Test them by telling a gentlejoke or story at their
expense: we should all be able to laugh at ourselves a little, but the Reactor
cannot. You can read the resentment in their eyes. Erase any reactive qualities
in your own character-they unconsciously repel people. The Vulgarian.
Vulgarians are inattentive to the details that are so important in seduction.
You can see this in their personal appearance-their Real men \ Shouldn't primp
their good looks. . . . \ Keep pleasantly clean, take exercise, work up an
outdoor \ Tan; make quite sure that your toga fits \ And doesn't show spots;
don't lace your shoes too tightly \ Or ignore any rusty buckles, or slop \
Around in too large a fitting. Don't let some incompetent barber \ Ruin your
looks: both hair andbeard demand \ Expert attention. Keep your nails pared, and
dirt-free; \ Don't let those long hairs sprout \ In your nostrils, make sure
your breath is never offensive, \ Avoid the rank male stench \ That wrinkles
noses. ... \ I was about to warn you [women] against rank goatish armpits \ And
bristling hair on your legs, \ But I'm not instructing hillbilly girls from the
Caucasus, \ Or Mysian river-hoydens-so what need \ To remind you not to let
your teeth get all discolored \ Through neglect, or forget to wash \ Your hands
every morning? You know how to brighten your complexion \ With powder, add
rouge to a bloodless face, \ Skillfully block in the crude outline of an
eyebrow, \ Stick a patch on one flawless cheek. \ You don't shrink from lining
your eyes with dark mascara \ Or a touch of Cilician saffron. . . . \ But don't
let your lover find all those jars and bottles \ On your dressing- table: the
best \ Makeup remains unobtrusive. A face so thickly plastered \ With pancake
it runs down your sweaty neck \ Is bound to create repulsion. And that goo from
unwashed fleeces - \ Athenian maybe, but my dear, the smell !- \ That's used
for face-cream: avoid it. When you have company \ Don't dab stuff on your
pimples, don't start cleaning your teeth: \ The result may be attractive, but the
process is sickening. . . . - OVID, THE ART OF LOVE. TRANSLATED BY PETER GREEN
clothes are tasteless by any standard-and in their actions: they do not know
that it is sometimes better to control oneself and refuse to give in to one's
impulses. Vulgarians will blab, saying anything in public. They have no sense
of timing and are rarely in harmony with your tastes. Indiscretion is a sure
sign of the Vulgarian (talking to others of your affair, for example); it may
seem impulsive, but its real source is their radical selfishness, their
inability to see themselves as others see them. More than just avoiding
Vulgarians, you must make yourself their opposite-tact, style, and attention to
detail are all basic requirements of a seducer. Examples of the Anti-Seducer 1.
Claudius, the step-grandson of the great Roman emperor Augustus, was considered
something of an imbecile as a young man, and was treated badly by almost
everyone in his family. His nephew Caligula, who became emperor in A.D. 37,
made it a sport to torture him, making him run around the palace at top speed
as penance for his stupidity, having soiled sandals tied to his hands at
supper, and so on. As Claudius grew older, he seemed to become even more
slow-witted, and while all of his relatives lived under the constant threat of
assassination, he was left alone. So it came as a great surprise to everyone,
including Claudius himself, that when, in AD. 41, a cabal of soldiers
assassinated Caligula, they also proclaimed Claudius emperor. Having no desire to
rule, he delegated most of the governing to confidantes (a group of freed
slaves) and spent his time doing what he loved best: eating, drinking,
gambling, and whoring. Claudius's wife, Valeria Messalina, was one of the most
beautiful women in Rome. Although he seemed fond of her, Claudius paid her no
attention, and she started to have affairs. At first she was discreet, but over
the years, provoked by her husband's neglect, she became more and more
debauched. She had a room built for her in the palace where she entertained
scores of men, doing her best to imitate the most notorious prostitute in Rome,
whose name was written on the door. Any man who refused her advances was put to
death. Almost everyone in Rome knew about these frolics, but Claudius said nothing;
he seemed oblivious. So great was Messalina's passion for her favorite lover,
Gaius Silius, that she decided to marry him, although both of them were married
already. While Claudius was away, they held a wedding ceremony, authorized by a
marriage contract that Claudius himself had been tricked into signing. After
the ceremony, Gaius moved into the palace. Now the shock and disgust of the
whole city finally forced Claudius into action, and he ordered theexecution of
Gaius and of Messalina's other lovers-but not of Messalina herself.
Nevertheless, a gang of soldiers, inflamed by the scandal, hunted her down and
stabbed her to death. When this was reported to the emperor, he merely ordered
more wine and continued his meal. Several nights later, to the amazement of his
slaves, he asked why the empress was not joining him for dinner. Nothing is
more infuriating than being paid no attention. In the process of seduction, you
may have to pull back at times, subjecting your target to moments of doubt. But
prolonged inattention will not only break the seductive spell, it can create
hatred. Claudius was an extreme of this behavior. His insensitivity was created
by necessity: in acting like an imbecile, he hid his ambition and protected
himself among dangerous competitors. But the insensitivity became second
nature. Claudius grew slovenly, and no longer noticed what was going on around
him. His inattentiveness had a profound effect on his wife: How, she wondered,
can a man, especially a physically unappealing man like Claudius, not notice
me, or care about my affairs with other men? But nothing she did seemed to
matter to him. Claudius marks the extreme, but the spectrum of inattention is
wide. A lot of people pay too little attention to the details, the signals another
person gives. Their senses are dulled by work, by hardship, by self-absorption.
We often see this turning off the seductive charge between two people, notably
between couples who have been together for years. Carried further, it will stir
angry, bitter feelings. Often, the one who has been cheated on by a partner
started the dynamic by patterns of inattention. 2. In 1639, a French army
besieged and took possession of the Italian city of Turin. Two French officers,
the Chevalier (later Count) de Grammont and his friend Matta, decided to turn
their attention to the city's beautiful women. The wives of some of Turin's
most illustrious men were more than susceptible-their husbands were busy, and
kept mistresses of their own. The wives' only requirement was that the suitor
play by the mles of gallantry. The chevalier and Matta were quick to find
partners, the chevalier choosing the beautiful Mademoiselle de Saint-Germain,
who was soon to be betrothed, and Matta offering his services to an older and
more experienced woman, Madame de Senantes. The chevalier took to wearing
green, Matta blue, these being their ladies' favorite colors. On the second day
of their courtships the couples visited a palace outside the city. The
chevalier was all charm, making Mademoiselle de Saint-Germain laugh
uproariously at his witticisms, but Matta did not fare so well; he had no
patience for this gallantry business, and when he and Madame de Senantes took a
stroll, he squeezed her hand and boldly declared his affections. The lady of course
was aghast, and when they got back to Turin she left without looking at him.
Unaware that he had offended her, Matta imagined that she was overcome with
emotion, and felt rather pleased with himself. But the Chevalier de Grammont,
wondering why the pair had parted, visited Madame de Senantes and asked her how
it went. She told him the truth-Matta had dispensed with the formalities and
was ready to bed her. The chevalier But if, like the winter cat upon the
hearth, the lover clings when he is dismissed, and cannot bear to go, certain
means must be taken to make him understand; and these should be progressively
ruder and ruder, until they touch him to the quick of his flesh. • She should
refuse him the bed, and jeer at him, and make him angry; she should stir up her
mother's enmity against him; she should treat him with an obvious lack of
candor, and spread herself in long considerations about his ruin; his departure
should be openly anticipated, his tastes and desires should be thwarted, his
poverty outraged; she should let him see that she is in sympathy with another
man, she should blame him with harsh words on every occasion; she should tell
lies about him to her parasites, she should interrupt his sentences, and send
him on frequent errands away from the house. She should seek occasions of
quarrel, and make him the victim of a thousand domestic perfidies; she should
rack her brains to vex him; she should play with the glances of another in his
presence, and give herself up to reprehensible profligacy before his face; she
should leave the house as often as possible, and let it be seen that she has no
real need to do so. All these means are good for showing a man the door.
-EASTERN LOVE, VOLUME II: THE HARLOT'S BREVIARY OF KSHEMENDRA, TRANSLATED BY E.
POWYS MATHERS Just as ladies do love men which be valiant and bold under arms,
so likewise do they love such as be of like sort in love; and the man which is
cowardly and over and above respectful toward them, will never win their good
favor. Not that they would have them so overweening, bold, and presumptuous, as
that they should by main force lay them on the floor; but rather they desire in
them a certain hardy modesty, or perhaps better a certain modest hardihood. For
while themselves are not exactly wantons, and will neither solicit a man nor
yet actually offer their favors, yet do they know well how to rouse the
appetites and passions, and prettily alluretothe skirmish in such wise that he
which doth not take occasion by theforelock and join encounter, and that
without the least awe of rank and greatness, without a scruple of conscience or
a fear or any sort of hesitation, he verily is a fool and a spiritless
poltroon, and one which doth merit to be forever abandoned of kind fortune. • I
have heard of two honorable gentlemen and comrades, for the which two very
honorable ladies, and of by no means humble quality, made tryst one day at
Paris to go walking in a garden. Being come thither, each lady did separate
apart onefrom the other, each alone with her own cavalier, each in a several
alley of the garden, that was so close covered in with a fair trellis of boughs
as that daylight could really scarce penetrate there at all, and the coolness
of the place was very grateful. laughed and thought to himself how differently
he would manage affairs if he were the one wooing the lovely Madame. Over the
next few days Matta continued to misread the signs. He did not pay a visit to
Madame de Senantes's husband, as custom required. He did not wear her colors.
When the two went riding together, he went chasing after hares, as if they were
the more interesting prey, and when he took snuff he failed to offer her some.
Meanwhile he continued to make hisoverforward
advances.FinallyMadamehadhadenough,andcomplainedtohim directly. Matta
apologized; he had not realized his errors. Moved by his apology, the lady was
more than ready to resume the courtship-but a few days later, after a few
trifling stabs at wooing, Matta once again assumed that she was ready for bed.
To his dismay, she refused him as before. "I do not think that [women] can
be mightily offended," Matta told the chevalier, "if one sometimes
leaves off trifling, to come to the point." But Madame de Senantes would
have nothing more to do with him, and the Chevalier de Grammont, seeing an
opportunity he could not pass by, took advantage of her displeasure by secretly
courting her properly, and eventually winning the favors that Matta had tried
to force. There is nothing more anti-seductive than feeling that someone has assumed
that you are theirs, that you cannot possibly resist them. The slightest
appearance of this kind of conceit is deadly to seduction; you must prove
yourself, take your time, win your target's heart. Perhaps you fear that he or
she will be offended by a slower pace, or will lose interest. It is more
likely, however, that your fear reflects your own insecurity, and insecurity is
always anti-seductive. In truth, the longer you take, the more you show the
depth of your interest, and the deeper the spell you create. In a world of few
formalities and ceremony, seduction is one of the few remnants from the past
that retains the ancient patterns. It is a ritual, and its rites must be
observed. Haste reveals not the depth of your feelings but the degree of your self-absorption.
It may be possible sometimes to hurry someone into love, but you will only be
repaid by the lack of pleasure this kind of love affords. If you are naturally
impetuous, do what you can to disguise it. Strangely enough, the effort you
spend on holding yourself back may be read by your target as deeply seductive.
3. In Paris in the 1730s lived a young man named Meilcotp\ who was just of an
age to have his first affair. His mother's friend Madame de Lursay, a widow of
around forty, was beautiful and charming, but had a reputation for being
untouchable; as a boy, Meilcour had been infatuated with her, but never
expected his love would be returned. So it was with great surprise and
excitement that he realized that now that he was old enough, Madame de Lursay's
tender looks seemed to indicate a more than motherly interest in him. The
Anti-Seducer • 139 For two months Meilcour trembled in de Lursay's presence. He
was afraid of her, and did not know what to do. One evening they were
discussing a recent play. How well one character had declared his love to a
woman, Madame remarked. Noting Meilcour's obvious discomfort, she went on,
"If I am not mistaken, a declaration can only seem such an embarrassing
matter because you yourself have one to make." Madame de Lursay knew full
well that she was the source of the young man's awkwardness, but she was a
tease; you must tell me, she said, with whom you are in love. Finally Meilcour
confessed: it was indeed Madame whom he desired. His mother's friend advised him
to not think of her that way, but she also sighed, and gave him a long and
languid look. Her words said one thing, her eyes another-perhaps she was not as
untouchable as he had thought. As the evening ended, though, Madame de Lursay
said she doubted his feelings would last, and she left young Meilcour troubled
that she had said nothing about reciprocating his love. Over the next few days,
Meilcour repeatedly asked de Lursay to declare her love for him, and she
repeatedly refused. Eventually the young man decided his cause was hopeless,
and gave up; but a few nights later, at a soiree at her house, her dress seemed
more enticing than usual, and her looks at him stirred his blood. He returned
them, and followed her around, while she took care to keep a bit of distance,
lest others sense what was happening. Yet she also managed to arrange that he
could stay without arousing suspicion when the other visitors left. When they
were finally alone, she made him sit beside her on the sofa. He could barely
speak; the silence was uncomfortable. To get him talking she raised the same
old subject; his youth would make his love for her a passing fancy. Instead of
denying it he looked dejected, and continued to keep a polite distance, so that
she finally exclaimed, with obvious bony, "If it were known that you were
here with my consent, that I had voluntarily arranged it with you . . . what
might not people say? And yet how wrong they would be, for no one could be more
respectful than you are." Goaded into action, Meilcour grabbed her hand
and looked her in the eye. She blushed and told him he should go, but the way
she arranged herself on the sofa and looked back at him suggested he should do
the opposite. Yet Meilcour still hesitated: she had told him to go, and if he
disobeyed she might cause a scene, and might never forgive him; he would have
made a fool of himself, and everyone, including his mother, would hear of it.
He soon got up, apologizing for his momentary boldness. Her astonished and
somewhat cold look meant he had indeed gone too far, he imagined, and he said
goodbye and left. Meilcour and Madame de Lursay appear in the novel The Wayward
Head and Heart, written in 1738 by Crebillon fils, who based his characters on
libertines he knew in the France of the time. For Crebillon fils, seduction is
all about signs-about being able to send them and read them. This is not Now
one of the twain was a bold man, and well knowing how the party had been
madefor something else than merely to walk and take the air, and judging by his
lady's face, which he saw to be all a-fire, that she had longings to taste
other fare than the muscatels that hung on the trellis, as also by her hot,
wanton, and wild speech, he did promptly seize on so fair an opportunity. So
catching hold of her without the least ceremony, he did lay her on a little
couch that was there made of turf and clods of earth, and did very pleasantly
work his will of her, without her ever uttering a word but only: "Heavens!
Sir, what are you at? Surely you be the maddest and strangest fellow ever was!
If anyone comes, whatever will they say? Great heavens! get out!" But the
gentleman, without disturbing himself, did so well continue what he had begun
that he did finish, and she to boot, with such content as that after taking three
or four turns up and down the alley, they did presently start afresh. Anon,
coming forth into another, open, alley, they did see in another part of the
garden the other pair, who were walking about together just as they had left
them at first. Whereupon the lady,wellcontent,didsay to the gentleman in the
like condition, "I verily believe so and so hath played the silly prude,
and hath given his lady no other entertainment but only words, fine speeches,
and promenading." • Afterward when allfour were come together, the two
ladies did fall to asking one another 140 how it had fared with each. Then the
one which was well content did reply she was exceeding well, indeed she was;
indeedfor the nonce she could scarce be better. The other, which was ill content,
did declare for her part she had had to with the biggestfool and most coward
lover she had ever seen; and all the time the two gentlemen could see them
laughing together as they walked and crying out: "Oh! the silly fool! the
shamefaced poltroon and coward!" At this the successful gallant said to
his companion: "Hark to our ladies, which do cry out at you, and mock you
sore. You will find you have overplayed the prude and coxcomb this bout."
So much he did allow; but there was no more time to remedy his error, for
opportunity gave him no other handle to seize her by. -SEIGNEUR DE BRANTOME,
LIVES OF FAIR & GALLANT LADIES. TRANSLATED BY A. R.. ALLINSON because
sexuality is repressed and requires speaking in code. It is rather because
wordless communication (through clothes, gestures, actions) is the most
pleasurable, exciting, and seductive form of language. In Crebillon fils's
novel, Madame de Lursay is an ingenious seductress who finds it exciting to
initiate young men. But even she cannot overcome the youthful stupidity of
Meilcour, who is incapable of reading her sigas because he is absorbed in his
own thoughts. Later in the story, she does manage to educate him, but in real
life there are many who cannot be educated. They are too literal and
insensitive to the details that contain seductive power. They do not so much
repel as irritate and infuriate you by their constant misinterpretations,
always viewing life from behind screen of their ego and unable to see things as
they really are. Meilcour is so caught up in himself he cannot see that Madame
is expecting him to make the bold move to which she will have to succumb. His
hesitation shows that he is thinking of himself, not of her; that he is
worrying about how he will look, not feeling overwhelmed by her charms. Nothing
could be more anti-seductive. Recognize such types, and if they are past the
young age that would give them an excuse, do not entangle yourself in their
awkwardness-they will infect you with doubt. 4. In the Heian court of
late-tenth-century lapan, the young nobleman Kaoru, purported son of the great
seducer Genji himself, had had nothing but misfortune in love. He had become
infatuated with a young princess, Oigimi, who lived in a dilapidated home in
the countryside, her father having fallen on hard times. Then one day he had an
encounter with Oigimi's sister, Nakanokimi, that convinced him she was the one
he actually loved. Confused, he returned to court, and did not visit the
sisters for some time. Then their father died, followed shortly thereafter by
Oigimi herself. Now Kaoru realized his mistake: he had loved Oigimi all along,
and she had died out of despair that he did not care for her. He would never
meet like again; she was all he could think about. When Nakanokimi, her father
and sister dead, came to live at court, Kaoru had the house where Oigimi and
her family had lived turned into a shrine. One day, Nakanokimi, seeing the
melancholy into which Kaoru had fallen, told him that there was a third sister,
Ukifune, who resembled his beloved Oigimi and lived hidden away in the
countryside. Kaoru came to life-perhaps he had a chance to redeem himself, to
change the past. But how could he meet this woman? There came a time when he
visited the shrine to pay his respects to the departed Oigimi, and heard that
the mystea glimpse of her through the crack in a door. The sight of her took
his breath away; although she was a plain-looking country girl, in Kaoru's eyes
she was the living incarnation of Oigimi. Her voice, meanwhile, was like The
Anti-Seducer • 141 the voice of Nakanokimi, whom he had loved as well. Tears
welled up in his eyes. A few months later Kaoru managed to find the house in
the mountains where Ukifune lived. He visited her there, and she did not
disappoint. "I once had a glimpse of you through a crack in a door,"
he told her, and "you have been very much on my mind ever since."
Then he picked her up in his arms and carried her to a waiting carriage. He was
taking her back to the shrine, and the journey there brought back to him the
image of Oigimi; again his eyes clouded with tears. Looking at Ukifune, he
silently compared her to Oigimi-her clothes were less nice but she had
beautiful hair. When Oigimi was alive, she and Kaoru had played the koto
together, so once at the shrine he had kotos brought out. Ukifune did not play
as well as Oigimi had, and her manners were less refined. Not to worry-he would
give her lessons, change her into a lady. But then, as he had done with Oigimi,
Kaoru returned to court, leaving Ukifune languishing at the shrine. Some time
passed before he visited her again; she had improved, was more beautiful than
before, but he could not stop thinking of Oigimi. Once again he left her,
promising to bring her to court, but more weeks passed, and finallyhereceived the
news that Ukifune had disappeared, last seen heading toward a river. She had
most likely committed suicide. At the funeral ceremony for Ukifune, Kaoru was
wracked with guilt: why had he not come for her earlier? She deserved a better
fate. Kaoru and the others appear in the eleventh-century Japanese novel The
Tale of Genji, by the noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu. The characters are based on
people the author knew, but Kaoru's type appears in every culture and period:
these are men and women who seem to be searching for an ideal partner. The one
they have is never quite right; at first glance a person excites them, but they
soon see faults, and when a new person crosses their path, he or she looks
better and the first person is forgotten. These types often try to work on the
imperfect mortal who has excited them, to improve them culturally and morally.
But this proves extremely unsatisfactory for both parties. The truth about this
type is not that they are searching for an ideal but that they are hopelessly unhappy
with themselves. You may mistake their dissatisfaction for a perfectionist's
high standards, but in point of fact nothing will really satisfy them, for
their unhappiness is deep-rooted. You can recognize them by their past, which
will be littered with short-lived, stormy romances. Also, they will tend to
compare you to others, and to try to remake you. You may not realize at first
what you have gotten into, but people like this will eventually prove
hopelessly anti-seductive because they cannot see your individual qualities.
Cut the romance off before it happens. These types are closet sadists and will
torture you with their unreachable goals. 5. In 1762, in the city of Turin,
Italy, Giovanni Giacomo Casanova made the acquaintance of one Count A.B., a Milanese
gentleman who seemed to like him enormously. The count had fallen on hard times
and Casanova lent him some money. In gratitude, the count invited Casanova to
stay with him and his wife in Milan. His wife, he said, was from Barcelona, and
was admired far and wide for her beauty. He showed Casanova her letters, which
had an intriguing wit; Casanova imagined her as a prize worth seducing. He went
to Milan. Arriving at the house of Count A.B., Casanova found that the Spanish
lady was certainly beautiful, but that she was also quiet and serious.
Something about her bothered him. As he was unpacking his clothes, the countess
saw a stunning red dress, trimmed with sable, among his belongings. It was a
gift, Casanova explained, for any Milanese lady who won his heart. The
following evening at dinner, the countess was suddenly more friendly, teasing
and bantering with Casanova. She described the dress as a bribe-he would use it
to persuade a woman to give in to him. On the contrary, said Casanova, he only
gave gifts afterward, as tokens of his appreciation. That evening, in a
carriage on the way back from the opera, she asked him if a wealthy friend of
hers could buy the dress, and when he said no, she was clearly vexed. Sensing
her game, Casanova offered to give her the sable dress if she was kind to him.
This only made her angry, and they quarreled. Finally Casanova had had enough
of the countess's moods: he sold the dress for 15,000 francs to her wealthy
friend, who in turn gave it to her, as she had planned all along. But to prove
his lack of interest in money, Casanova told the countess he would give her the
15,000 francs, no strings attached. "You are a very bad man," she
said, "but you can stay, you amuse me." She resumed her coquettish
manner, but Casanova was not fooled. "It is not my fault, madame, if your
charms have so little power over me," he told her. "Here are 15,000
francs to console you." He laid the money on a table and walked out,
leaving the countess fuming and vowing revenge. When Casanova first met the
Spanish lady, two things about her repelled him. First, her pride: rather than
engaging in the give-and-take of seduction, she demanded a man's subjugation.
Pride can reflect self-assurance, signaling that you will not abase yourself
before others. Just as often, though, it stems from an inferiority complex,
which demands that others abase themselves before you. Seduction requires an
openness to the other person, a willingness to bend and adapt. Excessive pride,
without anything to justify it, is highly anti-seductive. The second quality
that disgusted Casanova was the countess's greed: her coquettish little games
were designed only to get the dress-she had no interest in romance. For
Casanova, seduction was a lighthearted game that people played for their mutual
amusement. In his scheme of things, it was fine if a woman wanted money and
gifts as well; he could understand that desire, and he was a generous man. But
he also felt that this was a desire a The Anti-Seducer • 143 woman should
disguise-she should create the impression that what she was after was pleasure.
The person who is obviously angling for money or other material reward can only
repel. If that is your intention, if you are looking for something other than
pleasure-for money, for power-never show it. The suspicion of an ulterior
motive is anti-seductive. Never let anything break the illusion. 6. In 1868,
Queen Victoria of England hosted her first private meeting with the country's
new prime minister, William Gladstone. She had met him before, and knew his
reputation as a moral absolutist, but this was to be a ceremony, an exchange of
pleasantries. Gladstone, however, had no patience for such things. At that
first meeting he explained to the queen his theory of royalty: the queen, he believed,
had to play an exemplary role in England-a role she had lately failed to live
up to, for she was overly private. This lecture set a bad tone for the future,
and things only got worse: soon Victoria was receiving letters from Gladstone,
addressing the subject in even greater depth. Half of them she never bothered
to read, and soon she was doing everything she could to avoid contact with the
leader of her government; if she had to see him, she made the meeting as brief
as possible. To that end, she never allowed him to sit down in her presence,
hoping that a man his age would soon tire and leave. For once he got going on a
subject dear to his heart, he did not notice your look of disinterest or the
tears in your eyes from yawning. His memoranda on even the simplest of issues
would have to be translated into plain English for her by a member of her
staff. Worst of all, Gladstone argued with her, and his arguments had a way of
making her feel stupid. She soon learned to nod her head and appear to agree with
whatever abstract point he was trying to make. In a letter to her secretary,
referringtoherselfin the third person, she wrote, "She always felt in
[Gladstone's] manner an overbearing obstinacy and imperiousness . . . which she
never experienced from anyone else, and which she found most
disagreeable." Over the years, these feelings hardened into an unwaning
hatred. As the head of the Liberal Party, Gladstone had a nemesis, Benjamin
Disraeli, the head of the Conservative Party. He considered Disraeli amoral, a
devilish Jew. At one session of Parliament, Gladstone tore into his rival,
scoring point after point as he described where his opponents policies would
lead. Growing angry as he spoke (as usually happened when he talked of
Disraeli), he pounded the speaker's table with such force that pens and papers
went flying. Through all of this Disraeli seemed half-asleep. When Gladstone
had finished, he opened his eyes, rose to his feet, and calmly walked up to the
table. "The right honorable gentleman," he said, "has spoken
with much passion, much eloquence, and much- ahem - violence." Then, after
a drawn-out pause, he continued, "But the damage can be repaired"-and
he proceeded to gather up everything that had fallen from the table and put
them back in place. The speech that followed was all the more masterful for its
calm and ironic contrast to Gladstone's. The members of Parliament were
spellbound, andallof them agreed he had won the day. If Disraeli was the
consummate social seducer and charmer, Gladstone was the Anti-Seducer. Of
course he had supporters, mostly among the more puritanical elements of
society-he twice defeated Disraeli in a general election. But he found it hard
to broaden his appeal beyond the circle of believers. Women in particular found
him insufferable. Of course they had no vote at the time, so they were little
political liability; but Gladstone had no patience for a feminine point of
view. A woman, he felt, had to learn to see things as a man did, and it was his
purpose in life to educate those he felt were irrational or abandoned by God.
It did not take long for Gladstone to wear on anyone's nerves. That is the
nature of people who are convinced of some truth, but have no patience for a
different perspective or for dealing with someone else's psychology. These
types are bullies, and in the short term they often get their way, particularly
among the less aggressive. But they stir up a lot of resentment and unspoken
antipathy, which eventually trips them up. People see through their righteous
moral stance, which is most often a cover for a power play-morality is a form
of power. A seducer never seeks to persuade directly, never parades his or her
morality,
neverlecturesorimposes.Everythingissubtle,psychological,andindirect.Symbol: The
Crab. In a harsh world, the crab survives by its hardened shell, by the threat
of its pincers, and by burrowing into the sand. No one dares get too close. But
the Crab cannot surprise its enemy and has little mobility. Its defensive
strength is its supreme limitation. Uses of Anti-Seduction T he best way to
avoid entanglements with Anti-Seducers is to recognize them right away and give
them a wide berth, but they often deceive us. Involvements with these types are
painful, and are hard to disengage from, because the more emotional response
you show, the more engaged you seem to be. Do not get angry-that may only
encourage them or exacerbate their anti-seductive tendencies. Instead, act
distant and indifferent, pay no attention to them, make them feel how little they
matter to you. The best antidote to an Anti-Seducer is often to be
anti-seductive yourself. Cleopatra had a devastating effect on every man who
crossed her path. Octavius-the future Emperor Augustus, and the man who would
defeat and destroy Cleopatra's lover Mark Antony-was well aware of her power,
and defended himself against it by being always extremely amiable with her,
courteous to the extreme, but never showing the slightest emotion, whether of
interest or dislike. In other words, he treated her as if she were any other
woman. Facing this front, she could not sink her hooks into him. Octavius made
anti-seduction his defense against the most irresistible woman in history.
Remember: seduction is a game of attention, of slowly filling the other person's
mind with your presence. Distance and inattention will create the opposite
effect, and can be used as a tactic when the need arises. Finally, if you
really want to "anti-seduce," simply feign the qualities listed at
the beginning of the chapter. Nag; talk a lot, particularly about yourself;
dress against the other person's tastes; pay no attention to detail; suffocate,
and so on. A word of warning: with the arguing type, the Windbag, never talk
back too much. Words will only fan the flames. Adopt the Queen Victoria
strategy: nod, seem to agree, then find an excuse to cut the conversation
short. This is the only defense. the seducer's Victims- The Eighteen Types The
people around you are all potential victims of a seduction, but first you must
know what type of victim you are dealing with. Victims are categorized by what
they feel they are missing in life - adventure, attention, romance, a naughty
experience, mental or physical stimulation, etc. Once you identify their type,
you have the necessary ingredients for a seduction: you will be the one to give
them what they lack and cannot get on their own. In studying potential victims,
learn to see the reality behind the appearance. A timid person may yearn to
play the star; a prude may long for a transgressive thrill. Never try to seduce
your own type. ooo o o o Victim Theory N obody in this world feels whole and
complete. We all sense some gap in our character, something we need or want but
cannot get on our own. When we fall in love, it is often with someone who seems
to fill that gap. The process is usually unconscious and depends on luck: we
wait for the right person to cross our path, and when we fall for them we hope
they return our love. But the seducer does not leave such things to chance.
Look at the people around you. Forget their social exterior, their obvious
character traits; look behind all of that, focusing on the gaps, the missing
pieces in their psyche. That is the raw material of any seduction. Pay close
attention to their clothes, their gestures, their offhand comments, the things
in their house, certain looks in their eyes; get them to talk about their past,
particularly past romances. And slowly the outline of those missing pieces will
come into view. Understand: people are constantly giving out signals as to what
they lack. They long for completeness, whether the illusion of it or the
reality, and if it has to come from another person, that person has tremendous
power over them. We may call them victims of a seduction, but they are almost
always willing victims. This chapter outlines the eighteen types of victims,
each one of which has a dominant lack. Although your target may well reveal the
qualities of more than one type, there is usually a common need that ties them
together. Perhaps you see someone as both a New Prude and a Crushed Star, but
what is common to both is a feeling of repression, and therefore a desire to be
naughty, along with a fear of not being able or daring enough. In identifying
your victim's type, be careful to not be taken in by outward appearances. Both
deliberately and unconsciously, we often develop a social exterior designed
specifically to disguise our weaknesses and lacks. For instance, you may think
you are dealing with someone who is tough and cynical, without realizing that
deep inside they have a soft sentimental core. They secretly pine for romance.
And unless you identify their type and the emotions beneath their toughness,
you lose the chance to truly seduce them. Most important: expunge the nasty
habit of thinking that other people have the same lacks you do. You may crave
comfort and security, but in giving comfort and security to someone else, on
the assumption they must want them as well, you are more likely smothering and
pushing them away. Never try to seduce someone who is of your own type.Youwill
be like two puzzles missing the same parts. 149 150 The Eighteen Types The
Reformed Rake or Siren. People of this type were once happy-go- lucky seducers
who had their way with the opposite sex. But the day came when they were forced
to give this up-someone corraled them into a relationship, they were
encountering too much social hostility, they were getting older and decided to
settle down. Whatever the reason, you can be sure they feel some resentment and
a sense of loss, as if a limb were missing. We are always trying to recapture
pleasures we experienced in the past, but the temptation is particularly great
for the Reformed Rake or Siren because the pleasures they found in seduction
were intense. These types are ripe for the picking: all that is required is
that you cross their path and offer them the opportunity to resume their rakish
or siren ways. Their blood will stir and the call of their youth will overwhelm
them. It is critical, though, to give these types the illusion that they are
the ones doing the seducing. With the Reformed Rake, you must spark his
interest indirectly, then let him burn and glow with desire. With the Reformed
Siren, you want to give her the impression that she still has the irresistible power
to draw a man in and make him give up everything for her. Remember that what
you are offering these types is not another relationship, another constriction,
but rather the chance to escape the corral and have some ran. Do not be put off
if they are in a relationship; a preexisting commitment is often the perfect
foil. If hooking them into a relationship is what you want, hide it as best you
can and realize it may not be possible. The Rake or Siren is unfaithful by
nature; your ability to spark the old feeling gives you power, but then you
will have to live with the consequences of their feckless ways. The
Disappointed Dreamer. As children, these types probably spent a lot of time
alone. To entertain themselves they developed a powerful fantasy life, fed by
books and films and other kinds of popular culture. And as they get older, it
becomes increasingly difficult to reconcile their fantasy life with reality,
and so they are often disappointed by what they get. This is particularly true
in relationships. They have been dreaming of romantic heroes, of danger and
excitement, but what they have is lovers with human frailties, the petty
weaknesses of everyday life. As the years pass, they may force themselves to
compromise, because otherwise they would have to spend their lives alone; but
beneath the surface they are bitter and still hungering for something grand and
romantic. You can recognize this type by the books they read and
filmstheygoto,theway their ears prick up when told of the real-life adventures
some people manage to live out. In their clothes and home furnishings, a taste
for exuberant romance or drama will peek through. They are often trapped in
drab relationships, and little comments here and there will reveal their
disappointment and inner tension. The Seducer's Victims-The Eighteen Types
These types make for excellent and satisfying victims. First they usually have
a great deal of pent-up passion and energy, which you can release and focus on
yourself. They also have great imaginations and will respond to anything
vaguely mysterious or romantic that you offer them. All you need do is disguise
some of your less than exalted qualities and give them a part of their dream.
This could be the chance to live out their adventures or be courted by a chivalrous
soul. If you give them a part of what they want they will imagine the rest. At
all cost, do not let reality break the illusion you are creating. One moment of
pettiness and they will be gone, more bitterly disappointed than ever. The
Pampered Royal. These people were the classic spoiled children. All of their
wants and desires were met by an adoring parent-endless entertainments, a
parade of toys, whatever kept them happy for a day or two. Where many children
learn to entertain themselves, inventing games and finding friends. Pampered
Royals are taught that others will do the entertaining for them. Being spoiled,
they get lazy, and as they get older and the parent is no longer there to
pamper them, they tend to feel quite bored and restless. Their solution is to
find pleasure in variety, to move quickly from person to person, job to job, or
place to place before boredom sets in. They do not settle into relationships
well because habit and routine of some kind are inevitable in such affairs. But
their ceaseless search for variety is tiring for them and comes with a price:
work problems, strings of unsatisfying romances, friends scattered across the
globe. Do not mistake their restlessness and infidelity for reality-what the
Pampered Prince or Princess is really looking for is one person, that parental
figure, who will give them the spoiling they crave. To seduce this type, be
ready to provide a lot of distraction-new places to visit, novel experiences,
color, spectacle. You will have to maintain an air of mystery, continually
surprising your target with a new side to your character. Variety is the key.
Once Pampered Royals are hooked, things get easier for they will quickly grow
dependent on you and you can put out less effort. Unless their childhood pampering
has made them too and lazy, these types make excellent victims-they will
beasloyal to you as they once were to mommy or daddy. But you will have to do
much of the work. If you are after a long relationship, disguise it. Offer
long-term security to a Pampered Royal and you will induce a panicked flight.
Recognize these types by the turmoil in their past-job changes, travel,
short-term relationships-and by the air of aristocracy, no matter their social
class, that comes from once being treated like royalty. The New Prude. Sexual
prudery still exists, but it is less common than it was. Prudery, however, is
neverjust about sex; a prude is someone who is excessively concerned with
appearances, with what society considers ap- propriate and acceptable behavior.
Prudes rigorously stay within the boundaries of correctness because more than
anything they fear society's judgment. Seen in this light, prudery is just as
prevalent as it always was. The New Prude is excessively concerned with
standards of goodness, fairness, political sensitivity, tastefulness, etc. What
marks the New Prude, though, as well as the old one, is that deep down they are
actually excited and intrigued by guilty, transgressive pleasures. Frightened
by this attraction, they run in the opposite direction and become the most
correct of all. They tend to wear drab colors; they certainly never take
fashion risks. They can be very judgmental and critical of people who do take
risks and are less correct. They are also addicted to routine, which gives them
a way to tamp down their inner turmoil. New Prudes are secretly oppressed by
their correctness and long to transgress. Just as sexual prudes make prime
targets for a Rake or Siren, the New Prude will often be most tempted by
someone with a dangerous or naughty side. If you desire a New Prude, do not be
taken in by theirjudg- ments of you or their criticisms. That is only a sign of
how deeply you fascinate them; you are on their mind. You can often draw a New
Prude into a seduction, in fact, by giving them the chance to criticize you or
even try to reform you. Take nothing of what they say to heart, of course, but
now you have the perfect excuse to spend time with them-and New Prudes can be
seduced simply through being in contact with you. These types actually make
excellent and rewarding victims. Once you open them up and get them to let go
of their correctness, they are flooded with feelings and energies. They may
even overwhelm you. Perhaps they are in a relationship with someone as drab as
they themselves seem to be-do not be put off. They are simply asleep, waiting
to be awakened. The Crushed Star. We all want attention, we all want to shine,
but with most of us these desires are fleeting and easily
quieted.Theproblemwith Crushed Stars is that at one point in their lives they
did find themselves the center of attention-perhaps they were beautiful,
charming and effervescent, perhaps they were athletes, or had some other
talent-but those days are gone. They may seem to have accepted this, but the
memory of having once shone is hard to get over. In general, the appearance of
wanting attention, of trying to stand out, is not seen too kindly in polite
society or in the workplace. So to get along. Crushed Stars learn to tamp down
their desires; but failing to get the attention they feel they deserve, they
also become resentful. You can recognize Crushed Stars by certain unguarded
moments; they suddenly receive some attention in a social setting, and it makes
them glow; they mention their glory days, and there is a little glint in the
eye; a little wine in the system, and they become effervescent. Seducing this
type is simple: just make them the center of attention. When you are with them,
act as if they were stars and you were basking in their glow. Get them to talk,
particularly about themselves. In social situations, mute your own colors and
let them look funny and radiant by comparison. In general, play the Charmer.
The reward of seducing Crushed Stars is that you stir up powerful emotions.
They will feel intensely grateful to you for letting them shine. To whatever
extent they had felt crushed and bottled up, the easing of that pain releases
intensity and passion, all directed at you. They will fall madly in love. If
you yourself have any star or dandy tendencies it is wise to avoid such
victims. Sooner or later those tendencies will come out, and the competition
between you will be ugly. The Novice. What separates Novices from ordinary
innocent young people is that they are fatally curious. They have little or no
experience of the world, but have been exposed to it secondhand-in newspapers,
films, books. Finding their innocence a burden, they long to be initiated into
the ways of the world. Everyone sees them as so sweet and innocent, but they
know this isn't so-they cannot be as angelic as people think them. Seducing a
Novice is easy. To do it well, however, requires a bit of art. Novices are
interested in people with experience, particularly people with a touch of
corruption and evil. Make that touch too strong, though, and it will intimidate
and frighten them. What works best with a Novice is a mix of qualities. You are
somewhat childlike yourself, with a playful spirit. At the same time, it is
clear that you have hidden depths, even sinister ones. (This was the secret of
Lord Byron's success with so many innocent women.) You are initiating your
Novices not just sexually but experien- tially,exposingthem to new ideas,
taking them to new places, new worlds both literal and metaphoric. Do not make
your seduction ugly or seedy- everything must be romantic, even including the
evil and dark side of life. Young people have their ideals; it is best to
initiate them with an aesthetic touch. Seductive language works wonders on
Novices, as does attention to detail. Spectacles and colorful events appeal to
their sensitive senses. They are easily misled by these tactics, because they
lack the experience to see through them. Sometimes Novices are a little older
and have been at least somewhat educated in the ways of the world. Yet they put
on a show of innocence, for they see the power it has over older people. These
are coy Novices, aware of the game they are playing-but Novices they remain.
They may be less easily misled than purer Novices, but the way to seduce them
is pretty much the same-mix innocence and corruption and you will fascinate
them. The Conqueror. These types have an unusual amount of energy, which they
find difficult to control. They are always on the prowl for people to conquer,
obstacles to surmount. You will not always recognize Conquerors by their
exterior-they can seem a little shy in social situations and can have a degree
of reserve. Look not at their words or appearance but at their actions, in work
and inrelationships. They love power, and by hook or by crook they get it.
Conquerors tend to be emotional, but their emotion only comes out in outbursts,
when pushed. In matters of romance, the worst thing you can do with them is lie
down and make yourself easy prey; they may take advantage of your weakness, but
they will quickly discard you and leave you the worse for wear. You want to
give Conquerors a chance to be aggressive, to overcome some resistance or
obstacle, before letting them think they have overwhelmed you. You want to give
them a good chase. Being a little difficult or moody, using coquetry, will
often do the trick. Do not be intimidated by their aggressiveness and
energy-that is precisely what you can turn to your advantage. To break them in,
keep them charging back and forth like a bull. Eventually they will grow weak
and dependent, as Napoleon became the slave ofJosephine. The Conqueror is
generally male but there are plenty of female Conquerors out there-Lou
Andreas-Salome and Natalie Barney are famous ones. Female Conquerors will
succumb to coquetry, though, just as the male ones will. The Exotic Fetishist.
Most of us are excited and intrigued by the exotic. What separates Exotic
Fetishists from the rest of us is the degree of this interest, which seems to
govern all their choices in life. Intruththeyfeelempty inside and have a strong
dose of self-loathing. They do not like wherever it is they come from, their
social class (usually middle or upper), and their culture because they do not
like themselves. These types are easy to recognize. They like to travel; their
houses are filled with objets from faraway places; they fetishize the music or
art of this or that foreign culture. They often have a strong rebellious
streak. Clearly the way to seduce them is to position yourself as exotic-if you
do not at least appear to come from a different background or race, or to have
some alien aura, you should not even bother. But it is always possible to play
up what makes you exotic, to make it a kind of theater for their amusement.
Your clothes, the things you talk about, the places you take them, make a show
of your difference. Exaggerate a little and they will imagine the rest, because
such types tend to be self-deluders. Exotic Fetishists, however, do not make
particularly good victims. Whatever exoticism you have will soon seem banal to
them, and they will want something else. It will be a struggle to hold their
interest. Their underlying insecurity will also keep you on edge. One variation
on this type is the man or woman who is trapped in a stultifying relationship,
a banal occupation, a dead-end town. It is circumstance, as opposed topersonal
neurosis, that makes such people fetishize the exotic; and these Exotic
Fetishists are better victims than the self-loathing kind, because you can
offer them a temporary escape from whatever oppresses them. Nothing, however,
will offer true Exotic Fetishists escape from themselves. The Drama Queen.
There are people who cannot do without some constant drama in their lives-it is
their way of deflecting boredom. The greatest mistake you can make in seducing
these Drama Queens is to come offering stability and security. That will only
make them run for the hills. Most often. Drama Queens (and there are plenty of
men in this category) enjoy playing the victim. They want something to complain
about, they want pain. Pain is a source of pleasure for them. With this type,
you have to be willing and able to give them the mental rough treatment they
desire. That is the only way to seduce them in a deep manner. The moment you turn
too nice, they will find some reason to quarrel or get rid of you. You will
recognize Drama Queens by the number of people who have hurt them, the
tragedies and traumas that have befallen them. At the extreme, they can be
hopelessly selfish and anti-seductive, but most of them are relatively harmless
and will make fine victims if you can live with the sturm und
drang.Ifforsomereasonyouwantsomethinglongterm with this type, you will
constantly have to inject drama into your relationship. For some this can be an
exciting challenge and a source for constantly renewing the relationship.
Generally, however, you should see an involvement with a Drama Queen as
something fleeting and a way to bring a little drama into your own life. The
Professor. These types cannot get out of the trap of analyzing and criticizing
everything that crosses their path. Their minds are overdeveloped and
overstimulated. Even when they talk about love or sex, it is with great thought
and analysis. Having developed their minds at the expense of their bodies, many
of them feel physically inferior and compensate by lording their mental
superiority over others. Their conversation is often wry or ironic-you never
quite know what they are saying, but you sense them looking down on you. They would
like to escape their mental prisons, they would like pure physicality, without
any analysis, but they cannot get there on their own. Professor types sometimes
engage in relationships with other professor types, or with people they can
treat as inferiors. But deep down they long to be overwhelmed by someone with
physical presence-a Rake or a Siren, for instance. Professors can make
excellent
victims,forunderneaththeirintellectualstrengthliegnawinginsecurities.MakethemfeellikeDon
Juans or Sirens, to even the slightest degree, and they are your slaves. Many
of them have a masochistic streak that will come out once you stir their
dormant senses. You are offering an escape from the mind, so make it as
complete as possible: if you have intellectual tendencies yourself, hide them.
They will only 156stir your target's competitive juices and get their minds
turning. Let your Professors keep their sense of mental superiority; let
themjudge you. You will know what they will try to hide: that you are the one
in control, for you are giving them what no one else can give them-physical
stimulation. The Beauty. From early on in life, the Beauty is gazed at by
others. Their desire to look at her is the source of her power, but also the
source of much unhappiness: she constantly worries that her powers are waning,
that she is no longer attracting attention. If she is honest with herself, she
also senses that being worshiped only for one's appearance is monotonous and
unsatisfying-and lonely. Many men are intimidated by beauty and prefer to
worship it from afar; others are drawn in, but not for the purpose of
conversation. The Beauty suffers from isolation. Because she has so many lacks,
the Beauty is relatively easy to seduce,andifdoneright,youwill have won not
only a much prized catch but someone who will grow dependent on what you
provide. Most important in this seduction is to validate those parts of the
Beauty that no one else appreciates-her intelligence (generally higher than
people imagine), her skills, her character. Of course you must worship her
body-you cannot stir up any insecurities in the one area in which she knows her
strength, and \the strength on which she most depends-but you also must worship
her mind and soul. Intellectual stimulation will work well on the Beauty,
distracting her from her doubts and insecurities, and making it seem that you
value that side of her personality. Because the Beauty is always being looked
at, she tends to be passive. Beneath her passivity, though, there often lies
frustration: the Beauty would love to be more active and to actually do some
chasing of her own. A little coquettishness can work well here: at some point
in all your worshiping, you might go a little cold, inviting her to come after
you. Train her to be more active and you will have an excellent victim. The
only downside is that her many insecurities require constant attention and
care. The Aging Baby. Some people refuse to grow up. Perhaps they are afraid of
death or of growing old; perhaps they are passionately attached to the life
they led as children. Disliking responsibility, they struggle to turn
everything into play and recreation. In their twenties they can be charming, in
their thirties interesting, but by the time they reach their forties they are
beginning to wear thin. Contrary to what you might imagine, one Aging Baby does
not want to be involved with another Aging Baby, even though the combination
might seem to increase the chances for play and frivolity. The Aging Baby does
not want competition, but an adult figure. If you desire to seduce this type,
you must be prepared to be the responsible, staid one. That may be a strange
way of seducing, but in this case it works. You should appear to like the Aging
Baby's youthful spirit (it helps if you actually do), can engage with it, but
you remain the indulgent adult. By being responsible you free the Baby to play.
Act the loving adult to the hilt, neverjudging or criticizing their behavior,
and a strong attachment will form. Aging Babies can be amusing for a while,
but, like all children, they are often potently narcissistic. This limits the
pleasure you can have with them. You should see them as short-term amusements
or temporary outlets for your frustrated parental instincts. The Rescuer. We
are often drawn to people who seem vulnerable or weak-their sadness or
depression can actually be quite seductive. There are people, however, whotake
this much further, who seem to be attracted only to people with problems. This
may seem noble, but Rescuers usually have complicated motives: they often have
sensitive natures and truly want to help. At the same time, solving people's
problems gives them a kind of power they relish-it makes them feel superior and
in control. It is also the perfect way to distract them from their own
problems. You will recognize these types by their empathy-they listen well and
try to get you to open up and talk. You will also notice they have histories of
relationships with dependent and troubled people. Rescuers can make excellent
victims, particularly if you enjoy chivalrous or maternal attention. If you are
a woman, play the damsel in distress, giving a man the chance so many men long
for-to act the knight. If you are a man, play the boy who cannot deal with this
harsh world; a female Rescuer will envelop you in maternal attention, gaining
for herself the added satisfaction of feeling more powerful and in control than
a man. An air of sadness will draw either gender in. Exaggerate your
weaknesses, but not through overt words or gestures-let them sense that you
have had too little love, that you have had a string of bad relationships, that
you have gotten a raw deal in life. Having lured your Rescuer in with the
chance to help you, you can then stokethe relationship's fires with a steady
supply of needs and vulnerabilities. You can also invite moral rescue: you are
bad. You have done bad things. You need a stem yet loving hand. In this case
the Rescuer gets to feel morally superior, but also the vicarious thrill of
involvement with someone naughty. The Roue. These types have lived the good
life and experienced many pleasures. They probably have, or once had, a good
deal of money to finance their hedonistic lives. On the outside they tend to
seem cynical and jaded, but their worldliness often hides a sentimentality that
they have stmggled to repress. Roues are consummate seducers, but there is one
type that can easily seduce them-the young and the innocent. As they get 158
older, they hanker after their lost youth; missing their long-lost innocence, they
begin to covet it in others. If you should want to seduce them, you will
probably have to be somewhat young and to have retained at least the appearance
of innocence. It is easy to play this up-make a show of how little experience
you have in the world, how you still see things as a child. It is also good to
seem to resist their advances: Roues will think it lively and exciting to chase
you. You can even seem to dislike or distrust them-that will really spur them
on. By being the one who resists, you control the dynamic. And sinceyou have
the youth that they are missing, you can maintain the upper hand and make them
fall deeply in love. They will often be susceptible to such a fall, because
they have tamped down their own romantic tendencies for so long that when it
bursts forth, they lose control. Never give in too early, and never let your
guard down-such types can be dangerous. The Idol Worshiper. Everyone feels an
inner lack, but Idol Worshipers have a bigger emptiness than most people. They
cannot be satisfied with themselves, so they search the world for something to
worship, something to fill their inner void. This often assumes the form of a
great interest in matters or in some worthwhile cause; by focusing on something
supposedly elevated, they distract themselves from their own void, from what
they dislike about themselves. Idol Worshipers are easy to spot-they are the
ones pouring their energies into some cause or religion. They often move around
over the years, leaving one cult for another. The way to seduce these types is
to simply become their object of worship, to take the place of the cause or
religion to which they are so dedicated. At first you may have to seem to share
their spiritual interest, joining them in their worship, or perhaps exposing
them to a new cause; eventually you will displace it. With this type you have
to hideyourflaws, or at least to give them a saintly sheen. Be banal and Idol
Worshipers will pass you by. But mirror the qualities they aspire to have for
themselves and they will slowly transfer their adoration to you. Keep
everything on an elevated plane-let romance and religion flow into one. Keep
two things in mind when seducing this type. First, they tend to have overactive
minds, which can make them quite suspicious. Because they often lack physical
stimulation, and because physical stimulation will distract them, give them
some: a mountain trek, a boat trip, or sex will do the trick. But this takes a
lot of work, for their minds are always ticking. Second, they often suffer from
low self-esteem. Do not try to raise it; they will see through you, and your
efforts at praising them will clash with their own self-image. They are to
worship you; you are not to worship them. Idol Worshipers make perfectly
adequate victims in the short term, but their endless need to search will
eventually lead them to look for something new to adore. The Seducer's
Victims-The Eighteen Types • 159 The Sensualist. What marks these types is not
their love of pleasure but their overactive senses. Sometimes they show this
quality in their appearance-their interest in fashion, color, style. But
sometimes it is more subtle: because they are so sensitive, they areoften quite
shy, and they will shrink from standing out or being flamboyant. You will recognize
them by how responsive they are to their environment, how they cannot stand a
room without sunlight, are depressed by certain colors, or excited by certain
smells. They happen to live in a culture that deempha- sizes sensual experience
(except perhaps for the sense of sight). And so what the Sensualist lacks is
precisely enough sensual experiences to appreciate and relish. The key to
seducing them is to aim for their senses, to take them to beautiful places, pay
attention to detail, envelop them in spectacle, and of course use plenty of
physical lures. Sensualists, like animals, can be baited with colors and
smells. Appeal to as many senses as possible, keeping your targets distracted
and weak. Seductions of Sensualists are often easy and quick, and you can use
the same tactics again and again to keep them interested, although it is wise
to vary your sensual appeals somewhat, in kind if not in quality. That is how
Cleopatra worked on Mark Antony, an inveterate Sensualist. These types make
superb victims because they are relatively docile if you give them what they
want. The Lonely Leader. Powerful people are not necessarily different from
everyone else, but they are treated differently, and this has a big effect on
their personalities. Everyone around them tends to be fawning and courtierlike,
to have an angle, to want something from them. This makes them suspicious and
distrustful, and a little hard around the edges, but do not mistake the
appearance for the reality: Lonely Leaders long to be seduced, to have someone
break through their isolation and overwhelm them. The problem is that most
people are too intimidated to try, or use the kind of tactics-flattery,
charm-that they see through and despise. To seduce such types, it is better to
act like their equal or even their superior- the kind of treatment they never
get. If you are blunt with them you will seem genuine, and they will be
touched-you care enough to be honest, even perhaps at some risk. (Being blunt
with the powerful can be dangerous.) Lonely Leaders can be made emotional by
inflicting some pain, followed by tenderness. This is one of the hardest types
to seduce, not only because they are suspicious but because their minds are
burdened with cares and responsi. They have less mental space for a seduction.
You will have to be patient and clever, slowly filling their minds with
thoughts of you. Succeed, though, and you can gain great power in turn, for in
their loneliness they will come to depend on you. The Floating Gender. All of
us have a mix of the masculine and the in our characters, but most of us learn
to develop and exhibit the socially acceptable side while repressing the other.
People of the Floating Gender type feel that the separation of the sexes into
such distinct genders is a burden. They are sometimes thought to be repressed
or latent homosexuals, but this is a misunderstanding: they may well be
heterosexual but their masculine and feminine sides are in flux, and because
this may discomfit others if they show it, they learn to repress it, perhaps by
going to one extreme. They would actually love to be able to play with their
gender, to give full expression to both sides. Many people fall into this type
without its being obvious: a woman may have a masculine energy, a man a
developed aesthetic side. Do not look for obvious signs, because these types
often go underground, keeping it under wraps. This makes them vulnerable to a
powerful seduction. What Floating Gender types are really looking for is
another person of uncertain gender, their counterpart from the opposite sex.
Show them that in your presence and they can relax, express the repressed side
of their character. If you have such proclivities, this is the one instance
where it would be best to seduce the same type of the opposite sex. Each person
will stir up repressed desires in the other and will suddenly have license to
explore all kinds of gender combinations, without fear of judgment. If you are
not of the Floating Gender, leave this type alone. You will only inhibit them
and create more discomfort. eductive process M ost of us understand that
certain actions on our part will have apleasing and seductive effect on the
person we would like to seduce. The problem is that we are generally too
self-absorbed: We think more about what we want from others than what they
could want from us. We may occasionally do something that is seductive, but
often we follow this up a with a selfish or aggressive action (we are in a
hurry to get what we want); or, unaware of what we are doing, we show a side of
ourselves that is petty and banal, deflating any illusions or fantasies a
person might have about us. Our attempts at seduction usually do not last long
enough to create much of an effect. You will not seduce anyone by simply
depending on your engaging personality, or by occasionally doing something
noble or alluring. Seduction is a process that occurs over time-the longer you
take and the slower you go, the deeper you will penetrate into the mind of your
victim. It is an art that requires patience, focus, and strategic thinking. You
need to always be one step ahead of your victim, throwing dust in their eyes,
casting a spell, keeping them off balance. The twenty-four chapters in this
section will arm you with a series of tactics that will help you get out of
yourself and into the mind of your victim, so that you can play it like an
instrument. The chapters are placed in a loose order, going from the initial
contact with your victim to the successful conclusion. This order is based on
certain timeless laws of human psychology. Because people's thoughts tend to
revolve around their daily concerns and insecurities, you cannot proceed with a
seduction until you slowly put their anxieties to sleep and fill their
distracted minds with thoughts of you. The opening chapters will help you
accomplish this. There is a natural tendency in relationships for people to
become so familiar with one another that boredom and stagnation set in. Mystery
is the lifeblood of seduction and to maintain it you have to constantly
surprise your victims, stir things up, even shock them. A seduction should
never settle into a comfortable routine. The middle and later chapters will
instruct you in the art of alternating hope and despair, pleasure and pain,
until your victims weaken and succumb. In each instance, one tactic is setting
up the next one, allowing you to push it further with something bolder and more
violent. A seducer cannot be timid or merciful. To help you move the seduction
along, the chapters are arranged in 163 164 • The Art of Seduction four phases,
each phase with a particular goal to aim for: getting the victim to think of
you; gaining access to their emotions by creating moments of pleasure and
confusion; going deeper by working on their unconscious, stirring up repressed
desires; and finally, inducing physical surrender. (The are clearly marked and
explained with a short introduction.) By following these phases you will work
more effectively on your victim's mind and create the slow and hypnotic pace of
a ritual. In fact, the seductive process may be thought of as a kind of
initiation ritual, in which you are uprooting people from their habits, giving
them novel experiences, putting them through tests, before initiating them into
a new life. It is best to read all of the chapters and gain as much knowledge
as possible. When it comes time to apply these tactics, you will want to pick
and choose which ones are appropriate for your particular victim; sometimes
only a few are sufficient, depending on the level of resistance you meet and
the complexity of your victim's problems. These tactics are equally applicable
to social and political seductions, minus the sexual component in Phase Four.
At all cost, resist the temptation to hurry to the climax of your seduction, or
to improvise. You are not being seductive but selfish. Everything in daily life
is hurried and improvised, and you need to offer something different. By taking
your time and respecting the seductive process you will not only break down
your victim's resistance, you will make them fall in love. Phase One Separation
- Stirring Interest and Desire Your victims live in their own worlds, their
minds occupied with anxieties and daily concerns. Your goal in this initial
phase is to slowly separate themfrom that closed world and fill their minds
with thoughts of you. Once you have decided whom to seduce (1: Choose the right
victim), your first task is to get your victims' attention, to stir interest in
you. For those who might be more resistant or difficult, you should try a
slower and more insidious approach, first winning their friendship (2: Create a
false sense of security-approach indirectly); for those who are bored and less
difficult to reach, a more dramatic approach will work, either fascinating them
with a mysterious presence (3; Send mixed signals) or seeming to be someone who
is coveted and fought over by others (4: Appear to be an object of desire).
Once the victim is properly intrigued, you need to transform their interest
into something stronger - desire. Desire is generally preceded by feelings of
emptiness, of something missing inside that needsfulfillment. You must
deliberately instill suchfeelings, make your victims aware of the adventure and
romance that are lacking in their lives (5: Create a need-stir anxiety and
discontent). If they see you as the one to fill their emptiness, interest will
blossom into desire. The desire should be stoked by subtly planting ideas in
their minds, hints of the seductive pleasures that await them (6: Master the
art of insinuation). Mirroring your victims' values, indulging them in their
wants and moods will charm and delight them (7: Enter their spirit). Without
realizing how it has happened, more and more of their thoughts now revolve
around you. The time has come for something stronger. Lure them with an
irresistible pleasure or adventure (8: Create temptation) and they will follow
your lead. 1 Choose the Right Victim Everything depends on the target of your
seduction. Study your prey thoroughly, and choose only those who will prove
susceptible to your charms. The right victims are those for whom you can fill a
void, who see in you something exotic. They are often isolated or at least
somewhat unhappy (perhaps because of recent adverse circumstances), or can
easily be made so-for the completely contented person is almost impossible to
seduce. The perfect victim has some natural quality that attracts you. The
strong emotions this quality inspires will help make your seductive maneuvers
seem more natural and dynamic. The perfect victim allows for the perfectchase.
Preparing for the Hunt T he young Vicomte de Valmont was a notorious libertine
in the Paris of the 1770s, the ruin of many a young girl and the ingenious
seducer of the wives of illustrious aristocrats. But after a while the
repetitiveness of it all began to bore him; his successes came too easily So
one year, during the sweltering, slow month of August, he decided to take a
break from Paris and visit his aunt at her chateau in the provinces. Life there
was not what he was used to-there were country walks, chats with the local
vicar, card games. His city friends, particularly his fellow libertine and
confidante the Marquise de Merteuil, expected him to hurry back. There were
other guests at the chateau, however, including the Presi- dente de Tourvel, a
twenty-two-year-old woman whose husband was temporarily absent, having work to
do elsewhere. The Presidente had been languishing at the chateau, waiting for
him to join her. Valmont had met her before; she was certainly beautiful, but
had a reputation as a prude who was extremely devoted to her husband. She was
not a court lady; her taste in clothing was atrocious (she always covered her
neck with ghastly frills) and her conversation lacked wit. For some reason, however,
far from Paris, Valmont began to see these traits in a new light. He followed
her to the where she went every morning to pray. He caught glimpses of her at
dinner, or playing cards. Unlike the ladies of Paris, she seemed unaware of her
charms; this excited him. Because of the heat, she wore a simple linen dress,
which revealed her figure. A piece of muslin covered her breasts, letting him
more than imagine them. Her hair, unfashionable in its slight disorder,
conjured the bedroom. And her face-he had never noticed how expressive it was.
Her features lit up when she gave alms to a beggar; she blushed at the
slightest praise. She was so natural and unself-conscious. And when she talked
of her husband, or religious matters, he could sense the depth of her feelings.
If such a passionate nature were ever detoured into a love affair. . . .
Valmont extended his stay at the chateau, much to the delight of his aunt, who
could not have guessed at the reason. And he wrote to the Marquise de Merteuil,
explaining his new ambition: to seduce Madame de Tourvel. The Marquise was
incredulous. He wanted to seduce this prude? If he succeeded, how little
pleasure she would give him, and if he failed, what a disgrace-the great
libertine unable to seduce a wife whose husband was far away! She wrote a
sarcastic letter, which only inflamed Valmont fur- The ninth • Have I become
blind? Has the inner eye of the soul lost its power? 1 have seen her, but it is
as if I had seen a heavenly revelation -so completely has her image vanished
again for me. In vain do I summon all the of my soul in order to conjure up
this image. If I ever see her again, I shall be able to recognize her
instantly, even though she stands among a hundred others. Now she has fled, and
the eye of my soul tries in vain to overtake her with its longing. I was
walking along Langelinie, seemingly nonchalantly and without paying attention
to my surroundings, although my reconnoitering glance leftnothing
unobserved-and then my eyesfell upon her. My eyes fixed unswervingly upon her.
They no longer obeyed their master's will; it was impossiblefor me to shift my
gaze and thus overlook the object I wanted to see-I did not look, I stared. As
a fencerfreezes in his lunge, so my eyes were fixed, petrified in the direction
initially taken. It was impossible to look down, impossible to withdraw my
glance, impossible to see, because I saw far too much. The only thing I have
retained is that she had on a green cloak, that is all-one could call it
capturing the cloud instead of Juno; she has escaped me . . .and left only her
cloak behind. . . . The girl made an impression on me. • The sixteenth • ... I
feel no impatience, for she must live here in the city, and at this moment that
is enough for me. This possibility is the condition for the
properappearanceofher image - everything will be enjoyed in slow drafts.
..." The nineteenth • Cordelia, then, is her name! Cordelia! It is a
beautiful name, and that, too, is important, since it can be very disturbing to
have to name an ugly name together with the most tender adjectives. -S0REN
KIERKEGAARD, THE SEDUCER'S DIARY. TRANSLATED BY HOWARD V. HONG AND EDNA H. HONG
Love as understood by Don Juan is a feeling akin to a taste for hunting. It is
cravingfor an activity which needs an incessant of stimuli to challenge skill.
-STENDHAL, LOVE. TRANSLATED BY GILBERT AND SUZANNE SALE It is not the quality
of the desired object that gives us pleasure, but rather the energy of our
appetites. -CHARLES BAUDELAIRE, THE END OF DON JUANther. The conquest of this
notoriously virtuous woman would prove his greatest seduction. His reputation
would only be enhanced. There was an obstacle, though, that seemed to make
success almost impossible: everyone knew Valmonfs reputation, including the
Presidente. She knew how dangerous it was to ever be alone with him, how people
would talk about the least association with him. Valmont did everything to
belie his reputation, even going so far as to attend church services and seem
repentant of his ways. The Presidente noticed, but still kept her distance. The
challenge she presented to Valmont was irresistible, but could he meet it?
Valmont decided to test the waters. One day he arranged a little walk with the
Presidente and his aunt. He chose a delightful path that they had never taken
before, but at a certain point they reached a little ditch, unsuitable for a
lady to cross on her own. And yet, Valmont said, the rest of the walk was too
nice for them to turn back, and he gallantly picked up his aunt in his arms and
carried her across the ditch, making the Presidente laugh uproariously. But
then it was her turn, and Valmont purposefully her up a little awkwardly, so
that she caught at his arms, and while he was holding her against him he could
feel her heart beating faster, and her blush. His aunt saw this too, and cried
out, "The child is afraid!" But Valmont sensed otherwise. Now he knew
that the challenge could be met, that the Presidente could be won. The
seduction could proceed. Interpretation. Valmont, the Presidente de Tourvel,
and the Marquise de Merteuil are all characters in the eighteenth-century
French novel Dangerous Liaisons, by Choderlos de Laclos. (The character of
Valmont was inspired by several real-life libertines of the time, most
prominent of all the Duke de Richelieu.) In the story, Valmont worries that his
seductions have become mechanical; he makes a move, and the woman almost always
responds the same way. But no two seductions should be the same-a different
target should change the whole dynamic. Valmonfs problem is that he is always
seducing the same type-the wrong type. He realizes this when he meets Madame de
Tourvel. It is not because her husband is a count that he decides to seduce
her, or because she is stylishly dressed, or is desired by other men-the usual
reasons. He chooses her because, in her unconscious way, she has already
seduced him. A bare arm, an unrehearsed laugh, a playful manner-all these have
captured his attention, because none of them is contrived. Once he falls under
her spell, the strength of his desire will make his subsequent maneuvers seem
less calculated; he is apparently unable to help himself. And his strong
emotions will slowly infect her. Beyond the effect the Presidente has on
Valmont, she has other traits that make her the perfect victim. She is bored,
which draws her toward adventure. She is naive, and unable to see through his
tricks. Finally, the Achilles' heel; she believes herself immune to seduction.
Almost all of us Choose the Right Victim • 171 are vulnerable to the attractions
of other people, and we take precautions against unwanted lapses. Madame de
Tourvel takes none. Once Valmont has tested her at the ditch, and has seen she
is physically vulnerable, he knows that eventually she will fall. Life is
short, and should not be wasted pursuing and seducing the wrong people. The
choice of target is critical; it is the set up of the seduction and it will
determine everything else that follows. The perfect victim does not have
certain facial features, or the same taste in music, or similar goals in life.
That is how a banal seducer chooses his or her targets. The perfect victim is
the person who stirs you in a way that cannot be explained in words, whose
effect on you has nothing to do with superficialities. He or she often has a
quality that you yourself lack, and may even secretly envy- the Presidente, for
example, has an innocence that Valmont long ago lost or never had. There should
be a little bit of tension-the victim may fear you a little, even slightly
dislike you. Such tension is full of erotic potential and will make the
seduction much livelier. Be more creative in choosing your prey and you will be
rewarded with a more exciting seduction. Of course, it means nothing if the
potential victim is not open to your influence. Test the person first. Once you
feel that he or she is also vulnerable to you then the hunting can begin. It is
a stroke of good fortune to find one who is worth seducing. . . . Most people
rush ahead, become engaged or do other stupid things, and ina turn of the hand
everything is over, and they know neither what they have won nor what they have
lost. -S0REN KIERKEGAARD Keys to Seduction T hroughout life we find ourselves
having to persuade people-to seduce them. Some will be relatively open to our
influence, if only in subtle ways, while others seem impervious to our charms.
Perhaps we find this a mystery beyond our control, but that is an ineffective
way of dealing with life. Seducers, whether sexual or social, prefer to pick
the odds. As often as possible they go toward people who betray some
vulnerability to them, and avoid the ones who cannot be moved. To leave people
who are inaccessible to you alone is a wise path; you cannot seduce everyone.
On the other hand, you must actively hunt out the prey that responds the right
way. This will make your seductions that much more pleasurable and satisfying.
How do you recognize your victims? By the way they respond to you. You should
not pay so much attention to their conscious responses-a person who is obviously
trying to please or charm you is probably playing to your vanity, and wants
something from you. Instead, pay greater attention to those responses outside
conscious control-a blush, an involuntary mir- The daughter of desire should
strive to have the following lovers in their turn, as being mutuallyrestful to
her: a boy who has been loosed too soon from the authority and counsel of his
father, an author enjoying office with a rather simple-minded prince, a
merchant's son whose pride is in rivaling other lovers, an ascetic who is the
slave of love in secret, a king's son whose follies are boundless and who has a
tastefor rascals, the countrified son of some village Brahman, a married
woman's lover, a singer who has just pocketed a very large sum of money, the
master of a caravan but recently come in. . . .These brief instructions admit
of infinitely varied interpretation, dear child, according to the circumstance;
and it requires intelligence, insight and reflection to make the best of each
particular case. -EASTERN LOVE, VOLUME II: THE HARLOT'S BREVIARY OF KSHEMENDRA,
TRANSLATED BY E. POWYS MATHERS The women who can be easily won over to
congress: ... a woman who looks sideways at you; ... a woman who hates her
husband, or who is hated by him; ... a woman who has not had any children; ...
a woman who is very fond of society; a woman who is apparently very
affectionate toward her husband; the wife of an actor; a widow; ... a woman
fond of enjoyments; ... a vain woman; a woman whose husband is inferior to her
in rank or ability; a woman who is proud of her skill in the arts; ... a woman
who is slighted by her husband without any cause; ... a woman whose husband is
devoted to travelling; the wife of a jeweler; a jealous woman; a covetous
woman. -THE HINDI: ART OF LOVE. EDITED BY EDWARD WINDSOR Leisure stimulates
love, leisure watches the lovelorn, \ Leisure's the cause and sustenance of
this sweet \ Evil. Eliminate leisure, and Cupid's bow is broken, \ His torches
lie lightless, scorned. \ As a plane-tree rejoices in wine, as a poplar in
water, \As a marsh-reed in swampy ground, so Venus loves \ Leisure. . . . \ Why
do you think Aegisthus \ Became an adulterer? Easy: he was idle-and bored. \
Everyone else was away at Troy on a lengthy \ Campaign: all Greece had shipped
\ Its contingent across. Suppose he hankered for warfare? Argos \ Had no wars
to offer. Suppose he fancied the courts? \ Argos lacked litigation. Love was
better than doing nothing. \ That's how Cupid slips in; that's how he stays. -
ON ID, CURES FOR LOVE. TRANSLATED BY PETER GREEN The Chinese have a proverb:
"When Yang is in the ascendant, Yin is bom," which means, translated
into our language, that when a man has devoted the better of his life to the
ordinary business of living, the Yin, raring of some gesture of yours, an
unusual shyness, even perhaps a flash of anger or resentment. All of these show
that you arehaving an effect on a person who is open to your influence. Like
Valmont, you can also recognize the right targets by the effect they are having
on you. Perhaps they make you uneasy-perhaps they correspond to a deep-rooted
childhood ideal, or represent some kind of personal taboo that excites you, or
suggest the person you imagine you would be if you were the opposite sex. When
a person has such a deep effect on you, it transforms all of your subsequent
maneuvers. Your face and gestures become more animated. You have more energy;
when victims resist you (as a good victim should) you in turn will be more
creative, more motivated to overcome their resistance. The seduction will move
forward like a good play. Your strong desire will infect the target and give
them the dangerous sensation that they have a power over you. Of course, you
are the one ultimately in control since you are making your victims emotional
at the right moments, leading them back and forth. Good seducers choose targets
that inspire them but they know how and when to restrain themselves. Never rush
into the waiting arms of the first person who seems to like you. That is not seduction
but insecurity. The need that draws you will make for a low-level attachment,
and interest on both sides will sag. Look at the types you have not considered
before-that is where you will find challenge and adventure. Experienced hunters
do not choose their prey by how easily it is caught; they want the thrill of
the chase, a life-and-death struggle-the fiercer the better. Although the
victim who is perfect for you depends on you, certain types lend themselves to
a more satisfying seduction. Casanova liked young women who were unhappy, or
had suffered a recent misfortune. Such women appealed to his desire to play the
savior, but it also responded to necessity: happy people are much harder to
seduce. Their contentment makes them inaccessible. It is always easier to fish
in troubled waters. Also, an air of sadness is itself quite seductive-Genji,
the hero of the Japanese novel The Tale of Genji, could not resist a woman with
a melancholic air. In Kierkegaard's book The Seducer's Diary, the narrator, Johannes,
has one main requirement in his victim: she must have imagination. That is why
he chooses a woman who lives in a fantasy world, a woman who will envelop his
every gesture in poetry, imagining far more than is there. Just as it is hard
to seduce a person who is happy, it is hard to seduce a person who has no
imagination. For women, the manly man is often the perfect victim. Mark Antony
was of this type-he loved pleasure, was quite emotional, and when it came to
women, found it hard to think straight. He was easy for Cleopatra to
manipulate. Once she gained a hold on his emotions, she kept him permanently on
a string. A woman should never be put off by a man who seems overly aggressive.
He is often the perfect victim. It is easy, with a few coquettish tricks, to
turn that aggression around and make him your slave. Such men actually enjoy
being made to chase after a woman. Choose the Right Victim • 173 Be careful
with appearances. The person who seems volcanically passionate is often hiding
insecurity and self-involvement. This was what most men failed to perceive in
the nineteenth-century courtesan Lola Montez. She seemed so dramatic, so
exciting. In fact, she was a troubled, self- obsessed woman, but by the time
men discovered this it was too late-they had become involved with her and could
not extricate themselves without months of drama and torture. People who are
outwardly distant or shy are often better targets than extroverts. They are
dying to be drawn out, and still waters run deep. People with a lot of time on
their hands are extremely susceptible to seduction. They have mental space for
you to fill. Tullia d'Aragona, the infamous sixteenth-century Italian
courtesan, preferred young men as her victims; besides the physical reason for
such a preference, they were moreidlethanworkingmenwithcareers,andtherefore
more defenseless against an ingenious seductress. On the other hand, you should
generally avoid people who are preoccupied with business or work-seduction
demands attention, and busy people have too little space in their minds for you
to occupy. According to Freud, seduction begins early in life, in our
relationship with our parents. They seduce us physically, both with bodily
contact and by satisfying desires such as hunger, and we in turn try to seduce
them into paying us attention. We are creatures by nature vulnerable to
seduction throughout our lives. We all want to be seduced; we yearn to be drawn
out of ourselves, out of our routines and into the drama of eros. And what
draws us more than anything is the feeling that someone has something we don't,
a quality we desire. Your perfect victims are often people who think you have
something they don't, and who will be enchanted to have it provided for them.
Such victims may have a temperament quite the opposite of yours, and this
difference will create an exciting tension. When Jiang Qing, later known as
Madame Mao, first met Mao Tse- tung in 1937 in his mountain retreat in western
China, she could sense how desperate he was for a bit of color and spice in his
life: all the camp's women dressedlikethemen,andabjuredanyfemininefinery. Jiang
had been anactress in Shanghai, and was anything but austere. She supplied what
he lacked, and she also gave him the added thrill of being able to educate her
in communism, appealing to his Pygmalion complex-the desire to dominate,
control, and remake a person. In fact it was Jiang Qing who controlled her
future husband. The greatest lack of all is excitement and adventure, which is
precisely what seduction offers. In 1964, the Chinese actor Shi Pei Pu, a man
who had gained fame as a female impersonator, met Bernard Bouriscout, a young
diplomat assigned to the French embassy in China. Bouriscout had come to China
looking for adventure, and was disappointed to have little contact with Chinese
people. Pretending to be a woman who, when still a child, had been forced to
live as a boy-supposedly the family already had too many daughters-Shi Pei Pu
used the young Frenchman's boredom and or emotional side of his nature, rises
to the surface and demands its rights. When such a period occurs, all that
which has formerly seemed important loses its significance. The will-of-
the-wisp of illusion leads the man hither and thither, taking him on strange
and complicated deviations from his former path in life. Ming Huang, the
"Bright Emperor" of the Tang dynasty, was an example of the profound
truth of this theory. From the moment he saw Yang Kuei-fei bathing in the lake
near his palace in the Li mountains, he was destined to sit at her feet,
leamingfrom her the emotional mysteries of what the Chinese call Yin. -ELOISE
TALCOTT HIBBERT, EMBROIDERED GAUZE: PORTRAITS OF FAMOUS LADIES discontent to
manipulate him. Inventing a story of the deceptions he had had to go through,
he slowly drew Bouriscout into an affair that would last many years.
(Bouriscout had had previous homosexual encounters, but considered himself
heterosexual.) Eventually the diplomat was led into spying for the Chinese. All
the while, he believed Shi Pei Pu was a woman-his for adventure had made him
that vulnerable. Repressed types are perfect victims for a deep seduction.
People who repress the appetite for pleasure make ripe victims, particularly
later in their lives. The eighth-century Chinese Emperor Ming Huang spent much
of his reign trying to rid his court of its costly addiction to luxuries, and
was himself a model of austerity and virtue. But the moment he saw the
concubine Yang Kuei-fei bathing in a palace lake, everything changed. The most
charming woman in the realm, she was the mistress of his son. Exerting his
power, the emperor won her away-only to become her abject slave. The choice of
the right victim is equally important in politics. Mass seducers such as
Napoleon or John F. Kennedy offer their public just what it lacks. When
Napoleon came to power, the French people's sense of pride was beaten down by
the bloody aftermath of the French Revolution. He offered them glory and
conquest. Kennedy recognized that Americans were bored with the stultifying
comfort of the Eisenhower years; he gave them adventure and risk. More
important, he tailored his appeal to the group most vulnerable to it: the
younger generation. Successful politicians know that not everyone will be
susceptible to their charm, but if they can find a group of believers with a
need to be filled, they have supporters who will stand by them no matter what.
Symbol: Big Game. Lions are dangerous-to hunt them is to know the thrill of
risk. Leopards are clever and swift, offering the excitement of a difficult
chase. Never rush into the hunt. Know your prey and choose it carefully. Do not
waste time with small game-the rabbits that back into snares, the mink that
walk into a scented trap. Challenge is pleasure. Choose the Right Victim • 175
Reversal T here is no possible reversal. There is nothing to be gained from
trying to seduce the person who is closed to you, or who cannot provide the
pleasure and chase that you need. 2. Create a False Sense of Security- Approach
Indirectly. Ifyouaretoo rect early on, you risk stirring up a resistance that
will never be lowered. At first there must be nothing of the seducer in your
manner. The seduction should begin at an angle, indirectly, so that the target
only gradually becomes aware of you. Haunt the periphery of your target 's
life-approach through a third party, or seem to cultivate a relatively neutral
relationship, moving gradually from friend to lover. Arrange an occasional
"chance" encounter, as if you and your target were destined to become
acquainted-nothing is more seductive than a sense of destiny. Lull the target
into feeling secure, then strike. Friend to Lover. A nne Marie Louis d'Orleans,
the Duchess de Montpensier, known in seventeenth-century France as La Grande
Mademoiselle, had never known love in her life. Her mother had died when she
was young; her father remarried and ignored her. She came from one of Europe's
most illustrious families: her grandfather had been King Henry IV; the future
King Louis XIV was her cousin. When she was young, matches had been proposed
between her and the widowed king of Spain, the son of the Holy Roman emperor,
and even cousin Louis himself, among many others. But all of these matches were
designed for political purposes, or because of her family's enormous wealth. No
one bothered to woo her; she rarely evenmet her suitors. To make matters worse,
the Grande Mademoiselle was an idealist who believed in the old-fashioned
values of chivalry: courage, honesty, virtue. She loathed the schemers whose
motives in courting her were dubious at best. Whom could she trust? One by one
she found a reason to spurn them. Spinsterhood seemed to be her fate. In April
of 1669, the Grande Mademoiselle, then forty-two, met one of the strangest men
in the court: the Marquis Antonin Peguilin, later known as the Duke de Lauzun.
A favorite of Louis XIV's, the thirty-six- year-old Marquis was a brave soldier
with an acid wit. He was also an incurable Don Juan. Although he was short, and
certainly not handsome, his impudent manners and his military exploits made him
irresistible to women. The Grande Mademoiselle had noticed him some years
before, admiring his elegance and boldness. But it was only this time, in 1669,
that she had a real conversation with him, if a short one, and although she
knew of his lady-killer reputation, she found him charming. A few days later
they ran into each other again; this time the conversation was longer, and
Lauzun proved more intelligent than she had imagined-they talked of the
playwright Corneille (her favorite), of heroism, and of other elevated topics.
Now their encounters became more frequent. They had become friends. Anne Marie
noted in her diary that her conversations with Lauzun, when they occurred, were
the highlight of her day; when he was not at court, she felt his absence.
Surely her encounters with him came frequently enough that they could not be
accidental on his part, but he always seemed surprised to see her. At the same
time, she recorded feeling uneasy- strange emotions were stealing up on her,
she did not know why. Many women adore the elusive, \ Hate overeagerness. So,
play hard to get, \ Stop boredom developing. And don't let your entreaties \
Sound too confident of possession. Insinuate sex \ Camouflaged as friendship.
I've seen ultrastubborn creatures \ Fooled by this gambit, the switch from
companion to stud. -OVID, THEART OF LOVE, TRANSLATED BY PETER GREEN On the
street, I do not stop her, or I exchange a greeting with her but never come
close, but always strive for distance. Presumably our repeated encounters are
clearly noticeable to her; presumably she does perceive that on her horizon a
new planet has loomed, which in its course has encroached disturbingly upon
hers in a curiously undisturbing way, but she has no inkling of the law
underlying this movement. . . . Before I begin my attack, I must first become
acquainted with her and her whole mental state. -S0REN KIERKEGAARD, THE
SEDUCER'S DIARY. TRANSLATED BY HOWARD V. HONG AND EDNA H. HONG No sooner had he
spoken than the bullocks, driven from their mountain pastures, were on their
way to the beach, as Jove had directed; they were making for the sands where
the daughter [Europa] of the great king used to play with the young girls of
Tyre, who were her companions. • . . . Abandoning the dignity of his scepter,
the father and ruler of the gods, whose hand wields the flaming threeforked
bolt, whose nod shakes the universe, adopted the guise of a bull; and, mingling
with the other bullocks, joined in the lowing and ambled in the tender grass, a
fair sight to sec. His hide was white as untrodden snow, snow not yet melted by
the rainy South wind. The muscles stood out on his neck, and deep folds of skin
hung along his flanks. His horns were small, it is true, but so beautifully
made that you would swear they were the work of an artist, more polished and
shining than any jewel. There was no menace in the set of his head or in his
eyes; he looked completely placid. • Agenor's daughter [Europa ] was filled
with admiration for one so handsome and so friendly. But, gentle though he
seemed, she was afraid at first to touch him; then she went closer, and held
out flowers to his shining lips. The lover was delighted Time passed, and the
Grande Mademoiselle was to leave Paris for a week or two. Now Lauzun approached
her without warning and made an emotional plea to be considered her confidante,
the great friend who would execute any commission she needed done while she was
away. He was poetic and chivalrous, but what did he really mean? In her diary,
Anne Marie finally confronted the emotions that had been stirring in her since
their first conversation: "I told myself, these are not vague musings;
there must be an object to all of these feelings, and I could not imagine who
it was. . . . Finally, after troubling myself with this for several days, I
realized that it was M. de Lauzun whom I loved, it was he who had somehow
slipped into my heart and captured it." Made aware of the source of her
feelings, the Grande Mademoiselle became more direct. If Lauzun was to be her
confidante, she could talk to him of marriage, of the matches that were still
being offered to her. The topic might give him a chance to express his
feelings; perhaps he might show jealousy. Unfortunately Lauzun did not seem to
take the hint. Instead, he asked her why she was thinking of marriage at
all-she seemed so happy. Besides, who could possibly be worthy of her? This
went on for weeks. She could pry nothing personal out of him. In a way, she
understood-there were the differences in rank (she was far above him) and age
(she was six years older). Then, a few months later, the wife of the king's
brother died, and King Louis suggested to the Grande Mademoiselle that she
replace his late sister-in-law-that is, that she marry his brother. Anne Marie
was disgusted; clearly the brother was trying to get his hands on her fortune.
She asked Lauzun his opinion. As the king's loyal servants, he replied, they
must obey the royal wish. His answer did not please her, and to make things
worse, he stopped visiting her, as if it were no longer proper for them to be
friends. This was the last straw. The Grande Mademoiselle told the king she
would not marry his brother, and that was that. Now Anne Marie met with Lauzun,
and told him she would write on a piece of paper the name of the man she had
wanted to marry all along. He was to put the paper under his pillow and read it
the next morning. When he did, he found the words "C'est vous "-It is
you. Seeing the Grande Mademoiselle the following evening, Lauzun said she must
have been joking; she would make him the laughing stock of the court. She
insisted that she was serious. He seemed shocked, surprised-but not as
surprised as the rest of the court was a few weeks later, when an engagement
was announced between this relatively low-ranking Don Juan and the
second-highest-ranking lady in France, a woman known for both her virtue and
her skill at defending it. Interpretation. The Duke de Lauzun was one of the
greatest seducers in history, and his slow and steady seduction of the Grande
Mademoiselle was his masterpiece. His method was simple: indirection. Sensing
her interest in him in that first conversation, he decided to beguile her with
friendship. Create a False Sense of Security-Approach Indirectly He would
become her most devoted friend. At first this was charming; a man was taking
the time to talk to her, of poetry, history, the deeds of war-her favorite
subjects. She slowly began to confide in him. Then, almost without her
realizing it, her feelings shifted: the consummate ladies' man was only
interested in friendship? He was not attracted to her as a ? Such thoughts made
her aware that she had fallen in love with him. This, in part, was what
eventually made her turn down the match the king's brother-a decision cleverly
and indirectly provoked by Lauzun himself, when he stopped visiting her. And
how could he be after money or position, or sex, when he had never made any
kind of move? No, the brilliance of Lauzun's seduction was that the Grande
Mademoiselle it was she who was making all the moves. Once you have chosen the
right victim, you must get his or her attention and stir desire. To move from
friendship to love can win success without calling attention to itself as a
maneuver. First, your friendly conversations with your targets will bring you
valuable information about their characters, their tastes, their weaknesses,
the childhood yearnings that govern their adult behavior. (Lauzun, for example,
could adapt cleverly to Anne Marie's tastes once he had studied her close up.)
Second, by spending time with your targets you can make them comfortable with
you. Believing you are interested only in their thoughts, in their company,
they will lower their resistance, dissipating the usual tension between the
sexes. Now they are vulnerable, for your friendship with them has opened the
golden gate to their body: their mind. At this point any offhand comment, any
slight physical contact, will spark a different thought, which will catch them
offguard: perhaps there could be something else between you. Once that feeling
has stirred, they will wonder why you haven't made a move, and will take the
initiative themselves, enjoying the illusion that they are in control. There is
nothing more effective in seduction than making the seduced think that they are
the ones doing the seducing. I do not approach her, 1 merely skirt the
periphery of her existence. . . . This is the first web into which she must
bespun. -S0REN KIERKEGAARD Key to Seduction W hat you are after as a seducer is
the ability to move people in the direction you want them to go. But the game
is perilous; the moment they suspect they are acting under your influence, they
will become resentful. We are creatures who cannot stand feeling that we are
obeying someone else's will. Should your targets catch on, sooner or later they
will turn against you. But what if you can make them do what you want them to
without their realizing it? What if they think they are in control? That is
and, until he could achieve h is hoped-for pleasure, kissed her hands. He could
scarcely wait for the rest, only with great difficulty did he restrain himself
• Now he frolicked and played on the green turf now lay down, all snowy white
on the yellow sand. Gradually the princess lost herfear, and with her innocent
hands she stroked his breast when he offered itfor her caress, and hung fresh
garlands on his horns: till finally she even ventured to mount the bull, little
knowing on whose back she was resting. Then the god drew away from the shore by
easy stages, first planting the hooves that were part of his disguise in the
surf at the water's edge, and then proceeding farther out to sea, till he bore
his booty away over the wide stretches of mid ocean. - OVID, METAMORPHOSES,
TRANSLATED BY MARY M. INNES These few reflections lead us to the understanding
that, since in attempting a seduction it is up to the man to make the first
steps, for the seducer, to seduce is nothing more than reducing the distance,
in this case that of the difference between the sexes and that, in order to
accomplish this, it is necessary to feminize himself or at least identify
himself with the object of his seduction. ... As Alain Roger writes: "If
there is a seduction, it is the seducer who is first lead astray, in the sense
that he abdicates his own sex. . . . Seduction undoubtedly aims at sexual
consummation, but it only gets there in creating a kind 182 of simulacra of
Gomorra. The seducer is nothing more than a lesbian." -FREDERIC MONNEYRON,
S EDUIRE: L'lMAGINAIRE DE LA SEDUCTION DE DON GIOVANNI A MICK JAGGER As he
[Jupiter ] was hurrying busily to and fro, he stopped short at the sight of an
Arcadian maiden. The fire of passion kindled the very marrow of his bones. This
girl was not one who spent her time in spinning soft fibers of wool, or in
arranging her hair in different styles. She was one of Diana's warriors,
wearing her tunic pinned together with a brooch, her tresses carelessly caught
back by a white ribbon, and carrying in her hand a light javelin or her bow. .
. . • The sun on high had passed its zenith, whenshe entered a grove whose
trees had neverfelt the axe. Here she took her quiver from her shoulders,
unstrung her pliant bow, lay down on the turf, resting her head on her painted
quiver. When Jupiter saw her thus, tired and unprotected, he said: "Here
is a secret of which my wife will know nothing; or if she does get to know of
it, it will be worth her reproaches!" • Without wasting time he assumed
the appearance and the dress of Diana, and spoke to the girl. 'Dearest of all my
companions," he said, "where have you been hunting? On what mountain
ridges?" She raised herself from the grass: "Greeting, divine
mistress," she cried, "greater in my sight than the power of
indirection and no seducer can work his or her magic without it. The first move
to master is simple: once you have chosen the right person, you must make the
target come to you. If, in the opening stages, you can make your targets think
that they are the ones making the first approach, you have won the game. There will
be no resentment, no perverse counterreaction, no paranoia. To make them come
to you requires giving them space. This can be accomplished in several ways.
You can haunt the periphery of their existence, letting them notice you in
different places but never approaching them. You will get their attention this
way, and if they want to bridge the gap, they will have to come to you. You can
befriend them, as Lauzun did the Grande Mademoiselle, moving steadily closer
while always maintaining the distance appropriate for friends of the opposite
sex. You can also play cat and mouse with them, first seeming interested, then
stepping back- actively luring them to follow you into your web. Whatever you
do, and whatever kind of seduction you are practicing, you must at all cost
avoid the natural tendency to crowd your targets. Do not make the mistake of
thinking they will lose interest unless you apply pressure, or that they will
enjoy a flood of attention. Too much attention early on will actually just
suggest insecurity, and raise doubts as to your motives. Worst of all, it gives
your targets no room for imagination. Take a step back; let the thoughts you
are provoking come to them as if they were their own. This is doubly important
if you are dealing with someone who has a deep effect on you. We can never
really understand the opposite sex. They are always mysterious to us, and it is
this mystery that provides the tension so delightful in seduction; but it is
also a source of unease. Freud famously wondered what women really wanted; even
to this most insightful of psychological thinkers, the opposite sex was a
foreign land. For both men and women, there are deep-rooted feelings of fear
and anxiety in relation to the opposite sex. In the initial stages of a
seduction, then, you must find ways to calm any sense of mistrust that the
other person may experience. (A sense of danger and fear can heighten the
seduction later on, but if you stir such emotions in the first stages, you will
more likely scare the target away.) Establish a neutral distance, seem
harmless, and you give yourself room to move. Casanova cultivated a slight
femininity in his character-an interest in clothes, theater, domestic
matters-that young girls found comforting. The Renaissance courtesan Tullia d'Aragona,
developing friendships with the great thinkers and poets of her time, talked of
literature and philosophy- anything but the boudoir (and anything but the money
that was also her goal). Johannes, the narrator of Soren Kierkegaard's The
Seducer's Diary, follows, his target, Cordelia, from a distance; when their
paths cross, he is polite and apparently shy. As Cordelia gets to know him, he
doesn't frighten her. In fact he is so innocuous she begins to wish he were
less so. Duke Ellington, the great jazz artist and a consummate seducer, would
Create a False Sense of Security- initially dazzle the ladies with his good
looks, stylish clothing, and charisma. But once he was alone with a woman, he
would take a slight step back, becoming excessively polite, makingonly small
talk. Banal conversation can be a brilliant tactic; it hypnotizes the target.
The dullness of your front gives the subtlest suggestive word, the slightest
look, an amplified power. Never mention love and you make its absence speak
volumes-your victims will wonder why you never discuss your emotions, and as
they have such thoughts, they will go further, imagining what else is going on
in your mind. They will be the ones to bring up the topic of love or affection.
Deliberate dullness has many applications. In psychotherapy, the doctor makes
monosyllabic responses to draw patients in, making them relax and open up. In
international negotiations, Henry Kissinger would lull diplomats with boring
details, then strike with bold demands. Early in a seduction, less-colorful
words are often more effective than vivid ones-the target tunes them out, looks
at your face, begins to imagine, fantasize, fall under your spell. Getting to
your targets through other people is extremely effective; infiltrate their
circle and you are no longer a stranger. Before the seventeenth- century
seducer Count de Grammont made a move, he would befriend his target's
chambermaid, her valet, a friend, even a lover. In this way he could gather
information, finding a way to approach her in an unthreatening manner. He could
also plant ideas, saying thingsthethirdpartywas likely to repeat, things that
would intrigue the lady, particularly when they came from someone she knew.
Ninon de 1'Enclos, the seventeenth-century courtesan and strategist of
seduction, believed that disguising one's intentions was not only a necessity,
it added to the pleasure of the game. A man should never declare his feelings,
she felt, particularly early on. It is irritating and provokes mistrust.
"A woman is much better persuaded that she is loved by what she guesses
than by what she is told," Ninon once remarked. Often a person's haste in
declaring his or her feelings comes from a false desire to please, thinking
this will flatter the other. But the desire to please can annoy and offend.
Children, cats, and coquettes draw us to them by apparently not trying, even by
seeming uninterested. Leam to disguise your feelings and let people figure out
what is happening for themselves. In all arenas of life, you should never give
the impression that you are angling for something-that will raise a resistance
that you will never lower. Leam to approach people from the side. Mute your
colors, blend in, seem unthreatening, and you will have more room to maneuver
later on.The same holds true in politics, where overt ambition often frightens
people. Vladimir Ilyich Lenin at first glance looked like an everyday Russian;
he dressed like a worker, spoke with a peasant accent, had no air of greatness.
This made the public feel comfortable and identify with him. Yet beneath this
apparently bland appearance, of course, was a deeply clever man who was always
maneuvering. By the time people realized this it was too late. -Approach
Indirectly • 183 Jove himself-I care not if he hears me!" Jove laughed to
hear her words. Delighted to be preferred to himself he kissed her-not with the
restraint becoming to a maiden's kisses: and as she began to tell of her
hunting exploits in the forest, he prevented her by his embrace, and betrayed
his real self by a shameful action. So far from complying, she resisted him as
far as a woman could . . . but how could a girl overcome a man, and who could
defeat Jupiter? He had his way, and returned to the upper air. - OVID,
METAMORPHOSES, TRANSLATED BY MARY M. INNES I had rather hear my dog bark at a
crow than a man swear he loves me. -BEATRICE, IN WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, MUCH ADO
ABOUT NOTHING I know of a man whose beloved was completely friendly and at ease
with him; but if he had disclosed by the least gesture that he was in love, the
beloved would have become as remotefrom him as the Pleiades, whose stars hang
so high in heaven. It is a sort of statesmanship that is required in such
cases; the party concerned was enjoying the pleasure of his loved one's company
intensely and to the last degree, but if he had so much as hinted at his inner
feelings he would have attained but a miserable fraction of the beloved's
favor, and endured into the bargain all the arrogance and caprice of which love
is Symbol: The Spider's Web. The spiderfinds an innocuous corner in capable.
which to spin its web. The longer the web takes, the more fabulous -IBN HAZM;
THE RING OF THE DOVE: A TREATISE ON THE ART AND PRACTICE OF ARAB LOVE ,
TRANSLATED BY A.J. ARBERRY its construction, yetfew really notice it-its
gossamer threads are nearly invisible. The spider has no need to chaseforfood,
or even to move. It quietly sits in the corner, waitingfor its victims to come
to it on their own, and ensnare themselves in the web. Reversal I n warfare,
you need space to align your troops, room to maneuver. The more space you have,
the more intricate your strategy can be. But sometimes it is better to
overwhelm the enemy, giving them no time to think or react. Although Casanova
adapted his strategies to the woman in question, he would often try to make an
immediate impression, stirring her desire at the first encounter. Perhaps he
would perform some gallantry, rescuing a woman in danger; perhaps he would
dress so that his target would notice him in a crowd. In either case, once he
had the woman's attention he would move with lightning speed. A Siren like
Cleopatra tries to have an immediate physical effect on men, giving her victims
no time or space to retreat. She uses the element of surprise. The first period
of your contact with someone can involve a level of desire that will never be
repeated; boldness will carry the day. But these are short seductions. The
Sirens and the Casanovas only get pleasure from the number of their victims,
moving quickly from conquest to conquest, and this can be tiring. Casanova
burned himself out; Sirens, insatiable, are never satisfied. The indirect,
carefully constructed seduction may reduce the number of your conquests, but
more than compensate by their quality. 3 Send Mixed Signals Once people are
aware of your presence, and perhaps vaguely intrigued, you need to stir their
interest before it settles on someone else. What is obvious and striking may
attract their attention atfirst, but that attention is often short-lived; in
the long run, ambiguity is much more potent. Most of us are much too obvious -
instead, be hard to figure out. Send mixed signals: both tough and tender, both
spiritual and earthy, both innocent and cunning. A mix of qualities suggests
depth, which fascinates even as it confuses. An elusive, enigmatic aura will
make people want to know more, drawing them into your circle. Create such a
power by hinting at something contradictory within you. Good and Bad I n 1806,
when Prussia and France were at war, Auguste, the handsome twenty-four-year-old
prince of Prussia and nephew of Frederick the Great, was captured by Napoleon.
Instead of locking him up, Napoleon allowed him to wander around French
territory, keeping a close watch on him through spies. The prince was devoted
to pleasure, and spent his time moving from town to town, seducing young girls.
In 1807 he decided to visit the Chateau de Coppet, in Switzerland, where lived
the great French writer Madame de Stael Auguste was greeted by his hostess with
as much ceremony as she could muster. After she had introduced him to her other
guests, they all retired to a drawing room, where they talked of Napoleon's war
in Spain, the current Paris fashions, and so on. Suddenly the door opened and
another guest entered, a woman who had somehow stayed in her room during the
hubbub of the prince's entrance. It was the thirty-year-old Madame Recamier,
Madame de Stael's closest friend. She introduced herself to the prince, then
quickly retired to her bedroom. Auguste had known that Madame Recamier was at
the chateau. In fact he had heard many stories about this infamous woman, who,
in the years after the French Revolution, was considered the most beautiful in
France. Men had gone wild over her, particularly at balls when she would take
off her evening wrap, revealing the diaphanous white dresses that she had made
famous, and dance with such abandon. The painters Gerard and David had
immortalized her face and fashions, and even her feet, considered the most
beautiful anyone had ever seen; and she had broken the heart of Lucien
Bonaparte, the Emperor Napoleon's brother. Auguste liked his girls younger than
Madame Recamier, and he had come to the chateau to rest. But those few moments
in which she had stolen the scene with her sudden entrance caught him off
guard; she was as beautiful as people had said, but more striking than her
beauty was that look of hers that seemed so sweet, indeed heavenly, with a hint
of sadness in the eyes. The other guests continued their conversations, but
Auguste could only think of Madame Recamier. Over dinner that evening, he
watched her. She did not talk much, and kept her eyes downward, but once or
twice she looked up-directly at the prince. After dinner the guests assembled
in the gallery, and a harp was brought in. To the prince's delight, Madame
Recamier began to play. Reichardt had seen Juliette at another ball, protesting
coyly that she would not dance, and then, after a while, throwing off her heavy
evening gown, to reveal a light dress underneath. On all sides, there were
murmurs and whisperings about her coquetry and affectation. As ever, she wore
white satin, cut very low in the back, revealing her charming shoulders. The
men implored her to dance for them. ... To soft music she floated into the room
in her diaphanous Greek robe. Her head was bound with a muslin fichu. She bowed
timidly to the audience, and then, spinning round lightly, she shook a
transparent scarf with her fingertips, so that in turns it billowed into the
semblance of a drapery, a veil, a cloud. All this with a strange blend
ofprecision and languor. She used her eyes in a subtle fascinating way -
"she danced with her eyes." The women thought that all that
serpentine undulating of the body, all that nonchalant rhythmic nodding of the
head, were sensuous; the men were wafted into a realm of unearthly bliss.
Juliette wan ange fatal, and much more dangerous for looking like an angel! The
music grew fainter. Suddenly, by a deft trick, Juliette's chestnut hair was
loosened andfell in clouds around her. A little out of breath, she disappeared
into her dimly lit boudoir. And there the crowdfollowed her and beheld her
reclining on her daybed in a loose tea-gown, looking fashionably pale, like
Gerard's Psyche, while her maids cooled her brow with toilet water. -MARGARET
TROUNCER, MADAME RECAMIER The idea that two distinct elements are combined in
Mona Lisa's smile is one that has struck several critics. They accordingly find
in the beautiful Florentine's expression the most perfect representation of the
contrasts that dominate the erotic life of women; the contrast between reserve
and seduction, and between the most devoted tenderness and a sensuality that is
ruthlessly demanding - consuming men as if they were alien beings. -SIGMUND FREUD,
LEONARDO DA VINCI AND A MEMORY OF HIS CHILDHOOD, TRANSLATED BY ALAN TYSON
[Oscar Wilde's] hands were fat and flabby; his handshake lacked grip, and at a
first encounter one recoiled from its plushy limpness, but this aversion was
soon overcome when he began to talk, for his genuine kindliness and desire to
please made one forget what was unpleasant singing a love song. And now,
suddenly, she changed: there was a roguish look in her eye as she glanced at
him. The angelic voice, the glances, the energy animating her face, sent his
mind reeling. He was confused. When the same thing happened the next night, the
prince decided to extend his stay at the chateau. In the days that followed,
the prince and Madame Recamier took walks together, rowed out on the lake, and
attended dances, where he finally held her in his arms. They would talk late
into the night. But nothing grew clear to him: she would seem so spiritual, so
noble, and then there would be a touch of the hand, a sudden flirtatious
remark. After two weeks at the chateau, the most eligible bachelor in Europe
forgot all his libertine habits and proposed marriage to Madame Recamier. He
would convert to Catholicism, her religion, and she would divorce her much
older husband. (She had told him her marriage had never been consummated and so
the Catholic church could annul it.) She would then come to live with him in
Prussia. Madame promised to do as he wished. The prince hurried off to Pmssia
to seek the approval of his family, and Madame returned to Paris to secure the
required annulment. Auguste flooded her with love letters, and waited. Time
passed; he felt he was going mad. Then, finally, a letter: she had changed her
mind. Some months later, Madame Recamier sent Auguste a gift: Gerard's famous
painting of her reclining on a sofa. The prince spent hours in front of it,
trying to pierce the mystery behind her gaze. He had joined the company of her
conquests-of men like the writer Benjamin Constant, who said of her, "She
was my last love. For the rest of my life I was like a tree struck
bylightning." Interpretation. Madame Recamier's list of conquests became
only more impressive as she grew older: there was Prince Metternich, the Duke
of Wellington, the writers Constant and Chateaubriand. For all of these men she
was an obsession, which only increased in intensity when they were away from
her. The source of her power was twofold. First, she had an angelic face, which
drew men to her. It appealed to paternal instincts, charming with its
innocence. But then there was a second quality peeking through, in the
flirtatious looks, the wild dancing, the sudden gaiety-all these caught men off
guard. Clearly there was more to her than they had thought, an intriguing
complexity. When alone, they would find themselves pondering these
contradictions, as if a poison were coursing through their blood. Madame
Recamier was an enigma, a problem that had to be solved. Whatever it was that
you wanted, whether a coquettish she-devil or an unattainable goddess, she
could seem to be. She surely encouraged this illusion by keeping her men at a
certain distance, so they could never figure her out. And she was the queen of
the calculated effect, like her surprise entrance at the Chateau de Coppet,
which made her the center of attention, if only for a few seconds. Send Mixed
Signals • 189 The seductive process involves filling someone's mind with your
image. Your innocence, or your beauty, or your flirtatiousness can attract
their attention but not their obsession; they will soon move on to the next
striking image. To deepen their interest, you must hint at a complexity that
cannot be grasped in a week or two. You are an elusive mystery, an irresistible
lure, promising great pleasure if only it can be possessed. Once they begin to
fantasize about you, they are on the brink of the slippery slope of seduction,
and will not be able to stop themselves from sliding down. Artificial and
Natural, T he big Broadway hit of 1881 was Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta
Patience, a satire on the bohemian world of aesthetes and dandies that had
become so fashionable in London. To cash in on this vogue, the operetta's
promoters decided to invite one of England's most infamous aesthetes to America
for a lecture tour; Oscar Wilde. Only twenty-seven at the time, Wilde was more
famous for his public persona than for his small body of work. The American
promoters were confident that their public would be fascinated by this man,
whom they imagined as always walking around with a flower in his hand, but they
did not expect it to last; he would do a few lectures, then the novelty would
wear off, and they would ship him home. The money was good and Wilde accepted.
On hisarrival in New York, a customs man asked him whether he had anything to
declare: "I have nothing to declare," he replied, "except my
genius." The invitations poured in-New York society was curious to meet
this oddity. Women found Wilde enchanting, but the newspapers were less kind;
The New York Times called him an "aesthetic sham." Then, a week after
his arrival, he gave his first lecture. The hall was packed; more than a
thousand people came, many of themjust to see what he looked like. They were
not disappointed. Wilde did not carry a flower, and was taller than they had
expected, but he had long flowing hair and wore a green velvet suit and cravat,
as well as knee breeches and silk stockings. Many in the audience were put off;
as they looked up at him from their seats, the combination of his large size
and pretty attire were rather repulsive. Some people openly laughed, others
could not hide their unease. They expected to hate the man. Then he began to
speak. The subject was the "English Renaissance," the "art for
art's sake" movement in late-nineteenth-century England. Wilde's voice
proved hypnotic; he spoke in a kind of meter, mannered and artificial, and few
really understood what he was saying, but the speech was so witty, and it
flowed. His appearance was certainly strange, but overall, no New Yorker had
ever seen or heard such an intriguing man, and the lecture was a huge success.
Even the newspapers warmed up to it. In Boston a few weeks later, some sixty
Harvard boys had prepared an ambush: they would make lun of this effeminate
poet by dressing in knee breeches, carrying flowers, and ap- in his physical
appearance and contact, gave charm to his manners, and grace to his precision
of speech. The first sight of him affected people in various ways. Some could
hardly restrain their laughter, others felt hostile, a few were afflicted with
the "creeps" many were conscious of being uneasy, but exceptfor a
small minority who could never recover from the first sensation of distaste and
so kept out of his way, both sexes found him irresistible, and to the young men
of his time, says W. B. Yeats, he was like a triumphant and audacious figure
from another age. -HESKETH PEARSON, OSCAR WILDE: HIS UFE AND WIT Once upon a
time there was a magnet, and in its close neighborhood lived some steel
filings. One day two or three little filings felt a sudden desire to go and visit
the magnet, and they began to talk of what a pleasant thing it would be to do.
Other filings nearby overheard their conversation, and they, too, became
infected with the same desire. Still others joined them, till at last all the
filings began to discuss the matter, and more and more their vague desire grew
into an impulse. "Why not go today?" said one of them; but others
were of opinion that it would be better to wait until tomorrow. Meanwhile,
without their having noticed it, they had been involuntarily moving nearer to
the magnet, which lay there quite still, apparently taking no heed of them. And
so they went on discussing, all the time insensibly drawing nearer to their
neighbor; and the more they talked, the more they felt the impulse growing
stronger, till the more impatient ones declared that they would go that day,
whatever the rest did. Some were heard to say that it was their duty to visit
the magnet, and they ought to have gone long ago. And, while they talked, they
moved always nearer and nearer, without realizing that they had moved. Then, at
last, the impatient ones prevailed, and, with one irresistible impulse, the
whole body cried out, "There is no use waiting. We will go today. We will
go now. We will go at once." And then in one unanimous mass they swept
along, and in another moment were clingingfast to the magnet on every side.
Then the magnet smiled-for the steel filings had no doubt at all but that they
were paying that visit of their own free will. -OSCAR WILDE, AS QUOTED BY
RICHARD LE GALLIENNE IN plauding far too loudly at his entrance. Wilde was not
the least bit flustered. The audience laughed hysterically at his improvised
comments, and when the boys heckled him he kept his dignity, betraying no anger
at all. Once again, the contrast between his manner and his physical appearance
made him seem rather extraordinary. Many were deeply impressed, and Wilde was
well on his way to becoming a sensation. The short lecture tour turned into a
cross-country affair. In San Francisco, this visiting lecturer on art and
aesthetics proved able to drink everyone under the table and play poker, which
made him the hit of the season. On his way back from the West Coast, Wilde was
to make stops in Colorado, and was warned that if the pretty-boy poet dared to
show up in the mining town of Leadville, he would be hung from the highest
tree. It was an invitation Wilde could not refuse. Arriving in Leadville, he
ignored the hecklers and nasty looks; he toured the mines, drank and played
cards, then lectured on Botticelli and Cellini in the saloons. Like everyone
else, the miners fell under his spell, even naming a mine after him. One cowboy
was heard to say, "That fellow is some art guy, but he can drink any of us
under the table and afterwards carry us home two at a time."
Interpretation. In a fable he improvised at dinner once, Oscar Wilde talked
about some steel filings that had a sudden desire to visit a nearby magnet. As
they talked to each other about this, they found themselves moving closer to
the magnet without realizing how or why. Finally they were swept in one mass to
the magnet's side. "Then the magnet smiled-for the steel filings had no
doubt at all but that they were paying that visit of their own free will."
Such was the effect that Wilde himself had on everyone around him. HESKETH
PEARSON, OSCAR WILDE: HIS UFE AND WIT Now that the bohort [impromptu joust] was
over and the knights were dispersing and each making his way to where his
thoughts inclined him, it chanced that Rivalin was heading for where lovely
Blancheflor was sitting. Seeing this, he galloped up to her and looking her in
the eyes saluted her most pleasantly. • "God save you, lovely woman!"
• "Thank you," said the girl, and continued very bashfully, "may
God Almighty, who makes all hearts glad, gladden your heart and mind! And my
Wilde's attractiveness was more than just a by-product of his character, it was
quite calculated. An adorer of paradox, he consciously played up his own
weirdness and ambiguity, the contrast between his mannered appearance and his
witty, effortless performance. Naturally warm and spontaneous, he constructed
an image that ran counter to his nature. People were repelled, confused,
intrigued, and finally drawn to this man who seemed impossible to figure out.
Paradox is seductive because it plays with meaning. We are secretly oppressed
by the rationality in our lives, where everything is meant to mean something;
seduction, by contrast, thrives on ambiguity, on mixed signals, on anything
that eludes interpretation. Most people are painfully obvious. If their
character is showy, we may be momentarily attracted, but the attraction wears
off; there is no depth, no contrary motion, to pull us in. The key to both
attracting and holding attention is to radiate mystery. And no one is naturally
mysterious, at least not for long; mystery is something you have to work at, a
ploy on your part, and something that must be used early on in the seduction.
Let one part of your character show, so everyone notices it. (In the example of
Wilde, this was the mannered affectation con- Send Mixed Signals • 191 veyed by
Ms clothes and poses.) But also send out a mixed signal-some sign that you are
not what you seem, a paradox. Do not worry if this underquality is a negative
one, like danger, cmelty, or amorality; people will be drawn to the enigma
anyway, and pure goodness is rarely seductive. Paradox with him was only truth
standing on its head to attract attention. - RICHARD LE GALLIENNE, ON HIS
FRIEND OSCAR WILDE grateful thanks to you !- yet notforgetting a bone I have to
pick with you." • "Ah, sweet woman, what have I done?" was
courteous Rivalin's reply. • "You have annoyed me through a friend of
mine, the best I ever had. " • "Good heavens," thought he, "what
does this mean? What have I done to. Keys to Seduction displease
her? What does she say I have done?" and he imagined that N othing can
proceed in seduction unless you can attract and hold your attention, your
physical presence becoming a haunting mental presence. It is actually quite easy
to create that first stir-an alluring style of dress, a suggestive glance,
something extreme about you. But what happens next? Our minds are barraged with
images-not just from media but from the disorder of daily life. And many of
these images are quite striking. You become just one more thing screaming for
attention; your attractiveness will pass unless you spark the more enduring
kind of spell that makes people think of you in your absence. That means
engaging their imaginations, making them think there is more to you than what
they see. Once they start embellishing your image with their fantasies, they
are hooked. This must, however, be done early on, before your targets know too
much and their impressions of you are set. It should occur the moment they lay
eyes on you. By sending mixedsignals in that first encounter, you create a
little surprise, a little tension: you seem to be one thing (innocent, brash,
intellectual, witty), but you also throw them a glimpse of something else
(devilish, shy, spontaneous, sad). Keep things subtle: if the second quality is
too strong, you will seem schizopMenic. But make them wonder why you might be
shy or sad underneath your brash intellectual wit, and you will have their
attention. Give them an ambiguity that lets them see what they want to see,
capture their imagination with little voyeuristic glimpses into your dark soul.
The Greek philosopher Socrates was one of history's greatest seducers; the
young men who followed him as students were not just fascinated by Ms ideas,
they fell in love with him. One such youth was Alcibiades, the unwittingly he
must have injured a kinsman of hers some time at their knightly sports and that
was why she was vexed with him. But no, the friend she referred to was her
heart, in which he made her suffer: that was the friend she spoke of But he
knew nothing of that. • "Lovely woman," he said with all his
accustomed charm, "I do not want you to be angry with me or bear me any
ill will. So, if what you tell me is true, pronounce sentence on me yourself: I
will do whatever you command." • "I do not hate you overmuch for what
has happened," was the sweet girl's answer, "nor do I love you for
it. But to see what amends you will make for the wrong you have done me, I shall
test you another time." • And so he bowed as if to go, and she, lovely
girl, sighed at him most secretly and said with tender feeling: • "Ah,
dear notorious playboy who became a powerful political figure near the end of
the fifth century B.C. In Plato's Symposium, Alcibiades describes Socrates's
seductive powers by comparing him to the little figures of Silenus that were
made back then. In Greek myth, Silenus was quite ugly, but also a wise prophet.
Accordingly the statues of Silenus were hollow, and when you took them apart, you
would find little figures of gods inside them-the inner truth and beauty under
the unappealing exterior. And so, for Alcibiades, it was the same with
Socrates, who was so ugly as to be repellent but whose face radiated inner
beauty and contentment. The effect was confus- friend, God bless you!"
From this time on the thoughts of each ran on the other. • Rivalin turned away,
pondering many things. He pondered from many sides why Blancheflor should be
vexed, and what lay behind it all. He considered her greeting, her words; he
examined her sigh minutely, herfarewell, he whole behavior. . . But since he
was uncertain of her motive-whether she had acted from enmity orlove-he wavered
in perplexity. He wavered in his thoughts now here, now there. At one moment he
was off in one direction, then suddenly in another, till he had so ensnared
himself in the toils of his own desire that he was powerless to escape . . . •
His entanglement had placed him in a quandary, for he did not know whether she
wished him well or ill; he could not make out whether she loved or hated him.
No hope or despair did he consider which did not forbid him either to advance
or retreat-hope and despair led him to andfro in unresolved dissension. Hope
spoke to him of love, despair of hatred. Because of this discord he could yield
his firm belief neither to hatred nor yet to love. Thus his feelings drifted in
an unsure haven-hope bore him on, despair away. He found no constancy in
either; they agreed neither one way or another. When despair came and told him
that his Blancheflor was his enemy he faltered and sought to escape: but at
once came hope, bringing him her love, and a fond aspiration, and so perforce
he remained. In theface of such discord he did not know where to turn: nowhere
could he go forward. The more he strove to flee, the more firmly love forced
him back. The harder he struggled to escape, love drew him back more firmly.
-GOTTFRIED VON STRASSBURG, TRISTAN. TRANSLATED BY A.T.HATTOing and attractive.
Antiquity's other great seducer, Cleopatra, also sent out mixed signals: by all
accounts physically alluring, in voice, face, body, and manner, she also had a
brilliantly active mind, which for many writers of the time made her seem
somewhat masculine in spirit. These contrary qualities gave her complexity, and
complexity gave her power. To capture and hold attention, you need to show
attributes that go against your physical appearance, creating depth and
mystery. If you have a sweet face and an innocent air, let out hints of
something dark, even vaguely cruel in your character. It is not advertised in
your words, but in your manner. The actor Errol Flynn had a boyishly angelic
face and a slight air of sadness. Beneath this outward appearance, however,
women could sense an underlying cruelty, a criminal streak, an exciting kind of
dangerousness. This play of contrary qualities attracted obsessive interest.
The female equivalent is the type epitomized by Marilyn Monroe; she had the
face and voice of a little girl, but something sexual and naughty emanated
powerfully from her as well. Madame Recamier did it all with her eyes-the gaze
of air angel, suddenly interrupted by something sensual and flirtatious.
Playing with gender roles is a kind of intriguing paradox that has a long
history in seduction. The greatest Don Juans have had a touch of prettiness and
femininity, and the most attractive courtesans have had a masculine streak. The
strategy, though, is only powerful when the underquality is merely hinted at;
if the mix is too obvious or striking it will seem bizarre or even threatening.
The great seventeenth-century French courtesan Ninon de l'Enclos was decidedly
feminine in appearance, yet everyone who met her was struck by a touch of
aggressiveness and independence in her-but just a touch. The late
nineteenth-century Italian novelist Gabriele d'Annunzio was certainly masculine
in his approaches, but there was a gentleness, a consideration, mixed in, and
an interest in feminine finery The combinations can be juggled every which way:
Oscar Wilde was quite feminine in appearance and manner, but the underlying
suggestion that he was actually quite masculine drew both men and women to him.
A potent variation on this theme is the blending of physical heat and emotional
coldness. Dandies like Beau Brummel and Andy Warhol combine striking physical
appearances with a kind of coldness of manner, a distance from everything and
everyone. They are both enticing and elusive, and people spend lifetimes
chasing after such men, trying to shatter their unattainability. (The power of
apparently unattainable people is devilishly seductive; wewantto be the one to
break them down.) They also wrap themselves in ambiguity and mystery, either
talking very little or talking only of surface matters, hinting at a depth of
character you can never reach. When Marlene Dietrich entered a room, or arrived
at a party, all eyes inevitably turned to her. First there were her startling
clothes, chosen to make heads turn. Then there was her air of nonchalant
indifference. Men, and women too, became obsessed with her, thinking of her
long after other memories of the evening had faded. Remember: that first
impression, that Send Mixed Signals entrance, is critical. To show too much
desire for attention is to signal insecurity, and will often drive people away;
play it too cold and disinterested, on the other hand, and no one will bother
coming near. The trick is to combine the two attitudes at the same moment. It
is the essence of . Perhaps you have a reputation for a particular quality,
which immediately comes to mind when people see you. You will better hold their
attention by suggesting that behind this reputation some other quality lies
lurking. No one had a darker, more sinful reputation than Lord Byron. What
drove women wild was that behind his somewhat cold and disdainful exterior,
they could sense that he was actually quite romantic, even spiritual. Byron
played this up with his melancholic airs and occasional kind deed. Transfixed
and confused, many women thought that they could be the one to lead him back to
goodness, to make him a faithful lover. Once a woman entertained such a
thought, she was completely under his spell. It is not difficult to create such
a seductive effect. Should you be known as eminently rational, say, hint at
something irrational. Johannes, the narrator in Kierkegaard's The Seducer's
Diary, first treats the young Cordelia with businesslike politeness, as his
reputation would lead her to expect. Yet she very soon overhears him making
remarks that hint at a wild, poetic streak in his character; and she is excited
and intrigued. These principles have applications far beyond sexual seduction.
To hold the attention of a broad public, to seduce them into thinking about
you, you need to mix your signals. Display too much of one quality-even if it
is a noble one, like knowledge or efficiency-and people will feel that you lack
humanity. We are all complex and ambiguous, full of contradictory impulses; if
you show only one side, even if it is your good side, you will wear on people's
nerves. They will suspect you are a hypocrite. Mahatma Gandhi, a saintly
figure, openly confessed to feelings of anger and vengefulness. John F.
Kennedy, the most seductive American public figure of modern times,
wasawalkingparadox: an East Coast aristocrat with a love of the common man, an
obviously masculine man-a war hero-with a vulnerability you could sense
underneath, an intellectual who loved popular culture. People were drawn to
Kennedy like the steel filings in Wilde's fable. A bright surface may have a
decorative charm, but what draws your eye into a painting is a depth of field,
an inexpressible ambiguity, a surreal complexity. Symbol: The Theater Curtain.
Onstage, the curtain's heavy deep-red folds attract your eye with their hypnotic
surface. But what really fascinates and draws you in is what you think might be
happening behind the curtain-the light peeking through, the suggestion of a
secret, something about to happen. You feel the thrill of a voyeur about to
watch a performance. Reversal T he complexity you signal to other people will
only affect them properly if they have the capacity to enjoy a mystery. Some
people like things simple, and lack the patience to pursue a person who
confuses them. They prefer to be dazzled and overwhelmed. The great Belle
Epoque courtesan known as La Belle Otero would work a complex magic on artists
and political figures who fell for her, but in dealing with the more
uncomplicated, sensual male she would astound them with spectacle and beauty.
When meeting a woman for the first time, Casanova might dress in the most
fantastic outfit, with jewels and brilliant colors to dazzle the eye; he would
use the target's reaction to gauge whether or not she would demand a more
complicated seduction. Some of his victims, particularly young girls, needed no
more than the glittering and spellbinding appearance, which was really what
they wanted, and the seduction would stay on that level. Everything depends on
your target: do not bother creating depth for people who are insensitive to it,
or who may even be put off or disturbed by it. You can recognize such types by
their preference for the simpler pleasures in life, their lack of patience for
a more nuanced story. With them, keep it simple. 4, Appear to Be an Object of
Desire -Create Triangles , Few are drawn to the person whom others avoid or
neglect; people gather around those who have already attracted interest. We
want what other people want. To draw your victims closer and make them hungry
to possess you, you must create an aura of desirability-of being wanted and
courted by many. It will become a point of vanity for them to be the preferred
object of your attention, to win you away from a crowd of admirers. Manufacture
the illusion of popularity by surrounding yourself with members of the opposite
sex – friends, former lovers, present suitors. Createtriangles that stimulate
rivalry and raise your value. Build a reputation that precedes you: if many
have succumbed to your charms, there must be a reason. Creating Triangles O ne
evening in 1882, the thirty-two-year-old Prussian philosopher Paul Ree, living
in Rome at the time, visited the house of an older woman who ran a salon for
writers and artists. Ree noticed a newcomer there, a twenty-one-year-old
Russian girl named Lou von Salome, who had come to Rome on holiday with her
mother. Ree introduced himself and they began a conversation that lasted well
into the night. Her ideas about God and morality were like his own; she talked
with such intensity, yet at the same time her eyes seemed to flirt with him.
Over the next few days Ree and Salome took long walks through the city.
Intrigued by her mind yet confused by the emotions she aroused, he wanted to
spend more time with her. Then, one day, she startled him with a proposition:
she knew he was a close friend of the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, then
also visiting Italy. The three of them, she said, should travel together-no,
actually live together, in a kind of philosophers' menage a trois. A fierce
critic of Christian morals, Ree found this idea delightful. He wrote to his
friend about Salome, describing how desperate she was to meet him. After a few
such letters, Nietzsche hurried to Rome. Ree had made this invitation to please
Salome, and to impress her; he also wanted to see if Nietzsche shared his
enthusiasm for the young girl's ideas. But as soon as Nietzsche arrived,
something unpleasant happened; the great philosopher, who had always been a
loner, was obviously smitten with Salome. Instead of the three of them sharing
intellectual conversations together, Nietzsche seemed to be conspiring to get
the girl alone. When Ree caught glimpses of Nietzsche and Salome talking
without including him, he felt shivers of jealousy. Forget about some
philosophers' menage a trois: Salome was his, he had discovered her, and he
would not share her, even with his good friend. Somehow he had to get her
alone. Only then could he woo and win her. Madame Salome had planned to escort
her daughter back to Russia, but Salome wanted to stay in Europe. Ree
intervened, offering to travel with the Salomes to Germany and introduce them
to his own mother, who, he promised, would look after the girl and act as a
chaperone. (Ree knew that his mother would be a lax guardian at best.) Madame
Salome agreed to this proposal, but Nietzsche was harder to shake: he decided
to join them on their northward journey to Ree's home in Prussia. At one point
in the trip, Nietzsche and Salome took a walk by themselves, and Let me tell
you about a gentleman I once knew who, although he was of pleasing appearance
and modest behavior, and also a very capable warrior, was not so outstanding as
regards any of these qualities that there were not to befound many who were his
equal and even better. However, as luck would have it, a certain lady fell very
deeply in love with him. She saw that he felt the same way, and as her love
grew day by day, there not being any way for them to speak to each other, she
revealed her sentiments to another lady, who she hoped would be of service to
her in this affair. Now this lady neither in rank nor beauty was a whit
inferior to the first; and it came about that when she heard the young man
(whom she had never seen) spoken of so affectionately, and came to realize that
the other woman, whom she knew was extremely discreet and intelligent, loved
him beyond words, she straight away began to imagine that he must be the most
handsome, the wisest, the most discreet of men, and, in short, the man most
worthy of her love in all the world. So, never having set eyes on him, shefell
in love with him so passionately that she set out to win him not for herfriend
but for herself And in this she succeeded with little effort, for indeed she
was a woman more to be wooed than to do the wooing. And now listen
tothesplendid sequel: not long afterward it happened that a letter which she
had written to her lover fell into the hands of another woman of comparable
rank, charm, and beauty; and since she, like most women, was curious and eager
to learn secrets, she opened the letter and read it. Realizing that it was
written from the depths of passion, in the most loving and ardent terms, she
was at first moved with compassion, for she knew very wellfrom whom the letter
came and to whom it was addressed; then, however, such was the power of the
words she read, turning them over in her mind and considering what kind of man
it must be who had been able to arouse such great love, she at once began to
fall in love with him herself; and the letter was without doubt far more
effective than if the young man had himself written it to her. And just as it
sometimes happens that the poison preparedfor a prince kills the one who tastes
his food, so that poor woman, in her greediness, drank the love potion prepared
for another. What more is there to say? The affair was no secret, and things so
developed that many other women besides, partly to spite the others and partly
to follow their when they came back, Ree had the feeling that something
physical had happened between them. His blood boiled; Salome was slipping from
his grasp. Finally the groupsplitup, the mother returning to Russia, Nietzsche
to his summer place in Tautenburg, Ree and Salome staying behind at Ree's home.
But Salome did not stay long: she accepted an invitation of Nietzsche's to
visit him, unchaperoned, in Tautenburg. In her absence Ree was consumed with
doubts and anger. He wanted her more than ever, and was prepared to redouble
his efforts. When she finally came back, Ree vented his bitterness, railing
against Nietzsche, criticizing his philosophy, and questioning his motives
toward the girl. But Salome took Nietzsche's side. Ree was in despair; he felt
he had lost her for good. Yet a few days later she surprised him again: she had
decided she wanted to live with him, and with him alone. At last Ree had what
he had wanted, or so he thought. The couple settled in Berlin, where they
rented an apartment together. But now, to Ree's dismay, the old pattern
repeated. They lived together but Salome was courted on all sides by young men.
The darling of Berlin's intellectuals, who admired her independent spirit, her
refusal to compromise, she was constantly surrounded by a harem of men, who
referred to her as "Her Excellency." Once again Ree found himself
competing for her attention. Driven to despair, he left her a few years later,
and eventually committed suicide. In 1911, Sigmund Freud met Salome (now known
as Lou Andreas- Salome) at a conference in Germany. She wanted to devote
herself to the psychoanalytical movement, she said, and Freud found her
enchanting, although, like everyone else, he knew the story of her infamous
affair with Nietzsche (see page 46, "The Dandy"). Salome had no
background in psychoanalysis or in therapy of any kind, but Freud admitted her
into the inner circle of followers who attended his private lectures. Soon
after she joined the circle, one of Freud's most promising and brilliant
students. Dr. Victor Tausk, sixteen years younger than Salome, fell in love
with her. Salome's relationship with Freud had been platonic, but he had grown
extremely fond of her. He was depressed when she missed a lecture, and would
send her notes and flowers. Her involvement in a love affair with Tausk made
him intensely jealous, and he began to compete for her attention. Tausk had
been like a son to him, but the son was threatening to steal the father's
platonic lover. Soon, however, Salome left Tausk. Now her friendship with Freud
was stronger than ever, and so it lasted until her death, in 1937.
Interpretation. Men did not just fall in love with Lou Andreas-Salome; they
were overwhelmed with the desire to possess her, to wrest her away from others,
to be the proud owner of her body and spirit. They rarely saw her alone; she
always in some way surrounded herself with other men. Appear to Be an Object of
Desire-Create Triangles • 199 When she saw that Ree was interested in her, she
mentioned her desire to meet Nietzsche. This inflamed Ree, and made him want to
marry her and to keep him for himself, but she insisted on meeting his friend.
His letters to Nietzsche betrayed his desire for this woman, and this in turn
kindled Nietzsche's own desire for her, even before he had met her. Every time
one of the two men was alone with her, the other was in the background. Then,
later on, most of the men who met her knew of the infamous Nietzsche affair,
and this only increased their desire to possess her, to compete with
Nietzsche's memory. Freud's affection for her, similarly, turned into potent
desire when he had to vie with Tausk for her attention. Salome was intelligent
and attractive enough on her own account; but her constant strategy of imposing
a triangle of relationships on her suitors made her desirability intense. And
while they fought over her, she had the power, being desired by all and subject
to none. Our desire for another person almost always involves social
considerations: we are attracted to those who are attractive to other people.
We want to possess them and steal them away. You can believe all the
sentimentalnonsense you want to about desire, but in the end, much of it has to
do with vanity and greed. Do not whine and moralize about people's selfishness,
but simply use it to your advantage. The illusion that you are desired by
others will make you more attractive to your victims than your beautiful face
or your perfect body. And the most effective way to create that illusion is to
create a triangle: impose another person between you and your victim,and subtly
make your victim aware of how much this other person wants you. The third point
on the triangle does not have to be just one person: surround yourself with
admirers, reveal your past conquests-in other words, envelop yourself in an
aura of desirability. Make your targets compete with your past and your
present. They will long to possess you all to themselves, giving you great
power for as long as you elude their grasp. Fail to make yourself an object of
desire right from the start, and you will end up the sorry slave to the whims
of your lovers-they will abandon you the moment they lose interest. [A person]
will desire any object so long as he is convinced that it is desired by another
person whom he admires. -RENE GIRARD Keys to Seduction W e are social
creatures, and are immensely influenced by the tastes and desires of other
people. Imagine a large social gathering. You see aman alone, whom nobody talks
to for any length of time, and who is wandering around without company; isn't
there a kind of self-fulfilling isolation about him? Why is he alone, why is he
avoided? There has to be a reason. Until someone takes pity on this man and
starts up a conversation example, put every care and effort into winning this
man's love, squabbling over it for a while as boys do for cherries. -BALDASSARE
CASTIGLIONE, THE BOOK OFTHE COURTIER, TRANSLATED BY GEORGE BULL Most of the
time we prefer one thing to another because that is what our friends already
prefer or because that object has marked social significance. Adults, when they
are hungry, are just like children in that they seek out thefoods that others
take. In their love affairs, they seek out the man or woman whom others find
attractive and abandon those who are not sought after. When we say of a man or
woman that he or she is desirable, what we really mean is that others desire
them. It is not that they have some particular quality, but because they
conform to some currently modish model. -SERGE MOSCOVICI, THE AGE OF THE
CROWD.A HISTORICAL TREATISE ON MASS PSYCHOL- OGT,TRANSLATEDBYJ. C. WHITEHOUSE
It will be greatly to your advantage to entertain the lady you would win with
an account of the number of women who are in love with you, and of the decided
advances which they have made to you; for this will not only prove that you are
a greatfavorite with the ladies, and a man of true honor, but it will convince
her that she may have the honor of being enrolled in the same list, and of
being praised in the same way, in the presence of your otherfemale friends.
This will greatly delight her, and you need not be surprised if she testifies
her admiration of your character by throwing her arms around your neck on the
spot. -LOLA MONTEZ, THE ARTS AND SECRETS OF BEAUTY, WITH HINTS TO GENTLEMEN ON
THE ART OF FASCINATING [Rene] Girard's mimetic desire occurs when an individual
subject desires an object because it is desired by another subject, here
designated as the rival: desire is modeled on with him, he will look unwanted
and unwantable. But over there, in another corner, is a woman surrounded by
people. They laugh at her remarks, and as they laugh, others join the group,
attracted by its gaiety. When she moves around, people follow. Her face is
glowing with attention. There has to be a reason. In both cases, of course,
there doesn't actually have to be a reason at all. The neglected man may have
quite charming qualities, supposing you ever talk to him; but most likely you
won't. Desirability is a social illusion. Its source is less what you say or
do, or any kind of boasting or self- advertisement, than the sense that other
people desire you. To turn your targets' interest into something deeper, into
desire, you must make them see you as a person whom others cherish and covet.
Desire is both imitative (we like what others like) and competitive (we want to
take away from others what they have). As children, we wanted to monopolize the
attention of a parent, to draw it away from other siblings. This sense of
rivalry pervades human desire, repeating throughout our lives. Make people
compete for your attention, make them see you as sought after by everyone else.
The aura of desirability will envelop you. the wishes or actions of another.
Philippe Lacoue- Labarthe says that "the basic hypothesis upon which rests
Girard's famous analysis [is that] every desire is the desire of the other (and
not immediately desire of an object), every structure of desire is triangular
(including the other-mediator or model-whose desire desire imitates), every
desire is thus from its inception tapped by hatred and rivalry; in short, the
origin of desire is mimesis - mimeticism-and no desire is ever forged which
does not desire forthwith the death or disappearance of the model or exemplary
character which gave rise to it. -JAMES MANDRELL, DON JUAN AND THE POINT OF
HONOR Your admirers can be friends or even suitors. Call it the harem effect.
Pauline Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon, raised her value in men's eyes by always
having a group of worshipful men around her at balls and parties. If she went
for a walk, it was never with one man, always with two or three. Perhaps these
men were simply friends, or even just props and hangers-on; the sight of them
was enough to suggest that she was prized and desired, a woman worth fighting
over. Andy Warhol, too, surrounded himself with the most glamorous, interesting
people he could find. To be part of his inner circle meant that you were
desirable as well. By placing himself in the middle but keeping himself aloof
from it all, he made everyone compete for his attention. He stirred people's
desire to possess him by holding back. Practices like these not only stimulate
competitive desires, they take aim at people's prime weakness: their vanity and
self-esteem. We can endure feeling that another person has more talent, or more
money, but the sense that a rival is more desirable than we are-that is
unbearable. In the early eighteenth century, the Duke de Richelieu, a great
rake, managed to seduce a young woman who was rather religious but whose
husband, a dolt, was often away. He then proceeded to seduce her upstairs
neighbor, a young widow. When the two women discovered that he was going from
one to the other in the same night, they confronted him. A lesser man would
have fled, but not the duke; he understood the dynamic of vanity and desire.
Neither woman wanted to feel that he preferred the other. And so he managed to
arrange a little menage a trois, knowing that now they would struggle between
themselves to be the favorite. When people's vanity is at risk, you can make
them do whatever you want. According to Stendhal, if there is a woman you are
interested in, pay attention to her sister. That will stir a triangular desire.
Your reputation-your illustrious past as a seducer-is ait effective way Appear
to Be an Object of Desire-Create Triangles • 201 of creating an aura of
desirability. Women threw themselves at Errol Flynn's feet, not because of his
handsome face, and certainly not because of his acting skills, but because of
his reputation. They knew that other women had found him irresistible. Once he
had established that reputation, he did not have to chase women anymore; they
came to him. Men who believe that a rakish reputation will make women fear or
distrust them, and should be played down, are quite wrong. On the contrary, it
makes them more attractive. The virtuous Duchess de Montpensier, the Grande
Mademoiselle of seventeenth-century France, began by enjoying a friendship with
the rake Lauzun, but a troubling thought soon occurred to her: if a man with
Lauzun's past did not see her as a possible lover, something had to be wrong with
her. This anxiety eventually pushed her into his arms. To be part of a great
seducer's club of conquests can be a matter of vanity and pride. We are happy
to be in such company, to have our name broadcast as this man or woman's lover.
Your own reputation may not be so alluring, but you must find a way to suggest
to your victim that others, many others, have found you desirable. It is
reassuring. There is nothing like a restaurant full of empty tables to persuade
you not to go in. A variation on the triangle strategy is the use of contrasts:
careful exploitation of people who are dull or unattractive may enhance your
desirability by comparison. At a social affair, for instance, make sure that
your target has to chat with the most boring person available. Come to the
rescue and your target will be delighted to see you. In The Seducer's Diary, by
Spren Kierkegaard, Johannes has designs on the innocent young Cordelia. Knowing
that his friend Edward is hopelessly shy and dull, he encourages this man to
court her; a few weeks of Edward's attentions will make her eyes wander in
search of someone else, anyone else, and Johannes will make sure that they
settle on him. Johannes chose to strategize and maneuver, but almost any social
environment will contain contrasts you can make use of almost naturally. The
seventeenth-century English actress Nell Gwyn became the main mistress of King
Charles II because her humor and unaffectedness made her that much more
desirable among the many stiff and pretentious ladies of Charles's court. When
the Shanghai actress Jiang Qing met Mao Zedong, in 1937, she did not have to do
much to seduce him; the other women in his mountain camp in Yenan dressed like
men, and were decidedly unfeminine. The sight alone of Jiang was enough to seduce
Mao, who soon left his wife for her. To make use of contrasts, either develop
and display those attractive attributes (humor, vivacity, and so on) that are
the scarcest in your own social group, or choose a group in which your natural
qualities are rare, and will shine. The use of contrasts has vast political
ramifications, for a political figure must also seduce and seem desirable. Leam
to play up the qualities that your rivals lack. Peter II, czar in
eighteenth-century Russia, was arrogant and irresponsible, so his wife,
Catherine the Great, did all she could to seem modest and dependable. When
Vladimir Lenin returned to Russia in 1917 after Czar Nicholas II had been
deposed, he made a show of decisiveness It's annoying that our new acquaintance
likes the boy. But aren't the best things in life free to all? The sun shines
on everyone. The moon, accompanied by countless stars, leads even the beasts to
pasture. What can you think of lovelier than water? But it flows for the whole
world. Is love alone then something furtive rather than something to be gloried
in? Exactly, that's just it -/ don't want any of the good things of life unless
people are envious of them. -PETRONIUS, THE SATYRICON, TRANSLATED BY J. P.
SULLIVAN and discipline-precisely what no other leader had at the time. In the
American presidential race of 1980, the irresoluteness of Jimmy Carter made the
single-mindedness of Ronald Reagan look desirable. Contrasts are eminently
seductive because they do not depend on your own words or self-advertisements.
The public reads them unconsciously, and sees what it wants to see. Finally,
appearing to be desired by others will raise your value, but often how you
carry yourself can influence this as well. Do not let your targets see you so
often; keep your distance, seem unattainable, out of their reach. An object
that is rare and hard to obtain is generally more prized. Symbol: The Trophy.
What makes you want to win the trophy, and to see it as something worth having,
is the sight of the other competitors. Some, out of a spirit of kindness, may
want to reward everyonefor trying, but the Trophy then loses its value. It must
represent not only your victory but everyone else's defeat. Reversal T here is
no reversal. It is essential to appear desirable in the eyes of others. 5.
Create a Need- Stir Anxiety and Discontent. A perfectly satisfied person cannot
be seduced. Tension and disharmony must be instilled in your targets' minds.
Stir within them feelings of discontent, an unhappiness with their
circumstances and with themselves: their life lacks adventure, they have
strayed from the ideals of their youth, they have become boring. Thefeelings of
inadequacy that you create will give you space to insinuate yourself, to make
them see you as the answer to their problems. Pain and anxiety are the proper
precursors to pleasure. Learn to manufacture the need that you can fill.
Opening a Wound. I n the coal-mining town of Eastwood, in central England,
David Herbert Lawrence was considered something of a strange lad. Pale and
delicate, he had no time for games or boyish pursuits, but was interested in
literature; and he preferred the company of girls, who made up most of his
friends. Lawrence often visited the Chambers family, who had been his neighbors
until they moved out of Eastwood to a farm not far away.Heliked to study with
the Chambers sisters, particularly Jessie; she was shy and serious, and getting
her to open up and confide in him was a pleasurable challenge. Jessie grew
quite attached to Lawrence over the years, and they became good friends. One
day in 1906, Lawrence, twenty-one at the time, did not show up at the usual
hour for his study session with Jessie. He finally arrived much later, in a
mood she had never seen before-preoccupied and quiet. Now it was her turn to
make him open up. Linally he talked: he felt she was getting too close to him.
What about her future? Whom would she marry? Certainly not him, he said, for
they were just friends. But it was unfair of him to keep her from seeing
others. They should of course remain friends and have their talks, but maybe
less often. When he finished and left, she felt a strange emptiness. She had
yet to think much about love or marriage. Suddenly she had doubts. What would
her future be? Why wasn't she thinking about it? She felt anxious and upset,
without understanding why. Lawrence continued to visit, but everything had
changed. He criticized her for this and that. She wasn't very physical. What
kind of wife would she make anyway? A man needed more from a woman than just
talk. He likened her to a nun. They began to see each other less often. When,
some time later,Lawrence accepted a teaching position at a school outside
London, she felt part relieved to be rid of him for a while. But when he said
goodbye to her, and intimated that it might be for the last time, she broke
down and cried. Then he started sending her weekly letters. He would write
about girls he was seeing; maybe one of them would be his wife. Linally, at his
behest, she visited him in London. They got along well, as in the old times,
but he continued to badger her about her future, picking at that old wound. At
Christmas he was back in Eastwood, and when he visited her he seemed exultant.
He had decided that it was Jessie he should marry, that he had in fact been
attracted to her all along. They should keep it quiet for a while; although his
writing career was taking off (his first No one can fall in love if he is even
partially satisfied with what he has or who he is. The experience of falling in
love originates in an extreme depression, an inability to find something that
has value in everyday life. The "symptom" of the predisposition to
fall in love is not the conscious desire to do so, the intense desire to enrich
our lives; it is the profound sense of being worthless and of having nothing
that is valuable and the shame of not having it. . . . For this reason, falling
in love occurs more frequently among young people, since they are profoundly
uncertain, unsure of their worth, and often ashamed of themselves. The same
thing applies to people of other ages when they lose something in their lives -
when their youth ends or when they start to grow old. -FRANCESCO ALBERONI,
FALLING IN LOVE, TRANSLATED BY LAWRENCE VENUTI "What can Love be
then?" I said. "A mortal?" "Far from it." "Well,
what?" "As in my previous examples, he is half-way between mortal and
immortal." What sort of being is he then, Diotima?" "He is a
great spirit, Socrates; everything that is of the nature of a spirit is
half-god and halfman." . . . "Who are his parents?" I asked.
"That is rather a long story," she answered, "but I will tell
you. On the day that Aphrodite was born the gods were feasting, among them
Contrivance the son of Invention; and after dinner, seeing that a party was in
progress, Poverty came to beg and stood at the door. Now Contrivance was drunk
with nectar - wine, I may say, had not yet been discovered-and went out into
the garden of Zeus, and was overcome by sleep. So Poverty, thinking to
alleviate her wretched condition by bearing a child to Contrivance, lay with
him and conceived Love. Since Love was begotten on Aphrodite's birthday, and
since he has also an innate passion for the beautiful, and so for the beauty of
Aphrodite herself, hebecame her follower and servant. Again, having Contrivance
for his father and Poverty for his mother, he bears the following character. He
is always poor, and, far from being sensitive and beautiful, as most people
imagine, he is hard and weather-beaten, shoeless and homeless, always sleeping
outfor want of a bed, on the ground, on doorsteps, and in the street. So far he
takes after his mother and lives in want. But, being also his father's novel
was about to be published), he needed to make more money. Caught off guard by
this sudden announcement, and overwhelmed with happiness, Jessie agreed to
everything, and they became lovers. Soon, however, the familiar pattern
repeated: criticisms, breakups, announcements that he was engaged to another
girl. This only deepened his hold on her. It was not until 1912 that she
finally decided never to see him again, disturbed by his portrayal of her in
the autobiographical novel Sons and Lovers. But Lawrence remained a lifelong
obsession for her. In 1913, a young English woman named Ivy Low, who had read
Lawrence's novels, began to correspond with him, her letters gushing with
admiration. By now Lawrence was married, to a German woman, the Baroness Frieda
von Richthofen. To Low's surprise, though, he invited her to visit him and his
wife in Italy. She knew he wasprobablysomethingof a Don Juan, but was eager to
meet him, and accepted his invitation. Lawrence was not what she had expected:
his voice was high-pitched, his eyes were piercing, and there was something
vaguely feminine about him. Soon they were taking walks together, with Lawrence
confiding in Low. She felt that they were becoming friends, which delighted
her. Then suddenly, just before she was to leave, he launched into a series of
criticisms of her-she was so unspontaneous, so predictable, less human being
than robot. Devastated by this unexpected attack, she nevertheless had to
agree- what he had said was true. What could he have seen in her in the first
place? Who was she anyway? Low left Italy feeling empty-but then Lawrence
continued to write to her, as if nothing had happened. She soon realized that
she had fallen hopelessly in love with him, despite everything he had said to
her. Or was it not despite what he had said, but because of it? In 1914, the
writer John Middleton-Murry received a letter from Lawrence, a good friend of
his. In the letter, out of nowhere, Lawrence criticized Middleton-Murry for
being passionless and not gallant enough with his wife, the novelist Katherine
Mansfield. Middleton-Murry later wrote, "I had never felt for a man before
what his letter made me feel for him. It was a new thing, a unique thing, in my
experience; and it was to rmain unique." He felt that beneath Lawrence's
criticisms lay some weird kind of affection. Whenever he saw Lawrence from then
on, he felt a strange physical attraction that he could not explain.
Interpretation. The number of women, and of men, who fell under Lawrence's
spell is astonishing given how unpleasant he could be. In almost every case the
relationship began in friendship-with frank talks, exchanges of confidences, a
spiritual bond. Then, invariably, he would suddenly turn against them, voicing
harsh personal criticisms. He would know them well by that time, and the
criticisms were often quite accurate, and hit a nerve. This would inevitably
trigger confusion in his victims, and a sense of anxiety, a feeling that
something was wrong with them. Jolted out of their usual sense of normality,
they would feel divided inside. With half of their minds Create a Need-Stir
Anxiety and Discontent •they wondered why he was doing this, and felt he was
unfair; with the other half, they believed it was all true. Then, in those
moments of selfdoubt, they would get a letter or a visit from him in which he
was his old charming self. Now they saw him differently Now they were weak and
vulnerable, in need of something; and he would seem so strong. Now he drew them
to him, feelings of friendship turning into affection and desire. Once they
felt uncertain about themselves, they were susceptible to falling in love. Most
of us protect ourselves from the harshness of life by succumbing to routines
and patterns, by closing ourselves off from others. But underlying these habits
is a tremendous sense of insecurity and defensiveness. We feel we are not
really living. The seducer must pick at this wound and bring these
semiconscious thoughts into full awareness. This was what Lawrence did; his
sudden, brutally unexpected jabs would hit people at their weak spot. Although
Lawrence had great success with his frontal approach, it is often better to
stir thoughts of inadequacy and uncertainty indirectly, by hinting at
comparisons to yourself or to others, and by insinuating somehow that your
victims' lives are less grand than they had imagined. You want them to feel at
war with themselves, torn in two directions, and anxious about it. Anxiety, a
feeling of lack and need, is the precursor of all desire. These jolts in the
victim's mind create space for you to insinuate your poison, the siren call of
adventure or fulfillment that will make them follow you into your web. Without
anxiety and a sense of lack there can be no seduction. son, he schemes to get
for himself whatever is beautiful and good; he is bold andforward and
strenuous,always devising tricks like a cunning huntsman." -PLATO,
SYMPOSIUM, TRANSLATED BY WALTERHAMILTON We are all like pieces of the coins
that children break in half for keepsakes - making two out of one, like the
flatfish-and each of us is forever seeking the half that will tally with
himself . . . And so all this to-do is a relic of that original state of ours
when we were whole, and now, when we are longing for and following after that
primeval wholeness, we say we are in love. -ARISTOPHANES'S SPEECH IN PLATO'S
SYMPOSIUM, QUOTED IN JAMES MANDRELL, DONJUAN AND THE POINT OF HONOR Desire and
love have for their object things or qualities which a man does not at present
possess but which he lacks. -SOCRATES Don John: Well met, pretty lass! What!
Are there such handsome Creatures as you amongst these Fields, these Trees, and
Rocks? • Charlotta: I Keys to Seduction E veryone wears a mask in society; we
pretend to be more sure of ourselves than we are. We do not want other people
to glimpse that doubting self within us. In truth, our egos and personalities
are much more fragile than they appear to be; they cover up feelings of
confusion and emptiness. As a seducer, you must never mistake a person's
appearance for the reality. People are always susceptible tobeingseduced,
because in fact everyone lacks a sense of completeness, feels something missing
deep inside. Bring their doubts and anxieties to the surface and they can be
led and lured to follow you. No one can see you as someone to follow or fall in
love with unless they first reflect on themselves somehow, and on what they are
missing. Before the seduction proceeds, you must place a mirror in front of
them in am as you see, Sir. • Don John: Are you of this Village? • Charlotta:
Yes, Sir. • Don John: What's your name? • Charlotta: Charlotta, Sir, at your
Service. • Don John: Ah what a fine Person 'tis! What piercing Eyes! •
Charlotta: Sir, you make me ashamed. . . . • Don John: Pretty Charlotta, you
are not marry'd, are you? • Charlotta: No, Sir, but I am soon to be, with
Pierrot, son to Goody Simonetta. • Don John: What! Shou'd such a one as you be
Wife to aPeasant! No, no; that's a profanation of so much Beauty. You was not
born to live in a Village. You certainly deserve a better Fortune, and Heaven,
which knows it well, brought me hither on purpose to hinder this Marriage and
do justice to your Charms; for in short, fair Charlotta, 1 love you with all my
Heart, and if you'll consent I'll deliver you from this miserable Place, and
put you in the Condition you deserve. This Love is doubtless sudden, but 'tis an
Effect of your great Beauty. I love you as much in a quarter of an Hour as I
shou'd another in six Months. -MOLIERE, DON JOHN; OR, THE UBERTINE, TRANSLATED
BY JOHN OZELL, IN OSCAR MANDEL, ED., THE THEATRE OF DON JUAN For I stand
tonight facing west on what was once the last frontier. From the lands that
stretch three thousand miles behind me, the pioneers of old gave up their
safety, their comfort, and sometimes their lives to build a new world here in
the West. They were not the captives of their own doubts, the prisoners of
their own price tags. Their motto was not "every man for himself--but
"all for the common cause." They were determined to make that new
world strong and free, to overcome its hazards and its hardships, to conquer
the enemies that threatened from without and within. ..." Today some would
say that those struggles are all over-that all the horizons have been explored,
that all the battles have been won, that there is no longer an which they
glimpse that inner emptiness. Made aware of a lack, they now can focus on you
as the person who can fill that empty space. Remember: most of us are lazy. To
relieve our feelings of boredom or inadequacy on our own takes too much effort;
letting someone else do the job is both easier and more exciting. The desire to
have someone fill up our emptinessis the weakness on which all seducers prey.
Make people anxious about the future, make them depressed, make them question
their identity, make them sense the boredom that gnaws at their life. The
ground is prepared. The seeds of seduction can be sown. In Plato's dialogue
Symposium -the West's oldest treatise on love, and a text that has had a
determining influence on our ideas of desire-the courtesan Diotima explains to
Socrates the parentage of Eros, the god of love. Eros's father was Contrivance,
or Cunning, and his mother was Poverty, or Need. Eros takes after his parents:
he is constantly in need, which he is constantly contriving to fill. As the god
of love, he knows that love cannot be induced in another person unless they too
feel need. And that is what his arrows do: piercing people's flesh, they make
them feel a lack, an ache, a hunger. This is the essence of your task as a
seducer. Like Eros, you must create a wound in your victim, aiming at their
soft spot, the chink in their self-esteem. If they are stuck in a rut, make
them feel it more deeply, "innocently" bringing it up and talking
about it. What you want is a wound, an insecurity you can expand a little, an
anxiety that can best be relieved by involvement with another person, namely
you. They must feel the wound before they fall in love. Notice how Lawrence
stirred anxiety, always hitting at his victims' weak spot: for Jessie Chambers,
her physical coldness; for Ivy Low, her lack of spontaneity; for Middleton-Murry,
his lack of gallantry. Cleopatra got Julius Caesar to sleep with her the first
night he met her, but the real seduction, the one that made him her slave,
began later. In their ensuing conversations she talked repeatedly of Alexander
the Great, the hero from whom she was supposedly descended. No one could
compare to him. By implication, Caesar was made to feel inferior. Understanding
that beneath his bravado Caesar was insecure, Cleopatra awakened in him an
anxiety, a hunger to prove his greatness. Once he felt this way he was easily
further seduced. Doubts about his masculinity was his tender spot. When Caesar
was assassinated, Cleopatra turned her sights on Mark Antony, one of Caesar's
successors in the leadership of Rome. Antony loved pleasure and spectacle, and
his tastes were crude. She appeared to him first on her royal barge, then wined
and dined and banqueted him. Everything was geared to suggest to him the
superiority of the Egyptian way of life over the Roman, at least when it came to
pleasure. The Romans were boring and unsophisticated by comparison. And once
Antony was made to feel how much he was missing in spending his time with his
dull soldiers and hismatronly Roman wife, he could be made to see Cleopatra as
the incarnation of all that was exciting. He became her slave. This is the lure
of the exotic. In your role of seducer, try to position yourself as coming from
outside, as a stranger of sorts. You represent change, difference, a breakup of
routines. Make your victims feel that by comparison their lives are boring and
their friends less interesting than they had thought. Lawrence made his targets
feel personally inadequate; if you find it hard to be so brutal, concentrate on
their friends, their circumstances, the externals of their lives. There are
many legends of Don Juan, but they often describe him seducing a village girl
by making her feel that her life is horribly provincial. He, meanwhile, wears
glittering clothes andhas a noble bearing. Strange and exotic, he is always from
somewhere else. First she feels the boredom of her life, then she sees him as
her salvation. Remember: people prefer to feel that if their life is
uninteresting, it not because of themselves but because of their circumstances,
the dull people they know, the town into which they were born. Once you make
them feel the lure of the exotic, seduction is easy. Another devilishly
seductive area to aim at is the victim's past. To grow old is to renounce or
compromise youthful ideals, to become less spontaneous, less alive in a way.
This knowledge lies dormant in all of us. As a seducer you must bring it to the
surface, make it clear how far people have strayed from their past goals and
ideals. You, in turn, present yourself as representing that ideal, as offering
a chance to recapture lost youth through adventure-through seduction. In her
later years. Queen Elizabeth I of England was known as a rather stern and
demanding ruler. She made it a point not to let her courtiers see anything soft
or weak in her. But then Robert Devereux, the second Earl of Essex, came to
court. Much younger than the queen, the dashing Essex would often chastize her
for her sourness. The queen would forgive him-he was so exuberant and
spontaneous, he could not control himself. But his comments got under her skin;
in the presence of Essex she came to remember all the youthful
ideals-spiritedness, feminine charm-that had since vanished from her life. She
also felt a little of that girlish spirit return when she was around him. He
quickly became her favorite, and soon she was in love with him. Old age is
constantly seduced by youth, but first the young people must make it clear what
the older ones are missing, how they have lost their ideals. Only then will
they feel that the presence of the young will let them recapture that spark,
the rebellious spirit that age and society have conspired to repress. This
concept has infinite applications. Corporations and politicians know that they
cannot seduce their public into buying what they want them to buy, or doing
what they want them to do, unless they first awaken a sense of need and
discontent. Make the masses uncertain about their identity and you can help
define it for them. It is as true of groups or nations as it is of individuals:
they cannot be seduced without being made to feel some lack. Part of John F.
Kennedy's election strategy in 1960 was to make Americans unhappy about the
1950s, and how far the country had strayed from its ideals. In talking about
the 1950s, he did not mention the nation's economic stability or its emergence
as a superpower. Instead, he implied that the period was marked by conformity,
a lack of risk and adventure, a loss of our frontier values. To vote for
Kennedy was to embark American frontier. • But I trust that no one in this vast
assemblage will agree with those sentiments. . . . • ... I tell you the New
Frontier is here, whether we seek it or not. ... It would be easier to shrink
back from that frontier, to look to the safe mediocrity of the past, to be
lulled by good intentions and high rhetoric-and those who prefer that course
should not cast their votesfor me, regardless of party. • But I believe that
the times demand invention, innovation, imagination,decision. I am asking each
of you to be new pioneers on that New Frontier. My call is to the young in
heart, regardless of age. -JOHN F. KENNEDY, ACCEPTANCE SPEECH AS THE
PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, QUOTED IN JOHN HELLMANN, THE
KENNEDY OBSESSION: THE AMERICAN MYTH OF JFK The normal rhythm of life oscillates
in general between a mild satisfaction with oneself and a slight discomfort,
originating in the knowledge of one's personal shortcomings. We should like to
be as handsome, young, strong or clever as other people of our acquaintance. We
wish we could achieve as much as they do, longfor similar advantages,
positions, the same or greater success. To be delighted with oneself is the
exception and, often enough, a smoke screen which we produce for ourselves and
of course for others. Somewhere in it is a lingering feeling of discomfort with
ourselves and a slight self-dislike. I assert that an increase of this spirit
of discontent renders a person especially susceptible to "falling in
love." ... In most cases this attitude of disquiet is unconscious, but in
some it reaches the threshold of awareness in the form of a slight uneasiness,
or a stagnant dissatisfaction, or a realization of being upset without knowing
why. -THEODOR REIK, OF LOVE AND LUSTon a collective adventure, to go back to
ideals we had given up. But before anyone joined his crusade they had to be
made aware of how much they had lost, what was missing. A group, like an
individual, can get mired in routine, losing track of its original goals. Too
much prosperity saps it of strength. You can seduce an entire nation by aiming
at its collective insecurity, that latent sense that not everything is what it
seems. Stirring dissatisfaction with the present and reminding people about the
glorious past can unsettle their sense of identity. Then you can be the one to
redefine it-a grand seduction. Symbol: Cupid's Arrow. What awakens desire in
the seduced is not a soft touch or a pleasant sensation; it is a wound. The
arrow creates a pain, an ache, a needfor relief Before desire there must be
pain. Aim the arrow at the victim's weakest spot, creating a wound that you can
open and reopen. Reversal I f you go too far in lowering the targets'
self-esteem they may feel too insecure to enter into your seduction. Do not be
heavy-handed; like Lawrence, always follow up the wounding attack with a
soothing gesture. Otherwise you will simply alienate them. Charm is often a
subtler and more effective route to seduction. The Victorian Prime Minister
Benjamin Disraeli always made people feel better about themselves. He deferred
to them, made them the center of attention, made them feel witty and vibrant.
He was a boon to their vanity, and they grew addicted to him. This is a kind of
diffused seduction, lacking in tension and in the deep emotions that the sexual
variety stirs; it bypasses people's hunger, their need for some kind of
fulfillment. But if you are subtle and clever, it can be a way of lowering
their defenses, creating an unthreatening friendship. Once they are under your
spell in this way, you can then open the wound. Indeed, after Disraeli had
charmed Queen Victoria and established a friendship with her, he made her feel
vaguely inadequate in the establishment of an empire and the realization of her
ideals. Everything depends on the target. People who are riddled with
insecurities may require the gentler variety. Once they feel comfortable with
you, aim your arrows. 6 Master the Art of Insinuation Making your targetsfeel
dissatisfied and in need of your attention is essential, but if you are too
obvious, they will see through you and grow defensive. There is no known
defense, however, against insinuation-the art of planting ideas in people's
minds by dropping elusive hints that take root days later, even appearing to
them as their own idea. Insinuation is the supreme means of influencing people.
Create a sublanguage-bold statements followed by retraction andapology,
ambiguous comments, banal talk combined with alluring glances-that enters the
target's unconscious to convey your real meaning. Make everything suggestive.
Insinuating Desire. One evening in the 1770s, a young man went to the Paris
Opera to meet his lover, the Countess de_. The couple had been fighting, and he
was anxious to see her again. The countess had not arrived yet at her box, but
from an adjacent one a friend of hers, Madame de T_, called out to the young
man to join her, remarking that it was an excellent stroke of luck that they
had met that evening-he must keep her company on a trip she had to take. The
young man wanted urgently to see the countess, but Madame was charming and
insistent and he agreed to go with her. Before he could ask why or where, she
quickly escorted him to her carriage outside, which then sped off. Now the
young man enjoined his hostess to tell him where she was taking him. At first
she just laughed, but finally she told him: to her husband's chateau. The
couple had been estranged, but had decided to reconcile; her husband was a
bore, however, and she felt a charming young man like himself would liven
things up. The young man was intrigued: Madame was an older woman, with a
reputation for being rather formal, though he also knew she had a lover, a
marquis. Why had she chosen him for this excursion? Her story was not quite
credible. Then, as they traveled, she suggested he look out the window at the
passing landscape, as she was doing. He had to lean over toward her to do so,
and just as he did, the carriage jolted. She grabbed his hand and fell into his
arms. She stayed there for a moment, then pulled away from him rather abruptly.
After an awkward silence, she said, "Do you intend to convince me of my
imprudence in your regard?" He protested that the incident had been an
accident and reassured her he would behave himself. In truth, however, having
her in his arms had made him think otherwise. They arrived at the chateau. The
husband came to meet them, and the young man expressed his admiration of the
building: "What you see is nothing," Madame interrupted, "I must
take you to Monsieur's apartment." Before he could ask what she meant, the
subject was quickly changed. The husband was indeed a bore, but he excused
himself after supper. Now Madame and the young man were alone. She invited him
to walk with her in the gardens; it was a splendid evening, and as they walked,
she slipped her arm in his. She was not worried that he would take advantage of
her, she said, because she knew how attached he was to her good friend the
countess. They talked of other things, and then she returned to the topic of As
we were about to enter the chamber, she stopped me. "Remember," she
said gravely, "you are supposed never to have seen, never even suspected,
the sanctuary you're about to enter. . . ." • . . . All this was like an
initiation rite. She led me by the hand across a small, dark corridor. My heart
was pounding as though I were a young proselyte being put to the test before
the celebration oj the great mysteries. . . . • "But your Countess
..." she said, stopping. I was about to reply when the doors opened; my
answer was interrupted by admiration. I was astonished, delighted, I no longer
know what became of me, and I began in good faith to believe in magic. ... In
truth, I found myself in a vast cage of mirrors on which images were so
artistically painted that they produced the illusion of all the objects they
represented. -VIVANT DENON,"NO TOMORROW," IN MICHEL FEHER, ED., THE
UBERTINE READER A few short years ago, in our native city, wherefraud and
cunning prosper more than love or loyalty, there was a noblewoman of striking
beauty and impeccable breeding, who was endowed by Nature with as lofty a
temperament and shrewd an intellect as could be found in any other woman of her
time. . . . • This lady, being of gentle birth his lover: "Is she making
you quite happy? Oh, I fear the contrary, and this distresses me. . . . Are you
not often the victim of her strange whims?" To the young man's surprise,
Madame began to talk of the countess in a way that made it seem that she had
been unfaithful to him (which was something he had suspected). Madame sighed-she
regretted saying such things about her friend, and asked him to forgive her;
then, as if a new thought had occurred to her, she mentioned a nearby pavilion,
a delightful place, full of pleasant memories. But the shame of it was, it was
locked and she had no key. And yet they found their way to the pavilion, and lo
and behold, the door had been left open. It was dark inside, but the young man
could sense that it was a place for trysts. They entered and sank onto a sofa.
and finding herself married off to a master woollen- draper because he happened
to be very rich, was unable and before he knew what had come over him, he took
her in his arms. Madame seemed to push him away, but then gave in. Finally she
came to her senses: they must return to the house. Had he gone too far? He must
to stifle her heartfelt contempt, for she was firmly of the opinion that no man
of low condition, however wealthy, was deserving of a noble wife. And on
discovering that all he was capable of despite his massive wealth, was distinguishing
wool from cotton, supervising the setting up of a loom, or debating the virtues
of a particular yarn with a spinner-woman, she resolved that as far as it lay
within her power she would have nothing whatsoever to do with his beastly
caresses. Moreover she was determined to seek try to control himself. As they
strolled back to the house, Madame remarked, "What a delicious night we've
just spent." Was she referring to what had happened in the pavilion?
"There is an even more charming room in the chateau," she went on,
"but I can't show you anything," implying he had been too forward.
She had mentioned this room ("Monsieur's apartment") several times
before; he could not imagine what could be so interesting about it, but by now
he was dying to see it and insisted she show it to him. "If you promise to
be good," she replied, her eyes widening. Through the darkness of the
house she led him into the room, which, to his delight, was a kind of temple of
pleasure: there were mirrors on the walls, trompe l'oeil paintings evoking a
forest scene, even a dark grotto, and a garlanded statue of Eros. Overwhelmed
by the mood of the place, the young man quickly resumed what he had started in
the pavilion, and would have lost all track of time if a servant had not rushed
in and warned them that it was getting light outside-Monsieur would soon be up.
her pleasure elsewhere, in the company of one who seemed more worthy of her
affection, and so it was that she fell deeply in love with an extremely
eligible man in his middle thirties. And whenever a day passed without her
having set eyes upon him, she was restless for the whole of the following
night. • However, the gentleman suspected nothing of all this, and took no
notice of her; andfor her part, being very cautious, she would not venture to
declare her love by dispatching a maidservant or writing him They quickly
separated. Later that day, as the young man prepared to leave, his hostess
said, "Goodbye, Monsieur; I owe you so many pleasures; but I have paid you
with a beautiful dream. Now your love summons you to return. . . . Don't give
the Countess cause to quarrel with me." Reflecting on his experience on
the way back, he could not figure out what it meant. He had the vague sensation
of having been used, but the pleasures he remembered outweighed his doubts.
Interpretation. Madame de T_is a character in the eighteenth-century libertine
short story "No Tomorrow," by Vivant Denon. The young man is the
story's narrator. Although fictional, Madame's techniques were clearly based on
those of several well-known libertines of the time, masters of the game of
seduction. And the most dangerous of their weapons was insinuation-the means by
which Madame cast her spell on the young man, making him seem the aggressor,
giving her the night of pleasure she desired. Master the Art of Insinuation •
215 and safeguarding her guiltless reputation, all in one stroke. After all, he
was the one who initiated physical contact, or so it seemed. In truth, she was
the one in control, planting precisely the ideas in his mind that she wanted.
That first physical encounter in the carriage, for instance, that she had set
up by inviting him closer: she later rebuked him for being forward, but what
lingered in his mind was the excitement of the moment. Her talk of the countess
made him confused and guilty; but then she hinted that his lover was
unfaithful, planting a different seed in his mind: anger, and the desire for
revenge. Then she asked him to forget what she had said and forgive her for
saying it, a key insinuating tactic: "I am asking you to forget what I
have said, but I know you cannot; the thought will remain in your mind."
Provoked this way, it was inevitable he would grab her in the pavilion. She
several times mentioned the room in the chateau-of course he insisted on going
there. She enveloped the evening in an air of ambiguity. Even her words
"If you promise to be good" could be read several ways. The young
man's head and heart were inflamed with all of the feelings-discontent,
confusion, desirethat she had indirectly instilled in him. Particularly in the
early phases of a seduction, learn to make everything you say and do a kind of
insinuation. Insinuate doubt with a comment here and there about other people
in the victim's life, making the victim feel vulnerable. Slight physical
contact insinuates desire, as does a fleeting but memorable look, or an
unusually warm tone of voice, both for the briefest of moments. A passing
comment suggests that something about the victim interests you; but keep it
subtle, your words revealing a possibility, creating a doubt. You are planting
seeds that will take root in the weeks to come. When you are not there, your
targets will fantasize about the ideas you have stirred up, and brood upon the
doubts. They are slowly being led into your web, unaware that you are in
control. How can they resist or become defensive if they cannot even see what
is happening? What distinguishes a suggestion from other kinds of psychical
influence, such as a command or the giving of a piece of information or
instruction, is that in the case of a suggestion an idea is aroused in another
person's brain which is not examined in regard to its origin but is accepted
just as though it had arisen spontaneously in that brain. -SIGMUND FREUD Keys
to Seduction Y ou cannot pass through life without in one way or another trying
to persuade people of something. Take the direct route, saying exactly what you
want, and your honesty may make you feel good but you are probably not getting
anywhere. People have their own sets of ideas, which are hardened into stone by
habit; your words, entering their minds, com- a letter, for fear of the dangers
that this might entail. But having perceived that he was on very friendly terms
with a certain priest, a rotund, uncouth, individual who was nevertheless
regarded as an outstandingly able friar on account of his very saintly way of
life, she calculated that this fellow would serve as an ideal go- betweenfor
her and the man she loved. And so, after reflecting on the strategy she would
adopt, she paid a visit, at an appropriate hour of the day, to the church where
he was to befound, and having sought him out, she asked him whether he would
agree to confess her. Since he could tell at a glance that she was a lady of
quality, the friar gladly heard her confession, and when she had got to the end
of it, she continued as follows: • "Father, as I shall explain to you
presently, there is a certain matter about which I am compelled to seek your
advice and assistance. Having already told you my name, I feel sure you will
know my family and my husband. He loves me more dearly than life itself, and
since he is enormously rich, he never has the slightest difficulty or
hesitation in supplying me with every single object for which I display a
yearning. Consequently, my love for him is quite unbounded, and if my mere
thoughts, to say nothing of my actual behavior, were to run contrary to his
wishes and his honor, I would be more deserving of hellfire than the wickedest
woman who ever lived. • "Now, there is a certain person, of respectable
outward appearance, who unless I am mistaken is a close acquaintance of yours.
I really couldn't say what his name is, but he is tall and handsome, his
clothes are brown and elegantly cut, and, possibly because he is unaware of my
resolute nature, he appears to have laid siege to me. He turns up infallibly
whenever I either look out of my window or stand at the front door or leave the
house, and I am surprised, in fact, that he is not here now. Needless to say, I
am very upset about all this, because his sort of conduct frequently gives an
honest woman a bad name, even though she is quite innocent. • " . . . For
the love of God, therefore, I implore you to speak to him severely and persuade
him to refrain from his importunities. There are plenty of other women who
doubtless find this sort of thing amusing, and who will enjoy being ogled and
spied upon by him, but I personally have no inclination for it whatsoever, and
I find hisbehaviorexceedingly disagreeable." • And having reached the end
of her speech, the lady bowed head as though she were going to burst into
tears. • The reverend friar realized immediately who it was to whom she was
referring, and having warmly commended her purity of mind ... he promised to
take all necessary steps to ensure that the fellow ceased to annoy her.
..." Shortly afterward, the gentleman in question paid one of his regular
visits to the reverendfriar, and after they had conversed together for a while
on general pete with the thousands of preconceived notions that are already
there, and get nowhere. Besides, people resent your attempt to persuade them,
as if they were incapable of deciding by themselves-as if you knew better.
Consider instead the power of insinuation and suggestion. It requires some
patience and art, but the results are more than worth it. The way insinuation
works is simple: disguised in a banal remark or encounter, a hint is dropped.
It is about some emotional issue-a possible pleasure not yet attained, a lack
of excitement in a person's life. The hint registers in the back of the
target's mind, a subtle stab at his or her insecurities; its source is quickly
forgotten. It is too subtle to be memorable at the time, and later, when it
takes root and grows, it seems to have emerged naturally from the target's own
mind, as if it was there all along. Insinuation lets you bypass people's
natural resistance, for they seem to be listening only to what has originated
in themselves. It is a language on its own, communicating directly with the
unconscious. No seducer, no persuader, can hope to succeed without mastering
the language and art of insinuation. A strange man once arrived at the court of
Louis XV. No one knew anything about him, and his accent and age were
unplaceable. He called himself Count Saint-Germain. He was obviously wealthy;
all kinds of gems and diamonds glittered on his jacket, his sleeves, his shoes,
his fingers. He could play the violin to perfection, paint magnificently. But
the most intoxicating thing about him was his conversation. In truth, the count
was the greatest charlatan of the eighteenth century-a man who had mastered the
art of insinuation. As he spoke, a word here and there would slip out-a vague
allusion to the philosopher's stone, which turned base metal into gold, or to
the elixir of life. He did not say he possessed these things, but he made you
associate him with their powers. Had he simply claimed to have them, no one
would have believed him and people would have turned away. The count might
refer to a man who had died forty years earlier as if he had known him
personally; had this been so, the count would have had to be in his eighties,
although he looked to be in his forties. He mentioned the elixir of life. ...
he seems so young. . . . The key to the count's words was vagueness. He always
dropped his hints into a lively conversation, grace notes in an ongoing melody.
Only later would people reflect on what he had said. After a while, people
started to come to him, inquiring about the philosopher's stone and the elixir
of life, not realizing that it was he who had planted these ideas in their
minds. Remember: to sow a seductive idea you must engage people's imaginations,
their fantasies, their deepest yearnings. What sets the wheels spinning is
suggesting things that people already want to hear-the possibility of pleasure,
wealth, health, adventure. In the end, these good things turn out to be
precisely what you seem to offer them. They will come to you as if on their
own, unaware that you insinuated the idea in their heads. In 1807, Napoleon
Bonaparte decided it was critical for him to win the Russian Czar Alexander I
to his side. He wanted two things out of the Master the Art of Insinuation •
217 czar: a peace treaty in which they agreed to carve up Europe and the Middle
East; and a marriage alliance, in which he would divorce his wife Josephine and
marry into the czar's family. Instead of proposing these things directly,
Napoleon decided to seduce the czar. Using polite social encounters and
friendly conversations as his battlefields, he went to work. An apparent slip
of the tongue revealed that Josephine could not bear children; Napoleon quickly
changed the subject. A comment here and there seemed to suggest a linking of
the destinies of France and Russia.Just before they were to part one evening,
he talked of his desire for children, sighed sadly, then excused himself for
bed, leaving the czar to sleep on this. He escorted the czar to a play on the
themes of glory, honor, and empire; now, in later conversations, he could
disguise his insinuations under the cover of discussing the play. Within a few
weeks, the czar was speaking to his ministers of a marriage alliance and a
treaty with France as if they were his own ideas. Slips of the tongue,
apparently inadvertent "sleep on it" comments, alluring references,
statements for which you quickly apologize-all of these have immense
insinuating power. They get under people's skin like a poison, and take on a
life of their own. The key to succeeding with your insinuations is to make them
when your targets are at their most relaxed or distracted, so that they are not
aware of what is happening. Polite banter is often the perfect front for this;
people are thinking about what they will say next, or are absorbed in their own
thoughts. Your insinuations will barely register, which is how you want it. In
one of his early campaigns, John F. Kennedy addressed a group of veterans.
Kennedy's brave exploits during World War II-the PT-109 incident had made him a
war hero-were known to all; but in the speech, he talked of the other men on
the boat, never mentioning himself. He knew, however, that what he had done was
on everyone's mind, because in fact he had put it there. Not only did his
silence on the subject make them think of it on their own, it made Kennedy seem
humble and modest, qualities that go well with heroism. In seduction, as the
French courtesan Ninon de 1'Enclos advised, it is better not to talk about your
love for a person. Let your target read it in your manner. Your silence on the
subject will have more insinuating power than if you had addressed it directly.
Not only words insinuate; pay attention to gestures and looks. Madame
Recamier's favorite technique was to keep her words banal and the look in her
eyes enticing. The flow of conversation would keep men from thinking too deeply
about these occasional looks, but they would be haunted by them. Lord Byron had
his famous "underlook": while everyone was discussing some uninteresting
subject, he would seem to hang his head, but then a young woman (the target)
would see him glancing upward at her, his head still tilted. It was a look that
seemed dangerous, challenging, but also ambiguous; many women were hooked by
it. The face speaks its own language. We are used to trying to read people's
faces, which are often better indicators of their feelings than what they say,
which is so easy to control. topics, the friar drew him to one side and
reproached him in a very kindly sort of way for the amorous glances which, as
the lady had given him to understand, he believed him to be casting in her
direction. • Not unnaturally, the gentleman was amazed, for he had never so
much as looked at the lady and it was very seldom that he passed by her house.
. . . • The gentleman, being rather more perceptive than the reverendfriar, was
not exactly slow to appreciate the lady's cleverness, and putting on a somewhat
sheepish expression, he promised not to bother her any more. But after leaving
the friar, he made his way toward the house of the lady, who was keeping
continuous vigil at a tiny little window so that she would see him if he
happened to pass by. .. . Andfrom that day forward, proceeding with the maximum
prudence and conveying the impression that he was engaged in some other
business entirely, he became a regular visitor to the neighborhood. -GIOVANNI
BOCCACCIO, THE DECAMERON. TRANSLATED BYG. H. MCWILLIAM Glances are the heavy
artillery of the flirt: everything can be conveyed in a look, yet that look can
always be denied, for it cannot be quoted word for word. -STENDHAL, QUOTED IN
RICHARD DAVENPORT-HINES, ED., VICE: AN ANTHOLOGY Since people are always
reading your looks, use them to transmit the insinuating signals you choose.
Finally, the reason insinuation works so well is not just that it bypasses
people's natural resistance. It is also the language of pleasure. There is too
little mystery in the world; too many people say exactly what they feel or
want. We yearn for something enigmatic, for something to feed our fantasies.
Because of the lack of suggestion and ambiguity in daily life, the person who
uses them suddenly seems to have something alluring and full of promise. It is
a kind of titillating game-what is this person up to? What does he or she mean?
Hints, suggestions, and insinuations create a seductive atmosphere, signaling
that their victim is no longer involved in the routines of daily life but has
entered another realm. Symbol: The Seed. The soil is carefully prepared. The
seeds are planted months in advance. Once they are in the ground, no one knows
what hand threw them there. They are part of the earth. Disguise your
manipulations by planting seeds that take root on their own. Reversal T he
danger in insinuation is that when you leave things ambiguous your target may
misread them. There are moments, particularly later on in a seduction, when it
is best to communicate your idea directly, particularly once you know the
target will welcome it, Casanova often played things that way. When he could
sense that a woman desired him, and needed little preparation, he would use a
direct, sincere, gushing comment to go straight to her head like a drug and
make her fall under his spell. When the rake and writer Gabriele D'Annunzio met
a woman he desired, he rarely delayed. Flattery flowed from his mouth and pen.
He would charm with his "sincerity" (sincerity can be feigned, and is
just one stratagem among others). This only works, however, when you sense that
the target is easily yours. If not, the defenses and suspicions you raise by
direct attack will make your seduction impossible. When in doubt, indirection
is the better route. 7. Enter Their Spirit. Most people are locked in their own
worlds, making them stubborn and hard to persuade. The way to lure them out of
their shell and set up your seduction is to enter their spirit. Play by their
rules, enjoy what they enjoy, adapt yourself to their moods. In doing so you
will stroke their deep-rooted narcissism and lower their defenses. Hypnotized
by the mirror image you present, they will open up, becoming vulnerable to your
subtle influence. Soon you can shift the dynamic: once you have entered their
spirit you can make them enter yours, at a point when it is too late to turn
back. Indulge your targets' every mood and whim, giving them nothing to react
against or resist. The Indulgent Strategy I n October of 1961, the American
journalist Cindy Adams was granted an exclusive interview with President
Sukarno of Indonesia. It was a remarkable coup, for Adams was a little-known
journalist at the time, while Sukarno was a world figure in the midst of a
crisis. A leader of the fight for Indonesia's independence, he had been the
country's president since 1949, when the Dutch finally gave up the colony. By
the early 1960s, his daring foreign policy had made him hated in the United
States, some calling him the Hitler of Asia. Adams decided that in the
interests of a lively interview, she would not be cowed or overawed by Sukarno,
and she began the conversation by joking with him. To her pleasant surprise,
her ice-breaking tactic seemed to work: Sukarno warmed up to her. He let the
interview run well over an hour, and when it was over he loaded her with gifts.
Her success was remarkable enough, but even more so were the friendly letters
she began to receive from Sukarno after she and her husband had returned to New
York. A few years later, he proposed that she collaborate with him on his
autobiography. Adams, who was used to doing puff pieces on third-rate
celebrities, was confused. She knew Sukarno had a reputation as a devilish Don
Juan -le grand seducteur, the French called him. He had had four wives and
hundreds of conquests. He was handsome, and obviously he was attracted to her,
but why choose her for this prestigious task? Perhaps his libido was too power-
fill for him to care about such things. Nevertheless, it was an offer she could
not refuse. In January of 1964, Adams returned to Indonesia. Her strategy, she
had decided, would stay the same: she would be the brassy, straight-talking
lady who had seemed to charm Sukarno three years earlier. During her first
interview with him for the book, she complained in rather strong terms about
the rooms she had been given as lodgings. As if he were her secretary, she
dictated a letter to him, which he was to sign, detailing the special treatment
she was to be given by one and all. To her amazement, he dutifully copied out
the letter, and signed it. Next on Adams's schedule was a tour of Indonesia to
interview people who had known Sukarno in his youth. So she complained to him
about the plane she had to fly on, which she said was unsafe. "I tell you
what, honey," she told him, "I think you should give me my own
plane." "Okay," he an- You're anxious to keep your mistress? \
Convince her she's knocked you all of a heap \ With her stunning looks. If it's
purple she's wearing, praise purple; \ When she's in a silk dress, say silk \
Suits her best of all. . . Admire \ Her singing voice, her gestures as she
dances, \ Cry "Encore!" when she stops. You can even praise \ Her
performance in bed, her talentfor love-making - \ Spell out what turned you on.
\ Though she may show fiercer in action than any Medusa, \ Her lover will
always describe her as kind \ And gentle. But take care not to give yourself
away while \ Making such tongue-in- cheek compliments, don't allow \ Your
expression to ruin the message. Art's most effective \ When concealed.
Detection discredits you for good. - OVID, THE ART OF LOVE. TRANSLATED BY PETER
GREEN The little boy (or girl) seeks to fascinate his or her parents. In
Oriental literature, imitation is reckoned to be one of the ways of attracting.
The Sanskrit texts, for example, give an important part to the trick of the
woman copying the dress, expressions, and speech of her beloved. This kind of
mimetic drama is urged on the woman who, "being unable to unite with her
beloved, imitates him to distract his thoughts." • The child too, using
the devices of imitating attitudes, dress, and so on, seeks to fascinate, until
a magical intention, the father or mother and thus "distract its
thoughts." Identification means that one is abandoning and not abandoning
amorous desires. It is a lure which the child uses to capture his parents and
which, it must be admitted, they fall for. The same is true for the masses, who
imitate their leader, bear his name and repeat his gestures. They bow to him,
but at the same time they are unconsciously baiting a trap to hold him. Great
ceremonies and demonstrations are just as much occasions when the multitudes
charm the swered, apparently somewhat abashed. One, however, was not enough,
she went on; she required several planes, and a helicopter, and her own
personal pilot, a good one. He agreed to everything. The leader of Indonesia
seemed to be not just intimidated by Adams but totally under her spell. He
praised her intelligence and wit. At one point he confided, "Do you know
why I'm doing this biography? . . . Only because of you, that's why." He
paid attention to her clothes, complimenting her outfits, noticing any change
in them. He was more like a fawning suitor than the "Hitler of Asia."
Inevitably, of course, he made passes at her. She was an attractive woman.
First there was the hand on top of her hand, then a stolen kiss. She spurned him
every time,making it clear she was happily married, but she was worried; if all
he had wanted was an affair, the whole book deal could fall apart. Once again,
though, her straightforward strategy seemed the right one. Surprisingly, he
backed down without anger or resentment. He promised that his affection for her
would remain platonic. She had to admit that he was not at all what she had
expected, or what had been described to her. Perhaps he liked being dominated
by a woman. The interviews continued for several months, and she noticed slight
changes in him. She still addressed him familiarly, spicing the conversation
with brazen comments, but now he returned them, delighting in this kind of
saucy banter. He assumed the same lively mood that she strategically forced on
herself. At first he had dressed in military uniform, or in his Italian suits.
Now he dressed casually, even going barefoot, conforming to the casual style of
their relationship. One night he remarked that he liked the color of her hair.
It was Clairol, blue-black, she explained. He wanted to have the same color;
she had to bring him a bottle. She did as he asked, imagining he was joking,
but a few days later he requested her presence at the palace to dye his hair
for him. She did so, and now they had the exact same hair color. leader as vice
versa. The book, Sukarno: An Autobiography as Told to Cindy Adams, was pub-
-SERGE MOSCOVICI, THEAGE OF THE CROWD. TRANSLATED BY J. C.WHITEHOUSE My sixth
brother, he who had both his lips cut off, Prince of the Faithful, is called
Shakashik. • In his youth he was very poor. One day, as he was fished in 1965.
To American readers' surprise, Sukarno came across as remarkably charming and
lovable, which was indeed how Adams described him to one and all. If anyone
argued, she would say that they did not him the way she did. Sukarno was well
pleased, and had the book distributed far and wide. It helped gain sympathy for
him in Indonesia, where he was now being threatened with a military coup. And
Sukarno was not surprised-he had known all along that Adams would do a far
better job with his memoirs than any "serious" journalist. begging in
the streets of Baghdad, he passed by a splendid mansion, at the gates of which
stood an impressive array of attendants. Upon inquiry my brother was informed
Interpretation. Who was seducing whom? It was Sukarno who was doing the
seducing, and his seduction of Adams followed a classical sequence. First, he
chose the right victim. An experienced journalist would have resisted the lure
of a personal relationship with the subject, and a man would have been less
susceptible to his charm. And so he picked a woman, and Enter Their Spirit •
223 one whose journalistic experience lay elsewhere. At his first meeting with
Adams, he sent mixed signals: he was friendly to her, but hinted at another
kind of interest as well. Then, having insinuated a doubt in her mind (Perhaps
he just wants an affair?), he proceeded to mirror her. He indulged her every
mood, retreating every time she complained. Indulging a person is a form of
entering their spirit, letting them dominate for the time being. Perhaps
Sukarno's passes at Adams showed his uncontrollable libido at work, or perhaps
they were more cunning. He had a reputation as a Don Juan; failing to make a
pass at her would have hurt her feelings. (Women are often less offended at
being found attractive than one imagines, and Sukarno was clever enough to have
given each of his four wives the impression that she was his favorite.) The
pass out of the way, he moved further into her spirit, taking on her casual
air, even slightly feminizing himself by adopting her hair color. The result
was that she decided he was not what she had expected or feared him to be. He
was not in the least threatening, and after all, she was the one in control.
What Adams failed to realize was that once her defenses were lowered, she was
oblivious to how deeply he had engaged her emotions. She had not charmed him,
he had charmed her. What he wanted all along was what he got: a personal memoir
written by a sympathetic foreigner, who gave the world a rather engaging
portrait of a man of whom many were suspicious. Of all the seductive tactics,
entering someone's spirit is perhaps the most devilish of all. It gives your
victims the feeling that they are seducing you. The fact that you are indulging
them, imitating them, entering their spirit, suggests that you are under their
spell. You are not a dangerous seducer to be wary of, but someone compliant and
unthreatening. The attention you pay to them is intoxicating-since you are
mirroring them, everything they see and hear from you reflects their own ego
and tastes. What a boost to their vanity. All this sets up the seduction, the
series of maneuvers that will turn the dynamic around. Once their defenses are
down, they are open to your subtle influence. Soon you will begin to take over
the dance, and without even noticing the shift, they will find themselves
entering your spirit. This is the endgame. Women are not at their ease except
with those who take chances with them, and enter into their spirit. -NINON
DEL'ENCLOS Keys to Seduction O ne of the great sources of frustration in our
lives is other people's stubbornness. How hard it is to reach them, to make
them see thingsour way. We often have the impression that when they seem to be
listening to us, and apparently agreeing with us, it is all superficial-the
moment we are gone, they revert to their own ideas. We spend our lives butting
up that the house belonged to a member of the wealthy and powerful Barmecide
family. Shakashik approached the doorkeepers and solicited alms. "Go
in," they said, "and our master will give you all that you
desire." • My brother entered the lofty vestibule and proceeded to a
spacious, marble-paved hall, hung with tapestry and overlooking a beautiful
garden. He stood bewilderedfor a moment, not knowing where to turn his steps,
and then advanced to the far end of the hall. There, among the cushions,
reclined a handsome old man with a long beard, whom my brother recognized at
once as the master of the house. "What can I do for you, my friend?"
asked the old man, as he rose to welcome my brother. • When Shakashik replied
that he was a hungry beggar, the old man expressed the deepest compassion and
rent his fine robes, crying: "Is it possible that there should be a man as
hungry as yourself in a city where I am living? It is, indeed, a disgrace that
I cannot endure!" Then he comforted my brother, adding: "I insist
that you stay with me and partake of my dinner." • With this the master of
the house clapped his hands and called out to one of the slaves: "Bring in
the basin and ewer." Then he said to my brother: "Come forward, my
friend, and wash your hands." • Shakashik rose to do so, but saw neither ewer
nor basin. He was bewildered to see his host make gestures as though he were
pouring water on his hands from an invisible vessel and then drying them with
an invisible towel. When he finished, the host called out to his attendants:
"Bring in the table!" • Numerous servants hurried in and out of the
hall, as though they were preparingfor a meal. against people, as if they were
stone walls. But instead of complaining about how misunderstood or ignored you
are, why not try something different: instead of seeing other people as spiteful
or indifferent, instead of trying to figure out why they act the way they do,
look at them through the eyes of the seducer. The way to lure people out of
their natural intractability and self-obsession is to enter their spirit. All
of us are narcissists. When we were children our narcissism was My brother
could still see nothing. Yet his host invited him to sit at the imaginary
table, saying, "Honor me by eating of this meat." • The old man moved
his hands about as though he were touching invisible dishes, and also moved his
jaws and lips as though he were chewing. Then said he to Shakashik: "Eat
your fill, my friend, for you must be famished." • My brother began to
move his jaws, to chew and swallow, as though he were eating, while the old man
still coaxed him, saying: "Eat, my friend, and note the excellence of this
bread and its whiteness. " • "This man," thought Shakashik,
"must be fond of practical jokes. " So he said, "It is, sir, the
whitest bread I have ever seen, and I have never tasted the like in all my
life. " • "This bread," said the host, "was baked by a
slave girl whom I bought for five hundred dinars." Then he called out to
one of his slaves: "Bring in the meat pudding, and let there be plenty of
fat in it!" • ... Thereupon the host moved his fingers as though to pick
up a morselfrom an imaginary dish, and popped the invisible delicacy into my
brother's mouth. • The old man continued to enlarge upon the excellences of the
various dishes, while my brother became so ravenously hungry that he would have
willingly died physical: we were interested in our own image, our own body, as
if it were a separate being. As we grow older, our narcissism grows more
psychological: we become absorbed in our own tastes, opinions, experiences. A
hard shell forms around us. Paradoxically, the way to entice people out of this
shell is to become more like them, in fact a kind of mirror image of them. You
do not have to spend days studying their minds; simply conform to their moods,
adapt to their tastes, play along with whatever they send your way. In doing so
you will lower their natural defensiveness. Their sense of self-esteem does not
feel threatened by your strangeness or different habits. People truly love
themselves, but what they love most of all is to see their ideas and tastes
reflected in another person. This validates them. Their habitual insecurity
vanishes. Hypnotized by their mirror image, they relax. Now that their inner
wall has crumbled, you can slowly draw them out, and eventually turn the dynamic
around. Once they are open to you, it becomes easy to infect them with your own
moods and heat. Entering the other person's spirit is a kind of hypnosis; it is
the most insidious and effective form of persuasion known to man. In the
eighteenth-century Chinese novel The Dream of the Red Chamber, all the young
girls in the prosperous house of Chia are in love with the rakish Pao Yu. He is
certainly handsome, but what makes him irresistible is his uncanny ability to
enter a young girl's spirit. Pao Yu has spent his youth around girls, whose
company he has always preferred. As a result, he never comes over as
threatening and aggressive. He is granted entry to girls' rooms, they see him
everywhere, and the more they see him the more they fall under his spell. It is
not that Pao Yu is feminine; he remains a man, but one who can be more or less
masculine as the situation requires. His familiarity with young girls allows
him the flexibility to enter their spirit. This is a great advantage. The
difference between the sexes is what makes love and seduction possible, but it
also involves an element of fear and distrust. A woman may fear male aggression
and violence; a man is often unable to enter a woman's spirit, and so he
remains strange and threatening. The greatest seducers in history, from
Casanova to John F. Kennedy, grew up surrounded by women and had a touch of
femininity themselves. The philosopher Spren Kierkegaard, in his novel The
Seducer's Diary, recommends spending more time with the opposite sex, getting
to know the "enemy" and its weaknesses, so that you can turn this
knowledge to your advantage. Ninon de l'Enclos, one of the greatest
seductresses who ever lived, had definite masculine qualities. She could
impress a man with her intense philosophical keenness, and charm him by seeming
to share his interest in politics and warfare. Many men first formed deep
friendships with her, only to later fall madly in love. The masculine in a
woman is as soothing to men as the feminine in a man is to women. To a man, a
woman's strangeness can create frustration and even hostility. He may be lured
into a sexual encounter, but a longer-lasting spell cannot be created without
an accompanying mental seduction. The key is to enter his spirit. Men are often
seduced by the masculine element in a woman's behavior or character. In the
novel Clarissa (1748) by Samuel Richardson, the young and devout Clarissa
Harlowe is being courted by the notorious rake Lovelace. Clarissa knows
Lovelace's reputation, but for the most part he has not acted as she would
expect: he is polite, seems a little sad and confused. At one point she finds
out that he has done a most noble and charitable deed to a family in distress,
giving the father money, helping the man's daughter get married, giving them
wholesome advice. At last Lovelace confesses to Clarissa what she has
suspected: he wants to repent, to change his ways. His letters to her are
emotional, almost religious in their passion. Perhaps she will be the one to
lead him to righteousness? But of course Lovelace has trapped her: he is using
the seducer's tactic of mirroring her tastes, in this case her spirituality.
Once she lets her guard down, once she believes she can reform him, she is
doomed: now he can slowly insinuate his own spirit into his letters and
encounters with her. Remember: the operative word is "spirit," and
that is often exactly where to take aim. By seeming to mirror someone's
spiritual values you can seem to establish a deep-rooted harmony between the
two of you, which can then be transferred to the physical plane. When Josephine
Baker moved to Paris, in 1925, as part of an all-black revue, her exoticism
made her an overnight sensation. But the French are notoriously fickle, and
Baker sensed that their interest in her would quickly pass to someone else. To
seduce them for good, she entered their spirit. She learned French and began to
sing in it. She started dressing and acting as a stylish French lady, as if to
say that she preferred the French way of life to the American. Countries are
like people: they have vast insecurities, and they feel threatened by other
customs. It is often quite seductive to a people to see an outsider adopting
their ways. Benjamin Disraeli was born and lived all his life in England, but
he was Jewish by birth, and had exotic features; the provincial English
considered him an outsider. Yet he was more English in his manners and tastes
than many an Englishman, and this was part of his charm, which he proved by
becoming the leader of the Conservative Party. Should you be an outsider (as
most of us ultimately are), turn it to advantage: play on your alien nature in
such a way as to show the group how deeply you prefer their tastes and customs
to your own. In 1752, the notorious rake Saltykov determined to be the first
man in the Russian court to seduce the twenty-three-year-old grand duchess, the
future Empress Catherine the Great. He knew that she was lonely; her husband
Peter ignored her, as did many of the other courtiers. And yet the ob- Enter
Their Spirit • 225 for a crust of barley bread. • "Have you ever tasted
anything more delicious," went on the old man, "than the spices in
these dishes?" • "Never, indeed," replied Shakashik. • "Eat
heartily, then," said his host, "and do not be ashamed!" •
"I thank you, sir," answered Shakashik, "but I have already
eaten my fill. " • Presently, however, the old man clapped his hands again
and cried: "Bring in the wine!" "... "Sir," said
Shakashik, "your generosity overwhelms me!" He lifted the invisible
cup to his lips, and made as if to drain it at one gulp. • "Health and joy
to you!" exclaimed the old man, as he pretended to pour himself some wine
and drink it off. He handed another cup to his guest, and they both continued
to act in this fashion until Shakashik, feigning himself drunk, began to roll
his headfrom side to side. Then, taking his bounteous host unawares, he
suddenly raised his arm so high that the white of his armpit could be seen, and
dealt him a blow on the neck which made the hall echo with the sound. And this
he followed by a second blow. • The old man rose in anger and cried: "What
are you doing, vile creature?" • "Sir" replied my brother,
"you have received your humble slave into your house and loaded him with
your generosity; you havefed him with the choicestfood and quenched his thirst
with the most potent wines. Alas, he became drunk, and forgot his manners! But
you are so noble, sir, that you will 226 surely pardon his offence. " •
When he heard these words, the old man burst out laughing and said: "For a
long time I have jested with all types of men, but no one has ever had the
patience or the wit to enter into my humors as you have done. Now, therefore, I
pardon you, and ask you in truth to cat and drink with me, and to he my
companion as long as I live. " • Then the old man ordered his attendants
to serve all the dishes which they had consumed in fancy, and when he and my
brother had eaten their fill they repaired to the drinking chamber, where
beautiful young women sang and made music. The old Barmecide gave Shakashik a
robe of honor and made him his constant companion. - "THE TALE OF
SHAKASHIK, THE BARBER'S SIXTH BROTHER," TALES FROM THE THOUSAND AND ONE
NIGHTS. TRANSLATED BY N.J. DAWOOD stacks were immense: she was spied on day and
night. Still, Saltykov managed to befriend the young woman, and to enter
herall-too-small circle. He finally got her alone, and made it clear to her how
well he understood her loneliness, how deeply he disliked her husband, and how
much he shared her interest in the new ideas that were sweeping Europe. Soon he
found himself able to arrange further meetings, where he gave her the
impression that when he was with her, nothing else in the world mattered.
Catherine fell deeply in love with him, and he did in fact become her first
lover. Saltykov had entered her spirit. When you mirror people, you focus
intense attention on them. They will sense the effort you are making, and will
find it flattering. Obviously you have chosen them, separating them out from
the rest. There seems to be nothing else in your life but them-their moods,
their tastes, their spirit. The more you focus on them, the deeper the spell
you produce, and the intoxicating effect you have on their vanity. Many of us
have difficulty reconciling the person we are right now with the person we want
to be. We are disappointed that we have compromised our youthful ideals, and we
still imagine ourselves as that person who had so much promise, but whom
circumstances prevented from realizing it. When you are mirroring someone, do
not stop at the person they have become; enter the spirit of that ideal person
they wanted to be. This is how the French writer Chateaubriand managed to
become a great seducer, despite his physical ugliness. When he was growing up,
in the latter eighteenth century, romanticism was coming into fashion, and many
young women felt deeply oppressed by the lack of romance in their lives.
Chateaubriand would reawaken the fantasy they had had as young girls of being
swept off their feet, of fulfilling romantic ideals. This form of entering
another's spirit is perhaps the most effective kind, because it makes people
feel better about themselves. In your presence, they live the life of the
person they had wanted to be-a great lover, a romantic hero, whatever it is.
Discover those crushed ideals and mirror them, bringing them back to life by
reflecting them back to your target. Few can resist such a lure. Symbol: The
Hunter's Mirror. The lark is a savory bird, but difficult to catch. In the
field, the hunter places a mirror on a stand. The lark lands in front of the
glass, steps back and forth, entranced by its own moving image and by the
imitative mating dance it sees performed before its eyes. Hypnotized, the bird
loses all sense of its surroundings, until the hunter's net traps it against
the mirror. Enter Their Spirit • 227 Reversal I n 1897 in Berlin, the poet
Rainer Maria Rilke, whose reputation would later circle the world, met Lou
Andreas-Salome, the Russianborn writer and beauty who was notorious for having
broken Nietzsche's heart. She was the darling of Berlin intellectuals, and
although Rilke was twenty-two and she was thirty-six, he fell head over heels
in love with her. He flooded her with love letters, which showed that he had
read all her books and knew her tastes intimately. The two became friends. Soon
she was editing his poetry, and he hung on her every word. Salome was flattered
by Rilke's mirroring of her spirit, enchanted by the intense attention he paid
her and the spiritual communion they began to develop. She became his lover.
But she was worried about his future; it was difficult to make a living as a
poet, and she encouraged him to learn her native language, Russian, and become
a translator. He followed her advice so avidly that within months he could
speak Russian. They visited Russia together, and Rilke was overwhelmed by what
he saw-the peasants, the folk customs, the art, the architecture. Back in
Berlin, he turned his rooms into a kind of shrine to Russia, and started
wearing Russian peasant blouses and peppering his conversation with Russian
phrases. Now the charm of his mirroring soon wore off. At first Salome had been
flattered that he shared her interests so intensely, but now she saw this as
something else: he seemed to have no real identity. He had become dependent on
her for his own self-esteem. It was all so slavish. In 1899, much to his
horror, she broke off the relationship. The lesson is simple: your entry into a
person's spirit must be a tactic, a way to bring him or her under your spell.
You cannot be simply a sponge, soaking up the other person's moods. Mirror them
for too long and they will see through you and be repelled by you. Beneath the
similarity to them that you make them see, you must have a strong underlying sense
of your own identity. When the time comes, you will want to lead them into your
spirit; you cannot live on their turf. Never take mirroring too far, then. It
is only useful in the first phase of a seduction; at some point the dynamic
must be reversed. This desire for a double of the other sex that resembles us
absolutely while still being other, for a magical creature who is ourself while
possessing the advantage, over all our imaginings, of an autonomous existence.
. . . We find traces of it in even the most banal circumstances of love: in the
attraction linked to any change, any disguise, as in the importance of unison
and the repetition of self in the other. . . . The great, the implacable
amorous passions are all linked to thefact that a being imagines he sees his
most secret self spying upon him behind the curtain of another's eyes. -ROBERT
MUSIL, QUOTED IN DENIS DE ROUGEMONT, LOVE DECLARED, TRANSLATED BY RICHARD
HOWARD 8Create Temptation Lure the target deep into your seduction by creating
the proper temptation: a glimpse of the pleasures to come. As the serpent
tempted Eve with the promise offorbidden knowledge, you must awaken a desire in
your targets that they cannot control. Find that weakness of theirs, that
fantasy that has yet to be realized, and hint that you can lead them toward it.
It could be wealth, it could be adventure, it could be forbidden and guilty
pleasures; the key is to keep it vague. Dangle the prize before their eyes,
postponing satisfaction, and let their minds do the rest. The future seems ripe
with possibility. Stimulate a curiosity stronger than the doubts and anxieties
that go with it, and they will follow you. The Tantalizing Object S ome time in
the 1880s, a gentleman named Don Juan de Todellas was wandering through a park
in Madrid when he saw a woman in her early twenties getting out of a coach,
followed by a two-year-old child and a nursemaid. The young woman was elegantly
dressed, but what took Don Juan's breath away was her resemblance to a woman he
had known nearly three years before. Surely she could not be the same person.
The woman he had known, Cristeta Moreruela, was a showgirl in a second-rate
theater. She had been an orphan and was quite poor-her circumstances could not
have changed that much. He moved closer: the same beautiful face. And For these
two crimes Tantalus was punished with the ruin of his kingdom and, after his
then he heard her voice. He was so shocked that he had to sit down: it was
dea,h Zeus ' s own hand indeed the same woman. Don Juan was an incorrigible
seducer, whose conquests were innumerable and of every variety. But he
remembered his affair with Cristeta quite clearly, because she had been so
young-the most charming girl he had ever met. He had seen her in the theater,
had courted her assiduously, and had managed to persuade her to take a trip
with him to a seaside town. Although they had separate rooms, nothing could
stop Don Juan: he made up a story about business troubles, gained her sympathy,
and in a tender moment took advantage of her weakness. A few days later he left
her, on the pretext that he had to attend to business. He believed he would
never see her again. Feeling a little guilty-a rare occurrence with him-he sent
her 5,000 pesetas, pretending he would eventually rejoin her. Instead he went
to Paris. He had only recently returned to Madrid. As he sat and remembered all
this, an idea troubled him: the child. with eternal torment in the company of
Ixion,Sisyphus, Tityus, the Danaids, and others. Now he hangs, perennially
consumed by thirst and hunger, from the bough of afruit tree which leans over a
marshy lake. Its waves lap against his waist, and sometimes reach his chin, yet
whenever he bends down to drink, they slip away, and nothing remains but the
black mud at his feet; or, if he ever succeeds in scooping up a handful of
water, it slips through his fingers before he can do Could the boy possibly be
his? If not, she must have married almost immediately after their affair. How
could she do such a thing? She was obviously wealthy now. Who could her husband
be? Did he know her past? Mixed with his confusion was intense desire. She was
so young and beautiful. Why had he given her up so easily? Somehow, even if she
was married, he had to more than wet his cracked lips, leaving him thirstier
than ever. The tree is laden with pears, shining apples, sweet figs, ripe
olives and pomegranates, which get her back. dangle against his shoulders; but
whenever he Don Juan began to frequent the park every day. He saw her a few
more reac hesfor the luscious times; their eyes met, but she pretended not to
notice him. Tracing the fruit, a gust of wind whirls nursemaid during one of
her errands, he struck up a conversation with her, ,hem ol " °f ,us reack
and asked her about her mistress's husband. She told him the man's name -robert
graves, the oreek was Senor Martinez, and that he was away on an extended
business trip; she also told him where Cristeta now lived. Don Juan gave her a
note to give to 231 232 Don Juan: Arminta, listen to the truth--for are not
women friends of truth? I am a nobleman, heir to the ancient family of the
Tenorios, the conquerors of Seville. After the king, my father is the most
powerful and considered man at court. ... By chance I happened on this road and
saw you. Love sometimes behaves in a manner that surprises even himself. . . .
• Arminta: I don't know if what you're saying is truth or lying rhetoric. I am
married to Batricio, everybody knows it. How can the marriage be annulled, even
if he abandons me? • Don Juan: When the marriage is not consummated, whether by
malice or deceit, it can be annulled. . . . • Arminta: You are right. But, God
help me, won't you desert me the moment you have separated me from my husband?
..." Don Juan: Arminta, light of my eyes, tomorrow your beautifulfeet will
slip into her mistress. Then he strolled by Cristeta's house-a beautiful
palace. His worst suspicions were confirmed: she had married for money.
Cristeta refused to see him. He persisted, sending more notes. Finally, to
avoid a scene, she agreed to meet him, just once, in the park. Heprepared for
the meeting carefully: seducing her again would be a delicate operation. But
when he saw her coming toward him, in her beautiful clothes, his emotions, and
his lust, got the better of him. She could only belong to him, never to another
man, he told her. Cristeta took offense at this; obviously her present
circumstances prevented even one more meeting. Still, beneath her coolness he
could sense strong emotions. He begged to see her again, but she left without
promising anything. He sent her more letters, meanwhile wracking his brains
trying to piece it all together: Who was this Senor Martinez? Why would he
marry a showgirl? How could Cristeta be wrested away from him? Finally Cristeta
agreed to meet Don Juan one more time, in the theater, where he dared not risk
a scandal. They took a box, where they could talk. She reassured him the child
was not his. She said he only wanted her now because she belonged to another,
because he could not have her. No, he said, he had changed; he would do
anything to get her back. Disconcertingly, at moments her eyes seemed to be
flirting with him. But then she seemed to be about to cry, and rested her head
on his shoulder-only to get up immediately, as if realizing this was a mistake.
This was their last meeting, she said, and quickly fled. Don Juan was beside
himself. She wasplaying with him; she was a coquette. He had only been claiming
to have changed, but perhaps it was true: no woman had ever treated him this way
before. He would never have allowed it. polished silver slippers with buttons
of the purest gold. And your alabaster throat will be imprisoned in beautiful
necklaces; on your fingers, rings set with amethysts will shine like stars,
andfrom your ears will da ngle orien tal pearls. • Arminta: I am yours. -TIRSO
DE MOLINA, THE PLAYBOY OF SEVILLE. TRANSLATED BY ADRIENNE M. SCHIZZANO AND
OSCAR MANDLL, IN MANDEL, ED., THE THEATRE OF DON JUAN For the next few nights
Don Juan slept poorly. All he could think about was Cristeta. He had nightmares
about killing her husband, about growing old and being alone. It was all too
much. He had to leave town. He sent her a goodbye note, and to his amazement,
she replied: she wanted to see him, she had something to tell him. By now he
was too weak to resist. As she had requested, he met her on a bridge, at night.
This time she made no effort to control herself: yes, she still loved Don Juan,
and was ready to run away with him. But he should come to her house tomorrow,
in broad daylight, and take her away. There could be no secrecy. Beside himself
with joy, Don Juan agreed to her demands. The next day he showed up at her
palace at the appointed hour, and asked for Senora Martinez. There was no one
there by that name, said the woman at the door. Don Juan insisted: her name is
Cristeta. Ah, Cristeta, the woman said: she lives in the back, with the other
tenants. Confused, Don Juan went to Now the serpent was moresubtle than any
other wild creature that the LORD GOD had made. He said to the woman, "Did
God say, 'You shall not cat of the back of the palace. There he thought he saw
her son, playing in the street in dirty clothes. But no, he said to himself, it
must be some other child. He came to Cristeta's door, and instead of her servant,
Cristeta herself opened it. He entered. It was the room of a poor person.
Hanging on improvised racks, however, were Cristeta's elegant clothes. As if in
a dream, he sat down, dumbfounded, and listened as Cristeta revealed the truth.
Create Temptation • 233 She was not married, she had no child. Months after he
had left her, she had realized that she had been the victim of a consummate
seducer. She still loved Don Juan, but she was determined to turn the tables.
Finding out through a mutual friend that he had returned to Madrid, she took
the five thousand pesetas he had sent her and bought expensive clothes. She
borrowed a neighbor's child, asked the neighbor's cousin to play the
child'snursemaid, and rented a coach-all to create an elaborate fantasy that
existed only in his mind. Cristeta did not even have to lie: she never actually
said she was married or had a child. She knew that being unable to have her
would make him want her more than ever. It was the only way to seduce a man
like him. Overwhelmed by the lengths she had gone to, and by the emotions she
had so skillfully stirred in him, Don Juan forgave Cristeta and offered to
marry her. To his surprise, and perhaps to his relief, she politely declined.
The moment they married, she said, his eyes would wander elsewhere. Only if
they stayed as they were could she maintain the upper hand. Don Juan had no
choice but to agree. Interpretation. Cristeta and Don Juan are characters in
the novel Dulce y Sabrosa (Sweet and Savory, 1891), by the Spanish writer
Jacinto Octavio Picon. Most of Picon's work deals with male seducers and their
feminine victims, a subject he studied and knew much about. Abandoned by Don
Juan, and reflecting on his nature, Cristeta decided to kill two birds with one
stone: she would get revenge and get him back. But how could she lure such a
man? The fruit once tasted, he no longer wanted it. What came easily to him, or
fell into his arms, held no allure for him. What would tempt Don Juan into
desiring Cristeta again, into pursuing her, was the sense that she was already
taken, that she was forbidden fruit. That was his weakness-that was why he
pursued virgins and married women, women he was not supposed to have. To a man,
she reasoned, the grass always seems greener somewhere else. She would make
herself that distant, alluring object, just out of reach, tantalizing him,
stirring up emotions he could not control. He knew how charming and desirable
she had once been to him. The idea of possessing her again, and the pleasure he
imagined it would bring, were too much for him: he swallowed the bait.
Temptation is a twofold process. First you are coquettish, flirtatious; you
stimulate a desire by promising pleasure and distraction from daily life. At
the same time, you make it clear to your targets that they cannot have you, at
least not right away. You are establishing a barrier, some kind of tension. In
days gone by such barriers were easy to create, by taking advantage of
preexisting social obstacles-of class, race, marriage, religion. Today the
barriers have to be more psychological: your heart is taken by someone else;
you are really not interested in the target; some secret holds you back; the
timing is bad; you are not good enough for the other person; the other any tree
of the garden'?" And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of
the fruit of the trees of the garden; but God said, 'You shall not eat of the
fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch
it, lest you die.' " But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not
die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you
will be like God, knowing good and evil. " So when the woman saw that the
tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the
tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she
also gave some to her husband, and he ate. -GENESIS 3:1 , OLD TESTAMENT Thou
strong seducer, Opportunity. -JOHN DRYDEN As he listened, Masetto experienced
such a longing to go and stay with these nuns that his whole body tingled with
excitement, for it was clear from what he had heard that he should be able to
achieve what he had in mind. Realizing, however, that he would get nowhere by
revealing his intentions to Nuto, he replied: • "How right you were to
come away from the [nunnery]! What sort of a life can any man lead when he's
surrounded by a lot of women? He might as well be living with a pack of devils.
Why, six times out oj seven they don't even know their own minds." • But
when they 234 had finished talking, Masetto began to consider what steps he
ought to take so that he could go and stay with them. Knowinghimself to be
perfectly capable of carrying out the duties mentioned by Nuto, he had no
worries about losing the job on that particular score, but he was afraid lest
he should be turned down because of his youth and his unusually attractive
appearance. And so, having rejected a number of other possible expedients, he
eventually thought to himself: "The convent is a long way off, and there's
nobody there who knows me. If I can pretend to be dumb, they'll take me on for
sure." Clinging firmly to this conjecture, he therefore dressed himself in
pauper's rags and slung an ax over his shoulder, and without telling anyone
where he was going, he set outfor the convent. On his arrival, he wandered into
the courtyard, where as luck would have it he came across the steward, and with
the aid ofgestures such as dumb people use, he conveyed the impression that he
was beggingfor something to eat, in return for which he would attend to any
wood-chopping that needed to be done. • The steward gladly provided him with
something to eat, after which he presented him with a pile of logs that Nuto
had been unable to chop. . . . Mow, when the steward had discovered what an
excellent gardener he was, he gestured to Masetto, asking him whether he would
like to stay there, and the latter made signs to indicate that he was willing
to do whatever the steward person is not good enough for you; and so on. Conversely,
you can choose someone who has a built-in barrier: they are taken, they are not
meant to want you. These barriers are more subtle than the social or religious
variety, but they are barriers nevertheless, and the psychology remains the
same. are perversely excited by what they cannot or should not have. Create
this inner conflict-there is excitement and interest, but you are
unavailable-and you will have them grasping like Tantalus for water. And with
Don Juan and Cristeta, the more you make your targets pursue you, the more they
imagine that it is they who are the aggressors. Your seduction is perfectly
disguised. The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it. -OSCAR
WILDE. Keys to Seduction M ost of the time, people struggle to maintain security
and a sense of balance in their lives. If they were always uprooting themselves
in pursuit of every new person or fantasy that passed them by, they could not
survive the daily grind. They usually win the struggle, but it does not come
easy. The world is full of temptation. They read about people who have more
than they do, about adventures others are having, about people who have found
wealth and happiness. The security that they strive for, and that they seem to
have in their lives, is actually an illusion. It covers up a constant tension.
As a seducer, you can never mistake people's appearance for reality. You know
that their fight to keep order in their lives is exhausting, and that they are
gnawed by doubts and regrets. It is hard to be good and virtuous, always having
to repress the strongest desires. With that knowledge in mind, seduction is
easier. What people want is not temptation; temptation happens every day. What
people want is to give into temptation, to yield. That is the only way to get rid
of the tension in their lives. It costs much more to resist temptation than to
surrender. Your task, then, is to create a temptation that is stronger than the
daily variety. It has to be focused on them, aimed at them as individuals-at
their weakness. Understand: everyone has a principal weakness, from which
others stem. Find that childhood insecurity, that lack in their life, and you
hold the key to tempting them. Their weakness may be greed, vanity, boredom,
some deeply repressed desire, a hunger for forbidden fruit. They signal it in
little details that elude their conscious control: their style of clothing, an
offhand comment. Their past, and particularly their past romances, will be
littered with clues. Give them a potent temptation, tailored to their weakness,
and you can make the hope of pleasure that you stir in them figure more
prominently than the doubts and anxieties that accompany it. In 1621, King
Philip III of Spain desperately wanted to forge an al- Create Temptation • 235
liance with England by marrying his daughter to the son of the English king,
James I. James seemed open to the idea, but he stalled for time. Spain's
ambassador to the English court, a man called Gondomar, was given the task of
advancing Philip's plan. He set his sights on the king's favorite, the Duke
(former Earl) of Buckingham. Gondomar knew the duke's main weakness: vanity.
Buckingham hungered for the glory and adventure that would add to his fame; he
was bored with his limited tasks, and he pouted and whined about this. The
ambassador first flattered him profusely-the duke was the ablest man in the
country and it was a shame he was given so little to do. Then, he began to
whisper to him of a great adventure. The duke, as Gondomar knew, was in favor
of the match with the Spanish princess, but these damned marriage negotiations
with King James were taking so long, and getting nowhere. What if the duke were
to accompany the king's son, his good friend Prince Charles, to Spain? Of
course, this would have to be done in secret, without guards or escorts, for
the English government and its ministers would never sanction such a trip. But
that would make it all the more dangerous and romantic. Once in Madrid, the
prince could throw himself at Princess Maria's feet, declare his undying love,
and carry her back to England in triumph. What a chivalrous deed it would be
and all for love. The duke would get all the credit and it would make his name
famous for centuries. The duke fell for the idea, and convinced Charles to go
along; after much arguing, they also convinced a reluctant King James. The trip
was a near disaster (Charles would have had to convert to Catholicism to win
Maria), and the marriage never happened, but Gondomar had done his job. He did
not bribe the duke with offers of money or power-he aimed at the childlike part
of him that never grew up. A child has little power to resist. It wants
everything, now, and rarely thinks of the consequences. A child lies lurking in
everyone-a pleasure that was denied them, a desire that was repressed. Hit at
that point, tempt them with the proper toy (adventure, money, fun), and they
will slough off their normal adult reasonableness. Recognize their weakness by
whatever childlike behavior they reveal in daily life-it is the tip of the iceberg.
Napoleon Bonaparte was appointed the supreme general of the French army in
1796. His commission was to defeat the Austrian forces that had taken over
northern Italy. The obstacles were immense: Napoleon was only twenty-six at the
time; the generals below him were envious of his position and doubtful of his
abilities. His soldiers were tired, underfed, underpaid, and grumpy. How could
he motivate this group to fight the highly experienced Austrian army? As he
prepared to cross the Alps into Italy, Napoleon gave a speech to his troops
that may have been the turning point in his career, and in his life:
"Soldiers, you are half starved and half naked. The government owes you
much, but can do nothing for you. Your patience, your courage, do you honor,
but give you no glory. ... I will lead you into the most fertile plains of the
world. There you will find flourishing cities, teeming provinces. There you
will reap honor, glory, and wealth." The wanted. . . . • Now, one day,
when Masetto happened to he taking a rest after a spell of strenuous work, he
was approached by two very young nuns who were out walking in the garden. Since
he gave them the impression that he was asleep, they began to stare at him, and
the bolder of the two said to her companion: • "If I could be sure that
you would keep it a secret, I would tell you about an idea that has often
crossed my mind, and one that might well work out to our mutual benefit."
• "Do tell me," replied the other. "You can be quite certain
that I shan't talk about it to anyone. " • The bold one began to speak
more plainly. • "I wonder," she said, "whether you have ever
considered what a strict life we have to lead, and how the only men who ever
dare setfoot in this place are the steward, who is elderly, and this dumb gardener
of ours. Yet I have often heard it said, by of the ladies who have come to
visit us, that all other pleasures in the are mere trifles by comparison with
the one by a woman when she goes with a man. have thus been thinking, since I
have nobody else to hand, that I would like to discover with the aid of this
dumb fellow whether they are telling the truth. As it happens, there couldn't
be a better man for the , because even if he wanted to let the cat out of the
bag, he wouldn't be to. He wouldn't even know how to explain, for you can see
for yourself what a mentally retarded, dim-witted hulk of a youth 236 the
fellow is. I would be glad to know what you think of the idea." •
"Dear me!" said the other. "Don't you realize that we have
promised God to preserve our virginity?" • "Pah!" she said.
"We are constantly making Him promises that we never keep! What does it
matter if we fail to keep this one? He can always find other girls to preserve
their virginity for Him. " • . . . Before the time came for them to leave,
they had each made repeated trials of dumb fellow's riding ability, and later
on, when they were busily swapping tales about it all, they agreed that it was
every bit as pleasant an experience as they had been led to believe, indeed
more so. Andfrom then on, whenever the opportunity arose, they whiled away many
a pleasant hour in the dumb fellow's arms. • One day, however, a companion of
theirs happened to look out from the window of her cell, saw the goings-on, and
drew the attention of two others what was afoot. Having talked the matter over
between themselves, they at first decided to report the pair to the abbess. But
then they changed their minds, and by common agreement with the other two, they
took up shares in Masetto's holding. And because of various indiscretions,
these five were subsequently joined by the remaining three, one after the
other. • Finally, the abbess, who was still unaware of all this, was taking a
stroll one very hot day in the garden, all by herself when she came across Masetto
stretched out fast asleep in the shade of an almond speech had a powerful
effect. Days later these same soldiers, after a rough climb over the mountains,
gazed down on the Piedmont valley. Napoleon s words echoed in their ears, and a
ragged, grumbling gang became an inspired army that would sweep across northern
Italy in pursuit of the Austrians. Napoleon's use of temptation had two
elements: behind you is a grim past; ahead of you is a future of wealthand
glory, (/you follow me. Integral to the temptation strategy is a clear
demonstration that the target has nothing to lose and everything to gain. The
present offers little hope, the future can be full of pleasure and excitement.
Remember to keep the future gains vague, though, and somewhat out of reach. Be
too specific and you will disappoint; make the promise too close at hand, and
you will not be able to postpone satisfaction long enough to get what you want.
The barriers and tensions in temptation are there to stop people from giving in
too easily and too superficially. You want them to struggle, to resist, to be
anxious. Queen Victoria surely fell in love with her prime minister, Benjamin
Disraeli, but there were barriers of religion (he was a dark-skinned Jew),
class (she, of course, was a queen), social taste (she was a paragon of virtue,
he a notorious dandy). The relationship was never consummated, but what
deliciousness those barriers gave to their daily encounters, which were full of
constant flirtation. Many such social barriers are gone today, so they have to
be manufactured-it is the only way to put spice into seduction. Taboos of any
kind are a source of tension, and they are psychological now, not religious.
You are looking for some repression, some secret desire that will make your
victim squirm uncomfortably if you hit upon it, but will tempt them all the
more. Search in their past; whatever they seem to fear or flee from might hold
the key. It could be a yearning for a mother or father figure, or a latent
homosexual desire. Perhaps you can satisfy that desire by presenting yourself
as a masculine woman or a feminine man. For others you play the Lolita, or the
daddd-someone they are not supposed to have, the dark side of their
personality. Keep the connection vague-you want them to reach for something
elusive, something that comes out of their own mind. In London in 1769,
Casanova met a young woman named Charpillon. She was much younger than he, as
beautiful a woman as he had ever known, and with a reputation for destroying
men. In one of their first encounters she told him straight out that he would
fall for her and she would ruin him. To everyone's disbelief, Casanova pursued
her. In each encounter she hinted she might give in-perhaps the next time, if
he was nice to her. She inflamed his curiosity-what pleasure she would yield;
he would be the first, he would tame her. "The venom of desire penetrated
my whole being so completely," he later wrote, "that had she so
wished it, she could have despoiled me of everything I possessed. I would have
beggared myself for one little kiss." This "affair" indeed
proved his ruin; she humiliated him. Charpillon had rightly gauged that
Casanova's primary weakness was his Create Temptation • 237 need for conquest,
to overcome challenge, to taste what no other man had tasted. Beneath this was
a kind of masochism, a pleasure in the pain a woman could give him. Playing the
impossible woman, enticing and then frustrating him, she offered the ultimate
temptation. What will often do the trick is to give the target the sense that
you are a challenge, a prize to be won. In possessing you they will get what no
other has had. They may even get pain; but pain is close to pleasure, and
offers its own temptations. In the Old Testament we read that "David arose
from his couch and was walking upon the roof of the king's house . . . [and] he
saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful." The
woman was Bathsheba. David summoned her, seduced her (supposedly), then
proceeded to get rid of her husband, Uriah, in battle. In fact, however, it was
Bathsheba who had seduced David. She bathed on her roof at an hour when she
knew he would be standing on his balcony. After tempting a man she knew had a
weakness for women, she played the coquette, forcing him to come after her.
This is the opportunity strategy: give someone weak the chance to have what
they lust after by merely placing yourself within their reach, as if
byaccident. Temptation is often a matter of timing, of crossing the path of the
weak at the right moment, giving them the opportunity to surrender. Bathsheba
used her entire body as a lure, but it is often more effective to use only a
part of the body, creating a fetishlike effect. Madame Re- camier would let you
glimpse her body beneath the sheer dresses she wore, but only briefly, when she
took off her overgarment to dance. Men would leave that evening dreaming of
what little they had seen. Empress Josephine made a point of baring her
beautiful arms in public. Give the target only a part of you to fantasize
about, thereby creating a constant temptation in their mind. Symbol: The Apple
in the Garden of Eden. The fruit looks deeply inviting, and you are not
supposed to eat of it; it is forbidden. But that is precisely why you think of
it day and night. You see it but cannot have it. And the only way to get rid of
this temptatree. Too much riding by night had left him with very little
strengthfor the day's labors, and so there he lay, with his clothes ruffled up
in front by the wind, leaving him all exposed. Finding herself alone, the lady
stood with her eyes riveted to this spectacle, and she was seized by the same
craving to which her young charges had already succumbed. So, having roused
Masetto, she led him away to her room, where she kept him for several days,
thus provoking bitter complaints from the nuns over the fact that the handyman
had suspended work in the garden. Before sending him back to his own quarters,
she repeatedly savored the one pleasure for which she had always reserved her
most fierce disapproval, and from then on she demanded regular supplementary
allocations, amounting to considerably more than her fair share. -GIOVANNI
BOCCACCIO, THE DECAMERON , TRANSLATED BYG. H. MC WILLI AM tion is to yield and
taste the fruit. 238 Reversal T he reverse of temptation is security or
satisfaction, and both are fatal to seduction. If you cannot tempt someone out
of their habitual comfort, you cannot seduce them. If you satisfy the desire
you have awakened, the seduction is over. There is no reversal to temptation.
Although some stages can be passed over, no seduction can proceed without some
form of temptation, so it is always better to plan it carefully, tailoring it
to the weakness and childishness in your particular target. Phase Two Lead
Astray - Creating Pleasure and Confusion Your victims are sufficiently
intrigued and their desire for you is growing, but their attachment is weak and
at any moment they could decide to turn back. The goal in this phase is to lead
your victims so far astray-keeping them emotional and confused, giving them
pleasure but making them want more-that retreat is no longer possible.
Springing on them a pleasant surprise will make them see you as delightfully
unpredictable, but will also keep them off balance (9: Keep them in suspense-what
comes next?). The artful use of soft and pleasant words will intoxicate them
and stimulate fantasies (10: Use the demonic power of words to sow confusion).
Aesthetic touches and pleasant little rituals will titillate their senses,
distract their minds (11: Pay attention to detail). Your greatest danger in
this phase is the mere hint of routine orfamil- iarity. You need to maintain
some mystery, to keep a little distance so that in your absence your victims
become obsessed with you (12: Poeticize your presence). They may realize they
are falling for you, but they must never suspect how much of this has come from
your manipulations. A well-timed display of your weakness, of how emotional you
have become under their influence will help cover your tracks (13: Disarm
through strategic weakness and vulnerability). To excite your victims and make
them highly emotional, you must give them thefeeling that they are actually
living some of the fantasies you have stirred in their imagination (14: Confuse
desire and reality). By giving them only a part of the fantasy, you will keep
them coming backfor more. Focusing your attention on them so that the rest of
the world fades away, even taking them on a trip, will lead them far astray
(15: Isolate your victim). There is no turning back. 9 Keep Them in Suspense-
What Comes Next? The moment people feel they know what to expect from you, your
spell on them is broken. More: you have ceded them power. The only way to lead
the seduced along and keep the upper hand is to create suspense, a calculated
surprise. People love a mystery, and this is the key to luring them further
into your web. Behave in a way that leaves them wondering, What are you up to?
Doing something they do not expectfrom you will give them a delightful sense of
spontaneity-they will not be able tofore- see what comes next. You are always
one step ahead and in control. Give the victim a thrill with a sudden change of
direction.The Calculated Surprise I n 1753, the twenty-eight-old Giovanni
Casanova met a young girlnamed Caterina with whom he fell in love. Her father
knew what kind of man Casanova was, and to prevent some mishap before he could
marry her off, he sent her away to a convent on the Venetian island of Murano,
where she was to remain for four years. Casanova, however, was not one to be
daunted. He smuggled letters to Caterina. He began to attend Mass at the
convent several times a week, catching glimpses of her. The nuns began to talk
among themselves: who was this handsome young man who appeared so often? One
morning, as Casanova, leaving Mass, was about to board a gondola, a servant
girl from the convent passed by and dropped a letter at his feet. Thinking it
might be from Caterina, he picked it up. It was indeed intended for him, but it
was not from Caterina; its author was a nun at the convent, who had noticed him
on his many visits and wanted to make his acquaintance. Was he interested? If
so, he should come to the convent's parlor at a particular time, when the nun
would be receiving a visitor from the outside world, a friend of hers who was a
countess. He could stand at a distance, observe her, and decide whether she was
to his liking. Casanova was most intrigued by the letter: its style was
dignified, but there was something naughty about it as well-particularly from a
nun. He had to find out more. At the appointed day and time, he stood to the
side in the convent parlor and saw an elegantly dressed woman talking with a
nun seated behind a grating. He heard the nun's name mentioned, and was
astonished: it was Mathilde M., a well-known Venetian in her early twenties,
whose decision to enter a convent had surprised the whole city. But what
astonished him most was that beneath her nun's habit, he could see that she was
a beautiful young woman, particularly in her eyes, which were a brilliant blue.
Perhaps she needed a favor done, and intended that he would serve as her
cat's-paw. His curiosity got the better of him. A few days later he returned to
the convent and asked to see her. As he waited for her, his heart was beating a
mile a minute-he did not know what to expect. She finally appeared and sat down
behind the grating. They were alone in the room, and she said that she could
arrange for them to have supper together at a little villa nearby. Casanova was
delighted, but wondered what kind of nun he was dealing with. "And-have
you no lover but me?" he asked. "I have a I count upon taking [the
French people ] by surprise. A bold deed upsets people's equanimity, and they
are dumbfounded by a great novelty. -NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, QUOTED IN EMIL LUDWIG,
NAPOLEON. TRANSLATED BY EDEN AND CEDAR PAUL The first care of any dandy is to
never do what one expects them to do, to always go beyond. . . . The unexpected
can be nothing more than a gesture, but a gesture that is totally uncommon.
Alcibiades cut off the tail of his dog in order to surprise people. When he saw
the looks on his friends as they gazed upon the mutilated animal, he said:
"Ah, that is precisely what I wanted to happen: as long as the Athenians
gossip about this, they will not say anything worse about me." •
Attracting attention is not the only goal of a dandy, he wants to hold it by
unexpected, even ridiculous means. After Alcibiades, how many apprentice
dandies cut off the tails of their dogs! The 243 244 baron of Saint-Cricq, for
example, with his ice cream boots: one very hot day, he ordered at Tortonis two
ice creams, the vanilla served in his right boot, the strawberry in his left
boot. . . . The Count Saint-Germain loved to bring his friends to the theater,
in his voluptuous carriage lined in pink satin and drawn by two black horses
with enormous tails; he asked his friends in that inimitable tone of his:
"Which piece of entertainment did you wish to see? Vaudeville, the Variety
show, the Palais- Royal theater? I took the liberty of purchasing a box for all
three of them." Once the choice was made, with a look of great disdain, he
would take the unused tickets, roll them up, and use them to light his cigar. -
MAUD DE BELLEROCHE, DU DANDYAU PLAY-BOY While Shahzaman sat at one of the
windows overlooking the king's garden, he saw a door open in the palace,
through which came twenty slave girls and twenty negroes. In their midst was
his brother's [King Shahriyar's] queen, a woman of surpassing beauty. They made
their waytothe fountain, wherethey all undressed and sat on the grass. The
king's wife then called out: "Come Mass'ood!" and there promptly came
to her a black slave, who mounted her after smothering her with embraces and
kisses. So also did the negroes with the slave girls, reveling together till
the approach of night. ....... And so friend, who is also absolutely my
master," she replied. "It is to him I owe my wealth." She asked
if he had a lover. Yes, he replied. She then said, in a mysterious tone,
"I warn you that if you once allow me to take her place in your heart, no
power on earth can tear me from it." She then gave him the key to the
villa and told him to meet her there in two nights. He kissed her through the
grating and left in a daze. "I passed the next two days in a state of
feverish impatience," he wrote, "which prevented me from sleeping or
eating. Over and above birth, beauty, and wit, my new conquest possessed an
additional charm: she was forbidden fruit. I was about to become a rival of the
Church." He imagined her in her habit, and with her shaven head. He
arrived at the villa at the appointed hour. Mathilde was waiting for him. To
his surprise, she wore an elegant dress, and somehow she had avoided having her
head shaved, for her hair was in a magnificent chignon. Casanova began to kiss
her. She resisted, but only slightly, and then pulled back, saying a meal was
ready for them. Over dinner she filled in a few more of the gaps: her money
allowed her to bribe certain people, so that she could escape from the convent
every so often. She had mentioned Casanova to her friend and master, and he had
approved their liaison. He must be old? Casanova asked. No, she replied, a
glint in her eye, he is in his forties, and quite handsome. After supper, a
bell rang-her signal to hurry back to the convent, or she would be caught. She
changed back into her habit and left. A beautiful vista now seemed to stretch
before Casanova, of months spent in the villa with this delightful creature, all
of it courtesy of the mysterious master who paid for it all. He soon returned
to the convent to arrange the next meeting. They would rendezvous in a square
in Venice, then retire to the villa. At the appointed time and place, Casanova
saw a man approach him. Fearing it was her mysterious friend, or some other man
sent to kill him, he recoiled. The man circled behind him, then came up close:
it was Mathilde, wearing a mask and men's clothes. She laughed at the fright
she had given him. What a devilish nun. He had to admit that dressed as a man
she excited him even more. Casanova began to suspect that all was not as it
seemed. For one, he found a collection of libertine novels and pamphlets in
Mathilde's house. Then she made blasphemous comments, for example about the joy
they would have together during Lent, "mortifying their flesh." Now
she referred to her mysterious friend as her lover. A plan evolved in his mind
to take her away from this man and from the convent, eloping with her and
possessing her himself. A few days later he received a letter from her, in
which she made a confession: during one of their more passionate trysts at the
villa, her lover had hidden in a closet, watching the whole thing. The lover,
she told him, was the French ambassador to Venice, and Casanova had impressed
him. Casanova was not one to be fooled with like this, yet the next day he was
back at the convent, submissively arranging for another tryst. This time she
showed up at the hour they had named, and he embraced her-only to Keep Them in
Suspense-What Comes Next? • 245 find that he was embracing Caterina, dressed up
in Mathilde's clothes. Mathilde had befriended Caterina and learned her story.
Apparently taking pity on her, she had arranged it so that Caterina could leave
the convent for the evening, and meet up with Casanova. Only a few months
before Casanova had been in love with this girl, but he had forgotten about
her. Compared to the ingenious Mathilde, Caterina was a simpering bore. He
could not conceal his disappointment. He burned to see Mathilde. Casanova was
angry at the trick Mathilde had played. But a few days later, when he saw her
again, all was forgiven. As she had predicted during their first interview, her
power over him was complete. He had become her slave, addicted to her whims,
and to the dangerous pleasures she offered. Who knows what rash act he might
have committed on her behalf had their affair not been cut short by
circumstance. Interpretation. Casanova was almost always in control in his
seductions. He was the one who led, taking his victim on a trip to an unknown
destination, luring her into his web. In all of his memoirs the story of
Mathilde is the only seduction in which the tables are happily turned: he is
the seduced, the bewildered victim. What made Casanova Mathilde's slave was the
same tactic he had used on countless girls: the irresistible lure of being led
by another person, the thrill of being surprised, the power of mystery. Each
time he left Mathilde his head was spinning with questions. Her ability to go
on surprising him kept her always in his mind, deepening her spell and blotting
Caterina out. Each surprise was carefully calculated for the effect it would
produce. The first unexpected letter piqued his curiosity, as did that first
sight of her in the waiting room; suddenly seeing her dressed as an elegant
woman stirred intense desire; then seeing her dressed as a man intensified the
excitingly transgressive nature of their liaison. The surprises put him off
balance, yet left him quivering with anticipation of the next one. Even an
unpleasant surprise, such as the encounter with Caterina that Mathilde had set
up, kept him emotional and weak. Meeting the somewhat bland Caterina at that
moment only made him long that much more for Mathilde. In seduction, you need
to create constant tension and suspense, a feeling that with you nothing is
predictable. Do not think of this as a painful challenge. You are creating
drama in real life, so pour your creative energies into it, have some fun.
There are all kinds of calculated surprises you can spring on your
victims-sending a letter from out of the blue, showing up unexpectedly, taking
them to a place they have never been. But best of all are surprises that reveal
something new about your character. This needs to be set up. In those first few
weeks, your targets will tend to make certain snap judgments about you, based
on appearances. Perhaps they see you as a bit shy, practical, puritanical. You
know that this is not the real you, but it is how you act in social situations.
Let them, however, have these impressions, and in fact accentuate them a
little, without overacting: for instance.Shahzamanrelated to [his brother King
Shahriyar] all that he had seen in the king's garden that day. . . . • Upon this
Shahriyar announced his intention to set forth on another expedition. The
troops went out of the city with the tents, and King Shahriyar followed them.
And after he had stayed a while in the camp, he gave orders to his slaves that
no one was to be admitted to the king's tent. He then disguised himself and
returned unnoticed to the palace, where his brother was waiting for him. They
both sat at one of the windows overlooking the garden; and when they had been
there a short time, the queen and her women appeared with the black slaves, and
behaved as Shahzaman had described. . . . • As soon as they entered the palace,
King Shahriyar put his wife to death, together with her women and the black
slaves. Thenceforth he made it his custom to take a virgin in marriage to his
bed each night, and kill her the next morning. This he continued to do for
three years, until a clamor rose among the people, some of whom fled the
country with their daughters. • Now the vizier had two daughters. The elder was
called Shahrazad, and the younger Dunyazad. Shahrazad possessed many
accomplishments and was versed in the wisdom of the poets and the legends of
ancient kings. • That day Shahrazad noticed her father's anxiety and asked him
what it was that troubled him. When the vizier told her of his predicament, she
said: "Give me in marriage to 246 this king; either I shall die and be a
ransom for the daughters of Moslems, or live and be the cause of their
deliverance." He earnestly pleaded with her against such a hazard; but
Shahrazad was resolved, and would not yield to her father's entreaties. . . . •
So the vizier arrayed his daughter in bridal garments and decked her with
jewels and made ready to announce Shahrazad's wedding to the king. • Before
saying farewell to her sister, Shahrazad gave her these instructions:
"When I am received by the king, I shall send for you. Then when the king
has finished his act with me, you must say: 'Tell me, my sister, some tale of
marvel to beguile the night.' Then I will tell you a tale which, if Allah
wills, shall be the means of our deliverance. " • The vizier went with his
daughter to the king. And when the king had taken the maiden Shahrazad to his
chamber and had lain with her, she wept and said: "I have a young sister
to whom I wish to bid farewell." • The king sent for Dunyazad. When she
arrived, she threw her arms around her sister's neck, and seated herself by her
side. • Then Dunyazad said to Shahrazad: "Tell us, my sister, a tale of
marvel, so that the night may pass pleasantly." • "Gladly," she
answered, "if the king permits. " • And the king, who was troubled
with sleeplessness, eagerly listened to the tale of Shahrazad: Once upon the
time, in the city of Basrah, there lived a prosperous tailor who was fond of
sport and merriment. ..." [Nearly seem a little more reserved than usual.
Now you have room to suddenly surprise them with some bold or poetic or naughty
action. Once they have changed their minds about you, surprise them again, as
Mathilde did with Casanova-first a nun who wants an affair, then a libertine,
then a seductress with a sadistic streak. As they strain to figure you out,
they will be thinking about you all of the time, and will want to know more
about you. Their curiosity will lead them further into your web, until it is too
late for them to turn back. This is always the law for the interesting. . . .
If one just knows how to surprise, one always wins the game. The energy of the
person involved is temporarily suspended; one makes it impossible for her to
act. -S0REN KIERKEGAARD Keys to Seduction A child is usually a willful,
stubborn creature who will deliberately do the opposite of what we ask. But
there is one scenario in which children will happily give up their usual
willfulness: when they are promised a surprise. Perhaps it is a present hidden
in a box, a game with an unforeseeable ending, a journey with an unknown
destination, a suspenseful story with a surprise finish. In those moments when
children are waiting for a surprise, their willpower is suspended. They are in your
thrall for as long as you dangle possibility before them. This childish habit
is buried deep within us, and is the source of an elemental human pleasure:
being led by a person who knows where they are going, and who takes us on a
journey. (Maybe our joy in being carried along involves a buried memory of
being literally carried, by a parent, when we are small.) We get a similar
thrill when we watch a movie or read a thriller: we are in the hands of a
director or author who is leading us along, taking us through twists and turns.
We stay in our seats, we turn the pages, happily enslaved by the suspense. It
is the pleasure a woman has in being led by a confident dancer, letting go of
any defensiveness she may feel and letting another person do the work. Falling
in love involves anticipation; we are about to head off in a new direction,
enter a new life, where everything will be strange. The seduced wants to be
led, to be carried along like a child. If you are predictable, the charm wears
off; everyday life is predictable. In the Arabian Talesfrom the Thousand and
One Nights, each night King Shahriyar takes a virgin as his wife, then kills
her the following morning. One such virgin, Shahrazad, manages to escape this
fate by telling the king a story that can only be completed the following day.
She does this night after night, keeping the king in constant suspense. When
one story finishes, she quickly starts up another. She does this for nearly
three years, until the king finally decides to spare her life. You are like
Shahrazad: with- Keep Them in Suspense-What Comes Next? • 247 out new stories,
without a feeling of anticipation, your seduction will die. Keep stoking the
fires night after night. Your targets must never know what's coming next-what
surprises you have in store for them. As with King Shahriyar, they will be
under your control for as long as you can keep them guessing. In 1765, Casanova
met a young Italian countess named Clementina who lived with her two sisters in
a chateau. Clementina loved to read, and had little interest in the men who
swarmed around her. Casanova added himself to their number, buying her books,
engaging her in literary discussions, but she was no less indifferent to him
than she had been to them. Then one day he invited the entire family on a
little trip. He would not tell them where they were going. They piled into the
carriage, all the way trying to guess their destination. A few hours later they
entered Milan-what joy, the sisters had never been there. Casanova led them to
his apartment, where three dresses had been laid out-the most magnificent
dresses the girls had ever seen. There was one for each of the sisters, he told
them, and the green one was for Clementina. Stunned, she put it on, and her
face lit up. The surprises did not stop-there was a delicious meal, champagne,
games. By the time they returned to the chateau, late in the evening,
Clementina had fallen hopelessly in love with Casanova. The reason was simple:
surprise creates a moment when people's defenses come down and new emotions can
rush in. If the surprise is pleasurable, the seductive poison enters their
veins without their realizing it. Any sudden event has a similar effect,
striking directly at our emotions before we get defensive. Rakes know this
power well. A young married woman in the court of Louis XV, in eighteenth-
century France, noticed a handsome young courtier watching her, first at the
opera, then in church. Making inquiries, she found it was the Due de Richelieu,
the most notorious rake in France. No woman was safe from this man, she was
warned; he was impossible to resist, and she should avoid him at all costs.
Nonsense, she replied, she was happily married. He could not possibly seduce
her. Seeing him again, she laughed at his persistence. He would disguise
himself as a beggar and approach her in the park, or his coach would suddenly
come alongside hers. He was never aggressive, and seemed harmless enough. She
let him talk to her at court; he was charming and witty, and even asked to meet
her husband. The weeks passed, and the woman realized she had made a mistake:
she looked forward to seeing the marquis. She had let down her guard. This had
to stop. Now she started avoiding him, and he seemed to respect her feelings:
he stopped bothering her. Then one day, weeks later, she was at the country
manor of a friend when the marquis suddenly appeared. She blushed, trembled,
walked away, but his unexpected appearance had caught her unawares-it had
pushed her over the edge. A few days later she became another of Richelieu's
victims. Of course he had set the whole thing up, including the supposed
surprise encounter. Not only does suddenness create a seductive jolt, it
conceals manipula- three years pass.] Now during this time Shahrazad had borne
King Shahriyar three sous. On the thousand and first night, when she had ended
the tale of Ma'aruf she rose and kissed the ground before him, saying:
"Great King, for a thousand and one nights I have been recounting to you
the fables of past ages and the legends of ancient kings. May I be so bold as
to crave a favor of your majesty?" • The king replied: "Ask, and it
shall be granted. " • Shahrazad called out to the nurses, saying:
"Bring me my children. " • . . . "Behold these three [little
boys] whom Allah has granted to us. For their sake I implore you to spare my
life. For if you destroy the mother of these infants, they will find none among
women to love them as I would." • The king embraced his three sous, and
his eyes filled with tears as he answered: "I swear by Allah, Shahrazad,
that you were already pardoned before the coming of these children. I loved you
because I found you chaste and tender, wise and eloquent. May Allah bless you,
and bless your father and mother, your ancestors, and all your descendants. O, Shahrazad,
this thousand and first night is brighter for us than the day!" -TALES
FROM THE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS. TRANSLATED BY N.J. DAWOOD 248 tions. Appear
somewhere unexpectedly, say or do something sudden, and people will not have
time to figure out that your move was calculated. Take them to some new place
as if it only just occurred to you, suddenly reveal some secret. Made
emotionally vulnerable, they will be too bewildered to see through you.
Anything that happens suddenly seems natural, and anything that seems natural
has a seductive charm. Only months after arriving in Paris in 1926, Josephine
Baker had completely charmed and seduced the French public with her wild
dancing.But less than a year later she could feel their interest wane. Since
childhood she had hated feeling out of control of her life. Why be at the mercy
of the fickle public? She left Paris and returned a year later, her manner
completely altered-now she played the part of an elegant Frenchwoman, who
happened to be an ingenious dancer and performer. The French fell in love
again; the power was back on her side. If you are in the public eye, you must
learn from this trick of surprise. People are bored, not only with their own
lives but with people who are meant to keep them from being bored. The minute
they feel they can predict your next step, they will eat you alive. The artist
Andy Warhol kept moving from incarnation to incarnation, and no one could
predict the next one-artist, filmmaker, society man. Always keep a surprise up
your sleeve. To keep the public's attention, keep them guessing. Let the
moralists accuse you of insincerity, of having no core or center. They are
actually jealous of the freedom and playfulness you reveal in your public
persona. Finally, you might think it wiser to present yourself as someone
reliable, not given to caprice. If so, you are in fact merely timid. It takes
courage and effort to mount a seduction. Reliability is fine for drawing people
in, but stay reliable and you stay a bore. Dogs are reliable, a seducer is not.
If, on the other hand, you prefer to improvise, imagining that any kind of
planning or calculation is antithetical to the spirit of surprise, you are
making a grave mistake. Constant improvisation simply means you are lazy, and
thinking only about yourself. What often seduces a person is the feeling that
you have expended effort on their behalf. You do not need to trumpet this too
loudly, but make it clear in the gifts you make, the little journeys you plan,
the little teases you lure people with. Little efforts like these will be more
than amply rewarded by the conquest of the heart and willpower of the seduced.
Symbol: The Roller Coaster. The car rises slowly to the top, then suddenly
hurtles you into space, whips you to the side, throws you upside down, in every
possible direction. The riders laugh and scream. What thrills them is to let
go, to grant control to someone else, who propels them in unexpected
directions. What new thrill awaits them around the next corner ? Keep Them in
Suspense-What Comes Next? • 249 Reversal S urprise can be unsurprising if you
keep doing the same thing again and again. Jiang Qing would try to surprise her
husband Mao Zedong with sudden changes of mood, from harshness to kindness and
back. At first he was captivated; he loved the feeling of never knowing what
was coming. But it went on for years, and was always the same. Soon, Madame
Mao's supposedly unpredictable mood swings just annoyed him. You need to vary
the method of your surprises. When Madame de Pompadour was the lover of the
inveterately bored King Louis XV, she made each surprise different- a new
amusement, a new game, a new fashion, a new mood. He could never predict what
would come next, and while he waited for the next surprise, his willpower was temporarily
suspended. No man was ever more of a slave to a woman than was Louis to Madame
de Pompadour. When you change direction, make the new direction truly new. 10
Use the Demonic Power of Words to Sow Confusion nis hard to make people listen;
they are consumed with their own thoughts and desires, and have little timefor
yours. The trick to making them listen is to say what they want to hear, to
fill their ears with whatever is pleasant to them. This is the essence of
seductive language. Inflame people's emotions with loaded phrases, flatter
them, comfort their insecurities, envelop them infantasies, sweet words, and
promises, and not only will they listen to you, they will lose their will to
resist you. Keep your language vague, letting them read into it what they want.
Use writing to stir upfantasies and to create an idealized portrait of
yourself. Seductive Oratory O n May 13, 1958, right-wing Frenchmen and their
sympathizers in the army seized control of Algeria, which was then a French
colony. They had been afraid that France's socialist government would grant
Algeria its independence. Now, with Algeria under their control, they
threatened to take over all of France. Civil war seemed imminent. At this dire
moment all eyes turned to General Charles de Gaulle, the World War II hero who
had played a crucial role in liberating France from the Nazis. For the last ten
years de Gaulle had stayed away from politics, disgusted with the infighting
among the various parties. He remained very popular, and was generally seen as
the one man who could unite the country, but he was also a conservative, and
the right-wingers felt certain that if he came to power he would support their
cause. Days after the May 13 coup, the French government-the Fourth
Republic-collapsed, and the parliament called on de Gaulle to help form a new
government, the Fifth Republic. He asked for and was granted full powers for
four months. On June 4, days after becoming the head of government, de Gaulle
flew to Algeria. The French colonials were ecstatic. It was their coup that had
indirectly brought de Gaulle to power; surely, they imagined, he was coming to
thank them, and to reassure them that Algeria would remain French. When he
arrived in Algiers, thousands of people filled the city's main plaza. The mood
was extremely festive-there were banners, music, and endless chants of
"Algerie jkmgaise," the French-colonial slogan. Suddenly de Gaulle
appeared on a balcony overlooking the plaza. The crowd went wild. The general,
an extremely tall man, raised his arms above his head, and the chanting doubled
in volume. The crowd was begging him to join in. Instead he lowered his arms
until silence fell, then opened them wide, and slowly intoned, in his deep
voice, "Je vous ai compris "-I have understood you. There was a
moment of quiet, and then, as his words sank in, a deafening roar: he
understood them. That was all they needed to hear. De Gaulle proceeded to talk
of the greatness of France. More cheers. He promised there would be new
elections, and "with those elected representatives we will see how to do
the rest." Yes, a new government, just what the crowd wanted-more cheers.
He would "find the place for Algeria" in the French
"ensemble." There must be "total discipline, without
qualification and without conditions"-who could argue with that? He closed
with a loud call: "Vive la Republique! Vive la France!" the emotional
slogan that After Operation Sedition, we are being treated to Operation
Seduction. -MAURICEKRIEGEL- VALRIMONT ON CHARLES DE GAULLE, SHORTLY AFTER THE
GENERAL ASSUMED POWER My mistress staged a lockout. ... \ I went back to verses
and compliments, \ My natural weapons. Soft words \ Remove harsh door-chains.
There's magic in poetry, its power \ Can pull down the bloody moon, \ Turn bach
the sun, make serpents burst asunder \ Or rivers flow upstream. \ Doors are no
match for such spellbinding, the toughest \ Locks can be opeu-sesamed by its
charms. \ But epic's a dead loss for me. I'll get nowhere with swift-footed \
Achilles, or with either of Atreus' sons. \ Old what's- his-name wasting twenty
years on war and travel, \ Poor Hector dragged in the dust - \ No good. But
lavish fine words on some young girl's profile \ And sooner or later shell
tender herself as the fee, \ An ample reward for your 253 254 labors. So
farewell, heroic \ Figures of legend-the quid \ Pro quo you offer won't tempt
me. A bevy of beauties \ All swooning over my love-songs - that's what I want.
-OVID, THE AMORES, TRANSLATED BY PETER GREEN When she has received a letter,
when its sweet poison has entered her blood, then a word is sufficient to wake
her love burst forth. . . . My personal presence will prevent ecstasy. If I am
present only in a letter, then she can easily cope with me; to some extent,
shemistakesme for a more universal creature who dwells in her love. Then, too,
in a letter one can more readily havefree rein; in a letter I can throw myself
at herfeet in superb fashion, etc.-something that would easily seem like
nonsense if I did it in person, and the illusion would be lost. . . . • On the
whole, letters are and will continue to be a priceless means of making an
impression on a young girl; the dead letter of writing often has much more
influence than the living word. A letter is a secretive communication; one is
master of the situation, feels no pressure from anyone's actual presence, and I
do believe a young girl would prefer to be alone with her ideal. - S0REN
KIERKEGAARD, THE SEDUCER'S DIARY, TRANSLATED BY HOWARD V. HONG AND EDNA H. HONG
had been the rallying cry in the fight against the Nazis. Everyone shouted it
back. In the next few days de Gaulle made similar speeches around Algeria, to
equally delirious crowds. Only after de Gaulle had returned to France did the
words of his speeches sink in: not once had he promised to keep Algeria French.
In fact he had hinted that he might give the Arabs the vote, and might grant an
amnesty to the Algerian rebels who had been fighting to force the French from
the country. Somehow, in the excitement his words had created, the colonists
had failed to focus on what they had actually meant. De Gaulle had duped them.
And indeed, in the months to come, he worked to grant Algeria its
independence-a task he finally accomplished in 1962. Interpretation. De Gaulle
cared little about an old French colony, and about what it symbolized to some
French people. Nor did he have any sympathy for anyone who fomented civil war.
His one concern was to make France a modern power. And so, when he went to
Algiers, he had a long-term plan: weaken the right-wingers by getting them to
fight among themselves, and work toward Algerian independence. His short-term
goal had to be to defuse the tension and buy himself some time. He would not
lie to the colonials by saying he supported their cause-that would cause
trouble back home. Instead he would beguile them with seductive oratory,
intoxicate them with words. His famous "I have understood you" could
easily have meant, "I understand what a danger you represent." But
ajubi- lant crowd expecting his support read it the way they wanted. To keep
them at a fever pitch, de Gaulle made emotional references-to the French
Resistance during World War II, for example, and to the need for
"discipline," a word with great appeal to right-wingers. He filled
their ears with promises-a new government, a glorious future. He got them to
chant, creating an emotional bond. He spoke with dramatic pitch and quivering
emotion. His words created a kind of delirium. De Gaulle was not trying to
express his feelings or speak the truth; he was trying to produce an effect.
This is the key to seductive oratory. Whether you are talking to a single
individual or to a crowd, try a little experiment: rein in your desire to speak
your mind. Before you open your mouth, ask yourself a question: what can I say
that will have the most pleasant effect on my listeners? Often this entails
flattering their egos, assuaging their insecurities, giving them vague hopes
for the future, sympathizing with their travails ("I have understood you").
Start off with something pleasant and everything to come will be easy: people's
defenses will go down. They will grow amenable, open to suggestion. Think of
your words as an intoxicating drug that will make people emotional and
confused. Keep your language vague and ambiguous, letting your listeners fill
in the gaps with their fantasies and imaginings. Instead of tuning you out,
getting irritated or defensive, being impatient for you to shut up, they will
be pliant, happy with your sweet-sounding words. Use the Demonic Power of Words
to Sow Confusion • 255 Seductive Writing O ne spring afternoon in the late
1830s, in a street in Copenhagen, a man named Johannes caught a glimpse of a
beautiful young girl. Self- absorbed yet delightfully innocent, she fascinated
him, and he followed her, from a distance, and found out where she lived. Over
the next few weeks he made inquiries and found out more about her. Her name was
Cordelia Wahl, and she lived with her aunt. The two led a quiet existence;
Cordelia liked to read, and to be alone. Seducing young girls was Johannes's
specialty, but Cordelia would be a catch; she had already turned down several
eligible suitors. Johannes imagined that Cordelia might hunger for something
more out of life, something grand, something resembling the books she had read
and the daydreams that presumably filled her solitude. He arranged an
introduction and began to frequent her house, accompanied by a friend of his
named Edward. This young man had his own thoughts of courting Cordelia, but he was
awkward, and strained to please her. Johannes, on the other hand, virtually
ignored her, instead befriending her aunt. They would talk about the most banal
things-farm life, whatever was in the news. Occasionally Johannes would veer
off into a more philosophical discussion, for he had noticed, out of the corner
of his eye, that on these occasions Cordelia would listen to him closely, while
still pretending to listen to Edward. This went on for several weeks. Johannes
and Cordelia barely spoke, but he could tell that he intrigued her, and that
Edward irritated her to no end. One morning, knowing her aunt was out, he
visited their house. It was the first time he and Cordelia had been alone
together. As dryly and politely as possible, he proceeded to propose to her.
Needless to say she was shocked and flustered. A man who had shown not the
slightest interest in her suddenly wanted to marry her? She was so surprised
that she referred the matter to her aunt, who, as Johannes had expected, gave
her approval. Had Cordelia resisted, her aunt would have respected her wishes;
but she did not. On the outside, everything had changed. The couple were
engaged. Johannes now came to the house alone, sat with Cordelia, held her
hand, talked with her. But inwardly he made sure things were the same. He
remained distant and polite. He would sometimes warm up, particularly when
talking about literature (Cordelia's favorite subject), but at a certain point
he always went back to more mundane matters. He knew this frustrated Cordelia,
who had expected that now he would be different. Yet even when they went out
together, he took her to formal socials arranged for engaged couples. How
conventional! Was this what love and marriage were supposed to be about, these
prematurely aged people talking about houses and their own drab futures?
Cordelia, who was shy at the best of times, asked Johannes to stop dragging her
to these affairs. The battlefield was prepared. Cordelia was confused and
anxious. Let wax pave the way for you, spread out on smooth tablets, \ Let wax
go before as witness to your mind - \ Bring her your flattering words, words
that ape the lover: \ And remember, whoever you are, to throw in some good \
Entreaties. Entreaties are what made Achilles give back \ Hector's Body to
Priam; even an angry god \ Is moved by the voice of prayer. Make promises,
what's the harm in \ Promising? Here's where anyone can play rich.... \ A
persuasive letter's \ The thing to lead off with, explore her mind, \
Reconnoiter the landscape. A message scratched on an apple \ Betrayed Cydippe:
she was snared by her own words. \ My advice, then, young men of Rome, is to
learn the noble \ Advocate's arts-not only to let you defend \ Some trembling
client: a woman, no less than the populace, \ Elite senator, or grave judge, \
Will surrender to eloquence. Nevertheless, dissemble \ Your powers, avoid long
words, \ Don't look too highbrow. Who but a mindless ninny \ Declaims to his
mistress? An overlettered style \ Repels girls as often as not. Use ordinary language,
\ Familiar yet coaxing words -as though \ You were there, in her presence.If
she refuses your letter, \ Sends it back unread, persist. - OVID, THE ART OF
LOVE., TRANSLATED BY PETER GREEN 256 Therefore, the person who is unable to
write letters and notes never becomes a dangerous seducer. -S0REN KIERKEGAARD,
EITHER/OR. TRANSLATED BY HOWARD V. HONG AND EDNA H. HONG Standing on a crag of
Olympus \ Gold-throned Hera saw her brother, \ Who was her husband's brother
too, \ Busy on the fields of human glory, \ And her heart sang. Then she saw
Zeus \ Sitting on the topmost peak of Ida \ And was filled with resentment.
Cow-eyed Hera \ Mused for a while on how to trick \ The mind of Zeus
Aegis-holder, \ And the plan that seemed best to her \ Was to make herself up
and go to Ida, \ Seduce him, and then shed on his eyelids \ And cunning mind a
sleep gentle and warm. . . . \ When everything was perfect, she stepped \ Out
of her room and called Aphrodite \ And had a word with her in private: \
"My dear child, will you do something for me, \ I wonder, or will you
refuse, angry because \ I favor the Greeks and you the Trojans?" \ And
Zeus' daughter Aphrodite replied: \ "Goddess revered as Cronus's daughter,
\ Speak your mind. Tell me what you want \And I'll oblige you if I possibly
can." \And Hera, with every intention to deceive: \ "Give me now the
Sex and Desire \ You use to subdue immortals and humans. ..." \And
Aphrodite, who loved to smile: \ "How could I, or would I, refuse someone
\ Who sleeps in the anus of Then, a few weeks after their engagement, Johannes
sent her a letter. Here he described the state of his soul, and his certainty
that he loved her. He spoke in metaphor, suggesting that he had been waiting
for years, lantern in hand, for Cordelia's appearance; metaphor melted into
reality, back and forth. The style was poetic, the words glowed with desire,
but the whole was delightfully ambiguous-Cordelia could reread the letter ten
times without being sure what it said. The next day Johannes received a response.
The writing was simple and straightforward, but full of sentiment: his letter
had made her so happy, Cordelia wrote, and she had not imagined this side to
his character. He replied by writing that he had changed. He did not say how or
why, but the implication was that it was because of her. Now his letters came
almost daily. They were mostly of the same length, in a poetic style that had a
touch of madness to it, as if he were intoxicated with love. He talked of Greek
myth, comparing Cordelia to a nymph and himself to a river that fell in love
with a maiden. His soul, he said, merely reflected back her image; she was all
he could see or think of. Meanwhile he detected changes in Cordelia: her
letters became more poetic, less restrained. Without realizing it she repeated
his ideas, imitating his style and his imagery as if they were her own. Also,
when they saw each other in person, she was nervous. He made a point of
remaining the same, aloof and regal, but he could tell that she saw him
differently, sensing depths in him that she could not fathom. In public she
hung on his every word. She must have memorized his letters, for she referred
to them constantly in their talks. It was a secret life they shared. When she
held his hand, she did so more tightly than before. Her eyes expressed an
impatience, as if she were hoping that at any moment he would do something
bold. Johannes made his letters shorter but more numerous, sometimes sending
several in one day. The imagery became more physical and more suggestive, the
style more disjointed, as if he could barely organize his thoughts. Sometimes
he sent a note of just a sentence or two. Once, at a party at Cordelia's house,
he dropped such a note into her knitting basket and watched as she ran away to
read it, her face flushed. In her letters he saw signs of emotion and turmoil.
Echoing a sentiment he had hinted at in an earlier letter, she wrote that she
hated the whole engagement business- it was so beneath their love. Everything
was ready. Soon she would be his, the way he wanted it. She would break off the
engagement. A rendezvous in the country would be simple to arrange-in fact she
would be the one to propose it. This would be his most skillful seduction.
Interpretation. Johannes and Cordelia are characters in the loosely
autobiographical novel The Seducer's Diary (1843), by the Danish philosopher
Spren Kierkegaard. Johannes is a most experienced seducer, who specializes in
working on his victim's mind. This is precisely where Cordelia's previous Use
the Demonic Power of Words to Sow Confusion • 257 suitors have failed: they
have begun by imposing themselves, a common mistake. We think that by being
persistent, by overwhelming our targets with romantic attention, we are
convincing them of our affection. Instead we are convincing them of our
impatience and insecurity. Aggressive attention is not flattering because it is
not personalized. It is unbridled libido at work; the target sees through it.
Johannes is too clever to begin so obviously. Instead, he takes a step back,
intriguing Cordelia by acting a little cold, and carefully creating the
impression of a formal, somewhat secretive man. Only then does he surprise her
with his first letter. Obviously there is more to him than she has thought, and
once she has come to believe this, her imagination runs rampant. Now he can
intoxicate her with his letters, creating a presence that haunts her like a
ghost. His words, with their images and poetic references, are constantly in
her mind. And this is the ultimate seduction: to possess her mind before moving
to conquer her body. The story of Johannes shows what a weapon in a seducer's
armory a letter can be. But it is important to learn how to incorporate letters
in seduction. It is best not to begin your correspondence until at least
several weeks after your initial contact. Let your victims get an impression of
you: you seem intriguing, yet you show no particular interest in them. When you
sense that they are thinking about you, that is the time to hit them with your
first letter. Any desire you express for them will come as a surprise; their
vanity will be tickled and they will want more. Now make your letters frequent,
in fact more frequent than your personal appearances. This will give them the
time and space to idealize you, which would be more difficult if you were
always in their face. After they have fallen under your spell, you can always
take a step back, making the letters fewer-let them think you are losing
interest and they will be hungry for more. Design your letters as homages to
your targets. Make everything you write come back to them, as if they were all
you could think about-a delirious effect. Ifyoutell an anecdote, make it
somehow relate to them. Your correspondence is a kind of mirror you are holding
up to them-they get to see themselves reflected through your desire. If for
some reason they do not like you, write to them as if they did. Remember: the
tone of your letters is what will get under their skin. If your language is
elevated, poetic, creative in its praise, it will infect them despite
themselves. Never argue, never defend yourself, never accuse them of being
heartless. That would ruin the spell. A letter can suggest emotion by seeming
disordered, rambling from one subject to another. Clearly it is hard for you to
think; your love has unhinged you. Disordered thoughts are exciting thoughts.
Do not waste time on real information; focus on feelings and sensations, using
expressions that are ripe with connotation. Plant ideas by dropping hints,
writing suggestively without explaining yourself. Never lecture, never seem
intellectual or superior-you will only make yourself pompous, which is deadly.
Far better to speak colloquially, though with a poetic edge to lift the
language above the commonplace. Do not become sentimental-it is tiring, and too
almighty Zeus?" \ And with that she unbound from her breast \ An ornate
sash inlaid with magical charms. \ Sex is in it, and Desire, and seductive \
Sweet Talk, that fools even the wise. . . . \ Hera was fast approaching
Gargarus, \ Ida's highest peak, when Zeus saw her. \ And when he saw her, lust
enveloped him, \ Just as it had the first time they made love, \ Slipping off
to bed behind their parents' backs. \ He stood close to her and said: \
"Hera, why have you left Olympus? \ And where are your horses and
chariot?" \ And Hera, with every intention to deceive: \ "I'm off to
visit the ends of the earth \ And Father Ocean and Mother Tethys \ Who nursed
and doted on me in their house. . . . " \ And Zeus, clouds scudding about
him: \ "You can go there later just as well. \ Let's get in bed now ami
make love. \ No goddess or woman has ever \ Made me feel so overwhelmed with
lust. . . . \ I've never loved anyone as I love you now, \ Never been in the
grip of desire so sweet. " \ And Hera, with every intention to deceive: \
"What a thing to say, my awesome lord. \ The thought of us lying down here
on Ida \ Ami making love outdoors in broad daylight! \ What if one of the
Immortals saw us \ Asleep, and went to all the other gods \Aud told them? I
could never get up \ And go back home. It would be shameful. \ But if you
really do want to do this, \ There is the bedroom your dear son Hephaestus \
Built for you, with good solid doors. Let's go \ There and lie down, since you're
in the mood. " \ 258 And Zeus, who masses the clouds, replied: \
"Hera, don't worry about any god or man \ Seeing us. I'll enfold you in a
cloud so dense \ And golden not even Helios could spy on us, \ And his light is
the sharpest vision there is." -HOMER, THE ILIAD, TRANSLATED BY STANLEY
LOMBARDO ANTONY: Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; \ I come to
bury Caesar, not to praise him. \ The evil that men do lives after them; \ The
good is oft interred with their bones. \ So let it be with Caesar. ... \ I
speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, \ But here I am to speak what I do
know. \ You all did love him once, not without cause. \ What cause withholds
you then to mourn for him? \ O judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts, \ And
men have lost their reason! Bear with me. \ My heart is in the coffin there
with Caesar, \And I must pause till it come back to me. . . . \ PLEBEIAN: Poor
soul! his eyes are red asfi r e with weeping. \ PLEBEIAN: There's not a nobler
man in Rome than Antony. \ PLEBEIAN: Now mark him. He begins again to speak. \
ANTONY: But yesterday the word of Caesar might \ Have stood against the world.
Now lies he there, \ And none so poor to do him reverence. \ O masters! If I
were disposed to stir \ Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, \ I should do
Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong, \ Who,youallknow,aredirect. Better to suggest
the effect your target has on you than to gush about how you feel. Stay vague
and ambiguous, allowing the reader the space to imagine and fantasize. The goal
of your writing is not to express yourself but to create emotion in the reader,
spreading confusion and desire. You will know that your letters are having the
proper effect when your targets come to mirror your thoughts, repeating words
you wrote, whether in their own letters or in person. This is the time to move
to the more physical and erotic. Use language that quivers with sexual
connotation, or, better still, suggest sexuality by making your letters
shorter, more frequent, and even more disordered than before. There is nothing
more erotic than the short abrupt note. Your thoughts are unfinished; they can
only be completed by the other person. Sganarelle to Don Juan: Well, what I
have to say is ... I don't know what to say; for you turn things in such a
manner with your words, that it seems that you are right; and yet, the truth of
it is, you are not. I had the finest thoughts in the world, and your words have
totally scrambled them up. -MOLIERE Keys to Seduction W e rarely think before
we talk. It is human nature to say the first thing that comes into our head-and
usually what comes first is something about ourselves. We primarily use words
to express our ownfeelings, ideas, and opinions. (Also to complain and to
argue.) This is because we are generally self-absorbed-the person who interests
us most is our own self. To a certain extent this is inevitable, and through
much of our lives there is nothing much wrong with it; we can function quite
well this way. In seduction, however, it limits our potential. You cannot
seduce without an ability to get outside your own skin and inside another
person's, piercing their psychology. The key to seductive language is not the
words you utter, or your seductive tone of voice; it is a radical shift in
perspective and habit. You have to stop saying the first thing that comes to
your mind-you have to control the urge to prattle and vent your opinions. The
key is to see words as a tool not for communicating true thoughts and feelings
but for confusing, delighting, and intoxicating. The difference between normal
language and seductive language is like the difference between noise and music.
Noise is a constant in modern life, something irritating we tune out if we can.
Our normal language is like noise-people may half-listen to us as we go on
about ourselves, butjust as often their thoughts are a million miles away.
Every now and then their ears prick up when something we say touches on them,
but this lasts only until Use the Demonic Power of Words to SowConfusion • 259
we return to yet another story about ourselves. As early as childhood we leant
to tune out this kind of noise (particularly when it comes from our parents).
Music, on the other hand, is seductive, and gets under our skin. It is intended
for pleasure. A melody or rhythm stays in our blood for days after we have
heard it, altering our moods and emotions, relaxing or exciting us. To make
music instead of noise, you must say things that please-things that relate to
people's lives, that touch their vanity. If they have many problems, you can
produce the same effect by distracting them, focusing their attention away from
themselves by saying things that are witty and entertaining, or that make the
future seem bright and hopeful. Promises and flattery are music to anyone's
ears. This is language designed to move people and lower their resistance. It
is language designed for them, not directed at them. The Italian writer
Gabriele D'Annunzio was physically unattractive, yet women could not resist
him. Even those who knew of his Don luan reputation and disliked him for it
(the actress Eleanora Duse and the dancer Isadora Duncan, for instance) fell
under his spell. The secret was the flow of words in which he enveloped a
woman. His voice was musical, his language poetic, and most devastating of all,
he knew how to flatter. His flattery was aimed precisely at a woman's
weaknesses, the areas where she needed validation. A woman was beautiful, yet
lacked confidence in her own wit and intelligence? He made sure to say that he
was bewitched not by her beauty but by her mind. He might compare her to a
heroine of literature, or to a chosen mythological figure. Talking to him, her
ego would double in size. Flattery is seductive language in its purest form.
Its purpose is not to express a truth or a real feeling, but only to create an
effect on the recipient. Like D'Annunzio, learn to aim your flattery directly
at a person's insecurities. For instance, if a man is a fine actor and feels
confident about his professional skills, to flatter him about his acting will
have little effect, and may even accomplish the opposite-he could feel that he
is above the need to have his ego stroked, and your flattery will seem to say
otherwise. But let us say that this actor is an amateur musician or painter. He
does this work on his own, without professional support or publicity, and he is
well aware that others make their living at it. Flattery of his artistic
pretensions will go straight to his head and earn you double points. Learn to
sniff out the parts of a person's ego that need validation. Make it a surprise,
something no one else has thought to flatter before-something you can describe
as a talent or positive quality that others have not noticed. Speak with a
little tremor, as if your target's charms had overwhelmed you and made you
emotional. Flattery can be a kind of verbal foreplay. Aphrodite's powers of
seduction, which were said to come from the magnificent girdle she wore,
involved a sweetness of language-a skill with the soft, flattering words that
prepare the way for erotic thoughts. Insecurities and nagging self-doubts have
a dampening effect on the libido. Make your targets feel secure and alluring
through your flattering words and their resistance will melt away. honorable
men. \ I will not do them wrong. . . . \ But here's a parchment with the seal
of Caesar. \ I found it in his closet; 'tis his will. \ Let but the commons
hear this testament, \ Which (pardon me) I do not mean to read, \And they would
go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds \ And dip their napkins in his sacred blood. .
. . \ PLEBEIAN: We'll hear the will! Read it, Mark Antony. \ ALL: The will, the
will! We will hear Caesar's will! \ ANTONY: Have patience, gentle friends; I
must not read it. \ It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you. \ You are not
wood, you are not stones, but men; \ And being men, hearing the will of Caesar,
\ It will inflame you, it will make you mad. \ 'Tis good you know not that you
are his heirs; \ For if you should, O, what would come ofit?. . . \ If you have
tears, prepare to shed them now. \ You all do know this mantle. I remember \
The first time ever Caesar put it on. .. . \ Look, in this place ran Cassius'
dagger through. \ See what a rent the envious Casca made. \ Through this the
well- beloved Brutus stabbed; \ And as he plucked his cursed steel away, \ Mark
how the blood of Caesar followed it. . . . \ For Brutus, as you know, was
Caesar's angel. \ Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him! \ This was
the most unkindest cut of all; \ For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, \
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, \ Quite vanquished him. . . . \
O, now you weep, and I perceive you feel \ The dint of pity. These are gracious
260 drops. \ Kind souls, what weep you when you but behold \ Our Caesar's
vesture wounded? Look you here! \ Here is himself, marred as you see until
traitors. -WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, JULIUS CAESAR Sometimes the most pleasant thing
to hear is the promise of something wonderful, a vague but rosy future that is
just around the corner. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in his public
speeches, talked little about specific programs for dealing with the
Depression; instead he used rousing rhetoric to paint a picture of America's
glorious future. In the various legends of Don Juan, the great seducer would
immediately focus women's attention on the future, a fantastic world to which
he promised to whisk them off. Tailor your sweet words to your targets'
particular problems and fantasies. Promise something realizable, something
possible, but do not make it too specific; you are inviting them to dream. If
they are mired in dull routine, talk of adventure, preferably with you. Do not
discuss how it will be accomplished; speak as if it magically already existed,
somewhere in the future. Lift people's thoughts into the clouds and they will
relax, their defenses will come down, and it will be that much easier to
maneuver and lead them astray. Your words become a kind of elevating drug. The
most anti-seductive form of language is argument. How many silent enemies do we
create by arguing? There is a superior way to get people to listen and be
persuaded: humor and a light touch. The nineteenth- century English politician
Benjamin Disraeli was a master at this game. In Parliament, to fail to reply to
an accusation or slanderous comment was a deadly mistake; silence meant the
accuser was right. Yet to respond angrily, to get into an argument, was to look
ugly and defensive. Disraeli used a different tactic: he stayed calm. When the
time came to reply to an attack, he would slowly make his way to the speaker's
table, pause, then utter a humorous or sarcastic retort. Everyone would laugh.
Now that he had warmed people up, he would proceed to refute his enemy, still
mixing in amusing comments; or perhaps he would simply move on to another
subject, as if he were above it all. His humor took out the sting of any attack
on him. Laughter and applause have a domino effect: once your listeners have
laughed, they are more likely to laugh again. In this lighthearted mood they
are also more apt to listen. A subtle touch and a bit of irony give you room to
persuade them, move them to your side, mock your enemies. That is the seductive
form of argument. Shortly after the murder of Julius Caesar, the head of the
band of conspirators who had killed him, Brutus, addressed an angry mob. He
tried to reason with the crowd, explaining that he had wanted to save the Roman
Republic from dictatorship. The people were momentarily convinced- yes, Brutus
seemed a decent man. Then Mark Antony took the stage, and he in turn delivered
a eulogy for Caesar. He seemed overwhelmed with emotion. He talked of his love
for Caesar, and of Caesar's love for the Roman people. He mentioned Caesar's
will; the crowd clamored to hear it, but Antony said no, for if he read it they
would know how deeply Caesar had loved them, and how dastardly this murder was.
The crowd again insisted he read the will; insteadheheld up Caesar's
bloodstained cloak, noting its rents and tears. This was where Brutus had
stabbed the great general, he said; Cassius had stabbed him here. Then finally
he read the will, which Use the Demonic Power of Words to Sow Confusion • 261
told how much wealth Caesar had left to the Roman people. This was the coup de
grace-the crowd turned against the conspirators and went off to lynch them.
Antony was a clever man, who knew how to stir a crowd. According to the Greek
historian Plutarch, "When he saw that his oratory had cast a spell over
the people and that they were deeply stirred by his words, he began to
introduce into his praises [of Caesar] a note of pity and of indignation at
Caesar's fate." Seductive language aims at people's emotions, for
emotional people are easier to deceive. Antony used various devices to stir the
crowd: a tremor in his voice, a distraught and then an angry tone. An emotional
voice has an immediate, contagious effect on the listener. Antony also teased
the crowd with the will, holding off the reading of it to the end, knowing it
would push people over the edge. Holding up the cloak, he made his imagery
visceral. Perhaps you are not trying to whip a crowd into a frenzy; you just
want to bring people over to your side. Choose your strategy and words
carefully. You might think it is better to reason with people, explain your
ideas. But it is hard for an audience to decide whether an argument is
reasonable as they listen to you talk. They have to concentrate and listen
closely, which requires great effort. People are easily distracted by other
stimuli, and if they miss a part of your argument, they will feel confused,
intellectually inferior, and vaguely insecure. It is more persuasive to appeal
to people's hearts than their heads. Everyone shares emotions, and no one feels
inferior to a speaker who stirs up their feelings. The crowd bonds together,
everyone contagiously experiencing the same emotions. Antony talked of Caesar
as if he and the listeners were experiencing the murder from Caesar's point of
view. What could be more provocative? Use such changes of perspective to make
your listeners feel what you are saying. Orchestrate your effects. It is more
effective to move from one emotion to another than to just hit one note. The
contrast between Antony's affection for Caesar and his indignation at the murderers
was much more powerful than if he had stayed with one feeling or the other. The
emotions you are trying to arouse should be strong ones. Do not speak of
friendship and disagreement; speak of love and hate. And it is crucial to try
to feel something of the emotions you are trying to elicit. You
willbemorebelievablethat way. This should not be difficult: imagine the reasons
for loving or hating before you speak. If necessary, think of something from
your past that fills you with rage. Emotions are contagious; it is easier to
make someone cry if you are crying yourself. Make your voice an instrument, and
train it to communicate emotion. Learn to seem sincere. Napoleon studied the
greatest actors of his time, and when he was alone he would practice putting emotion
into his voice. The goal of seductive speech is often to create a kind of
hypnosis: you are distracting people, lowering their defenses, making them more
vulnerable to suggestion. Learn the hypnotist's lessons of repetition and
affirmation, key elements in putting a subject to sleep. Repetition involves
using 262 the same words over and over, preferably a word with emotional
content: "taxes," "liberals," "bigots." The
effect is mesmerizing-ideas can be permanently implanted in people's
unconscious simply by being repeated often enough. Affirmation is simply the
making of strong positive statements, like the hypnotist's commands. Seductive
language should have a kind of boldness, which will cover up a multitude of
sins. Your audience will be so caught up in your bold language that they won't
have time to reflect on whether or not it is true. Never say "I don't
think the other side made awise decision"; say "We deserve
better," or "They have made a mess of things." Affirmative
language is active language, full of verbs, imperatives, and short sentences.
Cut out "I believe," "Perhaps," "In my opinion."
Head straight for the heart. You are learning to speak a different kind of
language. Most people employ symbolic language-their words stand for something
real, the feelings, ideas, and beliefs they really have. Or they stand for
concrete things in the real world. (The origin of the word "symbolic"
lies in a Greek word meaning "to bring things together"-in this case,
a word and something real.) As a seducer you are using the opposite: diabolic
language. Your words do not stand for anything real; their sound, and the
feelings they evoke, are more important than what they are supposed to stand
for. (The word "diabolic" ultimately means to separate, to throw things
apart-here, words and reality.) The more you make people focus on your
sweet-sounding language, and on the illusions and fantasies it conjures, the
more you diminish their contact with reality. You lead them into the clouds,
where it is hard to distinguish truth from untruth, real from unreal. Keep your
words vague and ambiguous, so people are never quite sure what you mean.
Envelop them in demonic, diabolical language and they will notbe able to focus
on your maneuvers, on the possible consequences of your seduction. And the more
they lose themselves in illusion, the easier it will be to lead them astray and
seduce them. Symbol: The Clouds. In the clouds it is hard to see the exact
forms of things. Everything seems vague; the imagination runs wild, seeing
things that are not there. Your words must lift people into the clouds, where
it is easy for them to lose their way. Use the Demonic Power of Words to Sow
Confusion • 263 Reversal D o not confuse flowery language with seduction: in
using flowery language you run the risk of wearing on people's nerves, of
seeming pretentious. Excess verbiage is a sign of selfishness, of your
inability to rein in your natural tendencies. Often with language, less is
more; the elusive, vague, ambiguous phrase leaves the listener more room for
imagination than does a sentence full of bombast and self-indulgence. You must
always think first of your targets, and of what will be pleasant to their ears.
There will be many times when silence is best. What you do not say can be suggestive
and eloquent, making you seem mysterious. In the eleventh-century Japanese
court diary The Pillow Book ofSei Shonagon, the counselor Yoshichika is
intrigued by a lady he sees in a carriage, silent and beautiful. He sends her a
note, and she sends one back; he is the only one to read it, but by his
reaction everyone can tell it is in bad taste, or badly written. It spoils the
effect of her beauty. Shonagon writes, "I have heard people suggest that
no reply at all is better than a bad one." If you are not eloquent, if you
cannot master seductive language, at least learn to curb your tongue-use
silence to cultivate an enigmatic presence. Finally, seduction has a pace and
rhythm. In phase one, you are cautious indirect. It is often best to disguise
your intentions, to put your target at ease with deliberately neutral words.
Your conversation should be harmless, even a bit bland. In this second phase,
you turn more to the attack; this is the time for seductive language. Now when
you envelop them in your seductive words and letters, it comes as a pleasant
surprise. It gives them the immensely pleasing feeling that they are the ones
to suddenly inspire you with such poetry and intoxicating words. 11 Pay
Attention to Detail Lofty words and grand gestures can be suspi: why are you
trying so hard to please? The details of a seduction-the subtle gestures, the
offhand things you do - are often more charming and revealing. You must learn
to distract your victims with a myriad of pleasant little rituals-thoughtful gifts
tailored just for them, clothes and adornments designed to please them,
gestures that show the time and attention you are paying them. All of their
senses are engaged in the details you orchestrate. Create spectacles to dazzle
their eyes; mesmerized by what they see, they will not notice what you are
really up to. Learn to suggest the proper feelings and moods through details.
The Mesmerizing Effect I n December 1898, the wives of the seven major Western
ambassadors to China received a strange invitation: the sixty-three-year-old
Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi was hosting a banquet in their honor in the Forbidden
City in Beijing. The ambassadors themselves had been quite displeased with the
empress dowager, for several reasons. She was a Manchu, a race of northerners
who had conquered China in the early seventeenth century, establishing the
Ching Dynasty and ruling the country for nearly three hundred years. By the
1890s, the Western powers had begun to carve up parts of China, a country they
considered backward. They wanted China to modernize, but the Manchus were
conservative, and resisted all reform. Earlier in 1898, the Chinese Emperor
Kuang Hsu, the empress dowager's twenty-seven-year-old nephew, had actually
begun a series of reforms, with the blessings of the West. Then, one hundred
days into this period of reform, word reached the Western diplomats from the
Forbidden City that the emperor wasquiteill, and that the empress dowager had
taken power. They suspected foul play; the empress had probably acted to stop
the reforms. The emperor was being mistreated, probably poisoned- perhaps he
was already dead. When the seven ambassadors' wives were preparing for their
unusual visit, their husbands warned them: Do not trust the empress dowager. A
wily woman with a cruel streak, she had risen from obscurity to become the
concubine of a previous emperor and had managed over the years to accumulate
great power. Far more than the emperor, she was the most feared person in
China. On the appointed day, the women were borne into the Forbidden City a
procession of sedan chairs carried by court eunuchs in dazzling uniforms. The
women themselves, not to be outdone, wore the latest Western fashions-tight
corsets, long velvet dresses with leg-of-mutton sleeves, billowing petticoats,
tall plumed hats. The residents of the Forbidden City looked at their clothes
in amazement, and particularly at the way their dresses displayed their
prominent bosoms. The wives felt sure they had impressed their hosts. At the
Audience Hall they were greeted by princes and princesses, as well as lower
royalty. The Chinese women were wearing magnificent Manchu costumes with the
traditional high, jewel-encrusted black headdresses; theywerearranged in a
hierarchical order reflected in the color of their dresses, an astounding
rainbow of color. The wives were served tea in the most delicate porcelain
cups, then The barge she sat in, like a burnish'd throne, \Burn'd on the water:
the poop was beaten gold; \ Purple the sails, and so perfumed that \ The winds
were love-sick with them; the oars were silver, \ Which to the tune of flutes
kept stroke, and made \ The water which they beat to follow faster, \ As
amorous of their strokes. For her own person, \ It beggar'd all description:
she did lie \ In her pavilion - cloth-of-gold of tissue - \ O'er picturing that
Venus where we see \ The fancy outwork nature: on each side her \ Stood pretty
dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids, \ With divers-colour'd fans, whose wind did
seem \ To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool, \ And what they undid
did. . . . \ Her gentlewomen, like the Nereids, \ So many mermaids, tended her
i' the eyes, \ And made their bends adornings: at the helm \ A seeming mermaid
steers: the silken tackle \ Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands \
That yarely frame the office. From the barge \A strange invisible perfume hits
the sense \ Of the 267 268 adjacent wharfs. The city cast \ Her people out upon
her; and Antony, \ Enthron'd i' the marketplace, did sit alone, \ Whistling to
the air; which, butfor vacancy, \ Hadgone to gaze on Cleopatra too \ And made a
gap in nature. -WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA In the palmy days of
the gay quarters at Edo there was a connoisseur of fashion named Sakakura who
grew intimate with the great courtesan Chitose. This woman was much given to
drinking sake; as a side dish she relished the so-called flower crabs, to be
found in the Mogami River in the East, and these she had pickled in salt for
her enjoyment. Knowing this, Sakakura commissioned a painter of the Kano School
to execute her bamboo crest in powdered gold on the tiny shells of these crabs;
he fixed the price of each painted shell at one rectangular piece of gold, and
presented them to Chitose throughout the year, so that she never lacked for
them. -IHARA SAIKAKU, THE LIFE OF AN AMOROUS WOMAN. AND OTHER WRITINGS,
TRANSLATED BY IVAN MORRIS For such men as have practised love, have ever held
this a sound maxim that there is naught to be compared with a woman in her
clothes. Again when you reflect how a man doth brave, rumple, squeeze and make
light of his lady's finery, and how he doth were escorted into the presence of
the empress dowager. The sight took their breath away. The empress was seated
on the Dragon Throne, which was studded with jewels. She wore heavily brocaded
robes, a magnificent headdress bearing diamonds, pearls, andjade, and an
enormous necklace of perfectly matched pearls. She was a tiny woman, but on the
throne, in that dress, she seemed a giant. She smiled at the ladies with much
warmth and sincerity. To their relief, seated below her on a smaller throne was
her nephew the emperor. He looked pale, but he greeted them enthusiastically
and seemed in good spirits. Maybe he was indeed simply ill. The empress shook
the hand of each of the women. As she did so, an attendant eunuch handed her a
large gold ring set with a large pearl, which she slipped onto each woman's
hand. After this introduction, the wives were escorted into another room, where
they again took tea, and then were led into a banqueting hall, where the
empress now sat on a chair of yellow satin-yellow being the imperial color. She
spoke to them for a while; she had a beautiful voice. (It was said that her
voice could literally charm birds out of trees.) At the end of the
conversation, she took the hand of each woman again, and with much emotion,
told them, "One family-all one family." The women then saw a
performance in the imperial theater. Finally the empress received them one last
time. She apologized for the performance they had just seen, which was
certainly inferior to what they wereusedto in the West. There was one more
round of tea, and this time, as the wife of the American ambassador reported
it, the empress "stepped forward and tipped each cup of tea to her own
lips and took a sip, then lifted the cup on the other side, to our lips, and
said again, 'One family-all one family' " The women were given more gifts,
then were escorted back to their sedan chairs and borne out of the Forbidden
City. The women relayed to their husbands their earnest belief that they had
all been wrong about the empress. The American ambassador's wife reported,
"She was bright and happy and her face glowed with good will. There was no
trace of cruelty to be seen. . . . Her actions were full of freedom and warmth.
. . . [We left] full of admiration for her majesty and hopes for China."
The husbands reported back to their governments: the emperor was fine, and the
empress could be trusted. Interpretation. The foreign contingent in China had
no idea what was really happening in the Forbidden City. In truth, the emperor
had conspired to arrest and possibly murder his aunt. Discovering the plot, a
terrible crime in Confucian terms, she forced him to sign his own abdication,
had him confined, and told the outside world that he was ill. As part of his
punishment, he was to appear at state functions and act as if nothing had
happened. The empress dowager loathed Westerners, whom she considered
barbarians. She disliked the ambassadors' wives, with their ugly fashions and
simpering ways. The banquet was a show, a seduction, to appease the West- Pay
Attention to Detail • 269 ern powers, which had been threatening invasion if
the emperor had been killed. The goal of the seduction was simple: dazzle the
wives with color, spectacle, theater. The empress applied all her expertise to
the task, and she was a genius for detail. She had designed the spectacles in a
rising order- the uniformed eunuchs first, then the Manchu ladies in their
headdresses, and finally the empress herself. It was pure theater, and it was
overwhelming. Then the empress brought the spectacle down a notch, humanizing
it with gifts, warm greetings, the reassuring presence of the emperor, teas,
and entertainments, which were in no way inferior to anything in the West. She
ended the banquet on another high note-the little drama with the sharing of the
teacups, followed by even more magnificent gifts. The women's heads were
spinning when they left. In truth they had never seen such exotic splendor-and
they never understood how carefully its details had been orchestrated by the
empress. Charmed by the spectacle, they transferred their happy feelings to the
empress and gave her their approvalallthatsherequired.The key to distracting
people (seduction is distraction) is to fill their eyes and ears with details,
little rituals, colorful objects. Detail is what makes things seem real and
substantial. A thoughtful gift won't seem to have an ulterior motive. A ritual
full of charming little actions is so enjoyable to watch. Jewelry, handsome
furnishings, touches of color in clothing, dazzle the eye. It is a childish
weakness of ours: we prefer to focus on the pleasant little details rather than
on the larger picture. The more senses you appeal to, the more mesmerizing the
effect. The objects you use in your seduction (gifts, clothes, etc.) speak
their own language, and it is a powerful one. Never ignore a detail or leave
one to chance. Orchestrate them into a spectacle and no one will notice how manipulative
you are being. The Sensuous Effect O ne day a messenger told Prince Genji-the
aging but still consummate seducer in the Heian court of late-tenth-century
Japan-that one of his youthful conquests had suddenly died, leaving behind an
orphan, a young woman named Tamakazura. Genji was not Tamakazura s father, but
he decided to bring her to court and be her protector anyway. Soon after her
arrival, men of the highest rank began to woo her. Genji had told everyone she
was a lost daughter of his; as a result, they assumed that she was beautiful,
for Genji was the handsomest man in the court. (At the time, men rarely saw a
young girl's face before marriage; in theory, they were allowed to talk to her
only if she was on the other side of a screen.) Genji showered her with
attention, helping her sort through all the love letters she was receiving and
advising her on the right match. As Tamakazura's protector, Genji was able to
see her face, and she was indeed beautiful. He fell in love with her. What a shame,
he thought, to give this lovely creature away to another man. One night,
overwhelmed by work ruin and loss to the grand cloth ofgold and web of silver,
to tinsel and silken stuffs, pearls and precious stones, 'tis plain how his
ardour and satisfaction be increased manifold-far more than with some simple
shepherdess or other woman of like quality, be she as fair as she may. • And
why of yore was Venus found so fair and so desirable, if not that with all her
beauty she was always gracefully attired likewise, and generally scented, that
she did ever smell sweet an hundred paces away? For it hath ever been held of
all how that perfumes be a great incitement to love. • This is the reason why
the Empresses and great dames of Rome did make much usage of these perfumes, as
do likewise our great ladies of France-and above all those of Spain and Italy,
which from the oldest times have been more curious and more exquisite in luxury
than Frenchwomen, as well in perfumes as in costumes and magnificent attire,
whereof thefair ones of France have since borrowed the patterns and copied the
dainty workmanship. Moreover the others, Italian and Spanish, had learned the
samefrom old models and ancient statues of Roman ladies, the which are to be
seen among sundry other antiquities yet extant in Spain and Italy; the which,
if any man will regard them carefully, will befound very perfect in mode of
hair-dressing and fashion of robes, and very meet to incite love. -SEIGNEUR DE
BRANTOME, LIVES OF FAIR & GALLANT LADIES. TRANSLATED BY A. R. ALLINSON 270
For years after her entry into the palace, a large number of court-maidens were
especially set aside for preparing Kuei-fei 's dresses, which were chosen and
fashioned according to the flowers of the season. For instance, for New Year
(spring) she had blossoms of apricot, plum and narcissus; for summer, she
adopted the lotus; for autumn, she patterned them after the peony; for winter,
she employed the chrysanthemum. Of jewelry she was fondest of pearls, and the
finest products of the world found their way into her boudoir and were
frequently embroidered on her numerous dresses. • Kuei- fei was the embodiment
of all that was lovely and extravagant.Nowonder that no king, prince, courtier
or humble attendant who ever met her could resist the allurementof her charms.
Besides, she was the most artful of women and knew how to use her natural gifts
to the best purpose. . . . The Emperor Ming Huang, supreme in the land and with
thousands of the most handsome maidens to choose from, became a complete slave
to her magnetic powers . . . spending day and night in her company and giving
up his whole kingdom for her sake. - SHU-CHIUNG, YANG KUEI- FEI: THE MOST
FAMOUS BEAUTY OF CHINA Then [ Pao-yu ] called Bright Design to him and said to
her, "Go and see what [Black Jade ] is doing. If she asks about me, just
say that I am quite all her charms, he held her hand and told her how much she
resembled her mother, whom he once had loved. She trembled-not with excitement,
however, but with fear, for although he was not her father, he was supposed to
be her protector, not a suitor. Her attendants were away and it was a beautiful
night. Genji silently threw off his perfumed robe and pulled her down beside
him. She began to cry, and to resist. Always a gentleman, Genji told her that
he would respect her wishes, he would always care for her, and she had nothing
to fear. He then politely excused himself. Several days later Genji was helping
Tamakazura with her correspondence when he read a love letter from his younger
brother. Prince Hotaru, who numbered among her suitors. In the letter, Hotaru
berated Tamakazura for not letting him get physically close enough to talk to
her and tell her his feelings. Tamakazura had not replied; unused to the
manners of the court, she had felt shy and intimidated. As if to help her,
Genji got one of his servants to write to Hotaru in her name. The letter,
written on beautiful perfumed paper, warmly invited the prince to visit her.
Hotaru appeared at the appointed hour. He smelled a beguiling incense,
mysterious and seductive. (Mixed into this scent was Genji's own perfume.) The
prince felt a wave of excitement. Approaching the screen behind which
Tamakazura sat, he confessed his love for her. Without making a sound, she
retreated to another screen, farther away. Suddenly there was a flash of light,
as if a torch had flared up, and Hotaru saw her profile behind the screen: she
was more beautiful than he had imagined. Two things delighted the prince: the
sudden, mysterious flash of light, and the brief glimpse of his beloved. Now he
was truly in love. Hotaru began to court her assiduously. Meanwhile, feeling
reassured that Genji was no longer chasing her, Tamakazura saw her protector
more often. And now she could not help noticing little details: Genji's robes
seemed to glow, in pleasing and vibrant colors, as if dyed by unworldly hands.
Hotaru's robes seemed drab by comparison. And the perfumes burned into Genji's
garments, how intoxicating they were. No one else bore such a scent. Hotaru's
letters were polite and well written, but the letters Genji sent her were on
magnificent paper, perfumed and dyed, and they quoted lines of poetry, always
surprising yet always appropriate for the occasion. Genji also grew and
gathered flowers-wild carnations, for instance-that he gave as gifts and that
seemed to symbolize his unique charm. One evening Genji proposed to teach
Tamakazura how to play the koto. She was delighted. She loved to read romance
novels, and whenever Genji played the koto, she felt as if she were transported
into one of her books. No one played the instrument better than Genji; she
would be honored to leam from him. Now he saw her often, and the method of his
lessons was simple: she would choose a song for him to play, and then would try
to imitate him. After they played, they would lie down side by side, their
heads resting on the koto, staring up at the moon. Genji would have torches set
up in the garden, giving the view the softest glow. The more Tamakazura saw of
the court-of Prince Hotaru, the other Pay Attention to Detail • 271 suitors,
the emperor himself-themore she realized that none could compare to Genji. He
was supposed to be her protector, yes, that was still true, but was it such a
sin to fall in love with him? Confused, she found herself giving in to the
caresses and kisses that he began to surprise her with, now that she was too
weak to resist. Interpretation. Genji is the protagonist in the
eleventh-century novel The Tale of Genji, written by Murasaki Shikibu, a woman of
the Heian court. The character was most likely inspired by the real-life
seducer Fujiwara no Korechika. In his seduction of Tamakazura, Genji's strategy
was simple: he would make her realize indirectly how charming and irresistible
he was by surrounding her with unspoken details. He also brought her in contact
with his brother; comparison with this drab, stiff figure would make Genji's
superiority clear. The night Hotaru first visited her, Genji set everything up,
as if to support Hotaru's seducing-the mysterious scent, then the flash of
light by the screen. (The light came from a novel effect: earlier in the
evening, Genji had collected hundreds of fireflies in a cloth bag. At the
proper moment he let them all go at once.) But when Tamakazura saw Genji encouraging
Hotaru's pursuit of her, her defenses against her protector relaxed, allowing
her senses to be filled by this master of seductive effects. Genji orchestrated
every possible detail-the scented paper, the colored robes, the lights in the
garden, the wild carnations, the apt poetry, the koto lessons which induced an
irresistible feeling of harmony. Tamakazura found herself dragged into a
sensual whirlpool. Bypassing the shyness and mistrust that words or actions
would only have worsened, Genji surrounded his ward with objects, sights,
sounds, and scents that symbolized the pleasure of his company far more than
his actual physical presence would have-in fact his presence could only have
been threatening. He knew that a young girl's senses are her most vulnerable
point. The key to Genji's masterful orchestration of detail was his attention
to the target of his seduction. Like Genji, you must attune your own senses to
your targets, watching them carefully, adapting to their moods. You sense when
they are defensive and retreat. You also sense when they are giving in, and
move forward. In between, the details you set up-gifts, entertainments, the
clothes you wear, the flowers you choose-are aimed precisely at their tastes
and predilections. Genji knew he was dealing with a young girl who loved
romantic novels; his wild flowers, koto playing, and poetry brought their world
to life for her. Attend to your targets' every move and desire, and reveal your
attentiveness in the details and objects you surround them with, filling their
senses with the mood you need to inspire. They can argue with your words, but
not with the effect you have on their senses. right now. " • "You'll
have to think of a better excuse than that," Bright Design said. "Isn't
there anything that you can send or want to borrow? I don't want to go there
and feel like a fool without anything to say. " • Pao-yu thought for a
moment and then took two handkerchiefs from under his pillow and gave them to
the maid, saying, "Well then, tell her that I sent you with these," •
"What a strange present to send" the maid smiled. "What does she
want two old handkerchiefs for? She will be angry again and say that you are
trying to make fun of her." • "Don't worry" Pao-yu assured her.
"She will understand." • Black Jade had already retired when Bright
Design arrived at the Bamboo Retreat. "What brought you at this
hour?" Black Jade asked. • "[Pao-yu] asked me to bring these
handkerchiefs for [Black Jade]." • For a moment Black Jade was at a loss
to see why Pao-yu should send her such a present at that particular moment. She
said, "I suppose they must be something unusual that somebody gave him.
Tell him to keep them himself or give them to someone who will appreciate them.
I have no need of them." • "They are nothing unusual," Bright
Design said. "Just twoordinaryhandkerchiefs that he happened to have
around. " Black Jade was even more puzzled, and then it suddenly dawned
upon her: Pao-yu knew that she would weep for him and so sent two handkerchiefs
of his own. • "You can leave them, then," she said to Bright Design,
who in turn was272 surprised that Black Jade did not take offense at what
seemed to her a crude joke. • As Black Jade thought over the significance of
the handkerchiefs she was happy and sad by turns: happy because Pao- yu read
her innermost thoughts and sad because she wondered if what was uppermost in
her thoughts would ever befulfdled. Thinking thus to herself of the future and
of the past, she could notfall asleep. Despite Purple Cuckoo's remonstrances,
she had her lamp relit and began to compose a series of quatrains, writing them
directly on the handkerchiefs which Pao-yu had sent. - TSAO HSUEH CHIN, DREAM
OF THE RED CHAMBER , TRANSLATED BY CHI-CHEN WANG Therefore in my view when the
courtier wishes to declare his love he should do so by his actions rather than
by speech, for a man's feelings are sometimes more clearly revealed by ... a
gesture of respect or a certain shyness than by volumes of words. ^BALDASSARE
CASTIGLIONE Keys to Seduction W hen we were children, our senses were much more
active. The colors of a new toy, or a spectacle such as a circus, held us in
thrall; a smell or a sound could fascinate us. In the games we created, many of
them reproducing something in the adult world on a smaller scale, what pleasure
we took in orchestrating every detail. We noticed everything. As we grow older
our senses get dulled. We no longer notice as much, for we are constantly
hurrying to get things done, to move on to the next task. In seduction, you are
always trying to bring the target back to the golden moments of childhood. A
child is less rational, more easily deceived. A child is also more attuned to
the pleasures of the senses. So when your targets are with you, you must never
give them the feeling they normally get in the real world, where we are all
rushed, ruthless, out for ourselves. You need to deliberately slow things down,
and return them to the simpler times of their youth. The details that you
orchestrate-colors, gifts, little ceremonies-are aimed at their senses, at the
childish delight we take in the immediate charms of the natural world. Their
senses filled with delightful things, they grow less capable of reason and
rationality. Pay attention to detail and you will find yourself assuming a
slower pace; your targets will not focus on what you might be after (sexual
favors, power, etc.) because you seem so considerate,soattentive.In the
childish realm of the senses in which you envelop them, they get a clear sense
that you are involving them in something distinct from the real world-an
essential ingredient of seduction. Remember: the more you get people to focus
on the little things, the less they will notice your larger direction. The
seduction will assume the slow, hypnotic pace of a ritual, in which the details
have a heightened importance and the moments are full of ceremony. In
eighth-century China, Emperor Ming Huang caught a glimpse of a beautiful young
woman, combing her hair beside an imperial pool. Her name was Yang Kuei-fei,
and even though she was the concubine of the emperor's son, he had to have her
for himself. Since he was emperor, nobody could stop him. The emperor was a
practical man-he had many concubines, and they all had their charms, but he had
never lost his head over a woman. Yang Kuei-fei, though, was different. Her
body exuded the most wonderful fragrance. She wore gowns made of the sheerest
silk gauze, each embroidered with different flowers, depending on the season.
In walking she seemed to float, her tiny steps invisible beneath her gown. She
Pay Attention to Detail• 273 danced to perfection, wrote songs in Ms honor that
she sang magmficently, had a way of looking at him that made Ms blood boil with
desire.She quickly became Ms favorite. Yang Kuei-fei drove the emperor to
distraction. He built palaces for her, spent all Ms time with her, satisfied
her every whim. Before long Ms kingdom was bankrupt and ruined. Yang Kuei-fei
was an artful seductress who had a devastating effect on all of the men who
crossed her path. There were so many ways her presence charmed-the scents, the
voice, the movements, the witty conversation, the artful glances, the
embroidered gowns. These pleasurable details turned a mighty king into a
distracted baby. Since time immemorial, women have known that within the most
apparently self-possessed man is an animal whom they can lead by filling Ms
senses with the proper physical lures. The key is to attack on as many fronts
as possible. Do not ignore your voice, your gestures, your walk, your clothes,
your glances. Some of the most alluring women in history have so distracted
their victims with sensual detail that the men fail to notice it is all an
illusion. From the 1940s on into the early 1960s, Pamela Churchill Harriman had
a series of affairs with some of the most prominent and wealthy men in the
world-Averill Harriman (whom years later she married), Gianni Agnelli (heir to
the Fiat fortune), Baron Elie de Rothschild. What attracted these men, and kept
them in tMall, was not her beauty or her lineage or her vivacious personality,
but her extraordinary attention to detail. It began with her attentive look as
she listened to your every word, soaking up your tastes. Once she found her way
into your home, she would fill it with your favorite flowers, get your chef to
cook that dish you had tasted only in the finest restaurants. You mentioned an
artist you liked? A few days later that artist would be attending one of your
parties. She found the perfect antiques for you, dressed in the way that most
pleased or excited you, and she did this without your saying a word-she spied,
gathered information from third parties, overheard you talking to someone else.
Harriman's attention to detail had an intoxicating effect on all the men in her
life. It had something in common with the pampering of a mother, there to bring
order and comfort into their lives, attending to their needs. Life is harsh and
competitive. Attending to detail in a way that is soothing to the other person
makes them dependent upon you. The key is probing their needs in a way that is
not too obvious, so that when you make precisely the right gesture, it seems
uncanny, as if you had read their mind. This is another way of returning your
targets to childhood, when all of their needs were met. In the eyes of women
all over the world, Rudolph Valentino reigned as the Great Lover through much
of the 1920s. The qualities behind Ms appeal certainly included Ms handsome,
almost pretty face, Ms dancing skills, the strangely exciting streak of cruelty
in Ms manner. But his perhaps most endearing trait was his time-consuming
approach to courtship. His films would show him seducing a woman slowly, with
careful details- sending her flowers (choosing the variety to match the mood he
wanted to 274 The Art of Seduction induce), taking her hand, lighting her
cigarette, escorting her to romantic places, leading her on the dance floor.
These were silent movies, and his audiences never got to hear him speak-it was
all in his gestures. Men came to hate him, for their wives and girlfriends now
expected the slow, careful Valentino treatment. Valentino had a feminine
streak; it was said that he wooed a woman the way another woman would. But
femininity need not figure in this approach to seduction. In the early 1770s,
Prince Gregory Potemkin began an affair with Empress Catherine the Great of
Russia that was to last many years. Potemkin was a manly man, and not at all
handsome. But he managed to win the empress's heart by the many little things
he did, and continued to do long after the affair had begun. He spoiled her
with wonderful gifts, never tired of writing her long letters, arranged for all
kinds of entertainments forher, composed songs to her beauty. Yet he would
appear before her barefoot, hair uncombed, clothes wrinkled. There was no kind
of fussiness in his attention, which, however, did make it clear he would go to
the ends of the earth for her. A woman's senses are more refined than a man's;
to a woman, Yang Kuei-fei's overt sensual appeal would seem too hurried and
direct. What that means, though, is that all the man really has to do is take
it slowly, making seduction a ritual full of all kinds of little things he has
to do for his target. If he takes his time, he will have her eating out of his
hand. Everything in seduction is a sign, and nothing more so than clothes. It
is not that you have to dress interestingly, elegantly, or provocatively, but
that you have to dress for your target-have to appeal to your target's tastes.
When Cleopatra was seducing Mark Antony, her dress was not brazenly sexual; she
dressed as a Greek goddess, knowing his weakness for such fantasy figures.
Madame de Pompadour, the mistress of King Louis XV, knew the king's weakness,
his chronic boredom; she constantly wore different clothes, changing not only
their color but their style, supplying the king with a constant feast for his
eyes. Pamela Harriman was subdued in the fashions she wore, befitting her role
as a high-society geisha and reflecting the sober tastes of the men she
seduced. Contrast works well here; at work or at home, you might dress
nonchalantly-Marilyn Monroe, for example, wore jeans and a T-shirt at home-but
when you are with the target you wear something elaborate, as if you were
putting on a costume. Your Cinderella transformation will stir excitement, and
the feeling that you have done somethingjust for the person you are with.
Whenever your attention is individualized (you would not dress like that for
anyone else), it is infinitely more seductive. In the 1870s, Queen Victoria
found herself wooed by Benjamin Disraeli, her own prime minister. Disraeli's
words were flattering and his manner insinuating; he also sent her flowers,
valentines, gifts-but not just any flowers or gifts, the kind that most men
would send. The flowers were primroses, symbols of their simple yet beautiful
friendship. From then on, whenever Victoria saw a primrose she thought of
Disraeli. Or he would Pay Attention to Detail • 275 write on a valentine that
he, "no longer in the sunset, but the twilight of his existence, must
encounter a life of anxiety and toil; but this, too, has its romance, when he
remembers that he labors for the most gracious of beings!" Or he might
send her a little box, with no inscription, but with a heart transfixed by an
arrow on one side and the word "Fideliter," or
"Faithfully,"onthe other. Victoria fell in love with Disraeli. A gift
has immense seductive power, but the object itself is less important than the
gesture, and the subtle thought or emotion that it communicates. Perhaps the
choice relates to something from the target's past, or symbolizes something
between you, or merely represents the lengths you will go to to please. It was
not the money Disraeli spent that impressed Victoria, but the time he took to
find the appropriate thing or make the appropriate gesture. Expensive gifts
have no sentiment attached; they may temporarily excite their recipient but
they are quickly forgotten, as a child forgets a new toy. The object that
reflects its giver's attentiveness has a lingering sentimental power, which
resurfaces every time its owner sees it. In 1919, the Italian writer and war
hero Gabriele D'Annunzio managed to put together a band of followers and take
over the town of Fiume, on the Adriatic coast (now part of Slovenia). They
established their own government there, which lasted for over a year.
D'Annunzio initiated a series of public spectacles that were to be immensely
influential on politicians elsewhere. He would address the public from a
balcony overlooking the town's main square, which would be full of colorful
banners, flags, pagan religious symbols, and, at night, torches. The speeches
would be followed by processions. Although D'Annunzio was not at all a Fascist,
what he did in Fiume crucially affected Benito Mussolini, who borrowed his
Roman salutes, his use of symbols, his mode of public address. Spectacles like
these have been used since then by governments everywhere, even democratic
ones. Their overall impression may be grand, but it is the orchestrated details
that make them work-the number of senses they appeal to, the variety of
emotions they stir. You are aiming to distract people, and nothing is more
distracting than a wealth of detail-fireworks, flags, music, uniforms, marching
soldiers, the feel of the crowd packed together. It becomes difficult to think
straight, particularly if the symbols and details stir up patriotic emotions.
Finally, words are important in seduction, and have a great deal of power to
confuse, distract, and boost the vanity of the target. But what is most
seductive in the long run is what you do not say, what you communicate
indirectly. Words come easily, and people distrust them. Anyone can say the
right words; and once they are said, nothing is binding, and they may even be
forgotten altogether. The gesture, the thoughtful gift, the little details seem
much more real and substantial. They are also much more charming than lofty
words about love, precisely because they speak for themselves and let the
seduced read into them more than is there. Never tell someone what you are
feeling; let them guess it in your looks and gestures. That is the more
convincing language. 276 Symbol: The Banquet. A feast has been prepared in your
honor. Everything has been elaborately coordinated-the flowers, the
decorations, the selection of guests, the dancers, the music, the five-course
meal, the endlessly flowing wine. The Banquet loosens your tongue, and also
your inhibitions. Reversal T here is no reversal. Details are essential to any
successful seduction, and cannot be ignored. 12 Poeticize Your Presence
Important things happen when your targets are alone: the slightestfeeling of
relief that you are not there, and it is all over. Familiarity and overexposure
will cause this reaction. Remain elusive, then, so that when you are away, they
will yearn to see you again, and will associate you only with pleasant
thoughts. Occupy their minds by alternating an exciting presence with a cool
distance, exuberant moments followed by calculated absences. Associate yourself
with poetic images and objects, so that when they think ofyou, they begin to
see you through an idealized halo. The more you figure in their minds, the more
they will envelop you in seductive fantasies. Feed these fantasies by subtle
inconsistencies and changes inyour behavior. Poetic Presence/Absence I n 1943,
the Argentine military overthrew the government. A popular forty-eight-year old
colonel, Juan Peron, was named secretary of labor and social affairs. Peron was
a widow who had a fondness for young girls; at the time of his appointment he
was involved with a teenager whom he introduced to one and all as his daughter.
One evening in January of 1944, Peron was seated among the other military
leaders in a Buenos Aires stadium, attending an artists' festival. It was late
and there were some empty seats around him; out of nowhere two beautiful young
actresses asked his permission to sit down. Were they joking? He would be
delighted. He recognized one of the actresses-it was Eva Duarte, a star of radio
soap operas whose photograph was often on the covers of the tabloids. The other
actress was younger and prettier, but Peron could not take his eyes off Eva,
who was talking to another colonel. She was really not his type at all. She was
twenty-four, far too old for his taste; she was dressed rather garishly; and
there was something a little icy in her manner. But she looked at him
occasionally, and her glance excited him. He looked away for a moment, and the
next thing he knew she had changed seats and was sitting next to him. They
started to talk. She hung on his every word. Yes, everything he said was
precisely how she felt-the poor, the workers, they were the future of
Argentina. She had known poverty herself. There were almost tears in her eyes
when she said, at the end of the conversation, "Thank you for
existing." In the next few days, Eva managed to get rid of Peron's
"daughter" and establish herself in his apartment. Everywhere he
turned, there she was, fixing him meals, caring for him when he was ill,
advising him on politics. Why did he let her stay? Usually he would have a
fling with a superficial young girl, then get rid of her when she seemed to be
sticking around too much. But there was nothing superficial about Eva. As time
went by he found himself getting addicted to the feeling she gave him. She was
intensely loyal, mirroring his every idea, puffing him up endlessly. He felt
more masculine in her presence, that was it, and more powerful-she believed he
would make the country's ideal leader, and her belief affected him. She was
like the women in the tango ballads he loved so much-the suffering women of the
streets who became saintly mother figures and looked after their men. Peron saw
her every day, but he never felt he fully knew her; one day her comments were a
little obscene, the next she was He who does not know how to encircle a girl so
that she loses sight of everything he does not want her to see, he who does not
know how to poetize himself into a girl so that it isfrom her that everything
proceeds as he wants it-he is and remains a bungler. . . . To poetize oneself
into a girl is an art. -S0REN KIERKEGAARD, THE SEDUCER'S DIARY. TRANSLATED BY
HOWARD V. HONG; AND EDNA H. HONG; What else? If she's out, reclining in her
litter, \ Make your approach discreet, \ And-just to fox the sharp ears of
those around you - \ Cleverly riddle each phrase \ With ambiguous subtleties.
If she's taking a leisurely \ Stroll down the colonnade, then you stroll there
too - \ Vary your pace to hers, march ahead, drop behind her, \ Dawdling and
brisk by turns. Be bold, \ Dodge in round the columns between you, brush your
person \ Lingeringly past hers. You must never fail \ 279 280 To attend the
theater when she does, gaze at her beauty - \ From the shoulders up she's time
\ Most delectably spent, a feast for adoring glances, \ For the eloquence of
eyebrows, the speaking sign. \ Applaud when some male dancer struts on as the
heroine, \ Cheer for each lover's role. \ When she leaves, leave too-but sit
there as long as she does: \ Waste time at your mistress's whim. . . . \ Get
her accustomed to you; \ Habit's the key, spare no pains till that's achieved.
\ Let her always see you around, always hear you talking, \ Showher your face
night and day. \ When you're confident you'll be missed, when your absence \
Seems sure to cause her regret, \ Then give her some respite: a field improves
when fallow, \ Parched soil soaks up the rain. \ Demophoon 's presence gave
Phyllis no more than mild excitement; \ It was his sailing caused arson in her
heart. \ Penelope was racked by crafty Ulysses's absence, \ Protesilaus,
abroad, made Laodameia burn. \ Short partings do best, though: time wears out
affections, \ The absent lovefades, a new one takes its place. \ With Menelaus
away, Helen's disinclination for sleeping \ Alone led her into her guest's \
Warm bed at night. Were you crazy, Menelaus? - OVID, THE ART OF LOVE.
TRANSLATED BY PETER GREEN Concerning the Birth of Love • Here is what happens
in the soul: • 1. Admiration. • 2. You think, "Mow delightful it the
perfect lady. He had one worry: she was angling to get married, and he could
never marry her-she was an actress with a dubious past. The other colonels were
already scandalized by his involvement with her. Nevertheless, the affair went
on. In 1945, Peron was dismissed from his post and jailed. The colonels feared
his growing popularity and distrusted the power of his mistress, who seemed to
have total influence over him. It was the first time in almost two years that
he was truly alone, and truly separated from Eva. Suddenly he felt new emotions
sweeping over him: he pinned her photographs all over the wall. Outside,
massive strikes were being organized to protest his imprisonment, but all he
could think about was Eva. She was a saint, a woman of destiny, a heroine. He
wrote to her, "It is only being apart from loved ones that we can measure
our affection. From the day I left you ... I have not been able to calm my sad
heart. . . . My immense solitude is full of your memory." Now he promised
to marry her. The strikes grew in intensity. After eight days, Peron was
released from prison; he promptly married Eva. A few months later he was
elected president. As first lady, Eva attended state functions in her somewhat
gaudy dresses andjewelry; she was seen as a former actress with a large
wardrobe. Then, in 1947, she left for a tour of Europe, and Argentines followed
her every move-the ecstatic crowds that greeted her in Spain, her audience with
the pope-and in her absence their opinion of her changed. How well she
represented the Argentine spirit, its noble simplicity, its flair for drama.
When she returned a few weeks later, they overwhelmed her with attention. Eva
too had changed during her trip to Europe: now her dyed blond hair was pulled
into a severe chignon, and she wore tailored suits. It was a serious look,
befitting a woman who was to become the savior of the poor. Soon her image
could be seen everywhere-her initials on the walls, the sheets, the towels of
the hospitals for the poor; her profile on the jerseys of a soccer team from
the poorest part of Argentina, whose club she sponsored; her giant smiling face
covering the sides of buildings. Since finding out anything personal about her
had become impossible, all kinds of elaborate fantasies began to spring up
about her. And when cancer cut her life short, in 1952, at the age of
thirty-three (the age of Christ when he died), the country went into mourning.
Millions filed past her embalmed body. She was no longer a radio actress, a
wife, a first lady, but Evita, a saint. Interpretation. Eva Duarte was an
illegitimate child who had grown up in poverty, escaped to Buenos Aires to
become an actress, and been forced to do many tawdry things to survive and get
ahead in the theater world. Her dream was to escape all of the constraints on
her future, for she was intensely ambitious. Peron was the perfect victim. He
imagined himself a great leader, but the reality was that he was fast becoming
a lecherous old man who was too weak to raise himself up. Eva injected poetry
into his Poeticize Your Presence • 281 life. Her language was florid and
theatrical; she surrounded him with attention, indeed to the point of
suffocation, but a woman's dutiful service to a great man was a classic image,
and was celebrated in innumerable tango ballads. Yet she managed to remain
elusive, mysterious, like a movie star you see all the time on the screen but
never really know. And when Peron was finally alone, in prison, these poetic
images and associations burst forth in his mind. He idealized her madly; as far
as he was concerned, she was no longer an actress with a tawdry past. She
seduced an entire nation the same way. The secret was her dramatic poetic
presence, combined with a touch of elusive distance; over time, you would see
whatever you wanted to in her. To this day people fantasize about what Eva was
really like. Familiarity destroys seduction. This rarely happens early on;
there is so much to leam about a new person. But a midpoint may arrive when the
target has begun to idealize and fantasize about you, only to discover that you
are not what he or she thought. It is not a question of being seen too often,
of being too available, as some imagine. In fact, if your targets see you too
rarely, you give them nothing to feed on, and their attention may be caught by
someone else; you have to occupy their mind. It is more a matter of being too
consistent, too obvious, too human and real. Your targets cannot idealize you
if they know too much about you, if they start to see you as all too human. Not
only must you maintain a degree of distance, but there must be something
fantastical and bewitching about you, sparking all kinds of delightful
possibilities in their mind. The possibility Eva held out was the possibility
that she was what in Argentine culture was considered the ideal woman-devoted,
motherly, saintly-but there are any number of poetic ideals you can try to
embody. Chivalry, adventure, romance, and so on, are just as potent, and if you
have a whiff of them about you, you can breathe enough poetry into the air to
fill people's minds with fantasies and dreams. At all costs, you must embody
something, even if it is roguery and evil. Anything to avoid the taint of
familiarity and commonness. What I need is a woman who is something, anything;
either very beautiful or very kind or in the last resort very wicked; very
witty or very stupid, but something. -ALFRED DE MUSSET Keys to Seduction W e
all have a self-image that is more flattering than the truth; we think of
ourselves as more generous, selfless, honest, kindly, intelligent, or
good-looking than in fact we are. It is extremely difficult for us to be honest
with ourselves about our own limitations; we have a desperate need to idealize
ourselves. As the writer Angela Carter remarks, we would rather align ourselves
with angels than with the higher primates from which we are actually descended.
would be to kiss her, to be kissed by her," and so on. . . . • 3. Hope.
You observe her perfections, and it is at this moment that a woman really ought
to surrender, for the utmost physical pleasure. Even the most reserved women
blush to the whites of their eyes at this moment of hope. The passion is so
strong, and the pleasure so sharp, that they betray themselves unmistakably. •
4. Love is born. To love is to enjoy seeing, touching, and sensing with all the
senses, as closely as possible, a lovable object which loves in return. • 5.
The first crystallization begins. If you are sure that a woman loves you, it is
a pleasure to endow her with a thousand perfections and to count your blessings
with infinite satisfaction. In the end you overrate wildly, and regard her as
something fallen from Heaven, unknown as yet, but certain to be yours. • Leave
a lover with his thoughts for twenty four hours, and this is what will happen:
• At the salt mines of Salzburg, they throw a leafless wintry bough into one of
the abandoned workings. Two or three months later they haul it out covered with
a shining deposit of crystals. The smallest twig, no bigger than a tom-tit's
claw, is studded with a galaxy of scintillating diamonds. The original branch
is no longer recognizable. • What I have called crystallization is a mental
process which draws from everything that happens new proofs of the perfection
of the loved one. . . . • A man in love sees every perfection in the object of
his love, but his attention is liable to 282 wander after a time because one
gets tired of anything uniform, even perfect happiness. • This is what happens
next to fix the attention: • 6. Doubt creeps in. . . . He is met indifference,
coldness, or even anger if he appears confident. . . . The lover begins to be
less sure the good fortune he was grounds for hope to a critical examination. •
He to recoup by indulging in other pleasures but finds them inane. He is seized
the dread of a frightful calamity and now concentrates fully. Thus : • 7 . The
second , which deposits diamond layers of that "she loves me." •
Every few minutes the night which follows the birth of doubt, the lover has a
moment of dreadful misgiving, and then reassures himself "she loves
me"; and crystallization begins to reveal new charms. Then once again the
haggard eye of doubt pierces him and he This need to idealize extends to our
romantic entanglements, because of ourselves. The choice we make in deciding to
become involved with another person reveals something important and intimate
about us: we seeing ourselves as having fallen for someone whoischeapor tacky
or tasteless, because it reflects badly on who we are. Furthermore, we are
often likely to fall for someone who resembles us in some way. Should that
person be deficient, or worst of all ordinary, then there is something
deficient and ordinary about us. No, at all costs the loved one must be overvalued
and idealized, at least for the sake of our own self-esteem. Besides, in a
world that is harsh and full of disappointment, it is a great pleasure to be
able to fantasize about a person you are involved with. This makes the
seducer's task easy: people are dying to be given the chance to fantasize about
you. Do not spoil this golden opportunity by overexposing yourself, or becoming
so familiar and banal that the target sees you exactly as you are. You do not
have to be an angel, or a paragon of virtue-that would be quite boring. You can
be dangerous, naughty, even somewhat vulgar, depending on the tastes of your
victim. But never be oror limited. In poetry (as opposed to reality), anything
is possible. Soon after we fall under a person's spell, we form an image in our
minds of who they are and what pleasures they might offer. Thinking of them
when we are alone, we tend to make this image more and more idealized. The
novelist Stendhal, in his book On Love, calls this phenomenon
"crystallization," telling the story of how, in Salzburg,Austria,
they used to throw a leafless branch into the abandoned depths of a salt mine
in the middle of winter. When the branch was pulled out months later, it would
be covered with spectacular crystals. That is what happens to a loved one in
minds. stops transfixed. He forgets to draw breath and mutters, "But does
she love me?" Torn between doubt and delight, the poor lover convinces
himself that she could give him such pleasure as he could find nowhere else on
earth. -STENDHAL, LOVE, TRANSLATED BY GILBERT AND SUZANNE SALE Falling in love
automatically tends toward madness. Left to itself it goes to utter extremes.
This is well known by the "conquistadors " of both sexes. Once a
woman's According to Stendhal, though, there are two crystallizations. The
first happens when we first meet the person. The second and more important one
happens later, when a bit of doubt creeps in-you desire the other person, but
they elude you, you are not sure they are yours. This bit of doubt is critical-it
makes your imagination work double, deepens the poeticizing process. In the
seventeenth century, the great rake the Due de Lauzun pulled off one of the
most spectacular seductions in history-that of the Mademoiselle, the cousin of
King Louis XTV, and the wealthiest and most powerful woman in France. He
tickled her imagination with a few brief encounters at the court, letting her
catch glimpses of his wit, his audacity, his cool manner. She would begin to
think of him when she was alone. Next she started to bump into him more often
at court, and they would have little conversations or walks. When these
meetings were over, she would be left with a doubt: is he or is he not
interested in me? This made her want to see him more, in order to allay her
doubts. She began to idealize him all out of proportion to the reality, for the
duke was an incorrigible scoundrel. Remember: if you are easily had, you cannot
be worth that much. It is Poeticize Your Presence • 283 hard to wax poetic
about a person who comes so cheaply. If, after the initial interest, you make
it clear that you cannot be taken for granted, if you stir a bit of doubt, the
target will imagine there is something special, lofty, and unattainable about
you. Your image will crystallize in the other person's mind. Cleopatra knew
that she was really no different from any other woman, and in fact her face was
not particularly beautiful. But she knew that men have a tendency to overvalue
a woman. All that is required is to hint that there is something different
about you, to make them associate you with something grand or poetic. She made
Caesar aware of her connection to the great kings and queens of Egypt's past;
with Antony, she created the fantasy that she was descended from Aphrodite
herself. These men were cavorting not just with a strong-willed woman but a
kind of goddess. Such associations might be difficult to pull off today, but
people still get deep pleasure from associating others with some kind of
childhood fantasy figure. John F. Kennedy presented himself as a figure of
chivalry-noble, brave, charming. Pablo Picasso was not just a great painter
with a thirst for young girls, he was the Minotaur of Greek legend, or the
devilish trickster figure that is so seductive to women. These associations should
not be made too early; they are only powerful once the target has begun to fall
under your spell, and is vulnerable to suggestion. A man who had just met
Cleopatra would have found the Aphrodite association ludicrous. But a person
who is falling in love will believe almost anything. The trick is to associate
your image with something mythic, through the clothes you wear, the things you
say, the places you go. In Marcel Proust's novel Remembrance of Things Past,
the character Swann finds himself gradually seduced by a woman who is not
really his type. He is an aesthete, and loves the finer things in life. She is
of a lower class, less refined, even a little tasteless. What poeticizes her in
his mind is a series of exuberant moments they share together, moments that
from then on he associates with her. One of these is a concert in a salon that
they attend, in which he is intoxicated by a little melody in a sonata.
Whenever he thinks of her, he remembers this little phrase. Little gifts she
has given him, objects she has touched or handled, begin to assume a life of
their own. Any kind of heightened experience, artistic or spiritual, lingers in
the mind much longer than normal experience. You must find a way to share such
moments with your targets-a concert, a play, a spiritual encounter, whatever it
takes-so that they associate something elevated with you. Shared moments of
exuberance have immense seductive pull. Also, any kind of object can be imbued
with poetic resonance and sentimental associations, as discussed in the last
chapter. The gifts you give and other objects can become imbued with your
presence; if they are associated with pleasant memories, the sight of them
keeps you in mind and accelerates the poeti- cization process. Although it is
said that absence makes the heart grow fonder, an absence too early will prove
deadly to the crystallization process. Like Eva attention is fixed upon a man,
it is very easy for him to dominate her thoughts completely. A simple game of
blowing hot and cold, of solicitousness and disdain, of presence and absence
isallthatisrequired. The rhythm of that techniqueacts upon a woman's attention
like a pneumatic machine and ends by emptying her of all the rest of the world.
How well our people put it: "to suck one's senses"! In fact: one is
absorbed-absorbed by an object! Most "love affairs" are reduced to
this mechanical play of the beloved upon the lover's attention. • The only
thing that can save a lover is a violent shock from the outside, a treatment
which is forced upon him. Many think that absence and long trips are a good
cure for lovers. Observe that these are cures for one's attention. Distance
from the beloved starves our attention toward him; it prevents anything further
from rekindling the attention. Journeys, by physically obliging us to come out
of ourselves and resolve hundreds of little problems, by uprooting us from our
habitual setting and forcing hundreds of unexpected objects upon us, succeed in
breaking down the maniac's haven and opening channels in his sealed
consciousness, through which fresh air and normal perspective enter. - JOS6
ORTEGA Y GASSET, ON LOVE: ASPECTS OF A SINGLE THEME, TRANSLATED BY TOBY TALBOT
284 Excessive familiarity can destroy crystallization. A charming girl of
sixteen was becoming too fond of ahandsome young man of the same age, who used
to make a practice of passing beneath her window every evening at nightfall.
Her mother invited him to Peron, you must surround your targets with focused
attention, so that in those critical moments when they are alone, their mind is
spinning with a kind of afterglow. Do everything you can to keep the target
thinking about you. Letters, mementos, gifts, unexpected meetings-all these
give you an omnipresence. Everything must remind them of you. Finally, if your
targets should see you as elevated and poetic, there is much to be gained by
making them feel elevated and poeticized in their turn. The French writer
Chateaubriand would make a woman feel like a spend a week with them in the
country. It was a bold remedy, I admit, but the girl was of a romantic
disposition, and the young man a trifle dull; within three days she despised
him. -STENDHAL, LOVE, TRANSLATED BY GILBERT AND SUZANNE SALE goddess, she had
such a powerful effect on him. He would send her poems that she supposedly had
inspired. To make Queen Victoria feel as if she were both a seductive woman and
a great leader, Benjamin Disraeli would compare her to mythological figures and
great predecessors, such as Queen Elizabeth I. By idealizing your targets this
way, you will make them idealize you in return, since you must be equally great
to be able to appreciate and see all of their fine qualities. They will also
grow addicted to the elevatedfeeling you give them. Symbol: The Halo.Slowly,
when the target is alone, he or she begins to imagine a kind of faint glow
around your head, formed by all of the possible pleasures you might offer, the
radiance of your charged presence, your noble qualities. The Halo separates
youfrom other people. Do not make it disappear by becoming familiar and
ordinary. Reversal I t might seem that the reverse tactic would be to reveal
everything about yourself, to be completely honest about your faults and
virtues. This kind of sincerity was a quality Lord Byron had-he almost got a
thrill out of disclosing all of his nasty, ugly qualities, even going so far,
later on in his life, as to tell people about his incestuous involvements with
his half sister. This kind of dangerous intimacy can be immensely seductive.
The target will poeticize your vices, and your honesty about them; they will
start to see more than is there. In other words, the idealization process is
unavoidable. The only thing that cannot be idealized is mediocrity, but there
is nothing seductive about mediocrity. There is no possible way to seduce
without creating some kind of fantasy and poeticization. 13 Disarm Through
Strategic Weakness and Vulnerability Too much maneuvering on your part may
raisesuspicion. The best way to cover your tracks is to make the other person
feel superior and stronger. If you seem to be weak, vulnerable, enthralled by
the other person, and unable to control yourself, you will make your actions
look more natural, less calculated. Physical weakness - tears, bashfulness,
paleness-will help create the effect, To further win trust, exchange honesty
for virtue: establish your "sincerity" by confessing some sin on your
part-it doesn't have to be real. Sincerity is more important than goodness.
Play the victim, then transform your target's sympathy into love. The Victim
Strategy T hat sweltering August in the 1770s when the Presidente de Tourvel
was visiting the chateau of her old friend Madame de Rosemonde, leaving her
husband at home, she was expecting to be enjoying the peace and quiet of country
life more or less on her own. But she loved the simple pleasures, and soon her
daily life at the chateau assumed a comfortable pattern-daily Mass, walks in
the country, charitable work in the neighboring villages, card games in the
evening. When Madame de Rosemonde's nephew arrived for a visit, then, the
Presidente felt uncomfortable-but also curious. The nephew, the Vicomte de
Valmont, was the most notorious libertine in Paris. He was certainly handsome,
but he was not what she had expected: he seemedsad, somewhat downtrodden, and
strangest of all, he paid hardly any attention to her. The Presidente was no
coquette; she dressed simply, ignored fashions, and loved her husband. Still,
she was young and beautiful, and was used to fending off men's attentions. In
the back of her mind, she was slightly perturbed that he took so little notice
of her. Then, at Mass one day, she caught a glimpse of Valmont apparently lost
in prayer. The idea dawned on her that he was in the midst of a period of
soul-searching. As soon as word had leaked out that Valmont was at the chateau,
the Presidente had received a letter from a friend warning her against this
dangerous man. But she thought of herself as the last woman in the world to be
vulnerable to him. Besides, he seemed on the verge of repenting his evil past;
perhaps she could help move him in that direction. What a wonderful victory
that would be for God. And so the Presidente took note of Val- mont's comings
and goings, trying to understand what was happening in his head. It was
strange, for instance, that he would often leave in the morning to go hunting,
yet would never return with any game. One day, she decided to have her servant
do a little harmless spying, and she was amazed and delighted to learn that
Valmont had not gone hunting at all; he had visited a local village, where he
had doled out money to a poor family about to be evicted from their home. Yes,
she was right, his passionate soul was moving from sensuality to virtue. How
happy that made her feel. That evening, Valmont and the Presidente found
themselves alone for the first time, and Valmont suddenly burst out with a
startling confession. He was head-over-heels in love with the Presidente, and
with a love he had The weak ones do have a power over us. The clear, forceful
ones I can do without. I am weak and indecisive by nature myself and a woman
who is quiet and withdrawn and follows the wishes of a man even to the point of
letting herself be used has much the greater appeal. A man can shape and mold
her as he wishes, and becomes fonder of her all the while. -MURASAKI SHIKIBU,
THE TALE OF GENJI. TRANSLATED BY EDWARD G. SEIDENSTICKER Hera, daughter of
Cronus and Rhea, having been born on the island of Samos or, some say, at
Argos, was brought up in Arcadia by Temenus, sou of Pelasgus. The Seasons were
her nurses. After banishing theirfather Cronus, Hera's twin brother Zeus sought
her out at Cnossus in Crete or, some say, on Mount Thornax (now called Cuckoo
Mountain) in Argolis, where he courted her, at first unsuccessfully. She took
pity on him only when he adopted the 287 288 disguise of a bedraggled cuckoo
and tenderly warmed him in her bosom. There he at once resumed his true shape
and ravished her, so that she was shamed into marrying him. -ROBERT GRAVES, THE
GREEK MYTHS In a strategy (?) of seduction one draws the other into one's area
of weakness, which is also his or her area of weakness. A calculated weakness,
an incalculable weakness: one challenges the other to be taken i n . . . . • To
seduce is to appear weak. To seduce is to render weak. We seduce with our
weakness, never with strong signs or powers. In seduction we enact this
weakness, and this is what gives seduction its strength. • We seduce with our
death, our vulnerability, and with the void that haunts us. The secret is to
know how to play with death in the absence of a gaze or gesture, in the absence
of knowledge or meaning. • Psychoanalysis tells us to assume our fragility and
passivity, but in almost religious terms, turns them into aform of resignation
and acceptance in order to promote a well- tempered psychic equilibrium.
Seduction, by contrast, plays trumph- antty with weakness, making a game of it,
with its own rules. -JEAN BAUDRILLARD, SEDUCTION, TRANSLATED BY BRIAN SINGER
never experienced before: her virtue, her goodness, her beauty, her kind ways
had completely overwhelmed him. His generosity to the poor that afternoon had
been for her sake-perhaps inspired by her, perhaps something more sinister: it
had been to impress her. He would never have confessed to this, but finding
himself alone with her, he could not control his emotions. Then he got down on
his knees and begged for her to help him, to guide him in his misery. The
Presidente was caught off guard, and began to cry. Intensely embarrassed, she
ran from the room, and for the next few days pretended to be ill. She did not
know how to react to the letters Valmont now began to send her, begging her to
forgive him. He praised her beautiful face and her beautiful soul, and claimed
she had made him rethink his whole life. These emotional letters produced
disturbing emotions, and Tourvel prided herself on her calmness and prudence.
She knew she should insist that he leave the chateau, and wrote him to that
effect; he reluctantly agreed, but on one condition-that she allow him to write
to her from Paris. She consented, as long as the letters were not offensive.
When he told Madame de Rose- monde that he was leaving, the Presidente felt a
pang of guilt: his hostess and aunt would miss him, and he looked so pale. He
was obviously suffering. Now the letters from Valmont began to arrive, and
Tourvel soon regretted allowing him this liberty. He ignored her request that
heavoid the subject of love-indeed he vowed to love her forever. He rebuked her
for her coldness and insensitivity. He explained his bad path in life-it was
not his fault, he had had no direction, had been led astray by others. Without
her help he would fall back into that world. Do not be cruel, he said, you are
the one who seduced me. I am your slave, the victim of your charms and
goodness; since you are strong, and do not feel as I do, you have nothing to
fear. Indeed the Presidente de Tourvel came to pity Valmont-he seemed so weak,
so out of control. How could she help him? And why was she even thinking of
him, which she now did more and more? She was a happily married woman. No, she
must at least put an end to this tiresome correspondence. No more talk of love,
she wrote, or she would not reply. His letters stopped coming. She felt relief.
Finally some peace and quiet. One evening, however, as she was seated at the
dinner table, she suddenly heard Valmont's voice from behind her, addressing
Madame de Rose- monde. On the spur of the moment, he said, he had decided to
return for a short visit. She felt a shiver up and down her spine, her face
flushed; he approached and sat down beside her. He looked at her, she looked
away, and soon made an excuse to leave the table and go up to her room. But she
could not completely avoid him over the next few days, and she saw that he
seemed paler than ever. He was polite, and a whole day might pass without her
seeing him, but these brief absences had a paradoxical effect: now Tourvel
realized what had happened. She missed him, she wanted to see him. This paragon
of virtue and goodness had somehow fallen in love with an incorrigible rake.
Disgusted with herself and what she had allowed to Disarm Through Strategic
Weakness and Vulnerability • 289 happen, she left the chateau in the middle of
the night, without telling anyone, and headed for Paris, where she planned
somehow to repent this awful sin. Interpretation. The character of Valmont in
Choderlos de Laclos's epistolary novel Dangerous Liaisons is based on several
of the great real-life libertines of eighteenth-century France. Everything
Valmont does is calculated for effect-the ambiguous actions that make Tourvel
curious about him, the act of charity in the village (he knows he is being
followed), the return visit to the chateau, the paleness of his face (he is
having an affair with a girl at the chateau, and their all-night carousals give
him a wasted look). Most devastating of all is his positioning of himself as
the weak one, the seduced, the victim. How can the Presidente imagine he is
manipulating her when everything suggests he is simplyoverwhelmed by her
beauty, whether physical or spiritual? He cannot be a deceiver when he
repeatedly makes a point of confessing the "truth" about himself: he
admits that his charity was questionably motivated, he explains why he has gone
astray, he lets her in on his emotions. (All of this "honesty," of
course, is calculated.) In essence he is like a woman, or at least like a woman
of those times- emotional, unable to control himself, moody, insecure. She is
the one who is cold and cruel, like a man. In positioning himself as Tourvel's
victim, Valmont can not only disguise his manipulations but elicit pity and
concern. Playing the victim, he can stir up the tender emotions produced by a
sick child or a wounded animal. And these emotions are easily channeled into
love-as the Presidente discovers to her dismay. Seduction is a game of reducing
suspicion and resistance. The cleverest way to do this is to make the other
person feel stronger, more in control of things. Suspicion usually comes out of
insecurity; if your targets feel superior and secure in your presence, they are
unlikely to doubt your motives. You are too weak, too emotional, to be up to
something. Take this game as far as it will go. Flaunt your emotions and how
deeply they have affected you. Making people feel the power they have over you
is immensely flattering to them. Confess to something bad, or even to something
bad that you did, or contemplated doing, to them. Honesty is more important
than virtue, and one honest gesture will blind them to many deceitful acts.
Create an impression of weakness-physical, mental, emotional. Strength and
confidence can be frightening. Make your weakness a comfort, and play the
victim-of their power over you, of circumstances, of life in general. This is
the best way to cover your tracks. You know, a man ain't worth a damn if he
can't cry at the right time. -LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON The old American proverb
says if you want to con someone, you must first get him to trust you, or at
least feel superior to you (these two ideas are related), and get him to let
down his guard. The proverb explains a great deal about television commercials.
If we assume that people are not stupid, they must react to TV commercials with
a feeling of superiority that permits them to believe they are in control. As
long as this illusion of volition persists, they would consciously have nothing
to fear from the commercials. People are prone to trust anything over which
they believe they have control. ..." TV commercials appear foolish,
clumsy, and ineffectual on purpose. They are made to appear this way at the
conscious level in order to be consciously ridiculed and rejected. . . . Most
ad men will confirm that over the years the seemingly worst commercials have
sold the best. An effective TV commercial is purposefully designed to insult
the viewer's conscious intelligence, thereby penetrating his defenses. -WILSON
BRYAN KEY, SUBLIMINAL SEDUCTION It takes great art to use bashfulness, but one
does achieve a great deal with it. How often I have used bashfulness to trick a
little miss! Ordinarily, young girls speak very harshly about bashful men, but
secretly they like them. A little bashfulness flatters a teenage girl's vanity,
makes her feel superior; it is her 290 earnest money. When they are lulled to
sleep, then at the very time they believe you are about to perish from
bashfulness, you show them that you are so far from it that you are quite
self-reliant. Bashfulness makes a man lose his masculine significance, and
therefore it is a relatively good means for neutralizing the sex relation.
-S0REN KIERKEGAARD, THE SEDUCER'S DIARY. TRANSLATED BY HOWARD V. HONG AND EDNA
H. HONG Yet anotherform of Charity is there, which is oft times practised
towards poor prisoners who are shut up in dungeons and robbed of all enjoyments
with women. On such do the gaolers' wives and women that have charge over them,
or chatelaines who have prisoners of war in their Castle, take pity and give
them share of their love out of very charity and mercifulness. . . . • Thus do
these gaolers' wives, noble chatelaines and others, treat their prisoners, the
which, captive and unhappy though they be, yet cease not for that to feel the
prickings of the flesh, as much as ever they did in their best days. ...• To
confirm what I say, I will instance a tale that Captain Beaulieu, Captain of
the King's Galleys, of whom I have before spoke once and again, did tell me. He
was in the service of the late Grand Prior of France, a member of the house of
Lorraine, who was much attached to him. Going one time to take his patron on
board at Malta in a Keys to Seduction W e all have weaknesses, vulnerabilities,
frailnesses in our mental makeup. Perhaps we are shy or oversensitive, or need
attention- whatever the weakness is, it is something we cannot control. We may
try to compensate for it, or to hide it, but this is often a mistake: people
sense something inauthentic or unnatural. Remember: what is natural to your
character is inherently seductive. A person's vulnerability, what they seem to
be unable to control, is often what is most seductive about them. People who
display no weaknesses, on the other hand, often elicit envy, fear, and anger-we
want to sabotage themjust to bring them down.Do not struggle against your
vulnerabilities, or try to repressthem,butput them into play. Learn to
transform them into power. The game is subtle: if you wallow in your weakness,
overplay your hand, you will be seen as angling for sympathy, or, worse, as
pathetic. No, what works best is to allow people an occasional glimpse into the
soft, frail side of your character, and usually only after they have known you
for a while. That glimpse will humanize you, lowering their suspicions, and
preparing the ground for a deeper attachment. Normally strong and in control,
at moments you let go, give in to your weakness, let them see it. Valmont used
his weakness this way. He had lost his innocence long ago, and yet, somewhere
inside, he regretted it. He was vulnerable to someone truly innocent. His
seduction of the Presidente was successful because it was not totally an act;
there was a genuine weakness on his part, which even allowed him to cry at
times. He let the Presidente see this side to him at key moments, in order to
disarm her. Like Valmont, you can be acting and sincere at the same time.
Suppose you are genuinely shy-at certain moments, give your shyness a little
weight, lay it on a little thick. It should be easy for you to embellish a
quality you already have. After Lord Byron published his first major poem, in
1812, he became an instant celebrity. Beyond being a talented writer, he was so
handsome, even pretty, and he was as brooding and enigmatic as the characters
he wrote about. Women went wild over Lord Byron. He had an infamous
"underlook," slightly lowering his head and glancing upward at a
woman, making her tremble. But Byron had other qualities: when you first met
him, you could not help noticing his fidgety movements, his ill-fitting
clothes, his strange shyness, and his noticeable limp. This infamous man, who
scorned all conventions and seemed so dangerous, was personally insecure and
vulnerable. In Byron's poem Don Juan, the hero is less a seducer of women than
a man constantly pursued by them. The poem was autobiographical; women wanted
to take care of this somewhat fragile man, who seemed to have little control
over his emotions. More than a century later, John F. Kennedy, as a boy, became
obsessed with Byron, the man he most wanted to emulate. He even tried to borrow
Byron's "underlook." Kennedy himself was a frail youth, with constant
health problems. He was also a little pretty, and friends Disarm Through
Strategic Weakness and Vulnerability • 291 saw something slightly feminine in
him. Kennedy's weaknesses-physical and mental, for he too was insecure, shy,
and oversensitive-were exactly what drew women to him. If Byron and Kennedy had
tried to cover up their vulnerabilities with a masculine swagger they would
have had no seductive charm. Instead, they learned how to subtly display their
weaknesses, letting women sense this soft side to them. There are fears and
insecurities peculiar to each sex; your use of strategic weakness must always
take these differences into account. A woman, for instance, may be attracted by
a man's strength and self-confidence, but too much of it can create fear,
seeming unnatural, even ugly Particularly intimidating is the sense that the
man is cold and unfeeling. She may feel insecure that he is only after sex, and
nothing else. Male seducers long ago learned to become more feminine-to show
their emotions, and to seem interested in their targets' lives. The medieval
troubadours were the first to master this strategy; they wrote poetry in honor
of women, emoted endlessly about their feelings, and spent hours in their
ladies' boudoirs, listening to the women's complaints and soaking up their
spirit. In return for their willingness to play weak, the troubadours earned
the right to love. Little has changed since then. Some of the greatest seducers
in recent history-Gabriele D' Annunzio, Duke Ellington, Errol Flynn-understood
the value of acting slavishly to a woman, like a troubadour on bended knee. The
key is to indulge your softer side while still remaininasmasculineas possible.
This may include an occasional show of bashfulness, which the philosopher Sprcn
Kierkegaard thought an extremely seductive tactic for a man-it gives the woman
a sense of comfort, and even of superiority. Remember, though, to keep
everything in moderation. A glimpse of shyness is sufficient; too much of it
and the target will despair, afraid that she will end up having to do all the
work. man's fears and insecurities often concern his sense of masculinity; he
usually will feel threatened by a woman who is too overtly manipulative, who is
too much in control. The greatest seductresses in history knew how to cover up
their manipulations by playing the little girl in need of masculine protection.
A famous courtesan of ancient China, Su Shou, used to make up her face to look
particularly pale and weak. She would also walk in a way that made her seem
frail. The great nineteenth-century courtesan Pearl would literally dress and
act like a little girl. Marilyn Monroe knew how to give the impression that she
depended on a man's strength to survive. In all of these instances, the women
were the ones in control of the dynamic, boosting a man's sense of masculinity
in order to ultimately enslave him. To make this most effective, a woman should
seem both in need of protection and sexually excitable, giving the man his
ultimate fantasy. The Empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, won
dominance over her husband early on through a calculated coquetry. Later on,
though, she held on to that power through her constant-and not so innocent-use
of tears. Seeing someone cry usually has an immediate effect on our emo-
frigate, he was taken by the Sicilian galleys, and carried prisoner to the
Castel-a- mare at Palermo, where he was shut up in an exceeding narrow, dark
and wretched dungeon, and very ill entreated by the space of three months. By
good hap the Governor of the Castle, who was a Spaniard, had two very fair
daughters, who hearing him complaining and making moan, did one day ask leave
of theirfather to visit him, for the honor of the good God; and this he did
freely give them permission to do. And seeing the Captain was of a surety a
right gallant gentleman, and as ready- tongued as most, he was able so to
withem over at this, the very first visit, that they did gain their father's leave
for him to quit his wretched dungeon and to be put in a seemly enough chamber
and receive better treatment. Nor was this all, for they did crave and get
permission to come and see him freely every day and converse with him. • And
this didfall out so well that presently both the twain of them were in love
with him, albeit he was not handsome to look upon, and they very fair ladies.
And so, without a thought of the chance of more rigorous imprisonment or even
death, but rather tempted by such opportunities, he did set himself to the
enjoyment of the two girls with good will and hearty appetite. And these
pleasures did continue without any scandal, for so fortunate was he in this
conquest of his for the space of eight whole months, that no scandal did ever
hap all that time, and no ill, 292 inconvenience, nor any surprise or discovery
at all. For indeed the two sisters had so good an understanding between them
and did so generously lend a hand to each other and so obligingly play sentinel
to one another, that no ill hap did ever occur. And he swore to me, being my
very intimate friend as he was, that never in his days of greatest liberty had
he enjoyed so excellent entertainment orfelt keener ardor or better appetitefor
it than in the said prison-which truly was a right good prison for him,
albeitfolk say no prison can be good. And this happy time did continue for the
space of eight months, till the truce was made betwixt the Emperor and Henri
II., King of France, whereby all prisoners did leave their dungeons and were
released. He sware that never was he more grieved than at quitting this good
prison of his, but was exceeding sorry to leave thesefair maids, with whom he
was in such high favor, and who did express all possible regrets at his
departing. -SEIGNEUR DE BRANT6ME, LIVES OF FAIR & GALLANT LADIES.
TRANSLATED BY A. R. ALLINSON tions: we cannot remain neutral. We feel sympathy,
and most often will do anything to stop the tears-including things that we
normally would not do. Weeping is an incredibly potent tactic, but the weeper
is not always so innocent. There is usually something real behind the tears,
but there may also be an element of acting, of playing for effect. (And if the
target senses this the tactic is doomed.) Beyond the emotional impact of tears,
there is something seductive about sadness. We want to comfort the other
person, and as Tourvel discovered, that desire quickly turns into love.
Affecting sadness, even crying sometimes, has great strategic value, even for a
man. It is a skill you can learn. The central character of the
eighteenth-century French novel Marianne, by Marivaux, would think of something
sad in her past to make herself cry or look sad in the present. Use tears
sparingly, and save them for the right moment. Perhaps this might be a time
when the target seems suspicious of your motives, or when you are worrying
about having no effect on him or her. Tears are a sure barometer of how deeply
the other person is falling for you. If they seem annoyed, or resist the bait,
your case is probably hopeless. In social and political situations, seeming too
ambitious, or too controlled, will make people fear you; it is crucial to show
your soft side. The display of a single weakness will hide a multitude of
manipulations. Emotion or even tears will work here too. Most seductive of all
is playing the victim. For his first speech in Parliament, Benjamin Disraeli
prepared an elaborate oration, but when he delivered it the opposition yelled
and laughed so loudly that hardly any of it could be heard. He plowed ahead and
gave the whole speech, but by the time he sat down he felt he had failed
miserably. Much to his amazement, his colleagues told him the speech was a
marvelous success. It would have been a failure if he had complained or given
up; but by going ahead as he did, he positioned himself as the victim of a
cruel and unreasonable faction. Almost everyone sympathized with him now, which
would serve him well in the future. Attacking your mean-spirited opponents can
make you seem ugly as well; instead, soak up their blows, and play the victim.
The public will rally to your side, in an emotional response that will lay the
groundwork for a grand political seduction. Symbol: The Blemish. A
beautifulface is a delight to look at, but if it is too perfect it leaves us
cold, and even slightly intimidated. It is the little mole, the beauty mark,
that makes the face human and lovable. So do not conceal all of your blemishes.
You need them to soften your features and elicit tender feelings. Disarm
Through Strategic Weakness and Vulnerability • 293 Reversal T iming is
everything in seduction; you should always look for signs that the target is
falling under your spell. A person falling in love tends to ignore the other
person's weaknesses, or to see them as endearing. An unseduced, rational
person, on the other hand, may find bashfulness or emotional outbursts
pathetic. There are also certain weaknesses that have no seductive value, no
matter how in love the target may be. The great seventeenth-century courtesan
Ninon de l'Enclos liked men with a soft side. But sometimes a man would go too
far, complaining that she did not love him enough, that she was too fickle and
independent, that he was beingmistreatedandwronged. For Ninon, such behavior
would break the spell, and she would quickly end the relationship. Complaining,
whining, neediness, and actively appealing for sympathy will appear to your
targets not as charming weaknesses but as manipulative attempts at a kind of
negative power. So when you play the victim, do it subtly, without
overadvertising it. The only weaknesses worth playing up are the ones that will
make you seem lovable. All others should be repressed and eradicated at all
costs. H Confuse Desire and Reality- The Perfect Illusion To compensate for the
difficulties in their lives, people spend a lot of their time daydreaming,
imagining a future full of adventure, success, and romance. If you can create
the illusion that through you they can live out their dreams, you will have
them at your mercy. It is important to start slowly, gaining their trust, and
gradually constructing the fantasy that matches their desires. Aim at secret
wishes that have been thwarted or repressed, stirring up uncontrollable
emotions, clouding their powers of reason. The perfect illusion is one that
does not depart too muchfrom reality, but has a touch of the unreal to it, like
a waking dream, head the seduced to a point of confusion in which they can no
longer tell the difference between illusion and reality. Fantasy in the Flesh I
n 1964, a twenty-year-old Frenchman named Bernard Bouriscout arrived in
Beijing, China, to work as an accountant in the French embassy. His first weeks
there were not what he had expected. Bouriscout had grown up in the French
provinces, dreaming of travel and adventure. When he had been assigned to come
to China, images of the Forbidden City, and of the gambling dens of Macao, had
danced in his mind. But this was Communist China, and contact between
Westerners and Chinese was almost impossible at the time. Bouriscout had to
socialize with the other Europeans stationed in the city, and what a boring and
cliquish lot they were. He grew lonely, regretted taking the assignment, and
began making plans to leave. Then, at a Christmas party that year, Bouriscout's
eyes were drawn to a young Chinese man in a corner of the room. He had never
seen anyone Chinese at any of these affairs. The man was intriguing: he was
slender and and introduced himself. The man, Shi Pei Pu, proved to be a writer
of Chinese-opera librettos who also taught Chinese to members of the French
embassy. Aged twenty-six, he spoke perfect French. Everything about him
fascinated Bouriscout; his voice was like music, soft and whis- pery, and he
left you wanting to know more about him. Bouriscout, although usually shy,
insistedonexchangingtelephone numbers. Perhaps Pei Pu could be his Chinese
tutor. They met a few days later in a restaurant. Bouriscout was the only
Westerner there-at last a taste of something real and exotic. Pei Pu, it turned
out, had been a well-known actor in Chinese operas and came from a family with
connections to the former ruling dynasty. Now he wrote operas about the
workers, but he said this with a look of irony They began to meet regularly,
Pei Pu showing Bouriscout the sights of Beijing. Bouriscout loved his
stories-Pei Pu talked slowly, and every historical detail seemed to come alive
as he spoke, his hands moving to embellish his words. This, he might say, is
where the last Ming emperor hung himself, pointing to the spot and telling the
story at the same time. Or, the cook in the restaurant we just ate in once
served in the palace of the last emperor, and then another magnificent tale
would follow. Pei Pu also talked of life in the Beijing Opera, where men often
played women's parts, and sometimes became famous for it. Lovers and madmen
have such seething brains, \ Such shaping fantasies, that apprehend \ More than
cool reason ever comprehends. -WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
He was not a sex person. He was like . . . somebody who had come down from the
clouds. He was not human. You could notsayhe was a man friend or a woman
friend; he was somebody different anyway. . . . Youfeel he was only a friend
who was coming from another planet and so nice also, so overwhelming and
separated from the life of the ground. -BERNARD BOURISCOUT, IN JOYCE WADLER,
LIAISON Romance had again come her way personified by a handsome young German
officer, Lieutenant Konrad Friedrich, who called upon her at Neuilly to ask her
help. He wanted Pauline [Bonaparte ] to use her 291 298 influence with Napoleon
in connection with providing for the needs of the French troops in the Papal
States. He made an instantaneous impression on the princess, who escorted him
around her garden until they arrived at the rockery. There she stopped and,
looking into the young man's eyes mysteriously, commanded him to return to this
same spot at the same hour next day when she might have some good news for him.
The young officer bowed and took his leave. ... In his memoirs he revealed in
detail what took place after the first meeting with Pauline: • "At the
hour agreed on I again proceeded to Neuilly, made my way to the appointed spot
in the garden and stood waiting at the rockery. I had not been there very long
when a lady made her appearance, greeted me pleasantly and led me through a
side door into the interior oftherockerywhere there were several rooms and
galleries and in one splendid salon a luxurious-looking bath. The adventure was
beginning to strike me as very romantic, almost like a fairy tale, and just as
I was wondering what the outcome might be a woman in a robe of the sheerest
cambric entered by a side door, came up to me, and smilingly asked how I liked
being there. I at once recognized Napoleon's beautiful sister, whose perfect
figure was clearly outlined by every movement of her robe. She held out her
handfor me to kiss and told me to sit down on the couch beside her. On this
occasion I certainly was not the The two men became friends. Chinese contact
with foreigners was restricted, but they managed to find ways to meet. One
evening Bouriscout tagged along when Pei Pu visited the home of a French
official to tutor the children. He listened as Pei Pu told them "The Story
of the Butterfly," a tale from the Chinese opera: a young girl yearns to
attend an imperial school, but girls are not accepted there. She disguises
herself as a boy, passes the exams, and enters the school. A fellow student
falls in love with her, and she is attracted to him, so she tells him that she
is actually a girl. Like most of these tales, the story ends tragically. Pei Pu
told it with unusual emotion; in fact he had played the role of the girl in the
operA few nights later, as they were walking before the gates of the Forbidden
City, Pei Pu returned to "The Story of the Butterfly" "Look at
my hands," he said, "Look at my face. That story of the butterfly, it
is my story too." In his slow, dramatic delivery he explained that his
mother's first two children had been girls. Sons were far more important in
China; if the third child was a girl, the father would have to take a second
wife. The third child came: another girl. But the mother was too frightened to
reveal the truth, and made an agreement with the midwife: they would say that
the child was a boy, and it would be raised as such. This third child was Pei
Pu. Over the years, Pei Pu had had to go to extreme lengths to disguise her
sex. She never used public bathrooms, plucked her hairline to look as if she
were balding, on and on. Bouriscout was enthralled by the story, and also
relieved, for like the boy in the butterfly tale, deep down he felt attracted
to Pei Pu. Now everything made sense-the small hands, the high-pitched voice,
the delicate neck. He had fallen in love with her, and, it seemed, the feelings
were reciprocated. Pei Pu started visiting Bouriscout's apartment, and soon
they were sleeping together. She continued to dress as a man, even in his
apartment, but women in China wore men's clothes anyway, and Pei Pu acted more
like a woman than any oftheChinese women he had seen. In bed, she had a shyness
and a way of directing his hands that was both exciting and feminine. She made
everything romantic and heightened. When he was away from her, her every word
and gesture resonated in his mind. What made the affair all the more exciting
was the fact that they had to keep it secret. In December of 1965, Bouriscout
left Beijing and returned to Paris. He traveled, had other affairs, but his
thoughts kept returning to Pei Pu. The Cultural Revolution broke out in China,
and he lost contact with her. Before he had left, she had told him she was
pregnant with their child. He had no idea whether the baby had been born. His
obsession with her grew too strong, and in 1969 he finagled another government
job in Beijing. Contact with foreigners was now even more discouraged than on
his first visit, but he managed to track Pei Pu down. She told him she had
borne a son, in 1966, but he had looked like Bouriscout, and given the growing
hatred of foreigners in China, and the need to keep the secret of her sex, she
had him sent him away to an isolated region near Russia. It was so cold
there-perhaps he was dead. She showed Bouriscout photographs Confuse Desire and
Reality- of the boy, and he did see some resemblance. Over the next few weeks
they managed to meet here and there, and then Bouriscout had an idea: he
sympathized with the Cultural Revolution, and he wanted to get around the
prohibitions that were preventing him from seeing Pei Pu, so he offered to do
some spying. The offer was passed along to the right people, and soon
Bouriscout was stealing documents for the Communists. The son, named Bertrand,
was recalled to Beijing, and Bouriscout finally met him. Now a threefold
adventure filled Bouriscout's life: the alluring Pei Pu, the thrill of being a
spy, and the illicit child, whom he wanted to bring back to France. In 1972,
Bouriscout left Beijing. Over the next few years he tried repeatedly to get Pei
Pu and his son to France, and a decade later he finally succeeded; the three
became a family In 1983, though, the French authorities grew suspicious of this
relationship between a Foreign Office official and a Chinese man, and with a
little investigating they uncovered Bouriscout's spying. He was arrested, and
soon made a startling confession: the man he was living with was really a
woman. Confused, the French ordered an examination of Pei Pu; as they had
thought, he was very much a man. Bouriscout went to prison. Even after
Bouriscout had heard his former lover's own confession, he was still convinced
that Pei Pu was a woman. Her soft body, their intimate relationship-how could
he be wrong? Onlywhen Pei Pu, imprisoned in the same jail, showed him the
incontrovertible proof of his sex did Bouriscout finally accept it.
Interpretation. The moment Pei Pu met Bouriscout, he realized he had found the
perfect victim. Bouriscout was lonely, bored, desperate. The way he responded
to Pei Pu suggested that he was probably also homosexual, or perhaps
bisexual-at least confused. (Bouriscout in fact had had homosexual encounters
as a boy; guilty about them, he had tried to repress this side of himself.) Pei
Pu had played women's parts before, and was quite good at it; he was slight and
effeminate; physically it was not a stretch. But who would believe such a
story, or at least not be skeptical of it? The critical component of Pei Pu's
seduction, in which he brought the Frenchman's fantasy of adventure to life,
was to start slowly and set up an idea in his victims mind. In his perfect
French (which, however, was full of interesting Chinese expressions), he got
Bouriscout used to hearing stories and tales, some true, some not, but all
delivered in that dramatic yet believable tone. Then he planted the idea of
gender impersonation with his "Story of the Butterfly." By the time
he confessed the "truth" of his gender, Bouriscout was already
completely enchanted with him. Bouriscout warded off all suspicious thoughts
because he wanted tobelieve Pei Pu's story. From there it was easy Pei Pu faked
his periods; it didn't take much money to get hold of a child he could
reasonably pass off as their son. More important, he played the fantasy role to
the hilt, remaining elusive and mysterious (which was what a Westerner would
expect from an The Perfect Illusion • 299 seducer. . . . After an interval
Pauline pulled a hell rope and ordered the woman who answered to prepare a hath
which she asked me to share. Wearing bathgowns of the finest linen we remained
for nearly an hour in the crystal-clear bluish water. Then we had a grand
dinner served in another room and lingered on together until dusk. When I left
I had to promise to return again soon and I spent many afternoons with the
princess in the same way." -HARRISON BRENT, PAULINE BONAPARTE: A WOMAN OF
AFFAIRS The courtesan is meant to be a half-defined, floating figure never
fixing herself surely in the imagination. She is the memory of an experience,
the point at which a dream is transformed into reality or reality into a dream.
The bright colors fade, her name becomes a mere echo-echo of an echo, since she
has probably adopted it from some ancient predecessor. The idea of the
courtesan is a garden of delights in which the lover walks, smelling first this
flower and then that but neverunderstandingwhence comes the fragrance that
intoxicates him. Why should the courtesan not elude analysis? She does not want
to be recognized for what she is, but rather to be allowed to be potent and
effective. She offers the truth of herself- - or, rather, of the passions that
become directed toward her. And what she gives back is one's self and an hour
of grace in her presence. Love revives 300 when you look at her: is that not
enough? She is the generative force of an illusion, the birth point of desire,
the threshold of contemplation of bodily beauty. -LYNNE LAWNER, LIVES OF THE
COURTESANS: PORTRAITS OF THE RENAISSANCE It was on March 16, the same day the
Duke of Gloucester wrote to Sir William, that Goethe recorded the first known
performance of what were destined to be called Emma's Attitudes. Just what
these were, we shall learn shortly. First, it must be emphasized that the
Attitudes were a show for favored eyes only. • . . . Goethe, disciple of
Winckelmann, was at this date thrilled by the human form, as a contemporary
writes. Here was the ideal spectatorfor the classical drama Emma and Sir
William had wrought in the long winter evenings.Let us take our seats beside
Goethe and settle to watch the show as he describes it. • "Sit William Hamilton
. . . has now, after many years of devotion to the arts and the study of
nature, found the acme of these delights in the person of an English girl of
twenty with a beautifulface and a perfect figure. He has had a Greek costume
made for her which becomes her extremely. Dressed in this, he lets down her
hair and, with a few shawls, gives so much variety to her poses, gestures,
expressions, etc. that the spectator can hardly believe his eyes. He sees what
thousands of artists would have liked to Asian woman) while enveloping his past
and indeed their whole experience in titillating bits of history. As Bouriscout
later explained, "Pei Pu screwed me in the head. ... I was having
relations and in my thoughts, my dreams, I was light-years away from what was
true." Bouriscout thought he was having an exotic adventure, an enduring
fantasy of his. Less consciously, he had an outlet for his repressed
homosexuality. Pei Pu embodied his fantasy, giving it flesh, by working first
on his mind. The mind has two currents: it wants to believe in things that are
pleasant to believe in, yet it has a self-protective need to be suspicious of
people. If you start off too theatrical, trying too hard to create a fantasy,
you will feed that suspicious side of the mind, and once fed, the doubts will
not go away. Instead, you must start slowly, building trust, while perhaps
letting people see a little touch of something strange or exciting about you to
tease their interest. Then you build up your story, like any piece of fiction. You
have established a foundation of trust-now the fantasies and dreams you envelop
them in are suddenly believable. Remember: people want to believe in the
extraordinary; with a little groundwork, a little mental foreplay, they will
fall for your illusion. If anything, err on the side of reality: use real props
(like the child Pei Pu showed Bouriscout) and add thefantastical touches in
your words, or an occasional gesture that gives you a slight unreality. Once
you sense that they are hooked, you can deepen the spell, go further and
further into the fantasy. At that point they will have gone so far into their
own minds that you will no longer have to bother with verisimilitude. Wish
Fulfillment I n 1762, Catherine, wife of Czar Peter III, staged a coup against
her ineffectual husband and proclaimed herself empress of Russia. Over the next
few years Catherine ruled alone, but kept a series of lovers. The Russians
called these men th evremienchiki, "the men of the moment," and in
1774 the man of the moment was Gregory Potemkin, a thirty-five-year-old
lieutenant, ten years younger than Catherine, and a most unlikely candidate for
the role. Potemkin was coarse and not at all handsome (he had lost an eye in an
accident). But he knew how to make Catherine laugh, and he worshiped her so
intensely that she eventually succumbed. He quickly became the love of her
life. Catherine promoted Potemkin higher and higher in the hierarchy,
eventually making him the governor of White Russia, a large southwestern area
including the Ukraine. As governor, Potemkin had to leave St. Petersburg and go
to live in the south. He knew that Catherine could not do without male
companionship, so he took it upon himself to name Catherine's subsequent
vremienchiki. She not only approved of this arrangement, she made it clear that
Potemkin would always remain her favorite. Catherine's dream was to start a war
with Turkey, recapture Constan- Confuse Desire and Reality-The Perfect Illusion
• 301 tinople for the Orthodox Church, and drive the Turks out of Europe. She
offered to share this crusade with the young Hapsburg emperor, Joseph II, but
Joseph never quite brought himself to sign the treaty that would unite them in
war. Growing impatient, in 1783 Catherine annexed the Crimea, a southern peninsula
that was mostly populated by Muslim Tartars. She asked Potemkin to do there
what he had already managed to do in the Ukraine- rid the area of bandits,
build roads, modernize the ports, bring prosperity to the poor. Once he had
cleaned it up, the Crimea would make the perfect launching post for the war
against Turkey The Crimea was a backward wasteland, but Potemkin loved the
challenge. Getting to work on a hundred different projects, he grew intoxicated
with visions of the miracles he would perform there. He would establish a
capital on the Dnieper River, Ekaterinoslav ("To the glory of
Catherine"), that would rival St. Petersburg and would house a university
outshining anything in Europe. The countryside would hold endless fields of
corn, orchards with rare fruits from the Orient, silkworm farms, new towns with
bustling marketplaces. On a visit to the empress in 1785, Potemkin talked of
these things as if they already existed, so vivid were his descriptions. The
empress was delighted, but her ministers were skeptical-Potemkin loved to talk.
Ignoring their warnings, in 1787 Catherine arranged for a tour of the area. She
asked Joseph II to join her-he would be so impressed with the modernization of
the Crimea that he would immediately sign on for the war against Turkey.
Potemkin, naturally, was to organize the whole affair. And so, in May of that
year, after the Dnieper had thawed, Catherine prepared for a journey from Kiev,
in the Ukraine, to Sebastopol, in the Crimea. Potemkin arranged for seven
floating palaces to carry Catherine and her retinue down
theriver.Thejourneybegan,andasCatherine,Joseph,and the courtiers looked at the
shores to either side, they saw triumphal arches in front of clean-looking
towns, their walls freshly painted; healthy-looking cattle grazing in the
pastures; streams of marching troops on the roads; buildings going up
everywhere. At dusk they were entertained by bright-costumed peasants, and
smiling girls with flowers in their hair, dancing on the shore. Catherine had
traveled through this area many years before, and the poverty of the peasantry
there had saddened her-she had determined then that she would somehow change
their lot. To see before her eyes the signs of such a transformation
overwhelmed her, and she berated Potemkin's critics: Look at what my favorite
has accomplished, look at these miracles! They anchored at three towns along
the way, staying in each place in a magnificent, newly built palace with
artificial waterfalls in the English-style gardens. On land they moved through
villages with vibrant marketplaces; the peasants were happily at work, building
and repairing. Everywhere they spent the night, some spectacle filled their
eyes-dances, parades, mythological tableaux vivants, artificial volcanoes
illuminating Moorish gardens. Finally, at the end of the trip, in the palace at
Sebastopol, Catherine and express realized before him
inmovementsandsurprisingtransformationsstanding, kneeling, sitting, reclining,
serious, sad, playful, ecstatic, contrite, alluring, threatening, anxious, one
pose follows another without a break. She knows how to arrange the folds of her
veil to match each mood, and has a hundred ways of turning it into a headdress.
The old knight idolizes her and isquite enthusiastic about everything she does.
In her he has found all the antiquities, all the profiles of Sicilian coins,
even the Apollo Belvedere. This much is certain: as a performance it's like
nothing you ever saw before in your life. We have already enjoyed it on two
evenings." -FLORA FRASER, EMMA. LADY HAMILTON For this uncanny is in
reality nothing new or alien, but something which is familiar and old-
established in the mind and which has become alienated from it only through the
process of repression. This reference to the factor of repression enables us,
furthermore, to understand Schelling's definition of the uncanny as something
which ought to have remained hidden but has come to light. . . . • . . . There
is one more point of general application which I should like to add. . . . This
is that an uncanny ffkt is often and easily produced when the distinction
between imagination and reality is effaced, as when something that we have
hitherto regarded as imaginary appears before us in reality, or when a symbol
takes over the full functionsof the thing it symbolizes, and so on. It is this
factor which contributes not a little to the uncanny effect attaching to
magical practices. The infantile element in this, which also dominates the
minds of neurotics, is the overaccentuation of psychical reality in comparison
with material Joseph discussed the war with Turkey. Joseph reiterated his
concerns. Suddenly Potemkin interrupted: "I have 100,000 troops waiting
for me to say 'Go!' " At that moment the windows of the palace were flung
open, and to the sounds of booming cannons they saw lines of troops as far as
the eye could see, and a fleet of ships filling the harbor. Awed by the sight,
images of Eastern European cities retaken from the Turks dancing in his mind,
Joseph II finally signed the treaty. Catherine was ecstatic, and her love for
Potemkin reached new heights. He had made her dreams come true. Catherine never
suspected that almost everything she had seen was pure fakery, perhaps the most
elaborate illusion ever conjured up by one man. reality-a feature closely
allied to the belief in the omnipotence of thoughts. -SIGMUND FREUD, "THE
UNCANNY," IN PSYCHOLOGICAL WRITINGSANDLETTERS Interpretation. In the four
years that he had been governor of the Crimea, Potemkin had accomplished
little, for this backwater would take decades to improve. But in the few months
before Catherine's visit he had done the following: every building that faced
the road or the shore was given a fresh coat of paint; artificial trees were
set up to hide unseemly spots in the view; broken roofs were repaired with
flimsy boards painted to look like tile; everyone the party would see was
instructed to wear their best clothes and look happy; everyone old and infirm
was to stay indoors. Floating in their palaces down the Dnieper, the imperial
entourage saw brand-new villages, but most of the buildings were only facades.
The herds of cattle were shipped from great distances, and were moved at night
to fresh fields along the route. The dancing peasants were trained for the
entertainments; after each one they were loaded into carts and hurriedly
transported to a new downriver location, as were the marching soldiers who
seemed to be everywhere. The gardens of the new palaces were filled with
transplanted trees that died a few days later. The palaces themselves were
quickly and badly built, but were so magnificently furnished that no one
noticed. One fortress along the way had been built of sand, and was destroyed a
little later by a thunderstorm. The cost of this vast illusion had been enormous,
and the war with Turkey would fail, but Potemkin had accomplished his goal. To
the observant, of course, there were signs along the way that all was not as it
seemed, but when the empress herself insisted that everything was real and
glorious, the courtiers could only agree. This was the essence of the
seduction: Catherine had wanted so desperately to be seen as a loving and
progressive ruler, one who would defeat the Turks and liberate Europe, that
when she saw signs of change in the Crimea, her mind filled in the picture.
When our emotions are engaged, we often have trouble seeing things as they are.
Feelings of love cloud our vision, making us color events to coincide with our
desires. To make people believe in the illusions you create, you need to feed
the emotions over which they have least control. Often the best way to do this
is to ascertain their unsatisfied desires, their wishes crying out for
fulfillment. Perhaps they want to see themselves as noble or romantic, but life
has thwarted them. Perhaps they want an adventure. If Confuse Desire and
Reality-The Perfect Illusion something seems to validate this wish, they become
emotional and irrational, almost to the point of hallucination. Remember to
envelop them in your illusion slowly. Potemkin did not start with grand
spectacles, but with simple sights along the way, such as grazing cattle. Then
he brought them on land, heightening the drama, until the calculated climax
when the windows were flung open to reveal a mighty war machine-actually a few thousand
men and boats lined up in such a way as to suggest many more. Like Potemkin,
involve the target in some kind ofjourney, physical or otherwise. The feeling
of a shared adventure is rife with fantasy associations. Make people feel that
they are getting to see and live out something that relates to their deepest
yearnings and they will see happy, prosperous villages where there are only
facades. Here the real journey through Potemkin's fairyland began. It was like
a dream-the waking dream of some magician who had discovered the secret of
materializing his visions. . . . [Catherine] and her companions had left the
world of reality behind. . . . Their talk was of Iphigenia and the ancient
gods, and Catherine felt that she was both Alexander and Cleopatra. - GINA KAUS
Keys to Seduction T he real world can be unforgiving: events occur over which
we have little control, other people ignore our feelings in their quests to get
what they need, time runs out before we accomplish what we had wanted. If we
ever stopped to look at the present and future in a completely objective way,
we would despair. Fortunately we develop the habit of dreaming early on. In
this other, mental world that we inhabit, the future is full of rosy
possibilities. Perhaps tomorrow we will sell that brilliant idea, or meet the
person who will change our lives. Our culture stimulates these fantasies with
constant images and stories of marvelous occurrences and happy romances. The
problem is, these images and fantasies exist only in our minds, or on-screen.
They really aren't enough-we crave the real thing, not this endless daydreaming
and titillation. Your task as a seducer is to bring some flesh and blood into
someone's fantasy life by embodying a fantasy figure, or creating a scenario
resembling that person's dreams. No one can resist the pull of a secret desire
that has come to life before their eyes. You must first choose targets who have
some repression or dream unrealized-always the most likely victims of a
seduction. Slowly and gradually, you will build up the illusion that they are
getting to see and feel and live those dreams of theirs. Once they have this
sensation they will lose contact with reality, and begin to see your fantasy as
more real than anything else. And once they 304 The Art of Seduction lose touch
with reality, they are (to quote Stendhal on Lord Byron's female victims) like
roasted larks that fall into your mouth. Most people have a misconception about
illusion. As any magician knows, it need not be built out of anything grand or
theatrical; the grand and theatrical can in fact be destructive, calling too
much attention to you and your schemes. Instead create the appearance of
normality. Once your targets feel secure-nothing is out of the ordinary-you
have room to deceive them. Pei Pu did not spin the lie about his gender
immediately; he took his time, made Bouriscout come to him. Once Bouriscout had
fallen for it, Pei Pu continued to wear men's clothes. In animating a fantasy,
the great mistake is imagining it must be larger than life. That would border
on camp, which is entertaining but rarely seductive. Instead, what you aim for
is what Freud called the "uncanny," something strange and familiar at
the same time, like a deja vu, or a childhood memory-anything slightly irrational
and dreamlike. The uncanny, the mix of the real and the unreal, has immense
power over our imaginations. The fantasies you bring to life for your targets
should not be bizarre or exceptional; they should be rooted in reality, with a
hint of the strange, the theatrical, the occult (in talk of destiny, for
example). You vaguely remind people of something in their childhood, or a
character in a film or book. Even before Bouriscout heard Pei Pu's story, he
had the uncanny feeling ofsomethingremarkable and fantastical in this
normal-looking man. The secret to creating an uncanny effect is to keep it
subtle and suggestive. Emma Hart came from a prosaic background, her father a
country blacksmith in eighteenth-century England. Emma was beautiful, but had no
other talents to her credit. Yet she rose to become one of the greatest
seductresses in history, seducing first Sir William Hamilton, the English
ambassador to the court of Naples, and then (as Lady Hamilton, Sir William's
wife) Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson. What was strangest when you met her was an
uncanny sense that she was a figure from the past, a woman out of Greek myth or
ancient history. Sir William was a collector of Greek and Roman antiquities; to
seduce him, Emma cleverly made herself resemble a Greek statue, and mythical
figures in paintings of the time. It was not just the way she wore her hair, or
dressed, but her poses, the way she carried herself. It was as if one of the
paintings he collected had come to life. Soon Sir William began to host parties
in his home in Naples at which Emma would wear costumes and pose, re-creating
images from mythology and history. Dozens of men fell in love with her, for she
embodied an image from their childhood, an image of beauty and perfection. The
key to this fantasy creation was some sharedcultural association-mythology,
historical seductresses like Cleopatra. Every culture has a pool of such
figures from the distant and not-so-distant past. You hint at a similarity, in
spirit and in appearance-but you are flesh and blood. What could be more
thrilling than the sense of being in the presence of some fantasy figure going
back to your earliest memories? One night Pauline Bonaparte, the sister of
Napoleon, held a gala affair Confuse Desire and Reality-The Perfect Illusion •
305 in her house. Afterward, a handsome German officer approached her in the
garden and asked for her help in passing along a request to the emperor.
Pauline said she would do her best, and then, with a rather mysterious look in
her eye, asked him to come back to the same spot the next night. The officer
returned, and was greeted by a young woman who led him to some rooms near the
garden and then to a magnificent salon, complete with an extravagant bath.
Moments later, another young woman entered through a side door, dressed in the
sheerest garments. It was Pauline. Bells were rung, ropes were pulled, and
maids appeared, preparing the bath, giving the officer a dressing gown, then
disappearing. The officer later described the evening as something out of a
fairy tale, and he had the feeling that Pauline was deliberately acting the
part of somemythical seductress. Pauline was beautiful and powerful enough to
get almost any man she wanted, and she wasn't interested simply in luring a man
into bed; she wanted to envelop him in romantic adventure, seduce his mind.
Part of the adventure was the feeling that she was playing a role, and was
inviting her target along into this shared fantasy. Role playing is immensely
pleasurable. Its appeal goes back to childhood, where we first leam the thrill
of trying on different parts, imitating adults or figures out of fiction. As we
get older and society fixes a role on us, a part of us yearns for the playful
approach we once had, the masks we were able to wear. We still want to play
that game, to act a different role in life. Indulge your targets in this wish
by first making it clear that you are playing a role, then inviting them to
join you in a shared fantasy. The more you set things up like a play or a piece
of fiction, the better. Notice how Pauline began the seduction with a
mysterious request that the officer reappear the next night; then a second
woman led him into a magical series of rooms. Pauline herself delayed her
entrance, and when she appeared, she did not mention his business with
Napoleon, or anything remotely banal. She had an ethereal air about her; he was
being invited to enter a fairy tale. The evening was real, but had an uncanny
resemblance to an erotic dream. Casanova took role playing still further. He
traveled with an enormous wardrobe and a trunk full of props, many of them
gifts for his targets- fans, jewels, other accouterments. And some of the
things he said and did were borrowed from novels he had read and stories he had
heard. He enveloped women in a romantic atmosphere that was heightened yet
quite real to their senses. Like Casanova, you must see the world as a kind of
theater. Inject a certain lightness into the roles you are playing; try to
create a sense of drama and illusion; confuse people with the slight unreality
of words and gestures inspired by fiction; in daily life, be the consummate
actor. Our culture reveres actors because of their freedom to play roles. It is
something that all of us envy. For years, the Cardinal de Rohan had been afraid
that he had somehow offended his queen, Marie Antoinette. She would not so much
as look at him. Then, in 1784, the Comtesse de Lamotte-Valois suggested to him
that the queen was prepared not only to change this situation but actually to
befriend him. The queen, said Lamotte-Valois, would indicate this in her next
formal reception-she would nod to him in a particular way. During the
reception, Rohan indeed noticed a slight change in the queen's behavior toward
him, and a barelyperceptibleglance at him. He was oveijoyed. Now the countess
suggested they exchange letters, and Rohan spent days writing and rewriting his
first letter to the queen. To his delight he received one back. Next the queen
requested a private interview with him in the gardens of Versailles. Rohan was
beside himself with happiness and anxiety. At nightfall he met the queen in the
gardens, fell to the ground, and kissed the hem of her dress. "You may
hope that the past will be forgotten," she said. At this moment they heard
voices approaching, and the queen, frightened that someone would see them
together, quickly fled with her servants. But Rohan soon received a request
from her, again through the countess: she desperately wanted to acquire the
most beautiful diamond necklace ever created. She needed a go-between to
purchase it for her, since the king thought it too expensive. She had chosen
Rohan for the task. The cardinal was only too willing; in performing this task
he would prove his loyalty, and the queen would be indebted to him forever.
Rohan acquired the necklace. The countess was to deliver it to the queen. Now
Rohan waited for the queen both to thank him and slowly to pay him back. Yet
this never happened. The countess was in fact a grand swindler; the queen had
never nodded to him, he had only imagined it. The letters he had received from
her were forgeries, and not even very good ones. The woman he had met in the
park had been a prostitute paid to dress and act the part. The necklace was of
course real, but once Rohan had paid for it, and handed it over to the
countess, it disappeared. It was broken into parts, which were hawked all over
Europe for enormous amounts. And when Rohan finally complained to the queen,
news of the extravagant purchase spread rapidly. The public believed Rohan's
story-that the queen had indeed bought the necklace, and was pretending
otherwise. This fiction was the first step in the ruin of her reputation.
Everyone has lost something in life, has felt the pangs of disappointment. The
idea that we can get something back, that a mistake can be righted, is
immensely seductive. Under the impression that the queen was prepared to
forgive some mistake he had made, Rohan hallucinated all kinds of things-nods
that did not exist, letters that were the flimsiest of forgeries, a prostitute
who became Marie Antoinette. The mind is infinitely vulnerable to suggestion,
and even more so when strong desires are involved. And nothing is stronger than
the desire to change the past, right a wrong, satisfy a disappointment. Find
these desires in your victims and creating a believable fantasy will be simple
for you: few have the power to see through anillusion they desperately want to
believe in. Confuse Desire and Reality-The Perfect Illusion • 307 Symbol:
Shangri-La. Everyone has a vision in their mind of a perfect place where people
are kind and noble, where their dreams can be realized and their wishes
fulfilled, where life isfull of adventure and romance. Lead the target on
a journey there, give them a glimpse of Shangri- La through the mists on the
mountain, and they willfall in love. Reversal T here is no reversal to this
chapter. No seduction can proceed without creating illusion, the sense of a
world that is real but separate from reality. 15 Isolate the Victim An isolated
person is weak. By slowly isolating your victims, you make them more vulnerable
to your influence. Their isolation may be psychological: by filling their field
of vision through the pleasurable attention you pay them, you crowd out
everything else in their mind. They see and think only of you. The isolation
may also be physical: you take them away from their normal milieu, friends,
family, home. Give them the sense of being marginalized, in limbo-they are
leaving one world behind and entering another. Once isolated like this, they
have no outside support, and in their confusion they are easily led astray.
Lure the seduced into your lair, where nothing is familiar. Isolation-the
Exotic Effect I n the early fifth century B.C., Fu Chai, the Chinese king of
Wu, defeated his great enemy, Kou Chien, the king of Yueh, in a series of
battles. Kou Chien was captured and forced to serve as a groom in Fu Chai's
stables. He was finally allowed to return home, but every year he had to pay a
large tribute of money and gifts to Fu Chai. Over the years, this tribute added
up, so that the kingdom of Wu prospered and Fu Chai grew wealthy One year Kou
Chien sent a delegation to Fu Chai: they wanted to know if he would accept a
gift of two beautiful maidens as part of the tribute. Fu Chai was curious, and
accepted the offer. The women arrived a few days later, amid much anticipation,
and the king received them in his palace. The two approached the throne-their
hair was magnificendy coiffured, in what was called "the cloud-cluster"
style, ornamented with pearl ornaments and kingfisher feathers. As they walked,
jade pendants hanging from their girdles made the most delicate sound. The air
was full of some delightful perfume. The king was extremely pleased. The beauty
of one of the girls far surpassed that of the other; her name was Hsi Shih. She
looked him in the eye without a hint of shyness; in fact she was confident and
coquettish, something he was not used to seeing in such a young girl. Fu Chai
called for festivities to commemoratetheoccasion. The halls of the palace
filled with revelers; inflamed with wine, Hsi Shih danced before the king. She
sang, and her voice was beautiful. Reclining on a couch of white jade, she
looked like a goddess. The king could not leave her side. The next day he
followed her everywhere. To his astonishment, she was witty, sharp, and
knowledgeable, and could quote the classics better than he could. When he had
to leave her to deal with royal affairs, his mind was full of her image. Soon
he brought her with him to his councils, asking her advice on important
matters. She told him to listen less to his ministers; he was wiser than they
were, his judgment superior. Hsi Shill's power grew daily. Yet she was not easy
to please; if the king failed to grant some wish of hers, tears would fill her
eyes, his heart would melt, and he would yield. One day she begged him to build
her a palace outside the capital. Of course, he obliged her. And when he
visited the palace, he was astounded at its magnificence, even though he had
paid the bills: Hsi Shih had filled it with the most extravagant furnishings.
The grounds contained an artificial lake with marble bridges crossing over it.
Fu Chai spent more and more time here, sitting by a pool and watching Hsi In
the state of Wu great preparations had been made for the reception of the two
beauties. The king received them in audience surrounded by his ministers and
all his court. As they approached him the jade pendants attached to their
girdles made a musical sound and the air was fragrant with the scent of their
gowns. Pearl ornaments and kingfisher feathers adorned their hair. • Fu Chai,
the king of Wu, looked into the lovely eyes of Hsi Shih (495-472 B.C.) and
forgot his people and his state. Now she did not turn away and blush as she had
done three yearspreviously beside the little brook. She was complete mistress
of the art of seduction and she knew how to encourage the king to look again.
Fu Chai hardly noticed the second girl, whose quiet charms did not attract him.
He had eyes only for Hsi Shih, and before the audience was over those at court
realized that the girl would be a force to be reckoned with and that she would
be able to influence the king either for good or ill. ..." Amidst the
revelers in the halls of Wu, Hsi Shih wove her net offascination about the
heart of the susceptible monarch. . . . "Inflamed by wine, she now begins
to sing / The songs of Wu to please the fatuous king; / And in the dance of Tsu
she subtly blends /All rhythmic movements to her sensuous ends." . . . But
she could do more than sing and dance to amuse the king. She had wit, and her
grasp of politics astonished him. When there was anything she wanted she could
shed tears which so moved her lover's heart that he could refuse her nothing.
For she was, as Fan Li had said, the one and only, the incomparable Hsi Shih,
whose magnetic personality attracted everyone, many even against their own
will. . . . • Embroidered Shih comb her hair, using the pool as a mirror. He
would watch her playing with her birds, in their jeweled cages, or simply
walking through the palace, for she moved like a willow in the breeze. The
months went by; he stayed in the palace. He missed councils, ignored his family
and friends, neglected his public functions. He lost track of time. When a
delegation came to talk to him of urgent matters, he was too distracted to
listen. If anything but Hsi Shih took up his time, he worried unbearably that
she would be angry. Finally word reached him of a growing crisis: the fortune he
had spent on the palace had bankrupted the treasury, and the people were
discontented. He returned to the capital, but it was too late: an army from the
kingdom of Yueh had invaded Wu, and had reached the capital. All was lost. Fu
Chai had no time to rejoin his beloved Hsi Shih. Instead of letting himself be
captured by the king of Yueh, the man who had once served in his stables, he
committed suicide. Little did he know that Kou Chien had plotted this invasion
for years, and that Hsi Shift's elaborate seduction was the main part of his
plan. Interpretation. Kou Chien wanted to make sure that his invasion of Wu
would not fail. His enemy was not Fu Chai's armies, or his wealth and his
resources, but his mind. If he could be deeply distracted, his mind filled with
something other than affairs of state, he would fall like ripe fruit. Kou Chien
found the most beautiful maiden in his realm. For three silk curtains encrusted
with coral and gems, scented furniture and screens inlaid with jade and
mother-of- pearl were among the luxuries which surrounded the favorite. . . .
On one of the hills near the palace there was a celebrated pool of clear water
which has been known ever since as the pool of the king of Wu. Here, to amuse
her lover, Hsi Shih would make her toilet, using the pool as a mirror while the
infatuated king combed her hair. . . . -ELOISE TALCOTT HIBBERT, EMBROIDERED
GAUZE: PORTRAITS OR FAMOUS CHINESE LADIES years he had her trained in all of
the arts-not just singing, dancing, and calligraphy, but how to dress, how to
talk, how to play the coquette. And it worked: Hsi Shih did not allow Fu Chai a
moment's rest. Everything about her was exotic and unfamiliar. The more
attention he paid to her hair, her moods, her glances, the way she moved, the
less he thought about diplomacy and war. Hewas driven to distraction. All of us
today are kings protecting the tiny realm of our own lives, weighed down by all
kinds of responsibilities, surrounded by ministers and advisers. A wall forms
around us-we are immune to the influence of other people, because we are so
preoccupied. Like Hsi Shih, then, you must lure your targets away, gently,
slowly, from the affairs that fill their mind. And what will best lure them
from their castles is the whiff of the exotic. Offer something unfamiliar that
will fascinate them and hold their attention. Be different in your manners and
appearance, and slowly envelop them in this different world of yours. Keep your
targets off balance with coquettish changes of mood. Do not worry that the
disruption you represent is making them emotional-that is a sign of their
growing weakness. Most people are ambivalent: on the one hand they feel
comforted by their habits and duties, on the other they are bored, and ripe for
anything that seems exotic, that seems to come from somewhere else. They may
struggle or have doubts, but exotic pleasures are irresistible. The more you
can get them Isolate the Victim • 313 into your world, the weaker they become.
As with the king of Wu, by the time they realize what has happened, it is too
late. Isolation-The "Only You" Effect I n 1948, the
twenty-nine-year-old actress Rita Hayworth, known as Hollywood's Love Goddess,
was at a low point in her life. Her marriage to Orson Welles was breaking up,
her mother had died, and her career seemed stalled. That summer she headed for
Europe. Welles was in Italy at the time, and in the back of her mind she was
dreaming of a reconciliation. Rita stopped first at the French Riviera.
Invitations poured in, particularly from wealthy men, for at the time she was
considered the most beautiful woman in the world. Aristotle Onassis and the
Shah of Iran telephoned her almost daily, begging for a date. She turned them
all down. A few days after her arrival, though, she received an invitation from
Elsa Maxwell, the society hostess, who was giving a little party in Cannes.
Rita balked but Maxwell insisted, telling her to buy a new dress, show up a
little late, and make a grand entrance. Rita played along, and arrived at the
party wearing a white Grecian gown, her red hair falling over her bare
shoulders. She was greeted by a reaction she had grown used to: all
conversation stopped as both men and women turned in their chairs, the men
gazing in amazement, the women jealous. A man hurried to her side and escorted
her to her table. It was thirty-seven-year-old Prince Aly Khan, the son of the
Aga Khan III, who was the worldwide leader of the Islamic Ismaili sect andone
of the richest men in the world. Rita had been warned about Aly Khan, a notorious
rake. To her dismay, they were seated next to each other, and he never left her
side. He asked her a million questions-about Hollywood, her interests, on and
on. She began to relax a little and open up. There were other beautiful women
there, princesses, actresses, but Aly Khan ignored them all, acting as if Rita
were the only woman there. He led her onto the dance floor, and though he was
an expert dancer, she felt uncomfortable-he held her a little too close. Still,
when he offered to drive her back to her hotel, she agreed. They sped along the
Grande Corniche; it was a beautiful night. For one evening she had managed to
forget her many problems, and she was grateful, but she was still in love with
Welles, and an affair with a rake like Aly Khan was not what she needed. Aly
Khan had to fly off on business for a few days; he begged her to stay at the
Riviera until he got back. While he was away, he telephoned constantly. Every
morning a giant bouquet of flowers arrived. On the telephone he seemed particularly
annoyed that the Shah of Iran was trying hard to see her, and he made her
promise to break the date to which she had finally agreed. During this time, a
gypsy fortune-teller visited the hotel, and Rita agreed to have her fortune
read. "Youareaboutto embark on the In Cairo Aly bumped into [the singer ]
Juliette Greco again. He asked her to dance. • "You have too bad a
reputation," she replied. "We're going to sit very much apart. "
• "What are you doing tomorrow?" he insisted. • "Tomorrow I take
a plane to Beirut." • When she boarded the plane, Aly was already on it,
grinning at her surprise. . . . • Dressed in tight black leather slacks and a
black sweater [Greco] stretched languorously in an armchair of her Paris house
and observed: • "They say I am a dangerous woman. Well, Aly was a
dangerous man. He was charming in a very special way. There is a kind of man
who is very clever with women. He takes you out to a restaurant and if the most
beautiful woman comes in, he doesn't look at her. He makes youfeel you are a
queen. Of course, I understood it. I didn't believe it. I would laugh and point
out the beautiful woman. But that is me. . . . Most women are made very happy
by that kind of attention. It's pure vanity. She thinks, 'I'll be the one and
the others will leave.' • "... With Aly, how the woman felt was most
important. . . . He was a great charmer, a great seducer. He made you feel fine
and that everything was easy. No problems. Nothing to worry about. Or regret.
It was always, 'What can I do for you? What do you need?' Airplane tickets,
cars, boats; you felt you were on a pink cloud." -LEONARD SLATER, ALY: A
BIOGRAPHY 314 ANNE: Didst thou not kill this king [Henry VI]? \ RICHARD: I
grant ye. . . . \ ANNE: And thou unfit for any place, but hell. \ RICHARD: Yes,
one place else, if you will hear me name it. \ ANNE: Some dungeon. \ RICHARD:
Your bedchamber, \ ANNE: III rest betide the chamber where thou liest! \
RICHARD: So will it, madam, till I lie with you. . . . But gentle Lady Anne . .
. \ Is not the causer of the timeless deaths \ Of these Plantagenets, Henry and
Edward, \ As blameful as the executioner? \ ANNE: Thou wast the cause and most
accursed effect. \ RICHARD: Your beauty was the cause of that effect - \ Your
beauty, that did haunt me in my sleep \ To undertake the death of all the
world, \ So I might live one hour in your sweet bosom. -WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE,
THE TRAGEDY OF KING RICHARD III My child, my sister, dream \ How sweet all
things would seem \ Were we in that kind land to live together, \And there love
slow and long, \ There love and die among \ Those scenes that image you, that
sumptuous weather. \ Drowned suns that glimmer there \ Through
cloud-dishevelled air \ Move me with such a mystery as appears \ Within those
other skies \ Of your treacherous eyes \ When I behold them shining through
their tears. \ There, there is nothing else but grace and measure, \ Richness,
quietness, and pleasure. . . . \ See, greatest romance of your life," the
gypsy told her. "He is somebody you already know. . . . You must relent
and give in to him totally. Only if you do that will you find happiness at long
last." Not knowing who this man could be, Rita, who had a weakness for the
occult, decided to extend her stay. Aly Khan came back; he told her that his chateau
overlooking the Mediterranean was the perfect place to escape from the press
and forget her troubles, and that he would behave himself. She relented. Life
in the chateau was like a fairy tale; wherever she turned, his Indian helpers
were there to attend to her every wish. At night he would take her into his
enormous ballroom, where they would dance all by themselves. Could this be the
man the fortune-teller meant? Aly Khan invited his friends over to meet her.
Among this strange company she felt alone again, and depressed; she decided to
leave the chateau. Just then, as if he had read her thoughts, Aly Khan whisked
her off to Spain, the country that fascinated her most. The press caught on to
the affair, and began to hound them in Spain: Rita had had a daughter with
Welles-was this any way for a mother to act? Aly Khan's reputation did not
help, but he stood by her, shielding her from the press as best he could. Now
she was more alone than ever, and more dependent on him. Near the end of the
trip, Aly Khan proposed to Rita. She turned him down; she did not think he was
the kind of man you married. He followed her to Hollywood, where her former
friends were less friendly than before. Thank God she had Aly Khan to help her.
A year later she finally succumbed, abandoning her career, moving to Aly Khan's
chateau, and marrying him. Interpretation. Aly Khan, like a lot of men, fell in
love with Rita Hayworth the moment he saw the film Gilda, in 1948. He made up
his mind that he would seduce her somehow. The moment he heard she was coming
to the Riviera, he got his friend Elsa Maxwell to lure her to the party and
seat her next to him. He knew about the breakup of her marriage, and how
vulnerable she was. His strategy was to block out everything else in her world-problems,
other men, suspicion of him and his motives, etc. His campaign began with the
display of an intense interest in her life- constant phone calls, flowers,
gifts, all to keep him in her mind. He set up the fortune-teller to plant the
seed. When she began to fall for him, he introduced her to his friends, knowing
she would feel alienated among them, and therefore dependent on him. Her
dependence was heightened by the trip to Spain, where she was on unfamiliar
territory, besieged by reporters, and forced to cling to him for help. He
slowly came to dominate her thoughts. Everywhere she turned, there he was.
Finally she succumbed, out of weakness and the boost to her vanity that his
attention represented. Under his spell, she forgot about his horrid reputation,
relinquishing the suspicions that were the only thing protecting her from him.
It was not Aly Khan's wealth or looks that made him a great seducer. Isolate
the Victim • 315 He was not in fact very handsome, and his wealth was more than
offset by his bad reputation. His success was strategic: he isolated his
victims, working so slowly and subtly that they did not notice it. The
intensity of his attention made a woman feel that in his eyes, at that moment,
she was the only woman in the world. This isolation was experienced as
pleasure; the woman did not notice her growing dependence, how the way he
filled up her mind with his attention slowly isolated her from her friends and
her milieu. Her natural suspicions of the man were drowned out by his intoxicating
effect on her ego. Aly Khan almost always capped off his seductions by taking
the woman to some enchanted place on the globe-a place that he knew well, but
where the woman felt lost. Do not give your targets the time or space to worry
about, suspect, or resist you. Flood them with the kind of attention that
crowds out all other thoughts, concerns, and problems. Remember-people secretly
yearn to be led astray by someone who knows where they are going. It can be a
pleasure to let go, and even to feel isolated and weak, if the seduction is
done slowly and gracefully. Put them in a spot where they have no place to go,
and they will die before fleeing. shelteredfrom the swells \ There in the still
canals \ Those drowsy ships that dream of sailingforth; \ It is to satisfy \
Your least desire, they ply \ Hither through all the waters of the earth. \ The
sun at close of day \ Clothes the fields of hay, \ Then the canals, at last the
town entire \ In hyacinth and gold: \ Slowly the land is rolled \ Sleepward under
a sea of gentle fire. \ There, there is nothing else but grace and measure, \
Richness, quietness, and pleasure. -CHARLES BAUDELAIRE, "INVITATION TO
THEVOYAGE," THE FLOWERS OF EVIL, TRANSLATED BY RICHARD WILBUR -SUN-TZU
Keys to Seduction T he people around you may seem strong, and more or less in
control of their lives, but that is merely a facade. Underneath, people are
more brittle than they let on. What lets them seem strong is the series of
nests and safety nets they envelop themselves in-their friends, their families,
their daily routines, which give them a feeling of continuity, safety, and
control. Suddenly pull the rug out from under them, drop them alone into some
foreign place where the familiar signposts are gone or scrambled, and you will
see a very different person. A target who is strong and settled is hard to
seduce. But even the strongest people canbe made vulnerable if you can isolate
them from their nests and safety nets. Block out their friends and family with
your constant presence, alienate them from the world they are used to, and take
them to places they do not know. Get them to spend time in your environment.
Deliberately disturb their habits, get them to do things they have never done.
They will grow emotional, making it easier to lead them astray. Disguise all
this in the form of a pleasurable experience, and your targets will wake up one
day distanced from everything that normally comforts them. Then they will turn
to you for help, like a child crying out for its mother when the lights are
turned out. In seduction, as in warfare, the isolated target is weak and
vulnerable. In Samuel Richardson's Clarissa, written in 1748, the rake Lovelace
is The Art of Seduction attempting to seduce the novel's beautiful heroine.
Clarissa is young, virtuous, and very much protected by her family. But
Lovelace is a conniving seducer. First he courts Clarissa's sister, Arabella. A
match between them seems likely. Then he suddenly switches attention to
Clarissa, playing on sibling rivalry to make Arabella furious. Their brother,
James, is angered by Lovelace's change in sentiments; he fights with Lovelace
and is wounded. The whole family is in an uproar, united against Lovelace, who,
however, manages to smuggle letters to Clarissa, and to visit her when she is
at the house of a friend. The family finds out, and accuses her of disloyalty.
Clarissa is innocent; she has not encouraged Lovelace's letters or visits. But
now her parents are determined to marry her off, to a rich older man. Alone in
the world, about to be married to a man she finds repulsive, she turns to
Lovelace as the only one who can save her from this mess. Eventually he rescues
her by getting her to London, where she can escape this dreaded marriage, but
where she is also hopelessly isolated. In these circumstances her feelings
toward him soften. All of this has been masterfully orchestrated by Lovelace
himself-the turmoil within the family, Clarissa's eventual alienation from
them, the whole scenario. Your worst enemies in a seduction are often your
targets' family and friends. They are outside your circle and immune to your
charms; they may provide a voice of reason to the seduced. You must work
silently and subtly to alienate the target from them. Insinuate that they are
jealous of your target's good fortune in finding you, or that they are parental
figures who have lost a taste for adventure. The latter argument is extremely
effective with young people, whose identities are in flux and who are more than
ready to rebel against any authority figure,particularly their parents. You
represent excitement and life; the friends and parents represent habit and
boredom. In Shakespeare's The Tragedy of King Richard III , Richard, when still
the Duke of Gloucester, has murdered King Henry VI and his son. Prince Edward.
Shortly thereafter he accosts Lady Anne, Prince Edward's widow, who knows what
he has done to the two men closest to her, and who hates him as much as a woman
can hate. Yet Richard attempts to seduce her. His method is simple: he tells her
that what he did, he did because of his love for her. He wanted there to be no
one in her life but him. His feelings were so strong he was driven to murder.
Of course Lady Anne not only resists this line of reasoning, she abhors him.
But he persists. Anne is at a moment of extreme vulnerability-alone in the
world, with no one to support her, at the height of grief. Incredibly, his
words begin to have an effect. Murder is not a seductive tactic, but the
seducer does enact a kind of killing-a psychological one. Our past attachments
are a barrier to the present. Even people we have left behind can continue to
have a hold on us. As a seducer you will be held up to the past, compared to
previous suitors, perhaps found inferior. Do not let it get to that point. Crowd
out the past with your attentions in the present. If necessary, find waysto
disparage their previous lovers-subtly or not so subtly, depending on the
situation. Even go so far as to open old wounds, making them feel old pain and
seeing by con- Isolate the Victim trast how much better the present is. The
more you can isolate them from their past, the deeper they will sink with you
into the present. The principle of isolation can be taken literally by whisking
the target off to ait exotic locale. This was Aly Khan's method; a secluded
island worked best, and indeed islands, cut off from the rest of the world,
have always been associated with the pursuit of sensual pleasures. The Roman
Emperor Tiberius descended into debauchery once he made his home on the island
of Capri. The danger of travel is that your targets are intimately exposed to
you-it is hard to maintain an air of mystery. But if you take them to a place
alluring enough to distract them, you will prevent them from focusing on
anything banal in your character. Cleopatra lured Julius Caesar into taking a
voyage down the Nile. Moving deeper into Egypt, he was further isolated from
Rome, and Cleopatra was all the more seductive. The early-twentieth-century
lesbian seductress Natalie Barney had an on- again-off-again affair with the
poet Renee Vivien; to regain her affections, she took Renee on a trip to the
island of Lesbos, a place Natalie had visited many times. In doing so she not
only isolated Renee but disarmed and distracted her with the associations of
the place, the home of the legendary lesbian poet Sappho. Vivien even began to
imagine that Natalie was Sappho herself. Do not take the target just anywhere;
pick the place that will have the most effective associations. The seductive
power of isolation goes beyond the sexual realm. When new adherents joined
Mahatma Gandhi's circle of devoted followers, they were encouraged to cut off
their ties with the past-with their family and friends. This kind of
renunciation has been a requirement of many religious sects over the centuries.
People who isolate themselves in this way are much more vulnerable to influence
and persuasion. A charismatic politician feeds off and even encourages people's
feelings of alienation. John F. Kennedy did this to great effect when he subtly
disparaged the Eisenhower years; the comfort of the 1950s, he implied,
compromised American ideals. He invited Americans to join him in a new life, on
a "New Frontier," full of danger and excitement. It was an extremely
seductive lure, particularly for the young, who were Kennedy's most
enthusiastic supporters. Finally, at some point in the seduction there must be
a hint of danger in the mix. Your targets should feel that they are gaining a
greatadventure in following you, but are also losing something-a part of their
past, their cherished comfort. Actively encourage these ambivalent feelings. An
element of fear is the proper spice; although too much fear is debilitating, in
small doses it makes us feel alive. Like diving out of an airplane, it is
exciting, a thrill, at the same time that it is a little frightening. And the
only person there to break the fall, or catch them, is you. Symbol: The Pied
Piper. A jolly fellow in his red and yellow cloak, he lures the childrenfrom
their homes with the delightful sounds of his flute. Enchanted, they do not
notice how far they are walking, how they are leaving their families behind.
They do not even notice the cave he eventually leads them into, and which
closes upon them forever. Reversal T he risks of this strategy are simple:
isolate someone too quickly and you will induce a sense of panic that may end
up in the target's taking flight. The isolation you bring must be gradual, and
disguised as pleasure- the pleasure of knowing you, leaving the world behind.
In any case, some people are too fragile to be cut off from their base of
support. The great modern courtesan Pamela Harriman had a solution to this
problem: she isolated her victims from their families, their former or present
wives, and in place of those old connections she quickly set up new comforts
for her lovers. She overwhelmed them with attention, attending to their every
need. In the case of Averill Harriman, the billionaire who eventually married
her, she literally established a new home for him, one that had no associations
with the past and was full of the pleasures of the present. It is unwise to
keep the seduced dangling in midair for too long, with nothing familiar or
comforting in sight. Instead, replace the familiar things you have cut them off
from with a new home, a new series of comforts. Phase Three ThePrecipice -
Deepening the Effect Through Extreme Measures The goal in this phase is to make
everything deeper-the effect you have on their mind, feelings of love and
attachment, tension within your victims. With your hooks deep into them, you
can then push them back andforth, between hope and despair, until they weaken
and snap. Showing how far you are willing to go for your victims, doing some
noble or chivalrous deed (16: Prove yourself) will create a powerful jolt,
spark an intensely positive reaction. Everyone has scars, repressed desires,
and unfinished business from childhood. Bring these desires and wounds to the
surface, make your victims feel they are getting what they never got as a child
and you will penetrate deep into their psyche, stir uncontrollable emotions
(17: Effect a regression).Now you can take your victims past their limits,
getting them to act out their dark sides, adding a sense of danger to your
seduction (18: Stir up the transgressive and taboo). You need to deepen the
spell, and nothing will more confuse and enchant your victims than giving your
seduction a spiritual veneer. It is not lust that motivates you, but destiny,
divine thoughts and everything elevated (19: Use spiritual lures). The erotic
lurks beneath the spiritual. Now your victims have been properly set up. By
deliberately hurting them, instilling fears and anxieties, you will lead them
to the edge of the precipicefrom which it will be easy to push and make them
fall (20: Mix pleasure with pain). They feel great tension and are yearning for
relief. i6 Prove Yourself Most people want to be seduced. If they resist your
efforts, it is probably because you have not gone far enough to allay their doubts-about
your motives, the depth of your feelings, and so on. One well-timed action that
shows how far you are willing to go to win them over will dispel their doubts.
Do not worry about looking foolish or making a mistake-any kind of deed that is
self-sacrificing and for your targets' sake will so overwhelm their emotions,
they won't notice anything else. Never appear discouraged by people 's
resistance, or complain. Instead, meet the challenge by doing something extreme
or chivalrous. Conversely, spur others to prove themselves by making yourself
hard to reach, unattainable, worth fighting over. Seductive Evidence A nyone
can talk big, say lofty things about their feelings, insist on how much they
care for us, and also for all oppressed peoples in the far reaches of the
planet. But if they never behave in a way that will back up their words, we
begin to doubt their sincerity-perhaps we are dealing with a charlatan, or a
hypocrite or a coward. Flattery and fine words can only go so far. A time will
eventually arrive when you will have to show your victim some evidence, to
match your words with deeds. This kind of evidence has two functions. First, it
allays any lingering doubts about you. Second, an action that reveals some
positive quality in you is immensely seductive in and of itself. Brave or
selfless deeds create a powerful and positive emotional reaction. Don't worry,
your deeds do not have to be so brave and selfless that you lose everything in
the process. The appearance alone of nobility will often suffice. In fact, in a
world where people overanalyze and talk too much, any kind of action has a
bracing, seductive effect. It is normal in the course of a seduction to
encounter resistance. The more obstacles you overcome, of course, the greater
the pleasure that awaits you, but many a seduction fails because the seducer
does not correctly read the resistances of the target. More often than not, you
give up too easily. First, understand a primary law of seduction: resistance is
a sign that the other person's emotions are engaged in the process. The only
person you cannot seduce is somebody distant and cold. Resistance is emotional,
and can be transformed into its opposite, much as, in jujitsu, the physical
resistance of an opponent can be used to make him fall. If people resist you
because they don't trust you, an apparently selfless deed, showing how far you
are willing to go to prove yourself, is a powerful remedy. If they resist
because they are virtuous, or because they are loyal to someone else, all the better-virtue
and repressed desire are easily overcome by action. As the great seductress
Natalie Barney once wrote, "Most virtue is a demand for greater
seduction." There are two ways to prove yourself. First, the spontaneous
action: a situation arises in which the target needs help, a problem needs
solving, or, simply, he or she needs a favor. You cannot foresee these
situations, but you must be ready for them, for they can spring up at any time.
Impress the target by going further than really necessary-sacrificing more
money, more time, more effort than they had expected. Your target will often
use these Loveisa species of warfare. Slack troopers, go elsewhere! \ It takes
more than cowards to guard \ These standards. Night- duty in winter, long-route
marches, every \ Hardship, all forms of suffering: these await \ The recruit
who expects a soft option. You'll often be out in \ Cloudbursts, and bivouac on
the bare \ Ground. . . . Is lasting \ Love your ambition? Then put away all
pride. \ The simple, straightforward way in may be denied you, \ Doors bolted,
shut in your face - \ So be ready to slip down from the roof through a
lightwell, \ Or sneak in by an upper-floor window. She'll be glad \ To know you
're risking your neck, andfor her sake: that will offer \ Any mistress sure
proof of your love. - OVID, THE ART OF LOVE. TRANSLATED BY PETER GREEN The man
says: " . . .A fruit picked from one's own orchard ought to taste sweeter
than one obtained from a stranger's tree, and what has been attained by greater
effort is cherished more dearly than what is gained with little trouble. As the
proverb says: 'Prizes great cannot be won unless some heavy labor's done .• The
woman says: "If no great prizes can be won unless some heavy labor's done,
you must suffer the exhaustion of many toils to be able to attain thefavors you
seek, since what you ask for is a greater prize. " • The man says: "I
give you all the thanks that I can express for sosagely promising me your love
when I have performed great toils. Godforbid that I or any other could win the
love of so worthy a woman without first attaining it by many labors."
-ANDREAS CAPELLANUS ON LOVE. TRANSLATED BY P. G.WALSH One day, [Saint-Preuil]
pleaded more than usual that [Madame de la Maisonfort ] grant him the ultimate
favors a woman could offer, and he went beyond just words in his pleading.
Madame, saying he had gone way too far, ordered him to never ever appear before
her again. He left her room. Only an hour later, the lady was taking her
customary walk along one of those beautiful canals at Bagnolet, when
Saint-Preuil leapt outfrom behind a hedge, totally naked, and standing before
his mistress in this state, he cried out, "For the last time, Madame -
Goodbye!" Thereupon, he threw himself into the canal, head first. The
lady, terrified by such a sight, moments, or even manufacture them, as a kind
of test: will you retreat? Or will you rise to the occasion? You cannot
hesitate or flinch, even for a moment, or all is lost. If necessary, make the
deed seem to have cost you more than it has, never with words, but
indirectly-exhausted looks, reports spread through a third party, whatever it
takes. The second way to prove yourself is the brave deed that you plan and
execute in advance, on your own and at the right moment-preferably some way
into the seduction, when any doubts the victim still has about you are more
dangerous than earlier on. Choose a dramatic, difficult action that reveals the
painful time and effort involved. Danger can be extremely seductive. Cleverly
lead your victim into a crisis, a moment of danger, or indirectly put them in
an uncomfortable position, and you can play the rescuer, the gallant knight.
The powerful feelings and emotions this elicits can easily be redirected into
love. Some Examples 1 . In France in the 1640s, Marion de l'Orme was the
courtesan men lusted after the most. Renowned for her beauty, she had been the
mistress of Cardinal Richelieu, among other notable political and military
figures. To win her bed was a sign of achievement. For weeks the rake Count
Grammont had wooed de l'Orme, and finally she had given him an appointment for
a particular evening. The count prepared himself for a delightful encounter,
but on the day of the appointment he received a letter from her in which she expressed,
in polite and tender terms, her terrible regrets-she had the most awful
headache, and would have to stay in bed that evening. Their appointment would
have to be postponed. The count felt certain he was being pushed to the side
for someone else, for de l'Orme was as capricious as she was beautiful.
Grammont did not hesitate. At nightfall he rode to the Marais, where de l'Orme
lived, and scouted the area. In a square near her home he spotted a man
approaching on foot. Recognizing the Due de Brissac, he immediately knew that
this man was to supplant him in the courtesan's bed. Brissac seemed unhappy to
see the count, and so Grammont approached him hurriedly and said,
"Brissac, my friend, you must do me a service of the greatest importance:
I have an appointment, for the first time, with a girl who lives near this
place; and as this visit is only to concert measures, I shall make but a very
short stay. Be so kind as to lend me your cloak, and walk my horse a little,
until I return; but above all, do not go far from this place." Without
waiting for an answer, Grammont took the duke's cloak and handed him the bridle
of his horse. Looking back, he saw that Brissac was watching him, so he
pretended to enter a house, slipped out through the back, circled around, and
reached de l'Orme's house without being seen. Prove Yourself • 325 Grammont
knocked at the door, and a servant, mistaking him for the duke, let him in. He
headed straight for the lady's chamber, where he found her lying on a couch, in
a sheer gown. He threw off Brissac's cloak and she gasped in fright. "What
is the matter, my fair one?" he asked. "Your headache, to all
appearance, is gone?" She seemed put out, exclaimed she still had the
headache, and insisted that he leave. It was up to her, she said, to make or
break appointments. "Madam," Grammont said calmly, "I know what
perplexes you: you are afraid lest Brissac should meet me here; but you may
make yourself easy on that account." He then opened the window and
revealed Brissac out in the square, dutifully walking back and forth with a
horse, like a common stable boy. He looked ridiculous; de l'Orme burst out
laughing, threw her arms around the count, and exclaimed, "My dear
Chevalier, I can hold out no longer; you are too amiable and too eccentric not
to be pardoned." He told her the whole story, and she promised that the
duke could exercise horses all night, but she would not let him in. They made
an appointment for the following evening. Outside, the count returned the
cloak, apologized for taking so long, and thanked the duke. Brissac was most
gracious, even holding Grammont's horse for him to mount, and waving goodbye as
he rode off. Interpretation. Count Grammont knew that most would-be seducers
give up too easily, mistaking capriciousness or apparent coolness as a sign of
a genuine lack of interest. In fact it can mean many things: perhaps the person
is testing you, wondering if you are really serious. Prickly behavior is
exactly this kind of test-if you give up at the first sign of difficulty, you
obviously do not want them that much. Or it could be that they themselves are
uncertain about you, or are trying to choose between you and someone else. In
any event, it is absurd to give up. One incontrovertible demonstration of how
far you are willing to go will overwhelm all doubts. It will also defeat your
rivals, since most people are timid, worried about making fools of themselves,
and so rarely risk anything. When dealing with difficult or resistant targets,
it is usually best to improvise, the way Grammont did. If your action seems
sudden and a surprise, it will make them more emotional, loosen them up. A
little roundabout accumulation of information-a little spying-is always a good
idea. Most important is the spirit in which you enact your proof. If you are
lighthearted and playful, if you make the target laugh, proving yourself and
amusing them at the same time, it won't matter if you mess up, or if they see
you have employed a little trickery. They will give in to the pleasant mood you
have created. Notice that the count never whined or grew angry or defensive.
All he had to do was pull back the curtain and reveal the duke walking his
horse, melting de l'Orme's resistance with laughter. In one well-executed act,
he showed whathe would do for a night of her favors. began to cry and to run in
the direction of her house, where upon arriving, she fainted. As soon as she
could speak, she ordered that someone go and see what had happened to
Saint-Preuil, who in truth had not stayed very long in the canal, and having
quickly put his clothes back on, hurried to Paris where he hid himselffor
several days. Meanwhile, the rumor spread that he had died. Madame de la
Maisnnfort was deeply moved by the extreme measures he had adopted to prove his
sentiments. This act of his appeared to her to be a sign of an extraordinary
love; and having perhaps noticed some charms in his naked presence that she had
not seen fully clothed, she deeply regretted her cruelty, and publicly stated
her feeling of loss. Word of this reached Saint-Preuil, and he immediately
resurrected himself and did not lose time in taking advantage of such
afavorable feeling in his mistress. - COUNT BUSSY-RABUTIN, HISTOIRES AMOUREUSES
DES GAULES To become a lady's vassal . . . the troubadour was expected to pass
through four stages, i.e.: aspirant, supplicant, postulant, and lover. When he
had attained the last stage of amorous initiation he made a vow of fidelity and
this homage was sealed by a kiss. • In this idealistic form of courtly love
reservedfor the aristocratic elite of chivalry, the phenomenon of love was
considered to be a state of grace, while the initiation that followed, and the
final sealing of the pact-or equivalent of the knightly accolade - were linked
with the rest of a nobleman's training and valorous exploits. The hallmarks of
a true lover and of a perfect knight were almost identical. The lover was bound
to serve and obey his lady as a knight served his lord. In both cases the
pledge was of a sacred nature. - NINA EPTON, LOVE AND THE FRENCH one of the
goodly towns of the kingdomof France there dwelt a nobleman of good birth, who
attended the schools that he might learn how virtue and honor are to be
acquired among virtuous men. But although he was so accomplished that at the
age of seventeen or eighteen years he was, as it were, both precept and example
to others, Love failed not to add his lesson to the rest; and, that he might be
the better harkened to and received, concealed himself in the face and the eyes
of the fairest lady in the whole country round, who had come to the city in
order to advance a suit-at- law. But before Love sought to vanquish the
gentleman by means of this lady's beauty, he had first won her heart by letting
her see the perfections of this young lord; for in good looks, grace, sense and
excellence of speech he was surpassed by none. • You, who know what speedy way
is made by the fire of love when once it fastens on the heart andfancy, will 2.
Pauline Bonaparte, the sister of Napoleon, had so many affairs with different
men over the years that doctors were afraid for her health. She could not stay
with one man for more than a few weeks; novelty was her only pleasure. After
Napoleon married her off to Prince Camillo Borghese, in 1803, her affairs only
multiplied. And so, when she met the dashing Major Jules de Canouville, in
1810, everyone assumed the affair would last no longer than the others. Of
course the major was a decorated soldier, well educated, an accomplished
dancer, and one of the most handsome men in the army. But Pauline, thirty years
old at the time, had had affairs with dozens of men who could have matched that
resume. A few days after the affair began, the imperial dentist arrived chez
Pauline. A toothache had been causing her sleepless nights, and the dentist saw
he would have to pull out the bad tooth right then and there. No painkillers
were used at the time, and as the man began to take out his various
instruments, Pauline grew terrified. Despite the pain of the tooth, she changed
her mind and refused to have it pulled. Major Canouville was lounging on a
couch in a silken robe. Taking all this in, he tried to encourage her to have
it done: "A moment or two of pain and it's over forever. ... A child could
go through with it and not utter a sound." "I'd like to see you do
it," she said. Canouville got up, went over to the dentist, chose a tooth
in the back of his own mouth, and ordered that it be pulled. A perfectly good
tooth was extracted, and Canouville barely batted an eyelash. After this, not
only did Pauline let the dentist do his job, her opinion of Canouville changed;
no man had ever done anything like this for her before. The affair had been
going to last but a few weeks; now it stretched on. Napoleon was not pleased.
Pauline was a married woman; short affairs were allowed, but a deep attachment
was embarrassing. He sent Canouville to Spain, to deliver a message to a
general there. The mission would take weeks, and in the meantime Pauline would
find someone else. Canouville, though, was not your average lover. Riding day
and night, without stopping to eat or sleep, he arrived in Salamanca within a
few days. There he found that he could proceed no farther, since communications
had been cut off, and so, without waiting for further orders, he rode back to
Paris, without an escort, through enemy territory. He could meet with Pauline
only briefly; Napoleon sent him right back to Spain. It was months before he
was finally allowed to return, but when he did, Pauline immediately resumed her
affair with him-an unheard-of act of loyalty on her part. This time Napoleon
sent Canouville to Germany and finally to Russia, where he died bravely in
battle in 1812. He was the only lover Pauline ever waited for, and the only one
she ever mourned. Interpretation. In seduction, the time often comes when the
target has begun to fall for you, but suddenly pulls back. Your motives have
begun toseem dubious-perhaps all you are after is sexual favors, or power, or
money. Most people are insecure and doubts like these can ruin the seductive
illusion. In the case of Pauline Bonaparte, she was quite accustomed to using
men for pleasure, and she knew perfectly well that she was being used in turn.
She was totally cynical. But people often use cynicism to cover up insecurity.
Pauline's secret anxiety was that none of her lovers had ever really loved
her-that all of them to a man had really just wanted sex or political favors
from her. When Canouville showed, through concrete actions, the sacrifices he
would make for her-his tooth, his career, his life- he transformed a deeply
selfish woman into a devoted lover. Not that her response was completely
unselfish: his deeds were a boost to her vanity. If she could inspire these
actions from him, she must be worth it. But if he was going to appeal to the
noble sede of her nature, she had to rise to that level as well, and prove
herself by remaining loyal to him. Making your deed as dashing and chivalrous
as possible will elevate the seduction to a new level, stir up deep emotions,
and conceal any ulterior motives you may have. The sacrifices you are making
must be visible; talking about them, or explaining what they have cost you,
will seem like bragging. Lose sleep, fall ill, lose valuable time, put your
career on the line, spend more money than you can afford. You can exaggerate
all this for effect, but don't get caught boasting about it or feeling sorry
for yourself: cause yourself pain and let them see it. Since almost everyone
else in the world seems to have an angle, your noble and selfless deed will be
irresistible. 3. Throughout the 1890s and into the early twentieth century,
Gabriele D'Annunzio was considered one of Italy's premier novelists and
playwrights. Yet many Italians could not stand the man. His writing was florid,
and in person he seemed full of himself, overdramatic-riding horses naked on
the beach, pretending to be a Renaissance man, and more of the kind. His novels
were often about war, and about the glory of facing and defeating death-an
entertaining subject for someone who had never actually done so. And so, at the
start of World War I, no one was surprised that D'Annunzio led the call for
Italy to side with the Allies and enter the fiay. Everywhere you turned, there
he was, giving a speech in favor of war- a campaign that succeeded in 1915,
when Italy finally declared war on Germany and Austria. D'Annunzio's role so
far had been completely predictable. But what did surprise the Italian public
was what this fifty-two- year-old man did next: he joined the army. He had never
served in the military, boats made him seasick, but he could not be dissuaded.
Eventually the authorities gave him a post in a cavalry division, hoping to
keep him out of combat. Italy had little experience in war, and its military
was somewhat chaotic. The generals somehow lost track of D'Annunzio-who, in any
readily imagine that between two subjects so perfect as these it knew little
pause until it had them at its will, and had so filled them with its clear
light, that thought, wish, and speech were all aflame with it. Youth, begetting
fear in the young lord, led him to urge his suit with all the gentleness
imaginable; but she, being conquered by love, had no need offorce to win her.
Nevertheless, shame, which tarries with ladies as long as it can, for some time
restrained her from declaring her mind. But at last the heart's fortress, which
is honor's abode, was shattered in such sort that the poor lady consented to
that which she had never been minded to refuse. • In order, however, to make
trial of her lover's patience, constancy, and love, she granted him what he
sought on a very hard condition, assuring him that if he fulfilled it she would
love him perfectly forever; whereas, if he failed in it, he would certainly
never win her as long as he lived. And the condition was this: she would be
willing to talk with him, both being in bed together, clad in their linen only,
but he was to ask nothinginore from her than words and kisses. • He, thinking
there was no joy to be compared to that which she promised him, agreed to the
proposal, and that evening the promise was kept; in such wise that, despite all
the caresses she bestowed on him and the temptations that beset him, he would
not break his oath. And albeit his torment seemed to him no less than that of
Purgatory, yet was his love so great and his hope so strong, sure as he felt of
the ceaseless continuance of the love he had thus painfully won, that he
preserved his patience and rose from beside her without having done anything
contrary to her expressed wish. • The lady was, I think, more astonished than
pleased by such virtue; and giving no heed to the honor, patience, and
faithfulness her lover had shown in the keeping of his oath, she forthwith
suspected that his love was not so great as she had thought, or else that he
had found her less pleasing than he had expected. • She therefore resolved,
before keeping her promise, to make afurther trial of the love he bore her; and
to this end she begged him to talk to a girl in her service, who was younger than
herself and very beautiful, bidding him make love speeches to her, so that
those who saw him come so often to the house might think that it was for the
sake of this damsel and not of herself • The young lord,feeling sure that his
own love was returned in equal measure, was wholly obedient to her commands,
and for love of her compelled himself to make love to the girl; and she,
finding him so handsome and well-spoken, believed his lies more than other
truth, and loved him as much as though she herself were greatly loved by him. •
The mistress finding that matters were thus well advanced, albeit the young
lord did not cease to claim her promise, granted him permission to come and see
her at one hour after midnight, saying that after case, had decided to leave
his cavalry division and form units of his own. (He was an artist, after all,
and could not be subjected to army discipline.) Calling himself Commandante, he
overcame his habitual seasickness and directed a series of daring raids,
leading groups of motorboats in the middle of the night into Austrian harbors
and firing torpedoes at anchored ships. He also learned how to fly, and began
to lead dangerous sorties. In August of 1915, he flew over the city of Trieste,
then in enemy hands, and dropped Italian flags and thousands of pamphlets
containing a message of hope, written in his inimitable style: "The end of
your martyrdom is at hand! The dawn of your joy is imminent. From the heights
of heaven, on the wings of Italy, I throw you this pledge, this message from my
heart." He flew at altitudes unheard of at the time, and through thick
enemy fire. The Austrians put a price on his head. On a mission in 1916,
D'Annunzio fell against his machine gun, permanently injuring one eye and
seriously damaging the other. Told his flying days were over, he convalesced in
his home in Venice. At the time, the most beautiful and fashionable woman in
Italy was generally considered to be the Countess Morosini, former mistress of
the German Kaiser. Her palace was on the Grand Canal, opposite the home of
D'Annunzio. Now she found herself besieged by letters and poems from the
writer-soldier, mixing details of his flying exploits with declarations of his
love. In the middle of air raids on Venice, he would cross the canal, barely able
to see out of one eye, to deliver his latest poem. D'Annunzio was much beneath
Morosini's station, a mere writer, but his willingness to brave anything on her
behalf won her over. The fact that his reckless behavior could get him killed
any day only hastened the seduction. D'Annunzio ignored the doctors' advice and
returned to flying, leading even more daring raids than before. By the end of
the war, he was Italy's most decorated hero. Now, wherever in the nation he
appeared, the public filled the piazzas to hear his speeches. After the war, he
led a march on Fiume, on the Adriatic coast. In the negotiations to settle the
war, Italians believed they should have been awarded this city, but the Allies
had not agreed. D'Annunzio's forces took over the city and the poet became a
leader, ruling Fiume for more than a year as an autonomous republic. By then,
everyone had forgotten about his less-than-glorious past as a decadent writer.
Now he could do no wrong. Interpretation. The appeal of seduction is that of
being separated from our normal routines, experiencing the thrill of the
unknown. Death is the ultimate unknown. In periods of chaos, confusion, and
death-the plagues that swept Europe in the Middle Ages, the Terror of the
French Revolution, the air raids on London during World War II-people often let
go of their usual caution and do things they never would otherwise. They
experience a kind of delirium. There is something immensely seductive about
danger, about heading into the unknown. Show that you have a reckless streak
and a daring nature, that you lack the usual fear of death, and you are
instantly fascinating to the bulk of humanity. What you are proving in this
instance is not how you feel toward another person but something about
yourself: you are willing to go out on a limb. You are not just another talker
and braggart. It is a recipe for instant charisma. Any political
figure-Churchill, de Gaulle, Kennedy-whohas proven himself on the battlefield
has an unmatchable appeal. Many had thought of D'Annunzio as a foppish
womanizer; his experience in the war gave him a heroic sheen, a Napoleonic
aura. In fact he had always been an effective seducer, but now he was even more
devilishly appealing. You do not necessarily have to risk death, but putting
yourself in its vicinity will give you a seductive charge. (It is often best to
do this some way into the seduction, making it come as a pleasant surprise.)
You are willing to enter the unknown. No one is more seductive than the person
who has had a brush with death. People will be drawn to you; perhaps they are
hoping that some of your adventurous spirit will rub off on them. 4. According
to one version of the Arthurian legend, the great knight Sir Lancelot once
caught a glimpse of Queen Guinevere, King Arthur's wife, and that glimpse was
enough-he fell madly in love. And so when word reached him that Queen Guinevere
had been kidnapped by an evil knight, Lancelot did not hesitate-he forgot his
other chivalrous tasks and hurried in pursuit. His horse collapsed from the
chase, so he continued on foot. Finally it seemed that he was close, but he was
exhausted and could go no farther. A horse-driven cart passed by; the cart was
filled with loathsome- looking men shackled together. In those days it was the
tradition to place criminals-murderers, traitors, cowards, thieves-in such a
cart, which then passed through every street in town so that people could see
it. Once you had ridden in the cart, you lost all feudal rights for the rest of
your life. The cart was such a dreadful symbol that seeing an empty one made
you shiver and give the sign of the cross. Even so. Sir Lancelot accosted the
cart's driver, a dwarf: "In the name of God, tell me if you've seen my
lady the queen pass by this way?" "If you want to get into this cart
I'm driving," said the dwarf, "by tomorrow you'll know what has
become of the queen." Then he drove the cart onward. Lancelot hesitated
for but two of the horse's steps, then ran after it and climbed in. Wherever
the cart went, townspeople heckled it. They were most curious about the knight
among the passengers. What was his crime? How will he be put to death-flayed?
Drowned? Burned upon a fire of thorns? Finally the dwarf let him get out,
without a word as to the whereabouts of the queen. To make matters worse, no
one now would go near or talk to Lancelot, for he had been in the cart. He kept
on chasing the queen, and all along the way he was cursed at, spat upon,
challenged by other knights. He having so fully tested the love and obedience
he had shown towards her, it was but just that heshould be rewardedfor his long
patience. Of the lover's joy on hearing this you need have no doubt, and he
failed not to arrive at the appointed time. • But the lady, still wishing to
try the strength of his love, had said to her beautiful damsel-"I am well
aware of the love a certain nobleman bears to you, and I think you are no less
in love with him; and I feel so much pity for you both, that I have resolved to
afford you time and place that you may converse together at your ease." •
The damsel was so enchanted that she could not conceal her longings, but
answered that she would notfail to be present. • In obedience, therefore, to
her mistress's counsel and command, she undressed herself and lay down on a
handsome bed, in a room the door of which the lady left half open, whilst
within she set a light so that the maiden's beauty might be clearly seen. Then
she herself pretended to go away, but hid herself near to the bed so carefully
that she could not be seen. • Her poor lover, thinking to find her according to
her promise, failed not to enter the room as softly as he could, at the
appointed hour; and after he had shut the door and put off his garments and fur
shoes, he got into the bed, where he looked to find what he desired. But no
sooner did he put out his arms to embrace her whom he believed to be his
mistress, than the poor girl, believing him entirely her own, had her arms
round his neck, speaking to him the while in such loving words and with so
beautiful a countenance, that there is not a hermit so holy but he would have
forgotten his beads for love of her. • But when the gentleman recognized her
with both eye and ear, and found he was not with her for whose sake he had so
greatly suffered, the love that had made him get so quickly into the bed, made
him risefrom it still more quickly. And in anger equally with mistress and
damsel, he said - "Neither yourfolly nor the malice of her who put you
there can make me other than I am. But do you try to be an honest woman, for
you shall never lose that good name through me. " • So saying he rushed
out of the room in the greatest wrath imaginable, and it was long before he
returned to see his mistress. However love, which is never without hope,
assured him that the greater and more manifest his constancy was proved to be
by all these trials, the longer and more delightful would be his bliss. • The
lady, who had seen and heard all that passed, was so delighted and amazed at
beholding the depth and constancy of his love, that she was impatient to sec
him again in order to ask h is fo rgiven ess for the sorrow that she had caused
him to endure. And as soon as she could meet with him, she failed not to
address him in such excellent and pleasant words, that he not only forgot all his
troubles but even deemed them very fortunate, seeing that their issue was to
the glory of his constancy and the perfect had disgraced knighthood by riding
in the cart. But no one could stop him or slow him down, and finally he
discovered that the queen's kidnapper was the wicked Meleagant. He caught up
with Meleagant and the two fought a duel. Still weak from the chase, Lancelot
seemed to be near defeat, but when word reached him that the queen was watching
the battle, he recovered his strength and was on the verge of killing Meleagant
when a truce was called. Guinevere was handed over to him. Lancelot could
hardly contain his joy at the thought of finally being in his lady's presence.
But to his shock, she seemed angry, and would not look at her rescuer. She told
Meleagant's father, "Sire, in truth he has wasted his efforts. I shall
always deny that I feel any gratitude toward him." Lancelot was mortified
but he did not complain. Much later, after undergoing innumerable further
trials, she finally relented and they became lovers. One day he asked her: when
she had been abducted by Meleagant, had she heard the story of the cart, and
how he had disgraced knighthood? Was that why she had treated him so coldly
that day? The queen replied, "By delaying for two stepsyou showed your
unwillingness to climb into it. That, to tell the truth, is why I didn't wish
to see you or speak with you." Interpretation. The opportunity to do your
selfless deed often comes upon you suddenly. You have to show your worth in an
instant, right there on the spot. It could be a rescue situation, a gift you
could make or a favor you could do, a sudden request to drop everything and
come to their aid. What matters most is not whether you act rashly, make a
mistake, and do something foolish, but that you seem to act on their behalf
without thought for yourself or the consequences. At moments like these,
hesitation, even for a few seconds, can ruin all the hard work of your
seduction, revealing you as self-absorbed, unchival- rous, and cowardly. This,
at any rate, is the moral of Chretien de Troyes's twelfth-century version of
the story of Lancelot. Remember: not only what you do matters, but how you do
it. If you are naturally self-absorbed, learn to disguise it. React as
spontaneously as possible, exaggerating the effect by seeming flustered,
overexcited, even foolish-love has driven you to that point. If you have to
jump into the cart for Guinevere's sake, make sure she sees that you do it
without the slightest hesitation. 5. In Rome sometime around 1531, word spread
of a sensational young woman named Tullia d'Aragona. Bythe standards of the
period, Tullia was not a classic beauty; she was tall and thin, at a time when
the plump and voluptuous woman was considered the ideal. And she lacked the
cloying, giggling manner of most young girls who wanted masculine attention.
No, her quality was nobler. Her Latin was perfect, she could discuss the latest
literature, she played the lute and sang. In other words, she was a novelty,
and since that was all most men were looking for, they began to visit her in
Prove Yourself • 331 great numbers. She had a lover, a diplomat, and the
thought that one man had won her physical favors drove them all mad. Her male
visitors began to compete for her attention, writing poems in her honor, vying
to become her favorite. None of them succeeded, but they kept on trying. Of
course there were some who were offended by her, stating publicly that she was
no more than a high-class whore. They repeated the rumor (perhaps true) that
she had made older men dance while she played the lute, and if their dancing
pleased her, they could hold her in their arms. To Tullia's faithful followers,
all of noble birth, this was slander. They wrote a document that was
distributed far and wide: "Our honored mistress, the well-born and
honorable lady Tullia d'Aragona, doth surpass all ladies of the past, present,
or future by herdazzlingqualities. . . . Anyone who refuses to conform to this
statement is hereby charged to enter the lists with one of the undersigned
knights, who will convince him in the customary manner." Tullia left Rome
in 1535, going first to Venice, where the poet Tasso became her lover, and
eventually to Ferrara, which was then perhaps the most civilized court in Italy.
And what a sensation she caused there. Her voice, her singing, even her poems
were praised far and wide. She opened a literary academy devoted to ideas of
freethinking. She called herself a muse and, as in Rome, a group of young men
collected around her. They would follow her around the city, carving her name
in trees, writing sonnets in her honor, and singing them to anyone who would
listen. One young nobleman was driven to distraction by this cult of adoration:
it seemed that everyone loved Tullia but no one received her love in return.
Determined to steal her away and marry her, this young man tricked her into
allowing him to visit her at night. He proclaimed his undying devotion,
showered her with jewels and presents, and asked for her hand. She refused. He
pulled out a knife, she still refused, and so he stabbed himself. He lived, but
now Tullia's reputation was even greater than before: not even money could buy
her favors, or so it seemed. As the years went by and her beauty faded, some
poet or intellectual would always come to her defense and protect her. Few of
them ever pondered the reality: that Tullia was indeed a courtesan, one of the
most popular and well paid in the profession. Interpretation. All of us have
defects of some sort. Some of these we are born with, and cannot help. Tullia
had many such defects. Physically she was not the Renaissance ideal. Also, her
mother had been a courtesan, and she was illegitimate. Yet the men who fell
under her spell did not care. They were too distracted by her image-the image
of an elevated woman, a woman you would have to fight over to win. Her pose
came straight out of the Middle Ages, the days of knights and troubadours.
Then, a woman, most often married, was able to control the power dynamic
between the sexes by withholding her favors until the knight somehow proved his
worth assurance of his love, the fruit of which he enjoyed from that time as
fully as he could desire. - QUEEN MARGARET OF NAVARRE, THE HEPTAMERON. QUOTED
IN THE VICE ANTHOLOGY , EDITED BY RICHARD DAVENPORT-HINES A soldier lays siege
to cities, a lover to girls' houses, \ The one assaults city gates, the other
front doors. \ Love, like war, is a toss-up. The defeated can recover, \ While
some you might think invincible collapse; \ So ifyou've got love written off as
an easy option \ You'd better think twice. Love calls \ For guts and
initiative. Great Achilles sulks for Briseis - \ Quick, Trojans, smash through
the Argive wall! \ Hector went into battle from Andromache's embraces \
Helmeted by his wife. \ Agamemnon himself, the Supremo, was struck into
raptures \ At the sight of Cassandra's tumbled hair; \ Even Mars was caught on
the job, felt the blacksmith's meshes - \ Heaven's best scandal in years. Then
take \ My own case. I was idle, born to leisure en deshabille, \ Mind softened
by lazy scribbling in the shade. \ But love for a pretty girl soon drove the
sluggard \ To action, made him join up. \And just look at me now-fighting fit,
dead keen on night exercises: \ If you want a cure for slackness, fall in love!
- OVID, THE AMO RES. TRANSLATED BY PETER GREEN and the sincerity of his
sentiments. He could be sent on a quest, or made to live among lepers, or
compete in a possibly fatal joust for her honor. And this he had to do without
complaint. Although the days of the troubadour are long gone, the pattern
remains: a man actually loves to be able to prove himself, to be challenged, to
compete, to undergo tests and trials and emerge victorious. He has a
masochistic streak; a part of him loves pain. And strangely enough, the more a
woman asks for, theworthier she seems. A woman who is easy to get cannot be
worth much. Make people compete for your attention, make them prove themselves
in some way, and you will find them rising to the challenge. The heat of
seduction is raised by such challenges-show me that you really love me. When
one person (of either sex) rises to the occasion, often the other person is now
expected to do the same, and the seduction heightens. By making people prove
themselves, too, you raise your value and cover up your defects. Your targets
are too busy trying to prove themselves to notice your blemishes and faults.
Symbol: The Tournament. On the field, with its bright pennants and caparisoned
horses, the lady looks on as knights fight for her hand. She has heard them
declare love on bended knee, their endless songs and pretty promises. They are
all good at such things. But then the trumpet sounds and the combat begins. In
the tournament there can be no faking or hesitation. The knight she chooses
must have blood on hisface, and afew broken limbs. Reversal W hen trying to
prove that you are worthy of your target, remember that every target sees
things differently. A show of physical prowess not impress someone who does not
value physical prowess; it will just that you are after attention, flaunting
yourself. Seducers must adapt way of proving themselves to the doubts and
weaknesses of the seduced. For some, fine words are better proofs than
daredevil deeds, particularly if they are written down. With these people show
your sentiments in a letter-a different kind of physical proof, and one with
more poetic appeal than some showy bit of action. Know your target well, and
aim your seductive evidence at the source of their doubts or resistance. 17
Effect a Regression People who have experienced a certain kind of in the past
will try to repeat or relive are usually thosefrom earliest childhood, and are
often unassociated with a parental figure. Bring your tartheir emotional
response, they willfall in love with you. Alternatively, you too can regress,
letting them play the role of the protecting, nursing parent. In either case
you are offering the ultimate fantasy: the chance to have an intimate relawith
mommy or daddy, son or daughter. A s adults we tend to overvalue our childhood.
In their dependency and powerlessness, children genuinely suffer, yet when we
get older we conveniently forget about that and sentimentalize the supposed
paradise we have left behind. We forget the pain and remember only the
pleasure. ? Because the responsibilities of adult life are a burden so
oppressive at times that we secretly yearn for the dependency of childhood, for
that perwho looked after our every need, assumed our cares and worries. This
being dependent on the parent is charged with sexual undertones. Give and they
will project all kinds of fantasies onto you, including feelings of or sexual
attraction that they will attribute to something else. We won't admit it, but
we long to regress, to shed our adult exterior and vent childish emotions that
linger beneath the surface. in his career, Sigmund Freud confronted a strange
problem: many of his female patients were falling in love with him. He thought
he knew what was happening: encouraged by Freud, the patient would delve into
would talk about her relationship with her father, her earliest experiprocess
would stir up powerful emotions and memories. In a way, she be transported back
into her childhood. Intensifying this effect was the fact that Freud himself said
little and made himself a little cold and dis, although he seemed to be
caring-in other words, quite like the traditional father figure. Meanwhile the
patient was lying on a couch, in a helpless or passive position, so that the
situation duplicated the roles of parent and child. Eventually she would begin
to direct some of the confused emotions she was dealing with toward Freud
himself. Unaware of what was happening, she would relate to him as to her
father. She would regress and in love. Freud called this phenomenon
"transference," and it would become an active part of his therapy. By
getting patients to transfer some of their repressed feelings onto the
therapist, he would bring their problems into the open, where they could be
dealt with on a conscious level. The transference effect was so potent, though,
that Freud was often unable to move his patients past their infatuation. In
fact transference is a powerful way of creating an emotional attachment-the
goal of any seduc- [In Japan,] much in the traditional way of childrearing
seems to foster passive dependence. The child is rarely left alone, day or
night, for it usually sleeps with the mother. it goes out the child is not
pushed ahead in a pram, to face the world alone, but is tightly bound to the mother's
back in a snug cocoon. When the mother bows, the child does too, so the social
graces are acquired automatically while feeling the mother's heartbeat. Thus
emotional security tends to depend almostentirelyonthephysicalpresence of the
mother. "... Children learn that a show of passive dependence is the best
way to getfavors as well as affection. There is a verb for this in Japanese:
amaeru, translated in the dictionary as "to presume upon another's love;
to play the baby." According to the psychiatrist Doi Takeo this is the
main key to understanding the Japanese personality. It goes on in adult life
too: juniors do it to seniors in companies, or any other group, women do it to
men, men do it to their mothers, and sometimes wives. ....... A magazine called
Young Lady featured an article (January 1982) on "how to make ourselves
beautiful." How, in other , to attract men. An American or European
magazine would then go on to tell the reader how to be sexually desirable, no
doubt suggesting various puff's, creams, and sprays. Not so with Young Lady.
"The most attractive ," it informs us, "are women full of
maternal love. Women maternal love are the types men never want to marry. . . .
One has to look at men through the of a mother. " - IAN BURUMA, BEHIND THE
: ON SEXUAL DEMONS. SACRED MOTHERS. . GANGSTERS, DRIFTERS AND OTHER JAPANESE
CULTURAL HEROES I have stressed the fact that substitute for the ideal ego. Two
people who love each other are interchanging ego-ideals. That they love the
ideal of themselves in the otherone.There would be no love on earth if this
phantom were not there. Wefall in love because we cannot attain the image that
is our better self and the best of our self From this concept it is obvious
that love itself is only possible on a certain cultural level or after a
certain phase in the development of the personality has been reached. The
creation of an ego-ideal itself marks human progress. When are entirely
satisfied tion. The method has infinite applications outside psychoanalysis. To
pracit in real life, you need to play the therapist, encouraging people to talk
memories are so vivid and emotional that a part of us regresses just in talking
about our early years. Also, in the course of talking, little secrets slip out:
we reveal all kinds of valuable information about our weaknesses and our mental
makeup, information you must attend to and remember. Do not take your targets'
words at face value; they will often sugarcoat or overdramatize events in
childhood. But pay attention to their tone of voice, to any nervous tics as
they talk, and particularly to anything they do not want talk about, anything
they deny or that makes them emotional. Many statefor instance, you can be sure
that they are hiding a lot of disappointment- that they actually loved their
father only too much, and perhaps never quite what they wanted from him. Listen
closely for recurring themes and stories. Most important, learn to analyze
emotional responses and see what lies behind them. While they talk, maintain
the therapist's pose-attentive but quiet, making occasional, nonjudgmental
comments. Be caring yet distant- somewhat blank, in fact-and they will begin to
transfer emotions and project fantasies onto you. With the information you have
gathered about their childhood, and the trusting bond you have forged, you can
now begin to effect the regression. Perhaps you have uncovered a powerful
attachment to a parent, a sibling, a teacher, or any early infatuation, a
person who casts a shadow over their present lives. Knowing what it was about
this person that affected them so powerfully, you can now take over that role.
Or perhaps you have learned of an immense gap in their childhood-a neglectful
father, for instance. You act like that parent now, but you replace the
original neglect with the attention and affection that the real parent never
supplied. Everyone has unfinished business from childhood-disappointments,
lacks, painful memories. Finish what is unfinished. Discover what your target
never got and you have the ingredients for a deep-rooted seduction. The key is
not just to talk about memories-that is weak. What you want is to get
peopletoactoutintheir present old issues from their past, without their being
aware of what is happening. The regressions you can effect fall into four main
types. The Infantile Regression. The first bond-the bond between a mother and
her infant-is the most powerful one. Unlike other animals, human babies have a
long period of helplessness during which they are dependent on their mother,
creating an attachment that influences the rest of their lives. The key to
effecting this regression is to reproduce the sense of unconditional love a
mother has for her child. Never judge your targets-let them do whatever they
want, including behaving badly; at the same time surthem with loving attention,
smother them with comfort. A part of Effect a Regression • 331 them will
regress to those earliest years when their mother took care of everything and
rarely left them alone. This works on almost everyone, for unconditional love
is the rarest and most treasured form. You do not even have to tailor your
behavior to anything specific in their childhood; most of us have experienced
this kind of attention. Meanwhile, create atmospheres that reinforce the
feeling you are generating-warm environments, playful activities, bright, happy
colors. with their actual selves, love is impossible. • The of the ego-ideal to
a person is the most characteristic trait of love. -THEODOR REIK, OF LOVE AND
LUST The Oedipal Regression. After the bond between mother and child the
oedipal triangle of mother, father, and child. This triangle forms during the
period of the child's earliest erotic fantasies. A boy wants his mother to
himself, a girl does the same with her father, but they never quite have it
that way, for a parent will always have competing connections a spouse or to
other adults. Unconditional love has gone; now, inevitably, the parent must
sometimes deny what the child desires. Transport your victims back to this
period. Play a parental role, be loving, but also sometimes scold and instill
some discipline. Children actually love a little -it makes them feel that the
adult cares about them. And adult children too will be thrilled if you mix your
tenderness with a little toughness and punishment. Unlike infantile regression,
oedipal regression must be tailored to your target. It depends on the
information you have gathered. Without knowing enough, you might treat a person
like a child, scolding them now and then, only to discover that you are
stirring up ugly memories-they had too with the regression until you have
learned everything you can about their -what they had too much of, what they
lacked, and so on. If the target was strongly attached to a parent, but that
attachment was parnegative, the oedipal regression strategy can still be quite
effective. We always feel ambivalent toward a parent; even as we love them, we
resent having had to depend on them. Don't worry about stirring up these am,
which don't keep us from being tied to our parents. Remember include an erotic
component in your parental behavior. Now your tarare not only getting their
mother or father all to themselves, they are something more, something
previously forbidden but now allowed. gave [S ylphide] the eyes of one girl in
the village, fresh complexion of another. The portraits of great ladies of the
time of Francis 1, Henry IV, and XIV, hanging in our room, lent me
otherfeatures, and I even beauties from the pictures of the Madonna in
churches. This magic invisibly everywhere, I with her as if changed her
appearance according to the degree of without a veil, Diana rose, Thalia in a
laughing mask, Hebe with the goblet of youth-or she became a delusion lasted
two whole years, in the course of which my soul attained the highest peak of
exaltation. -CHATEAUBRIAND, MEMOIRS QUOTED IN FRIEDRICH SIEBURG, CHATEAUBRIAND.
TRANSLATED BY VIOLET M. MACDONALD The Ego Ideal Regression. As children, we
often form an ideal figure out of our dreams and ambitions. First, that ideal
figure is the person we want to be. We imagine ourselves as brave adventurers,
romantic figures. Then, in our adolescence, we turn our attention to others,
often projecting our ideals onto them. The first boy or girl we fall in love
with may seem to have the ideal qualities we wanted for ourselves, or else may
make us feel that we can play that ideal role in relation to them. Most of us
carry these ideals around with us, buried just below the surface. We are
secretly disappointed in how much we have had to compromise, how far below the
ideal we have fallen as we have gotten older. Make your targets feel they are
living out this youthful ideal, and coming closer to being the person they
wanted to be, and you will effect a different kind of regression, creating a feeling
reminiscent of adolescence. The relationship between you and the seduced is in
this instance more equal than in the previous kinds of regressions-more like
the affection between siblings. In fact the ideal is often modeled on a brother
or sister. To create this effect, strive to reprothe intense, innocent mood of
a youthful infatuation. The Reverse Parental Regression. Here you are the one
to regress: you deliberately play the role of the cute, adorable, yet also
sexually charged child. Older people always find younger people incredibly
seductive. In the presence of youth, they feel a little of their own youth
return; but they are in fact older, and mixed into the invigoration they feel
in young people's company is the pleasure of playing the mother or father to
them. If a child has erotic feelings toward a parent, feelings that are quickly
repressed, the parent must deal with the same problem in reverse. Assume the
role of the child in relation to your targets, however, and they get to act out
some of those repressed erotic sentiments. The strategy may seem to call for a
difference in age, but this is actually not critical. Marilyn Monroe's
exaggerated little-girl qualities worked just fine on men her age. Emphasizing
a weakness or vulnerability on your part will give the target a chance to play
the protector. Some Examples 1. The parents of Victor Hugo separated shortly
after the novelist was born, in 1802. Hugo's mother, Sophie, had been carrying
on an affair with her husband's superior officer, a general. She took the three
Hugo boys away from their father and went off to Paris to raise them on her
own. the boys led a tumultuous life, featuring bouts of poverty, frequent
moves, and their mother's continued affair with the general. Of all the boys, Victor
was the most attached to his mother, adopting all her ideas and pet peeves,
particularly her hatred of his father. But with all the turmoil in his
childhood he never felt he got enough love andattention from the mother he
adored. When she died, in 1821, poor and debt-ridden, he was devastated. The
following year Hugo married his childhood sweetheart, Adele, who physically
resembled his mother. It was a happy marriage for a while, but soon Adele came
to resemble his mother in more ways than one: in 1832, he discovered that she
was having an affair with the French literary critic Sainte-Beuve, who also
happened to be Hugo's best friend at the Effect Regression • 339 time. Hugo was
a celebrated writer by now, but he was not the calculating type. He generally
wore his heart on his sleeve. Yet he could not confide in anyone about Adele's
affair; it was too humiliating. His only solution was to have affairs of his
own, with actresses, courtesans, married women. Hugo had a prodigious appetite,
sometimes visiting three different women in the same day. Near the end of 1832,
production began on one of Hugo's plays, and he was to supervise the casting. A
twenty-six-year-old actress named Juliette Drouet auditioned for one of the
smaller roles. Normally quite adroit with the ladies, Hugo found himself
stuttering in Juliette's presence. She was quite simply the most beautiful
woman he had ever seen, and this and her composed manner intimidated him.
Naturally, Juliette won the part. He found himself thinking about her all the
time. She always seemed to be surrounded by a group of adoring men. Clearly she
was not interested in him, or so he thought. One evening, though, after a
performance of the play, he followed her home, to find that she was neither
angry nor surprised- indeed she invited him up to her apartment. He spent the
night, and soon he was spending almost every night there. Hugo was happy again.
To his delight, Juliette quit her career in the theater, dropped her former
friends, and learned to cook. She had loved fancy clothes and social affairs;
now she became Hugo's secretary, rarely leaving the apartment in which he had
established her and seeming to live only for his visits. After a while,
however, Hugo returned to his old ways and started to have little affairs on
the side. She did not complain-as long as she remained the one woman he kept
returning to. And Hugo had in fact grown quite dependent on her. In 1843,
Hugo's beloved daughter died in an accident and he sank into a depression. The
only way he knew to get over his grief was to have an afwith someone new. And
so, shortly thereafter, he fell in love with a young married aristocrat named
Leonie d'Aunet. He began to see Juliette less and less. A few years later,
Leonie, feeling certain she was the preferred one, gave him an ultimatum: stop
seeing Juliette altogether, or it wasover. Hugo refused. Instead he decided to
stage a contest: he would continue to see both women, and in a few months his
heart would tell him which one he preferred. Leonie was furious, but she had no
choice. Her affair with Hugo had already ruined her marriage and her standing
in society; she was dependent on him. Anyway, how could she lose-she was in the
prime of life, whereas Juliette had gray hair by now. So she pretended to go along
with this contest, but as time went on, she grew increasingly resentful about
it, and complained. Juliette, on the other hand, behaved as if nothing had
changed. Whenever he visited, she treated him as she always had, dropping
everything to comfort and mother him. The contest lasted several years. In
1851, Hugo was in trouble with Louis-Napoleon, the cousin of Napoleon Bonaparte
and now the president of France. Hugo had attacked his dictatorial tendencies
in the press, bitterly and perhaps recklessly, for Louis-Napoleon was a
vengeful man. Fearing for the writer's life, Juliette managed to hide him in a
friend's house and arranged for a false passport, a disguise, and safe passage
to Brussels. Everything went according to plan; Juliette joined him a few days
later, carrying his most valuable possessions. Clearly her heroic actions had
won the contest for her. And yet, after the novelty of Hugo's new life wore
off, his affairs resumed. Finally, fearing for his health, and worried that she
could no longer compete with yet another twenty-year-old coquette, Juliette
made a calm but stern demand: no more women or she was leaving him. Taken
completely by surprise, yet certain that she meant every word, Hugo broke down
and sobbed. An old man by now, he got down on his knees and , on the Bible and
then on a copy of his famous novel Les Miserables, he would stray no more.
Until Juliette's death, in 1883, her spell over him was complete.
Interpretation. Hugo's love life was determined by his relationship with his
mother. He never felt she had loved him enough. Almost all the women he had
affairs with bore a physical resemblance to her; somehow he would make up for
her lack of love for him by sheer volume. When Juliette met , she could not
have known all this, but she must have sensed two things: he was extremely
disappointed in his wife, and he had never really up. His emotional outbursts
and his need for attention made him a little boy than a man. She would gain
ascendancy over him for the of his life by supplying the one thing he had never
had: complete, unmother-love. Juliette never judged Hugo, or criticized him for
his naughty ways. She lavished him with attention; visiting her was like
returning to thewomb. In her presence, in fact, he was more a little boy than ever.
How could he refuse her a favor or ever leave her? And when she finally
threatened to leave him, he was reduced to the state of a wailing infant crying
for his mother. In the end she had total power over him. Unconditional love is
rare and hard to find, yet it is what we all crave, since we either experienced
it once or wish we had. You do not have to go as far as
Juliette Drouet; the mere hint of devoted attention, of accepting your lovers
for who they are, of meeting their needs, will place them in an infantile
position. A sense of dependency may frighten them a little, and they may feel
an undercurrent of ambivalence, a need to assert themselves periodically, as
Hugo did through his affairs. But their ties to you will be strong and they
will keep coming back for more, bound by the illusion that they are recapturing
the mother-love they had seemingly lost forever, or never had. 2. Around the
turn of the twentieth century. Professor Mut, a schoolmaster at a college for
young men in a small German town, began to de- Effect Regression velop a keen
hatred of his students. Mut was in his late fifties, and had worked at the same
school for many years. He taught Greek and Latin and was a distinguished
classical scholar. He had always felt a need to impose discipline, but now it
was getting ugly: the students were simply not interested in Homer anymore.
They listened to bad music and only liked modern literature. Although they were
rebellious, Mut considered them soft and undisciplined. He wanted to teach them
a lesson and make their lives miserable; his usual way of dealing with their
bouts of rowdiness was sheer bullying, and most often it worked. One day a
student Mut loathed-a haughty, well-dressed young man named Lohmann-stood up in
class and said, "I can't go on working in this room. Professor. There is
such a smell of mud." Mud was the boys' nickname for Professor Mut. The
professor seized Lohmann by the arm, twisted it hard, then banished him from
the room. He later noticed that Lohmann had left his exercise book behind, and
thumbing through it he saw a paragraph about an actress named Rosa Frohlich. A
plot hatched in Mut's mind: he would catch Lohmann cavorting with this actress,
no doubt a woman of ill repute, and would get the boy kicked out of school. First
he had to find out where she performed. He searched high and low, finally
finding her name up outside a club called the Blue Angel. He went in. It was a
smoke-filled place, full of the working-class types he looked down on. Rosa was
onstage. She was singing a song; the way she looked everyone in the audience in
the eye was rather brazen, but for some reason Mut found this disarming. He
relaxed a little, had some wine. After her performance he made his way to her
dressing room, determined to grill her about Lohmann. Once there he felt
strangely uncomfortable, but he gathered up his courage, accused her of leading
schoolboys astray, and threatened to get the police to close the place down.
Rosa, however, was not intimidated. She turned all of Mut's sentences around:
perhaps he was the one leading boys astray. Her tone was cajoling and teasing.
Yes, Lohmann had bought her flowers and champagne-so what? No one had ever
talked to Mut this way before; his authoritative tone usually made people give
way. He should have felt offended: she was low class and a woman, and he was a
schoolmaster, but she was talking to him as if they were equals. Instead,
however, he neither got angry nor left-something compelled him to stay. Now she
was silent. She picked up a stocking and started to darn it, ignoring him; his
eyes followed her every move, particularly the way she rubbed her bare knee.
Finally he brought up Lohmann again, and the police. "You've no idea what
this life's like," she said. "Everyone who comes here thinks he's the
only pebble on the beach. If you don't give them what they want they threaten
you with the police!" "I certainly regret having hurt a lady's
feelings," he replied sheepishly. As she got up from her chair, their
knees rubbed, and he felt a shiver up his spine. Now she was nice to him again,
and poured him some more wine. She invited him to come back, then left abruptly
to perform another number. The Art of Seduction The next day he kept thinking
about her words, her looks. Thinking about her while he was teaching gave him a
kind of naughty thrill. That night he went back to the club, still determined
to catch Lohmann in the act, and once again found himself in Rosa's dressing
room, drinking wine and becoming strangely passive. She asked him to help her
get dressed; that seemed quite an honor and he obliged her. Helping her with
her corset and her makeup, he forgot about Lohmann. He felt he was being
initiated into some new world. She pinched his cheeks and stroked his chin, and
occasionally let him glimpse her bare leg as she rolled up a stocking. Now
Professor Mut showed up night after night, helping her dress, watching her
perform, all with a strange kind of pride. He was there so often that Lohmann
and his friends no longer showed up. He had taken their place-he was the one to
bring her flowers, pay for her champagne, the one to serve her. Yes, an old man
like himself had bested the youthful Lohmann, who thought himself so suave! He
liked it when she stroked his chin, complimented him for doing things right,
but he felt even more excited when she rebuked him, throwing a powder puff in
his face or pushing him off a chair. It meant she liked him. And so, gradually,
he began to pay for all her caprices. It cost him a pretty penny but kept her
away from other men. Eventually he proposed to her. They married, and scandal
ensued: he lost hisjob, and soon all his money; finally he landed in prison. To
the very end, however, he could never get angry with Rosa. Instead he felt
guilty: he had never done enough for her. Interpretation. Professor Mut and
Rosa Frohlich are characters in the novel The Blue Angel, written by Heinrich
Mann in 1905, and later made into a film starring Marlene Dietrich. Rosa's
seduction of Mut follows the classic oedipal regression pattern. First, the
woman treats the man the way a mother would treat a little boy. She scolds him,
but the scolding is not threatening; it is tender, and has a teasing edge. Like
a mother, she knows she is dealing with someone weak, who cannot help his naughty
behavior. She mixes plenty of praise and approval in with her taunts. Once the
man begins to regress, she adds physical excitement-some bodily contact to
excite him, subtle sexual overtones. As a reward for his regression, the man
may get the thrill of finally sleeping with his mother. But there is always an
element of competition, which the mother figure must heighten. The man gets to
possess her all on his own, something he could not do with father in the way,
but he first has to win her away from others. The key to this kind of
regression is to see and treat your targets as children. Nothing about them
intimidates you, no matter how much authority or social standing they have.
Your manner makes it clear that you feel you are the stronger party. To accomplish
this it may be helpful to imagine or them as the children they once were;
suddenly, powerful people do not seem so powerful and threatening when you
regress them in your imagination. Keep in mind that certain types are more
vulnerable to an Effect Regression • 343 regression. Look for those who, like
Professor Mut, seem outwardly most adult-straitlaced, serious, a little full of
themselves. They are struggling to repress their regressive tendencies,
overcompensating for their weaknesses. Often those who seem the most in command
of themselves are the ripest for regression. In fact they are secretly longing
for it, because their power, position, and responsibilities are more a burden
than a pleasure. 3. Born in 1768, the French writer Francois Rene de Chateaubriand
grew in a medieval castle in Brittany. The castle wascold and gloomy, as if
inhabited by the ghosts of its past. The family lived there in semiseclusion.
Chateaubriand spent much of his time with his sister Lucile, and his attachment
to her was strong enough that rumors of incest made the rounds. But when he was
around fifteen, a new woman named Sylphide entered his -a woman he created in
his imagination, a composite of all the heroines, goddesses, and courtesans he
had read about in books. He was constantly seeing her features in his mind, and
hearing her voice. Soon she was taking walks with him, carrying on
conversations. He imagined her innocent and exalted, yet they would sometimes
do things that were not so innocent. He carried on this relationship for two
whole years, until finally he left for Paris, and replaced Sylphide with women
of flesh and blood. The French public, weary after the terrors of the 1790s,
greeted Chateaubriand's first books enthusiastically, sensing a new spirit in
them. His novels were full of windswept castles, brooding heroes, and
passionate heroines. Romanticism was in the air. Chateaubriand himself
resembled the characters in his novels, and despite his rather unattractive
appearance, women went wild over him-with him, they could escape their boring
marriages and live out the kind of turbulent romance he wrote about.
Chateaubriand's nickname was the Enchanter, and although he was married, and an
ardent Catholic, the number of his affairs increased with the years. But he had
a restless nature-he traveled to the Middle East, to the United States, all
over Europe. He could not find what he was looking for anywhere, and not the
right woman either: after the novelty of an affair wore off, he would leave. By
1807 he had had so many affairs, and still felt so unsatisfied, that he decided
to retire to his country estate, called Vallee aux Loups. He filled the place
with trees from all over the world, transforming the grounds into something out
of one of his novels. There he began to write the memoirs that he envisioned
would be his masterpiece. By 1817, however, Chateaubriand's life had fallen
apart. Money problems had forced him to sell Vallee aux Loups. Almost fifty, he
suddenly felt old, his inspiration dried up. That year he visited the writer
Madame de Stael, who had been ill and was now close to death. He spent several
days at her bedside, along with her closest friend, Juliette Recamier. Madame
Re- camier's affairs were infamous. She was married to a much older man, but they
had not lived together for some time; she had broken the hearts of the most
illustrious men in Europe, including Prince Metternich, the Duke of 344 The Art
of Seduction Wellington, and the writer Benjamin Constant. It had also been
rumored that despite all her flirtations she was still a virgin. She was now
almost forty, but she was the type of woman who seems youthful at any age.
Drawn together by their grief over de Stael's death, she and Chateaubriand
became friends. She listened so attentively to him, adopting his moods and
echoing his sentiments, that he felt that he had at last met a woman who
understood him. There was also something rather ethereal about Madame Recamier.
Her walk, her voice, her eyes-more than one man had compared her to some unearthly
angel. Chateaubriand soon burned with the desire to possess her physically. The
year after their friendship began, she had a surprise for him: she had
convinced a friend to purchase Vallee aux Loups. The friend was away for a few
weeks, and she invited Chateaubriand to spend some time with her at his former
estate. He happily accepted. He showed her around, explaining what each little
patch of ground had meant to him, the memories the place conjured up. He felt
youthful feelings welling up inside him, feelings he had forgotten about. He
delved further into the past, describing events in his childhood. At moments,
walking with Madame Recamier and looking into those kind eyes, he felt a shiver
of recognition, but he could not quite identify it. All he knew was that he had
to go back to the memoirs that he had laid aside. "I intendto employ the
little time that is left to me in describing my youth," he said, "so
long as its essence remains palpable to me." It seemed that Madame Recamier
returned Chateaubriand's love, but as usual she struggled to keep it a
spiritual affair. The Enchanter, however, deserved his nickname. His poetry,
his air of melancholy, and his persistence finally won the day and she
succumbed, perhaps for the first time in her life. Now, as lovers, they were
inseparable. But as always with Chateaubriand, over time one woman was not
enough. The restless spirit returned. He began to have affairs again. Soon he
and Recamier stopped seeing each other. In 1832, Chateaubriand was traveling
through Switzerland. Once again his life had taken a downward turn; only this
time he truly was old, in body and spirit. In the Alps, strange thoughts of his
youth began to assail him, memories of the castle in Brittany. Word reached him
that Madame Recamier was in the area. He had not seen her in years, and he
hurried to the inn where she was staying. She was as kind to him as ever;
during the day they took walks together, and at night they stayed up late,
talking. One day, Chateaubriand told Recamier he had finally decided to finish
his memoirs. And he had a confession to make: he told her the story of
Sylphide, his imaginary lover when he was growing up.He had once hoped to meet
a Sylphide in real life, but the women he had known had paled in comparison.
Over the years he had forgotten about his imaginary lover, but now he was an
old man, and he not only thought of her again, he could see her face and hear
her voice. And with those memories he realized that he had in fact met Sylphide
in real life-it was Madame Re- Effect Regression • 345 camier. The face and
voice were close. More important, there was the calm spirit, the innocent,
virginal quality. Reading to her the prayer to Sylphide he had just written, he
told her he wanted to be young again, and seeing her had brought his youth back
to him. Reconciled with Madame Re- camier, he began to work again on the
memoirs, which were eventually published under the title Memoirsfrom Beyond the
Grave. Most critics agreed that the book was his masterpiece. The memoirs were
dedicated to Madame Recamier, to whom he remained devoted until his death, in
1848. Interpretation. All of us carry within us an image of an ideal type of
person whom we yearn to meet and love. Most often the type is a composite made
up of bits and pieces of different people from our youth, and even of
characters in books and movies. People who influenced us inordinately-a teacher
for instance-may also figure. The traits have nothing to do with superficial
interests. Rather, they are unconscious, hard to verbalize. We searched hardest
for this ideal type in our adolescence, when we were more idealistic. Often our
first loves have more of these traits than our subsequent affairs. For
Chateaubriand, living with his family in their secluded castle, his first love
was his sister Lucile, whom he adored and idealized. But since love with her
was impossible, he created a figure out of his imagination who had all her
positive attributes-nobility of spirit, innocence, courage. Madame Recamier
could not have known about Chateaubriand's ideal , but she did know something
about him, well before she ever met him. She had read all of his books, and his
characters were highly autobiographical. She knew of his obsession with his
lost youth; and everyone knew of his endless and unsatisfying affairs with
women, his hyperrestless spirit. Madame Recamier knew how to mirror people,
entering their spirit, and one of her first acts was to take Chateaubriand to
Vallee aux Loups, where he felt he had left part of his youth. Alive with
memories, he regressed further into his childhood, to the days in the castle.
She actively encouraged this. Most important, she embodied a spirit that came
naturally to her, but that matched his youthfulideal; innocent, noble, kind.
(The fact that so many men fell in love with her suggests that many men had the
same ideals.) Madame Recamier was Lucile/Sylphide. It took him years to realize
it, but when he did, her spell over him was complete. It is nearly impossible
to embody someone's ideal completely. But if you come close enough, if you
evoke some of that ideal spirit, you can lead that person into a deep
seduction. To effect this regression you must play the role of the therapist.
Get your targets to open up about their past, particularly their former loves
and most particularly their first love. Pay attento any expressions of
disappointment, how this or that person did not give them what they wanted.
Take them to places that evoke their youth. In this regression you are creating
not so much a relationship of depen- 346 • The Art of Seduction dency and
immaturity but rather the adolescent spirit of a first love. There is a touch
of innocence to the relationship. So much of adult life involves compromise,
conniving, and a certain toughness. Create the ideal atmosphere by keeping such
things out, drawing the other person into a kind of mutual weakness, conjuring
a second virginity. There should be a dreamlike quality to the affair, as if
the target were reliving that first love but could not quite believe it. Let
all of this unfoldslowly,each encounter revealing more ideal qualities. The
sense of reliving a past pleasure is simply impossible to resist. . Some time
in the summer of 1614, several members of England's upper , including the
Archbishop of Canterbury, met to decide what to about the Earl of Somerset, the
favorite of King James I, who was forty-eight at the time. After eight years as
the favorite, the young earl had accumulated such power and wealth, and so many
titles, that nothing was left for anyone else. But how to get rid of this
powerful man? For the time A few weeks later the king was inspecting the royal
stables when he year-old George Villiers, a member of the lower nobility. The
courtiers who accompanied the king that day watched the king's eyes following
Villiers, and saw with what interest he asked about this young man. Indeed an
angel and a charmingly childish manner. When news of the king's intersupplant
the dreaded favorite. Left to nature, though, the seduction would never happen.
They had to help it along. So, without telling Villiers of their plan, they
befriended him. James was the son of Mary Queen of Scots. His childhood had
been a nightmare: his father, his mother's favorite, and his own regents had
been murdered; his mother had first been exiled, later executed. When James was
young, to escape suspicion he played the part of a fool. He hated the sight of
a sword and could not stand the slightest sign of argument. surrounded himself
with bright, happy young men, and seemed king was inconsolable. He needed
distraction and good cheer, and his faon Villiers, under the guise of trying to
help him advance within the court. They supplied him with a magnificent
wardrobe, jewels, a glittering carriage, the kind of things the king noticed.
They worked on his riding. Effect Regression • 347 fencing, tennis, dancing, Ms
skills with birds and dogs. He was instructed in conspirators managed to get
him appointed the royal cup-bearer; every night he poured out the king's wine,
so that the king could see him up close. After a few weeks, the king was in
love. The boy seemed to crave attention and tenderness, exactly what he yearned
to offer. How wonderful it be to mold and educate him. And what a perfect
figure he had! The conspirators convinced Villiers to break off his engagement
to a young lady; the king was single-minded in Ms affections, and could not
competition. Soon James wanted to be around Villiers all the time, spirit. The
king appointed Villiers gentleman of the bedchamber, making it for them to be
alone together. What particularly charmed James was that Villiers never asked
for anything, which made it all the more deto spoil him. By 1616, Villiers had
completely supplanted the former favorite. He . To the conspirators' dismay,
however, he quickly accumulated even him sweetheart in public, fix his
doublets, comb his hair. James zealously his favorite, anxious to preserve the
young man's innocence. He tended to the youth's every whim, in effect became
his slave. In fact the tered the room, he started to act like a child. The two
were inseparable until the king's death, in 1625. Interpretation. We are most
definitely stamped forever by our parents, in and seduced by the child. They
may play the role of the protector, but in the process they absorb the child's
spirit and energy, relive a part of their own childhood. And just as the child
struggles against sexual feelings toward the parent, the parent must repress
comparable erotic feelings that beneath the tenderness they feel. The best and
most insidious way to seduce people is often to position yourself as the child.
Imagining themstronger, more in control, they will be lured into your web. They
will they have nothing to fear. Emphasize your immaturity, your weakness, and
you let them indulge in fantasies of protecting and parenting you-a desire as
people get older. What they do not realize is that you are getting under their
skin, insinuating yourself-it is the child who is conthe adult. Your innocence
makes them want to protect you, but it is also sexually charged. Innocence is
highly seductive; some people even long play the corrupter of innocence. Stir
up their latent sexual feelings and you can lead them astray with the hope of
fulfilling a strong yet repressed gin to regress as well, infected by your
childish, playful spirit. Most of this came naturally to Villiers, but you will
probably have to use some calculation. Fortunately, all of us have strong
childish tendencies within us that are easy to access and exaggerate. Make your
gestures seem spontaneous and unplanned. Any sexual element of your behavior
should seem innocent, unconscious. Like Villiers, don't push for favors.
Parents prefer to spoil children who don't ask for things but invite them in
their manner. Seeming nonjudgmental and uncritical of those around you will
make everything you do seem more natural and naive. Have a happy, cheerful
demeanor, but with a playful edge. Emphasize any weaknesses you might have,
things you cannot control. Remember: most of us remember our early years
fondly, but often, paradoxically, the people with the strongest attachment to
those times are the ones who had the most difficult childhoods. Actually,
circumstances kept them from getting to be children, so they never really grew
up, and they long for the paradise they never got to experience. James I falls
into this category. These types are ripe targets for a reverse regression.
Symbol: The Bed. Lying alone in bed, the child feels unprotected, afraid, and
needy. In a nearby room, there is the parent's bed. It is large and forbidding,
site of things you are not supposed to know about. Give the seduced both
feelings-helplessness and transgression-as you lay them into bed and put them
to sleep. Reversal T o reverse the strategies of regression, the parties to a
seduction would have to remain adults during the process. This is not only
rare, it is not very pleasurable. Seduction means realizing certain fantasies.
Being a mture and responsible adult is not a fantasy, it is a duty.
Furthermore, a person who remains an adult in relation to you is harder to
seduce. In all kinds of seduction-political, media, personal-the target must
regress. The only danger is that the child, wearying of dependence, turns
against the parent and rebels. You must be prepared for this, and unlike a
parent, never take it personally. i8 Stir Up the Transgressive and Taboo There
are always social limits on what one can do. of these, the most elemental
taboos, go back centuries; others are more superficial, simply defining polite
and acceptable behavior. Making your targets feel that you are leading them
past either kind of limit is immensely seductive. People yearn to explore their
dark side. Not everything in romantic love is supposed to be tender and soft;
hint that you have a cruel, even sadistic streak. the desire to transgress
draws your targets to you, it will be hardfor them to stop. Take themfurther
than they imagined-the shared feeling of guilt and complicity will create a
powerful bond.The Lost Self I n March of 1812,the twenty-four-year-old George
Gordon Byron published the first cantos of his poem Childe Harold. The poem was
filled with familiar gothic imagery-a dilapidated abbey, debauchery, travels to
the mysterious East-but what made it different was that the hero of the poem
was also its villain: Harold was a man who led a life of vice, disdaining
society's conventions yet somehow going unpunished. Also, the poem was not set
in some faraway land but in present-day England. Childe Harold created an
instant stir, becoming the talk of London. The first printing quickly sold out.
Within days a rumor made the rounds: the poem, about a debauched young
nobleman, was in fact autobiographical. Now the cream of society clamored to
meet Lord Byron, and many of them left their calling cards at his London
residence. Soon he was showing up at their homes. Strangely enough, he exceeded
their expectations. He was devilishly handsome, with curling hair and the face
of an angel. His black attire set off his pale complexion. He did not talk much,
which made an impression of itself, and when he did, his voice was low and
hypnotic and his tone a little disdainful. He had a limp (he was born with a
clubfoot), so when an orchestra struck up a waltz (the dance craze of 1812), he
would stand to the side, a faraway look in his eye. The ladieswent wild over
Byron. Upon meeting him. Lady Roseberry felt her heart beating so violently (a
mix of fear and excitement) that she had to walk away. Women fought to be
seated next to him, to win his attention, to be seduced by him. Was it true
that he was guilty of a secret sin, like the hero of his poem? Lady Caroline
Lamb-wife of William Lamb, son of Lord and Lady Melbourne-was a glittering
young woman on the social scene, but deep inside she was unhappy. As a young
girl she had dreamt of adventure, romance, travel. Now she was expected to play
the role of the polite young wife, and it did not suit her. Lady Caroline was
one of the first to read Childe Harold, and something more than its novelty
stirred her. When she saw Lord Byron at a dinner party, surrounded by women,
she looked at his face, then walked away; that night she wrote of him in her
journal, "Mad, bad, and dangerous to know." She added, "That
beautiful pale face is my fate." The next day, to Lady Caroline's
surprise. Lord Byron called on her. Evidently he had seen her walking away from
him, and her shyness had intrigued him-he disliked the aggressive women who
were constantly at his It is a matter of a certain hind of feeling: that of
being overwhelmed. There are many who have a great fear of bring overwhelmed by
someone; for example, someonewhomakes them laugh against their will, or tickles
them to death, or, worse, tells them things that they sense to be accurate but
which they do not quite understand, things that go beyond their prejudices and
received wisdom, In other words, they do not want to be seduced, since
seduction means confronting people with their limits, limits that are supposed
to be set and stable but that the seducer suddenly causes to . Seduction is the
desire of being overwhelmed, taken beyond. -DANIEL SIBONY, L'AMOUR INCONSCIENT
Just lately I saw a tight- reined stallion \ Get the bit in his teeth and bolt
\ Like lightning-yet the minute hefelt the reins slacken, \ Drop loose on his flying
mane, \ He stopped dead. We eternally chafe at restrictions, covet \ Whatever's
forbidden. (Look how a sick man who's told \ No immersion hangs round the
bathhouse.) \ . . . Desire \ Mounts for what's kept out of reach. A thief s
attracted \ By burglar-proof premises. How often will love \ Thrive on a
rival's approval? It's not your wife's beauty, but your own \ Passion for her
that gets -she must \ Have something, just to have hooked you. A girl locked up
by her \ Husband's not chaste but pursued, her fear's \ A bigger draw than her
figure. Illicit passion - like it \ Or not-is sweeter. It only turns me on \
When the girl says, "I'm frightened." - OVID, THE AM ORES,TRANSLATED
BY PETER GREEN It is often not possible for [women] later on to undo the connection
thus formed in their minds between sensual activities and something forbidden,
and they turn out to be psychically impotent, i.e. frigid, when at last such
activities do become permissible. This is the source of the desire in so many
women to keep even legitimate relations secret for a time; and of the
appearance of the capacity for normal sensation in others as soon as the
condition of prohibition is restored by a secret intrigue-untrue to the
husband, they can keep a second order offaith with the lover. • In my opinion
the necessary condition of forbiddenness in the erotic life of women holds the
same place as the man's heels, as it seemed he disdained everything, including
his success. Soon he was visiting Lady Caroline daily. He lingered in her boudoir,
played with her children, helped her choose her dress for the day. She pressed
him to talk of his life: he described his brutal father, the untimely deaths
that seemed to be a family curse, the crumbling abbey he had inherited, his
adventures in Turkey and Greece. His life was indeed as gothic as that of
Childe Harold. Within days the two became lovers. Now, though, the tables
turned: Lady Caroline pursued Byron with unladylike aggression. She dressed as
a page and sneakedintohiscarriage,wrotehimextravagantly emotional letters,
flaunted the affair. At last, a chance to play the grand romantic role of her
girlhood fantasies. Byron began to turn against her. He already loved to shock;
now he confessed to her the nature of the secret sin he had alluded to in
Childe Harold -his homosexual affairs during his travels. He made cruel
remarks, grew indifferent. But this only seemed to push her further. She sent
him the customary lock of hair, but from her pubis; she followed him in the
street, made public scenes-finally her family sent her abroad to avoid further
scandal. After Byron made it clear the affair was over, she descended into a
madness that would last several years. In 1813, an old friend of Byron's, James
Webster, invited the poet to stay at his country estate. Webster had a young
and beautiful wife. Lady Frances, and he knew Byron's reputation as a seducer,
but his wife was quiet and chaste-surely she would resist the temptation of a
man such as Byron. To Webster's relief, Byron barely spoke to Frances, who
seemed equally uninterested in him. Yet several days into Byron's stay, she
contrived to be alone with him in the billiards room, where she asked him a
question: how could a woman who liked a man inform him of it when he did not
perceive it? Byron scribbled a racy reply on a piece of paper, which made her
blush as she read it. Soon thereafter he invited the couple to stay with him at
his infamous abbey. There, the prim and proper Lady Frances saw him drink wine
from a human skull. They stayed up late in one of the abbey's secret chambers,
reading poetry and kissing. With Byron, it seemed. Lady Frances was only too
eager to explore adultery. That same year. Lord Byron's half sister Augusta
arrived in London to get away from her husband, who was having money troubles.
Byron had not seen Augusta for some time. The two were physically similar-the
same face, the same mannerisms; she was Lord Byron as a woman. And his behavior
toward her was more than brotherly. He took her to the theater, to dances, received
her at home, treating her with an intimate spirit that Augusta soon returned.
Indeed the kind and tender attention that Byron showered on her soon became
physical. Augusta was a devoted wife with three children, yet she yielded to
her half brother's advances. How could she help herself? He stirred up a
strange passion in her, a stronger passion than she felt for any other man,
including her husband. For Byron, his relationship with Augusta was the
ultimate and crowning sin of his career. And soon he was writing to his
friends, openly Stir Up the Transgressive and Taboo • 353 confessing it. Indeed
he delighted in their shocked responses, andhislong narrative poem. The Bride
ofAbydos, takes brother-sister incest as its theme. Rumors began to spread of
Byron's relations with Augusta, who was now pregnant with his child. Polite
society shunned him-but women were more drawn to him than before, and his books
were more popular than ever. Annabella Milbanke, Lady Caroline Lamb's cousin,
had met Byron in those first months of 1812 when he was the toast of London.
Annabella was sober and down to earth, and her interests were science and
religion. But there was something about Byron that attracted her. And the
feeling seemed to be returned: not only did the two become friends, to her
bewilderment he showed another kind of interest in her, even at one point
proposing marriage. This was in the midst of the scandal over Byron and
Caroline Lamb, and Annabella did not take the proposal seriously. Over the next
few months she followed his career from a distance, and heard the rumors of
incest. Yet in 1813, she wrote her aunt, "I consider his acquaintance as
so desirable that I would incur the risk of being called a Flirt for the sake
of enjoying it." Reading his new poems, she wrote that his
"description of Love almost makes me in love." She was developing an
obsession with Byron, of which word soon reached him. They renewed their
friendship, and in 1814 he proposed again; this time she accepted. Byron was a
fallen angel and she would be the one to reform him. It did not turn out that
way. Byron had hoped that married life would calm him down, but after the
ceremony he realized it was a mistake. He told Annabella, "Now you will
find that you have married a devil." Within a few years the marriage fell
apart. In 1816, Byron left England, never to return. He traveled through Italy
for a while; everyone knew his story-the affairs, the incest, the cruelty to
his lovers. But wherever he went, Italian women, particularly married noblewomen,
pursued him, making it clear in their own way how prepared they were to be the
next Byronic victim. In truth, the women had become the aggressors. As Byron
told the poet Shelley, "No one has been more carried off than poor dear
me-I've been ravished more often than anyone since the Trojan war."
Interpretation. Women of Byron's time were longing to play a different role
than society allowed them. They were supposed to be the decent, moralizing
force in culture; only men had outlets for their darker impulses. Underlying
the social restrictions on women, perhaps, was a fear of the more amoral and
unbridled part of the female psyche. Feeling repressed and restless, women of
the time devoured gothic novels and romances, stories in which womenwere
adventurous, and had the same capacity for good and evil as men. Books like
these helped to trigger a revolt, with women like Lady Caroline playing out a
little of the fantasy life they had had in their girlhood, where it had to some
extent been permit- need to lower his sexual object. . . . Women belonging to
the higher levels of civilization do not usually transgress the prohibition
against sexual activities during the period of waiting, and thus they acquire
this close association between the forbidden and the sexual. . . . • The
injurious results of the deprivation of sexual enjoyment at the beginning
manifest themselves in lack offull satisfaction when sexual desire is later
given free rein in marriage. But, on the other hand, unrestrained sexual
liberty from the beginning leads to no better result. It is easy to show that
the value the mind sets on erotic needs instantly sinks as soon as satisfaction
becomes readily obtainable. Some obstacle is necessary to swell the tide of the
libido to its height; and at all periods of , wherever natural barriers in the
way of satisfaction have not sufficed, mankind has erected conventional ones in
to be able to enjoy . This is true both of individuals and of nations. In times
during which no obstacles to sexual existed, such as, maybe, during the decline
of the civilizations of antiquity, love became worthless, lifebecameempty, and
strong reaction- formations were necessary before the indispensable emotional
value of love could be recovered. -SIGMUND FREUD, "CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
PSYCHOLOGY OF LOVE," SEXUALITY AND THE PSYCHOLOGY OF LOVE, TRANSLATED BY
JOAN RIVIERE This is how Monsieur Maudair analyzed men's toward prostitutes:
Neither the love of a passionate but well- brought-up mistress, nor his
marriage to a woman he respects, can replace the prostitute for the animal in
those moments when he covets the pleasure of himself without his social
prestige. can replace this bizarre and powerful of being able to parody without
any fear of revolt against organized society, his organized, educated self and
especially his Mauclair hears the call of Devil in this dark poetized by
prostitute represents the us to put aside our ." LOVE AND THE FRENCH
brought them joy; spoil their game, he only them the more passionate about it,
God . ... so it was with Tristan and Isolde. As soon as they wereforbidden
their desires, and prevented from enjoying one another by spies and guards,
they began to suffer intensely. Desire now seriously tormented them by its
magic, many times worse than before; their need for one another was more ted.
Byron arrived on the scene at the right time. He became the lightning rod for
women's unexpressed desires; with him they could go beyond the limits society
had imposed. For some the lure was adultery, for others it was romantic
rebellion, or a chance to become irrational and uncivilized. (The desire to
reform him merely covered up the truth-the desire to be overwhelmed by him.) In
all cases it was the lure of the forbidden, which in this case was more than
merely a superficial temptation: once you became involved with Lord Byron, he
took you further than you had imagined or wanted, since he recognized no
limits. Women did notjust fall in love with him, they let him turn their lives
upside down, even ruin them. They preferred that fate to the safe confines of
marriage. In some ways, the situation of women in the early nineteenth century
has become generalized in the early twenty-first. The outlets for male bad
behavior-war, dirty politics, the institution of mistresses and courtesans-
have faded away; today, notjust women but men are supposed to be
eminentlycivilizedandreasonable.Andmany have a hard time living up to this. As
children we are able to vent the darker side of our characters, a side that all
of us have. But under pressure from society (at first in the form of our
parents), we slowly repress the naughty, rebellious, perverse streaks in our
characters. To get along, we leam to repress our dark sides, which become a
kind of lost self, a part of our psyche buried beneath our polite appearance.
As adults, we secretly want to recapture that lost self-the more adventurous,
less respectful, childhood part of us. We are drawn to those who live out their
lost selves as adults, even if it involves some evil or destruction. Like
Byron, you can become the lightning rod for such desires. You must leam,
however, to keep this potential under control, and to use it strategically. As
the aura of the forbidden around you is drawing targets into your web, do not
overplay your dangerousness, or they will be frightened away. Once you feel
them falling under your spell, you have freer rein. If they begin to imitate
you, as Lady Caroline imitated Byron, then take it -mix in some cruelty,
involve them in sin, crime, taboo activity, whatever it takes. Unleash the lost
self within them; the more they act it out, the deeper your hold over them.
Going halfway will break the spell and create self-consciousness. Take it as
far as you can. Baseness attracts everybody. -JOHANN WOLFGANG GOETHE Keys to Seduction
S ociety and culture are based on limits-this kind of behavior is acceptable,
that is not. The limits are fluid and change with time, but there are always
limits. The alternative is anarchy, the lawlessness of nature, which we dread.
But we are strange animals: the moment any kind of limit is im- Stir Up the
Transgressive and Taboo • 355 posed, physically or psychologically, we are
instantly curious. A part of us wants to go beyond that limit, to explore what
is forbidden. If, as children, we are told not to go past a certain point in
the woods, that is precisely where we want to go. But we grow older, and become
polite and deferential; more and more boundaries encumber our lives. Do not
confuse politeness with happiness, however. It covers up frustration, unwanted
compromise. How can we explore the shadow side of our personality without
incurring punishment or ostracism? It seeps out in our dreams. We sometimes
wake up with a sense of guilt at the murder, incest, adultery, and mayhem that
goes on in our dreams, until we realize no one needs to know about it but
ourselves. But give a person the sense that with you they will have a chance to
explore the outer reaches of acceptable, polite behavior, that with you they
can vent some of their closeted personality, and you create the ingredients for
a deep and powerful seduction. You will have to go beyond the point of merely
teasing them with an elusive fantasy. The shock and seductive power will come
from the reality of what you are offering them. Like Byron, at a certain point
you can even press it further than they may want to go. If they have followed
you merely out of curiosity, they may feel some fear and hesitation, but once
they are hooked, they will fond you hard to resist, for it is hard to return to
a limit once you have transgressed and gone past it. The human cries out for
more, and does not know when to stop. You will determine for them when it is
time to stop. The moment people feel that something is prohibited, a part of
them will want it. That is what makes a married man or woman such a delicious
target-the more someone is prohibited, the greater the desire. George Vil- ,
the Earl of Buckingham, was the favorite first of King James I, then of James's
son. King Charles I. Nothing was ever denied him. In 1625, on a visit to
France, he met the beautiful Queen Anne and fell hopelessly in love. What could
be more impossible, more out of reach, than the queen of a rival power? He
could have had almost any other woman, but the prohibited nature of the queen
completely enflamed him, until he embarrassed himself andhiscountry by trying
to kiss her in public. Since what is forbidden is desired, somehow you must
make yourself seem forbidden. The most blatant way to do this is to engage in
behavior that gives you a dark and forbidden aura. Theoretically you are
someone to avoid; in fact you are too seductive to resist. That was the allure
of the actor Errol Flynn, who, like Byron, often found himself the pursued
rather than pursuer. Flynn was devilishly handsome, but he also had something
else: a definite criminal streak. In his wild youth he engaged in all kinds of
activities. In the 1950s he was charged with rape, a permanent stain on his
reputation even though he was acquitted; but his popularity among women only
increased. Play up your dark side and you will have a similar effect. For your
targets to be involved with you means going beyond their limits, doing
something naughty and unacceptable-to society, to their peers. For many that is
reason to bite the bait. painful and urgent than it had ever been. • . . . just
because they are forbidden, which they would certainly not do if they were not
forbidden. . . . Our Lord God gave Eve the freedom to do what she would with
all the fruits, flowers, and plants there were in Paradise, except for only
one, which he forbade her to touch on pain of death. . . . She look the fruit
and broke God's . . . but it is my firm belief now that Eve would never have
done this, if she had not been forbidden to. -GOTTFRIED VON STRASSBURG, TRISTAN
UND ISOLDE. QUOTED IN ANDREA HOPKINS, THE BOOK OF COURTLY LOVE One of Monsieur
Leopold Stern's friends rented a bachelor's pied-a-terre where he received his
wife as a mistress, served her with port and petits-fours and "experienced
all the tingling excitement of adultery." He told Stern that it was a
delightful sensation to cuckold himself. -NINAEPTON, LOVE AND THE FRENCH The
Art of Seduction In Junichiro Tanazaki's 1928 novel Quicksand, Sonoko Kakiuchi,
the wife of a respectable lawyer, is bored and decides to take art classes to
wile away the time. There, she finds herself fascinated with a fellow female
student, the beautiful Mitsuko, who befriends her, then seduces her. Kakiuchi
is forced to tell endless lies to her husband about her involvement with and
their frequent trysts. Mitsuko slowly involves her in all kinds of nefarious
activities, including a love triangle with a bizarre young man. Each time
Kakiuchi is made to explore some forbidden pleasure, Mitsuko challenges her to
go further and further. Kakiuchi hesitates, feels remorse- she knows she is in
the clutches of a devilish young seductress who has played on her boredom to
lead her astray. But in the end, she cannot help following Mitsuko's lead-each
transgressive act makes her want more. Once your targets are drawn by the lure
of the forbidden, dare them to match you in transgressive behavior. Any kind of
challenge is seductive. Take it slowly heightening the challenge only after
they show signs of yielding to you. Once they are under your spell, they may
not even notice how far out on a limb you have taken them. The great
eighteenth-century rake Due de Richelieu had a prediliction for young girls and
he would often heighten the seduction by enveloping them in transgressive behavior,
to which the young are particularly susceptible. For instance, he would find a
way into the young girl's house and lure her into her bed; the parents would be
just down the hall, adding the proper spice. Sometimes he would act as if they
were about to be discov, the momentary fright sharpening the overall thrill. In
all cases, he would try to turn the young girl against her parents, ridiculing
their religious zeal or prudery or pious behavior. The duke's stategy was to
attack the values that his targets held dearest-precisely the values that
represent a limit. In a young person, family ties, religious ties, and the like
are useful to the seducer; young people barely need a reason to rebel against
them. The , though, can be applied to a person of any age: for every deeply
held value there is a shadow side, a doubt, a desire to explore what those
values forbid. hi Renaissance Italy, a prostitute would dress as a lady and go
to church. Nothing was more exciting to a man than to exchange glances with a
woman whom he knew to be a whore as he was surrounded by his wife, family,
peers, and church officials. Every religion or value system creates a dark
side, the shadow realm of everything it prohibits. Tease your targets, get them
to flirt with whatever transgresses their family values, which are often
emotional yet superficial, since they are imposed front the outside. One of the
most seductive men of the twentieth century, Rudolph Valentino, was known as
the Sex Menace. His appeal for women was twofold; he could be tender and
attentive, but he also hinted of cmelty. At any moment he could become
dangerously bold, perhaps even a little violent. The studios played up this
double image as much as possible-when it was reported that he had been abusive
to his wife, for example, they ex- Stir Up the Transgressive and Tabooploited
the story. A mix of the masculine and the feminine, the violent and the tender,
will always seem transgressive and appealing. Love is supposed to be tender and
delicate, but in fact it can release violent and destructive emotions; and the
possible violence of love, the way it breaks down our normal reasonableness, is
just what attracts us. Approach romance's violent side by mixing a cruel streak
into your tender attentions, particularly in the latter stages of the
seduction, when the target is in your clutches. The Lola Montez was known to
turn to violence, using a whip now and then, and Lou Andreas-Salome could be
exceptionally cruel to her men, playing coquettish games, turning alternately icy
and demanding. Her cruelty only kept her targets coming back for more. A
masochistic involvecan represent a great transgressive release. The more
illicit your seduction feels, the more powerful its effect. Give your targets
the feeling that they are committing a kind of crime, a deed whose guilt they
share with you. Create public moments in which the two of you know something
that those around you do not. It could be phrases and looks that only you
recognize, a secret. Byron's seductive appeal to Lady Frances was connected to
the nearness of her husband-in his company, for example, she had a love letter
of Byron's hidden in her bosom. Johannes, the protagonist of Spren
Kierkegaard's The Seducer's Diary, sent a message to his target, the young
Cordelia, in the middle of a dinner party they were both attending; she could
not reveal to the other guests that it was from him, for then she wouldhaveto
do some explaining. He might also say something in public that would have a
special meaning for her, since it referred to something in one of his letters.
All of this added spice to the affair by giving it a feeling of a shared
secret, even a guilty crime. It is critical to play on tensions like these in
public, creating a sense of complicand collusion against the world. In the
Tristan and Isolde legend, the famous lovers reach the heights of and
exhilaration exactly because of the taboos they break. Isolde is engaged to
King Mark; she will soon be a married woman. Tristan is a loyal subject and
warrior in the service of King Mark, who is his father's age. The whole affair
has a feeling of stealing away the bride from the father. Epitomizing the
concept of love in the Western world, the legend has had immense influence over
the ages, and a crucial part of it is the idea that without obstacles, without
a feeling of transgression, love is weak and flavorless. People may be
straining to remove restrictions on private behavior, to make everything freer,
in the world today, but that only makes seduction more difficult and less
exciting. Do what you can to reintroduce a feeling of transgression and crime,
even if it is only psychological or illusory. There must be obstacles to
overcome, social norms to flout, laws to break, before the seduction can be
consummated. It might seem that a permissive society imposes few limits; find
some. There will always be limits, sacred cows, behavioral standards-endless
ammunition for stirring up the transgressive and taboo. Symbol: The Forest. The
children are told not to go into the forest that lies just beyond the safe
confines of their home. There is no law there, only wilderness, wild animals,
and . But the chance to explore, the alluring darkness, and the fact that it is
prohibited are impossible to resist. And once inside, they want to go farther
andfarther. Reversal T he reversal of stirring up taboos would be to stay
within the limits of acceptable behavior. That would make for a very tepid
seduction. Which is not to say that only evil or wild behavior is seductive;
goodness, kindness, and an aura of spirituality can be tremendously attractive,
they are rare qualities. But notice that the game is the same. A person who is
kind or good or spiritual within the limits that society prescribes has weak
appeal. It is those who go to the extreme-the Gandhis, the Krish- namurtis-who
seduce us. They do not merely expound a spiritual life, they do away with all
personal material comfort to live out their ascetic ideals. They too go beyond
the limits, transgressing acceptable behavior, because societies would find it
hard to function if everyone wenttosuchlengths.Inseduction, there is absolutely
no power in respecting boundaries and limits. IQ Use Spiritual Lures Everyone
has doubts and insecurities-about their body, their self-worth, their sexuality.
If your seduction appeals exclusively to the , you will stir up these doubts
and make your targets self-conscious. Instead, lure out of their insecurities
by making them focus on something sublime and spiritual: a religious
experience, a lofty work of art, the occult. Play up your divine qualities;
affect an air of discontent with things; speak of the stars, destiny, the
hidden threads that unite you and the object of the seduction. Lost in a
spiritual mist, the target will feel light and uninhibited. Deepen the effect
of your seduction by making its sexual culmination seem like the spiritual
union of two souls. Object of Worship L iane de Pougy was the reigning
courtesan of 1890s Paris. Slender and androgynous, she was a novelty, and the
wealthiest men in Europe vied to possess her. By late in the decade, however,
she had grown tired of it all. "What a sterile life," she wrote a
friend. "Always the same routine: the Bois, the races, fittings; and to
end an insipid day: dinner!" What wearied the most was the constant
attention of her male admirers, who sought to monopolize her physical charms.
One spring day in 1899, Liane was riding in an open carriage through the Bois
de Boulogne. As usual, men tipped their hats at her as she passed by. But one
of these admirers caught her by surprise: a young woman with blond hair, who
gave her an intense, worshipful stare. Liane smiled at woman, who smiled and
bowed in return. A few days later Liane began to receive cards and flowers from
a twenty-three-year-old American named Natalie Barney, who identified herself
as the blond admirer in the Bois de Boulogne, and asked for a ren. Liane
invited Natalie to visit, but to amuse herself she decided to play a little
joke: a friend would take her place, lounging on her bed in the dark boudoir,
while Liane would hide behind a screen. Natalie arrived at bouquet of flowers.
Kneeling before the bed, she began to praise the courtesan, comparing her to a
Era Angelico painting. All too soon, she someone laugh-and standing up she
realized the joke that had been played on her. She blushed and made for the
door. When Liane hurried "Come back tomorrow morning. I'll be alone."
The young American showed up the next day, wearing the same outfit. was witty
and spirited; Liane relaxed in her presence, and invited her to stay for the
courtesan's morning ritual-the elaborate makeup, clothes, and beautiful woman
she had ever seen. Playing the part of the page, she followed Liane to the
carriage, opened the door for her with a bow, and accompanied her on her
habitual ride through the Bois de Boulogne. Once inside the park, Natalie knelt
on the floor, out of sight of the passing gentlemen who tipped their hats to
Liane. She recited poems she had writ- Ah! always to be able to freely love the
one whom one loves! To spend my life at yourfeet like our last days together.
To protect only one to throw you on this bed of moss. . . . We'll find each
other again falls, we'll go deep in the to lose the paths island of describe
for you those delicate female couples, and far from the cities and the , we'll
forget everything but the Ethics of Beauty. -NATALIE BARNEY, LETTER TO LIANE DE
POUGY,QUOTED IN CHALON, PORTRAIT OF A NATALIE BARNEY, TRANSLATED Natalie, who
used to ravage the land of love. by husbands since no one could resist her
could see how women abandon their potions. Natalie preferred writing poems; she
always knew how to blend the physical and the spiritual. JEAN CHALON, PORTRAIT
OF NATAUE BARNEY. TRANSLATED town of Gafsa, in Barbary, very rich man who had daughter
called Alibech. She was not in Liane's honor, and she told the courtesan she
considered it a mission That evening Natalie took her to the theater to see
Sarah Bernhardt with Hamlet-his hunger for the sublime, his hatred of
tyranny-which, for her, was the tyranny of men over women. Over the next few
days Liane received a steady flow of flowers from Natalie, and telegrams with
little poems in her honor. Slowly the worshipful words and looks became more
physical, with the occasional touch, then a caress, even a kiss-and a Mss felt
different from any in Liane's experience. One morning, with Natalie in
attendance, Liane prepared to take a bath. As she slipped out Natalie to throw
off her clothes andjoin her. Within a few days, all Paris knew that Liane de
Pougy had a new lover: Natalie Barney. made no effort to disguise her new
affair, publishing a novel, had an affair with a woman before, and she
described her involvement with were many one day, having on the Christian faith
and the one of them for his opinion her by saying the ones who served put the
greatest distance themselves and the case of people who remoter parts of the .
• She said no about it to anyone, next morning, being a offourteen or alone, in
secret, and A few days later, hunger, she arrived in the of the wilderness,
long life, she remembered the affair as by far her most intense. her. Renee was
obsessed with death; she also felt there was something wrong with her,
experiencing moments of intense self-loathing. In 1900, Renee met Natalie at the
theater. Something about the American's kind eyes melted Renee's normal
reserve, and she began sending poems to Natalie, who responded with poems of
her own. They soon became friends. confessed that she had had an intense
friendship with another woman, but that it remained platonic-the thought of
physical involverepulsed her. Natalie told her about the ancient Greek poet
Sappho, who celebrated love between women as the only love that is innocent and
apartment, which she had transformed into a kind of chapel. The room filled
with candles and with white lilies, the flowers she associated with Natalie.
That night the two women became lovers. They soon moved in together, but when
Renee realized that Natalie could not be faithful to her, her love turned into hatred.
She broke off the relationship, moved out, and vowed to never see her again.
the next few months Natalie sent her letters and poems, and do with her. One
evening at the opera, though, Natalie sat down beside for the past, and also a
simple request: the two women should go on a pilgrimage to the Greek island of
Lesbos, Sappho's home. Only there could they purify themselves and their
relationship. Renee could not resist. Use Spiritual Lures • 36 3 Renee wrote
her, "My blond Siren, I don't want you to become like those who dwell on
earth. ... I want you tostayyourself,forthisis the way you cast your spell over
me." Their affair lasted until Renee's death, in 1909. Interpretation.
Liane de Pougy and Renee Vivien both suffered a similar oppression: they were
self-absorbed, hyperaware of themselves. The source of this habit in Liane was
men's constant attention to her body. She could never escape their looks, which
plagued her with a feeling of heaviness. Renee, meanwhile, thought too much
about her own problems- her repression of her lesbianism, her mortality. She
felt consumed with self-hatred. Natalie Barney, on the other hand, was buoyant,
lighthearted, absorbed in the world around her. Her seductions-and by the end
of her life they numbered well into the hundreds-all had a similar quality: she
took the victim outside herself, directing her attention toward beauty, poetry,
the innocence of Sapphic love. She invited her women to participate in a kind
of cult in which they would worship these sublimities. To heighten the cultlike
feeling, she involved them in little rituals: they would call each other by new
names, send each other poems in daily telegrams, wear costumes, women would
start to direct some of the worshipful feelings they were extoward Natalie, who
seemed as lofty and beautiful as the things she held up to be adored; and,
pleasantly diverted into this spiritualized , they
wouldalsoloseanyheavinessthey had felt about their bodies, their selves, their
identities. Their repression of their sexuality would melt away. By the time
Natalie kissed or caressed them, it would feel like something innocent, pure,
as if they had returned to the Garden of Eden before the fall. Religion is the
great balm of existence because it takes us outside ourselves, connects us to
something larger. As we contemplate the object of worship (God, nature), our
burdens are lifted away. It is wonderful to feel raised up from the earth, to
experience that kind of lightness. No matter how progressive the times, many of
us feel uncomfortable with our bodies, our animal drives. A seducer who focuses
too much attention on the physical will stir up self-consciousness, and a
residue of disgust. So focus attention on something else. Invite the other
person to worship something beautiful in the world. It could be nature, a work
of art, even God (or gods-paganism never goes out of fashion); people are dying
to believe in something. Add some rituals. If you can make yourself seem to
resemble the thing you are worshiping-you are natural, aesthetic, noble, and
sublime-your targets will transfer their worship to you. Religion and where,
catching sight of a hut in the distance, she stumbled toward it, and in the
doorway she found a holy man, who was astonished to see her in those parts and
asked her what she was doing there. She told him that she had been inspired by
God, and that she was trying, not only to serve Him, but also to find someone
who could teach her how she should go about it. • On observing how young and
exceedingly pretty she was, the good man was afraid to take her under his wing
lest the devil should catch him unawares. So he praised her for her good
intentions, and having given her a quantity of herb roots, wild apples, and
dates to eat, and some water to drink, he said to : • "My daughter, not-
very far from here there is a holy man who is much more capable than I of
teaching you what you want to know. Go along to him." And he sent her upon
her way. • When she came to this second man, she was told precisely the same
thing, and so she went on until she arrived at the cell of a young hermit, a
very devout and fellow called Rustico, to whom she put the same inquiry as she
had addressed to the others. Being anxious to prove to himself that he
possessed a of iron, he did not, like the others, send her or direct her
elsewhere, but kept her corner of which, when descended, he prepared a
makeshift bed out of palm leaves, upon which he invited her to lie down and
rest. • Once he had taken this step, very little time elapsed before temptation
went to war against his willpower, and after the first few assaults, finding
himself outmaneuvered on all fronts, he laid down his arms and surrendered.
Casting aside pious thoughts, prayers, and penitential exercises, he began to
concentrate his youth and beauty of the girl, and to devise suitable and
meansfor her in such a fashion that she should not think it lewd of him to make
the sort of proposal he had in mind. By certain questions to , he soon
discovered that she had never been with the opposite and was every hit as
innocent as she seemed; and he therefore thought of her, with the pretext of .
He began by delivering a long speech in which he showed her how powerful an
enemy the devil was to the Lord God, and followed this up by appreciated
consisted in putting the devil back in Hell, to which the had consigned The
girl asked him how was done, and Rustico replied: • "You will soon
whatever you see me doing saying, he began to divest of the few clothes himself
completely naked. The girl followed his example, and he sank to his knees as
though he spirituality are full of sexual undertones that can be brought to the
surface once you have made your targets lose their self-awareness. From
spiritual ecstasy to sexual ecstasy is but one small step. Come back to take
me, quickly, and lead me far away. Purify me with a great fire of divine love,
none of the animal kind. You are all soul when you want to be, when you feel
it, take me far away from my body. -LIANE DE POUGY Keys to Seduction R eligion
is the most seductive system that mankind has created. Death is our greatest
fear, and religion offers us the illusion that we are immortal, that something
about us will live on. The idea that we are an infinitesimal part of a vast and
indifferent universe is terrifying; religion humanizes this universe, makes us
feel important and loved. We are not animals governed by uncontrollable drives,
animals that die for no apparent reason, but creatures made in the image of a
supreme being. We too can be sublime, rational, and good. Anything that feeds a
desire or a wished-for illusion is seductive, and nothing can match religion in
this arena. Pleasure is the bait that you use to lure a person into your web.
But no matter how clever a seducer you are, in the back of your targets' mind
they are aware of the endgame, the physical conclusion toward which you are
heading. You may think your target is unrepressed and hungry for pleasure, but
almost all of us are plagued by an underlying unease with our animal nature.
Unless you deal with this unease, your seduction, even when successful in the
short term, will be superficial and temporary. Instead, like Natalie Barney,
try to capture your target's soul, to build the foundation of a deepand lasting
seduction. Lure the victim deep into your web with spirituality, making
physical pleasure seem sublime and transcendent. Spirituality will disguise
your manipulations, suggesting that your relationship is timeless, and creating
a space for ecstasy in the victim's mind. Remember that seduction is a mental
process, and nothing is more mentally intoxicating than religion, spirituality,
and the occult. In Gustave Flaubert's novel Madame Bo\ury, Rodolphe Boulanger
visits the country doctor Bovary and finds himself interested in the doctor's
beautiful wife, Emma. Boulanger was brutal and shrewd. He was something of a
connoisseur: there had been many women in his life." He senses that Emma
is bored. A few weeks later he manages to run into her at a county fair, where
he gets her alone. He affects an air of sadness and gloom; "Many's the
time I've passed a cemetery in the moonlight and asked myself if I wouldn't be
better off lying there with the rest. ..." He mentions his bad reputation;
he deserves it, he says, but is it his fault? "Do you really not know that
there exist souls that are ceaselessly in torment?" Sev- Use Spiritual
Lures • 365 eral times he takes Emma's hand, but she politely withdraws it. He
talks of love, the magnetic force that draws two people together. Perhaps it
has roots in some earlier existence, some previous incarnation of their souls.
"Take us, for example. Why should we have met? How did it happen? It can
only be that something in our particular inclinations made us come closer and
closer across the distance that separated us, the way two rivers flow
together." He takes her hand again and this time she lets him hold it.
After the fair, he avoids her for a few weeks, then suddenly shows up, claiming
that he tried to stay away but that fate, destiny, has pulled him back. He
takes Emma riding. When he finally makes his move, in the woods, she seems
frightened and rejects his advances. "You must have some mistaken
idea," he protests. "I have you in my heart like a Madonna on a
pedestal. ... I beseech you: be my friend, my sister, my angel!" Under the
spell of his words, she lets him hold her and lead her deeper into the woods,
where she succumbs. Rodolphe's strategy is threefold. First he talks of
sadness, melancholy, discontent, talk that makes him seem nobler than other
people,as if life's common material pursuits could not satisfy him. Next he
talks of destiny, the magnetic attraction of two souls. This makes his interest
in Emma seem not so much a momentary impulse as something timeless, linked to
the movement of the stars. Finally he talks of angels, the elevated and the
sublime. By placing everything on the spiritual plane, he distracts Emma from
the physical, makes her feel giddy, and packs a seduction that could have taken
months into a matter of a few encounters. The references Rodolphe uses might
seem cliched by today's standards, but the strategy itself will never grow old.
Simply adapt it to the occult fads of the day. Affect a spiritual air by
displaying a discontent with the banalities of life. It is not money or sex or
success that moves you; your drives are never so base. No, something much
deeper motivates you. Whatever this is, keep it vague, letting the target
imagine your hidden depths. The stars, astrology, fate, are always appealing;
create the sense that destiny has brought you and your target together. That
will make your seduction feel more natural. In a world where too much is
controlled and manufactured, the sense that fate, necessity, or some higher
power is guiding your relationship is doubly seductive. If you want to weave
religious motifs into your seduction, it is always bestto choose some distant,
exotic religion with a slightly pagan air. It is easy to move from pagan
spirituality to pagan earthiness. Timing counts: once you have stirred your
targets' souls, move quickly to the physical, making sexuality seem merely an
extension of the spiritual vibrations you are experiencing. In other words,
employ the spiritual strategy as close to thetime for your bold move as
possible. The spiritual is not exclusively the religious or the occult. It is
anything that will add a sublime, timeless quality to your seduction. In the
modern world, culture and art have in some ways taken the place of religion.
There are two ways to use art in your seduction: first, create it yourself, in
the target's honor. Natalie Barney wrote poems, and barraged her targets with
were about to pray, getting her to kneel directly opposite. • In this posture,
the girl's beauty was displayed to Rustico in all its glory, and his longings
blazed more fiercely than ever, bringing about the resurrection of the flesh.
Alibech stared at this in amazement and said: • "Rustico, what is that I
see sticking out in front of you, which I do not possess?" • "Oh, my
daughter," said Rustico, "this is the devil I was telling you about.
Do you see what he's doing? He's hurting me so much that I can hardly endure
it. " • "Oh, praise be to God," said the girl, "I can see I
am better off than you are, for I have no such devil to contend with." •
"You're right there;" said Rustico. "But you have something else
instead, that I haven't." • "Oh?" said Alibech. "And what's
?" • "You have Hell," said Rustico. "And I believe that God
has sent you he re for the salvation of my soul, because if this devil
continues to plague the life out of me, and if you are prepared to take
sufficient pity upon me to let me put him back into Hell, you will be giving me
marvelous relief, as well as rendering incalculable service and pleasure to
God, which is what you say you came here for in the first place." •
"Oh, Father," replied the girl in all innocence, "if I really do
have Hell, let's do as you suggest just as soon as you are ready." •
"God bless you, my daughter," said Rustico. "Let's go and put him
back, and then perhaps he'll leave me alone. " • At which point he
conveyed the girl to one of their beds, where he instructed her in the art of
incarcerating that accursed fiend. • Never having put a single devil into Hell
before, the girl found the first experience a little painful, and she said to :
• "This devil must certainly be a bad lot, Father, and a true enemy of
God, for as well as mankind, he even hurts Hell when he's driven back inside
it. " • "Daughter," said Rustico, it will not always be like
that." And in order to ensure that it wouldn't, before movingfrom the bed
they put him back half a dozen times, curbing his arrogance to such good effect
that he was positively glad to keep stillfor the rest of the day. • During the
nextfew days, however, the devil's pride frequently reared its head again, and
the girl, ever ready to obey the call to duty and bringhim under control,
happened to develop a taste for the sport, and began saying to Rustico: •
"I can certainly see what those worthy men in Gafsa meant when they said
that serving God was so . I don't honestly recall ever having done anything
that gave me so much pleasure and satisfaction as I get from putting the devil
back in Hell. To my way of thinking, anyone who devotes his energies to but the
service of God is a complete blockhead." • . . . And so, young ladies, if
you stand in need of God's grace, see them. Half of Picasso's appeal to many
women was the hope that he would immortalize them in his paintings-for Ars
longa, vita brevis (Art is long, life is short), as they used to say in Rome.
Even if your love is a passing fancy, by capturing it in a work of art you give
it a seductive illusion of eternity. The second way to use art is to make it
ennoble the affair, giving your seduction an elevated edge. Natalie Barney took
her targets to the theater, to the opera, to museums, to places full of history
and atmosphere. In such your souls can vibrate to the same spiritual
wavelength. Of course you should avoid works of art that are earthy or vulgar,
calling attention to your intentions. The play, movie, or book can be
contemporary, even a little raw, as long as it contains a noble message and is
tied to somejust cause. Even a political movement can be spiritually uplifting.
Remember to tailor your spiritual lures to the target. If the target is earthy
and cynical, paganism or art will be more productive than the occult or
religious piety. The Russian mystic Rasputin was revered for his saintliness
and his healing powers. Women in particular were fascinated with Rasputin and
would visit him in his St. Petersburg apartment for spiritual guidance. He
would talk to them of the simple goodness of the Russian peasantry, God's
forgiveness, and other lofty matters. But after a few minutes of this, he would
inject a comment or two that were of a much different nature- something about
the woman's beauty, her lips that were so inviting, the desires she could
inspire in a man. He would talk of different kinds of love-love of God, love
between friends, love between a man and a woman-but mix them all up as if they
were one. Then as he returned to discussing spiritual matters, he would
suddenly take the woman's hand, or whisper into her ear. All this would have
ait intoxicating effectwomenwouldfindthemselves dragged into a kind of
maelstrom, both spiritually uplifted and sexually excited. Hundreds of women
succumbed during these spiritual visits, for he would also tell them that they
could not repent until they had sinned, and who better to sin with than
Rasputin. Rasputin understood the intimate connection between the sexual and
the spiritual. Spirituality, the love of God, is a sublimated version of sexual
love. The language of the religious mystics of the Middle Ages is full oferotic
images; the contemplation of God and of the sublime can offer a kind of mental
orgasm. There is no more seductive brew than the combination of the spiritual
and the sexual, the high and the low. When you talk of spiritual matters, then,
let your looks and physical presence hint of sexuality at the same time. Make
the harmony of the universe and union with God seem to confuse with physical
harmony and the union between two people. If you can make the endgame of your
seduction appear as a spiritual experience, you will heighten the physical
pleasure and create a seduction with a deep and lasting effect. Use Spiritual
Lures • 367 Symbol: The Stars in the sky. Objects of worship for centuries, and
symbols of the sublime and divine. In contemplating them, we are momentarily
distractedfrom everything mundane and mortal. Wefeel lightness. Lift your
targets' minds up to the stars and they will not notice what is happening here
on earth. that you learn to put the devil back in Hell, for it is greatly to
His liking and pleasurable to the parties concerned, and a great deal of good
can arise and flow in the process. -GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO, THE DECAMERON,
TRANSLATED BYG.H. MCWILLIAM Reversal L etting your targets feel that your
affection is neither temporary nor superficial will often make them fall deeper
under your spell. In some, though, it can arouse an anxiety: the fear of
commitment, of a claustrophobic relationship with no exits. Never let your
spiritual lures seem to be leading in that direction, then. To focus attention
on the distant future may implicitly constrict their freedom; you should be
seducing them, not offering to marry them. What you want is to make them lose
themselves in the moment, experiencing the timeless depth of your feelings in
the present tense. Religious ecstasy is about intensity, not temporal
extensity. Giovanni Casanova used many spiritual lures in his seductions-the
occult, anything that would inspire lofty sentiments. For the time that he was
involved with a woman, she would feel that he would do anything for her, that
he was not just using her only to abandon her. But she also knew that when it
became convenient to end the affair, hewouldcry, give her a magnificent gift,
then quietly leave. This was just what many young women wanted-a temporary
diversion from marriage or an oppressive family. Sometimes pleasure is best
when we know it is fleeting. 20 Mix Pleasure with Pain The greatest mistake in
seduction is being too nice. At first, perhaps, your kindness is charming, but
it soon grows monotonous; you are trying too hard to please, and seem insecure.
Instead of overwhelming your targets with niceness, try inflicting some pain.
Lure them in with focused attention, then change direction, appearing suddenly
uninterested. Make them feel guilty and insecure. Even instigate a breakup,
subjecting them to an emptiness and pain that will give you room to
maneuver-now a rapprochement, an apology, a return to your earlier kindness,
will turn them weak at the knees. The lower the lows you create, the greater
the highs. To heighten the erotic charge, create the excitement offear. The
Emotional Roller Coaster O ne hot summer afternoon in 1894, Don Mateo Diaz, a
thirty-eight- year-old resident of Seville, decided to visit a local tobacco
factory Because of his connections Don Mateo was allowed to tour the place, but
his interest was not in the business side. Don Mateo liked young girls, and
hundreds of them worked in the factory. Just as he had expected, that day
manyofthem were in a state of near undress because of the heat-it was quite a
spectacle. He enjoyed the sights for a while, but the noise and the temperature
soon got to him. As he was heading for the door, though, a worker of no more
than sixteen called out to him: "Caballero, if you will give me a penny I
will sing you a little song." The girl's name was Conchita Perez, and she
looked young and innocent, in fact beautiful, with a sparkle in her eye that
suggested a taste for adventure. The perfect prey. He listened to her song
(which seemed vaguely suggestive), tossed her a coin that was equal to a
month's salary, tipped his hat, then left. It was never good to come on too
strong too early. As he walked along the street, he plotted how he would lure
her into an affair. Suddenly he felt a hand on his arm and he turned to see her
walking alongside him. It was too hot to work-would he be a gentleman and
escort her home? Of course. Do you have a lover? he asked her. No, she said,
"I am mozita" -pure, a virgin. Conchita lived with her mother in a
rundown part of town. Don Mateo exchanged pleasantries, slipped the mother some
money (he knew from experience how important it was to keep the mother happy),
then left. He considered waiting a few days, but he was impatient, and returned
the following morning. The mother was out. He andConchita resumed their playful
banter from the day before, and to his surprise she suddenly sat in his lap,
put her arms around him, and kissed him. His strategy flying out the window, he
took hold of her and returned the kiss. She immediately jumped up, her eyes
flashing with anger: you are trifling with me, she said, using me for a quick
thrill. Don Mateo denied having any such intentions, and apologized for going
too far. When he left, he felt confused: she had started it all; why should he
feel guilty? And yet he did. Young girls can be so unpredictable; it is best to
break them in slowly Over the next few days Don Mateo was the perfect
gentleman. He visited every day, showered mother and daughter with gifts, made
no advances-at least not at first. The damned girl had become so familiar The
more one pleases generally, the less one pleases profoundly. -STENDHAL, LOVE,
TRANSLATED BY GILBERT AND SUZANNE SALE You should mix in the odd rebuff \ With
your cheerful fun. Shut him out of the house, let him wait there \ Cursing that
locked front door, let him plead \ And threaten all he's a mind to. Sweetness
cloys the palate, \ Bitter juice is a freshener. Often a small skiff \ Is sunk
by favoring winds: it's their husbands' access to them, \ At will, that
deprives so many wives of love. \ Let her put in a door, with a hard-faced
porter to tell him \ "Keep out," and he'll soon be touched with
desire \ Through frustration. Put down your blunt foils, fight with sharpened
weapons \ (I don't doubt that my own shafts \ Will be turned against me). When
a new-captured lover \ Is stumbling into the toils, then let him believe \ He
alone has rights to your bed-but later, make him 371 372 conscious \ Of rivals,
of shared delights. Neglect \ These devices-his ardor will wane. A racehorse
runs most strongly \ When the field's ahead, to be paced \ And passed. So the
dying embers of passion can be fanned to \ Fresh flame by some outrage-I can
only love, \ Myself, I confess it, when wronged. But don't let the cause of\
Pain be too obvious: let a lover suspect \ More than he knows. Invent a slave
who watches your every \ Movement, make clear with him that she would dress in
front of him, or greet him in her nightgown. These glimpses of her body drove
him crazy, and he would sometimes try to steal a kiss or caress, only to have
her push him away and scold him. Weeks went by; clearly he had shown that his
was not a passing fancy. of the endless courtship, he took Conchita's mother
aside one day and proposed that he set the girl up in a house of her own. He
would treat her like a queen; she would have everything she wanted. (So, of
course, would her mother.) Surely his proposal would satisfy the two women-but
the next day, a note came from Conchita, expressing not gratitude but
recrimination: he was trying to buy her love. "You shall never see me
again," she concluded. He hurried to the house only to discover that the
women had moved out that very morning, without leaving word where they were
going. Don Mateo felt terrible. Yes, he had acted like a boor. Next time he
what a jealous martinet \ That man of yours is - such things will excite him.
Pleasure \ Too safely enjoyed lacks zest. You want to be free \ As Thais? Act
scared. Though the door's quite safe, let him in by \ The window. Look nervous.
Have a smart \ Maid rush in, scream "We're caught!" while you bundle
the quaking \ Youth out of sight. But be sure \ To offset his fright with some
moments of carefree pleasure - \ Or he'll think a night with you isn't worth
the risk. - OVID. THE ART OF LOVE, TRANSLATED BY PETER GREEN "Certainly,"
I said, "I have often told you that pain holds a peculiar attraction for
me, and that nothing kindles my passion quite so much as tyranny cruelty and
above all unfaithfulness in a beautiful woman." -LEOPOLD VON SACHER-
MASOCH, VENUS IN FURS, TRANSLATE DBYJEANMCNE wait months, or years if need be,
before being so bold. Soon, however, another thought assailedhim:he would never
see Conchita again. Only then did he realize how much he loved her. The winter
passed, the worst of Mateo's life. One spring day he was walking down the
street when he heard someone calling his name. He looked up: Conchita was
standing in an open window, beaming with excitement. She bent down toward him
and he kissed her hand, beside himself with joy. Why had she disappeared so
suddenly? It was all going too quickly, she said. She had been afraid-of his
intentions, and of her own feelings. But seeing him again, she was certain that
she loved him. Yes, she was ready to be his mistress. She would prove it, she
would come to him. Being apart had changed them both, he thought. A few nights
later, as promised, she appeared at his house. They kissed and began to
undress. He wanted to savor every minute, to take it slowly, but he felt like a
caged bull finally set free. He followed her into bed, his hands all over her.
He started to take off her underwear but it was laced up in some complicated
way. Eventually he had to sit up and take a look: she was wearing some
elaborate canvas contraption, of a kind he had never seen. No matter how hard
he tugged and pulled, it would not come off. He felt like hitting Conchita, he
was so distraught, but instead he started to cry. She explained: she wanted to
do everything with him, yet to remain a mozita. This was her protection.
Exasperated, he sent her home. Over the next few weeks, Don Mateo began to
reassess his opinion of Conchita. He saw her flirting with other men, and
dancing a suggestive flamenco in a bar: she was not a mozita, he decided, she
was playing him for money. And yet he could not leave her. Another man would
take his place-an unbearable thought. She would invite him to spend the night
in jier bed, as long as he promised not to force himself on her; and then, as
if to torture him beyond reason, she would get into bed naked (supposedly
because of the heat). All this he put up with on the grounds that no other man
had such privileges. But one night, pushed to the limits of frustration, he
exploded with anger, and issued an ultimatum: either give me what I Mix
Pleasure with Pain • 373 want or you will never see me again. Suddenly Conchita
started to cry. He had never seen her cry, and it moved him. She too was tired
of all this, she said, her voice trembling; if it was not too late, she was
ready to accept the proposal she had once turned down. Set her up in a house,
and he would see what a devoted mistress she would be. Don Mateo wasted no
time. He bought her a villa, gave her plenty of money to decorate it. After
eight days the house was ready. She would receivehim there at midnight. What
joys awaited him. Don Mateo showed up at the appointed hour. The barred door to
the courtyard was closed. He rang the bell. She came to the other side of the
door. "Kiss my hands," she said through the bars. "Now Mss the
hem of my skirt, and the tip of my foot in its slipper." He did as she
requested. "That is good," she said. "Now you may go." His
shocked expression just made her laugh. She ridiculed him, then made a
confession: she was repulsed by him. Now that she had a villa in her name, she
was free of him at last. She called out, and a young man appeared from the
shadows of the courtyard. As Don Mateo watched, too stunned to move, they began
to make love on the floor, right before his eyes. The next morning Conchita
appeared at Don Mateo's house, supposedly to see if he had committed suicide.
To her surprise, he hadn't-in fact he slapped her so hard she fell to the
ground. "Conchita," he said, "you have made me suffer beyond all
human strength. You have invented moral tortures to try them on the only man
who loved you passionately. I now declare that I am going to possess you by
force." Conchita screamed she would never be his, but he hit her again and
again. Finally, moved by her tears, he stopped. Now she looked up at him
lovingly. Forget the past, she said, forget all that I have done. Now that he
hit her, now that she could see his pain, she felt certain he truly loved her.
She was still a mozita -the affair with the young man the night before had been
only for show, ending as soon as he had left-and she still belonged to him.
"You are not going to take me by force. I await you in my arms."
Finally she was sincere. To his supreme delight, he discovered that she was
indeed still a virgin. Interpretation. Don Mateo and Conchita Perez are
characters in the 1896 novella Woman and Puppet, by Pierre Louys. Based on a
true story-the "Miss Charpillon" episode in Casanova's Memoirs -the
novella has served as the basis for two films: Josef von Sternberg's Devil Is a
Woman, with Marlene Dietrich, and Luis Bunuel's That Obscure Object of Desire.
In Louys's story, Conchita takes a proud and aggressive older man and in the
space of a few months turns him into an abject slave. Her method is simple: she
stimulates as many emotions as possible, including heavy doses of pain. She excites
his lust, then makes him feel base for taking advantage of her. She gets him to
play the protector, then makes him feel guilty for trying to buy her. Her
sudden disappearance anguishes him-he has lost her-so that when she reappears
(never by accident) he feels intense joy; which, however, she Oderint, dum
metuant [Let them hate me so long as they fear me], as if only fear and hate
belong together, whereas fear and love have nothing to do with each other, as
if it were notfear that makes love interesting. With what kind of love do we
embrace nature? Is there not a secretive anxiety and horror in it, because its
beautiful harmony works its way out of lawlessness and wild confusion, its
security out of perfidy? But precisely anxiety captivates the most. So also
with love, if it is to he interesting. Behind it ought to brood the deep,
anxious night from which springs the flower of love. -S0REN KIERKEGAARD, THE
SEDUCER'S DIARY, TRANSLATED BY HOWARD V. HONG AND EDNA H. HONG The lovely
marble creature coughed and rearranged the sable around her shoulders. •
"Thank you for the lesson in classics," I replied, "but I cannot
deny that in your peaceful and sunny world just as in our misty climate man and
woman are natural enemies. Love may unite them briefly to form one mind, one
heart, one will, but all too soon they are torn asunder. And you know better
than I: either one of them must the other to his will, or else he must let
himself be trampled underfoot. " • "Under the woman's foot, of
course," said Lady Venus impertinently. "And that you know better
than I." • "Of course, that is why I have no illusions." •
"In other words you are now my slavewithout illusions, and I shall 374
trample you mercilessly. " • "Madam!" • "You do not know me
yet. I admit that am cruel-since the word gives you so much -but am I not
entitled to be so? It is man desires, woman who is desired; this is woman's
advantage, but it is a decisive one. By making man so vulnerable to passion,
nature has placed him at woman's mercy, and who has not the sense to treat him
like a humble subject, a slave, a plaything, and finally to betray him with a
laugh - well, she is a woman of little wisdom." • "My dear, your
principles ..." I protested. • "Are founded on the experience of a
thousand years," she replied mischievously, running her white fingers
through the darkfur. "The more submissive woman is, the more readily man
recovers his self-possession and becomes domineering; but the more cruel and
faithless she is, the more she ill-treats him, the more wantonly she toys with
him and the harsher she is, the more she quickens his desire and secures his
love and admiration. It has always been so, from the time of Helen and Delilah
all the way to Catherine the Great and Lola Montez. " -LEOPOLD VON SACHER-
MASOCH, VENUS IN FURS. TRANSLATED BY JEAN MCNEIL In essence, the domain of
eroticism is the domain of violence, of violation. . . . The whole business of
eroticism is to strike to the inmost core of the living being, so that the
heart stands still. . . . The quickly turns back into tears. Jealousy and
humiliation then precede the final moment when she gives him her virginity.
(Even after this, according to the story, she finds ways to continue to torment
him.) Each low she inspires-guilt, despair, jealousy, emptiness-creates the
space for a more intense high. He becomes an addict, hooked on the alternation
of charge and withdrawal. Your seduction should never follow a simple course
upward toward pleasure and harmony. The climax will come too soon, and the pleasure
will be weak. What makes us intensely appreciate something is previous
suffering. A brush with death makes us fall in love with life; a longjourney
makes a return home that much more pleasurable. Your task is to create moments
of sadness, despair, and anguish, to create the tension that allows for a great
release. Do not worry about making people angry; anger is a sure sign that you
have your hooks in them. Nor should you be afraid that if you make yourself
difficult people will flee-we only abandon those who bore us. The ride on which
you take your victims can be tortuous but never dull. At all costs, keep your
targets emotional and on edge. Create enough highs and lows and you will wear
away the last vestiges of their willpower. Harshness andKindness I n 1972,
Henry Kissinger, then President Richard Nixon's assistant for national security
affairs, received a request for an interview from the famous Italian journalist
Oriana Fallaci. Kissinger rarely gave interviews; he had no control over the
final product, and he was a man who needed to be in control. But he had read
Fallaci's interview with a North Vietnamese general, and it had been
instructive. She was extremely well informed on the Vietnam War; perhaps he
could gather some information of his own, pick her brain. He decided to ask for
a preinterview, a preliminary meeting. He would grill her on different
subjects; if she passed the test, he would grant her an interview proper. They
met, and he was impressed; she was extremely intelligent-and tough. It would be
an enjoyable challenge to outwit her and prove that he was tougher. He agreed
to a short interview a few days later. To Kissinger's annoyance, Fallaci began
the interview by asking him whether he was disappointed by the slow pace of the
peace negotiations with North Vietnam. He would not discuss the negotiations-he
had made that clear in the preinterview. Yet she continued the same line of
questioning. He grew a little angry "That's enough," he said. "I
don't want to talk any more about Vietnam." Although she didn't
immediately abandon the subject, her questions became gentler: what were his
personal feelings toward the leaders of South and North Vietnam? Still, he
ducked: "I'm not the kind of person to be swayed by emotion. Emotions
serve no purpose." She moved to grander philosophical issues-war, peace.
She Mix Pleasure with Pain • 375 praised him for his role in the rapprochement
with China. Without realizing it, Kissinger began to open up. He talked of the
pain he felt in dealing with Vietnam, the pleasures of wielding power. Then
suddenly the harsher questions returned-was he simply Nixon's lackey, as many
suspected? Up and down she went, alternately baiting and flattering him. His
goal had been to pump her for information while revealing nothing about
himself; by the end, though, she had given him nothing, while he had revealed a
range of embarrassing opinions-his view of women as playthings, for instance,
and his belief that he was popular with the public because people saw him as a
kind of lonesome cowboy, the hero who cleans things up by himself. When the
interview was published, Nixon, Kissinger's boss, was livid about it. In 1973,
the Shah of Iran, Mohammed Riza Pahlavi, granted Fallaci an interview. He knew
how to handle the press-be noncommittal, speak in generalities, seem firm, yet
polite. This approach had worked a thousand times before. Fallaci beganthe
interview on a personal level, asking how it felt to be a king, to be the
target of assassination attempts, and why the shah always seemed so sad. He
talked of the burdens of his position, the pain and loneliness he felt. It
seemed a release of sorts to talk about his professional problems. As he
talked, Fallaci said little, her silence goading him on. Then she suddenly
changed the subject: he was having difficulties with his second wife. Surely
that must hurt him? This was a sore spot, and Pahlavi got angry. He tried to
change the subject, but she kept returning to it. Why waste time talking about
wives and women, he said. He then went so far as to criticize women in
general-their lack of creativity, their cruelty. Fallaci kept at him; he had
dictatorial tendencies and his country lacked basic freedoms. Fallaci's own
books were on his government's blacklist. Hearing this, the shah seemed somewhat
taken aback-perhaps he was dealing with a subversive writer. But then she
softened her tone again, asked him about his many achievements. The pattern
repeated: the moment he relaxed, she blindsided him with a sharp question; when
he grew bitter, she lightened the mood. Like Kissinger, he found himself
opening up despite himself and mentioning things he would later regret, such as
his intention to raise the price of oil. Slowly he fell under her spell, even
began to flirt with her. "Even if you're on the blacklist of my
authorities," he said at the end of the interview, "I'll put you on
the white list of my heart." Interpretation. Most of Fallaci's interviews
were with powerful leaders, men and women with an overwhelming need to control
the situation, to avoid revealing anything embarrassing. This put her and her
subjects in conflict, since getting them to open up-grow emotional, give up
control- was exactly what she wanted. The classic seductive approach of charm
and flattery would get her nowhere with these people; they would see right
through it. Instead, Fallaci preyed on their emotions, alternating harshness
and kindness. She would ask a cruel question that touched on the deepest whole
business of eroticism is to destroy the self-contained character of the
participators as they are in their normal lives. . . . We ought never toforget
that in spite of the bliss love promises its first effect is one of turmoil and
distress. Passion fulfdled itself provokes such violent agitation that the
happiness involved, before being a happiness to be enjoyed, is so great as to
be more like its opposite, suffering. . . . The likelihood of suffering is all
the greater since suffering alone reveals the total significance of the beloved
object. -GEORGES BATAILLE, EROTISM: DEATH ANDSENSUALITY.TRANSLATED BY MARY
DALWOOD Always a little doubt to set at rest - that's what keeps one craving in
passionate love. Because the keenest misgivings are always there, its pleasures
never become tedious. • Saint- Simon, the only historian France has ever
possessed, says: "After many passing fancies the Duchesse de Berry had
fallen deeply in love with Riom, a junior member of the d Aydie family, the son
of one of Madame de Biron's sisters. He had neither looks nor brains; he was fat,
short, chubby-cheeked, pale, and had such a crop of pimples that he seemed one
large abscess; he had beautiful teeth, but not the least idea that he was going
to inspire a passion which quickly got out of control, a passion which lasted a
lifetime, notwithstanding a number of subsidiary flirtations and affairs. . . .
• He would 376 excite but not requite the desire of the princess; he delighted
in making her jealous, or pretending to be jealous himself. He would often
drive her to tears. Gradually heforced her into the position of doing nothing
without his leave, even trifles of no importance. Sometimes, when she was ready
to go to the Opera, he insisted that she stay at home; and sometimes he made
her go there against her will. He obliged her to grant favours to ladies she
did not like or of whom she was jealous. She was not evenfree to dress as she
chose; he would amuse himself by making her change her coiffure or her dress at
the last minute; he did this so often and so publicly that she became
accustomed to take his orders in the evening for what she would do and wear the
following day; then the next day he would alter everything, and the princess
would cry all the more. In the end she took to sending him messages by trusted
footmen, for from the first he had taken up residence in Luxembourg; messages
which continued throughout her toilette, to know what ribbons she would wear,
what gown and other ornaments; almost invariably he made her wear something she
did not wish to. When she occasionally dared to do anything, however small,
without his leave, he treated her like a servant, and she was in tears for
several days. • . . . Before assembled company he would give her such brusque
replies that everyone lowered their eyes, and the Duchess would blush, though her
passion insecurities of the subject, who would get emotional and defensive;
deep down, though, something else would stir inside them-the desire to prove to
Fallaci that they did not deserve her implicit criticisms. Unconsciously they
wanted to please her, to make her like them. When she then shifted tone,
indirectly praising them, they felt they were winning her over and were
encouraged to open up. Without realizing it, they would give freer rein to
their emotions. hi social situations we all wear masks, and keep our defenses
up. It is embarrassing, after all, to reveal one's true feelings. As a seducer
you must find a way to lower these resistances. The Charmer's approach of
flattery and attention can be effective here, particularly with the insecure, but
it can take months of work, and can also backfire. To get a quicker result, and
to break down more inaccessible people, it is often better to alternate
harshness and kindness. By being harsh you create inner tensions-your targets
may be upset with you, but they are also asking themselves questions. What have
they done to earn your dislike? When you then are kind, they feel relieved, but
also concerned that at any moment they might somehow displease you again. Make
use of this pattern to keep them in suspense- dreading your harshness and keen
to keep you kind. Your kindness and harshness should be subtle; indirect digs
and compliments are best. Play the psychoanalyst: make cutting comments
concerning their unconscious motives (you are only being truthful), then sit
back and listen. Your silence will goad them into embarrassing admissions.
Leaven your judgments with occasional praise and they will strive to please
you, like dogs. Love is a costlyflower,but one must have the desire to pluck it
from the edge of a precipice. -STENDHAL Keys to Seduction A lmost everyone is
more or less polite. We learn early on not to tell people what we really think
of them; we smile at their jokes, act interested in their stories and problems.
It is the only way to live with them. Eventually this becomes a habit; we are
nice, even when it isn't really necessary. We try to please other people, to
not step on their toes, to avoid disagreements and conflict. Niceness in
seduction, however, though it may at first draw someone to you (it is soothing
and comforting), soon loses all effect. Being too nice can literally push the
target away from you. Erotic feeling depends on the creation of tension.
Without tension, without anxiety and suspense, there can be no feeling of
release, of true pleasure and joy It is your task to create that tension in the
target, to stimulate feelings of anxiety, to lead them to and fro, so that the
culmination of the seduction has real weight and intensity. So rid yourself of
your nasty habit of avoiding conflict, which is in any Mix Pleasure with Pain •
377 case unnatural. You are most often nice not out of your own inner goodness
but out of fear of displeasing, out of insecurity. Go beyond that fear and you
suddenly have options-the freedom to create pain, then magically dissolve it.
Your seductive powers will increase tenfold. People will be less upset by your
hurtful actions than you might imagine. In the world today, we often feel
starved for experience. We crave emotion, even if it is negative. The pain you
cause your targets, then, is bracing-it makes them feel more alive. They have
something to complain about, they get to play the victim. As a result, once you
have turned the pain into pleasure they will readily forgive you. Stir up their
jealousy, make them feel insecure, and the validation you later give their ego
by preferring them over their rivals is doubly delightful. Remember: you have
more to fear by boring your targets than by shaking them up. Wounding people
binds them to you more deeply than kindness. Create tension so you can release
it. If you need inspiration, find the part of the target that most irritates
you and use it as a springboard for some therapeutic conflict. The more real
your cruelty, the more effective it is. In 1818, the French writer Stendhal,
then living in Milan, met the Countess Metilda Viscontini. For him, it was love
at first sight. She was a proud, somewhat difficult woman, and she intimidated
Stendhal, who was terribly afraid of displeasing her with a stupid comment or undignified
act. Finally, unable to take it any longer, he one day took her hand and
confessed his love. Horrified, the countesstoldhim to leave and never come
back. for him was in no way curtailed." • For the princess, Riom was a
sovereign remedy against boredom. -STENDHAL, LOVE, TRANSLATED BY GILBERT AND
Stendhal flooded Viscontini with letters, begging her to forgive him. At last,
she relented: she would see him again, but under one condition-he could visit
only once every two weeks, for no more than an hour, and only in the presence
of company. Stendhal agreed; he had no choice. He now lived for those short
fortnightly visits, which became occasions of intense anxiety and fear, since
he was never quite sure whether she would change her mind and banish him forever.
This went on for over two years, during which the countess never showed him the
slightest sign of favor. Stendhal never found out why she had insisted on this
arrangement-perhaps she wanted to toy with him or keep him at a distance. All
he knew was that his love for her only grew stronger, became unbearably
intense, until finally he had to leave Milan. To get over this sad affair,
Stendhal wrote his famous book On Love, in which he described the effect of
fear on desire. First, if you fear the loved one, you can never get too close
or familiar with him or her. The beloved then retains an element of mystery,
which only intensifies your love. Second, there is something bracing about
fear. It makes you vibrate with sensation, heightens your awareness, is
intensely erotic. According to Stendhal, the closer the loved one brings you to
the edge of the precipice, to the feeling that they could abandon you, the
dizzier and more lost you will become. Falling in love means literally
falling-losing control, a mix of fear and excitement. Apply this wisdom in
reverse: never let your targets get too comfortable 378 The Art of Seduction
with you. They need to feel fear and anxiety. Show them some coldness, a flash
of anger they did not expect. Be irrational if necessary. There is always the
trump card: a breakup. Let them feel they have lost you forever, make them fear
that they have lost the power to charm you. Let these feelings sit with them
for a while, then pull them back from the precipice. The reconciliation will be
intense. In 33 B.C., Mark Antony heard a rumor that Cleopatra, his lover of
several years, had decided to seduce his rival, Octavius, and that she was
planning to poison Antony. Cleopatra had poisoned people before; in fact she
was an expert in the art. Antony grew paranoid, and finally one day confronted
her. Cleopatra did not protest her innocence. Yes, that was true, it was quite
within her power to poison Antony at any moment; there were no precautions he
could take. Only theloveshe felt for him could protect him. To demonstrate, she
took some flowers and dropped them into his wine. Antony hesitated, then raised
the cup to his lips; Cleopatra grabbed his arm and stopped him. She had a
prisoner brought in to drink the wine, and the prisoner promptly dropped dead.
Falling at Cleopatra's feet, Antony professed that he loved her now more than
ever. He did not speak out of cowardice; there was no man braver than he, and
if Cleopatra could have poisoned him, he for his part could have left her and
gone back to Rome. No, what pushed him over the edge was the feeling that she
had control over his emotions, over life and death. He was her slave. Her
demonstration of her power over him was not only effective but erotic. Like
Antony, many of us have masochistic yearnings without realizing it. It takes
someone to inflict some pain on us for these deeply repressed desires to come
to the surface. You must learn to recognize the types of hidden masochists out
there, for each one enjoys a particular kind of pain. For instance, there are
people who feel that they deserve nothing good in life, and who, unable to deal
with success, sabotage themselves constantly. Be nice to them, admit that you
admire them, and they are uncomfortable, since they feel that they cannot possibly
match up to the ideal figure you have clearlyimagined them to be. Such
self-saboteurs do better with a little punishment; scold them, make them aware
of their inadequacies. They feel they deserve such criticism and when it comes
it is with a sense of relief. It is also easy to make them feel guilty, a
feeling that deep down they enjoy. Other people experience the responsibilities
and duties of modern life as such a heavy burden, they long to give it all up.
These people are often looking for someone or something to worship-a cause, a
religion, a guru. Make them worship you. And then there are those who want to
play the martyr. Recognize them by the joy they take in complaining, in feeling
righteous and wronged; then give them a reason to complain. Remember;
appearances deceive. Often the strongest-looking people-the Kissingers and Don
Mateos-may secretly want to be punished. In any event, follow up pain with
pleasure and you will create a state of dependency that will last for a long
time. Mix Pleasure with Pain Symbol: The Precipice. At the edge of a cliff,
people often feel lightheaded, both fearful and dizzy. For a moment they can
imagine themselves falling headlong. At the same time, a part of them is
tempted. Lead your targets as close to the edge as possible, then pull them
back. No thrill without fear. Reversal P eople who have recently experienced a
lot of pain or a loss will flee if you try to inflict more on them. They have
enough in their lives already. Far better to surround these types with pleasure-that
will put them under your spell. The technique of inflicting pain works best on
those who have it easy, who have power and few problems. People with
comfortable lives may also feel a gnawing sense of guilt, as if they had gotten
away with something. They may not consciously know it, but secretly they long
for some punishment, a good mental thrashing, something that will bring them
back down to earth. Also, remember to not use the pleasure-through-pain tactic
too early on. Some of the greatest seducers in history-Byron, Jiang Qing
(Madame Mao), Picasso-had a sadistic streak, an ability to inflict mental
torture. If their victims had known in advance what they were getting
themselves into, they would have run for the hills. In truth, most of these seducers
lured their targets into their webs by appearing to be paragons of sweetness
and affection. Even Byron seemed like an angel when he first met a woman, so
that she tended to doubt his devilish reputation-a seductive doubt, for it
allowed her to think of herself as the only one who really understood him. His
cruelty would come out later on, but by then it would be too late. The victim's
emotions were engaged,andhisharshnesswouldonlyintensify her feelings. In the
beginning, then, wear the mask of a lamb, making pleasure and attentiveness
your bait. First get under their skin, then lead them on a wild ride. 379 Phase
Four Moving Infor the Kill confused and stirred them up-the emotional
seduction. Now the time has comefor hand-to-hand combat-the physical seduction.
At this point, your victims are weak and ripe with desire: by show-, ing a
little coldness or uninterest, you will spark panic-they will come after you
with impatience and erotic energy (21: Give them to fall-the pursuer is
pursued). To bring them to a boil, you need to put their minds to sleep and
heat up their senses. It is best to lure them into lust by sending certain
loaded signals that will get under their skin and spread sexual desire like a
poison (22: Use physical lures). The moment to strike and move infor the kill
is when your victim is brimming with desire, but not consciously expecting the
climax to come (23: Master the art of the bold move). Once the seduction is
over, there is the danger that disenchantment will set in and ruin all your
hard work (24: Beware the aftereffects). If you are after a relationship, then
you must constantly re-seduce the victim, creating tension and releasing it. If
your victim is to be sacrificed, then it must be done swiftly and cleanly,
leaving you free (physicallyandpsychologically)tomoveontothenext victim. Then
the game begins all over. 21 Give Them Space to Fall- The Pursuer Is Pursued If
your targets become too used to you as the aggressor, they will give less of
their own energy, and the tension will slacken. You need to wake them up, turn
the tables. Once they are under your spell, take a step back and they will
start to come after you. Begin with a touch of aloofness, an unexpected
nonappearance, a hint that you are growing bored. Stir the pot by seeming
interested in someone else. Make none of this explicit; let them only sense it
and their imagination will do the rest, creating the doubt you desire. Soon
they will want to possess you physically, and restraint will go out the window.
The goal is to have them fall into your arms of their own will. Create the
illusion that the seducer is being seduced. Seductive Gravity I n the early
1840s, the center of attention in the French art world was a young woman named
Apollonie Sabatier. She was so much the natural beauty that sculptors and
painters vied to immortalize her in their works, and she was also charming,
easy to talk to, and seductively self-sufficient- men were drawn to her. Her
Paris apartment became a gathering spot for writers and artists, and soon
Madame Sabatier-as she came to be known, although she was not married-was
hosting one of the most important literary salons in France. Writers such as
Gustave Flaubert, the elder Alexandre Dumas, and Theophile Gautier were among
her regular guests. Near the end of 1852, when she was thirty, Madame Sabatier
received an anonymous letter. The writer confessed that he loved her deeply.
Worried that she would find his sentiments ridiculous, he would not reveal his
name; yet he had to let her know that he adored her. Sabatier was used to such
attentions-one man after another had fallen in love with her-but this letter
was different: in this man she seemed to have inspired a quasireligious ardor.
The letter, written in a disguised handwriting, contained a poem dedicated to
her; titled "To One Who Is Too Gay," it began by praising her beauty,
yet ended with the lines And so, one night. I'd like to sneak. When darkness
tolls the hour of pleasure,A craven thief, toward the treasure Which is your
person, plump and sleek. . . . And, most vertiginous delight! Into those lips,
so freshly striking And daily lovelier to my liking- Infuse the venom of my
spite. Mixed in with her admirer's adoration, clearly, was a strange kind of
lust, with a touch of cruelty to it. The poem both intrigued and disturbed
her-and she had no idea who had written it. A few weeks later another letter
arrived. As before, the writer enveloped Sabatier in cultlike worship, mixing
the physical and the spiritual. And as before, there was a poem, "All in
One," in which he wrote. Omissions, denials, deflections, deceptions,
diversions, and humility - all aimed at provoking this second state, the secret
of true seduction. Vulgar seduction might proceed by persistence, but true
seduction proceeds by absence. . . . It is like fencing: one needs a field for
the feint. Throughout this period, the seducer [Johannes], far from seeking to
close in on her, seeks to maintain his distance by various ploys: he does not
speak directly to her but only to her aunt, and then about trivial or stupid
subjects; he neutralizes everything by irony and feigned pedanticism; hefails
to respond to any feminine or erotic movement, and even finds her a sitcom
suitor to disenchant and deceive her, to the point where she herself takes the
initiative and breaks off her engagement, thus completing the seduction and
creating the ideal situation for her total abandon. -JEAN BAUDRILLARD,
SEDUCTION, TRANSLATED BY BRIAN SINGER 385 386 The rumor spread everywhere. It
was even told to the queen [ Guinevere ], who was seated at dinner. She nearly
killed herself when she heard the perfidious rumor of Lancelot's death. She
thought it was true and was so greatly perturbed that she was
scarcelyabletospeak.. . . She arose at once from the table, and was able to
give vent to her grief without being noticed or overheard. She was so crazed
with the thought of killing herself that she repeatedly grabbed at her throat.
Yet first she confessed in conscience, repented and asked God's pardon; she
accused herself of having sinned against the one she knew had always been hers,
and who would still be, were he alive. . . . She counted all of the
unkindnesses and recalled each individual unkindness; she noted every one, and
repeated often: "Oh misery! What was I thinking, when my lover came before
me and I did not deign to welcome him, nor even care to listen! Was I not a
fool to refuse to speak or even look at him? A fool? No, so help me God, I was
cruel and deceitful! ... 7 believe that it was I alone who struck him that
mortal blow. When he came happily before me expecting me to receive him
joyfully and I shunned him and would never even look at him, was this not a
mortal blow? At that moment, when I refused to speak, I believe I severed both
his heart and his life. Those two blows killed him, I think, and not any hired
killers. • "Ah God! Will I be forgiven this murder, this sin? Never! All
the rivers No single beauty is the best. Since she is all one flower divine_ O
mystic metamorphosis! My senses into one sense flow- Her voice makesperfume
when she speaks. Her breath is music faint and low! Clearly the author was
haunted by Sabatier's presence, and thought of her constantly-but now she began
to be haunted by him, thinking of him night and day, and wondering who he was.
His subsequent letters only deepened the spell. It was flattering to hear that
he was enchanted by more than her beauty, yet also flattering to know that he
was not immune to her physical charms. One day an idea occurred to Madame
Sabatier as to who the writer might be: a young poet who had frequented her
salon for several years, Charles Baudelaire. He seemed shy, in fact had hardly
spoken to her, but she had read some of his poetry, and although the poems in
the letters were more polished, the style was similar. At her apartment
Baudelaire would always sit politely in a corner, but now that she thought of
it, he would smile at her strangely, nervously. It was the look of a young man
in love. Now when he visited she watched him carefully, and the more she
watched, the surer she was that he was the writer, but she never confirmed her
intuition, because she did not want to confront him-he might be shy, but he was
a man, and at some point he would have to come to her. And she felt certain
that he would. Then, suddenly the letters stopped coming-and Madame Sabatier
could not understandwhy, since the last one had been even more adoring than all
of the others before. Several years went by, in which she often thought of her
anonymous admirer's letters, but they were never renewed. In 1857, however,
Baudelaire published a book of poetry. The Flowers of Evil, and Madame Sabatier
recognized several of the verses-they were the ones he had written for her. Now
they were out in the open for everyone to see. A little while later the poet
sent her a gift: a specially bound copy of the book, and a letter, this time
signed with his name. Yes, he wrote, he was the anonymous writer-would she
forgive him for being so mysterious in the past? Furthermore, his feelings for her
were as strong as ever: "You didn't think for a moment that I could have
forgotten you? . . . You to me are more than a cherished image conjured up in
dream, you're my superstition . . . my constant companion, my secret! Farewell,
dear Madame. I kiss your hands with profound devotion." This letter had a
stronger effect on Madame Sabatier than the others had. Perhaps it was his
childlike sincerity, and the fact that he had finally written to her directly;
perhaps it was that he loved her but asked nothing of her, unlike all the other
men she knew who at some point had always turned out to want something.
Whatever it was, she had an uncontrollable desire to see him. The next day she
invited him to her apartment, alone. Give Them Space to Fall-The Pursuer Is Pursued
• 387 Baudelaire appeared at the appointed hour. He sat nervously in his seat,
gazing at her with his large eyes, saying little, and what he did say was
formal and polite. He seemed aloof. After he left a kind of panic seized Madame
Sabatier, and the next day she wrote him a first letter of her own: "Today
I'm more calm, and I can feel more clearly the impression of our Tuesday
evening together. I can tell you, without the danger of your thinking I'm
exaggerating, that I'm the happiest woman on the face of the earth, that I've
never felt more truly that I love you, and that I've never seen you look more
beautiful, more adorable, my divine friend!" Madame Sabatier had never
before written such a letter; she had always been the one who was pursued. Now
she had lost her usual self-possession. And it only got worse: Baudelaire did
not answer right away. When she saw him next, he was colder than before. She
had the feeling there was someone else, that his old mistress, Jeanne Duval,
had suddenly reappeared in his life and was pulling him away from her. One
night she turned aggressive, embracing him, trying to kiss him, but he did not
respond, and quickly found an excuse to leave. Why was he suddenly
inaccessible?She began to flood him with letters, begging him to come to her.
Unable to sleep, she would wait all night for him to show up. She had never
experienced such desperation. Somehow she had to seduce him, possess him, have
him all to herself. She tried everything-letters, coquetry, all kinds of promises-
until he finally wrote that he was no longer in love with her and that was
that. and the seas will dry up first! Oh, misery! How it would have brought me
comfort and healing if I had held him in my arms once before he died. How? Yes,
quite naked next to him, in order to enjoy him fully. . When they came within
six or seven leagues of the castle where King Bademagu was staying, news that
was pleasing came to him about Lancelot-news that he was glad to hear; Lancelot
was alive and was returning, hale and hearty. He behaved most properly in going
to inform the queen. "Good sir," she told him, "I believe it,
since you have told me. But were he dead, I assure you that I could never again
be happy." • . . . Now Lancelot had his every wish: the queen willingly sought
his company and affection as he held her in his arms and Interpretation.
Baudelaire was an intellectual seducer. He wanted to overwhelm Madame Sabatier
with words, dominate her thoughts, make her fall in love with him. Physically,
he knew, he could not compete with hermany other admirers-he was shy, awkward,
not particularly handsome. So he resorted to his one strength, poetry. Haunting
her with anonymous letters gave him a perverse thrill. He had to know she would
realize, eventually, that he was her correspondent-no one else wrote like
him-but he wanted her to figure this out on her own. He stopped writing to her
because he had become interested in someone else, but he knew she would be
thinking of him, wondering, perhaps waiting for him. And when he published his
book, he decided to write to her again, this time directly, stirring up the old
venom he had injected in her. When they were alone, he could see she was
waiting for him to do something, to take hold of her, but he was not that kind
of seducer. Besides, it gave him pleasure to hold himself back, to sense his
power over a woman whom so many desired. By the time she turned physical and
aggressive, the seduction was over for him. He had made her fall in love; that
was enough. The devastating effect of Baudelaire's push-and-pull on Madame
Sabatier teaches us a great lesson in seduction. First, it is always best to
keep at some distance from your targets. You do not have to go as far as
remaining anonymous, but you do not want to be seen too often, or to be seen as
she held him in hers. Her love-play seemed so gentle and good to him, both her
kisses and caresses, that in truth the two of them felt a joy and wonder of
which has never been heard or known. But I shall let it remain a secret for
ever, since it should not be written of: the most delightful and choicest
pleasure is that which is hinted at, but never told. -CHRETIEN DETROYES,
ARTHURIAN ROMANCES. TRANSLATEDB YWILLIAMW. KIBLER He was sometimes so
intellectual that I felt myself annihilated as a woman; at other times he was
so wild and passionate, so desiring, that I almost trembled 388 before him. At
times I was like a stranger to him; at times he surrendered completely. Then
when I threw my arms around him, everything changed, and I embraced a cloud.
-CORDELIA DESCRIBING JOHANNES, IN S0REN KIERKEGAARD, THE SEDUCER'S DIARY,
TRANSLATED BY HOWARD V. HONG AND EDNA V. HONG It is true that we could not love
if there were not some memory in us-to the greatest extent an unconscious
memory-that we were once loved. But neither could we love if this feeling of
being loved had not at some time suffered doubt; if we had always been sure of
it. In other words, love would not be possible without having been loved and
then having missed the certainty of being loved. . . . • The need to be loved
is not elementary. This need is certainly acquiredby experience in later
childhood. It would be better to say: by many experiences or by a repetition of
similar ones. I believe that these experiences are of a negative kind. The
child becomes aware that he is not loved or that his mother's love is not
unconditional. The baby learns that his mother can be dissatisfied with him,
that she can withdraw her affection if he does not behave as she wishes, that
she can be angry or cross. I believe that this experience arousesfeelings of
anxiety in the infant. The possibility of losing his mother'slove certainly
strikes the child with a force which can no more be intrusive. If you are
always in their face, always the aggressor, they will become used to being
passive, and the tension in your seduction will flag. Use letters to make them
think about you all the time, to feed their imagination. Cultivate mystery-stop
them from figuring you out. Baudelaire's letters were delightfully ambiguous,
mixing the physical and the spiritual, teasing Sabatier with
theirmultiplicityofpossible interpretations. Then, at the point when they are
ripe with desire and interest, when perhaps they are expecting you to make a
move-as Madame Sabatier expected that day in her apartment-take a step back.
You are unexpectedly distant, friendly but no more than that-certainly not
sexual. Let this sink in for a day or two. Your withdrawal will trigger
anxiety; the only way to relieve this anxiety is to pursue and possess you.
Step back now and you make your targets fall into your arms like ripe fruit,
blind to the force of gravity that is drawing them to you. The more they
participate, the more their willpower is engaged, the deeper the erotic effect.
You have challenged them to use their own seductive powers on you, and when
they respond, the tables will turn and they will pursue you with desperate
energy. / retreat and thereby teach her to be victorious as she pursues me. 1
continually fall back, and in this backward movement 1 teach her to know
through me all the powers of erotic love, its turbulent thoughts, its passion,
what longing is, and hope, and impatient expectancy. -S0REN KIERKEGAARD Keys to
Seduction S ince humans are naturally obstinate and willful creatures, and
prone to suspicions of people's motives, it is only natural, in the course of
any seduction, that in some ways your target will resist you. Seductions,then,
are rarely easy or without setbacks. But once your victims overcome some of
their doubts, and begin to fall under your spell, they will reach a point where
they start to let go. They may sense that you are leading them along, but they
are enjoying it. No one likes things to be complicated and difficult, and your
target will expect the conclusion to come quickly. That is the point, however,
where you must train yourself to hold back. Deliver the pleasurable climax they
are so greedily awaiting, succumb to the natural tendency to bring the
seduction to a rapid end, and you will have missed an opportunity to ratchet up
the tension, to make the affair more heated. After all, you don't want a
passive little victim to toy with; you want the seduced to engage their will in
all its force, to become active participants in the seduction. You want them to
pursue you, hopelessly ensnaring themselves in your web in the process. The
only way to accomplish this is to take a step back and make them anxious. You
have strategically retreated before (see chapter 12), but this is dif- Give
Them Space to Fall-The Pursuer Is Pursued • 389 ferent. The target is falling
for you now, and your retreat will lead to panicky thoughts: you are losing
interest, it is somehow my fault, perhaps it is something I have done. Rather
than think you are rejecting them on your own, your targets will want to make
this interpretation, since if the cause of the problem is something they have
done, they have the power to win you back by changing their behavior. If you
are simply rejecting them, on the other hand, they have no control. People always
want to preserve hope. Now they will come to you, turn aggressive, thinking
that will do the trick. They will raise the erotic temperature. Understand: a
person's willpower is directly linked to their libido, their erotic desire.
When your victims are passively waiting for you, their erotic level is low.
When they turn pursuer, getting involved in the process, brimming with tension
and anxiety, the temperature is raised. So raise it as high as you can. When
you withdraw, make it subtle; you are instilling unease. Your coldness or
distance should dawn on your targets when they are alone, in the form of a
poisonous doubt creeping into their mind. Their paranoia will become
self-generating. Your subtle step back will make them want to possess you, so they
will willingly advance into your arms without being pushed. This is different
from the strategy in chapter 20, in which you are inflicting deep wounds,
creating a pattern of pain and pleasure. There the goal is to make your victims
weak and dependent, here it is to make them active and aggressive. Which
strategy you prefer to use (the two cannot be combined) depends on what you
want and the proclivities of your victim. In Spren Kierkegaard's The Seducer's
Diary, lohannes aims to seduce the young and beautiful Cordelia. He begins by
being rather intellectual with her, and slowly intriguing her. Then he sends
her letters that are romantic and seductive. Now her fascination blossoms into
love. Although in person he remains a little distant, she senses in him great
depths and is certain that he loves her. Then one day, while they're talking,
Cordelia has a strange sensation: something about him is different. He seems
more interested in ideas than in her. Over the next few days, this doubt gets
stronger-the letters are a little less romantic, something is missing. Feeling
anxious, she slowly turns aggressive, becomes the pursuer instead of the
pursued. The seduction is now much more exciting, at least for Johannes.
Johannes's step back is subtle; he merely gives Cordelia the impression that
his interest is a little less romantic than the day before. He returns to being
the intellectual. This stirs the worrisome thought that her natural charms and
beauty no longer have as much effect on him. She must try harder, provoke him
sexually, prove to herself that she has some power over him. She is now
brimming with erotic desire, brought to that point by Johannes's subtle
withdrawal of affection. Each gender has its own seductive lures, which come
naturally to them. When you seem interested in someone but do not respond
sexually, it is disturbing, and presents a challenge: they will find a way to
seduce you. To produce this effect, first reveal an interest in your targets,
through letters or subtle insinuation. But when you are in their presence,
assume a kind of coped with than an earthquake. . . . • The child who
experiences his mother's dissatisfaction and apparent withdrawal of affection
reacts to this menace at first with fear. He tries to regain what seems lost by
expressing hostility and aggressiveness. . . . The change of its character
comes about only after failure; when the child realizes that the effort is a
failure. And now something very strange takes place, something which isforeign
to our conscious thinking but which is very near to the infantile way. Instead
of grasping the object directly and taking possession of it in an aggressive
way, the child identifies with the object as it was before. The child does the
same that the mother did to him in that happy time which has passed. The
process is very illuminating because it shapes the pattern of love in general.
The little boy thus demonstrates in his own behavior what hewants his mother to
do to him, how she should behave to him. He announces this wish by displaying
his tenderness and affection toward his mother who gave these before to him. It
is an attempt to overcome the despair and sense of loss in taking over the role
of the mother. The boy tries to demonstrate what he wishes by doing it himself:
look, I would like you to act thus toward me, to be thus tender and loving to
me. Of course this attitude is not the result of consideration or reasoned
planning but an emotional process by identification, a natural exchange of
roles with the unconscious aim 390 of seducing the mother into fulfdling his
wish. He demonstrates by his own actions how he wants to be loved. It is a
primitive presentation through reversal, an example of how to do the thing
which he wishes done by her. In this presentation lives the memory of the
attentions, tendernesses, and endearments once received from the mother or
loving persons. -THEODOR REIK, OF LOVE AND LUST sexless neutrality. Be
friendly, even warm, but no more. You are pushing them into arming themselves
with the seductive charms that are natural to their sex-exactly what you want.
In the latter stages of the seduction, let your targets feel that you are
becoming interested in another person-this is another form of taking a step
back. When Napoleon Bonaparte first met the young widow Josephine de
Beauhamaisin1795, he was excited by her exotic beauty and the looks she gave
him. He began to attend her weekly soirees and, to his delight, she would
ignore the other men and remain at his side, listening to him so attentively.
He found himself falling in love with Josephine, and had every reason to
believe she felt the same. Then, at one soiree, she was friendly and attentive,
as usual-except that she was equally friendly to another man there, a former
aristocrat, like Josephine, the kind of man that Napoleon could never compete
with when it came to manners and wit. Doubts and jealousies began to stir
within. As a military man, he knew the value of going on the offensive, and
after a few weeks of a swift and aggressive campaign he had her all to himself,
eventually marrying her. Of course Josephine, a clever seductress, had set it
all up. She did not say she was interested in another man, but his mere
presence at her house, a look here and there, subtle gestures, made it seem
that way. There is no more powerful way to hint that you are losing your
desire. Make your interest in another too obvious, though, and it could
backfire. This is not the situation in which you want to seem cruel; doubt and
anxiety are the effects you are after. Make your possible interest in another
barely perceptible to the naked eye. Once someone has fallen for you, any
physicalabsence will create unease. You are literally creating space. The
Russian seductress Lou Andreas- Salome had an intense presence; when a man was
with her, he felt her eyes boring into him, and often became entranced with her
coquettish ways and spirit. But then, almost invariably, something would come
up-she would have to leave town for a while, or would be too busy to see him.
It was during her absences that men fell hopelessly in love with her, and vowed
to be more aggressive next time they were with her. Your absences at this
latter point of the seduction should seem at least somewhat justified. You are
insinuating not a blatant brush-off but a slight doubt: perhaps you could have
found some reason to stay, perhaps you are losing interest, perhaps there is
someone else. In your absence, their appreciation of you will grow. They will
forget your faults, forgive your sins. The moment you return, they will chase
after you as you desire. It will be as if you had come back from the dead.
According to the psychologist Theodor Reik, we learn to love only through
rejection. As infants, we are showered with love by our mother- we know nothing
else. But when we get a little older, we begin to sense that her love is not
unconditional. If we do not behave, if we do not please her, she can withdraw
it. The idea that she will withdraw her affection fills us with anxiety, and,
at first, with anger-we will show her, we will throw Give Them Space to
Fall-The Pursuer Is Pursued • 391 a tantrum. But that never works, and we
slowly realize that the only way to keep her from rejecting us again is to
imitate her-to be as loving, kind, and affectionate as she is. This will bond
her to us in the deepest way. The pattern is ingrained in us for the rest of
our lives: by experiencing a rejection or a coldness, we learn to court and
pursue, to love. Re-create this primal pattern in your seduction. First, shower
your targets with affection. They will not be sure where this is coming from,
but it is a delightful feeling, and they will never want to lose it. When it
does go away, in your strategic step back, they will have moments of anxiety
and anger, perhaps throwing a tantrum, and then the same childlike reaction:
the only way to win you back, to have you for sure, will be to reverse the
pattern, to imitate you, to be the affectionate, giving one. It is the terror
of rejection that turns the tables. This pattern will often repeat itself
naturally in an affair or relationship. One person goes cold, the other
pursues, then goes cold in turn, making the first person the pursuer, and on
and on. As a seducer, do not leave this to chance. Make it happen. You are
teaching the other person to become a seducer, just as the motherinherown way
taught the child to return her love by turning her back. For your own sake
learn to relish this reversal of roles. Do not merely play at being the
pursued, but enjoy it, give in to it. The pleasure of being pursued by your
victim can often surpass the thrill of the hunt. Symbol: The Pomegranate.
Carefully cultivated and tended, the pomegranate begins to ripen. Do not gather
it too early or force it off the stem-it will be hard and bitter. Let the fruit
grow heavy and full of juice, then stand back - it will fall on its own. That
is when its pulp is most delicious. 392 • The Art of Seduction Reversal T here
are moments when creating space and absence will blow up in your face. An
absence at a critical moment in the seduction can make the target lose interest
in you. It also leaves too much to chance-while you are away, they could find
another person, who will distract their thoughts from you. Cleopatra easily
seduced Mark Antony, but after their first encounters, he returned to Rome.
Cleopatra was mysterious and alluring, but if she let too much time pass, he
would forget her charms. So she let go of her usual coquetry and came after him
when he was on one of his military campaigns. She knew that once he saw her, he
would fall under her spell again and pursue her. Use absence only when you are
sure of the target's affection, and never let it go on too long. It is most
effective later in the seduction. Also, never create too much space-don't write
too rarely, don't act too cold, don't show too much interest in someone else.
That is the strategy of mixing pleasure with pain, detailed in chapter 20, and
will create a dependent victim, or will even make him or her give up
completely. Some people, too, are inveterately passive: they are waiting for
you to make the bold move, and if you don't, they will think you are weak. The
pleasure to be had from such a victim is less than the pleasure you will get
from someone more active. But if you are involved with such a type, do what you
need to if you are to have your way, then end the affair and move on. 22 Use
Physical Lures Targets with active minds are dangerous: if they see through
your manipulations, they may suddenly develop doubts. Put their minds gently to
rest, and waken their dormant senses, by combining a nondefensive attitude with
a charged sexual presence. While your cool, nonchalant air is calming their
minds and lowering their inhibitions, your glances, voice, and bearing-oozing
sex and desire-are getting under their skin, agitating their senses and raising
their temperature. Never force the physical; instead infect your targets with
heat, lure them into lust. Lead them into the moment-an intensified present in
which morality, judgment, and concern for the future all melt away and the body
succumbs to pleasure. Raising the Temperature I n 1889, the top New York
theatrical manager Ernest Jurgens visited France on one of his many scouting
trips. Jurgens was known for his honesty, a rare commodity in the shady entertainment
world, and for his ability to find unusual acts. He had to spend the night in
Marseilles, and while wandering along the quay of the old harbor, he heard
excited catcalls issuing from a working-class cabaret, and decided to go in. A
twenty-one- year-old Spanish dancer named Caroline Otero was performing, and
the minute Jurgens laid eyes on her he was a changed man. Her appearance was
startling-five foot ten, fiery dark eyes, black waist-length hair, her body
corseted into a perfect hourglass figure. But it was the way she danced that
made his heart pound-her whole body alive, writhing like an animal in heat, as
she performed a fandango. Her dancing was hardly professional, but she enjoyed
herself so much and was so unrestrained that none of that mattered. Jurgens
also could not help but notice the men in the cabaret watching her, their
mouths agape. After the show, Jurgens went backstage to introduce himself.
Otero's eyes came alive as he spoke of his job and of New York. He felt a heat,
a twitching, in his body as she looked him up and down. Her voice was deep and
raspy, the tongue constantly in play as she rolled her Rs. Closing the door,
Otero ignored the knocks and pleas of the admirers dying to speak to her. She
said that her way of dancing was natural-her mother was a gypsy. Soon she asked
Jurgens to be her escort that evening, and as he helped her with her coat, she
leaned back toward him slightly, as if she had lost her balance. As they walked
around the city, her arm in his, she would occasionally whisper in his ear.
Jurgens felt his usual reserve melt away. He held her tighter. He was a family
man, had never considered cheating on his wife, but without thinking, he
brought Otero back to his hotel room. She began to take off some of her clothes-coat,
gloves, hat-a perfectly normal thing to do, but the way she did it made him
lose all restraint. The normally timid Jurgens went on the attack. The next
morning Jurgens signed Otero to a lucrative contract-a great risk, considering
that she was an amateur at best. He brought her to Paris and assigned a top
theatrical coach to her. Hurrying back to New York, he fed the newspapers with
reports of this mysterious Spanish beauty poised to conquer the city. Soon
rival papers were claiming she was an Andalusian countess, an escaped harem
girl, the widow of a sheik, on and on. He The year was 1907 and La Belle
\Otero], by then, had been an international figure for over a dozen years. The
story was told by M. Maurice Chevalier. • "I was a young star about to make
my first appearance at the Folies. Otero had been the headliner there for
several weeks and although I knew who she was I had never seen her before on
stage or off • "I was scurrying along, head bent, thinking of something or
other, when I looked up. There was La Belle, in the company of another woman,
walking in my direction. Otero was then nearly forty and I was not yet out of
my teens but - ah!-she was so beautiful! • "She was tall, darkhaired, with
a magnificent body, like the bodies of the women of those days, not like the
lightweight ones of today." • Chevalier smiled. • "Of course I like
modern women, too, but there was something of a fatal charm about Otero. We
three stood there for a moment or two, not saying a word, I staring at La
Belle, not so young as she once was and maybe not so beautiful, but 395 396
still quite a woman. • "She looked right at me, then turned to the lady
she was with-some friend, I guess-and spoke to her in English, which she
thought I didn't understand. However, I did. • " 'Who's the very handsome
young man?' Otero asked. • "The other one answered, 'He's Chevalier.' •
" 'He has such beautiful eyes' ha Belle said, looking straight at me,
right up and down. • "Then she almost floored me with herfrankness. •
" 7 wonder if he'd like to go to bed with me. I think I'll ask him!' Only
she didn't say it so delicately. She was much cruder and more to the point. •
"It was at this moment I had to make up my mind rather quickly. La Belle
moved toward me. Instead of introducing myself and succumbing to the
consequences, I pretended I didn't understand what she'd said, uttered some
pleasantry in French and moved away to my dressing room. • "I could see La
Belle smile in an odd fashion as I passed her;like a sleek tigress watching its
dinner go away. For a fleeting second I thought she might turn around and
follow me. " • What would Chevalier have done had she pursued him? His
lower lip dropped into that halfpout which is the Frenchman's exclusive
possession. Then he grinned. • "I'd have slowed down and let her catch
up." -ARTHUR H. LEWIS, LA BELLE OTERO made frequent trips to Paris to be
with her, forgetting about his family, lavishing money and gifts on her.
Otero's New York debut, in October of 1890, was an astounding success. "Otero
dances with abandon," read an article in The New York Times. "Her
lithe and supple body looks like that of a serpent writhing in quick, graceful
curves." In a few short weeks she became the toast of New York society,
performing at private parties late into the night. The tycoon William
Vanderbilt courted her with expensive jewels and evenings on his yacht. Other
millionaires vied for her attention. Meanwhile Jurgens was dipping into the
company till to pay for presents for her-he would do anything to keep her, a
task in which he was facing heavy competition. A few months later, after his
embezzling became public, he was a ruined man. He eventually committed suicide.
Otero went back to France, to Paris, and over the next few years rose to become
the most infamous courtesan of the Belle Epoque. Word spread quickly: a night
with La Belle Otero (as she was now known) was more effective than all the
aphrodisiacs in the world. She had a temper, and was demanding, but that was to
be expected. Prince Albert of Monaco, a man who had been plagued by doubts of
his virility, felt like an insatiable tiger after a night with Otero. She
became his mistress. Other royalty followed- Prince Albert of Wales (later King
Edward VII), the Shah of Persia, Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia. Less wealthy
men emptied their bank accounts, and Jurgens was only the first of many whom
Otero drove to suicide. During World War I, a twenty-nine-year-old American
soldier named Frederick, stationed in France, won $37,000 in a four-day crap
game. On his next leave he went to Nice and checked himself into the finest
hotel. On his first night in the hotel restaurant, he recognized Otero sitting
alone at a table. He had seen her perform in Paris ten years before, and had
become obsessed with her. She was now close to fifty, but was more alluring
than ever. He greased some palms and was able to sit at her table. He could
hardly talk: the way her eyes bored into him, a simple readjustment in her
chair, her body brushing up against him as she got up, the way she managed to
walk in front of him and display herself. Later, strolling along a boulevard,
they passed a jewelry store. He went inside, and moments later found himself
plopping down $31,000 for a diamond necklace. For three nights La Belle Otero
was his. Never in his life had he felt so masculine and impetuous. Years later,
he still believed it was well worth the price he had paid. Interpretation.
Although La Belle Otero was beautiful, hundreds of women were more so, or were
more charming and talented. But Otero was constantly on fire. Men could read it
in her eyes, the way her body moved, a dozen other signs. The heat that
radiated out from her came from her own inner desires: she was insatiably
sexual. But she was also a practiced and calculating courtesan, and knew how to
put her sexuality to effect. UsePhysicalLures • 397 Onstage she made every man
in the audience come alive, abandoning herself in dance. In person she was
cooler, or slightly so. A man likes to feel that a woman is enflamed not
because she has an insatiable appetite but because of him; so Otero
personalized her sexuality, using glances, a brushing of skin, a more
languorous tone of voice, a saucy comment, to suggest that the man was heating
her up. In her memoirs she revealed that Prince Albert was a most inept lover.
Yet he believed, along with many other men, that with her he was Hercules
himself. Her sexuality actually originated from her, but she created the
illusion that the man was the aggressor. The key to luring the target into the
final act of your seduction is not to make it obvious, not to announce that you
are ready (to pounce or be pounced upon). Everything should be geared, not to
the conscious mind, but to the senses. You want your target to read cues not
from your words or actions but from your body. You must make your body glow
with desire- for the target. Your desire should be read in your eyes, in a
trembling in your voice, in your reaction when your bodies draw near. You
cannot train your body to act this way, but by choosing a victim (see chapter
1) who has this effect on you, it will all flow naturally. Duringthe seduction,
you will have had to hold yourself back, to intrigue and frustrate the victim.
You will have frustrated yourself in the process, and will already be champing
at the bit. Once you sense that the target has fallen for you and cannot turn
back, let those frustrated desires course through your blood and warm you up.
You do not need to touch your targets, or become physical. As La Belle Otero
understood, sexual desire is contagious. They will catch your heat and glow in
return. Let them make the first move. It will cover your tracks. The second and
third moves are yours. Spell SEX with capital letters when you talk about
Otero. She exuded it. -MAURICE CHEVALIER Lowering Inhibitions O ne day in 1931,
in a village in New Guinea, a young girl named Tu- perselai heard some happy
news: her father, Allaman, who had left some months before to work on a tobacco
plantation, had returned for a visit. Tuperselai ran to greet him. Accompanying
her father was a white man, ait unusual sight in these parts. He was a
twenty-two-year-old Australian from Tasmania, and he was the owner of the
plantation. His name was Errol Flynn. Flynn smiled warmly at Tuperselai,
seeming particularly interested in her bare breasts. (As was the custom in New
Guinea then, she wore only a grass skirt.) He said in pidgin English how
beautiful she was, and kept repeating her name, which he pronounced remarkably
well. He did not say You're anxiously expecting me to escort you \ To parties:
here too solicit my advice. \ Arrive late, when the lamps are lit; make a
graceful entrance - \ Delay enhances charm, delay's a great bawd. \ Plain you
may be, but at night you'll look fine to the tipsy: \ Soft lights and shadows
will mask yourfaults. \ Take your food with dainty fingers: good table manners
matter: \ Don't besmear your whole face with a greasy paw. \ Don't cat first at
home, and nibble - but equally, don't indulge your \ Appetite to the full,
leave something in hand. \ If Paris saw Helen stuffing herself to the eyeballs
\ He'd detest her, he'd feel her abduction had been \ A stupid mistake. . . . \
Each woman should know herself, pick methods \ To suit her body: onefashion .
won't do for all. \ Let the girl with a pretty face lie supine, let the lady \
Who boasts a good back be viewed \ From behind. Milanion bore Atalanta's legs
on \ His shoulders: nice legs should always be used this way \ The petite
should ride a horse (Andromache, Hector's Theban \ Bride, was too tall for
these games: no jockey she); \ If you 're built like afashion model, with a
willowy figure, \ Then kneel on the bed, your neck \ A little arched; the girl
who has perfect legs and bosom \ Should lie sideways on, and make her lover stand.
\ Don't blush to unbind your hair like some ecstatic maenad \ And tumble long
tresses about \ Your uncurved throat. - OVID, THE ARTOFLOVE,TRANSLATED BY PETER
GREEN 398 "How do you attract a man," the Paris correspondent of the
Stockholm Aftonbladet asked La Belle on July 3, 1910. • "Make yourself as
feminine as possible; dress so that the most interesting portions of your
anatomy are emphasized; and subtly allow the gentleman to know you are willing
to yield at the proper time. . . • "The way to hold a man" Otero
revealed a little later to a staff writerfrom the Johannesburg Morning Journal,
"is to keep acting as though every time you meet him you are overcome with
fresh enthusiasm and, with barely restrained eagerness, you await his impetuosity."
-ARTHUR H. LEWIS, LA BELLE OTERO "I missed the mental stimulation when I
was younger," he answered. "But from the time I began to have women,
shall we say, on the assembly-line basis, I discovered that the only thing you
need, want, or should have is the absolutely physical. Simply the physical. No
mind at all. A woman's mind will get in the way." • "Really?" •
"For me . . . I am speaking of myself. I don't speak for male humankind. I
am speaking for what I've discovered or what I need: the body, the face, the
physical motion, the voice, the femaleness, the female presence . . . totally
that, nothing else. That's the best. There's no possessiveness in that." •
I watched him closely. • "I'm serious," he said. "That's my view
and feeling. Just the elementary much else, mind you-he did not speak her
language-so she said goodbye and walked away with her father. But later that
day she discovered, to her dismay, that Mr. Flynn had taken a liking to her and
had purchased her from her father for two pigs, some English coins, and some
seashell money. The family was poor and the father liked the price. Tuperselai
had a boyfriend in the village whom she did not want to leave, but she did not
dare disobey her father, and she left with Mr. Flynn for the tobacco
plantation. On the other hand, she had no intention of being friendly with this
man, from whom she expected the worst kind of treatment. In the first few days,
Tuperselai missed her village terribly, and felt nervous and out of sorts. But
Mr. Flynn was polite, and talked in a soothing voice. She began to relax, and
since he kept his distance, she decided it was safe to approach him. His white
skin was tasty to the mosquitoes, so she began to wash him every night with
scented bush herbs to keep them away. Soon she had a thought: Mr. Flynn was
lonely, and wanted a companion. That was why he had bought her. At night he
usually read; instead, she began to entertain him by singing and dancing.
Sometimes he tried to communicate in words and gestures, struggling inpidgin.
She had no idea what he was trying to say, but he made her laugh. And one day
she did understand something: the word "swim." He was inviting her to
go swimming with him in the Laloki River. She was happy to go along, but the
river was full of crocodiles, so she brought along her spear just in case. At
the sight of the river, Mr. Flynn seemed to come alive-he tore off his clothes
and dove in. She followed and swam after him. He put his arms around her and
kissed her. They drifted downstream, and she clung to him. She had forgotten
about the crocodiles; she had also forgotten about her father, her boyfriend,
her village, and everything else there was to forget. Around a bend of the
river, he picked her up and carried her to a secluded grove near the river's
edge. It all happened rather suddenly, which was fine with Tuperselai. From
then on this was a daily ritual-the river, the grove-until the time came when
the tobacco plantation was no longer doing so well, and Mr. Flynn left New
Guinea. One day some ten years later, a young girl named Blanca Rosa Welter
went to a party at the Ritz Hotel in Mexico City. As she wandered through the
bar, looking for her friends, a tall older man blocked her path and said in a
charming accent, "You must be Blanca Rosa." He did not have to introduce
himself-he was the famous Hollywoodactor Errol Flynn. His face was plastered on
posters everywhere, and he was friends of the party's hosts, the Davises, and
had heard them praise the beauty of Blanca Rosa, who was turning eighteen the
following day. He led her to a table in the corner. His manner was graceful and
confident, and listening to him talk, she forgot about her friends. He spoke of
her beauty, repeated her name, said he could make her a star. Before she knew
what was happening, he had invited her to join him in Acapulco, where he was
vacationing. The Davises, their mutual friends, could come along as chaperones.
That would be wonderful, she said, but her mother would never agree. Don't
worry Use Physical Lures • 399 about that, Flynn replied; and the following day
he showed up at their house with a beautiful gift for Blanca, a ring with her
birthstone. Melting under his charming smile, Blanca's mother agreed to his
plan. Later that day, Blanca found herself on a plane to Acapulco. It was all
like a dream. The Davises, under orders from Blanca's mother, tried not to let
her out of their sight, so Flynn put her on a raft and they drifted out into
the ocean, far from the shore. His flattering words filled her ears, and she
let him hold her hand and Mss her cheek. That night they danced together, and
when the evening was over he escorted hertoherroom and serenaded her with a
song as they finally parted. It was the end of a perfect day. In the middle of
the night, she woke up to hear him calling her name, from her hotel-room
balcony. How had he gotten there? His room was a floor above; he must have
somehow jumped or swung down, a dangerous maneuver. She approached, not at all
afraid, but curious. He pulled her gently into his arms and kissed her. Her
body convulsed; overwhelmed with new sensations, totally at sea, she began to
cry-out of happiness, she said. Flynn comforted her with a kiss and returned to
his room above, in the same inexplicable way he had arrived. Now Blanca was
hopelessly in love with him and would do anything he asked of her. A few weeks
later, in fact, she followed him to Hollywood, where she went on to become a
successful actress, known as Linda Christian. In 1942, an eighteen-year-old
girl named Nora Eddington had a temporary job selling cigarettes at the Los
Angeles County courthouse. The place was a madhouse at the time, teeming with
tabloid journalists: two young girls had charged Errol Flynn with rape. Nora of
course noticed Flynn, a tall, dashing man who occasionally bought cigarettes
from her, but her thoughts were with her boyfriend, a young Marine. A few weeks
later Flynn was acquitted, the trial ended, and the place settleddown. A man
she had met during the trial called her up one day; he was Flynn's right-hand
man, and on Flynn's behalf, he wanted to invite her up to the actor's house on
Mulholland Drive. Nora had no interest in Flynn, and in fact she was a little
afraid of him, but a girlfriend who was dying to meet him talked her into going
and bringing her along. What did she have to lose? Nora agreed to go. On the
day, Flynn's friend showed up and drove them to a splendid house on top of a
hill. When they arrived, Flynn was standing shirtless by his swimming pool. He
came to greet her and her girlfriend, moving so gracefully-like a lithe cat-and
his manner so relaxed, she felt her jitters melt away. He gave them a tour of
the house, which was full of artifacts of his various sea voyages. He talked so
delightfully of his love of adventure that she wished she had had adventures of
her own. He was the perfect gentleman, and even let her talk about her
boyfriend without the slightest sign ofjealousy. Nora had a visit from her
boyfriend the next day. Somehow he didn't seem so interesting anymore; they had
a fight and broke up on the spot. That night, Flynn took her out on the town,
to the famous Mocambo nightclub. He was drinking andjoking, and she fell into
the spirit, and hap- physical female. Nothing more than that. When you get hold
of that-hang on to it, for a short while." -EARL CONRAD, ERROL FLYNN: A
MEMOIR A sweet disorder in the dress \ Kindles in clothes a wantonness: \ A
lawn about the shoulders thrown \ Into a fine distraction: \ An erring lace,
which here and there \ Enthralls the crimson stomacher: \ A cuff neglectful,
and thereby \ Ribbands to flow confusedly: \ A winning wave (deserving note) \
In the tempestuous petticoat: \ A careless shoestring, in whose tie \ I see a
wild civility: \ Do more bewitch me, than when art \ Is too precise in every
part. - ROBERT HERRICK,"DELIGHT IN DISORDER," QUOTED IN PETER
WASHINGTON, ED., EROTIC POEMS Satni, the son of Pharaoh Usimares, saw a very
beautiful woman on the plain-stones of the temple. He called his page, and
said, "Go and tell her that I, Pharaoh's son, shall give her ten pieces of
gold to spend an hour with me." "I am a Pure One, I am not a low
person," answers the Lady Thubuit. "If you wish to have your pleasure
with me, you will come to my house at Bubastis. Everything will be ready there."
Satni went to Bubastis by boat. "By my life," said Thubuit,
"come upstairs with me." On the upper floor, sanded with dust of
lapis lazuli and turquoise, Satni saw several beds covered with royal linen and
many gold 400 bowls on a table. "Please take your meal," said
Thubuit."That is not what I have come to do," answered Satni, while
the slaves put aromatic wood on the fire and scattered scent about. "Do
that for which we have come here," Satni repeated. "First you will
make out a deedfor my maintenance," Thubuit replied, "and you will
establish a dowry for me of all the things and goods which belong to you, in
writing." Satni acquiesced, saying, "Bring me the scribe of the
school." • When he had done what she asked, Thubuit rose and dressed
herself in a robe of fine linen, through which Satni could see all her limbs.
His passion increased, but she said, "If it is true that you desire to
have your pleasure of me, you will make your children subscribe to my deed,
that they may not seek a quarrel with my children." Satni sent for his
children. "If it is true that you desire to have your pleasure of me, you
will cause your children to be killed, that they may not seek a quarrel with my
children." Satni consented again: "Let any crime be done to them
which your heart desires." "Go into that room," said Thubuit;
and while the little corpses were thrown out to the stray dogs and cats, Satni
at last lay on a bed of ivory and ebony, that his love might be rewarded, and
Thubuit lay down at his side. "Then," the texts modestly say,
"magic and the god Amen did much." • The charms of the Divine Women
must have been irresistible, if even "the wisest men" were pily let
him touch her hand. Then suddenly she panicked. "I'm a Catholic and a
virgin," she blurted out, "and some day I'm going to walk down the
church aisle wearing a veil-and if you think you're going to sleep with me,
you're mistaken." Totally calm and unruffled, Flynn said she had nothing
to fear. He simply liked being with her. She relaxed, and politely asked him to
put his hand back. Over the next few weeks she saw him almost every day. She
became his secretary. Soon she was spending weekend nights as his house guest.
He took her on skiing and boating trips. He remained the perfect gentleman, but
when he looked at her or touched her hand, she felt overwhelmed by an
exhilarating sensation, a tingling on her skin that she compared to stepping
into a cold-needle shower on a red-hot day. Soon she was going to church less
often, drifting away from the life she had known. Although outwardly nothing
had changed between them, inwardly all semblance of resistance to him had
melted away. One night, after a party, she succumbed. She and Flynn eventually
engaged in a stormy marriage that lasted seven years. Interpretation. The women
who became involved with Errol Flynn (and by the end of his life they numbered
in the thousands) had every reason in the world to feel suspicious of him: he
was real life's closest thing to a Don Juan. (In fact he had played the
legendary seducer in a film.) He was constantly surrounded by women, who knew
that no involvement with him could last. And then there were the rumors of his
temper, and his love of danger and adventure. No woman had greater reason to
resist him than Nora Eddington: when she met him he stood accused of rape; she
was involved with another man; she was a God-fearing Catholic. Yet she fell
under his spell, just like all the rest. Some seducers-D. H. Lawrence for
-operate mostly on the mind, creating fascination, stirring up the need to
possess them. Flynn operated on the body. His cool, nonchalant manner infected
women, lowering their resistance. This happened almost the minute they met him,
like a drug: he was at ease around women, graceful and confident. They fell
into this spirit, drifting along on a current he created, leaving the world and
its heaviness behind-it was only you and him. Then-perhaps that same day,
perhaps a few weeks later-there would come a touch of his hand, a certain look,
that would make them feel a tingling, a vibration, a dangerously physical
excitement. They would betray that moment in their eyes, a blush, a nervous
laugh, and he would swoop in for the kill. No one moved faster than Errol
Flynn. The greatest obstacle to the physical part of the seduction is the
target's education, the degree to which he or she has been civilized and
socialized. Such education conspires to constrain the body, dull the senses,
fill the mind with doubts and worries. Flynn had the ability to return a woman
to a more natural state, in which desire, pleasure, and sex had nothing
negative attached to them. He lured women into adventure not with arguments but
Use Physical Lures • 401 with an open, unrestrained attitude that infected
their minds. Understand: it all starts from you. When the time comes to make
the seduction physical, train yourself to let go of your own inhibitions, your
doubts, your lingering feelings of guilt and anxiety. Your confidence and ease
will have more power to intoxicate the victim than all the alcohol you could
apply. Exhibit a lightness of spirit-nothing bothers you, nothing daunts you,
you take nothing personally. You are inviting your targets to shed the burdens
of civilization, to follow your lead and drift. Do not talk of work, duty,
marriage, the past or future. Plenty of other people will do that. Instead,
offer the rare thrill of losing oneself in the moment, where the senses come
dive and the mind is left behind. When he kissed me, it evoked a response I had
never known or imagined before, a giddying of all my senses. It was instinctive
joy, against which no warning, reasoning monitor within me availed. It was new
and irresistible and finally overpowering. Seduction-the word implies being
led-and so gently, so tenderly. -LINDA CHRISTIAN Keys to Seduction N ow more
than ever, our minds are in a state of constant distraction, barraged with
endless information, pulled in every direction. Many of us recognize the
problem: articles are written, studies are completed, but they simply become
more information to digest. It is almost impossible to turn off an overactive
mind; the attempt simply triggers more thoughts- an inescapable hall of
mirrors. Perhaps we turn to alcohol, to drugs, to physical activity-anything to
help us slow the mind, be more present in the moment. Our discontent presents
the crafty seducer with infinite opportunity. The waters around you are teeming
with people seeking some kind of release from mental overstimulation. The lure
of unencumbered physical pleasure will make them take your bait, but as you
prowl the waters, understand: the only way to relax a distracted mind is to
make it focus on one thing. A hypnotist asks the patient to focus on a watch
swinging back and forth. Once the patient focuses, the mind relaxes, the senses
awaken, the body becomes prone to all kinds of novel sensations and
suggestions. As a seducer, youare a hypnotist, and what you are making the
target focus on is you. Throughout the seductive process you have been filling
the target's mind. Letters, mementos, shared experiences keep you constantly
present, even when you are not there. Now, as you shift to the physical part of
the seduction, you must see your targets more often. Your attention must become
more intense. Errol Flynn was a master at this game. When he ready to do
anything in their desire to abandon themselves, even for a few moments, to
their trained embraces. -G. R.TABOUIS, THE PRIVATE UFE OF TUTANKHAMEN,
TRANSLATE DBYM.R.DOBIE CELIE: What is the moment, and how do you define it?
Because I must say in all good honesty that I do not understand you. • THE
DUKE: A certain disposition of the senses, as unexpected as it is involuntary,
which a woman can conceal, but which, should it be perceived or sensed by
someone who might profit from it, puts her in the greatest danger of being a
little more willing than she thought she ever should or could be. -CREBILLON
FILS, LE HASARD AU COIN DU FEU, QUOTED IN MICHEL FEHER, ED., THE LIBERTINE
READER When, on an autumn evening, with closed eyes, \ I breathe the warm dark
fragrance of your breast, \ Before me blissful shores unfold, caressed \ By
dazzlingfires from blue unchanging skies. \ And there, upon that calm and
drowsing isle, \ Grow luscious fruits amid fantastic trees: \ There, men are
lithe: the women of those seas \ Amaze one with their gaze that knows no guile.
\ Your perfume wafts me thither like a wind: \ I see a harbor thronged with
masts and sails \ Still weary from the tumult of the gales; \ And 402 THE
FLOWERS OF EVIL, TRANSLATED BY ALAN CONDER with the sailors' song that honied
in on a victim, he dropped everything else. The woman was made drifts to me \
Are mmgied t0 f ee i everything came second to her-his career, his friends,
every- odors of the tamarind, \ . , , . ... . . . . . , " , . , thing.
Then he would take her on a little trip, preferably with water and melody,
around. Slowly the rest of the world would fade into the background, and
-charles baudelaire, Flynn would take center stage. The more your targets think
of you, the less ¦exotic perfume," they are distracted by thoughts of work
and duty. When the mind focuses tiic flowers or evil. one jj. and w hen the
mind relaxes, all the little paranoid thoughts that we are prone to-do you
really like me, am I intelligent or beautiful enough, what does the future
hold-vanish from the surface. Remember: it all starts with you. Be
undistracted, present in the moment, and the target will follow suit. The
intense gaze of the hypnotist creates a similar reaction in the patient. Once
the target's overactive mind starts to slow down, their senses will come to
life, and your physical lures will have double their power. Now a heated glance
will give them flush. You will have a tendency to employ physical lures that
work primarily on the eyes, the sense we most rely on in our culture. Physical
appearances are critical, but you are after a general agitation of the senses.
La Belle Otero made sure men noticed her breasts, her figure, her perfume, her
walk; no part was allowed to predominate. The senses are interconnected-an
appeal to smell will trigger touch, an appeal to touch will trigger vision:
casual or "accidental" contact-better a brushing of the skin than
something more forceful right now-will create a jolt and activate the eyes.
Subtly modulate the voice, make it slower and deeper. Living senses will crowd
out rational thought. In the eighteenth-century libertine novel The Wayward
Head and Heart, by Crebillon fils, Madame de Lursay is trying to seduce a
younger man, Meilcour. Her weapons are several. One night at a party she is
hosting, she wears a revealing gown; her hair is slightly tousled; she throws
him heated glances; her voice trembles a bit. When they are alone, she
innocently gets him to sit close to her, and talks more slowly; at one point
she starts to cry. Meilcour has many reasons to resist her; he has fallen in
love with a girl his own age, and he has heard rumors about Madame de Lursay
that should make him distrust her. But the clothes, the looks, the perfume, the
voice, the closeness of her body, the tears-it all begins to overwhelm him.
"An indescribable agitation stirred my senses." Meilcour succumbs.
The French libertines of the eighteenth century called this "the
moment." The seducer leads the victim to a point where he or she reveals
involuntary signs of physical excitation that can be read in various symptoms.
Once those signs are detected, the seducer must work quickly, applying pressure
on the target to get lost in the moment-the past, the future, all moral scmples
vanishing in air. Once your victims lose themselves in the moment, it is all
over-their mind, their conscience, no longer holds them back. The body gives in
to pleasure. Madame de Lursay lures Meilcour into the moment by creating a
generalized disorder of the senses, rendering him incapable of thinking straight.
In leading your victims into the moment, remember a few things. First, Use
Physical Lures • 403 a disordered look (Madame de Lursay's tousled hair, her
ruffled dress) has more effect on the senses than a neat appearance. It
suggests the bedroom. Second, be alert to the signs of physical excitation.
Blushing, trembling of the voice, tears, unusually forceful laughter, relaxing
movements of the body (any kind of involuntary mirroring, their gestures
imitating yours), a revealing slip of the tongue-these are signs that the
victim is slipping into the moment and pressure is to be applied. In 1934, a
Chinese football player named Li met a young actress named Lan Ping in
Shanghai. He began to see her often at his matches, cheering him on. They would
meet at public affairs, and he would notice her glancing at him with her
"strange, yearning eyes," then looking away. One evening he found her
seated next to him at a reception. Her leg brushed up against his. They
chatted, and she asked him to see a movie with her at a nearby cinema. Once
they were there, her head found its way onto his shoulder; she whispered into
his ear, something about the film. Later they strolled the streets, and she put
her arm around his waist. She brought him to a restaurant where they drank some
wine. Li took her to his hotel room, and there he found himself overwhelmed by
caresses and sweet words. She gave him no room to retreat, no time to cool
down. Three years later Lan Ping-soon to be renamed Jiang Qing-played a similar
game on Mao Zedong. She was to become Mao's wife-the infamous Madame Mao,
leader of the Gang of Four. Seduction, like warfare, is often a game of
distance and closeness. At first you track your enemy from a distance. Your
main weapons are your eyes, and a mysterious manner. Byron had his famous
underlook, Madame Mao her yearning eyes. The key is to make the look short and
to the point, then look away, like a rapier glancing the flesh. Make your eyes
reveal desire, and keep the rest of the face still. (A smile will spoil the
effect.) Once the victim is heated up, you quickly bridge the distance, turning
to hand- to-hand combat in which you give the enemy no room to withdraw, no
time to think or to consider the position in which you have placed him or her.
To take the element of fear out of this, use flattery, make the target feel
more masculine or feminine, praise their charms. It is their fault that you
have become so physical and aggressive. There is no greater physical lure than
to make the target feel alluring. Remember; the girdle of Aphrodite, which gave
her untold seductive powers, included that of sweet flattery. Shared physical
activity is always an excellent lure. The Russian mystic Rasputin would begin
his seductions with a spiritual lure-the promise of a shared religious
experience. But then his eyes would bore into his target at a party, and
inevitably he would lead her in a dance, which would become more and more
suggestive as he movedcloser to her. Hundreds of women succumbed to this
technique. For Flynn it was swimming or sailing. In such physical activity, the
mind turns off and the body operates according to its own laws. The target's
body will follow your lead, will mirror your moves, as far as you want it to
go. In the moment, all moral considerations fade away, and the body re- turns
to a state of innocence. You can partly create that feeling through a
devil-may-care attitude. You do not worry about the world, or what people think
of you; you do not judge your target in any way. Part of Flynn's appeal was his
total acceptance of a woman. He was not interested in a particular body type, a
woman's race, her level of education, her political beliefs. He was in love
with her feminine presence. He was luring her into an adventure, free of
society's strictures and moral judgments. With him she could act out a
fantasy-which, for many, was the chance to be aggressive or transgressive, to
experience danger. So empty yourself of your tendency to moralize andjudge. You
have lured your targets into a momentary world of pleasure-soft and
accommodating, all rules and taboos thrown out the window. Symbol: The Raft.
Floating out to sea, drifting with the current. Soon the shoreline disappears
from sight, and the two of you are alone. The water invites you to forget all cares
and worries, to submerge yourself. Without anchor or direction, cut off from
the past, you give in to the drifting sensation and slowly lose all restraint.
Reversal S ome people panic when they sense they are falling into the moment.
Often, using spiritual lures will help disguise the increasingly physical
nature of the seduction. That is how the lesbian seductress Natalie Barney
operated. In her heyday, at the turn of the twentieth century, lesbian sex was
immensely transgressive, and women new to it often felt a sense of shame or
dirtiness. Barney led them into the physical, but so enveloped it in poetry and
mysticism that they relaxed and felt purified by the experience. Today, few
people feel repulsed by their sexual nature, but many are uncomfortable with
their bodies. A purely physical approach will frighten and disturb them.
Instead, make it seem a spiritual, mystical union, and they will take less
notice of your physical manipulations. 23 Master the Art of the Bold Move A
moment has arrived: your victim clearly desires you, but is not ready to admit
it openly, let alone act on it. This is the time to throw aside chivalry,
kindness, and coquetry and to overwhelm with a bold move. Don't give the victim
time to consider the consequences; create conflict, stir up tension, so that
the bold move comes as a great release. Showing hesitation or awkwardness means
you are thinking of yourself, as opposed to being overwhelmed by the victim's
charms. Never hold back or meet the target halfway, under the belief that you
are being correct and considerate: you must be seductive now, not political.
One person must go on the offensive, and it is you. The Perfect Climax T hrough
a campaign of deception-the misleading appearance of a transformation into
goodness-the rake Valmont laid siege to the virtuous young Presidente de
Tourvel until the day came when, disturbed by his confession of love for her,
she insisted he leave the chateau where both of them were staying as guests. He
complied. From Paris, however, he flooded her with letters, describing his love
for her in the most intense terms; she begged him to stop, and once again he
complied. Then, several weeks later, he paid a surprise visit to the chateau.
In his company Tourvel was flushed and jumpy, and kept her eyes averted-all
signs of his effect on her. Again she asked him to leave. What have you to
fear? he replied, I have always done what you have asked, I have never forced
myself on you. He kept his distance and she slowly relaxed. She no longer left
the room when he entered, and she could look at him directly. When he offered
to accompany her on a walk, she did not refuse. They were friends, shesaid. She
even put her arm in his as they strolled, a friendly gesture. One rainy day
they could not take their usual walk. He met her in the hallway as she was
entering her room; for the first time, she invited him in. She seemed relaxed,
and Valmont sat near her on a sofa. He talked of his love for her. She gave the
faintest protest. He took her hand; she left it there and leaned against his
arm. Her voice trembled. She looked at him, and he felt his heart flutter-it
was a tender, loving look. She started to speak-"Well! yes, I . .
."-then suddenly collapsed into his arms, crying. It was a moment of
weakness, yet Valmont held himself back. Her crying became convulsive; she
begged him to help her, to leave the room before something terrible happened.
He did so. The following morning he awoke to some surprising news: in the
middle of the night, claiming she was feeling ill, Tourvel had suddenly left
the chateau and returned home. Valmont did not follow her to Paris. Instead he
began staying up late, and using no powder to hide the peaked looks that soon
ensued. He went to the chapel every day, and dragged himself despondently
around the chateau. He knew that his hostess would be writing to the
Presidente, who would hear of his sad state. Next he wrote to a church father
in Paris, and asked him to pass along a message to Tourvel: he was ready to
change his life for good. He wanted one last meeting, to say goodbye and to
return the letters she had written him over thelastfew months. The father
arranged a It afforded, moreover, another advantage: that of observing at my
leisure her charming face, more beautiful than ever, as it proffered the
powerful enticement of tears. My blood was on fire, and I was so little in
control of myself that I was tempted to make the most of the occasion. • How
weak we must be, how strong the dominion of circumstance, if even I, without a
thought for my plans, could risk losing all the charm of a prolonged struggle,
all the fascination of a laboriously administered defeat, by concluding a
premature victory; if distracted by the most puerile of desires, I could be
willing that the conqueror of Madame de Tourvel should take nothing for the
fruit of his labors but the tasteless distinction of having added one more name
to the roll. Ah, let her surrender, but let her fight! Let her be too weak to
prevail but strong enough to resist; let her savor the knowledge of her
weakness at her leisure, but let her be unwilling to admit defeat. Leave the
humble poacher to kill the stag where he has surprised it in its hiding place;
the true hunter will bring it to bay. -VICOMTE DEVALMONT, IN CHODERLOS DE
LACLOS, DANGEROUS LIAISONS. TRANSLATED BY P.W.K. STONE, IN MICHEL FEHER, ED.,
THE LIBERTINE READER Don't you know that however willing, however eager we are
to give ourselves, we must nevertheless have an excuse? And is there any more
convenient than an appearance of yielding to force? As for me, I shall admit
that one thing that most flatters me is a lively and well-executed attack, when
everything happens in quick but orderly succession; which never puts us in the
painfully embarrassing position of having to cover up some blunder of which, on
the contrary, we ought to be taking advantage; which keeps up an appearance of
taking by storm even that which we are quite prepared to surrender; and
adroitly flatters our two favorite passions-the pride of defense and the pleasure
of defeat. -MARQUISE DE MERTEUIL IN CHODERLOS DE LACLOS, DANGEROUS LIAISONS.
TRANSLATED BY P.W.K. STONE IN MICHEL FEHER, ED., THE UBERTINE READER What
sensible man will not intersperse his coaxing \ With kisses? Even if she
doesn't kiss back, \ Still force on regardless! She may struggle, cry
"Naughty!" \ Yet she wants to be overcome. Just meeting, and so, one
late afternoon in Paris, Valmont found himself once again alone with Tourvel,
in a room in her house. The Presidente was clearly on edge; she could not look
him in the eye. They exchanged pleasantries, but then Valmont turned harsh; she
had treated him cruelly, had apparently been determined to make him unhappy.
Well, this was the end, they were separating for good, since that was how she
wanted it. Tourvel argued back: she was a married woman, she had no choice.
Valmont softened his tone and apologized: he was unused to having such strong
feelings, he said, and could not control himself. Still, he would never trouble
her again. Then he laid on a table the letters he had come to return. Tourvel
came closer: the sight of her letters, and the memory of all the turmoil they
represented, affected her powerfully. She had thought his decision to renounce
his libertine way of life was voluntary, she said-with a touch of bitterness in
her voice, as if she resented being abandoned. No, it was not voluntary, he
replied, it was because she had spurned him. Then he suddenly stepped closer
and took her in his arms. She did not resist. "Adorable woman!" he
cried. "You have no idea of the love you inspire. You will never know how
I have worshipped you, how much dearer my feelings have been to me than life!
... May [your days] be blessed with all of the happiness of which you have
deprived me!" Then he let her go and turned to leave. Tourvel suddenly
snapped. "You shall listen to me. I insist," she said, and grabbed
his arm. He turned around and they embraced. This time he waited no longer,
picking her up, carrying her to anottoman, overwhelming her with kisses and
sweet words of the happiness he now felt. Before this sudden flood of caresses,
all her resistance gave way. "From this moment on I am yours," she
said, "and you will hear neither refusals nor regrets from my lips."
Tourvel was true to her word, and Valmont's suspicions were to prove correct:
the pleasures he won from her were far greater than with any other woman he had
seduced. Interpretation. Valmont-a character in Choderlos de Laclos's
eighteenth- century novel Dangerous Liaisons -can sense several things about
the Presidente at first glance. She is timid and nervous. Her husband almost
certainly treats her with respect-probably too much of it. Beneath her interest
in God, religion, and virtue is a passionate woman, vulnerable to the lure of a
romance and to the flattering attention of an ardent suitor. No one, not even
her husband, has given her this feeling, because they have all been so daunted
by her prudish exterior. Valmont begins his seduction, then, by being indirect.
He knows Tourvel is secretly fascinated with his bad reputation. By acting as
if he is contemplating a change in his life, he can make her want to reform
him-a desire that is unconsciously a desire to love him. Once she has opened up
ever so slightly to his influence, he strikes at her vanity: she has never felt
Master the Art of the Bold Move • 409 desired as a woman, and on some level
cannot help but enjoy his love for her. Of course she struggles and resists,
but that is only a sign that her emotions are engaged. (Indifference is the single
most effective deterrent to seduction.) By taking his time, by making no bold
moves even when he has the opportunity for them, he instills in her a false
sense of security and proves himself by being patient. On what he pretends is
his last visit to her, however, he can sense she is ready-weak, confused, more
afraid of losing the addictive feeling of being desired than of suffering the
consequences of adultery. He deliberately makes her emotional, dramatically
displays her letters, creates some tension by playing a game of push-and-pull,
and when she takes his arm, he knows it is the time to strike. Now he moves
quickly, allowing her no time for doubts or second thoughts. But his move seems
to arise out of love, not lust. After so much resistance and tension, what a
pleasure to finally surrender. The climax now comes as a great release. Never
underestimate the role of vanity in love and seduction. If you seem impatient,
champing at the bit for sex, you signal that it is all about libido, and that
it has little to do with the target's own charms. That is why you must defer
the climax. A lengthier courtship will feed the target's vanity, and will make
the effect of your bold move all the more powerful and enduring. Wait too long,
though-showing desire, but then proving too timid to make your move-and you
will stir up a different kind of insecurity: "You found me desirable, but
you are not acting on your desires; maybe you're not so interested."
Doubts like these affront your target's vanity (if you're not interested, maybe
I'm not so interesting), and are fatal in the latter stages of seduction;
awkwardness and misunderstandings will spring up everywhere. Once you read in
your targets' gestures that they are ready and open-a look in the eye,
mirroring behavior, a strange nervousness in your presence-you must go on the
offensive, make them feel that their charms have unhinged you and pushed you
into the bold move. They will then have the ultimate pleasure: physical
surrender and a psychological boost to their vanity. take care \ Not to bruise
her tender lips with such hard-snatched kisses, \ Don't give her a chance to
protest \ You're too rough. Those who grab their kisses, but not whatfollows, \
Deserve to lose all they've gained. How short were you \ Of the ultimate goal
after all your kissing? That was \ Gaucheness, not modesty, I'm afraid . . . -
OVID, THE ART OF LOVE. TRANSLATED BY PETER GREEN I have tested all manner of
pleasures, and known every variety of joy; and I have found that neither
intimacy with princes, nor wealth acquired, nor finding after lacking, nor
returning after long absence, nor security after fear and repose in a safe
refuge-none of these things so powerfully affects the soul as union with the
beloved, especially if it come after long denial and continual banishment. For
then the flame ofpassion waxes exceeding hot, and the furnace of yearning
blazes up, and the fire of eager hope rages ever more fiercely. The more
timidity a lover shows with us the more it concerns our pride to goad him on;
the more respect he has for our resistance, the more respect we demand of him.
We would willingly say to you men: "Ah, in pity's name do not suppose us
to be so very virtuous; you are forcing us to have too much of it." -NINON
DE L'ENCLOS Keys to Seduction T hink of seduction as a world you enter, a world
that is separate and distinct from the real world. The rules are different
here; what works in daily life can have the opposite effect in seduction. The
real world fea- - IBN HAZM, THE RING OF THE DOVE: A TREATISE ON THE ART AND
PRACTICE OF ARAB LOVE.TRANSLATEDBYA. J. ARBERRY I knew once two great lords,
brothers, both of them highly bred and highly accomplished gentlemen which did
love two ladies, but the one of these wasof much higher quality and more account
than the other in all respects. Now being entered both into the chamber of 410
this great lady, who for the time being was keeping her bed, each did withdraw
apart for to entertain his mistress. The one did converse with the high-born
dame with every possible respect and humble salutation and kissing of hands,
with words of honor and stately compliment, without making ever an attempt to
come near and try to force the place. The other brother, without any ceremony
of words or fine phrases, did take his fair one to a recessed window, and
incontinently making free with her (for he was very strong), he did soon show
her 'twas not his way to love a I'espagnole, with eyes and tricks of face and
words, but in the genuine fashion and proper mode every true lover should
desire. Presently having finished his task, he doth quit the chamber; but as he
goes, saith to his brother, loud enough for his lady to hear the words:
"Do you as I have done, brother mine; else you do naught at all. Be you as
brave and hardy as you will elsewhere, yet if you show not your hardihood here
and now, you are disgraced;for here is no place of ceremony and respect, but
one where you do see your lady before you, which doth but wait your
attack." So with this he did leave his brother, which yetfor that while
did refrain him and put it off to another time. Butfor this the lady did by no
means esteem him more highly, whether it was she did put it down to an
overchilliness in love, or a lack of courage, or a defect of bodily vigor.
-SEIGNEUR DE BRANT6ME, LIVES OF FAIR & GALLANT LADIES , TRANSLATED BY A. R.
ALLINSON tures a democratizing, leveling impulse, in which everything has to
seem at least something like equal. An overt imbalance of power, an overt
desire for power, will stir envy and resentment; we learn to be kind and
polite, at least on the surface. Even those who have power generally try to act
humble and modest-they do not want to offend. In seduction, on the other hand,
you can throw all of that out, revel in your dark side, inflict a little
pain-in some ways be more yourself. Your naturalness in this respect will prove
seductive in itself. The problem is that after years of living in the real
world, we lose the ability to be ourselves. We become timid, humble,
overpolite. Your task is to regain some of your childhood qualities, to root
out all this false humility. And the most important quality to recapture is
boldness. No one is born timid; timidity is a protection we develop. If we
never stick our necks out, if we never try, we will never have to suffer the
consequences of failure or success. If we are kind and unobtrusive, no one will
be offended-in fact we will seem saintly and likable. In truth, timid people
are often self-absorbed, obsessed with the way people see them, and not at all
saintly. And humility may have its social uses, but it is deadly in seduction.
You need to be able to play the humble saint at times; it is a mask you wear.
But in seduction, take it off. Boldness is bracing, erotic, and absolutely
necessary to bring the seduction to its conclusion. Done right, it tells your
targets that they have made you lose your normal restraint, and gives them
license to do so as well. People are yearning to have a chance to play out the
repressed sides of their personality. At the final stage of a seduction,
boldness eliminates any awkwardness or doubts. In a dance, two people cannot
lead. One takes over, sweeping the other along. Seduction is not egalitarian;
it is not a harmonic convergence. Holding back at the end out of fear of
offending, or thinking it correct to share the power, is a recipe for disaster.
This is an arena not for politics but for pleasure. It can be by the man or
woman, but a bold move is required. If you are so concerned about the other
person, console yourself with the thought that the pleasure of the one who
surrenders is often greater than that of the aggressor. As a young man, the
actor Errol Flynn was uncontrollably bold. This often got him into trouble; he
became too aggressive around desirable women. Then, while traveling through the
Far East, he became interested in the Asian practice of tantric sex, in which
the male must train himself not to ejaculate, preserving his potency and
heightening both partners' pleasure in the process. Flynn later applied this
principle to his seductions as well, teaching himself to restrain his natural
boldness and delay the end of the seduction as long as possible. So, while
boldness can work wonders, uncontrollable boldness is not seductive but
frightening; you need to be able to turn it on and off at will, know when to
use it. As in Tantrism, you can create more pleasure by delaying the
inevitable. In the 1720s, the Due de Richelieu developed an infatuation with a
certain duchess. The woman was exceptionally beautiful, and was desired by one
and all, but she was far too virtuous to take a lover, although she Master the
Art of the Bold Move • 411 could be quite coquettish. Richelieu bided his time.
He befriended her, charming her with the wit that had made him the favorite of
the ladies. One night a group of such women, including the duchess, decided to
play a practical joke on him, in which he was to be forced naked out of his
room at the palace of Versailles. The joke worked to perfection, the ladies all
got to see him in his native glory, andhada good chuckle watching him run away.
There were many places Richelieu could have hidden; the place he chose was the
duchess's bedroom. Minutes later he watched her enter and undress, and once the
candles were extinguished, he crept into bed with her. She protested, tried to
scream. He covered her mouth with kisses, and she eventually and happily
relented. Richelieu had decided to make his bold move then for several reasons.
First, the duchess had come to like him, and even to harbor a secret desire for
him. She would never act upon it or admit it, but he was certain it existed.
Second, she had seen him naked, and could not help but be impressed. Third, she
would feel a touch of pity for his predicament, and for the joke played on him.
Richelieu, a consummate seducer, would find no more perfect moment. The bold
move should come as a pleasant surprise, but not too much of a surprise. Learn
to read the signs that the target is falling for you. His or her manner toward
you will have changed-it will be more pliant, with more words and gestures
mirroring yours-yet there will still be a touch of nervousness and uncertainty.
Inwardly they have given in to you, but they do not expect a bold move. This is
the time to strike. If you wait too long, to the point where they consciously
desire and expect you to make a move, it loses the piquancy of coming as a
surprise. You want a degree of tension and ambivalence, so that the move
represents a great release. Their surrender will relieve tension like a
long-awaited summer storm. Don't plan your bold move in advance; it cannot seem
calculated. Wait for the opportune moment, as Richelieu did. Be attentive to
favorable circumstances. This will give you room to improvise and go with the
moment, which will heighten the impression you want to create of being suddenly
overwhelmed by desire. If you ever sense that the victim is expecting the bold
move, take a step back, lull them into a false sense of security, then strike.
Sometime in the fifteenth century, the writer Bandello relates, a young
Venetian widow had a sudden lust for a handsome nobleman. She had her father
invite him to their palace to discuss business, but during the meeting the
father had to leave, and she offered to give the young man a tour of the place.
His curiosity was piqued by her bedroom, which she described as the most
splendid room in the palace, but which she also passed by without letting him
enter. He begged to be shown the room, and she granted his wish. He was
spellbound: the velvets, the rare objets, the suggestive paintings, the
delicate white candles. A beguiling scent filled the room. The widow put out
all of the candles but one, then led the man to the bed, which had been heated
with a warming pan. He quickly succumbed to her caresses. Follow the widow's
example: your bold move should have a theatrical quality to it. That will make
it memorable, and make your aggressiveness seem pleasant. A man should proceed
to enjoy any woman when she gives him an opportunity and makes her own love
manifest to him by the following signs: she calls out to a man without first
being addressed by him; she shows herself to him in secret places; she speaks
to him tremblingly and inarticulately; her face blooms with delight and her
fingers or toes perspire; and sometimes she remains with both hands placed on
his body as if she had been surprised by something, or as if overcome
withfatigue. • After a woman has manifested her love to him by outward signs,
and by the motions of her body, the man should make every possible attempt to
conquer her. There should be no indecision or hesitancy: if an opening is found
the man should make the most • of it. The woman, indeed, becomes disgusted with
the man if he is timid about his chances and throws them away. Boldness is the
rule, for everything is to be gained, and nothing lost. - THE HINDU ART OF LOVE
, COLLECTED AND EDITED BY EDWARD WINDSOR The Art of Seduction part of the
drama. The theatricality can come from the setting-an exotic or sensual
location. It can also come from your actions. The widow piqued her victim's
curiosity by creating the suspense about her bedroom. An element of
fear-someone might find you, say-will heighten the tension. Remember: you are
creating a moment that must stand out from the sameness of daily life. Keeping
your targets emotional will both weaken them and heighten the drama of the
moment. And the best way to keep them at an emotional pitch is by infecting
them with emotions of your own. When Valmont wanted the Presidents to become
calm, angry, or tender, he showed that emotion first, and she mirrored it.
People are very susceptible to the moods of those around them; this is
particularly acute at the latter stages of a seduction, when resistance is low
and the target has fallen under your spell. At the point of the bold move,
learn to infect your target with whatever emotional mood you require, as
opposed to suggesting the mood with words. You want access to the target's
unconscious, which is best obtained by infecting them with emotions, bypassing
their conscious ability to resist. It may seem expected for the male to make
the bold move, but history is full of successfully bold females. There are two
main forms of feminine boldness. In the first, more traditional form, the
coquettish woman stirs male desire, is completely in control, then at the last
minute, after bringing her victim to a boil, steps back and lets him make the
bold move. She sets it up, then signals with her eyes, her gestures, that she
is ready for him. Courtesans have used this method throughout history; it is
how Cleopatra worked on Antony, how Josephine seduced Napoleon, how La Belle
Otero amassed a fortune during the Belle Epoque. It lets the man maintain his
masculine illusions, although the woman is really the aggressor. The second
form of feminine boldness does not bother with such illusions: the woman simply
takes charge, initiates the first kiss, pounces on her victim. This is how
Marguerite de Valois, Lou Andreas-Salome, and Madame Mao operated, and many men
find it not emasculating at all but very exciting. It all depends on the
insecurities and proclivities of the victim. This kind of feminine boldness has
its allure because it is more rare than the first kind, but then all boldness
is somewhat rare. A bold move will always stand out compared to the usual
treatment afforded by the tepid husband, the timid lover, the hesitant suitor.
That is how you want it. If everyone were bold, boldness would quickly lose its
allure. Master the Art of the Bold Move • 413 Symbol: The Summer Storm. The hot
days follow one another, with no end in sight. The earth is parched and dry.
Then there comes a stillness in the air, thick and oppressive-the calm before
the storm. Suddenly gusts of wind arrive, and flashes of lightning, exciting
and frightening. Allowing no time to react or runfor shelter, the rain comes,
and brings with it a sense of release. At last. Reversal I f two people come
together by mutual consent, that is not a seduction. There is no reversal. 24
Beware the Aftereffects Danger follows in the aftermath of a successful
seduction. After emotions have reached a pitch, they often swing in the
opposite direction-toward lassitude, distrust, disappointment. Beware of the
long, drawn-out goodbye; insecure, the victim will cling and claw, and both
sides will suffer. If you are to part, make the sacrifice swift and sudden. If
necessary, deliberately break the spell you have created. If you are to stay in
a relationship, beware a flagging of energy, a creeping familiarity that will
spoil the fantasy. If the game is to go on, a second seduction is required.
Never let the other person take you for granted-use absence, create pain and
conflict, to keep the seduced on tenterhooks. Disenchantment S eduction is a
kind of spell, an enchantment. When you seduce, you are not quite your normal
self; your presence is heightened, you are playing more than one role, you
arestrategicallyconcealing your tics and insecurities. You have deliberately
created mystery and suspense to make the victim experience a real-life drama.
Under your spell, the seduced gets to feel transported away from the world of
work and responsibility. You will keep this going for as long as you want or
can, heightening the tension, stirring the emotions, until the time finally
comes to complete the seduction. After that, disenchantment almost inevitably
sets in. The release of tension is followed by a letdown-of excitement, of
energy-that can even materialize as a kind of disgust directed at you by your
victim, even though what is happening is really a natural emotional course. It
is as if a drug were wearing off, allowing the target to see you as you are-and
being disappointed by the flaws that are inevitably there. On your side, you
too have probably tended to idealize your targets somewhat, and once your
desire is satisfied, you may see them as weak. (After all, they have given in
to you.) You too may feel disappointed. Even in the best of circumstances, you
are dealing now with the reality rather than the fantasy, and the flames will
slowly die down-unless you start up a second seduction. You may think that if
the victim is to be sacrificed, none of this matters. But sometimes your effort
to break off the relationship will inadvertently revivethespellfor the other
person, causing him or her to cling to you tenaciously. No, in either
direction-sacrifice, or the integration of the two of you into a couple-you
must take disenchantment into account. There is an art to the post-seduction as
well. Master the following tactics to avoid undesired aftereffects. Fight
against inertia. The sense that you are trying less hard is often enough to
disenchant your victims. Reflecting back on what you did during the seduction,
they will see you as manipulative: you wanted something then, and so you worked
at it, but now you are taking them for granted. After the first seduction is
over, then, show that it isn't really over-that you want to keep proving
yourself, focusing your attention on them, luring them. That is often enough to
keep them enchanted. Fight the tendency to let things settle into comfort and
routine. Stir the pot, even if that means a In a word, woe to the woman of too
monotonous a temperament; her monotony satiates and disgusts. She is always the
same statue, with her a man is always right. She is so good, so gentle, that
she takes away from people the privilege of quarreling with her, and this is
often such a great pleasure! Put in her place a vivacious woman, capricious,
decided, to a certain limit, however, and things assume a different aspect. The
lover will find in the same personthepleasureofvariety. Temper is the salt, the
quality which prevents it front becoming stale. Restlessness, jealousy,
quarrels, making friends again, spitefulness, all are the food of love. Enchanting
variety? . . . Too constant a peace is productive of a deadly ennui. Uniformity
kills love, for as soon as the spirit of method mingles in an affair of the
heart, the passion disappears, languor supervenes, weariness begins to wear,
and disgust ends the chapter. - NINONDEL'ENCLOS, LIFE, LETTERS AND EPICUREAN
PHILOSOPHY OF NINON DE L'ENCLOS 418 Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale \
Her infinite variety: other women cloy \ The appetites they feed; but she makes
hungry \ Where most she satisfies. -WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
Cry hurrah, and hurrah again, for a splendid triumph - \ The quarry I sought
has fallen into my toils. . . . \ Why hurry, young man? Your ship's still in
mid-passage, \ And the harbor I seek is far away \ Through my verses, it's
true, you may have acquired a mistress, \ But that's not enough. If my art \
Caught her, my art must keep her. To guard a conquest's \As tricky as making
it. There was luck in the chase, \ But this task will call for skill. If ever I
needed supportfrom \ Venus and Son, and Erato-the Muse \ Erotic by name - it's
now, for my too-ambitious project\Torelatesometechniquesthatmight restrain \
That fickle young globetrotter, Love. . . . \ To be loved you must show
yourself lovable - \ Something good looks alone \ Can never achieve. You may be
handsome as Homer's Nireus, \ Or young Hylas, snatched by those bad \ Naiads;
but all the same, to avoid a surprise desertion \And keep your girl, it's best
you have gifts of mind \ In addition to physical charms. Beauty's fragile, the
passing \ Years diminish its substance, eat it away. \ Violets and bell-mouthed
lilies do not bloomfor ever, \ Hard thorns are all that's left of the blown
rose. \ So with you, my handsome youth: return to inflicting pain and pulling
back. Never rely on your physical charms; even beauty loses its appeal with
repeated exposure. Only strategy and effort will fight off inertia. Maintain
mystery. Familiarity is the death of seduction. If the target knows everything
about you, the relationship gains a level of comfort but loses the elements of
fantasy and anxiety. Without anxiety and a touch of fear, the erotic tension is
dissolved. Remember: reality is not seductive. Keep some dark corners in your
character, flout expectations, use absences to fragment the clinging,
possessive pull that allows familiarity to creep in. Maintain some mystery or
be taken for granted. You will have only yourself to blame for what follows.
Maintain lightness. Seduction is a game, not a matter of life and death. There
will be a tendency in the "post" phase to take things more seriously
and personally, and to whine about behavior that does not please you. Fight
this as much as possible, for it will create exactly the effect you do not
want. You cannot control the other person by nagging and complaining; it will
make them defensive, exacerbating the problem. You will have more control if
you maintain the proper spirit. Your playfulness, the little ruses you employ
to please and delight them, your indulgence of their faults, will make your
victims compliant and easy to handle. Never try to change your victims;
instead, induce them to follow your lead. Avoid the slow burnout. Often, one
person becomes disenchanted but lacks the courage to make the break. Instead,
he or she withdraws inside. As an absence, this psychological step back may
inadvertently reignite the other person's desire, and a frustrating cycle
begins of pursuit and retreat.Everythingunravels, slowly. Once you feel
disenchanted and know it is over, end it quickly, without apology. That would
only insult the other person. A quick separation is often easier to get over-it
is as if you had a problem being faithful, as opposed to your feeling that the
seduced was no longer being desirable. Once you are truly disenchanted, there
is no going back, so don't hang on out of false pity. It is more compassionate
to make a clean break. If that seems inappropriate or too ugly, then
deliberately disenchant the victim with anti-seductive behavior. Examples of
Sacrifice and Integration 1. In the 1770s, the handsome Chevalier de Belleroche
began an affair with an older woman, the Marquise de Merteuil. He saw a lot of
her, but soon she began to pick quarrels with him. Entranced by her
unpredictable Beware the Aftereffects • 419 moods, he worked hard to please
her, showering her with attention and tenderness. Eventually the quarreling
stopped, and as the days went by, de Belleroche felt confident that Merteuil
loved him-until one day, when he came to visit, and found that she was not at
home. Her footman greeted him at the door, and said he would take the chevalier
to a secret house of Merteuil's outside Paris. There the marquise was waiting
for him, in a renewed mood of coquettishness: she acted as if this were
theirfirsttryst.Thechevalier had never seen her so ardent. He left at daybreak
more in love than ever, but a few days later they quarreled again. The marquise
seemed cold after that, and he saw her flirt with another man at a party. He
felt horribly jealous, but as before, his solution was to become more attentive
and loving. This, he thought, was the way to appease a difficult woman. Now
Merteuil had to spend a few weeks at her country home to handle some business
there. She invited de Belleroche to join her for an extended stay, and he
happily agreed, remembering the new life an earlier stay there had brought to
their affair. Once again she surprised him: her affection and desire to please
him were rejuvenated. This time, though, he did not have to leave the next
morning. Days went by, and she refused to entertain any guests. The world would
not intrude on them. And this time there was no coldness or quarreling, only
good cheer and love. Yet now de Belleroche began to grow a little tired of the
marquise. He thought of Paris and the balls he was missing; a week later he cut
short his stay on some business pretext and hurried back to the city. Somehow
the marquise did not seem so charming anymore. Interpretation. The Marquise de
Merteuil, a character in Choderlos de La- clos's novel Dangerous Liaisons, is a
practiced seductress who never lets her affairs drag on too long. De Belleroche
is young and handsome but that is all. As her interest in him wanes, she
decides to bring him to the secret house to try to inject some novelty into the
affair. This works for a while, but it isn't enough. The chevalier must be
gotten rid of. She tries coldness, anger (hoping to start a fight), even a show
of interest in another man. All this only intensifies his attachment. She
can'tjust leave him-he might become vengeful, or try even harder to win her
back. The solution: she deliberately breaks the spell by overwhelming him with
attention. Abandoning the pattern of alternating warmth with coldness, she acts
hopelessly in love. Alone with her day after day, with no space to fantasize,
he no longer sees her as enchanting and breaks off the affair. This was her
goal all along. If a break with the victim is too messy or difficult (or you
lack the nerve), then do the next best thing: deliberately break the spell that
ties him or her to you. Aloofness or anger will only stir the other person s
insecurity, producing a clinging horror. Instead, try suffocating them with
love and attention: be clinging and possessive yourself, moon over the lover's
every action and character trait, create the sense that this monotonous
affection will soon wrinkles will furrow \ Your body; soon, too soon, your hair
turn gray. \ Then build an enduring mind, add that to your beauty: \ It alone
will last till the flames \ Consume you. Keep your wits sharp, explore the
liberal \Arts, win mastery over Greek \ As well as Latin. Ulysses was eloquent,
not handsome - \ Yet he filled sea-goddesses' hearts \ With aching passion. . .
. \ Nothing works on a mood like tactful tolerance: harshness \ Provokes
hatred, makes nasty rows. \ We detest the hawk and the wolf, those natural
hunters, \ Always preying on timid flocks; \ But the gentle swallow goes safe
from man's snares, we fashion \ Little turreted houses for doves. \ Keep clear
of all quarrels, sharp- tongued recriminations - \ Love's sensitive, needs to
be fed \ With gentle words. Leave nagging to wives and husbands, \ Let them, if
they want, think it a natural law, \A permanent state of feud. Wives thrive on
wrangling, \ That's their dowry. A mistress should always hear \ What she wants
to be told. . . . \ Use tender blandishments, language that caresses \ The ear,
make her glad you came. - OVID, THE ART OF LOVE, TRANSLATED BY PETER GREEN In
Paris the band played a concert at the Palais Chaleux. They played the first
half, and then there was an hour interval - intermission, we call it - during
which there was a fabulous biffet on a great long table laden with delicious
foods and cognac, champagne, wine and that rarity in Paris . . .Scotch. The
people, aristocrats and servants, some on their hands and knees, were busily
searching for something on the floor. A duchess, who was one of the hostesses,
had lost one of her larger diamonds. . . . The duchess finally got bored seeing
people looking all over the floor for the ring. She looked around haughtily,
then took Duke by the arm, saying, "It doesn't mean anything. I can always
get diamonds, but how often can I get a man like Duke Ellington?" • She
disappeared with Duke. The band started the second half by themselves, and
eventually Duke smilingly reappeared to finish the concert. - DON GEORGE, SWEET
MAN: THE REAL DUKE ELLINGTON I do know, however, that men become bigger-hearted
and better lovers once they get the suspicion that their mistresses care less
about them. When a man believes himself to be the one and only lover in a
woman's life, he'll whistle and go his way. • / ought to know; I have followed
this profession for the last twenty years. If you want me to, I will tell you
what happened to me a few years ago. • At that time I had a steady lover, a
certain Demophantos, a usurer living near Poikile. He had never given me more
than five drachmas and he pretended to be my man. But his love was only
superficial, Chrysis. He never sighed, he never shed tears for me and he never
spentthenight waiting at go on forever. No more mystery, no more coquetry, no
more retreats--just endless love. Few can endure such a threat. A few weeks of
it and they will be gone. 2. King Charles II of England was a devoted
libertine. He kept a stable of lovers: there was always a favorite mistress
from the aristocracy, and countless other less important women. He craved
variety. One evening in 1668, the king spent an evening at the theater, where
he conceived a sudden desire for a young actress called Nell Gwyn. She was
pretty and innocent looking (only eighteen at the time), with a girlish glow in
her cheeks, but the lines she recited onstage were so impudent and saucy.
Deeply excited, the king decided he had to have her. After the performance he
took her out for a night of drinking and merriment, then led her to his royal
bed. Nell was the daughter of a fishmonger, and had begun by selling oranges in
the theater. She rose to the status of actress by sleeping with writers and
other theater men. She had no shame about this. (When a footman of hers got
into a fight with someone who said he worked for a whore, she broke it up by
saying, "I am a whore. Find something better to fight about.") Nell's
humor and sass amused the king greatly, but she was lowborn, and an actress,
and he could hardly make her a favorite. After several nights with
"pretty, witty Nell," he returned to his principal mistress, Louise
Keroualle, a well-born Frenchwoman. Keroualle was a clever seductress. She
played hard to get, and made it clear she would not give the king her virginity
until he had promised her a title. It was the kind of chase Charles enjoyed,
and he made her the Duchess of Portsmouth. But soon her greed and difficultness
began to wear on his nerves. To divert himself, he turned back to Nell.
Whenever he visited her, he was royally entertained with food, drink, and her
great good humor. The king was bored or melancholy? She took him drinking or
gambling, or out to the country, where she taught him to fish. She always had a
pleasant surprise up her sleeve. What he loved most of all was her wit, the way
she mocked the pretentious Keroualle. The duchess had the habit of going into
mourning whenever a nobleman of another country died, as if he were a relation.
Nell, too, would show up at the palace on these occasions dressed in black, and
would sorrowfully say that she was mourning for the "Cham of Tartary"
or the "Boog of Oronooko"-grand relatives of her own. To her face,
she called the duchess "Squintabella" and the "Weeping
Willow," because of her simpering manners and melancholic airs. Soon the
king was spending more time with Nell than with the duchess. By the time
Keroualle fell out of favor, Nell had in essence become the king's favorite,
which she remained until his death, in 1685. Interpretation. Nell Gwyn was
ambitious. She wanted power and fame, but in the seventeenth century the only
way a woman could get those Beware the Aftereffects • 421 things was through a
man-and who better than the king? But to get involved with Charles was a
dangerous game. A man like him, easily bored and in need of variety, would use
her for a fling, then find someone else. Nell's strategy for the problem was
simple: she let the king have his other girls, and never complained. Every time
he saw her, though, she made sure he was entertained and diverted. She filled
his senses with pleasure, acting as if his position had nothing to do with her
love for him. Variety in women could wear on the nerves, tiring a busy king.
They all made so many demands. If one woman could provide the same variety (and
Nell, as an actress, knew how to play different roles), she had a big
advantage. Nell never asked for money, so Charles plied her with wealth. She
never asked to be the favorite-how could she? She was a commoner-but he
elevated her to the position. Many of your targets will be like kings and
queens, particularly those who are easily bored. Once the seduction is over
they will notonlyhavetrouble idealizing you, they may also turn to another man
or woman whose unfamiliarity seems exciting and poetic. Needing other people to
divert them, they often satisfy this need through variety. Do not play into the
hands of these bored royals by complaining, becoming self-pitying, or demanding
privileges. That would only further their natural disenchantment once the
seduction is over. Instead, make them see that you are not the person they
thought you were. Make it a delightful game to play new roles, to surprise
them, to be an endless source of entertainment. It is almost impossible to
resist a person who provides pleasure with no strings attached. When they are
with you, keep the spirit light and playful. Play up the parts of your
character they find delightful, but never let them feel they know you too well.
In the end you will control the dynamic, and a haughty king or queen will
become your abject slave. my door. One day he came to see me, knocked at my
door, but I did not open it. You see, 1 had the painter, Callides, in my room;
Collides had given me ten drachmas. Demophantos swore and beat his fists on the
door and left cursing me. Several days passed without my sendingfor him;
Callides was still in my house. Thereupon Demophantos, who was already quite
excited, went wild. He broke open my door,wept, pulled me about, threatened to
kill me, tore my tunic, and did everything, in fact, that a jealous man would
do, and finally presented me with six thousand drachmas. In consideration of
this sum, I was his for a period of eight months. His wife used to say that I
had bewitched him with some powder. That bewitching powder, to be sure, was
jealousy. That is why, Chrysis, I advise you to act likewise with Corgi as.
-LUCIAN, DIALOGUES OF THE COURTESANS. TRANSLATED BY A.L.H. 3. When the greatjazz
composer Duke Ellington came to town, he and his band were always a big
attraction, but especially so for the ladies of the area. They came to hear his
music, of course, but once there they were mesmerized by "the Duke"
himself. Onstage, Ellington was relaxed and elegant, and seemed to be having
such a good time. His face was very handsome, and his bedroom eyes were
infamous. (He slept very little, and his eyes had permanent pouches under
them.) After the performance, some woman would inevitably invite him to her
table, another would sneak into his dressing room, yet another would approach
him on his way out. Duke made a point of being accessible, and when he kissed a
woman's hand, his eyes and hers would meet for a moment. Sometimes she would signal
an interest in him, and his glance in return would say he was more than ready.
Sometimes his eyes were the first to speak; few women could resist that look,
even the most happily married. With the night's music still ringing in her
ears, the woman would show up at Ellington's hotel room. He would be dressed in
a stylish suit-he "A wife is someone on whom one gazes all one's life; yet
it is just as well if she be not beautiful"-so spake Jinta of the Gion. IH
is may be the flippant saying of a go-between, but it is not to be dismissed
too lightly. . . . Besides, it is with beautiful women as with beautiful views:
if one is forever looking at them, one soon tires of their charm. This I can
judge from my own experience. One year I went to Matsushima, and, though at
first I was moved by the beauty of the place and clapped my hands with 422
admiration, saying to myself, "Oh, if only I could bring some poet here to
show him this great wonder!" - yet, after I had been gazing at the scene
from morning until night, the myriad islands began to smell unpleasantly of
seaweed, the waves that beat on Matsuyama Point became obstreperous; before I
knew it I had let all the cherry blossoms at Shiogama scatter; in the morning I
overslept and missed the dawn snow on Mount Kinka; nor was I much impressed by
the evening moon at Nagane or Oshima; and in the end I picked up a few white
and blackpebbles on the cove and became engrossed in a game of Six Musashi with
some children. -IHARA SAIKAKU, THE UFE OF AN AMOROUS WOMAN. TRANSLATED BY IVAN
MORRIS Men despise women who love too much and unwisely. -LUCIAN, DIALOGUES OF
THE COURTESANS. TRANSLATE DBYA.L.H. I shall endeavor briefly to outline to you
how a love when gained can be deepened. They say it can be increased in
particular by making it an infrequent and difficult business for lovers to set
eyes on each other, for the greater the difficulty of offering and receiving
shared consolations, the greater become the desirefor, and feeling of love.
Love also grows if one of the lovers shows anger to the other, for a lover is
at once sorely afraid that a partner's loved good clothes-and the room would be
full of flowers; there would be a piano in the corner. He would play some
music. His playing, and his elegant, nonchalant manner, would come across to
the woman as pure theater, a pleasant continuation of the performance she had
just witnessed. And when it was over, and Ellington had to leave town, he would
give her a thoughtful gift. He would make it seem that the only thing taking
him away from her was his touring. A few weeks later, the woman might hear a
new Ellington song on the radio, with lyrics suggesting that she had inspired
it. If ever he passed through the area again, she would find a way to be there,
and Ellington would often renew the affair, if only for a night. Sometime in
the 1940s, two young women from Alabama came to Chicago to attend a debutante
ball. Ellington and his band were the entertainment. He was the women's
favorite musician, and after the show, they asked him for an autograph. He was
so charming and engaging that one of the girls found herself asking what hotel
he was staying at. He told them, with a big grin. The girls switched hotels,
and later that day they called up Ellington and invited him to their room for a
drink. He accepted. They wore beautiful negligees that they had just bought.
When Ellington arrived, he acted completely naturally, as if the warm greeting
they gave him were completely usual. The three of them ended up in the bedroom,
when one of the young women had an idea: her mother adored Ellington. She had
to call her now and put Ellington on the phone. Not at all put out by the
suggestion, Ellington played along. For several minutes he talked to the mother
on the telephone, lavishing her with compliments on the charming daughter she
had raised, and telling her not to worry-he was taking good care of the girl.
The daughter got back on the phone and said, "We're fine because we're
withMr.Ellington and he's such a perfect gentleman." As soon as she hung
up, the three of them resumed the naughtiness they had started. To the two
girls, it later seemed an innocent but unforgettable night of pleasure.
Sometimes several of these far-flung mistresses would show up at the same
concert. Ellington would go up and kiss each of them four times (a habit of his
designed for just this dilemma). And each of the ladies would assume she was
the one with whom the kisses really mattered. Interpretation. Duke Ellington
had two passions: music and women. The two were interrelated. His endless
affairs were a constant inspiration for his music; he also treated them as if
they were theater, a work of art in themselves. When it came time to separate,
he always managed it with a theatrical touch. A clever remark and a gift would
make it seem that for him the affair was hardly over. Song lyrics referring to
their night together would keep up the aesthetic atmosphere long after he had
left town. No wonder women kept coming back for more. This was not a sexual
affair, a tawdry one-nighter, but a heightened moment in the woman's life. And
his carefree attitude made it impossible to feel guilty; thoughts of one's
mother or Beware the Aftereffects • 423 husband would not spoil the illusion.
Ellington was never defensive or apologetic abouthis appetite for women; it was
his nature and never the fault of the woman that he was unfaithful. And if he
could not help his desires, how could she hold him responsible? It was
impossible to hold a grudge against such a man or complain about his behavior.
Ellington was an Aesthetic Rake, a type whose obsession with women can only be
satisfied by endless variety. A normal man's tomcatting will eventually land
him in hot water, but the Aesthetic Rake rarely stirs up ugly emotions. After
he seduces a woman, there is neither an integration nor a sacrifice. He keeps
them hanging and hoping. The spell is not broken thenext day, because the
Aesthetic Rake makes the separation a pleasant, even elegant experience. The
spell Ellington cast on a woman never went away. The lesson is simple; keep the
moments after the seduction and the separation in the same key as before,
heightened, aesthetic, and pleasant. If you do not act guilty for your feckless
behavior, it is hard for the other person to feel angry or resentful. Seduction
is a lighthearted game, in which you invest all of your energy in the moment.
The separation should be lighthearted and stylish as well: it is work, travel,
some dreaded responsibility that calls you away. Create a memorable experience
and then move on, and your victim will most likely remember the delightful
seduction, nottheseparation. You will have made no enemies, and will have a
lifelong harem of lovers to whom you can always return when you feel so
inclined. 4 . In 1899, twenty-year-old Baroness Frieda von Richthofen married
an Englishman named Ernest Weekley, a professor at the University of
Nottingham, and soon settled into the role of the professor's wife. Weekley
treated her well, but she grew bored with their quiet life and his tepid love-
making. On trips home to Germany she had a few love affairs, but this wasn't
what she wanted either, and so she returned to being faithful and caring for
their three children. One day in 1912, a former student of Weekley's, David
Herbert Lawrence, paid a visit to the couple's house. A struggling writer,
Lawrence wanted the professor's professional advice. He was not home yet so
Frieda entertained him. She had never met such an intense young man. He talked
of his impoverished youth, his inability to understand women. And he listened
attentively to her own complaints. He even scolded her for the bad tea she had
made him-somehow, even though she was a baroness, this excited her. Lawrence
returned for later visits, but now to see Frieda, not Weekley. One day he
confessed to her that he had fallen deeply in love with her. She admitted to
similar feelings, and proposed they find a trystingspot.InsteadLawrence had a
proposal of his own: Leave your husband tomorrow-leave him for me. What about
the children? Frieda asked. If the children aremore important than our love,
Lawrence replied, then stay with them. But if you don't run away with me within
a few days, you will never see mewrath when roused may harden indefinitely.
Love again experiences increase when genuine jealousy preoccupies one of the
lovers, for jealousy is called the nurturer of love. In fact even if the lover
is oppressed not by genuine jealousy but by base suspicion, love always
increases because of it, and becomes more powerful by its own strength.
-ANDREAS CAPELLANUS ON LOVE, TRANSLATED BY P. G. WALSH You've seen the fire
that smolders \ Down to nothing, grows a crown of pale ash \ Over its hidden
embers (yet a sprinkling of sulphur \ Will suffice to rekindle the flame)? \ So
with the heart. It grows torpidfrom lack of worry, \ Needs a sharp stimulus to
elicit love. \ Get her anxious about you, reheat her tepid passions, \ Tell her
your guilty secrets, watch her blanch. \ Thrice fortunate that man, lucky past
calculation, \ Who can make some poor injured girl \ Torture herself over him,
lose voice, go pale, pass out when \ The unwelcome news reaches her. Ah, may I
\ Be the one whose hair she tears out in her fury, the one whose \ Soft cheeks
she rips with her nails, \ Whom she sees, eyes glaring, through a rain of
tears; without whom, \ Try as she will, she cannot live! \ How long (you may
ask) should you leave her lamenting her wrong? A little \ While only, lest rage
gather strength \ Through procrastination. By then you should have her sobbing \
All over your chest, your arms tight around her neck. \ You want peace? Give
her kisses, make love to the girl while she's crying - \ That's the only way to
melt her angry mood. - OVID, THE ART OF LOVE. TRANSLATED BY PETER GREEN again.
To Frieda the choice was horrific. She did not care at all about her husband,
but the children were what she lived for. Even so, a few days later, she
succumbed to Lawrence's proposal. How could she resist a man who was willing to
ask for so much, to take such a gamble? If she refused she would always wonder,
for such a man only passes once through your life. The couple left England and
headed for Germany. Frieda would mention sometimes how much she missed her
children, but Lawrence had no patience with her: You are free to go back to
them at any moment, he would say, but if you stay, don't look back. He took her
on an arduous mountaineering trip in the Alps. A baroness, she had never
experienced such hardship, but Lawrence was firm: if two people are in love,
why should comfort matter? In 1914, Frieda and Lawrence were married, but over
the following years the same pattern repeated. He would scold her for her
laziness, the nostalgia for her children, her abysmal housekeeping. He would
take her on trips around the world, on very little money, never letting her
settle down, although it was her fondest wish. They fought and fought. Once in
New Mexico, in front of friends, he yelled at her, "Take that dirty
cigarette out of your mouth! And stop sticking out that fat belly of yours!"
"You'd better stop that talk or I'll tell about your things," she
yelled back. (She had learned to give him a taste of his own medicine.) They
both went outside. Their friends watched, worried it might turn violent. They
disappeared from sight only to reappear moments later, arm in arm, laughing and
mooning over one another. That was the most disconcerting thing about the
Lawrences: married for years, they often behaved like infatuated newlyweds.
Interpretation. When Lawrence first met Frieda, he could sense right away what
herweaknesswas: she felt trapped, in a stultifying relationship and a pampered
life. Her husband, like so many husbands, was kind, but never paid enough
attention to her. She craved drama and adventure, but was too lazy to get it on
her own. Drama and adventure were just what Lawrence would provide. Instead of
feeling trapped, she had the freedom to leave him at any moment. Instead of
ignoring her, he criticized her constantly- at least he was paying attention,
never taking her for granted. Instead of comfort and boredom, he gave her
adventure and romance. The fights he picked with ritualistic frequency also
ensured nonstop drama and the space for a powerful reconciliation. He inspired
a touch of fear in her, which kept her off balance, never quite sure of him. As
a result, the relationship never grew stale. It kept renewing itself. If it is
integration you are after, seduction must never stop. Otherwise boredom will
creep in. And the best way to keep the process going is often to inject intermittent
drama. This can be painful-opening old wounds, stirring up jealousy,
withdrawing a little. (Do not confuse this behavior with nagging or carping
criticism-this pain is strategic, designed to break up rigid patterns.) On the
other hand it can also be pleasant: think about Beware the Aftereffects • 425
proving yourself all over again, paying attention to nice little details,
creating new temptations. In fact you should mix the two aspects, for too much
pain or pleasure will not prove seductive. You are not repeating the first
seduction, for the target has already surrendered. You are simply supplying
little jolts, little wake-up calls that show two things: you have not stopped
trying, and they cannot take you for granted. The little jolt will stir up the
old poison, stoke the embers, bring you temporarily back to the beginning, when
your involvement had a most pleasant freshness and tension. Remember: comfort
and security are the death of seduction. A shared journey with a little bit of
hardship will do more to create a deep bond than will expensive gifts and
luxuries. The young are right to not care about comfort in matters of love, and
when you return to that sentiment, a youthful spark will reignite. 5. In 1652,
the famous French courtesan Ninon de l'Enclos met and fell in love with the
Marquis de Villarceaux. Ninon was a libertine; philosophy and pleasure were
more important to her than love. But the marquis inspired new sensations: he
was so bold, so impetuous, that for once in her life she let herself lose a
little control. The marquis was possessive, a trait she normally abhorred. But
in him it seemed natural, almost charming: he simply could not help himself.
And so Ninon accepted his conditions: there were to be no other men in her
life. For her part she told him that she would accept no money or gifts from
him. This was to be about love, nothing else. She rented a house opposite his
in Paris, and they saw each other daily. One afternoon the marquis suddenly
burst in and accused her of having another lover. His suspicions were
unfounded, his accusations absurd, and she told him so. This did not satisfy
him, and he stormed out. The next day Ninon received news that he had fallen
quite ill. She was deeply concerned. As a desperate recourse, a sign of her
love and submission, she decided to cut off her beautiful long hair, for which
she was famous, and send it to him. The gesture worked, the marquis recovered,
and they resumed their affair still more passionately. Friends and former
lovers complained of her sudden transformation into the devoted woman, but she
did not care- she was happy. Now Ninon suggested that they go away together.
The marquis, a married man, could not take her to his chateau, but a friend
offered his own in the country as a refuge for the lovers. Weeks became months,
and their little stay turned into a prolonged honeymoon. Slowly, though, Ninon
had the feeling that something was wrong: the marquis was acting more like a
husband. Although he was as passionate as before, he seemed so confident, as if
he had certain rights and privileges that no other man could expect. The
possessiveness that once had charmed her began to seem oppressive. Nor did he
stimulate her mind. She could get other men, and equally handsome ones, to
satisfy her physically without all that jealousy. 426 • The Art of Seduction
Once this realization set in, Ninon wasted no time. She told the marquis that
she was returning to Paris, and that it was over for good. He begged and
pleaded his case with much emotion-how could she be so heartless? Although
moved, Ninon was firm. Explanations would only make it worse. She returned to
Paris and resumed the life of a courtesan. Her abrupt departure apparently
shook up the marquis, but apparently not too badly, for a few months later word
reached her that he had fallen in love with another woman. Interpretation. A
woman often spends months pondering the subtle changes in her lover's behavior.
She might complain or grow angry; she might even blame herself. Under the
weight of her complaints, the man may change for a while, but an ugly dynamic
and endless misunderstandings will ensue. What is the point of all of this?
Once you are disenchanted it is really too late. Ninon could have tried to
figure out what had disenchanted her-the good looks that now bored her, the
lack ofmental stimulation, the feeling of being taken for granted. But why
waste time figuring it out? The spell was broken, so she moved on. She did not
bother to explain, to worry about de Villarceaux's feelings, to make it all
soft and easy for him. She simply left. The person who seems so considerate of
the other, who tries to mend things or make excuses, is reallyjust timid. Being
kind in such matters can be rather cruel. The marquis was able to blame
everything on his mistress's heartless, fickle nature. His vanity and pride
intact, he could easily move on to another affair and put her behind him. Not
only does the long, lingering death of a relationship cause your partner
needless pain, it will have long-term consequences for you as well, making you
more skittish in the future, and weighing you down with guilt. Never feel
guilty, even if you were both the seducer and the one who now feels
disenchanted. It is not your fault. Nothing can last forever. You have created
pleasure for your victims, stirring them out of their rut. If you make a clean
quick break, in the long run they will appreciate it. The more you apologize,
the more you insult their pride, stirring up negative feelings that will
reverberate for years. Spare them the disingenuous explanations that only
complicate matters. The victim should be sacrificed, not tortured. 6. After
fifteen years under the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte, the French were exhausted.
Too many wars, too much drama. When Napoleon was defeated in 1814, and was
imprisoned on the island of Elba, the French were more than ready for peace and
quiet. The Bourbons-the royal family deposed by the revolution of 1789-returned
to power. The king was Louis XVIII; he was fat, boring, and pompous, but at
least there would be peace. Then, in February of 1815, news reached France of
Napoleon's dramatic escape from Elba, with seven small ships and a thousand
men. He Beware the Aftereffects • 427 could head for America, start all over,
but instead he was just crazy enough to land at Cannes. What was he thinking? A
thousand men against all the armies of France? He set off toward Grenoble with
his ragtag army. One at least had to admire his courage, his insatiable love of
glory and of France. Then, too, the French peasantry were spellbound at the
sight of their former emperor. This man, after all, had redistributed a great
deal of land to them, which the new king was trying to take back. They swooned
at the sight of his famous eagle standards, revivals of symbols from the
revolution. They left their fields and joined his march. Outside Grenoble, the
first of the troops that the king sent to stop Napoleon caught up with him.
Napoleon dismounted and walked on foot toward them. "Soldiers of the Fifth
Army Corps!" he cried out. "Don't you know me? If there is one among
you who wishes to kill his emperor, let him come forward and do so. Here I
am!" He threw open his gray cloak, inviting them to take aim. There was a
moment of silence, and then, from all sides, cries rang out of "Vive
l'Empereur!" In one stroke, Napoleon's army had doubled in size. The march
continued. More soldiers, remembering the glory he had given them, changed
sides. The city of Lyons fell without a battle. Generals with larger armies were
dispatched to stop him, but the sight of Napoleon at the head of his troops was
an overwhelmingly emotional experience for them, and they switched allegiance.
King Louis fled France, abdicating in the process. On March 20, Napoleon
reentered Paris and returned to the palace he had left only thirteen months
before-all without having had to fire a single shot. The peasantry and the
soldiers had embraced Napoleon, but Parisians were less enthusiastic,
particularly those who had served in his government. They feared the storms he
would bring. Napoleon ruled the country for one hundred days, until the allies
and his enemies from within defeated him. This time he was shipped off to the
remote island of St. Helena, where he was to die. Interpretation. Napoleon
always thought of France, and his army, as a target to be wooed and seduced. As
General de Segur wrote of Napoleon: "In moments of sublime power, he no
longer commands like a man, but seduces like a woman." In the case of his
escape from Elba, he planned a bold, surprising gesture that would titillate a
bored nation. He began his return to France among the people who would be most
receptive to him: the peasantry who had revered him. He revived the symbols-the
revolutionary colors, the eagle standards-that would stir up the old
sentiments. He placed himself at the head of his army, daring his former
soldiers to fire on him. The march on Paris that brought him back to power was
pure theater, calculated for emotional effect every step of the way. What a
contrast this former amour presented to the dolt of a king who now ruled them.
Napoleon's second seduction of France was not a classical seduction, following
the usual steps, but a re-seduction. It was built on old emotions The Art of
Seduction and revived an old love. Once you have seduced a person (or a nation)
there is almost always a lull, a slight letdown, which sometimes leads to a
separation; it is surprisingly easy, though, to re-seduce the same target. The
old feelings never go away, they lie dormant, and in a flash you can take your
target by surprise. It is a rarepleasuretobe able to relive the past, and one's
youth-to feel the old emotions. Like Napoleon, add a dramatic flair to your
re-seduction: revive the old images, the symbols, the expressions that will
stir memory. Like the French, your targets will tend to forget the ugliness of
the separation and will remember only the good things. You should make this
second seduction bold and quick, giving your targets no time to reflect or
wonder. Like Napoleon, play on the contrast to their current lover, making his
or her behavior seem timid and stodgy by comparison. Not everyone will be
receptive to a re-seduction, and some moments will be inappropriate. When
Napoleon came back from Elba, the Parisians were too sophisticated for him, and
could see right through him. Unlike the peasants of the South, they already
knew him well; and his reentry came too soon, they were too worn out by him. If
you want to re-seduce someone, choose one who does not know you so well, whose memories
of you are cleaner, who is less suspicious by nature, and who is dissatisfied
with present circumstances. Also, you might want to let some time pass. Time
will restore your luster and make your faults fade away. Never see a separation
or sacrifice as final. With a little drama and planning, a victim can be
retaken in no time. Symbol: Embers, the remains of the fire on themorning
after. Left to themselves, the embers will slowly die out. Do not leave the
fire to chance and to the elements. To put it out, douse it, suffocate it, give
it nothing to feed on. To bring it back to life, fan it, stoke it, until it
blazes anew. Only your constant attention and vigilance will keep it burning.
Beware the Aftereffects • 429 Reversal T o keep a person enchanted, you will
have to re-seduce them constantly. But you can allow a little familiarity to
creep in. The target wants to feel that he or she is getting to know you. Too
much mystery will create doubt. It will also be tiring for you, who will have
to sustain it. The point is not to remain completely unfamiliar but rather, on
occasion, to jolt victims out of their complacency, surprising them as you
surprised them in the past. Do this right and they will have the delightful
feeling that they are constantly getting to know more about you-but never too
much. Appendix A Seductive Environment/Seductive Time In seduction, your
victims must slowly come to feel an inner change. Under your influence, they
lower their defenses, feeling free to act differently, to be a different
person. Certain places, environments, and experiences will greatly aid you in
your quest to change and transform the seduced. Spaces with a theatrical,
heightened quality - opulence, glittering surfaces, a playful spirit-create a
buoyant, childlike feeling that make it hard for the victim to think straight.
The creation of an altered sense of time has a similar effect - memorable,
dizzying moments that stand out, a mood of festival and play. You must make
your victims feel that being with you gives them a different experience from
being in the real world. Festival Time and Place C enturies ago, life in most
cultures was filled with work and routine. But at certain moments in the year,
this life was interrupted by festival. During these festivals-saturnalias of
ancient Rome, the maypole festivals of Europe, the great potlatches of the
Chinook Indians-work in the fields or marketplace stopped. The entire tribe or
town gathered in a sacred space set apart for the festival. Temporarily
relieved of duty and responsibility, people were granted license to run amok;
they would wear masks or costumes, which gave them other identities, sometimes
those of powerful figures reenacting the great myths of their culture. The
festival was a tremendous release from the burdens of daily life. It altered
people's sense of time, bringing moments in which they stepped outside of
themselves. Time seemed to stand still. Something like this experience can
still be found in the world's great surviving carnivals. The festival represented
a break in a person's daily life, aradicallydifferent experience from routine.
On a more intimate level, that is how you must envision your seductions. As the
process advances, your targets experience a radical difference from daily
life-a freedom from work or responsibility. Plunged into pleasure and play,
they can act differently, can become someone else, as if they were wearing a
mask. The time you spend with them is devoted to them and nothing else. Instead
of the usual rotation of work and rest, you are giving them grand, dramatic
moments that stand out. You bring them to places unlike the places they see in
daily life- heightened, theatrical places. Physical environment strongly
affects people's moods; a place dedicated to pleasure and play insinuates
thoughts of pleasure and play. When your victims return to their duties and to
the real world, they feel the contrast strongly and they will start to crave
that other place into which you have drawn them. What you are essentially
creating is festival time and place, moments when the real world stops and
fantasy takes over. Our culture no longer supplies such experiences, and people
yearn for them. That is why almost everyone is waiting to be seduced and why
they will fall into your arms if you play this right. The following are key
components to reproducing festival time and place; Create theatrical effects.
Theater creates a sense of a separate, magical world. The actors' makeup, the
fake but alluring sets, the slightly unreal costumes-these heightened visuals,
along with the story of the play, create illusion. To produce this effect in
real life, you must fashion your clothes, makeup, and attitude to have a
playful, artificial, edge-a feeling that you have dressed for the pleasure of
your audience. This is the goddesslike effect of a Marlene Dietrich, or the
fascinating effect of a dandy like Beau Brum- mel. Your encounters with your
targets should also have a sense of drama, achieved through the settings you
choose and through your actions. The target should not know what will happen
next. Create suspense through twists and turns that lead to the happy ending;
you are performing. Whenever your targets meet you, they are returned to this
vague feeling of being in a play. You both have the thrill of wearing masks, of
playing a different role from the one your life has allotted you. Use the
visual language ofpleasure. Certain kinds of visual stimuli signal that you are
not in the real world. You want to avoid images that have depth, which might
provoke thought, or guilt; instead, you should work in environments that are
all surface, full of glittering objects, mirrors, pools of water, a constant
play of light. The sensory overload of these spaces creates an intoxicating,
buoyant feeling. The more artificial, the better. Show your targets a playful
world, full of the sights and sounds that excite the baby or child within them.
Luxury-the sense that money has been spent or even wasted-adds to the feeling
that the real world of duty and morality has been banished. Call it the brothel
effect. Keep it crowded or close. People crowding together raise the
psychological temperature to hothouse levels. Festivals and carnivals depend on
the contagious feeling a crowd creates. Bring your target to such environments
sometimes, to lower their normal defensiveness. Similarly, any kind of
situation that brings people together in a small space for a long period of
time is extremely conducive to seduction. For years, Sigmund Freud had a small,
tight-knit stable of disciples who attended his private lectures and who
engaged in an astonishing number of love affairs. Either lead the seduced into
a crowded, festivallike environment or go trolling for targets in a closed
world. Manufacture mystical effects. Spiritual or mystical effects distract
people's minds from reality, making them feel elevated and euphoric. From here
it is but a small step to physical pleasure. Use whatever props are at hand-
astrology books, angelic imagery, mystical-sounding music from some far- off
culture. The great eighteenth-century Austrian charlatan Franz Mesmer filled
his salons with harp music, the perfume of exotic incense, and a female voice
singing in a distant room. On the walls he put stained glass and mirrors. His
dupes would feel relaxed, uplifted, and as they sat in the room where he used
magnets for their healing powers, they would feel a kind of spiritual tingling
pass from body to body. Anything vaguely mystical helps block out the real
world, and it is easy to move from the spiritual to the sexual. Distort their
sense of time-speed and youth. Festival time has a kind of speed and frenzy
that make people feel more alive. Seduction should make the heart beat faster,
so that the seduced loses track of time passing. Take them to places of constant
activity and movement. Embark with them on some kind of journey together,
distracting their minds with new sights. Youth may fade and disappear, but
seduction brings the feeling of being young, no matter the age of those
involved. And youth is mostly energy. The pace of the seduction must pick up at
a certain moment, creating a whirling effect in the mind. It is no wonder that
Casanova did much of his seducing at balls, or that the waltz was the preferred
tool of many a nineteenth-century rake. Create moments. Everyday life is a
drudgery in which the same actions endlessly repeat. The festival, on the other
hand, we remember as a moment when everything was transformed-when a little bit
of eternity and myth entered our lives. Your seduction must have such peaks,
moments when something dramatic happens and time is experienced differently.
You must give your targets such moments, whether by staging the seduction in a
place-a carnival, a theater-where they naturally occur or by creating them
yourself, with dramatic actions that stir up strong emotions. Those moments
should be pure leisure and pleasure-no thoughts of work or morality can
intrude. Madame de Pompadour, the mistress of King Louis XV, had to re-seduce
her easily bored lover every few months; intensely creative, she devised
parties, balls, games, a little theater at Versailles. The seduced revels in
affairs like this, sensing the effort you have expended to divert and enchant
them. Scenes from Seductive Time and Place 1. Around the year 1710, a young man
whose father was a prosperous wine dealer in Osaka, Japan, found himself
daydreaming more and more. He worked night and day for his father, and the
burden of family life and all of its duties was oppressive. Like every young
man, he had heard of the pleasure districts of the city-the quarters where the
normally strict laws of the shogunate could be violated. It was here that you
would find the ukiyo, the "floating world" oftransientpleasures, a
place where actors and courte-sans ruled. This was what the young man was
daydreaming about. Biding his time, he managed to find an evening when he could
slip out unnoticed. He headed straight for the pleasure quarters. This was a
cluster of buildings-restaurants, exclusive clubs, teahouses-that stood out
from the rest of the city by their magnificence and color. The moment the young
man stepped into it, he knew he was in a different world. Actors wandered the
streets in elaborately dyed kimonos. They had such manners and attitudes, as if
they were still on stage. The streets bustled with energy; the pace was fast.
Bright lanterns stood out against the night, as did the colorful posters for
the nearby kabuki theater. The women had a completely different air about them.
They stared at him brazenly, acting with the freedom of a man. He caught sight
of an onmgata, one of the men who played female roles in the theater-a man more
beautiful than most women he had seen and whom the passersby treated like
royalty. The young man saw other young men like himself entering a teahouse, so
he followed them in. Here the highest class of courtesans, the great tayus,
plied their trade. A few minutes after the young man sat down, he heard a noise
and bustle, and down the stairs came a few of the tayus, followed by musicians
and jesters.The women's eyebrows were shaved, replaced by a thick black painted
line. Their hair was swept up in a perfect fold, and he had never seen such
beautiful kimonos. The tayus seemed to float across the floor, using different
kinds of steps (suggestive, creeping, cautious, etc.), depending on whom they
were approaching and what they wanted to communicate to him. They ignored the
young man; he had no idea how to invite them over, but he noticed that some of
the older men had a way of bantering with them that was a language all its own.
The wine began to flow, music was played, and finally some lower-level
courtesans came in. By then the young man's tongue was loosened. These
courtesans were much friendlier and the young man began to lose all track of
time. Later he managed to stagger home, and only the next morning did he
realize how much money he had spent. If father ever found out . . . Yet a few
weeks later he was back. Like hundreds of such sons in Japan whose stories
filled the literature of the period, he was on the path toward squandering his
father's wealth on the "floating world." Seduction is another world
into which you initiate your victims. Like the ukiyo, it depends on a strict
separation from the day-to-day world. When your victims are in your presence,
the outside world-with its morality, its codes,itsresponsibilitiesis banished.
Anything is allowed, particularly anything normally repressed. The conversation
is lighter and more suggestive. Clothes and places have a touch of
theatricality. The license exists to act differently, to be someone else,
without any heaviness or judging. It is a kind of concentrated psychological
"floating world" that you create for the others, and it becomes
addictive. When they leave you and return to their routines, they are doubly
aware of what they are missing. The moment they crave the atmosphere you have
created, the seduction is complete. As in the floating world, money is to be
wasted. Generosity and luxury go hand in hand with a seductive environment. 2.
It began in the early 1960s: people would come to Andy Warhol's New York
studio, soak up the atmosphere, and stay awhile. Then in 1963, the artist moved
into a new Manhattan space and a member of his entourage covered some of the
walls and pillars in tin foil and spray-painted a brick wall and other things
silver. A red quilted couch in the center, some five- foot-high plastic candy
bars, a turntable that glittered with tiny mirrors, and helium-filled silver
pillows that floated in the air completed the set. Now the L-shaped space
became known as The Factory, and a scene began to develop. More and more people
started showing up-why not just leave the door open, Andy reasoned, and come
what may. During the day, while Andy would work on his paintings and films,
people would gather-actors, hustlers, drug dealers, other artists. And the
elevator would keep groaning all night as the beautiful people began to make
the place their home. Here might be Montgomery Clift, nursing a drink by
himself; over there, a beautiful young socialite chatting with a drag queen and
a museum curator. They kept pouring in, all of them young and glamorously
dressed. It was like one of those children's shows on TV, Andy once said to a
friend, where guests keep dropping in on the endless party and there's always
some new bit of entertainment. And that was indeed what it seemed like-with
nothing serious happening, just lots of talk and flirting and flashbulbs
popping and endless posing, as if everyone were in a film. The museum curator
would begin to giggle like a teenager and the socialite would flounce about
like a hooker. By midnight everyone would be packed together. You could hardly
move. The band would arrive, the light show would begin, and it would all
careen in a new direction, wilder and wilder. Somehow the crowd would disperse
at some point, then in the afternoon it would all start up again as the
entourage trickled back. Hardly anyone went to The Factory just once. It is
oppressivealways to have to act the same way, playing the same boring role that
work or duty imposes on you. People yearn for a place or a moment when they can
wear a mask, act differently, be someone else. That is why we glorify actors;
they have the freedom and playfulness in relation to their own ego that we
would love to have. Any environment that offers a chance to play a different
role, to be an actor, is immensely seductive. It can be an environment that you
create, like The Factory. Or a place where you take your target. In such
environments you simply cannot be defensive; the playful atmosphere, the sense
that anything is allowed (except seriousness), dispels any kind of
reactiveness. Being in such a place becomes a drug. To re-create the effect,
remember Warhol's metaphor of the children's TV show. Keep everything light and
playful, full of distractions, noise, color, and a bit of chaos. No weight,
responsibilities, or judgments. A place to lose yourself in. 3. In 1746, a
seventeen-year-old girl named Cristina had come to the city of Venice, Italy,
with her uncle, a priest, in search of a husband. Cristina was from a small
village but had a substantial dowry to offer. The Venetian men who were willing
to marry her, however, did not please her. So after two weeks of futile
searching, she and her uncle prepared to return to their village. Theywere
seated in their gondola, about to leave the city, when Cristina saw an
elegantly dressed young man walking toward them. "There's a handsome
fellow!" she said to her uncle. "I wish he was in the boat with
us." The gentleman could not have heard this, yet he approached, handed
the gondolier some money, and sat down beside Cristina, much to her delight. He
introduced himself as Jacques Casanova. When the priest complimented him on his
friendly manners, Casanova replied, "Perhaps I should not have been so
friendly, my reverend father, if I had not been attracted by the beauty of your
niece." Cristina told him why they had come to Venice and why they were
leaving. Casanova laughed and chided her-a man cannot decide to marry a girl
after seeing her for a few days. He must know more about her character; it
would take at least six months. He himself was looking for a wife, and he
explained to her why he had been as disappointed by the girls he had met as she
had been disappointed by the men. Casanova seemed to have no destination; he
simply accompanied them, entertaining Cristina the whole way with witty
conversation. When the gondola arrived at the edge of Venice, Casanova hired a
carriage to the nearby city of Treviso and invited them to join him. From there
they could catch a chaise to their village. The uncleaccepted, and on the way
to their carriage, Casanova offered his arm to Cristina. What would his
mistress say if she saw them, she asked. "I have no mistress," he
answered, "and I shall never have one again, for I shall never find such a
pretty girl as you-no, not in Venice." His words went to her head, filling
it with all kinds of strange thoughts, and she began to talk and act in a
manner that was new to her, becoming almost brazen. What a pity she could not
stay in Venice for the six months he needed to get to know a girl, she told
Casanova. Without hesitation he offered to pay her expenses in Venice for that
period while he courted her. On the carriage ride she turned this offer over in
her mind, and once in Treviso she got her uncle alone and begged him to return
to the village by himself, then come back for her in a few days. She was in
love with Casanova; she wanted to know him better; he was a perfect gentleman,
who could be trusted. The uncle agreed to do as she wished. The following day
Casanova never left her side. There was not the slightest hint of disagreement
in his nature. They spent the day wandering around the city, shopping and
talking. He took her to a play in the evening and to the casino after that,
supplying her with a domino and a mask. He gave her money to gamble and she
won. By the time the uncle returned to Treviso, she had all but forgotten about
her marriage plans-all she could think of was the six months she would spend
with Casanova. But she returned to her village with her uncle and waited for
Casanova to visit her. He showed up a few weeks later, bringing with him a
handsome young man named Charles. Alone with Cristina, Casanova explained the
situation: Charles was the most eligible bachelor in Venice, a man who would
make a much better husband than he would. Cristina admitted to Casanova that
she too had had her doubts. He was too exciting, had made her think of other
things besides marriage, things she was ashamed of. Perhaps it was for the
better. She thanked him for taking such pains to find her a husband. Over the
next few days Charles courted her, and they were married several weeks later.
The fantasy and allure of Casanova, however, remained in her mind forever.
Casanova could not marry-it was against everything in his nature. But it was
also against his nature to force himself on a young girl. Better to leave her
with the perfect fantasy image than to ruin her life. Besides, he enjoyed the
courting and flirting more than anything else. Casanova supplied a young woman
with the ultimate fantasy. While he was in her orbit he devoted every moment to
her. He never mentioned work, allowing no boring, mundane details to interrupt
the fantasy. And he added great theater. He wore the most spectacular outfits,
full of sparkling jewels. He led her to the most wonderful
entertainments-carnivals, masked balls, the casinos, journeys with no
destination. He was the great master at creating seductive time and environment.
Casanova is the model to aspire to. While in your presence your targets must
sense a change. Time has a different rhythm-they barely notice its passing.
They have the feeling that everything is stopping for them, just as all normal
activity comes to a halt at a festival. The idle pleasures you provide them are
contagious-one leads to another and to another, until it is too late to turn
back. The less you seem to be selling something-including yourself-the better.
By being too obvious in your pitch, you will raise suspicion; you will also
bore your audience, an unforgivable sin. Instead, make your approach soft,
seductive, and insidious. Soft: be indirect. Create news and eventsfor the
media to pick up, spreading your name in a way that seems spontaneous, not hard
or calculated. Seductive: keep it entertaining. Your name and image are bathed
in positive associations; you are selling pleasure and promise. Insidious: aim
at the unconscious, using images that linger in the mind, placing your message
in the visuals. Frame what you are selling as part of a new trend, and it will
become one. It is almost impossible to resist the soft seduction. The Soft Sell
S eduction is the ultimate form of power. Those who give in to it do so
willingly and happily. There is rarely any resentment on their part; they
forgive you any kind of manipulation because you have brought them pleasure, a
rare commodity in the world. With such power at your fingertips, though, why
stop at the conquest of a man or woman? A crowd, an electorate, a nation can be
brought under your sway simply by applying on a mass level the tactics that
work so well on an individual. The only difference is the goal-not sex but
influence, a vote, people's attention-and the degree of tension. When you are
after sex, you deliberately create anxiety, a touch of pain, twists, and turns.
Seduction on the mass level is more diffuse and soft. Creating a constant
titillation, you fascinate the masses with what you are offering. They pay
attention to you because it is pleasant to do so. Let us say your goal is to
sell yourself-as a personality, a trendsetter, a candidate for office. There
are two ways to go: the hard sell (the direct approach) and the soft sell (the
indirect approach). In the hard sell you state your case strongly and directly,
explaining why your talents, your ideas, your political message are superior to
anyone else's. You tout yourachievements, quote statistics, bring in expert
opinions, even go so far as to induce a bit of fear if the audience ignores your
message. The approach is a tad aggressive and might have unwanted consequences:
some people will be offended, resisting your message, even if what you say is
true. Others will feel you are manipulating them-who can trust experts and
statistics, and why are you trying so hard? You will also grate on people's
nerves, becoming unpleasant to listen to. In a world in which you cannot
succeed without selling to large numbers, the direct approach won't take you
far. The soft sell, on the other hand, has the potential to draw in millions
because it is entertaining, gentle on the ears, and can be repeated without
irritating people. The technique was invented by the great charlatans of
seventeenth-century Europe. To peddle their elixirs and alchemic concoctions,
they would first put on a show-clowns, music, vaudeville- type routines-that
had nothing to do with what they were selling. A crowd would form, and as the
audience laughed and relaxed, the charlatan would come onstage and briefly and
dramatically discuss the miraculous effects of the elixir. By honing this
technique, the charlatans discovered that instead of selling a few dozen
bottles of the dubious medicine, they were suddenly selling scores or even
hundreds. In thecenturiessince, publicists, advertisers, political strategists,
and others have taken this method to new heights, but the rudiments of the soft
sell remain the same. First bring pleasure by creating a positive atmosphere
around your name or message. Induce a warm, relaxed feeling. Never seem to be selling
something-that will look manipulative and suspicious. Instead, let
entertainment value and good feelings take center stage, sneaking the sale
through the side door. And in that sale, you do not seem to be selling yourself
or a particular idea or candidate; you are selling a life-style, a good mood, a
sense of adventure, a feeling of hipness, or a neatly packaged rebellion. Here
are some of the key components of the soft sell. Appear as news, never as
publicity. First impressions are critical. If your audience first sees you in
the context of an advertisement or publicity item, you instantly join the mass
of other advertisements screaming for attention-and everyone knows that
advertisements are artful manipulations, a kind of deception. So, for your first
appearance in the public eye, manufacture an event, some kind of
attention-getting situation that the media will "inadvertently" pick
up as if it were news. People pay more attention to what is broadcast as
news-it seems more real. You suddenly stand out from everything else, if only
for a moment-but that moment has more credibility than hours of advertising
time. The key is to orchestrate the details thoroughly, creating a story with
dramatic impact and movement, tension and resolution. The media will cover it
for days. Conceal your real purpose-to sell yourself-at any cost. Stir basic
emotions. Never promote your message through a rational, direct argument. That
will take effort on your audience's part and will not gain its attention. Aim
for the heart, not the head. Design your words and images to stir basic
emotions-lust, patriotism, family values. It is easier to gain and hold
people's attention once you have made them think of their family, their
children, their future. They feel stirred, uplifted. Now you have their
attention and the space to insinuate your true message. Days later the audience
will remember your name, and remembering your name is half the game. Similarly,
find ways to surround yourself with emotional magnets-war heroes, children, saints,
small animals, whatever it takes. Make your appearance bring these emotionally
positive associations to mind, giving you extra presence. Never let these
associations be defined or created for you, and never leave them to chance.
Make the medium the message. Pay more attention to the form of your message
than to the content. Images are more seductive than words, and visuals-soothing
colors, appropriate backdrop, the suggestion of speed or movement-should
actually be your real message. The audience may focus superficially on the
content or moral you are preaching, but they are really absorbing the visuals,
which get under their skin and stay there longer than any words or preachy
pronouncements. Your visuals should have a hypnotic effect. They should make
people feel happy or sad, depending on what you want to accomplish. And the
more they are distracted by visual cues, the harder it will be for them to
think straight or see through your manipulations. Speak the target's
language-be chummy. At all costs, avoid appearing superior to your audience.
Any hint of smugness, the use of complicated words or ideas, quoting too many
statistics-all that is fatal. Instead, make yourself seem equal to your targets
and on intimate terms with them. You understand them, you share their spirit,
their language. If people are cynical about the manipulations of advertisers
and politicians, exploit their cynicism for your own purposes. Portray yourself
as one of the folk, warts and all. Show that you share your audience's skepticism
by revealing the tricks of the trade. Make your publicity as down-home and
minimal as possible, so that your competitors look sophisticated and snobby in
comparison. Your selective honesty and strategic weakness will get people to
trust you. You are the audience's friend, an intimate. Enter their spirit and
they will relax and listen to you. Start a chain reaction-everyone is doing it.
People who seem to be desired by others are immediately more seductive to their
targets. Apply this to the soft seduction. You need to act as if you have
already excited crowds of people; your behavior will become a self-fulfilling
prophecy. Seem to be in the vanguard of a trend or life-style and the public
will lap you up for fear of being left behind. Spread your image, with a logo,
slogans, posters, so that it appears everywhere. Announce your message as a
trend andit will become one. The goal is to create a kind of viral effect in
which more and more people become infected with the desire to have whatever you
are offering. This is the easiest and most seductive way to sell. Tell people
who they are. It is always unwise to engage an individual or the public in any
kind of argument. They will resist you. Instead of trying to change people's
ideas, try to change their identity, their perception of reality, and you will
have far more control of them in the long run. Tell them who they are, create
an image, an identity that they will want to assume. Make them dissatisfied
with their current status. Making them unhappy with themselves gives you room
to suggest a new life-style, a new identity. Only by listening to you can they
find out who they are. At the same time, you want to change their perception of
the world outside them by controlling what they look at. Use as many media as
possible to create a kind of total environment for their perceptions. Your
image should be seen not as an advertisement but as part of the atmosphere.
Some Soft Seductions 1. Andrew Jackson was a true American hero. In 1814, in
the Battle of New Orleans, he led a ragtag band of American soldiers against a
superior English army and won. He also conquered Indians in Florida. Jackson's
army loved him for his rough-hewnways: he fed on acorns when there was nothing
else to eat, he slept on a hard bed, he drank hard cider, just hke his men.
Then, after he lost or was cheated out of the presidential election of 1824 (in
fact he won the popular vote, but so narrowly that the election was thrown into
the House of Representatives, which chose John Quincy Adams, after much deal
making), he retired to his farm in Tennessee, where he hved the simple hfe,
tilling the soil, reading the Bible, staying far from the corruptions of
Washington. Where Adams had gone to Harvard, played billiards, drunk soda
water, and rehshed European finery, Jackson, hke many Americans of the time,
had been raised in a log cabin. He was an uneducated man, a man of the earth.
This, at any rate, was what Americans read in their newspapers in the months
after the controversial 1824 election. Spurred on by these articles, people in
taverns and halls across the country began talking of how the war hero Andrew
Jackson had been wronged, how an insidious aristocratic elite was conspiring to
take over the country. So when Jackson declared that he would run again against
Adams in the presidential election of 1828-but this time as the leader of a new
organization, the Democratic Party-the public was thrilled. Jackson was the
first major political figure to have a nickname. Old Hickory, andsoon Hickory clubs
were sprouting up in America's towns and cities. Their meetings resembled
spiritual revivals. The hot-button issues of the day were discussed (tariffs,
the abolition of slavery), and club members felt certain that Jackson was on
their side. It was hard to know for sure-he was a little vague on the
issues-but this election was about something larger than issues: it was about
restoring democracy and restoring basic American values to the White House.
Soon the Hickory clubs were sponsoring events hke town barbecues, the planting
of hickory trees, dances around a hickory pole. They organized lavish public
feasts, always including large quantities of liquor. In the cities there were
parades, and these were stirring events. They often took place at night so that
urbanites would witness a procession of Jackson supporters holding torches.
Others would carry colorful banners with portraits of Jackson or caricatures of
Adams and slogans ridiculing his decadent ways. And everywhere there was
hickory-hickory sticks, hickory brooms, hickory canes, hickory leaves in
people's hats. Men on horseback would ride through the crowd, spurring people
into "huzzahs!" for Jackson. Others would lead the crowd in songs
about Old Hickory. The Democrats, for the first time in an election, conducted
opinion polls, finding out what the common man thought about the candidates.
These polls were published in the papers, and the overwhelming conclusion was
that Jackson was ahead. Yes, a new movement was sweeping the country. It all
came to a head when Jackson made a personal appearance in New Orleans as part
of a celebration commemorating the battle he had fought so bravely there
fourteen years earlier. This was unprecedented: no presidential candidate had
ever campaigned in person before, and in fact such an appearance would have
been considered improper. But Jackson was a new kind of politician, a true man
of the people. Besides, he insisted that his purpose for the visit was
patriotism, not politics. The spectacle was unforgettable-Jackson entering New
Orleans on a steamboat as the fog lifted, cannon fire ringing out from all
sides, grand speeches, endless feasts, a kind of mass delirium taking over the
city. One man said it was "like a dream. The world has never witnessed so
glorious, so wonderful a celebration-never have gratitude and patriotism so
happily united." This time the will of the people prevailed. Jackson was
elected president. And it was not one region that brought him victory: New
Englanders, Southerners, Westerners, merchants, farmers, and workers were all
infected with the Jackson fever. Interpretation. After the debacle
of1824,Jackson and his supporters were determined to do things differently in
1828. America was becoming more diverse, developing populations of immigrants.
Westerners, urban laborers, and so on. To win a mandate Jackson would have to
overcome new regional and class differences. One of the first and most
important steps his supporters took was to found newspapers all around the
country. While he himself seemed to have retired from public life, these papers
promulgated an image of him as the wronged war hero, the victimized man of the
people. In truth, Jackson was wealthy, as were all of his major backers. He
owned one of the largest plantations in Tennessee, and he owned many slaves. He
drank more fine liquor than hard cider and slept on a soft bed with European
linens. And while he might have been uneducated, he was extremely shrewd, with
a shrewdness built on years of army combat. The image of the man of the earth
disguised all this, and, once it was established, it could be contrasted with
the aristocratic image of Adams. In this way Jackson's strategists covered up
his political inexperience and made the election turn on questions of character
and values. Instead of political issues they raised trivial matters like
drinking habits and church attendance. To keep up the enthusiasm they staged
spectacles that seemed to be spontaneous celebrations but in fact were
carefully choreographed. The support for Jackson seemed to be a movement, as
evidenced (and advanced) by the opinion polls. The event in New Orleans-hardly
nonpolitical, and Louisiana was a swing state-bathed Jackson in an aura of
patriotic, quasireligious grandeur. Society has fractured into smaller and
smaller units. Communities are less cohesive; even individuals feel more inner
conflict. To win an election or to sell anything in large numbers, you have to
paper over these differences somehow-you have to unify the masses. The only way
to accomplish this is to create an inclusive image, one that attracts and
excites people on a basic, almost unconscious level. You are not talking about
the truth, or about reality; you are forging a myth. Myths create
identification. Build a myth about yourself and the common people will identify
with your character, your plight, your aspirations, just as you identify with
theirs. This image should include your flaws, highlight the fact that you are
not the best orator, the most educated man, the smoothest politician. Seeming
human and down to earth disguises the manufactured quality of your image. To
sell this image you need to have the proper vagueness. It is not that you avoid
talk of issues and details-that will make you seem insubstantial-but that all
your talk of issues is framed within the softer context of character, values,
and vision. You want to lower taxes, say, because it will help families-and you
are a family person. You must not only be inspiring but also entertaining-that
is a popular, friendly touch. This strategy will infuriate your opponents, who
will try to unmask you, reveal the truth behind the myth; but that will only
make them seem smug, overserious, defensive, and snobbish. That now becomes
part of their image, and it will help sink them. 2. On Easter Sunday, March 31,
1929, New York churchgoers began to pour onto Fifth Avenue after the morning
service for the annual Easter parade. The streets were blocked off, and as had
been the custom for years, people were wearing their finest outfits, women in particular
showing off the latest in spring fashions. But this year the promenaders on
Fifth Avenue noticed something else. Two young women were coming down the steps
of Saint Thomas's Church. At the bottom they reached into their purses, took
out cigarettes-Lucky Strikes-and lit up. Then they walked down the avenue with
their escorts, laughing and puffing away. A buzz went through the crowd. Women
had only recently begun smoking cigarettes, and it was considered improper for
a lady to be seen smoking in the street. Only a certain kind of woman would do
that. These two, however, were elegant and fashionable. People watched them
intently, and were further astounded several minutes later when they reached
the next church along the avenue. Here two more young ladies-equally elegant
and well bred-left the church, approached the two holding cigarettes, and, as
if suddenly inspired to join them, pulled out Lucky Strikes of their own and
asked for a light. Now the four women were marching together down the avenue. They
were steadily joined by more, and soon ten young women were holding cigarettes
in public, as if nothing were more natural. Photographers appeared and took
pictures of this novel sight. Usually at the Easter parade, people would have
been whispering about a new hat style or the new spring color. This year
everyone was talking about the daring young women and their cigarettes. The
next day, photographs and articles appeared in the papers about them. A United
Press dispatch read, "Just as Miss Federica Freylinghusen, conspicuous in
a tailored outfit of dark grey, pushed her way thru thejam in front of St.
Patrick's, Miss Bertha Hunt and six colleagues struck another blow in behalf of
the liberty of women. Down Fifth Avenue they strolled, puffing at cigarettes.
Miss Hunt issued the following communique from the smoke-clouded battlefield:
'I hope that we have started something and that these torches of freedom, with
no particular brand favored, will smash the discriminatory taboo on cigarettes
for women and that our sex will go on breaking down all discriminations.'
" The story was picked up by newspapers around the country, and soon women
in other cities began to light up in the streets. The controversy raged for
weeks, some papers decrying this new habit, others coming to the women's
defense. A few months later, though, public smoking by women had become a
socially acceptable practice. Few people bothered to protest it anymore.
Interpretation. In January 1929, several New York debutantes received the same
telegram from a Miss Bertha Hunt: "In the interests of equality of the
sexes ... I and other young women will light another torch of freedom by
smoking cigarettes while strolling on Fifth Avenue Easter Sunday." The
debutantes who ended up participating met beforehand in the office where Hunt
worked as a secretary. They planned what churches to appear at, how to link up
with each other, all the details. Hunt handed out packs of Lucky Strikes.
Everything worked to perfection on the appointed day. Little did the debutantes
know, though, that the whole affair had been masterminded by a man-Miss Hunt's
boss, Edward Bemays, a public relations adviser to the American Tobacco
Company, makers of Lucky Strike. American Tobacco had been luring women into
smoking with all kinds of clever ads, but the consumption was limited by the
fact that smoking in the street was considered unladylike. The head of American
Tobacco had asked Bemays for his help and Mr. Bemays had obliged him by
applying a technique that was to become his trademark: gain public attention by
creating an event that the media would cover as news. Orchestrate every detail
but make them seem spontaneous. As more people heard of this "event,"
it would spark imitative behavior-in this case more women smoking in the streets.
Bernays, a nephew of Sigmund Freud and perhaps the greatest public relations
genius of the twentieth century, understood a fundamental law of any kind of
sell. The moment the targets know you are after something-a vote, a sale-they
become resistant. But disguise your sales pitch as a news event and not only
will you bypass their resistance, you can also create a social trend that does
the selling for you. To make this work, the event you set up must stand out
from all the other events that are covered by the media, yet it cannot stand
out too far or it will seem contrived. In the case of the Easter parade, Bemays
(through Bertha Hunt) chose women who would seem elegant and proper evenwith
their cigarettes in their hands. Yet in breaking a social taboo, and doing so
as a group, such women would create an image so dramatic and startling that the
media would be unable to pass it up. An event that is picked up by the news has
the imprimatur of reality. It is important to give this manufactured event positive
associations, as Bemays did in creating a feeling of rebellion, of women
banding together. Associations that are patriotic, say, or subtly sexual, or
spiritual-anything pleasant and seductive-take on a life of their own. Who can
resist? People essentially persuade themselves to join the crowd without even
realizing that a sale has taken place. The feeling of active participation is
vital to seduction. No one wants to feel left out of a growing movement. 3. In
the presidential campaign of 1984, President Ronald Reagan, running for
reelection, told the public, "It's morning again in America." His
presidency, he claimed, had restored American pride. The recent, successful
Olympics in Los Angeles were symbolic of the country's return to strength and
confidence. Who could possibly want to turn the clock back to 1980, which
Reagan's predecessor, Jimmy Carter, had termed a time of malaise? Reagan's
Democratic challenger, Walter Mondale, thought Americans had had enough of the
Reagan soft touch. They were ready for honesty, and that would be Mondale's
appeal. Before a nationwide television audience, Mondale declared, "Let's
tell the truth. Mr. Reagan will raise taxes, and so will I. He won't tell you.
I just did." He repeated this straightforward approach on numerous
occasions. By October his poll numbers had plunged to all-time lows. The CBS
News reporter Lesley Stahl had been covering the campaign, and as Election Day
neared, she had an uneasy feeling. It wasn't so much that Reagan had focused on
emotions and moods rather than hard issues. It was more that the media was
giving him a free ride; he and his election team, she felt, were playing the
press like a fiddle. They always managed to get him photographed in the perfect
setting, looking strong and presidential. They fed the press snappy headlines
along with dramatic footage of Reagan in action. They were putting on a great
show. Stahl decided to assemble a news piece that would show the public how
Reagan used television to cover up the negative effects of his policies. The
piece began with a montage of images that his team had orchestrated over the
years: Reagan relaxing on his ranch in jeans; standing tall at the Normandy
invasion tribute in Lrance; throwing a football with his Secret Service
bodyguards; sitting in an inner-city classroom. . . . Over these images Stahl
asked, "How does Ronald Reagan use television? Brilliantly. He's been
criticized as the rich man's president, but the TV pictures say it isn't so. At
seventy-three, Mr. Reagan could have an age problem. But the TV pictures say it
isn't so. Americans want to feel proud of their country again, and of their
president. And the TV pictures say you can. The orchestration of television
coverage absorbs the White House. Their goal? To emphasize the president's
greatest asset, which, his aides say, is his personality. They provide pictures
of him looking like a leader. Confident, with his Marlboro man walk." Over
images of Reagan shaking hands with handicapped athletes in wheelchairs and
cutting the ribbon at a new facility for seniors, Stahl continued, "They
also aim to erase the negatives. Mr. Reagan tried to counter the memory of an
unpopular issue with a carefully chosen backdrop that actually contradicts the
president's policy. Look at the handicapped Olympics, or the opening ceremony
of an old-age home. No hint that he tried to cut the budgets for the disabled
and for federally subsidized housing for the elderly." On and on went the
piece, showing the gap between the feelgood images that played on the screen
and the reality of Reagan's actions. "President Reagan," Stahl
concluded, "is accused of running a campaign in which he highlights the
images and hides from the issues. But there's no evidence that the charges will
hurt him because when people see the president on television, he makes them
feel good, about America, about themselves, and about him." Stahl depended
on the good will of the Reagan people in covering the White House, but her
piece was strongly negative, so she braced herself for trouble. Yet a senior
White House official telephoned her that evening: "Great piece," he
said. "What?" asked a stunned Stahl. "Greatpiece," he
repeated. "Did you listen to what I said?" she asked. "Lesley,
when you're showing four and a half minutes of great pictures of Ronald Reagan,
no one listens to what you say. Don't you know that the pictures are overriding
your message because they conflict with your message? The public sees those
pictures and they block your message. They didn't even hear what you said. So,
in our minds, it was a four-and-a-half-minute free ad for the Ronald Reagan
campaign for reelection." Interpretation. Most of the men who worked on
communications for Reagan had a background in marketing. They knew the
importance of telling a story crisply, sharply, and with good visuals. Each
morning they went over what the headline of the day should be, and how they
could shape this into a short visual piece, getting the president into a video
opportunity. They paid detailed attention to the backdrop behind the president
in the Oval Office, to the way the camera framed him when he was with other
world leaders, and to having him filmed in motion, with his confident walk. The
visuals carried the message better than any words could do. As one Reagan
official said, "What are you going to believe, the facts or your
eyes?" Free yourself from the need to communicate in the normal direct
manner and you will present yourself with greater opportunities for the soft
sell. Make the words you say unobtrusive, vague, alluring. And pay much greater
attention to your style, the visuals, the story they tell. Convey a sense of
movement and progress by showing yourself in motion. Express confidence not
through facts and figures but through colors and positive imagery, appealing to
the infant in everyone. Let the media cover you unguided and you are at their
mercy. So turn the dynamic around-the press needs drama and visuals? Provide
them. It is fine to discuss issues or "truth" as long as you package
it entertainingly. Remember: images linger in the mind long after words are
forgotten. Do not preach to the public-that never works. Learn to express your
message through visuals that insinuate positive emotions and happy feelings. 4.
In 1919, the movie press agent Harry Reichenbach was asked to do advance
publicity for a picture called The Virgin ofStamboul. It was the usual romantic
potboiler in an exotic locale, and normally a publicist would mount a campaign
with alluring posters and advertisements. But Harry never operated the usual
way. He had begun his career as a carnival barker, and there the only way to
get the public into your tent was to stand out from the other barkers. So Harry
dug up eight scruffy Turks whom he found living in Manhattan, dressed them up
in costumes (flowing sea-green trousers, gold-crescented turbans) provided by
the movie studio, rehearsed them in every line and gesture, and checked them
into an expensive hotel. Word quickly spread to the newspapers (with a little
help from Harry) that a delegation of Turks had arrived in New York on a secret
diplomatic mission. Reporters converged on the hotel. Since his appearance in
New York was clearly no longer a secret, the head of the mission, "Sheikh
Ali Ben Mohammed," invited them up to his suite. The newspapermen were
impressed by the Turks' colorful outfits, salaams, and rituals. The sheikh then
explained why he had come to New York. A beautiful young woman named Sari,
known as the Virgin of Stamboul, had been betrothed to the sheikh's brother. An
American soldier passing through had fallen in love with herandhad managed to
steal her from her home and take her to America. Her mother had died from
grief. The sheikh had found out she was in New York, and had come to bring her
back. Mesmerized by the sheikh's colorful language and by the romantic tale he
told, the reporters filled the papers with stories of the Virgin of Stamboul
for the next several days. The sheikh was filmed in Central Park and feted by
the cream of New York society. Linally "Sari" was found, and the
press reported the reunion between the sheikh and the hysterical girl (an
actress with an exotic look). Soon after. The Virgin of Stamboul opened in New
York. Its story was much like the "real" events reported in the
papers. Was this a coincidence? A quickly made film version of the true story?
No Appendix B: Soft Seduction: How to Sell Anything to the Masses • 453 one
seemed to know, but the public was too curious to care, and The Virgin
ofStamboulbroke box office records.A year later Harry was asked to publicize a
film called The Forbidden Woman. It was one of the worst movies he had ever
seen. Theater owners had no interest in showing it. Harry went to work. For
eighteen days straight he ran an ad in all of the major New York newspapers:
WATCH THE SKY ON THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 21ST! IF H IS GREEN-GO THE CAPITOL IF IT
ISRED-GO THE RIVOLI IF IT IS PINK-GO TO THE STRAND IF IT IS BLUE- GO TO THE
RIALTO FOR ON FEBRUARY 21ST THE SKY WILL TELL YOU WHERE THE BEST SHOW IN TOWN
CAN BE SEEN! (The Capitol, the Rivoli, the Strand, and the Rialto were the four
big first-run movie houses on Broadway.) Almost everyone saw the ad and
wondered what this fabulous show was. The owner of the Capitol asked Harry if
he knew anything about it, and Harry let him in on the secret: it was all a
publicity stunt for an unbooked picture. The owner asked to see a screening of
The Forbidden Woman; through most of the film, Harry yakked about the publicity
campaign, distracting the man from the dullness onscreen. The theater owner
decided to show the film for a week, and so, on the evening of February 21, as
a heavy snowstorm blanketed the city and all eyes turned to the sky, giant rays
of light poured out from the tallest buildings-a brilliant show of green. An
enormous crowd flocked to the Capitol theater. Those who did not get in kept
coming back. Somehow, with a packed house and an excited crowd, the film did
not seem quite so bad. The following year Harry was asked to publicize a
gangster picture called Outside the Law. On high-ways across the country he set
up billboards that read, in giant letters, if you dance on Sunday, you are
outside the LAW. On other billboards the word "dance" was replaced by
"play golf' or "play pool" and so on. On a top corner of the
billboards was a shield bearing the initials "PD." The public assumed
this meant "police department" (actually, it stood for Priscilla
Dean, the star of the movie) and that the police, backed by religious
organizations, were prepared to enforce decades-old blue laws prohibiting
"sinful" activities on a Sunday. Suddenly a controversy was sparked.
Theater owners, golfing associations, and dance organizations led a
countercampaign against the blue laws; they put up their own billboards,
exclaiming that if you did those things on Sunday, you were not "OUTSIDE
THE LAW" and issuing a call for Americans to have some fun in their lives.
For weeks the words "Outside the Law" were everywhere seen and
everywhere on people's lips. In the midst of this the film opened-on a Sunday-in
four New York theaters simultaneously, something that had never happened
before. And it ran for months throughout the country, also on Sundays. It was
one of the big hits of the year. Interpretation. Harry Reichenbach, perhaps the
greatest press agent in movie history, never forgot the lessons he had learned
as a barker. The carnival is full of bright lights, color, noise, and the ebb
and flow of the crowd. Such environments have profound effects on people. A
clearheaded person could probably tell that the magic shows are fake, the
fierce animals trained, the dangerous stunts relatively safe. But people want
to be entertained; it is one of their greatest needs. Surrounded by color and
excitement, they suspend their disbelief for a while and imagine that the magic
and danger are real. They are fascinated by what seems to be both fake and real
at the same time. Harry's publicity stunts merely re-created the carnival on a
larger scale. He pulled people in with the lure of colorful costumes, a great
story, irresistible spectacle. He held their attention with mystery,
controversy, whatever it took. Catching a kind of fever, as they would at the
carnival, they flocked without thinking to the films he publicized. The lines
between fiction and reality, news and entertainment are even more blurred today
than in Harry Reichenbach's time. What opportunities that presents for soft
seduction! The media is desperate for events with entertainment value, inherent
drama. Feed that need. The public has a weakness for what seems both realistic
and slightly fantastical-for real events with a cinematic edge. Play to that
weakness. Stage events the way Bemays did, events the media can pick up as
news. But here you are not starting a social trend, you areaftersomething more
short term: to win people's attention, to create a momentary stir, to lure them
into your tent. Make your events and publicity stunts plausible and somewhat
realistic, but make their colors a little brighter than usual, the characters
larger than life, the drama higher. Provide an edge of sex and danger. You are
creating a confluence of real life and fiction-the essence of any seduction. It
is not enough, however, to win people's attention: you need to hold it long
enough to hook them. This can always be done by sparking controversy, the way
Harry liked to stir up debates about morals. While the media argues about the
effect you are having on people's values, it is broadcasting your name
everywhere and inadvertently bestowing upon you the edge that will make you so
attractive to the public. Selected Bibliography Baudrillard, Jean. Seduction.
Trans. Brian Singer. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1990. Bourdon. David.
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The Real Duke Ellington. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1981.
Gleichen-Russwurm. Alexandervon. The World's Lure: Fair Women, TheirLoves,
Their Power, Their Fates. Trans. Hannah Waller. New York: Alfred A. Knopf,
1927. Hahn, Emily. Lorenzo: D. H. Lawrence and the Women Who Loved Him.
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Viking, 1935. Kierkegaard, S0ren. The Seducer's Diary, in Either/Or, Part 1.
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Press, 1987. Lao, Meri. Sirens: Symbols of Seduction. Trans. John Oliphant of
Rossie. Rochester, VT: Park Street Press, 1998. Lindholm, Charles. Charisma.
Cambridge, MA: Basil Blackwell, Ltd., 1990. Ludwig, Emil. Napoleon. Trans. Eden
& Cedar Paul. Garden City, NY: Garden City Publishing Co., 1926. , Oscar,
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NE: University of Nebraska Press, 1963. Maurois, Andre. Byron. Trans. Hamish
Miles. New York: D. Appleton & Company, 1930. -. Disraeli: A Picture of the
Victorian Age. Trans. Hamish Miles. New York: D. Appleton & Company, 1928.
Monroe, Marilyn. My Story. New York: Stein and Day, 1974. Morin, Edgar. The
Stars. Trans. Richard Howard. New York: Evergreen Profile Book, 1960. Ortiz,
Alicia Dujovne. Eva Perdu. Trans. Shawn Fields. New York: St. Martin's Press,
1996. Ovid. The Erotic Poems. Trans. Peter Green. London: Penguin Books, 1982.
-. Metamorphoses. Trans. Mary M. Innes. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1955.
Peters. H. F. My Sister, My Spouse: A Biography ofLouAndreas-Salome. New York:
W. W. Norton, 1962. Plato. The Symposium. Trans. Walter Hamilton. London:
Penguin Books, 1951. Reik, Theodor. Of Love and Lust: On the Psychoanalysis
ofRomantic and Sexual Emotions. New York: Farrar, Strauss and Cudahy, 1957.
Rose, PhyllisVazz Cleopatra: Josephine Baker and Her Time. New York: Vintage
Books, 1991. Sackville-West, Vita. Saint Joan of Arc. London: Michael Joseph
Ltd., 1936. Shikibu, Murasaki. The Tale ofGenji. Trans. Edward G.
Seidensticker. New York: Allred A. Knopf, 1979. Shu-Chiung. Yang Kuei-Fei: The
Most Famous Beauty of China. Shanghai, China: Commercial Press, Ltd., 1923.
Smith, Sally Bedell. Reflected Glory: The Life of Pamela Churchill Harriman.
New York: Touchstone, 1996. Stendhal. Love. Trans. Gilbert and Suzanne Sale.
London: Penguin Books, 1957. Terrill, Ross. Madame Mao: The White-Boned Demon.
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Macdonald & Co., 1949. Wadler, Joyce. Liaison. New York: Bantam Books,
1993. Weber, Max. Essays in Sociology. Ed. Hans Gerth & C. Wright Mills.
New York: Oxford University Press, 1946. Wertheimer, Oskar von. Cleopatra: A
Royal Voluptuary. Trans. Huntley Patterson. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott
Company, 1931. Index Abrantes, Duchess d', 14 absences, see calculated absences
Adams, Cindy, 221-23 Adams, John Quincy, 446-48 advertisements, xx, 444
Aesthetic Rakes, 423 Aga Khan III, 313 aggressive attention, 257 Aging Babies,
156-57 Agnelli, Gianni, 273 Alberoni, Francesco, 205 Albert, Prince of Monaco,
396, 397 Alcibiades, 46-47, 48, 74-76, 191-92, 243-44 Alexander I, Czar of
Russia, 216-17 AlyKhan, Prince, 313-15, 317 American Tobacco Company, 448-50
Amoves, The (Ovid), 253-54, 331, 351-52 Andreas Capellanus, 134-35, 324, 422-23
Andreas-Salome, Lou, 45-47, 50, 52, 76, 154, 197-99, 227, 357, 390, 412 anger,
8, 9, 69, 76, 374 Anger, Kenneth, 50 Anne of Austria, 355 Anti-Seducers, xxiv,
3-4, 49, 65, 131-45, 155 aggressive attention of, 257 arguing by, 260 brutes,
134, 137-38 bumblers, 135, 138-40 complaining by, 135, 293, 378, 418, 421 crab
as symbol of, 144 defensiveness in, 57 as deliberate disenchantment, 415,
418-20 disengagement from, 145 doormats, 134 examples of, 136-44 excessive
pride in, 142 greed in, 142-43 impatience in, 134, 137-38 inattentiveness of,
136-37, 145 insecurity of, 131, 133, 138, 142 judgmentalism in, 133, 134
moralizers, 134, 143-44 neediness in, 59, 74, 75, 134, 293 perfectionistic
dissatisfaction in, 140-41 reactors, 135 self-absorption in, 75, 131, 133, 137,
138, 140 self-awareness lacked by, 131 self-consciousness of, 135, 138-40
suffocators, 134 tightwads, 134-35 types of, 133-36 ulterior motives in, 142-43
ungenerosity of, 133, 134-35 uses of, 145 vulgarians, 135-36 windbags, 135, 145
Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespeare), 267-68, 418 anxiety and discontent,
inducement of, 203-10, 236, 255, 376-77, 378, 418 Cupid's arrow as symbol of,
210 deceptive appearances and, 207 exotic stranger as, 208-9 lost ideals in,
203, 209-10 missing qualities in, 207, 208-9 personal criticism in, 205-7, 208,
209, 210, 423, 424 by politicians, 209-10 reversal of, 210 strategic withdrawal
in, 388-89, 390, 391 Aphrodite (Venus), 8, 9-11, 14, 43, 122-23, 206-7, 256-57,
259, 269, 283, 403 Apollo, 55-58 Ardent Rakes, 19-21 arguing, 257, 260, 445
Aristophanes, 47, 207 armed prophets, 118 Arthur, King, 329 Art of Love, The (Ovid),
xx, xxii, xxiv, 81-82, 135-36, 179, 221, 255, 279-80, 323, 371-72, 397, 408-9,
418-19, 423-44 As You Like It (Shakespeare), 50 Index Athene, 9-11 attention,
aggressive, 257 attention, focused, 33, 273, 417 of Charmers, 79, 81-82, 86, 87
in mirroring, 226 physical lures and, 401-2 Auguste, Prince of Prussia, 187-88
authentic animals, charismatic, 104-5 Bacall, Lauren, 14 Baker, Josephine, 50,
61-63, 66 calculated surprise by, 248 French mirrored by, 225 banal
conversation, 183 Bank, The, 58 Barbey dAurevilly, Jules-Amedee, 49 Barney,
Natalie, xxiv, xxv, 154, 317, 323 spiritual lures of, 361-63, 364, 365-66, 404
Barrymore, John, 109 Bataille, Georges, 374-75 Bathsheba, xix, 237 , Charles
Pierre, 14, 46, 170, 314-15, 354, 401-2 strategic withdrawal by, 385-88
Baudrillard, Jean, xxiii, 9, 126-27, 288,385 , 156 Belleroche, Maud de, 243-44
Bjerre, Poul, 47 Angel, The (Mann), 340-43 Boccaccio, Giovanni, 214-17, 233-37,
362-67 bold moves, 405-13 bracing effect of, 410 , 412 humility vs., 409-10
indirect approach preceding, 407-9 infecting with emotions in, 412 opportune
moment for, 410-1 1 as pleasant surprise, 411 reversal of, 413 signs of
readiness for, 408, 409, 411,412 summer storm as symbol of, 413 theatricality
of, 411-12 vanity and, 408-9 , Lucien, 187 , Napoleon, see Napoleon , Emperor
of France Bonaparte, Pauline, 14, 200, 297-99, 304-5, 326-27 Book of Laughter
and Forgetting, The (Kundera), 66 Bourdon, David, 33-34 , Bernard, 173-74,
-300, 304 Brantome, Seigneur de, 139-41, 268-69, 290-92, 409-10 breakups, 369,
378 see also disenchantment Brent, Harrison, 297-99 Brummel, George
"Beau," 48-49, 52, 192, 434 , anti-seductive, 134, 137-38 Buckingham,
George Villiers, Duke , 66, 235, 346-48, 355 bumblers, anti-seductive, 135,
138-40 Bunuel, Luis, 373 Butler, Samuel, 81 Byron, George Gordon, Lord, 26, 70,
153, 304 disarming weaknesses of, 290, 291 "honest" confessions of,
284 taboos transgressed by, 351-54, ,357 Caesar, Julius, xix, 7-8, 12, 13, 208,
,317 calculated absences, 288, 390, 392, ,418 in pain mixed with pleasure, 372,
calculated effects, 188, 190, 289 -46 in re-seduction, 420-21 reversal of, 249
, Emperor of Rome, 136 Camus, Albert, 83 , Jules de, 326-27 Capote, Truman, 71
, Angela, 281 Carter, Jimmy, 202 Casanova, Giovanni Giacomo, xx, xxii, xxiv, 31-33,
36, 128, 373 142-43 mirroring by, 224 mixed signals and, 194 environment and
time created by, 435, 438-39 spiritual lures used by, 367 temptation of, 236-37
, Baldassare, 133-34, 197-99,272 Castro, Fidel, 102 Catherine de Medicis, Queen
of France, 15 Catherine II "the Great," Empress of Russia, 90-92, 93
provided by, 201 Potemkin and, 274, 300-303 Saltykov and, 37-38, 225-26 Chalon,
Jean, 361-62 , Jessie, 205-6, 208 , Charlie, 58-59 charisma, xx, xxi, 95,
97-98, 329 , 3, 95-118, 317 adventurousness of, 101-2 as armed prophets, 118
to, 116-18 dangers to, 116-18 , 112-14 drama saints, 110-12 fatigue and, 117-18
of, 101 gurus, 109-10 lamp as symbol of, 11 6 magnetism of, 98, 102 miraculous
prophets, 102-4 mysteriousness of, 95, 99 Olympian actors, 114-16 piercing gaze
of, 95, 100-101, 102, 104 prophetic gifts in, 99, 104 purposefulness of, 98-99
saintliness of, 99 saviors, 107-9 seductive language of, 99-100, 108, 111, 114,
115-16 self-awareness of, 100 successors of, 118 on television, 114, 115-16
theatricality of, 100 types of, 102-16 uninhibitedness of, 100, 107
vulnerability of, 101 Charles I, King of England, 355 II, King of England, 201,
420-21 Charmers, 3, 79-93, 153, 210, 376 antagonism harmonized by, 82 art of,
81-83 dangers to, 93 deceptive appearances and, 85 of term, 81 ease and comfort
created by, 79, 82, 86-87 examples of, 83-92 86, 87 indulgent attitude of, 79,
85, 418 mirror as symbol of, 92 by, 82 provided by, 82, 85 politicians as, 81,
82, 83-85, 87, -92, 93 by, 83 sexuality and, 81, 87 subtlety of, 81 timing of,
90-91, 92, 93 attitude of, 81 as useful to others, 83, 87 Chateaubriand,
Francois Rene, Vi- comte de, 188, 226, 284, 337 ego ideal regression of, 343-46
Chekhov, Michael, 10 Chevalier, Maurice, 395-96, 397 Chiang Kai-shek, 88-90 Childe
Harold (Byron), 351,352 China, xix, 15, 76, 88-90, 172-73, 174, 224, 267-69,
291, 297-300, 311-13 chivalry, 36-37, 38, 329-30 Choisy, Abbe de, 47-48
Chretien de Troyes, 329-30, 386-87 Christian, Linda, 398-99, 401 Churchill,
Pamela, see Harriman, Pamela Churchill , Winston, 86, 115, 329 Clarissa
(Richardson), 225, 315-16Claudin, Gustave, 60 ClaudiusI, Emperor of Rome,
136-37 Cleopatra, xix, xx, xxi, xxiv, 7-9, 13, 16, 184, 304, 378, 392, 412
-seduction as defense against, clothing of, 7, 8, 274 descriptions of, 8
insecurity fostered by, 208 isolation created by, 317 mixed signals sent by,
192 mood changes of, 7-8, 9 poeticizing of, 283 sensual appeals of, 159
theatricality of, 7, 8, 9 chosen by, 12, 172 voice of, 1,9, 14 Clift,
Montgomery, 51, 125, 437 clinging behavior, 415, 417, 419-20 Clinton, Bill, 26,
27, 93 clothing, xx, 34, 434, 436 attention to details of, 265, 268, 269, 270,
272, 273, 274 of Dandies, 43, 44, 48-49, 50, 51 of Sirens, 7, 8, 13, 14-15, 274
Cohn, Norman, 103 Cold Coquette, The (Byron), 70 Colette, 48 complaining, 135,
293, 378, 418, 421 confessions, "honest," 284, 285, 287-88, 289 con
men, 66 Conquerors, 153-54 Conrad, Earl, 398-99 Constant, Benjamin, 188, 344
contrasts, 201-2, 270-71, 274, 427, 428, 447 Cooper, Gary, 125 Coquettes, 3, 67-68,
156, 172, 237, 291,412 Cold, 71-73, 77, 78 confusion engendered by, 75 dangers
to, 78 excitement engendered by, 75 hatred engendered by, 78 Hot and Cold, 67,
69-71, 76, 78, 192-93 jealousy incited by, 76-77 keys to, 74-77 narcissism of,
67, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77 politicians as, 77 selective withdrawal by, 67, 70-71,
73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 390 self-sufficiency of, 67, 71, 73, 74-75, 76, 77
shadow as symbol of, 77 spacecreated by, 73 timing of, 78 Coriolanus
(Shakespeare), 107 courtesans, 11-12, 33, 38, 60-61, 75, 86, 192, 194, 291,
299-300, 361-64, 396, 412, 436 courtly love, 36-37, 325-26, 333 Crebillon, 33
Crebillon fils, 138-40, 401 criticism, personal, 205-7, 208, 209, 210, 423, 424
cmelty, 192, 349, 353, 356-57, 377, 379, 385, 390, 426 of Dandies, 43, 44, 45,
46, 47 of Rakes, 26 in transgressing taboos, 349, 352, 353, 356-57 Crushed
Stars, 152-53 Cures for Love (Ovid), 9,172 Dandies, 3, 41-52, 75-76, 83, 153,
192, 434 aesthetic qualities in, 48-50, 51 ambiguity of, 41, 44, 45, 47, 51
bisexual appeal of, 50-51 confusion engendered by, 47 cruelty in, 43, 44, 45,
46, 47 dangerousness of, 43, 44 dangers to, 52 excitement engendered by, 47
Feminine, 43-45 impudence of, 49, 51, 52 keys to, 48-51 Masculine, 45-48 mental
transvestitism of, 50 nonconformity of, 46, 47, 48-49, 51 orchid as symbol of,
51 physical image of, 41, 43, 44, 45, 48-49, 50-51 politicians as, 51 social
seduction by, 48-50 visual style of, 48-49 Dandy, The (Baudelaire), 46
Dangerous Liaisons (Laclos), xxiv, 25, 127, 169-71, 287-89, 407-9, 418-20
dangerousness, 354 of Dandies, 43, 44 of Rakes, 17, 24, 25, 26, 27 of Sirens,
5, 11, 12-13 D'Annunzio, Gabriele, 21-24, 192, 291 death risked by, 327-29
flattery by, 218, 259 march on Fiume led by, 23, 273, 328 public spectacles
given by, 275 Darvas, Lili, 123 d'Aunet, Leonie, 339 David, King, xix, 237
Davis, Ossie, 113 Dean, James, 123, 125, 127, 128 death, risking of, 327-29
Decameron, The (Boccaccio), 214-17, 233-37, 362-67 defensiveness, 57, 83, 207,
21 1,215, 219, 224, 246, 247, 260, 418, 434 de Gaulle, Charles, 99, 100, 101-2,
109, 114-16, 117,329 seductive oratory of, 114, 115, 253-54 "Delight in
Disorder" (Herrick), 399 deliverers, charismatic, 112-14 demonic
performers, charismatic, 106-7 Demonic Rakes, 21-24 Denon, Vivant, 213-15
destiny, sense of, 177, 359, 365 details, attention to, 38, 265-76, 425 banquet
as symbol of, 276 of clothing, 265, 268, 269, 270, 272, 273, 274 gifts in, 265,
268, 269, 274-75, 279 mesmerizing effect of, 265, 267-69 reversal of, 276
sensuous effect of, 265, 269-72 slower pace in, 272, 273-74 of spectacles, 265,
267-69, 275 Devil Is a Woman, The, 373 Dewa, 37 Diderot, Denis, xxiv-xxv
Dietrich, Marlene, 50, 121-23, 127, 128, 129, 130, 192, 342, 373, 434 DiMaggio,
Joe, 11, 13 Dio Cassius, 7 Dionysus, 8 Diotima, 206-7, 208 Disappointed
Dreamers, 150-51 disenchantment, 415-29 clean quick breaks in, 415, 418, 425-26
clinging behavior and, 415, 417, 419-20 deliberate, 415, 418-20 disillusionment
in, 40embers as symbol of, 428 familiarity in, 415, 418, 421 inertia in, 417-18
pleasant separations in, 421-23 seea/sore-seduction Disraeli, Benjamin, 49, 57,
81, 82-85, 93, 143-44, 210, 236 attention to details by, 274-75 humor in
persuasion by, 260 mirroring by, 225 poeticizing by, 284 victim played by, 292
dissatisfaction, perfectionistic, 140-41 Don Juan, legend of, xx, 19-20, 23,
24-25, 155, 170, 207-8, 209, 260, 400 Don Juan (Byron), 290 doormats,
anti-seductive, 134 doubts, 215, 282-83, 321, 323, 324, 383, 389, 390, 393,
409, 410, 429 Drama Queens, 155 drama saints, charismatic, 1 10-12 Dream of The
Red Chamber, The (Tsao Hsueh Chin), 224, 270-72 Drouet, Juliette, 339-40
Dryden, John, 233 Dulcey Sabrosa (Picon), 231-34 dullness, deliberate, 183
Dumas, Alexander, 385 Duncan, Isadora, 22, 259 Duse, Eleanor, 22, 259 Eastern
Love, 137, 171 Easy Street, 58 Eddington, Nora, 399-400 Edward VII, King of
England, 396 ego ideal regression, 337-38, 343-46 Einstein, Albert, 99
Eisenhower, Dwight D" 124, 174, 317 Eisenstein, Sergei, 59 Either/Or
(Kierkegaard), 24, 256 Elizabeth, Empress of Russia, 90, 91 Elizabeth I, Queen
of England, 75, 84, 209, 346 Ellington, Duke, xxiv, 182-83, 291, 419-20, 421-23
empathy, 81, 157 environment, seductive, 431-39 Casanova's creation of, 435,
438-39 crowded conditions in, 434, 437 Japan's ukiyo ("floating world")
as, 435-37' mystical effects in, 434-35 theatricality of, 431, 434-35, 436, 439
visual stimuli in, 434 Warhol's Factory as, 437-38 envy, 16, 28 Epton, Nina,
326, 354, 355 Eros. 206-7, 208 erotic fatigue, 117-18 Escher, M. C" 128
Essex, Robert Devereux, Earl of, 209 Euripides, xx Europa, 180-81 Exodus, Book
of, 98 Exotic Fetishists, 154-55 "Exotic Perfume" (Baudelaire), 401-2
Eyes of Youth, 43 Fallaci, Oriana, 374-76 falling in love, xix, xxi, xxii, 9,
36, 39, 44, 45, 46, 50, 76, 97, 134, 149, 164, 205, 246, 377 familiarity, 429
in disenchantment, 415, 418, 421 poeticizing oneself vs., 277, 281, 282, 284
fear, 412, 418, 424 in pain mixed with pleasure, 369, 377-78, 379 Feminine
Dandies, 43-45 Ferenczi, Sandor, 126 festivals, 433, 434, 435 Fetishistic Stars,
121-23 Fiume, march on, 23, 273, 328 flattery, 22, 85, 218, 233, 259, 289, 376,
403 Flaubert, Gustave, 364-65, 385 Floating Genders, 160 "floating
world" (ukiyo), 435-37 Flowers of Evil, The (Baudelaire), 314-15, 386,
401-2 Flynn, Errol, xxiv, 26, 130, 192, 201, 291,355 physical lures of,
397-402, 403, 404 Tantrism practiced by, 410 FourHorsemenoftheApocalypse, The,
43 Fraser, Flora, 300-301 French Revolution, 70, 116-17, 174, 187, 328 Freud,
Sigmund, 70-71, 173, 182, 188, 449 Andreas-Salome and, 76, 198, 199 on
bisexuality, 50 onchildhood as golden age, 55 disciples of, 76-77, 198, 199,
434 on narcissism, 73, 74 on sexual taboos, 352-53 on spoiled children, 61 on
suggestion, 215 on transference, 335-36 on the uncanny, 126, 301-2, 304
Friedrich, Konrad, 297-99 Frohlich, Rosa (fict.), 340-43 Fu Chai, King, xix,
15, 311-13 Fujiwara no Korechika, 48, 65, 271 Fiilop-Miller, Rene, 104-5
Gallese, Duke and Duchess of, 22 Game of Hearts, The: Harriette Wilson's
Memoirs (Wilson), 48-49 Gandhi, Mohandas K" 193, 358 isolation created by,
317 Garbo, Greta, 127 Garden of Eden, 24, 237 Gautier, Theophile, 49, 385
Genesis, Book of, 232-33 Genji, Prince (fict.), 63-65, 172, 269-71 George, Don,
419-20 Gerard, Franjois-Pascal, 187, 188 Gilbert and Sullivan, 189 Gilda, 314 Gillot,
Henrik, 45 Gilot, I rancoise, 25 Girard, Rene, 199, 200 Gladstone, William, 85,
93, 143-44 Gleichen-Russwurm, Alexander von, xxi Goethe, Johann Wolfgang,
300-301, 354 golden age, childhood as, 53, 55, 59 Gottfried von Strassburg, 12,
190-92, 354-55 Grammont, Count de, 137-38, 183, 324-25 Grant, Gary, 125, 128,
129 Graves, Robert, 9-11, 55-58, 231. 287-88 Greco, Juliette, 313 greed, 199
anti-seductive, 142-43 Greek Myths. The (Graves), 9-11, 55-58, 231, 287-88
Greenfield, Liah, 102 guilt, sense of, 176, 369, 378, 379, 422-23, 426 in
transgression of taboos, 349, 355,357 Guinevere, Queen, 329-30, 386-87 gurus,
charismatic, 109-10 Gwyn, Nell, 201, 420-21 Hamilton, Lady Emma, 300-301, 304
Hamilton, Sir William, 300-301, 304 hard sell, 443 Harriman, Averell, 85-87,
273, 318 Harriman, Pamela Churchill, 85-87, 273, 274, 318 Hauptmann, Gerhart,
46 Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 74 Hayworth, Rita, 313-15 heat, projected, 393, 395-97
heated glances, 396, 397, 402, 403 Helen of Troy, xix, xx, 11, 13 Hellmann,
John, 124, 209 Hera, 9-11, 256-58, 287-88 Hermaphroditus, 43-45 Hermes
(Mercury), 9-10, 43, 55-58 Herrick, Robert, 399 Hibbert, Eloise Talcott,
172-73, 311-12 Hindu Art of Love, The (Windsor, ed.), 171-72, 411 Homer, 7-8,
11, 12-13, 256-58 "honest" confessions, 284, 285, 287-88, 289 honest
courtesans, 38 Hot and Cold Coquettes, 67, 69-71, 76, 78 Hsi Shi, xix, 15,
311-13 Hugo, Victor, 338-40 Huxley, Aldous, 109 hypnosis, 261-62, 401, 402
Ibarruri, Dolores Gomez (La Pasion- aria), 99-100 Ibn Hazm, 126, 183-84, 409
Ideal Lovers, 3, 29-40 Beauty, 33-35 in courtly love, 36-37 dangers to, 40
effort required of, 33 keys to, 36-39 Madonna/whore as, 38 missing qualities
provided by, 32-33, 34-35, 36, 39 noble qualities evoked by, 35-36, 39 patient
attentiveness of, 38 politicians as, 38-39, 40 portrait painter as symbol of,
39 reputation of, 33, 37-38 Romantic, 31-33 self-sacrifice of, 36-38 subtle
indications observed by, 33, 36 ideals, lost, 39, 203, 208-10, 226, 317 Idol
Worshipers, 158 Idylle Saphique (Pougy), 362 Ihara Saikaku, 268, 421-22 Iliad,
The (Homer), 256-58 illusions, creation of, 82, 295-307, 364 appearance of
normality in, 304 changing the past in, 306 dreams realized through, 303-4 of
gender, 297-300, 304 reversal of, 307 role playing in, 305 Shangri-La as symbol
of, 307 uncanny effects in, 304 wish fulfillment in, 300-303 impatience,
anti-seductive, 134, 137-38 improvisation, 164, 248, 411 in proving oneself,
324-25 imps, 56-57, 59-61, 66 inattentiveness, 136-37, 145 indifference, 409
indirect approach, 177-84, 408-9 bland appearance in, 183 bold moves after,
407-9 deliberate dullness in, 183 disguising one's feelings in, 183 friendship
in, 177, 179-81, 182 illusion of control in, 181-82 neutral distance in, 182-83
reversal of, 184 sexual tension and, 182 spider's web as symbol of, 184 third
parties in, 177, 183 see also soft sell infantile regression, 336-37, 338-40
innocents, 54, 58-59, 66 "In Praise of Makeup" (Baudelaire), 14
insecurities, 48, 71, 74, 76, 77, 87, 154, 155, 156, 163, 172, 173, 182, 193,
207, 210, 289, 291, 359, 369, 377, 412, 419 of Anti-Seducers, 131, 133, 138,
142 of countries, 225 flattery aimed at, 259 insinuation, art of, 127, 211-18,
389, 390 dropping hints in, 211, 216 gesturesand looks in, 211, 217-18
imagination and, 216 passing comments in, 211, 215, 216 pleasure provided by,
218 in politics, 216-17 retraction with apology in, 211, 215,217 reversal of,
218 seed as symbol of, 218 slight physical contact in, 215 slips of the tongue
in, 217 vagueness in, 216 "Invitation to the Voyage" (Baudelaire),
314-15 irrationality, 55, 378 isolation, creation of, 309-18 deceptive
appearances and, 315 exotic effect in, 311-13, 317 from family and friends,
316, 317, 318 hint of danger in, 317 on islands, 317 "only you"
effect in, 313-15 from past attachments, 316-17 Pied Piper as symbol of, 318 by
politicians, 317 by religious sects, 317 reversal of, 318 Jackson, Andrew,
446-48 Jagger, Mick, 50 James I, King of England, 66, 235, 355 reverse parental
regression and, 346-48 Japan, 25, 37, 48, 50 child-rearing practices in, 335-36
ukiyo ("floating world") of, 435-37 see also Tale of Genji, The
(Murasaki) jealousy, 70, 76-77, 248, 390, 421, 423, 424, 425-26 in pain mixed
with pleasure, 372, 373, 374, 377 triangles and, 197-98 Jeffers, Robinson, 109
Joan of Arc, 102-4 Johnson, Lyndon B., 289 Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor, 301-2
Josephine, Empress of France, xxiv, 13, 69-71, 74, 154, 217, 412 languorousness
of, 12, 14, 69 selective disclosure by, 15, 237 selective withdrawal by, 70,
78, 390 tears as tactic of, 69, 70, 291-92 Journal of Our Life in the Highlands
(Queen Victoria), 84 judgmentalism, 152, 404 in Anti-Seducers, 133, 134 Julius
Caesar(Shakespeare), 258-60 Jullian, Philippe, 22 Jung, Carl, 76 Jungian
archetypes, 36-37 Jurgens, Ernest, 395-96 Kaus, Gina, 303 Keaton, Buster, 58
Kennedy, John F., xxi, xxiv, 40, 51, 117, 123-26, 127, 128, 130, 224,329
adventurousness of, 101, 102 disarming weaknesses of, 290-91 insinuation used
by, 217 isolation as technique of, 317 lost ideals and, 39, 208-10, 317 missing
qualities offered by, 174 mixed signals sent by, 193 poeticizing of, 283 Key,
Wilson Bryan, 289 Kierkegaard, Spren, xxiv, 24, 31, 169-70, 171, 172, 179-80,
181, 182, 193, 201, 224, 246, 254, 255-57, 279, 289-90, 291, 357, 373, 387-88,
389 King, Martin Luther, Jr., 113 Kissinger, Henry A., 93, 183, 374-75, 378
knights, 36-37, 329-30, 331-32 Kolowrat, Count Sascha, 122 Kou Chien, King, 15,
311-13 Kriegel, Maurice, 253 Krishnamurti,Jiddu, 75-76, 109-10, 358 Kuang Hsu,
Emperor, 267-69 Kundera, Milan, 66 La Bruyere, Jean de, 49 Laclos, Pierre
Choderlos de, xix-xx, xxiv, 25, 169-71,287-89, 407-9, 418-20 Ladd, Alan, 123
Lake, Veronica, 128 Lamb, Lady Caroline, 351-52, 353, 354 Lamotte-Valois,
Comtesse de, 305-6 Lancelot, Sir, 329-30, 386-87 Lang, Lritz, 122 language, seductive,
xx, 153, 251-63, 273 affirmation in, 261, 262 ambiguity and vagueness in, 254,
258, 262, 263, 448 arguing vs., 260 boldness in, 262 changes of perspective in,
261 of Charismatics, 99-100, 108, 111, 114,115-16 clouds as symbol of, 262
diabolic vs. symbolic, 262 emotion vs. reason in, 260-61 flattery in, 22, 85,
218, 233, 259, 376, 403 flowery language vs., 263 normal language vs., 258-59
oratory, xx, 22-23, 24, 114, 115, 235-36, 253-54, 258-60, 261, 275 producing an
effect with, 254, 259 promises in, 259, 260 of Rakes, 17, 19, 20, 22-24, 25
repetition in, 261-62 reversal of, 263 self-absorption vs., 258 silence vs.,
263 in soft sell, 445 strong emotions roused by, 261 seealso writing Lauzun,
Antonin Peguilin, Duke de, xx, 75, 179-81, 201, 282 Lawner, Lynne, 13, 299-300
Lawrence, D. H., 205-7, 208, 209, 210, 400, 423-25 Leadbeater, Charles, 109 Le
Gallienne, Richard, 191 Lemaitre, Jules, 49 Lenin, V. I., 98, 99, 101, 107-9,
183, 201-2 Leonardo da Vinci, 188 Lesbos, island of, 317, 362-63 Lewis, Arthur
H., 395-96, 398 Lincoln, Abraham, 99 Lonely Leaders, 159 lost ideals, 39, 203,
208-10, 226, 317 Louis XIV, King of Prance, 19, 35, 47, 49, 179-81, 282 Louis
XV, King of Prance, 16, 33-35, 36, 127, 216, 247, 249, 274, 435 Louis XVIII,
King of Prance, 426-27 Louys, Pierre, 371-74 Love Happy, 10 lovers' quarrels,
76 Low, Ivy, 206, 208 Lucian, 420-21, 422 Lursay, Madame de (fict.), 138-40
Machiavelli, Niccolo, 118 Madame Bovary (Plaubert),364-65 Madonna/whore, 38
makeup, xix, 8, 9, 10, 13, 434 Making a Living, 58, 59 Malcolm X, 111, 112-14
Malet, Elizabeth, 26 Malraux, Andre, 121 Mandel, Oscar, 23, 208, 232 Mandrell,
James, 200, 207 Mann, Heinnch, 340-43 Mansfield, Katherine, 206 Mao, Madame
(Jiang Qing), 78, 173, 201.249, 379,403,412 Mao Zedong, 77, 78, 88-89, 99, 118,
173.201.249, 403 Margaret of Navarre, Queen, xxi, 326-31 Marguerite de Valois,
14-15, 412 Marianne (Marivaux), 75, 292 Marie Antoinette, Queen of Prance,
305-6 Marivaux, Pierre, 69, 75, 292 Mark Antony, xix, 8, 12, 13, 145, 159,
172,208,258-61,274, 283, 378, 392, 412 Marx, Groucho, 10 Mary, Queen of Scots,
346 Masculine Dandies, 45-48 masochism, 47, 71, 155, 237, 332, 357, 378 mass
seduction, see Charismatics; politicians; soft sell Maurois, Andre, 83 Maxwell,
Elsa, 313, 314 Mayer, J. P, 125 MemoirsfromBeyondthe Grave (Chateaubriand),
337, 345 Menken, Adah Isaacs, 100 mental superiority, sense of, 155-56
Merteuil, Marquise de (fict.), 418-20 Mesmer, Pranz, 434-35 Messalina, 136-37
Metamorphoses (Ovid), 43-45,71 -74, 121-23, 180-81, 182-83 Metternich, Prince
Klemens von, 188, 343 Michels, Roberto, 77 Middle Ages, 103, 328 courtly love
in, 36-37, 325-26, 331 religious mystics of, 366 troubadours of, xx, 36-37,
291, 325,331 Middleton-Murry,John,206, 208 Midgette, Allen, 72 Midsummer
Night's Dream, A (Shakespeare), 297 Milbanke, Annabella, 353 Miller, Arthur,
12, 13 Ming Huang, Emperor, 76, 174, 270, 272-73 miraculous prophets,
charismatic, 102-4 mirroring, 45, 219-27, 279, 403, 411,412 by Charmers, 82
focused attention in, 226 of gender roles, 224-25 hunter's mirror as symbol of,
226 imitation in, 221-22, 223 indulgence in, 219, 223 of lost ideals, 226
narcissism and, 224 by outsiders, 225 reversal of, 227 of spiritual values, 225
in writing, 257 missing qualities, 149, 207, 208-9 and choice of victim, 171,
173-74 Ideal Lovers and, 32-33, 34-35, 36, 39 mixed signals, 185-94, 223
artificial vs. natural, 189-91 cold vs. hot, 192-93; see also Coquettes depth
suggested by, 185, 192 in first impressions, 191, 192-93 gender roles and, 192
gcod vs. bad, 187-89 imagination engaged by, 191 inner vs. outward qualities
in, 192-93 paradox in, 190-91 in politics, 193 reputation and, 193 reversal of,
194 theater curtain as symbol of, 194 Mohammed Riza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, 313,
375 Moliere, 22, 207-8, 258 Molina, Tirso de, 19-20, 232 moment, the, 423, 435
abandonment to, 21, 25 leading into, 393, 400, 402-4 Mona Lisa (da Vinci), 188
Mondale, Walter, 450 Monneyron, Prederic, 181-82 Monroe, Marilyn, xxiv, 9-11,
12, 13, 14, 16, 101, 125, 130, 192, 274, 291,338 MonsieurBeaucaire, 44 Montez,
Lola, 173, 199-200, 357 Montpensier, Anne Marie Louise d'Orleans, Duchess de,
179-81, 201,282 mood changes, xix, 7-8, 9, 11, 249, 312, 418-19 moralizers,
anti-seductive, 134, 143-44 Morin, Edgar, 121, 124-25 Morosini, Countess, 328
Moscovici, Serge, 83, 199, 221-22 Moses, 98, 113, 114 Much Ado About Nothing
(Shakespeare), 183 Murasaki Shikibu, xxiv, 25, 61, 63-65, 140-41, 269-71, 287
Musil, Robert, 227 Musset, Alfred de, 40, 281 Mussolini, Benito, 102, 275 Mut,
Professor (fict.), 340-43 Mythic Stars, 123-26 Napoleon I, Emperor of France,
xx, 14, 99, 187, 200, 261, 298, 326 calculated surprise by, 243 as Charismatic,
101, 102, 111 Coquette played by, 77 French re-seduced by, 426-28 insinuation
used by, 216-17 Josephine and, 13, 69-71, 74, 78, 154, 217, 291-92, 390, 412
missing qualities offered by, 1 74 Talleyrand and, 38-39 temptations created
by, 235-36 Napoleon III (Louis-Napoleon), Emperor of France, 339-40 narcissism,
41, 45, 50, 82, 157, 219 of Coquettes, 67, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77 mirroring and,
224 Narcissus, 71-74 natural phenomena, 55 Naturals, 3, 53-66 dangers to, 66
disarming weakness of, 53, 56, 59 examples of, 58-65 fantasy world created by,
63 imps, 56-57, 59-61, 66 independence in,61 innocents, 54, 58-59, 66 lamb as
symbol of, 65 naivete of, 58-59 as potentially irritating, 66 psychological
traits of, 55-57 receptiveness of, 57 spoiled children as, 61 sympathy elicited
by, 53, 56, 59, 66 undefensive lovers, 57, 63-65 wonder children, 57, 61-63
youth and, 66 neediness, 59, 74, 75, 87, 134, 293 Nelson, Viscount Horatio, 304
Nero, Emperor of Rome, 50 New Prudes, 151-52 New York Times, 189, 396 Nicholas,
Grand Duke, 396 Nicholas II, Czar of Russia, 105, 107, 201 Nietzsche,
Friedrich, xxii, xxiii, 36 Andreas-Salome and, 45-46, 47, 52, 197-98, 199, 227
Ninon de l'Enclos, xx, 75, 183, 192, 217, 223, 224-25, 293, 409, 417, 425-26
Niou, Prince (fict.), 25 Nisan, 37 Nixon, Richard M., 123-24, 374, 375 "No
Tomorrow" (Denon), 213-15 Novices, 153 Octavia, 8 Octavius, 8, 16, 145,
378 Odyssey, The (Homer), 7-8, 11, 12-13 oedipal regression, 333, 337, 340-43
Olympian actors, charismatic, 114-16 Onassis, Aristotle, 313 On Love
(Stendhal), 58, 170, 280-82, 284, 375-77 opinion, influencing, xx-xxi oratory,
seductive, xx, 22-23, 24, 114, 115, 235-36, 253-54, 258-60, 261, 275 Orleans,
Duchess d', 21 Orleans, Duke d', 19-20 Orlov, Gregory, 90 Orsay, Count d', 49
Ortega y Gasset, Jose, xxii, 282-83 Otero, Caroline "La Belle," 194,
398, 402, 412 heat projected by, 395-97 Overstreet, H. A., 60 Ovid, xx, xxii, xxiv,
9, 43-45, 71-74, 81-82, 121-23, 135-36, 172, 179, 180-81, 182-83, 221,
253-54,255,279-80,323, 331, 352, 371-72, 397, 408-9, 418-19, 423-24 Pahlavi,
Mohammed Riza, Shah of Iran, 313, 375 pain,mixing pleasure with, 155, 159, 237,
369-79, 389, 391,410, 415, 418, 424-25 anxiety induced by, 376-77, 378 bracing
effect of, 377 breakups in, 369, 378 calculated absences in, 372, 373-74
emotional highs and lows in, 371-74 fear in, 369, 377-78, 379 guilt in, 369
harshness and kindness in, 374-76 jealousy in, 372, 373, 374, 377 masochistic
yearnings for, 47, 71, 155, 237, 332, 357, 378 precipice as symbol of, 379
reversal of, 379 timing of, 379 Pampered Royals, 151, 421 Paris, xix, 13
Judgment of, 9-11 Pasionaria, La (Dolores Gomez Ibar- ruri), 99-100 Patience (Gilbert
and Sullivan), 189 Pawnbroker, The, 58 Pearl, Cora, 59-61, 66, 291 Pearson,
Hesketh, 189-90 Peron, Evita, 110-12 poeticizing of, 279-81, 283-84 Peron,
Juan, 111, 279-81 persuasion, xx-xxi, 215-16, 317 argument vs. humor in, 260
emotion vs. reason in, 260-61, 444 Peter I "the Great," Czar of
Russia, 99 Peter III, Czar of Russia, 37, 90, 201, 225, 300 Petronius, 50, 201
Philip III, King of Spain, 234-35 physical lures, 393-404 devil-may-care
attitude and, 404 disordered look in, 402-3 flattery and, 403 focused attention
and, 401-2 heated glances in, 396, 397, 402, 403 as leading into the moment,
393, 400, 402-4 lowering inhibitions by, 393, 397-401 mental activity lulled
by, 393, 400-401, 402, 403 physical excitation aroused by, 399, 400, 402, 403
projected heat in, 393, 395-97 raft as symbol of, 404 reversal of, 404 sensual
appeal of, 402 shared physical activity in, 398, 400, 403 slight physical
contacts in, 395, 396, 397, 400, 403 Picasso, Pablo, 25, 26, 45, 100, 379 art
as lure of, 366 poeticizing of, 283 Picon, Jacinto Octavio, 231-34 Pillow Book
of Sei Shonagon, The, 31-32,50,65,263 Plato, 74-76, 191, 206-7, 208 Plutarch,
8, 46-47, 261 poeticizing oneself, 277-84 bit of doubt in, 282-83 calculated
absences in, 277, 283-84 familiarity vs., 277, 281, 282, 284 halo as symbol of,
284 idealizing one's targets in, 284 objects in, 283 reversal of, 284
self-image and, 281-82 shared experiences in, 283 politicians, xx-xxi, 101,
183, 366, 374-76 anxiety and discontent induced by, 209-10 as Charmers, 81, 82,
83-85, 87, 88-92, 93 as Coquettes, 77 as Dandies, 51 disarming weaknesses of,
292 as Ideal Lovers, 38-39, 40 insinuation used by, 216-17 isolation created
by, 317 mixed signals sent by, 193 re-seduction by, 426-28 soft sell by,
446-48, 450-52 triangles created by, 201-2 victims chosen by, 174 war heroes
as, 329, 446-48 see also Charismatics; oratory, seductive Pompadour, Jeanne
Poisson, Madame de, 16,33-35,36, 127,249, 274, 435 pop art, 71-72, 73
Portsmouth, Louise Keroualle, Duchess of, 420 post-seduction, see
disenchantment; re-seduction Potemkin, Prince Gregory, 274, 300-303 Pougy,Liane
de, 361-62, 363, 364 Presley, Elvis, 28, 44, 50, 105-6, 107 pride, excessive,
142 Private Life of the Marshal Duke of Richelieu, The, 20-21 Professors,
155-56 prostitutes, 40, 354, 356 Proust, Marcel, 70, 283 proving oneself, 25,
321-32, 417, 425 apparent suicide in, 324-25 doubts allayed by, 321, 323, 324
improvisation in, 324-25 passing tests in, 326-31 persistence in, 324-25 rescue
in, 329-30 resistance and, 321, 323, 324 reversal of, 332 risking death in,
327-29 self-sacrifice in, 326-27, 425 tournament as symbol of, 332 unhesitating
action in, 329-30 by war heroes, 327-29 prudery, 151-52 Ptolemy XIV, Pharaoh, 7
Pygmalion, 121-23 Pygmalion complex, 173 Quicksand (Tanazaki), 356 rakehells,
25 Rakes, 3, 17-28, 49, 130, 152, 247, 315-16 as abandoned to moment, 21, 25
Aesthetic, 423 Ardent, 19-21 convention defied by, 26, 27 cruelty of, 26
dangerousness of, 17, 24, 25, 26, 27 dangers to, 28 Demonic, 21-24 derivation
of term, 25 erotic vs. political, 24 extremism of, 26 as female fantasy figure,
17, 20-21, 23, 24-25, 26 fire as symbol of, 27 keys to, 24-27 masculine envy
engendered by, 28 mirroring by, 225-26 obstacles overcome by, 21, 25, 225-26
pleasure offered by, 24, 25, 27 reformation of, 26, 225, 353, 354 Reformed, as
victims, 1 50 reputation of, 20-21, 26-27, 28, 200-201 seductive language of,
17, 19, 20, 22-24, 25 voices of, 22-23 Rank, Otto, 76 Rasputin, Grigori
Efimovich, 100-102,104-5 physical lures of, 403 spiritual lures of, 366, 403
reactors, anti-seductive, 135 Reagan, Ronald, 202 soft sell of, 450-52
Recamier, Madame, 187-89, 192, 217,237,343-46 Ree, Paul, 45-46, 197-98, 199
Reformed Rakes or Sirens, 150 regression, erotic, 333-48 bed as symbol of, 348
ego ideal, 337-38, 343-46 infantile, 336-37, 338-40 oedipal, 333, 337, 340-43
rebellion in, 348 reversal of, 348 reverse parental, 333, 338, 346-48 therapist
role in, 336, 345-46 transference in, 335-36 unconditional love in, 336-37, 340
Reichenbach, Harry, 452-54 Reik, Theodor, 209-10, 336-37, 388-90 reliability,
243 Remarque, Erich Maria, 121 Remembrance ofThingsPast(Proust), 283
Renaissance, 12, 38, 356 reputation, 46, 193, 223, 314, 379 in creation of
triangles, 195, 200-201 of Ideal Lovers, 33, 37-38 mixed signals and, 193 of
Rakes, 20-21, 26-27, 28, 200-201 Rescuers, 157 re-seduction, 415-29, 435
calculated surprises in, 420-21 embers as symbol of, 428 fight against inertia
in, 417-18 intermittent drama in, 423-25 maintaining lightness in, 418, 421,
423 maintaining mystery in, 418 political, 426-28 reversal of, 429 timing of,
428 resistance, xxiii, xxiv, 25, 154, 164, 172, 177, 181, 183, 188, 215, 216,
236, 289, 376, 400, 412, 449 and proving oneself, 321, 323, 324 to temptations,
236 reverse parental regression, 333, 338, 346-48 Richardson, Samuel, 225,
315-16 Richelieu, Duke de, 19-21, 25, 27, 170, 200, 247, 356, 410 Richthofen,
Baroness Frieda von, 206, 423-25 Rilke, Rainer Maria, 46-47, 227 Ring of the
Dove, The: A Treatise on the Art and Practice of Arab Love (Ibn Hazm), 126,
183-84, 409 Robespierre, Maximilien de, 116-17, 118 Rochester, Earl of, 26
Rohan, Cardinal de, 305-6 Romantic Ideal, 31-33 Romanticism, 226, 343
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, 86, 98-99, 100, 102, 118 seductive oratory of, 260
Rothschild, Baron Elie de, 273 Roues, 157-58 Sabatier, Apollonie, 385-88
Sacher-Masoch, Leopold von, 372, 373-74 Sackville-West, Vita, 102 sadness, air
of, 69, 76, 157, 172, 192, 292, 364-65 Saint-Amand, Imbert de, 69 Sainte-Beuve,
Charles Augustin, 338-39 Saint-Germain, Count, 127-28, 216, 244 Salome, Lou
von, see Andreas- Salome, Lou Saltykov, Sergei, 37-38, 225-26 Sand, George, 40,
49 Sappho, 317, 362-63 Satan, androgyny of, 51 Satyricon(Pe t ro nius),50, 201
saviors, charismatic, 107-9 Savonarola, Girolamo, 101 Schopenhauer, Arthur, 84
Sedgwick, Edie, 72 seducers, xix-xxv amorality of, xxiii-xxiv, 21, 47
appearance of, xix, xx, xxii consistency of, xxii falling in love with, xix,
xxi, xxii male, xx other-directedness of, xxii-xxiii as providers of pleasure,
xxiii resistance to, xxiii, xxiv seductive language of, xx sexual element
utilized by, xxii strategic planning of, xx, xxii, xxiii subtle methods of, xxi
surrender to will of, xxi, xxii, xxiv theatricality of, xx, xxiii warrior's
outlook of, xxii Seducer's Diary, The (Kierkegaard), xxiv, 31, 127, 169-70,
172, 179-80, 182, 193, 201, 224, 254, 255-57, 279, 289-90, 357, 373, 387-88,
389 seduction, derivation of term, xxi Seduction (Baudrillard), xxiii, 9,
127-28, 288, 385 Sei Shonagon, 31-32, 50, 65, 263 selective disclosure, 14-15,
237 self-absorption, 87, 163, 173, 363, 410 of Anti-Seducers, 131, 133, 137,
138, 140 seductive language vs., 258 self-awareness, 100, 131
self-consciousness, 135, 138-40, 354, 359, 363 self-distance, 122, 130
self-esteem, 75, 79, 81, 158, 200, 208, 210, 224, 227, 282 self-image, 281-82
self-loathing, 154, 362, 363 self-sabotage, 378 self-sacrifice, 36-38, 82,
326-27, 425 self-sufficiency, 67, 71, 73, 74-75, 76, 77 Seneca, 50 Sennett,
Mack, 58 Sensualists, 159 Sex Sirens, 9-11 Shahrazad, 245-47 Shakespeare,
William, 50, 107, 183, 258-60, 267-68, 314, 316, 418 Shaw, George Bernard, 126
Sheik, The, 43-44 Shelley, Percy Bysshe, 353 Shi Pei Pu, 173-74, 297-300, 304
Shoulder Anns, 58 Shu-Chiung, 270 Sibony, Daniel, 351 Sieburg, Friedrich, 337
Silenus, 56, 191 Simone, 23 Sirens, xix, 3, 5-16, 26, 28, 152, 155, 184
adornment of, xix, 7, 8, 13, 14-15, 24, 274 appearance of, 8, 9-10, 13, 23
dangerousness of, 5, 1 1, 12-13 dangers to, 1 6 differentiation of, 12 keys to,
11-15 as male fantasy figure, xx, 5,9, 11, 12 men enslaved by, xix, 8, 12 mood
changes of, xix, 7-8, 9, 1 1 movement and demeanor of, 5, 10, 15 in Odyssey,
7-8, 11, 12-13 pleasure offered by, 11 Reformed, as victims, 150 Sex, 9-11
Spectacular, 7-9 theatricality of, 7, 8, 9 of, 7, 9, 10, 13-14 water as symbol
of, 15 Slater, Leonard, 313 Socrates, 74-76, 191-92, 206-7, 208 soft sell,
441-54 components of, 444-46 examples of, 446-54 hard sell vs., 443 origin of,
443 Solanas, Valerie, 78 Sons and Lovers (Lawrence), 206 Spanish Civil War,
99-100 spectacles, 265, 267-69, 275, 301, 447 Spectacular Sirens, 7-9
spirituality, 158 aura of, 38, 98, 358 mirroring of, 225 spiritual lures,
359-67, 403, 404 air of discontent in, 359, 364-65 artistic, 359, 361-62,
365-66 cultic rituals as, 362-63 ennoblement by, 365, 366 in environment,
434-35 lightness induced by, 363 occult fads in, 359, 365 pagan, 362-63, 365
religion in, 359, 363-64 reversal of, 367 sense of destiny in, 177, 359, 365
sexual undertones of, 359, 363-64, 366 stars in the sky as symbol of, 367 timeless
relationship suggested by, 364, 365-66, 367 timing and, 365 worshipful feelings
engendered by, 361-64 spoiled children, 61, 151, 348 spontaneity, sense of, 241
Stael, Madame de, 187-88, 343, 344 Stahl, Lesley, 450-51 Stalin, Joseph, 88-89,
108 Starkie, Walter, 22-23 Stars, 3, 119-30, 153 cinematic creation of, 124-25,
127 dangers to, 130 distinctive style of, 119, 122, 123, 125, 127, 128
dreamlike quality of, 1 1 9, 126, 127, 128 ethereality of, 119, 126-27 face of,
122, 123, 127, 128 Fetishistic, 121-23 glimpsed private life of, 128
identification with, 128-29 idol as symbol of, 129 inner distance of, 123, 125,
129 keys to, 126-29 Mythic, 123-26 as objects, 122, 127-28 obsessive attention
to, 121, 122, 126,130 publicity and, 130 self-distance of, 122, 130 television
and, 123-24, 125 Stendhal, 58, 170, 200, 217, 280-82, 284, 304, 371, 375-77
Stewart, Jimmy, 125, 129 "Story of the Butterfly, The," 298, 299
suffocators, anti-seductive, 134 Sukarno, Kusnasosro, 102, 221-23 Sukarno:
AnAutobiography asToldto Cindy Adams { Adams), 222 Sun-tzu, 315 SuShou, 291
suspense, creation of, see calculated surprises suspicion, 289, 290, 441
sympathy, 53, 56, 59, 66, 285, 292, 293 Symposium, The (Plato), 74-76, 191,
206-7, 208 taboos, transgression of, 349-58 cruelty in, 349, 352, 353, 356-57
forest as symbol of, 358 going to extremes in, 349, 355, 358 incest in, 352-53
lost self recaptured by, 35 1-54 prohibited desires in, 352-53, 354-55 reduced
outlets for, 354 reversal of, 358 secret sins in, 351, 352 sense of guilt in,
349, 355, 357 shared complicity in, 349, 352, 357 social limits in, 349,
353-55, 357, 358 value systems in, 349, 356 Tabouis, G. R., 399-401 Tale
ofGenji, The (Murasaki), xxiv, 25, 61, 63-65, 140-41, 172, 269-71, 287 Tales
from the Thousand and One Nights, 222-26, 244-47 466 • Index
Talleyrand-Perigord, Prince Charles de, 38-39 Tanazaki, Junichiro, 356
Tantalus, 231 Tantrism, 410 Tarde, Gustave, 83 Tausk, Victor, 198, 199 tayus,
436 tears, 69, 70, 76, 78, 285, 291-92, 311, 373 television, 114, 115, 123-24,
125, 450-51 temptations, creation of, 229-38, 425 apple in Garden of Eden as
symbol of, 237 barriers established in, 233-34, 236 challenges in, 236-37
deceptive appearances and, 234 forbidden fruit in, 231-34, 237, 244 future
gains in, 235-36 opportunity in, 237 reversal of, 238 selective disclosure in,
14-15, 237 weakness as target in, 229, 234-37 That Obscure Object of Desire,
373 theatricality, xx, xxiii, 267-69, 421-23 of bold movers, 411-12 of
Charismatics, 100 of environment, 431, 433-34, 436, 439 of Sirens, 7, 8, 9
spectacles in, 265, 267-69, 275, 301,447 Theosophical Society, 109 third
parties, 273 in indirect approach, 177, 183 see also jealousy; triangles,
creation of Thus Spake Zarathustra (Nietzsche), 46 Tiberius, Emperor of Rome,
317 tightwads, anti-seductive, 134-35 time, altered sense of, 431-39 Casanova's
creation of, 435, 438-39 timidity, 410, 426 timing: of Charmers, 90-91, 92, 93
of Coquettes, 78 dramatic moments in, 435 of pain mixed with pleasure, 379 of
re-seduction, 428 speed and youth in, 435 spiritual lures and, 365 Tito, Josef,
77 Todellas, Don Juan de (fict.), 231-34 Tragedy ofKingRichardlll, The
(Shakespeare), 314, 316 transference, 335-36 triangles, creation of, 195-202
aura of desirability from, 195, 199-201, 202 contrasts in, 201-2 jealousy
engendered by, 197-98 by politicians, 201-2 reputation in, 195, 200-201
reversal of, 202 rivalry stimulated by, 200 trophy as symbol of, 202 vanity
and, 200, 201 Tristan and Isolde, 12, 190-92, 354-55, 357 troubadours, xx,
36-37, 291, 325, 331 Trouncer, Margaret, 187-88 Truman, Harry S., 99, 118, 123,
124, 128 Tsao Hsueh Chin, 270-72 Tsu Hsi, Empress Dowager, 267-69 Tullia
d'Aragona, 12, 38, 40, 173, 182, 330-32 Tuperselai, 397-98 ukiyo
("floating world"), 435-37 ulterior motives, 21,142-43 unattainability,
apparent, 192, 201, 321 "Uncanny, The" (Freud), 301-2 unconditional
love, 336-37, 340 undefensive lovers, 57, 63-65 Valentino, Rudolph, 43-44, 52,
356-57 patient attentiveness of, 38, 43, 44, 50, 273-74 Valmont, Vicomte de
(fict.), 25, 169-71, 287-89, 290, 407-9, 412 Valois, Mademoiselle de, 19-20
Vanderbilt, William, 396 vanity, 71, 74, 79, 81, 135, 171, 195, 199, 200, 210,
226, 235, 259, 314, 408-9, 426 victims, 147-60 Aging Babies, 156-57 Beauties,
156 Conquerors, 153-54 Crushed Stars, 152-53 Disappointed Dreamers, 150-51
Drama Queens, 155 Exotic Fetishists, 154-55 Floating Genders, 160 Idol
Worshipers, 158 Lonely Leaders, 159 New Prudes, 151-52 Novices, 153 Pampered
Royals, 151 Professors, 155-56 Reformed Rakes or Sirens, 150 Rescuers, 157
Roues, 157-58 Sensualists, 159 victims, choice of, 12, 40, 167-75 big game as
symbol of, 174 deceptive appearances and, 173 evaluating responses in, 171-72
exciting tension in, 171, 173 imagination and, 172 leisure time in, 173 manly
men as, 12, 172 missing qualities and, 171, 173-74 new types as, 170, 172 one's
own type as, 149 personal reactions in, 167, 170, 171, 172, 290, 397 in
politics, 174 repressed types as, 173-74 reversal of, 175 unhappiness and, 167,
172 vulnerability in, 170-71 victim strategy, 287-89, 292 Victoria, Queen of
England, 51, 83-85, 143, 145, 210, 236, 274-75, 284 Vietnam War, 374-75
Villarceaux, Marquis de, 425-26 Virgin ofStamboul, The, 452-53 Viscontini,
Countess Metilda, 377 Vivien, Renee, 317, 362-63 voices, 22-23, 34, 115, 259,
261, 268, 297, 351,395 of Sirens, 7, 9, 10, 13-14 Voltaire, 34 von Sternberg,
Josef, 121-22, 373 vulgarians, anti-seductive, 135-36 Wadler, Joyce, 297
Wagner, Richard, 100 war heroes, 327-29, 446-48 Warhol, Andy, 33-34, 49, 52,
71-73, 78, 126, 128, 192 calculated surprise by, 248 Factory as environment of,
437-38 triangles created by, 200 Washington, George, 99 Wayne, John, 51, 125
Wayward Head and Head, The (Crebil- lon fils), 138-40, 402 weaknesses,
disarming, 285-93 blemish as symbol of, 292 gender differences in, 291 genuine,
290 "honest" confessions of, 284, 285, 287-88, 289 of Naturals, 53,
56, 59 occasional glimpses of, 290, 291 pathetic vs., 290, 293 in playing the
victim, 285, 287-89, 292 of politicians, 292 reversal of, 293 shyness as, 285,
290, 291 suspicion reduced by, 289, 290 sympathy evoked by, 285, 292, 293 tears
as, 285, 291-92 of troubadours, 291 Weber, Max, 97-98, 106 Webster, Lady
Frances, 352, 357 Wedekind, Franz, 46 Weekley, Ernest, 423-24 Welles, Orson,
313, 314 Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, 188, 343-44 Welter, Blanca
Rosa, see Christian, Linda Whitmer, Peter, 107 Wilde, Oscar, 49, 188, 189-90,
192, 193, 234 Williams, Tennessee, 72 Wilson, Harriette, 48-49 windbags,
anti-seductive, 135, 145 withdrawal, strategic, 383-90, 418, 424
aggressive pursuit motivated by, 387, 389, 390 anxiety induced by, 388-89, 390,
391 doubts created by, 383, 389, 390 infantile experiences re-created by,
388-91 interest in another person as, 383, 387, 390, 392,419; see also
triangles, creation of letter-writing in, 385-86, 387, 388, 389 pomegranate as
symbol of, 391 reversal of, 392 role reversal engendered by, 391 selective, by
Coquettes, 67, 70-71, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 390 sexless neutrality in, 389-90
subtlety in, 389 see also calculated absences WomanandPuppet{ Louys), 371-74
wonder children, 57, 61-63 Woolf, Virginia, 34 World War I, 22-23, 58, 59, 107,
327-29, 396 World War II, 86, 100, 114, 115, 217,253, 328 writing, 251, 254,
255-58, 288 guidelines for, 257-58 mirroring in, 257 in strategic withdrawal,
385-86, 387, 388, 389 Yang Kuei-Fei, 76, 174, 270, 272-73, 274 Zeus (Jupiter),
xxiii, 9, 57, 58, 182-83, 256-58, 287-88 Zhou Enlai, 88-90, 93 FOR THE BEST IN
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Johannesburg.Giovanni Bottiroli. Keywords: seduzione,
amore, desiderio, desiderio e seduzione; amore: desiderio e seduzione, ars
amandi, ovidio, Grice, Multiplicity of being, aequi-vocality thesis, Pegasus,
Bellerofonte, l’implicatura di Bellerofonte, possibilita, le categorie di Kant,
puo essere, essere, piovera o no – Quine, ontologia – Grice, Pears,
Metaphysics.Aristotle, what is actual is not also possible – the square of
modalities – the nature of metaphysics. Refs.: Luigi Speranza, “Grice e
Bottiroli” – The Swimming-Pool Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51781290215/in/dateposted-public/
Grice
e Bottoni – fototropismo in cabbages and kings -- de essential corporis humani
– filosofia italiana – Luigi Speranza (Padova).
Filosofo. Grice: “Most Englishmen know of Bottoni because he is quoted by
Burton in his “Anatomy of Melancholy,” re the imagination and reason – and how
it affects melancholy.” “I call Bottoni a philosophical biologist – excretion
(why?) – nutrition – surely nutrition – as part of birth – and growth – are
essential requirements for a definition of ‘bios’ or life – and Bottoni knows
that – as a philosopher. He studied philosophy and taught logic, like me. “De
conservanda vita,” is more than a philosophy of life – it’s how the ‘essenza’
del ‘corpore dell’uomo’ is nutrition – and how the spiritus, and not just the
anima, are involved. His model is functionalist, and Aristotelian, like mine!”
– He also provides a philosophy of disease – which should make us wonder about
whether we are endowed with a conceptual analysis of ‘health,’ a favourite term
for Aristotle (‘healthy food,’ ‘healthy man,’ ‘healthy habit’). Uno dei grandi
medici italiani del Rinascimento. La sua formazione avvenne nella città natale,
dove si laureò in medicina e filosofia.
Dal 1555 divenne professore nell'Padova, dove insegnò in successione
logica, medicina teorica straordinaria, medicina pratica e medicina teorica ordinaria.
Introdusse l'uso del mercurio nella cura della sifilide. Fu rivale del medico
padovano Ercole Sassonia, di cui tentò d'impedirne l'insegnamento. I suoi contributi scientifici più importanti
riguardano le funzioni dirette alla conservazione dell'individuo e della
specie, quindi nutrizione, crescita e generazione, che definì tria suprema naturae
munera. Altre opere: “Della vita” “De
vitta” “De vita conservanda, Padova, Iacobum Bozzam); De morbis mulieribus
libri tres, Venezia, Paulum Meietum); Methodi medicinales duae, Francoforte); De
modo discurrendi circa morbos, eosdemque curandi tractatos, Francoforte). Dizionario
biografico degli italiani. Cap.1X, V Niuerficorporisnoftriesentiatribuspotisfis mum
perfici, Au&toreftHip.Lib.depart: morbisuulg.contentis,nimirum
continentibus nepartes-omnescorporisnutriantur;immo eden dem subftantiapanis
incanefit.carocanis,fs= cut etiam in homine. Hoc autem nequaquam contingeret,
nifi in u n o ecodem alimentomu mero delitescere nutrimentum simile omnibus
dictispartibus) indiuerfisindiuiduisfpecie differentibus. Que igitur fit Nostri
corporis t f i n g u l a r u m p a r t i u m ef fentia, e x q u i b u s q u o t
e s qualibus conflatafit,explicareoportet. )impetumfacientibus,Quorum omniumuna
o eademefteffentiacorporeaGsubstantia;distins
guunturfolumprenestenuitaremecrasfstie,buiufe modi autem efemeia homini non
ineftratione qua isiJA8.aph. homo vel animal aut planta, sed ratione qua mixtum,
acproindecuilibetmixtogosina gulis cius partibus conuenit, ut ob i d
Nutritioznismaterianecàfubftantiaincorporeacapienda fit,necà
quolibeecorpore;fedfolumàmixton Q u a r a t i o n e f i t, u t n u l l u m c i
e m e n t u m r a t i o n e: quá fimplex corpus eft, idoneum ad nutris 113 endumefeposfat,Nihil.niquodeftComplex,aprum
Nullú natumestnutrirecompositum;praetereaelementa fimp. Poteft mixtionisperfectionetumpænes
corporiseffens nutrire.tiamtumcomplexionem.unum quodq;corpus maiorem eu
minorempreparationem suscipit cumeafintcorpora,quefummisqualitatibusprae
Autrire dita funtLonge diftant,uiapra fine ad witam Jūscipiendam,fed
faliusmixtioniscausa,oris, tarinquolibetmixta difpofitioad aliquodeuis, Solumdensuitægenus,
promaiori,etminori ad:Viræ gradum magis uelminusprestantem, Hon. Quod sanėincaufaeft,uthomoexcellentios
remnitegraduimà deobonorum omniumlars tiorem,gitore mixtione
primooriuntur,paulomaioremaffinia Alimentatemnobifcumhaberevidentur. Quandoquis
cum nódem ratione qua mixia sumt, triplicem illum partium mixtú.acceperit.Quia
exAuic.senientiadonás uit il le meliorem temperaturam quam habeant caeteraomnia
mundientia,Contra uerúelementa,quiamixtioneadhuccarent,&
fummisqualitatibuspraeditafunt,ideononsolumuita carent, fed tanquam corpora
omnium impera fe&tisfimalongaomniumdiftant ab ipsauiça. Qua propter frustraquæriturex
huiusmodicor poribusimperfectisfimis& uitaeineptisaliqua utritionis
materia. Quæ uerò exclementorum et apti uir excellenuitzgradu
obtineat parrium numerum obtinebunt, quibus diximus de fumi constitutam,efseuniuersammixtiefentiam,preterea
ex precedente mixtione aliquam tempera- mixto. turamconsequeasunt,utego
mixtionisratione,a qualitatumprimarumcomoderatione,minus ipfos elementis
diftent à corpore nostro; Hec tamen prima elementorum mixtio adeo inperfecta
eft, ut fufficiens minime fitper nutris tione facienda; Quia hac ratione
quodlibet mixtum nutritioni idoneum forei', &t) uitæ cons feruationi,unde
homoæq;nutririposset,ex las pidibusetmetalisficutexpaneetvino hoc samencum
sensui repugnet,neccesariofequitur, preterpropofitam conuenientiamсex quo
libct>mis latam ripaulo angustior existens, noftræ etiam mixtioamplam aliam
requiri,queprio nifiemagispropinqua,hacautem qualisele debeat,naturae modus
mixtionissutricns tise nutritideclarant:Nam quodnutriturumQuale eft, non folum
mixtum utfitoportet,cuiusmos fitaprú disuntetiamlapidese mettalla,fedtalemnutri
miscibiliumcommenfurarionem haberedebet,qua lisrequiritur,esaptumfitsertiinfubftantiam
nutriti, At quod nutriturnonfolum corpus eft, non folum corpus mixtum, uerum
etiam uita præditum, ergo quod est nutriturum, cum n uut pote nia>tionis; tritosimileefedebeat,eammixtionem
acmi scibilium mensuram habere opus eft,ut in sub
ftantiamcorporisuertipossit,& iliusuitam conseruare: Cuius mixtionis defe
tu lapides e metalla,ficut ad nullam vitaegradummanife
ftumpreparatafuere,itanecuitam noftramtueri, aliquomodopoterunt,Quandoquidem in
sui generatione longe aliam mixtionis rationem obtinuere,quam Viuentis corporis
nutritia cxpos ftulets Alimentum de fumen. There are various types of tropisms
in both cabbages and kings: photo-tropism, tropism to the touch, geo-tropism,
or gravito-tropism, hydrotropism. Albertini Bottoni. Albertinus Bottonnus.
Albertinus Bottoni. Albertino Bottoni. Keywords: de essentia corporis humani, vita,
filosofia della vita, Grice on body and mind in ‘Personal identity’ – body,
corpus Christi – corpus umano, corpus viris – essential corporis humani,
l’essenza del corpo umano, corpo dell’uomo, corpo virile, corpo animato, corpo,
fisica mecanica, moto del corpo, corpo, animazione, credenza che i vegetali non
sono animale per che il moto non e volontario ma condizionato – fototropismo
--. Refs.: Luigi Speranza, “Grice e Bottoni” – The Swimming-Pool Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51780307356/in/dateposted-public/
Grice
e Bovio – il linguaggio – l’animale parlante – homo symbolicus – un tono, una
figura -- filosofia italiana – Luigi Speranza (Trani).
Filosofo. Grice: “You’ve got to love Bovio; he has a stamp, I don’t. My
favourite is his piece on ‘linguaggio,’ on the implicature (plural of
implicatura) of the ‘animale parlante’ – ‘un tono, una figura, …’ – But he also
philosophissed fascinatingly on ‘La lotta,’ which is a bit like my model of
conversation as a competitive game.” politico italiano, sistematizzatore
dell'ideologia repubblicana e deputato al Parlamento del Regno d'Italia.
La casa natale di Giovanni Bovio a Trani Giovanni Scipione Bovio nasce a
Trani da Nicola Bovio di Altamura, impiegato, e Chiara Pasquini.
Autodidatta, pubblica nel 1864 Il Verbo Novello, un poema filosofico scritto
con intonazione enfatica. Fra i suoi scritti si ricordano la Filosofia del
diritto, il Sommario della storia del diritto in Italia, il Genio, gli Scritti
filosofici e politici, la Dottrina dei partiti in Europa, i Discorsi. Sotto il
Ministero Minghetti, nel 1872, ottenne il pareggiamento della cattedra di
Storia del Diritto all'Napoli e, nel 1875 consegui la libera docenza in
Filosofia del diritto. Bovio fu anche deputato alla Camera: nel 1876, con
il subentrare della Sinistra costituzionale alla Destra, fu eletto nel collegio
di Minervino Murge. Il suo atteggiamento, diversamente da quello dei suoi
compagni che condividevano l'idea repubblicana, non fu incline
all'astensionismo. Nel 1880 Bovio sposò a Napoli Bianca Nicosia dalla
quale ebbe due figli, Corso Bovio, così chiamato in onore agli italiani di
Corsica sottomessi al dominio francese e Libero Bovio (1883-1942), poeta ed
autore dei testi di molte celebri canzoni napoletane. Libero Bovio, a sua
volta, fu il nonno dell'avvocato, giornalista e docente Libero Corso Bovio
(1948-2007). Napoli fu la sua città di adozione, dove morì il 15 aprile
1903. La città gli ha dedicato una piazza, che i napoletani continuano però a
chiamare con l'antico nome di Piazza Borsa. La città di Firenze gli ha dedicato
una strada. La città di Piombino gli ha intitolato la piazza sul mare più
grande d'Europa, Piazza Bovio. La città di Teramo gli ha intitolato un importante
viale. La città di Terni gli ha intitolato un intero quartiere che comprende
tutta la zona est chiamato, appunto, Borgo Bovio. «(Napoli) In questa
casa morì povero e incontaminato Giovanni Bovio che meditando con animo libero
l'Infinito e consacrando le ragioni dei popoli in pagine adamantine ravvivò
d'alta luce il pensiero italico e precorse veggente la nuova età.»
(Epigrafe di Mario Rapisardi) Il pensiero Targa in memoria di Bovio nella
piazza di Napoli a lui dedicata Passo Corese: targa, con testo attribuito
a Giovanni Bovio, dedicata a Garibaldi Giovanni Bovio era sostanzialmente
contrario alla monarchia. Come ideologo repubblicano, Bovio ebbe il motto
"definirsi o sparire": palesò insomma ai repubblicani l'esigenza
urgente di un'impostazione non confusa e non settaria, di una chiara direzione
che spinse poi i repubblicani a definirsi in partito di moderno tenore.
Bovio stabilì per il Partito repubblicano nessi e prospettive nazionali ed
europee. Egli considera la monarchia come l'attuale realtà italiana. Ne
segue che la repubblica è utopia, e Bovio si dichiara utopista. Nel suo
pensiero la monarchia cadrà, proprio quando dovrà risolvere il problema della
libertà. Serve comunque un lungo periodo perché la situazione monarchica si
deteriori. Colma evidentemente di determinismo, la sua filosofia si definiva
come naturalismo matematico. Differentemente dalla teoria socialista,
Bovio riteneva che il nuovo Stato a venire avrebbe avuto una "forma
storica", non potendo dimensionarsi unicamente sulla base di azioni
economiche. Bovio introduceva dunque una concezione formale dello Stato, che si
sforzò di divulgare anche presso i ceti operai. Fu molto considerato
anche a Matera dove non si dimenticava peraltro che nella locale "scuola
detta regia, fondata nel 1769 da Bernardo Tanucci, libero pensatore dei tempi
suoi, quando era libertà contrastare alle pretensioni papali, fu insegnante di
letteratura e di diritto Francesco Bovio, il quale intese queste dottrine nella
libertà e per la libertà. Quell'insegnamento fu seme fecondo, e dalla sua
scuola venne fuori la nobile schiera dei martiri del 1799, i cui militi
rispondono ai nomi di Giovanni Firrao, Giambattista Torricelli, Fabio Mazzei,
Liborio Cufaro, Antonio Lena-Santoro, Gennaro Passarelli, Marco Malvinni-Malvezzi".
Nel 1904, a circa un anno dalla sua morte, nella "giornata più
adatta" come "il fatidico XX Settembre", gli intellettuali laici
materani con la loro associazione "G.B. Torricelli" tennero una
solenne commemorazione "per pagare un tributo di affetto e di riverenza al
Grande, che ci fu Maestro e ci amò di quell'amore di cui sono capaci soltanto
gli educatori come Lui" dice un oratore. E un secondo aggiunge che
"la titanica figura di quell'illustre profeticamente ci addita il sole
dell'avvenire", per cui il tributo di affetto al suo carattere fiero ed
onesto è tanto più doveroso "in questi tempi borgiani". Un terzo
oratore, rivolgendosi al sindaco Raffaele Sarra, e nel consegnargli la lapide,
lo invita ad additare "quel nome a questi onesti operai per indirizzarli
sulla via della dea ragione, scuotendo così il giogo dell'oscurantismo e della
superstizione, che li avvince e li abbruttisce". Promessa che il sindaco
Raffaele Sarra non esita a fare, ritenendo quel marmo "un severo monito
all'indirizzo di tutti coloro i quali nulla fecero e tuttora nulla fanno per
strappare la nostra plebe dalla miseria, dalla ignoranza, dalla superstizione,
dall'abbruttimento secolare". Per la precisione, la lapide commemorativa,
scoperta quel giorno sulla facciata del palazzo di giustizia, sarà tolta negli
anni '30 per iniziativa della sezione fascista (e gli incauti scalpellatori si
riferiranno nell'operazione). Bovio ebbe comunque anche l'esigenza di
definirsi rispetto agli anarchici. La forma repubblicana, scrisse, è a metà
strada fra la monarchia e l'anarchia, vale a dire fra l'ipertrofia dello Stato
e la sua totale anarchica abolizione. Non a caso, quando l'anarchico Gaetano
Bresci compì l'attentato contro Umberto I, Bovio invitò tutti gli anarchici a
desistere dalla violenza. In sostanza, un'esagerazione utopistica tradotta in
atti sanguinari (l'opera degli anarchici) avrebbe prodotto un rafforzamento
reattivo dell'autorità costituita, allontanando proprio il momento dell'avvento
della repubblica. Troviamo in lui un tentativo di superare l'idealismo della
metafisica idealistica e insieme con essa l'approccio empirico del positivismo.
Fondamentalmente Bovio introdusse in Italia l'eco delle nuove correnti
speculative nella filosofia del diritto. «Giovanni Bovio — cittadino di
spartana austerità — fra il mercimonio affannoso dei politicanti — pensatore
solitario — fra lo strepito di cozzanti dottrine — artefice possente di stile —
fra la pretenziosa nullaggine dei parolai — traversò impavido — le torbide
correnti del secolo — e ne uscì puro a fronte alta — con l'animo illuminato —
dalla fede confortevole — nell'ascensione perpetua del pensiero umano.»
(Epigrafe di Mario Rapisardi) Bovio e la massoneria Bovio fu un membro eminente
della massoneria(raggiunse il 33º ed ultimo grado del Rito scozzese antico ed
accettato), così come lo erano i suoi familiari (suo padre Nicola, suo zio
Scipione e suo nonno Francesco Bovio). Iniziato nella Loggia Caprera di Trani
nel 1863, il 17 giugno del 1865 Giovanni Bovio ne divenne oratore. Il 30 maggio
1878, su invito della massoneria milanese, tenne a Milano la commemorazione del
centenario della morte di Voltaire. Nel maggio 1882 fu nominato membro
del Grande Oriente d'Italia, di cui presiedette la Costituente del 1887. Il 17
febbraio 1889 fu eletto grande oratore, e restò in carica fino alla Costituente
del 1894. Il 6 giugno 1889, in Campo dei Fiori a Roma, fu l'oratore ufficiale
per l'inaugurazione del monumento a Giordano Bruno, voluto dalla massoneria
romana ed eseguito da Ettore Ferrari, che sarà gran maestro del Grande Oriente
d'Italia. Gran Maestro della Loggia Napoletana, nel 1896 fu candidato
all'elezione di Gran Maestro nazionale. L'8 giugno 1896, in
un'interpellanza rivolta al presidente del consiglio e ministro dell'interno
marchese di Rudinì a proposito dei provvedimenti che aveva annunciato contro la
massoneria, Bovio disse «La massoneria è un'istituzione universale quanto
l'Umanità ed antica quanto la memoria. Essa ha le sue primavere periodiche,
perché da una parte custodisce le tradizioni ed il rito che la legano ai
secoli, dall'altra si mette all'avanguardia di ogni pensiero e cammina con la
giovinezza del mondo» Il centenario della Rivoluzione di Altamura
Celebrazioni per il primo centenario (1899) della Rivoluzione di Altamura (con
Giovanni Bovio) Giovanni Bovio partecipò alle celebrazioni del centenario della
Rivoluzione di Altamura (nell'anno 1899), durante il quale fu eretto un
monumento sulla piazza centrale di Altamura, che ancora oggi è presente e che
fu realizzato da Arnaldo Zocchi. Il padre di Giovanni Bovio, Nicola Bovio, era
di Altamura, così come lo era suo nonno Francesco Bovio, il quale insegnò
diritto presso l'Università degli Studi di Altamura. Nel suo discorso,
Giovanni Bovio esaltò lo spirito degli altamurani e affermò che il concetto di
libertà era stato sempre vivo nei loro cuori. Anche grazie al fervore di idee
dell'antica Altamura, dotti, nobili e plebei altamurani si erano uniti tutti
sotto l'idea di libertà ed erano pronti a sacrificare le loro ricchezze, i loro
titoli e persino la loro vita per la libertà. Antenati e discendenti di
Giovanni Bovio Francesco Maria Bovio (anni 17501830)nonno di Giovanni
Bovioprofessore di diritto e lettere presso le Regie Scuole di Matera e
l'antica Università degli Studi di Altamura. Fu anche "giudice interino di
pace" e massone iscritto alla loggia "Oriente di Altamura".
Difese inoltre la Repubblica Napoletana, prendendo parte, nel maggio 1799, alla
Rivoluzione di Altamura Nicola Boviopadre di Giovanni Boviocarbonaro (iscritto
alla vendita "il Pellicano" di Trani) Scipione Boviozio di Giovanni
Boviocarbonaro (iscritto alla vendita "il Pellicano" di Trani) Corso
Boviofiglio di Giovanni Bovio- avvocato del foro di Napoli e successivamente docente
Diritto Penale Milano Libero Bovio (18831942)figlio di Giovanni Boviopoeta e
musicista Giovanni Bovio (1920-1978)nipote di Giovanni Bovioavvocato del foro
di Milano Libero Corso Bovio
(1948-2007)pronipote di Giovanni Bovioavvocato, giornalista e docente Note Matera contemporaneaCultura e società,
Leonardo Sacco, 1983, Basilicata editrice
Alfonso Scirocco, BOVIO, Giovanni, in Dizionario biografico degli
italiani, 13, Roma, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia
Italiana, 1971. 26 ottobre. Gran Loggia.
Massoneria e i suoi trecento anni di modernità, una mostra ricorda i massoni
protagonisti del NovecentoGrande Oriente d'ItaliaSito Ufficiale, su Grande
Oriente d'Italia, 4 aprile. 6 aprile 22
marzo ). Ferdinando Cordova, Massoneria
e Politica in Italia, 1892-1908, Carte Scoperte, Milano, 42. Biografia di Giovanni Bovio (con video GOI
radio), su montesion (archiviato il 13 gennaio 2005). Vittorio Gnocchini, L'Italia dei Liberi
Muratori, Erasmo ed., Roma, 200547. Copia archiviata, su
comunedipignataro. 25 luglio 30 giugno
). Morto l'avvocato Bovio,
"principe" della difesa, in La Stampa, 14-03-1978. Giovanni Bovio, Teatro morale
dogmatico-istorico, dottrinale e predicabile, Roma, nella stamparia di Giorgio
Placho presso a San Marco, 1731. Giovanni Bovio, Teatro morale dogmatico-istorico,
dottrinale e predicabile. Tomo secondo, In Roma, per Filippo Zenobj stampatore,
e intagliatore di n.s. Clemente XII, incontro il Seminario Romano, 1734. Repubblicanesimo Partito Repubblicano
Italiano Piazza Giovanni Bovio (Napoli) Altri progetti Collabora a Wikisource
Wikisource contiene una pagina dedicata a Giovanni Bovio Collabora a Wikiquote Citazionio
su Giovanni Bovio Collabora a Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons contiene
immagini o altri file su Giovanni Bovio
Giovanni Bovio, in Dizionario di storia, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia
Italiana,. Opere di Giovanni Bovio, su
Liber Liber. Opere di Giovanni Bovio, su
openMLOL, Horizons Unlimited srl. Opere di Giovanni Bovio,. Giovanni Bovio, su storia.camera, Camera dei
deputati. Armando Carlini, BOVIO,
Giovanni, in Enciclopedia Italiana, Roma, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana,
1930, giovanni-bovio. Alfonso Scirocco, BOVIO, Giovanni, in Dizionario
biografico degli italiani, 13, Roma,
Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana, 1971.Filosofia Politica Politica Categorie: Deputati della XIII
legislatura del Regno d'ItaliaDeputati della XIV legislatura del Regno
d'ItaliaDeputati della XV legislatura del Regno d'ItaliaDeputati della XVI
legislatura del Regno d'ItaliaDeputati della XVII legislatura del Regno
d'ItaliaDeputati della XVIII legislatura del Regno d'ItaliaDeputati della XIX
legislatura del Regno d'ItaliaDeputati della XX legislatura del Regno
d'ItaliaDeputati della XXI legislatura del Regno d'ItaliaFilosofi italiani del
XIX secoloPolitici italiani Professore1837 1903 6 febbraio 15 aprile Trani
NapoliRepubblicanesimoMassoniMazzinianiPolitici dell'Estrema sinistra
storicaPolitici del Partito Repubblicano ItalianoStudiosi di diritto penale del
XIX secolo. Roma Utopista non è chi sogna, m a chi pensa, e tanto più profonda
è l'Utopia quanto più il pensiero coglie la relatività dei tempi. Greca è
dunque l'origine della Utopia é utopista tipico fu Socrate che osó primo al
costume civico contrapporre la missione individuale:– Io Socrate sono nato a
liberamente filosofare e se cento volte per que sto iofossi morto e rinascessi,
tornerei a filosofare.Non pena dun que mi è dovuta, ma il Pritaneo. Questo
tentativo di ribellione dell'individuo contro il cittadino,del l'individuo che
osa pigliarsi un mandato individuale che non solo valga il mandato civile m a
ardisca riformare il costume, questo è punito e, in quella natura di tempi,era
veramente crimine di Stato.Socrate anch'esso,come atterrito dal colpo ch'ei
tira,sente che al cittadino è dovuta l'espiazione individuale, e rifiuta
ausilio, e si apparecchia all'immolazione di sè non pure perché sente compiuta
la sua mis sione e non gli piace vivere superstite a se medesimo, ma perchè
vuole grecamente spirare:dum patriae legibus obsequimur.Che è quel l'ultimo
pensiero del Gallo,che,rimossoillenzuolodalviso,eivuole sacrificato ad
Esculapio? Vuol finire sul letto del carcere come fosse alle Termopili, e vuol
morire con religione e costume attico come a punizione di alto trascorso
individuale. L'individuo fu Socrate fi
losofo;ilmoribondoèl'atenieserassegnato:ma ilpiùgrandeèque sto, che proprio
questo ateniese punisce quell'individuo e non gli dà scampo. Pericle non potè
salvare Anassagora; Socrate non vuole sal vare se stesso. Quando gli Dei patrii
percossi dalla riflessione socratica supina rono sull'Olimpo muto, Epicuro
sorridendo gitto sopra di loro un gran panno funereo e si rallegrò coll'uomo
liberato dai divini ter rori. Però quel panno che Epicuro gittava sull'Olimpo
copriva tutta la Grecia; giacché quel panno che soffocava la lotta semi-divina
era indizio della missione greca già finita. Perciò Epicuro la scia i giar
dini greci, le dolcezze e i profumi arcadici, e se ne viene nel Foro romano, e
siede e sentenzia e giudica e genera di sè due uomini diversissimi, Orazio e
Lucrezio, o da Orazio poi il tipo di Munazio Planco e da Lucrezio quello di
Papiniano. Sono troppe cose che io dico insieme, delle quali molte non dette
ancora e nondimeno prova bili non pure con la forma del discorso,ma col testimonio
dei fatti, 24 Cicerone, vedendo Epicuro alle porte di R o m a,
cerca fulminarlo col medesimo effetto onde Pio IX fulminava il soldato italiano
ve nuto innanzi a porta Pia.Erano saette sine ictu.Epicuro sorride dei fulmini
di Cicerone come di quelli del Giove greco ed entra in Roma e prende Cicerone
per mano e segretamente sel fa suo.Ma appena entrato in R o m a Epicuro prende
la natura del Giano latino, si fa bifronte, ed una sua faccia è quella di
Orazio, l'altra di L u crezio.Or come avviene codesto miracolo?Miracolo no:è la
dialet tica del sistema epicureo che ha questi due lati. L'uno dice cosi: La
vita è brede; di là non si continua; dunque godiamola di pre sente.La morte ci
colga quando possiamo gittarle infaccia la scorsa del pomo della voluttà, tutto
premuto. L'altro dice cosi: La vita è breve; di là non si continua; osiamo
dunque eternarla con un'opera degna della immortalità della fama. Perchè
tentare la turpitudine se nel punto di asseguirla la morte può spegnermi? Ecco
le due fronti di Epicuro, che sulla porta di R o m a assume forma gianesca.
L'una è di Orazio: Vitae summa brevis nos detat spem inchoare longam. Di lá non
v'è vita: N o n regna vini sortiere talis.La conseguenza ch'ei porge all'anima
tua è sempre una:Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero. Questa illazione può
signifi carsi con un grugnito del porco epicureo. L'altra è di Lucrezio: Omnia
migrant, Omnia commutat natura et dertere cogit. Dalla quale migrazione eterna
dell'essere deriva il summum crede nefas. Importa sol consegnare integra la
lampa della vita alle generazioni sopravvenienti. Da Orazio nasce Munazio
Planco, prima Cesariano,poi P o m p e iano, poi repubblicano, poi di Antonio e
di Cleopatra, poi cortigiano di Augusto e sprezzato da tutti: tipo del
galantuomo di Guicciardini; e fini nella sua villa di Tivoli come Guicciardini
nella solitudine di Arcetri. Da Lucrezio nasce il tipo del giureconsulto,
Papiniano, che intese il dritto come bonum aequum, e non volle in Senato
difendere un imperatore fratricida e piuttosto che l'onore volle lasciare la
vita. Morendo,come avea sentenziato,provvide all'immortalità della fama.
25 Cosi abbiamo dalla medesima scuola il porcus de grege Epicuri, c de acie
Epicuri miles. N è questo doppio tipo fu smarrito nel p e riodo del risorgimento,
quando dopo la scolastica platonica e aristo telica si riaffacció l'epicureismo:
dall'una parte si ebbe il Pontano cantore della voluttà, dall'altra il
Cavalcante cercatore austero, tra i sepolcri, della immortalità della fama.
4 20 Da Epicuro ilmondo romano prende ilsenso della positività,ed è
però mondo di prosa non di arte,con missione giuridica,con lin gua giuridica,
con monumenti,storia,tradizioni giuridiche.La Gre cia ci ha tramandato due
insuperabili documenti, la tragedia epica e la tragedia filosofica, l'Iliade e
il Fedone; Roma il Corpus juris, con due potenti compagni, l'epigrafe e il
responso. Quanto all'epigrafe, specie sintetica di letteratura, nessun altro
popolo nė lingua ha il quarto della maestà e rapidità dell'epigrafe latina,nata
rebus agendis:onde nazioni nordiche e neolatine e tran satlantiche pigliano
ancora, e avverrà per lungo tempo, da R o m a antica l'epigrafe e il responso.
E la più bella dell'epigrafi ha conte nuto cpicurco e giuridico: « Et creditis
esse Deos?» la tomba negata a Catone e a Pompeo è superbamente data ad un mimo
! Se gli Dei sono ingiusti, gli Dei non sono. E le epigrafi più solenni
nascondono certa finezza d'ironia epicurea nel senso giuridico. L'epigrafe
latina è solenne, perché è breve come il responso: Questa rapidità di
percezione è dalla lingua istessa giuridica per eccellenza, imperativa e, se
m'è lecito a dire, dittatoria: onde l'epi grafe è quasi sempre responsiva cioè
di senso giuridico,e ilresponso è sempre epigrafico. E d in R o m a fu possibile
il tipo del giureconsulto, dell'u o m o cioè che ha l'intera percezione del
dritto,rapidamente e propriamente la significa e sa comandarla a sè stesso
prima che agli altri. È tipo raro, tutto assorbito dalla meditazione etica, che
traduce nella p a rola e nel fatto.Roma n'ebbe pochissimi e assai più pochi ne
fiori rono in tempi posteriori;e quando oggi odo chiamare giureconsulti alcuni
legisti meno che mediocri dico che o le parole non s'inten dono o sono
stravolte dall'adulazione. Quando la lingua latina canta di amore a me
pare,senza esage razione, udire il Ciclope favellare a Galatea.Non è qui la sua
forza, la sua missione, il suo contenuto storico:dica rapidamente il dritto,
dica il fatto; il responso e l'epigrafe, questo è il gran contenuto della letteratura
latina, questo è suo proprio, è originale, è collatino,oso ied « Quid
quid praecifus, esto brevis, ut cito dicta Percipiant animi) dire:il rimanente
é preso di qua o là e porta il mantello peregrino. Ed ha tre uomini sommi,
Lucrezio, Papiniano e Tacito. Lucrezio non ha cantato un poema,nè si dà al
mondo poema didascalico,ma ha dato l'esposizione epicurea della natura, la cui
Venus non viene da Milo ma dal Foro e può somigliare ad Astrea. Papiniano ha
dato il più alto responso, nel quale è la sintesi della missione latina e lo ha
suggellato, come dovea, con la morte.L'olocausto di Socrate ci mandò la
tragedia filosofica che è greca;l'olocausto di Papiniano citramanda latragedia
giuridica che è latina.Perchè dopo ilNerone e la Messalina non cantare anche
questa che è più solenne?La sto ria di Tacito suona sulle rovine imminenti
dello Stato latino come la serventesi dell'ultimo degli albigesi.Tacito è fosco
come la sera neb biosadiuna grande giornata;èriflessivocomechirasentalerovine;
è triste come chi cerca una virtù ch'ei sa di non trovare. Perciò ei ritrae
Tiberio assai meglio che Tiziano non ritragga Filippo II, m a dove pinge la
virtù non è pittore molto ispirato. E grande col pen nello onde lo Spinelli
ritraeva Satana;ma se gli dai la tavolozza di Raffaello ei te l’annacqua.
Lucrezio,Papiniano e Tacito sono tre che si somigliano nella forma di concepire
e nella rapidità scolpita della espressione. Tacito, che. segna la decadenza e
lavora come il Sisifo di Lucrezio,qui semper victus tristisque recedit, spesso
ti accusa la maniera e quando è breve, quandoècorto;ma
èl'ultimode'grandiromani.Chicercalagran dezza del pensiero latino fuori di
questi, e vuol trovarlo o nei l a menti di Properzio e di Ovidio, o nel citiso
di Virgilio e nelle p r i mavere di Orazio, o pescarlo nel bicchiere di Catullo,
o spiccarlo dagli orli della toga di Cicerone è come chi cercando l'anima del
trecento,invece di volgersi a Dante ea Boccaccio,la spia negli oc chi estatici
di Caterina da Siena o nel cipiglio di Passavanti. In questo teatro
giuridico,che è il mondo latino,ilcontenuto della lotta si trasforma e di
semidivino diviene pienamente umano. Qui non han luogo cause per divinità. Qui
Lucrezio può vuotare il P a n theon che accoglie indifferentemente tutti
gl'Iddii per vederli indiffe rentemente sfatare dal sistematore della
Natura.Lucrezio morrà non per accusa di Melito, di Anito, di Licone; m a morrá
se gli piace, d i s u a m a n o, s e il d e s t i n o d e l l ' u o m o g l i p
a r r à t r o p p o s o m i g l i a n t e a quello di Sisifo. Allora la Venus
genutrix gli si muterà in Venere Libitina, ed egli userà della vita secondo
quello che gli parrå suo diritto. Io non credo all'aconito; credo suicida
Lucrezio, e questo suicidio proprio di forma romana, come quello di Catone,
cioè per ius necis etiam in se. Questa lotta umana,iniziata
non compita in Roma,questa che è tutta e sempre lotta civile dal ritiro della
plebe sull'Aventino sino ad Augusto,qui omnium munia in se trahere
coepit;questa epopea tutta latina non trovabile in Virgilio ma un frammento Ciò
significa: Il mondo greco, cominciato religiosamente,finisce nella irreligione
di Epicuro; ilmondo romano pieno della dotta ir religione di Epicuro, finisce
nel mistero cristiano. Come sia avvenuto questo fenomeno chiariremo nella
nostra le zione intorno a Cristo. Questo vien chiaro di presente,che
ilcontenuto giuridico in Roma non può porgersi come ius civile abstractum,ma
come primo sen timento di equità,onde sigenera ilPretore,istituzione
profondamente etica, ignota anche questa alla Grecia, e urbano e peregrino, e
il cui fineèsemprel'aequitas,affinchèilsummum ius,nondiventassesumma iniuria o
summa malitia.Quindi ilplacito del giureconsulto nella co stituzione delle
leggi:In rebus novis constituendis coidens esse de bet utilitas, ne animus
recedat ab eo jure, quod diu AEQUUM visum est (Fideicom L. IV.). Chiaro è che
l'equità costituisca la misura del dritto;che questa equità lungamente
saggiata,traducendosi in dritto, genera l'utile sincero; e che questo utile
debba essere evidente ai popoli nella costituzione delle leggi. Quindi
l'iniquum erat injuria. Quindi l'aequitas appo i latini non è il concetto
volgare che ci viene da Ugone Grozio,è l'assoluta,continua,ascendente
correzione del dritto civile, cioè del dritto greco; e però cosi coloro che v e
g gono pura medesimezza del dritto greco e romano, quanto quegli altri che
continuano a favoleggiare intorno alla origine greca delle dodici tavole
mostrano ignorare la differenza delle due storie, dei duc popoli, delle due
lotte,delle due civiltà.E iltesto canta chiaro: Ius praetorium adiuvandi, del
supplendi, vel CORRIGENDI iuris civilis gratia est introductum,propter
utilitatem pubblicam..... Che è quel ius civile bisognoso di correzione? È
quello appunto che in R o m a patriziato il tribuno per una certa equa
partizione di cose e di ufficii,e genero, ignoto alla Grecia; l'altro tra
l'individuo per una certa equa emancipazione ignoto alla Grecia. dell'individuo
28 il rimanente in Tacito, ha due periodi principali: l'uno tra plebe e e la
comunanza,e generó Spartaco, Livio e La plebe fu vendicata da Mario e più da
Cesare che se oppresso il tribuno era segno che non v'era più patriziato sovrano
ed operoso. Spartaco,sopraffatto da Crasso e da Pompeo e morto nella pienezza
della sua protesta, trovò poco dopo più grande vendicatore, Cristo.
comincia a parere s u m m a injuria, la cui correzione costituisce l'i
stituto pretorio,che è tutto romano,ilcui programma si assomma nella
sentenza:Placuit in omnibus rebus praecipuam csse iustitiae ac AEQUITATIS quam
stricti juris rationem.Quello stretto dritto è greco, è puramente civile, è
quiritario, è aristocratico, e trasmoda nell'in giuria, o per violenza o per
malizia,aut vi,aut fraude. Quell'acqui tas è la correzione pretoria, è la
grandezza dello spirito latino, che tutto si manifesta e dimora nella giustizia
pretoria e urbana e p e regrina.E quell'aequitas deriva dalla lotta umana,cosi
della plebe contro il patriziato come del servo contro il padrone. Il ius
civile e il risultamento della lotta semidivina; l'aequitas è il prodotto della
lotta civile:quella è greca,questa è latina:quella ha il suo fastigio storico
da Socrate ad Epicuro, questa da Mario a Spartaco: quella è lotta filosofica,
questa è giuridica: i canoni di Epicuro sono l'ora zione funebre all'Olimpo e
però alla Grecia, la protesta di Spartaco èilrequiemalsuperbo ciris
romanus.Insomma lagloriastorica diRoma non è ildittatore,nè ilconsole,nè
ilsenato,nè ilque store,né l'imperatore,e nemmeno iltribuno,è ilPretore:ilsuo
editto è la sintesi dei responsi; lo spirito dei responsi è l'equità; l'equità
è ilprodottodellalottaumana;questalottaèilcontenuto della ci viltà
latina. - 29 Con questo spirito di equità torna agevole a Tacito
descrivere il tiranno, scolpirlo. Volere parendo di rifiutare, comandare
parendo d i s u b i r e, f a r t u t t o p a r e n d o d i n o n f a r e, q u e
s t o è il t i p o d e l t i r a n n o, questo è il Tiberio di Tacito, rispetto
al quale gli altri tiranni v e nuti di poi sono volgari,ubriachi,troppo
scoperti e però troppo espo sti ad essere tiranneggiati. Tipico è questo
Tiberio in Tacito,come AiaceinOmero,come UgolinoinDante,come
inOtelloinSakespeare, e non patiscono ritoccamenti di nessuna mano: chi si
attenta a ri farli, sotto qualunque altra forma, disfà. E in R o m a fu
possibile il ritratto del tiranno,ilpittore di Tiberio, perchè in Roma fu
possibile ilsentimentodell'equità,non astratto,ma tradotto inragione pre
toria.Ne Riccardo III,nè Arrigo VIII,nè Filippo II,nè Alessandro VI o Paolo IV
ritrassero Tiberio: vollero troppo, si chiarirono troppo, furono troppo
tiranneggiati: m a il tipo, spento individualmente, r i sorse collettivamente
nella Compagnia di Gesù, che per 333 anni dilargò l'oligarchia nera sulla
terra, parendo di non volere, di non comandare, di non fare. M a e il
gesuitesimo tiberiano, e il cesari smo gesuitico non possono essere tanto
chiusi che il pensiero e la natura non v'entrino. Fu
peròequitàpiena,sincera,spiegataquestadiRoma,siche la si trovi tutta adempita
nella ragione pretoria?La lotta umana di R o m a d i e d e p e r r i s u l t a
m e n t o il d r i t t o u m a n o? I n s o m m a il d r i t t o r o m a n o si
continua a studiare, a chiosare, ogni giorno in ogni parte civile della terra,
perchè effettualmente è l'ultima parola del dritto? L 'aequitas in omnibus
spectanda, quando non voglia essere un nome ma cosa,non un presentimento ma una
idea,non in somma una esigenza m a un adempimento, bisogna che si manifesti
come connessione ed equazione dei contrarii,ciod del genere coll'individuo, del
cittadino con la persona, affinchè ne risulti l'interezza dell'uomo. Ora questa
equazione torna possibile quando l'individuo si sia affer nato e contrapposto
al cittadino e abbia avuto nella storia tanto v a
Lacosastainquestitermini:L'equitàscientificamenteintesa spetta: all'avvenire,
che sarà la sintesi del cittadino coll individuo per co struire tutto l'uomo:
l'equità latinamente intesa fu il transito dal cittadino all'individuo per
costruire l'individuo. Il transito non è la sintesi,è ilsemplice avviamento
dall'uno al l'altro dei contrarii, dall'azione alla reazione, dal bianco al
nero,m a non è il cenerognolo in cui l'uno e l'altro si fondono. Fu larva
dunque di equità:e nondimento anche come larva quel dritto è rimasto solenne,
tipico nella storia, come presentimento di quello che il dritto è destinato ad
essere. Dunque nella storia il mondo romano è l'esodo, il passaggio dal
cittadino greco all'individuo germanico. E in questo transito dall'uno
all'altro dei contrarii consiste, chi 30 -. ME evoluzione quanta ilcittadino se ne
prese.Senza que stazione e reazione, o, come altrove dicono, senza questa tesi
e a n titesi nessun'armonia finale e completiva,nessuna sintesi piena e d u
revole,nessunequilibrio,nessuna equazioneinsomma èeffettual mente possibile: e
se l'equità non è questa equazione, è ancora un sentimento vuoto.Se ne deduce
che Roma non poteva ancora nė ideare nè porgere la vera equità giuridica,perché
l'individuo non avea compiuto la sua reazione storica, non avea dato tutti
gl'istituti che dovevano nascere di sé, dalla sua antitesi o contrapposizione
al cit tadino. Dove s'era fatta la storia dell'individuo, l'autobiografia, per
ché il Pretore potesse consapevole contemperare i contrarii, connet terli,
equilibrarli? Vedesi dunque che questa equità è l'avvenire della storia non il
passato;spetta alla giornata travagliosa dei posteri non alla lotta civile di
Roma.Or dunque è stata spuma d'acqua sonante l'equità romana? Troppo sarebbe
stato il rumore ! 31 consideri, l'universalità dell'impero
latino.Il quale perde la sua ra gione di durare quando Cristo compie
l'emancipazione individuale. Ragioniamo brevemente di Cristo. Abbiamo nel
nostro linguaggio certe parole fulminatorie che vogliono significare una gran
fede e tradiscono l'ipocrisia di chi le dice;vogliono atter rire e producono
invece l'impressione comica delle s c o m u niche di un certo vescovo
provenzale sull'animo di Gugliel mo IX,duca di Aquitania e conte di
Poitiers. - 52- questa, dopo la rinascenza, dettò a Galileo la riduzione
delle leggi della mente e della natura sulla pietra L a v a gna; anche oggi
questa imponeva al Ferrari la riduzione de'periodi storici nel numero; e sempre
questa tornerà dopo le brevi soste o deviazioni del nostro genio.Anche nella
politica noi vogliamo misurato ilnostro passo,e perd la nostra prudenza di
governo e di popolo fu compendiata felicemente non nel cunctari nè nel
festinare, m a in quel festina lente, che è la sintesi più mirabile e perfetta
del nostro carattere.Non è già che ad ora destinata non ab biamo le rivoluzioni
noi come gli altri popoli,m a i tremiti e leoscillazioninon levogliamo,nè
vogliamo rifareilpasso. A rovinare i pensatori alquanto più arditi sino al 1860
avevamo tre terribili parole graduali:protestantismo, p a n
teismo,materialismo.Oggi sono tre fulmini senza cuspide,
easprofondaregliscrittoridiparteavversa,abbiamo so stituito a quelle tre
altre parole terrifiche con la stessa s a cramentale gradazione:
repubblicanismo,socialismo, in ternazionalismo. Quelle tre prime parole
suonavano una scomunica ca nonica,le seconde una scomunica politica;ma nessun
fu rore biblico traspare dalla faccia rubiconda di chi fulmina le prime o le
seconde.Si voleva sino al 1859 perdere uno scrittore,un libro,anche un'opera
d'arte?Una parola ba stava:è panteista!Il libro era proibito,l'autore
sottoposto ad una o a più delle sette polizie,e ilcritico con quella sola
parola acquistava autorità e dispensa da ogni altra confu tazione. Oggi
no:piùche ibeni spirituali della celesteGerusa lemme si ha paura di perdere le
palpabili dolcezze della Babiloniaterrestre,edascomunicareun uomo,una dot
trina,un pensiero,si grida la parola socialismo!e la qui s t i o n e è f i n i
t a lì, c o m e s e t u t t i o g g i, i n u n c e r t o s e n s o, n o n
fossimo socialisti,e come se oggi ci fosse al mondo un u o mo,un cane,un
rospo,una formica,una molecola dove non sia arrivata a penetrare la quistione
sociale. Io ho udito nella Camera un oratore dare del radicale almini stro più
mite e conservatore che, a udire accusa tanto s t r a n a, r i s e f o r t e e
t r a s e c o l a t o, c o m e v o l e s s e d i r e: I o !... s t u dio
lecostruzioni ferroviarie per muovere le vaporiere non gliuomini.Ne rise tutta
la Camera,ma notò sin dove sale l'ipocrisia del linguaggio. 53
Sono,percontrario,parole privilegiate estillanti san tità queste altre:
serietà, galantomismo, moderazione. Queste parole sono guscio a molte lumache,scudo
ad al cuni faccendieri, e bandiera a non pochi paolotti.La m o
derazione fu sempre virtù operosa de'fortissimi, non co stume dei pigri e degli
adiposi: conosco in Italia uomini moderati in tutti ipartiti,ma non conosco un
partito m o derato '). Ci sono poi due parole antitetiche, mi si passi l'aggiun
to,nellapoliticadelgiorno:piazzaed impopolarità.La prima di queste due
significa l'estremo dell'avvilimento, l'altra della sublimità.L'equivoco però
entra spesso ad al terarne l'uso corrente e le giuoca secondo i fini di parte:
se la piazza fa dimostrazioni festive ai sovrani,la chiamano cuore della
nazione; se ragiona e delibera su’dritti suoi, la chiamano canaglia.
Impopolarità poi è parola stranissima,ma che può sve lare tutto un sistema.N
e'governi rappresentativi è alta prudenza ilcoraggio dell'impopolarità! E
questo governo che e chi vorrà rappresentare? Sarà rappresentativo dei morti
che si lasciano anatomizzare senza lamento, o dei gnomi che
sistannochetinelcentro dellaterra?
1)Glieccessiaiquali,oggisegnatamente,silascia andarequestopartito,in curante
del popolo quanto sollecito di potere, nuderanno l'essenza delle istitu zioni
vacillanti. - 54 - rappre sentativo del popolo o d'una sètta? del popolo
o dei fini di un ambizioso? e quando una Taide, nudandosi dove non
conveniva,sfidava il pudore e lo sdegno di un popolo,m o stravailcoraggio
dell'impopolarità?Eh via!anche l'ipo crisia del coraggio ci voleva, e
l'impopolarità doveva e s sere lo scudo d'Achille sul petto di Tersite. Capisco
in giorni eccezionali l'impopolarità d'un sapiente, m a il si stema
dell'impopolarità ne governi rappresentativi è una contraddizione
ne'termini. Continui chi vuole e può altre osservazioni intorno a
parole convenzionali, sulla fraseologia, sul periodo ferma to innanzi al plauso
prestabilito, specialmente in certi giorni, m a osservi pure che se il
linguaggio assai volte è dato a nascondere il pensiero e ci riesce, non può riuscir
mai a nascondere la mente ambigua,l'oscillazione del con
vincimento,l'ipocrisia,ilcarattere.Unapiùomeno visi bile gonfiezza,un certo
tôno,una certa struttura e posa, una studiata semplicità,una bonarietà
metodica,una figu ra,una parola, anche una reticenza ed una linea aprono, a chi
non è volgo,tutto l'intimo dell'animale parlante. Osservo infine che se i
dialetti talvolta fanno capolino nelle nostre leggi,e specialmente nelle
procedure, egli è segno che le regioni italiane non vogliono essere compres se
e ricordano allo Stato nazionale quella parte di autono mia ad essi dovuta.Non
un filologo deve venire a correg gere il dialetto nelle leggi,ma idialetti si
levano a cor reggere l'accentramento. Come dell'Oriente non si può
narrare una vera storia del pensiero del pensiero come esame di sè e del suo
oggetto, del pensiero come scienza così e per la medesima ragione non si può
del diritto. Il diritto sorge come rivendicazione della persona o individua o
collettiva, e la rivendicazione per virtù del pensiero, cioè del l'esame che
comincia col rifermare la tradizione e finisce col distruggerla. U n a vera
storia del diritto anteriore alla storia del pensiero è un sogno, una favola.
Nell'Oriente l'immaginazione e la fantasia tengon luogo del pensiero, e lo
simulano in quanto lo prenunziano l'immagi nazione più nella Cina, la fantasia
più nell’India l'immagina zione che riproduce l'unità morta, la fantasia che
variat rem prodigialiter unam (nol so dir meglio); e, mentre prenunziano il
pensiero, non arrivano ancora nemmeno all'arte, nel senso più proprio di questa
parola. Fanno e custodiscono, cristalliz zandola, la tradizione; e però sono il
basamento psicologico di tutte le religioni. Il mondo orientale, dunque, è
religioso, semplicemente reli g i o s o; è p r e i s t o r i c o, i n q u a n t
o p r e n u n z i a il p e n s i e r o, n o n l o a n nunzia; non dà la grande
arte che non procede nè dalla i m maginazione monotona nė dalla fantasia
irrefrenata. Se in Oriente - 51 Roma je, CO am ia olisi Ca, he
- 52 l'inno e l'epopea avessero raggiunto quella eccellenza che vien
sognata, si sarebbero per necessità geminate nelle arti sorelle, rimaste li tra
il bizzarro, il deforme, l'industrioso e il fucato. E lo Stato orientale è
veramente Stato quanto quella scienza è scienza, ed arte quell'arte. La
tradizione è indiscutibile, è immobile: l'esame nè la riferma, nè la modifica,
nè la distrugge, nè la integra. Non il popolo, che si disse e fecesi dire
eletto, pose primo il problema antropologico; lo pose l'egizio, e lo
simboleggiò nella Sfinge, problema irresoluto, perchè senza risposta. Il Greco
ri sponde, primo, a questo perchè. La Sfinge muore innanzi ad. Edipo e gli
rinasce dentro. Edipo sparisce nella notte colonea, come Prometeo che con una
favilla rapita al Sole aveva ani mato la statua l'uomo orientale immobile
sconta il fallo nella notte scitica. La favilla doveva esser presa di dentro,
non di fuori. Nosce te ipsum. Tal'è il destarsi del pensiero, tale il
cominciamento della storia, e la protasi è greca. Quindi dalla preistoria, che
è orientale, alla protostoria, che è greca, il passaggio è il problema egizio
posto e non risoluto. L’Oriente è la fanciulezza che ripete, l'Egitto è
l'adolescenza che interroga, la Grecia è la giovinezza che risponde. Cotesto pensiero
consapevole avventa il dilemma: o greco o barbaro. Più che negli altri antichi
questo dilemma è lucido in Aristo tile, dove con la disamina tempera
l'arroganza e pondera le co stituzioni secondo il carattere de'popoli. Agli
orientali egli då la scaltrezza, non la scienza (disse meglio del Ferrari sin
d'al lora), e la viltà che è degli scaltri; nota la selvatichezza ed il
coraggio dei popoli nordici; e il coraggio e la scienza serba agli Elleni. Agli
Elleni il pensiero e gli ardimenti del pensiero. E insieme con questo primo
sorgere del pensiero è storica mente possibile alla Grecia la prima
rivendicazione umana, cioè la prima determinazione giuridica. L'uomo, infatti,
nella Grecia rivendica una parte di sé, quella che è più comune e fa più
possibile la saldezza dello Stato che sorge come organismo p o litico insieme
con la prima rivendicazione giuridica: l'uomo in Grecia non è più strumento
inconscio di un potere sordo e in discutibile, m a si fa cittadino: e però la
prima determinazione del diritto è puramente civile. Nè più nè altro poteva
essere. O che prevalga l'aristocrazia come a Sparta, o la democrazia come in
Atene, o che un Solone, per equilibrare le due parti, riesca semplicemente a
mutare l'oligarchia eupatrida in oligar chia plutocratica, o che lo Stato si
presenti federale come nella Tessaglia e nella Etolia, o che egemone come nella
Laconia e nell'Attica, il certo è che alla rivendicazione dell'individuo non si
arriva neppure come sentimento e assai meno come concetto. Né la lirica che in
fondo è epica frammentaria sia gueriera come quella di Tirteo, sia molle come
quella di M i m nermo, o sentenziosa con Teognide, o solenne con Simonide, nė
il pensiero — sia il più largo e più trasmesso — come quello di Platone e di
Aristotile superano questa posizione storica. Il pensiero non smentisce il
fatto, e l'etica di Platone e di Ari stotile sono a fondo civile. Quando lo
stoico, superando il cit tadino, si eleva sino all'u o m o astratto, e
l'epicureo prefigura l'individuo, Ja Grecia gloriosa, la Grecia del pensiero,
della p a rola e delle armi, è passata, e noi siamo innanzi ad altro pen siero,
ad altra parola, ad altre armi. Roma è il campo dello stoico e dell'epicureo.
Prima di toccare R o m a e seguirla dalla prima alla terza, ei mi par di udire
chi mi ripeta che la storia svolta sin qui sia del pensiero piuttosto che del
diritto.Era storia del pensiero e del diritto, non separabili. I giuristi
sogliono occuparsi men che poco de'filosofi, perchè, in generale, poco li
conoscono; m a il naturalismo che vede la storia derivar dal pensiero in quella
medesima guisa e proporzione onde il pensiero deriva dalla n a tura, non può
procedere in altro modo. E se, giunto al mondo romano, avrò più ad indugiarmi
intorno alle istituzioni e sulle testimonianze che ce le trasmettono,non è già
ch'io non faccia 53. egual conto delle istituzioni e degli
scrittori greci, m a perchè il mio sommario va tutto raccolto da Roma ad
oggi.Della Grecia e dell'Oriente si è detto quanto strettamente occorreva a l u
m e g giare il mondo latino e ciò che gli venne appresso. Due cose,belle a
sapere,ma non assolutamente richieste dal sommario, io lascio del tutto: la
storia geologica d'Italia e la storia etnografica. come intui il Leopardi, e
gli sterminati periodi tellurici dal l'èra protozoica all'antropozoica, legga
la geologia d'Italia nello Stoppani e nel Negri,e la misura del tempo nella
geologia,nel Cocchi. Anche le terre d'Italia testimoniano da ogni regione
nell'età archeolitica la presenza de'cavernicoli o, alla greca, trogloditi.
Probabilmente &'incavernarono nelle montagne subalpine ed appenniniche,
contro le spaventose vicissitudini dell'epoca dilu viale, e parlarono quello
strano linguaggio che diè loro P o m ponio Mela: strident magis quam loquuntur.
Stridono a guisa di pipistrelli, aveva già detto Erodoto, che dié lor pasto di
ser penti e di lucertole. E di questi non abbiamo a far parola,perchè sono,
come si è notato, diis, arte, jure carentes, o, secondo Virgilio: gens duro
robore nata Queis neque mos, neque cultus erat. fumassero le Alpi e gli
Appennini - 54 Dove andrei, se volessi rifar la storia geologica del mio paese,
ed a che pro per il corso di questo anno? Chi voglia, dunque, conoscere l'una
dopo l'altra tutte le epoche di questa terra italica, dall'eocenica alla
pliocenica, e sapere perchè un giorno Come or fuman Vesuvio e Mongibello, Nè mi
occorre far la storia etnografica dell'Italia. Dovrei correr dietro alle
tradizioni d'una Italia popolata dalle i m m i g r a zioni de'Tirreni,
degl'Iberici e degli Umbri? E poi investigare se i Tirreni ci sien venuti dalle
falde del Tauro, cioè dal m e z zodi dell’Asia minore,e gl'Iberici
dall'Asia centrale, e se gli Umbri, della gran famiglia de'Celti, sian entrati
ad accasarsi nell'Umbria, partendosi tra Vilumbri ed Olumbri? Troppe le
opinioni de'dotti e troppo disparate, più di cento le congetture, *1 non di
poca importanza il dissenso tra Micali e Niebhur, l'uno risalendo agli
autoctoni e l'altro negandoli,e ad un antropologo italiano fu forza conchiudere
essere ancora oscurissima letno logia italiana: oscurità, che imponendo
silenzio al Mommsen circa le altre due o tre immigrazioni, fecegli dire degli
Umbri soltanto che la lor memoria giunge a noi come suon di cam pane di una
città sprofondata nel mare. Questo a m e par certo ed indiscutibile, che più
genti si sieno incontrate e mescolate in Italia più che in ogni altro paese di
Europa cosi ne'tempi preistorici come dopo la ca duta dell'impero romano,donde
poi la mirabile varietà non solo del genio m a del tipo italiano, e dell'uno
perchè dell'altro. Quella che ne'tempi preistorici fu nella Italia nostra
differenza tipica tra'crani brachicefali e i dolicocefali, differenza rimasta
alquanto notevole tra il tipo dell'Italia superiore e quello della inferiore,
ne'tempi storici divenne differenza di genio, di scuole, di sistemi, di
governi, di dialetti, di tendenze, onde l'Italia è, per eccellenza, il paese
più vario di Europa e più aborrente da qualunque forma e successione di governi
accentratori. E questo fondamento naturale del nostro pensiero e della nostra
storia vuol essere considerato non solo secondo la v a rietà delle genti che
qui s'incontrarono, si urtarono, s'incrocia rono e si fusero, ma secondo la non
meno lieve varietà del suolo, del clima, delle acque e de'prodotti. Senza boria
nazio nale si può affermare che la nostra unità è la più ricca, perchè risulta
della più disparata e molteplice varietà. Però, come a traverso i tanti
dialetti suona armoniosa e pieghevole ad ogni sentimento la nostra lingua, c o
m e a traverso le tante scuole a r tistiche e regionali si scorge a prima vista
la precisione e la contemperanza greco-latina della linea italiana, così a
traverso 55 1, Pe mani TE can lo sperimentalismo dell'Italia
superiore e l'idealismo dell'Italia meridionale si vede la qualità dello
ingegno italiano, che, con temperando la sintesi con l'analisi e il sentimento
coll'esame, non disquilibra le funzioni della psiche, le quali, storicamente,
si vanno a tradurre sempre nella politica del festina lente. Questa unità ricca,
questa unità multiforme costituisce per eccellenza armonico il genio italiano;
e quesť armonia lo fa ar tista in ogni cosa. E infelicemente riusciamo in
quelle cose,nelle quali non portiamo dell'arte,non portiamo cioè del nostro
genio. Allora per parere tedeschi o inglesi ci facciamo semplicemente bastardi.
Fu detto che il mondo romano così poco artista, cosi stret tamente giuridico e
praticamente prosaico, fu non pertanto gran dissimo e maestro inimitabile di
grandezza. E d ora accostiamoci ad osservare se il mondo romano disdica il
carattere del genio italiano. Quando oggi i giuristi e gli storici più pensanti
vogliono trovare un fondamento razionale alle istituzioni ed ai fatti di un
popolo, prima salgono al genio ed al carattere del popolo stesso, in ultimo
alle necessità naturali determinate, cioè al naturale ambiente, in cui sorge e
si svolge la vita di quel dato popolo. Questo processo implica un sistema
presupposto appunto il naturalismo. Donde i fatti e le istituzioni di un popolo?
Dal genio e dal carattere:vuol dire,in fondo,dalpensiero.Donde ilgenio e il
carattere? Dall'ambiente naturale, di cui primo prodotto è il tipo. E proprio
così move il naturalismo: la natura si svolge e riflette nel pensiero; il
pensiero si svolge e riflette nella storia. La differenza, nella esposizione, è
questa: il filosofo move dalla natura e guarda alla storia; lo storiografo move
dal fatto sto rico e ascende al fatto naturale. Non si è potuto fare
altrimenti, quando si è voluto investi gare la causa dei fatti di Roma nel
genio romano, e di questo genio nell'ambiente naturale di Roma. Anche quando,
spostati 56 - i fatti, si riesce a spostare il genio di un
popolo, si è costretti a spostare in ultimo il fondamento naturale. È un errore
di fatti,che attesta la verità e la necessità del metodo.Cosi M o m m sen,
quando vuol dimostrare che il rapido crescere di R o m a in ricchezza e potenza
è dovuto al genio commerciale de'romani, ricorre come ad ultima causa, a questo
fondamento naturale: Roma è posta sopra un fiume grande,navigabile enon lontano
dal mare.Sbagliata laprima causa – ilgenio romano sba glia la seconda il
fondamento naturale, quello che Dante chiama È costretto, dopo, a sforzare
alcuni fatti ed alcuni testi, per sottometterli alla causa prestabilita. M a più
tardi egli corregge sè stesso, non rispetto al processo che è vero, si bene
rispetto alla più sincera determinazione de'fatti e delle cause. Egli si
accorge che in Roma mancava il primo fatto, una classe di commercianti; poi,
che non poteva essere stato di commercianti il g e n i o d i R o m a; i n u l t
i m o, c h e il T e v e r e, t e n u t o c o n t o d e l l a sponda etrusca,
non poteva avere una grande posizione c o m merciale. Quando il processo dello
storico non va sino al fondamento naturale, simula le sembianze storiche, m a
rimane metafisico. Si dice, per esempio, per ispiegare alcuni fatti ed
istituzioni, che tale è il genio, tale il grado di coscienza o di pensiero in
questo o quel popolo.Va bene,ma lastoriacosièfattaa mezzo, è fatta con la sola
psiche, con lo spirito astratto, che, evulso dal fondamente naturale, diventa
un fenomeno miracoloso. proprio questo il difetto della cosi detta scuola
storica. Savigny, se voleva fare storia intera, non dovea dire soltanto che un
tale o tal altro dritto è prodotto dalla naturale coscienza giuridica del
popolo; m a doveva dimostrare il fondamento n a turale di questa naturale
coscienza giuridica. Così non facendo, l'evoluzione rimane astratta, e le
parole coscienza, genio, i n - 57 Il fondamento che natura pone. È
dole, carattere diventano altrettante astrazioni, e,a dispetto del
l'espressione naturale coscienza, la dottrina rimane puramente metafisica.
Anche Hegel – il metafisico per antonomasia nire militare il genio di Roma,
senti la necessità di salire sino ad un quasi dato etnografico,e di stimare,
secondo le tradizioni, la prima società romana come una compagnia di ladri.E
sopra questo dato giustifica la colluvies e poi la repentina nobilitas ex
virtute di Livio; e la virtus dalla bravura, non pure perso nale, m a
collettiva, quella appunto che giustifica le violenze; e dalla violenza la
manus, la quale si manifesta dal matrimonio, in m a n u m conventio, sino alla
patria potestas, rispetto alla quale la schiava condizione del figlio era
significata dal mancipium. Quindi,ladurezzadellafamiglia,delloStato,delleleggi
inRoma; quindi, il cittadino romano da una parte schiavo, dall'altra de spota,
perchè della durezza che soffriva nello Stato se ne ripa gaya nella famiglia; e
tutta questa durezza compendiata in un assioma politico di Machiavelli, qui
ripetuto da Hegel, cioè che uno stato formato da sè e adagiato sulla forza
conviene che sia sostenuto con la forza Il corollario poi affatto hegeliano - è
che tutto ciò che derivò da tale origine e da tale Stato, non fu un convenio
etico e liberale,ma una posizione forzata di subordinazione. Un carattere
romano proprio cosi fatto non ispiegherebbe, io penso, l'origine, il valore e
la diffusione invidiata non rag giunta del dritto romano nello spazio e nel tempo.Hegel,te
nendo conto del dato naturale, non solo lo limita al puro èle mento
etnografico, ma impiccolisce anche questo, e non m o stra tener conto del dato
geografico, che è più obbiettivo del primo, e sforza il popolo romano a farsi
non solo militare, m a agricolo. Questa indole agricolo-militare, questa
appunto, fa la reli gione romana cotanto diversa dalla greca, e cosi spiacevole
ad Hegel che la chiama la religione prosastica della limitazione, - 58
per defi della corrispondenza allo scopo, la religione dell'utile.
Ed ecco, troviamo,la seconda volta,negato il genio artistico a Roma:la prima,
perchè è il popolo del diritto; la seconda perchè è il popolo dell'utile, a cui
gli Dei giovano come i servi o come gli strumenti del campo. Hegel trova che i romani
adorano la dea pace (pax, vacuna) e la sua contraria angeronia; la salute e la
peste; trova che in Roma Giunone non è bianchi-braccia,ma ossipagina, e che
Giove è capitolino piuttosto che olimpico. Chiama prosaiche queste divinità,ma
nè cerca le divinità cam pestri, nè se le spiega, passando dal campo arato allo
Stato. Nell'arte - continua Hegel specialmente in Virgilio, cre duto il poeta
religioso per eccellenza, la religione è d'imita zione,la quale porta le
divinità ex marhina, non con la fan tasia e col cuore. I giuochi stessi
rimangono qualcosa di esterno, in quanto il romano è spettatore, non attore, e
non ha poeta che di propo sito li celebri: giuochi duri e prosaici come la
famiglia,lo Stato, la religione, le leggi. La somma del discorso è E dietro
questa somma del discorso si scorgono le conse guenze, alle quali il filosofo
tedesco vuol pervenire: 1° noi dobbiamo l'origine ed il progresso del diritto
posi tivo all'intelletto non libero, privo di spirito e di sentimento, proprio
del mondo romano; 2o che, se i romani giunsero a distinguere il diritto dalla
morale, ed a liberarlo dalla variabilità del sentimento, concre co'romani
si ebbe la prosa della vita, prosa, in ultimo, riflessa sopra Roma proprio dal
carattere italico.– Che è l'arte etru egli può conchiudere che sca? 59 Noi
troviamo nell'arte etrusca la massima prosa dello spirito, quanto più perfetta
nella tecnica tanto più priva del l'idealità greca: è la stessa prosa che
vediamo nello svol gimento del diritto romano e della religione romana. Que sto
giudizio circa l'arte italica sarà più tardi esagerato dal Mommsen.
tandolo in alcun che di esterno e di obbiettivo, non arrivarono a
conciliarlo con la libertà e con l'intimo dell'uomo; 3o che però non può essere
il dato supremo della sapienza. Ben'altra parola avrà a dirsi sul diritto,
quando si tratterà di connetterlo con la libertà. Certo, un altro mondo la
dirå. E già s'intravvede che questa gloria il filosofo tedesco vuole serbarla
al mondo germanico che succede al romano. Solo due cose si vedono: che Hegel
lavora sopra un dato naturale incompiuto, e che la parte naturale soppressa è
sosti tuita con rapidità magica dalla costruzione metafisica. Noi osiamo
affermare che,se il dato naturale fosse compiuto cosi dal lato etnografico come
dal geografico, il genio ed ilca rattere di R o m a si mostrerebbero sotto
altra forma. E si par rebbe che nè assolutamente prosaico e tutto pago della
esterio rità è il genio italico, nè Roma – la severa Roma – con la rigidezza
della formula giuridica riesce a rinnegare il genio co 60 - Egli è
davvero cosi? mune. # tan CAPITOLO SETTIMO. Carattere di Roma
Allora, come oggi, la metafisica mi pareva vuota, l'avevo d e finito
udenologia, ed il naturalismo mi si presentava come il successore storico
d'ogni metafisica; m a nel farne applicazione, si volava ancora, ed al volo
bastavano poche penne in spazio illimitato, senz'aria e senza tempo. Oggi non
si vola, ma si misura il cammino, e si ha ragione di dire ai giovani che non
facciano sostituzioni estetiche alla storia, le quali poco servono alla
scienza. Espongo,adunque,ciò che intorno alcaratterediRoma pub blicai molti
anni addietro, e noto senza indulgenza i miei errori di allora, perché molti li
ripetono e non trovano più scusa. - 11: C'è un altro modo,più metafisico
di quello usato da Hegel, di costruire il carattere romano, ed è di derivarlo
non da un mezzo dato naturale, abbandonando l'altro mezzo a discrezione della
metafisica, come vedesi aver fatto il filosofo tedesco, ma di costruirlo sopra
alcuni documenti classici che si prestano alle più contrarie interpretazioni ed
a tutt'i giuochi dell'estetica applicata e della critica letteraria. Non sarà
inutile poiché questo modo,per essere il più comodo,è il più frequente
presentarne un saggio,valevolecome criticasopra me medesimo, che, nella
giovinezza, credei sostituire gli esercizii di estetica alla storia, ed al
naturalismo la subbiettiva critica letteraria. 61 Utopista scrivevoallora- non
èchisogna,machipensa, 62 e tanto più profonda è l'utopia quanto più
il pensiero coglie la relatività dei tempi. Greca è, dunque, l'origine della
utopia e utopista tipico fu Socrate che osò primo al costume civico con
trapporre alcun che d'individuale: Io Socrate sono nato a liberamente
filosafare, e, se cento volte per questo io fossi morto e rinascessi, tornerei
a filosofare. Non pena dunque mi è do vuta,ma ilPritaneo. Questo tentativo di
ribellione dell'individuo, contro il citta dino, dell'individuo che osa
pigliarsi un mandato individuale che non solo valga il mandato civile, m a
ardisca riformare il costume, questo è punito, e, in quella natura di tempi,
era ve ramente crimine di Stato. Socrate,anch'esso,come atterrito dal colpo
ch'ei tenta, sente che al cittadino è dovuta l'espiazione individuale, e
rifiuta au silio, e si apparecchia alla immolazione di sè non pure perchè sente
compiuta la sua missione e non gli piace vivere super stite a sè medesimo,ma
perché vuolegrecamente spirare:Dum patriae legibus obsequimur.Che è
quell'ultimo pensiero del gallo, che, rimosso il lenzuolo dal viso, ei vuole
sacrificato ad Escu lapio? Vuol finire sul letto del carcere come fosse ad
Anfipoli o a Potidea,e vuol morire con religione e costume attico, come a
punizione di alto trascorso individuale.L'individuo fu Socrate filosofo; il
moribondo è l'ateniese rassegnato: m a il più grande è questo, che proprio
questo ateniese punisce quell'individuo e non glidà scampo.Pericle non potè
salvare Anassagora;So crate non vuole salvare se stesso. Come,secondo ilmito,la
Sfinge, negata di fuori, rinasce dentro Edipo, cosi, secondo la storia, lo
Stato attico, offeso di fuori, si riafferma dentro di So crate. O l'esilio di
Colono o la cicuta, è sempre l'immolazione dell'individuo alla comunanza
rappresentata dallo Stato. Quando gli Dei patrii percossi dalla
riflessione socratica su pinarono nell'Olimpo muto, Epicuro, sorridendo, gittò
sopra di loro un gran panno funereo e si rallegrò coll'uomo liberato dai divini
terrori: Diffugiunt animi terrores. Però quel panno che Epicuro
gittava sull'Olimpo,copriva tutta la Grecia; giacchè quel panno che soffocava
la lotta semi-divina, era indizio della mis sione greca già finita. Perciò
Epicuro lascia i giardini greci, le dolcezze e i profumi arcadici, e se ne
viene nel Foro romano, e siede e sentenzia e giudica e genera di sè due uomini
diver sissimi, Orazio e Lucrezio, e da Orazio poi il tipo di Munazio Planco e
da Lucrezio quello di Papiniano.Sono troppe cose che io dico insieme, delle
quali molte 'non dette, m a provabili con la forma del discorso e col
testimonio dei fatti.Cicerone, vedendo Epicuro alle porte di Roma, si arma di
poma soriane, inserte in forma di fulmini, e cerca saettarlo con furore
iperbolico, pro prio nel modo onde il papato fulminava da Roma la rinascenza.
Ma,come larinascenza,malgradoifulminipapali,siaccasava in R o m a, invadeva il
Vaticano, e faceva poetare e sermoneggiare i papi con civetteria anacreontica,
cosi Epicuro spunta tra due dita i fulmini di Cicerone, come avea già spuntato
quelli del Giove greco, e, toccata appena la spalla dell'oratore romano,se lo
fa suo.Ma, appena entrato in Roma,Epicuro prende la natura del Giano latino, si
fa bifronte, ed una sua faccia è quella di Orazio,l'altradiLucrezio.Non
èmiracolo,èilsistemaepicureo che, sotto la dialettica, manifesta queste due
fronti. L'una viene adirecosi:La vitaèbreve;di là non sicontinua;dunque,
godiamola di presente. La morte cicolga,quando possiamo git tarle in faccia la
scorza del pomo soave,tutto premuto.L'altra, cosi:La vita è breve; di là non si
continua;osiamo,dunque, eternarla con un'opera degna della immortalità della
fama. Per chè tentare la gioia stolta, se nel punto di asseguirla la morte può
spegnermi? Ecco le due fronti di Epicuro. L'una di Orazio: Vitae s u m m a
brevis nos vetat spem inchoare longam.Di là non c'è vita: Non regna vini
sortiere talis. La conseguenza che ei porge all'anima tua,è sempre una: Carpe
diem quam minimum credula postero. Illazione esprimibile con un grugnito del
porco epicureo. 63 L'altra è di Lucrezio: Omnia migrant, omnia commutat n
a tura et vertere cogit. Dalla quale migrazione eterna dell'essere
deriva il s u m m u m crede nefas. Importa sol consegnare integra la lampada
della vita alle generazioni sopravvenienti: Vitae l a m pada tradere. Da Orazio
nasce Munazio Planco,prima Cesariano, poi P o m pejano, poi repubblicano, poi
di Antonio e di Cleopatra, poi cor tigiano di Augusto e sprezzato da tutti:
tipo del galantuomo di Guicciardini; e fini nella sua villa di Tivoli come
Guicciardini, nella solitudine di Arcetri. Da Lucrezio nasce il tipo del
giureconsulto, Papiniano, che intese il diritto come bonum aequum, e non volle
in senato di fendere un imperatore fratricida, e piuttosto che l'onore volle
lasciare la vita. Morendo, come aveva sentenziato, provvide alla immortalità
della fama, et lampada juris tradidit. Da Epicuro il mondo romano prende il
senso della positi vità, ed è però mondo di prosa, non di arte, con missione
giu ridica, con lingua giuridica, con monumenti, storia, tradizioni giuridiche.La
Grecia ci ha tramandato due insuperabili documenti, l a t r a g e d i a e p i c
a e l a t r a g e d i a f i l o s o f i c a, l ' I l i a d e e il F e d o n e;
R o m a il Corpusjuris,con due potenti sommarii,l'epigrafe e ilresponso. Quanto
all'epigrafe, specie suggestiva di letteratura, come direbbesi in
Francia,nessun altro popolo nė lingua ha ilquarto della maestà e rapidità
dell'epigrafe latina, nata rebus agendis: onde nazioni nordiche e neolatine e
transatlantiche pigliano a n cora,e avverrà per lungo tempo,da Roma antica
l'epigrafe!e il responso. E la più bella dell'epigrafi ha contenuto epicureo e
giuridico: Et creditis esse Deos? 64 Cosi abbiamo della medesima scuola
il porcus de grege E p i curi,e de acie Epicuri miles. Nè questo doppio tipo fu
smar rito nel periodo del risorgimento, quando dopo la scolastica pla tonica e
aristotelica si riaffaccið l'epicureismo: dall’una parte si ebbe
ilPontano,cantoredellavoluttà,dall'altrailCavalcante,cer catore austero,
tra’sepolcri, dell'immortalità della fama. La tomba, data umile a
Catone, negata a Pompeo, ė superba mente elevata ad un mimo ! Se gli Dei sono
ingiusti, gli Dei non sono. E le epigrafi più solenni nascondono certa finezza
d'ironia epicurea nel senso giuridico. L'epigrafe latina è solenne, perché è
breve come il responso: Questa rapidità di percezione è dalla lingua istessa
giuridica per eccellenza, imperativa e, se mi è lecito a dire, dittatoria: onde
l'epigrafe è quasi sempre responsiva, cioè di senso giuri dico, e il responso è
sempre epigrafico. E d in R o m a fu possibile il tipo del giureconsulto,
dell'uomo cioè che ha intera la percezione del dritto, rapidamente e pro
priamente la significa e sa comandarla a sè stesso prima che agli altri. È tipo
raro, tutto assorbito dalla meditazione etica, che traduce nella parola e nel
fatto. R o m a ne ebbe pochissimi che dopo quella Roma furono comentati,non
risatti; e,quando oggi odo chiamare giureconsulti alcuni legisti che tirano a m
e stiere il codice, dico che o le parole non s'intendono o sono stravolte
dall'adulazione. Quandolalingualatinacantadiamore,amepare- libero da
preoccupazioni di scuola udire il Ciclope favellare a G a latea. I romani
potean prendere le Sabine meglio con le braccia
checolcanto:manu,haudcarminibuscaptae.Non ène'carmi la missione di R o m a:
dica rapidamente il diritto, dica il fatto; il responso e l'epigrafe, questo è
il gran contenuto della lette ratura latina, questo è suo proprio, è originale,
è collatino, oso dire: il rimanente vien di fuori e porta il mantello peregrino.
Ed ha tre uomini massimi, Lucrezio, Papiniano e Tacito. L u crezio non ha
cantato un poema, nè si dà al mondo poema di dascalico,ma ha dato l'esposizione
epicurea della natura, la cui Venus non viene da Milo, ma dal Foro, e può
somigliare ad Astrea. Papiniano ha dato il più alto responso, nel quale è la) Quidquid
praecipiens, esto brevis, ut cito dicta Percipiant animi. 5 UNIVERSITÀ DI
Qurais ROMA CCHIO Lucrezio, Papiniano e Tacito sono tre che si
somigliano nella forma di concepire e nella rapidità scolpita dell'espressione.
Tacito, che segna la decadenza e lavora come il Sisifo di L u crezio, qui
semper victus tristisque recedit, spesso ti accusa la maniera e quando è breve,
quando è corto; m a è l'ultimo dei grandi romani. Chi cerca la grandezza del
pensiero latino fuori di questi,e vuol trovarlo o nella lirica di Orazio,
ambigua, quanto alla forma, traPindaro ed Anacreonte,e ambigua nella sostanza
tra lo stoico e l'epicureo, o trovarlo nell'epica incerta tra Vir gilio e Livio,
cioè tra le reminiscenze omeriche e le favole tra dizionali, è come chi,
cercando l'anima del trecento, invece di volgersi a Dante e a Boccaccio, la
spia negli occhi estatici di Caterina da Siena o nel cipiglio di Passavanti. In
questo teatro giuridico, che è il mondo latino, il conte nuto della lotta si
trasforma e di semi-divino diviene pienamente umano. Qui non han luogo cause
per divinità. Qui Lucrezio può vuotare il Pantheon che accoglie
indifferentemente tutti gl’Iddii per vederli indifferentemente sfatare dal
sistematore della N a tura.Lucrezio morrà non per accusa di Melito, di Anito,
di Licone; norrà, se gli piace, di sua mano, se il destino del l'uomo gli parrà
troppo somigliante a quello di Sisifo. Allora la 66 sintesi della
missione latina,e lo ha suggellato, come dovea, con la morte. L'olocausto di
Socrate ci mandò la tragedia filosofica che è greca; l'olocausto di Papiniano
ci tramanda la tragedia giuridica che è latina. Perchè dopo il Nerone e la
Messalina non tentare anche questa che è più romana? La storia di Ta cito suona
sulle rovine imminenti dello Stato latino come la ser ventese dell'ultimo degli
albigesi. Tacito è fosco come la sera nebbiosa di una splendida giornata; è
riflessivo come chi rasenta le rovine; è triste come chi cerca una virtù che ei
sa di non trovare. Perciò ei ritrae Tiberio assai meglio che Tiziano non
ritragga Filippo II,ma,dove pinge la virtù,non è pittoremolto ispirato. È
grande col pennello onde lo Spinelli ritraeva Satana; m a, se gli dai la
tavolozza di Raffaello, ei te l'annacqua. 67 Venus genctrix gli si
muterà in Venere Libitina, ed egli userà della vita secondo quello che gli
parrà suo diritto. Io non credo all'aconito; credo suicida Lucrezio, e questo
suicidio proprio di forma Romana, come quello di Catone, cioè per jus necis
etiam in sc. Questa lotta umana,iniziata,non compiuta in Roma,questa che è
tutta e sempre lotta civile dal ritiro della plebe sull’Aven tino sino ad
Augusto, qui omnium munia in se trahere coepit; questa epopea lutta latina, più
in Livio che in Virgilio, ha due periodi principali: l'uno'tra plebe e
patriziato per una cerla equa partizione di cose e di ufficii, e generò il
tribuno, ignoto alla Grecia; l'altro tra l'individuo e la comunanza per una
certa equa emancipazione dell'individuo, e generò Spartaco, ignoto alla Grecia.
La plebe fu vendicata da Mario,e più da Cesare,che se op presse il tribuno,era
segno che non v'era più patriziato sovrano ed operoso.Spartaco,sopraffatto da
Crasso e da Pompeo e morto nella pienezza della sua protesta, trovò poco dopo
più grande vendicatore, Cristo. Ciò significa: Il mondo greco, cominciato
religiosamente, fi nisce nellairreligionediEpicuro;ilmondo romano,pienodella
dotta irreligione di Epicuro, finisce nel mistero cristiano. La catastrofe
religiosa in Grecia è spiegabile con la natura del pensiero, che comincia col
rifermare le religioni e finisce col dissolverle; la catastrofe della
irreligione in R o m a è spie gabile con la natura del pensiero istesso, che,
se è dommatico, finisce col divorare se stesso. Chiariremo questo vero, quando
saremo innanzi al cristianesimo. Questo vien chiaro di presente,che il
contenuto giuridico in Roma non pud porgersi come jus civile abstractum, ma
come primo sentimento di equità, onde si genera il Pretore, istitu zione
profondamente etica, ignota anche questa alla Grecia, e urbano e peregrino, e
il cui fine è sempre l'aequitas, affinchè il summum jus non si faccia summa
injuria o summa malitia. Quindi, il placito del giureconsulto
nella costituzione delle leggi: In rebus novis constituendis eviders esse debet
utilitas, ne a n i mus recedat ab eo jure, quod diu AEQUUM visum est (Fideicom.
L. IV). Chiaro è che l'equità costituisca la misura del diritto; che questa
equità lungamente saggiata, traducendosi in diritto, genera l'utile sincero; e
che questo utile debba essere evidente ai popoli nella costituzione delle
leggi. Quindi l'iniquum erat injuria. Quindi l'acquilas appo i latini non è il
concetto volgare che ci viene da Ugone Grozio: è l'assoluta, continua, ascendente
correzione del diritto civile, cioè del diritto greco; e però cosi coloro che
veggono pura medesimezza del diritto greco e ro m a n o, quanto quegli altri
che continuano a favoleggiare intorno alla origine greca delle dodici
tavole,mostrano ignorare la diffe renza delle due storie, dei due popoli, delle
due lotte, delle due civiltà. E il testo canta chiaro: Jus praetorium
adiuvandi, vel supplendi, vel CORRIGENDI iuris civilis gratia est introductum,
propter utilitatem publicam... Che è quel ius civile bisognoso di correzione? È
quello appunto che in R o m a comincia a p a rere s u m m a injuria, la cui
correzione costituisce l'istituto p r e torio,cheètutto romano,ilcuiprogramma
siassomma nella sentenza: Placuit in omnibus rebus praecipuam esse iustitiae ac
AEQUITATIS q u a m STRICTI juris rationem. Quello stretto diritto è greco, è
puramente civile, è quiritario, è aristocratico, e tra smoda nell'ingiuria, o
per violenza o per malizia, aut vi, aut fraude. Quell’aequitas è la correzione
pretoria, è la grandezza dello spirito latino, che tutto si manifesta e dimora
nella giu stizia pretoria e urbana e peregrina. E quell'aequitas deriva
dallalottaumana,cosidellaplebecontroilpatriziatocome del servo contro il
padrone. Il jus civile è il risultamento della lotta semi-divina, l'aequitas è
il prodotto della lotta civile: quella è greca, questaèlatina: quellahailsuofastigiostoricoda
So crate ad Epicuro, questa dalle dodici tavole a Spartaco: quella è lotta
filosofica, questa è giuridica: i canoni di Epicuro sono 69
l'orazione funebre all'Olimpo e però alla Grecia, la protesta di Spartaco è il
vale al superbo civis romanus.Insomma la gloria storicadiRoma
nonèildittatore,néilconsole,nèilsenato, nè il magister equitum e l'imperatore e
n e m m e n o il tribuno, è il Prelore: il suo editto è la sintesi dei
responsi; lo spirito dei responsi è l'equità; l'equità è il prodotto della
lotta u m a n a; questa lotta è il contenuto della civiltà latina. Hegel che
vede si addentro la cagione della rovina della repubblica romana e con Tacito
giudica vana l’uccisione di Cesare, non vede con pari intensità in quella
repubblica l'istituto pretorio e, sfuggi togli, tien conto solo della ratio
strirti juris. Tutto il diritto r o mano gli si stringe nel summum jus. Non
vide che la lotta umana era ed è l'equilà. Con questo spirito di equità torna
agevole a Tacito descri vere il tiranno, scolpirlo. Volere parendo di
rifiutare, c o m a n dare parendo di obbedire,far tuito parendo di non fure,
questo è il tipo del tiranno, questo è il Tiberio di Tacito, rispetto al quale
gli altri tiranni venuti di poi sono volgari, ubriachi,troppo scoperti e però
troppo esposti al essere tiranneggiati. Tipico é questo Tiberio in Tacito, come
Ettore in Omero, come Ugolino in Dante, come Otello in Sakespeare, e non
patiscono ritocca menti di nessuna mano: chi si attenta a rifarli, solto
qualunque altra forma,disfà. In Grecia fu possibile il sentimento del ti ranno,
in Roma il ritratto tipico,perchè in Roma è delineato il concetto dell'equità.
Tiberio non può esser veduto se non dielro il seggio del Pretore. Nè Riccardo
III, nè Arrigo VIII, nè Fi lippo II,nè Alessandro VI o Paolo IV ritrassero
Tiberio: vollero troppo, si chiarirono troppo, furono troppo tiranneggiati: ma
il tipo, spento individualmente, risorse collettivamente nella C o m pagnia di
Gesù, che per 333 anni dilargò l'oligarchia nera sulla terra, parendo di non
volere, di non comandare, di non fare. Ma e il gesuitismo tiberiano e il
cesarismo gesuitico non pos sono essere tanto chiusi,che ilpensiero e la natura
non v'entrino. Fu però equità piena,sincera, spiegata questa di Roma,si
che la si trovi tulta adempita nella ragione pretoria? La lotta umana di
Roma diede per risultamento il diritto umano? In somma il dirittoromano
sicontinua a studiare,a chiosare, ogni giorno in ogni paese civile, perchè
effettualmente è l'ultima parola del diritto? L'acquilas in omnibus spectanda,
quando non voglia essere un nome,ma cosa, non un concetto,ma un sistema, non in
somma un'esigenza,ma un adempimento,bisogna che simani festi come connessione
ed equazione dei contrarii, cioè del ge nere con l'individuo, del cittadino con
la persona, affinchè ne risulti l'interezza dell'uomo.Ora, questa equazione
torna possi bile,quando l'individuo si sia affermato e contrapposto al citta
dino e abbia avuto nella storia tanto valore e tanta evoluzione quanti il
cittadino se ne prese. Senza quest'azione e reazione, o, come altri dicono,
senza questa tesi e antitesi nessun'ar monia finale e completiva, nessuna
sintesi piena e durevole, nessun equilibrio, nessuna equazione insomma è
effettualmente possibile: e, se l'equità non è questa equazione, è ancora un
presentimento Se ne deduce che Roma non poteva ancora sistemare la vera equità
giuridica, perchè l'individuo non aveva dato tutti gl'istituti che dovevano
nascere di se, dalla sua antitesi o c o n trapposizione al cittadino. Dove
s'era fatta la storia dell'indi viduo, l'autobiografia, perchè ilPretore potesse
consapevale con temperare i contrarii, connetterli, equilibrarli? Vedesi,
dunque, che questa equità è l'avvenire dellastoria,non ilpassato;spetta alla
giornata travagliosa dei posteri, non alla lotta civile di Roma.Or, dunque,è
stata spuma d'acqua sonante l'equità ro mana? Troppo sarebbe stato il rumore !
La cosa sta in questi termini: L'equità scientificamente in tesa spetta
all'avvenire, che sarà la sintesi del cittadino con l'individuo per costruire
tutto l'uomo: l'equità latinamente intesa fu il transilo dal cittadino all
individuo per costruire l'individuo. Il transito non è la sintesi, è il
semplice avviamento dal - 70 l'uno all'altro dei contrarii, a
traverso i quali si vien costruendo l'uomo chiamato sintesi dell'universo e non
divenuto ancora sintesi di sé medesimo ! Fu larva dunque di equità: e nondimeno
anche come larva quel diritto è rimasto solenne, tipico nella storia, concetto
più che presentimento di quello che il diritto è destinato ad essere.
Dunque,nellastoriailmondo romano èl'esodo,ilpassaggio dal cittadino greco
all'individuo germanico. E in questo transito dall'uno all'altro dei contrarii
consiste, chi consideri, l'universalità dell'impero latino. Il quale perde la
sua ragione di durare, quando Cristo annunzia l'emancipa zione individuale. Cosi
me ladiscorrevo intorno al contenuto storico ed al carattere di Roma. Alcune
delle cose dette, oggi, non ripeterei; m a ne accetto anche oggi
moltissime,principalmentedue:chelalottainRoma èumana e senza neppur l'ombra del
carattere religioso; e che risulta mento precipuo della lotta umana è
l'istituto pretorio. Bastano queste due affermazioni per determinare tutto il
ca rattere della prima Roma, e dal caratlere la sua missione, la gloria,
l'universalità, la decadenza. A queste due affermazioni manca la giustificanza
storica il metodo. Perché in Roma la lotta è del tutto umana? A questa
interrogazione, quando non si voglia dare una ri sposta astratta, come la
darebbe la scuola di Hugo e di Savi gny,cioè tal era la coscienza o ilgenio di
Roma,ci sono due modi di rispondere, l'uno metafisico, l'altro naturale. Il
primo risponde: Alla lotta semidivina dovevo succedere la lotta umana: la
prima, compiuta in Grecia, non si poteva ri p e t e r e i n R o m a. L e d u e
lotte s o n o d u e m o m e n t i d e l p e n s i e r o; e però Epicuro passa
dalla Grecia a R o m a. Il secondo dice che questo lavorio del pensiero,
affatto in d i sparte dal fondamento naturale, spiega la storia più che
non - 72 - Quindi l'evidenza di lumeggiare la storia col
naturalismo che le traccia il metodo. Ora, il naturalismo storico attraversa
tre periodi notevoli: prima è teleologico, poi empirico, finalmente è
scientifico È teleologico, quando presuppone i fini, e i fini diventano cause,
e la natura è in gran faccenda a lavorare i mezzi per questi fini. In questo
primo periodo il naturalismo non si è li berato ancora dalla metafisica, e, se
non è essenzialmente antro pomorfico, è tale abitualmente. Questo periodo è
rappresentato da Herder, il quale è vero che presume cercare la storia degli
uomini nella storia del cielo, della terra e delle relazioni tra cielo e terra;
m a, presupponendo ancora i fini nella storia dell'uomo e della natura, viene
abitual mente a credere divino quel che dev'essere tutto e semplice mente
naturale, e – ciò ch'è ancora più teologico -- ad esclu dere i popoli fieri e
sanguinarii dalla possibilità di adempiere nella storia un qualche fine
provvidenziale. Che cosa sarà per Heder il cristianesimo? — Il regno della
giustizia e della verità ! Ecco la civiltà tedesca in forma di fine
provvidenziale, che non poteva essere adempiuto dal popolo romano, perché aveva
animo tirannico e mani insanguinate. E - 73 - il genio o il carattere
astratlo, m a in ultimo riesce astratto ed enigmatico anch'esso, perché il
pensiero presuppone qualco saltro, da cui non si può divellere. È vero che
altro è il genio greco, altro il romano; è vero che la lotta fatta in Grecia
non si può rifare a Roma;è vero pure che Epicuro,passando dalla Grecia a
Roma,accenna alla lotta umana che succede alla lotta religiosa: ma non si vede
ancora perchè il pensiero si sia cosi determinato, e piuttosto in Italia che in
Germania, e dell'Italia piuttosto in Roma che nell'Etruria o in altra regione.
Sono, per conseguenza, da tenere in gran conto i momenti del pensiero che nè in
sè nè nella storiasi ripete mai; ma re stano momenti vuoti, astratti ed
inesplicati senza tenere in pri missimo conto il dato naturale. 74
- il genio giuridico di R o m a? e l'universalità del dominio romano? e la
successione storica della civiltà romana alla greca? e l'am biente naturale di
R o m a, rispetto alla terra ed all'aria? Tutto ciò sparisce, e restano un fine
provvidenziale il cristianesimo, e l'odio tedesco contro R o m a, compagnia di
ladri e nel principio e nel mezzo,cosi pel genio naturalista di Herder come per
il genio metafisico di Hegel. Egli è perchè quella natura non è libera ancora
da quella metafisica. È empirico il naturalismo, quando contende ogni investiga
zione intorno agli ultimi fini e alla prima causa, e que'fini e quella causa
respinge da se come contenuto della metafisica e campo Questo periodo è
rappresentato da Comte, il quale respinge l'assoluto con troppo assolute
negazioni,come Stuart Mill negava il sistema, sistemando; e però l'uno si dà a
cercare l'invaria bile attraverso i fenomeni naturali, e l'altro il permanente
attra verso i bisogni umani. Vanno cercando quell'assoluto che hanno
assolutamente negato. Avviene, in questa scuola de'puri senomeni,che le
catastrofi sono sostituite all'evoluzione; che il passato sarebbe assoluta
mente morto, non trasformato; e che, come nell'ordine della successione
filosofica il positivismo annunzia la morte di tutto il contenuto metafisico,
cosi nell'ordine della successione politica ilperiodo
industriale,p.e.,supporrebbeaffattospento ilperiodo legale, come questo
supporrebbe spento del tutto il periodo m i litare.Da che sarebbe indicata la
cessazione del periodo mili tare? Dalla caduta di Roma.Ed ecco che questaRoma,o
forza di ladri o di soldati, non sarebbe stato altro che forza ! E ne il
naturalismo teleologico nė l'empirico arrivano a vedere che in quella R o m a
universale la forza fu universale quanto il diritto. - come reazione
mutila il contenuto scientifico, e non si accorge che quanto sot trae alla
scienza tanto consegna alla religione. sino dal nome metafisica,
dell'inconoscibile. In questo secondo periodo il natura lismo,aborrendo
Finalmente il naturalismo storico esce dallo stato teleologico, 75
- dallo stato empirico, e diviene scientifico sotto queste determi nate
condizioni: 1a sottraendo la statica e la dinamica so ciale all'indeterminato
delle analogie e sottomettend le al cal colo determinato, nel quale sparisce
l'uomo individuo e sorge l'uomo medio; 2a sottraendo il calcolo ai ritmi
misteriosi o ca balistici e riducendolo alla legge di proporzione tra causa ed
ef fetto; 3a sottraendo le cause allo indeterminato del numero e riducendole ad
una causa sola, e facendo convergere tutti gli effetti verso un fine
proporzionato alla causa medesima. Allora si viene a veder chiaro che la
statica e la dinamica sociale fanno una fisica sociale che deriva dalla psico
-fisica; che il pensiero si traduce nella storia con la medesima proporzione,
onde procede dalla natura; che il calcolo, al quale sottostanno le scienze
naturali, entra a dominare il mondo della storia; e che in ultimo l'uomo
individuo,il quale sparisce innanzi all'uomo medio, vuol dire l'arbitrio che
sparisce innanzi alla libertà. Più sparisce l'arbitrio come causa, e più si
chiarisce la libertà come fine. A tutto ciò, che è pur grande, il mondo moderno
non può sottrarsi. Ha prodotto tre saggi,che sono saggi ancora, ma che
aspettano con irremovibile certezza la sistemazione scientifica, e sono la
Fisica sociale di Quetelet, la Storia dell'Incivilimento in Inghilterra di
Buckle e i Periodi politiri di Ferrari. Anch'io nel 1872 — nel Saggio Crilico
del Dritto Penale e del Fondamento etico avevo cercato dimostrare in che ra
gione si movono nel tempo storico le istituzioni avverse e per chè il tempo
stesse rispetto alla successione del pensiero come lo spazio rispetto alla
successione de'corpi; m a anche quel mio libro, come porta il titolo, rimane
saggio, ed aspetta la sistema zione scientifica che si determina co' criterii
sopra stabiliti, senza de'quali non è possibile un naturalismo scientifico. E
con questo proposito io mi sento libero da qualunque ar bitrio individuale, da
qualunque monomania di originalità so litaria ed astratta, perchè da una parte
veggo di obbedire alla ragion de'tempi e dall'altra al genio
italiano. Questo genio, o che si manifesti nello sperimentalismo più cauto del
Galileo o nel più libero idealismo di Bruno,ha sempre ultimo fondo delle cose
la natura, fuori della quale nulla vede e nulla spiega. È però genio matematico
per eccellenza, perchè ogni legge natu rale si stringe in numero. Fu, quindi,
possibile nella scuola di Galileo un Vincenzo Viviani che faceva ciò che appena
Leibnitz osava desiderare, sommettere cioè gli atti umani alla misura, l'etica
alla matematica. Risalendo i tempi, incontravasi nella scuola di Metaponto;
discendendo, preoccupava i periodi poli tici di Ferrari. Se è una sistemazione
anche questa, perchè afferma l'evo luzione come processo dall'omogeneo
all'eterogeneo, e non con sidera che l'evoluzione sarebbe impossibile senza la
coesistenza dell'omogeneo con l'eterogeneo? Perchè non considera se quella che
appare coesistenza immediatamente al senso,non si faccia mediatamente
connessione? E, se cotesta connessione è recipro cità, perchè egli non mi
lascia vedere le scienze esatte nelle naturali? Ne deriverebbe che, esclusa la
possibilità di ogni ente metafisico, il suo positivismo farebbesi naturalismo.
E tanto m e glio ! Tutte le perplessità finirebbero, e non si parlerebbe a
n Spencer pose gran cura a distinguere sė da Comte,ciò che oggi vuol dire
positivismo inglese dal francese. Molte sono le differenze notate dallo
Spencer, m a fan capo ad una: che S p e n cer cre le necessaria l'analisi
psicologica, da Comte giudicata impossibile. E dietro quest'analisi Spencer
perviene a quel s a pere unificalo, sotto il principio universale della
evoluzione, che costituisce la sistemazione del positivismo. 76 Innanzi
all'universalità di queste leggi non vi sono per noi i riserbi, le oscillazioni
dell'inconoscibile e del positivismo in glese; vi sono invece l'universalità e
l'ardimento del naturalismo italiano, del quale cosi, senza taccia di orgoglio
nazionale, ra gionavo nella mia conferenza a Torino: Che cosa manca?
Noi abbiamo affermato l'inconciliabilità tra l'infinità della natura e il
vecchio caput mortuum della teologia.Non possiamo tornare indietro; e le
perplessità del positivismo sono sdegnate dal naturalismo italiano. La parola
stessa positivismo per noi è un equivoco: scientificamente ci suona semplice
reazione alla metafisica, e moralmente dice negazione di ogni elevato ideale.
La parola è sciupata. Il naturalismo dura quanto la natura, ed è proprio nelle
nostre tradizioni, nel nostro indirizzo e nel n o stro genio. Non temo le
conseguenze: la Verità e la Libertà sono, in fondo, una medesima natura (1).
Dietro questi criterii, tenuto conto non di uno o due, m a dei precipui
elementi naturali ch'entrano nella storia primitiva di Roma e che possono
essere determinati come i faltori elemen tari dell'incivilimento romano, ne
risulta che l'indole violenta ed il costume erratico de'primi congregati devono
essere dal vasto campo costretti a farsi agricoli, e che il prodotto di questi
due fattori, la violenza e l'agricoltura,doveva essere il genio m i litare di R
o m a. E militari si annunziano il primo re, le prime istituzioni,iprimi fatti
che aprono lastoria di Roma,come mi litare la postura della città istessi,
ottima delle posizioni stratc giche in tutlo il Lazio. Or,dato un popolo
agricolo e militare,un popolo,cioè,che (1) G. Bovio: Il naturalismo. Torino,
Roux e Favale, 1882. -77 - vora dell'assolutamente inconoscibile, campo
tetro,in cui possono rientrare tutti i vecchi pregiudizi, tutt'i terrori
infantili e tutte le senili speranze sfatate dal naturalismo italiano. Diritto,
ardito, impavido è l'ingegno nostro: è Colombo che, se ha da guardare verso
l'America, non riguarda la Spagna; è Galileo che, se s'in china, non nega il
moto; è Bruno che, se ode la sentenza, non disdice l'infinità della natura; è
Cardano che ha più timore di smentire il proprio oroscopo, che di morire. Cosi
pensa e cosi vuole: italianamente volere è come il supremo fato storico.
78 stabilisca il mio e il tuo e con la forza faccia rispettare il li
mite,quale sarà la risultante di queste attitudini,quale lamis sione o il
destino di questo popolo? È già evidente: sarà u n popolo giuridico per
eccellenza, il popolo del diritto. Cosi va: la violenza e l'agricoltura fanno
un popolo militare; l'agricoltura e la milizia fanno un popolo giuridico. La
violenza temperata dall'agricoltura diventa milizia, a c u stodia del proprio c
a m p o; la milizia raddolcita dall'agricoltura diventa forza di equità. Cosi
si scoprono i primi naturali fattori del genio romano: non forza contro il
diritto (barbarie); non diritto contro la forza (decadenza ); m a diritto e
sorza (civiltà giuridica ). N o n basta dire il m o n d o greco fu della
scienza e dell'arte, ilmondolatinofudeldirittoedelgoverno,ma bisognasapere
perchè fu cosi. Allora occorre vedere non solo la successione cronologica delle
idee e delle civiltà, m a indagare i naturali fattori che dispongono una
nazione,piuttosto che un'altra, ad una deterninata civiltà, e proprio quella e
non altra nazione. E per convincersi che quello fu davvero il genio di Roma e
quelli i fattori dello incivilimento romano,gli studiosi rivolgano a sè m e
desimi alcune domande.Eccole ordinatamente: 1. ° Q u a l e f u, i n g e n e r a
l e, l ' i n d o l e d e ' p o p o l i i t a l i c i, e q u a l e tra le genti
italiche la postura di Roina? 2. Quali i rapporti tra gli agricoltori e quale
il costume? 4. Perchè fu tenace il costume e lento in R o m a l'accu mularsi
della ricchezza? 5.9 Perchè gl'idillii greci in R o m a diventano georgiche, come
le cosmogonie diventano poemi della natura, ed in qual conto R o m a ebbe gli
scrittori de re rustica e le divinità c a m pestri? 6." Qual'è la forina
più latina del pensiero latino? 7.* È vero, in ultimo, che quel pensiero e
quella forma — 3. Che cosa più occorre, quando questi rapporti e questo
costume si elevano a missione giuridica? sostanza e modo di un
mondo affatto prosaico alito di arte? - non hanno Se ciascuna di queste domande
non avesse in sè molta im portanza, tutte insieme parrebbero da fanciullo per
la loro di sparatezza, mentre, per la loro intima connessione, posson fare una
sola domanda. E l'ordine delle risposte può far bastare una pagina, dove
occorrerebbe un volume. Le genti italiche – per quell'armonia di facoltà, della
quale abbiamo sopra toccato l'origine portano in ogni cosa che pensano e che
fanno,non solo un senso finissimo di arte,m a g giore dove meno appare,ma
quella che chiamano nota giusta ed è espressione di senso pratico, che, in
fondo, è senso poli tico.E dico senso non per traslato nè per uso di linguaggio
co mune,ma proprio nel sensopiùitalianamente scientifico,perchè intelletto e
volontà sono evoluzioni del senso (1). Quindi sono popoli che hanno meglio
equilibrati gli ordina menti politici, e più disciplinati gli ordinamenti
giuridici e m i litari. R o m a, e per i fattori del suo genio e perchè posta
nel cuore della penisola,veniva naturalmente a concentrare tutto il genio
italico e a dargli quella espansione che può raggiare da una città nel medesimo
tempo giuridica e militare. Il genio di Roma,insomma,traperl'origine e per la
postura è nelle con (1) Non sarà inutile ricordare ciò che scrissi nel citato
discorso sul n a turalismoap.19: Ilsensoeraumiliatoedepressodaduepresupposti:
che lo avevamo comune con le bestie e coi zoofiti; e che la ragione p o teva
far senza di esso, come l'anima senza del corpo. Presupposti, come è chiaro,
della vecchia psicologia metafisica, esagerati dalla scolastica, raffi nati
dall'idealismo più recente. Il senso che si osserva,e che si sente,si alza,si
riabiliti e testimonia e scrive di sè stesso: Il senso avverte il fatto
naturale, il movimento del fatto e in ogni fatto la coesistenza dei contrarii,
per es., identità e differenza, genere ed individuo, comune e proprio. Il senso
avverte sè,ilmovimento da cui deriva e in cui si deriva,ed in sè la connessione
dei contrarii, per es., infinito e finilo, causa ed effetto, necessità e
libertà. Il senso avrerte la 79 dizioni più naturali per
concentrare ed espandere il genio ita liano. E ne'popoli agricoli, più che
ne'commercianti,sorge schietto il sentimento del diritto e poi dell'equità,
perchè più semplici tra gli agricoltori, che non tra'commercianti,sorgono i
rapporti sociali. E, sorti, trovano subito stabilità nel costume e certezza
nelle forme, come stabile e certa è la terra, sulla quale e per la quale
l'agricoltore vive, come certo e stabile il limite del colto. E da questa
medesima stabilità e certezza, la tenacità del costume e la rigidezza avversa
ai subiti e pericolosi guadagni del commercio. Però in R o m a fu lento
l'accumularsi della ric chezza e ancora più lento il contagio del lusso. Se poi
questi rapporti e questo costume, ne'quali si accentra il genio di tutto un
paese, sono destinati ad elevarsi a missione giuridica, ciò che più occorre per
tradurla in atto cotesta m i s sione segnatamente in mezzo ad un mondo barbaro
è la forza. Perciò una grande missione giuridica, la quale non sia militare nel
medesimo tempo,è un'astrazione da missionarj,come una gloriosa missione
militare che insieme non sia giuridica e non si ordini a qualche alto fine
civile, è un'astrazione da nar ratori ciclici. Il dominio di R o m a è pari
alla forza, e l'uno e l'altra sono pari al concetto ed alla missione giuridica.
Quindi, propria tendenza a trasmutare ilfatto naturale in fatto storico, a insi
nuare nella storia il proprio moto e a determinare il fine del moto sto rico
nell'equilibrio dei contrarii, per es.,persona e Stato, lavoro e pro dotto,
dovere e dritto. Volete questi diversi gradi del sentire chiamarli
senso,intelletto e vo lontà? Ritragga il linguaggio con queste parole questa
distinzione di gradi, ma distinzione di gradi, non separazione di facoltà:
distinzione di gradi nella evoluzione del senso,come ilsenso è dellanatura,non
tante ipostasi di tante facoltà.Come l'evoluzione delle forze chimiche perviene
sino al l'organismo e dell'organismo sino alla vita e della vita sino al
senso,così l'evoluzione del senso sino all'intelletto e alla volontà. Nessuna
ragione, m a il solo pregiudizio può condurci a moltiplicare i principii e le
leggi. 80 col crescere e determinarsi del concetto giuridico
si giustifica l'egemonia di Roma sopra tutto il mondo mediterraneo, e con la
coscienza che Roma desta del medesimo concetto negli altri popoli, si spiega il
testamentu di Augusto in Tacito: Addiderat consilium coercendi intra terminos
imperii. Quindi, si spiega perchè in R o m a,mentre tutto è militare e la
procedura giuridica non si scompagna dalla lancia, tutte le distinzioni civili
e politiche sono derivate dalla terra. È patrizio chi possiede terra ed il
segreto de'diritti inerenti al dominio; sono clienti, colientes,quelli che
coltivano il campo del patrizio; plebei, quelli che coltivano e costumano
vivere sul proprio campo; proletarii, quelli che non hanno campo, fuori del
quale non c'è avere. E si ponga mente a questo, che nel cliente c'è la radice
del colono; che ne' rapporti tra cliente e patrono è adombrata la prima
tradizione feudale, che non si è interrotta mai nella
storiadelmondo;cheilclienteècittadino,ma non saclasse di cittadini; e che in
ciò principalmente si distingue dal servo che nè è persona, nè cittadino, nè fa
classe di cittadini. Agraria è principalmente la lotta tra le parti in R o m a;
agraria l'origine del dominio bonitario; agrario il fondamento del censo;
agrarie le leggi provocatrici de'più grandi dissidii e di radicali riforme
negli ordinamenti politici e civili di R o m a. L'evoluzione dello spirito
romano porta sempre questa impronta del principale fattore del suo genio. Tra
la legge licinia e la legge sempronia c'era sempre sull'agro pubblico tesa una
corda, che, tocca, consuonava con l'animo romano. Campestri da Saturno al Dio
Termine sono le deità indigene diRoma;ilcampoaratoèara;proarispugnare inanticoè
difendere il campo; e da un fanciullo uscito dall'aratro impara rono l'arte
degli aruspici, di gran momento nel cominciare le imprese civili e
militari.Censorino scrive$ 4:Nec non in agro Tarquiniensi puer dicitur exar
atus, nomine Tages, qui disci plinam cecinerit extispicii.– Anche negati gli
aborigeni,restano gl’Iddii autoctoni che si piacevano di riti e canti campestri
e 6 – G. B Vic.Disegno di una Storia del Diritto,ecc.,ecc. - 81
82 da'campi mandaron voce ad Ercole di preferire le offerte di lampade
accese ai sacrifizj umani. Gli Dei che dal primo anno urbe condita sino alla
prima dittatura perpetua entrano in R o m a insieme co'popoli vinti, sono
costretti ad entrare anch'essi in servigio del vincitore, dal quale assumono
forma e costume. La Giunone di Grecia non è quella de'Latini,nè il Giove di
Atene è quello di Roma. Quando non più assumono il costume del vincitore, non
sono più adorati. Ma nė per numi peregrini nè indigeni c'è mai guerra tra i
popoli latini, né dissidio civile, nè giudizio per divinità. L'aco nito di
Lucrezio - se mai fu provato - non somiglia alla cicuta di Socrate: non ci fu
accusa, da che i dotti di R o m a sentirono che il poema della natura era
l'espressione più vera del senti mento contemporaneo. In Roma gli Dei sono
piuttosto per l'uomo,che l'uomo per gli Dei, i quali più si allontanano come
più si determina il sentimento del diritto, che ha dato alla lotta romana
principalmente l'impronta agraria. — E l'ager romanus da prima determina le
tribù, le quali sono non solo personali, m a locali secondo la partizione
dell'agro. Nell'arte non si smentisce questo elemento precipuo del genio
romano, anzi vi si determina e spiega. Se l'idillio greco entra in R o m a, si
fa georgica, le quali Di patrii, Indigetes det tano ad alto fine: Quid faciat
laetas segetes, quo sidere terram Vertere,... ulnisque adjungere vites
Conveniat. Aureus hanc vitam in terris Saturnus agebat.
Ma,seèvero,comesentiHegel,chegliDeidiVirgilio ven gon giù dalla macchina, in
queste georgiche la macchina è più visibile: mostrano abbastanza che vengono
dopo il poema della natura, e che secondo leggi schiettamente naturali la terra
vuol essere pulsata. E l'arte romana non ha nulla di più perfetto di
83 questo poema della natura e di questa applicazione che delle leggi
naturali si fa nelle georgiche, poema agrario. Celebrati, dopo questi, sono
scriptores rei rusticae et Gromatici veteres, per la tradizionale venerazione
della coltivazione e della misura dell'agro: tra'primi M. Porcio Catone,
Varrone e Colunella; tra'secondi Sesto Giulio Frontino, Aggeno Urbico, Igino.
Humana ante oculos foede cum vitajaceret In terris oppressa gravi sub
relligione Primum Grajus homo mortaleis tollere contra Est oculos
ausus,primusque obsistere contra (2). Ed è chiaro:sarà questo in Roma il
contenuto filosofico:lo stoicismo non sarà che di reminiscenze, e l'eclettismo,
di s c m plice erudizione. Quinto Sestio,stoico più che eclettico, non saprà
parlare di Giove che con un motto sarcastico, tramanda toci da Seneca: Iovem
plus non posse, quam bonum virum; a Cicerone, eclettico più che stoico, morto
otto anni dopo L u crezio, non saprà ammettere l'esistenza degli Dei che in via
di sempliceopinione:Deosessenaturaopinamur.E idottisinno quanto questo
opinatore magno, come Cicerone chiama sè stesso, confidi nelle sue opinioni
teoretiche e teologiche. Intravedesi E la filosofia? Dove sviluppato è il
sentimento del diritto, e per questo appunto la lotta si fa tutta umana e
principalmente agraria, gli Dei, a breve andare,si allontanano dalla scena.Epi
curo occupa Roma è il suo campo naturale e Amafinio pubblicamente lo insegna in
buona prosa latina come Lucrezio lo espone in versi mormorati a lui dalla
natura ch'ei canta: Perchè? (1)Lib.3. Te sequor, o Graiae gentis decus, inque
tuis nunc Fixa pedum pono pressis vestigia signis (1): (2)Lib.1. 84
che la macchina teurgica non manca a Cicerone che prelude ai politici di razza
latina, invocando gli Dei piuttosto a rincalzo dello Stato che a fondamento di
religione. Ma sopra tutt'i poemi e tutte le prose latine l'epigrafe mi parve
sempre la più latina forma del pensiero latino. Versi e prose se ne scrivono in
ogni lingua, più o meno classica,e morta e viva; ma l'epigrafe, che non è nè
prosa nè verso, non mi parve mai vera in altra forma fuor della latina. N'è
prova il fatto costante: sempre che si voglia far vivo un pensiero sopra una
pietra e quasi comandarlo alla memoria degli uomini,lo si fa latinamente. E,perchè
il pensiero trovi equazione con la forma, bisogna che abbia alcun che di
universale e d'importanza umana: una epigrase latina, oggi, sulla tomba di una
giovinetta, di un fanciullo, di un uomo oscuro, accusa gli eleganti ozii di un
pe dante, anche quando egli riesca alla pietosa eleganza di Antonio Epicuro,
che gemeva in latino del cinquecento, e in dotte a n titesi, la sostituzione
della morte alle nozze. Nam tibidumquevirum,tedas,thalamumqueparabam, Funera et
inferias anxius ecce paro. Anche il nostro Settembrini, che avea gusto
finissimo del bello,silasciòingannaredalsingultoin antitesieleganti,enon seppe
distinguere tra l'epigrafe dotta e l'epigrafe latina. È vano sfatare l'epigrafe:
sempre che si voglia dire con ef ficace brevità un pensiero universale o un
fatto d'importanza universale, si dirà epigraficamente e latinamente.In altra
forma e lingua apparirà lo sforzo, anche coperto dalla maestria del Giordani
che sopra Colombo e Machiavelli scrisse le epigrafi meno incomportevoli. Noterò
breve la ragione di questo fenomeno letterario. Quando si dice la lingua
latina, imperatoria, ellittica, essere percið epigrafica, il discorso rimane
all'esterno; e però viene a dire che la lingua latina è epigrafica, perchè è.–
L'intimo è che il pensiero latino — giuridico Si dirà, per
afferrare transiti dove sfuggono, che l'epigrafe è il passaggio dal verso alla
prosa,dalla fantasia alla riflessione, e tiene però dell'una e dell'altra. No:
l'epigrafe esprime il sommo della riflessione, perchè determina ciò che in una
gene razione c'è di più universale, o come pensiero o come senti m e n t o, e l
o s t r i n g e s o t t o n o n il n u m e r o d e' p i e d i o d e l l e s i l
l a b e, ma delle parole,ed ha però forma egualmente discosta dal metro poetico
e dalla licenza prosastica. Chi consideri come l'universalità del dirittosi
determina nella precisione massima della parola, scopre subito l'equazione tra
il responso e l'epigrafe, e conchiude senza peritanza, che, ri spetto al genio
romano, sono di eguale importanza il corpus iuris e il corpus inscriptionum
latinarum. Tutte le regole di Morcelli de stylo inscriptionum fanno la
rettorica epigrafica, la più fatua melensaggine letteraria. Al g e suita
mancava il pensiero. Intanto questa indole epigrafica di R o m a, che riappare
da ogni carta e da ogni pietra,in ogni parola e in ogni lettera latina, questa
appunto per la sua espressione nuda e severa ha fatto dire che il genio di R o
m a non ha nulla di artistico. Quel che di fluido e più abbondante s'incontra
nella letteratura latina, è greco. Per gli odiatori del nome romano, Roma è la
città della forza; per i più benevoli, è la città del di ritto; per gli uni e
per gli altri il genio romano è meno estetico del cinese. Conchiudiamo questo
capitolo, esaminando questa affermazione. Che il mondo romano sia stato poetico
davvero, come fu la Grecia, e come la nostra rinascenza greco-latina da Dante
in poi, non si può dire, si perchè nell'arte di R o m a non troviamo
l'individuazione de'caratteri poetici, e si perchè il canto vera 85 è
universale, imperatorio, categorico. Per cosa ingiusta e con parole indecise
non c'è forza di comando.Perciò ripeto che inRoma ilresponso è epigrafico,
l'epigrafe è responsiva.. mente poetico non si leva mai solo in un
popolo, ma in un pe riodo in cui gli vengono successivamente compagne le altre
arti: lapittura,lascultura,lamusica,l'architettura.Non c'èragione, perchè, una
volta accesa la fantasia di un popolo, si debba tutta e solamente stringere
ne'metri poetici e non cercarsi il ritmo nelle altri arti: c'è invece la
ragione contraria, che, nato il canto, si presentano l'una dopo l'altra tutte
le altre forme della individuazione poeticil. I caratteri poetici migrano per
le diverse forme dell'arte, finchè si adagino nella forma più propria, dalla quale
sdegnano essere rimossi. Così il Giove di Omero passa in Fidia,e ilgiudizio di
Dante in Michelangiolo. Ma,se ilmondo romano non è poetico, nel senso estetico
della parola, è nondi meno artistico in grado inimitabile, perché non neglige
la forma dietro la ricerca di un contenuto informe, ma la cerca in equa zione
perfetta col contenuto, anzi dal contenuto si studia deri varla, perchè sente
che un pensiero che si deterinina, facendosi, si crea determinatamente la sua
forma. Il contenuto, la sostanza propria del pensiero latino è il diritto, il
quale in Roma si connatura con la forma romana, come il Giove greco con la
forma greca. La parola del giure consulto latino scolpisce come la subbia di
Fidia. Come da quella subbia esce il sopracciglio cuncta movens, cosi da quella
parola erompe l'imperativo giuridico. Or, questa perfetta equazione tra
pensiero e forma, tra l'im perativo giuridico e il grammaticale, tra l'imperio
concitato e la forma ellittica, quasi tronca, onde Leibnitz, dopo gli assiomi
de'geometri, niente vede più certo de' responsi latini, questa appunto è
intensamente artistica. Il giureconsulto non è il poeta, è l'artista del
diritto. 86 E per provare col fatto, io ben ricordo che la lex XII T a
bularum fu chiamata carmen necessarium, e, cresciuta l'equità,
-orrendocarme;chequesto carme fugiudicato un severopoema, ricco d'immaginazione
e a desinenze quasi ritmiche; che fu salto imparare a coro da'fanciulli; che
Cicerone ne parla con quell'entusiasmo (1),onde iGreci ricordavano
l'Iliade; che i R o mani derivavano più onore dalle XII tavole,che non dalle
guerre puniche; m a so pure che la voce carmen presso i latini ha si gnificato
assai più largo che poesis, e mi baderò dal definire poema di qualsivoglia
natura il carmen necessarium. Ma ag giungo subito che in queste medesime tavole
si manifesta il genio artistico del legislatore romano, per una mirabile equa
zione tra contenuto e forma, la quale ferma e stabilisce quelle tavole come
tipo di tutta la legislazione romana, e le fa perenni nel culto di quel popolo
togato e armato. Al primo sguardo sulla tavola prima si legge: SI IN IUS
VOCAT,NI IT,ANTESTETOR;IGITUR EM CAPITO. Non un articolo, nè un pronome in caso
reito; due impera tivi in cadenza, e tra'due, come a temperarne la
durezza,l'igi tur, che presume parere la razionalità ed è la semplicità pri
mitiva della legge.Ogni legge scritta è igilur in sè medesima, è il corollario
particolareggiato di un principio generale e di una applicazione sottintesi; e
però l'igitur espresso non è trovabile fuor della semplicità infantile della
legge. Basta averlo trovato in prima, e non pare che vi s'incontri due
volte.Hegel direbbe che questa procedura non solo insita nella legge m a
soverchiante, ed a cadenze d'imperativi della specie di capito, ricorda troppo la
manus.Due cose sono da rispondere:l’una,che laprocedura molta e stabile,
diffusa in tutte la dodici tavole, anche nelle due ultime che Cicerone chiama
inique (duadus tabulis iniquarum (1) Per Livio è fonte; per Tacito è fine; per
entrambi è corpo del diritto: quindi, fons publici privatique juris in Livio;
finis aequi juris in Tacito;corpus omnis romani juris ne'due storici e
ne'giureconsulti. Ma più se n'esalta Cicerone nel De Oratore: Fremant omnes
licet, dicam quod sentio.E dirà,giurando per Ercole,che ilsolo libretto delle
dodici tavole per peso di autorità e di utilità avanza di assai le biblioteche
di tutt'ifilosofi.Questo unus libellus era l'Iliade de'Romani. 87
legum additis), svelano l'indole di un popolo agricolo; l'altra, che
tutta questa procedura primitiva, che è o la forza o simbo leggiata dalla
forza, in R o m a è sempre in servigio di un diritto che determina un rapporto
tra gli ordini noverati sopra, o tra due del medesimo ordine rispetto ad una
medesima cosa. REM UBI PAGUNT,ORATO, Qui, nelle dodici tavole, é evidente, è
propria, sto per dire, è bella: certo, come legge, questa evidenza epigrafica
non è s o l o il s o m m o d e l l a b r e v i t à, m a d e l l ' a r t e. F u
o r i d e l l a l e g g e, i n Tacito, assai volte la brevità perde l'evidenza
e diventa cortezza, l'arte si svela e si fa sforzo, e l'oscurità della frase
indica l'o scurità de' tempi e l'animo oscuro di chi si trova solo in mezzo a
que' tempi. Bella ancora nelle XII Tavole la seguente procedura che sta bilisce
equazione tra l'esrcizio della legge e del Sole: SOL OCCASUS SUPREMA TEMPESTAS
ESTO. Tutt'i verbi trovansi all'imperativo, e l'imperativo nel rit mo,ma più di
frequente questo verbo essere, come se l'essere in Roma questo dovesse
significare principalmente: l'impera tivo giuridico. Parrebbe ai meno accorti
soverchia la parola rem innanzi a pagunt: la levino e sarà come levata la
parola inducias innanzi al pepigit di Livio. Le parole in quelle tavole sono
numerate 88 Notinsi intanto l'evidenza nella brevità epigrafica, la
rapidità del comando, la risolutezza della procedura. Non si saprebbe quale
parola o monosillabo levare od aggiungere. È il getto di un pensiero giuridico,
nato insieme diritto e procedura, impera tivo nella essenza e nel modo,ritmico
senza esser verso, arti stico senza nulla di poetico. Notisi in questa ilmaximum
della breviloquenza: si come nelle epigrafi, e risermano, con l'esempio, la
dottrina espo sta intorno al genio di Roma. L'arte della legge,propria dello
spirito romano, si annun zia sin da queste dodici tavole; e i primi ed
i,secondi decem viri furono artisti. Coloro che anche in queste dodici tavole
vollero vedere Atene, ed una legazione uscita romana e tornata attica, ed
Ermodoro esule d'Efeso primo glossatore, e dietro le dodici tavole la statua di
Ermodoro, furono confutati da Vico, e la confutazione fu di quelle che non
ammettono replica. Non solo nella essenza delle dodici tavole c'è lo spirito
originario di Roma,ma c'è ilgetto del pensieronellaforma.Le dodicitavole in
greco suonano come l'Iliade in latino:chi sotto la forma indi gena non sente il
pensiero esotico, è sordo ad ogni risposta di Cirra. Le dodici tavole,come
forma,svelano ilgenio diRoma,mi rabile nella concezione ed espressione della
legge, mirabile per quella equazione in che dimora l'arte di una qualunque
disci plina; come fine, svelano un'altra equazione che è tutto il dise gno di
un popolo giuridico:summis infimisque iura aequare; come origine, svelano la
prima equità nella notizia del diritto, la promulgatio. La promulgatio accenna
il transito dal s u m m u n ius all'ae quum bonum in un popolo che ha congenito
il sentimento del diritto e lo sente e lo celebra come sua missione. Il
Tribuno, provocando la promulgalio, astringerà il diritto consuetudinario e il
quiritario a fissarsi sulle tavole; il Pretore, secondo i casi particolari,
tradurrà il diritto scritto nell’equità naturale;ilGiureconsultotradurrà
l'equità nelle regole uni versali di ragione. Il Tribuno sorge una generazione
dopo ilregifugium ed una generazione prima delle dodici tavole: e, sorto tra
queste due generazioni, significa, con la sua presenza, che, mutala forma di
governo, si è mutato lo spirito di una nazione. Il Pretore, non quello
semplicemente da prae ire, m a quello appellato urbanus,
Considerata l'origine del Tribuno, e i due primi, Giunio Bruto (forse nipote
del primo) e Sicinio Belluto, tra patriziato e plebe; considerati nel Tribuno
il vus auxilii, il ius interces sionis e il veto; considerata l'inviolabilità,
ond’ era sacra la per sona del Tribuno, ed il violatore era caput Jovi sacrum;
fu detto che il Tribuno è un tipo affatio italico, e del tutto italica
l'istituzione del Tribunato. Doveva dirsi invece che il Tribuno, il Pretore ed
il Giureconsulto sono tre grandi momenti dell'equità romana;e tre risultamenti
memorabili della lotta umana ed agraria tra patrizio e plebe sono la
promulgatio, l'editto ed il responso. E qui due considerazioni: la prima, come
risultamento della lotta romana sono il Tribuno, il Pretore ed il
Giureconsulto, tali hanno ad essere le dodici tavole, e tutte le leggi che da
quelle promanano; l'altra, che chi credesse ancora tutto e solo della forza
questo mondo di Roma, dovrebbe correggersi innanzi al Tribunato, al Pretorio ed
al responso. In R o m a, desto il sentimento dell'equità, fondamento p e renne
della lotta umana che si agita in tutti i tempi di Roma, si desta insieme
l'accorgimento politico, onde il patriziato cerca prevenire gli strappi e
capitanare le riforme che non può nè respingere nè fermare:quindi, è possibile
vedere da una parte la lotta agraria, le guerre servili, la guerra sociale e la
guerra gladiatoria, dall'altra Spurio Cassio, patrizio, giustificare col suo
sangue la prima legge agraria, F. Camillo, patrizio, giustificare l'equità
pubblica, presentandosi primo pretore accanto al tempio
votatoallaConcordia,EmilioPapiniano,patrizio,portareil re 90 quod in urbe
ius redderet,venne tre generazioni dopo la pro mulgazione delle dodici tavole,
perchè dopo tre strappi fu m e stieri di chi piegasse la legge scritta verso la
naturale equità. Il Giureconsulto accompagna tutti i tempi del diritto, m a
domina l'imperatore e lo Stato, il mondo di allora e i secoli posteriori,
quando libera l'equità dallo editto e la incarna in pronunziati
universali.Quindi,più dileguasiilTribuno,più scende ilPretore, e più grandeggia
il Giureconsulto. Sempre che gli uomini pronunzieranno questa
parola « EQUI TÀ », la quale, in fondo, è libertà, ed è l'alto fine della storia,
si ripresenteranno alla memoria di tutti il Tribuno, il Pretore, il
Giureconsulto, il primo a promuoverla, il secondo a specifi carla, il terzo ad
universaleggiarla. (1) Mi occorse nel 1881 rispondere ad alcune parole del
Cancelliere del l'Impero tedesco ripetute nel Senato italiano, e pubblicai
subitamente le parole che seguono per provare che non si hanno a chiamare
concessioni quelli che nella storia sono strappi. Riconosco, nella calma dello
scrittojo, la concitazione di alcune frasi che potrebbero alterare il senso
positivo dellastoria,ma ilfondo rimane vero,epiùveroancora,chelapoliticafine
dell'antico Senato oggi non può trovare imitatori nè in Germania, nè in
Italia,nè in Francia.Ecco,intanto,le parole di allora: Giova ripetere il senso
delle parole di Bismarck, ripetuto già nel Senato italiano, per mettere sotto
gli occhi del principe tedesco e de' senatori italiani alcune verità storiche,
alcune leggi e certi nomi che non dovreb bero essere mai dimenticati
da'prudenti che presumono condurre gli Stati, lontani dai partiti estremi, e li
trascinano fuori delle leggi storiche. Il Cancelliere ha detto: Da venti anni
alla sommità dello Stato, ho potuto osservare che gli Stati,passando di una in
altra concessione, pas sano dalla forma monarchica alla repubblicana. Il Senato
ha detto: Le troppe concessioni al diritto di suffragio conducono al Senato
elettivo. L'uno preoccupavasi della corona, gli altri della propria
istituzione. Hanno ragione e torto. Ragione,perchè,passando di diritto in
diritto,si perviene fatalmente alla sovranità nazionale senza delegazione, e a
tutti gli ufficii per elezione. Torto,perchè non sono concessioni glistrappi.–
Idirittifuronostrappati sempre dai popoli agli Stati, dalla scienza alla
storia, non concessi mai. Si può dire al pensiero: « non conchiudere »,se la
premessa è posta? Si può dire alla storia:« non gravitare »,se l'impulso è
dato? Idivieti dello Stato non fermeranno la storia, come i divieti del
sacerdozio non fermarono ilpensiero. Vo'mettere
sottogliocchidelcancellieretedescoedeisenatoriitaliani quattro secoli di storia
dell'antico senato romano, cioè la rapida succes sione democratica di
quattordici generazioni, dal 260 di Roma al 684, af 91. sponso sopra
l'imperatore Caracalla e per il responso lasciare la vita, come già Spuso Carisio
per la legge agraria sulla rupe Tarpea (1). I Tribuni, i Pretorie i
Giureconsulti, venuti dopo di quelli, arrivarono in ritardo, perchè altro ai
tempi nostri è il contenuto dell'equità, altro il metodo, altri ne sono i rap
presentanti. Ora questo è chiaro: mentre da Papirio a Papiniano si svolge il
tipo del giureconsulto,non appariscono in Roma scrittori po litici. In Tacito
comincia, declinando lo Stato, ad apparire la finchè si accorgano che gli
strappi non sono concessioni e che la gravita zione storica è continua. Sino
all'anno 260 di R o m a che è la plebe rispetto al patriziato? II senato, le
cariche religiose e civili, il comando degli eserciti, il dominio ne' comizii
curiati e centuriati, tutto è dei patrizii. Il plebeo che non può campar la vita
dal ricolto o col magro bottino,è destinato a diventar d e bitore del patrizio,
ad essergli venduto per aes et libram, a farglişi nexus o addictus.
Ciònonèlungamentecomportevole. Iplebeisiritiranoinarmisul l'Aventino e
ottengono due magistrati proprii, i tribuni. Iltribuno nacque come
re:sacroecoldrittodiveto.Ilvetofu tri bunizio e destinato a farsi regio, perchè
allora doveva essere limite all'ari stocrazia, oggi alla democrazia.
L'attentato alla vita del tribuno era cri mine capitale.La formula è in Livio:Caput
Jovi sacrum. Il veto e l'inviolabilità del tribuno furono concessioni? I
costretti vol lero parere e chiamarsi provvidenti. Una generazione appresso
(anno 292diRoma)laplebefaintendereche non vale un magistrato proprio senza una
legge comune e spiegata.Quindi, la mezza generazione che corre dal 292 al 303,è
occupata da due decem virati, destinati alla compilazione delle dodici tavole,
ispirate alla triplice necessità:promulgatio;libertasaequanda;provocatio ad
popolum.Ecco, la legge è scritta, è promulgata, non è più un segreto patrizio
che erompe, come responso,dall'atrium,è aperta la viadelpontificatomassimo ad
un plebeo,a Tiberio Coruncanio. Fu concessione? Tacito accenna neque
decemviralis potestas ultra biennium,e Livio spiega quanta plebe in armi è
dietro Virginio e quanta se ne accampa sul monte Sacro. L’impulso è dato, la
gravitazione è in ragion diretta della massa. Nel medesimo anno 305, in che
precipita il decemvirato, la tegge delle dodici Fu concessione o strappo?
92 93 politica; m a lo storico prevale anche in Tacito, perchè
siamo ancora discosti dalla catastrofe. tavole è sorpassata dalla legge Valeria
Orazia. Iplebisciti,proclamati ob bligatori per tutti,obbligano ilSenato.La
formula è in Livio: Ut,quod tributim plebesjussisset,populum teneret. La
conseguenza è immediata: una plebe legislatrice può imparentare col patriziato.
Ed ecco Canulejo tribuno, quattro anni dopo,nel 309 di Roma, sorpassa la
seconda volta le dodici tavole,spezza iriparitralecaste,pro clama il connubium
patrum et plebis, incrocia, confonde, mescola i ceti. Concessione niente,fu
sedizione audace e flagrante: seditiomatrimo niorum dignitate, ut plebei cum
patriciis jungerentur. Lo strappo è net tamente stabilito nel primo Libro di
Floro: Tumultus in monte Janiculo, duce Canulejo tribuno plebis, exarsit. Il
senato non voleva, m a la plebe exarsit. Potrà, or dunque, il plebeo salire
anche al consolato? Potrà sentirsi il rumore de'fasci in casa plebea? Si
chiamino pure tribuni militari,ma la dignità consolare è divisa.Tacito
scrive:Neque tribunorum militum jus consulare diu valuit;perchè,dopo
unalottaquarantenne,ladignitàcon solare,ripreso il vecchio nome,non si limita
ai vecchi uomini. Fattasi l'eguaglianza negli onori, è tempo che si proclami
l'aequanda libertas, l'eguaglianza anche innanzi al diritto punitivo. Ed
ecco,due anni dopo l'istituzione del tribunato militare, nell'anno di Roma
311,nasce il Censore che può notare d'infamia il plebeo e il senatore, il
console ed il cavaliere, l'uom privato e il magistrato pubblico. La formula di
codesta parità leggesi in Ascanio, Divinatio in Caecilium. « Hi prorsus cives
sicnotabant,ut qui Senator esset,ejiceretursenatu;quiequesromanus, equum
publicum perderet; qui plebeius, in tabulas Ceritum referretur et aerarius
fieret ». Livio ammonisce nel libro sesto che non ci furono concessioni. Dopo
le discordiae sedatae per dictatorem ci dice CONCESSUM ab nobilitate plebi de
consule plebeio ! R o m a, c h e, d i l a r g a n d o il d i r i t t o, d e m o
c r a t i z z a l a r e p u b b l i c a e s a l e v e r s o l'aequanda
libertas,èinexpugnabile;Roma,chenellospaziodidue ge - E si vien chiarendo
insieme al disegno di questo libro, che, cioè, mentre grandeggia lo Stato
romano, e come re publica e come impero, fiorisce il giureconsulto; e più il
dominio si dilarga, più si fa universale l'intelletto del giu reconsulto, e più
n’esce universale il responso, dal patrizio al plebeo,
all'italiano, all'uomo. È vano cercare lo scrittore politico in questi secoli
di grandezze e di gloria: il politico non sarà mai contemporaneo del
giureconsulto. Mentre la gran politica sarà nel patriziato e sarà pratica di
governo, non sarà scritta. Disfatti gli Stati italiani e nata, di contro ai
grandi stati e u ropei che si formavano,l'esigenza di uno Stato stabile, quale
nerazioni, dal 200 al 311, ha posto di contro al patriziato il tribuno, la
legge decem virale, la legge Valeria Orazia, la legge Canuleja, i tribuni
militari ed i censori, non può, nelle due generazioni dopo l'istituzione
censoria, nel 354,essere distrutta da'Galli Senoni; ma, uccisa nelle vie, esce
rinata dal Campidoglio. Senno patrizio e valore plebeo, concordi, la rifeceru.
Usciti dal Campidoglio, per comun valore, occorre che l'aequanda li
bertasabbialasuanormacerta,temperatricedelcertojussummum, sta bilita nelle
dodici tavole. Ed a tale uopo, una generazione appresso (387), sorge, come
speciale magistratura, il pretore che col quadruplice editto piega, corregge e
integra il diritto stretto nella giustizia pretoria. M a Roma,un secolo appresso,è
già capitale d'Italia,ed un secolo in punto appresso (488) accanto al pretore
urbano viene a sedere il pretore pere grino: due alte magistrature che si
suppliscono a vicenda e che di patri zie si fanno popolane non per concessioni,
ma per terribili strappi ehe dentro sono discordie civili, e fuori la guerra
sociale, onde Italia, a conto di Vellejo Patercolo, vide sopra campi italiani,
in meno di un anno,uccisi più di trecento mila italiani che seppero,morendo,
tramandare ai super stiti il dominium ex jure Quiritium. Perchè, dunque,
codesto dritto quiritario di patrizio divenisse popolare, e di romano divenisse
italico, quante grazie, quante concessioni di patrizii
sceserospontaneesullapleberomanaesu'popoliitalici?– Ricordisipiut tosto la
storia della Lex Plautia (De civitate), e lascino stare le conces sioni e le
grazie. E quando,superate le discordie civili e la guerra sociale, noi ci tro
viamo tra le armi di Mario e di Silla e vediamo Montesquieu torcere lo sguardo
da queste ire implacabili tra due titani, dobbiamo noi imitare la pietà che
inspirava lo Spirito delle leggi? La critica storica è crudele:passa
tra'cadaveri romani e vuol sapere perchè Silla fu'na di sangue latino. Silla
preoccupa il ten'ativo di Giuliano 94 - 95 che si fosse, in
Italia, sorgono ed eccellono, sopra tutti gli altri, gli scrittori politici.
Allora il diritto non istà da sè, m a cade in servigio delle due tristi
necessità che hanno a fare lo Stato: la forza e la frode. I glossatori
abbondano, ma il giureconsulto non verrà cortemporaneo degli scrittori
politici.E più gli Stati rovinano, e più la politica si rifugia ne' libri.
l'apostata: l'uno vuol rifare l'aureola attorno al vecchio senato, come l'altro
intorno ai crani de'vecchi Dei. Ma,come Giuliano, dopo aver cac ciato dalla sua
sede S. Attanasio e altri vescovi, non rialzò l'Olimpo, così Silla,dopo avere
abbattuto la plebe, compressi i tribuni, abbassati i cava lieri e disciolte le
assemblee tribute, non potè rialzare il vecchio senato. Perciò, dopo cinque
anni, abbandono la dittatura, cioè abbandonò Roma alle leggi storiche. Tal
significato ha l'abdicazione di Silla, e tale a m m o nimento ne deriva al
Senato, che nè per colpi di Stato, nè per reazioni si rifà l'antico potere. E
pure la generazione che ha combattuto la guerra sociale, nella quale fu
stabilito il dirittoitalico, la guerra civile non riuscita a rialzare il vec
chio senato, è destinata a combattere due guerre servili e la guerra gla
diatoria, ordinata in apparenza a rialzare l'antico patriziato sul cadavere di
Spartaco. M a si guardi che, se la guerra sociale è per il diritto italico, la
guerra servile, che chiude il lavoro della medesima generazione, è pel jus
humanım: si guardi Spartaco morire combattendo, senza domandare quar tiere o
tregua: si pensi s'ei non aspetti qualcuno dietro di lui, e se egli non senta
che il vecchio patriziato non si rialzerà sul suo cadavere. Il senato non
concede mai nulla e non riesce mai ad arrestare la d e m o crazia; lo strappo
rende popolare quel ch' era diritto patrizio, italico il dirittoromano,umano
ildirittoitalico.Ilsenatochehacredutodivincere la guerra servile, è già servo:
At Romae ruere in servitium consules, patres,equites! - Siamo innanzi ad
un mondo nuovo e senza nessuna concessione del Senato ! Bene o male? Rispondo
che fu quel che doveva essere. Inevitabile era il cammino della plebe sino alla
proclamazione, in Roma, dell'equità umana che doveva dalle nazioni vinte
esseretoltacontroRoma vincitrice. Io doveva dimostrare che tutto fu preso e
niente concesso e che la grande politica del patriziato romano non consisteva
soltanto nel cedere, sembrando concedere, ma nel preoccupare quel ch'era
inevitabile nello svolgimento dell'equità: onde leggi democratiche si trovano
più volte sotto l'auspicio di uomini consolari e di nomi patrizii.
96 - Quando lo Stato è in sul ricomporsi, e la rinascenza ita liana, che
in parte ha fatto e in parte prepara le tre grandi ri voluzioni europee la
germanica, l'inglese e la francese volge al suo compimento,allora abbiamo la
sintesi degli accor gimenti co' responsi, della politica col diritto, e sorgono
i giure consulti politici che sono filosofi della storia. Il giureconsulto è il
tipo latino, il politico è u o m o della rina scenza, il giureconsulto politico
è uomo moderno. Il primo è la pura esigenza dell’equità,m a dell'equità
astratta, perchè il mondo romano era transito dal civismo ellenico all'in
dividualismo germanico, e non riusciva a contemperare i due termini, perché il
transito non è la sintesi. Il secondo simula il diritto, in cui traveste la
forza e la fede, perchè meglio che a far l'uomo mira a rifare lo Stato. Il
terzo che vien dopo l'evoluzione intera del civismo e dell'individualismo,
riesce a contemperare i due termini e,rispetto ai mezzi,a comporre la politica
col diritto, secondo la misura dei tempi e dei luoghi. Questo sentimento
dell'equità,che,diffuso da Roma nel mondo faceva la grandezza di Roma e poi la
rovina, questo medesimo ricostruivala centro del cristianesimo che era una
nuova esi genza dell'equità, cioè non tra' cittadini e tra le nazioni, m a tra
gl'individui. Perciò il mondo germanico potė diffondere il cristianesimo, non
accentrarlo. E, quando il concetto dell'equità avrà superato anche il cri
stianesimo, Roma proclamerà la laicità dello Stato. Ora seguiamo il genio di R
o m a attraverso i periodi dei giu reconsulti. Ferrari vide che il
progresso umano è una risul tante del corso e ricorso, della rivoluzione e
reazione, e che questa risultante è significata nella storia dalla soluzione.
La rivoluzione e la reazione hanno per premessa la preparazione e per
corollario la soluzione. Questo è il circolo sillogistico di Ferrari.– Ma nè
questi circoli si concatenano, nè ci lasciano vedere dove vanno, nè l'autore
vuole che si guardi fuori e so pra il circolo, dentro il quale l'uomo
fatalmente si trova. I cir coli di Ferrari, salvo il criterio della misura, del
quale si ha da tenere gran conto, ci lasciano poi innanzi al destino u m a no
ciechi,come i circoli di Machiavelli. Vico, denominando le epoche e
connettendone la successione, ci promette più larga notizia del nostro cammino,
e poi riesce a chiudersi egli stes so dentro i circoli suoi. Ad ogni modo,
noverando i periodi del diritto romano,è im possibile dimenticare Vico che non
può oggi, come allora, vivere straniero e sconosciuto nella sua patria. Nessun
genio compendio più dolorosamente la sua storia. Tutti oggi ripetia m o a coro
gli errori di Vico, e ci pare grandezza perdonargli la sua teologia e le
applicazioni storiche troppo ristretle al mondo romano, e non vogliamo sapere
che la teologia di Vico è quasi di continuo una naturale teologia del genere
umano,la quale va a confondersi con l'antropologia, e che il mondo
romano,apparso universale,potė parere nel tempo un disegno reale di una storia
universale eterna. Io non so se sia più n a turale la teologia di Vico o più
teologica la natura di Herder m a vedo chiaro che, se Herder entra innanzi a
Vico nell'esi genza del naturalismo storico come metodo, resta assai indie tro
rispetto al contenuto. In Vico c'è più sostanza scientifica, perchè i
presupposti teologici e metafisici sono in ciascun libro della scienza nuova
superati dal naturalismo italiano che, oc cupando la filosofia della storia, fa
Vico l'ultimo titano della rinascenza. Vico celebra la teologia ed è fatto
naturalista dal genio italiano;Herder invoca la natura ed è fatto metafisico
dal genio tedesco. Tengasicontodiquesteavvertenze:cheVico,ponendo Ba cone
accanto a Platone ed a Tacito, poneva l'induzione sul contenuto classico; che
l'induzione, prima di apparire teorica in Bacone, era stata teorica e prutica
in Galileo e nella sua scuola;che venir dopo Galileo e Bruno in Italia
significava portare nella storia le leggi della natura, come aveva tentato la
medesima scuola di Galileo; e che in questo compito doveva concludersi lo
spirito della rinascenza. Perciò, sebbene Vico una volta appena tocchi di
campagne, di cielo, di acque, di zone e di mutua influenza di nazioni, pure
mette di natura nel suo li bro quanta ce n'è nell'uomo, dal senso
all'intelletto, guardando in Lucrezio e presentendo Darwin.– Non c'è,dunque,da
per donargli la teologia, m a da intendere pensatamente che cosa sono in lui la
teologia naturale e la teologia civile. Queste due parole sono reminicenze
della scuola privata; ma il contenuto messovi dal Vico è della scuola italiana.
Quanto all'applicazione, Vico e Ferrari furono tirati ad o p postissimi errori,
l'uno dal difetto dell'erudizione contempo ranea, l'altro dalla mancanza di
sistema. Vico neglesse i p o poli storici o li trasse tutti dentro R o m a,
Ferrari portò i suoi periodi anche ai popoli estrastorici, dove cioè m a n c a
la vita e l'intelletto della storia. 98 Vico noverð tre
epoche del diritto e della procedura e, tro vatele in R o m a, conchiuse averle
trovate in tutte le nazioni. Nella prima epoca il diritto è divino e tutto
involuto nella ra gione degli auspicii,che presso i popoli gentili tien lungo
del la rivelazione, onde Iddio privilegið prima gli Ebrei e poi i cri stiani.
Nella seconda epoca il diritto è nell'equità civile che è ragion di Stato,
della quale il Senato romano fu custode sa piente e geloso. Nella terza il
diritto è nell'equità naturale che è ragion comune, esercitata dalle
repubbliche popolari e dalle monarchie umane. A questi periodi del diritto
rispondono altrettanti della pro cedura. La quale, mentre il diritto è divino,“si
esercita, Dio auspice e testimone, ne' giudizii divini. Quando il diritto è p o
litico, la procedura è nella scrupolosa esattezza delle formole e delle parole
giudiziarie e contrattuali, talchè il diritto paia più nelle parole,che negli
uomini.Quando,in ultimo,ildiritto viene a combaciare con l'equità naturale, la
procedura diviene una logica tutta'intesa al vero de' fatti, governata
dall'intel letto e interpretata dall'equanimità.Quindi,icorpi jeratici go
vernano prima, poi gli eroici, in ultimo gli uomini modesti ed equanimi. Vico
trova questa successione di epoche nella natura u m a na, poi in Roma, poi,
perchè nella natura dell'uomo e nella storia di Roma,nel mondo. R o m a,
l'urbs, la città per eccellenza, la città universale, gli è sostrato al disegno
di una storia universale. Ma,sollevata a questo vertice di universalità,
avviene che prima perde R o m a 'la sua particolare fisonomia in quella delle
altre nazioni, poi le altre, e senza serbarne traccia,la perdono in Roma.Non ci
si lascia scorgere e neppure intravedere la ragione, onde certe leggi, certi
istituti, e magistrati, e carattere ed imprese, furono romani, affatto romani,
non trovabili fuori e dopo R o m a, ne perchè certi altri uomini e fatti e
leggi non sono trovabili in R o m a. È conseguenza di una filosofia della
storia, fondata sulla 99 troppo comune natura delle nazioni,
nella quale spariscono le differenze. Perché il tribuno, perchè il pretore e il
giureconsulto v e g gonsi in Roma e non fuori,perchè nascono dalla lotta romana
e non dalla greca e dalla germanica, perché il responso come ufficio, come
valore e forma, permane latino e non è mai supe rato nè imitato, tutto questo
che importa sapere, non vi si dice da Vico. Non vi poteva esser detlo, perchè
Vico investiga la comune natura delle nazioni e non le differenze, e la
investiga nella mente che è comune,non nel dato etnografico e geogra fico che,
modificandola, spiega le leggi della successione e della varietà. Se
vogliamo,dunque,le epoche storiche del diritto romano, del romano e non di
altro, bisogna cercarle nella propria sto ria di Roma, espressione del genio
romano. Non è facile l'esatta partizione de' periodi del diritto ro mano; non è
facile almeno rispetto a tutte le sue parti:perchè,se il diritto pubblico si
muove insieme con lo Stato e si trasmuta secondo le tre epoche apparenti della
costituzione politica di R o m a, non si può dire il medesimo del diritto
privato,di cui le divisioni meno apparenti sembrano assai più lente, più
consentanee ad una legge continua di evoluzione. Nondimeno abbiamo susficienti
criterii per ridurre a tre clas si gli storici che espongono i periodi
principali del diritto r o mano. Gli storici che, secondo una dottrina di Vico,
dividono le età di un popolo come quelle di un uomo, accettano una divisione
fatta con lieve differenza - da Gibbon e da Hugo. Allora la storia del diritto
romano vien divisa secondo i periodi d'infanzia, di giovinezza, di virilità e
di vecchiezza. Gli storici che considerano il diritto come una funzione dello
Stato e veg gono il diritto privato procedere dal diritto pubblico, dividono i
periodi del dritto secondo i momenti della costituzione politica
diRoma.Allora,lastoriadeldirittoromano nella monarchia, nella repubblica e
nell'impero. Questa divisione pare accettata 100 dall'Ortolan
che presume derivare la storia del diritto romano dalla storia del popolo.In
ultimo, gli storici che studiano lo svolgimento del diritto romano nella
missione peculiare che il diritto ha potuto avere nel mondo e nel genio di
Roma, divi dono i periodi del diritto secondo i momenti dell'equità. Allora il
primo periodo lo dicono conchiuso dalla venuta del pretore urbano, il secondo
da Augusto, il terzo da Costantino. Questa partizione, posta da Hulzio, è di
molto valore in sé, m i viziata nell'applicazione dall'autore istesso per
difetto di filosofia e di critica storica. Non mancano alcune divisioni fatte
secondo le condizioni e conomiche e morali di Roma,ma di lieve conto, perchè
sono le più incerle ed arbitrarie. È nostro compito – confutate che avremo le
due prime divisioni – recare a perfezione la terza. 101 La prima
divisione de' periodi pecca di troppa generalità. Anche ammesso che la vita
dell'uomo sia divisibile in quattro periodi isocroni e che tutti e quattro col
medesimɔ isocroni smo siano applicabili alla storia, n'uscirà sempre una curva
co m u n e a tutte le nazioni, nella quale non appare il profilo di ciascuna.Nè
questa curva lascia scurgere il transito dall'un all'altro periodo. Se le date
che hanno da fissare questi pis saggi non sono determinabili con esattezza
nell'in lividuo, chi potrà affermare con certezza, qui finisce l'adolescenza di
un p o polo e comincia la giovinezza? Quindi, vengon fuori quelle di visioni
arbitrarie, nate piuttosto a comodo di una scuola o di una cronologia
convenzionale, che delle intenzioni effettive della storia.Ecco, infatti,come
procede questa scuola dell'isocronismo, che porta nella storia romana l'età
dell'uom).Prende tredici se c o l i i n R o m a, d a l l a f o n d a z i o n e
a G i u s t i n i a n o, e li r o m p e i n q u a t tro parti quasi uguali, di
trecento in trecento anni, e denomina ciascuna parte da una delle quattro età
dell'uom ). L'infanzia del diritto romano dura dalla fondazione di Roma alle
dodici tavole; la giovinezza, dalle dodici tavole a Cesare; la virilità,dia
Cesare ad Alessandro Severo;la vecchiezza, da Alessandro Severo a
Giustiniano. L'infanzia sarebbe la monarchia, i primi consoli e
iprimitribuni;lagiovinezza,tuttalarepubblica,dalla promul gatio sino alla
riapparizione di quella che Livio chiama Vetus Regia L e x s i m u l c u m u r
t e n a t a; la virilità e la v e c c h i e z z a s a r e h bero tutto
l'Impero,da cotesta tanto contrastata Regia Lex sino al Codex Iustinianeus. M a
ciascun vede che i transiti sono estrin seci ed arbitrarii, e non lascian
vedere le necessità intime che governano la successione de'periodi.Nė appare
perchè invano Giustiniano si sforza, con cinque tentativi, di stringere il
cristia nesimo sotto le leggi romane spirito nuovo in vecchia cor teccia – nè
come il Cristianesimo si vien costruendo la sua più naturale espressione
giuridica nelle leggi germaniche e nel gius canonico. La divisione pui
de'periodi giuridici, fatta sulla successione della costituzione politica,è
fatta davvero grossamente, e non ci lascia vedere né i momenti principali della
repubblica, nè i pe riodi che si succedono nell'istesso impero. È certo che,
mutata la costituzione politica,non è soltanto mutata la forma di go verno,ma
dev'essersimutatoinsiemeilcontenutodeldiritto pubblico, e, conseguentemente,
del privato, sebbene la conse guenza non si mostri immediatamente; m a nessuno
può affer mare che cotesti trasmutamenti non avvengano durante appa rentemente
una medesima forma politica.Se l'epoca di Alessandro Severo può dividere in due
periodi l'impero, perché la legge Publilia che dichiara popolare la repubblica,
e la legge Petelia che libera la plebe dal diritto feudale rustico del carcere
privato, non varranno, secondo la mente di Vico, a designare tanta di stanza
tra repubblica e re ubblica, quanta forse non se ne trova tra Tarquinio e Bruto?
Ma si faccia questa considerazione che è la più intensa e la meglio
dichiarativa, nella storia, della successione de'fenomeni civili e
politici.Nell'ordine ideale ed effettuale delle cose umane, la successione
de'periodi politici determina e spiega la succes sicne de'periodi giuridici, o,
per contrario, la successione dei - 102 periodi del diritto
dichiara e prestabilisce la successione de'pe riodi
politici?L'homessainteralaformadelladomanda,perchè la risposta erompa da sè.
Sebbene nella storia il diritto e la politica, la ragione del l'uomo e la
ragion di Stato, si presentino come due concetti, due forze, e - mi sia lecito
a dire – due istituti avversi, e la politica sembri nata per comprimere il
diritto, ed il diritto per urtare e trascendere gli ordinamenti politici, pure,
in fondo ed in ultimo, la forma dello Stato finisce per dischiudersi alla nuova
esigenza del diritto. Così sempre: se un nuovo bisogno vien determinando una
nuova idea del diritto, già si sente per l'aria il fremito di una rivoluzione;
e se uno Stato nuovo sorge ad occupare questa nuova concezione giuridica,
appena nato, già tende a cristallizzarla ed a mozzarne le illazioni. Tutto ciò
può esser vero; m a pur si vede e s'intende che la nuova forma di Stato, quale
che sia, s'è venuta organando intorno a quel nuovo concetto del diritto. Per
non far, dunque, irrazionali ed astrologici i mutamenti politici, noi dobbiamo
affermare che l'ordine naturale delle cose c'impone di non derivare dalle forme
successive dello Stato i periodi del diritto, m a dall'evolu zione della
coscienza giuridica i periodi politici. Perciò scrissi e ripeto che ne'periodi
politici del Ferrari ammiro la genialità del pensiero e i germi dischiusi del
natura lismo italiano; ma sono periodi,ai quali mancano le premesse. Si
potrebbe rispondere che per queste ragioni appunto i mutamenti politici
andrebbero intesi come segni esteriori e certi dei periodi del diritto. No -
ripeto per due chiare ragioni: l'una, che per questa via si viene a rendere
equivoco il pro cesso della storia, potendosi assai facilmente scambiare le
cause con gli effetti, e scambiare il diritto che promuove il muta mento
politico, con la legge che ne consegue; e l'altra, che verrebbero a mancare i
criterii per distinguere i veri dagli a p parenti mutamenti politici e le rivoluzioni
politiche dalle sor prese settarie e da'tumulli più o meno rumorosi e vuoti.
Un 103 104 mutamento politico è reale e durevole, se
determinato da una nuova concezione giuridica;e,quando no,sidilegua,lasciando
tracce di sangue, non d'istituzioni. Occorre,dunque,come si è detto,seguire lo
svolgimento del diritto romano nella missione peculiare che il diritto ha
potuto avere nel mondo e nel genio di Roma,e però dividere i pe riodi del
diritto secondo i momenti dell'equità, onde procedono le successive forme della
costituzione politica di R o m a. Facciamo parlare i fatti. Perchè in R o m a
si passa dalla m o narchia alla repubblica e poi all'impero? Se rispondesi che
Tarquinio potè estinguere il potere regio come Cesare rifarlo, si viene a
conchiudere che l'origine e la rovina delle istituzioni sono in balia di un
uomo. Una storia cosi fatta non c'è, nè c'è oggi chi torni a narrarla. Se
Tarquinio potè finire il regno, perché l'impero non cessó in Domiziano, quando
praecipua miseriarum pars erat videri et adspici? Altro, dunque, che la ferocia
e la clemenza di un principe, di un sacerdote, di un capitano occorre per
determi nare e spiegare la vita o la morte delle istituzioni politiche.
Lasciamo a Voltaire la facilità di dimenticare le premesse del suo saggio
su'costumi e sullo spirito delle nazioni, per affer mare che il delirio di un
Cucupietre potè iniziare il periodo delle crociate, e gl'insidiosi interessi di
monaci il periodo della riforma. Quanto a Roma,il vero si è che la reazione di
Tar quinio mal poteva resistere ad una nuova esigenza giuridica, adombrata già
dalla favola, che i Commentarii di Servio Tullio erano destinati a passare
nelle mani di Giunio Bruto. Questo mito de'Commentarii era tutta una tradizione
che diceva tra gli scritti di Servio Tullio essersi trovato nientemeno tutto
intero il disegno di una costituzione repubblicana; che questo non era soltanto
un disegno,ma un proposito di Servio; che questo proposito appunto gli era
costata la vita; e che non dimeno disegno e proposito erano passati da Servio
Tullio a Giunio Bruto. C'è, a primo intuito, qualche cosa in
questa tradizione, la quale è assai più scientifica, che non una repubblica
esplosa dalla superbia di Tarquinio, dalla fatuità di Bruto e dal cada vere di
Lucrezia. La tradizione si fonda sopra questi dati di fatto: che la prima
monarchia di Roma non somiglia a nessun'altra delle monar chie antiche e
moderne,ed è,conforme al genio di Roma,una istituzione giuridico-militare; che,
secondo questo carattere ori ginario e primordiale di R o m a, il diritto è una
continua ten denza verso il suo natural fine che è l'equità; e che però i
periodi nella evoluzione dell'equità devono essere i periodi sto rici del
diritto romano. Ora,se il diritto inRoma sorge come istinto o genio di tutti da
una parte, e dall'altra come sapienza privilegiata di un or dine, di quello
cioè che si reputa destinato a conoscere e cu stodire le leggi, quale potrà
essere il vero primo momento del l'equità? Suttrarre la legge al mistero,
sottrarre la sapienza al privilegio, far la legge nota a tutti: promulgatio.
Questa esi genza come diritto crea la repubblica; come legge, succede al
decemvirato. Quindi, il primo momento dell'equità è l'equità formale, la
promulgalio, ma necessaria, perchè dalla forma si passi alla sostanza. L'ignoto
sfugge all’equità. E questa necessità sa liente a traverso il periodo regio
spiega la tradizione de' C o m mentarii di Servio, la reazione del Superbo, la
fine della m o narchia sotto questa reazione, l'avvenimento della repubblica col
disegno di Servio passato a Bruto, e primo prodotto della repubblica il Tribuno
che a sua volta produce la promulgatio. In fatti, quanto tempo corre dal
regifugium alla promulgatio? Ben sessant'anni vi corrono, e tra queste due
generazioni sorge in mezzo il tribuno. Accanto al cadavere di Gneo Genunzio
sono possibili le rogazioni di Publilio Valerone, di Terentillo Arsa, di Siccio
Dentato, sino alla istituzione de'Decemviri le gibus scribundis. 105 €
Olitiche er io udo del gurt zione is ienterne cara 6; di Sem o chen Tulli
e 106 - Quando si domanda che è la legge scritta e promulgata, si
risponde che è l'eguale notizia della legge. E codesta egualità è l'equità
prima e rudimentale, è il primo aequum bonum, ė la prima aequitas spectanda, è
la prima libertas aequanda, è il primo poter dire formalmente summis infinisque
jura aequare. Formalmente ancora,anzi appena,ma quanto costa questa prima
equità,senza della quale nessun'altra sarà possibile,quante secessioni della
plebe, ed un tribuno ucciso malgrado il caput Jovi sacrum intimato
all'uccisore, e finalmente la figura tipica di Cincinnato, intervenuto ad
equilibrare le parti nella lotta d e cennale tra l'istituzione del Decemvirato
e la promulgazione delle prime dieci tavole ! La promulgazione, primo grado dell'equità
formale, appunto perchè tale, può far tanta ingiuria al fine ed alla natura del
l'equità, da rilevare la contraddizione nella parola istessa. A l lora il
patriziato può inventare una parola nuova, inciderla in una colonna, e la
colonna alzare nell'area, dov'erano le case distrutte di un plebeo
ucciso.AEQUIMELIUM:ecco la nuova pa rola che annunzia in tuono di sfida la
contraddizione tra il fatto e la forma. Questa contraddizione dichiarata tra la
legge nota a tutti e favorevole a pochi, questa spinge al secondo momento
dell'e quità formale, all'eguaglianza di tutti innanzi alla legge. Questa
seconda equità sforza a tenere equilibrato conto delle condi zioni o
circostanze che accompagnano i fatti e le persone, gli effetti e le intenzioni,
affinchè la parità innanzi alla legge sia reale. Ecco il Pretore. L'editto
prelorio è da prima l'equità ne'casi particolari, è, ciò che dev'essere
l'eguaglianza innanzi alla legge, l'equità particolareggiata. Forse
l'avvenimento del Pretore è un fenomeno puramente giuridico o giudiziario in
disparte dalla vita politica di R o m a? È il prodotto della più
travagliosa politica, determinata dalla più grande evoluzione giuridica della
coscienza romana. II Pretore sorge,quando ai Decemviri legibus scribundis sono
suc 107 ceduti i Decemviri sacris faciundis, cioè quando il diritto
augu rale è passato dal patriviato alla plebe,quando ai tribuni con solari
patrizii si contrappongono le rogazioni licinie, quando la plebe sale ad
occupare il consolalo, la dittatura, il diritto cen sorio ed ogni magistratura
curule, quando le ragioni pubļilie ci avvisano che la republlica di
aristocratica è fatta democratica: eguaglianza di tutti innanzi alla legge.
Costituitosi l'istituto pretorio, si risolve un gran problema sociale e s'inizia
un nuovo periodo politico. Il problema sociale, risolutosi nella quarta
secessione della plebe e per la dittatura di Valerio Corvo, è la liquidazione
dei debiti e la divisione dell'agro pubblico. Il pericdo politico che
s'inizia,è l'unificazione d'Italia.Il periodo unitario è annun ziato dalla
prima guerra sannitica. Tra l'unificazione d'Italia e l'unificazione di tutti
sudditi dell'impero fioriscono tutt'i grandi giureconsulti, onde si onora e
perpetua la sapienza latina, Elio,Catone, Scevola, Servio Sul
picio,Labeone,Sabino,Giuliano,Gajo,Papiniano,Paolo,Ulpiano, Perciò,
quando Vico avvisa che con la legge Publilia e con la Petelia tra gli anni 416
e 419 di R o m a si passa dalla libertà signorile istituita da Giunio Bruto
alla repubblica popolare,ebbe presente Livio: Quum tamen per dictatorem datae
discordiae sunt, concessumque ab nobilitate plebi de con sule plebeio, a plebe
nobilitati de proetore uno, qui jus in urbe diceret,ex Patrilus creando.- Ed
ecco l'origine politica del pretore, la quale dichiara questo processo della
storia romana: 1° esigenza giuridica rogazioni licinie; 2° mutamento poli tico
repubblica popolare; 3° legge conditionibus se Se questo non fosse stato il
processo della storia, e la legge non indicasse il mutamento politico, e questo
non indicasse un periodo compiuto della coscienza giuridica, si continuerebbe a
costruire una storia romana su'fasti femminei, e si direbbe che con Lucrezia
cadde la monarchia, con Virginia il Decemvirato, e con una Fabia la repubblica
signorile. editto pretorio. Sopra ogni altro è celebrato il responso di
Papiniano,perchè più universale, e la cui ultima parola coincide con
l'imperiale costituzione della cittadinanza universale. Il responso di Papirio,
venuto prima del periodo unitario, e quelli di Ermogene, di Gregorio, di
Triboniano e di Teofilo, arrivati con la decadenza, non ritraggono l'ufficio
dell'equità romana. Ma codesta equità che di formale tende a farsi sostanziale,
e da Roma si espande per l'Italia e dall'Italia nel mondo, è veramente l'equità
u m ina? ha assunto l'ultima espressione nel responso di Papiniano? percið vive
ancora, interrogata e cele brata in tutti gli Atenei del mondo? il mondo,
insomma,studia il diritto romano),perchè fu davvero umano? S Modestino.
Più si dilata l'unificazione e più universaleggia il responso; e, come più il
responso si fa universale, più ancora l'equità penetra dalla forma nel
contenuto. A noi conviene esaminare partitamente i tre grandi periodi
dell'equità in R o m a. N e rimarrà illustrata la storia della nostra antica
grandezza. A m e par di avere con sufficiente chiarezza fermata questa
legge storica: che nella successione delle cose civili il m u t a mento
politico framezza tra una nuova esigenza giuridica e la legge scritta. A coloro
che hanno paura di ogni formola, cre dendola una minaccia metafisica o una
nuova invasione scola stica, e non sanno che le formole sono o definizioni
genetiche o espressione di leggi naturali, traduco questa legge storica in
queste espressioni più analitiche: prima si determina un nuovo bisogno ed una
nuova coscienza giuridica; poi Se cosi non procedessero le cose civili,
mancherebbe l'ar tefice della nuova legge, mancherebbe la causa de'mutamenti
politici. Non parlo delle congiure, delle sėtte, de'regicidii e di altre cause
apparenti de'mutamenti politici per non creare a me stesso objezioni puerili a
pretesto di analisi lunghe e volgari: tutti sanno che non c'è effettuale
mutamento politico,se in fondo non ci sia una grande e maturata esigenza
giuridica, la dichia razione di qualche diritto comune lungamente contrastato:
m a non tutti sanno se ogni nuova esigenza giuridica basti a cagio nare un
mutamento politico. - 109 - stenze più o meno travagliose - un mutamento
dopo resi politico;in ul timo, fica e sancisce dal nuovo potere costituito la
nuova esigenza promana giuridica la legge. che speci causa di
mutamento politico ogni dichiarazione di diritto, che implica una diminuzione
di privilegio nell'ordine domi nante. Cotesta dichiarazione ordinata a
diminuzione di preminenze implica sempre,più o meno, un summis infimisque jura
ae qu ire.Ogni periodo dell'equità, dunque, annunzia un nuovo pe riodo
politico. Sono evidenti le due illazioni: non sono mutamenti politici quelli
non giustificati da una nuova dichiarazione di diritti; non SONO mutamenti
durevoli quelli non prodotti da larga e co sciente dichiarazione di diritti.
Quindi, vi può essere molto sangue civile senza rivoluzione, ed una grande
rivoluzione incruenta. N'emerge evidente non potersi fare la storia giuridica
di un popolo senza la storia della costituzione politica: i periodi sono gli
stessi: le fasi della causa si riscontrano nell'effetto. Nel momento,in che si
passa dalla convivenza gentilizia alla costituzione politica, in R o m a
comincia lo Stato: il m e m b r o della convivenza era gentilis, il membro
della costituzione era civis. Le genti erano Ramnes, Tities, Luceres, Albani,
Sabini, R o mulei; la loro unità civile e militare fece lo Stato. Secondo più o
meno si partecipava della costituzione politica, si era più o meno cittadino:
civis optimo vel non optimo jure; e l'unità fra tutti era personificata dal re,
il quale, come ho detto, era unità giuridico-militare. Come istituzione
giuridica, raccoglieva in sè il potere legislativo e giudiziario;come istitu
zione militare, movea l'esercito e gli agenti esecutivi. Dissi ancora che non
somiglia a nessun altro re antico e m o derno: non era assoluto, perchè la
sovranità era nel popolo;ne costituzionale, perché il suo imperium era
temperato dal genio giuridico di Roma e dagli ordinamenti patrizii, non da un
co stituito potere rappresentativo. È - 110 Se la sovranità era nel popolo,
l'imperium non si poteva esercitare dal re senza una legge curiata de imperio,
una specie di delegazione di sovranità.Mommsen non crede a questa
legge primitiva de imperio e la dice trasportata per errore dalla ele zione
consolare a quella de're. Ho ragione di credere piuttosto a Livio ed a
Cicerone, i quali la deducono dall'istessa natura del potere regio,
dall'essenza dello imperium. Non è lecito dubitare delle tradizioni del giure
pubblico, del quale le for mole si trasmettono letteralmente. Rottosi il potere
regio, l'imperium e conseguentemente la lex de impario, intesa come
investitura, di perpetui divennero annui, cioè passarono dai re ai consoli, che
Cicerone chiama potestas annua jure regia. Le altre magistrature ordinarie che
sorgeranno più tardi, come la censura, l'edilità curule, la pre tura, la
questura, saranno diramazioni del consolato. A voler secondare le tradizioni,
niente è più difficile di co testo passaggio dalla monarchia al consolato.
Secondo Tacito il transito sarebbe stato determinato dalla libertà,cioè dal
proposito di più liberi ordinamenti. LIBERTATEM et consulatum L. Brulus
instituit. Vico non consente, perché la repubblica sopravvenuta fu più
signorile del principato,fu rivolta di patrizii che consen tirono a Bruto
l'istituzione del consolato, non della libertà. C'è più di ragione in Tacito,
perché il passaggio dal principato alla repubblica fu una evoluzione della
legge curiata de imperio, la quale implicava la temporaneità e la
responsabilità del potere. E questi due fattori che la tradizione doveva avere
allogato nei Commentarii di Servio Tullio,passarono al primo Bruto.Non è di
picciol valore la parola annua nella definizione data da Ci cerone alla potestà
consolare, e, come più diminuisce la durata dell'imperium, più cresce la
responsabilità. I re potevano allora, come oggi, rispondere innanzi alle
rivoluzioni ed alla guerra; i consoli, compiuto l'anno, erano esposti, non rei
gerundae caussa sed rei gestae, alle accuse de'loro concittadini. E mi piace di
risermare contro M o m m s e n che non la lex de imperio è una evoluzione della
repubblica, ma la repubblica è una evo luzione della lex dc imperio. E sotto
questo rispetto si può ri 111 petere con Tacito: Libertatem
et consulatum L. Brutus in stituit; s'egli è vero che la temporaneità e la
responsabilità dell'imperium sono i primi fattori della libertà politica.
Quando affermo che l'evoluzione della lex curiata de i m perio mena dalla
monarchia alla tepubblica, io rifermo questo alto principio, che i rivolgimenti
politici sono prima periodi nella evoluzione del diritto. Senza questo
processo, tanto è razionale spiegare l'origine della repubblica romana con una
insurrezione di patrizii, intesi a sostituire l'aristocrazia al
monarcato,quanto era possibile alla congiura de'Baroni rovesciare nel reame di
Napoli il principato, per ricostruire,con prelesto popolare, tutt'i vecchi
ordini feudali. Bisogna quindi rifermare che,come Tacito, usando la parola
libertà nel senso spiegato sopra, ha ragione contro Vico, cosi Livio, riserendo
a tutte le otto generazioni passate attraverso i sette re la lex de imperio,ha
pienamente ragione contro M o m m Se si sposta o si tronca questa tradizione,
l'avvenimento della repubblica esplode, non si spiega. Non è facile spostare
certe tradizioni nè confutare alcune parole dei classici (1). Caduto il
monarcato, contro la mutabilità delle magistrature e l'incertezza delle
deliberazioni popolari rimase, sola istituzione stabile, il senato, già corpo
consultivo, durante il principato, e, nella repubblica, istituto legislativo,
politico ed amministrativo. Il potere amministrativo gli apparteneva intero,
cosi sull'agro pubblico come rispetto ai fondi del pubblico tesoro. Intero gli
(1) Livio e Dionigi d'Alicarnasso ci tramandano quasi l'identica tradi zione
della legge regia. Cicerone ne'libri della Repubblica cura di ripe tere per
ogni elezione di re le parole dette per l'elezione di N u m a P o m pilio:
Quamquam populus curiatis cum comitiis regem esse jusserat, tamen ipse de suo
imperio curiatam legem tulit. La costanza delle pa role di Cicerone indica due
cose: la tenacità delle formole del diritto p u b blico e idocumenti
pubblici,ai quali Cicerone aveva dovuto attingere.Ed io,considerando la legge
curiata come il fondamento di tutto ildiritto p u b blico romano, non solo
stimo il passaggio dalla monarchia alla repubblica essere stata una evoluzione
di questa legge,ma stimo una evoluzione della 112 - sen.
apparteneva il governo della politica estera, per due ragioni: per la
competenza e per il carattere militare dello Stato romano. È vero che tutti gli
Stati sono gelosi e, quando possono, inva denti,e gli Stati antichi più
de'moderni; ma sopra tutti gli antichi e moderni,lo Stato romano,al quale
peregrinus erat hostis, e pax erat pactum, quasi stato di tregua, non di
natura. Quanto alla politica interna ed al potere legislativo, il S e nato li
aveva, partecipe il popolo convocato in comizii, i quali erano istituzioni
giuridico-militari: giuridiche per il fine, mili tari nella forma. Militarmente
il popolo interveniva, quasi exer citus urbanus, e militarmente non discuteva,
m a rispondeva seccamente il suo uti rogas o antiquo. E bene, fu quest'assenza
di discussione dall'assemblee p o polari la grande politica e la gran forza di
Roma, fu il segreto della rapidità nelle deliberazioni, nell'esecuzione, e,
assai volte, il segreto delle vittorie. Si o No. Ferrari, ricordando dall'Amlet
che la discussione tronca il nerbo all'azione, vede l'inferiorità delle
repubbliche quanto alla rapidità dell'azione; m a non vide di quanto la
repubblica romana avanzava per senno politico le repubbliche elleniche, e per
subitezza d'azione tutti gli Stati moderni, compresa l'Inghilterra. Devo
ricordare che questo carattere militare che R o m a m a nifesta sinanco ne'comizii,
questo exercitus urbanus,che ricorda l'exercitus castris, non si dissocia mai
dal genio giuridico di questo popolo agricoltore. Mai da' Romani fu fatta
guerra per medesima iltransito dallarepubblica signorilealla popolare,edallare
pubblica all'impero, quando,per nuove necessità, l'investitura de'poteri passò
dalle magistrature temporanee all'imperatore. Nè dalla filosofia della storia
né da'fonti mi risulta ragione alcuna, per la quale Mommsen possa affermare che
la lex de imperio sia narrazione inventata evidente mente dagli insegnanti di
diritto pubblico ai tempi della repubblica per l o r o f i n i. P e r q u a l i
f i n i? V e d o i n v e c e c h e l ' e r i d e n z a a p p u n t o m a n c a
a l l a s u a affermazione,e che,facendo riposare egli stesso lalegge
curiatasopra con suetudine antichissima,risale con Livio,con Dionigi
d'Alicarnasso e col suo ingiustamente deriso Cicerone,sino ai tempi della prima
monarchia romana) aggressione, more latronum; mai guerra non dichiarata o per
cause ingiuste, bellum iniquum: volevano iustum, purumque duellum; e con
l'intervento de custodi della fede pubblica che erano i feciali, volevano pium
bellum. Popolo belligero questo di Roma, perchè una missione giuridica non fu
compita mai co'sermoni,ma che per questo appunto conobbe ed osservò il diritto
delle genti più che gli altri Stati meno bellicosi,special mente con
l'osservanza massima del rispetto agli ambasciatori. Tutte le formule per la
dichiarazione di guerra ci sono di stesamente tramandate da Livio. Coloniale,quello
de'cittadini romani trapiantati in citta vinta. Cosi lo Stato romano, primo
efficace colonizzatore del mondo, asseguiva due fini: dava stabilità alla
conquista e sgravavasi, in parte, del proletariato urbano. I coloni
conservavano la piena cittadinanza cum suffragio et iure honorum. Municipale
era il diritto civile di un comune non conqui stato,ma ridotto ad
obbedienzaversoRoma,conqualcheobbligo (munus), come o di servizio militare o
d'imposizione tributaria o dell'uno e dell'altra. Municipes erant cives romani
sine suf fragio et iure honorum. Provinciale era proprio il diritto che
avanzava ai vinti.Non più civis né la quasi effigies populi romani, dove
troviamo un populus stipendiarius, un popolo cioè senza cittadinanza, senza
territorio proprio,e spesso senza il commercium.Che è,dunque, che può essere
avanzato ai vinti? Non più di quel che si trova o nella clemenza o nell'ira o
nella convenienza del vincitore. E la convenienza, sotto specie di magnanimità,
prevaleva nel decreto del magistrato delegato ad ordinare la provincia. D u r a
mente Gaio: Quasi quaedam praedia populi romani sunt vecti galia nostra atque
provinciae. Il Mommsen segue Festo non Niebuhr nell'etimologia della parola
provincia, da vincere, sia ) 11'1 Con la guerra il diritto romano
dilargavasi, e risultanze di verse della guerra erano le tre forme che, uscito
di R o m a, il diritto assumeva: coloniale, municipale, provinciale.
poi che pro significhi il procedere de'due eserciti consolari, come piace
a Mommsen, sia che ante,come piacque a Festo. Il certo è che dalla diversa
vittoria si traggono le distinzioni ve dute da Cicerone tra la Sicilia e le
altre provincie. M a per giungere a lutte queste diverse gradazioni del dritto,
suori di Roma,le quali sono effetti diversi della guerra, bi sogna aver
superato il periodo della repubblica aristocratica,di quella immediatamente
succeduta al regno, quando i patrizii avevano tre mezzi per deludere é menomare
della plebe, ed essere entrati nel periodo della repubblica p o polare, quando,
meglio equilibrate le parti, comincia l'epoca dell'unificazione italica. I
mezzi de'patrižii erano la convocatio, l'auctoritas patrum e l’ius augurale. I
patrizii potevano convocare le assemblee e cancellare, per vizio formale, le
deliberazioni popolari; e, quando, convocata l'assemblea, il voto accennava ad
un certo indirizzo, potevano troncarlo, spingendo l'augure - a sciogliere il c
o m i z i o c o n l a f o r m o l a: A l i o d i e: a t e m p o s e n z a m i s
u r a ! I m porta ricordare le parole di Cicerone, DE DIVINATIONE: Fulmen
sinistrum, auspicium optimum habemus ad omnes res, praeter quam ad comitia:
quod quidem institutum reipublicae causa est, ut comitiorum, vel in judiciis
populi, vel in iure legum, vel in creandis magistratibus, principes civitatis
essent interpretes. Ecco, dunque, gl'interpreti de'comizii,principes civitatis;
ed anche il fulmen sinistrum per frustrare il voto diveniva infau stum omen !
La formola,dunque, di Cicerone in DE LEGIBUS: Potestas in populo, auctoritas in
Senatu sit, traducevasi una potestà senza potere. Occorrerà, dunque, qualche
cosa, perchè questa potestà sia potere: occorrerà che trovi in sè l'autorità
sua. Allora è necessario che il popolo abbia certa notizia della procedura,
abbia certezza delle leggi, e che l'ignoto della legge le deliberazioni
115 ufficio patrizio 116 non sirisolva nell'arbitrio
de'principescivitatis.Ed ecco la ne cessità della promulgatio, la quale non
significa tanto notizia quanto certezza delle leggi. Non istiamo a ripetere
quanta lotta costasse la promulgatio, perchè le parole di Livio e di Cicerone
non superano il vero, quando affermano che prima della pubblicazione delle
dodici tavole il diritto civile era riposto ne'penetrali de'pontefici: re
positum in penetralibus pontificum; m a lo superano, quando si tirano sino ai
tempi posteriori alle dodici tavole. Certo che lotta fiera si dovette
combattere per sottrarre il diritto ai penetrali de'pontefici, cioè all'ordine,
cui i pontefici appartenevano, il quale a sua posta governava i comizii con la
convocazione, con l'autorità e col diritto sacro. M a senza bisogno di gran
lotta venne la pubblicazione delle formole procedurali, fatta da Gneo Flavio un
secolo e mezzo dopo le dodici tavole, pubblicazione intesa sotto il nome di ius
civile Flavianum, con la quale la plebe liberavasi dal bisogno di ricorrere e
consultare i ponte fici. Se le formole comprensive non saranno mai oziose, si
può dire cosi: le dodici tavole democratizzano la notizia del diritto; l’ius
civile Flavianum laicizza la procedura e la giuri sprudenza. Doveva costar
lotta la premessa, con la quale apri vasi un periodo storico, non la
conclusione, con la quale chiu devasi. 1 Considerando il significato
della promulgazione, io non posso credere agli scrittori che con beata
semplicità stimano poco de mocratico e niente normale l'ufficio del tribuno in
R o m a. A f fermo invece che le dodici tavole non si sarebbero potute mai
promulgare senza gran lotta contro il patriziato, cui giovava il mistero delle
leggi e segnatamente della procedura, senza della quale le leggi non si
muovono; che questa promulgazione fu strappata in nome della prima equità,della
prima aequanda li bertas, almeno circa la notizia e certezza delle leggi; e che
questa prima equità sarebbe stata ineffabile ed inconseguibile senza la persona
sacra del tribuno. Il tribuno è il risultamento più normale,più naturale
della prima lotta tra il patriziato e la plebe; e non solo senza il tribuno non
s'intenderebbe la p r o mulgatio, ma questa appunto compendia e spiega la più
diretta missione dell'ufficio tribunizio: onde il popolo per conseguirla
sospende nel decennio decemvirale sinanco la provocatio ad populum. Ora, quel
che resta a sapere circa il valore della promulga zione, si è se quiesta prima
equità consista soltanto nella eguale notizia della legge o, insieme, nella
sostanza della legge istessa. (1) Bovio: Saggio critico del diritto penale e
del nuovo fondamento etico. Napoli, 1872. Vedi ancora Corso di Scienza del
Diritto. Napoli, 1877. Scritti filosofici e politici, Napoli, 1883. Cicerone,
incerto sempre tra l'aristocrazia e la democrazia, ma,come tutte le tempre
deboli e gli opinatori saliti in fama, piuttosto blanditore del patriziato,
ecco ciò che fa dire contro il tribunato nel DE LEG.: N a m mihi quidem
pestifera videtur (la potestà de'tribuni), quippe quae in Un occhio alle
dodici tavole chiarirà col fatto questo primo assioma di legislazione positiva:
che, quanto più lato in uno statuto od in un codice è il diritto penale, tanto
più stretta è l'equità civile. E questo spiega da una parte la voce continua
dell'equità:Summum jussummainjuria;edall'altra,questa legge storica d'ogni
legislazione positiva: il dritto penale e l'e quilà civile movonsi nella storia
in ragione inversa (1). Credo avere largamente dimostrato in queste
opere,che,quando si vo glia tener giusto conto de'fenomeni storici e
considerare il valore degli istituti lungamente durati, convien dire che,come
il naturale risultato della lotta tra la monarchia ed il popolo fu il
consolato, cioè la regia potestà annua e responsabile, così il risultato
naturale della lotta tra patriziato e plebe fu il tribunato, per la certezza
de'diritti della plebe.Non solo nulla di anormale troviamo nell'istituzione
tribunizia, la quale non fu mai un ba stone ferreo tra le ruote dello Stato
romano,ma, fattasi popolare la re pubblica, tutte le magistrature troviamo come
una evoluzione della potestà tribunizia. Gl'imperatori dovettero entrare in
questa forma. Tacito pre senta Augusto consulem se ferens et ad tuendam plebem
TRIBUNITIO IURE contentum, e il primo editto di Tiberio tribunitiae potestatis
praescri ptione. Esaminiamo. Cicerone vede il Libellus XII
Tabularum superare le biblioteche di tutt'i filosofi per due ragioni: aucto
ritatis pondere et utilitatis ubertate. Cosi, nel De Oratore. Nei libri della
Repubblica l'entusiasmo sbolle, ed ei condanna gli ultimi decemviri: qui,
duabus tabulis iniquarum legum additis, quibus, etiam quae disjunctis populis
tribui solent, connubia, haec illi ut ne plebei cum patricibus essent
inhumanissima lege sanxerunt. Ma è questa la sola ineguaglianza, onde Cicerone,
ammiratore delle tradizioni, si lasci trasportare sino alla parola
inumanissima? Furono più inumani,più patrizii, più aristocra tici i secondi
decemviri legibus scribundis dei primi? Quando nella III Tavola leggiamo contro
il debitore: Tertiis nundinis partis secanto; si plus minusve secuerint, ne
fraude eslo; noi non dobbiamo commentare col relore Quintiliano che alcune cose
illaudabili per natura siano permesse dal diritto, m a dobbiamo fingere di
ricorrere ad una certa sapienza crudel srditione et ad seditionem nata sit:
cujus primum ortum si recordari columus,inter arma civium etoccupatis
etobsessisurbislocis,procrea tum videmus.Deinde quum esset cito letatus,
tanquam ex XII Tabulis insigni ad deformitatem puer, brevi tempore ręcreatus,
multoque toe trior etfedior natus est.IlTribunato,dunque,è venuto fuori come
bam bino mostruoso e deforme! Ma come avviene che si svolge per tre secoli
almeno di vita eroica? e v’ha nella storia un provvisorio di tre secoli? E nato
ad seditionem o contra vim auxilium? Si può perdonare a Cicerone d'avere
ignorato, allora, che tutt'i diritti nascono in seditione, m a non si può
ignorare oggi che senza i tribuni nè icomizii tributi sarebbero mai nati, nè
plebisciti si sarebbero mai fatti, né i plebis scita avrebbero in s e guito
acquistato valore di populi scita, nè la promulgatio sarebbe mai avvenuta,nè
mai pubblicate quelle tanto celebrate Dodici Tarole, delle quali tanto
ammiratore si professa egli proprio,Cicerone,nè la repub blica di signorile
sarebbe passata a popolare,nè,in ultimo,egli,Cicerone, sarebbe mai stato
console, o, eletto, si sarebbe davvero detto di lui quello che in miglior senso
diceva M. Catone: Dii boni, quam ridiculum con su lim habemus ! Seneca ci dice
che ai tempi di Tito Livio disputavasi se fosse stato meglio per la repubblica
che Cesare fosse nato,o no.Era me - glio
investigare,iodico,sesenzailtribunovisarebbemaistatarepubblica) mente pietosa
escogitata da Aulo Gellio, che cioè gl'infelici sian fatti salvi dall'istessa
enormità della pena: Eo consilio tanta i m manilas poenae denuntiata est, ne ad
eam unquam perveni retur. La quale sentenza, divulgata ne'tempi dell'autore delle
notti attiche, è respinta erroneamente sino ai tempi abbastanza reali del primo
decemvirato: reali nel senso, che le leggi erano scritte per esser fatte. Se la
carità del tempo ha voluto portar via dalla Tavola IV de jure patrio le
disposizioni durissime circa la patria potestà sconfinata, resta la traduzione
di Dionigi d'Alicarnasso che la riassumecosi:Siveeum (filium)incarcerem
conjicere,sivefla gris caedere, sive vinctum ad rusticum opus detinere, sive
occi dere vellet. Papiniano riassume in tre parole: Vitae necisque potestas.
Forse sino alla virilità del figlio? Toto vitae tempore licet filius jam
rempublicam administraret et inter s u m m o s magistratus censeretur, et
propter suum studium in rempubli cam laudaretur. E si dà cura Dionigi di farci
sapere che i D e cemviri non ebbero a portarla di fuori, come si favoleggiava,
questa legge, m a a dedurla da quella che Papiniano chiamava lex regia, farla
quarta delle dodici e metterla nel foro: Sublato
regno,decemviriintercaeterasretulerunt,extatqueinXII Ta bularum, ut vocant,
quarta, quas tunc in foro posuere. C i ò c h e r e s t a d i q u e s t a t a v
o l a, è il p i ù u m a n o, i n c h e m o d o
cioèsipossaaffermare:Filiusapatreliberesto;ma ciòcheil tempo ha cancellato, non
è tale da giustificare tutto lo sdegno di Cicerone contro soltanto le ultime
due delle dodici. E che si deve dire, rispetto all'eguaglianza, quando si
passa alla tavola V, per considerare la condizione delle donne, eccet tuate le
Vestali? Anche qui il tempo ha passato la spugna,ma restano le istituzioni di
Gaio per darci notizia di quel che manca: Veteres voluerunt feminas, etiamsi
perfectae aetatis sint, prop ter animi levitatem in tutela esse... Loquimur
autem, exceptis virginibus vestalibus, itaque etiam lege XII. Tabularum cau tum
est. Quando vuolsi davvero spiare dove un corpo privilegiato,
predominante e nel medesimo tempo minacciato, studia l'alto riparo, si dà uno
sguardo alla legislazione penale. L'abbon danza,la ferocia delle pene, la
rapidità della procedura penale, compensano la parvità della ragion civile. Una
tavola delle d o dici,l'ottava, de delictis, ci fa intendere che i
decemviri,già scelti nell'ordine de'senatori,nè tra gli Dei indigeni nè tra'pe
regrini accolgono la Dea Clemenza. Cicerone mostra consolar sene, assermando,
ne'libri della Repubblici, che per pochi m a leficii le XII Tavole stabilirono
la pena capitale. Il vero si è che, oltre il taglione, comune già a quasi tutte
le legislazioni penali primitive, e le verghe che scendono ad illividire anche
l'impu bere, la morte vi spesseggia, tanto che, traboccata dalla tavola ottava,
entra ad occupare due disposizioni della nona, la quale tratta non più di reati
e pene, ma de jure publico. 120 Si noti, a questo proposito, che
l'assenza della morte dalla tavola X (dejure sacro) ricorda che la religione in
Roma, se condo il carattere italico,non è l'elemento predominante, e che, come
ho notato sopra,in Roma piuttosto gli Dei intervengono in servigio dell'uomo,
che l'uomo degli Dei. E il rapido decre scere della giurisdizione pontificale
ne'giudizii penali riserma questo concetto. Non è già che io tenga poco conto
delle testi monianze di Dione, di Livio e di Tacito rispetto all’espiazione
religiosa; ma voglio dire che nell'intervento del principio sa crale in tutte
le legislazioni penali primitive è notevole questa differenza, che, dove presso
gli altri popoli entra come conte nuto,in Roma interviene piuttosto come forma;
altrove cioè gli offesi possono essere gli Dei che costituiscono espiatrice la
pena, e in R o m a l'elemento sacrale serve a rendere più temibile la pena,
senza nè sospendere la provocatio ad populum, nè sot trarre ai comizii centuriati
il diritto di sentenziare negli affari capitali per un cittadino romano.
Cicerone ricorda nel De le gibus che le dodici tavole vietano di deliberare di
cosa capitale fuori del comizio massimo: De capite civis rogari,
nisimaximo comitiatu, vetat.-- Non dimentico nemmeno l'etimologia
sacra delle parole supplicium e castigatio; m a ricordo che Festo c o n corda
con Cicerone, affermando: At homo sacer is est quem POPULUS indicavit ob
maleficium. E quel populus chiarisce la molta differenza dal diritto germanico,
secondo il quale la di vinità direttamente offesa chiede espiazione diretta per
mezzo dei suoi sacerdoti. Avverrà subito, ed anche in seditione, che dall'una
egua glianza si tenti passare all'altra, dalla formale alla sostanziale, dalla
eguale certezza della legge,alla certezza della legge eguale, e che appunto il
matrimonio sarà l'argomento del transito, perchè contro i corollarii, cioè
contro gli effetti visibili, c o m i n ciano le sedizioni popolari; m a questa
sedizione appunto, questa prima sedizione contro le dodici tavole, doveva
avvertire Cice rone che quel divieto di certo connubio era il corollario,
cioè 121 Tolto l'elemento sacro, resta abbastanza di asprezza penale per
fare intendere quanto poco spazio resti alla ragione civile, la quale non può
durare in tanta ineguaglianza, se non mante nendo la distanza tra' due ordini.
Quindi, l’undecima tavola che vieta il matrimonio tra'patrizi e plebei, è
l'espresso corollario delle dieci prime, è l'opera, onde i secondi decemviri
compiono quella de'prini, è la lontananza custode dell'ineguaglianza. Come il
senatore veneto non arrivava a comprendere il con nubio tra il moro Otello e la
bianchissima Desdemona, cosi il senato romano non l'avrebbe compreso tra
patrizii e plebei, due ordini lontani quanto due razze.La pari certezza della
legge si,non la parità di diritti nelle leggi. Or,di che si sdegna Ci cerone?
Che il matrimonio, permesso d'ordinario anche co'po poli stranieri, sia
interdetto fra'plebei ed i patrizii con inuma nissima legge. È sdegno
rettorico, è, almeno, poco logico, è troppo postumo, troppo gelido: egli aveva
troppo ammirato le premesse. Le dodici tavole son fatte, perchè tutti abbiano
l'e guale certezza della legge (e fu vittoria della plebe), e tutti la certezza
della legge ineguale (e fu vittoria del patriziato). che quella
lontananza tra gli ordini era designata a custodire l'ineguaglianza tra'sommi e
gl'infimi. È da esaminare, in fatti, donde comincia la reazione della plebe
contro le dodici tavole, affinchè l'equità cominci a p e n e trare nel
contenuto della legge. Non si deve credere che co minci con la legge Valeria
Orazia De plebiscitis due anni dopo la promulgazione delle dodici tavole, per
le seguenti ragioni: 1o perchè questa legge è la semplice soluzione di un diritto
con troverso circa il valore de'plebisciti, non è l'affermazione di un diritto
nuovo e contrastato; 22 che il plebiscito, anche fattosi obbligatorio per tutto
il popolo, non si sottrae all'auctoritas patrum per l'esecuzione; 3a che non
per questa legge arse la terza sedizione, di cui parla Floro, nè avvenne la
secessione sul Gianicolo,della quale parla Plinio; 4a che questa legge non si
intitola da tribuni, ma da consoli. Livio dice che si venne a questa soluzione,
« ut quod tributim plebes jussisset, populum teneret », 0, per dirla con
Plinio, « ut quod plebs jussisset, omnes Quirites teneret », perchè prima cið
era in controverso iure. Ma quando fu che la plebe arse in vera sedizione sul
Gia nicolo? quale e perchè una terza sedizione, dopo le due, l'una sul monte
Sacro e l'altra sull'Aventino? e perchè contro le d o dici tavole, se tanto le
aveva volute, e se la promulgazione di queste era stato il massimo ufficio
tribunizio, e sei anni appena e non interi dopo la promulgazione? Ed, ecco, qui
appare il nome di un tribuno, Caio Caruleio, una rogazione vivamente
contrastata ed una sedizione vera di plebe che assale la legge nelle
conseguenze ed osa divorar la distanza tra sé ed i patrizii per appianare
l'ineguaglianza. La ribellione contro le dodici tavole comincia contro l'ultimo
co rollario: la plebe non sillogizza invidiosi veri intorno alle cause, assale
l'effetto. Rotto il primo, tira sulle cause. E quella gene razione che spezza
il primo effetto, è destinata ad atterrare tutta l'istituzione. Tal è il
significato della Legge Canuleia De con nubio patrum et plebis. Fatta la
breccia, esaminiamo che cosa 122 in trent'anni resta di tutto
l'edificio delle dodici tavole. Per la generazione che succede, si troverà che
la cosa men necessaria è il carmen necessarium.Averlo fatto imparare e cantare
a coro da fanciulli non vuol già dire che il carme dell'ira non suonerà più
alto da coro di uomini armati. La prima sedizione è contro il supremo
corollario delle d o dici tavole, contro il divieto di matrimonio fra patrizii
e plebei; l'ultima sedizione di questa medesima generazione è contro il console
patrizio, vietante la divisione dell'agro pubblico tra i plebei, i quali per
questa via si liberavano di fatto dalla terza delle dodici tavole, dalla più
aristocratica, da quella appunto che, secondo Vico, doveva sancire il diritto
feudale rustico del carcere privato, che i patrizii avevano sopra i plebei
debitori. E, sebbene il Console fosse vincitore o stesse sopra il terreno
vinto, pur vide i Tribuni prevalere ed i lieti onori trionfali tor nargli
ne'tristi lutti dell'esilio. Poche considerazioni storiche varranno a
lumeggiare i fatti esposli in questo capitolo. 1. La legge agraria, reclamata e
non potuta attuare dal l'anno 268 di Roma sino all'anno 299, cioè reclamata e
non potuta attuare da tutta la generazione che precede alla promul gazione
delle dodici tavole, é e doveva essere la conclusione pratica della generazione
che succede alle dodici tavole. Ciò che erasi cominciato nel sangue patrizio di
Spurio Cassio,dove vasi compiere con l'esilio di Furio Camillo, patrizio
vincitore. 2. Questa generazione succeduta alla promulgazione delle dodici
tavole, cominciando la lotta contro la legge sul matri monio e conchiudendola
con la divisione dell'agro pubblico sopra il territorio de'Vejenti, volle
togliere la distanza tra gli ordini per giungere all'eguaglianza degli ordini.
Potè essere detto, con sentimento del vero, che la divisione dell'agro accen
nava finita la divisione de'ceti. 3. Questa divisione dell'agro dopo la comunanza
de'm a trimonii, per l'eguaglianza degli ordini, dice che l'equità non
123 è più nella sola notizia della legge, m a dentro la legge.
L'anno 363 di R o m a annunzia che le dodici tavole, benefiche quanto alla
conseguita promulgazione, sono state superate nel conte nuto: annunzia che
l'equità è passata dalla forma nella sostanza. Dietro il Tribuno verrà il
Pretore, e già Caio Canuleio chiama il figlio di Furio Camillo. 4. Se è vero
che la lotta per l'esistenza, la quale è di tutti gli animali, si faccia lotta
per il diritto per diventare u m a n a, è vero pure che in nessun luogo questa
lotta ebbe una espres sione più pura,cioè più umana,che in Roma,ed in nessun
tempo quanto nella generazione che succede alla promulgazione delle dodici
tavole. Posso dire che gli ottant'anni che corrono tra il tribuno Caio Canuleio
ed il primo pretore, figlio del già espulso patrizio Furio Camillo,comprendono
la più alta espres sione della lotta per il diritto. Si può dire che dentro
questo periodo si raccolgono le premesse eterne della lotta umana. Dico la più
pura espressione, non per enfasi, ma perchè questa lotla si fa tra uomo ed
uomo, tra ordine ed ordine di cittadini per la parità civile, politica e
sociale, senza intervento di Numi, senza pretesti religiosi, senza fini
sovraumani.E, se in questo tempo la plebe, strappando il diritto augurale, fa n
a scere i Decemviri sacris faciundis, non è già per propiziarsi i Numi o per un
fine direttamente religioso, ma per un fine assolutamente ed umanamente
giuridico. Questa è la grandezza di R o m a, ed il segreto dello studio non
solo continuo, m a crescente, intorno all'indole tipica del diritto romano.
Compiamo questo esame con la ricerca dello istituto pre torio e del
responso. 124 - 125 CAPITOLO UNDECIMO. Conclusione dell'esame
Aprendo il capitolo precedente, ho affermato che nella suc cessione delle cose
civili il mutamento politico framezza tra una nuova esigenza giuridica e la
legge scritta. Ho dimostrato, infatti, che,quando l'equità s'impone come eguale
certezzadella legge,iltribunato diventa magistratura tipica; e,quando l'equità
s'impone come uguaglianza nella legge, la repubblica signorile si fa popolare.
Non solo tutte le magistrature si aprono alla plebe, m a alcune restano
esclusivamente plebee. N o n si deve ricorrere, per vederne la formazione, ai m
o menti astratti del pensiero, cioè ad una successione puramente logica d'idee,
m a al pensiero determinato dal bisogno, cioè dalla natura,considerata sotto il
doppio rispetto, nella compagine della persona e nello ambiente. Cotesto è il naturalismo
storico. Il bisogno insoddisfatto ed assolutamente insuperabile per le
condizioni della natura circostante non lascia sprigionare il pensiero nè
iniziare civiltà veruna. Un bisogno superato, per condizioni benigne dello
ambiente, libera il pensiero, ond'esce la prima favilla di una civiltà e di una
storia. Insieme col pensiero sorgono alcune pretensioni, cioè una certa
coscienza giuridica, proporzionata a quel bisogno, e, poco Ora, ci
sarebbe impossibile aprire questo capitolo e proce dere innanzi senza
investigare come e perchè si formi una nuova esigenza giuridica.
126 dopo, una determinata forma politica, proporzionata a quell'esi genza
giuridica. Mutato,crescendo,ilbisogno,si dilatailpen siero, si evolve la
coscienza giuridica, si muta la forma politica, si cangia la legislazione del
giure pubblico e privato e delle rispettive procedure. Se il pensiero cresciuto
levasi a superare di tanto il bisogno naturale, quanto il bisogno ha superato i
mezzi e l'ambiente, allora non c'è da aspettare,nè altra forma politica, nè
altra le gislazione che duri: si aspetta la rovina che seppellisce una civiltà
finita, per dare origine ad una civiltà nuova che equilibri le funzioni della
vita,instaurando la proporzione tra il pensiero ed il bisogno, tra il bisogno e
l'ambiente. Ora, è forse un annunzio di rovina la sentenza di Plinio:
Latifundia perdidere Italiam,jam vero etprovincias? Asseguita la divisione
dell'agro pubblico, con la quale si chiude il periodo della forte generazione
che succede alla pro mulgazione delle dodici tavole,abolita di fatto la tavola
III delle dodici (1), depositaria della preminenza di un ordine di cittadini
sull'altro, si vede nascere un gran numero di piccoli proprie tarii che
comincia a formare come uno stato medio in Roma, il quale meglio de'due estremi
traduce in atto il genio agrario di Roma,e,mentre da una parte serba integro il
maschio co stume antico e militare, dall'altra annunzia che l'equità ha fatto
gran cammino: dalla forma è passata nella sostanza delle leggi. Abolita di
fatto la terza delle dodici tavole, le altre undici stanno ritte come mummie
che più tardi arriveranno dall'Egitto, documenti di una civiltà sepolta. Il
carmen necessa rium si canterà come memoria di popolo legislatore che ha
bisogno di ricordarsi per innovarsi. Per estimare quanta parte di vero si
contenga nell'annunzio di rovina,che ci viene da Plinio,bisogna avere in vista
il ca rattere di proprietà in R o m a. (1) Dico tirsa o quarta ecc., per
seguire l'ordine più accettato. dilui. No:lalottatramonarchiaepatriziato
prima, e poi, continua, tra patriziato e plebe, è possibile in Roma, in quanto
qui più che prima e fuori è spiccato il sentimento personale: sentimento
proprio, più che ad altri, ad un popolo agricoltore e militare, il cui genio
sarà giu ridico. Chi coltiva il campo specialmente nel modo in tensivo dei
primi nostri e lo disende, sente insieme più intenso il sentimento del mio e
del luo, e, per conseguenza, dell'io e del tu. Intenso è, dunque, nel cittadino
romano il sentimento della proprietà personale, quanto illimitato il sentimento
di disporne: e l'uno e l'altro contenderanno allo Stato romano la facoltà di
un'imposta fondiaria. Nė ci fu contesa: lo Stato non osò esco gitarla: vi si
sarebbe ribellato ilgenio agrario di Roma.Quando dicesi mancipium, si accenna
all'origine romana dellaproprietà; quando mancipatio, alla libera trasmissione;
quando dominium ex jure Quiritum, all'effetto dell'uno e dell'altra; e quando
res mancipi e nec mancipi, si accenna non solo ad una divisione tra le cose,ma
alla prima possibilità di una possessione boni taria accanto al dominio
quiritario. Troviamo, in fatti, un limite nelle dodici tavole alla facoltà di
possedere e di disporre? Rispetto alla prima, non altro limite che quello di
vicinanza, donde quelle servitù o recipro canza di oneri, che sono strettamente
in rerum natura. La ta vola VII è mirabilmente sottile nel determinare i modi,aflinchè
il dominium ex jure Quiritum non ne resti di troppo m e n o mato: neppure le
chiama servitù; m a le fa passare sotto il ti tolo de jure aedium et agrorum. E
rispetta tanto la pietra ter minale, segno di proprietà sovrana, che, per
entrare nel campo vicino a cogliere un frutto caduto dal proprio albero, ha
avuto 127 Bisogna,innanzi tutto,smettere ilpregiudizio,cheloStato di R o
m a ripeta lo Stato greco o di nazioni incivili, durante la civiltà romana:
bisogna rimuovere quest'affermazione di Hegel, che cioè il padre sfogava sulla
famiglia quella durezza che lo Stato sopra gran bisogno di dirlo:
Ut glandem in alienum fundum proci dentem liceret colligere. Cosi fatto
dominio, perchè del tutto quiritario rispetto al l'origine ed al genio, sarà
tale anche rispetto all'estensione ed alvalore:ilforestiero non lo acquisterà
innessun modo,nė per mancipazione, nè per usucapione, nè per cessione innanzi
al magistrato (injure cessio), nè in maniera quale altra si vo glia. – Tal è il
significato vero ed intero di quella legge della Tavola VI (altri
impropriamente dicono della III): ADVERSUS HOSTEM AETERNA AUCTORITAS. E tutto
questo è cosi assolutamente romano, che,per farlo greco più o meno,si ricorrerà
invano a Solone. Sciendum est, in actione finium regundorum illud observandum
esse,quod ail exemplum quodammodo ejus legis scriptum est, quam Athenis Solonem
dicitur tulisse.Un quodammodo non basta a tramutare la leggenda in istoria.
Rispetto poi alla facoltà di disporre, non altro limite in tutto questo periodo
primitivo che quello della parola pro nunziata. QUUM NEXUM FACIET
MAMCIPIUMQUE,UTI LINGUA NUN CUPASSIT,ITA JUS ESTO. Ne,quanto al
testatore,sopravvengono limiti maggiori: UTI LEGASSIT SUPER PECUNIA TUTELAVE
SUAE REI, ITA JUS ESTO. È facoltà sovrana di cittadino sovrano, di chi possiede
ed esercita la lex curiata de imperio. Quando più tardi verrà una legge Cincia
de donis et m u n e ribus ad annunziarci la necessità di un limite alla facoltà
di di sporre, Questo che ho detto, non mi consente di accostarmi, come fa
Mommsen,a Niebuhr che vuole introdurre qualcosa di do rico e forse di
germanico,cioè di comune,nell'indole della pro prietà prediale romana,la quale
fu affatto personale. Quanto alla mancata persona del figlio, non fu senza
senti mento del vero averla spiegata e per la manus 1 128 è segno che la
proprietà è mutata, è mutato con essa il diritto di proprietà, e che in un
altro periodo è entrata la storia di Roma. espressione del
carattere militare la quale il marito aveva sopra la m o glie, e per l'istinto
di padronanza che il civis optimo jure sen tiva sopra ogni suo prodotto,
compreso il figlio. Non si dura fatica a vedere che la patria potestà nel civis
sorge, si deter mina e si svolge piuttosto come un sentimento di proprietà, che
di carità. Erano già, sin da prima, due modi di possedere separabili, perché,
dove mancava la possibilità della patria p o testas, mancava il dominio ottimo;
e l'uno e l'altro comprende vano facoltà illimitata di disporre. Non parmi aver
dimenticato gli argomenti addotti da Ihering contro l'analogia veduta tra il
dominio oltimo e la patria p o testà. Io vado oltre la semplire analogia, trovo
poco calzanti le osservazioni di Ihering,e domando,poichè grave è la quistione,
le seguenti cose: 1.9 Fuori del sentimento o, a dir chiaro, fuori del concetto
di padronanza sul prodotto, secondo il dominio ottimo, dove si andrebbe a
trovare la ragione storica, efficiente, della patria potestà,cosi
illimitata,cosi personale,cosi aristocratica in Roma? La si presenterebbe come
una esplosione inesplicabile, della quale poi si andrebbero a cavillare le
origini dentro qualche piccolo istituto tra lo storico ed il mitico e non
rispondente alla grande importanza dello effetto. Le azioni per rivendicare un
figlio sottostanno alla procedura delle azioni reali? Non è il giuoco della
dialettica giuridica,che modella le azioni di famiglia sulle actiones in rem: è
invece la costituzione della famiglia, che crea cotesta proce dura. Ogni
procedura è tale, in quanto procede da un diritto e per un diritto. 3. È un
errore ricorrere ai limiti escogitati intorno alla patria potestà per
separarla, o distinguerla almeno, dal dominio, perchè anche intorno al dominio
furono escogitati alcuni limiti e ne'tempi più rigidi della patria potestà. Il
figlio istesso p o teva provocare l'interdizione pretoria contro il padre che
dava fondo alla cosa domestica: Moribus per praetorem interdicitur. 9-
G.Bovio.DisegnodiunastoriadelDiritto,ecc.,ecc. in 129
Ecco,nel medesimo tempo,un limite alla potestà ed al do minio; m a non
crea differenza. 4. Ed è un errore ricorrere al peculio, acquistabile dal
figlio, per crearla una differenza tra potestà patria e dominio, perchè il
peculio non arriva a distinguere, rispetto al potere paterno,illfigliodal
servo.Tre cose,circailpeculio,dicechiaro Varrone: chi può possedere il peculio
(i minori ed i servi); chilopuòpermettere(ilpadre edilpadrone);echeèilpe culio
la pecudibus dictum ). Se un istituto c'è, in cui il pater ed il dominus si
presentano proprio sotto il medesimo aspetto è appunto il peculio; e, se un
luogo che possa riconfermarcelo, è questo di Varrone. 5. Gli è vero, in ultimo,
che, quanto al modo testamen tario di disporre, si vedono in fascio figli,
servi e cose? Nella Tavola V si legge: Uli legassit super pecunia tutelave suae
rei, ita jus esto. Occorrono davvero tempi umani per tradurre u m a namente:
sulla tutela de'suoi.Ma legassit implica dominio ed ordine; super spiega
l'obbietto; suae rei dice in che rapporto si trovavano i suoi verso il
testatore. Non ignoro che questo modo d'intendere la patriapotestà ha messo in
mala vista il mondo romano innanzi agl'intelletti miti e pietosi. Ma questi
hanno a considerare che una civiltà vuol essere giudicata da'suoi effetti; che
il sentimento giuri dico, diffuso da Roma nel mondo, deriva dal sentimento
perso nale più forte in R o m a che in Grecia ed assai più che in oriente; e
che da questo virile sentimento personale derivano le lotte intestine di R o m
a, la proprietà romana e la potestà patria. Vico crede ripetuta questa eroica
barbarie nel diritto feudale, e ripetuta la distinzione tra dominio quiritario
e bonitario nella differenza tra il dominio diretto e l'enfiteusi, le
mancipazioni nelle solennità del diritto feudale, e le stipulazioni nelle
investi ture, come aveva veduto ripetersi le adunanze aristocratiche dei
Quiriti nelle corti armate e ne'parlamenti, che nella rinnovata barbarie
decisero de'nobili e delle loro successioni. Vedremo che nè i tempi
ricorrono, nè le analogie sono fon damento di ricorsi, né il tribuno, il
pretore e il giureconsulto si sono ripresentati alla storia. Diciamo di
presente soltanto questo, che, quando in Roma si giunse a poter dire: « Patria
potestas magis in charitate quam in atrocitate consistere debet » è segno che
il dominio quiritario è mutato. Ed è un gran cri terio di medesimezza tra'due
istituti - il dominio ottimo e la potestà patria - l'isocronismo delle loro
fasi neil'evoluzione. Chi mettesse occhio a cotesto,smetterebbe dal cercare
differenze sottili che non arrivano a distruggere il fondo comune. La
generazione cheabolivalatavolaterza,determinanteildo minio ottimo, segnatamente
nel creditore, aboliva di fatto anche la quarta, scemando il soverchio della
patria potestà. Può af fermarsi, senza alterare la storia, che dal giorno,in
cui la Legge Petillia Papiria de nexis, secondando i tribuni Sestio e Licenio,
disse inumano e proibì che i debitori potessero darsi per acs et libram in
servitù al creditore, e al dominio ottimo fece un grande strappo, sottraendo la
servitù de'nexi, da quel giorno cominciò ad attenuarsi sopra i figli la potestà
patria, crudele assai volte quanto quella de'creditori e de'padroni,per
l'eterna ragione espressa in ferrea forma dall'Alfieri: « Poter mal far grand'è
al mal fare invito. » Cosi potevano e facevano il padrone,ilcreditore, il
padre, sul medesimo fondamento del dominio ottimo. Seneca, tratlando della
clemenza, accusava Erixo che, senza convocare un consilium, aveva incrudelito
nel figlio, sollevando lo sdegno del popolo che voleva esercitare contro lo
snaturato le stesse forme sommarie che quegli aveva contro il figlio. Ma questa
collera di popolo, della quale parla Seneca, non è una esplosione, è figlia del
maturo sentimento dell'equità e risale sino a que'tempi della repubblica,
ne'quali un malvagio credi tore, L. Papirio, sfogando la sua crudeltà
ne'debitori, provocava una sedizione popolare, un'altra collera, onde nacque la
legge de nexis, che, già svelando la presenza del pretore,
chiarisce l'equità essere passata dalla forma nel contenuto della legge. Tito
Livio, in fatti, ricorda la Legge Petillia Papiria come coro namento della
generazione, nella quale è apparso il pretore. Eo anno plebi romanae, velut
aliud initium libertatis factum est, quod necli desierunt. Mutatum autem jus ob
unius foeneratoris simul libidinem, simul crudelitatem insignem. Tre
osservazioni facciano i pensatori intorno a questo luogo di Livio. La prima,
che quell'aliud inilium libertatis si ha da tradurre un nuovo momento
dell'equità, cioè l'equilà passata dalla forma della legge nella sostanza. La
seconda, la causa o c casionale, la crudeltà falla libidine, che chiarisce e
documenta l a s e n t e n z a d i A l f i e r i. L a t e r z a, l ' a n n o, il
4 2 8 d i R o m a, n e l q u a l e si compie appunto la generazione che tra le
ire civili vide appa rire, componitore equo, il pretore. Assai prima che
Alessandro Severo obbligasse un padre ad accusare il figlio ai giudici
ordinarii, assai prima dico, proprio nel miglior fiorire della repubblica,
scaduto, innanzi a questo aliud initium
libertatis,ildirittoquiritario,furonorallorzatiquei consigli domestici che
frenarono l'arbitrio paterno. Nella generazione,in cui apparisce
ilpretore,segnacolo del l'equità nella legge, cioè dell’aliud initium libertatis,
la ditta tura può essere plebea, assolutamente plebeo uno de'censori, i
plebisciti, che avevano conseguito già università di leggi, si li berano
dall’auctoritas patrum, si pubblicano i fasti e si pubbli cano le azioni della
legge, e, pubblicati i fasti, un plebeo può 132 E intorno al medesimo
tempo era cominciata a prevalere la sentenza di Cicerone, negli Ufficii, circa
le tutele, le quali non volevano essere considerate tanto come un diritto
privato ed una quasi surrogazione della potestà patria,che le imponeva incondi
zionatamente,quantocome un beneficousfiziosociale,ad utilitatem corum qui
commissi sunt, non ad eorum quibus commissa est. E di quest'ordine delle date è
da tenere gran conto per la giusta valutazione delle istituzioni. salire
al pontificato massimo. Cajo Marzio Rutiliano e Tiberio Coruncanio sono due
nomi plebei che significano adempita l'equità civile e politica nella legge:il
primo plebeo dittatore ed il primo plebeo pontefice massimo. Fermiamoci, per
fare poche osservazioni. Che significa nell'anno 458 di Roma,ottoanni dopo la
pub blicazione de'sasti e delle azioni di legge, trent'anni in punto dopo la
Legge Petillia Papiria de nexis, e due generazioni dopo l'apparizione del
pretore, che signisica, domando, nell'anno 458 la Legge Ortensia De
plebiscilis, quando, prima e dopo del pre tore,c'erano già state la Legge
Valeria-Orazia De plebiscitis (305) e la Legge Publilia (416), quella ·appunto
che, secondo Vico, dichiarò popolare la repubblica romana? Quando vediamo
Livio, Plinio ed Aulo Gellio ripetersi intorno a questa legge de'plebi scili,e
ripresentarla, riproducendo le meilesime formole,noi vo gliamo sapere se
occorrevano tre leggi, o una medesima legge in tre tempi diversi,per far
entrare i plebisciti tra le sorgenti di diritto pubblico e privato. M 'ė parso
di vedere la critica storica imbarazzata e quasi sospettare della sincerità
delle formole tra mandateci dagli scrittori citati sopra. Or bene,a me par
chiaro che le tre leggi de plebiscilis in tre t e m p i, c h e a b b r a c c i
a n o u n s e c o l o e m e z z o, c i o è d a l l a p r i m a i m mediata
reazione contro le dodici tavole, e direttamente contro la nona, sino alla
dichiarazione ellettuale della repubblica popo lare, non si ripetono,perchè in
nessuna istoria si trovano nè sono possibili coteste ripetizioni, m a sono tre
momenti progressivi del l'equità nel medesimo obbietto, cioè nei plebisciti,
ordinati a d e mocratizzarela repubblica. C o n l a p r i m a, c i o è c o n l
a V a l e r i a - O r a z i a (3 0 5 ), s i v i e n e a d a r valore di
universalità ai plebisciti, secondo le tre formole con sone, l'una di Livio: Ut
quod tributim plebes jussisset, populum teneret; l'altra di Plinio: Ut quod ea
jussisset, omnes Quiriles teneret; e l'altra di Aulo Gellio: Ut eo jure,quod
plebes statuis set, omnes Quirites tenerentur. 133 134 Con la
seconda, che è la Legge Publilia, che altri mettono sollo la data del 415,
altri del 416, alcuni sotto il nome di C. Publilio Filone, tribuno della plebe
altri di Q. Publilio Filone, dittatore (Vico lenne giustamente io credo pel
dittatore), vennesi a fare non solo obbligatoria, ma presta bilita l'auctorilas
patrum per tutti i progetti di legge sottomessi ai comizii centuriati. Tito
Livio scrive: Ut legum quae comitiis centuriatis forrentur, ante inilum
suffragium, Patres auctores ficrent.Ed,ecco,quell'ante initum suffragium siela
l'arclorilas di un caput mortuum, sopra il quale Silla vorrà invano alitare la
vita. Con la terza, che è la Legge Ortensia (458, che Plinio dice essere stata
di Q Hortensius dictator, l'auctoritas è troncata di netto. La formola che
abbiamo già detta di Cicerone: « Potestas in populo, auctoritas in Senatu sit
», è già superata. La potestà trova in sè l'autorità, e la Legge Ortensia è
l'espressione radicale della repubblica popolare.Mi sia lecito dire che la
suprema equilii è questa equazione tra la potestas e l'auctoritas. Mi è parso
necessario notare che l'universalilà de'plebiscili, l'obbligatorietà
prestalilita dell'autorizzazione e, in ultimo, l'a bolizione dell'autorità
estrinseca sono non ripetizioni di una m e desima legge, m a tre leggi
plebiscitarie che dinotano dalle dodici tavole sino alla Legge Ortensia tre gra
di progressivi dell'equità nella legge,tre momenti notevoli, onde la repubblica
si demo cratizza. Chiariamolo anche meglio con una breve considerazione circa
la pubblicazione de'fasti. La plebe un secolo quasi dopo i Decem virilegibus
scrilun dis(292)consegui iDecemvirisacrisfaciundis(386),edunaltro mezzo secolo
dopo (453), democratizzata civilmenie e politica mente la repubblica, riusci a
democratizzarla anche religiosa mente, occupando le dignità sacerdotali, sicchè
di otto nel col legio de'pontefici ne prese quattro, e cinque de'nove nel col
legio degli auguri. È segno che il giureconsulto è uscito dal l'atrium, che il
suo responso non è più un oracolo, che i fasti sono pubblicali, e che la
procedura, nella quale il diritto si ha per il 416 e da
muovere, non è più un segreto di parte, ma è promulgata come il diritto
istesso. L'ius Flavianum (450) ha questo grande significato: non vi sono piu
misteri. E questa espressione tra dotta dalla lingua religiosa nella lingua
politica significa: non vi sono più privilegi. Questa promulgazione de'fasti,
de’misteri giudiziarii e delle formole sacramentali per via di semplice
evoluzione,senza urti, senza rogazioni, nè sedizioni, nè secessioni,parve alla
plebe ro mana un si grande miracolo, che volle, dentro i tempi storici, creare
una favola plebea e contrapporla ad una favola patrizia, cominciata a
diffondersi in questi tempi. La favola patrizia era quella di Furio
Camillo,scoppiato ful mineo sulla bilancia del Gallo, ed acclamato secondo
fondatore di Roma.Cosi potè dirsi,un patrizio, Giunio Bruto, fondò la repubblica;
un patrizio, Furio Camillo, la salvò. La favola ple bea fu quella del liberto
Gneo Flavio che ruba il mistero della procedura al giureconsulto patrizio Appio
Claudio Cieco e butta in pubblico i fasti e le formule sacramentali. Certo,
Polibio e Diodoro Siculo non parlano del miracolo di Furio Camillo, e il loro
silenzio è troppo tardi interrotto dalla narrazione drammatica di Tito Livio. E,
per simile, molte erano ai tempi di Cicerone le controversie circa l'origine
della pro mulgazione laviana, nè Cicerone osa spiegarsela. Ma ben si vede in
quel liberto, profanatore del mistero, la plebe fatta libera, ed in quell’Appio
Claudio Cieco il patriziato ignaro dei tempi. In Gneo Flavio,di liberto,creato
tribuno, senatore ed in magi stratura curule, è passato l'occhio mancato ad
Appio Claudio. Que'che, tormentando anche le parole,mettono in forse tante
narrazionidellastoriadiRoma,daRomolo aVirxinia,perché non hanno osato portare
la critica storica dove più occorreva, sull'origine dell'ius Flavianum? Altri,
per fare più credibile il racconto, dissero che Appio Claudio della famiglia
claudia, stata sempre nemica alla plebe, e punito di cecità da’Numi in età
adulta per non si sa quale colpa, si fece lui proprio ispi 1 135
E,dopo queste brevi considerazioni, possiamo spiegarci intero l'ufficio
del pretore. Tra le sorgenti del diritto pubblico e privato sono entrati i
plebisciti.Sublata auctorilatepatrum,larepubblicaèdemocra tizzata del tutto. Le
leggi son,ma chi pon mano ad esse? Il Magistrato. Farle è del Senato, della
plebe, del popolo; dirle è del magistrato. Altro è ius condere, altro è ius
dicere: due funzioni distinte e connesse. Condere è la parola potesta tiva del
legislatore; diccre è la parola sacramentale del m a g i strato. Dicere è la
parola generale dell'applicazione della legge: i modi sono ius dicere, cdicere,
aldicere, interdicere. Il derivato è edictum.L'edictum è la viva vox juris
civilis. Questo è saputo, e con questo, che, quando si pronunzia la parola
edictum assolutamente,ilpensiero non ricorre nè all'edic tum aedilitium, nè
all'edictum provinciale, nè alle forme più o meno secondarie di edicta
perpetua,repentina,tralatitia,ma ri corre direttamente all'cdictum praetoris.
Non è cecità nè arbi bitrio del pensiero moderno, è perchè cosi, prima di noi,
inte sero e dovevano intendere gli antichi. Quando Papiniano parla del diritto
onorario, lo dice cosi nominato ad onore del pretore; quando Gaio parla
dell'editto che emenda le iniquità del diritto, si riserisce all'editto del
prelore; ed al pretore si riserisce A s c o nio, quando accenna la ragione
dell'editto perpetuo; e del pre tore si duole Cicerone, quando vede l'editto
superare le dodici tavole.La ragione storica è questa:la presenza del pretore
si gnifica che le due parti avverse, nelle quali era divisa R o m a, si sono
equilibrate; il suo editto, in quanto spiccatamente porta ratore a Gneo Flavio,
plebeo e figlio di un liberto, della novità benefica che è l'ius Flavianum,
onde i pontefici furono obbligati a far pubblico il calendario. La versione pare
più mitica del mito. 136 questa impronta di equilibrio, suona
l'equità passata nella legge, l'aliud initium libertatis, la repubblica
signorile fatta popolare; il suo editto è, perciò, la voce viva dell’ius
civile, rimasto voce morta; e però entra innanzi alle dodici tavole che in vano
Cice rone lamenta neglette. Questo aliud initium libertatis è a b b a stanza
commentato dalla definizione che del diritto pretorio ci manda
Papiniano,ilgiureconsultomassimo:Juspraetoriumest, quod praetores introduxerunt,
adiuvandi, vel supplendi, vel cor rigendi juris civilis gratia, propter
utilitatem publicam, quod et honorarium dicitur, ad honorem praetorum sic
nominatum. Se temesi che questa correzione pretoria sul diritto civile possa
tornare precaria ed incerta, la Legge Cornelia provvede a sostituire l'editto
perpetuo al repentino: Ut praetores ex edictis suis perpetuis jus dicerent.Se
Cicerone duolsi del vedere torpide le dodici tavole innanzi all'editto, e se
teme le sedizioni tribu nicie, dica se abbia trovato, il temperare il s u m m u
m jus, altro mezzo evolutivo suori dell'edillo pretorio. Il summum jus a lui
era summa injuria, a Terenzio summa malilia, a Gaio iniqui tates juris. Chi
tempera quell'ingiuria, corregge quella malizia, e all'iniquilà sostituisce
l'equilà? La risposta è di Gaio: Haec juris iniquitates edicto praetoris
emendatae sunt. Si dorrà forse anche di questo Cicerone, di vedere il m a g i
strato sostituito al legislatore, la sentenza alla legge, la persona allo
Stato. E davvero il caso parrebbe strano, se non fosse spie gabile in questo
modo:che il pretore significa l'unità della legge, dove il legislatore era
stato duplice — patriziato e plebe; e si gnifica l'equilà ristretta ai casi
particolari, senza forma impera tiva, la quale è tutta del legislatore. Dove
compiuto è il periodo dell'equilibrio delle parti, e co mincia il periodo
unitario di R o m a nella politica, ivi è segno essere cominciato il periodo
unitario del diritto nel pretore. Ne procede questa definizione dell'editlo
pretorio, la quale compie,non nega la definizione di Papiniano: L'editio
pretorio è l'equilà ne'casi particolari, cioè volta per volta ed anno per
137 anno, ed indica affermato l'equilibrio delle parli in R o m a,
e co minciato il periodo unitario nel diritto e nella politica. La gloria del
tribuno è di aver provocato la promulgazione delle dodici tavole; del pretore,
averle superate con l'editto. La promulgatio chiarisce e denuda la repubblica
aristocratica; S'ignorano davvero due cose: in che tempo la Legge Aebutia
abolisse le legis actiones, e sino a che punto. La disputa è in decisa. Io
credo che la legge Aebutia sia apparsa tra l'uno e l'altro pretore, l'urbano ed
il peregrino, e che abbia abolito gran parte delle legis actiones, quando già
alla procedura del vecchio diritto l'editto pretorio aveva contrapposto una
procedura con suetudinaria. C o m p o s t o, n e l l a p e r s o n a d e l p r
e t o r e, il d u a l i s m o, e c o m p i u t a, nella significazione
dell'editto, l'unificazione giuridica, comincia l'unificazione politica nella
generazione immediatamente succe duta al pretore. Il pretore appare tra il 387
ed 88;tra il 411 e 13 compiesi la prima guerra per l'unificazione politica.
Questa unificazione politica ha due periodi: 1° l'unificazione d'Italia;2°
l'unificazionedelmondo mediterraneo.Ilsecolo quarto di R o m a abbraccia il
periodo della unificazione giuridica, e si c o n c h i u d e c o l p r e t o r e;
il s e c o l o q u i n t o a b b r a c c i a il p e r i o d o d e l l a
138 dictum la demolisce e l'annunzia democratica. l'e Sono da fare due
considerazioni. L'una,che gli editti, non essendo espressione di facoltà
legislativa,non portano forma i m perativa, e non possono averla ne rispetto
all'origine che è giu risdizionale, nè rispetto all'obbietto che non è
universale. In tutta la forma dell'editto appare la faccia benevola
dell'interprete, non la severa del legislatore. L'altra è che l'editto, per suggel
lare l'equità, deve aver superato non solo il vecchio diritto civile, ma la
vecchia procedura:e però,se da una parte si lascia in dietro le dodici tavole e
le iniquitates juris, dall'altra supera r a pidamente le legis actiones, cioè
quella vecchia e aristocratica procedura,dentro la quale si muovevano
iprivilegiati della re pubblica signorile. 139 - unificazione
politica, e si conchiude col giureconsulto. Tra l'uno e l'altro periodo della
unificazione politica, cioè tra quello della unificazione ilalica e l'altro
dell'unificazione della civiltà m e d i terranea, appare il pretore peregrino,
che è l'apparizione del diritto delle genti, il quale viene a fare umana
l'equita latina. Il periodo dell'unificazione italica abbraccia le tre guerre
sannitiche, le quali si compiono nel 462. E nel'a generazione immediatamente
succeduta (190) comincia il periodo per l'uni ficazione del mondo mediterraneo,
che abbraccia le tre guerre puniche. Il disegno e l'effetto delle tre puniche
non furono la semplice indipendenza dell'Italia.Come dopo le sunnitiche a Roma
fu facile la guerra tarantina, nella quale meglio che il ferro occorse l'oro
per occupare la città da Milone messa all'incanto, e farsi signora della
regione che dalla Macra e dal Rubicone va sino al capo Spartivento ed alla
punta di Leuca, cosi dopo le puniche le fu facile la guerra corintiaca,onde si
annesse l'Acacia ed alla civiltà ellenica sostitui definitivamente la latina. T:11
era l'effetto, perchè tale il disegno. Mommsen ammira come gran falto nazionale
de'Romani la costruzione della flotta, ed io ripeto che quella impresa fu più
che nazionale, più che italiana, e fu il disegno del gran duello per l'egemonia
sul mondo mediterraneo. Come le guerre san nitiche significavano che l'unità
d'Italia spettava od ai Romani od ai Sanniti, cosi le guerre puniche
significavano che l'unità del mondo mediterraneo speltava o ai Romani od ai
Carta ginesi. Fu crudeltà, ma fu politica. Delenda Carthago è la conse guenza
di un dilemma: la metropoli del mondo mediterraneo o Roma o Carlagine. E Roma
vinse,non perchè Marco Porcio Ca È discutibile se sieno più feroci le
guerre per l'indipendenza o quelle per l'egemonia. Queste io credo: perchè alle
prime b a sta disarmare il nemico; alle seconde occorre sterminarlo: D e lenda
Carthago ! 140 tone fu inesorabile e l’Affricano secondo più
crudele del primo, m a perchè R o m a aveva un ideale, una missione ed un
convin cimento che mancavano a Cartagine. Questa non è la metafisica della
storia circa la predestina zione de'sini, è la rislessione storica sugli
effetti determinati. Roma vinse, e con essa il Diritto romano che si farà
umano, salendo,frapoco,dall'edittoalresponso;ma con Cartagine,se fosse stata
vincitrice, non si sa quale alto fine civile sarebbe slalo vittorioso. Non è
già che il popolo romano vinse, perchè aveva e sentiva astrattamente la
missione giuridica; ma aveva questa missione, perché sin da principio il suo
genio si era d e terminato di agricoltori e militari. E che si fosse cosi m a n
t e nuto sino alla guerra corintiaca – malgrado la casa di Emiliano già aperta
a Polibio, a Plauto, a Terenzio ed a Pacuvio si chiarisce dall'ordine espresso
dal console Lucio M u m m i o ai r o mani deputati a portare a Roma da Corinto
le meraviglie del Il pretore urbano prenunzia il periodo unitario. Espressione
di cotesto periodo sono due grandi istituti della vita romana: il prelore
peregrino ed il giureconsulto. Chiamo istituto, piullosto che ufficio,quello
del giureconsulto per ragioni che si parranno (Giunti al respɔnso, non possiamo
trovara nulla di più alto e di più comprensivo nella storia del diritto romano.
Stimiamo utile far conoscere ai giovani studiosi come si scriveva la storia del
diritto romano ai tempi di P o m p i n i o, m e t t e n d o i n q u e s t a n o
t a s o t t o i l o r o o c c h i il f r a m m e n t o c h e t o gliamo dal
primo libro del Digesto, e lasciando a loro la cura di correg gere le
inesattezze che troveranno non solo rispetto ad alcuni fatti e nomi, m a alla
cronologia ed ai criterii. Utile e non difficile lavoro, per la cura che
abbiamo posta nello accennare le date principali ed i criterii storici che
governano gl'istituti giuridici di maggiore importanza. Grozio discute
assainelleVitaejurisconsultorumde'duePomponii.Zimmern- trattando l'arte
greca. tra poco. Il pretore peregrino è l'espressione viva e concreta dell'uni
ficazione italica; il giureconsulto; della unificazione del mondo mediterraneo
(1) Il pretore peregrino compie il pretore urbano, in quanto di
larga l’equità, senza dilungarsi da’casi particolari; ma, en e non dalle Variae
lectiones. Ecco Pomponio: Necessario ci pare il mostrar l'origine propria e il
procedimento del diritto. Al principio della nostra città il popolo cominciò ad
operare senza legge certa, senza stabile diritto, e tutto reggevasi per mano
dei re. In appresso, cresciuta in qualche modo la città,clicesi lo stesso
Romolo dividesse il popolo in trenta parti, che chiamò curie, perciocchè a sen
tenza di queste parti disimpegnava allora le cure del governo. Ond'è che ed
egli ed i seguenti re proposero al popolo alcune leggi curiate, le quali tutte
trovansi scritte nel libro di Sesto Papirio che fu uno dei principali
personaggi a'tempi del Superbo, figlio di Demarato da Corinto.Questo libro è
intitolato diritto civile Papiriano, non perchè Papirio v'abbia aggiunto alcun
che di suo,ma perchè egli raduno in uno le leggi promulgate sen z'ordine.
Cacciati quindi i re per legge tribunizia, tutte quelle leggi andarono in
disuso, e il popolo romano cominciò di nuovo a reggersi con diritto in certo, e
più dietro la consuetudine che secondo alcuna legge emanata; e così continuò
per circa venti anni. 141 Dopo le sannitiche,unitasi a Roma
l'Italia,ilgenio dell'urbs si senti tocco, e però modificato,da due correnti
nuove: il c o m mercio e la presenza degli stranieri. La rustica Dea Pales, in
dividuazione mitica del genio originario di Roma, sentivasi mutar costume, e
tollerava, con la presenza degli stranieri, que'commerci che erano parsi
spregevoli al primitivo genio agricolo e militare di Roma. In nome di questa
tolleranza un secolo ed alquanti anni (307) dopo il pretore urbano sorse il
pretore peregrino, qui inter cives et peregrinos, plerumque inter peregrinos
jus dicebat. L'equità estendevasi a quelli che prima del periodo unitario erano
designati con tre nomi: hostes,pere grini, barbari. del diritto privato romano
tiene pe'due. Puchta nel ('orso delle Isti tuzioni–
tieneperunsolo.Unasolacosaècerta,cheilframmentoche noi riportiamo, è
dall'Enchiridion non ricordato dall'indice fiorentino tralo per
tolleranza, gli sottosta, se non in grado di ufficio, in dignità; nè metterà
fuori un editto che contraddica a quello pubblicato dal pretore urbano; nė tra
gli antichi troverà chi voglia commentare il suo editto, privo di originalità.
I giure consulti che vennero di poi, mentre inducevano la regola uni
versaledidirittodall'edittodelpretoreurbano,non commen tarono mai l'editto del
pretore peregrino. Anche io credo che il commentario di Labeone non resista
alla critica. Giunto a questo fastigio del diritto romano, dove col pretore
peregrino par nato l’jus gentium, e col responso l'equità ro mana sale a
diritto umano, mi occorre vedere onde la deca denza imputatada Plinio ai
latifondi, e come il giureconsulto, nel vero senso della parola, possa trovarsi
coevo con la rovina della repubblica e compagno della corruzione imperiale.
Onde ciò non avesse a durare più a lungo, piacque allora che fossero nominati
per pubblica autoritàdieci,iqualitogliesseroleleggidallegreche società, e la
città munissero di leggi. Incise su tavole d'avorio,le esposero sui rostri,
affinché si potessero le leggi meglio imparare; e fu loro dato in quell'anno il
diritto massimo nella città,di correggere,se facesse bi sogno,e d'interpretare
le leggi,nè vera appello da loro come dagli altri magistrati. Essi medesimi
avvertirono mancar qualche cosa a quelle prime leggi,
perciòl'annoseguenteviaggiunseroaltreduetavole,ecosìper l'accidente del numero
furono chiamate leggi delle XII Tavole.Narrano alcuni che la composizione di
esse fosse stata proposta ai decemviri da un certo Ermodoro da Efeso, esule in
Italia. Promulgate queste leggi,avvenne,come naturalmente suole,che per
l'interpretazione si desiderasse l'autorità dei prudenti e la necessaria d i
sputazione del Foro; questa disputazione e questo diritto ordinato dai
prudenti, senza che venisse scritto, non ha nome in alcuna parte propria, come
vengono distinte tutte le altre con proprio nome,ma chiamasi con titolo
generale diritto civile. Quindi,dietro queste leggi,quasi contemporaneamente
furono composte le azioni, colle quali gli uomini agitassero i litigi nati tra
loro;le quali a zioni,affinchè il popolo non le facesse a capriccio, vollero
che fossero sta bili e legali; equesta parte del diritto chiamasi azione di
legge,cioè le gittima. E così quasi in un tempo medesimo nacquero questi tre
diritti, delle XII Tavole,da cui scaturi ildiritto civile,e quindi
leazioni.Siperò l'interpretazione delle leggi,si le azioni spettavano al
collegio dei ponte fici,dai quali ogni anno sceglievasi chi dovesse
soprantendere ai privati, e per circa cento anni il popolo segui quest' uso. In
appresso, avendo Appio Claudio proposto e ridotto a forma queste a z i o n i, G
n e o F l a v i o, s u o s c r i v a n o e f i g l i o d i u n l i b e r t o, s
o t t r a t t o g l i il l i b r o, lo fece di ragione del popolo; il quale
servigio fu al popolo tanto grato, che elesse lui tribuno della plebe e
senatore ed edile curule. Questo libro contenente le azioni chiamasi diritto
Flaviano, siccome quell'altro d i ritto Papiriano; ma neppur Gneo Flavio
aggiunse alcun che al suo li bro. Cresciuta la città e mancando alcune specie
di azioni, Sesto Elio non molto dopo ne istituì altre, e pubblicò il libro che
chiamasi diritto Eliano. Quindi,essendovi nella città la legge delle XII Tavole
e ildirittocivile e le azioni di legge, accadde che, venuta la plebe a
discordia coi padri e separatasene, istituì le leggi che chiamansi plebisciti,
cioè decreti della plebe. Non guari dopo, richiamata la plebe, perchè frequenti
discordie n a scevano intorno a questi plebisciti, per la legge Ortensia fu
stabilito che avessero anche quelli per leggi; e cosi avvenne che i plebisciti
e le leggi differissero pel modo di farle,ma ne fosse eguale l'autorità.
Quindi,perchélaplebeaccordavasi difficilmente,emoltopiùdifficil mente il popolo
in si grande moltitudine di persone,fu d'uopo che si affi dasse al senato la
cura della repubblica. Così cominciò ad intromettersi il senato, ed osservavasi
tutto quello ch'esso avesse decretato, e questo di ritto fu detto
senatoconsulto. A quei tempi anche iMagistrati
proferivanogiudizi;ed,affinchéicit tadini sapessero qual giudizio intorno ad
ogni cosa si proferirebbe e se ne premunissero, pubblicavano gli editti che
costituirono il diritto onorario, così detto perchè veniva dall'onore, cioè
dalla carica di pretore. Da ultimo, siccome pareva che l'autorità di far leggi
fosse, per natu rale effetto delle cose,passata al minor numero,un po'per
voltaavvenne che fu necessario che un solo provvedesse alla repubblica; poichè
il senato non poteva del pari amministrar bene tutte le provincie. Stabilito
quindi il principe, gli fu dato il diritto, che si avesse per rato checchè egli
d e terminasse. Così nella nostra città o si giudica pel diritto, cioè secondo la
legge; o v'è diritto civile, che consiste solo nell'interpretazione dei
prudenti,non iscritta; le azioni di legge,che contengono le forme da usare; i
plebisciti, che furono emanati senza l'autorità dei padri; gli editti dei
magistrati, donde nasce il diritto onorario; i senatoconsulti, che emanano dal
solo senato costituente senza legge; e le costituzioni del
principe, quello cioè che il principe determinò si osservi come legge.
Conosciuta l'origine e il procedimento del diritto,conseguita che discor riamo
i nomi e l'origine dei magistrati, perchè, come abbiam mostrato,da quelli che
presiedono a far leggi, acquistano gli effetti. Imperocchè, che varrebbe essere
nella città, se non vi fosse quegli che potesse far leggi? Dopo ciò parleremo
degli autori che si succedettero l'un l'altro, giacchè il diritto non può
sussistere senza che siavi qualche giurisperito,dal quale esser possa mano mano
migliorato. Quanto ai magistrati, nei primordi della nostra città i re ebbero
tutto il potere. I tribuni dei celeri comandavano ai cavalieri, ed occupavano
quasi ilsecondo posto dopo ire;del qual numero fuGiunioBruto,autore del
discacciamento dei re. Espulsi i re, furono stabiliti due consoli, ai quali per
legge fu concesso il supremo diritto: così chiamati, perchè bene provvedevano
(consulebant) alla repubblica. Onde pero non si arrogassero regio potere in
tutto,fu per legge stabilito che vi fosse appello da loro, nè potessero punire
verun cit tadino romano senza il consenso del popolo: a loro fu soltanto
concesso di obbligare e di far mettere nelle pubbliche prigioni. In appresso,
dovendosi rinnovare il censo che da ogni tempo non erası fatto, nè bastando i
consoli a questo incarico, furono stabiliti i censori. Aumentando il popolo, e
nascendo frequenti guerre, delle quali alcune assai gravi, mosse dai
confinanti, piacque di eleggere,ogni qualvolta il bi sogno richiedesse, un
magistrato con potere maggiore; furono per tanto istituiti i dittatori, dai
quali nessuno poteva appellarsi, e che avevano a n che podestà di vita e di
morte.Questo magistrato, perchè aveva un po tere sommo,non poteva durare più di
sei mesi. A questi dittatori aggiungevansi i maestri, vale a dire comandanti
dei cavalieri, nella stessa guisa che ai re i tribuni dei celeri, la quale
carica equivaleva presso a poco a quella dei prefetti del pretorio: m a i
magistrati erano tenuti per legittimi. Quando poi, circa diciassette anni dopo
la cacciata dei re, la plebe si separò dai padri, crearonsi sul monte sacro i
tribuni, ch'erano magistrati plebei,e fu loro dato tal nome,perchè una volta
ilpopolo era diviso in tre parti, e da ciascuna se ne sceglieva uno, o perchè
venivano nominati per suffragio della tribù. E parimenti, affinchè fosse chi
soprantendesse agli edifizii, nei quali riferiva tutti decreti la
plebe,deputarono a ciò due della plebe, che fu rono chiamati edili. Avendo poi
l'erario del popolo cominciato ad esser pingue,furono n o 144
145 minati i questori che ne avessero cura; cosi detti, perché dovevano
esigere (quaerere o inquirere) e tenere conto del danaro. E perché, secondo
abbiamo detto, non era concesso ai consoli pronun ciare sentenza di morte
contro un individuo romano senza permissione del popolo,furono dal popolo
nominati iquestori del parricidio,che giudi cassero i delitti capitali: di essi
fa menzione anche la legge delle XII Tavole. Ed,essendo piaciuto che si
facessero ancora altre leggi, fu proposto al popolo che tutti i magistrati si
dimettessero, e furono nominati i decem viri per un anno. Questi si prorogarono
la carica e si condussero ingiu stamente,nèvolevanoristabiliredinuovo
imagistrati,peroccupareglino e il lor partito il potere; e colla lunga e
crudele dominazione loro con dussero le cose a tale, che l'esercito si ribello
alla repubblica. Dicesi che capo di questa ribellione sia stato un certo
Virginio.Questi vide che Appio Claudio, contro il diritto ch'egli stesso dal
diritto antico aveva inserito nelle XII Tavole, gli aveva tolto il possesso
della propria figlia, e giudi cato in favore di colui che, subornato dallo
stesso Appio,laripeteva come sua schiava, perchè, acciecato dall'anjore per la
fanciulla, non aveva più guardato a diritto o a torto, sdegnato che gli fosse
tolto il diritto anti chissimo sulla persona della figlia, a somiglianza di
quel Bruto primo con sole, che aveva dichiarato libera la persona di Vindice
schiavo dei Vitellj, per aver rivelata la congiura; e, riputando la castità
della figlia essere da preferire alla vita, tolto un coltello dalla bottega di
un macellajo, u c cise la figlia per sottrarla colla morte al disonore dello
stupro; e tosto, grondante ancora del sangue della figlia, corse tra'suoi
compagni d'arme. I quali tutti dall'Algido, dove le legioni trovavansi a
cainpo, abbandonati i capi, trasferirono le bandiere sull'Aventino, e là pure
si condusse tutta la plebe della città. Allora altri dei decemviri furono
uccisi in prigione, altri cacciati in esilio, e fu ristabilito nella repubblica
l'ordine di prima. Alcuni anni dopo la pubblicazione delle XII Tavole, la plebe
venne a contesa coi padri, volendo che i consoli si eleggessero anche dal suo
corpo; al che opponendosi i padri, avvenne che si creassero, parte dalla plebe,
parte dai padri, i tribuni militari con podestà consolare, i quali varia rono
di numero,poichè furono ora venti,ora più,non mai meno. Essendosi quindi
convenuto di creare i consoli anche dalla plebe, si cominciò ad eleggerli dai
due corpi. Afinchè però ipadri avessero qualche cosa più della plebe, piacque
allora che si eleggessero dal loro ordine due edili curuli. E,perchè i consoli
erano occupati dalle guerre coi vicini, nè vi aveva chi nella città potesse
amministrar la giustizia,si creò un pretore,chia mato urbano,perchè
amministrava la giustizia nella città. G. Bovio.Disegno di una Storia del Diritto,ecc.,ecc.
10 Dopo alcuni anni, non bastando quel pretore, perchè accorreva
nella città moltitudine di forestieri,fu creato un altropretore,dettoperegrino,
perchè per lo più rendeva giustizia ai forestieri (peregrini). Poi,essendo necessario
un magistrato che presiedesse ai pubblici in canti, furono stabiliti i
decemviri per giudicare le liti. A quel tempo furono pure nominati quattro
soprantendenti alle strade, i triumviri monetali che vegliavano alla
fabbricazione delle monete di rame,d'argento e d'oro,ed itriumviri capitali che
custodivano le pri gioni, si che,quando dovevasi punire, facevasi col loro
intervento. E,perchè nelle ore vespertine i magistrati non avevano obbligo di
tro varsi in officio, furono istituiti i quinqueviri di qua e di là dal Tevere,
che ne facessero le veci. Conquistata poi la Sardegna, quindi la Sicilia,la
Spagna e la provincia Narbonese, furono creati tanti pretori quante nuove
provincie, i quali so prantendessero parte alle cose urbane, parte alle
provinciali. Quindi Cor nelio Silla istitui i processi pubblici, come di
falso,di parricidio,dei sicarj, ed aggiunse quattro pretori. In appresso Cajo
Giulio Cesare istituì due pretori e due edili, detti cereali da Cerere, perchè
soprantendevano ai grani. Così si ebbero dodici pretori e sei edili. Poi il
divo Augusto portò a sedici il numero dei pretori, ai quali il divo Claudio
altri due ne aggiunse, che giudicassero intorno ai fedecommessi;ildivo Tito ne
soppresse uno,e il divo Nerva ve lo aggiunse; essi giudicavano le liti fra il
fisco e i privati. Per modo che diciotto pretori amministravano la giustizia
della città. Tutto ciò si osserva, quando i magistrati sono nella città; quando
poi ne partono, si lascia uno che solo rende giustizia e chiamasi prefetto alla
città, il quale una volta si nominava all'occorrenza, dopo fu stabile per le
ferie latine,ed eleggesi ogni anno.Ilprefetto dell'annona e dei vigili,cioè
delle guardie notturne, non sono propriamente magistrati, m a furono stabi liti
straordinariamente per comodo: quelli però che abbiamo detto nomi narsi di qua
dal Tevere,per decreto del senato venivano poi creati edili. Dunque,fra tutti,
dieci tribuni della plebe, due consoli, diciotto pretori, sei edili nella città
amministravano il diritto. Moltissimi e chiarissimi personaggi professavano la
scienza del dritto civile, m a ora ci basta parlare di quelli che in maggiore
stima furono presso il popolo romano, affinchè apparisca da chi e quali leggi
ebbero origine e ne furono tramandate.E prima di Tiberio Coruncanio non ricordasi
alcuno che pubblicamente professasse questa scienza; tutti gli altri fino
allora a v e vano creduto di tenere occulto il diritto civile,o soltanto si
prestavano a chi li consultava, piuttosto che a chi volesse imparare. Tra i
primi periti del diritto fu poi Publio Papirio, che radund in uno l e l e
g g i d e i r e; d o p o q u e s t o, A p p i o C l a u d i o, u n o d e i d e
c e m v i r i, il c u i s e n n o molto valse nel comporre le XII
Tavole.Appresso viene altro Appio Clau clio che ebbe grandissima scienza in
questa parte, e fu detto centimano. Fece egli costruire la via Appia, derivò
l'acqua Claudia, e persuase di non ricevere Pirro nella città. Si disse aver
egli pel primo scritto le azioni in torno alle usurpazioni, il qual libro però
non esiste. Sembra che il m e d e simo Appio Claudio abbia inventato la lettera
R, onde si disse Valerj in vece di Valesj,e Furj invece di Fusj. Dopo questi,
di grandissima scienza fu Sempronio che ilpopolo romano chiamò coçov
(sapiente), nome che a nessun altro fu dato nè prima nè dopo ali lai.Ma vi fu
anche Cajo Scipione Nasica che dal senato fu chiamato ottimo, al quale fu anche
data del pubblico una casa sulla via Sacra, onde più facilmente si potesse
andare a consultarlo. Appresso fu Quinto Fabio che, mandato ambasciatore ai
Cartaginesi, essendogli poste innanzi due
schede,unaperlapace,l'altraperlaguerra,econcesso a luil'arbitrio di portare a
Roma qual delle due gli piacesse, le prese ambedue,e disse dovere i Cartaginesi
chiedere e ricevere qual più volessero. Fu,dopo questi,Tiberio Coruncanio
chepelprimo,come dissi,cominciò a professare il diritto: di lui,sebbene non
restò veruno scritto, si ricordano molte e memorabili risposte. Quindi Sesto
Elio col fratello Publio Attilo ebbero grandissima scienza nel professare
ildiritto,e furono anche consoli. Sesto Elio è lodato anche da Ennio, e di lui
esiste un libro intitolato Tria partita, che contiene i primi elementi della
scienza del diritto:gli fu dato quel nome, perchè,proposta la legge delle XII
Tavole, vi soggiunse l'inter pretazione, e quindi vi unì l'azione di legge.
Dicesi esserci di lui tre altri libri che alcuni però gli negano.Le pedate di
questo calcò Marco Catone, capo della famiglia Porcia, del quale sussistono
alcuni libri, m a più ancora di suo figlio; da questi vennero tutti gli altri.
Tennero dietro a questi Publio Rutilio Rufo che fu console in Roma e proconsole
nell'Asia; Paolo Virginio e Quinto Tuberone,ilprimo stoico e discepolo di
Panezio che fu anche console.Di quel tempo fu pure Sesto Pompeo,zio di Gneo
Pompeo,e Celio Antipatro che scrisse storie,ma at tese più all'eloquenza, che
alla scienza del diritto. Lucio Crasso, fratello di Publio Muzio,e chiamato
anche Muciano,da Cicerone è detto ilpiù facondo dei giureconsulti. Quinto
Muzio, figlio di Publio e pontefice massimo, ordind pel primo il diritto
civile, raccogliendolo in diciotto libri. In appresso Publio Muzio, Bruto
e Manilio fondarono il diritto civile: Muzio lascio dieci libri, Bruto sette,
Manilio tre; e di Manilio sussistono a monumento alcuni volumi scritti, Bruto
fu pretore, gli altri due consoli, e Publio Muzio anche pontefice
massimo. Muzio ebbe più discepoli, tra i quali maggior fama
acquistarono Gallo Aquilio, Balbo Lucilio, Sesto Papirio e Cajo Giuvenzio:
Servio dice che Gallo ebbe grande autorità presso il popolo. Di tutti questi si
conserva memoria,perchè Servio Sulpizio pose nei suoi libri iloro nomi: ma non
restano loro scritti che tutti desiderino ed abbiano tra le mani: pure Servio
compi i libri suoi, dai quali si ha memoria dei predetti. Servio che nel
perorare le cause occupò il primo posto dopo Marco Tullio, si dice essere una
volta andato a consultare Quinto Muzio intorno ad un affare d'un suo amico; e,
non avendo compreso quello che Muzio rispondeva intorno al diritto,gliripeté
ladimanda;ma,non avendo meglio compreso la risposta,Muzio lo rimproverò,dicendo
esser vergogna che un patrizio e nobile, che perorava cause, ignorasse il
diritto che pure avea sempre tra le mani. Tocco da questo affronto, Servio si
applicó al diritto civile, e fu discepolo a molti di quelli che abbiamo
nominati: Balbo Lucilio gli diede i primi rudimenti, e lo perfeziono Gallo
Aquilio da Cercina, onde di lui abbiamo molti scritti in Cercina. Morto in
un'ambasceria, il popolo romano gli eresse una statua che tuttora si vedle sui
rostri di Augusto: lasciò forse centottanta libri, assai dei quali restano
ancora. Da questomoltissimiimpararono;quelliperòchelasciaronolibri,sono Alfeno
Varo, Caio Aulo Otilio, Tito Cesio, Antidio Tucca, Anfidio Namusa, Flavio
Prisco, Cajo Atejo, Placurio Labeone Antistio, padre dell'altro L a beone
Antistio, Cinna e Publio Gellio. Di questi dieci, otto scrissero libri, che da
Anfidio Namusa furon tutti ordinati in cenquaranta libri,ed acqui starono
grande celebrità Alteno Varo ed Aulo Otilio,dei quali il primo di ventò anche
console, il secondo cavaliere soltanto. Fu questi amicissimo di Cesare, e
lasciò molti libri che trattavano ogni parte del diritto civile, scrisse anche
pel primo intorno alle leggi della vigesima ed alla giurisdi zione. Il medesimo
pel primo commentò con grande diligenza l'Editto del pretore, mentre pria di
lui Servio avea intorno a quello scritto soltanto due libri brevissimi, diretti
a Bruto. Di quel tempo furono anche Trebezio, discepolo di Cornelio Massimo,
Aulo Cascellio, Quinto Muzio, discepolo di Volusio che ad onore di quello l a s
c i ò p e r t e s t a m e n t o e r e d e il s u o n i p o t e P u b l i o M u
z i o. F u q u e s t o r e, n è a c cettar volle onori maggiori, sebbene
Augusto gli offerisse anche il conso lato. Di questi dicesi che Trebezio su più
istrutto di Cascellio, e questi più eloquente del primo; di ambidue più dotto
fu Otilio.Di Cascellio non resta che un libro solo di bei motti;molti di
Trebezio,ma poco ricercati. Quindi v’ebbe Tuberone discepolo di Ofilio,
patrizio, che dal trattar le cause passo ad esercitare il diritto civile,
specialmente dopo ch'ebbe ac cusato Quinto Ligario senza poter ottenere da Caio
Cesare che fosse con 148 dannato.Questo Ligario, mentre
comandava nelle spiagge d'Africa, non vi lasciò approdare Tuberone malato, nè
prender acqua: di ciò accusato, fu difeso da Cicerone, del quale esiste la
bellissima orazione intitolata A f a vore di Quinto Ligario. Tuberone fu
dottissimo nel diritto pubblico e pri vato, e lasciò molti libri intorno
all'uno e all'altro; affetto per altro lo scrivere antiquato, e perció i suoi
libri piacciono poco. Seguono Atejo Capitone, discepolo di Ofilio, ed Antistio
Labeone che tutti questi udi,ma fu istruito da Trebazio.Atejo fu console: e
Labeone, offerendogli Augusto il consolato per sostituzione, non volle accettar
l'o nore, per non interrompere i suoi studi, giacchè avea cosi ripartito l'in
teroanno,chestavaseimesiinRoma coglistudiosi,glialtriseisene ritirava per
attendere a scriver libri, e lasciò quaranta volumi, molti dei quali corrono
per le mani di tutti. Costoro formarono quasi due sette o p poste: poichè
Capitone seguiva il vecchio che gli era stato insegnato; L a beone, per natura
dell'ingegno suo e per fiducia di sapere, poichè avea atteso anche agli altri
rami della sapienza, intraprese d'innovare moltis sime cose.E così a Capitone
succedette Massimo Sabino,a Labeone Nerva, i quali due accrebbero quella
divisione. Nerva fu amicissimo di Cesare; Massimo fu cavaliere, e pel primo
diede risposte in pubblico, secondo gli fu concesso da Tiberio Cesare. M a,
come tutti sanno,prima di Augusto non dai principi concedevasi il diritto di
dar risposte in pubblico, ma chiunque confidava negli studi fatti, ri spondeva
a quanti lo consultavano. Nè però davansi queste risposte in iscritto,ma
perlopiùlescrivevanoigiudicistessi,oleattestavanoquelli che gli avevano
consultati. Il divo Augusto pel primo, onde in maggiore stima venisse
ildiritto,ordinò che si dimandasse per l'innanzi,come pri vilegio, di poter
dare risposte in pubblico. Poscia Adriano,principe ottimo, avendogli alcuni,
ch'erano stati pretori, domandato di poter essere consul
tatiinpubblico,cosilororescrisse: Nonvolersiciòdimandare,ma fare; consolarsi,se
vi avesse qualcuno che,in se confidando, si apprestasse a ri spondere al
popolo. Da Tiberio Cesare, adunque, fu concesso a Sabino che rispondesse al
popolo. Questi entrò nell'ordine equestre nella avanzata età di quasi
quarantacinque anni; ebbe scarse sostanze, ma fu molto aiutato da'suoi
ascoltatori. Gli successe Cajo Cassio Longino, la cui madre era figlia di
Tuberone o nipote di Servio Sulpizio, perciò egli chiama Sulpizio suo proavo.
Fu console con Quartino al tempo di Tiberio,e godette grande stima nella città,
fintanto che Cesare non lo caccio. Andò quindi in Sar degna, e, richiamato da
Vespasiano, mori in Roma.A Nerva succedette Proculo.Diquei
tempifuancheNervafiglio,edun altroLongino,cava liere, che poi sali fino alla
pretura. M a autorità maggiore ebbe Proculo e i s e g u a c i d e l l e d
u e s e t t e d i C a p i t o n e e d i L a b e o n e; p r e s e r o a l l o r
a il n o m e di Cassiani e di Proculiani. A Cassio succedette Celio Sabino che
molto potè ai tempi di Vespasiano;a Proculo,Pegaso che sotto lo stesso impe
radore fu prefetto della città;a Celio Sabino,Prisco Giavoleno;a Pegaso,
Celso;a Celso padre,Celso figlio e Prisco Nerazio,iquali furono ambidue
consoli, anche Celso due volte;a Giavoleno finalmente succedettero Aburno
Valente, Tusciano e Salvio Giuliano. - CAPITOLO DUODECIMO. Il
Giureconsulto e la Decadenza Il periodo unitario, per non rovinare nello
accentramento, è equilibrato da quattro contraccolpi che sono le due guerre ser
vili, la guerra sociale, la guerra civile e la guerra gladiatoria. Il Pretore
ha annunziato una parola solenne nel diritto: l'e+ quità. La parola equità non
è in Roma una legislazione, è una correzione, m a intanto col pretore è giunta
al suo secondo periodo, è passata cioè dalla eguale notizia della legge dentro
la legge istessa. Dove il legislatore era stato duplice, ed in dis sidio
continuo, l'equità non poteva entrare che come correzione e in forma di casi
particolari. L'equitå vorrà dire, di certo, che la repubblica signorile è fatta
popolare; che i peblisciti contrappesano i senato -consulti; che le grandi
differenze si livellano; m a dice qualcosaltro: l’e quità è una certa unità
giuridica che preannunzia l'unità po litica. Ho designato i due grandi periodi
dell'unità politica:l'unità italica; l'unità della civiltà mediterranea. Le
sannitiche ele pu niche determinano specialmente questi due periodi. Che cosa furono le due guerre servili e la
guerra gladiato ria, quale valore e significanza ebbero, e furono guerre
davvero, o un impeto disperato senza eco e senza effetto? Gli storici an tichi
non danno ó fingono non dare molta importanza alle due guerre servili, con le
quali si apre e chiude la generazione che 1. 152 va dal 619 al 651.
L'alto rumore di ciò che gli storici latini chiamarono Graccanae, e poi della
guerra giugurtina, e poi della invasione dei Teutoni e dei Cimbri, gli uni
sterminati da Mario nella Gallia transalpina, gli altri nella cisalpina, e poi
della guerra sociale, e,immediatamente dopo,della prima guerra civile tra Mario
e Silla, occasionata da Mitridate VII,tutto questo che non è poco rumore
insieme con la politica sprezzante verso i servi, non arriva a spegnere il
furore nè a soffocare il grido de' servi, che, levatisi a guerra vera contro i
padroni, si batterono, vinsero, e poi caddero uccisi piuttosto che sconfitti.
Strana guerra, m a spiegabile in R o m a e dopo il pretore e nella repubblica
popolare. La voce dell’equità pretoria, l'aliud initium libertatis, che
equilibra patrizii e plebei, l'imperio consolare coll'ausilio tri bunizio,
creditori e debitori, padri e figli, romano e peregrino, quella arriva tra
servi e padroni. I servi cominciano a voler essere considerati non romana
mente,perché non sono e non si sentono di Roma,ma umana mente,da che sono
venuti a Roma da ogni parte dell'umanità, ed hanno veduto in R o m a la lotta
per l'equità. Hanno veduto e saputo che i diritti si strappano, e la solle
vazione comincia dalla Sicilia, dove maggiore era il numero dei servi
condannati alla coltivazione de'latifondi. Primo ucciso Da mofilo,proprietario di
latifondi, in Enna,oggi Castrogiovanni; poi, disfatti quattro eserciti romani;
in ultimo, de'settantamila servi cinquantamila uccisi in guerra, ventimila in
croce. Nella seconda servile il moto fu più ampio: non si sol levarono i servi
soltanto, m a insieme gli oppressi peggio che servi: proletarii e diseredati. I
servi superstiti alla guerra si scan narono tra loro. Simile guerra non si era
veduta mai, e la lotta per l'equità facevala possibile a Roma.Ed alle servili
somiglia la guerra gla diatoria che può anche passare come terza delle servili,
e della quale gli storici del diritto costumano non toccar motto. Eglino
153 Gli storici romani lodano Spartaco a denti stretti, chiamano guerra
appena le due servili e la gladiatoria, e non si accor gono che sono le prime
guerre,dopo le quali la sconfitta è toc cata ai vincitori. Da Euno a
Spartacoilgridoè uno,quellodellavecchiaplebe romana: libertas aequanda;summis
infinisque jura aequare.Cið che rispetto a quella plebe sediziosa erano stati i
Gnei G e n u n zio ed i Publilii Volerone, surono,rispetto ai servi
ribelli,ilsiro Euno e il trace Spartaco: gli uni tribuni della plebe romana,
gli altri tibuni dell'umanità servile: quelli per giungere all'equità
latina,questi all’equità umana. Senza queste prime considerazioni non sarebbe
intesa l'uni versalità del responso. Mentre si acqueta la seconda guerra
servile, divampa la guerra sociale,col proposito di conseguire non l'equità
umana, ma l'equità romana e con effetto immediato. La guerra sociale durd men
di due anni, rapida e violenta, se a conto di Vellejo Patercolo costo
all'Italia più di trecentomila uccisi. E fu detta sociale non già nel senso
moderno della parola,ma perchè mossa contro R o m a da’socii italiani,
reclamanti parità di diritti politici e civili co’romani, dopo aver falio
insieme con quelli la potenza diRoma.L'aspettazione c !epromesse
eranostatelunghe;iltri huno Livio Druso che ricordavale, mettendo in una tre
rogazio ni, fu morto prima de'Comizii;e con quella morte fu inteso che i
diritti, data l'ora, si strappano, non s'impetrano. non sanno che possono
a lor grado diminuire i nomi di Euno, di Cleone, di Trifone e di
Atenione,condottieri di servi,ma per nessuna via giungeranno a diminuire il
nome di Spartaco che all'altezza del proposito univa l'arte dei mezzi. Spartaco
intese l'ora e il luogo,cioè quando doveva dare il segnale della rivolta e come
uscir d'Italia; intese ancora come gli restava a cadere, quando l'Italia gli si
era fatta terra fatale. -- I seimila gladiatori, lungo la via Appia, appesi
alle croci,come già i ventimila servi, dicono uno sterminio, non una
sconfitta. 154 Di quindi la confederazione repubblicana, della
quale i socii elessero centro Corfinium, cui posero nome Italica per signifi
care il carattere nazionale della confederazione e della lotta. I centomila
combattenti de'confederati si elessero duce Pompedio Silone, nome di un
sannita,che ai popoli italici dev'esser sacro quanto il tribuno alla plebe
romana, quanto Spartaco ai servi di ogni paese. Fu morto anche lui, uccisi i
suoi,dopo la rovina di quattro eserciti romani,ma questa volta chiaramente i
più scon fitti furono i vincitori. La guerra fu cominciata nel 663: mentre
durava, il diritto italico cominciava a farsi romano con la lex
Julia(664),e,finitalaguerra,tuttal'Italiaacquistava idiritti di cittadinanza
romana con la lex Plautia (665). Ecco l'evoluzione di questi diritti di
cittadinanza derivati dalla guerra sociale: 1a gl'Italiani furono, per
l'esercizio del suffragio, classificati in otto tribù nuove,aggiunte alle
trentacinque pree sistenti; sicché tutta l'Italia venne a conseguire otto
voci,quando Roma ne aveva trentacinque:sproporzione subito corretta, per chè
gl’Italiani riuscirono in breve tempo a farsi distribuire pro porzionalmente
nelle trentacinque tribů romane; 2° il suolo ita lico è distinto dal suolo
provinciale, è equiparato all’ager r o m a nus e liberato dal
vectigal.L'italiano ha guadagnato ildominium ex jure Quiritium. Dopo la guerra
sociale il diritto romano ė diritto italiano.Tra il romano e l'italiano
sparisce il pretore peregrino. Non si ripeta questo errore,che le guerre
servili furono ster minio senza essetto, e che feconda fu la guerra sociale.
Dicasi invece che gli effetti delle guerre servili sono immediatamente
invisibili e saranno più tardi raccolti dal filosofo e confidati al l'ideale di
un jus hominum, mentre immediati sono gli effetti della guerra sociale,
immediatamente saranno raccolti dal pre tore e dal giureconsulto, e passeranno
nella costituzione politica diRoma.IlgeniomilitarediRoma
potevaabbandonareiservi su'colti, m a non poteva espandersi senza de’socii.
Interpretiamo la prima guerra civile.Da questa Montesquieu torse
gli occhi, e dentro questa bisogna ficcarli, per intendere la decadenza.
L'Italia ha conseguito lacittadinanza romana,quando in Roma la cittadinanza ha
perduto d'intensità quel che ha guadagnato di estensione. L'Italia, contro la
vittoria di Silla, ultimo vindice della ragione quiritaria, ha afferrato il
dominio ex jure Quiritium; m a i Quiriti dove sono? Dove i patrizii ed i plebei?
Se tra l'i taliano ed il romano è sparito il pretore peregrino, si può dire che
il pretore urbano duri per sentenziare tra il patrizio ed il plebeo? La guerra
civile è una funesta rivelazione, non per le proscrizioni, ma pel sinistro lume
sparso sulla rovina morale de'romani. Con la guerra civile si apre la reazione
de'grandi de litti contro le tradizioni dell'eroismo civile. Accenniamo, non
possiamo narrare Quelle facce sinistra mente predesignate di Mario e di Silla
rivelano due diversi tipi di sanguinarii, vuoti d'ideali. Mario agitavasi in
nome di una plebe ch'ei non ama, perchè non trova;Silla reagisce in nome di un
patriziato ch'egli, quando non può rialzare,disprez za.Sapevano guerra e movere
legioni agguerrite; ma caddero sopra sė medlesimi, senza lasciar traccia,
perchè vissuti senza disegno. Mario finisce, non ricordando la plebe, m a
sforzandosi dimenticare sė; Silla, ricordando sè solo, e buttando la ditta tura
che sforzavalo a ricordarsi d'altrui. Grande fu lo stupore del gran rifiuto non
per viltà,ma per disprezzo: Silla non aveva potuto rizzare il vecchio
patriziato, come Giuliano non evocare gli Dei morti. Nulla dicono intanto quei
funerali di Silla,e due mila corone d'oro intorno all'arca marmorea, e lo
scorruccio d'un anno alle matrone? Dicono una sola cosa:che la repub blica è
finita, e che R o m a aspetta il principe col motto di Asinio Gallo in Tacito:
U n u m esse reipublicae corpus, atque unius animo regendum. L'assenza delle
due parti che han fatto l'alto dissidio di R o m a, delle parti che han
combattuto la lotta pel diritto, composta nel l'equità, l'assenza di quella
plebe indomita e gelosa della sua 155. maestà, e di quel
patriziato che, quando non arriva a giustificare la preminenza con diversioni
eroiche, tramuta in concessioni gli strappi, è accusata in Roma da due
fattiirrefragabili: dalla uni versale viltà che accompagnò le proscrizioni
sillane, e dal soli loquio infecondo dell'ultimo Gracco,al
quale,moriente,addicevasi meglio il motto di Bruto minore (1). E,dato il
significato delle guerre servili,della gladiatoria,della sociale e della
civile,è tempo di spiegarsi l'assenza delle antiche parti, la quale lascia
intravveder l'Impero. La devastazione bellica, segnatamente dopo laseconda
punica, e l'importazione commerciale sono le due cause precipue,onde i piccioli
fondi cominciano a sparire per formare i latifondi,e però cominciano a
spostarsi le parti, sostituendo alla questione poli tica la sociale: dov'erano
patrizii e plebei cominciasi a vedere ricchi e poveri. Quindi, il potere
pe’ricchi,le frumentationes pe' poveri, l'agricoltura pe’servi.Quindi,mentre da
Silla a Pompeo la facoltà de'giudizii ballottavasi da’senatori a'cavalieri e
viceversa, l'ordine giudiziario corrompevasi, di giuridico facendosi politico,
e, più che politico, personale. Quindi,mentre i Gracchi e Mario cer:ano invano
la vecchia plebe, da che la nuova, secondo Sal lustio, privatis atque publicis
largilionibus excita, urbanum otium ingrato labori praetulerat, Silla cerca
invano il vecchio patriziato,corrotto da'nuovi cavalieri,tra'qualisiviene a
reclutare la mala genia de'publicani. Mentre si fa la romanizzazione del (Alcuni,per
trovare qualche cosa di liberale intorno a questo tempo di Roma,hanno avuto
ricorso persino alla congiura di Catilina,celebrando quest'uomo con inni assai
postumi ed assai brevi, e allogandolo quasi tra il s o c i a l i s t a e il n i
c h i l i s t a d e ' n o s t r i t e m p i. M a l a s t o r i a n o n p a t i
s c e q u e s t e violenze e sfata questi travestimenti insignificanti.
Catilina è rientrato s u bito nel posto destinatogli dalla storia, a
documentare due cose: la degra dazione del patriziato e la reazione dei grandi
misfatti contro le tradi zioni dell'eroismo civile. Ciò ch'egli non poteva
trarre dal valore militare, splendido in Mario e Silla, voleva dalla congiura.E
la degradazione morale fu chiarita dalla guerra combattuta in quel di Pistoia,
dove l'esercito m a n dato contro Catilina era condotto da un complice nella
congiura ! 156 157 mondo, il genio di Roma si
sposta:l'agricoltura ch'era romana, diventa servile; ed il commercio che non
era romano, diventa cavalleresco. Costituiti ilatifondi, l'agricoltura, per
necessità, diventa ser vile e produce meno, giusta la ragione di Plinio: Coli
rura ab ergassulis pessimum est, ut quidquid agitur a desperantibus. Il
commercio diventa deʼricchi, e però assume le forme peggiori, quelle della
soperchianza senza lavoro:le societates publicanorum corrompono leggi,
megistrature, popolo. E da qui, secondo Ta cito, anche le provincie
presentivano Augusto: Suspecto senatus populique imperio,ob certamina potentium
et avaritiam magi stratum: invalido legum auxilio, quae vi, ambitu, postremo pe
cunia turbabantur. Spariti i piccoli possidenti agricoltori, dopo tante lotte
per le leggi agrarie i discendenti della plebe si trovavano più poveri di prima,
m a tristamente paghi di questa povertà, alimentata prima dalle frumentationes,
e poi da'congiaria. Alla plebe plebiscitaria era succeduta la plebs
frumentaria. È certamente una costituzione politica che si sfascia, quella
caduta tra due classi estreme (ric chissimi e proletarii), non equilibrate da
quell'ordine intermedio che è diffusivo di sua natura, e per creare il quale R
o m a aveva combattuto tante lotte agrarie. Basti, per ispiegarsi molto,voler
sapere la popolazione d'Italia verso il tempo delle guerre servili. Eccola:
quattordici milioni quasi i servi; quasi sette milioni i liberi, e di questi
almeno sei milioni i proletarii. Era naturale:una ricchezza di cinque milioni
di denari era povertà; e per esse ricco bisognava con Crasso, co'liberti
Lentulo e Narcisso, ed anche con lo stoico Seneca,sa lire a più centinaja di
milioni ! Conchiudiamo:dove c'è questa ricchezza di centinaja di milioni, ci
dev'essere a fianco un vasto proletariato; e dov'è finita la plebe romana, è
finito il patriziato. Non c'è più plebe,da che è frumentaria,non più patriziato
da che è pubblicano,non c'è senatus popolusque nè populus plebs
que romana: c'è un volgo immenso o mobile o profano, volgo sempre, diviso tra
ricchi e poveri. E contro questo volgo si av ventano implacabili i classici,
tante volte volgo anch'essi, da che furono corrotti gliscente adulatione. Gli
Augusti ed i loro m i n i stri -- Mecenati o Sejani che sieno sono divi non
solo per i bramosi di pane e giuochi, non solo per i liberti imperanti e per
gli stoici traricchiti, ma per gli scrittori che più simulano sdegno contro
l'adulazione pubblica, quanto meno la possono su perare ne'loro versi e prose.
Nė in tanto scadimento dell'anima civitatis resta la religione come
supplementum civitatis defectui. Il mondo romano ha avuto più o meno di
superstizione, e forse molta,ma religione sempre poca. Assai prima che Lucrezio
derivasse nella cosmologia latina l'atomismo epicureo e creasse un poema ateo
senza riscontro il poema dei dotti romani assai prima Lucio Azzio,il primo
tragico nato in R o m a, faceva rappresentare pubblicamente sue tragedie poco
riverenti agl’Iddii patrii. Nè di questa irriverenza gli faceva rimprovero il
vecchio Pacuvio, ma della durezza de' versi, onde per contrario Azzio lodavasi,
perchè quella durezza faceva riscontro alla fierezza delle sentenze.E iversi
atei e duri del poeta tragico, attraversando i secoli più molli, erano letti e
recitati al tempo di Lucrezio, di Silla e di Cicerone. A questi piaceva udire
una voce antica, quasi divinatrice, di poeta: Neque profecto Deùm summus rex
omnibus curat. Cosi trovasi da secoli apparecchiato l'ambiente ad Epicuro, ad
Amafinio che lo esporrà in prosa, ed a Lucrezio, in versi. E, quando lo
stoicismo con simulato sopracciglio verrà a velare la dottrina epicurea, Seneca
ripeterà con gonfiezza stoica sen tenze lucreziane: Mors est non esse. Hoc
eritpost me quod ante fuit. Ed altrove: Cogita illa quae nobis inferos faciunt
terribi les, fabulam esse: nullas imminere mortuis tenebras, nec flu mina
flagrantiaigne,necoblivionisamnem,nectribunalia.Lu serunt ista poetae, et vanis
nos agitavere terroribus. 158 Jam jam neque Dii regunt, 159
Questo spiega come, mentre agli auguri è possibile sorridere guardandosi l'un
l'altro, a Catilina è lecito patteggiare co' con giurati sino gli ufficii ed i
gradi sacerdotali, dopo avere, impu nito, stuprato una vestale ! Spiega perchè,
in questa decadenza, ai vincitori di Annibale sia fatto difficile vincere un
Giugurta che sin da Numanzia aveva imparato a chiamare vendereccia R o m a, ed
era incatenato da un peggiore di lui, Mario; come a narrare un Catilina
occorreva un più tristo, Sallustio.— Spiega anche più: dove la religione
dechinava senza esservi stata mai gran fede, e però nessuna lotta religiosa,
era imminente, non che possibile, una religione nuova: i primi cristiani
sarebbero stati perseguitati come rei di Stato,non come religiosi.Sarebbero
stati mai, come religiosi, puniti dai ricordatori di Lucio Azzio, dagli uditori
di Amafinio, dagli ammiratori di Lucrezio e dai ripeti tori di Quinto Sestio?
Dov'erano stati condannati e sbandeggiati gli Dei pel solo sacrifizio
d'Ifigenia,sarebbero stati glorificati nel sangue di migliaia di cristiani? (1)
Questo è scadimento, perchè, mentre da una parte si fa la romanizzazione, come
la dicono, del mondo, dall'altra si fa la degradazione di Roma.Dovrebbe parere
che, mentre l'umanità siromanizzava,per contraccolposiumanizzasseRoma:ma non si
può dire cosi, perchè Roma portava al mondo il diritto, e il Deducta est,non
ut,solemni more sacrorum Perfecto,posset claro comitari Hymenaeo: Sed casta
inceste nubendi tempore in ipso Hostia concideret mactatu moesta parentis,
Eritus ut classi felix, faustusque daretur. Tantum relligio potuit suadere
malorum. Empio è detto da Vico questo epifonema,piaciuto ai vecchi romani che
in forma induttiva trovavano raccolto in esso un sentimento comune,e
giudicavano, secondo equità, più empio il rito che l'epifonema. E pel m e
desimo sentimento dell'equità,più intenso del sentimento religioso,riscon trata
la sepoltura di Pompeo e di Catone con quella di un mimo,poterono domandare: Et
creditis esse Deos? (1) N a m sublata virum manibus tremebundaque ad
aras mondo portava a Roma le spoglie che facerano il lusso, come il
lusso faceva la barbarie raffinata che è la decadenza. Quale umanesimo potevan
portare a Roma la Grecia disfatta e le pro vincie barbare? La romanizzazione si
fa più rapidamente nelle provincie bar bare, che non dov'è la civiltà disfatta:
prima si romanizzano la Spagna, le Gallie, le provincie britanniche e le danubiane,
e dopo le greche e le fenicie che a R o m a contrappongono quale le tradizioni
e quale la prosunzione. La Grecia riesce a insinuare la lingua di Omero e di
Platone sin nelle ordinanze e ne'giudizii de'magistrati romani: ma la lingua
del diritto finisce col vincere quella della poesia e della metafisica ed a
portare tra il portico ed il liceo, contro le pe tulanti proteste de'retori, la
scuola del giureconsulto.Allora è che il romano, mentre deplora la decadenza
interna, glorifica in ogni forma la sua vittoria giuridica sopra il mondo.
Allora Virgilio dice al greco superbo: T u parla e scolpisci meglio; noi
domineremo te e il mondo con le leggi, perdonando ai vinti e vincendo i superbi
(1). Allora è che Plinio dice che l'Italia, romanizzando il mondo,ha dato
l'umanità all'uomo ed una pa tria sola a tutte le genti: Colloquia et
umanitatem homini daret, breviter una cunctarum gentium in toto orbe patria
fieret. E sotto questo rispetto fu possibile un cosmopolitismo più pratico di
quello degli stoici, in quanto non negava le nazioni,ma dava loro unità e
colloquio da Roma:concetto raccolto da un impe ratore in questa sentenza:
Patria mei, Antonini, R o m a: h o m i nis, mundus. Ciò è vero ed è grande: ma
che portavano a Roma que're (1) Excudent alii (e sono i Greci) spirantia
mollius aera. Credo equidem, vivos ducent de marmore vultus. Orabunt causas
melius, coelique meatus Describent radio, et surgentia sidera dicent. Tu regere
imperio populos, Romane, memento: Hae tibi erunt artes...incatenati, que'servi,
que’gladiatori, que'retori e mercanti? Come uomini gonfiavano la superbia del
vincitore, come vinti lo corrompevano. Ma non bastava ad umanizzare vincitori e
vinti il Diritto che era nella missione di Roma e da Roma dettato al mondo?
Certo, bastava, se il diritto romano fosse stato tutto il diritto
umano,tutto,come oggi lo intendiamo,come oggi la scienza e la storia ce lo han
fatto. M a non dobbiamo preoccuparle questa scienza e questa storia:dobbiamo
vedere come in mezzo a que sta decadenza che abbiamo descritto, sorge e
grandeggia il giu reconsulto. Il giureconsulto è l'espressione più elevata e
più certa di questa romanizzazione del mondo. Più si dilarga la forza uni taria
di R o m a, e più il responso del giureconsulto universaleg gia. Il responso
vero, quello che diverrà fondamento d'istitu zione e di legislazione nel
medesimo tempo,spazia tradue leggi de civitate, cioè dalla cittadinanza italica
sino alla cittadinanza universale.Che importa che Roma corrompa sė,romanizzando
il mondo? Certo è che Roma non poteva fare l'unità delle genti senza disfarsi,
e che questa unità doveva avere la sua espres sione giuridica. Ecco il
giureconsulto. Dove la legge de civitate assume l'espressione più ampia e tocca
il fastigio, ivi sorge il giureconsulto massimo che dà il più universale
responso, il più umano,e rifiuta la vita per la santità del medesimo. Fa gene
rosamente per il responso ciò che Catone uticense ostinatamente per la
repubblica. Né le dodici tavole vecchio diritto aristocratico,nè le ro gazioni
tribunizie vindici della ragione plebea, nè l'editto pretorio espressione
limitata dell’equità, potevano esprimere Ja missione giuridica di Roma
nell'unità del mondo. Tribuno e Pretore erano romani; il Giureconsulto
romanizza. Romanizza in tre periodi e modi: 1° elevando l'equità partico lare
ad equità civile; 2° l’equità romana ad equità italica; 3o l'e quità italicaad
equità umana.Ilresponsouniversaleggial'editto. Disegno di una Storia del
Diritto,ecc.,ecc. L'editto ha sempre qualcosa di particolare rispetto
all'obbietto, alle persone, al tempo, alla forma. Di repentino farsi perpetuo
non significa farsi universale: solo comprenderà quanti casi con simili
entreranno nel giro di un anno. Certo, chi legge che l'e ditto pretorio è fatto
jurisdictionis perpetuae causa, non prout res incidit, può credere che quella
perpetuità sia universalità; è invece la perpetuità della giurisdizione
pretoria, la durata di un anno.Perciò non ismette la forma individuale, non
assegue mai nè l'universalità teoretica delle formole razionali, nė l'im
perativo impersonale delle dodici tavole. Tutti gli editti pretorii che oggi
leggiamo,come de jurisdic tione, de pactis, de in jus vocando, de edendo, de
postulando, de iis qui notantur infamia, de procuratoribus, de negotiis gestis,
de in integrum restitutionibus, de nautis, cauponibus et stabu lariis recepta
ut restituant,dejurejurando voluntario, de publi ciana in rem actione, de servo
corrupto, de aleatoribus, de his qui effuderint vel dejecerint, tutti hanno la
forma individuale, espressa in ultimo dalle parole jubebo, servabo, dabo,
cogam, animdvertam e simili, o anche dall'espressione più individuale permissu
meo, come in questa de in jus vocando:– Parentum, patronum,patronam, liberos,parentes
patroni,patronae, in jus sine permissu meo ne quis vocel. E non solo
l'edittodel pretore,ma anche l'aedilitium edictum, ma col dabimus, tenuto conto
che due erano gli edili curuli o maggiori, come già due gli aediles plebeii
(1). Ex his enim cau sis,judicium DABIMUS.Hoc amplius, si quis adversus ea
sciens dolo malo vendidisse dicetur, judicium dabimus. Non è già che qualche
volta non s'incontri la formola più generale, ma o come dichiarazioni o come
illazioni della for mola singolare che distingue propriamente l'espressione
giuri sdizionale dalla legislativa. (1) Per l'utilità di queste notizie ho
riportato in nota il frammento di Pomponio. Ora veniamo alla
sostanza. Come fa il pretore ad insinuare l'equità nell'editto senza aperta violazione
del s u m m u m jus? Che sarà questa gratia corrigendi juris civilis, per non
essere negazione del diritto civile e sostituzione dell'arbitrio indivi duale?
Sarà, più che di frequente, una finzione pretoria che verrà ad alterare il
fatto per serbare inalterato il diritto, e a p punto questa finzione di fatto
correggerà la iniquità di diritto. Cosi il pretore fingerà pazzo il savio, vivo
il morto, morto il vivo, e per processo di finzioni insinuerà da presso ai c o
n tratti ed ai delitti i quasi-contratti ed i quasi-delitti. Que'quasi che
degradano all'indefinito, sono indici dell'alterazione di fatto. La necessità
che sia corretta questa contraddizione che con trappone la fictio facti
all'iniquitas juris, indica la necesstà di un istituto che superi l'editto pretorio.
Nell'editto l'equità pre domina,ma particolare,intrusa sotto la finzione di
fatto con trapposta all'iniquità di diritto. Che è la finzione di fatto? È il
prodotto di un mutato criterio di diritto, è la protesta del fatto contro il
vecchio diritto, è l'impotenza del vecchio diritto a c o n tenere il nuovo
fatto e la nuova vita. Quindi, la necessità che il diritto si alzi a quel
criterio presupposto dalla finzione di fatto.Questo criterio liberato dalla
condizione di semplice pre supposto, questo criterio espresso e messo in grado
non di torcere il fatto, ma di contenerlo tutto, di contenerlo come è nella
storia e nel costume, costituisce il responso del Giurecon sulto. L'editto è
costretto a torcere il fatto; il responso univer saleggia il criterio inventivo
che simula e dissimula il fatto. E con questo l'iniquità di diritto cade non
per finzione, m a per natural ragione. Il responso corregge la correzione del
diritto, erchè il diritto dev'essere il supremo correttore della vita so ciale.
Per via di questa finzione di fatto il mondo non si sarebbe mai romanizzato,non
l'avrebbe intesa nè imitata; ma per via del responso il mondo non si sente
debellato, ma vinto vinto, perche issimilato. A questa universalità non si
può giungere se non per la via delle definizioni, natefatte per
universaleggiare, e per la via del metodo scientifico che mena alle definizioni
reali e razionali. E del metodo vien dato merito a Servio Sulpizio; delle
definizioni a Quinto Scevola. I quali due sono giuristi e letterati per asse
guire quel romano nihil tam proprim legis quam claritas:lode data da Cicerone
sopra ogni altro allo Scevola, perchè adjunxit eliam el literarum scientiam. Con
che si dice che la letteratura, la quale per altri è ornamento e pura
erudizione, pel giurecon sulto è scienza. E, giacchè questa scienza e come
metodo e come arte qui comincia, ho potuto affermare che il Giureconsulto
grandeggia tra le due leggi de civitate, cioè dalla cittadinanza italica sino
alla cittadinanza universale, dal 664 al 964 — tre secoli — dalla lex Julia
sino ai libri quaestionum, responsorum et definitionum di Emilio Papiniano. E
cosi sorge e cosi vien su e sale ampio il responso. Come Aulo Cascellio non
volle mai deviare il responso da'fini dell'editto ed adattarlo sopra įli ordini
emessi da’triumviri, affermando alto che la vittoria non giustificata non è
titolo di comando; cosi P a piniano volle piuttosto perdere la vita, che
giustificare il fratrici dio commesso dall'imperatore, e adattare ilresponso a
difesa del l'assassinio (1) Tale il tipo del giureconsulto. Entriamo a
considerare il responso prima nella forma e poi nella sostanza. Venendo il
giureconsulto con definizioni e metodo a liberare dalla condizione di
presupposto il criterio che regola le finzioni di fatto contro le iniquità di
diritto, egli universaleggia, innanzi tutto, l'equità, derivandola da una legge
universale, superiore (1) So che gli storici contemporanei contestano la verità
di questo fatto; m a ricordo che scrivevano sotto gli sguardi imperiali, e non
sanno addurre altra ragione veruna della morte di Papiniano per ordine di
Caracalla,se condo Dione Cassio ed Aurelio Victor. 104 alle
dodici tavole, superiore all'editto del pretore ed a tutti i s e coli della
letteratura e delle tradizioni giuridiche, e la chiama, con Cicerone, lex nata
ante saecula, comunis hominibus et Diis, quibus universus hic mundus quasi una
civitas existimanda. È, dunque, una regola di ragione, alla quale uomini e Dei
non possono sottrarsi e per la quale il mondo è come una città sola.Il concetto
pare stoico, m a risale i tempi sino alle tradizioni itali che,nelle quali è
detto:Idem est ralioni parere ac Deo.La ra gione comincia a prendere il luogo
del vecchio Fato che dalle spalle passa di fronte a Giove. E da codesta
universalità della regola razionale derivasi la definizione della
giurisprudenza: Notitia rerum divinarum atque humanarum, justi atque injusti
scientia, ars boni et aequi. E di qui le tre regole comuni,secondo le quali le
leggi hanno a farsi, ad interpretarsi, ad applicarsi: honeste vivere, neminem
laelere,suum unicuique tribuere. Quanto alla forma, il giureconsulto non fa
opera scolastica, non largheggia nelle definizioni: postane una in principio,
piut tosto genetica che nominale, tira giù rapido alle applicazioni più
pratiche, più vicine all'uso. - Movendosi rapido, usa termini tecnici ed
evidenti, non moltiplica definizioni. Questo fine pratico ed immediato gli sta
sempre innanzi,e fa il suo valore filosofico e letterario. Perciò, in mezzo
alle antitesi ed alle gonfiezze della decadenza, il giureconsulto rimane
artefice di stile e di lingua, epigrafico come ilgenio romano, e come abbiamo
veduto Galileo e la sua scuola scientifica sottrarre il genio italiano agli
artificii letterari del seicento. Quando il giureconsulto divaga dalla
definizione fondamen tale e dal rapido processo dialettico, per qualcuna di
quelle logofobie che sono imposte dal tempo, egli non cade nella reli gione, m
a in qualche superstizione raccolta dalle tradizioni ita liche piuttosto che da
altra parte. Paolo nelle senlenze stima p e r fetto il feto venuto fuori di
sette mesi, secondo la ragione de'n u meri di Pitagora, dimenticando che
perfettissimo a Pitagora era il nove, quadrato di tre. E, mentre il
giureconsulto ragionava con proprietà e rapidità matematica,cercando un
contenuto quasi matematico all'equità, pure secondo il costume latino sapeva
cosi poco di geometria da supporre la superficie del trian golo
equilatero'eguale alla metà del quadrato eretto sopra uno de'suoi lati. E ciò
che appunto di più notevole trovasi nella forma del giureconsulto, non è
l'imperativo inflessibile delle dodici tavole, nè il futuro personale
dell'editto,ma l'espressione universale de rivata dall'equo buono, inteso come
equità civile piuttosto che penale,e più umana che romana. E questa
universalità sciolta dalle finzioni e definizioni,rapida, evidente,
immediatamente applicabile, sa epigrafico il responso più che l'editto,più che
le formole delle rogazioni tribunizie, e quanto le dodici tavole che restano
sempre tipo formale delle leggi romane.Porciò l'epigrafe monumentale al
Rubicone - già confine di R o m a fu, sebbene oggi se ne contesti
l'autenticità, detta una volta - ore digna jurisconsulti. Rispetto alla
sostanza, il responso è da considerare nell'ori gine, nelle scuole e nella
conchiusione. Il primo periodo del responso è un semplice astiarre e ge
neralizzare lo spirito degli editti pretorii, ordinandoli e colle gandoli.
Anche questa opera si giova del metodo scientifico e della definizione, e però
nasce con Aulo Ofilio che si assimila, (1)JUSSU MANDATUVE POPULI ROMANI
Cos.IMP.TRIB.MILES TIRO COM MILITO ARMATE QUISQUIS ES MANIPULARIE CENTURIO
TURMARIE LEGIONARIE HIC SISTITO VEXILLUM SINITO ARMA DEPONITO NEC CITRA HUNC
AMNEM RUBI CONEM SIGNA DUCTUM EXERCITUM COMMEATUMVE TRADUCITO SI QUIS HUJUSVE
JUSSIONIS ERGA ADVERSUS. PRÆCEPTA JERIT FECERITQUE ADJUDICATUS ESTO HOSTIS
POPULI ROMANI AC SI CONTRA PATRIAM ARMA TULERIT PENATESQUE SACRIS PENETRALIBUS
ASPORTAVERIT. S. P. Q. R. ULTRA HOS FINES ARMA AC SIGNA PROFERRE LICEAT
NEMINI. Epigrafe legislativa, documento della missione latina.
167 per ordinare gli editti, l'opera di Servio Sulpizio e di Quinto Scevola:
nasce ai tempi di Cicerone, nella generazione istessa della Lex Plautia de
Civitate, con Aulo Ofilio Caesari familia rissimus, qui edictum praetoris
primus diligentur composuit), e si chiude con Salvio Giuliano, legum et edicti
perpetui subtilis simus conditor, il quale per disegno di Adriano stabilisce
nel vero senso l'editto perpetuo, al quale i magistrati conforme ranno le loro
disposizioni. Il responso assorbe il diritto onorario e lo supera. Il secondo
periodo determina il metodo nel processo d'astra zione,lascia l'editto, e
costituisce la scienza,creando due scuole nel vero senso della parola, e cosi
chiamate dagli antichi:la scuola deSabiniani,che ebbe duce Attejo Capitone,ela
scuola de'Pro culejani, derivata da Antistio Labeone. È vano dissimulare la dif
ferenza: c'è nella qualità dell'ingegno e del carattere de'due m a e stri, nel
contenuto de'responsi e nel conato posteriore di c o m perre le lue dottrine e
le due scuole. In Labeone è più evidente l'indirizzo filosofico, in Capitone il
metodo storico: non già che l'uno non tenga conto della storia e l'altro della
filosofia, e che l'uno e l'altro non abbiano innanzi un fine immediatamente
pratico: ma nell'uno prevalgono la de finizione e il discorso, nell'altro la
tradizione. Sesto Pomponio nel frammento, da noi recato in nota,della sua
storia del Diritto (De originejurisetomnium magistratuumetsuccessionepruden
tium ) dice de'due: Antistius Labeo, ingenii qualitate et fiducia doctrinae,
qui et in caeteris sapientiae partibus operam dederat, plurima innovare studuit:
Atejus Capito in his quae et tradita erant, perseverabat. Il terzo periodo
raccoglie le due scuole non in un eclettismo di Miscelliones, sognato da
Cujacio, ma nella sintesi di Papi (1)Va
intesochelecontroversiestorichesarannodamediscusse,quando potro liberare la
storia del diritto dalla strettezza presente e confidarla a tutta l'espansione
del pensiero. È chiaro qui che la perpetuità in senso di universalità viene dal
giureconsulto,non dal pretore. niano che nel responso raccoglie
con mirabile armonia il dop pio indirizzo, e ispira nella legge ciò ch'è sacro
nella ragione e nella storia. Oltre quest'altezza il diritto romano non poteva
salire. L'impero aiuta l'ufficio del giureconsulto per queste ragioni:
gl'imperatori odiavano il vecchio diritto aristocratico che aveva armato la
mano di Bruto e di Cassio e non dimenticava privilegi impossibili innanzi
all'imperatore:astiavano il diritto onorario,di origine aristocratica, e
gareggiante con la potestà del principe nell'emissione dell'editto: e, scaduta la
tribuna, vedevano volen tieri all'eloquenza giuridica succedere
l'investigazione giuridica, all'oratore il giureconsulto. Potei,dunque,scrivere
che,come iltribuno impiccioliva innanzi al pretore, così il pretore innanzi al
giureconsulto. La promul gazione avvia all'editto, l'editto al responso. Il
principio della reciprocita conversazionale. lavoro o, come dicono, la
specifi cazione; nė deve, sino a quando è semplice uso, alterare la forma in
che si presenta la cosa. L'uso prepara la proprietà, il frutto la
determina.- Ciò torna a significare che il prodotto è del produttore, solo
proprietario dell'o pera sua.- In queste poche parole è tutta la
dimostrazione.- Ma non vediamo, si dice,assai volte che la proprietà è di
uno,ilfrutto di un altro? — Vediamo anche peggio: vediaino la successione, la
donazione, la prodigalità, l'avarizia, l'usura; m a quello che fu ed è
la proprietà non è quello che può e deve rimanere. L'usufrutto si
presenta come risultamento d'illimitato dominio e nega nel mondo economico il
principio di causalità.Il prodotto essere del produttore vuol dire che il
frutto determina la proprietà. Il frutto la determina, il contratto l'esplica.
Anche l'animale è produttore, può sopra le cose avere uso e frutto, m a il
contratto è dell'uomo, perchè ei solo è onnimodo ed ha biso gno di tutti
imezzi.— Perciò Dante partecipa all'agricoltore la gen tilezza di Francesca,la
fierezza di Farinata,l'austerità di Catone, la salvazione di Manfredi, la
misura della giustizia nell'universo; l'agricoltore partecipa a Dante la misura
del frumento. Senza quella partecipazione superiore, l'agricoltore è animale;
senza la parteci pazione frumentaria Dante è cadavere o inetto. Dirà che sa di
sale ilpane altrui,ma lo mangerà,equel cibo glisitramuterà incanto. Questa è la
circolazione della vita.- In somma ilprodotto è del pro duttore; il contratto
lo fa sociale: il prodotto è individuale; il con tratto lo fa umano. L'umanità
è socialità, e questa è contrattualità. È il solo punto di vista da cui il
filosofo deve considerare il con tratto. L'umanità è socialità,perchè
l'assoluto monos non sarà mai l'uomo non salirà mai all'universalità della
ragione, m a rimarrà chiuso nel l'egoismo,che più trasmoda e più
imbestialisce.La ragione,essendo dialettica, non può attuarsi nell'io e nel tu,
m a nel noi. È dunque intrinsecamente sociale.La società dunque non è
convenzione, ma natura. Non si nega già che l'uomo sia passato dallo stato
troglo ditico al sociale; ci passo di certo, e al passaggio fu aiutato da ter
ribili esplosioni della natura esteriore:ma ilprimo e poi non toglie
naturalezza alle cose. Il volgo crede che le cose più naturali sono le
primitive e sino ad un punto a questo pregiudizio si accomoda l'istesso
linguaggio hegeliano:ma da un punto più sicuro si deve dire che le cose
asseguono la loro sincera natura nel fastigio non inprincipio.Dico che l'uomo è
naturalmente uomo,è tale secondo la natura sua,quando ragiona,non quando
vagisce;ma la ragione - 287? Abbiamo varietà di vocazione, di lavoro, di
produttori, di pro dotti, dunque di proprietà. Quindi proprietà agronomica,
industriale, artistica, letteraria: non di ciascuno,m a necessarie tutte a
ciascuno, perchè tuttefanno ilcumulo dei mezzi necessarii al fine umano. Come
dunque passano da produttore a produttore e fanno la comu nità della vita, la
totalità dell'uomo? - Mediante il contratto, che però è definito l'esplicatore
della proprietà. è il fastigio dell'individuo umano e della storia,
è la sui-aequatio, non il saluto di chi arriva.La naturalezza vera di una cosa
è dun que l'equazione della cosa con sè medesima,cioè del soggetto con la
propria essenza. Però l'uomo non è il troglodita, m a il cittadino e non
l'esclusivo cittadino ma l'io-civile,il noi. -La società dun que non è da
convenzione m a da natura: l'umanità è socialità. Ogni istante della vostra
esistenza civile implica un concorso di volontà,un consensus,in somma un
contratto espresso o tacito. L o s t a r e q u i a d u d i r m i, il r i e n t
r a r e n e l l e v o s t r e c a s e, il c i b o, il r i poso sono atti della
vita che implicano un consenso,un concorso di volontà, un esplicito o implicito
contratto. E considerando che la socialità è contrattualità hanno distinto il
contratto in pubblico e privato, e patto pubblico fondamentale hanno chiamato
quello che då forma allo Stato.Forse non sarà veramente pubblico questo patto
fondamentale, m a hanno avuto bisogno di crederlo e chiamarlo tale. Che cosa
manca alla sincera pubblicità del patto fondamentale?— Manca la natura della
società presente, la quale, non uscita dallo individualismo, rende unilaterale
e pero artifiziale la più parte dei contratti che oggi si fanno.La soperchianza
dell'individuo sulla col. lettività si traduce nella soperchianza del più forte
dei contraenti. Quando ilbisognoso corre all'abbiente sa di subire tutte le
condizioni imposte dal capitale, il dieci, il trenta, il cento per cento, la
tarda mercede e macra,i fastidii, il oa e torna che è furto di tempo,ed
altro.Nondimeno corre,torna,incalzato dal carpe diem,avvenga pure che il di
appresso debba essere sospeso all'albero infelice.La prudenza gli dice che
domani il capitalista lo spellera; il bisogno lo persuade a risolvere
l'oscurissimo problema dell'oggi.Il bisogno immediato vince dove affatto
precaria è la condizione della vita e il domani si porge ignoto.Quindi quella
forma di contratti che vogliono avere tutta la sembianza di bilaterali,
dialettici, umani, m a in s o stanza sono unilaterali e soverchiatori in
maniera blanda e insi diosa. Questi contratti hanno un consenso apparente, un
dissenso In che consiste questa socialità?- In uno scambio perenne, con
tinuo di mezzi con libera necessità cioè in una volontaria permuta zione
continua.Questa volontaria permutazione è il contratto. Dunque l'umanità è
socialità; questa è contrattualità. Il corollario è questo: qual'è in un tempo
la forma della società tal'è del con tratto. Oggi la società è malthusiana, nel
senso detto sopra; m a l thusiano è il contratto.- Valgano i fatti a dichiarare
questa dot trina. 289 Nessun Codice scritto può far riparo a questi
contratti simulati, unilaterali, e di mala fede, a questi bugiardi consensi di
uomini che profondamente dissentono anche quando mostrano di consentire, a
queste soperchierie distillate dalle procedure e da quel s u m m u m ius che fu
sempre summa malitia.Infatti che riparo metterebbero i C o
dici?-Multe,carceri,sanzione di nullità,questi sarebbero isommi ripari; e
varrebbero ad addoppiare la simulazione del contratti,o ad ammortire il
capitale, a fermare la circolazione economica cioè alla stasi sociale. Altri
ripari occorrono, e di questa forma unilaterale saranno i contratti sino a
quando la forma sociale non sia mutata e il lavoratore, mediante il lavoro
associato, non entri nella possi bilità di far la concorrenza al capitalista.Malthusiana
è la società, tale dev'essere il contratto; il capitale costituisce la
plutocrazia, il contratto la subisce;l'individualismo nummulario si oppone alla
ve nuta dell'uomo,ilcontratto dev'essere unilaterale,una contraddizione n e ' t
e r m i n i.-- N o n i C o d i c i d e b b o n o i n t e g r a r e il c o n t r
a t t o, m a l a s o cietà dev'essere rimutata dal fondo. Non co'Codici
direttamente lo Stato presente può integrare il con tratto:ogni suo intervento
sarebbe malefico;ma dovrebbe,pare,per mettere al lavoro di associarsi. Mostra
di farlo, m a la sua natura nol consente: dall'una parte permette le
associazioni,dall'altra crea tanti intoppi di leggi e balzelli e contatori e
pesatori e pretesti di ordine pubblico che il lavoro rimane estenuato e
impotente di q u a l u n q u e r i s p a r m i o. P a r f a c i l e il dire: ri
s p a r m i a t e l ' o b o l o; m a è d i f ficile risparmiarlo dalla fame.
Cosi il lavoro non potendosi capita lizzare,non può creare la concorrenza al
capitale.Quindi la rivolu zione economica non è possibile senza la rivoluzione
politica,e que sta, alla sua volta, non asseguirà il suo fine, che è la libertà,
se non compita la rivoluzione economica che equilibra la proprietà. Il
capitalista e l'operaio sono nemici;ilcontratto tra loro non può essere che una
simulazione; la sola guerra è possibile.— Lo Stato presente ad evitare la
guerra permette l'associazione e ne soffoca
l'effetto;impotentealleriformeciviliprometteleriformepenali,scherno a bastanza
scoperto e deriso.– Se manderanno via il boia, diceva Langassieres, ho ancora
il mio rasoio,ho la mano ben ferma, e la volontàèlapadronanzadime.Ho
ildisprezzodituttoquelloche mi circonda.Ho capito il significato delle parole
Dio,ordine,stato, reale, e per questo appunto sono unilaterali, e sono
nondimeno la massima parte dei contratti odierni,perché questa è la forma della
società,è malthusiana,pontefice e re ilcapitale. 37 e Codice:
parole belle per chi se ne ha da servire. A te!- Or che ti han fatto grazia
della vita,tagliati tranquillamente le canne e di mostra anco una volta che
l'uomo è il solo animale che ha piena si gnoria di sé. O suicida o
rivoluzionario, questo è il solo dilemma che lo Stato presente mette innanzi
all'operaio. Il suicidio,per esteso che sia,non può assumere che forma ec
cezionale;e però la sola rivoluzione oggi si porge come norma.- E sarà politica
e sociale insieme, perché sono momenti inseparabili. Pervenuto a queste
necessità, mi fermo un istante e odo le p a role che mi si dicono attorno:-Scrioi
un corso di Scienza del Dritto o fai dellapolitica?—Rispondo che obbedisco
allanecessità,laquale non può separare la scienza del Dritto dalla Filosofia
della storia, che additando il cammino, dice che i popoli perverranno dove gli
Stati non vogliono. Il tempo verrà testimone non lontano delle mie conclusioni.
Questa è la sola conseguenza possibile a cui poteva condurmi la teorica della
proprietà.- Ora entriamo a ragionare dell'individuo umano considerato come
autonomo. HOMINIS SYMBOLICI TOMUS PRIMUS.
CAPUT. Anatomici. Cripturus ego
de Capite, compofito hominis principa- li ,
cui merito reliqua corpo- ris membra univerfa
obtem- perant , & fubduntur , friteor lufKcientia
mihi vela non elle, adlulcandum immenlumhoc
pelagus doctrinarum , quas de cognitione
interiorum totAuthores copiofelpar- ferunt, &
effuderunt. Nimium elevatus mons eft, ad
quem pertingere pes debilitatus nequit : nec
vo- lucrium in paluftribus locis immorandum
alar vola- tum aquilarum audacium &
generofarum exuperare poliunt : luffecerit mihi
fi procul Carlum hoc con- templatus fuero ,
li radices montis hujus circumire, fi
fragili fcapha maris hujus immenii rivos
aliquos mihi findere licuerit : ut ne
videlicet in hoc volatu cum Je aro fubmergi
, in hac viiione cum Philippo excarcari
& de Ipeciolis hujus montis ruinis cum
Po- lidamente opprimi mihi contingat.
De olle nil referam , licut &c
pauca de ollibus in fequenti Anatomia
tradaturus fum , tanquam iis, qua: nec
dodrinas hieroglyphicas , nec lymbolicas, Emblemadcas,
Proverbiales, nec hiftorias, nec ritus,
obfervationes , confuetudines, nec alia admittunt
(II inde Anatomicas, & myfticas detraxeris )
de quibus non folum , fed & de
univerhtate partium humana- rum ratiocinari
conftitui. Difcurrant pro libitu luo
Audiores de olle cranii , & commilluris
ejus , cur compofido ejus & cralla &
rara fit : & ut totius fit corporis
quali caminus aliquis , de duplici tubulato
Cranii , ulum praefatarum commillurarum , Lamb- doides,
reda;, fagittalis, & coronalis exponant : dis-
cooperiant frontilpicium cum Occipite , denudent
Calvariam totam , ut vilui reprxfentent
quae Com- milliira: verte lint , qua: impropria :
cur ha in mo- dum fquammarum lint :
recenfeant & explicent ufum primum, & fecundum
: numerent in ordine unumquodque olTium
cranii, delcribendo ad pun- ctum ulque,
figuram illorum, & fubftantiam, &fof-
las, & foramina , & Imus ; examinent cujusque
ho- rum feparatim, & formas, & litus, &
ellentias, & di- fpolitiones ollium , Occipitis
<k Sincipitis, & tempo- rum : horiun
dilparitatem , inaqualitatem, limilitu- dinem,
proportiones, & qualitates : examinent porro horum
eminentias &procel!us, notent inter calvari-
am & maxillas diftantiam : ubi os Iphenoides
litum fit, & cum occipite connedatur , &
pofthac prolixa ftrudura fua ollibus
temporum conjungatur , quod habitu &:
conliftentia fua totum inaqualeeft. Dicant
quod eorum quadam poros fuos habeant, a
Galeno Scarlattmi Hominis Synbolki Hm. I.
oblervatos-, per quos propagines nervorum
& arte- riarum ferantur ; Del Cendant hinc
ad os Ethmoides, idque exponant perforatum,
non fecus ac cribrum, ejusdemque rationem
adducant; cur proinde ex parte una
lit tanquam chrifta galli gallinacei , ex
altent rarum, laxatum, fungofum, fpongiofum,
in modum pumicis, quod cavitatem liarium
adimplet, undeat- trahantur odores, quod
loco fuo memorabitur : De- nique perfcrutentur ii
Cranium figuTam det cerebro* aut cerebrum
Cranio ; hasaliasqueqUxftiones, non mediocres,
has indagines, has facultates , in quibus
tam pratenti quam prxfentis Esculi
celeberrima in- genia deiudarunt , interim pretereo ,
tanquam par- tes inanimas privatas rationali
anima , & ad conlide- randa pretiola earum
contenta accingor. Fadurus niliilominus
idiplum cum omi brevitate pollibili , imitando
viam & methodum Andrex Lau- rentii Inclyti
Viri , qui nomen liiumper Illuftriores Mundi
fcholas iniignivit , qui ampliari , & dilatari
Lauros fuas in quadam prima Regiarum
totius Uni- verlitatis fecit, Francix nimirum ,
ubi inter lilia co- piofius viridefcere
edodus eft , & famam luam , dc xftimationem ,
& authoritatem adaugens , utpote qui eoufque
clarus lit, brevis, fuccofus, exadus, ut
nulla fit nec minutiflima partium,nullus ibi
mufculus, fibra nulla, quantumvis abditillima,
& remotiflima, quam non in lucem produxerit.
Hic metam , nor- mam, & lumen lcriptioni mea:
fugge Iturus erit. Hic ergo cum tanto
authore Os Cranii apertum intueor, ubi
dux le mihi membrana offerunt ab Ara-
bibus antiquitus pia: Matres appellata:, qua:
videlicet non lecus ac fideles genitrices
tenerrimum cerebrum, aliaque his contigua
tanquam filios cum cautela & fedulitate
magna compleduntur & tuentur. De his
refert Hippocrates , eas temporis fuccellii
converti in tunicas , earumque difcrepantiam, in
tenuiori & craifiori elle materia :
continent ha: & fubtus & fu- pra,
cerebrum: quarum exterior dura eft, cralla,
& cuticularis, correlpondens figura fua,
& magnitudine proportioni Ollis Calvaria: : dum
cranium nec linum, nec cavitatem habet ,
qux hac ipla non repleantur ; Infuprema
regione dura: Meningis nomen habet, qua;
durities correfpondet pleura: , & peritoneo:
in regionibus vitalibus, & naturalibus, ex
omni parte Duplex eft, unde & Moderni
unam earum internam ftabiliunt , candidam , &
humore aqueo alperfam, qua; tunicam tenuem
relpicit, alteram externam Olli Calvaria:
contiguam. Verfatillimus Laurentius non nili
unam folam agnofdt , & ait, duram hanc Meningem
firmiter adhxrere bali Calvarix , de fupe-
riori nihilominus parte Cranii eatenus latam ,
quate- A nus CAPUT. nus dilatando,
vel conftringendo cerebro necelle eft-,
colligatur autem Cranio, mediantibus villis , qui
per commilluras creicendo,ipfum propemodum
pericra- nium conftituunt : conneclitiir membrana:
tenui me- diantibus venis, quarum opera cerebrum
firmum red- ditur. Hac membrana
multis foraminibus per v ia eft, per qua
fe nervi, arteria & vena:,tanquam per
infundibu- lum fuum in medullam dorlalem
effundunt : In lum- mitate capitis reduplicatur,&
dextram a fmiftra cere- bri parte difcriminat
nec tamen ad bafin pertingit, fed ad
cerebi medium usque,ubi duplicatione liia
fal- cem mellorum reprefentat,unde &c a
peritis Anatomi- cis tali nomine appellari
confuevit •, In pofteriori ve- ro parte
quadruplex eft,& illic cerebrum a cerebello ,
non totum fed ex parte diftinguit.
Inter has plicatu- ras & duplicitates quatuor
(inus confpicui reperiun- tur qui tanquam
abundantes rivi , & valoram majo- rum vicarii
undequaque per fubftantiam cerebri lan-
guinem diffundunt. Intrant in hos
iinus vente interna: jugulares : cum- que
cerebrum amplidimum fit , nec trunci venarum
ad illud usque pertingere poflint, hos
Rivos natura fabricavi r, tanquam aquadudtus , in
quos vente copi- oflflimum fanguinemeffundant,ad
nutrimentum ce- rebri,dc generationem fpirituum
animalium. Ho- rum finuum primi duo
laterales funt,& eorum exitus primus grande
foramen, vicinum occipiti, format ; per
quod jugulares vente ingrediuntur , qua: ad
prin- cipium Sutura: Lambdoidis terminantur,ubi
utrteque uniuntur. Nafcitur de his
frnus tertius , qui per longitudinem commillura
fagittalis difcurrens, ad olfa narium con-
ducitur : de his vero vagando multa:
venula:, ex omni parte per membranam
tenuem dilperla procedunt: extenditur fmus
hic ad extremitatem frontis,unde no
immerito docet Hippocrates, percullafronte , caput
univerlum inflammari. Quartus finus cteteris
bre- vior inter cerebrum , & cerebellum vadens , in
extre- mitatibus convexis cerebri terminatur , nates
cerebri ab Anatomicis appellata: : harum ufus
admirabilis eft, ficut & venarum ab eo
linu , tanquam a perenni fonte,divaricatio. In
aliis corporis partibus vena in tantum
arteriis vicina funt,ut le invicem tangant,
& vena arterias li- bi fociasfemper habent:
in cerebro autem, varia & diilimilis
hac diftributio eft , dum orificia venarum
deorfum verfa funt, arteriarum vero furfum fp
edant. Irrigant laudabili fucco cerebrum
vena , arteria vero Ipiritum continent,qui per
levitatem luam facile afcendit : Cum ergo
vena orificia fua deorlum Ipe- dantia
habeant, primo illis afcendendum erat , quod
nec per cutem externam poterant, nec
per ofla, nec per medullam interiorem
cerebri,itaque id fit per du- plicaturam
dura meningis. Multiplex ufus eft Membrana
dura : primus eft cooperire cerebrum , dc
medullam Ipinalem , atque eandem contra injurias
quasvis tueri: fecundus eft, difterminare
cerebrum in latus dextrum, & finiftrum, in
anticum d: pollicum: Tertius ad recipiendum
ve- nas omnes, qua calvariam nutriunt, fitque
tanquam caldarium cerebro, &c membrana tenui
, qua conti- net: de qua etiam partes
fanguinem fuum pro necef- fitate recipiunt.
Detrada nihilominus & rupta membrana
crafla,confpicuam fe & vilibilem reddit Pia
mater , propter tenuitatem & mollitiem luam
fic nominata: qua talem feu compofitionem
habet, ut in omnem cerebri linum fe
iniinuare facile polTit , ita ut per
gravitatem fuam onerofa cerebro non
ht,iimul ut per totum corpus illius
portare vafa poflit, ideo &
Secundina nomenclaturam adepta eft. Hac
pro- prium velum , &c operimentum eft cerebri ,
quippe qua non folum fuperficiem externam
operit,led ultra tendit,inque occulta penetralia
8c recellus ingreditur: extendit fe,dc prolongat
in ventriculos usque, nona parte luperiori,
ut vulgus opinatur , led inferiori : in his
partibus afcendit, ubi velut catinum
quoddam eft,per quam portantur arteria
quadam exigua de iis venis qua
carotides, & cervicales nominantur per la-
tera fphenoidis. Admirabilis hic providentia
natura eft in harum membranarum fitu,iicut
cnimCreator,focum tenuif- limum , leviflimum &
ratiflimum feparavit a terra, craila,denfa,gravillima,&:
opaca, idque per aeris Ipa- tia, &
aquarum divortium : ita &c Natura imitatrix
& amula divinorum operum, duriflimam calvariam
a mollilHmo cerebro per interpolitionem gemina
membrana diftinxit: quam triftis , quam injucunda
hiturafuilletvitanoftra, fi tenera d: durafe
invicem lemperline medio ollo colliderent, &
concuterent ? Hac porro meninge pia
remota. Cerebrum iplum prodit. Hoc illud
eft, quod jundum cordi ellentiam homini miniftrat,
de quo videhcet formatur ratio,in-
telligentia,&:ratiocinatio,unde formantur nutrimen-
ta,& ipirituum univerlorum generatio :
animalium prafertim : a quo , & per quod formatum
caput eft, contentum continente luo multo
nobilius , quamvis & hoc quaquaverlum Ipedabile fit
, cum caput in omni natione terrarum
tanquam lacrum aliquid fem- per lit
in veneratione fua habitum,&obfervatum, per
quod y£gyptii Sacerdotes jurabant : quodlecum ra-
dios majeftatis portat, in quo etiam
Iplendores divi- ni perlucent, tanquam opus,
de lublime artificium al- timmi Del
Hac pars excelfior cateris, de
vicinior ccelo eft: hac fidilhma petra
fenfiium eft : altiffimum mentis culmen : hac Regimen
de gubernaculum totius ob- tinet : cerebrum
non tantum fedes eft lenluum de
motuum: fed Artifex vaftiflimam molem mem-
brorum dirigens, licut de pratumida corpora
nervo- rum,idque per flbras,non fecus ac
per mulculos-, ad eorum,qui conftrudionem
iftam diligentius, defo- lertius
perveftigaverint,ftuporem de miraculum : Hoc
domicilium fapientia eft, de memoria, de
ju- dicii : audacis natura prodigium. Hoc
in formam orbicularem compohtum eft, tum ut
capacitas ei ma- jor ellet, tum ut
fecurius adverlitad omni , quacunq-, eventura
fit,obliftere valeat, nec quovis modo ab
ea- dem oflenfionem ullam patiatur. Accedat
ad hac , quod huic parti propemodum divina
, figura quoque omnium perfedtillima,
nonpromilcua conveniebat : cujus praterea
magnitudo, quod vis animalium cate-
rorumcerebrum facile vincit : ita quidem ut
hominis unius cerebrum duorum boum cerebro
aquivaleat, de mole , de quantitate. Hoc ita
per ingeniofam natura providentiam dilpofitum
fuit ad varietatem fundtionum animalium
exercendam , imo perfedtio- nandam. Sentiunt
quidem de bruta, fed eorum len- ius
totus in gratiam eft appetitus animalis :
qua etiam naturali quadam intelligentia condudla
, a noxiis ab- horrefeunt, de per inlitam
inclinationem ad libi pro- futura feruntur
Subftantia cerebri mollis eft,candida, de
medulla- ris , de purillima leminis de
Ipirituum portione fabri- cata, ita libimetiph
propria, ut in compolito alio nunquam
eadem ipfa inveniatur : nec enim medulla
qua in cateris ollium cavernis eft , 'huic
par eft , illa enim non colliquatur, nec
vero inedia, aut febrili ca- lore diminuitur : continetur
autem calvaria fua , ut cranium nutriat :
cranium nutritur, ut continere me- dullam
A N A T O M I A. 5 dullam hanc
poflit. Ait Galenus fluidam efle me- dullam
oflium, fimilemque pinguedini, nec tunica
coopertam , nec interfecatam arteriis , aut venis, nec
participationem ullam habere cum mufculis,aut
ner- vis,prout facit medulla cerebri , qua*
glutinofa magis quam pinguis eft : quam
Hippocrates idcirco par- tem glandulofam appellavit ,
cum iit candida , & friabilis. Hac
capiti has commoditates lubmini- ftrat.
Sedet in fimilitudinem ventofa: , atque
ideo infe- riorum partium refpirationes omnes
abiorbet , qua- rum exhalationibus li calvaria
ofcitationefua, ut ita dixerim, meatum non
daret, & niii tantisper hiatu Quare
fub- fe quod;un aperiret, nimio fe
calore cerebrum reple- ftantia cere- ret. Subftantiacerebri
mollis eft, tum ut tanto faci- bri
mollis lius imaginationes rerum vifarum fe
imprimant, tum fit. ut nervi tanto
tractabiliores iint,tum denique ut pon-
derofa duritie fua non gravet.
Candida eft , quia {permatica: idque
ratione finis, ut videlicet anima- les
fpirituslimpidiflimifint, &: non obfcuri , velte-
nebrofl : quales melancholicorum funt. De
hac etiam medullari fubftantia, temperamen- tum
frigidum & humidum colligitur: his qualitati-
bus excedit , ne forte cogitationum continuatione
fuccendatur , cum fit pars hominis liifce
fundionibus deftinata j tum vero etiam quod
fpiritus animales fa- cillime diflipari &
evanefeere pollent. In cerebro calido,
motus furibundi eflent,&: temerarii, &
deli- rantes ienfationes , ficut phreneticorum funt.
Jun- gantur his fomnia inquieta, qua: li
modum fuum tene- ant, facultatibus animalibus
quietem indulgent : & qiue-fi calidum
cerebrum ellet, de limpiditate fua de-
fcifcerent, cum Ut proprium caloris, fuble
vare & per- turbare rerum comequentia.
Cerebro re- Cognovit Peripateticus officium
principale in ce- ffigeratur rebro,nempe ut
inde cor refrigeretur : Galenus nihil- cor. ominus
ad hunc folum uliim confti tutum elle
intelligi 8. de u fu par- nonvult, quin
potius ut facultatibus fenfuum &ho-
tium. rum principiorum exitum pradoeat : tum
ut gene- rationi Spirituum animalium inferviat.
Motus ce- Habet motum fuum non
animalem , autvolunta- rebri. rium , nec
violentum, fed naturalem , & hic propri- us &
peculiaris eft generationi Ipirituum animalium,
temperamento , & purgamento aliarum praeterea re-
rum,non fecus ac arteriarum. A femetipfo fe
dila- tat & contrahit : in diaftole fua
cum admirabili plica- tura fpiritum & aerem
narium trahit : in fyftole, inte- riores finus
contrahit , & profundit fpiritum anima- lem in
ventriculos fuperiores,in tertium, & quartum,
ficut & fenfum in organa. Sentit
cerebrum, cum fit fenfuum author , iplum
tamen fine lenfli eft , cdm communis
fensus fedes fit , omnium enim horum Ju-
dex eft : ficut ergo nec audit,nec videt, fic
nec tadum ad fenfibilia fentienda poflidet.
Strudura Quemadmodum praecipuum membrum hoc
di- cerebri. verfarum facultatum matricium
fenfificarum faber eft, ita & mirabiliter
cum di verfarum partium ftru- 8.C.9.
de ufu (ftura fabricatum eft. Preefatas
partes copiofiflime ^Anatom defcripferuntjprimum
Galenus, tum & Velalius exa- na om.
7. obfervator : didas partes cum claritate
limpidiflima exponit audior meus : qua:
lingula a me (qui brevitati, quantu
poflibile eft,confulo ) an exade reprefentan
polfint,nefcio. Dicam inprimisomnem eam partem ,
qua a nobis calvaria nominatur , cere- brum
appellari folitum efle : duo ejus extrema
funt, anterius nimirum , & pofterius : quorum
illud pri- mum retinet totius nomenclaturam ,
pars pofterior cerebellum appellatur : ha autem
partes invicem di- viduntur de medulla
quadam crafla , per duplicatu- ram quandam,
non ex omni parte tamen, fed ex
fupe- ScarUttini Hominis Symboliii Tom. /.
t. demotu mufe. libello de
glandtdii. riori folum, namqj in
media & inferiori unum alteri vicinum &
contiguum eft. Rurfum anterius cerebrum
mediante proprio dia- phragmate in dextram &
liniftram partem deferibi- tur,intercedit autem
portio quadam dura meningis, qua a figura
fua,prout memoratum eft , falx nomina- tur :
idque ob faciliorem motum, & levitatem, &
nu- tritionem medulla interioris.Hujus
fuperficies exteri- or fubcinericia potius,quam
candida apparet, multos habens anfradus 6c
circumvolutiones , quarum non pauca fubftantia
ipfam cerebri introgrediuntur &pe-
netrant,unde & fubftantia talis varicofa
nominata eft. Ridendi funt, qui
cumEraliftrato hos linus forma- tos idcirco
credunt, ut per eos intelligenda formetur,
quia tali modo 8c ipfi afini ( ait
Laurentius ) intellige- rent utique. V ult hic
cum Galeno, tali ratione cum tot meandris ,
& intorfionibus cerebrum formatum elle,ut habere
nutrimentum fuum, & fuftinere tot va-*-
ia ad fe fpedantia poflit : cum enim illic
moles ejus vaftiflimafit,qu'i heri poteft, ut
vena & arteria , qua per fuperficiem lolam
difcurrunt,fufticientes fint , ad nativum calorem
illi fubminiftrandum ? Quidam ar* bitrantur
hos gyros fabricatos efle , propter le vitan-
tem , ut nimirum tanto promptius moveri poflit :
alii rurfum ut medulla ejus tanto
tortior & robuftior fit, ita ut molle
humidumque,ab hac & illa parte difeur-
rerec: dixerunt nonnulli idcirco fadum,ut
fpiritus & fanguis levamentum fuum
habere, 8c recreari pofllnt, ne videlicet
didam cerebrum in diaftole fiia, tempore
plenilunii exceflivo calore fuftbcetur. Concludunt
alii propterea factum, ne continuo motu fuo
vafa dis- rumpantur aut relaxentur.
Qui, prout debet,extemam hanc fuperficiem
con- templatus fuerit , fiquidem duobus tribusve
digitis hecc medulla cerebri in profundum
fecata fuerit,con- tinuopars altera candida, &
durior, cum venulis qui- busdam, &:
arteriis parvis, qua: aciem oculorum pro-
pe fubterfugiunt , apparent: connexam habet mem- branam
quandam tenuem , qua: corpus callofum ap-
pellatur,hujus interventu ea: partes, quee
prius difere- tee fuerant, in dextra, &
finiftra continuantur. Eft corpus callofum
hocinipfopropemodum ce- rebri medio ( hocque
inter fupremum &c imum intel-
ligendumeft) apparet autem duobus ventriculis
ca- vatum, dextr o, inquam, & finiftro. Hi
primi finus ce- rebri funt, qui a Galeno
anteriores nominantur j me- lius a nobis
fiiperiores dicantur , figura ampliilimi, fi- cut
& litu , & magnitudine & ufu, reliquis
omnino fi- miles, portant figuram
lemicirculi, aut falcis, aut Lu- nee
falcata: : in medio cerebri lituantur , eodem
enim intervallo a ffonte,quanto ab occipitio
diftant, tanto a bafe,quanto a fummitate : propter
quod non rede an- teriores dicuntur : fed
potius primi vel fiiperiores dicendi funt.
Magnitudinem ^qui valentem habent , cum
fecundum proportionem aliarum partium am-
phslimi 1 int : nam tales efle oportet , ut
fpiritum cras- liorem continere valeant.
Duo funt, ut impedito alte- ro,hce
fundiones intercepta: non lint,alterque alterius
vicem fiippleat. Multiplex horum vaforum ,
vel ventriculorum ufus eft : inprimis ad
preeparationem Ipirituum ani- maliuin,unde 8c
inchoatio fpiritus appellantur: dein- ceps ad
infpirationem & relpirationem cerebri: tertio
ad recipiendum, 8c attrahendum odorem. Sunt
illic qual 1 labyrinthi quidam exigui , qui
per particulam unam membranee tenuis , quee
afeendit, difeurrunt : in quorum medio fpiritus
animalis coquitur, attenuatur, & preeparatur : duo
illic pro- cefliis , vel tubercula
protenduntur fimillima papillis mamillarum ,
parti inferiori horum A 2 finuum Inii
teli». CAPUT. 4 limium, aut
vero oflibus nari um propinqua , in mo- dum
cribri perforata, cooperta membrai ia
tenui, qux tamen inter nervos non
numerantur, cum de cranio non cadant.
Per hic ad cerebrum aer portatur , &
ad idipfiimfpecies odorum conducuntur: unde
8c or- gana odoratus nominantur : id quod
Hippocrates di- xit : Olfacit cerebrum h umidum
exiftens aridorum odorem , u?ia cum aei e
per corpufcula ipfum trahens. Diftinguit
hos fuperiores ventriculos, certa qui- dam
cerebri particula, quileptum lucidum, aut petra
(pecularis nominatur. Sub hoc illud eft,
quod Aran- dus a figura vermiculari, &
bombicina nominavit. Tertio loco (e
corpus calloium offert, compofitum per
modum cameror vel fornicis, idcirco &
camerale didtum, quali tribus quibusdam
columnis fiiftenta- tum &c eredhim : reprarfentat
autem compofitione fua figuram triangularem,
conftantem lateribus inaequa- libus, a parte poft
eriori quali duplici arcu, ab ante- riori
uno (olo. Ulus corporis hujus, idem qui
in fa- bricis fornicum vel archi trabium eft,
quod &teftudo nominatur, qui licut
alter Atlas ampliliimam mo- lem cerebri
totius luftentat , ne ventriculum tertium
comprimat. Apparet lub camerato hoc , finus
tertius , qui ali- ud non eft , quam cavitas
communis ( &c concurliis duo, qui
le in cavitate pridida explicant) qui cum
humillima fedefiia quodammodo cedit. Hiclinus
a Galeno ventriculus medius appellatur, vel
quod in- tra duos fuperiores, & quartum
inferiorem litus eft, vel quod quali centrum
cerebri occupet , dum tan- tundcm diftat ab
occipite , quantum ab olle frontis. In
eo obfervantur meatus vel canales duo ,
quorum unus ad balem cerebri delcendit,
alter in quartum li- num dirigitur : unus
eorum &c ftatu , & politione hu- miliori
ultra tendit , in cujus extremitate oftium
quoddam parvum eft membrani tenuis , primum
quidem dilatatum , &: apertum , pofthic
anguftius in fimilitudinem infundibuli , unde
&: nomen illius, licut & catini
mutuatur ; perhoc tanquam per mani- cam
Hippocratis, percolatur pituita cerebri.
Sub hoc catino extenditur glandula
pituitaria di- <fta , qui tanquam lpongia ,
aut caro vaporo! a, & bi- bula, attrahit,
imbibit excrementa (uperffua cere- bri , Sc
ea lenlim per cunei foramen diftillat.
Appa- rent hic a lateribus plexus duo, qui
a Galeno rete no- minantur : T res hi particuli ,
nempe Infimdibulum, glans pituitaria, & rete
monftran non poliunt, nili detradfa,
nudata, Sc levata medulla cerebri uni
veri a. Meatus alter aut canalis
ventriculi tertii, amplior primo ad quartum
linum dirigitur, de hocq; ad illum
via eft, in qua particuli quidam exigui
le offerunt, & primum quidem gl andul a
turbinati figun,non dill i- milisnuci pineali;
dicunt eam pro fundamento, & fir- mamento
venis dle,& arteriis in cerebro fparlis,
licut & aliis glandulis puris , ut libera
via pateat omni ani- mali Ipiritui, ad tertium
& quartum ventriculum. A tergo canarii
corpulcula quidam rotunda funt, & duriora ,
qui quali nates formant, fub quibus
tu- bercula quidam apparent,per modum teftiiun :
quo- rum ulus eft , ut canalem forment,
qui de tertio ad quartum ventriculum
defeendat , & ( ut dici folet ) (alvum
condudtiim Ipiritui animali pribeat. Denique
(mus quartus occurrit , communis cere- bello, &
medulli ipinali : minimus omnium parvi- tate fua,
led folidior citeris ; Hic a principio luo
di- latatus, fenfimreftringitur, donec in acumen
termi- netur, in modum pennilcriptorii, unde
&c hoc no- mine a verfatiflimis Anatomicis
appellatur , inter quos Hierophylus eft.
Errant autem qui opinantur, membranam elle
tenuem & plenam rugis : necellan- um
autem erat hunc in dilatatione cerebri
diftendi,& in ejusdem contractione
complicari. Brevis & fuccida eft hic
deferiptio cerebri anterioris, <k partium
ejus. Succedit huic cerebrum pofterius,
appellatum Ce- rebellum, quod a natura ad
beneficium , & levamen- tum prioris formatum
videtur: idque ut fpiritus ani- malis de
finubus cerebri tranlinillus, hujus opecon-
lervetur, aptetur , & ad medullam fpinalem ablege-
tur. Figura ftu largius eft, quam longum
fit aut pro- fundum , exprimens formam
fphiri, vel globi com- prelli, 8c dilatati
: quod iplum quoque membrana tenui &
dura opertum eft , non ex omni parte
nihil- ominus : ab inferiori parte enim
viciniori cerebro contiguum eft , & color
ejusftibcinericius, fubftantii craflioris &
durioris anfraCtiis ejus exteriores lunt,
8c ad ulteriorem ufque medullam pertingunt :
decuplo minus eft cerebro. In illa parte
calvarii litum eft, qui duabus foflis
occipitis circumi cribitur : totum ex quatuor
partibus formatur , quarum dui laterales funt , &
quali binos globos libi invicem oppolitos
conftituunt ; dui reli- qui in medio confiftunt , &
quali procellus quidam lunt, qui vermium
figuram relerunt, undeSc procef- fus
vermiformes vocantur: quarum unus anterior,
meatum apertum tenet de tertio ad
quartum linum : alter ad partem poileriorem
medulli Ipinali incum- bit, & ad quartum
linum refledtitur , qucn> apertum ad motus
necellarios tenet. Interim de lubftantia
unius alteriufque cerebri tanquam de radicibus
luis propriis egredinir ramus, lpmahs,
inquam , medulla, a quibuldam cerebrum longum
appellata. Spiritus Sanctus in Eccleliafte,
cum eleganti , quamvis oblcura allegoria hanc
me- dullam funem argenteum nominat , lic &
receptacu- lum ejus fiftula lacra dicitur:
appendix autem & vi- caria cerebri reputatur:
nec enim hujus dignitas & officium
inferiora funt dignitati cerebri, lic
nimirum hujus & illius natura fe
providam confervatricem pribet : & quemadmodum
cerebrum ollibus calva- rii munitum, &
circumvallatum, duabufq; tunicis o- pertumeft.
lic altera, circumdata eft & munita
verte- bris luis, tanquam lepimento fuo,
tecta etiam dura & c tenui meninge ,
diuturnam opprelflonem non fhflert. Sed
veteres opinati funt integra defludtione
qua- dam , aut vero etiam luxatione lola
vertebrarum liibitaneam evenire polle mortem.
Necellaria fuit crea- tio hujus : line concurfii
etenim ejus per univerfum corpus derivari
nervi non poterant: priierrim qui lexti
conjugationis eft, tam minutus, ut ad
plantas ulque prolongari non potuillet : nec
vero etiam pri- didti nervi vaftillimam
membrorum molem commovere. Idcirco altiilimus
Deus medullam creavit, cui fecunditatem
generandi nervos contribuit. Nafcitur hic
de utroque cerebro, non de inferiore
aut cerebello lolo (prout minus experti
judicant) cum mediante illo, tanquam de
communi officina & aquidudtu fpiritus
animales diffundere le in nervos debeant ,
tanquam in rivos, atque inde in totum
cor- pus defeendere : qui fpiritus perfectionem
fuam in limibus cerebri nacifcuntur.
Conveniens itaque erat locare 8c ftabilire
principium illius prope illorum Ipi- rituum
officinam : qui etiam in tertio & quarto
ven- triculo continentur : &: hi punllimi
lunt, omnimodo ab omni impuritate delicati,
6c mundi. Spinalis medulla ergo de
quatuor quali magnis formatur radicibus ,
quarum dui majores de una alteraque
cerebri parte nalcuntur: alteri dui mino-
res de cerebello. De his quatuor limul
jundtis me- dulli (pinalis corpus
compingitur. De hoc autem deinceps quali
infiniti quidam iurculi oriuntur , &in
plures ANATOMI A. S
plnres ramos fru&ificant , qui in partes
corporis uni- verfas propagantur : de qui a
veteribus Anatomicis olim in varias
conjugationes diftindd fuerunt. De Modernis
noitris lic medulla hxc dividitur :
pars ejus, inquiunt, calvaris includitur, &
illic obfe- ratur , altera foris eft.
De illa qus ab intro eft, le-
ptem nervorum paria nafcuntur : hinc proceilus
ma- millares lunt, & principalia odoratus
organa. Al- tera medulla: pars , inunita de
circumvallata verte- bris, motum lyftolcs, autdiaftoles
non habet , ut nimirum fiibftanda fe
cerebri includeret olfibus, qus motum habent :
unde hic apparebit , qualiter nervi per
brachia , per femora , perque alias
principales partes , & inferiores divaricentur.
Hic caudex, aut ramus cerebri coopertus
membra- na tenui , aliquantum diftat a dura : per
teneram au- tem venuls qusdam diicurrunt ,
de arteris minuta:, diveriimode implicats,
qus medullam nutriunt , de per eandem
vitales fpiricus diffundunt. Egreditur
medulla hsc per foramen amplum , de
rotundum e calvaria: primum amplillima , de cral-
fiiTima , qus paulatiin attenuatur , dum de lubftan-
tia ejus deperit aliquid , nil tamen de
corporea mole, quam ubique eandem retinet :
pertingens denique ad dorli finem in
varios ramos coni umitur, qui omnino caudam
equi figurant : atque hic terminum tuum
confequitur. Quaii- infinitus nervorum
numerus eft, qui ab ea- dem derivantur:
hi vero, dum illi, qui quali infiniti
lunt, egrediuntur, le uniendo tanquam
corpus unum formant ; volueruntque Anatomici tot
nervorum elle paria, quot lunt vertebrarum
foramina. Omnis in- terim nervus a
principio ortus lui multas habet fibras
conflatas , dc produdtas de lubftantia medullari ,
de membrana tenui : dc hs fibrs defeendendo
paulatiin de medulla leparantur , dc dum
foraminibus verte- brarum appropiant, cralla
quadam membrana, tan- quam tunica mduuntur,dc in
unum le reducendo ner- vum conftituunt , qui
dum per foramen fuum egref- liiseft,
in iisdem foribus rurfiim divellitur.
Interim quanto longius 1'pinalis medulla
defeen- dit, tanto altius nervorum fibrs
nalcuntur , dc lon- ginqua habent principia:
licut nervi dorfales, delum- bares, fi
attentius obiervati fiierint , de cervicali me-
dulla delcendunt. Ab initio lumborum ufique
ad ex- tremum Ollis Sacri multi funiculi
cralliores inveni- untur , qui tamen invicem
uniuntur, ea ratione , qua pori vertebrarum, ut
dum in anteriora, dc pofteriora {pinalis
medulla incurvatur , non nimium violenter
agitata, aut premeretur, aut rumperetur,
necellarium itaque erat eam in inftrumenta
capillaria terminari. De his autem haefenus
rationatumlit : quandoqui- dem definire fingula cum
circumftantiis dc conditio- nibus fuis , idem
eilet, ac munerare velle arenas ma- ris ,
dc ftellas firmamenti. Cum autem
calamus mihi fit in prsdi&is dc
bre- vis , dc imperfectus ( prsfertim quod
hsc profeilio- nismes nonllnt, qua mihi
cura animarum non cor- porum incumbit ) multo
potius talem illum elle con- confiteor ,
in difeutiendis qusftionibus illis arduis
Galeniftarum , contra Peripateticos , Hippocratis , Avicenns,
Ralis, dc intra modernos Velalii : videli- cet
an cerebrum principium lit facultatum : quomo- do
facultas fenfitiva duplex fit , interna , dc externa
: qua ratione fiant imaginatio , dc
intelligentia : de quali temperie cerebri, fedes
memoris fiat: de loco majori, dc litu
principali anims rationalis : cum Hie- rophylus
eam in vale cerebri collocet , Xenocratres
in vertice capitis , Eraliftratus in membranis
cerebri, Empedocles , Epicurei , dc Aigyptii in
thorace pedfo- Scarlattim Homini* Sjmbohci
Eom. I. ris, Morchius in univerfo corpore,
Heraclitus in agi- tatione extrinleca , Herodotus
inauditu , Blemor Arabicus , dc Sinenfis
Medicus Cyprius in oculis , Strato
Phylicus in fuperciliis , Peripatetici dc Stoici
facultatem hanc omnem in corde collocent.
Con- cludam ego cum Vetulo famofo Coi :
Cerebro , ait, intclhgimns , deliramu *, in f animus ,
cum aut calidius fuerit , aut fjcc.us , aut
frigidius ;• ,idipfinn dc Galenus **
ientit. Hifce auream Philonis lentendam
adjungo, Je f fi ^ qui ait : ubicunque
fate/litium regium eft , & Rex a fe£Hs. jute
ihtio (liparas fidem habet • fed totum
anima fiatel- litium , finf/mm quippe organa
in capite fit a funt , bi ergo fedes
an ima praepua. Nec vero etiam
mentis oculum ulque adeo p er- ipi cacem
elle reor, ut adimam omnes ledes, dc
reli- dendas facultatum dignolcere valeat: id
folum refe- ram quod Galenus Ientit , qui
arbitratur , earum Ut Placitis, omnium
originem in cerebro elle , non in csteris
or- ganis , prout facultas motus eft, dc
(enfiis. Arabum univerla Schola harum
diverfas manfiones partita eft in cerebro ,
dc cuique facultatum fuam propriam fe- dem
dejlinavit : idipfiim etiam Avicenna dc Averrocs
voluerunt. Ha: opiniones validioribus argumentis
ftabiliri pollent : fed iis ea remitto , qui
hxc tufius aut tractare , aut indagare
ftudendo latagunt. Porro nec modica nec
brevis quxftio eft, fi nimirum facul- Fen-
1 tates praecipua: a temperie cerebri dependeant
, aut ^ de conformatione ejus: hoceft,utrutn
actiones fimi- ticfi ltfi de lares lint ,
aut organica-. Obfcurillima quaftio , in
memoria. qua fe plura etiam illuminata
ingenia intricarunt. Ad hanc nihilominus
obfcuritatem magnam attulit elu- cidadonem
Plato, tum cum nos monet : Non retlc
inTheeteto: f habet anima , in denfo , aut
lutulento , molh nimis , aut duro cerebro :
molle enim celeres quidem ad perci- piendum
efficit , fed eosdem oblivio fos-^ durum dau
me- mores , fed ineptos ad percipiendum efficit :
denfium fi- mulacraobficur a continet. Et
Galenus: Melius foret 8 • Ue ufh par-
exifiimare Imellettum fiequi non varietatem
compof- “Hm tioni* , fed corporis , quod cogitat ,
laudabilem tempe- riem j neque enim perfeEHo
intellcchts quantitati (pi- r it ustam
artribuendaeft , quam qualitati. Unde ad
fuperiora qux aprxfads allata funt , concludit
Lau- 7fi- rentius. Ex hi* fiatis
parere arbitrantur quid.am fia- cultates
Anima non a conformatione , fed k temperie
cerebri exerceri. De ufii cerebri
Ariftoteles fentit , idipfiim folhm ad
refrigerandum cor formatum elle , itaque compo-
fitionem ejus humidam elle dc frigidam:
quam len- tendam Galenus refutat. Cum cerebrum
, inquit, Ue h[h par - affu, quovis
ambiente aere , etiam aftivo calidum fi;}
u“m- quomodo refrigerabit cor ? an non
ab aeri* infpiratu hauritur ? temperabitur
potu** ? f dicam Peripatetici* non fufficere
aerem externum refrigerando cordi , fed requiri
aliquod vifcu* internum : hoc eis obtrudam
, cerebrum longi (fimo intervallo a corde
diffitum efie, CE ofiibus calvaria undique
obvallatum : debuiffet , msher- cule, aut in
thorace locari cerebrum , aut faltem inter -
jeEia, cervice oblongiore non diftingui.
Hxc Quxftio non de limplici penna:
tradbu eft , dum per has undas experriffima
edam navigia naufragarunt : cumque fe in
portum evadere polle delperarent, prout non
ra- ro accidit iis, qui margaritas
pileantur , cellare ab indagando coacfti
fiint: unde dc ego, dum tales video
illuc non potuille piertingere , iter tam
laboriolum, de prxdicftasfyrtes evito: videlicet qualis
fit fpintu- um natura , modus , dc locus
generationis : erronea de hoc opinio Argenterii ,
admirabiliter a ailigcn- tilTimo Authore meo
confutata : utrum prarte- rea fe cerebrum
moveat violenter , dc vigore connaturali ,
aut vero per motum arteriarum : A 3
ardua, CAPUT. 6 ardua,longa,&
difficilis omnino quxftio , fi ulla alia,
an nimirum (entiat cerebrum , & quomodo : in quo
loco rurfiim diverlx fimt Galeni, Hippocratis ,
tk Pe- ripatetici lentenda'. Prxtereo hatce do&rinas,
tum quod obfcura’ fiint & difficiles, tum
quod non tam ad Anatomicum ha fpedent,
quantum illa qua fuperius jam relata, &
adhuc referenda fiint-, podus ad phi-
lofophiam naturalem pertinent. Quapropter
in ulrimo loco fe mihi offert
dequali- tadbus licut & de cerebri
temperamenco ratiocina- tio : ubi denuo nonpauca’
fimt a multis partibus intro- dudfre
opiniones, quas egotame qua polium
brevitate perftringam.Conlentiuntinterimhic & Peripatetici,
& Medici , cerebrum in qualitatibus luis
activis fri- gidum elle, in pafiivis
humidum: dillentiunt nihilo- Departibiu minus
Medici ab eo , quod Peripateticus retulit , dum
Animal. c. 7. cerebrum frigidum idcirco
ftatuit, ut refrigerando *■ J. cordi
ferviret:Medici non minus calidum volunudum
illud Galenus quovis atitivo acre
calidius elle docuit. Sunt nonnulli, qui
Galenum, & Ariftotelemconci- liant,duplex temperamentum
cerebri admittendo,in- fitum imum, alterum
influens. Frigidilfima eft compolitio medullaris
fubftantia: illius, led de influ- ente
lubftantia calefitjdum circumdatum & perfufum eft
a Ipiritibus multis, multisquc Arteriolis
intercep- tum. Si innatam temperiem ejus
intuemur eadem eft, qua: fpinalis medulla?,
dum filbftantiam cum eadem communem habet :
li ad temperiem influentem refle-
dimusjunum altero calidius dicitur,idque ob
arteria- rum copiam,qua: fe vaporofis filis &
fumidis exhala- tionibus lublevant. Quidam
fiiftinent cerebrum ablolute, (implici- ter
calidum elle , led iola comparatione frigidum :
<$c C. y.lib.ix. Galenus: Cerebrum quamvis
calidum , frigi dijfimo de Tetnper. corde e/l frigidius
: propter quod Hippocrates fedem fertincntibtu.
j]jucj frigoris appellat : hanc tamen Laurentius
non approbat, dicendo : liquidem illud frigidius
eft cute, qua: videlicet extremitatum
medietatem tenet, potius frigidum quam
calidum elle debebit : illud vero cute i'Je
tempera frigidius elle Galenus docet.
Contra quidam argu- ment.c.y. mentantur,
qui dicunt, nudato cerebro , continuo ab
aere refrigerari , quod ab ambiente non
evenit. Rc- fpondetur alterari cerebrum , dum
aeris alluetum non eft, prout cutis:
fic Sedentes, non allueti aeris conti- nuo
ab ipfo lividi fiunt-, ipfinn etiam cerebrum
cali- dius cute, dum calvaria cooperitur,
de arteria etiam & membrana multos
plexus habet. Concluditur ex his : Cerebrum
de temperie 1'ua innata frigidius elle,
& de temperie influente, calidius : atque
ejusmodi il- lud elle oportuit, ne portio
dedicata continuis medi- rationibus accenderetur ,
ne evanefcerent fpiritus animales, qui tenuifrimi
funt , ne motus temerarii ef- (ent,&
fentationes delira;, quales phreneticorum funt.
Adverfarii hic novis argumentis inlurgunt , dum
ajunt : fi temperamenti frigidi eft cerebrum ,
qua ra- tione fpiritus animales progignit,
&c vitales attenuat , qui effectus
vehementimmi caloris fimt ? Relponde- tur
attenuari (piritumin plexibus parvarum arteria-
rum, in illis viarum anguftiis : non minus
etiam fpiritum animalem fieri , non tam per
manifeftam qualitatem , quam per infitam quandam
& abditam proprietatem : cum enim fpiritus
cordis , quamvis calidiflimi, crafiiores fiant,
quam illi cerebri, qui frigidiflimi fimt,
evenit hoc imbecillitate caloris agentis -,
fed de dilpoljtione materis patientis
generat cor fpiritus vitales de (anguine
per venam cavam por- rato. Fabricat
animales lpiritus cerebrum de lpi- ritu
vitali tenuillimo-, ita &: calor
modicus alimen- tum debile concoquit, validus id
quoderaffius eft. Sit itaque in
adtiva quantitate fua frigidiflimum cerebrum,
in pafiivis non eft qui ambigat illud
humi- dum elle, non minus & inlitafua,
influenteque tem- peratura. Cum hac videlicet
temperie creatum a Natura eft,propter
perfectionem qualitatis fenfibilis, fenfatio
autem ha’C a paflione fit , & id quod
humi- dum eft, facilius lpe&ra & imagines
recipit: pari ra- tione ad ortum &
propagationem nervorum, qui fi de duriori fiubftantia
eflent, xgrius utique dederentur, tum
proinde ne duritie fua & pondere
aggravarent: denique ne membrum illud ad
perpetuum motum, fenfationes , & cogitationes
deftinatum in flammare- tur : Sic enimvero
qualitate qualitati unita cerebrum humidum
potius quam frigidum eft, & inter
partes humidas tertium ordinem , & inter
frigidas quali po- ftremum obtinet.
Occurrit hic alia infuper non modica,
& necella- ria admodum quceftio, quanta
lmt &£ qualia cerebri excrementa, per
quos etiam canales & condudus ex- purgetur.
Cerebrum ergo cum temperamenti me- dullaris,
frigidi fit , & humidi , nutritum fanguine pituitofo,
per virtutem libi innatam, & natura: fua:
propriam de fuperfluitatibus alimentorum copiam
grandem excrementorum generat: fed cum (it
totius corporis caminus, in limilitudinem
cucurbita: parvae, autcujusdam ventofie, cujus
figura ab amplitudine in anguftum aut
acutum terminatur, iniidet trunco corporis,
&d partibus infer ioribus,omnium generum
refpirationes attrahit &: abforbet j tefte
Hippocrate. Inde dubitandum non eft,
quin vaporibus his im- Libella de
pletum , &fine intermifiione imbutum, &
quali in- gUndulu. ebriatum , in (emet
multa fiiperflua & (iiperabun- dantia
contineat, ita quidem, ut cum humidum
fit, &J frigidum, ratione mamfeftifiimi fitus
, excrementis multis , &. materia crafliori
abundet. Ha:c autem , fi Hippocrati &
Galeno fides habetur, duorum gene- rum eft:
altera enim tenuis,altera crallaeft: quarum
illa vapori , aut fuligini non dispar , per
condudus infenlibiles transpirat : altera autem
per meatus con- fpicuos, & ex inferiori
parte apertos purgatur.llcut il- lafiiperior
per partem fuperiorem. Excremento tenui
& vaporofo redundat cerebrum ratione
(ituationisjhalitus enim adfpartem lupcriorem alcendunt,
& vafa in capite terminantur.in partes
vero inferiores quod craflum eft propter
frigidam & humi- dam temperiem facilius
delcendit , unde plus reliquis vifceribus omnibus
hoc humore abundat. Hujus excrementi eradi
pars pituitofa, aquea, de ferofaeft, pars
biliofa , pars melancholica : quorum illud quod
aqueum eft,de reliquiis fanguims pituicoli &
crudio- ris producitur : biliofiim vero de
portione melancho- lica,terrena, allata, &c
torrida , propter caloris excef- (um,portio
videUcet alimenti illius, propter quod&
facile amarefeit. Arbitratur Argenterius
aqueum illum & muco- fum humorem qui
per nares & palatum (eparatur &
emungitur, proprium cerebri excrementum non
e(- fe : cum multi nec fpuant,nec
emungant hanc pitui- tam : led humorem
quendam elle generatum in he- pate,miftum
(anguine in venis detento, qui generatio- nem
luam in cerebronon habeat , led illuc
portari, quando per imbecillitatem facultatis
concodr icis,aut vero per intemperiem
frigidam aflimilari cerebro ne- queat , ita
vero tanquam luperfluum per nares & pa-
latum emitti. Hoc li verum eft , ad quem
ufiim in (ede (phenoidis extenditur glandula
carnis poro(ae,& bibulx,prout didtum eft ?
hxc ergo ad hoc deftinata non eft,
ut hanc eluviem recipiat, & expurget ?
fi humor hic pituitolus in cerebro
male temperato ge- neratur , quis glandula:
ufus erit , qux in cerebro quamvis
temperato repetitur ? Natura fagax Sc
Libello de llandulu. C. i;. Anis parva.
C. 2- lib. 2. de locis ctffe-
clis Aphor. 2 Seft.i. c. 8. A N A T
O M I A. prudens nil fruftra operatur :
quod fi vero dodbrina Argentarii valida eft
, fupervacaneum erit infundi- bulum, & glandula
pituitaria: praeter harc prafatus author inquit ,
bene temperatos nunquam pituitam hanc iputo
ejicere, contrarium tenet Galenus , ita- que
excrementa pituitofa & mucola propria fimt
ce- rebri, & proprios canales fuos habent,
ad hoc fabri- catos, ut inde expurgentur.
His ftabilitis Sc in ordinem
redadtis, fupereft, qui- bus itineribus hac
expurgatio fiat , difcutere. Ex- crementum quod
tenue eft, &fuliginofum, cum ex fui
levitate fupcriora petat, per Meningem evapora- tur ,
per cranium deinceps , & per cutem , idque
in- fenlibili tranlpiratione , dum corpus
humanum per modum (pongix, foramina multa
in fe continet. In- de eft , quod cum
per olla penetrare hac fuligo ne- queat,
provida natura commifluras in cranio, plu-
relque cavitates ejus diftinxit, &
collocavit. Excrementa vero crafliora , cum
ex fui dilpofitio- ne naturali ad
partes inferiores ferantur , canales ha- bent
confpicuos, nondum a Medicis ftabilitos. Hip-
pocrates leptem condudhis agnofcit, per quos
de ce- rebro humor hic defiuat •, per
aures nimirum , per nares, per oculos,
per palatum, per partes guttura- les,
per gulam , per venas , & medullam
lpinalem in languine. Galenus eorum quatuor
aflignat , hoc eft: palatum, nares, aures, &
oculos: idiplum etiam alibi fentit, <Sc
confirmat: quamvis in Commentariis non nili
nares, &c palatum enumeret, dum ait:
decli- ves cerebri meauts tum per palatum
in os , tv,m per corpus narium , conjpicuis
ac magnis orificiis craffa cruciam
excrementa. In primo lymptomatum lolum ad
id vult idonem elle palatum, dum
opportune con- coquitur , &: nares pro
odoribus folis compofita fint, &: pro
refpiratione •, lic in variis locis
diverfimode hic Medicorum Antelignanus dilcurrit.
Hinc eft, quod do&iflimus Audior meus,
adeon- cilanda loca tam diverla , primo fui
intuitu libi admo- dum diilentientia , per varios
condudtus varia cere- bri exprementa, pkuitofi
nimirum, biliofa , & me- lancholica expurgari credit :
Horum condudtuum alios natura: ordinarios
elle, multiim familiares , & confuetos :
alios extraordinarios, nec ulque adeo con-
gruos. Ordinarii ad expurgandam pituitam dedicati
lunt, ut palatum, & nares • plus tamen
illud, quam ha: , cum potiflimum pro
odoratu fabrefabta lint. Ipfa adeo Anatomia docet,
condu&um vifibilem , & conlpicuum de
tertio cerebri iinu formari , qui ad an-
teriorem ejusdem balem extendatur , in cujus
extre- mitate tenuis quadam membrana: particula,
primum larga, & patula, deinceps anguftior,
& ftndior ap- pareat, per modum infundibuli ,
quodienfim in pa- latum, & in os deftillat :
& hic eft, ubitanquam per Hippocratis
manicam (prout alibi relatum eft) hu- mor
percolatur, & a glandula pituitaria pofthac re-
cipitur. Quod fi fuperiores cerebri ventriculi
quan- doque abundent, & eluviem mucofam
diftillent,hanc per tubercula fim illima papillis
& per os Ethmoides vel cribriforme emittunt :
ex hinc fubtus materis bi- liofs
continuo per nares expurgantur. Quidam
fic philofophantur materias hafce bilio-
fas ad aures rejici , ut earum olla
calore &c ficcitate fiia defendant :
pituitofas vero per os &r nares
evacua- ri , ut videlicet hi meams aperti
humiditate pradidta a ficcitate prohibeantur. Hi
canales ordinarii lunt, per quos confiieto
natura: ordine cerebrum purga- tur. Illic
rurftim alii lunt, extraordinarii , per quos
cerebrum, humorum copia pragravatum fe
nonnun- quam exonerat. Sunt autem oculi ,
Medulla fpinalis, & Nervi , unde paralylis
oritur : quandoque & per 1 venas ,
&per arterias id contingit , dum humorum
decubitus in parotides contrahitur. Hac
autem ex- crementa particularia cerebri non
fimt, hoc eft, me- dullaris fubftantia , aut
de ventriculis ejusdem , fed potius de
his vafis , de venis & arteriis videlicet ,
ex quibus tumores glandularum, opthalmiae,
3c aurium inflammationes lequuntur. Hac
excrementa interim cerebri temperati , iii
fubftantia lua nihilominus , & quantitate
qualitate intemperata fimt. Tempora quo
excernuntur fluida funtlubftantiafua, qua: non
nimium cralla eft, nec humida : taliter in
quantitate lua funt , nec enim co- pia
abundanti luxuriant : in qualitate vero nec
acrk lunt, necfidla: prafertim fi fuccefiu
temporis a fa- cultate lua concoquantur , Sc
feparentur. Reftat breviter videre per
quos condtidus excre-^ menta quarti imus , &
de cerebello purgentur. Non abs re
erit nolle , hac excrementa pauca admodum
elle , tam propter cerebelli duritiem , quam quod
hu- jus iinus tenuilfimi fpiritus lint,
&c finceri, jam omni- modo expurgati , ita
ut id quod illic facile colligitur,
facile etiam dilTipetur : id quod in
cerebro non eve- nit, cumlithumidum, continens
fuperfluitates nori modicas , atque ideo
copiofa expurgatione necelle habet.
Grandis, laboriofa, 8c non minus
fuperioribus dif- ficilis indagatio eft , nolle
numerum , ufiim , 8c pra- ftantiam ventriculorum
cerebri. Ego vero intuens meoccurfum
difcuilionishujus declinare hon polle: ut
inde aliquid etiam adducam , cum Authore
meo, dicendum qualiter ventriculos quatuor
Galenus fta- biliat, fuperiores duos , quos
anteriores vocat, unum in medio, quem
communem nominat, ultimum dein- ceps, qui
cavitas eft. Avicenna non nili tres
aflignat : iupremum, medium , depoftremum. Verum
qui- dem eft fub titulo unius priores
duos ab eo mtelligi, cum unius adeo
figura: lint , 8c fitus, & magnitudinis, &
ftrudtura. Verlatiflimus alioqui Velalius repre-
hendit in hoc loco Galenum de ufu
ventriculorum fuperiorum, idcirco quod hosfinus
organa odoratus elle voluit , &c eofdem
etiam pituitam in os cribri- forme
percolare. Author meus in defenfam Galeni
ait , Imus anteriores in tantum organa
odoratus ap- pellari , quod ad eos odores
ferantur , de quibus eli- gunt, rejiciunt,
vel judicant , nec tamen propterea obftare
quicquam , quin fi cerebrum eluvie mucofa
refertum fit, in eos finusle fundat:
cum pituita non raro quoquo verfum in
cerebri corpus fe difpergat, prout fape
in Apoplexia contingit, le diffundendo in
nervos, &c in lpinalem medullam : unde
paralylis. Argumentantur in contrarium
alii, dicendo: ex- tingui utique odoratus
lenium, fi per hunc pituitola tranfcolatur
materia, prout experientia docet. Re-
Ipondetur ad hac, hoc de fluxione
continua & magna humorum abundantia
provenire, qui tum obftrudti- onum in
proceflibus caufafunt: non fecus ac in
per- petua occlufione pororum qui in
offibus fimt. Qui- dam Modernorum fuftinent
anteriores ventriculos non ad praparandos
fpiritus fadtos elle, cum fint ex-
crementorum receptacula, ipiritumvero animalem cavitate
fenfibili non indigere. His Galenus refpon-
det, ventriculos fuperiores ad purgationem
Ipiritu- umminifterium fuum exhibere , & ad
expurgatio- nem materia: fuperflua. Ita per
Ethmoidem odores afeendunt, & non minus
fuperflua evacuantur. Sic emmvero de
excrementis cerebri dicendum , qua per palatum
& nares Ime intermiflione excernuntur, quod
nullum omnino nocumentum nec odoratui, nec
guftui adierant , fiquidem ciun moderamine deflu-
xerint. Quod 8 CAPUT.
Quod priftantiam & dignitatem horum ventricu-
lorum, quifuperiores funt, attinet, ambigendum
non eft; , quin citeris ex omni ratione
poftponendi lint, non quod citeri
principalis facultatum ledes lint, fedquodin
iis generatio (pirimum animalium fiat.
C.3./.7. Totum hoc Galenus docet. Cum
interim quatuor ventriculi fint, quiritar quis
eorum potior Iit, & no- bilior : vult
Galenus Imus luperiores citeris elle
ignobiliores, idque exemplo adolelcentis cujusdam
demonftrat, qui Joniiin Civitate Smymenfi
recepto vulnere in his linubus fiiperioribus ,
vita? &: ianitati reftitutus eft. Non
cum tanta elevatione loquitur de his
citatus Galenus • dum de tertio &
quarto tra- *. de ufu par- &ac.
inquintoenim capite ad tertium de locis
ajfefUs Uum c !°' 7' primatum pofteriori donat :
hic verba ejus funt : Spi- aep aatu. rptlts
animalis in cerebri ventriculis, maxime in
pofte- riori continetur : quamvis non
contemnendus fit me- C.i.ltb. 7. dius.
Ipfe etiam Hippocrates : poftremi quidem
ventriculi vulneratio maxime omnium animal
Lcdit, fecundo loco medii , minima ex
anterioribus utrisque noxa contrahitur. Hoc
id.em quod feStiones , collifo- nes quoque
faciunt. His omnibus ratio (iiffragatur,
dum ventriculi ignobiliores apparent, qui
majorem habent amplitu- dinem •, Quartus
Imus omniii anguflillimus eft,& mi- nimus,
Ipiritumque animalem lmcerum, delicatum, Sc
omnimodo expurgatum continet. Reliqui duo
pra?parando folum Ipiritui ferviunt: itaque
omnium nobilillimus eft quem dixi.
Videtur Galenus his contrarium lentire ,
illic ubi 5 .delocuaffe ait: Si aliquando
tota anterior cerebri pars afficiatur, Ftu
C 2. cM' ca qua funt circa fupremum
ventrem (liipremum au- ue locis C. 1,
tem eo Joco medium intelligit, nelcio ob
quam ratio- nem) ei conflit ire neceffie
efl difeurfivas omnes ailio- nes vitiari.
Si difcurlus in medio finu, ergo
nobilior. Hic ergo prirogativam linui
tertio allignare videtur. Sic in capite
ultimo fabulam Vulcani exponens, cmn caput
Jovis bipenni conquallallet , eum inde Miner- vam
Deam Sapientia? traxille ait : per quod
vide- tur non minus ventriculo tertio
prirogativam hanc donare. Hanc dignitatem
ftni&ura memorati ven- triculi admirabilis indicat,
dum vulnera occipitis mi- nus periculola funt ,
quam qui in fyncipite hunt : ita (enti
tHippocrates : Pluresex his, qui pofteriori
capitis parte funt vulnerati, mortem
effugiunt, quam qui anteriore.
Conciliabitur itaque Galenus, li dixerimus:
quod dum linum quartum priftantiorem elle
inquit , Sc digniorem , hoc eum luo
arbitratu dicere, dum au- tem de tertio
ratiocinatur , eum lentendas aliorum fequi , &
in particulari Nicrophyli, prifertimqued
facultatibus pricipuis fuas fedes proprias
non ad- Icriplit • liciit alibi memoratum
eft. In vulneribus occipitii raro admodum
ventriculus quartus offendi - tur, dum
carojiicut Sc cralfities , Sc durities ollis
ve hementer refiftunt : fed in lyncipite,
hoc eft in ven- triculo tertio olla
tenuiora lunt : Hinc Author meus ait : non
erralle Galenum in hiftoria prifente cere-
bri totius, nili in mirabilibus ejusdem plexibus.
Hoc os in homine usque adeo breve
& parvum eft, ut pene oculorum aciem
effugiat. Hunc plexum corona- lemqui in
ventriculis Cerebri luperior eft, cum Mo-
dernis quampluribus Rete mirabile nominat ; dum
ineo Spiritus vitalis attenuatur, & animalis
certum quoddam rudimentum Sc praeceptum
coiifequitur. Ex tot igitur operationibus ,
qui de interioribus Capitis proveniunt,
nobile, lingulare, Sc elevatum hoc Compofitum ,
plus adeo quam quodvis aliud in
humano corpore dicendum eft : Altillima rupes,
in qua pricipua vicini civitatis conftrudba
lunt pro- pugnacula : nili malumus cum
majori proprietate illud nominare , Metropolim
famofam fubje&arum libi Regionum : vel
Primum Mobile, fub quo reli- qui fphiri inferiores
moveantur •, vel luminofum Solem, qui
partes omnes, tam vicinas, quam longe
diflitas, illuminet Sc perluftret \ vel
Officinam ubi pungenriflima tela, aaitiflimarum
cogitationum fa- bricentur : vel Ditifiimum Aerarium ,
de quo tot po- tentiarum Sc effedtuum
thefauri depromantur •, vel Compendium , in
quo Univerfitatis totius negotia reftringannir , &
epilogentur. Vel fontem peren- nem de quo
copiofimmi rivi profluant, ad inundan- da
Sc fcecundanda prata membrorum tam qui
pro- piora , quam qui longius collocata funt j
Vel Princi- pem abiolutum,qui de partibus
libi fubditis homagi- um fidelitatis exigat
■, Caput, inquam, quod jure merito
Principium,Dominatorem, Patronum, Ante-
fignanum,Ducem,& Magiftram dixeris omnium eo-
rum,qui humano corpore continentur : Mundus eft,
propter quem Mundus creatus eft. Sc quidquid
in his lphiris mortalibus Sc immortalibus
concluditur: vivum fimulacrum, Sc Imago Altisfimi
, qui in hac prodigium admirabile
Omnipotentiae fui manifefta- re voluit.
Sed li tot,tamque inexplicabiles dotes
in hoc con- tento includuntur : fi divina
manus in interioribus tot mirabilia Sc
ftupenda operata eft , unde ad digni- tatem
tantam profecit •, nondisfimili gloria
fcintilla- re. Video Continens, hoc eft
Faciem, illam dico, in quam Creator Deus ,
fpiravit fpiraculum vita , & fattus efl
Homo in animam vi ventem. Facies qui
tali nomine infignita eft, quod univerfa
operetur Sc faciat , prout j arn fupra
determinatum eft ^ Facies fine qua
imperfefta,in anima line vitalitate, fine fpiritu
re- liqua membra poftrata jacerent:line qua
tanqua trun- cusmonftruofiis,inutilis,&abominabilLS,
reliquu cor- pus omne decumberet ; Facies qui
imprimit, & ex- primit objecta tam interna , quam
externa, per quam Homo ab Irrationalibus
diftingiiitur : qui fola ra- dium circumfert
Majeftatis , typum Sc copiam Ori- ginalis illius
fupremi,quod beatitudinis noftn obje- dum
in coelis eft: perquam folam cogitata
interna producuntur: lola pulchritudo, Sc
complementum corpons,per quam folam, & non
per aliud, liti, tri- ftes, fupplices,
eredi, aut fubmiffi fumus: Hic prima
eft quiplacet,qui attrahit, qui commovet,qui am-
pleditur,qui repudiat. Indicat hic fexum , ita-
tem,decorem , Sc ftirpem : in qua manifeftiflima
mortis Sc vici indicia defignantur. Jam
vero quod partes ejus Anatomicas concer-
nit,dehisintradatu de maxillis abunde
ratiocinabi- mur. Supereft hic videre paucis,ad
Encomium po- tius, quam Anatomicam ejusdem
expolitionem, cur in eadem Facie omnes
adeo lenius collocati, cur eo- rum quinque
lint, Sc non plures: de quibus illud
in- pvimis dicendum eft, quod cum anima
Hominis for- marum 01 nnium prima fit ,
quotquot earum fub con- cavo Luni reperiuntur ,
eaquenobiliifima , quan- tumvis individa , polita
in hoc Corporis Ergaftulo, eam nihilominus
fine fenfuum adjumento inteliigere non
polle. Cum his ratiocinatur , difeurrit, Sc lpe-
culatur : inter phantafmata Sc opiniones
verfatur: unde non immerito Philolophus dixit ;
Nihil eft m IntelleSiu , quin prius
fuerit in fenfu. Cum igitur Caput
fedes iit facultatum animalium, tum vero
etiam domiciliumRationis, congruum erat» ut
lenfus omnes velut fatellitium libi fubditum ,
Sc tanquam aulifui miniftros principales
imperio fuo obtemperantes, & in Regia cerebri
libi allidentes ha- beret. Senilium vera
numerus quinarius eft , qui numero
Facies comparata ftellis. 3.
de Anima. Td&llS & guftus
iim- pliciter ne- cellarii ad Vitam.
ANATOMIA, & SYMBOLA. humero aliorum
tot fimplicium inmiindo corporum correfpondet,
carli, videlicet, &: quatuor Elemento- rum.
Potentia villis juxta Platonicos elemento
ftellari correlpondet , qute ftellte non minus
oculi calorum nominantur: hx inquam facula:
quarum objectum corpus Iplendidun) &c
flammigerumeft , quamvis non urens. Odoratus objedaim
igneum eft, omnia Equi- dem aromata calida
funt : Auditus quidquid aereum eft, Guftus
compolita aquea , Tadhis terrena. In
univerfitate aurem quidquid continetur , in
quinque objedadiftingui poterit, in colores,
in fonos, odores, fapo- res. &
qualitates omnes tradabiles tam primarias,
quam le- cundarias. Arrogant autem libi
quod Peripateticus dixit: Media quibus fent
imus quinque tantum modis alterari pof-
funt. Inde profequitur : Medium cfle fenlum
vel internum, vel externum : Externum aerem ,
vel aquam ; Internum membranam & carnem :
quorum illa pruna alterentur re- bus
externis, vcluti iis qua: luminofa funt,
tunc enimvero objeda funt visus ; aut vero
iis qua: rara funt , Sc mobilia , &
tunc auditui ferviunt: aut vero iis
qua: humiditatem cum decitate permifccnt,
6c ad odoratum pertinent , fubjiciendo libi
carnem, & membranam ; aut vero temperiem
qualita- tum primariarum fequuntur.autmixtionem licci,&
humidi : & tali modo illa quidem objeda
tadus dicuntur , ha:c ob- jeda guftus.
Denique quinque folx fenfationes funt:
tot enim earum neceflariaPerant , non plures :
alise quidem fimpliciter & abfolute, alia:
ad jucunditatem Se dulcedinem vita: : abfolute
neceflarii funt tadus , 5c guftus: Tudus fundamentum
ani- malitatis eft ( ita fentitPhilofophus )
guftus viciffim funda- mentum eft
nutritionis.linequa abfolute vivere nemo mor-
talium poteft : Vifus, Odoratus, Sc Auditus
idcirco data ftint, ut vitam beatiorem,
& magis tranquillam degeremus. Hi ergo
quinque, ut ita dixerim, Favoriti funt
magna: illius Reginas, anima nimirum ; inter
quos vifus/apicntium omni- um judiao, propter
eximias ejusdem utilitates & commoda,
priorem fibi locum & prorogativam vendicat.
Proflantiam illius &dignitatem quatuor
res potilumumindicant.Primum varietas rerum,
qua: repraftentantur : tum deinde modus a-
ftionis inter omnes alias nobihftlmus : pon
o convenientia Sc proprietas cujusq; objecti particularis,
quo quafi lux divina adionum omnium
eft : denique horum omnium certitudo.
Omnium rerum vifibilium differentias vifus
dcmonftrat, cum omne propemodum objedum
coloratum fit , & vifibi- le : hinc oculus,
prseteripfum objedum multa fibi infuperad-
Dicnicas & fcifcit, hoc eft, figuram,
magnitudinem, numerum, motum, nnb,unri, ftaium,
fitum, Se diftantiam : unde apnffimus
dicitur ad m- " ventionem
difciplinarum. Intelledus ideas recipit , ab omni
V1SUS* imperfedione materia: omnino liberas j oculos
itidem 'fpe- cies incorporeas, qua: per
barbarifmum Intentionales vocan- tur- Intelledus
uno eodemque tempore binas res invicem
contrarias comprehendit, tum potiftimum, cuma
falfo ve- rum difeernit.- (ic potentia vifus
inter nigrum Sc album diju- dicat. Intel.
edus liberum mentis luae vigorem Se
fortitudi- nem confervat , ita ut nulla ei
vis hanc libertatem adimat: eandem quoque
oculus praefefertin videndo, qui hbertns ni
- hilominus exteris fenfibus negata eft:
nares enim, & aures nunquam non aperra:
funt, nec aliter poflunt ; non fic oculi
qui ad libitum clauduntur, Scaperiuntur (
ficut in eorum anatomiadicendum eft ) in nollro
fiquidem beneplacito eft, videre, vel non
videre.Nobiliffimum denique objedum ocu- lorum
eft, lux nimirum, prxftantiflJma, communiffima,
& notiflima qualitatum omnium ; Hac
ratione motus Theo- pbraftus formam hominis
ex vifu definiri ajebat : Anaxago- tas ad
hoc dixit natum hominem , ut videat.
Multo plura his in Anatomia particulari
oculorum dicentur. Debilem nihilominus in
his & imperfedam perfpicacita» tem meam
recognofco, unde ne a tanta luce cxcaccari
mihi contingat, ab ulteriori Capitis
indagme me retraho, qui opti° menovi cum
aquilis nec noduas nec talpas proportionem
ullam habere. Tu qui magis oculatus
es, conjice vifium tuum in Anatomicorum
lucem, qui tibi ledionibus difertioribus,
& clarioribus in hilce fibras
profundius abllrufas, Sercpofi- tas uuein,
ego interim accingor ad contemplanda
SYMBOLA. )^!d^m“UtmJicMet ^“tumrupra torehdum
nobis promptilTimani) cumab omni tu- It)
fymbol ■ nos divina tutela vigilet
(tumpnefertim ad fuc- Senrlmim Hominis
Sjmboltoi Tom, I. ' ; T - '-uiiidu
U1I1IUI1U- mano auxilio deftituti fumus ,
lupra id quod antiqui- IO
CAPUT. tus Marco Valerio Corvino accidit ,
cum in lingulari certamine cum hofte
confligeret : caput armatum callide depinxit ,
cui corvus infidebat , adjungendo Epigraphen :
Infperatum auxilium. Generofus mi- les , fk
intrepidus dimicabat viriliter , fed fortafte
fuperams ellet , nili corvus inopino adventu ,
& ro- ftro , & unguibus adverlarium laedendo
perterruillet, ut tandem luccubuerit. Hoc
divinum liiblidium a S. Auguftino firnra
id quod in nuptiis Cana: Galilaee
hb.i.adverf, facftum eft, inhnuatur, dum
redemptor nofter divi- H&res. mfTimce
matris lua: precibus qua? commenfalium cu-
ram agebat ( vinum, inquit , non habent)
annuit, vocans eam mulierem : & quia in
hydriis reliduum aliquid remanferat, evacuantur vafa
, &c rurfum aqua adimplentur , exhinc
admirabilis illa & prodigiofa Argumen-
cranfmutatio apparuit. Ha:c autem ejus
propria funt verba : Propter hoc
properante Maria ad admirabile tum oppor-
vini fignum , ante tempus nolente
participare com- tunum. pe.ndii poculum ,
repellit dicens : Nondum venit hora mea:
expeSlans eam, qua a patre fuit in
opportunum auxilium pracognita. Fortificabat his
le fuosque Philo Hebraus : bono , inquit,
animo eflote fratres , ubi enim humanum
cejfat auxilium , divina non de- ^
flituemur ope : neminem dereliquit Deus.
Elevatif- fimaMusafuaJoannesCiampolusin amaritudine li-
niftne fortuna; folabatur animam fuam,in
paraphrafi fuper pfalmum : Jf)ui habitat : de
verfu illo : quoniam in me fperavit liberabo
eumfic feriptum relinquens : Fiduccia
confolata fo pur fon certo , Se
la Reggia m e chiufa , Che fla tra
facre mura il Cielo aperto E che far
fordo a i voti il Ciel non s’ufa.
it pede pauperum tabernas , regumque turres :
alius i eodem fenfu fcripfit: zJMors nullo
varcit honori: sntentia qua: limiliter a
philolopho Pnoclide confi- ;rabatur dum ajebat :
Communis omnes locus ma- it,tum pauperes
tum Reges. Si quis le fortuna:
totum dedicaflet , Iperans ab ea- em Ubi
bonum omne eventurum , lic ab authore
uodam reprelentabatur : Juvenem figurabat , refcil- im
caput fuum fortuna: immolantem: hxc vero
Fortuna in - iolefeentis collo Leonis
caput inferebat, tum etiam conftans.
iputferpentis, Sc monftruoli praeterea animalis
cu- isdain i mentem fuam his verbis,exponens :
Bellua t,ccec 'e Jiat uit, qui credit fe
forti. Heec quatuor Ca- ita in
quatuor cyathis a Plutarcho exprella funt :
'ortuna, inquit, nobis cyathos
exjiccantibus prabet : De tranquilf unum bonum
infundat, tria mala minijlrat. Hi s ta(e
amm&. iblcripfit Quintilianus cum ait : Cum
fortuna ruere Decia. 4. ementia eft.
Et Seneca : Suis contenta viribus in -
£/>• 9». enit pericula fine Authore
Nullum tempus ei ccr - tm ef : in ipfs
voluptatibus caufe doloris oriuntur.
nevitabilis Idem Paradinus , manum armatam fica
reprefen- ra Dei. tat, quajamjam caput
quoddam perculliira eft: in- feripiit autem
hanc fententiam : Fcl in ara. V olens indicare,
vinditftam divinam ubivis locorum paratam
ad caftigandos protervos efie ■, ubivis
etiam locorum, quantumvis privilegiatalint,
crimina fontium puni- enda. Id quod inter
alios filio Francifci Sforza:, no- mine
Galeazzo contigit , qui etiam ante ipfam aram
facram ab Andrea Lampuniano interfe&us
eft. Hanc inamilTibilem vindittam verebatur
propheta Regius, duminquiebat: 6)uo ibo
djpiritu tuo,& quo d facie tua fugiam ?
Si ajcendero in c&lum tu illic es
, & ea qua: fequuntur. Magifter ille
morum Gabriel Si- meon volens inferre
fublimitates Regales, & eminen- tias per
mortem adaquari vilitati plebejorum (unde &
purpura Agefilai cum cineribus Ergafti
Paftoris in ^/Iors o- una eadem
lociatur ) Calvariam hominis figuravit nnia
ada:- inter fceptrum , & Ligonem politam >
cum hac de- paL claratione : Mors fceptra
ligonibus aquat : quod omne iorat,i.Car- ab
Horatio mutuatus eft, qui ait : Mors aquo
pul- Sinceritas cordis. Apud
Diogen U-7- Inion , depe- tit. Confu- tat.
Satira 17. Concordia quam Iit
utilis. Mors& memoria ejusdem.
12. Mor. De vita Re- fur.
Lib. 4. Hexa- emeron. ■ Redtitudo
& Sinceri- tas. FACINORA EMBLEMATA &
MORALIA. 11 FACINORA. Sinceritas
&c redbitudo animi potiffimum ex tran-
quilitate , & hilaritate vultus cbgnofcitur. Qua
de caulajoannes Ferrus faciem repra?lentavit
riden- tem & venuftam,absqiie omni ruga, ligni
ficarionem . apponens eum hac Epigraphe :
Raro fallit. Hoc ipium Cleantes indicare
voluit, dum ait : Ex Jpccie comprehenduntur
mores. Et Euripides : Ad yul- ■ tum
boni viri ajpicere dulce eft-. Et
Tullius : Inul- tus , ac frons animi
efl ^ anna , qua fignificant vo- luptatem
abditam, & occultam. Quamvis Juve- halis
nos aliter doceat : Fronti nulla pdes ,
inquit. Utique enim verificatur non raro :
in vultu rolas apparere, tegi fpinas in
corde. Arma gentilia & antiqua
excellentiUima? Domus Trivultii, quae e tribus
vultibus compotita lunt, indi- cando quantum ad
felicitatem vitae , &c ad omnem inimicam
poteftatem profligandam valeat concor- dia,anfam
dederunt Antonio Trivultio , qui Atavus fuit
Magni illius Joannis Jacobi , ut in
vexillis milita- ribus tres lacies has repraefentarct
: adjundbo lem- mate : Mens unica. Et
ha?ceft laurea illa tantope- re celebratae
lentendae Saluftianae : Concord a res parva crefcunt ,
difcordia ruunt. Zelantiflinms Calliodorus inter
liios vel minimum indignationis fu- furnun
ferre non poterat,unde &: cuique
iuorumaje- bat ; Summopere jurgia fuge , nam
contra parem contendere anceps eft , cum
Juperiore fur tofum > cum inferiore fordidum ,
maxime autem contra fatuum contentionem
inire. Sancbus Gregorius Papa omne tanquam
fordidum explodebat , quodcunque manu datur, vel
recipitur, ubi cor maculatum efl: rixis
8c dillenlionibus : Munus , inquit, non recipiatur ,
nifi prius difcordia repellatur ab animo.
Vere illud Davidicum experimento certiflimum efl:
: Ec- ce quam bonum , & ejuam jucundum
habitare fratres in unum. Hoc ipfumS.
Auguftinus innuit, qui tam fratribus
Religiolis regulas, quam & univer- fo
Mundo praefcripl it , dum ait : Lites nullas
habea- tis , aut quam celerrime finiatis ,
ne ira crefcat in odium , & trabem
faciat de f e flue a. EMBLEMATA.
POtentillimum ffjrnum ad retinendum hominem
a fofla praecipitii , & peccati ruina , memoria efl
folia? lepulchralis. Veritas non folum
quotidie in roflris iacris declamata , fed
a Reufnero quoque intelletfla , qui depingi
puerum fecit , incumbentem cranio humano :
adjungendo 1'ignificationem cum hac Epigraphe :
rive memor Lethi. In eundem lenium
verba S. Gregorii incidunt , ubi inquit :
Jfifuiconfiderat cjualis erit in morte,
femper pavidus erit in operatione . atejueinde
in oculis fui Conditoris vivit. Magnus
ille Mediolanenfis Ecclelia? Archi- Epifcopus
S. Ambrolius iic illud exprellit : Mors pro
remedio nobis data efl. Si primi
noftri parentes divinum illud vetitum
obfervaiient : quacunque ho- ra comedentis , morte moriemini
, lucceilores luosin tantum mileriarum barathrum
non praecipicalfent : fed tentatorlpirituscumluo:
nequaquam moriemini, promittens ejus vitam,
ad excidium conduxit, ex quo proinde
origo decidii fubfecuta efl : iic Balili- '
us Seleucienlis meditatur : ^fljuarcns Sathan
Proto- plaflorum perniciem , conatur ab eis
memoriam mor- tis eripere, nequaquam, inquit,
moriemini. MORALIA. JUxta commune
Axioma : Cum caput dolet , c at er a
membra languent, quod quidam fapienter
dixit : Et ego convenienter dico Iic mentem
huma- nam elle oportere : defaecatam nimirum , & ab
omni tenebrofo vapore partialitatis , Sc proprii
commodi 1'eparatam, utfane & prudenter
a&iones inferiores gubernare & dirigere pollic
: liciit caput cfrm fanum efl, &
purgatum , vitalitatem aqualiter in reliqua
membra partitur ; hoc ipium Plutarchus
intendit, cum ait : Mens cernit , mens audit ,
reliqua fur da , De Alexand cacaque fiunt,
& rationis indiga „ Pulcherrimum , fortitudine. arbitratu
meo , quamvis compendiofum id , quod
Euripides affert , dum Helenam formbflUimam de-
feriberet : Mens optima vates efl , ac bonum
confi- In Helenk lium : Hoc idem encomio
lingulari Seneca depraedi- cavit , dum ait :
Cogita in te pr ater animum nihil
effi mirabile , cui magno nihil efi magnum.
Caput jure merito Caminus totius
corporis appel- landiun eft,ad quod
exhalationes omnes , & flumina
commeftibiliumalcendunt: dumque his prater mo-
dum gravatur, recidunt cum damno , & totius
corpo- ris incommodo. Quis non ex hoc
dignitatem Per- RedbaPrin- fona? Principis
figuratam videat, qui per modum ca- cipis
opera- picis tanquam verus caminus , quidquid
exhalatio- tio. nis de fuorum fubdicorum motu
extollitur , in le re- cipit ? Jam vero li
Princeps male ordinatus eft , nimi- isque fumis
& caliginibus repletus, non nili popularis
perturbatio in membris ejus , in flatu , &
corpore po- litico expedfcanda eft. Inculcat Socrates
hoc Prin- cipi luo, ut mentem ab omni
fecum illuVie puram teneat, dum ait : jrcrifjimos
ejfe honores Princeps exi - de Principe, firmet,
non qui in propatulo cum timore fiunt,
fed quan- do fubditi apsid fe fioli
mentern principis potius , quam fortunam
admirantur. Et magnus Pythagoras pra?- ex
Lzertto. videns nocumenta , quae ex hac
vaporum attradbione lecutura ellent , hcfcriplit :
Princeps non ideo crea- tus efl , ut Iader ct ,
fed ut juvaret. Ut ha?c flumina
reprimeret, Claudianus Honorium luumlic horta-
batur : ... t Tunc omnia ‘fur a tenebis ,
Cum poter is Rex effc tui
proclivior ufus -7 In pejora datur,
fundet q3 licentia luxum, Sed
comprime motus. Polb Cordis generationem ,
prout univerfa Me- dicorum lchola docet, in
capite cerebrum generatur, quod ex lui
natura frigidum &: humidum excellivo cordis
calori opponitur. Proferam ego id, quod jam
Protedbio ante me alius, intelligens nimirum
in hoc locoMariam Maria? Vir- Virginem
gloriolimmam , qua? in myftico Eccleiia? ginis.
Corpore, poftChriftum, quem in corde figuramus,
primum libi locum vendicat : ha?c enim
ardores cor- dis in juftiriaa?ftuantes contemperat.
Conflagrare magnitudine criminum luorum jam
Mundum opor- tuerat : hoc exprellit S, Anteimus :
Dudum calum Sehm. de N*- Cf terra
rui flent , nifi Maria precibus fuflvntaffer.
tlv- Quod S. Bernardus mellifluus Iic
expofuit : ut fiole Serm. dt Af- fiblato
nihil luce fc it, fic fublata Maria, nihil
d mfijfima tenebra relinquuntur : S. Auguftinus
cum dulciloquio luo hunc lenium ita dedit :
Autlnx peccati Eva , Auttrix meriti Maria •
Eva occiden- do obfuit, Maria vivificando
pro fuit, illa percufiit, ifia fianaviti
De humiditate cerebri canities nafeitur:
hxcvero Pietas elee- Sapientum judicio
prudentiam indicat, juxta oracu- mofyna,ti-
lum divinum : Cani fiunt fenfus hominis :
de calore mor. calvities oritur : Symbolum
illud eft , prout fuo loco demonftrabitur,
Eleemolynar : unde optimum eri:, ut homo ad
hanc partem refledbendo , in frigiditate
‘Timorem Domini contempletur, in humidirate Pie-
tatem. His virtutibus armatur homo rationalis ,
can- quam telo pungenti flimo, cum quo
& tempus, & oblivionem, tk. peccatum
ferit. Hoc omne de ra- 8 1 rioiie ;
J i '«! i C A P U T. In
Hermath. Imperium. Cuftodia. C.7.
Divina my- iteria. Tfal. i$o.
Chriftus. adColojf, i. Serm. de
Elia, E/>. f 8. in Mxtth. c
. 40. Super Mare. 6 r- Pf- 59-
Fervor de- vocionis. Cap. II. Defomn.
Na- buih. de pro fagu. 1 3 y
cif- 4S 7. Errores. -JK
Triftitia. t: ,r • * ii
SuperFf. 18. A Suggeftio-
rione provenic 5 qua: e cerebro elicitur,
<*c in eodem fundatur •, unde
<Sc Ingenium derivatur. T otun 1 il- lud
Phoclides Philofophus explicuit. Ratio, inquit,
hominis telam eft acutius ferro.
Diligens obfervator Goropius feriptum reliquit
, in primitiva lingua pronuntiationem,
&c denominati- onem Capitis Ionum cdidille
fimilem hui c: Heet, quod imperium ,
8c dominationem indicat: idque non
immerito, dum caput exteras corporis partes
gubernat, & ditioni fuce iubjicit,prout
opportunitas, & necdfitas exigit in unoquoque
fuorum fenfuum (e exercens. Prxtcrea caput
quoque cum hoc Nomi- ne Huet exprellum fuit,
quod Tutela, & Cuftodia interpretatur, non
abs re, dum fine illius fablidio , ex- tera
membra non fecus ac militaris phalanx
interrup- to ordine hac illacque palantes
habens milites , line Duce,rnani feftum incurrit
periculum. Cum tot ergo tantisque
praerogativis decoramm fit,mirandum noneft, iihoc
Nomen Altillimo Deo adferibitur, prout
legitur in Daniele, qui fub figura
capitum divinam texit ellentiam , nec ea
videre dete- da diledus Apoftolus potuit ,
per hoc fignificans quantum inacceffibilis
lit vel minima cognitio my- fteriorum ejus,
qua tantopere elevatafunt. Hoc in- ferre
propheta Regius voluit, dum ait: Obumbrafti
caput ejus in die belli : alludens
myfterium paffionis, quod omnem intelledum
humanum transfeendit. Infcripturis lacris
per nomen Caput Chriftus Re- demptor nofter
lapius fignificatur. S. Paulus hoc inquit :
Primum noftrum Caput eft Chriftus , nos que
membra de membro : Sic Eucherius Se
Ambrofius , prout S. Bernardus fentit,divinam
ellentiam indicant. ■ Vult S. Auguftinus,
cum Maria Magdalena caput Chrifti lnimgere ,
idem elle, ac eum cum frudu bo- na
operationis laudare. Origines conliderando Jo-
annem Baptiftam decapitatum , vult in
metaphora Chriftum intelligi a Judaifino
derelidum, &: a lege Judaeorum fublatum.
Hieronymus Sc Hilarius id- ipfum referunt
ad Judaeos gloriantes & praetendentes
Chriftum a Prophetis feparatum : fuperhxc, gloriam
Legis ab iisdem levatam elle. Caput
aureum in Sa- cro Cantico memoratum , juxta
Richardum de S. Victore , perfedum flatum charitatis,
intentionem devotam, &: fervidum Cadi
defiderium indicat. Su- pra id , quod in
Levitico ordinatum eft. Caput Sa- cerdotis
non radendum , Philo Hebraeus in lxcu la- res
illos invehimr , qui le negotiis ingerere
ecclelia- ftricis non erubefcunL Id quod
in Geneli de capite Jacob feriptum
reperitur, quod lapidibus capite luo
dormituras incubuerit,lubjungitBeda , intelligi polle
hic principatum Chriltianilmi hmdatum &
ftabili- tumfupra Petram Chriftum •, cum
& ipfe Apoftolus dicat : Petra autem erat
Chriftus. De Capitibus decalvatis filiarum
Sion, quorum mentio fit in Ifaia,
Jeremia & Ezechiele, Sancti Hila- rius &
Ambrofius errores Oratorum Sc Rabularum
intelligunt, quorum infidelis dicacitas decalvatur ,
6c denudatur , nihil habens de ornamentis Chriftianx
veritatis & eloquentia?. Per caput opertum ,
licut in locis pluribus Regum, Efther
&:Job legitur , Lira- ntis fraudulentiam intelligit ,
& dolum larvatum , quandoque velo pietatis
religionis involutum. Magnus Mediolanenfis Eccleliae
Archi - Epilcopus Ambrofius, de intrepiditate
animi , qua mulier illa Apocalyptica continuit
caput ferpentis , hanc mora- litatem eruit,
dum ait: lic omnino caput nafcentis
fuggeftionis conterendum elle, ne in cor
noftrum ul- terius ferpendo irrepat. Applauferunt
Auguftinus & Gregorius adioni Davidis , dum
jadandam illam Goliathgigands truncato capite
repreilit , ubi dicunt: intelligi polle
per Goliath Luciferum , cui caput abi a-
S.Pfal. 1 r,j. tum eft, ut Chriftus
effet caput gentium. Sed ne ultra de
i.Reg.) . ariditate rivorum meorum guttas
quasdam diftillem , fufticit in materiis
hisce me de plurimis, qua? dici pof-
lent,dixille pauca:Liberum relinquens Ledon fedul»
reftinguere fitim luam,h lic placuerit,in
amoeniffimis verfionum facrarum , &c Glollatorum
fontibus , de quibus fine intermillione
dodrinae perennes icatu- riunt. PPvOVERBI
A. PRoverbia originem fuam vel ab experientia,
vel ab ufu , vel etiam abufii , aut de
partibus aut de proprietatibus humanis, vel
de didis lapientibus aut vulgaribus
traxerunt. Caput fcabere, ab inferiori-
Cogitabun- bus multis ad eos refertur,
qui fixam mentem, mul- dus. tumquein
cogitationibus filis abforpeam tenent: per
quod tanquam per clari flimum radium oculus
mentis illuftratur , ut homo videre bonum
fuum poffit , & malum evitare. Inter
alios id Quintilianus innuit: Cogitatio , inquit
, paucis admodum horis c au fas etiam
magnas complectitur. Et Marcus T ullius : In
omni- bus negotiis, priusquam aggrediar c , adhibenda
eft p re- paratio diligens. Et Euripides : E t
qua longe abfunt, £r qua prope
funt,confderari debent. Optimum documentum
ad monendum, & corri- dendum Amicum cum
trito illo adagio infinuatum fuit : Capite
admoto: hoc eft, 111 ablentia Arbitram,
Judicum,&extrapublicum,iinbcum iuavitace ver- borum ,
fine omni afperitate. Juxta divinum ma-
gifterium : St peccaverit in te frater tuus ,
corripe eum inter te, & ipfum folum.
Quae veritas & gentili- bus non ignota fuit ,
inter alios Euripides ait : Amor
(impliciter objurgans magis premit. Propter
quod Diogenes canis appellatus eft , qui
cum nimia libertate edam in publico
importuna reprehenfione mordebat. Pro verborum
dulci moderamine falu- berrima dodrina
Chryfoftomi eft : Circa vitam tu- am eft 0 ,
aufterus, circa alienam benignus : audiant te
homines parva mandantem , & gravia facientem.
Venufta ficies,& alpedus comis , cui
nihilominus didamen rationis delit , & qui judicio
privatus fit, hoc dicio figurabatur : Caput
vacuum cerebro. Et hxc eft Alfopicae
vulpis fignificatio, qux ftatuarii of- ficinam
ingrefla, atque illic formatum caput inve-
niens, fed .vacuum videns , a fe projecit,
dicendo : O quale caput : fed cerebrum
nen habet. His obje- dis, eorumque
blandimentis fallacibus fidem non habere
admonet Lucilium fuum Seneca : Erras , Inquit ,
fi i florum , qui tibi occurrunt vultibus credis
: hominis effigies habent, mores autem
ferarum. Quafi diceret; Attende tibi,
ferpens enim in viridi prato abfeonditur ,
illic podllimum , ubi te amoenitas flo- rum
arridebit. Quis credidillet unquam Alcibiadem
fub cxlefti vultus decore, nutriville mores
inferni? Amarus pavonum cibus eft,
cum cantus nihilominus viventium fit
faftus,& decor. Per Nutrices , qua?
quandoque cunas in caput le- vant , ubi
infantulus quiefeit , tk. de loco in locum
transferunt , inferre Plato voluit, cum quanto
affectu amicus amici fui commodis , <3c
utilitatibus fervire debeat : unde & vulgare
illud axioma ortum eft : Capite ge flare ,
hoc eft: omnem ad id cogitatum fu- um
applicare. Exadiflimum prxeeptum divinus Ariftoteles
nos docet: didamque legem cum omni
perfectione obfervare vult: Amicus fc debet
habere ad amicum tanquam ad feipfum, quia
amicus efialter ipfe. Et S. Auguftinus ,
amicum dimidium amms> O' medicamentum
vita appellabat. Gerion olim, live
propter compofitionem infoli- lib. 10.
/» Hippol. Corredio remoca,pri-
vata. apud? lato- rum de Amic.
Adulator. Facies ab o- pere diver-
la. Ep. 2®3- Cap. 10 de Republ
. Vera ami- citia. 4. Et
hic. 3 -Confejf. Lib. 6. de
Cht. Dei. Diftradfcio in negotiis.
In Pfal. 8 . Sur. in Vit.
23. April. Difficultas negotio-
rum. 3 .Metamorph, Cognitio
matura. Ethicorum. Vt ira lib.
u, Sententia pedaria. PROVERBIA
& HIEROGLYPHICA. tam membrorum, infpecie
trium corporum figura- batur, five id
fadhim alia decaufa, ut videlicet ho- minem
pluribus negotiis diitradhim repraTentarent ,
occafionem autem proverbio dedit: Ertium caput.
Similitudine infper a bajulis fumpta, qui
fiepius onera fua ab humeris ad caput
transferunt. Vitium hoc evagationis
tantundempemiciofumeft , quantum e it utilis recolledtio ,
&. tot curarum depolitio. S. Au-
guifinus commentando lupra verfum pfalmi :
niam tu Domine fu avts ac mitis , ita
eum dilucidat : Nil (lultius , quam fi feipfum
quisquam [educat: at- tendat ergo , & videat
quanta , & qualia aguntur. Conlimilis huic
aphonlmus eft : Age quod agis. Inimicus
nofter communis , ut nos a redo virtutis
tramite aberrare faciat, non aliis
potentioribus armis contra nos militat,
quam diftradione mentis. Dixit hoc B.
Aigydius in vita S. Francifci : Ditem
oranti in- tendit cUmon , tanquam animatus prado.
Ad indicandum hominem fic negociis
fuis impli- citum , & immerfum , ut non nili
argre le inde eripere & extricare poiTit ,
ita ut in Labyrintho D.edaleo, vel in
Ergallulo , vel in compedibus cC manicis
fe elle credat, fuerunt qui adagium
illud effinxerunt : nec caput , nec pedes. Innuentes
usque adeo negocium hoc intricatum elle,
ut principio & fine careat. Non eft
vermis tantopere mordax ad confumenda
&c ro- denda corpora, quantum animabus
alfligendis , &c mortificandis ejusmodi iunt
intricata negocia : Ita fentit Ovidius :
Attenuant vigiles corpus m' fer ab
ile cura. Ad hos laqueos dillolvendos
, & tales occupatio- nes allumendas , quibus
fuccefius non difficilis fit, hoc confilium
Ariftoteles fuggerit : ln negotiis opor- tet unum
negociari ad unum opus , quia melior eft
cura intenta in unum , quam circa plura.
Perfedfa rei cujusdam notitia fic
exprimebatur olim : a capite usque ad calcem :
quod his quoque ver- bis dici poterit : d
capite ad pedes , ab ingreftu ad co-
ronidem , a vertice ad talos. Quemadmodum autem,
prout lupra relatum eft , negotiorum
incompolita turba', in ns, qui veram
eorum praxin ignorant, per- turbationem animi
adducit , ita & matura prcemedi- tatio
tantundem expeditum iter habet ad eadem
feli- citer terminanda, &infecuritatem collocanda,
ex quibus optimum judicium , & rerum
quantumvis involutarum diferiminatio oritur.
Magnus Peripa- teticus nofter fic ait:
unusquisque bene judicat, quod cognofcit.
In eundem fenfum Seneca, iracundum ho-
minem vult prius de re quaque diligenter
inquirere, qum in iram erumpat : totum
infpice mentis tua ady- tum : etiamfi nihil
mali falli poffit face fe. Et Quin-
tilianus : Nofcat fe quisque non tam ex
communibus praceptis , quam ex natura fua
capiat confilium for- manda aIHoms.
Stupiditas qmedam , aut mentis infenfata
durities, de ignorantia cralla exordium
fuumfumens,in iis, qui pro cujusque
ratiocinantis arbitrio & voluntate , vi- tuperium
& laudem fine diferimine cuique rei
attri- buunt , hoc adagio figurabatur : Caput
fine lingua. Hoc idem Sententia Pedana
infinuatur , qua olim Senatores determinationes
fuas , pedelignificabant, Sc concludebant : unde Sc
Senatores pedarii appellati funt,qui lapiendorum
fe judicio conformabant. Talis erat Marci
Tullii filius, qui nunquam os fuurn
aperi- re ad fententiam dandam, vel mutire
noverat, procul degenerando ab intelligentia
patris fui. Horum ca- lamitatem deplorabat
Demofthenes, illic nimirum in Olyntho, ubi
in ejusmodi plures invehens, declama- bat :
Homines focor des prafentia negligunt, futura
bene fuccejfura putant. His adjungatur
illud J uvenalis. Inguinis capitis, qua
Jint difcrimina nefeit. Quod idem
eft, ac fi dixerim : nefeire eum
inter tur- pe & honeftum, inter nigrum &
album diferimen. Similium converfationem
hominum ne in fomnio quidem, ne
dixerim in fcholis fuis Plato perferre
po- de Scienti/ii terat, quos tanquam
infideles rejiciebat : Nfaenti quid laudet, aut
quid vituperet, non eft adbibenda fides.
De merda Adienad,qu:e lapientia &
fobrietate inftiu- dta erat, contra eos
qui his finibus non tenebantur, fed
de vitio nefando ebrietatis facrificabant , mufto
domiti, Proverbium illud vibratum fuit : Capita
qua- tuor habens : utpote quibus unicum objedtum
, in va- ria multiplicatum apparet. Nec
mirum eos canta videre, qui tot vitis
oculos epotarunt : Hi fumo vini vaporolo
tantopere lui compotes non funt , ut nil
eis fubfiftere , fed eunda vacillare videantur.
Enormitatem vitii hujus aureum Chryfoftomios
fic super Gtn. deteftabatur : Ebrietas
exc&cat fenfus • voluntarius hom 29.
efl damon : Ebriofo Afinus melior : Ebrietas
qua- SuPer Mntth„ dam Ira, Mater eft
Scortationis j tene pe flas tam in
^om' <‘9' animo , quam in corpore.
Natus eft inter fulmina Xom 1°™'
Bacchus ( fic fabula; tradunt) hac prudenti
mydiolo- gia docendo , de abundantia vini
fulgura procedere, qua; facile eidem
deditos in cineres redigant. HIEROGLYPHICA.
T Am a Primordio Mundi Hieroglyphica nata
funt, in j ea videlicet hominum tetate, qus
adhuc balluciens 'dici poterat, nondum
habens characteres alios, qui- bus mentem
fuam , aut fenilium animi exprimeret :
itaque neceflarium eis erat , communibus
inltrumen- tis, & rebus ad ufum , &
utilitatem hominum fadis cogitata fua
exponere. Inter alias autem harum in-
ventionum maxime ferax , populatiflima ./Egyptio- rum
Regio fuit , ubi in parietibus interiora
animi prodebant. Ha vero obiervationes d
viris fapienti- bus, tanquam myft erio
plens colleds funt , quas ego quoque prout
rerum materies aut occafio exegerit , in
medium adducam , ut figuratus homo meus ex
omni adeo parte obfervata utilitate,
curioforum oculis le- gendus proponatur.
Igitur per Caput judicioli progenitores
noftri tx Valeriano principium cujusque rei
fignificabant , prout Caput de Capite. verum
hominis principium eft. Sic Varro docet:
Bonum Caput corporis eft initium , eo
quod ab ipfo capiant princi- principium
fenjiis , & nervi. Sic adagium fonat : pium.
pifcem d capite primum putere. Caput itaque
bene collocatum , bonam membrorum conftitutionem,
& complexionem denotat j fic prout
qusque res bo- num habet principium , ita
finem quoque ilium feli- cius confequitur :
Dimidium finis , qui bene ccepit habet.
Sic Mula poeta; Venulini fonat. Quam
id ftudiosc obfervandum , & ledulo huic
invigilandum fit, Peripateticus innuit : Principium
quantitate eft Eltnch. 2. minimum , pote
flate maximum , D hoc invento facile eft
augere. Volebat Tullius initia a fuperis
fumenda Uh, 2. de legib . elle : A Diis
inquit immortalibus funt nobis capien- da
initia. Per Caput itidem res
principalis figurabatur : Res princi- unde Marcus
Tullius ad Appium icribendo, fic ajc-
palis, bat : An tibi obviam non prodirem f
Primum Appio Claudio , demde Imperatori , deinde
more majorum j deinde {quod Caput
eft) amico ? Omne fibri princi- pium Caput
vocatur, fic nomen illud Berelith in feri-
pturis idem eft , quod vulgariter Caput ,
aut vero in principio. Quidam facrorum
interpretum per no- Divina men Capitis
filium Dei intellexerunt , quandoqui- principia
dem per verbum ejus diviniffimiam mundus
produ- incompte - duseft. Et Adamantius ,
per Seraphim , qui binis heniibil ia , alis
Caput Dei velabant, incompreheniibilia eilc
m- B 3 quit, CAPUT. 14
Divina ientia. Religio. hb. 1
Parvus mundus. Itb. 4.
Caput fup altare. ef_ inquit , nec
detegi polle divina principia. £t cum
Iit ellentiadivina omnium rerum tam
carieftinm, quam terreftrium perfedillima, iic
ab Eucherio nomine ca- pitis appellatur.
Quod tantopere inter -Tgyptios v?nerationem
tk reverentiam auxit (juxta id quod
Hieronymus refert) ut injuriam Divinitati
crederent fieri, liquidem qualecunque caput
aut male cibatum, aut male
tra&atumfuillet, mortuum uque ac vivum.
Usque adeo Religio ab iis, qui non
nili in oblcuro eam noverant, oblervata
fuit : fecundum quod Pli- nius lenior fcriplit : Religione
vita confiat : & in eundem fenfum Livius : Omnia
projpera fequentibus Deos eveniunt, adverfa
(pernentibus. Schola Platonica nobis
feripto reliquit. Caput no- ftrum ad
fimilitudinem Mundi compolitum elle, atq-,
idcirco Microcofmum appellatum. Quis vero
eft, qui hoc non fateatur ? dum illic
ik imprelliones , &c Planetae, &tot
negotia exercentur, & generantur? Illic
anima? noftru,tanquam Ipiritiu informanti,duos dederunt
circuitus : atque ideo membrum hoc par- tem
divmillimam,& principium reliquarum partium
•appellarunt, utpote qua? huic in iervitium
data? lunt. Et quemadmodum Deus iple per
potentiam fuam , & prulentiam mundum replet
univerlum, ita & deli- ciae illius Tunc converlari
in orbe terrarum, prout li- ber fapientix
teftificatur. Quantumvis autem huc probatione
non indigeant,atidiatur nihilominus inter tantos
Manlius : An dubiam cjl habifare Deum
fub pectore noflro? In ccelumcjuc
redire animam . c.-doque venire ? ia
Adhanccapitis lublimemdignitatfem magnam au-
thoritatem tribuit Helichius Hierofolymitanus :
ob- Dignitas terrena. Principi
re- verentia de- betur. I/Mi
fervans ritum facrum, in lege veteri celebrem
, per quem caput vidtimu lupra altare
collocabatur, no- bilius corde uftimatum, cor
enimirafeibilis, &con- cupifcibilis fons eft ,
itaque non immerito fe caput a corde
feparavit: pofthuc iubjungit : Non decet au- tem
mentem folum dtvidi ,Jcd efl e velati
vinculum, quod ajfeSlus nojlros ad fanam
rat ionem adjungat, at fe devinciat.
Dum de culefli ad principatum
terreftrem defeen- ditur, hunc Aigyptii
adumbrare volendo, caput pro- ponebant vel
fiilcia regia vel diademate, vel ca-
mauro cindtum : Porro Artemidori fequaces , 8c fo-
dales, quamvis vana luperltirione, liquidem
ejus- modi caput in lomno cuidam appareret,
futurum Dominium 8c Principatum portendere
crediderunt. Cum quanta igitur reverentia
caput noftrum conli- derandum & honorandum
eft , cum tanta quoque re- vereri , metuere ,
&: honorare Principes oportet, tanquameosqui
luminaria lunt mundi: lucerna? po- litu
lupra candelabrum, civitates fandu fupra
mon- tes collocata?. Imo & ipla omnipotentia
divina Principibus prophetas fuos viros
lapientillimos able- gavit, iisdemqueiplis, per
figuras & unigmata locuta eft. Curtius etiam
, qui tanta de principatu fcriplit , hoc
pruceptum dedit : 0 '0 [equio mitigantur im-
peria. Longe quidem a proportione
Architebtonica, vici- nam nihilominus in contemplatione
, a cceleftibus re- bus dependentiam rerum
terrenarum elle, ut an- tiqui ob oculos
ponerent. Imaginem Serapidis Dei repra?fentarunt ,
per quam moles mundi intelligeba- tur,
led qua? loco capitis ingentem ca?lo
vaftitatem portabat. In gratiam quoque
Nicocreontis , Regis Cypri fequentes verius addiderunt
: Sum Deus, ut difeas , talis , qualem
ipfe docebo. Colefiis Mundus Caput
efl, Mare venter opacum, * Terra
pedes, aures ver famur m athere fummo ,
L,ux oculi , quam Solis habet jplendentis
Imago, Hinc Palladem de Capite Jovis
prodeuntem de Contem- culo defcendille
fibulati lunt: prudenter nos inftru- piatio
Para- 'ehdo , cogitationes noftras ad culum
lemper dire- d]ji. ttas elle oportere ,
ficut diredum eft caput noftrum. Ad
hoc S. Ignarius Loyola refpiciens
exclamabat : G)uhm fordei mihi t ellus ,
dum c silum afl>icio ! & S. Zenon
Epifcopus Veronenlis : Jjhiamdiu , inquit, Ser.de
Many- tethrum umbra profumunt , quamdiu fumofarum
fib. urbium nos carcer includit ? Et
S. Cyprianus ? fefiinemus ingredi in
illam beatam requiem. Aliaque iniuper
centum millia fidelium. Propter quod &
infideles, illi fiimptuofiflimis delubris prufati
Se- rapidis imaginem decorarunt: Et in
Alexandriavi- lum fuit ejusdem limulacrum
tam procera? magnitu- dinis, ut ambabus
manibus duos ponderofos luftine- ret
parietes de ligno & metallo conftrudos :
'Ut ni- hil non complecteretur-, lubj unxit
Valerianus, quod terra vel proferat , vel
intra vifcera abditum occul- tavit.
Adus naturalis, quo quisque mortalium,
dum ei Salus vita?, periculum ludionis
imminet , objeda manu caput tuetur, a celebrioribus,
tSc notioribus terra? Natio- nibus pro
Hieroglyphico receptus fuit: unde &
Aigiptiis lolemne erat in quocunque ludu
vel ino- pino cafule capiti devovere, per
illud jurare,eidemq-, fe commendare. Hinc
Tiberius Gracchus olim fa- lutem populo
devovere volens , hoc fidiilimo figno in
Capitolio comparuit. Sic Ariftophanes ab
Ana- carnanis poftulabat: Etfi jufla non
profatus fuero , manu fupra caput impofita ,
quaque univerfus appro- bet populus. Ipfa
adeo portenta ca?li his fuffragari videntut
; quandoquidem Ca?faris ftatua? in templo
omnes fulmine de culo milio in caput
percullu , pru- fagium deftrudionis Sc ruina?
principatus hujus fue- runt qua? etiam poft
Neronis mortem evenit. Usque adeo
Romani olim prudentillimum Ale- xandri Severi , &
Antonini pii filii ejus regimen ac- ceptum
& gratum habuerunt, utfimulacra tk pidu-
ras cum bino capite , fimul invicem
jundorepru- fentaverint. Huc in annulis, tk
monilibus porta- Profperita' bantur , huc
auro <Sc argento imprimebantur : pro- Imperii.
utGruci & Macedones in figura Alexandri
fecerunt: ita ut matronu illuftres pro
ornamento , & mundo muliebri his figuris, tk
monilibus uterentur. Huc fuperftitio a
Chryloftomo Magno reprobatur , inve- hente in illam
cum prophetico dicSto : Mendaces filii
hominum in flateris. Huc bina capita
dixerim ego elle oportere, providentiam in
bono , 8c prucautio- neminmalo, cum
axiomate philofophiu naturalis : Bonum ex
integra caufa, malum ex quocunque de-
fieflu. Diodorus volens Mufarum lignificare
impul- lum , quu videlicet cum fuavi quadam
violentia.ad fe pQ^t2.> Genium attrahunt,
Caput Fuminu reprufentavit , quu capillos
in fronte contortos , vel involutos , aut quali
per humeros expanfos monftrabat. De his
Sulmoneniisajebat : Efl Deus m nobis ,
agitante calefcimus illo: Sedibus othereis
(pintus ille venit. Et elevarilllma
pcnnaCommendatorisT efti fic expri- mebat :
A me di quei lumi IA Infiuen ce
cor te fi Genii inflillaro a Cafle
mufeamico : Si lungo i duo gr an
fiumi Aufido , & Imeno apprefi Urattar con
‘Tofe a man plettro pudico , Tungi da
rei co (lumi Folfi il pie vergognofo,
&dove fiorfi Reqnar virtude , m amor.
sto jo cor fi, Inulrimis, vel
primis Corinthi viciniis inveniebatur olim
Liba.de Con- scierat. ad Eugentum ♦
Obftinatio in peccato, absque pa- vore
pec- cati. Occultare [e ad ailal-
cum ini- mici. In Ef. \n
hifloria S axonum . Sui ipfius cuftodia.
In quodam Serm. De arte
amandi. olim caput mulieris usque
adeo deforme , & horri- dum, utipfe terror,
fi ad fui expreffionem , fimula- chrum ei
vel imago eligenda fuillet, invenire aliud
monftruofius illo non potuillet. Paufanias
vir litera- tus , & Legislator ibidem
nominatifllmus legem pro- mulgavit, per figuram
hanc, intelligi oportere ima- ginem, terroris.
Quidam illud imaginem eile Ca- pitis Medufe
voluerunt •, Domitianus ex hinc volens
quandoque iis, qui fe non alio oculo ,
quam exterio- ris apparentia: intuebantur, terrorem
incutere, &fe formidabilem reddere , caput
hoc in pedore porta- bat. Hoc eorum
obverfandum ellet oculis , qui dum male
operantur, divinam juftitiam poli tergum fil- um
collocant. Sed nimium , pro dolor ! verificatur
illud, quodS.Bemardus ait : Cor durum eft,
quod nec compunctione Jcinditur , nec ' pietate mollitur
, nec movetur precibus , nec minis cedit,
exemplis non in- ducitur , beneficiis induratur ,
flagellis non eruditur, & ut in brevi
cunCti horribilis mali mala compleCtar,
ipfumefl quod nec Deum timet, nec homines
reveretur. Obfervarunt Aftronomi intra
decem gradus Scor- pionis afcendentis fupra
Horizontem Caput quod- dam omnino deforme, &
cum prominendis fiuis tor- tuofum •,
fiipcr ha:c cavitates usque adeo male
com- pofitas &inamvenas, ut, fi fieri
pollet, ha:c porten- tofa deformitas ipfi
adeo cceIo terrorem incuteret. Confiderando
peffimam figni hujus qualitatem , &
afpedum ejus horrificum , dixerunt profati
Aftro- nomi , ab hoc inftrudionem moralem
nos deducere polle , ut nimirum noverimus
ab allaltu inimicorum pra:cavere, qui non
fecus ac lignum illud in medio
blanditiarum, & amplexuum, eludunt, decipiunt,
& opprimunt. Pra:ceptum politicum eft
Principi contra hujusmodi occultos hoftes,
non minus, quam contra inimicos exercitus
praemunitum elle oportere, fi vel minimum
prudentis fenfum pofiideat. San- <5tus
Chryloftomus etiam minimos horum adverla-
riorum obfervare moms, eloquentia fiua docet :
ubi tam in campo verfare gladium , quam
in templo pa- ftorali pedum polle
videtur. Nihil, inquit, perni- ciofius eft
, quam hoftem , quamvis imbecillum con- temnere.
Et Vegetius nos inftruit : quod adverfaruts
reconciliatus etiam vehementer cavendus fit.
Uni- verlum hoc etiam de invifibili
inimico intelligi po- terit, qui, juxta
Apoftolum , tanquam Leo vorax, circuit
quarens , quem devoret. Cum per
natura: legem, ad lui tutelam quisque
fe pradervare , & defendere poflit , idipfiun
Aigyptii indicarunt, cum bina aut
depi&a aut fculpta capita expofuerunt ,
virile alterum , quod introrfiun lpedla- bat,
alterum muliebre, quod circa exteriora
obje- <fta pupillam oculorum circumgyrabat.
Horus Appollo figuras & fignificationes
confimiles, usque adeo perfpicuas elle
dixit, ut ulteriori expofitione, aut
externa inferiptione non indigeant. His
imagi- nibus , cum fuperftitiofa, dixerim.
Religione, pro- phani idolorum cultores Diis
infernalibus defun- ctorum animas commendabant ,
adjundtis literis duabus D. & M. Si
cum hac cautela incederent hi , qui
paffionibus filis in tranfverfum rapiuntur , &
fe- ducuntur , non tam incaute fspius
aperto pedore in telahoftium, in globos
lediales , in gladios & in- fidias
incurrerent. Per commune proverbium S.
Bernardus nos , quantum dodtrina hsc cuique
ho- minum proficua lit , inftruit dum ait :
Solet dici, bonum cafiellum cuftodit, qui
feipfum fervat, & ob- fervat. Dumque
nos amare docet Ponti Incola, fic ait
: Non minus eft JAirtus , quam
quarere, parta tueri: Cafus ineft illic :
hic erit Artis opus. .Corroborat
qua: di&a funt Hieroglyphicum pru- dentis ,
quod a fapientibus Romanis in fimulacro
Jani bicipitis figuratum fuit : cujus finis
erat ut re- Janus, prsfentaretur memoriam
fidelem confer vandam prsteritorum , & futurorum
eventum cum fagaci- tate prsvidendum. Unde
juftiflima eft, & nonabs Prudentia» re , de
eodem fubjeCto Perfii exclamatio : O Janae
d tergo quem nulla ciconia pinxit.
Inde templum quod Antevorta, &
Poftevorta appel- latum, 8c a Romanis cum
fingulari judicio apertum fuit. Sed de
his figuris maturius in fecunda parte
in- tegri hominis ratiocinabimur : quod prsfens
attinet adhuc illud referendum eft , quod
Demofthenes in Apudstobt* Olyntho ait : Non
tam videndum quid in pr&fentia um-
blandiatur , quam quid deinceps fit e re
futurum. Et Plutarchus : Prudentia non
corporum fed rerum eft injpeElio. Sed
hic le&orem meum primitus ad vi- vum
fontem Ediics Ariftotelics tranftmitto : imo
vero advenas perennes gloriolillimi DoCtoris
Ange- lici Divi Thoms de Aquino ^ denique
ad id quodcun- que pofteritati imprellum , 8c
latiori deferiptione dif- fufiim reliquit
Comes Emanuel Thefaurus in Plfilo- fophia
lua morali. Porro ut antiquitus , in
uno fimul omne tempus TemporsU colligatum
reprslentarent, prsteritum, prsfens, &
futurum, inunobufto terna capita figurarunt.
Sic Hefiodi interpres ratiocinatur. Inventio hsc
, prout refert Paufanias, Alcamenis eft : Et
de Luna Virgilius : Luna, Tergeminamque Hecatera,
& l^irginis ora Diana. Uthsc tempora
fedulo dilpiciamus, &prsvidea- mus. Sapiens
nos exhortamr dicendo : Omnia tem- pus
habent: Et hinc : Tempus plantandi ,&
tempus evellendi quod plantatum eft. Hic
Cardo major eft, ut in Mundo vivere
bene noverimus : Tempori par- cere, id eft ,
opportunitatis locum expeClare, optimi , &
prudentis eft , fic Marcus Tullius inquit.
Et Ovid. Dum licet , & flant venti
navis eat. Sic vulgo dici- tur : Dum
ferrum candet, cudendum eft. Sed ni- mium
vera funt qus S. Bernardus inquit : N ihil
pre- tio fi us tempore ,fed heu ! nihil
vilius hodie invenitur > PRODIGIA.
QUamvis jam & vulgo notiffimuin fit ,
nihil- ominus ego , ne ab ordine mihi pnelcripto
, in Principio Oftentuum & Prodigiorum
difcedam, non polium quin illud tantopere
decantatum commemo- rem , de quo inprimis
mencionem Plinius habet : vi- lib. 28. c.
2, delicet tum cum prima Romane Urbis
fundamenta Fundamen- jacerentur, in ruinis
hifce profundis inventum fuille taRomat.
caput, recenti fanguine tindhim, conlperfum , &
quali diftillans, itauta bullo noviter
avulfmn credi potuerit : quod futura: felicitatis
huic urbi omen fue- rit, pra-iagiens eam
non tantum Romani Imperii, fed totius
iniuper orbis Caput futuram. Sic enimvero
pluries , qiue nobis contigille fortuito cafii
videri pollimc,divina pratordinatione diriguntur, ut
Mundus his moneatur, & in futurum
fibiprofpiciat Variis a- deo Altillimus uti
mediis confuevit, quibus hominem adfevocet.
Non cafu quodam, fed ad inftrudlio-
Vocativo nem & difciplinam converfionis olim
in afigypto divina, plaga; Pharaonis
contigerunt: in Rubo flamma. Columna
nubis, & ignis. Virga prodigiofa , manus repente
leprofe. Mons fumigans, & horum fimilia. Sed
cum ejusmodi portentis non corrigerentur,
ecce illud Salomonis experientia comprobatum
elt: Uiro Proverb.c.19, qui corripientem
dura cervice contemnit , repentinus ei
fuperveniet interitus, & eum fan itas non
feque- tur. Propter quo fagacitate opus
eft: , ut ha:c prasfa- giapoffint intelligi:
ficut nec illud Amalecits fortui- tum fuit,
cum fceptrum , Sc Regalem Saulis paludem
Regi Prafagia. lib. x. Hift,
Caput in tempeftate delapfum.
Mutatio Regiminis. E[>. ad Bovil-
lum. Unde mon- ftra. 1 6
CAPUT. Regi David, tum quidem adhuc
Duci turma: mili- taris , ad pedes projecit ,
iedhic rurium Lectorem meum, li de
hac materia eivifimi fuerit ampliora nolle,
ad Davidem meum mu ficum armatum ab-
lego. Bugattus fcripto reliquit : ante mortem
Barna- ba Viicontis, qua: paucis pcfthac
fubfecutaeft: in palatio ejusdem incendium
occepille , atque in- ter atra flammarum
volumina comoaruilie Ca- put . quod ipiiun
quoque ardere vilum lit , id- que multo
temporis (patio non dilparuille. Sic Anno
Domini noltri millelimo quingentefimo qua-
dragelimo quinto , tum cum Henricus Dux
Brun- Ivicenlis cum Duce Saxonico belligeraret ,
in ci- vitate Argelia exotica* magnitudinis
grando delap- Li eit , inter hos autem
glaciales globos , caput quoddam reterens
imaginem Saxonici Ducis inven- tum eft , a
quo poftea Brunluicum m'bs & Regio debellata
fuit. Seducftor lpiritus , ut animos ad
cultum lui quamtumvis prophanum alliceret ,
de- cidentibus calo laxis , jumentis humana
voce lo- quentibus , cumque aliis
diverlorum generum monltris , porro in
victimis luis , quas quan- doque omnino
inter manus Sacrificantium disparen- tes reprafentabat
, non lolum militares viros , fed ipfas
adeo matronas ad lacrificia , ad Lupercalia
, ad Ledlifternia , ad Saturnalia , 8c
ad innumeros ejusmodi ritus gentiles
currere , Sc properare fe- cit. Unde &
in pluribus locis Livius refert, quod majoribus
hoftiis placata ftnt Numina . De toni- tru
autem 8c fulminibus , qua quali quotidiano
even- tu decidebant Poeta inquit : Difc it
cjuftitiam moniti , & non temnere divos. lpia
quoque omnipotentia Divina , quamvis inter candelabra
aurea, lacerdotali indumento vel po- dere
veftita , in labiis Iliis nihilominus
gladium utraque parte acutum portat : & hic
ille ei! de quo propheta meminit : Si
acuero ut fulgur glu- ti, um meum ,
oS arripuerit judicium manus mea. Utque
hunc gladium metuamus Regius Propheta inquit :
Nift converf fueritis gladium fuum vibra-
vit , arcum tetendit , & paravit. Felix qui
ex ejusmodi magifterio novit emolumentum
fuum ca- pere. Dum Galba Provinciam
Tarraconenfem introi- ret , & in vicinia
publici fani caput infantis immo- laret ,
idipfum continuo <Sc ex improvifo in
leni- lem canitiem transmutatum fuit , cum
infolito circumdantium ftupore , unde dc
Harufpices de hoc lplo prafagierunt , futuram
propediem ftatus & regiminis mutationem ; id
quod etiam fuble- cutum efl. Non
minus prodigiofiim fuit Caput ihud , quod
pontificia tiara redimitum compamit non
modico tempore in acre , circa annum Chri-
(fi quingentelimum odavum. Relationes Craco- v
lenies recenfent . in Sarmatia Anno Domini
mil- lelimo fexcentelimo vicelimo tertio e
flumine Villu- la c aquile pilcatores pileem
humano capite lpedta- bilem. Sagaciflima
inventio, qua: de manu ingeniofif- lima
Creatoris procedit ! verum enim eft, quod
poeta inquit : l^uait m humanis divina
potentia rebus. Sic deledatur Deus
operibus fuis nobiliflimis , &: pulcherrimis ,
contraria omnino producere. Eve- niunt monftra
vel excellii , vel defeclu natura: : dum
vel nimium eft quod operatur , vel dum
in • toto , aut parte quadam totius deficit
j hinc eadem pulchritudo, juxta fententiam
ejus, qui Amator Lama: fuit, eo quod
videatur terminos concinnitatis excedere ,
intuendo & membrorum proportionem monftruola
appellata fuit. Oh delle Donne altero
, e raro moftro ! Hinc cum in domum
Xandii introduceretur > atque in
ingrellu luo dElopus, hic Carbo animatus, e
Phrygia usque adeo difformis , <Sc tam
prodigio- (z turpitudinis appareret , univerfa
familia contur- • bata obftupuit , da
materfamilias ingenti vocife- ratione virum liium
inclamat : rUnde hoc mihi monftrum attulifii ?
Monftruolum appellari con- fueverat ingeniiun
D. Thoma: Aquinatis , tanquam quod communes
intelligentia humana limites tranli- ret , &
omnino etiam optimis praftaret : vera aquila ,
qua fixis oculorum pupillis intendere po-
terat in lolem illum , quem tam condigne
porta- bat in peclore. Nero monftrum
crudelitatis nomi- natus fuit. Hoc etiam
nomine transmutationes vel Metamorphoies
nominantur : unde Ovidius de fororibus
Phaetontis in populos arbores transmutatis inquit
: Affuit huic monftro proles fthenclcta
Cygnus . Sic Gygantes , & Pygmati , fic
qua pracocia & pramatura linit in homine ,
vel mixtis , vel animalibus, vel plantis ,
vel petris , vel in lignis, quidquid aut excedit
, aut deficit in communi na- tura curfii ,
monftrum , aut monftruofum dicitur : Lac
praterea nomina fortiens : Oftentum, Porten- tum,
Prodigium , Miraculum. Inde iis inharen- do ,
&c concludendo qua lupra jam relata
funt , pro coronide hujus capitis vel
capituli referam id quod Ilidorus fcripfit :
Monftrum ita nuncupatur , Lj^ 2> or^
quia aliquid futurum monftrando homines
moneat \ quapropter nonnulli hac ratione
dubii monftrum qua- Ji moneflrum appellarunt ,
vel quia monendo aliquod myfterium diviru
ultionis pr.tmonftret , vel quia ali- quid
ftngulare a ftngulis obfervetur , & propter
ad- mirationem digito monftretur. Ipfa adeo
Iris in pulchritudine fua prodigiofa nos exhortatur
ut Fa- ctori fuo debitas referre gratias
de tot benefadtis erga nos non
definamus : quod fi minus fa&um fuerit,
intuendo eam ut arcum incurvatam, uti- que
de irafeente Deo habemus , quod vereamur,
cui nunquam deerunt fagitta , ad feriendos
impios, qui vitam luam male degunt.
SACRIFICI A. PAgani olim barbaro
omnino , fuperftitiofb , \ imo <k
nefando ritu Larunda Dea , vel Ma- nia ,
qua Deos Lares genuit , humanum Caput litarunt ,
opinati hoc lacrificio nefando penates fuos
ab omni invaiione hoftili fecuros fore :
qua impietas e medio fublata , dc penitus a
Junio Bru- to Conlule abolita fuit , qui
ftatuit ut in vicem Capitum humanorum
capita papaverum immola- rentur & dedicarentur.
Hoc cruentum nihilominus idololatraram
facrificium mftru&ionem prafefert maxime
utilem & moralem patribus familias &: qui-
buscunque aliis , quibus domus cura concredita eft
, ut videlicet fe laribus fuis dedicent,
mentem fuam dc cogitata fua ad
domefticorum & domus totius adifi- cationem
& gubernaculum dirigant-fui &: fuorum in-
defeflam follicitudinem gerant,expenlas cum
recepti- bus fuis ponderando : tantopere
morigerati, & dii ci- plinatifint, ut
nemo habeat , quod de prapofte- ro agendi
modo conqueratur. Ad hunc fcopum collimant
Doftrina Peripatetici noftri , in Ethica: ubi
ceconomica , herilis , familiaris , & mona-
ftica vita &: regimen defcnbuntur. Imo
& Apoftolus Pau- SACRIFICIA &
SIMULACRA. 'Regimen domus. Epift. ad
Tim. c.j. jipud.Phaar. Memoria
mortis in Conviviis. 24. 12.
Moral Fortitudo contra ad- verlitates,
& paifio- nes. 6. JEneid. De
irae. 3. Paulus definiens Epilcopi
boni munera , inter alias virtutes eidem
necellarias requirit : ut fu a domui be- ne
prapofitus Jit , jufta illatione inferendo ,
fi quis autem domui fu a praejfe nefeit ,
quomodo Ecclefut Dei diligentiam habebit ?
Sic Prienenfis Bias inquit: Optima illa
domus efi, in qua talem fe proflat
Domi- niis , qualem foris leges cogunt. Et
Cleobolus apud Diogenem : Priusquam domo
quis exeat, quid altu- rus jit apud
fe perrrafiet : rurfus cum redierit, quid
egerit recogitet . Et Pythocles : Oprime
conjiituta domus , in qua fuperfuum nihil
abundet , & necef- farium nihil defit.
In more politum Celti' antiquitus
barbara gens habuit , de hoftium occiforum
corporibus ampu- tare capita , atque eadem
evacuata , Sc exiccata, tum deinde auro
tedla in conviviis Sc folennitatibus
proponere , iisdenique pro poculis , dc
patinis uti. Si tantundem, quantum cum
luorum hoftium cal- variis agebant hi
barbari, Chriitiani quoque inuni- verlum
mortuorum fuorum capita in conviviis ex-
ponerent, fi, inquam in his lautis epularum
lolem- nitatibus defiindtorum memoria Eepius
revivifee- ret , & tanquam Ipeculum convivantium
oculis proponeretur , fortallis eorum menfie
frugalius plandtu , quam ebrietate aliisque
iniuper indecen- tiis , rixis , dilcordiis ,
&: perturbationibus inordi- natis , qui ex
ebrietatis vitio derivant replerentur. Sic Moraliita
eos , qui talibus menfis absque omni
metu allident , cum lient in ipfo
limine lepulchri, vellicat ? Jfuia incertum
e[t , quo loco te mors ex- pellet ,
tu omni loco illam expctla. Et S.
Gregorius : confiderat quali s erit in
morte , femper pavidus erit in operatione.
Arieti , utpote primo Zodiaci figno , Sc
quod ejusdem caput lit , &: omnem in eo
potentiam , for- titudinem, &: vigorem pollideat ,
antiquiore sAftro- nomi Caput amgnarunt , dicendo
: Eos qui lub hac conftiturione in
trino , aut lextili nati fuerint, optime
lituatum caput , bene fanum , fine dolori- bus ,
line fluxionibus habituros. Sed ego potius
hoc Caput optime flabilitum dixerim, quod
plenum generofitate , & virili fortitudine ,
finiltris tortum calibus , vel palfionum
violentiis contrallare nove- rit. Obdurandum
adverfus urgentia , in luis Em- blematibus
exclamat moraliflimus Alciatus. Di- cebat
Diogenes ad magiftrum Ilium fe percutien-
tem : Non tantum tibi virium erit ad
me ferien- dum , quantum roboris ell dorfo
me6 ad fuftinen- dum. Et hoc ell
illud unde Aineam fuum animabat Sibylla
apud Mantuanum. Du ne cede malis ,
fed contra audent ior ito. Quod vero
attinet palfionum vidtoriam , & clavi Hercu- lis ,
& fcuta Atlantis , & igides Palladis , Ancilia
Numi , ipecula Ubaldi , annuli Melilfi , conve-
nientes ad hoc allegorii funt. De his
etiam S. Ber~ nardus ait : Major ejt
viEloria hominum , quam An- gelorum : Angeli fine
carne vivunt homines in car- ne triumphant.
Portentolum erat videre Senecam ( prout
ipfe de feiplo refert, dum de
viifroria fenfus, & de hominis irafeibili
loquitur ) fufpenfa in acre manu, qui
flagellum tenebat, cailigaturumfervum immorigerum ,
dumque in hoc a£tu deprehenliis, interrogaretur ,
quid hoc rei ? relpondit : Exigo poe- nas
ab Iracundo. SIMULACRA. UT intentiones ,
& affedus , & palfiones huma- ni exprimerentur, a
fapientibus llatuarum, 8c Scarlattini Hominis
Symbolici 'Tom. I. fimulacrorum ullis ,
una cum variis corporis & membrorum
dilpolitionibus inventus fuit , quibus vel
ftuporem, Vel confidentiam , vel amorem ,
vel odium, aliasque in homine pndominantes
qualita- tes figurabant. Statuariorum , & fymbolici
artis peritorum hic gloria eil , e pidlis
telis fuis, & lapi- dibus Iculptis etiam
line voce humana loqui potu- ille. Cum
ergo affedlus , & commotiones animi ad
hominem fpe&ent , non fine lingulari defedtu
, 8c imperfectione propoliti operis hujus
foret , de his * nil meminiile , fed
cum filentio priteriille. Ut cum
facilitate & delectatione duarum nobis Dolor
li- humanarum qualitatum notitia daretur , quarum
ncia ima non nego , media ell , odiofa,
8c noxia , duo Capita Joannes Baptilla
Porta, nobis videnda de- mlibr.de dit,
quorum alterum fixis oculis , & melancholico
Fort. lit. notis. intuitu terram Ipedlabat ,
alterum hilare & jucun- dum cilos intuebatur
: in horum uno dejectionem animi notabat ,
tum cum curarum ahxietate depri- mitur , &
languentibus oculis in terram fixus , fe
in hafce tenebras praecipitare velle ,
alterum ad tranquillitatem illam gloriae
alpirare de approximare videtur , quae ell
finis & meta humanae vita: iloltra?.
In altero horum Synterefis culpae
recognofcitur, qua: Synterefis tanq lam
gladius fupra caput Demadis Rei fufpenfa
in Innocen» rr. initatur : alterum per
modum Apodis ultra nubes tia. le
volam fuo levans , inferiptionem illam
judicio- fam confecumm ell : Defpicir ima.
Alterum non fine ratione dici poterit
Cain aliquis fratricida , im- pius, perfri&ae
frontis , &■ inhumanus, alter econ- tra
manfuetus Abel , plenus tranquilitate , & amoe- nitate
vultus. Hic velut Democritus femper ridens,
prout eum Poeta loquentem introducit : E
vanita , 0 Mortali Brufin, Delie miferie
voflre, Dalle affhte pupille Con
infimo dolor gron dare il pianto »
Alter velut Heraclitus femper plorans ,
in antro Trophonii fepultus, quem nec
menfa: Luculli , nec Panchaia: amoenitas ,
nec Tempe confolari potient. De uno
eorum ajebat Marcus Tullius : Ego femper
hac opinione trattus fui , ut eum , qui nihil
commfi- Jn rit , fibi nullam poenam timere
exiflimdrim : de Al- tero fapiens ait : fugit
impius nemine perfequente : Quibus S.
Bernardus adjungit : Infernus quidam , prov lg &
carcer an ima efi, rea confici entia.
Serm. di Porro ad eorum frangendam
&: terrendam impie- aijjumpt. tatem ,
qui non verentur detecto farcophago , &
lapide lepulchrali amoto , defunCtorum famam
fub terra dilacerare, inlculpi talibus faxis
MeduEe caput iacobon in antiqui voluerunt, cujus
capilli degenerabant in co- Apo/og de
lubros. Prudens enim vero inventum, ex
eo quod Z’"* i*”* infamis carnificina
eil fevire in corpora mortuo- ^on
mur' rum, quorum anima: quotidianum
implorare fubti- murandum dium non ceilant.
Cum Larvis non luttandum , m°rtuiSi» ait
Moralilla Alciatus. Viliffimum pecus leporum
ell, qui pedes Leoni mortuo vellicant , fic
recenlet Homerus : Non fianttum efl viris
interfettis infui- tare. Ad hujus vitii
deformitatem luculentius de- monftrandam ,
ejusmodi homines Plato canibus aquiparat ,
quijatfrum in fe lapidem mordent, cujus
hxc verba funt : JJ)uid putas eos, qui
ita fe gerunt, tib. $. de differre a
canibus , in jacio s lapides fivienribus ,
eo Re[>ub. qui jecerit pratermiffo ?
Intellexit ManaflesRex , cur fibi videntium
no- men propheta* adlcifcant : Hic enim Ifaiam
prophe- tam c medio fuflulit , confcindens vivi
corpus ferra, C & CAPUT.
18 & pofthac fe in forma quinque
capitum depingi , & fculpi fecit : ftulte
ratus, /e totum Mentem eile , non pravifo
pracipitio fuo , & infelici/lima morte , &
condemnatione fua. Solet hoc evenire
temerarie pra/umentibus , qui cum fe omnia
nolle arbitran- tur , nil omnino norunt. Id
palam exprellerunt My- thoiogi in fabulis
Icari, & Phaetontis. Etiam infima fortis
hominum hac fententia e 11 : eos qui alta
con- templantur , cadere. Inaqualitatem tam Archi-
- te&onicam , quam moralem 6c numericam inter
ho- mines fuftulit S. Auguftinus his verbis
pulcherrimis : De Civit . Dei Jatlantiam tolLu ,
CA erimus pares. Hugo Cardina- eap.
a. jis ejusmodi progeniem hominum
fequentibus ver- Lib. de Ani. gls
explodit : lnfipcns , quid tibi prodejl
vana gloria memoria, fi ubi es , torqueris
, ubi non es, latu daris ? In
gratiam vulgi (quamvis id a multo tempore
jam periti viri , 6c fapientes noverint)
id quod fe- Caput Adit- quitur
apponam : nempe Calvaria montem ( lic tm m
monte Nauclerus opinatur) idcirco appellatum
eile, quod Calvar i a. in ea folia, m
quam crux Chrifti collocata , & in
qua cruce Redemptor mundi affixus fuit ,
calvaria vel caput hominis inventum fuerit ,
idque volunt protoparentis noftri Adam
fuille. Voluit per hoc lapientia divina
& infallibilis indicare, quod illic ubi
caput hoc condemnationis noftra origo fuit,
ibi per merita tam excelli /acrificii
pofteritati falus exoriretur ; & ubi per
lignum mors vidtorio/a in- travit, per
lignum delfrueretur. De primo S. Pau-
Vita $C Sa- lus inquit : Aicut m Adam
omnes moriuntur , ita his per &
inChriflo vivificabuntur : De lecundo ficEccle-
Chriftura. /ia canit : qui in ligno vincebat , in
ligno quoque vin- 1« Cor. 15. ceretur:
quod myfterium prafatus Apoftolus Pau- lus optime
concludit : fattus cjl primus hamo Adam in
animam viventem , noviffimus Adam m fpiritum
vivificantem. Et paulo infra : Primus homo
de terra terrenus, fecundus homo de
calo caleflis. Supra quod Super hunc
j]lc{oms Clarus : ‘Ut cum audimus Adam
illum prio- rem factum m animam viventem ,
id eft , ut ft cor- pus animale, quod nunc
circumferimus , confdere- muspoferiorem Adam
pr&flantiora allaturum , qua fprritus
appellatione vocanda fint. NUMISMATA,
ET MONET/E. • ♦ - TTEroicus non
minus , quam utilis & decorofus JL Jl
lemper a: Hamatus fuit ullis humanas
partesdno- netis imprimendi , ut per orbem
univerfum magna- nima gefta , heroica- adtiohes
tran/currerent , & a-ternitatem quandam*
confequerentur : ftimulus proinde generoiis pedtoribus
daretur ejuscemodi illuftribus fadtis , unde
fama nominis nunquam in- termoritura
nalcatur, devovere animum. Pracipue tamen
ha-c gloriola memoria Principibus refervata
eft. Sic videlicet excellentia figurati
magnificatur, in hujusmodi fymbolis virms
fimul & adtio con- nectuntur, ejus, qui
in uu-oque horum vel tanquam literatus ,
vel tanquam Heros de/udavit. In mone-
Clementia C;1 quadam area Caput Julii
Calaris corona civica Principis, decoratum
cernitur, quod clementiam ejus figurat :
Principibus enim quam maxime convenit
tales erga cives fiios fe exhibere.
Hanc clementiam , tan- quam praclari/Iimam
Principum dotem iisdem Vopifcus allignavit :
Prima , inquit. Dos Impera- torum Clementia.
Et Diogenes lcriptum reliquit: Contubernales
juflitia fient pietas , cP clementia. His
potilfima olim /acrificia Athenis , in
altari eis- dem deftinato , mactabantur. In
quibusdam praterea nummis humanum ca- put
monftrabatur lauro redimitum , quod phare- tram ,
aut telum in occipitio luo portabat,
fron- te ftellam contingens. Per hac
intelligi conferva- Pier, lib.z 3. toris
Apollinis beneficium influxum volebant,
Hieroglyph. (prout Valerianus fentit) ftella
autem virtutem ra- diorum ejus denotabat.
Porro 6c caput aliud /pe- dabatur pelle
caprina coopertum , habens in fau- cibus luis
fulmen , & in occipite arcum : ex altera
Vigilantia, moneta facie imago Pega/i apparebat ,
& fagitta alata : qua fimulacra mentibus
hominum repra- fentabant , non folum Principis ,
fed omnium eti- am eorum , qui regimini
populorum praftituti funt, in rebus agendis ,
& ad fublevandos fubditos inde- feflam
celeritatem , & promptitudinem. Septem petra
quas Alti/fimus Zacharia Pj;opheta monftra- vit ,
feptem principams figurabant : ha infuper
/eptem oculis dotata erant, licut &
virga quajere- mia propheta monftrata
ftiit. Non usque adeo in exercitiis
navigationis fua intentus eile potuit Pali-
nurus , tum cum infortunia calamitofa temporis
im- minerent , ut non in unico oculi
nidhi in naufra- gium inopinum incurreret , qui
tamen juxta Vir- gilium : .... Clavumque
adfxus, &hstrus Nunquam amittebat,
oculosque fub aflra tenebat. Docti/Iimus
Erizzus oblervav it in monetis Antonini
Pii caput matrona plenum majeflatis idque
corona- tum , qua corona c multis turribus
compofita erat , in limilitudinem Dea Opis ,
quam fibula docent. Laodicea, Hac figura
fortitudo , &: propugnacula Laodicea civi&tis
reprafentabanmr , qua tot annis impavide hoftibus
fuis reftitit. Ex altera parte caput
hominis erat , quod in occipite caduceum
Mercurii monftra- bat, per qua
promptitudinem obedientia fua, tum & pacem ,
& erga principem fuum fubmilfionem denotabat.
Talem eile oportet Vafallum , juxta mentem
Pythagora : Subditi non tantum morigeri
Principes, fnr, fed amahtes etiam fuorum
magiflratuum. Hac &c fubditi. in fe
invicem correlativa fiunt patris ad filium
, imo capitis ad membra : atque idcirco (
prout Ca/Iio- dojrus meminit) Membrum fcqui
debet caput. Caput arietinis cornibus
inligne , per fupra me- moratum ob/ervatorem
Jovis lignum erat apud Amonitas Gentem
ferocem : cum aries apud veteres inflrumenmm
bellicum , &c fortitudinis lymbolum Cornua
in- fuerit. Imo vero cornu infigne honoris
erat : non /igne ho- uno id loco
Propheta Regius inquit : Exaltabuntur noris.
cornua fttfii. Exaltetur Deus cornu falutis
mea. Sic cum fabula referunt Jovem
Nutricis Amalthaa Abundan- Comucopia, omnigenis
bonis adimplefle, Mytho- tiadeUr- logis
campus apertus eft dicendi : abundantiam pro-
bium forti- venire , liquidem civitates , &
regionum limites ficatione cum fumma
vigilantia muniantur , &: cuftodiantur.
provenit. Hoc ipfum per Numina tutelaria
intelligitur. Natui. Co- Caput hominis
venuftum , & juvenile ,' mediam Mytkol, inter
virihtatem & adolelcentiam praieferens ata-
tem , lnnumifinate exprelliim, idque corona
cin- 6him,unde ramus lauri egrediebatur , Solem
denota- bat, qui folus inter planetas
coronam portat,cui etiam Laurus dedicata
eft,quod in amoribus Daphnes, qua in
Laurum converiaefl: , veteres indicare voluerunt.
Idem ipfe Sol per caput radiatum
in medio templi quadrati exprimebatur-,
quali lucidillimum fimula- crum hoc, per
mundi ambitum idcirco volvatur,ut in
gratiarum adtionem fibi debitam, facrificia
ab homi- nibus, per hoc mundi templum
ornati/limum exigat. Eadem imago Solis
per faciem juvenilem, cui nulla in
mento barba erat , figurabatur, tum vero
etiam De Sole Hie- rcglyph.
Gratiarum actio. • Philip, i.
Victoria pbtenta. Lib. 5. Hie-
rogi- Roma Ca- put Mundi.
Lib. 40. Hieroglyp. Saturnus Agricultu- ra;
Inven- tor. Lib. 1. num. cap . 3.
Bonum Sc malum. Lex contra Adulteros.
NUMISMATA & MONETA. 19 fparfos
habens capillos, duos ab auribus fiiis
ferpen- tes pendulos reprafentans , prout
jam memoratus Audior annotavit : exponens nil
elle in terrarum orbe tam remotum ,
quo radii folis, (quos difperfi cri- nes
referunt ) non pertingant : Sc quia Sol artatis
de- trimentum &: caducitatem nullam novit ,
Adole- fceiltulum eum, & imberbem elle voluerunt.
Refert itidem Valerianus vidifle fe
in numilmate, veteri fculptam faciem ,
coronatam radiis, bala- tam infuper manum ,
qua; in acrem levabatur , in- dicans prima
orientis folis itinera. Tanta erat huic
Datori luminum Sc obfervacio , Sc miniftratio ,
Sc adoratio. Interim gratiarum adtio , fpeciofiflfma
Sc acceptiflima eft monetarum omnium , qua’
do- nari poilimt ; atque ideo Marcus
Tullius ajebat : Cui gratia referri
non potefl , quanta debetur, haben- da tamen
efl quantam maximam animi nojlri ca- pere
pofjint. Quandoque Capita monetis imprefia,
cafus mi- litares cum felici fuccellu
terminatos figurabant. Sic in numismate
quodam Imago Claudii Calaris, juxta mentem
prafati Erizzi , vidloriam illam quam Romani
adverfus Barbaros impetrarunt , ligni fi - cavit.
Ad victoriam hanc exprimendam , Vale- rianus
vir do&ffifiiuus, caput mulieris alatum,
cum capillitio retorto demonftrabat , allerens
fe id- ipfum in quam plurimis
monetarum infculptmn obfervafle. In his
ipiis idem Caput muliebre, fed coopertum
callide apparebat : de quo non pauci di-
xerunt, eiie illud effigiem vel imaginem
Urbis Ro- ma; , qua; virtute armorum
Iliorum Caput Orbis effecta elt : ex altera
parte vultum ilium infculplit Julius Cadar,
fed in figura Martis: alludere volens,
debere originem luam Romanos huic numini
bel- ligero. Quidam etiam non irrita cogitatione
prafa- gierimt , Romam Caput fidei Chriftiana
futuram, ubi Caput Apoffolorum Petrus
primariam pontifi- ciam ledem luam collocavit,
ubi hac eadem fides gigantea , Sc gloriola
membra fua extendit, Sc non lecus ac
Davidica illa vitis , potius quam illa
fabu- lofa Aftyagis a mari usque ad
mare extendit propa- gines fitas : atque adeo
Petrus Petra nominatus., eft, immobile Capitolii
faxum relpiciente Redemptore noftro.
Inventa lunt moneta; quadam , qua; ex una
parte duplicem faciem in cervice una inonft
rabant : dum ex altera figura navis
cerneretut. lineas Vicus di- ligens horum
infignium obfervator , per binam fa- ciem
hanc, honores, & facrificia dedicata Saturno
vult intelligi , qui videlicet mortalibus ufum
tam agricultura , quam plantandi , putandi , Sc. conler-
vandi vices edocuit. Rurluin alii per
hoc intelligi volunt lapientem Legislatorem ,
ante cujus confpe- dfcum ftare, inquiunt,
oportet faciem boni Sc mali, ad
reprimenda damna unius , Sc. ad commoda
alte- rius procuranda. Commentati funt alii
per hoc utriusque fortuna; , tam profpera , quam
adver- fantis tanquam fluminis decurfum
figurari , ut quisque noverit , tam per
citatos vortices , quam per placatas undas
felici navigatione ad portum fu- nm
appellere. De Tenedo Nummus comparuit ,
qui ex uno latere duo capita monftravit ,
ex altero lecurim, cum hac circulari
inlcriptione : fccuns Tenedia: explicatio
lemmatis hujus , vel proverbii inde deri- vavit.
Rex Provincia; illius ieveriffimis legibus,
Sc poena capitis mul&abat adulteros •,
fadum eft: autem ut genuinus ejusdem
filius hujus- criminis reus deprehenderetur :
quidquid pro eo plebs intercede- ret , ut
in Yiiceiubusiuis propriis poenam hanc mo-
derari dignaretur , inflexibilis ad hac
pater, coram omnium oculis palam eum
pledti capite imperavit : Sc ut hac adtio
leveritatis retinaculum ellet e ftr cena- ta;
liventia: in populo , prafatas monetas elaborari
juflit , cum pramemorata inferiptione : Verum
enim eft, quod literatiflimus Vir
Camerarius ait: Lib. j. .... amor
urit adulte f Relliquias Domina, relliquiasque
domus. Et juxta lententi am Ambrolii :
Adulterium natura Lib. r. de injuria efl :
Hoc enim etiam feris , ac barbaris dete ~
Abram, flabile. Huic legi fimilis illa
fuit, quam Seleucus pro- mulgavit : ut
adulteris excavarentur oculi : depre- henditur
filius ejus, ne utrumque oculum amitteret,
Pater pro filio unum perdere maluit.
SIGNATURAE. C^Uin quanta devotione
proftratum humi non j oporteret efle hominem ,
ad referendas Crea- tori luo grates , qui
non folum ei divinum Ipiritum fuum
inlpiravit, dum animam dedit, non folum
eum de peccati iervitute, fundendo
fanguinem luum, re- demit : propter quem
folum cadi fabricati funt, qui in
hunc mundum tot bonorum feracem locatus ,
di- vitiis elementorum gaudet , equorum qualitatibus
Oompolitus eft : in hunc mundum , inquam,
in tot mixtis ftecundilm : prater hac
nihilominus etiam in herbis, in arboribus,
in frudribus , in foliis , Sc in Eloquentia
floribus , quali in tot voluminibus
conftitutionem Arboriinu humanam , conditionem fuam ,
Sc llatiim , Sc asio- nes, demotus, Sc
imaginem fuam cognoffiit. Pro- pter quod Sc
fagacillimi indagatores , medicinas, ad reprimenda
mala fua, congrua invenerunt. Ditiffi- ma
Natura , Sc provida omnino , qua fignatufis
etiam externis eos , qui horum Icientiam
habent ad- monet, ut in tempore luo
Alexipharmaca Sc Reper- culliva remedia adhibere
malis fuis non negligant, quibus utique
propter Protoplafti peccamm lat abimdanter lubjicimur.
Quot folia, tot lingua filfit, qua
cum eloquentia non verborum fed fidiorum,
nobis utile noftruminfinuant, imo bonum
noftrum, felicitatem , Sc commoda noftra , Sc
experientia nos docent , le oratores elle
non verbis , fed fadlis fce- cundos.
Benefica Creatoris nollri manus , cuique
plantarum, Sc herbarum virtutem luam indidit :
Sc in ipfo cortice lignatura fua nobis.
exprellit ea, qua fub eodem continentur.
Dixerim ergo ftudium hoc non minus
cateris inperfedlo. .Botanico utiiitafcc plenum
elle, ut videlicet in cognitione
lignaturarum,* de quibus didtumeft , virtutes
herbarum nolle ela- boret , Sc ab externis
ad- interna penetrare fatagat. Hic
ergo, ubi de Capite n-y hi fermo
eft , de harum virtutum nonnullis mccindtam
mentionem fadluriis fum: ut videlicet nec
Ledlori meo , nec libro copia rerum
earum defit, quasliic deducere prafiunpfi.
Primum libi locum vendicat Nux juxta
eorum, qui maxime fenfati funt , opinionem.
Nux arbor fortuna eft , qua quandoque
inveteratum illiud axi- oma falfiim reddit : Nux
cjuafi nex , & nux a rioten- do : utpote
qua cortice fiio utilitatem fuam adfert.
Hac integram humani capitis figuram
hareditavit. In exteriori Sc herbofo nucis
cortice, tota pericranii jqux f]crha forma
apparet; in cortice duro , parte videlicet
ejus- cura dem folidiore cranium figuramr.
In pellicula irtte- qs riore qua nucleum
ambit, quis non meningem' , aut piam matrem
ut cum vulgo loquar, circumdantem cerebrum ,
quod in nucleo repraffentatur, cognofcat ?
Non igitur mirum , fi decodlio corticis ,
aut externi involucri aptiffima tingendis capillis
eft. Et quod his potius eft , lal
inde extra&us potentiffimum re- medium eft ,
pro pericranii vulneribus. C 2r Prouti
20 CAPUT. Prout etiam
Phylici docent , fiquideni nucleus contulus
fuerit, Sc pulfui applicitus, Alexipharma-
cum elle adverlum venena , & cephalalgiis
mederi. Nux Indica etiam cum magnitudine
fua limilitudi- nem capitis refert, atque
ipiiim pene caput adaquat, unde edam
fi oleum ex eadem extraxeris , corrigen- dis
capiris vitiis Sc defedibus , potens
medicina eft. Flos pceonia: colledhis, Sc
intra folia ejusdem admo- dum grandia
reftrichis, non folum prolatam jfimili-
tudinem gerit , fed etiam in hilaris luis ,
nili melius dixerim juncturis , qua; eundem
reftringunt , vera quxdam effigies Commiilurarum
Lambdoidum , Sc redarum, velfagittalium reprxfentatur :
Hinc etiam pro infirmitatibus cerebri, & radices
e jus, & femina, & flores, 8c folia
cum utilitate adhibentur. Serpit Sc in
altum levatur Betonica, Sc Stoechades,
quali cum rotunditate foliorum , & floris:
diceres per Iulum quendam imitari velle
figuram fupra memoratam : unde nec a
medicamentis excluduntur , qua' caput concernunt.
Capitatum papaver , tum & poma Cy- donea ,
ficut Sc cucurbita Sc melopepones eandem
portare videntur capitis imaginem : unde Sc a
Medi- corum Schola, inter prxfervativa, Sc
lenientia ad- hibentur, ad capitis dolores
mitigandos. Inter alias Anrirrhinonfylveftre,
<Sc quod flore fuo, Sc femine
calvariam humanam prxfefert , prxftantiffimum
propulfandis capitis doloribus medicamen elle
com- pertum eft. Sic verum illud , quod
cenfet Ofvaldus Crollius, Magnam illam Matrem
Naturam , lemper ad fer virium noftrum
applicatam, lemper beneficam 'ignaturii elle.
Omne , quod occultum ejl , inquit, & intnnfe -
u. cum , fert illius extrinficam figuram ,
tam in finfibi- libus quam infenfibihbus
creaturis : tacentibus nobis loquitur vel uti
quibusdam natura , ac ingenium cuj us- que &
mores revelat. Quas igitur gratiarum adio-
nes , quam gratimdinem referet homo huic
dextera: Dei altiflimx, qua terram dedit
filiis hominum , prout Regius pfalmifta canit? ^
DEDICATIONES, ET OBLATA. SUblimillimus ,
utililTimus , Sc generofiffimus fcopus, ad
quem mortalium genus in omni tem- pore
£c in omni acate potiflimiim colliniavit
Religio Religio in eft. Sapienter enim
de calo eunda nobis provenire quanta
apud le ftatuerunt , propter quod Sc voca
diis fuis vo- arftimatio- verunt , vidimas
immolarunt, Sc facrificia obtule- ne fit
habi- riint. In iplis adeo primordiis
feculi hoc Reges Phari ta. demonftrarunt ,
qui pyramidibus eredis, in quibus
Hieroglyphica fculpta erant, numinibus fuis
memo- riam beneficiorum acceptorum infcriplerunt : Sc
quamvis illis fupremi Entis , hoc eft DEI,
notitia nul- la eilet , in immolandis
nihilominus vidimis fuis veraci pietate
quadam non caruerunt , Sc compoli- tione
precum fuarum uli funt. Elevatillima hxc
vir- tus eft, fienim a fine fuo
fpecificantur adiones no- ftrx, hxc pro
fcopofuo cultum habet alti/limi Dei :
Etich. 4 Magnifica fiunt , ficut & honorabiles ,
qua deorum caufia fiunt dedicationes , feribebat
Philofophus. De honore illis debito , ipfam
pene elevatiflimam fapi- entiam xmulando ,
dodilnmc fcripferunt , non in- ter ultimos, led
primos numerandi philofophi, Linus, Orpheus,
Tales , Mufxus , quos Zoroafter ftella- rum
omnium indagator inter Deos adorabiles
annu- meravit. Ve lfid e & Sic Aigyptii ,
prout Plutarchus Sc Diodorus vo-
ojuule. lLlnt , res eximias, Sc negocia
ponderis magni, mo- numenta templorum ,
icripturarum interpretatio- nes, prxmia, Sc muldas ,
adferibi facerdotibus, per eosdem gubernari ,
tradari, dividi, & concludi vo- luerunt :
Denique, prout M. Tullius inquit , omnes 6.
Aci . in religione moventur , & deos patrios
, quos a majori- Verrem, bus acceperunt ,
colendos fibi diligenter , & retinen- dos arbitrantur.
Unde Sc ego in horum confidera-
tione, opus hoc meum , Sc obtufum, Sc
lumine fuo deftitutum arbitrarer , nifi de
facriflciis quoque , Sc dedicationibus, (quamvis
eorum milii pauca admo- dum occurrant ) nonnihil
etiam afferam , de iis vide- licet, qua:
pro cultu numinum de partibus humani corporis
fada funt. Jovi itaque , tanquam
Cadorum Capiti, quidam Caput de- antiquitus
Caput obtulerunt: arbitrantes, quod ficut
dicatum fub illo (de quo Lucretius
inquit : fupner efi quod- Jovi. cumque
vides , quocunque moveris ) extera Deorum turba
verfatur , fica Capite extera quoque membra
dependere : opinio , quam ita fixam elle oportet
in iis, qui Deum adorant , ficut ei
lubftantialeeft, ra- tionalem elle. Jjfua Dii
vocant , eundem, lic voci- ferantur non Chriftianorum ,
fed paganorum lcholx. Ita vero Sc
verba Senecx in hunc lenium mordacia
Sc pungentia funt, qux prxterire nequeo,
dum de penna gentili volatum Chriftiani
adverto. Prope Deus efi: tecum efi,
intus efi : Ita dico Lucili : fiacer inter
nos Seneca ad fur itus fidet , bonorum ,
malorumque nofborum ob- Lucilium, fervat or , &
cufios : hic prout a nobis tr ablatus efi,
ita nos ipfie trabi at. Bonus vero
vir fine Deo nemo efi. Quidam
intuendo in circulum folis, dum nubibus
fuis cindtus, fele hominum afpedui videndum
prx- bet , Sc in eodem fimilitudinem
capiris figurantes ( a quo etiam , tanquam a capite ,
fonte , Sc origine Caput de- quadam
omne bonum noftrum derivare non cellet)
dicatum habere eum itidem in generatione
hominum partem Soli, principalem, juxta
illud: Sol & homo generant homi- nem:
illi vota fua folverunt , Sc prxfatam
majorem partem caput nimirum fub dominio
ipfius colloca- runt. Quanto potius igitur , Sc
quanto utilius Anima Chriftiana fe
Redemptori fuo devovet : qui Solem Chriftus
fiuum oriri facit fuper bonos & malos :
prout inquit Sol. Apoftolus? Hic verus
foleft, de quo propheta Ma- Malachias.
lachias inquit : Orietur vobis timentibus nomen
meum Sol juJhtia : Atque idcirco huic fupremo
foli noftro plus quam Achxi , plus quam
habitatores Heliopo- leos, plus quam
Arcades (de quibus Pomponius, Sc Melas,
Sc Suidas, Lactantius , & Macrobius Sc
alii meminerunt) oportet ut Chriftiani
laetificemus , de- dicemus non tantum caput , fed
Sc corda noftra. In hunc modum
Gloriofiflimus inter Sandos Antonius S.
Antonius Patavienfis feripto reliquit : Sol eft
Chriftus, qui In- Patavienfis. cem
inhabitat inacccjfibilem : cujus claritas omnium
Sanbtorum radiolos, fi ei comparentur , obfufiat ,
& In Apocal. denigrat, fifihua non eft
Sanblus , ut efi Dominus. caP- ‘6-
Confiderando virtutem Sc potentiam Arietis
, quippe qux in ejusdem capite lita
eft ; (Etenim fi hanc partem exceperis, non
habet unde le defendat , vel offendere pollit )
Cum prxterea lignorum Zodiaci Caput caput
lit : ubi fol , pro communi Mathematicorum
arietis. Sc Aftronomorum lententia , curfum
anni novi or- ditur : fapienter ftatuerunt
hunc parti illi hominum , capiti nimirum
patrocinari. Propter quod fub fe- lici
hujus conftel latione natos , immunes a fluxio-
nibus, abfceflibus, catharris, epilepfiis, & horum
limilibus futuros ominantur : ficut contrarium
eve- nire iis, qui eam male pofitam
Sc fituatam, fub ori- entis porta
invenerint. Hic ego dixerim imitandum
Refiften- nobis hoc animal elle, ut
videlicet opprefllonibus, Sc dum Infor-
infortuniis fortiter refiftamus. Melius enim
Nau- mnils cleri peritia patet, ubi fludus
, Sc ferocitas tempe- ftatis defxviunt.
Spetlaculum fove dignum , in- Seneca, quit
Seneca , videre hominem in affiibhonibus
pofi- tum. Reftitit magnanimi ter his
fortunx liniftrx ca- iibus 9
DEDICATIONES, OBLATA & HISTORLE. 21
fibus Propheta Regius, dum inquiebat:
Impulfus, everfus fum ut caderem : Dominus
autem fufcepit me. Memoriam immortalem
nominis lui pofteri- tatitransmii erunt,
ambuftamanu, Scavola , Cocles fupra pontem ,
Curtius in voragine , Gracchi, Mef- falla,
8c Corvini ciun hoftibus conflictati : & Ana-
xarcus , contufus & contritus ab Anacreonte
Ty- ranno , tum cum ajebat : tundite Anaxarcum
Ji- dera celfa petit. Bonum e it limilem
eile Lima* , de qua fcriptum : Oppojita Clarior :
aut vero flumini, de quo illud refertur
: Quanto pia fi rattien , vie pias
smgroffa. Ita lilium inter Ipinas : magis
redo- let : & rofa odorem fuum fpargir :
Oppojitis fra- grant ior. Non minus quoque
Palma de leipfa lo- quens introducitur :
adverfum pondera furgo. Sub lus
oppreflionibus vegetiores & firmiores in
perle- cutione Algyptiaca apparebant Hebrai :
unde in fcripturis divinis relatum eit : Quanto
opprimebat eos , tanto magis multiplicabantur ,
& crefcebant. Ita Seneca in Hercule luo
furente ait : Seneca. HuSjepuam flygias
fertur ad undas Inclita virtus. yiv
ite fortes. Hac JLethaos fitva per amnes
Hos Fata trahent. Sed cum fummas
Exiget auras confumpta dies , Iter ad
fuperos gloria pandet. HISTORIA AD
confcendendum decorofum gloria clivum , &
vidorem fele demonftrandum , & ad jubi-
landum in excellis honorum faftigiis, in quibus
(olis aeternitatem jfiuna adipilcitur homo,
feverifSmi Hiftoria. Duces fuerunt femper viri
illuftres heroicis adioni- bus fuis inclyti ,
qui virtutiun, & meritorum fiuorum alis
innixi , illuc nobis iter ftraverunt, &
callasap- planarunt : Qui plus quam Atlantis
fcutum,de nebu- lofis ignorantias tenebris
nos expediendo, iicut Dii Terminii in
triviis difficillimarum ambagum redtum nobis
tramitem demonftrarant. Fuerunt hi veraces
Ariadnae, qui Theleis in labyrintho dubiofo
difficul- tatum intricatis felicem exitum
edocuerunt. Hoc ipfiim Imperator Leo , tanquam
feveriflimum pra- Jlpud Beier- cePami dedit
filio fuo. Eu per hiflorias veteres ire
ne linch. Iit, h. recufa • ibi reperies
[me labore , qua alii cum labore Utftor.
collegerunt. Magna utilitas, magna fecuritas,
nolle viam ingredi , cujus terminus gloriofus
iit, qua’ nullis fit prasdonibus infefta ,
nullis occupata monftris,non anceps, non
periculofa, fed direda, amoenitate, &
fecuritate plena. Inter Heroes
fiapientiffimi, dum non ignorarent, non
minus Mundo proflituras eile hiftorias,
quam ipfa armorum gefta, e Belliducibus
fadi Hiftorio- graphi, depolito gladio,
pennam arripuerunt , & chartas atramento tinxerunt
: atque illic certo quo- dam modo torrentibus
fanguinis inundare campos fecerunt. Sic
vidorias Luas defcripferunt Moyies, Jofue,
Gedeon, Neemias, David, Salomon, Job. Ipfa
adeo divina omnipotentia in habitu feriba
appa- ruiile videtur, tum, cum eum Ezechiel
propheta libi Deus in ha-
vifumeileteftatuseft: Ve[ itum lineis , & atramen-
bitu feriba. tanum ad renes ejus. T
entet quantum volet nos in pulverem
redigere edax rerum tempus , coniumat ipia
marmora, &c celiiffimas rupes cum
profundiili- mis vallibus adasquet, & in
nihilum deducat : Hifto- ria nihilominus has
moles renovatura eft, 8c rurfum humi
ftrata fublimabit : redintegrabit in memoriis
geftorum hominem,quamvis jam corruptum, quam- vis
corrofiim, abolitum. Idcirco Sc ego nonpof-
fum quin hic reiterem verba Tullii,
jam alibi memo- Ve Orat. rata : nimirum
quod : Hiflona ej} tejlis temporum,
lux veritatis , vita memoria , magiflra vita. Hoc
ipfiim ego mecum ponderans, ubicunque ratio
po- ftulaverit , tam in partium hominis , quam
in to- tius delcriptione capitulum fadurus fiuin
proprium: non tamen eousque in longum
evagabor, ut qua: po- tiorafimt lilentio
pratereantun Fuit inter Scythas olim
gens, qua’ ficut a communi Caput lon-
hominum genere & climate fuo , & vivendi
medio gum. do, «Sc moribus diftabat,ita &
fingulare deledamen- tum habebat , ipfa quoque
membrorum conftituti- one & figura corporis
dilcrepare. C)b quod etiam ciun inter
eos infans natus eiiet, prehendebat utraq-,
manu nutrix tenelli caput , idque fortiter
premen- do in longitudinem ludum figurabat ; ik
ne in pri- ftinum ftatum luiun feniim
dehiberetur , ik rurium fe contraheret , linteaminibus
, & falcibus 111 ea- dem forma conftridum
confervabat. Hic ufus Hipp.de Aert pofthac ,
&hoc artificium, beneficio temporum, &c
A^u.toc. statum in naturam degeneravit : ex
hinc proverbi- um quoddam exortum eft, ut
liquando in ejusmodi formato oblongo capite
compareret homo , conti- nuo reperiebantur qui dicerent
: oportet hunc Ma- crocephalum Scytham
efle. Sic enim vero apud hanc gentem,
qui produceret, prolongaretque frontem luam,
& majoris animi , &|generoiioris , tum etiam
majoris virtutis credebatur. Subjungit igitur
Au- thor ille : Hunc non tam Longis
amplius capitibus najcuntur , quemadmodum prius ,
lege per incuriam hominum non amplius
durante. Pericles grandis ille Orator,
&. Miles, qui virtute armorum fiiorum , 8c
literarum , tam vicinas quam longe dillitas
iibi lubjugavit provincias : qui vibran- te gladio
luo ejaculari fulmina videbatur, fed non
minus etiam perorando, fulgur jaciebat ex
oculis. De hoc memoria eft , eum
usqueadeo oblongum habuilie caput , ut intuitu
reliquarum corporis par- tium lymmetriam omnes
excederet, 8c deformita- tatem incurreret : unde
etiam fadhim , ut ubicunque ftatua ejus eredfca
ellent , aut pileo quodam , aut callida:
tedta viderentur , ne vitium illud capitis
( lic ajunt ) fpedtantium oculis patefeeret. Hac
igitur corporis torma , otiolis Sc malevolis
garrien- di caulam luggellit : unde 6c
Poeta’ Athenienfes, & reliqui contra
eum liniftre aftedti, propter eandem
Plutarch, in capitis amplitudinem per
detradbionem latyricam Pertch eum Schinocephalmn
appellabant. T eleclides item faceta quadam
ironia illudendo ei ( in quo nihilomi- nus
a vero non aberrabat) eum capite gravatum
le- dere dixit, cum tot negotiis
pra’gravatum lupporta- re v ix pollet.
Detradbor ille interim hoc alio reberei is,
eum 111 opem confilii,& parcum
lagacitate intelligi voluit. Sic enimvero
in omni atate critica vafrities fagit-
tas fuas vibravit : in hoc loco autem
pro fcopo fuo fi*. Detradtio. bi
elegit virum inter heroes , non tantum fui
, led & fecuiorum praueritoruin , aque ac
venturorum pralbantillimum. Videant igitur , qui
regimini Reipublica praiunt cum quanta libi
cautela agen- dum lit , ii ik vitia
corporis ik natura iri cenfuram cadunt ,
ubi nullum nec meritum nec demeri- tum
eft : quid cum iis luturum erit , qui
aut fpon- Cautela tanea mente , aut incuria
quadam , in damnum ple- pro mini- bis
peccaverint ? Lucerna , qua: ad illuftrandum ex-
ftris pubi polita lunt , ventorum datu
agitantur : iple adeo cis. loiincurfu oblervatores
habet j Phenomena, qua vitia natura lunt,
curiolius examinantur. Quin &c arundines
Midam habere aures afininas loquuntur.
Progreditur hac cenluracnuca adcolum usque,
& ad iputa decrepitarum vetularum , dum
fila lua de fuio trahunt. Sonat
fchola Magni Stagyrita, quod : C 3 parvus
CAPUT. p arvus error m principi
•eribus c(l prafentia mala in lingua
habere, Jnfita ob- Thcatr. viu
hum. fit maximus. leilatio mulio
lic de cythara fua nos Euripides
docet. Non eft aura peftiientior alia, qua’
totius amicitia campum infe- ctat, &
venuftiffimos Ipei flores marcidos reddit, pro-
Vuguftinus ait. Detratlio e(l venenum ami-
DicebatTeleclides memoratus decitato He- roe: de
hoc capite cndcc ahno , hoc cft
fefquipedali, magnum oriturum efle tumultum.
Refert Suidas de Philocle, Nepote
vEfchyli (hic autem nefcio, ii textus mendofus
non eft . humicum ponens, pro Comico ) qui
caput oblongum habebat , Caput upu- &
criftauum infimilitudinem upupa : unde Halmion,
uaii falinator , vel acrimonia diCtus fuit:
deduCta 'talle comparatione & Metaphora ab
ave illa foli- taria& foetente. Annales
Sarracenorum recenlent, Mahomethum Legiflatorem , &
primum Turearum Imperatorem, Caput habui
Ile enormiter magnum, & faciem intermixtam
colore rufo , & albo. Inde- cens tinCtura , ubi
anima tantopere nigra erat , qua: tot
animarum ruina & jam antehac fuit,
&eft hodie- dum, Sc deinceps futura
erit: & in hoc cranio tam fpatiolo,
tanquam in aula vacua liberum fuit
fpiritui rebelli pro voluntate fua incedere
quippe qui illic ha- bitaculum fuum fixerat
: poterat illic pro libitu luo extendere
figuras, & formas iiiiquilTimarum legum
luarum, quas ad Catholica: veritatis
exterminium ex- cudere, & promulgare aulus
eft. Verus Goliath corde non corpore,
qui ab innocentc paftorculo hu- mi
proftratus eft. Ubi virtus AlciHimi opifex
eft, il- lic c formicibus prodeunt veri
Myrmidones, qui me- tuendos alioquin orbis
domitores defedelua detur- bare norunt.
Berlinchius vir doCtiffimus refert: non
paucis ab- hinc annis in Belgia: urbibus ,
oftentui publico cir- cumlatum fuille infantem ,
gracili omnino, & fubti- liffimo corpore,
led capite usque adeo infigniter ma- gno ,
ut amplitudinem vafis , ad menfuram modii
usque capacis, ada:quaret , vix puer ille
aratis fute annum unum expleverat.
Illud ipfum caput ad fi- militudinem
fluxus & refluxusm aris, jam intumefee- bat,
jam rurfus comprimebatur: dum ab intro
fub- tus membranas humor aqueus dii
currere, inflari, 8c elevari videbatur.
Monftmm prodigiofum: Cc quia a coniueto
natura: curfu exorbitavit , in detecftu luo
Spes vana, propediem collapfum eft. Sic
& vitam ephe- merem habent fpes capitis
noftri , quae inconftanti viciffitudine, non
fecus ac decrefcens acfuccrelcens
Oceanus,periodis luis nunc extollitur , nunc
procidit. Alludebat adipes Capitis noftri
eloquentiillma mula Commendatoris Teftii :
VagaSoondo p en f iero Dove v.u , Cr
d’onde torni, e che pretendi? ui fu
tale leggiero Ora parti , ora torni,
orpoggi, or fcendi: Et nel tuo
moto c terno Sei lijjion dc tamorofo
inferno. Sic illud velificatur, quod : Spes
temeraria ple- rumejue homines fallit.
Sicut Euripides ajebat. Pin- darus vigilantium
fomma ha:c nominabat. Etiam vicinus eft
naufragio, qui navem luam ad Caput
bona fpei dirigit. Non minus curiofa,
quam faceta erat inter anti- quos
conliietudo, qua Athenienllum quaque domus
utebatur : qua: de Gimcia etiam fuccellu
tempor um Romam usque migravit : videlicet
tum cum ad pa- tronos fuos primum
ingrederentur mancipia, ierv itu- ra. Ut
enim eos vel ad fervitutem animarent,
vellit , orumone- fubjedtionis , & onerum
qua: portanda ellent, memi- raium.
mllent,eorum capicadiverli generis & farmentis ,
& Apud Stobe- um ibi.
Caput fer- fruCtibus , Sc nucibus , & beta ,
&c caftaneis, & legu- minibus aliisque
inluper rebus onerabant : quos cum poftea
lic oneratos per univerfam domum traduxif-
lent, Ik in cubile eorum pervenillent ,
onus illud in pavimentum cadere linebant
•, idque catachyfmum nominabant, hoc eft
effufionem, profimdendo id quod in capite
gellerant ; hocque illis poftea pro mer-
cede erat,quamdiu in eadem domo morabantur.
Un- de Demas cum Siro luo rurliim
reconciliatus illic in Terentio ajebat.
Huc ad me Sire , ut tibi caput
demulceam : Perfundere unguento frudi ib
m. Hxc ceremc^ia pro ligno
abundantia: annualis ha- bebatur. Hujus
conluetudinis Theopompus taliter Qe[ c.c.c,,
meminit : Verlificatores, vel poeta: pra’miabantur,
antiq, leclion. imo vero delibuti &c
uncti unguentis variis : lic &c ex
Suida. matrona: civitatis Segefta:, tum cum
Diana: flmula- chrum pro more portaretur,
redimire caput iuum co- rona de diveriis
floribus contexta , variisque un- Cicero in
Ar- guentis delibuta confue verant, atque ita
exornatae vi- rone- cos & compita
transibant, idolum fuum profequen- tes.
Hinc Themiftii pater ut Epicurum, quamvis
falso , percelleret , inculans eum lenluali voluptati
datum efle ( de quo ne fomniare
quidem ei in men- tem venit, qui
voluptatem nullam ftabilemnili in- telleCfus,
& animi agnovit ) vas ei unguentarium lupra
caput effudit , fragranda odoris eum tingens :
volens per h.ec mollitiem ejus vellicare,
qui tamen lemper durum ik inflexibilem,
adverfus delectamenta fenluum fe praebuit.
De hoc ulu fortalle Novendiales
ceremonia deri- vata: lunt , in quibus , prout
Athenaeus reccnlet ex Gellio , novem continuatis
diebus , patresfamilias fttccindti mantilibus , manicisque
replicatis , accum- bere fervos fuos facieb.int ,
illisque fervidum pra:be- bant , illorum fe
imperio iubjicientes. Quid plura ? ^Pes
Pra> Spes prtemii vigorofillimum calcar eft
ad quod vis mn* lub jugale ammafetiam
tardillimum incitandum. Id quod ipfe quoque
Altiflimus iape in ele&is luis prae-
fluit, dum iis gloria fua portas referavit :
prout patriarcha Jacob , &c S. Stephano
contigit. Pro- pheta regius vir optimus,per
hoc le lingulariter ad be- ne operandum
pelleCtum elle fatetur : Inclrnavicor meum
ad faciendas juftific at iones tuas
propter retribu- tionem. Veritatem hanc inter
alios Marcus T ullius agnovit, dum ajebat:
Ncc domus , nec refp. fare De natura
poffunt,fi in ea nec rette fadtis pramia
extent ulla, nec ^>eorum. fupplicia
peccatis. Nec tantum in uis fatyris
Juvena- lis ablorptus fuit , ut non renumerationi
locum lu- um tribueret. enim, inquit,
virtutem am- Satyr. io* plettitur , ipfa
pr&mia fi tollas ? Non veretur car-
duelis quamvis fubtilillimo pede luo hirfutas
cardui fpinas calcare tk premere , cum
Iperet ex ejusdem femine le cibandum.
Exponebant fe olim durilHmis &
periculofilE- mis confliCtibus viri bellatores,
dum ob oculos libi ponerent , ftmplices lauros ,
& quercuum frondes : certam enim nominis
lui libi immortalitatem ex vi- ridantibus
his,& perennibus foliis Ipondebant. In-
certis fluCtibus maris , Sc infeftationibus
piratarum fe committit de litore luo
procul navigans ratis,quia portum fuum libi
promittit. Cum fudore vultus lui , infatigabilis
arator glebas kindit , eo quod in tempore
fascundam meilem libi de labore liio
fu- turam augurat : denique lic ait Ponti
infelix in- P ^ Trt' cola; ftdus Eleg.
ij. Non parvas animo dat gloria vires
: Et facunda facit pcdlora laudis
Nmor. Hac fpealleCtus Pallas Spartanus (
referente Pau- In pbocitu, fima) ferociter
dimicabat, ik jam corde fixum te-
nebat. HISTORIA. nebat , Tarentum
urbem tum quidem ditiilimam, omnique genere
abundantia , ii ullla alia illuftrem expugnare :
fed fpe fua delufus e fi;, dum non
minori valore & animoiitate exercitus ejus a
loci incolis Civitas au- propulfatus &
proftratus eft. Hic aliquando mcefti- gurio
capta, da & dolore plenus, mfmus uxoris
fuce (cui nomen ■dEthra) caput inclinaverat ,
quod illa pedhne mun- dabat, tum cum
ille amarillime fleret, memoria re- petens
qure perdidillet : junxit illa lacrymas fuas,
quas calidas deftillabat incumbentis caput.
Tumenim- vero in memoriam ei rediit,
quod ab oraculo quon- dam audierat, futurum
ut civitatis & campefttium, potiretur,
fiqtiidem ei ab Afthra iiiper caput
pluvia decidiilet : fufcepit augurium , colledisque
rurfiim ordinibus , nova vi aggreifus, &
extrema aufus, mu- ros & urbem usque
adeo in anguftias compulit , ut paucis eam
diebus ditioni fuce liibjecerit. O fi
Chriftiani noftri & mentem , & aures ad
ora- culum fuurn adverterent , dum ad corda
eorum pul- fat, plantarent utique
vidoriofum vexillum fuurn in civitate illa
fanda, quce utique dc ipfa vim patitur
, Infpirado quam violenti rapiunt. Hoc
pundum tale eft, divina. ut concionem
integram mereretur : fed cum id jam
inldtuu mei non fit , nec hic fitfeopus
meus preeei- puus, ad paucas admodum, &
fuccindas me reflexi- ones reftringo. Idfolum
referam, quod de Diledo in Cantico
Canticorum recenfetur , qui ad portam anima;
fanda; pullando ftabat , dum illa pigritando
veftimenta fua inquirebat; cum vera jam
compofita eflet , prompta voluntate exiit, fed:
ille declinaverat. Ruina totius Hierofolyma; ,
qua: Salvatori noftro la- crymas extorlit,
aliunde non contigit, teftante ipfo
Redemptore, quam: quod non cognoverit
tempus vi- fitatioms fua. Homo nonnunquam
iplis infenlibi- libus rebus infenlibilior
eft. De rofa feribitur : De- jlafi
a/lojpuntar dei, primo raggio : hoc eft : ad
primum Solis radium excitatur : & Claudianus
de magnete Claud. : .Arcanis trahi
tur pemma de conjuge nodis. ■De
magnete. Ad primum Auftri flatum Laurus
germinat : ipfa aftra influentiis filis
loquuntur. Unde laudabiliter ab homine
fieret, fi quandoque internis commotio- nibus ,
quibus ad bonum incitatur , locum daret :
ha* enim f unt illa memorata pluvia y£thra.
Loque- batui ut Poeta, nihilominus ut
Chriftianus Com- mendator Teftius , quando Matdiaiun
Sacchettum fic affari voluit : puelle, Matteo
, che miri Entro al opaco velo
Dela notte brillar faci fuper ne,
E che in perpetui giri Parte fiampan
nel Cielo Con lumino fo pie flrade et
er ne. Parte a lialtri Zaffiri
Del firmamento immobilmente inferte,
Han piuflabde ardor ,fedi piu certe:
Otiofe pitture , Stampe in utili
d‘ oro Non fion , qual fe le
crede il volgo in fano, Piove
da raggi loro Jfhtagiu. t ’ lnfluffi
omnipotente mano . . Denique quam bonum
eft imitari exemplum Apo- ftolorum Andrea
& Petri, qui unica hac Redempto- ris &
fimplici voce : Venite pofi me , factam vos
fieri pifcatores hominum , relittis retibus fecmi
fiunt Do- S. Grego- minum. Supra quod
S. Gregorius inquit : nulla eum rius.
fecijfe miracula viderant, nihil abeo de
pr&mio at er na. retributionis
audierant , & tamen ad unum Domini praceptum
fecuti fiunt eum. 2? Salutatio
vita' civilis &r politica fundamentum
eft: hac omnium negotiorum, hac
commerciorum & tractatuum pofta eft. Hac
vitam focialem mfti - tuit, &ioiidat.
Cum hoc ligno cor loquitur, ajquc
facunde, ac maxime elaborata eloquentia.
Hac tam faciliorum praeteritorum , quam
modernorum con- fuetudo eft : unde & ad
omnem occurliim , & caput fuurn difeoopenebant ,
& levabant. Quidam na- Salutatio nu,
quidam nutu le explicabant : potillima
tamen deteblo ca- pars detecto capite : per
quod iecreta iuciina Iliorum pire, cordium
fe palam facere credebaut ; lic nos Varro
f apud Plinium docet. Quandoque edam id
fanitads lib. zS.eo(.6. intuitu liebat.
Multi enim in juvenili a-tate adliuc vegeta
, detedlum caput contra frigus , & calorem,
conducere ianirati arbitrabantur : Ego idiplum
Me- dicorum fcllola dilcutiendum relinquo.
DeAigy- pdis refernir , eos femper nudato
inceffille capite," & robulboris
lanitatis fuilie,cum c contra Periiani oper- to
capite femper imbecilliores , & infirmiores
cor- pore viliiint. Illud certum eft de
Hannibale, & de Julio Caelare lingulariter
id recenferi, ut aliorum He- Imperato-
roum non meminerim ( quod infatigabiles ad
ardo- res& Belli - resiolis, adventos ,
ad grandines, ad gelu, ad plu-
ducescapite vias , ad omnem temporis
injuriam invidi detecto femper de- femper
capite in militaribus expeditionibus luis
com- cedo, paruerint : demonftrando , fe line
caffide ferreum caput, de adamantinum in
caftris filis Sc inter arma animum geftare.
De Mallmiila Numidarum Rege , qui Romano-
Geniat. dit- rum potentiam fregit , &ad
praicipitium ruina: fua: ruml-7-‘-i9- pene
propulilfet ; recenfet Alexander, nec eumaftu,
nec frigoribus, nec temporum vicifimidine , ncc
ca-li inclementia adduci unquam potuille,
ut caput fuurn operiret. Idem de
Adriano refernir, & Severo, prin- cipibus
tanti vigoris , ut in graviffimis hyemis
cem- peftatibus nunquam caput vel pileo,
vel alio tegu- mento operuerint. Sed
quodialtutationem attinet, recenfet Egnatius , Petrum
Laurentii Celfi , Ducis lib. 9. t. ,2.
Veneti Pacrem eousque obftinatum fiiiife ,
ut nun- quam perfuaderi potuerit adoccurfumfilii
fui difeo- operire caput filum : unde
ut hic errorpublicus tolle- renir, crucem auream
in capitis fui tegmine affigi juilit,
ut Patri occafio ellct , fe detegendi
occurrente filio Duce, refpiciendo ad
lignum hoc redemptionis noftra. Icaque
omnino utihilimafalutatio eft , & ne
cellaria, quippe qua confervat , imo &
inftituit, familiaritates, amicitias, focietates,
affinitates, con- tubernia : efficitque ut homo
per hac ad cognitionem, & confortium
lui fimilis perducatur. S. Paulus eos
C«f. 12. Romanos, qui nunc in arte
magiftri felit, de hoc ve- hementer
admonitos elle volui edum ait : 'honore
invi- cem f revomentes: fillicimdine non pigri.
Bonum enim elfe cenfiiit , imo&adfalutem
animarum pro- ficuum , per hujusmodi reverentiam
inclinationem animi benevolam demonftrare
adverfus proximum fuurn ; procul ab afpericate
& duritie morum, & (re- fluum, qua
quandoque rixarum, & querelarum in- centivum elfe
folent. A Philofophis moralibus hac reciproca
reverentia definitur: quod iit : honor exhi-
bitus m teflimonium virtutis. Et S. Thomas
Aqui- a. ?«. j,. neniis inquit :
Revererieft adhss timoris, & ut debetur
Deo, eft ailm Utris. Ipla adeo irrationabilia
ani- mantia hujus rei nobis prabent
exemplum. Admi- rabile in hoc examen apum
eft : de quibus libri me- morant, quod
in venefatione &fubmiifione et»a Duces
luos le emutemur obfecjniis : quod cum
illo fuperiori convenit : honore provenientes.
Eximia eft Elephanti proprietas, qui ad
primum Luna ortum fe tanquam luminis
hujus Adorator pro- fternic. PHYSI-
CAPUT. PHYSIOGNOM IJE, ET SOMNIA
In petit. Conful. Loriacio vana ,
ut non dixerim , temeritas eft,
JTsquiparanda iis , qua.’ maxime vetantur,
de ex- terioribus lignis hominis, interna
ejus penetrare vel- le. Qui id pnefumpferit ,
ad hoc le praeparet, ut in Veliivii
luminolis vorticibus mortem nancifcatur : &
naufragus in abylium maris demergatur , &
rur- ium dictum illud redintegret : O Jbtffe
tu me cape, cjuia teipfum non capio.
Sapientia Salomonis infi- nuat : Sicut aqua
profuud.t , Jic cogitationes in corde viri.
Quis eft qui fundum fluminis non
tranfuaderefo- lum , led& prolpicere poflit,
cum turbidum eft, Sc inundatione
intumefcens ? Quis credidillct in corpo- re
tam exiguo Alexandri Magni domicilium fuum
collocalle animum, qui capacitate fua mimdum uni-
verfiim poffidaret ? Subinluliis & turpibus
membris Faunorum Sc Syl vanorum , prarftantillimx
quando- que virtutum Idea: deprehenfiefunt, Sc
cultum ve- nerationis debita: obtinuerunt ?
Quoties fub cadefti forma corporis
infernale monftrum vitiorum latuit? Fatui lunt ,
qui de cortice externo le profunda
qua- litatum internarum rimari polle gloriantur.
Siqui- dem ars talis dari pollet, fruftra
Momus in pedbori- bus hominum feneftrellam
deiideraflet , ut& cogi- tata Sc corda
hominum videri pollent. Hinc Sc Trina
illa, Cv Sextilia ab Aftronomis pra:
lignata , fiepius in momento temporis in
quadratum , Sc oppolitiones noti vas
convertuntur. Cum eadem facilitate , qua le
ludum cadum in obnubilum commutat , etiam
mens hominum involvitur , Sc obnubilatur. Magna
voce nos Apoftolus Joannes exhortatur ,
ejusmodi ligna corporis forinlecus Ipe&abilia
ad formandas genituras limiles non trahere
, nec prafcriptiones inde, aut allerta producere
: Molite, inquit, judicare Jecundum faciem ,
fedjuflum judicium judicate. Ha’c mihi
adverlum eos Icribere occurrerunt, qui per
Phylionomias Sc fomnia ratiocinari pradumunt
de internis hominum, atque inde lignificata
quadam bene lolidata deducere. Negari
interim nequit, ac- cidentali quadam dilpolitione
de ftatu , infirmitate, vel fanitate hominis
indicia fumi polle. Fultus ac frons,
amm&janua , ejUA fignipcat voluntatem abdi-
tam . lic Marcus Tullius icr ipto reliquit.
Motus enim Ira, Sc limi lia externa
qua accidunt, antequam loris promineant,
prius fedem fixerant in corde. Dabimus
itaque ligna phy lionomica . Sc lomniorum, qua
Sc ante me ab aliis annotata &
figurata lunt. Dixerunt itaque, qui antiquitus
jam talibus cor- poris indiciis le
applicarunt : Caput grande , exce- dens cateram
membrorum proportionem, indicare hominem pigrum , &
mente ftupidum : licut Sc exi- guum nimis
oc gracile fatuitatem Sc ftultitiam nota- re:
idquenon Ime -ratione , illic enim vapores
nimii levantur i hic vero exiguitas Organi,
Sc Receptaculi, nutrimentum debitum impedit , ut
cognitionis per- fectionem maturare non queat.
Scriplerunt quidam •, fi vertex capitis promineat
, ita ut in limilitudinem pini terminari
videatur, taliter natum, inverecundum fine fra:no
, &: Ime pudore palfionum fiiarum futu-
rum elle: & ut verum fateamur > cum
ibidem magna fiat Ipirituum attradtio, qui
in lummitate illa nimium acuta
reftringuntur, & uniuntur, fieri non poteft,
ut temeritatem , & inconlideratam proterviam non
eliciant. Caput crafliim, Sc in
fuperficie fua planum, &: ad- aequatum,
omnem morum pravitatem Sc licentiam portendit:
tanquam illic in Ipatiofo campo, audacia.
arrogantia , Sc affedtuum inaequalitas vagari,
Sc dila- tari liberius pofiint. Concavum in
anteriore parte fraudulentiam , dolum , tSc
effrontem excandelcen- tiam notat. Dixerim
id rationem quandam habere phylicam : Ira
enim in hoc ventriculo comprefla, fi-
cut ignis fubtus terram , aut in tormento
bellico con- clufus , quanto plus obftaculi
invenit, tanto vehe- mentius exploditur, &
viam fibi aperit, feriendo. Caput
bonam humorum temperiem Sc conftitu- tionem
indicans tale eft : proportionatum videlicet
cum reliquo corpore : quamvis lint , qui afferant ,
fi in longum protendatur , maturitatem Sc
prudentiam defignare. T alis erat Pericles , homo
fagaciflimus : tales & Scytha: , Sc Parthi,
prout lupra memoratum eft. Hac funt
qua cum vanitate oblervantur in ho- mine,
cum experientia quotidiana in contrarium
mi- litet : cogitata enim mortalium, non fecus
ac Maris unda funt, inquit S. Gregorius ,
quarum nec origo, ". Morat. nec medium
, nec finis reperitur. Mare mens homi- nis
, (jf cjuafi fiuclus maris cogitationes metitis :
jun- gatur his educatio , qua plerumque ordinem natura
interturbat. & pervertit : adjungantur Sc fines,
qui adtiones hominum fpecificant , Sc
tanquam fcopi funt, ad quos humana’
cogitationes colliniant : quam- vis Ovidius dicat : Heu
cjtiam difficile e jl crimen non 2.
Metam, prodere vultu ! In vultu enim &
ego non negaverim Bonus Sc tanquam in
Tribunali accufationes Synterefeos appa- malus
ex rere : unde Sc Cleanthes illic
apud Diogenem ait: vultu co- Ex fpecie
comprehenduntur mores. gnofcun- Quod iomnia
attinet, cum quanta de his vanitate
cor. Cardanus in Interpretationibus luis
Icripfit, tantum- Cleanthes, dem a veritate
nullatenus aberravit , cum ait •, eos qui
alioquin fomniandi conluetudinem non habent,
liquidem repente fomniare coeperint, aut
morti, aut faltem longiturna: infirmitati
vicinos elle. Id reor fenfit , ob
abundantiam humorum , qui heterogenei aut
mconcodti, in tali corpore detinentur,
fomnia- runt itaque, aut in vanum oblervarunt,
qui dicunt: fomniare de capite ,
Principatus eventuri indicium Caput vi-
elle, autDominii, Honoris, Ingenii, Gubernaculi,
{Q1T1 per & Regiminis domeftici. Huic
fententia: Sc ego fub- {omnium fcriplerim :
liquidem per harc dici volunt: omnes
hos inchoans Principatus, dcCelfitudines
terreftres oriri Sc evane- Pnncipa- fcere
ut fomnium, velphantalma. Dixit hoc Pfal-
CUm. mifta Regius: Dormierunt fomnumfuum , & nihil
invenerunt omnes viri divitiarum in manibus
fisis. pfal. 72. Et paulo infra
de eadem materia : Felut fomnium ibidem .
Domine in civitate tua imaginem illorum ad
nihilum redioes. De hac negociorum turba ,
de his dignitatum hu- manarum faftigiis, de
hoc ambitu gloria:, qui termi- num non
invenit , S. Balilius Seleucienlis Epifcopus fic
inquit : Mox una febris , aut certe pleuritis
abrc- lib. 4 Hexae - ptum hunc e medio
hominum coetu rapuit, & fiplcn dor meron.
ille majcflatis & gloria , ad mfomnii
fimilitudinem momento dijp aruit. Et S.
Chryloftomus. Fabula qu&- Ex Patre
damefi vitanofira. In fcena aulao fublato
variet a- Marttneng. tes dijfolvuntur , &
omnia corufcante luce avolant ^ p0fJilm fomnia.
Interrogatus Diogenes tum, cum in agone
piumrchus ' vita: fus conftitutus ellet ,
Sc quafi fomnoientus in- in Con/olati -
dormifceret, a Medico luo, qualiter haberet,
relpon- oneadApol- dit : Nullam fentio molefiiam ,
nam frater fororem ^on' anticipat , forantis
mortem : Recordor Sc me quoque in flerenti
adhuc a:tate mea fic cecinille : Vita
noftra fomniis eft. Giaccion Debe,
Mumantio, Ilio, e fagunto , E le moli
cti alz.o Memfi fuperba : Fatte
fpoglie dei tempo , or copre I Erba Nea
le grandez.z.e lor refla un fol
punto. Quanta: uti- litatis lint charade_
rum notce. NOTI UTERI C. 2f
Tai di chi dorme a /e pupille apunto II
finno lufinghier pompe riferba : Ma
tolto at dolce Lnganno, oh come
acerba Sparvela gloria , arido i honor confunto !
Dorme il regnante, e d’ alta vite mtanto
Dn ramo a quel potente il crin
circonda, Che pia alfigho portende augufio
il manto . Si dei fafto mondan
fotto ala fronda Chi fi adagia ,
rvmira il legno{ oh quanto Di morte
alfine al A quilon fis fronda. NOTA
LITERJE C. INgeniofillima ( fi ulla
unquam inter homines fa- dtaeft) inventio
charaderum fuit, tam neceflaria (ut reliquorum
non meminerim ) potidimum Prin- cipibus , utpote
quibus negotiorum iumma &c ellen- tia
conficitur literis : dum ubi fua interdie
viderint, celant qua: volunt, promilcuam
plebem • rurfiim au- tem quibus volunt,
eadem propalant. His nil tam pernitiofum
eft , quam ii de pedore fuo iacrato
ex- euntes , prophana* plebi fe divulgaverint ,
atque ita ie malevolorum oculis expofuerint ,
fapientillinia, inquam , inventio, manifeftare
feipfum, nec ta- men cognofci , iicut Ulylles
nube tedus. Sicfa- pienter Demaratus cum
Lacedamoniis ulus eft. Se- natus Spartiatarum
cum Belliducibus fuis , Hiftieus cum mancipiis,
Bedacum Principibus, Trithemius cum focis
aereis : Harpago in ventre timidi leporis
coni ilia magnanimitatis abicondit. Denique
his ad compoi itionem Veteris Teftamenti ,
per quod no- vum figuraretur , ipie
altiffimus uti voluit. His a me rite
ponderatis , qui univeriitatis utili- tati fer
vire intendo , 8c qui a Phyfionomicis inftru-
dus fum , & praeleram ab ingenioiiilimo viro
Joan- ne Baptifta Porta , qualiter fagaces
quidam &c acuti, fe in variis
corporis membris contingendo majores &
principaliores Alphabeti literas exprellerint : un- de
etiam qua: volebant integra dida concinnare
pote- rant, atque ita hac quahmuta
eloquentia invicem fabulabantur : Ego, inquam ,
non ad horum intelli- gentiam, fed
qualiter antiqui notas fuas defignave- -
rint, expoliturus fum : ne liquando in
lapidis cujus- dam aut monumenti
inferiptionem quis inciderit, nec propter
fenfuscombinationem, Sc interpretationem, prima
fronte involutam & confidam fe expedire
pol- fit, vehementius in duritiem
obfcuritatis offendat, quam in laxum ipfum.
Propterquod , cum con- tingendo Caput C. literam
lignificare voluerint : Quidha’clitera fola, quid
conj unda cum aliis indi- caverit , paucis
expediam. C. itaque folum line copula
alterius liter# lequen- tia verba denotat :
Comitia , centum , Cajus , caufa , condemno. CA. AM.
Caufa amabilis. C. B. Civis bonus : Civis
Corynthius. C. C. Calumnia caufa. C.
C. E. Caufa conventa efl. CC. Circum.
CCC. DE. Tercentu, Duplex, CCC. Tp.
Tercentum Terra pedes. C. C. F. Cajus,
Caji filius. CS. Caufa. CA,velCAM.
Camillus. CAE. Cafar. CJE. AJA. GG.
Cafdrea Augufla. CAR. COfV. Carijfima Configi. CARIS.
Cariffimus. CB. Commune bonum , Civis bonus. CC.
Ducenti. CCER. Caufam claram Regi. CR.
Con- trarius. CC. confilium capit : Cefft calumnia :
Cau- fa contractus. CS. Cujus. CDC.
Quadringenta con- demnatur. C D. Condignum :
Quadrirtgentum. CEL. Celeres. CEN PE. vel
CEAfS. PP. . Cen for perpetuus. CEN.
A. Cen foris arbitratu. C. E. N. T.
Centuria : Centurio. C. E. N. T. JA.
Centurio- nes. C.F. Cajiflms. C F R. Caufa
filice Regis. C H. - Cufios hortorum :
Cufios Haredum. C M. Centum Scarlattim
Hominis Symuolici Tom. I. millia. C I
C. Cicero C. I. C. Cajus f alius
Cafar . C. T. IN. Cubitos tres
invenies. C f. vel C. 1. P. P .
Cippius feu terminus , ut, ad tertium Cippium ,
feu la- pidem. CIJA. Civitas, Civis. C 1 N-
Caufa fuffctta. cc.c CCI. P.
Cubitos duos invenies plumbum. C.C.Caju
Claudius. C E. JA.Clariffmus JAir. CE. F.
Clariff - ma foemina vel familia. CE.
Claudius. C.E.D.B. E. Caufam Eaudabilem. C. E.
CajiEibertus , vel Eibe- rorum. CEBCE. Con liber u
Clarijfima. C. MAR. P. Caput margine pleno
C.M.Comus. CME. Centum millia. CMS. Comis.
CM. Civis malus. CM. vel CA. M.
Caufa mortis. COM. Comitia. CMS. Caufa malt
fui. CME. Crementum multum. CME. XII.
Came- los duodecim. CN. Cneus. C. N.
Caj/ss nofler. CN.E. Cnei Eibertus.CO.
Conjugi.C.O. Civit as omnis : Con- troverfa.
COM. OB. Comitia obdurata. CON. Con-
futaris. CON. SEN. E. OR. P. QfR. Conjenfu
Se- natus , equeflris ordinis , populique Komani.
CONS. vel CS. Confit liari us. COE. vel
CE. Colonia : Coloni . COEE. Collega : Collegia.
COE. Collega : Colonia : Columen. COEE.FABR.
Collpoium Fabrum. C.O. H. Cohors. CONjV.Conjunxit.
CONfJA. O.Conju- gi obfequentiffmx. C 0 Nf~U
G. M. Conjugii Mercurii CONX.
Conjux.CONEIB. Conlibertus: Con liberta. CONTUB.
Contubernalis. COR. Cornelius. COR. Corpus. CORN.
R.F. Cornelia Regis filia. CORN. A VRS.
Coronas aure as. COS. Con fui. COS.QffAR ,
vel IIII. Conful quarto. COSS. DESSIG.
Confules defignati. CSS. Confulis. Confularis.
COS. DES. Conful Dcfignarus. CP. Civis
Publicus, C. P. Caffa publica. CPS.
Capfa.CP .Caufa petitionis: Caufa po- fuit.
CPRSS, Cupreffi. C. R. Civis Romanus . CR.
Creticus : Crifpus : Contraibas. C. R. C.
Cujus Rei Caufa. C. R. C. P.
Cujus rei caufapromifit. CS. Communis. CS.
A. Cafiar Auguftus. CS. IP. Cafat
Imperator, C. S. S. Cum fuis fervis.
C. S. FE. Cum fuis filiis. C.
S. H. Cum fuis Heredibus. C. S.
P. E. Cum fua pecunia efl. CTS.
Controverfia. CT. V. O. A. B. Civitas
vita omnia aufert bona. C. JA. Centum
viri : Clariffimus vir : Cafii Virginum. CIJA. Civis:
Civitas. Civitas, CEE. Cultores, CVR. Curionum
: Curiarum. Cur for. C. X. IN.
AR. Cubitos decem ihvenies argentum.
C.XX.1N. ADR. M. Cubitos viginti invenies
aurum mirabile. Quot myfteria di- fcooperit,
quot thelauros effodit, qua abfeondita re- velata
h#c admirabilis charaderum inventio , quo- rum
indagatio nec pauca eft , nec brevis, nec
expedi- ta ? Scio apud Authores antiquos,
te his plura inven- turum elle. Nihilominus
h#c qua: pradento , parca non funt , quippe
qua: plurium Authorum leduram, & fatigationem
tibi in compendium redigunt. Se- quuntur.
EPITHETA. IN materia Adjundorum vel
Epithetorum , docu- menta multa 8c prafferiptiones , per
occafionem partium, 6c membrorum humanorum
tibi occurrent, ex quibus facile videre
tibi liceat, quam neceilana lint , quanerque
virtutis pradata Epitheta , tam in Neceffitas,
arte poetica, quam oratoria : cum ex his
de cor, & pul- ufus,& qua~ duritudo
omnis formetur. Epithetum enim eft, quod
litates Epi- proprietates fignificat , interiora
exponit. Illud deni- thetorum» que eft ,
quod unit , dividit, feparat, incorporat,
declarat , & implet didionem , & periodum
omnem. In Hypotypofi potillimum , aut de-
feriptionibus , pars eilentialis nominari poterit
: per hanc enim objeda quali ante
oculos ftatu- untur. Epithetum eft , quod
qualitates , con- ditiones , 8c eiientias rerum
reprarientat. Sicut D in CAPUT. 26
in Terentio, quem citat famofiflimus
Co. Emanuel Thefaurus (cujus diffuliori
ledtura: te remitto) qui Phormionem
introducit haec dicentem : Non -no- vi
hominem : cui Pamphilius relpondet ; Faciam
ut nofcas : Magnus , rubicundus , cnjpus , craffus,
eafus. Qua- circumflantia:, in deferiptionibus
evi- dentiam adjungunt objedtis , dulcedinem orationi,
cognitionem partis de toto. Ut ergo
hunc Tractatum tam copiolum cum omnibus
circumftantiis fuis, &per atteflationem au-
tliorum maxime illuftrium concludam , primus mihi
obviam procedit Martinus Capella qui caput
ruti- lans apellat. Jffuod rutilum circum
caput gejlabat. Pontanus illud Auricomum vocat :
Praradiat caput Auricomum , rofeusque per auras , it
decor. Strozzius illud honeftum appellat :
At procera caput cervix fu Ic ibat
honejlum. Tibullus nitidum: Nec nitidum
tarda compferit arte caput. Purum Ovidius : Eon-
ga probat facies capitis difcrimma puri.
Flavum Virgilius: Summa flavum caput
extulit unda. Ro- (eum Textor :Et rofeum
pubens oculis , herba caput. Venale Juvenalis.
Et prabere caput domine venale fub
hafla. Idem ipfe vacuum appellat : Nacuumque
cerebro jam pridem caput. Invilum denuo
Ovidius. Protinus invifum nec petet ajlra
caput. Indeplora- tum 'idem. Indeploratum Procere
caput. Horatius illud perfidum vocat. Obligafli
perfdum votis caput. Ab eodem inlanabile
vocatur. Si tribus Antyciris caput
infanabile nunquam Eon fori Eyctno commife-
rit. Laurigerum a Politiano : Eaungerum morti fub-
jicere caput. Manto impavidum vocat. Impavidum-
r que ultro caput ad tormenta reportat.
Ruinofiun ab eadem nominatur : Fecla
rumorum caput inclinare videbat. Ab eadem
funeftum : Funcflum dirumque caput. Adhuc ab
eadem implume : Implume caput . Grande a
Prudentio: Grande per infirmos caput exci -
fur a miniflros. Eximium ab eodem : Servajfet
caput eximium , fub Ime, beatum. Hoftile a
Statio. Spetlat atrox , hoflile caput. Furiale
ab eodem. Obnubit furiale caput. Ab
eodem adhuc venerabile. Meri- taque caput
venerabile quercu. Si heee tibi forte
non luffecerint , copiofius Authores evolvere
placeat, ex quibus tibi major fuppellex
luppeditabitur. Solet Convivalis Menla, pofl cibos,
necellarios, &• madteas fuccoias , ut
commenfialium palatus in- -dulcoretur, inter
bellaria, laporoliflimos, &exqui- fitilfimos
fiudeus proponere. Ego itaque pariter in
hocTradtatu meo, in hac menla , non
Lotophago- rum, autLa-ftrygonum, quamvis humanis
membris inftrudta , in apparatu bellariorum , fi
non prout oportet, laltemin ellentia,
hoceft, ad manum fiem- per habens
Authores quibufeum loquor , tibi fatis- facere
fatagam. Et hi ipli Coci Athenienfies
fiunt, quos omni lcientia ad certum
quendam terminum inftrudtos volunt , li fides
habenda Magno Mafi- cardio , qui Authores
nominat, Athenaeum & Plu- tarchum.
Itaque ut ego te non fine
frudlu quodam dimit- tam, in cujusque
Tradatus fine pro conclufione tibi Oden
quandam poeticam offeram, qua: fi aliunde,
&non de calamo meo prodierit, ficio
te fipiritum aut dulcedinem in ea
defideraturum non elle. Sed fi paupercula
Mula mea tibi donum hoc dedent , pre- cabor
te , ut cum eam incultam , & infiulfiam
ad- verteris , infirmitati compatiaris : fiquidem etiam
in habitu quandoque veteri , aut nimium prolixo ,
aut in lacerna vili comparuerit , nolfie
oportet me Pro- theum non elle, qui
verficolorem me pnebeam, fiem- per idem
lum. Nec in diebus meis hiftrionem
un- quam egille memini, ut quotidie glorier ,
me indu- menta mea, & perfonam tranfimutare.
Invidus fium iis , qui imitantur funambulones ,
tam perite fiupra funes choreas ducentes.
In tanta autem vivacitate, cogitationum in
tot quorundam conceptibus , & in- fluentiis,
quisque quantum poteft, bilancem in a:qui-
pondio teneat: li autem in unam vel alteram
partem inclinaverit , videat ne impingat, &c
Ce contuberna- lium rifioni exponat. Non
ignoro & hic ollam mi- hi fiat
bullientem non efle. Ad omnem nihilominus
greflum pedum meorum intentus fium, ne
forte pro- cidam •, cum noverim in
terram hic cecidille , mor- tale elle, ficut
jam videre licuit. Libet mihi pedibus
potius incedere, quam equo effreni, aut
refradario me committere : qui me de lella
excutiat, cum fici- am Hippogryphos Atlantis ,
& Chymreras Bellero- phontis fabulofas elle.
Pauci & rari fiunt , qui fiupra dorfium
Pegafi fialtare noverint: & fiquidem ille cum
ungvulafiua effodere Caffalium fontem potuit,
quem lateat cuique fialtem licitum elle
fontem hunc attin- gere ? Hic cum perennis
fit, pauperi irque jc diviti potum
minillrat: qui etiam diun equi ungvula
tactus Fuerit, tam pauca, quam multa
luggerit : tam cui datum eft fiolis
ungvulis intralle, quam totum fie im-
merfille. Fateor parfimoniam pedis mei , qui
non nili intingere ungues potuit. Id
totum retuli, ut be- nigne ledor occafio
tibi detur , qua mihi compati velis ,
fiquidem ubi de deliciolis Pindi
convallibus meliores irudus non attulero,
quam quos tibi in hoc loco obtulille
me vides: Argumentum tale etl. Laus Capitis.
Supra fententiam Philonis , ubi ait :
Ubicunque fate/litium Regium efl , ibi Rexfatel
- litio Jhpatus fedem habet. Sed
totum anima fatclli - tium , fenfuum nempe
organa in capite fta funt. Del
medemo fuo A ut ore eccelfa Imago , A
cui pur volle il Creator Sourano ,
Ne lia gr and opra efercitar la mano
, Se flejfo in lei d' effgiarfi
vago. Sfavilli il Sole, e folgoreggi
il Fago, Futto e creato al beneficio
humano : Infufe 1‘ Alma in lui :
celefle arcano : Onde foffe di glorie
altero , e pago. Come qualos di chi
mirar s‘ avenne Sottoal fuo Redi purpurati
Eroi, Gloriofo Senato in Di folenne,
In fmil guifa a miniflri fuo i
Principi numerar fub diti ot tenti e
, Se potenz.e vitali il capo in
noi. Giovanni Bovio. Keywords: implicature di ‘animale parlante’, ‘un
tono, una figura’ – homo symbolicus, Aristotele, Grice – i gesti e suoni degli
animali sono signi – i suoni e i gesti dell’uomo sono simbolo. Non e
manifestazione – delo – chiaro – la manifestazione o rivelazione appertiene
all’animale – nell’uomo il simbolo e arbitrario, e ‘ad placitum.’ NB Refs.:
Luigi Speranza, “Grice e Bovio” – The Swimming-Pool Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51718362960/in/photolist-2mTzWxT-2mTdg92-2mRhWZi-2mNb8t7-2mPpskp-2mKwtP7-nUN2id
Grice
e Bozzelli – L’implicatura di Lucano – su Catone il Giovane – Catone in Utica
-- filosofia italiana – Luigi Speranza (Manfredonia). Filosofo. Grice: cf. tragic dialogue – Oreste
a Pilade – and Enea’s Niso e Eurialo’ – Grice: “Not to mention the rape of
Lucrezia, and Romolo killing Remo, and the rest of it.” -- Grice: “You’ve got
to love Bozzelli; at Oxford, it would be difficult to find an English
philosopher interested in English tragedy, but Bozzelli’s expertise is
‘tragedia romana’ – Ercole and the rest! Philosophically, Bozzelli speaks
indeed alla Aristotle of the tragic – alla Nietzsche, too – since ‘lo tragico’
is possibly a philosophical category – On top,
if I have been called a mimetist, so is Bozzelli – ‘lo tragico’ becomes
an adjective, and qualifying ‘imitation’ – Aristotle’s principle for mimesis
and tragedy as meant for catharsis – with Bozzelli, it is ‘imitazione tragica.’
He wisely skips (almost) the Middle Ages and reviews ‘tragedia romana’ and how
it becomes ‘tragedia italiana’!” Noto per essere stato l'estensore della
Costituzione del Regno delle Due Sicilie. Dopo le scuole secondarie dagli
Scolopi, Studia a Napoli. Laureatosi, entra nell'amministrazione statale: uditore
giudiziario presso il Consiglio di Stato. Entra nella sopraintendenza della
Salute, dapprima come ispettore generale e poi come segretario. Nello stesso
tempo si dedica all'attività metafisica. Pubblica "Poesie varie" una
antologia di versi scritti secondo il gusto del XVIII secolo. Di sentimenti
liberali, prese parte ai moti costituzionali che gli costarono dapprima la
prigione e successivamente un esilio che trascorse in Francia. Durante l'esilio
espose in numerosi saggi le sue concezioni politiche di liberale moderato,
fautore di una monarchia costituzionale e avverso al programma
democratico-radicale. Scrisse inoltre saggi filosofici di etica e di estetica.
Rientra in patria. La fama di grande cultura e di integrità morale acquistata
durante l'esilio, lo garante un grande prestigio all'interno del partito
liberale delle Due Sicilie. La sua popolarità divenne ancora più grande dopo un
nuovo periodo di prigionia assieme a Carlo Poerio e a Mariano d'Ayala.
Pertanto, dopo l'inizio dell'insurrezione siciliana e incaricato dal presidente
Serracapriola di preparare il decreto reale che fissa i principi
costituzionali. Nominato ministro degli Interni, in sostituzione di Cianciulli,
con l'incarico di stendere il testo della Costituzione. Dapprima
fautore, con Poerio ed Ayala, dell'idea di ripristinare la Costituzione
napoletana. Tuttavia, poco dopo si convinse della necessità di stendere carta costituzionale
completamente nuova, un compito che porta a termine da solo e in soli dieci
giorni. La costituzione delle Due Sicilie approntata da lui e composta di 89
articoli. Rcalca di fatto sia la Costituzione francese (eccetto nei punti in
cui si trattavano le autonomie locali) che la Costituzione belga. La sua
Costituzione venne tuttavia criticata immediatamente dai democratici perché non
offer sufficienti garanzie di libertà ai cittadini, limita i diritti elettorali
su base censuale e lascia al Re ampi poteri discrezionali. Venne escluso dal governo
costituzionale di Troya per divergenze sulla politica estera (e contrario alla
guerra contro l'Austria). Partecipa invece, come ministro degli Interni e
dell'Istruzione Pubblica, al governo Spinelli costituito dopo il colpo di mano
di Ferdinando II. Sebbene il suo'intento e quello di mitigare la reazione regia
e affrettare il ritorno alla legalità, venne accomunato dall'opinione pubblica
nel discredito del governo delle Due Sicilie, nonostante fosse sostituito agli
Interni con Vignali per ordine dello stesso Ferdinando II. Si ritira a vita
privata avendo come unica fonte di reddito la pensione maturata per essere stato
consigliere di stato. Con la conquista del Regno delle Due Sicilie il nuovo
Regno d'Italia gli revoca anche questa. Supremo Magistrato e Soprintendenza
Generale di Salute delle Due Sicilie, Giornale di tutti gli atti, discussioni e
determinazioni della Sopraintendenza Generale e Supremo Magistrato di Sanità
del Regno di Napoli. In occasione del morbo contagioso sviluppato nella città
di Nola. Napoli: nella Stamperia Reale. Poesie varie. Napoli: da' torchi di
Giovanni de Bonis. La strega di Manfredonia. Napoli: Guida. Della imitazione
tragica presso gli antichi e presso i moderni: ricerche del cavalier Bozzelli.
Lugano: Ruggia. Dizionario biografico degli italiani. Per
quanto voglia rifrugarsi attentamente negli annali della letteratura latina,
risalendo fino all'epoca in cui la con quista della Macedonia menò con altri
Greci a Roma Polibio e Panezio, e per mezzo di essi fe’scintillare i primi
raggi di una positiva coltura intellettuale tra quei feroci repubblicani, è
difficil cosa il concepire quali fossero ivi le origini, quali segnatamente i
progressi dell'arte tragica. Non possiamo di rettamente giudicarne da ciò che
tentarono in questo genere Andronico e Gnevio, Ennio e Pacuvio, i quali
precedettero il principato di Augusto; perchè le loro opere non sono giunte
insino a noi. Lo stesso è a dirsi relativamente a quelle che furono scritte
alquanto più tardi, quali, a cagion d'esem pio, furono la Medea di Ovidio e il
Tieste di Vario, con altre molte che le ingiurie de' tempi ci hanno ugualmente
involate. Questo fatto notabile ci vien però attestato da Orazio, che alla sua
età la moltitudine interrompea spesso ne' teatri la rappresentazione di una
favola tragica, per chiedere che se le desse invece a spettacolo un
combattimento di fiere o una pugna di accoltellanti: ond' egli stimava che ciò
scoraggiasse o distraesse i poeti dall'intraprendere quella carriera. Ecco i
suoi versi all'uopo: Saepe etiam audacem fugat hoc terretque poetam, Quod
numero plures, virtute et honore minores, Indocti, stolidique, et depugnare
parali, Si discordet eques, medio inter carmina poscunt Aut ursum, aut pugiles:
his nam plebecula gaudet. Il fatto dee tenersi per innegabile. Orazio lo
afferma sto ricamente; nè può supporsi ch' ei si piacesse di mentire in faccia
a ' suoi proprii contemporanei, ed allo stesso Augusto, a cui quei versi erano
indirizzati. Ci vorrà intanto esser per messo di non consentir di leggieri
nella induzione ch'egli ne cava, dando quel disordine, vergognoso invero a un
popolo incivilito, a motivo di scoraggiamento ne' poeti. È certo che una simile
plebecula esisteva pur essa in Atene, quando la tragedia vi nacque; e, gridando
d 'impazienza che tal novità non avea niente a fare con Bacco, ella ben avrebbe
gradito di veder piuttosto satiri, col volto intriso di feccia di vino,
avanzarsi giocondi sopra ornate carrette per divertirla con racconti osceni e
con ditirambi da ebbri. Non però Eschilo ne fu smagato. Forte del sentimento
ardito che lo ispirava, e della profonda conoscenza che acquistato avea del
cuore umano, ei seppe con la occulta seduzione operata da' suoi prodigiosi
dipinti, innalzare il popolo insino a lui; e riem piendolo di maraviglia e di
stupore, obbligarlo ad accoglier le sue opere co ' più straordinarii applausi,
per cosi produrre una rivoluzione istantanea nella maniera di sentire, non già
guasta, ma non ancora educata, del pubblico, in fatto di tragedia. E un simil
fenomeno fu osservato poco tempo dopo, rela tivamente alla commedia greca. Il
basso popolo, avvezzo a udir sulla scena il licenzioso linguaggio Aristofane, e
a vedervi rappresentate sconce o grossolane situazioni, benchè sempre condite
di un lepore comico ammirabile, mal sofferse che Cratino, cangiando sistema per
la ingiunzione delle nuove leggi che miravano a reprimere quello scandalo, gli
offrisse a spettacolo più decenti orditi; e un giorno andò fino a scacciarlo
dal teatro con tutta la comitiva de' suoi attori. Chi non lancerebbe a piena
mano i motteggi e il disprezzo su tanta corruzione di gusto e di costumi? E
questo esempio frattanto non valse a scoraggiar Menandro, il quale, creando la
nuova commedia, la depurò delle antiche sozzure, e ne fu coperto di lodi. Il
popolo adunque s'increbbe non del decoro dell'azione, perchè lo applaudiva in
Menandro, bensi del poco senno e della insipidezza onde Cratino, che era un me
diocrissimo poeta, si avvisò di adombrargliela: ed era natu rale, se non
lodevole, ch' ei preferisse le lascivie che gli te neano sveglio ed ilare il
sentimento, ad una decenza freddis sima che lo facea sbadigliar di noia. Or fu
il citato disordine che impedi ad un Eschilo di apparire, o non piuttosto la
man canza di un Eschilo che suscitò un tal disordine in Roma? Questo problema
non è sfuggito' a' critici moderni: e, benchè tutti lo abbiano riguardato da un
solo aspetto, e non forse il più sicuro, ciascuno ha pur tentato di scioglierlo
a suo modo. Interpretando a capriccio, ed oltre misura esten dendo il frizzo di
Orazio, alcuni hanno attribuito quella penu ria di tragici presso i Latini alla
grande ignoranza del popolo, il quale, avviluppato nelle sole abitudini di una
vita pratica e materiale, non offria stabil presa a' poeti da esaltarlo ad alti
concepimenti con lo spettacolo di azioni drammatiche. Altri ha soggiunto che
ciò inoltre derivasse dall'affluenza de' tanti stranieri ammessi a cittadinanza,
i quali aveano tras formata la città di Roma in un miscuglio informe di nazioni
senza omogeneità nelle maniere di credere, di vivere e di sentire. I più arditi
alfine, risalendo a cagioni ancor più uni versali, han pensato spiegar l'enigma
con la mancanza presso che ivi assoluta di tradizioni eroiche, di abbaglianti
remini scenze, di antichità remote, le quali, ricongiungendo l'ori gine delle
umane razze a quella delle razze celesti, furono si feconde di nazionale
orgoglio e di spontanee ispirazioni presso i popoli della Grecia. Esaminiamo in
breve ciò che può es servi di falso e di vero in queste diverse ipotesi.
Innanzi tutto, allor che gli eruditi con si franco animo attribuiscono il
difetto di tragici ne' Latini alla grande igno ranza del popolo, par ch' essi
non abbiano presente di quella storia se non lo splendido periodo in cui le vacche
di Evan dro ivano mugghiando non custodite per le strade ancor de serte di
Roma. Se non che la curiosità dell'osservatore non è suscitata che dal vedere
quel difetto continuarsi nel cosi detto secolo di Augusto, il quale vantò
storici ed oratori e naturalisti e filosofi e giureconsulti di tanta eccellenza;
e pro dusse in breve spazio di anni nobili poesie di ogni genere, se non di
conio eccelsamente originale, ritemprate almeno con felicità portentosa e con
mirabile forza d'immaginazione. Quando dunque con la parola popolo non voglia
significarsi una frazione infinitesima della società, quella pretesa igno ranza
in tanto apogeo di coltura intellettuale rimane incom prensibile, come l'idea
di un vasto incendio che si súpponga scoppiato senza materie combustibili atte
a servirgli di ali mento. Ed a chi volesse limitar l'accusa ad un solo oggetto,
domanderei, onde tanta cecità in quel popolo per la ' sola poesia tragica, in
mezzo a tanto e si dilicato senso di ammi razione per tutte le altre arti
gentili? Noi ignoriamo alle opere drammatiche di qual poetonzolo il popolo
impaziente facesse l ' oltraggio di cui parla Orazio. Quel si discordet eques,
che questi non obblia d'indicarne a motivo, può interpretarsi in tante maniere
!.... È certo non esservi memoria che ivi fosse interrotta del pari la
rappresen tazione delle commedie di Plauto e di Terenzio: ed è sopra tutto nota
la lusinghiera accoglienza che il primo eccitava sempre da parte degli
spettatori. Taluno ha preteso che ciò dipendesse dalle troppo libere immagini
onde talvolta questo comico solea rifiorire il suo dialogo: ma, non essendo
questa libertà da imputarsi al nodo de ' suoi orditi, è poco presumi bile ch'ei
fosse unicamente applaudito per l'espressione licen ziosa degli ornati. Senza
che il divulgato aneddoto, che un fre mito di assenso e di approvazione
universale si levò un giorno nel pubblico, udendo dire a un personaggio
teatrale, Homo sum, nihil humani a me alienum puto, prova interamente il
contrario: anzi ci dà a divedere di qual gusto squisito e di qual diritto senso
morale fossero allora dotate le genti latine; poiché quel motto, riunendo in sė
poetica bellezza a filosofica verità, par dettato alle muse latine nella santa
scuola di Ari stide e di Focione. In quanto al concorso degli stranieri ammessi
a cittadi nanza, per effetto del quale si è voluto far di Roma una Ba bele, in
cui per la diversità de' linguaggi l'uno per poco non intendea più l'altro, mi
sia permesso di riguardarlo come una esagerazione di dati e di conseguenze
ugualmente privi di rea lità. Allor che il dritto di cittadini romani
concedevasi a in tere popolazioni, come avvenne a molte del Lazio e prima e
dopo lo stabilimento della repubblica, queste non trasmi gravano subito, a
guisa di mulacchie, per andarsi ad attendare nel recinto de'sette colli: e
allor che si conferiva quel dritto a semplici individui, eran questi
ordinariamente principi e magnati che il senato volea rendere a sè benevoli,
soffre gando loro quel titolo reputato, come avvenne a tanti celebri Germani,
Celti ed Iberi, i quali essi stessi non sempre lascia vano le loro patrie per
dimorare stabilmente in Roma. Nella sola classe de servi, il numero degli
stranieri era immenso per l'abuso delle conquiste: ma nè il teatro era
instituito pe’servi o frequentato da servi, nè la potenza de liberti usciti del
loro seno, che infestarono Roma delle loro turpitudini, appartiene al secolo di
cui qui si tratta. Una massa di veraci e purissime antiche razze romane
esisteva dunque in quel centro di universal dominio, a cui i tragici poteano
indiriz zarsi con buon successo: e l'osservazione che siegue ne dará
evidentemente la prova. I latini scrittori non ebbero tutti la culla alle falde
del Tarpeo; ne vennero dalle diverse regioni d'Italia, e sin dal l'Asia,
dall'Africa dalla Spagna: ' e non dettavano al certo le loro opere ne' dialetti
municipali o nelle straniere favelle 1 Cicerone, Vitruvio, Orazio, Ovidio
nacquero in quel che oggi chiamasi regno di Napoli: Catullo, Livio,
CornelioGallo, Virgilio, in quel che oggi chia masi regno Lombardo - Veneto: Plauto
e Properzio nacquero nell'Umbria, Sal Justio ne' Sabini, Tacito in Terni,
l'ersio in Volterra, Plinio il giovinc in Como: Fedro fu trace, Terenzio
cartaginese; e più tardi Columella, Seneca, Marziale, Lucano, furono spagnuoli,
ec., ch'essi erano stati avvezzi a balbettar nell'infanzia, ma in quella lingua
nobile, purgata, numerosa, che, parlata gene ralmente in Roma, ogni di
s’illeggiadriva e si magnificava nelle strepitose discussioni del fòro e della
tribuna. Or come spiegar questo fenomeno allor che si niega ivi l'esistenza di
un fondo, e di un fondo estesissimo di ingenua romana gente, la quale avesse
quella rigorosa omogeneità nelle maniere di credere, di vivere e di sentire,
senza cui una lingua nè sì forma, nè s'ingrandisce, nè si conserva? Era dunque
per incantar le orecchie de' non Latini, che quegli scrittori avean cura di
esprimersi nel più gentile latino idioma? era con la grammatica scarmigliata e
con la mozza fraseologia de' Ger mani, de' Celti, degl'Iberi e de' Britanni di
quella età, che si giudicavano meritevoli di elogio le tante sublimi opere di
poesia, di storia e di eloquenza che videro ivi la luce? E può mai supporsi
composta d'ignoranti o barbari quella folla di popolo che, siccome Tacito narra,
uditi un giorno in teatro alcuni versi di Virgilio, tutta si levò in piedi con
entusiasmo spontaneo, e fecegli riverenza come se fosse stato Augusto? Ne’
teatri di Roma erano stabiliti seggi distinti pe'con soli, pe’ senatori, pe'
pontefici, pe' tribuni, pe' magistrati d'ogni ordine e d'ogni specie, e fin
anche per le vestali; chè sotto il principato di Tiberio troviamo un decreto
del senato, con cui si conferisce a Livia il privilegio di seder tra le vestali
negli spettacoli. E dee dirsi che i vecchi sopra tutto li fre quentassero;
essendo ivi legge antica, la quale obbligava i giovani, ovunque nelle sale
degli spettacoli un vecchio si pre sentasse, a levarsi immediatamente in piedi,
e cedergli il luogu per venerazione. Di questa massa principalmente for mavasi
colà dunque il pubblico de' teatri: ed a questa massa dovea senza fallo aver
Terenzio la mente, allor che asseriva non esser altro lo scopo di un poeta
drammatico, se non quello di far gradire al popolo spettatore le favole ch'egli
or diva; onde esclamò nel prologo dell’Andriana: Poeta cum primum animum ad
scribendum appulit, Id sibi negoti credidit solum dari Populo ut placerent quas
fecisset fabulas. Or io ripeto: era per lusingare un popolo di barbari e d'igno
ranti che quel Cartaginese mettea tanto studio nel portar la favella de’ Latini
al sommo della grazia e dell'eleganza, era per lusingar barbari ed ignoranti
che Lelio e Scipione, rino mati a quei giorni per saviezza, per virtù e per
credito, con fortavano questo poeta de' loro benevoli aiuti e de’ loro illu
minati consigli? È fuor di dubbio finalmente che ad attingere svariate ma terie
di rappresentazioni tragiche i Romani ebbero anch'essi dovizia di memorie nazionali
ed eroiche; ove guerre di pas sioni, assedi di città, imprese di vendetta,
mutamenti di sta ti, ratti di donne, e fratricidi e commozioni e rovesci e ma
raviglie di ogni specie si succedono e si confondono ad im prontar di poetica
grandezza le più lontane origini di quel popolo. Nè al mio soggetto fa ostacolo
che quelle famose tra dizioni siensi trovate spoglie di storica certezza dalla
nuova scuola in questo genere, che, aperta dal Vico in Italia, ė stata poi
continuata dagli Alemanni. Verità o favole, storie positive o allegorie
inventate per vaghezza di portenti, basta per me il sapere che eran
generalmente divolgate e facean parte delle credenze pubbliche de' Romani a'
tempi della loro intellettuale coltura. Per quanto infatti si tenga oggi per as
surda la venuta di Enea in Italia, è pur vero nondimeno, e Tacito non isdegna
di attestarlo gravemente, che la famiglia de' Giuli, perché supposta discendere
da quel Troiano, si ri guardava di buona fede come del sangue di Venere. Le
menti anzi con tal fervore si pascevano di siffatte finzioni, che dopo averle
vagheggiate in quei vecchi canti rozzissimi che ne ser barono da prima le
oscure reminiscenze, le videro un giorno con applauso universale rinfrescate di
si egregi colori ne' qua dri dell’Eneide, la quale può da questo lato
considerarsi co me un vasto tesoro delle più remote antichità latine. E se non
vi ebbe tra’ Romani quella profusione di celesti discendenze onde i Greci avean
abbellite le origini delle loro più insigni razze principesche, pur nondimeno
una illusione prestigiosa, capace ivi d'imprimere forte movimento a tutte le
facoltà poetiche, preoccupava tenacemente gli spiriti. E fondavasi
nell'immagine di Roma, per memorandi oracoli riguardata come potenza eterna,
invincibile, dominatrice; in nanzi a cui tutti i popoli della terra doveano
tardi o presto piegar la fronte sommessi; che i numi stessi del cielo non
aveano forza di abbattere; che la religion civile avea riposta finalmente a
simbolo d'immensità fra le tenebre misteriose onde nell’Olimpo era inviluppato
lo stesso Destino. Sicché ad un Romano bastava il tenersi parte integrale di
questa città per credersi di discendenza più che celeste, e trovar nell'esaltazione
di cosi nobile sentimento l'alito animatore di tutte le grandi imprese nelle
arti della pace, come in quelle della guerra. E a far della tragedia una
creazione indigena, oltre all'abbondanza delle loro nazionali antichissime
vicen de, oltre a quel fermento di orgoglio che l'immagine di Roma suscitava in
tutti, i Romani ebbero il medesimo o pri mitivo impulso che per facili
associazioni d'idee la fe ’ nascere dalle feste di Bacco ne' Greci; avendo pur
essi posseduto in certa guisa i loro Epigeni e i loro Tespi negli autori di
quelle rinomate favole Atellane, che veniano rappresentate sopra palchi
ambulanti nelle pubbliche solennità. Rimosse adunque come false o mal distinte
le spiegazioni addotte sinora intorno all'oggetto che ci occupa, e sino a
quando da’ricercatori dell'antichità non ne sieno poste innanzi delle meglio
fondate, a me non resta che di attenermi al nudo fatto, quello cioè che grandi
e veri tragedi mancarono assolu tamente a Roma per trasportar l' animo anche
de' più ritrosi nella sublimità di questo genere di produzioni; e non conve nir
quindi trattar con troppo di asprezza il popolo che osò far sene beffe. Nè poi
questo fatto è realmente unico: chè lo veggiamo più volte ripetuto nella storia
delle lettere moder ne. Or domando: trovandoci spiacevolmente arrestati dalla
penuria di siffatte opere presso i Romani della età di Augusto, scenderemo noi
ad attinger ivi contezza di quest'arte dal solo teatro di Seneca, apparso in
tempi ne'quali, non che annien tata ogni reliquia dell'antica virtù, libertà ed
altezza di so ciali condizioni, la stessa lingua che risonò con si dolce fre
mito ne’versi di Catullo e di Orazio, di Lucrezio e di Virgilio, cra caduta
quasi che pienamente nel fango? In verità, se per avventura il popolo romano
potesse risorgere alcun poco da quel sepolcro che si erge smisurato al par di
lui nella immensità de' secoli, e ricollocarsi gigante qual era nel periodo
della sua letteraria grandezza, non so se oserebbe assumer senz' onta titoli di
gloria per l'arte tragica, indicando unicamente codesto suo retore famoso, che
rubò non saprei donde la maschera di Melpomene per introdursi sconosciuto nella
schiera degli eminenti e benemeriti cultori di lei. Eppure, avendo egli
acquistata una celebrità che nel suo genere assomigliasi di molto a quella di
Erostrato, non è più concesso a' di nostri di tacerne, senza destar maraviglia
ne' più timorati. Ognun rammenta che il Corneille, il Racine e l'Alfieri,
benchè, grazie alla dirittura delle loro menti, uscissero incontaminati dalla
compagnia di questo autore, non però sdegnarono di corteggiarlo: ognun rammenta
che fra quei veterani dell'erudizione classica, i quali dal decimoquinto secolo
in poi attesero con si lunghe vigilie a impinguar di chiose, di comenti e di
elucubrazioni d'ogni specie tutte le opere de' Latini, i più valenti si fecero
suoi campioni. Ma vi è alcun lume a trarre dall'autorità di questi ultimi,
quando noi li veggiamo per troppa carità di patrocinio avvolgere i loro
panegirici in mille ampollose stranezze, e storti giudizi; e contraddizioni
evidentissime? Eccone in breve alcun passeg giero esempio. Giulio Cesare
Scaligero sostiene che le tragedie di Se neca non sono per maestå in nulla
inferiori a quelle di tutti i Greci, e che anzi per ornamenti e per grazia
superano di molto le tragedie di Euripide. Questa bestemmia, uscita francamente
dal labbro autorevole del patriarca de' dotti, non fu combattuta nel suo
general dettato: ma i confratelli di lui della medesima scuola non si
peritarono d'indebolir la, accapigliandosi bizzarramente fra loro per emendarla
ne' particolari. Non si può senza rimanere attoniti percorrere quel che ne
scrissero a vicenda Giusto Lipsio, Daniele Einsio, Giuseppe Scaligero, ed altri
moltissimi che sarebbe infinito il citare. Uno trova la Tebaide si bella da
crederla degna del secolo di Augusto; l'altro prendendo scandalo di questo giu
dizio, la estima indegna della stessa penna di Seneca. Questi antepone la
Troade a quanto sul medesimo argomento ci ha uno, di più alto fra i Greci;
quegli la dichiara bruscamente opera di un poeta da bettola. Qui si esalta come
magnifica l' Ottavia; lå si deprime come la più vil cosa della terra. E avvisi
di tal sorta, non pur diversi, ma del tutto opposti fra loro, baste rebbero da
sè soli a spandere il discredito su quel teatro: pe rocchè il bello è come il
vero; e la natura doto gli uo mini, con più o meno di piezza, ma
indistintamente tutti, della facoltà di scernerlo dovunque splende: sì che
dissen sioni cosi risaltanti non possono altrimenti spiegarsi, che at
tribuendole tutte a un inesplicabile delirio. Noi non vorremo a ogni modo,
usando di un metodo che il buon senso condanna, nè accoglier cieche prevenzioni
con tra il teatro di Seneca, sol perchè i giudizi che se ne fecero da molti
sono fra loro contradittorii; nè cercar troppo innanzi ne'motivi da cui que'
giudizi medesimi derivarono in tempi ne' quali era vastissima l'erudizione, ma
non ancor nata la critica. Astretti a parlarne un po' minutamente, non foss'
altro per indicarlo a' giovani poeti come uno scoglio fu nesto, a cui senza
pericolo di naufragio non è lor permesso di avvicinarsi, il nostro cammino
intorno a questo autore sarà più spedito e più breve. Indagheremo da prima di
qual tempra fossero le potenze costitutive del suo ingegno, le tendenze morali
che il dominavano da presso, le filosofiche dottrine ond’ era inflessibilmente
preoccupato, e qual necessaria in fluenza esercitassero le particolari
circostanze del secolo in cui visse, a rafforzare ed estendere queste
predisposizioni del suo essere. Scendendo in seguito all'esame imparziale de'
fatti, ci avverrà forse di scoprire ch ' ei fu il discepolo ingegnoso nelle cui
mani ebbero sviluppo ed incremento i germi delle innovazioni di cuiEuripide fu
l'inventore; e ch'egli pervenne ad esagerarle ne' più strani modi, a crearne
delle più mo struose ed ardite, ed a svolger cosi l'attenzione pubblica dalle
originarie bellezze ond'Eschilo e Sofocle aveano rivestito que sto ramo
dell'arte. In assai fresca età Seneca era stato condotto di Cordova sua patria
nella capitale del mondo; e correano forse gli ultimi anni del regno di
Augusto. Vi fece i suoi studii sotto la dire zione di quei celebrati retori e
filosofi, i quali prendeanvanto d'insegnare a'loro allievi tutte le scienze
umane e di vine: concutiebant foecunda pectora, ut inde omnigenas cogitationes
exprimerent. Dotato di uno spirito severo, vi goroso, penetrante, abbracciò le
dottrine della setta stoica che ancor predominava in Roma; dedicossi alla
carriera del fòro, ove acquistò riputazione di felice oratore, e mancò poco che
un tal successo non gli riuscisse funesto, perchè suscitò le gelosie del
frenetico Caligola. Fu avido di gloria e di sape re; ma e altresì di onori e di
ricchezze; e a procacciarsi que st' ultimo intento gli era mestieri di un
mecenate. Ne trovo uno efficacissimo in Domizio Enobarbo, rinomato a quei tempi
per credito e per potenza, perchè del sangue de' Cesari: ed è fama che Seneca
gli pervertisse la moglie, quasi a dargli un pronto attestato di riconoscenza
per la protezione ottenutane. Se non che la nerezza di questo attentato pare
attenuarsi nel rammentare che quella moglie fu Agrippina, il cui nome non venne
mai registrato per avventura nel novero delle vestali: tal che non può
determinarsi con sicurezza s'ei fosse il sedut tore o il sedotto. Ne’primi anni
dell'impero di Claudio, accusato da Mes salina di aperta complicità nelle
turpitudini di Giulia, nipote di quel principe, fu esiliato duramente in
Corsica, fosse vera o non vera la sua colpa. Ivi compose il suo libro de Conso
latione, in cui adulò bassamente l'imperadore, e lo indirizzò a un costui
favorito liberto, perchè quei servili omaggi non si restassero ignorati e senza
effetto: il che non impedi che più tardi, non avendo più cagioni da temerne,
gli scrivesse contro una velenosissima satira. Non si potrebbe definir net
tamente s'ei mentisse innanzi alla sua coscienza quando pro fuse le lusinghe o
quando scagliò le ingiurie: è certo che, toccando in cosi brusca guisa i due
opposti estremi, non mo strò di avere un culto troppo edificante per
gl'interessi della virtù e della verità. Intanto Agrippina avea lanciato l'inco
modo marito nella eternità; e, divenuta sposa di Claudio suo zio, dopo l '
uccisione di Messalina, sua prima cura fu di ri chiamar Seneca dall'esilio.
Reduce in Roma, ei fu accolto festosamente in corte, decorato delle insegne
pretorie, e dato a precetlor di Nerone, il quale tenne a fortuna il poter
apprendere da tanto maestro le scienze morali, le lettere genti li, e l'arte di
regnare, a cui Agrippina sua madre occulta mente lo destinava. " Ignoro
quai progressi facesse quel giovinetto eroe nella pratica della virtù: so che
non ne fece molti nelle lettere, perchè fu pessimo poeta e scrittor da nulla: e
si segnalò solo nella perizia del canto e della musica, che non gli furono cer
tamente insegnati da Seneca. Quindi è che, proclamato impe radore ad esclusione
di Britannico, più prossimo erede del trono, bisognò a Seneca dettargli le
orazioni, le lettere, i re scritti da recitarsi o da inviarsi al senato: e
divenne questa per lui una nuova sorgente di gloria, essendosi divulgato in
Roma che que' lavori eran suoi, e che Nerone parlava imboc cato. La voluttà che
egli traea da questo genere di distrazioni intellettuali, si trasformò subito
per esso in cosi dolce abitu dine, che, avendo quel pietoso principe ucciso
prima il fra tello e poi la madre, ei non seppe resistere al solletico di scri
verne le apologie da comunicarsi a’ Padri, in nome di lui: e non già ch'egli
approvasse quei misfatti, ciò disdicendosi a filosofo; ma per non defraudar
forse il popolo romano di una elegante perorazione in favor del fratricidio e
del matricidio. Si può comprendere quanto ei si rendesse caro al suo augusto
allievo per cotai servigietti, a ' quali aggiugnevansi quelli di essergli
sempre intimo consigliere nelle alte cure dello stato, e talvolta per
indulgenza verso la troppo fragile gioventù, anche mezzano in qualche intrigo
d'amore con le sue liberte. Fu quindi colmato di ricchezze, che Tacito porta
fino a trenta milioni di sesterzii; si fabbricò magnifiche abita zioni in villa
ed in città; tolse in isposa la bella Paolina; e cercò di obbliare
nell'opulenza i dispiaceri che gli cagiona vano i piccoli traviamenti a cui
Nerone lasciava di tanto in tanto trasportarsi per eccesso di zelo in vantaggio
del buon 1 Fu alla morte di Claudio, che Seneca, immemore de' mendicati favori,
onde questi lo avea ricolmo, gli detto contra, sotto il titolo di
Apocolokintosis, la satira di cui è detto pocanzi. Fa meraviglia che Agrippina
potesse in questo li bello veder con tanta indifferenza smascherate le brutture
di una Corte, di cui essa era l'arbitra. Ma vi si parlava della grand'anima di
Nerone, il quale dovea succedere al defunto principe, come il più degno: e ciò
spiega tutto l'enigma.ordine; traviamenti che Seneca vedea col medesimo occhio
del suo collega Burro, morens et laudans. Non per ciò i suoi principii stoici
cambiarono d'indole; anzi si tennero sempre incontaminati. Nuotando nelle
ricchezze, scrivea su di una tavola d'oro con uno stiletto di diamante massime
nobilissime in lode della innocente povertà: e, ritraendosi dalle stanze di
Nerone, opere della più pura morale sgorgavano dalla sua intelligenza ad
esaltare i preyi- della virtù e dannare il vizio all'obbrobrio de'secoli. Ma
era Seneca veramente stoico? Intendiamoci. La filo sofia stoica fu coltivata in
Atene nella sua parte teorica e nella sua parte pratica. Que' savi che la
professavano, aspirando a un cotal sommo bene di cui si erano formata un'idea
miste riosa, spregiavano gli onori, le ricchezze, le delizie della vi ta, e
viveano intemerati e paghi solo di quell'interno con tento che vien luminoso e
spontaneo da una coscienza in pace con sè medesima. Da gran tempo era stata
introdotta in Ro ma; e, per analogia di abitudini austere, vi fiori pura e
splendida fino alla morte dell'ultimo Romano, il quale bestem miando la virtù
per impeto d'indignazione, parve segnar quasi direi il cominciamento alla
decadenza di quelle famose dottrine. La filosofia pratica di Epicuro, se non
pur forse quella di Aristippo, sottentrava destramente a tenere il cam po: e ad
assicurarle il trionfo concorreano tutte le volontà, quantunque per diversi
motivi: chè quell' efferato Governo aveva interesse di evirar tutti gli animi
con la corruzione, per comprimere gradatamente le forze politiche dello stato,
e cosi dar base alla concentrazione di un poter unico ed assoluto: ed il popolo
avea bisogno di sommergersi in tutta l'ebbrezza de' piaceri sensuali per non
sentir l ' acerbo contrasto fra una servitù divenuta inevitabile, e una libertà,
che, di fresco spenta, non erasi ancor tutta obbliata. Per quanto però la
depravazione de' costumi fosse gene rale e progressiva, le rimembranze della
filosofia stoica non erano poi del tutto cancellate: ne restavano ancora le
teorie astratte, i pomposi dettati e l’esteriore affettazione de’modi: e quei
ne faceva più solenne apparato che più tendeva precipito samente a seppellirsi
in tutte le iniquità della vita domestica e sociale. Pur nondimeno, quando
sotto i successori di Augu sto le persecuzioni inferocivano, e Roma erasi
trasformata in un miserando teatro di stragi e di rapine, lo stoicismo parve
risorgere a metter vigore negli animi per un solo oggetto..... il disprezzo
della morte. Il suicidio, quest'atto si altamente riprovato dalle più sante
leggi della natura e della religione, rivesti la falsa maschera di una virtù,
che per nuove malva gità di tempi fu abbracciata da moltissimi. Da prima fu
ispi rato da tenerezza paterna. Le condanne per imputazioni poli tiche
importavano la confisca de’ beni a vantaggio de’delatori: ma il senato pendeva
per la regola che un individuo non per desse il suo patrimonio, quando
preveniva la condanna con morte volontaria: si che, appena un Romano sentivasi
accu sato, si affrettava subito ad uccidersi, per non gittare i suoi figliuoli
nella miseria. E non vi era da nutrire speranze illu sorie; perché la semplice
accusa era in quei tempi una sen tenza di morte. Tiberio contraddisse; dimostrò
al senato esser quella una regola scandalosa ed assurda; sarebbe mancato co'
premii il coraggio a' sostegni dello stato; e intendea con questo nome indicar
le spie e i delatori. Questa prima cagione di strutta, non però i suicidi
diminuirono in numero ed in fero cia: restava un altro non men potente motivo a
renderli po polari ed onorati: quello cioè di sottrarsi all'infamia di cadere
sotto la scure del carnefice. Accesi da questo sentimento che rammentava i
bei giorni della romana fierezza, vedeansi uo mini, rotti ad ogni perversità,
morir da forti dopo esser vi vuti da vili. Le storie latine son piene di
siffatte risoluzioni che imprimono un particolar carattere di sopraumana
costanza a quei popoli, e di cui non vi ha che pochissimi esempi presso gli
altri popoli dell'antichità, anche de'più famosi e magna nimi. Erano anime
maschie, gigantesche nelle virtù come ne' delitti, che riunivano in sè tutti i
contrari: nobili pre cetti, azioni scelleratissime, vite degradate, morti
eroiche e generose. Seneca fu stoico in questo senso, perchè in que sto solo
senso lo furono tutti i suoi contemporanei. Or cer chiamo di ritornare al
nostro proposito con un'altra general considerazione, che metterå suggello a
tutte le precedenti. ne, La fantasia non può supporsi disgiunta dagli affetti,
dalle opinioni, dalle abitudini dell'uomo: chè anzi questa facoltà non sembra
attinger vita se non dal concorso di tutti i feno meni sensitivi, i quali
agiscono in essa per conferirle tempra e serbianze analoghe, e su i quali essa
reagisce dal suo canto ad estenderne e rafforzarne l'indole: si che,
immedesimati in un sol tutto indivisibile, rivestono in comune caratteri, at
titudini e colori identici. Un essere morale non si forma inol tre da sè solo e
indipendentemente dagli altri esseri di simil natura che lo circondano.
Rarissimi sono i casi, ove pur ve ne abbia di positivi a citarne, in cui un
uomo, ergendosi come gigante isolato sulla terra, ben altro che ricevere la
menoma impronta dalle condizioni de' suoi tempi, sembra de stinato a comunicar
loro le sue proprie fattezze, e a divenirne a un tratto l'arbitro e il modello.
Nelle ordinarie occorrenze della vita, l'uomo, considerato sotto tal rispetto,
può dirsi come il lento prodotto dell'azion progressiva che in esso eser cita
il secolo in cui si trova; onde, ritrattane in sé l'immagi ei lo rappresenta al
vivo nelle sue moltiplici maniere di vivere e di sentire. Seneca, non ostante
il suo fortissimo e riflessivo inge gno, era precisamente di questa tempra; e
non avea in se nulla di straordinario che lo rendesse capace di luttar con le
circostanze per imprimer loro una direzione più alta. Mancava sopra tutto di
quel carattere d'indipendenza che la storia ci mostra come dote inerente a
tutti i grandi poeti. La condotta che ei tenne con Claudio lo prova; e in
quella cheadottò con Nerone, vi è peggio. Non arrossendo in prima di asserire
che Nerone col suo regno lietissimo avea fatto obbliar quello di Augusto, andò
poi sino a chiamarlo amantissimo della veri tà, modello d'innocenza, benevolo e
clemente a'suoi stessi nemici: e non seppe scuotere la polvere de' suoi piedi,
e ri trarsi da quella fogna di nequizie, se non quando la morte violenta di
Burro gli fe' prevedere la sua, e sentir la neces sità insuperabile di
rassegnarvisi. Quindi la sua fantasia, svi luppata e quasi direi nutrita in
mezzo a tante nefandigie, non poteva esser troppo abile a sfangarsene per
trasportarsi in altri elementi, e vagheggiarvi la creazione dal suo lato pill
splendido. Egli stesso par che fosse ingegnoso a spezzarne le ali con quella
sua trista inclinazione ad ammassar tesori: per chè lo veggiamo accusato in
Tacito di rapace, e in Dione di prestatore ad usura. E se queste imputazioni
son false, con vien dire almeno che il suo procedere fosse tale da dar facile
presa a simili calunnie. Basterà dunque collocarlo nella sua propria sfera per
riassumere in brevi detti quali esser potessero le disposizioni del suo spirito
nell ' intraprendere la carriera tragica. Vide i principati di Tiberio, di
Caligola, di Claudio e di Nerone: e questo nobile quadrumvirato non era
certamente fatto per ispi rargli nozioni troppo rallegranti sulla dignità della
natura umana. Ovunque ei volgesse lo sguardo, non iscopriva che orrori; e
profondo indagatore qual erasi delle più occulte pas sioni del cuore, non
ravvisava intorno a sè che depravazione di sentimenti, sete d'oro e di dominio,
tendenze alla ven detta ed alle stragi, tanto da non poter egli rappresentarsi
l'uman genere, se non come una congrega di mostri, bale strati sulla terra dal
genio del male, perchè vi si divorassero a vicenda. Preoccupato quindi come
attore e come spettatore più nella conoscenza degli uomini che in quella
dell'uomo, egli dovea per necessità sentirsi tratto a rigettare in un mondo d'illusione
ogni specie d'infortunio, che, derivante da for tuiti casi, potesse rannodarsi
poeticamente alla segreta in fluenza di una fatalità invisibile: e a non veder
quaggiù di positivo e di reale se non delitti e virtù in contrasto, carne fici
e vittime in azione, e sempre il più debole schiacciato con perfidia o con
violenza dal più forte. Non altrove in fatti che su queste basi egli attese ad
innalzare il suo tra gico edifizio. Determinata cosi l'idea fondamentale che
dovea servir di unico anello agli orditi, era geometricamente inevitabile che a
riempirli con analoga successione di parti, gli fosse pria d'ogni altro
mestieri di spingere ancor più oltre il sistema di conferire intensità
concentrata alle situazioni, a' caratteri ed agli affetti, onde in tal guisa
tutto concorresse ad isolar le im magini per rappresentarle ne' loro nudi e più
rilevati contor ni. Quindi nelle sue sceniche figure vi ha sempre, se cosi è
permesso di esprimersi, un esagerato lusso di anatomia, ed una secchezza di
commessure che colpisce e non incanta: nulla è in esse tracciato sopra linee
ondeggianti, ove l'occhio possa riposarsi con equabile digradazione di
movimenti; nulla è la sciato ad arte nelle ombre da esser supplito dalla
fantasia dello spettatore. La materia de' suoi componimenti, definita per ciò
appunto sin da' suoi primi sviluppi con metriche dimensioni, e le più volte
attinta più da' tesori della scienza che da quelli della poesia, non poteva
allora che rivestire forme rigide, scarne e prive di calore e di vita; perché
non si riferiva ad alcuna flessibile immagine che dominasse da lunge a spander
vaghezza ed armonia di variati colori ne' suoi dipinti. E ciò spiega nettamente
il biasimevole abuso che ei fe'de' monologhi, in cui talvolta si avviene a
comprender l'esposizione intera di una tragedia. Il monologo è certamente in
natura. Quando le passioni fermentano, l'uomo si piace a disvelare a sè stesso
i sentimenti da cui la sua anima è coster nata; e riesce così a comprimerne o a
rinfiammarne l'impe to, secondo che la ragione esercita in esso un impero più
forte o più debole. Ma questa rivelazione ha pur essa le sue leggi rigorose ed
inviolabili. Perché abbia luogo, bisogna che in quel momento gli affetti si
trovino in un certo stato di equi librio e di moderato temperamento che loro
permetta di rive stir forme possibili di linguaggio. Per l'opposto, le passioni
attualmente in tumulto sono mute; perchè aggorgandosi con veemenza per le vie
dell'anima, la rendono incapace di espan dersi di fuori e di manifestarsi con
altra eloquenza che con quella di un convulsivo silenzio: sopra tutto quando
esse son prossime a risolversi in atti esterni, perchè allora si opera e non si
parla; e l'azione scoppia in tanto più spaventevole, in quanto fu meno
preceduta da quella loquacità importuna che l'annunzia più romorosa che
devastatrice. È sol quando mo strasi grave di calma passeggiera e bugiarda, che
la tempe sta minaccia una più desolante rovina. A ciò si aggiunge che la
rivelazione degl ' interni affetti è propria dell'infelice e non del colpevole:
poichè il primo, as sorto ne’dolori che gli vengono da vicissitudini
accidentali ed estranee, sembra ne' suoi solitari lamenti voler interrogare Dio
e l'universo intorno alla cagione de' suoi infortuni; dove il secondo, il quale
opera per impulsioni di volontà consapevo le, apprestasi a compiere il meditato
delitto, ma rifuggendo sempre dal trovarsi troppo in presenza del suo delitto;
altri menti se gli solleverebbe la coscienza, e le più volte sarebbe distolto
dall'iniquo disegno diconsumarlo. Quindi avviene che in questo ultimo caso il
personaggio è tratto sovente a discor rere con sè stesso, non di affezioni, ma
di avvenimenti: e questo in poesia drammatica è un assurdo; perchè gli avve
nimenti sono di loro essenza inalterabili, e, considerati nu damente in sè
medesimi, non ribollono mai nell'anima a segno da indurci a rivelarli
partitamente a noi stessi per alleviarne il peso. Or si osservino da presso i
monologhi di Seneca: sono spessissimo declamazioni fuori natura, det tati da
intemperanza prosuntuosa di far pompa di parole, o di narrar fatti che il poeta
non sa rinvenir mezzi migliori da comunicare al pubblico; e agghiacciano la
immagina zione, perchè interamente privi di convenienza e di verità poetica. Si
richiedea l'occhio penetrante di Aristotile per disco prire che in Euripide i
cori deviavano talvolta dalla loro bel lissima ed originaria istituzione; ma
non vuolsi tanto corredo di sagacità per discernere ne' cori di Seneca un
simile difetto; perchè vi è portato sconciamente all'estremo, e snatura l'in
dole di questa preziosa macchina teatrale per cosi ridurla scientemente ad un
vano frastuono di cantici estranei all'azione rappresentata. Sono ivi
d'ordinario introdotti a tener veci di sinfonie per indicare i trapassi da un
atto all'altro; e quindi senza alcun legittimo scopo in quanto al fondo
dell'arte; se già non fosse per dar pretesti all'autore di sfoggiar la sua
abilità nella lirica. Nè vorrò qui ripetere a lungo quanto dissi nel precedente
capitolo intorno alle cagioni che spogliarono il coro tragico, si efficace ne'
due primi Greci, di ogni specie di drammatico prestigio. Basti aver sempre
innanzi agli occhi, che questo era un danno inevitabile per qualunque poeta, il
quale, pari al tragico latino, tendesse unicamente verso un genere di immagini
esclusivo di ogni conforto di pompa e di espansione. Non potendo io cessar mai
d'insistere sopra un oggetto che reputo importantissimo, mi sia dato di
riassumerne per un'ultima volta il senso. Lo spettacolo delle sventure,
dipendenti da' casi della vi ta, eccita, per l'infelice che ne soffre, una
serie di compas sionevoli simpatie, le quali si prolungano di là da' recinti
del teatro, e si risvegliano con forza tutte le volte che noi ci fer miamo a
riflettere sul nulla della condizione umana: per con seguenza i cori riescono
splendidissimi ed utili a preparare, ad accendere ed a protrarre quelle
tumultuose affezioni che il poeta seppe far nascere in altri. Per l'opposto, lo
spetta colo della distruzione del più debole derivata dalla malvagità del più
forte, eccita meno simpatie di pietà per l'oppresso, che sentimenti di
abbominio per l'oppressore: e queste non son durevoli, perchè richiamano a non
so quale immagine di desolante necessità, la quale concentra l'anima in sè
stessa, e non lascia luogo alla fantasia di svagare in alcuna idea di
possibilità che la vittima avesse potuto sfuggire al carnefice: quindi allora
non vi è alcun partito a trarre dall'intervento de' cori; perchè le passioni
odiose non han nulla di effusivo da esigere imperiosamente che si dispongano
personaggi in termedi per farle passar con rapidità e veemenza nell'animo degli
spettatori. Non vi ha dubbio esser questi propriamente difetti che appartengono
alla sola esecuzione: ma io non mi sono tratte nuto alquanto ad indicarli, se
non perchè li veggo suggeriti dalla stessa particolare idea che l'autore si
elesse a guida, ed a cui si ricongiungono strettamente come necessari effetti
di una cagione aperta ed immutabile. E non da altro fonte derivò pure quello
smisurato lusso di motti, di sentenze e di arguzie, di cui Seneca si piacque
d'ingemmare con tanta pro fusione le sue tragedie, le quali da questo aspetto
rassomi gliano ad una collezione di aforismi spessissimo empi e sto machevoli.
L'asprezza delle situazioni si presta difficilmente ad una calda ed espansiva
magniloquenza; e sembra esigere di siffatti modi saltellanti di linguaggio, che
dieno scolpiti ri salti ad attitudini si rigorosamente stentate. Nè gli era
biso gno di molta tensione di spirito per rinvenirne in abbondan za: bastava
frequentar, come lui, le anticamere de'potenti, per ammassarne de' più
spaventevoli, si veramente che ne' suoi personaggi vien rappresentata piuttosto
la natura de' Latini de' suoi tempi, che la natura umana in generale: e in
cotal guisa perdė fin anche il merito della invenzione. Procuriamo di
somministrarne in breve una prova. Quel suo celebre si recusares, darem, dato
in risposta da un principe malvagio a chi gli chiedea la morte per uscir di
tormenti, non è in sostanza che il feroce motto di Tiberio, il quale osò dir
freddamente a coloro che gli domandavano in grazia di far perire un Romano
ch'ei perseguitava: Adagio; non l'ho ancor perdonato. Quel detto del suo Atreo:
Mise rum videre volo, sed dum fit miser, appartiene di diritto a Caligola, il
quale prendea diletto ad assister personalmente alla tortura delle sue vittime,
per pascere i suoi sguardi nel veder messe in pezzi le loro membra: e
sdegnavasi contra i car nefici che non erano abbastanza lenti nella esecuzione
de' loro nefandi incarichi: e Seneca dovè udirlo più volte dallo stesso Nerone,
il quale non ordinava l ' assassinio di un infelice, se non dicendo à' suoi
satelliti: Fategli sentir la morte; tal che nella congiura di Pisone un suo
sgherro si vantò di aver tronca la testa di un cospiratore con un colpo e
mezzo. Quell'ini quo tratto della sua Medea, Perfectum est scelus — vindicta
nondum, era l'espressione favorita di tutti mostri che da Silla in poi aveano
insanguinato Roma. Se si confrontassero alfine le sentenze di Seneca con quelle
qua e là rapportate da Tacito e da Svetonio, si troverebbe ch'esse in gran
parte sono di origine storica, più che formate dalla sola riflessione del
tragico. Nė la ricca merce che in questo genere gli offrivano i suoi
contemporanei, gli era pur sufficiente: spigolava ne' Greci at tentissimo; e
dovunque scorgea una massima atroce, era in gegnoso ad annerirla più oltre per
appropriarsela. Euripide, a cagion di esempio, fe’ dire ad Eteocle nelle
Fenisse, che se per possedere un trono bisognava violar la giustizia, era pur
bello il divenire ingiusto: massima che il buon Cicerone dolevasi di udir
sempre ripetere da Cesare, come se Cesare avesse potuto aver massime di diversa
specie. Ma Seneca la trovò gretta e leggiera: una semplice violazione della
giustizia avea per lui certo che di vago e d'indeterminato che non rilevava
troppo l'orrore della immagine: gli bisognò quindi ritoccarla per darle maggior
precisione; e fe' dire più netta mente a Polinice: Pro regno velim patriam,
penates, coniu gem flammis dare. Per la patria e i penati s'intende; rap
presentano il capro espiatore di tutte le colpe d'Israele: ma quella povera
Argia che gli avea somministrato un esercito floridissimo, avrebbe mai potuto
credere che il tenero marito fosse disposto in ricompensa a gittarla tutta
vivente nelle fiamme per ottenere un trono? Non per ciò Seneca mancò sempre di
altissimi dettati. Quel Siste ne in matrem incidas, profferito dal cieco Edipo,
allor che dopo la morte di Giocasta ei brancolando cercava una via per uscir di
quella reggia contaminata, esprime un terror profondo di cui è difficile
immaginar l'eguale. Si è tanto ammirato quel Medea superest, imitato in seguito
con tanta felicità dal Corneille: ma ne' frammenti che di lui ci ri mangono
delle Fenisse, vi è un tratto di simil natura che a me sembra non meno poetico
ed eloquente. Antigone, per metter calma nell' esule padre, gli dice affannosa:
nell' uni verso intero che più ti rimane a fuggire? Me stesso, risponde Edipo
con fremito disperato. Ed è immagine bellis sima, perchè disvela come lampo
tutta la tremenda condizione di quell' infelice famoso. Nella stessa tragedia,
Edipo, volendo nell'eccesso del suo delirio uccidersi, sollecita Antigone a
porgergli il ferro col quale ei versò il sangue paterno; ed ac cortosi del
silenzio di lei, esclama con impeto: hai tu quel ferro, o i miei figli lo han
conservato per essi con la mia corona? E questa terribile e veramente tragica
idea riceve lume dagli amari motteggi, ond' ei riversa le sue imprecazioni
sugli empi fratelli, che, dopo averlo bandito del regno, sel contendeano fra
loro con le armi: Me nunc sequuntur: laudo et agnosco lubens..... Exbortor
aliquid ut patre hoc dignum gerant..... Agite, o propago clara; generosam
indolem Probate factis..... Frater in fratrem ruat.... Ciò prova senza equivoci
che, almeno nel linguaggio, Seneca non mancò al certo di bei momenti di forza.
Ma che va le? È forza d'un ingegno fantastico ed intemperante, che non conosce
modi, non ammette leggi, e confonde spesso il su blime con lo strano. Perocchè
talora, imbattendosi in un alto concepimento, non gli giova esprimerlo d'un sol
tratto; ei vi ritorna le mille volte, lo stempera in mille diverse guise, ne
amplifica le forme con mille ricercati contorni, ed an nientando gli effetti di
prima impressione, produce sazietà e disgusto: tal altra, per troppa smania di
dire e di ripetere e di girar lungamente intorno ad un medesimo dettato,
inciampa senza far colpo, e va sino a render puerili e ridicoli i più tra gici
caratteri; perchè le immagini di spavento ch' ei cerca di eccitare, si risolvono
allora prestamente in concetti ed in arguzie di spirito, e da'concetti e dalle
arguzie si passa a poco a poco a vere scene di farsa. Nè vi ha uopo d'indagarne
al trove la cagione che in quella perenne boria di mostrarsi nuovo ad ogni
costo, e di prender dagli aridi campi di una prevenuta intelligenza quel che
non sa troppo facilmente rin venire ne' regni fertilissimi di una spontanea immaginazione.
Siemi concesso di trarne un solo esempio dalle medesime Fenisse. Edipo annunzia
di voler morire; ma non per le ragioni che altri per avventura supporrebbe: ama
le tenebre, e desi dera procurarsene di foltissime nella notte del sepolcro,
per chè quelle della sua cecità non gli sono abbastanza profonde. Antigone
piange in udir questa risoluzione; non si costerni dunque l'amata figlia; non
più si muoia; eidecide di piantarsi ritto sul pendio di una rupe a proporre
indovinelli a’ viandanti. A questo nuovo disegno le lacrime di Antigone si
aumenta no, perchè vede allora nel padre, non più indizi di cordoglio, ma di
demenza; si consoli dunque la infelice, non si rinnovi la storia della sfinge.
Si crederà forse ch'egli le promet tesse di sopportar con dignità e
rassegnazione la sua sventu ra? No: per render la calma a quella sconsolata
donzella, e darle ampio attestato della sua riconoscenza, ei le offre di volere
a un cenno di lei traversare a nuoto l’Egeo, e andare a raccogliere nella sua
bocca tutte le fiamme dell'Etna. Hic OEdipus ægæa tranabit freta, Jubente te;
flammasque, quas siculo vomit De monte tellus igneos volvens globos, Excipiet
ore. Or non doveva essere per Antigone un gran principio di con forto, udendo
il cieco padre che per diminuire le angustie di lei vuol mostrarle di possedere
il coraggio di Leandro e i pol moni di Encelado? Seneca finalmente sentiva in
astratto, che non è poesia dove non è pompa d'immagini; e che la stessa
semplicità, piuttosto che nuocere alla pompa, concorre a renderla più splendida
e più evidente. Se non che obbliava che questo in dispensabile pregio di
esecuzione prende la sua prima radice nell'indole stessa del soggetto, il quale
spontaneamente la produce, come fiore ingenerato dal successivo sviluppo del
germe che ne contiene in sè le forme vaghissime, benchè in visibili all'occhio
nudo: ond'è che dove il soggetto non ne somministri gli elementi, il poeta si
studia invano di crearla per sua sola opera dal nulla; specialmente allor che
le dispo sizioni del suo animo lo traggono ad abbandonar le illusioni della
fantasia per tutto concentrarlo nella sollecitudine di sfog giar dottrine e di
annerir la natura. La sua infatti riesce sem pre pompa di esteriore apparenza,
0, per dir meglio, pompa sovrapposta e forzata, che, non ricongiungendosi per
alcun legame al fondo dell'idea, degenera sovente in apertissima stravaganza, e
vien come clamide imperiale, che, gittata sulle spalle di un satiro,
contribuisce meno ad abbellirlo, che a farne risaltar più oltre la villana
difformità. Ne addurremo più giù gli argomenti di fatto incontrastabili. Ei
tolse tutti i soggetti delle sue tragedie dalla mitologia greca; nè l'Ottavia
fa eccezione, perchè ormai gli eruditi convengono non esser sua. A raggiugner
però quelle situa zioni richiedeasi il volo dell'aquila; ed il tragico latino
avea per avventura un manto di piombo ancor più grave di quelli che Dante pone
addosso a una schiera di dannati. Per valu tarne il merito in complesso, giovi
poter distinguere anche in lui tre diverse maniere di concepire e di dipingere
i suoi qua dri. Allor che il soggetto era di tal condizione fitta ed
invariabile ch'egli non potea da verun canto cangiarne l'idea pri mitiva, s'
industriava di farne un'amplificazione da collegio, e di acquistare in una
specie di morbosa gonfiezza quel che dovea necessariamente perdere in forza ed
in elevazione: e fu questo particolarmente il caso dell'Edipo. Quando alcuna
materia se gli offriva da esagerare a suo modo l'immagine del delitto, ei
sentivasi nel suo vero elemento a dar libero corso alle sue predilette tendenze:
e ne diè prova nel trattar la Me dlea. Piacendosi alfine di spingere
all'estremo la dipintura delle atrocità meditate, riprodusse il Tieste, quasi a
chiuder la strada che altri confidasse di sorpassarlo in questo mo struoso
genere. L'esame analitico di queste tre sole fra le sue tragedie giustificherà
quanto finora si è detto intorno alla in trinseca tempra di questo autore.
Edipo. Se un contagio sterminatore non si fosse ma nifestato in Tebe, che
obbligo di ricorrere agli oracoli per ap prendere i mezzi di porvi un termine,
i casi di Edipo non si sarebbero mai scoperti. Quindi Sofocle, nella magnifica
espo sizione della sua tragedia su questo soggetto, parla di quel flagello, ma
in poche linee: il sacerdote non ne fa menzione al re che a solo fine di
spiegargli il motivo per cui tutto il popolo è accorso in atto supplice a
implorare i consigli e l'aiuto del savissimo de'principi. Seneca per l'opposto,
ob bliando esser quello un incidente su cui non bisognava molto fermarsi,
giudicò necessario d'impiegar tutto il primo atto del suo tessuto a una minuta
descrizione della peste onde la città è tribolata. Edipo, dopo aver accennata
la maledizione che pesa sul suo capo di divenir parricida e incestuoso, senza
che alcun ordine d'idee ancor lo esigesse, togliesi di raccon tare a Giocasta,
che dovea pur supporsene istruita, i feno meni meteorologici onde quella
calamità pubblica era disgra ziatamente accompagnata: calori eccessivi, calme
soffocanti, torrenti disseccati, campagne isterilite, tenebre profondissi e in
mezzo a questo disordine degli elementi, prodigi straordinari, apparizioni di
ombre, spiriti ululanti la notte sull'alto de' tempii, e simiglianti. — Usciti
appena di questa prolusione di fisica sperimentale, l'autore ci introduce in
una sala di clinica, menando il coro con una descrizione patologica della peste
a fare una mala giunta a quella di cui ci gra tificò Edipo. Gli spasimi, le
convulsioni, le febbri, l'abbatti mento delle forze, i gavoccioli, e fin la
tosse che affligge gl' infermi, somministrano materie al suo canto: nė vi man
cano pure i portenti: perchè le fontane versano sangue invece di acqua, forse
per alcuna chimica trasformazione operata dagl'influssi del pestifero contagio.
Creonte, che era stato inviato a consultar l'oracolo, giu gne al secondo atto
per dire al re, che, a cessar que’mali, era volontà de’numi che l' uccisore di
Laio fosse punito: nė tras cura di narrare a lungo le difficoltà incontrate
dalla Pitia per destar lo spirito profetico nel suo seno e dare i responsi
analoghi alle domande. Mentre il re lancia, come in Sofocle, le sue tremende
imprecazioni contra il colpevole, il cieco Tire sia, seguito dalla sua
figliuola Manto, che gli serve di scorta, vien sulla scena, non si sa da chi
chiamato, traendosi dietro altri ministri di tempii con un toro e una giovenca
per fare un sacrifizio..... nella reggia: e richiesto del nome dell'omi cida,
protesta di non saperlo; ma i numi glielo rivelerebbero mediante
quell'olocausto. La cerimonia è immediatamente disposta; e le particolarità che
l'accompagnano, benchè visi bili a tutti, pur vi sono minutamente notate per
mezzo di lungo dialogo tra l'indovino e la figlia, pieno di mistiche al lusioni
a' futuri casi di Edipo e di Giocasta, e fin di Eteocle e Polinice, che son
personaggi estranei all'azione. La fiamma del rogo scintilla de' più variati
colori, ed è solcata di strisce sanguinose ed insolite, si divide in due da sè
stessa, ed oltre ogni espettazione si spegne prima che le manchi l'alimento. Il
vino offerto in libazione si cangia in lurido sangue, e globi di fumo si spiccano
dall'altare e van rotando intorno al dia dema del re. La giovenca cade al primo
colpo della scure; ma il toro spaventato sembra fuggir la luce del sole; e men
tre stenta a morire, il sangue che gli sgorga dalle ferite, spandesi a
coprirgli gli occhi e la fronte. Le viscere sono aperte alle vittime per
leggervi il gran segreto: ma nulla vi si scorge al suo luogo, cuore, fegato,
polmoni, tutto è in dis ordine: le leggi della natura vi appariscono violate:
la gio venca inoltre ha concepito, e il frutto che porta nel ventre, é
extrauterino; fenomeno di cui Manto pare istruita più che a vergine si
convenisse. Compiuta però questa dimostrazione anatomica, il re crede invano
aver tocca la meta de' suoi desiderii con la sco perta del reo; quel romoroso
apparato di strane investiga zioni fu opera perduta: Tiresia dichiara esser
tuttavia al buio della verità, e quindi bisognargli evocar da' regni della
morte l'ombra stessa di Laio che gliela riveli. Ei parte infatti per adempiere
in luoghi solitari questa specie d'incanto magico: e Creonte, che con altri fu
deputato ad assistervi, ritorna ed apre il terzo atto col racconto di tutto ciò
che quivi era avve nuto. Poco lungi da Tebe è una selvaggia boscaglia: ei ne
descrive la posizione, gli alberi, le acque, e fino i venti che vi dominano.
Tiresia ordina che vi si scavi un ampio fosso, che vi s'innalzi sopra un rogo,
e vi si gittino molti animali in sacrifizio con le consuete libazioni di vino e
di latte, men tr' egli intonando lugubri carmi con voce minacciosa, invoca gli
spiriti ad uscir fuori dell'Erebo. Si odono allora urlare i cani di Ecate; la
terra trema; e sprofondandosi apre le vora gini dell'abisso, in fondo al quale
si veggono le pallide divi nità infernali passeggiar confuse con le ombre; e
con esse le Furie armate di serpi, i fratelli nati da' denti del dragone di
Dirce, la Sfinge che fu flagello di Tebe, e tutti i mostri spa ventevoli che
abitano quel nero soggiorno. A cosi tetro spet tacolo gli astanti sono
inorriditi: ma Tiresia, intrepido sem pre, invoca con maggior forza gli spettri,
che a torme innu merevoli arrivano volando sulla terra, e si spandono con fre
mito, lungo la selva. Ne sono indicati i nomi come in una rassegna di eserciti:
e lo spettro di Laio, che sfigurato dalle ferite è l'ultimo ad apparire,
annunzia infine con voce tre menda, che a rimuovere i disastri di Tebe, doveasi
cacciarne Edipo, ad espiazione di aver egli ucciso il padre, e di essersi
congiunto in matrimonio con la madre. Udita la narrazione di tanto prodigio, il
re costernato esclama esser falsa l'accusa, perchè suo padre Polibo ancor vive,
ed egli è lontano dalla sua madre Merope. Quindi sospetta che sia quella una
calunnia di Tiresia per torgli lo scettro e darlo a Creonte, cui altresi ca
rica di rimproveri e minaccia di morte. Si osservi di passaggio che questo
sospetto è ragionato in Sofocle, perchè l'accusa vien dal labbro di un uomo
qual è Tiresia: ma in Seneca è stolto, perchè quella rivelazione è fatta
dall'ombra stessa di Laio che tutti hanno udita. Intanto Edipo, compreso di
cruccio e di terrore, ricomparisce al quarto atto con Giocasta; e chiesti nuovi
schiarimenti sulle circostanze della morte di Laio, sovviengli di aver egli
ucciso un uomo pria di condursi a Tebe; e mentre alle risposte di lei i suoi
timori si accrescono, un vecchio pastore corintio sopraggiugne a dirgli che
Polibo avea cessato di vivere, e ch'egli era invitato ad occuparne il trono. A
questo annunzio ei si piace che l'oracolo da cui fu minacciato di divenir parri
cida, siesi pienamente smentito; ma, temendo egli tuttavia l'incesto, il
vecchio lo affida, svelandogli che Merope non era sua madre, e ch'ei,
ricevutolo bambino da un pastore di Tebe, lo fe ’ adottare in quella corte.
Quest'ultimo è appellato per dichiarar la nascita di Edipo, e tutto alfine si
scopre come in Sofocle. Al quinto atto un messo accorre a narrare che il re,
dopo aver percorso da furioso la reggia, avea risoluto in prima di uccidersi:
ma poi, avendo meglio e più filosoficamente pe sate le cose, erasi contentato
di strapparsi gli occhi; e che, fatto cieco, ancor levava in alto la testa per
assicurarsi s' ei lo fosse interamente, stracciando una per una le fibre che
nelle cavità nude gli rimaneano, per impedir forse che qual che filamento
muscolare non si trasformasse in nervo ottico a dar passagio alla luce. Edipo
stesso apparisce in questo de plorabile stato; e Giocasta gli è a fianco per
convincerlo che i suoi delitti erano sola opra del fato: se non che alle voci
di lui, che inorridito cerca di allontanarla da sè, delibera an ch'essa di
morire. In qual parte del corpo le conviene intanto ferirsi? Quistione
essenziale in tanta circostanza; ond' ella la esamina con logica rigorosa, e si
colpisce al ventre, che die ricetto a un figlio divenutole marito. A questo
nuovo accidente Edipo riconosce sè stesso doppiamente parricida, avendo la sua
disgrazia provocata la morte anche della ma Nell'Ercole all Eta di Seneca,
Deianira propone presso a poco a sè stessa le medesime quistioni prima di
uccidersi dre: e disperato abbandona la patria, invocando tutti i mali di Tebe
a seguirlo nel suo esilio. Se per una di quelle insensate pratiche, usate nelle
vec chie scuole di rettorica, un giovine studente fosse stato inca ricato dal
suo maestro di fare un'amplificazione a sua guisa della greca tragedia di Edipo,
io non credo che il mal senso delle descrizioni estranee all’azion fondamentale
avesse po tuto esser spinto più oltre. Era serbato a Seneca il sommini strar
compiuti modelli di siffatta specie di mostruosità: nė chiunque ha fior di
gusto e di senno esigerà che io m'impacci a provargli un difetto sì aperto con
appositi commentari; ba stando la nuda esposizione dell'ordito a convincerne
senza più anche i meno veggenti. Un critico francese ha cercato di giu
stificarne l'autore, allegando che quelle opere teatrali non erano destinate
alla rappresentazione; e che in conseguenza il lusso delle descrizioni
eterogenee avea per iscopo di ren derne meno inefficace la lettura in alcun
privato crocchio di conoscitori, ove soleano venir declamate. Se non che la tra
gedia è un particolar genere di poesia che ha le sue leggi sta bili e
determinate: e non mi consente la ragione che queste leggi nella tragedia letta,
possano esser diverse da quelle re putate indispensabili nella tragedia
rappresentata. Quando uno e fisso è il genere, non può esso andar soggetto a
variazioni pel vario ed accidental modo di darne conoscenza altrui. Se il poeta
estimava che le ampollose descrizioni, bene o mal coerenti a un tragico tessuto,
fosser le sole che avesser potuto fare impressione in un'adunanza di ascoltanti
oziosi, potea comporne a suo bell'agio distaccate con titoli convenienti, senza
contaminarne un'arte che non è fatta per accoglierle. Sarebbe cosi divenuto il
precursore di Stazio, lasciando una collezione di Sylvæ, più o meno
sopportabili, in luogo di scene tragiche meravigliosamente insopportabili.
Medea. Sin dalle prime scene, sentendosi tradita e derelitta, Medea non respira
che sangue ed eccidii: ma gli eccidii e il sangue non le sembrano ancora se non
leggeris simo alimento al suo animo inferocito. Vorrebbe ritrovare un' atrocità
nuova, sconosciuta, straordinaria, che facesse parlar di lei nella più lontana
posterità. Nel vederla si libera ne' suoi spaventevoli disegni, la nutrice, che
l'è da presso, non sa immaginare altre vie a calmarla, se non rammentan dole
che per menar tutto a termine sicuro ella dee nasconder la sua collera;
perocchè, ove questa si mostri di fuori troppo apertamente, ricade le più volte
sopra colui che ne e animato, e distrugge i mezzi della vendetta. Massima
infernale, ma vera; e posta leggiadramente in pratica da tutti i contempo ranei
di Seneca. Il re intanto, che teme le arti e le insidie della irritata maga,
vien cruccioso ad ordinarle di sgombrar subito da' suoi stati. Indarno ella fa
lungo racconto di tutto il passato per mettere in risalto la iniqua condotta di
Giasone e la ricompensa infame onde l'ingrato la rimerita de' tanti be nefizii
ricevuti; indarno cerca di muovere in quel principe tutt' i sentimenti capaci
di piegarlo a rivocare quella dura ri soluzione; questi si rimane inflessibile;
e nel ritrarsi dalla scena consente solo a permettere, com' ella ferventemente
chiede, che almeno i due suoi figliuoli continuino a dimorar ivi col padre, e
che diesi a lei un giorno di tempo per ab bracciarli, e disporsi ad abbandonar
per sempre quelle re gioni: favore di cui ella gode nel suo segreto, giudicando
bastarle quello spazio a poter tutta rfversar la sua ira contro i suoi
implacabili persecutori. Giasone offresi allora con bizzarro monologo a far com
prendere che il re minaccia morte a lui ed a' suoi figli, ov'ei nieghi
d'impalmar Creusa: nė vi ha cenno che in parte spie ghi o giustifichi questo
mezzo speditissimo di concludere un matrimonio; se già qualche maligno spirito
non voglia sup porre che Creusa fosse incinta, onde, a salvarle la fama, si
obbligasse il profugo seduttore a scegliere fra il talamo nu ziale e la scure.
Medea, che di lui si accorge, gli va incontro scoppiante rabbia e dolore. A'
veementi rimproveri di lei egli dice che il re l'avrebbe fatta perire, s' ei
non lo avesse in dotto a contentarsi di scacciarla solamente dal regno: la
solle cita quindi a sottrarsi tusto allo sdegno di chi ha il potere di
opprimerla. A fin di scoprire il lato debole del cuore di lui, ella finge di
cedere, ed implora che non le sia vietato di menar seco que’ medesimi figliuoli
che pocanzi pregava il re a lasciare in cura del padre; e compiacendosi
nell'udire esser sulla scena, per lui impossibile di staccarsi da quei
fanciulli, si restringe a chiedergli di poter dar loro l'ultimo addio; grazia
che il re le avea di già conceduta. Rimasta sola, medita il disegno di disfarsi
della rivale, inviandole in dono una veste avvelenata; e corre a farne
confidenza alla sua nutrice. Questa rivien e narra i prodigi operati da Medea
per compiere il suo funesto disegno. Con le sue arti magiche avea nelle sue
stanze attirati il dragone della Colchide, l'idra uccisa da Ercole, e i più
mostruosi rettili della terra; e ne' loro veleni, misti a sangue di uccelli
impuri ed a fiamme divoratrici, avea confuso i succhi di quante erbe narcotiche
allignano sulla faccia del globo. Dopo questa relazione, che è lunga e minuta
più che non bisognerebbe a descrivere anche il laboratorio di un farmacista, la
maga ella stessa riapparisce; e invocando Ecate con orribili scongiuramenti a
discendere dal cielo per assisterla, si ferisce al braccio per far del suo
sangue una libazione alla Dea. Terminato cosi l'incantesimo con un sa lasso,
intinge in quel liquore la veste già preparata, e manda i figliuoli a farne
presente a Creusa. L'effetto è subito prodotto. Un messo viene a raccontar
distintamente che l'incendio si è manifestato nella reggia al solo contatto di
quel dono fatale, e che il re e la figliuola vi sono rimasti amendue spenti.
Medea, che in udir tale annun zio gioisce di aver colto il primo frutto delle
sue trame, si dispone a coronar l'opera, uccidendo i figli, per cosi vendi
carsi delle perfidie del marito. Questi era corso con gente d'arme a
sorprenderla: ma ella erasi rifuggita co ' due fan ciulli e la nutrice
sull'alto della casa. Di là parlando a sè stessa intorno a quel che le conviene
di fare, dice che il de litto è compiuto, ma non ancor la vendetta; trucida
furi bonda uno di quei disgraziati, e ne gitta il cadavere sangui noso a
Giasone che dal basso la mira imprecando e fre mendo: e mentr' egli la
scongiura inorridito a conservare almen l'altro in vita, ella lo trafigge sotto
i proprii occhi; e chiamandosi dolente di non averne avuti che due soli ad
immolare, vuol cercar nel suo seno se vi sia il germe di qualche altro
figliuolo per istrapparselo a brani dal fondo delle viscere. Innalzandosi
alline sul suo carro magico, Ricevi, dice al marito insultando, ricevi i tuoi
nati; io mi slancio al di sopra delle nuvole. Si, quei le risponde, assorto nel
raccapriccio e nella disperazione; và per gli alti spazii dell' acre ad
attestare all' universo che non esiste al cun Dio: Per alta vade spatia sublimi
ætheris Testare nullos esse, qua veheris, deos. Tratto divino !.... esclamava
un critico: veramente, ripigliava un altro scherzando sulle parole, non vi è
nulla che sia men divino ! Sull'indole di questa ributtante favola drammatica
dissi altrove abbastanza: e qual pessimo governo Seneca ne facesse ad ancor più
oltre annerirla ed a gonfiarla di vento, ciascuno può giudicarne da se
medesimo. Non è intanto superfluo il notare una circostanza che sembra sfuggita
costantemente a' dotti illustratori di questo tragico antico. Orazio inculcava
severamente a ' poeti di non mai dare a spettacolo una Medea che trucida i
figli al cospetto del popolo; poichè un simile atto da far fremere sterilmente
la natura, dee riuscir più or rendo che tremendo per chiunque non abbia rinunziato
ad ogni sentimento di umanità. Che Seneca infrangesse un cosi savio precetto,
chi ben conosce la tempra della sua fantasia ne comprenderà facilmente i
motivi. Ma donde Orazio lo trasse? Questo fu per me sempre un enigma. Un
precetto che vieta una difformità in poesia, è come una legge che vieta un
delitto in politica: suppongono amendue che un dis ordine abbia esistito per lo
passato, e mirano ad imporre un freno affinché non si riproduca nell'avvenire:
e non vi ha esempio in cui la giurisprudenza civile fulmini un'azione che non
ha mai avuto luogo nella condotta degli uomini, come non vi ha esempio in cui
la critica letteraria basimi un difetto di gusto del quale non vi è traccia
nella storia delle arti. L'in duzione a trarsi da questo principio è
semplicissima. Orazio non potea certamente aver letta la sconcezza, ch' ei
riprova con si grave dettato intorno a Medea, nè in Euripide il quale avea
saputo evitarla, nè in Seneca il quale fioriva quando egli era già spento. In
conseguenza è a dirsi, ch ' ei la scor caso, gesse in qualcuno de' poeti latini
suoi predecessori o contem poranei, le cui opere sono a noi sconosciute. E in
questo che io lascio agli eruditi di verificare, non possiamo nel precettor di
Nerone ravvisar nè anche l'esistenza di una facoltà, disgraziatamente assai
comune; quella cioè di saper ritrovare da sè stesso una turpitudine. La
predilezione de' Latini per la favola di Medea costi tuisce inoltre un fenomeno
che merita ugualmente di esser notato. In Grecia non imprese a trattarla che il
solo Euri pide; e dopo di lui una tragedia sopra il medesimo soggetto, che non
è pervenuta alla posterità, fu scritta da un tal Neo frone, di cui non ho mai
saputo novella. In Francia non è da citarsi che la Medea del Corneille; poichè
i tentativi di Pe louse, di Longepierre e di Clement sono ormai obbliati. Nella
sola polvere degli archivii se ne additano due in Italia, una del Torelli, l '
altra del Gozzi: e parlo fino al 1820; perchè, se altre ne sieno apparse dopo,
lo ignoro, e non ho mai cu rato d'informarmene. Non ne apparvero, a quanto io
creda, fra gli Alemanni e fra gli Spagnuoli; e può dirsi nè anche fra gl'
Inglesi; poichè quella del Glower non è calcata sulle memorie antiche. Questo
poeta, in ciò di squisito senso, benchè non di alta sfera nel resto, osò con
fermo proposito guastar piuttosto la tradizione ricevuta, che denigrare con una
esagerazione si assurda il prezioso carattere di madre: ei suppose che Medea
uccidesse i figli in un eccesso di frene tico delirio che le impediva di
riconoscerli. E ritornata in sė stessa, la dipinse preda alla disperazione per
l'involontario attentato, anzi che lieta e trionfante di aver dato opera a una
vendetta che innanzi ad ogni essere ben costituito dalla na tura dovea
necessariamente colpir di preferenza il di lei pro prio cuore. In Roma per
l'opposto par che non vi fosse poeta tragico il quale non avesse tentata una
Medea. Vi si segnalarono Ennio, Pacuvio, Accio, Ovidio, Seneca, Materno ed
altri: e Tertulliano parla di un Osidio Geta, che nel primo secolo dell'era
cristiana compose tutta di versi di Virgilio una nuova Medea, di cui lo Scriverio
si è dato l'inutile pena di raccogliere alcuni frammenti. Con queste tendenze
di ferocia ne' drammatici latini, vi è poi tanto a stupire che ivi la sana
tragedia non mai prosperasse con la dignità richiesta? Tieste. La scena è nella
reggia di Micene; e l'azione si apre con l'Ombra di Tantalo, la quale, tratta
sulla terra da una delle Furie infernali, è da essa spinta a metter odio e
furore nell'animo de'due fratelli Tieste ed Atreo, suoi discen denti, onde
seguano fra loro i più orribili misfatti. Al solo aggirarsi dello spettro in
quelle mura fatali, Atreo, che vi tenea scettro, è subitamente invaso da fieri
desiderii di ven detta contra Tieste, che gli ebbe un tempo pervertita la sposa
ed involate le ricchezze, e che állor viveasi profugo in terre straniere nella
più estrema miseria. Memore de' torti rice vuti, ei non più spira che minacce
di esterminio: e trattiensi a parlar con uno schiavo suo conſidente intorno al
modo più sicuro da immolar l'abborrito fratello all'ira che lo investe. Il
ferro per lui è arma di tiranni volgari: ei vuol supplizii e non morte; poichè
nel suo regno la morte debb' esser consi derata come una grazia. Meditando un
eccesso che possa spa ventar gli uomini e la natura, ei risolve di richiamar
Tieste dall'esilio con finte proteste di pace e di obblio del passato; ed
attiratolo cosi nella reggia, trucidargli a tradimento i figli, e
preparargliene pasto neſando in una cena notturna. Ei va gheggia lungamente il
suo infernale disegno; e già ordina i mezzi da eseguirlo. Tieste, sollecitato
da iniqui messaggi, cade nella rete insidiosa; e, costretto dall'indigenza,
presen tasi con tre suoi figli in Micene, non senza terribili presenti menti di
ciò che possa ivi essergli ordito di atroce. Atreo, che ne è subito avvertito,
affrettasi ad incontrarli ebbro di esultanza nella certezza di aver finalmente
le vittime fra i suoi artigli; e coprendo il suo empio pensiero, avanzasi con
benevolo sembiante ad abbracciar Tieste ed a chiedergli il bacio fraterno. A
udirlo, era quello per lui un vero momento di felicità; onde bisognava deporre
gli antichi rancori, e non più ascoltar che la voce della pietà, della
concordia e del sangue. Tieste si precipita a' suoi piedi, implora il suo per
dono, e tra le lagrime della tenerezza e del pentimento lo prega di accogliere
sotto la sua mano protettrice quegl' inno centi giovinetti. Da prima ei ricusa
di accettar la metà del regno che il re gli offre con simulati affetti: si
terrebbe felice di vivere suo suddito, e di poter espiare i suoi falli co' suoi
fedeli servigi: ma cede alfine alle iterate insistenze del per fido Atreo, il
quale, invitandolo a cingere sul suo capo vene rando il diadema reale, annunzia
con espressioni di doppio senso che, a suggellar la pace tra loro, ei va
intanto a disporre un sagrifizio. Questo inviluppo in sè occupa i tre primi
atti della tragedia. Al quarto un messo appare sbigottito, e con le più rac
capriccianti particolarità narra il già consumato eccidio al coro. Innanzi
tutto ei descrive la parte remota del palazzo ove so leano soggiornare i
principi di quella contrada, ed a lungo enumera gli straordinari ed incredibili
portenti di cui quel sito sembra essere il magico ricettacolo. Ivi Atreo erasi
con dotto in segreto con suoi fidati sgherri, trascinandosi dietro i figliuoli
del fratello, ch'egli stesso avea già carichi di catene, ed a foggia di vittime
inghirlandati di fiori e di bende. Or rendi altari vengono al momento eretti,
arde l'incenso, le libazioni versate spumeggiano, la scure tocca il capo di
que' mi seri, e tutte le formalità di un ordinario sacrifizio son diligen
temente osservate. A tal sacrilego apparato, ed a'cupi urli di Atreo, che
pronunciando funebri preghiere intuona l'inno della morte, la vicina selva
trema: la reggia sembra crollar dalle fondamenta, il vino effuso cangiasi tosto
in sangue, il dia dema cade tre volte dal fronte del re, il quale pari a fame
lica tigre avventasi su i tre indifesi nipoti, e l'un dopo l'altro
trafiggendoli, spande il terrore ne' circostanti satelliti. Ciò compiuto, egli
strappa loro le viscere per leggervi entro i presagi del destino; mette
finalmente in pezzi le loro membra ancor palpitanti, ne prepara col fuoco
l'infame cena, e la fa recare a Tieste, che ignaro degli eventi, lo attendea
nelle sale dell'ordinario convito: e cosi quel padre infelice, che in abito
festivo crede per la prima volta gustar la voluttà della con cordia con lo
snaturato fratello, divora le carni de' propri figliuoli. A questa immonda
narrazione, che può star leggia dramente a fianco delle additate nelle due
precedenti trage die, il coro prorompe in esclamazioni analoghe allo spavento
di cui si trova compreso. Il quinto atto ci rappresenta il ritorno di Atreo, il
quale, dopo aver pasciuto i suoi sguardi in quella mensa infernale, vien fuori
gridando con frenetica ed orribile compiacenza: Æqualis astris gradior, et
cunctos super Altum superbo vertice attingens polum, Nunc decora regni teneo,
nunc solium patris. Dimitto superos: summa votorum attigi. e Ma il fatto atroce
non ancora lo appaga: gli bisogna compiere il lutto di un padre, rivelandogli
il tremendo mistero, a fin di saziarsi di vendetta in veder gl' impeti del suo
disperato dolore. All'appressarsi quivi di Tieste, ei da prima si cela per
udirne il solitario linguaggio: indi si mostra; ed invi tando il fratello a
finir seco di celebrar quel giorno di letizia, gli offre una tazza di vino in
cui è misto il sangue de' prin cipi uccisi. Questi, contento in parte della
riacquistata pace, e in parte agitato da oscuri perturbamenti di animo, chiede
affannoso che gli sia concesso di porre il colmo al suo giubilo abbracciando i
figliuoli. Atreo lo tien sospeso con espressioni equivoche, e lo sollecita
sempre più a bere in quella tazza: se non che a quel misero, nel riceverla,
sembra veder fuggire il sole, scuotersi la terra, sconvolgersi gli elementi; e
rinno vando le istanze di rivedere i figliuoli, il mostro si scopre, glie ne
gitta a ' piedi le teste sanguinose, dicendo: gnatos ecquid agnoscis tuos? Qui
Seneca ritrova uno di quei felici motti, per la cui vibrata energia è solamente
notabile: peroc chè Tieste ansante a cosi nero attentato, non richiama in se
gli accenti smarriti, se non per esclamare, agnosco fra trem !.... e cade in
delirio smanioso. Credendoli solamente uccisi, ei domanda con fremito di
poterne almeno seppellire i cadaveri; allor che l'empio gli svela ch ' ei li
avea già divo rati, e gli narra tutto lo scempio che si era studiato di farne.
Le furie di Tieste e le insultanti risposte di Atreo, che gode a quello
spettacolo di orrore, chiudono la scena. Vi ha certa memoria che una tragedia
di Tieste fosse anche stata scritta da Euripide, la quale va fra le tante di
quel teatro che si sono sventuratamente perdute: e Seneca forse l'ebbe
sott'occhio, ad attingerne per lui, non foss' altro, la stomachevole idea.
Quali forme particolari di dramma tica esecuzione il Greco poi avesse adottate
con destrezza per temperar l'orribile del soggetto fondamentale, non vi ha sto
rico indizio da poterne rettamente decidere. Altrove si è però notato, che non
ostanti le tendenze di quel poeta per la di pintura degli eccessi dolosamente
criminosi, tendenze che fra le sue mani pervertirono si bruttamente l'arte, il
popolo di Atene gli era pur tuttavia di costante freno a non lasciarsi
precipitare in troppo aperte mostruosità; ed ei più volte ne avea fatto a suo
danno e scorno il crudele esperimento. Può in conseguenza tenersi ch' ei
procurasse di velare in gran parte le incredibili atrocità onde le vecchie
tradizioni aveano corredato a' posteri quel famoso avvenimento de' tempi eroici
della Grecia; e che Seneca s ' industriasse al suo solito di anne rirlo oltre
misura, frastagliandolo a modo proprio con quella sua fantasia pregna dello
spettacolo reale di tutte le più turpi enormezze. Alcuni han creduto infatti,
che la descrizione di quella parte della reggia di Micene ove si finge che
Atreo spegnesse i nipoti, fosse fedelmente ritratta da quella parte del palazzo
de' Cesari in Roma, che Nerone avea destinata alle sue laide passioni e
crudeltà segrete. È possibile ancora che Seneca traesse altre ispirazioni alla
sua opera dalla tra gedia latina, che, siccome Ovidio narra, Vario e Gracco com
posero insieme su i casi di Tieste, e che probabilmente è la stessa in seguito
divulgata sotto il solo nome di Vario, di cui la storia di quel secolo ci ha
serbata rimembranza. A ogni modo, il fatto vero o non vero su cui si fonda
questo tragico lavoro, non meritava esser cosi rilevato in tutta l'asprezza
delle sue giunture e l'abbominevole nudità delle sue forme, che in un secolo in
cui i più esecrandi at tentati e le più truci e inudite vendette facean parte
integra e special delizia della vita pubblica e privata di ogni uomo. Col
sicuro presentimento che a' suoi contemporanei non ne sarebbe incresciuta la
dipintnra, Seneca lo tratto senza velo: e i suoi sforzi nel dare alcun
contrasto di luce a quelle tene bre infernali, restarono inefficaci. I tre
giovinetti sacrificati all'ira dello scettrato cannibale di Micene, non muovono
che una pietà volgare e ſuggevole, poiché cadono pari a mutoli agnelli che il
famelico lupo divora mugolando nelle sue grotte di sangue. Nè alcuna di più
eminente ne muove pure lo sten tato ritorno di Tieste sulle vie della virtù e
della giustizia, si perchè un tal ritorno può sospettarsi dettato dalla
pienezza delle sue miserie, e si perchè il suo violento e consumato in cesto
con la sposa del germano, è un fatto di sua essenza ir reparabile, e non si
cancella o ripurga per pentimenti per lacrime. L'orror cupo e nefando che spira
il carattere di Atreo, è l'unico affetto che domina e inviluppa ferocemente
l'azione: se non che, soffocando a un tratto tutte le potenze dell'anima, le
addormenta in uno stupor convulsivo, che di strugge ogni vitalità di sentimento
negli spettatori, ed abban dona il personaggio alla sola compagnia di sè
medesimo. E conviene saper grado all'autore di aver nell'ordito messa giù ogni
maschera d'ipocrisia. Conscio che il suo Atreo è un mo stro fuor di natura, ei
lo allontana diligentemente da ogni specie di contatto con la natura. In lui,
niuno di quei palpiti precursori che si associano al concepimento di un grave e
spaventevole delitto; niuno di quei terrori salutari che arre stano
involontariamente la mano armata di un pugnale omi cida; niuno di quei rimorsi
che la rea coscienza genera a un tempo e ritorce contro a sè stessa innanzi
allo spettacolo di una già eseguita scelleratezza. A che infatti porre in
mostra gli ordinari fenomeni del cuore umano per attaccarli a un essere al cui
tipo la tempra dell'umanità rimansi compiuta mente estranea?.... Ma usciamo
alfine di questo pattume: i comentari sono superflui dove i fatti parlano da sè
in guisa, che ad ogni uomo di mente sana e di cuor non guasto è facil cosa il
valu tarli. Ne mi rimane intorno a questo autore se non a preve nir brevemente
qualche obbiezione che molti per avventura saran tentati di oppormi. Alcuni,
per esempio, col bel romanzo del Diderot alla mano, diranno che io in questo
esame ho troppo annerito il carattere morale di Seneca; ed a costoro, senza
inutili contese, lascio piena libertà di alimentare la loro passione pe'
romanzi, e di farsene un idolo: l’umana viltà sovente ha deificato tanti
mostri, che aggiugnervi anche quello il quale, giusta la grave testimonianza di
un Tacito, diede apertamente opera, se non a concepire, a consumare almeno un
matricidio, non dee poter cagionare alcun nuovo scan dalo. Altri, con
l'autorità di Marziale e di Sidonio Apolli nare, diranno, dall'altro canto, che
vi ebbero tre fratelli conosciuti sotto il nome di Seneca; e che il teatro
venne ascritto sempre, non al primo che fu precettore di Nerone, ma bensì ad
Annio Novato, ch'era il secondo. Potrei rispon dere che uomini dottissimi in
fatto di latina erudizione, quali sono un Giusto Lipsio, Erasmo, Einsio, i due
Scaligeri, ed altri non pochi, attribuirono al filosofo gran parte di quelle
trage die, senza lasciarsi punto illudere dalla circostanza ch'esse fos sero
state pubblicate col nome del fratello: e ch'egli real mente vi abbia
cooperato, lo attesta Quintiliano, il quale net tamente lo addita come autore
della Medea. Potrei soggiu gnere che, ove quelle tragedie si paragonino
attentamente con le prose del filosofo, basta la più leggera critica per rav
visar nelle une e nelle altre le medesime tendenze di spirito, le medesime
pretensioni di dottrina, spesso il medesimo fondo di pensieri, più spesso
ancora le medesime stentate forme di lingua e di stile. Se non che tutte queste
discettazioni erudite sono di niuna importanza per me. Quando anche mi si
dimostri con matematica evidenza che le persone eran diverse, niuno potrà
luminosamente provarmi che la tempra delle anime non fosse la stessa. Nelle mie
investigazioni è stato in me principal di segno di apprendermi, non
all'individuo materiale, che in teressa la storia degli uomini più che
la.critica de' tempi, ma bensì all' individuo astratto, che vien come lucido
specchio in cui fedelmente si riflettono le sembianze di un secolo con tutte le
caratteristiche impronte, e tenaci abitudini, e maniere sue proprie di sentire,
di pensare e di vivere. Se infatti biz zarria taluno volesse attribuir quel
teatro ad altro poeta con temporaneo, a Lucano, per esempio, ch'era figlio del
terzo fratello di Seneca il filosofo, cangerebbe egli mai lo stato della
quistione? Il famoso cantore della Farsalia non fe' onta all' egregio zio:
prese parte attiva in una congiura celebre, che mise Roma tutta in commozione;
e, scoperto appena, tentò fuggir morte, denunziando vilmente i suoi complici,
tra per i quali era sua madre: condannato indi a perire, perchè non era facile
il placar Nerone per simil genere di meriti, affetto eroica fermezza; e
ne’momenti supremi declamò versi allu sivi al suo stato; e del sangue che gli
usciva dalle segate vene fe ' generosa libazione a Giove liberatore. A che
andar più oltre mendicando prove, fatti e ravvicinamenti? Eran tutti cosi: ed
il mio scopo essenziale si fu di chiarire, che ingegni educati disgraziatamente
in mezzo a realità prosaiche e ributtanti, non poteano produrre che opere
drammatiche ributtanti e prosaiche. Le ingenue ispirazioni della natura esigono
am piezza di spazii congiunta a splendore di analoghe circostan ze; e le grandi
fantasie non si sviluppano al certo nelle piazze de' patiboli. La morale di questa filosofia fu scritta da un altro napole tano
esiliato per i moti politici del 1820 21; che merita anche lui almeno un breve
ricordo in questa storia: Francesco Paolo Bozzelli. La sua vita ha molti punti
di contatto con quella dello scrittore del quale abbiamo ora finito di parlare;
e meriterebbe uno studio speciale. Il Bozzelli nacque in Manfredonia il 22
aprile 1786 (1).A venti anni era a Napoli a studiar leggi sotto Michele
Terracina e Ni cola Valletta. Si laureò avvocato; ma presto abbandonò la car
riera forense, essendo stato nel 1813 nominato per concorso U d i tore del
Consiglio di Stato. Nel 1815 fu ispettore generale della Sopraintendenza
generale di salute; e l'anno seguente per lo zelo e l'operosità dimostrata in
occasione della peste di Noia, pro mosso Segretario generale della stessa
Sopraintendenza e nominato cavaliere. Nel 1820 presentato dal Parlamento in una
terna per Consigliere di Stato; ed ebbe infatti questo alto ufficio nel di
cembre di quell'anno (2).Nel successivo fu nominato Commissa rio civile per
l'approvvigionamento delle truppe in Abruzzo. Ma, caduta la libertà, dovette
anch'egli cadere; e fu imprigionato, quindi proscritto. Nel giugno 1822 si
rifugiava a Parigi; donde passò nel '26 a Londra, per tornarvi nel 1828. E a
Parigi quindi (1) Traggo le notizie biografiche di lui da un clogio funebre,
scritto su informazioni fornitedalnipoteomonimo del
Bozzelli:Sulferetrodelcav.F. P.Bozzelli,paroledette il 27 febbraio 1861 nella
Congrega dei ss. Anna e Luca dei professori di belle arti, dal l'architetto
CAMILLO CASAZZA.Napoli,Cons,1864;opuscolo di 8 pp.in-4.°posseduto dalla Società
napoletana di Storia patria. (2)Diluinon
sidicenullanell'opuscolo,delrestopertantirispettideficientissimo,
diVINCENZOFONTANAROSA,IParlam.nas.napol.perglianni1820e1821,mem.edoc.,
Roma,Soc.D. Alighieri,837; nel qual anno gli fu dato finalmente di ri tornare a
Napoli.Dove riprese la carriera forense,e rimase tutto il r e s t o d i s u a v
i t a. N e l ' 4 4, p e r s o s p e t t o d i c o s p i r a z i o n e, f u a r
restato e tradotto nel forte di S. Eramo; ma riottenne subito la libertà, anzi
acquisto la fiducia di Ferdinando II. Il quale lo n o mino socio ordinario
della R. Accademia delle scienze morali e più tardi Presidente perpetuo
dell'intera Società Borbonica,ora Reale; e nel 1848 lo chiamò a far parte del
Ministero, come ministro del l'interno. E d egli redasse lo statuto. Si ritirò
nell'aprile e fu n o minato un'altra volta Consigliere di Stato.Ma nel maggio
tornò al potere e condusse la reazione che seguì all'infausto 15 di quel mese.
E ministro resto, da ultimo col portafogli dell'Istruzione, fino all'agosto
1849. Quindi si ritrasse a vita privata,in una villa della collina di
Posillipo,dove fini isuoi giorni il2 febbraio 1864. 2. Come scrittore è
particolarmente noto per le sue ricerche Della imitazione tragica presso gli
antichi e i moderni (1), dove in tese a combattere la tesi difesa dallo
Schlegel nel suo Corso di lette ratura drammatica.Ma eglifuanche poeta non
mediocre(2),eau tore di parecchie altre soritture di estetica; fra le quali
meritano speciale menzione le seguenti: De l'esprit de la comédie et de l'in
suffisance du ridicule pour corriger les travers et les caractères, p u b blicata
in francese a Parigi nel 1832; Cenni estetici sulle origini e le vicende della
poesia ebraica (3), nonchè due memorie lette al l'Accademia di Napoli: Cenni
cstetici sulle origini e le doti del teatro indiano; In quale dei cinque sensi
a noi conosciuti è da scorgere il proprio ed efficace organo della bellezza. Il
solo titolo di questa memoria basta, mi pare,a farci intendere che razza di
estetica fosse quella del Bozzelli. Nel 1838 annunziava un trat tato di
estetica, pubblicandone l'introduzione in una rivista(1); (1) La 1.a ediz, fu
fatta a Lugano nel 1838 in 2 voll. L'edizione corrente è quella
delLeMonniernel1861purein2voll.Mafral'anael'altracen'èunasecondacorretta e d a
c c r e s c i u t a d i u n c a p i t o l o s u l t e a t r o s p a g n u o l o,
i n 3 v o l l., N a p o l i, s t a m p e r i a d e l V a g l i o 18:50 (sulla
copertina 1856) in quella Biblioteca italiana pubblicata per cura di B.
Fabbrica tore,che accolso anche la Storia generale della poesia del Rosenkranz,
tradotta dal De Sanctis (1853-54). E l'editore annunziava che all'Imitazione
avrebbe fatto seguire altri 2 voll.contenenti scritti del tutto inediti del
Bozzelli.Sull'Imitazione,v.ULLOA,op.cit., II,330.
(2)VedilesuoPoesievarie,Napoli,DeBonis,1815;eintornoadesseULLOA,I,244, e l'articolo
di V. IMBRIANI nel Giorn,napol.della domenica,1882,an.I,n.20. (3) Milano,
1842. (1) Vodi il suo art. Filosofia dell'estetica nel Progresso del
1838. 174 CAPITOLO V ma disgraziatamente il manoscritto gli fu
involato, come ci dice un biografo, nella prigione di S. Eramo. Anonimo uscì
nel 1826 un suo Esquisse politique sur l'action des forces sociales dans les
différentes espèces de gouvernement, che egli aveva mandato m a noscritto da
Londra a un suo amico di Brusselle, e fu da questo p u b b l i c a t o a s u a
i n s a p u t a. F u l o d a t o d a l T r a c y e il n o m e d e l l ' a u
tore scoperto in una recensione che ne fece con lode il Daunou nel Journal des
Savans; onde valse a prolungare l'esilio del Boz zelli, non potendo le idee
liberali sostenute in quel libro essere approvate dal governo di Napoli. E
molti brevi scritti inseri in riviste straniere, durante l'esilio,e negli Atti
dell'Accademia a Napoli, che non giova qui ricordare (1); essendoci qui
proposti soltanto di dare una notizia d'una sua più notevole opera: Essais sur
les rapports primitifs qui lient ensemble la philosophie et la morale,stampata
a Parigi nel 1825,eristampata nel 1830 col ti tolo più breve De l'union de la
philosophie avec la morale (2); la quale rappresenta davvero un tentativo
storicamente considerevole. 3. Il Bozzelli si prefigge in essa lo scopo di dare
alla scienza della morale quell'ordine rigoroso, quell'unità sistematica, che
erano stati raggiunti, secondo lui,dalla filosofia speculativa dopo Bacone,
ossia da quando essa cominciò a fondarsi sull'esperienza: di fare perciò della
morale, che si trattava ancora sotto la forma vaga d'una raccolta di
osservazioni staccate, una vera scienza filosofica. Perchè, egli dice,« la
philosophie n'est pas seulement (1)Una sessantina di saggi dice il Casazza, che
ne dovette avere innanzi l'elenco. Ma noi non no conosciamo cho pochi: e
menzioneremo solo il Disegno di una storia delle scienze fllosofiche in Italia
dal risorgimento delle lettere sin oggi (ostr. dagli Atti dell'Ac cademia di
sc.mor.e pol.di Napoli,del 1847); dove sono alcune considerazioni superfi ciali
intorno alle tendenze spiccatamente filosofiche delle menti del mezzogiorno
d'Italia e a quel giusto mezzo che,quasi per il loro vivo senso artistico, gli
Italiani in generale avrebbero, secondo l'A., mantenuto tra le dottrine estreme
del materialismo e dello spi ritualismo astratto. (2) Noi non conosciamo che
questa 2." odiz. di Paris, Grimbert et Dorez, 1830 (vol.di pp. 564 in -8.
). Anche in questa ediz.,del resto,il titolo ripetuto dopo un Discours prélimi
naire è Essais sur les rapports ecc.E a quest'edizione si riferiscono le nostre
citazioni.Il PICAVET (Lesidéologues,Paris,Alcan,1891,p.549),dandouna
brevissimanotiziadellibro, che citaEssaisecc.,dà la data del 1828. Ma
dev'essere una svista.La data del 1825 è data dal Casazza e dal cenno che sul
Bozzelli si trova nella Grande encyclopédie. Sul libro, si cita una recensione
del Lanjuinais nella Revue encyclopédique, vol.26.o Il Casazza infine nel 1864
diceva che il nipoto omonimo già ricordato « con rispettosa ossequenza al nomo
dello zio,or ora porrà allo stampe la traduzione dell'opera Saggio sui
rapporti,ecc.>, FRANCESCO PAOLO BOZZELLI 175 la clef de la
morale,elle en est l'essence même ».Non disconosco che importanti concezioni
rigorose della morale c'erano già state in Germania après les ramifications de
la doctrine de Kant (1). M a non erano che concezioni di unitari, com'egli
chiama gl'idealisti; di unitari o teisti, o assoluti. E ormai è chiaro di quale
filosofia l'autore intendesse parlare, volendo filosofica la morale. Egli
insomma voleva per questa qualche cosa che potesse paragonarsi agli scritti
concernenti la teorica della conoscenza (philosophie egli dice) di Locke, di
Condillac, di Destutt de Tra cy: « ces trois écrivains qui semblent se succéder
exprès pour ajouter l'un à l'autre, pour serrer de plus en plus l'analyse et
l'enchaînement des faits, pour que l'erreur echappée à la pour suite de l'un
soit atteinte par l'autre jusque dans ses derniers retranchemens; ces penseurs
enfin qui brillent comme trois points lumineux dans l'histoire de l'esprit
humain, et qui éclairent la route de la vérité,pour empêcher que personne ne
puisse plus s'égarer dans le vague des hypothèses »(2). 4. Le azioni umane, la
cui direzione costituisce l'oggetto della morale, non sono apprezzabili se non
a patto che si riferiscano alle affezioni che le determinano. La scienza della
morale, per tanto, si fonda sulla conoscenza delle cause per cui tali affezioni
si g e n e r a n o, si s u c c e d o n o, si c o o r d i n a n o: si f o n d a,
o g g i si d i r e b b e, sulla psicologia. E come il principio d'ogni fatto
spirituale è nella sensazione, bisogna cominciare da questa. 5. La sensazione è
un fenomeno del nostro essere,che avviene internamente,dentro di noi(3);questa
è una verità intuitiva,at testataci dalla coscienza. Il numero delle sensazioni
è infinito; ma esse entrano fra di loro in certi rapporti; il che non sarebbe
possibile senza un sostegno, un centro, un principio generale e permanente di
tutte queste affezioni.È un'induzione questa asso lutamente necessaria, perchè
unica. Noi non conosciamo diret tamente questo qualche cosa che è la base delle
sensazioni; m a lo scopriamo per i suoi effetti, come la prima condizione di
essi, come una potenza particolare,che sipotrà indifferentemente chia mare
essere senziente, anima, spirito, intelligenza, sensibilità. (1)Ma non pare
conoscesse le opero oticho di Kant o de'suoi epigoni.Di Kant cita solo le
Considerazioni sul sentimento del bello e del sublime;e,salvo errore,nella
tradu zionefrancesedolKoratry.L'accennochesifaap.464eseg.allamorale
disinteressata di Kant non prova una cognizione diretta delle opere kantiane.
(2) Pag. 12. (3) Pag. 41. .. 6. M a la sensazione rappresenta
'sempre qualche cosa di estra neo all'essere che sente: non si potrebbe
concepire in noi la pre senza d'una sensazione, spogliata da ogni rapporto con
oggetti dif ferenti da noi.Sicchè bisogna convenire,che vi sono realmente causc
esteriori che noi conosciamo soltanto dai loro effetti su noi, e che sono la
seconda condizione, non meno indispensabile della prima, per lo sviluppo della
sensazione: e il loro insieme si dirà natura, mondo, universo, o, più
semplicemente, esistenze che ci sono estranee. Per ammettere queste esistenze
l'argomento più luminoso, se condo il Bozzelli, è che quando mancano certe date
sensazioni, non accade mai d'imbattersi negli oggetti che possono produr
le(1).Ognun vede che l'argomento è molto debole, per non dir nullo: ma infine «
tous ceux qui se tiennent dans les bornes d'une espèce de doctrine pratique et
de simple sens c o m m u n, en sont pleinement d'accord ». E questo è
verissimo. 7. Contentiamoci, ad ogni modo, per la scienza dell'anima e
dell'universo,diqueste semplici verità d'induzione:erinunziamo alle ricerche
metafisiche sull'essenza dell'anima e sul principio generatore dell'universo.
L'impossibilità d'una soluzione scienti fica dei problemi metafisici è
dimostrata dal fatto che non ci sono due pensatori che abbiano dato una stessa
soluzione: quot capita totsententiae.Se oggi,diceilBozzelli,sisaqualchecosadichiaro
in questa materia, si deve piuttosto ai lumi della religione po sitiva che ha
tagliato i nodi con la sua autorità (2). 8. La sensazione non importa
semplicemente la rappresentazione di cause esterne,l'appercezione delle qualità
dell'oggetto, ma an che una immancabile alternativa di dolore o di piacere. Una
sen sazione che non s'accompagni con un'emozione gradevole o in cresciosa,è
un'astrazione senza realtà. La sensazione è tutta la sensazione: ossia fatto
rappresentativo oggettivo e fatto emotivo (1 ) P a g. 4 3. D e l r e s t o, il
B o z z o l l i a m m e t t e l a o g g e t t i v i t à d e l l a c o s a, m a
n o n a m m e t t e quella dello qualità: « Dans la réalité, une sensation ne
représonte rien en elle-même, parcequ'ellen'estriendesemblableàl'objetquilaproduit
(pag.56). 176 CAPITOLO V chia come fisica; e i positivisti d'oggi e gli
altri agnostici non hanno nessuna la nuova conclusione È la vec de 'critici
negativi di ogni m e t a della sottomissione rità religiosa. È la conseguenza
ragione di scandalizzarsi forze della ragione. del Bozzelli logica e fatale
all'auto della sfiducia nellesoggettivo. Donde la vera classificazione delle
facoltà dell'anima inintuitiveeattive;leunestrumento dellaconoscenza,lealtre
dell'azione.Le forme rappresentative sono icaratterifilosoficidella s e n s a z
i o n e; i f e n o m e n i d i p i a c e r e e d i d o l o r e, i c a r a t t e
r i m o r a l i (1). 9. Il piacere e il dolore ci sono noti immediatamente,
perchè li proviamo: m a la ragione del loro accadere è impenetrabile. In
compenso,la loro conoscenza è nettae distintaper modo che a nessuno è possibile
confondere l'uno con l'altro; anzi ognuno sente il piacere come un'affezione di
natura diametralmente op posta al dolore. 10. Ora, l'idea di sensazione è inseparabile
da quella di m o vimento. Già essa, consistendo in fondo in un cangiamento di
stato, ossia in un passaggio da uno stato ad un altro, non può avvenire senza
movimento ! Ma essa stessa poi genera un m o vimento; e come essa ha un doppio
carattere morale, secondo che è piacevole o dolorosa,è chiaro che determinerà
una doppia specie di movimenti. Quei fenomeni esteriori e visibili che si
osservano nell'uomo investito dalla gioia o dalla tristezza, non sono che una
conseguenza organica d'un primo movimento che si determina per tali sentimenti
nell'anima. E per analogia con i movimenti che si vedono nel corpo, noi
possiamo dire,che ilm o vimento correlativo dell'anima ora è espansivo,ora è
coercitivo: espansivo quando si tratta di piacere, coercitivo quando sitratta
di dolore. 11. Il Bozzelli combatte la vecchia dottrina edonistica epicu rea,
rinnovata nel sec. XVIII da Pietro Verri nel suo Discorso sull'indole del
piacere e del dolore (1773)(2), che il piacere con sista nella cessazione del
dolore.Che significa che ildolore cessa? Il dolore,come il piacere,è un
carattere della sensazione: sicchè può cessare se cessa la sensazione dolorosa.
E se cessa la sen sazione, non può esserci nè anche il piacere; perchè anche il
piacere è carattere della sensazione, e non può esser prodotto da niente. E poi:
contro la dottrina del Verri sta l'esperienza comune degli oggetti, parte noti
come causa diretta di sensa (1) Ecco perchè e in che senso il Bozzelli
distingue la scienza della morale dalla filosofia. (2)Vedi M. LOSACCO, Le
dottrine edonistiche italiane del sec.XVIII, Napoli,1902 (e s t r. d a g l i A
t t i d e l l a R. A c c. d i S c. m o r. e p o l. d i N a p o l i, v o l. X X
X I V ), s p e c i a l m e n t e pp.35 e segg.; dove appunto sarebbe stato
opportuno ricordare le osservazioni fatte al Verri dal Bozzelli (Essai
premier,chap.VI). zioni gradevoli, e parte, di sensazioni dolorose:
gli uni e gli altri come forniti di caratteri dipendenti dalle loro qualità par
ticolari ed intrinseche. Se il piacere fosse generato dalla cessa zione del
dolore, delle due l'una: si dovrebbe ammettere cioè, o che in natura non
esistono oggetti piacevoli di nessuna specie, e che tutto l'universo non è che
una causa unica e continua di dolore; o che, se alcun oggetto piacevole esiste,
esso dev'essere considerato come una creazione inutile o come un'aberrazione e
una mostruosità fuori dell'ordine normale delle cose. E in verità non si può concepire
niente di più strano e di più assurdo.Certo, bisogna riconoscere che il piacere
attinge un maggior o minor grado d'intensità secondo che succeda a un dolore
più o meno vivo,o più o meno rapidamente cessato. Ma il piacere è uno stato
positivo, come il dolore. Nè vale ricorrere come fa il Verri a quei dolori
oscuri, equi voci, quasi inconsci, che egli dice dolori innominati, per ren der
ragione di quei piaceri che l'esperienza non ci mostra come successivi a un
dolore. L'affermazione di siffatti dolori è asserzione
vaga,diceilBozzelli,epocodegna dellaseverità dell'analisi: contraddetta dal
fatto delle serie di sensazioni associate, tutte piacevoli (1). 12. Ma torniamo
ai gradi dello sviluppo dell'anima. Il primo è dunque quello attestatoci dal
sentire:ossia l'attitudine dell’a nima a sentire, o sensibilità propriamente
detta. Questa facoltà, come ogni altra, è attiva, checchè ne dica il
Laromiguière. In fatti, dire facoltà passiva è una contradictio in adiecto:
perchè fa coltà viene da facere, sinonimo di agere; ed è perciò lo stesso che
attività. La sensibilità si dice passiva, perchè le sensazioni sono necessarie
e come imposte: non essendo in poter nostro di evi tare l'eccitamento degli
stimoli esterni, nè, una volta eccitati, di non provarne le impressioni
sensibili. M a il senso non è semplice recettività; ei non ha niente di simile
a un corpo fisico in riposo che riceva un urto meccanico da un altro corpo che
è in m o v i mento. L'anima nell'atto che riceve quel dato stimolo, risponde
all'impressione esterna, facendo nascere la sensazione, cioè « (1) Il Bozzolli
ha ragione di notare al Verri che oltre e meglio di Platone, Montai gne,
Cardano e Magalotti, avrebbe potuto citare tra coloro che avevano sostenuto la
sua dottrina, Epicuro: pel quale il vero piacere era appunto oneExipeous Tavtos
toj a d yoovtos (DIOG.L.,X,139).Vediunmio articolonellarivistaLa
Criticadir.daB.CROCE,In questa facoltà del senso tutte le altre trovano il prin
cipiodellorosvolgimento.Datoilcarattereespansivo delpiacere, bisogna ammettere
nell'anima una specie di attività differente da quella del senso. L'essere
senziente pel piacere « ne sent pas simplement; il s'élance dans sa propre
modification, et s'efforce à tout prix de s'y attacher ». C'è qui uno
sdoppiamento d'atti vità:un'attivitàsente,eun'altrasisforzadiconservareuno
stato.. L’una e l'altra sono facoltà elementari;e la seconda dicesi volontà. Di
qui si vede che lo sviluppo della volontà comincia dalla prima sensazione
piacevole; poichè il dolore è coercitivo. M a il dolore ha un'altra funzione
(2). Il piacere sviluppa la doppia attività dell'anima sensitivo -v o litiva;
il dolore la sola attività sensitiva. Sicchè ilsuccedere del dolore al piacere
non può riuscire indifferente all'anima; la quale non può non raffrontare i due
stati, e sentire la loro diversità. Ora, sentire questa disparità tra isuoi
modi di essere,non è sen tire gli stessi modi di essere separatamente, e
ciascuno per sè. Questo nuovo sentire è quindi l'effetto d'una terza facoltà,
ele mentare anch'essa, dell'anima;è ciò che dicesi propriamente un giudizio.
14. Queste del senso, del volere e del giudizio sono le tre fa
coltàprimitivedellospirito;leleggi,perdirlaconDugald Ste art, della nostra
costituzione mentale. Esse non sono distinte per modo che ciascuna di esse
sorga a misura che condizioni particolari del suo sviluppo vengano
sucessivamente a verificarsi; perchè l'essere sensitivo è uno; e fin dalla sua
prima risposta aglistimoliesterni,eglisielevaintuttalapienezzadellesue po t e n
z e, c o m e m e c h e s e n t e, m e c h e v u o l e, e m e c h e g i u d i c
a (3 ). P u r e, c o m e l ' e s p e r i e n z a u m a n a n o n si o c c u p a
a f f a t t o d e l l e e s i s t e n z e in quanto indipendenti da ogni
rapporto con noi (non le afferma, nè nega), cosi per la nostra esperienza non
importa che le fa coltà primitive dell'anima siano tutte e tre originarie: essa
non fenomeno sui generis, che si riferisce all'oggetto esterno, senza
però rassomigliargli e senz'aver nulla di comune con esso » (1).Il cheèattivitàenonpassività.–
Sicchéquest'argomentodelLa romiguière per togliere la sensazione dal seggio in
cui il sensi smo, fino a quella che il Picavet chiama la seconda generazione di
ideologi, l'aveva collocata, come fonte e base di ogni prodotto dello spirito,
non ha alcun valore.) tien conto nel me che sente,del me che vuole,nè del me
che giu dica:questi me non ancora sirivelano; sono,ma per noi come non fossero.
Per tenerne conto,sì da non ammettere nessuna gra duazione,nessuno sviluppo
nella formazione dell'anima, la filoso fia dovrebbe spingere l'analisi al di là
di ciò che si è manifestato allanostraanimainun
modopositivoereale(1).Insomma,ilBoz zelli afferma,come sa e come può,la
necessità razionale di conci-. liare il concetto dell’a-priori dell'anima col
concetto dello sviluppo di essa. 15. In questo sviluppo la volontà ha una parte
importantis sima,come s’è visto.Senza la volontà l'anima non potrebbe che
sentire, e non si eleverebbe mai all'altezza del giudizio. E poichè volontà
senza piacere è impossibile, il piacere è il cardine e il centro della vita
dello spirito. Esso è l'unico motivo del volere: e il Bozzelli non accetta
nulla della dottrina del Locke che il volere sia determinato da un'inquietudine
attuale (2). Il dolore non cimuove,macimortifica.Ildolorecimuove quandofuoridi
noi ci sia qualche cosa di piacevole il cui acquisto ci prometta u n s o l l i
e v o. M a a l l o r a n o n è p r o p r i a m e n t e il d o l o r e il v e r
o m o tivo, anzi quella sensazione piacevole che l'oggetto esterno ci fa
pregustare.Ildolorecome taleèassolutamentequietivo:nessuno può volervisi
sottrarre senza l'esperienza d'uno stato diverso, che sarà quindi il reale
motivo del voler suo. Non ci sono desiderii vaghi di liberarsi da dolori
attuali senza saper nulla dello stato in cui si cangerebbero. Si ha sempre
un'idea dello stato diverso che si desidera. Condillac disse bene (3): « Les
besoin ne trouble notre repos, ou ne produit l'inquiétude, que parce qu'il
déter mine les facultés du corps et de l'âme sur les objets, dont la privation
nous fait souffrir. Nous nous retraçons le plaisir qu'ils nous ont fait: la
réflexion nous fait juger de celui qu'ils peuvent nous faire encore;
l'imagination l'esagere; et, pour jouir, nous nous donnons tous les mouvemens
dont nous sommes capables. Toutes nos facultés se dirigent donc sur les objets
dont nous sentons le besoin ». Or questo,osserva il Bozzelli, non è che un
commento di Locke; il quale, indicando il dolore come causa delle nostre
determinazioni,esige che v’abbia nello stesso teinpo fuori di noi quel tale
oggetto piacevole che ci promette un sol lievo. Ma in questo modo è un aperto
tradirsi, è ammettere di fatto ciò che con tanta fatica si combatte in
teoria. Si, è « pour jouir, come dice Condillac, que nous nous donnons tous les
m o u vemens dont nous sommes capables ». Il vero motivo dunque delle
determinazioni volitive è quel l'oggetto volibile posto fuori di noi,di cui
parla lo stesso Locke. Ma come s'ha da intendere questo fuori di noi? Non certo
nel senso spaziale: perchè in questo senso l'oggetto resta sempre fuori del
soggetto che lo sente. Qui si tratta invece di posizione nel tempo; vale a
dire, l'oggetto è fuori di noi in quanto non è ancora, può in avvenire esser
posseduto da noi: in quanto rispetto a noi è un oggetto futuro, laddove
l'oggetto goduto può dirsi presente e attuale. Di qui il principio, su cui il
Bozzelli insiste a lungo e difende da ogni possibile obbiezione, che il motivo
di tutte le azioni umane sia la sensazione piacevole dell'avvenire (1). 16. Or
donde, dato un unico motivo possibile, tanta varietà nelle azioni umane? Egli è
che l'anima, a cominciare dalla sensa zione,non è,come fu già osservato,uno
strumento passivo.Un'af fezione poi, com'è data dalla sensazione, non resta
immobile e inerte nell'anima,che la elabora e la spiritualizza, decomponen done
gli elementi costitutivi (un oggetto nelle sue varie qualità di cui non è che
l'insieme) per distinguere questi l'uno dall'altro, e d'ognuno farne un centro
d'associazione d'altre affezioni o m o genee che concorrono a fissarvisi.
Quindi un intreccio di vincoli per cui le rappresentazioni sono fra di loro
legate; e quindi una maggiore o minor forza in ognuna a seconda del più o meno
stretto collegamentocon altre;ecorrelativamente,una maggioreominor facilità in
ciascuna di esser ricordata e come d'esser proiettata pel futuro.Ora questa
forza intrinseca dell'anima,elaboratrice dei materiali dell'esperienza
sensibile,non pervenendo a uno stesso grado in tutti gl'individui e in tutte le
età, è chiaro che confe rirà un contenuto diverso al motivo del volere,e
produrrà quindi la varietà delle azioni. Insomma, essendo identica in tutti la
natura dell'anima e identici gli organi esterni che le porgono alimento, si
genera ne'diversi individui un diverso contenuto psi cologico, da cui dipendono
le determinazioni del motivo in so unico dell'umano volere. « Certo,dice con
enfasi ilBozzelli,quell'inflessibile Bruto che condanna a morte i suoi figli, e
che con occhio fermo assiste all'ese cuzione della sua terribile sentenza,sarà
un essere inconcepibile ma (1) Essai troisième, chap. I e II.
fuori del primitivo concetto della grandezza romana. Egli si slan cia
attraverso la notte dell'avvenire, e vede per quell'esempio di giustizia
spiegarsi sotto isuoi occhi,in una successione magnifica, cinque secoli di
gloria e di prosperità; vede la nazione più colos sale uscirne tutta intera e
coprire della sua potenza la faccia della terra; e concezioni che spaventano le
anime comuni, rien trano per le anime straordinarie nei rapporti immutabili del
l'esistenza dell'universo »(1). 17. Il principio delle azioni umane, dunque, è
la sensazione piacevole di un oggetto futuro: o con termine più semplice, il
piacere. E la storia ce ne fornisce una conferma evidente. L'ori gine della
società non è che l'effetto di tale principio. Esso conduce il selvaggio dalla
caccia alla pastorizia, quando l'esperienza gl'insegni che le intemperie o le
malattie potranno impedirgli un giorno di procacciarsi la preda necessaria al
vitto: ed egli provvede all'avvenire impadronendosi, quando può, di g r a n n u
m e r o d i a n i m a l i p a c i f i c i, p e r e s e m p i o d i c e r v i, e
li c o n s e r v a vivi, per potersene nutrire al bisogno. Esso fa sorgere
accanto alla pastorizia l'agricoltura, quando l'uomo conducendo gli a r menti
alla pastura, acquistata la conoscenza degli alberi e delle piante, comincia a
sperimentarne l'uso, e a poco a poco a calco larne ivantaggi che ne può
ricavare con la coltivazione.Esso mena il pastore e l'agricoltore a scambiarsi
i prodotti superflui della loro diversa operosità,segnando quindi la data della
più potente rivo luzione nell'insieme dei loro bisogni e delle loro facoltà.
Quindi, dividendosi sempre più il lavoro e moltiplicandosi gli scambii, sempre
quell'identico motivo aduna insieme ad abitare in un sol luogo consumatori e
produttori, e crea le città. Poscia perfe ziona le arti, regola le industrie, e
fa nascere perfino le scienze. È questa la molla segreta di tutto l'umano
progresso. 18. E che è la proprietà se non un sostegno dell'avvenire? E a che
si ricerca e si stabilisce, se non per assicurarsi il piacere futuro? La
proprietà è necessaria appunto perchè è necessario cotesto sostegno
dell'avvenire. E coloro che declamano contro la proprietà, esaltando la
comunanza dei beni, non sanno che si di cono, e si stenta a credere che parlino
in buona fede (2). E che? La comunanza dei beni esclude forse la proprietà?Una
massa di mezzi di sussistenza appartenente a una colonia intera senza
appartenere agl'individui che la compongono,è inconcepibile.La proprietà
individuale ci sarà sempre, sebbene ridotta al libero uso che ciascuno può fare
dei beni comuni; perchè in quest'uso è assicurato appunto a ciascuno il
sostegno dell'avvenire; che è la vera sostanza del concetto di proprietà. Ma
cogliendo il frutto, non s'è padroni di tagliare l'albero che lo produce. Ma
l'albero non è per ciò sempre una proprietà,alla quale ognuno ha diritto di
ricorrere, quando vuol soddisfare la fame? M a questo diritto appartiene
egualmente a tutti gl'individui della colonia. Ma da quando in qua la
solidarietà del possesso ha distrutto il diritto di proprietà, che ciascun
solidale ha sullo stesso fondo? E tanto è vero questo modo di vedere che,quando
questa massa di beni comuni cessi, per dissensi o usurpazioni, di soddisfare ai
bisogni di tutti gli individui della comunanza, cessa anche di essere una
proprietà, pel solo fatto che nessuno più vi riconosce l'appoggio del suo
avvenire;e allora ognuno per sussistere fa assegnamento sul suo lavoro
personale, e si crea una proprietà a sè, di cui gli altri non partecipano punto
il godi mento. Declamare, dunque, conchiude il nostro scrittore, contro la
proprietà è pigliarsela colle affezioni costitutive del n o stro essere.
Pretendere la proprietà con la comunanza dei beni, è giuocar di parole, é
appigliarsi a una differenza, che rispetto alla nostra natura sensitiva è nulla
(1), 19. E che è la legge se non una garenzia dell'avvenire? Tutte le
definizioni diverse date da Cicerone, da Montesquieu, da G r o zio,da Rousseau
contengono forse ciascuna una verità,ma par ziale e incompleta. La legge non è
una semplice volontà, nè un pensiero generale, nè un'astrazione filosofica: ma
« una potenza sempre attuale, sempre formidabile,che nasce dal bisogno di con
servare inviolabili le affezioni più generose dell'anima. La pro prietà
basterebbe come sostegno dell'avvenire;ma questo soste gno è ad ora ad ora
scosso dalla violenza e della mala fede, con tro le quali urge appunto la
garanzia delle leggi. Certo la legge provvede a un vizio della convivenza
civile; e Tacito ha ragione: corruptissima republica,plurimae leges! 20. E se
si riflette, la stessa religione rispecchia quel fonda mentale motivo di tutte
le umane produzioni. Non è religione quella del selvaggio, che, atterrito dal
rimbombo del tuono nel mezzo della tempesta,si prosterna innanzi al corruccio
d'un Dio che ei si rappresenta posto sulla cima delle nubi; o del selvaggio
che all'apparire del sole vedendo sorridere la natura, adora in ginocchio
l'astro luminoso, ond'egli fa la dimora sacra d'un Dio benefattore: perchè il
vero sentimento religioso è ben altrimenti profondo. Religioso è l'uomo la cui
anima si espande a tutto ciò che v'è di più tenero e di più simpatico nei
rapporti della natura vivente, e sdegnando fieramente i limiti d'una tomba
fredda e s i l e n z i o s a, i n n a l z a l e s u e p i ù n o b i l i a s p i
r a z i o n i o l t r e il c o n f i n e d e l tempo e dello spazio: l'uomo
virtuoso che l'ingiustizia dei suoi simili ha gettato nelle tribolazioni
dellavita,eche,non vedendo se non nella morte il termine delle proprie
miserie,apre l'anima alle illusioni lusinghiere d’un'altra vita imperitura,e
sospira la calma che si ripromette di trovarvi.Negli uomini diquesta tem pra
conchiude il Bozzelli s'eleva il santuario della reli gione, dond'essa
apparisce raggiante delle speranze più consola trici. La religione nasce
pertanto come l'infinito dell'avvenire(1). Disse lo Shaftesbury, che il primo
ateo dovette essere certamente un uomo triste e malinconico. Il contrario anzi
è vero, secondo il nostro romantico scrittore. Le reveries seducenti della
tristezza malinconica fecero nascere la religione; e l'ateo è un 21. Tutta
l'umanità dell'uomo,dunque,cidice,che ogni deter minazione dello spirito
procede dal bisogno d'un piacevole avve nire. E in questo bisogno perciò
occorre cercare il reale fonda mento di quel fatto umano,che è a sua volta la
morale. L'etica del Bozzelli è,come ognun vede,schiettamente edo nistica. E
come ogni edonista, il Bozzelli concepisce la morale come un fatto naturale,ed
è risoluto avversario del concetto normativo di essa. « L'homme, egli dice, ne
doit être que ce qu'il est: la règle de sa conduite ne répose que sur les lois
de sa constitution fondamentale... Dire que l'homme doit être par choix une
cose tout-à-fait différente,de ce qu'il est par essence,
c'estprétendrequ'unarbrefaitpour produiredespommes,pro duise des poulets ou des
poissons » (3). E direbbe invero benissimo se questa concezione realistica
della morale egli non riattaccasse alla veduta metafisica dell'antico edo
nista,che honeste vivere est secundum naturam vivere; e se ricer cui
cuore freddo e gretto è incapace di allargarsi deliziose d'un'anima alle
espansioni tenera e gentile. La réligion et l'irréligion ne constituent en
dernière analyse qu'une simple sibilité (2) question de sen essere il (1) Pag.
283. (2 ) P a g. 2 8 7. (3 ) P a g. 2 9 2. FRANCESCO PAOLO BOZZELLI
185 cando nell'uomo stessoilfondamento effettivo dellamoralità,egli non si
mettesse innanzi l'uomo nella sua nudità primitiva (1). L'uomo ancor nudo, il
bestione di cui parla G. B. Vico, non ha ancora moralità, è ancora natura: e
bisogna aspettare, per dir così, che si vesta, perchè diventi quell'essere
nella cui costituzione una concezione realistica della morale possa trovare il
fondamento di fatto di questa.Ad ogni modo,vediamo come quest'uomo ancor nudo
acquisti col solo motivo del piacere la moralità, secondo il Bozzelli. 22. La
morale non è che una continuazione, o, se si vuole, un'applicazione
dell'analisi fin qui fatta delle forze operanti nello spirito(2),Si rifletta.
Se tutti gli oggetti circostanti fossero uni formemente piacevoli,per obbedire
alla propria natura, ed essere quindi completamente felice, l'uomo non dovrebbe
che abbando narsi agl'impulsi della sua volontà spontanea. Ma, pur troppo,
questa età dell'oro non è che nell'immaginazione di Esiodo e de gli altri poeti
antichi che la descrissero. Purtroppo, le cose e gli stati sono ora piacevoli e
ora dolorosi; e l'uomo, che non ab bia accumulato una sufficiente esperienza,
spesse volte s'inganna: crede di seguire il piacere, e si trova innanzi il
dolore: e p r o cede sempre nella vita come naviglio in mezzo all'Oceano,ora
favorito dal bel tempo, ora sbattuto dalla tempesta. Ma i disinganni e i dolori
lo rendono riflessivo, distruggono in lui quel naturale abbandono agl’impulsi
ciechi del volere; lo rendono sempre più prudente, e più difficile nelle
determinazioni future. Gli farebbero contrarre l'abito della perplessità e
della irresoluzione, se non soccorresse il giudizio,che solo ha il po tere di
leggere nell'avvenire fondandosi sul passato,ed è in grado perciò di fornire
una garanzia all'anima che vuole, mostrandole il bene verace, incoraggiandola,
rassicurandola. Il giudizio, ricercando sempre i rapporti del mondo esterno con
l'uomo a fine di garentire il volere per il futuro, accumula via via un gran tesoro
di fatti positivi; che non restano patri monio esclusivo dell'individuo che ne
fa esperienza,ma si comu nicano nelle famiglie, e si ereditano di generazione
in genera zione; moltiplicandosi col tempo per l'esperienza degli altri in
dividui;permodo cheinfinel'uomositrovariccodituttiimezzi che occorrono ai suoi
vasti bisogni (3). (1) « L'analyse de la pensée a dissipé les romans,a
désenchanté les osprits,a montré l'homme dans sa nudité primitive >;pag.293.
(2)Pag.300. (3)Pag.308. Se non che questo fardello di esperienza
che cresce sempre, non può crescere indefinitamente: perchè finisce con essere
in sopportabile alla memoria. E che avviene? Una parte di esso va lentamente
perdendosi nell'oblio.È vero che intanto nuove espe rienze aggiunge di proprio l'individuo;
m a è tutto un versar acqua nella botte delle Danaidi.() almeno sarebbe,se In
queste massime, in questi apoftegmi, in tutte queste gene ralizzazioni è la
morale, una morale pratica, che diventa scienti fica quando tutti i precetti,
tutte le massime sono coordinate e messe d'accordo tra loro,ridotte a sistema e
subordinate a un'idea unica e centrale. La morale, insomma, si riduce a una
precet tisticadiprudenza;ogni imperativo,potremmo direcon Kant,è ipotetico. 23.
Come accade che la morale apparisca qualche cosa di di verso? 11 Bozzelli
spiega anche la psicogenia del concetto corrente della morale, come di un
insieme di obblighi superiori, imposti alla nostra natura sensibile e non
derivati affatto da questa. Una volta formate le massime generali, è naturale
che, invece di fare ai figli delle lezioni pratiche richiamando o narrando
tutte le singole esperienze, si preferisca d'imprimere nella loro m e m o ria
quelle regole determinate che essi potranno poi applicare nel loro interesse
secondo i casi della vita; giacchè in tal modo siri sparmierà tempo e fatica,e
sarà tanto di guadagnato per l'inse gnamento che si vuol dare. M a come fare
accettare tali regole ai figli? La loro vera giustificazione sta nell'insieme
dei casi par ticolari, da cui sono estratte. E rifare la storia di quei casi è
impossibile; tanto varrebbe continuare nel vecchio sistema, e la sciar da banda
le regole. Si pensa ad imporle incutendo per esse un rispetto stabile e
profondo, col dare ai fanciulli un'idea m i steriosa della loro natura ed
origine. Non si presenta la verità tutta nuda: si crede anzi di ren 186
CAPITOLO V tervenisse di genio, che, fatta una cernita non in l'opera degli
uomini dotati d'una gran mobilità sieme tutti i catenano e fondono masse di
quelle esperienze simili e quindi generalizzando con finezza e profondità
carico di fatti individuali, in caratteri coloriti e sfumati casi particolari
intere di tali esperienze, e le rendono al pubblico cui originariamente mero di
parole partenevano,secondo lafineosservazione in piccol n u ap del La Bruyère,
coniate, chiare e precise, in apoftegmi per dir cosi, in massime ed eleganti,
in pensieri ingegnosi semplici: con cui si sostituisce e minuziosi. da tutti il
pesante e forza, messi in, in FRANCESCO PAOLO BOZZELLI 187 derla
più bella vestendola e abbigliandola in costume da teatro.Si dice che quelle
regole hanno un'origine soprannaturale, che sono innate in noi; che ognuno le
porta impresse nel cuore. E vera mente come figure rettoriche queste
espressioni, dice il Bozzelli, potrebbero correre. Si può dire, infatti, che
Dio ci abbia dato queste regole nel senso che egli ci ha fornito i mezzi di
scoprirle e constatarle; si può dire che siano innate in noi, nel senso che noi
siamo dotati delle facoltà adatte a farcele scoprire (1). M a così potrebbe
dirsi egualmente,che Dio ci ha comunicate le leggi del moto,e che esse sono
impresse nelnostrocuore,per ciò solo che ci ha così fatti da apprenderle mercè
l'esperienza e la rifles sione. 24. Non già che le leggi morali sieno convenzionali
e arbi trarie. Esse sono fisse e invariabili nell'ordine eterno delle cose;
dipendono dalla nostra natura sensibile; come le leggi fisiche ap partengono
intrinsecamente ai corpi.Noi non possiamo cangiarle, nè sottrarci ad esse. Ma
l'origine loro nel nostro spirito non è differente in nulla dall'origine dei
concetti che pure abbiamo delle leggi fisiche. Certo, nel mondo fisico, sarebbe
meglio limitarsi a insegnare a un contadino come, coltivando e curando erbe ed
alberi sel vatici,i nostri padri pervennero col lavoro a sostituire alla fine,
per la nutrizione, frutti più dolci e più succulenti alle ghiande e alle
radici. Ma in pratica,è indifferente che gli si dica al con trario,che tutto si
deve al solo dono degli Dei; e che a Minerva dobbiamo l'ulivo, a Cerere le
biade e a Bacco la vite.Il sistema è diventato falso,perchè si è esagerato; e a
forza di voler cavare tutto dai cieli,s'è finito col farne scendere perfino il
delitto e la corruzione. M a oggimai, pare al Bozzelli che meglio si farebbe
dicendo il vero ai giovani; mostrando loro come quelle regole di morale che, si
additano ad essi, non sono altro che la quintessenza del l'umana esperienza
accumulata a prezzo di infiniti dolori; e che seguirle è fare il proprio
interesse, perchè esse insegnano i mezzi di sfuggire al dolore. La morale del
Bozzelli è per questo essenzialmente intellet tualistica come quella di Socrate
(2). Esser virtuoso è sapere: sa (2) Ma la fonte diretta è HELVELTIUS; il quale
già aveva detto che bisogna « décou vrir aux nations les vrais principes de la
morale; leur apprendre qu'insensiblement en (1) Pag. 320. per
veramente. E come Hobbes scrisse un libro De computatione seu logica,
bisognerebbe scriverne un altro: De computatione seu ethica: perchè non si
tratta anche in morale che di un calcolo (1). 25. Ma a questo punto il Bozzelli
prevede un'obbiezione: la vostra morale è impossibile, perchè, incatenando la
volontà al piacere, voi avete distrutta la libertà che è la condizione sine qua
non della morale. Intendiamoci: bisogna distinguere libertà da libertà. Io
ammetto, egli dice accordandosi pienamente col Bor relli,lalibertà,ma
comepotenzad'agiresecondoledeterminazioni (lella volontà, senza che alcuna
forza estranea Questa libertà d'agire esiste, ed è assoluta; perchè non vi sono
ostacoli estranei di nessuna natura che le si possano opporre.Non ve ne sono
fisici; perchè, p.es.,l'impossibilità di saltare un fiume dipende dalla
limitazione naturale delle nostre facoltà muscolari, ossia da condizioni del
nostro essere. Non ve ne sono morali, a maggior ragione: perchè il non poter
derubare, il non poter as sassinare la gente, è un ostacolo alla determinazione
del volere, più che a l l ' a z i o n e; d e l v o l e r e, c h e t r o v a il
p r o p r i o i n t e r e s s e n e l n o n determinarsi mai per ciò che può
distruggere la sua felicità.Non ve ne sono,infine,sociali;perchè lostato
sociale,checchè ne dica Rousseau, non importa la menoma limitazione della
libertà natu rale; perchè chi consideri le leggi civili secondo il fine per cui
sono istituite, esse non possono che essere d'accordo coi motivi della volontà
di tutti gl'individui per le quali sono dettate. E se in pratica, scrive il
liberale del '20, si osserva il contrario, la colpa non è del principio:ora si
parla della società, non delle società (2) 26. Qui il Nostro ha un'osservazione
preziosa, che avrebbe vivificata tutta la sua etica, se egli se ne fosse
ricordato a tempo, e che ci fa desiderare il suo Esquisse politique, che non ci
è riu scito di vedere.Il concetto dello stato di natura in cui ogni uomo
èlupoall'altrouomo,parealBozzelliun romanaffreur;esime raviglia che sia mai
potuto entrare nella testa di un essere ragio traînées vers le bonheur apparent
ou réel la douleur et le plaisir sont les seuls moteurs do l'univers moral; et
quo lo sentiment de l'amour de soi est la seule base sur laquelle on
puissojeterlesfondementsd'une moraleutile»(Del'esprit,disc.II,chap.XXIV).An che
per Helveltius la virtù era un calcolo, e il vizio un effetto dell'ignoranza.
188 CAPITOLO V Senza opponga ostacoli. questa libertà la felicitàsarebbe
impossibile; e sarebbe quindi anche impossibile la morale) nevole. Il vero
stato di natura, egli dice, non è che lo stato so ciale: e ciò è così semplice,
cosi chiaro, così intuitivo che non è mestieri dimostrarlo(1).Ma l'osservazione
è quasi guastata dal commento:che sarebbe stata un'inconseguenza quella della
natura di aver fatto l'uomo per la felicità e per la società che ne è la
condizione fondamentale, e avergli conferito insieme tali diritti (ipretesi
dirittidinatura,abbandonati,secondo Rousseau,perla sicurezza di altri diritti
acquistata con lo stato sociale) da esser egli obbligato a disfarsene tosto per
compiere il suo vero destino. Tutte le limitazioni, insomma, sono limitazioni
del volere, o del corpo stesso dell'agente: non sono mai estranee ad esso; e.
non si può dire mai, quindi, che importino una restrizione della libertà di
agire. Quanto questo agente, considerato non solo come volere,ma anche come
organismo corporeo,sappia di crudo m a terialismo, non occorre spiegare. Era la
tendenza intrinseca di tutto il pensiero bozzelliano, che dalla sola
sensibilità si proponeva di cavare anche ciò che ha natura essenzialmente
superiore. 27. Dunque, libertà di agire, si: ma se si pretende anche li bertà
di volere, il Nostro non dubita di affermare che un tal concetto è parto
d'immaginazione indelirio(2).La libertà presup poneilvolere;enonpuòquindi
esserpresuppostadaessa,perchè, per esser libero, bisogna prima volere; laddove
la libertà del volere importerebbe che si fosse liberi prima di volere. L'argo
mentazione qui è evidentemente viziosa, avvolgendosi in un cir colo: giacchè si
vuol dimostrare che l'unica libertà è quella di agire, e contro quella di
volere si toglie una ragione dalla li bertà di agire. Giacchè solo rispetto
all'agire la volontà precede la libertà. 28. Ma il Bozzelli domanda che
significhi la frase libertà di vo lere. Se si crede, egli dice, che si possa
volere senza motivi, ciò è assurdo. Si vuole perchè si sente;mancando la
sensazione pia cevole, la facoltà di volere resta inattiva, demeure en
silence.Non si può volere, senza voler qualche cosa, senza un fine: voler nulla
è non volere. E non è possibile nessuna distinzione tra fine e motivo. Se poi
s'intendesse per volere libero un volere non impedito da ostacoli, non si
direbbe nulla di positivo; perchè gli ostacoli possono opporsi ai movimenti
comandati dal volere, non al volere. Il volere è come il pensiero: nessuno e
nulla può comprimere la libertà del pensiero in se stesso, che non è
suscettibile di nessuna opposizione diretta.Impedire si può la mani festazione
del pensiero, con la parola o con gli atti. Il concetto d'una possibile
determinazione contraria a quella effettivamente datasi, è assolutamente
arbitrario: perchè la v o lontà indipendente dalle sue reali ed effettive
determinazioni, qual'è quella cui tale possibilità si riferisce,è un'astrazione
senza nessun fondamento di realtà. La volontà è volta per volta determinata in
maniera neces saria. « L'uomo non può volere che il piacere: non è padrone di
volere il dolore, perchè dolore e volontà s'escludono a vicenda. Questa
risposta è perentoria »(1). 29. Questa necessità del volere però, lungi dal
contrastare la morale, è la sola che possa salvarla. Data la libertà del
volere, ogniideadimoralesarebbeannientata(2).E laragioneèovvia. Questa libertà
importa che la volontà sia indifferente al piacere e al dolore; epperò, che
quelli che si dicono oggetti piacevoli, e quelli che si dicono oggetti dolorosi
producano di fatto impres sioni analoghe. In verità, non si potrebbe volere il
dolore senza ammettere insieme che questo possa produrre sull'anima un'im
pressione simile a quella prodotta dal piacere. M a questo sarebbe distruggere
ogni differenza, e quindi ogni distinzione di male e di bene, e ogni ragione di
merito o di demerito delle nostre azioni, ogni fondamento insomma della
morale.Importerebbe inoltre, con la possibilità di scegliere il male, una certa
relazione invariabile tra i bisogni umani ed il male, come ve n'ha di certo tra
i bi sogni e il bene: onde non sarebbe una colpa l'abbandonarsi al male. Ne
inganni il fatto che, malgrado la ripugnanza naturale,il vo lere si determini
talvolta pel male; ciò accade perchè il male si presenta allora sotto
l'apparenza di bene, e il dolore riveste non di rado a'nostri occhi le forme
seducenti del piacere. La stessa morte al suicida stanco di soffrire apparisce
come una liberazione o un sollievo,e perciò appunto un
piacere.Rousseau,ostinato libe rista, in un momento di felice ispirazione esce
in un'affermazione importantissima e tanto più preziosa, in quanto è fatta da
lui: « Non, egli dice,je ne suis pas libre de ne pas vouloir mon propre bien,je
ne suis pas libre de vouloir mon mal: mais la liberté con siste en cela même
que je ne puis vouloir que ce qui m'est con venable,ou que j'estime tel.S'ensuit-ilque
je ne suis pas mon maître,parce que je ne suis pas le maître d'être un
autre que moi?» Ora,sipuòmodificareilpuntodivista:maquestoè verissimo: che
libertà vuol dire e deve voler dire esser se stesso, non già poter esser altro
che sè. 30. Il Bozzelli insiste molto nel combattere tutte le astrazioni, tutte
le creazioni,come direbbe Hegel, dell'intelletto astratto nel campo dell'etica.
Perciò egli richiama l'attenzione sul parallelo sviluppo dei bisogni e delle
conoscenze umane corrispettive, per cui è possibile che i bisogni sieno
soddisfatti, attraverso i secoli. I bisogni crescono sempre e si complicano;
crescono e s'affinano insieme le conoscenze relative; anzi il desiderio di
nuovi piaceri stimola a nuove conoscenze, e le nuove conoscenze suscitano e
creano nuovi desiderii e nuovi bisogni. I bisogni sono oggi infi nitamente di
più e maggiori che una volta; e la loro soddisfazione è certamente più
difficile; e quindi più difficile la felicità. La vita d'una volta era un
navigare su un lago tranquillo,donde si discopra con uno sguardo la ridente e
pittoresca riviera; la vita d'oggi è un traversare un oceano tempestoso e pieno
di scogli,i cui confini si confondano con l'immensità dello spazio. Ma non
pertanto quei moralisti che, per assicurare agli uomini la felicità, vorrebbero
farli risalire, a ritroso degli anni, verso lo stato di semplicità primitiva in
cui li pose la natura, rassomigliano al medico che chiamato a curare
un'indisposizione, visto che è s e m plice effetto di vecchiaia, imputasse al malato
la decadenza da quella prima età in cui questi mali sono ignoti,e gli
consigliasse per tutto rimedio di tornare agli anni fiorenti della giovinezza.
V’ha una successione di età come per l'uomo fisico così pel morale;come per
l'individuo, così per l'umanità.L'uomo col suc cedersi dei secoli passa di
condizione in condizione, si trasforma naturalmente; e tornare indietro è
impossibile; concepire il ritorno è sogno seducente dell'uomo dabbene, che
crede possibile tutto ciò che l'immaginazione gli presenta come desiderabile
(1). 31. Nello stesso errore cadono stoici ed epicurei,dimezzando l'uomo e
creando un essere fittizio non corrispondente punto alla realtà. Gli uni
credono di poter assicurare la felicità all'uomo, spogliandolo di tutti i
bisogni, e facendolo impassibile a tutti i piaceri, intento unicamente a non so
quale virtù selvaggia, posta non come d'ordinario in un luogo alto e
difficile,ma addirittura in una regione eterea al di là della na ra umana, e
appena ac (1)Pag.354. 1 cessibile agli slanci d'una
immaginazione ardita e malinconica (1). Gli altri vorrebbero sottrarre
anch'essi l'uomo alla inquietudine dei bisogni suggerendogli il carpe diem, il
partito di appigliarsi ai piaceri più prossimi per procurarsi la voluttà del
corpo e l'in dolenza dell'anima.I Cinici e i Cirenaici,precorrendo queste dot
trine, le avevano di già screditate esagerandole. L'uomo di Z e none è
un'astrazione; perchè l'uomo come essere sensibile non esiste che pel mondo
esterno, al quale deve lo sviluppo della sua sensibilità; e non può chiudersi
in se stesso e rinunciare a tutte lesensazioni,come
dovrebbe,persottrarsiatuttiibisogni.L'uomo segregato dall'universo e divenuto
come una statua, è l'uomo sna turato, l'uomo distrutto. Così l'uomo di Epicuro,
che rinunzia alle più alte soddisfazioni per pascersi dei piaceri più facili,
con trasta con ogni idea di progresso, di attività umana: è mezzo uomo
ancheesso;èsimileall'aquila,che,dotatadialiper slan ciarsi verso la luce
fiammeggiante del sole, preferisse di sbaraz zarsene per somigliare ad un
rettile (2). 32. M a già queste opposte dottrine ci dicono che oggetto unico
della morale è per tutti il piacere; principio unico da cui partono e a cui
tendono tutte le azioni umane. La virtù selvaggia degli stoici non è che il pegno
simulato d'un piacere infinito; « e il torto di Epicuro non è.di aver fondato
la morale sulla voluttà, per chè la voluttà è certo il sinonimo del piacere; ma
di averne pro stituito l'idea,e tagliato lepiù splendide ramificazioni »(3).Lo
si combatte grossolanamente, laddove si tratta di rifiutare il senso stretto
che egli vi lega: perchè infine la pratica della virtù è essa stessa una
voluttà (4); e come dice con molto acume M o n taigne: pour être plus
gaillarde, nerveuse,virile, robuste,elle n'en est que plus sérieusement
voluptueuse. L'uomo,insomma, è tutto l'uomo,e il piacere, motivo delle sue
azioni, non esclude nessuna forma di piacere. 33. Di qui è chiaro che tante
saranno le forme di piaceri, quante sono le attività o gli stati dell'uomo;
perchè altrettanti saranno i suoi bisogni. Il Bozzelli distingue nell'uomo la
sua esi stenza animale e la sua esistenza sociale: le due condizioni, egli (2)
Non occorre qui notare la inesattezza storica di questa interpretazione del
pensiero di Epicuro.E già nell'inesattezza il Bozzelli è in buona compagnia;perchè
anche Kant pensava lo stesso) dice, che lo comprendono e costituiscono tutto
intero (1). Quindi i piaceri sono classificabili in piaceri animali e piaceri
sociali.La de duzione degli uni risulta dal già detto. Donde gli altri? Anche
il Bozzelli accetta la teoria della simpatia morale:il piacere degli al tri è
nostro piacere,per l'identità di natura tra noi e i nostri si mili (2). M a
questi piaceri animali e sociali sono in relazione fra loro. Quali naturalmente
prevalgono? E qui il Bozzelli rifà la solita critica dei piaceri
egoistici,animali. Questi piaceri si riferi scono ai bisogni fisici, che non
hanno nessuna latitudine, nè spa ziale nè temporale. Le condizioni della
materia ne fissano i limiti. Portano sempre con sè sazietà e disgusto.Il
godimento ne dissipa tutta l'attrattiva.Non hanno successione,nè continuità:si gene
rano e svaniscono come fenomeni effimeri e staccati. Nascono col bisogno, e
finiscono col bisogno:saziata la fame, la vista sola dei resti del pasto è
importuna e sgradevole.Il letto, sollievo all'uomo stanco,diviene tormentoso a
chi vi debba restare a lungo senza interruzione. Il fasto viene a noia, e dopo
averne lungamente goduto,si cerca la campagna e idisagi.Questi piaceri insomma
sono, per dirla con Plutarco (3),come aurette di venti graziosi che spirano le
une su una estremità, le altre sull'altra estremità del corpo, e passano e
svaniscono incontanente: così breve ne è la durata; simili alle stelle che si
vedono la notte cadere dal cielo, o traversarlo da un punto all'altro, essi si
accendono e si spengono sulla nostra carne in un istante. Dipingete un quadro
con le tinte contrarie; e avrete la rap presentazione dei piaceri sociali.Di
qui ilmaggior pregio (edoni stico, s'intende) e la naturale prevalenza dei
piaceri sociali sugli (2) Nell'espressione di piaceri sociali, questa
designazione ha però un senso molto largo: altri direbbe sentimenti spirituali.
L'autore infatti li contrappone ai piaceri animali, dicendo questi jouissances
directes du corps, e quelli jouissances directes de l'ame. Gli o g getti dei
primi « consistent dans tout ce qui & rapport à l'entretien matériel de la
vie et
auxagrémensimmédiatsdessons»;glioggettideglialtriconsistonoinvecein«toutce qui
a rapport à cette correspondanco, harmonique des sensibilités, en vertu de
laquelle noussympathisonsavec lesjouissancesaussibienqu'aveclessauffrancesdenossemblables;
etnousnous tentons poussésàaugmenter lesunes,àsoulagerlesautres,ànousréjouir du
bonheur,à nous afsiger du malheur de notre prochain »;pag.433. (3 ) Il q u a l
e, c o m e il N o s t r o, n o n s ' a c c o r g e v a c o m b a t t e n d o E
p i c u r o, c h e a n c h e E p i c u r o aveva cosi criticato i piaceri
sensuali. Vedi l'opuscolo di Plutarco, (he non si potrebbe ri vere felicemente
secondo la dotlrina di Epicuro.)animali. Di qui la superiorità della morale
sopra le fisiche incli nazioni ad essa contrarie. 34. Tutti i piaceri sociali
si risolvono in quelli della giustizia e della beneficenza. La giustizia è il
riconoscimento della invio labilità della proprietà, di cui s'è già parlato. La
beneficenza è la sodddisfazione degli altrui bisogni, sentiti come nostri per
effetto della simpatia. I due fatti si suppongono e quindi s'in tegrano a
vicenda. La beneficenza è una conseguenza della giu stizia; che ha luogo quando
uno o più individui dell'aggregato sociale a cui apparteniamo, non abbiano quel
sostegno dell'avve nire, che è la proprietà. E del pari la giustizia è una
conseguenza della beneficenza, poichè se siamo benèfici per non soffrire con
altri, non possiamo violare quella giustizia che è la condizione della
proprietà. Questi due fatti sono la base della società,di ogni ocietà, vuoi
domestica,vuoi civile,vuoi politica: sono la pratica della virtù. 35. Ma che è
propriamente virtù, e che è vizio? Il Bozzelli richiama un principio notissismo
di psicologia: che l'abitudine at tenua la coscienza e quindi il grado di
piacere e di dolore pro dottoci dalle impressioni; e osserva che non si può
perciò fuggire il dolore abbandonandosi al piacere, se non si vuol fare come il
medico che per guarire la malattia uccide l'ammalato. Bisogna lottare contro il
dolore, per disarmarne la violenza, acquistando l'abito di soffrirlo, e quindi
affrontando il dolore, anzi che vol gergli le spalle o accasciarsi sotto il suo
peso: m a occorre i n sieme lottare contro i piaceri per impedire che l'abitudine
di g o derne non ne distrugga ilbeneficio,usandone quindi con prudente
moderazione. Epperò occorre dare all'anima tal forza di carattere che le
permetta di padroneggiare la tempesta delle passioni. E quella tempra
acquisita, che rende l'anima capace di soggiogare con successo tutti i dolori,
e restare ferma contro le seduzioni dei piaceri che tentano di snervarla, è
quel che il Bozzelli dice propriamente virtù; e il contrario,vizio(1).Insomma,
la virtù è l'arte di godere. Fermezza nei dolori,moderazione nei piaceri, sono
i suoi caratteri; come debolezza nei dolori, intemperanza nei piaceri,sono i
caratteri del vizio (2). Quindi il grande uffizio della pedagogia: che imprima
alla fibra animale, quand'è ancor tenera e flessibile, e all'anima, quand'è
ancor nuova e accessibile a tutte) le affezioni, una serie di abitudini che le
rendano atte a quella fermezza e moderazione,che crea insomma la virtù(1). 36.
La quale, secondo il Bozzelli, è unica e indivisibile, se si distingue dagli
atti virtuosi,in cui può manifestarsi.Per la povertà naturale del linguaggio o
pel desiderio di nobilitare cose ordinarie e comuni,si decora sovente del nome
di virtù ogni qualità ac quisita a forza di fatica e di studi e perfezionata
dall'abitudine di un lavoro continuo e ostinato. E in questo senso,per esempio,
in Italia si dice che un pittore,un musico,un ricamatore, un fa legname e
perfino un muratore ha della virtù; e qualche volta si aggiunge, ed è
un'espressione più felice, che ha questa virtù nelle mani. M a tale virtù non
si può confondere con la virtù morale: la quale non è indirizzata*a vincere
ostacoli che si oppongano alle mani: ma è solamente quell'energia abituale
dell'anima che signoreggia dolori e piaceri, schermendosi dai primi per non re
starne vittima, e tenendosi lontana dai secondi per serbarne la freschezza.
Ogni altra accezione del termine virtù è falsa, o equi voca,od esagerata(2).
37. Queste le linee principali della concezione etica bozzel liana: alla quale
non si possono per certo negare ipregi della coe renza, del rigore e dell'acume
filosofico. È vero che l'originalità si riduce a ben poco, quando si pensi alla
dottrina di Adamo Smith (Teoria di sentimenti morali, 1759) e a quella di
Helvetius (Trattato dello spirito, 1758): delle quali è come una
contaminazione. Dal l'una è tolta di peso la teorica della simpatia; dall'altra
il pretto edonismo e lo spiccato intellettualismo: e questi tre sono i tre ele
menti principali e costitutivi dell'etica che abbiamo esposta.Ma è innegabile
tuttavia,che il Bozzelli ha saputo fondere insieme que sti elementi e
imprimervi uno stampo proprio, formandone un si stema ben organato e compiuto:
tale che la letteratura contempo ranea francese e italiana non ha nulla da
mettervi accanto.Con ciò, s'intende, non si dice che è tutto vero quello che il
Bozzelli crede tale.Ma farne la critica sarebbe inutile ormai che quella po
sizione è di lungo tratto oltrepassata. Era stata,anzi,oltrepassata prima che
il Bozzelli pensasse a scrivere: ma in una parte della storia delle idee, che
non entrò nella sua cultura di ideologo. (1) È noto quale importante parte
all'educazione attribuisce l'Helvetius.Cfr.A Piazzi, Helvetius nel Dizionario
illustr, di pedagogia dei proff. Martinazzoli e Credaro; e l'arti colo dello
stesso, Le idee filosofiche e pedagogiche di U. Adr. Helvetius, nella Rivista
di filosofia scientifica del 1889. (2)Pag.430. CAPITOLO The grand exception to this generally bleak depiction of
characters is Cato, who stands as a Stoic ideal in the face of a world gone mad
(he alone, for example, refuses to consult oracles to know the future). Pompey
also seems transformed after Pharsalus, becoming a kind of stoic martyr; calm
in the face of certain death upon arrival in Egypt, he receives virtual
canonization from Lucan at the start of book IX. This elevation of Stoic and
Republican principles is in sharp contrast to the ambitious and imperial
Caesar, who becomes an even greater monster after the decisive battle. Even
though Caesar wins in the end, Lucan makes his sentiments known in the famous
line Victrix causa deis placuit sed Victa Catoni – "The victorious cause
pleased the gods, but the vanquished [cause] pleased Cato."CATO A
TRAGEDY BY MR. ADDISON. IL CATONE TRAGEDIA DEL SIGNORE
ADDISON... Joseph Addison, Antonio Maria Salvini
Digitized by Google j7
Digitized by Google Digitized by Google
G A T O T Ut xA G E D Y B Y Mr. A D D
ISO N . CATONE TRAGEDIA DEL SIGNORE
ADDISON TRADOTTA D A ANTON MARIA SALVINI
GENTILUOMO FIORENTINO. IN FIRENZE,
MDCCXXV. Nella Stamperia di Michele Neftenus . Con \UM
Stftr. A iattanza di Battiano Scaletti. Digitized by
Googl Catoni autem quum ìncredibilem trihuijjet Na*
tura gravitatevi , eamque ipfe perpetua con* [tanna roboravìjjet ,
femperquc in propth Jtto fufceptoqut confili* permanfijfet ,
tnoriutidum potim , quam tyranni vultus afpiciendui fuit.
Cic.de Officlib. x.cap.jn Digitize
ALL' ILLUSTRISSIMO SIGNORE &c. — - ■ . * •
Enrico Mylord Colerane. iBajtrifàm Signore
E molte bbbligazioni , che io protetto alla gentilez-
za di VS. Illuftriflìma , e la fperienza avuta da' primi Letterati di
emetta Città del fuo profondo fapere , già pre- * dicato dalla Fama
, ed ammirato da i etti elfi per mezzo della fua
dotta con- venzione, mi fpirano un umile ar- dire di dedicarle la
celebre Tradu- zione della infìgne Inglefe Tragedia del Catone ,
che addio efee di nuo- vo col fuo fteflò Originale alla luce ;
ficuro che Ella 1' accetterà di buon animo , come fuole , eftimatore
giu- ftiifimo , doverofamente incontrare tutte le buone e belle
opere degl' in- gegni più follevati , e come prove- niente da chi
fi pregia d* effere Di VS. Illuftrifsima
Ewotiffino e Obbligai iffmo Servitù?* Baftiano Scaletti
. BE- C • Digitized by
Google *5< v BENIGNO LETTORE,
A prefente Tragedia del Catone , parto
felici/fimo del nobile fpirito delSig. Ad- m V di fon
, efendo per comune eftimazione de* dotti de IT Inglefe Idioma , sì per
la fublimita àe % concetti , che per la finiffima leggiadrìa del-
lo ftile, uno de' più rari poetici componimenti, che in fimil genere
abbia mai riportato il gra- dimento e /' applaufo univerfa/e ; non e
mara- viglia , che f ralle Nazioni più eulte ella abbia incontrato
il genio di alcuni ingegni più folle- vati y i quali di buona voglia
abbiano impiega- to tutte le forze del loro talento per
trafportarla ciafeuno nel proprio nativo linguaggio. llSig.Hul- Un
, per foddisfare al dejiderio impaziente del Pubblico , che bramava di vederla
renduta più univerfale per mezzo di una traduzione Fran- zefe , s'
impegno a intraprenderla in ver fi ; ma non ebbe terminata la prima Scena
dell' ÌAtto primo , che modeflamente fe ne ritiro , allegan- do per
fua difefa , che egli non fi ftntiva di for~ ze cosi gagliarde per
profeguire una fatica così afpra
Digitized by Google i nfpra e [pino
fa. Ed in fatti, come offerva giudiziofamente il Sig. Boyer , il quale ,
tutta in- ! fera in profa la traduffe „ può il Traduttore 1 „ f*
^ro/à girel* , r he ha detto il „ Sig. Addi fon ; ma non può dirlo in
verji , e „ fpezialmente in lingua Franzefe , ove necef- „
fastamente fa di meflieri il mutare, iltron- . \ „ care, e t aggiugnere.
La lingua Inglefe, co- me egli dice , Nativo effondo di Francia ,
emula della Greca e della Latina , non foffre qualunque benché
minima fuggezione , nata per fe medefi- ma fertile, calzarne, ed
efprimentifftma nel co* lorire i caratteri di quei foggetti , de' quali
ella prende ad efprimere i fentimenti ; laddove per lo contrario la
lingua Franzefe , raffinata con- tinuamente da nuove regole , e da nuovi
coflu- mignon ammettendo alcuna di quelle temerità , giuflamente
chiamate felici , reputa come difet* ti le vive immagini delle
efpreffioni , e fe figure un poco gagliarde e fublimi fono appreffo di
queU la Nazione in iftima di ftrav aganze e d* errori. Oltre di che
il numero e P armonia , per cui leg- giadramente rifuonano gP Inglefi
poetici compo- nimenti , non poffono così di leggieri efere tra-
fportati nel ver/o Franzefe , a cagione della fchia-
Digitized by Google vitù della rima , da cui non mai
fi fan potuti liberar qué* Poeti : e di quel gran verfo di do- dici
e di più /illabe % che chiamano Alefandrino: il qual verfo conviene,
particolarmente alla Tra- gedia sì poco % quanto poco fe le conviene P
Efa- metro , cui Ariftotile in qucfto genere di Poefia fortemente
condanna* Ufano gP Inglefi una fpe- zie di verfi, appellati verfi bianchi
, cioè puri e netti di rima , i quali coflando di cinque piedi ,
corrijpondono appunto al verfo Jambico degli Antichi y che fecondo
Ariffotile fembra e fere fia- to dettato dalla natura medefima per
frammi- fchiarfi più facilmente nella conv erf azione y e nel
ragionamento famigliare , che ì il proprio ca- rattere del Dialogo , in
cui fi rapprefentano le Tragedie . Così privo del forte foffegno e
della tfprejftone e del verfo > difperando il SigMuUin di poter
venire felicemente a capo nella intra- prefa verfione , lafcio Ubero il
campo ad altro fpirito 9 o più ardito o più attivo del fm > cui
più agevolmente potejfe fot tire quefta nobile impre- fa .
Frattanto pero > perche il Tubblico non re- ftajfe a fatto privo della
lettura di qucfto inge- gnofiffimo componimento , il fiprannominato
Sig. Boyer fi contento di pubblicare la fua verfione in
Digit in profa , impreffa /> anno 1 7 1 3 .
10 Londra per Air. Giacomo Toh fon : della quale , quantunque
fedele , perocché priva della fua naturale armo- nio/a bellezza , poffiamo
dir giallamente , cta e/- /# è mancante del fuo più chiaro fpleudore
. Quefle d'ufi citila pero di non esprimere felice- mente i
[entimemi più vivaci e gagliardi degli fr ameri liuguàggi , in qualunque
maniera fi fie- no rapprefentati , non le pruova certamente il no
(irò Tofcano Idioma , // quale > giù a la f rafie del noftro
celebraùjftmo Carlo Dati di dolcez- „ za e di eleganza non cede al ftcuro
ad alcu- „ na delle lingue vive , e colle morte più cele- „ tri
contende di parità , e forfè afpira alla 5 > maggioranza : fe pure non
vogliamo dire af- filatamente col Cavaliere Lionardo Salvi ati $
che ficcome la lingua Latina ha dolcezza mino- re , che la Greca non ha ;
così nella nojlra , non ritrovando fi quella pronunzia difficultofa
efpia- cevole, che nella Greca fi trova, accagionatagli dagli
accoppiamenti multiplici delle confonanti , j quali comunemente rendono
a/prezza ; n£ no* Siri vocaboli , come in quella addiviene , quefta
durezza non e che rade volte 0 non mai . Ala non efendo, queffo. luogo
qppropofito per difcorr rere rere difufamente
delle lodi del noftro volgare Idioma , e particolarmente per effere (lata
que- fi a materia trattata con tanta aggiuflatezza , con tanto
gufto e di fornimento non folo dà* fo- pr -accennati chiarirmi autori ,
ma inoltre cora dal Varchi , dal Bu orti watt ci , e da altri , che
niente più ; mi riftrignerò a dir brevemente quanto appartiene a quefla
prefente Tragedia: cui fe non ha goduto la bella forte di e fere
(la- ta trapiantata felicemente nel? Idioma Franze- fe> renduto
per altro oramai qua fi che neceffa- rio air wtiverfale letteratura ; la
ha ben ritro- vata nel no Uro linguaggio per la fu a maravi- glia
efpreffione y fecondità , e dolcezza. Vin* figne w flro e non mai
abbaflanza lodato Aba- te \Anton Maria Salvini , quegli „ che
d' alto fapere il petto pregno „ Scorre a fua voglia il dotto e bel
paefe „ Dell' alma Grecia , e cui fon lievi imprefe ^Spogliarla d'
ogni fuo più caro pegno; ( come di lui con aurea Tofana eloquenza
can- to P inclito Segretario della Reale %A ce ad ernia di Frància
, P cibate Regnier Des-31arais , ) tratto dalla fama di queflo nobiHfimo
componi- vi eutO) e dejiderofo di contemplarne neff Origi+ 1 t naie
naie le fue rare bel Uzze , (limo lene rivoltare tutto il
fuo (ìndio a riajjumere P Inglefe Idioma, da e/lo può a quel tempo
traforato : lo che nel breve giro di foli due mefi , non tanto per
la fua pertinace fatica , quanto per lo metodo eti- mologico , fuo
famigli ariffimo e quaft che natura* le , in tal maniera gli venne fatto
, che franca* mente P attività penetrandone , poti con mae* jlofa
franchezza tutte le difficuìta fuperare , che nel tradurre queir Opera
altrui fi erano at* tr aver fate . Vedeva egli , come pratichi/fimo
del tradurre [ avendo arricchito delle fue {limati^ lifjime
traduzioni la noSlra favella di tutte le foavi , leggiadre , fièli mi, ed
eleganti maniere, che negli immenfi tefori de' Greci Toeti fi /la-
vano chiufe , e per così dire nafcofe] quanto a tal fatto ella fia capaci
fflma ; maneggevole per fe medefima e fendo , e atta qual molle cera
a rapprefentar fedelmente i concetti , le parole , e le ftefe
efprefioni ; anzi , ciò che ì più malage- vole , Paria ftejfa , il colore
, e 7 carattere di tutte quelle fembianze , che dagli Autori, che
fi prendono a tradurre , furono impreffe nette loro compofizioni .
Contribuigli a queflo inoltre non poco la finora dolcezza del noftro
maggior ver* fi Digitized by Googl
fi Tofcanó, il quale , oltre al non ejfere in fimi- li componimenti
inceppato , per così dire , e ri- ftretto dalP orpellato vincolo delle
rime , rifpon- de il più delle volte in certo modo per la fua mi
fura a una fpezie degli Jambici degli Anti- chi , i quali , come fi e
detto di [opra , /limati furono tanto proprj della Dramatica , che
di niuno altro mai non fi fervirono più facilmente tutti gli
antichi Greci t Latini Poeti . Impe- gnatoli adunque il no/Ir o Salvini
nella verfione di quefta eccellente Tragedia : e sì per la pafto-
ftta della lingua y da effo tante volte in fimili congiunture
fperimentata : e sì pel maeflofo con- certo de % ver fi , in cui la
traduceva , a lei pro- priijfimi , quanto altri mai , felicemente venuto-
ne a capo , vemie nelle mani degli Accademici Compatiti della Citta di
Livorno, da' quali nel Carnovale dell* anno 1 7 1 4. recitata con
bella maniera , e con maeflofo apparato ; per la viva- ce
efprejfione , e per la fedeltà fmcerijftma fu tanto ammirata da i Sig.
Inglefi dimoranti in quel Torto , che (limolarono il medeftmo a
per- metterne la pubblicazione , fuc ceduta /' anno ap- preso in
Firenze per mezzo delle Stampe de 9 Guidacci e Franchi , con applaufo
univerfale de* t * gli 3( sii )fr
£/' Intendenti deW uno e dell' altro linguaggio , mot* //*
atteflano i Sig. Giornalifti di Venezia nel loro Tomo XXll.pag.^/^. Ma
per non de* rogare alP ingenua modeflia del no/Iro chiarij/t- ino
Traduttore non ini pare fuor di propofito il ripetere in queflo luogo , e
colle fue flejje parole , /' obbligazioni che egli profeta ad alcuni
nobili /piriti Inglefi , che non poco gli conferirono a
perfezionare quefta verfione ; primizia , come egli la chiama , del fuo
fiudio in queW Idioma : „ E perche ( dice egli nella Prefazione al
Lettore » appo Sia alla prima edizione ) fecondo il famo- „ fo
detto di Plinio eft plenum ingenui pudo- „ ris , fateri per quos
profeceris ; non debbo „ non confeflare, molto dovere al già
Inviato J9 noftro d Inghilterra , genero fo ed ornato Ca- yy
valsere y Sig. Giovanni Moles-Worth , fitto i „ cui aufpicj quefta mia
traduzione nacque , e „ al dotto Sigi Lochart , ambedue delle
finezze „ della noftra Lingua intendentifsimi . *Da quefta
Verfione ne efcì toffo in Venezia un altra , ftampata peH Coletti , della
quale non fa di meftieri il parlarne , per effere in efta in più
parti travi fata la prima , troncando mol- to del r e cit amento , sì per
fervire, come dice il Digitized by Google
fuo Imprefario , al gufto moderno del Teatro Ita- li ano ,
ricucendola a foli tre Atti ; dovecch},come fono tutte le antiche , ella
è compofla di cinque : sì ancora per lo continuo fnervamcnto della
for- za e della energia , cagionatole dalla mutazione delle parole
e de' ver fi , folo per piacere all' orecchio del comun Topolo , che pago
e contento di quel femplice titillamento e prurito , non pe- netra
addentro nel midollo e nella foftanza del- la materia . •Ma
per ritornare alla nojlra , appena ella fu e f cita felicemente alla
luce, che divenuta ra- rifjìma non fu poffibile ritrovarne ne pure
m filo efemplare per foddisfare alle continue in- ftanze , che
giornalmente da tutte le parti ne erano fatte ; onde conofcendo io da
gran tempo quanto gli amatori delle lettere fojjero defide- rofi di
vederne una nuova impresone , final- mente mi fon rifoluto di farla
comparire di nuo- vo alla luce , arricchita dello (lejfo fuo
Originale lnglefe. Ne perocché fieno molti filmi quegli, che alla
cognizione di quel nobil linguaggio non fi fono per anco affacciati ,
giudico io , che fia per efjere alt univerfale difaggradevole quei/o
mio penfamento , potendolo almeno ciafcuno riputar-
*3( xiv )fr /<? utili fsimo a chi di ejjo procura adornar
fene, mentre , m/ /» giw occhi può contemplare come le maeflofe
maniere dell' uno e delP altro linguaggio maraviglio/amente fi
corrifpondano : lo che certamente fenza il con- fronto o fenza l }
oftinata fatica di uno Studio indefejlo non fi può confeguire giammai .
Per lo che fe quefta intr apre fa riftampa farà accolta
benignamente dagli amatori delle lettere y ficco- me io lo fpero , mi
darà animo a dar fuori al* tre cofe di ftmil genere , dallo (lefjo
celebre Tra- duttore [ cui altro non e a cuore che il giovare e il
far cortefia a que* nobili ingegni , che fi ftu- diano di apprender le
lingue , e trame da ejfe il meglio ed il fiore per arricchirne la propria
] lavorate dico da ejfo con non minor fedeltà e fe* licita di
quefta pr e finte , e le quali per anco non fono alla luce .
AT- Digitized by I
ATTORI Del Dramma. CATONE. LUCIO
Senatore . SEMPRONIO Senatore. GIUBA Principe di Numidia .
SIFACE Generale de' Numidi. PORZIO ) r . ,. ~ . MARCO ) Fl g lluoh
dl Catone • DECIO Ambafciator di Cefare. MARZIA Figliuola di
Catone. LUCIA Figliuola di Lucio . Ammutinati , e Guardie .
La Scena fi rapprefenta in una gran Sala nel Palazzo del
Governatore di Urica . . .» • .... • I • I
té' ' - • - . . • • I • t > .
' t • • • — A 4 •
■ r. Digitized by Google
C A T O A T R A G E D Ya IL
CATONE TRAGEDIA» <3( * )8» PROLOGUE
p5 0 u>/7^ the So»l by tender Strokes of Arp y fig| f;i
r*//S? /Zrr G*///**, W /<? mendthe Heart > 7o Mankindtn cotifctous Virtue
bold , Liwe oer eacb Scene , and Be isohat tbey he bold: Tot thts
the Tragic>Mnfe firfi trod the Stage , Commanding Tears to Jlream thro
euery Age ; Tyrants no more the ir Savage Nature kept , And Foes to
V trtue monderà how tbey ivcft . Our Atttbor shunt by *vulgjtr Springs to
mwc The Heros Glory, or the Virgin s Love; In ptytng Love ive but
our JVeaknefs show , And -wild Ambttton isoell deferves tts ÌVoe .
Here Tears shall flo-w from a more genrons Caufe y Sucb Tears as Tatrtots
shed f or dying Lawsi He bidsyour Breafts witb Ancient Ardor rife
> And Digitized by Google
PROLOGO Del Sig. POPE ■ Alma
fvegliar con madri tocchi d'arte, Erger Jo fpirto, ed emendare il
cuore, Far l'uomo in fua virtù franco ed ardito , Ch'ogni feena fi
a norma di Aia vita , E s' ingegni effer ciò eh' ivi fi mira ì
Qucfto, quando da prima entrò in Teatro, Fu di Tragica Mufa il fin
fublime ; Per quefto comandò, che in ciafeun tempo Le lagrime a
diluvj ne correderò . I Tiranni, non più fieri e felvaggi : E ;
nimici a virtù ftupiano, come Contra lor voglia disfaceanfi in
pianto. Sdegna V Autor per volgar modi muovere Nelle femmine amor,
gloria negli uomini. In donare all'amor la pietà nottra , Non facciam
che moftrar noftra fiacchezza : E fiera ambizion metta fuoi guai .
Da più nobil cagion qui feorreranno Le lagrime: tai lagrime, quai
fpargono Di Patria amanti fu fpiranti leggi. Rcfpirin voftri petti
antico ardore « Ai E flit Digitized by
Google And calli forth Roman Drops from Brtthb Eyet .
Vtrtue conferà in human Sbape be drawt , What Plato Tbougbt, and GodMe
Caio Wat : No common Objetl to your Sigbt dtfplayt , Bnt wbat wttb
Pleafure Heavn tt felf furueys > A brame Man ftrttggling tn the Stormi
of Fate y And greatly falltng wttb a falli ng State ! li bile Caio
giva bit little Settate Laws , IVbat Bojom beati not in bis Country i
Caufe ? li bo feet btm aft , bnt crrviet enjry Deed t Wbobeart bim
groan y and doei not witb to bleedt E*vn when proud Cafar 'midft
triumpbal Cari , The Spaili of Nat ioni , and the Pomp of Wars , .
Ignobly Vain , and impotently Great , Òbowd Rome ber Cato t Figure drawn
in State 5 Ai ber dead Fatbert revrend Image paft y The Pomp wat
darkend, and tbe Day oercaft , The Trinmpb ceatd Teart gmb % d from
enfry Eye ; Tbe M r orl£t great Viclor paft unbeeded by ; Her
Latt good Man de] e eie d Rome adord , And bonottrd C&fart Ufi tban
Catat Sword, Britaìnt attend : Be Wortb Itke tbif approdi d ,
And ibow yon bave tbe Virine to be mcwd. Wttb bonejl Scorn the firft favi
d Cato miewi Rome Digitized by
Google £ ftillln Roman pianto occhi Britanni. In forma
umana è qui Virtù ritratta : Quel che Platon pensò, fu il divin
Cato. Non oggetto comun fi fpiega in vifta ; Ma ciò che il Gel con
fuo piacer rimira . Un uom prode, che lotta del dettino Traile
temperie, c grandemente cade Mifto a ruine di cadente Stato. Mentre
dà leggi al fuo picciol Senato Catone , e qual mai fcn non batte allora
Nella gran caufa della Patria fua ? Chi oprar lo mira, e non invidia
l'opra? Chi miralo fpirar, nè morir brama ? Pure allora , che
Cefarc fuperbo Tra i carri trionfali, e tra le fpoglie Delle
nazioni, e pompa della guerra , Ignobil vano , e fattamente grande
Moftrò a Roma del fuo Caton V imago j Del Padre fuo la reverenda
imago, Mentre ch'ella pattava, era feurata La pompa , e'1 dì
rannuvolato, e bruno: Il Trionfo ceflava :da ciafeuno Occhio fcn
gian le lagrime fgorgando; Ed il sì grande Vincitor del Mondo
Pattava fenza pur etter guardato : L* ultimo fuo prod' uom Roma
adorava Abbattuta , dolente , e più la fpada Di Caton , che di
Cefare onorava . Britanni, a un merto tal donate plaufo, E
moftratevi d'efferne commoffi , Se tanto di valore ancor ci retta .
Con bello sdegno il primo Cato vide ìearning Arti from G ree
ce , wbom $he fubdnd Our Scene frecarionfly fubjtfts too lovg On
Frencb Transattoti y and Italtan Song . Dare to bave Senfe your fehes',
AJfert tbe Stage \ Be jnttly ivartrìd isottb your ow» Native Kage .
Sue b Plays alone sbonld pleafe a Brtttsb Ear , As Catos felf bad not
dtjdaind to bear . V CATO
Roma da Grecia vinca apparar l'Arti. Troppo lunga ftagion la noftra
Scena Di Francia da i teatri, e dell 1 Italia Ha mendicato V umil
fuo foftegno . Voftre forze provate, ed al Teatro Voftro la fua
ragion ne richiamate. Accefi fiate del nativo foco. A Britannico
orecchio , folo quelle Opre deggion piacere, che Io (ledo Catone
d'afcolcar non sdegnerebbe. AT.
Digitized by Google «3C 8 )S» A C T
SCENE I. L t
Portius, Marcus. He Dawn isover-cafl 5 tbe
Mornìng ìovSrs\ And bcavily in Clouds brings on tbe Day Tbe
grcatjb* import ant Day\big r witb tbe Fate Of tato and of Rome. — Our
Fatbefs Deatb Wouldfill tip ali tbe Gtuìt ofCivil ÌVar , And clofe
tbe Scene of Flood . Already C&far Has ravaged more tban balf ebe
Globe 9 and fees Mankind grown tbin by bit definiti tue Sbordi
Sbottld he go furtber > Humbcrs isoould be wanting To form new Battelt
, and fupport bis Crimet . Te Gods , wbat Hawock does Ambition make
Among your Works ! Marc. Tby fteddyTemper, Portiate Can look
on Guilt , Rebellion, Fraud, and Gufar , In tbe cairn Ligbts of mild
Fbìlofopby ; Tm tortured^ e<vn to Madnefs , we* I tb/nk On tbe
prottd Vtchr : evry Digitized by
Google i ATTO L SCENA L Porzio, e
Marco. Scura è V Alba , ed il mattino è fofco , E
lento in nubi fuor fen* efce il giorno , Il grande e forte dì , pregno
del Fato Di Cato e Roma ; la morte del noftro Padre, la reità della
civile Guerra ornai tutta porteria al colmo , E chiuderla la
fanguinofa fcena . Già Cefar più della metà del Mondo Ha
faccheggiato : e fcorge Y uman genere Scemato dalla Tua micidial fpada
. S'egli oltre andafsc , mancheria alle nuove Battaglie gente a
(ottener Tue colpe. Dei ! qual ruina Ambizion cagiona Tra le voftre
opre ! Marc. Porzio , la tua fredda Immobi! tempra a rimirar
pur vale Retà , Ribellione, Frode, e Cefare Di mite fapienza a
queto lume? Crucciato io fon , e mi fmarrifeo , quando Io penfo a
quel fuperbo vincitore. B To- Digitized by
Google «K io )* ti) ry ttme bis named
Thci*falìa rifcs to my Vttw — / fee Tb Infnlting Tyrant frane tng oer the
Fìelà Stro isSJ-wttb Romcs Cttt^ens , anddrencb'dinSlangbter, Hts
Horfe's Hoofs wet wtth Vatrtctan Blood. Oh Fortms , // (bere not fome
cbofen Curfe y Some btdden Tbunder in the Stores of Heaifit) lied
isotib uncommon Wratb , to blaft tbe Man Wbo o-wcs bis Greatncfs to bis
Country s Rum ? Por. Beli eie me , Marcus , '/// an tmplous
Greatnefs , And mtxt vjttb too mucb Horrour to be enmyd : How does
tbe Lufire of our Fatbers Atltons , Jbwgb tbe dark Cloud of Ills tbat
coDer htm , Break out , and bum witb more triumfbant Brigbtnefs I
His Suff nngs fbtne y and fpread a Glory round htm > Greatìy
unfortunate , he figbts the Caufe Of Honour , Virine , Liberty , and Rome
. Hts S-word nc"er fili but oh tbeGutlty Head} Oppreffton ,
Tyranny , and Fowr tifar fi , Draw ali tbe Vengeanee of bis Àrm mponem
. Marc. Wbo kn<rws not tbis ? Bue wbat can Cato do Agatnfl
a World, a bafe degenerate World , Tbat coarti tbe Toke , and bows tbe
Neek to Cafar t Peni up in Ut tea be mainly forms A foor Epitome of
Roman Greatnefs , . And , eowerd wttb Numidìan Guardi , diretti A
fiable Army, and an emfty Senatc , Remnants
d by G <(».»> * Tofto che *J nome
luo gìugne al mio orecchio 3 Farfalla al'a mia villa fi prcfenta
: Veggio calcar V infultator tiranno II laitricato campo
di Romani Cadaveri , e inzuppato in civil ftrage, E di
fangue patrizio bagnate Degli orgogliofi fuoi cavalli V
unghie. Scelta maledizion non avvi, o Porzio, Nelle
armerie del CicI fulmin riporto Di non comune ira di Dio vermiglio
, Ad abbattere, a ilruggere queir uomo, Che della
Patria fua lui le ruine, Erge ( oh beati Iddii ! ) la fua
grandezza? Por£ Certo , Marco , eh' è quefta empia grandezza,
E ha troppo ortor per effere invidiata . Quanto del noftro Padre i fatti
illuftri , De i mali , che *J circondan , tra le nubi, Spuntan
brillanti di più chiara luce/ Di gloria 1* incorona il Tuo (offrire
. Sfortunato, maggior di fua feiagura, Ei combatte collante per la
caufa D 1 Onor, Virtute , Libertate , e Roma. Sovra rea teda foi cadde
fua fpada: L* oppreffion , la tirannia fol traforo Sopra lor , del
fuo braccio la vendetta . Marc. E chi noi *i fa ? ma che può far
Catone Contr' ad un Mondo, un vile e guado Mondo , Che a Cefar
piega il collo , e corre al giogo? Di Romana grandezza ei forma
indarno Pover compendio in Urica rifpinto: E da guardie Numidiche
attorniato Una ficvol Armata , ed un Senato B 2 Voto
Remnants of mìgbty Battei: fongbt tn matti . By Heavns ,
/ivi Virtues ,jo/nd witb fucb Sttccefs } Diflratl wy very Soul : Our
Fatber s Fontine Wond almoft tempt ut to renounce bis Frecepts.
Por. Remember -wbat our Fatber oft bas told us : Tbe Ways of Heavn
are dark and intricate ^ Fu^led in Ma^es , and perplext ivttb Errors >
Our Under si andtv.g traces 'em in wain y Lofi and brwtlderd in tbe
fruttlefs Searcb 5 Nor fees ikutb bow mucb Art tbe Wtnitngs run ,
Nor wbere tbe reguìar Confufion ends . Marc. Tbefe are Suggeftions
of a Mind at Eafe: Ob r erti us , dtdft tbott tafle b«t balf tbe
Griefs Tbat wrtng wy Soul , tbou coudfl not talk tbus coldly .
Fajjìon unpttyd , and fuccefslefs Love , Flant Dagpers tn my Heart , and
aggravate My otber Grtefs . Were but wy Lucia hnd! — Por.
Tbou feeft not tbat tby Brotber is tby Rivai: Bnt I wufl bidè ìt
.for I know tby Tewper . [ afide Novj , Marcus y »0u>, tby Vtrtues on
tbe Froof: Fut fortb tby tttwofl Strengtb , >work evry Nerve ,
And cali up ali thy Fatber tn tby Soul: To quell tbe Tyrant Love , and
guard tby Heart On tbts iveak Side , nvbere moft our Nature fails ,
Would he a Conqucft isoortby Catos Son . Marc. Fort ìris , tbe
Council wbicb I cannot taie y Ioftead of beali ng , but npbraids wy
Weaknefs . Btd me for Honour pi unge into a iVar Of tbtchft
Foety and Digitized by Google
*3( '3 )S» Voto dirige , riraafuglio e avanzo
D'afpre battaglie combattute invano. Oh Ciel ! tali virtù con
tai fucceflì Confondon V Alma : la maligna forte Del
noftro Padre , a' begli fuoi precetti Quafi di rinunziarci
tenterebbe. For%. Del noftro Padre ti rammenta quello Ch' ei
ci dicea fovente: che del Cielo Sono feure le vie, ed
intrigate: Noftro intelletto le rintraccia indarno,
Perfo e fmarrito nella vana inchiefta . Nè vede con quant'arte
i giri vanno, Nè dell* ordin confufo il termin feorge . Marc.
Pender fon quefti d' oziofa mente . Porzio, fe la metà guftato
avefli Di quei dolor, che V alma mi trafiggono,
Freddamente così non parlerefti . Paftìon non compatita, amor
fgradito PafTanmi il cuore, e gli altri duoli aggravano .
Oh fe a me fuffe Lucia pietofa ! Tor%. Non vede che '1 fratello è
fuo rivale : Uopo è eh' io il celi : il genio tuo conofeo . a
parte Or, Marco, ora al cimento è tua virtude. Prova
tutta tua forza , opra ogn' ingegno , Spira nell* alma tua tutto il
tuo Padre . Vincer Y amor tiranno, e *1 cuor guardare
Da quella debol parte , ov* uom più manca , Conquida fia da
figlio di Catone . Marc. Porzio , il configlio , eh' io prender non poffò
, Non fana , nò , rinfaccia mia fiacchezza . Fa che Y
onor comandi di cacciarmi In guerra tra foltiflìmi nemici,
E cor- Digitized by Google W
r*/& ou certa/ n Dcatb } Then fbalt tbou fee that Marcus is not JIo
jj To follali) Glory f and confefs bts Fathcr . Love is not to he
reafond down y or lofi In htpb Amhttton , and a Tbtrfl of Greatnefs
> 'Tss ficond Ltfc , tt grows into the Soni , Warms evry Vein y
and beati in evry Fulfe y I feel it bere : My Refolutton meltt —
Por. Beboldyoung ]uba , the Numidi an Vrinceì Wtth bow mucb Care be
forni s bimfelf to Glory , And breaks the Fiercenefs of bts Native
Temper To copy out our Fatber s brigbt Examplt . He loves our
Stfter Marcia , greatly lovet ber , Hts Eyes , bis Looks , bis Acltons
ali betray it : But fidi the fmotherd Fondnefs burns wttbtn bìm y
When moti tt fwells and lahours for a Veni , The Senfe of Honour and
Dejire of Fame Drive the big FaJJìcn back into htt Heart , Wbat ì
fball an Afrtcan , fiali Jubas Ueir Eeproacbgreat CatosSon, and fbo-jj
the World A Virttte voantivg in a Roman Sotti f Ma re.
Fortius , no more ìyonr Words leave Stings befana* em. lVben-e % rc did
Juba , or dtd Fort in s , fhow A V ir tue that bat caji me at a Dtftance
, And tbrown me out in the Furfnitt of Honoar ì Por. Marcus ,
I know tby generous Temper weli ; Fling but tV Appe arance of Dtfbonour
on it , Itftrait takes Fire , and mounts iato a Bla^e. Marc.
A Brothers Suff rtngs clatm a Brothers Fity . Por.
jitized E correr frettolofo a certa morte
y Vedrefti alior , che Marco non è pigro A feguir gloria, ed a
ritrar dal Padre. Amor non cede , nè a ragion , nè ad aita Ambizion
, nè a fete di grandezza . Alma novella egli è della ftefs* Alma :
Scalda ogni vena , e batte in ciafcun pollo. II Tento io qui : disfatto è
il mio coraggio . for^. Mira il Giovine Giuba, di Numiviia Il
Principe, con quanta cura ci forma Se medefmoalla gloria, e la
natia Fierezza frena, a far vedere in lui Del noftro Padre il vivo
illuftre efempio. La noftra fuora Marzia egli ama , e molto L* ama
: il dicon fuoi fguardi, atti, e fembianti j Ma chiufo il fuoco pur gli
arde nel petto. Quand* ei più crefce , ed a sfogarfi a (pira ,
Sentimento d' onor, defio di fama Spingon la fiamma a ritornare al
cuore. Che! un Affricano, ed un di Giuba erede Rinfaccerà del gran
Catone al figlio, E potrà al Mondo tutto ancor moftrare Una Virtù,
che in cuor Romano manca ? Marc. Porzio , non più : voflre parole
lafciano Puntura dietro a lor : quando mai Giuba , O Porzio ancor ,
mi trapaflaro tanto Nella virtudc , e dell' onor nel corfo ?
Tor^ Marco, la gencrofa indole tua Io ben ravvifo> che fe pur sù
quella , Di difonor la minima favilla Cada, ella prende fuoco , e
forge in fiamma . Marc. Vuol fraterno foffrir pietà fraterna.
Por^. Il Digitized by Google <8(
><* )& Por. Hfdi; n faows I psty tbee : Beboìd my
Eyes ESn wbilfl I (peak Do t bey not faim in Te ars ?
Il ere bttt my Heart as naked to thy Vieiv y Marcus isùonld fee it
bleed in bis Babai f . Marc. Why tbendcft treat me uriti Rcbukes,
inftead Of k/ud condoliti^ Cares and friendly Sorrow ? Por. 0
Marcus , did I know tbe ÌVay so e afe Tby troubled Heart , and mitigate
thy Tatns , Marcus y belic<ve me 7 / couìd die to do it . Marc.
Tbou beft of Brothers, and tbou befl of Fiìends ! Pardon a weak
diftemperd Soul , tbat fwells JVitb fudden Gufls , and finis as foon in
Cahns , Tbe Sport of Paffions ■ But Sempronitts comes :
He muli not find tbts Softnefs bangi ug on me . [ exit. SCENE
IL Sempronius folus. COnfpiracies no fooner fboud b: forni
d Tban executed . JVbat means Portius bere ì I IHe not tbat cold
Toutb. I muft dtjìemble , And [peak a Language foreign to my Heart
. Sempronins, Portius. Semp. Good Morroiu Porttus ! Ut
us once embrace , Once more embrace ; "ubtlfl yet we botb are
free. To Morrou) fboud noe tbus exprefs our Fr/endfbip , Eacb mtght
recede a Slave into bis Arms : Tbis Sun perbaps , tbts Morntng Suns tbe
lafl Tbat ere f ball rife on Roman Liberty . Por. My Fasber
bas tbts Morntng calN togetber To Digitized by
Google Por^. II Gel lo si', s' io n 1 ho pietade. Mira
Or gli occhi miei: non nuotan' effi in pianto? Ah fe il mio cuor nudo a
tua vifta fufle, Marco il vedria in fua metà piagato. Marc.
Or perchè sì trattarmi con rimprocci, Di blande cure , e duol compagno in
vece ? Tor%. O Marco , s' io poteffi V affannato Tuo cuor
calmare, et addolcir le pene, Marco, credilo a me , per ciò morrei.
Marc. Ottimo tu fratello, ottimo amico! A un turbato perdona e fiacco
cuore , Tofto gonfio in tempefta, e tofto in calma , Delle paflìoni
fcherzo ... Ah ! vien Sempronio : Che in quefto mal decoro ei non mi
nuove . parte. SCENA IL Sempronio folo*
Scmpr. Z*^ Ongiure non più tofto handa formarO, 1 Che
efeguirfi. Che vuol mai qui Porzio ? Di quello giovan la flemma m' è noja
. Diflìmular m' è d' uopo , e ragionare In (tran linguaggio , e dal
mio cuor diverfo . Sempronio y e Forato . Sempr. Buon giorno
, caro Porzio : ora abbracciamoci : Un' altra volta ancor, mentre fiam
liberi: Forfè avrfa , fe doman noi ci abbracciaffimo, Uno fchiavo
ciafeun tra le fue braccia . Qyeft' Alba forfè, e quefto Sol fia il fezzo
, Che forgerà fu libertà Romana . Tor^ In q 11 ^* hi* povera mio
Padre C Que- To poor Hall bit little Roman
Settate , ( T£f Lcanings of Pharfalta ) to confale
Ifyet he can oppofa the migbty Torrent Tbat bear s down Rome,
and ali ber Gods, ècfore />, Or muti at lengthgvvc up the World
to Cafar. Sempr. Noi ali the Pomp and Majefly of Rome Can rat
fa ber Senate more tban Catos f re fame % Hit Vtrtues render our Affcmbly
awful , Tbey ftrike ntsth fometbmg Itke religioni Fear And make
enfn Cafar trcmble at the Head OfArmies fin fa d witb Conqaeft : 0 my
Portiti, Could I but cali tbat ivondrous Man my Fatber y Woùd but
t'by Sifter Marcia he propitiont To tby Friend / Vowt : I migbt he blefad
indeedi Por. Alas ! Sempronio , woud/i tbou talk of home To
Marcia , wbitti ber Fatbert Lifes in Danger ? Tbou migbift at ivell court
the pale trembling Veftal , Wben fbe beboldt the boly Fiume expiring
. Sempr. The more Ifae the Wonders ofthy Race The more
Tm charm d . Tbou maft takcòeed y my Portimi Tbe World bai ali its Eyet
on Catos Som. Tby Fatbert Merit fan tbe* up to View , And fbowt
tbee in tbe f aere ft poi ut of Ltgbt , To make tby Virenti ir tby Fomiti
confatemi . Por. Welldoft tbou feem to check my Lìngring bere
On tbit importuni Hour FU Jlruit avuay , And -nobile tbe
Fatbert of the Semate meet In Digitized
by G «3C *9 )S* Quefta mattina il picciol fuo
Senato [ Avanzi di Farfalia ] adunar vuole , A confuicar fe ancora
ei puote opporfi Al torrente , che in giù precipitofo Roma porta e
i fuoi Dei : o pure al fine Cedere il Mondo a Cefare . Sempr. Di Cato
La prefenza fol può Roman Senato Erger non men , che maeftà di Roma
. Noltra affemblea fan reverenda Tue Virtudi, e infpiran un devoto
orrore. E fanno ancora Cefare tremare Alla tefta d' altiere
vincitrici Armate: Porzio mio, oh s' io potetti Padre appellar
qucnV uom maravigliofo , E propizia la tua Sorella Marzia A i voti
fu (Te dell* amico tuo ; Veracemente io mi faria beato .
?or£. Ah Sempronio , vuoi tu parlar d' amore A Marzia , or che la
vita di fuo Padre Sta in periglio ? tu puoi carezzar anco Una
Veftale pallida tremante, Che già miri fpirar la fanta fiamma .
Semfr. Quanto le meraviglie di tua ftirpe 10 feorgo , tanto
più ne fon rapito . Prenditi guardia , Porzio : il Mondo tutto Tien
gli occhi fuoi fui figlio di Catone. 11 merito paterno ponti in
vifta , E ti moftra di luce al più bel punto, A far più
chiari tuoi vizj o virtudi . Por%. Incolpi con ragion la mia
lentezza Su queft* ora importante ... Or ora io parto : E mentre i
Padri del Senato fono Ci In Digitized by
Google *3( *o )&* In clofe Belate , to
iveigb tV Eventi ofJFar, TU ammcte the Soldtcrs drooptng Courage,
Wttb Lowe of Freedom, and Contempt of Life. TU tbunder tn thetr Ears
their Country s Caufe ? And try to rouje up ali tbais "Roman tn *cm
. not tu Mori ah to command Succefs , But veli do more y
Scmprontus noe II deferve it . [ Exit • Sempronius folus .
Cnrfe on the Stripling ! bow be Ape's bis Sire ? Rmbitioufly
fententious ! — But I wonder Old Sypbax comes not j bis Numidtan Genius
Is weli dtfpofed to Mtftbtef, were be prompt And eager on it > but be
muft be fpurrd , And ciìry Moment qutckr.ed to the Courfe . Cato
bas ufed me 111 : He bas refufed Hts Daugbter Marcia to my ardent
Vorws. Befides , bis baffled Arms and rutned Caufe Are Barrs to my
Ambition. Cafars Favour, Tbat fboisSrs down Greatneff on bis Friends ,
wsll raife me To Kome's firft Honours . If 1 give up Cato, I clatm
in my Reward bis Captine Daugbter . Bnt Sypbax comes ! — - .SCENE
III Syphax, Sempronius. ■ Syph. — Q
Empronius , ali it ready , O l v w founded my Numidi ans , Man ly
Man , Ami Digitized by Google
In ferrato contratto a bilanciare Gli eventi della guerra j V
abbattuto E fcorrente coraggio de* foldati Ergerò coir amor di lìbertade
, Col difprezzo di vita : al loro orecchio Intonerò lacaufa della
Patria , Ciò eh 1 è Romano in lor , dettar tentando . Non è dell*
uomo i) comandar fortuna 3 Ma quel eh* è più, Sempronio, è il meritarlo,
parte Sempronio filo . Maledetto Garzon ! come fuo
Padre Contraf fa egli , c 'I fentenziofo affetta ! Stupifco ,
che Siface ancor non viene . Il fuo genio Numidico è ben atto Alla
cattività; fufs* egli pronto; Ma d' uopo a ogni momento egli ha dì fprone
. Meco non ben Caton s* è diportato. Rifiutato ha la fua figliuola
Marzia A gli ardenti miei voti : in oltre V armi Sue abbattute e
rumata caufa Oftacol ranno all' ambizione mia . Il favore di Cefare
, ed il fuo Piover grandezza fu gli amici fuoi Alzerà me di Roma a
i primi onori. S* io tradifeo Caton , la figlia fua Sarà mio
premio. Ma Siface viene. SCENA Ut Siface , e
Sempronio* Sif. Q Empronio , tutto è prefto : ho io tentati O
Tutti i Numidi miei ad uno ad uno : In And fini
Vw ripe for a Remoli : Tbcy ali Complatn aloud of Catos Dtfcipltne
, And watt but the Communi to clange their Majler .
Sempr. Believe me , Sypbax , tberes no Time to wafie $ £<v'«
wbilfi uh* [peak , wr Conqneror comes on y And gatbers Ground upon us evry
Moment . Alasi tbou knowft not Csfars attive Soni y Wttb r what 0
dreadful Courfe he rufbes on From IVar to War : In vatn has Nasute forni
à Mounsains and Oceans to oppofe bis Pajfage ; He Bornia^ s oer ali
, vittortous in bis March , Tbe Alpes and Pyreneans feuk before bim
; Tbrottgb JVindSyand IVaves , and Ssorms y be works bis way,
Impattentfor tbe Battei: One Day more Wtllfet tbe Vtttor tbnndring at our
Gates. But teli me y ba/ì tbou yet draivn oer young Juba ? Tbat
jltll ivoui recommend tbee more to C&far y And challenge bette? Terms
— • Siph. Alas ! bes loft , He"s loft , Sempronius
; ali bis Tbougbts are full Of Catos Vtrtues But TU try once
more ( For e<vry Inflant l expeil bim bere ) Ifyet I can
fubdste tbofe ftubborn Principici Of Faitb , of Honour , and I know not
isobat , Tbat bave corrupted bis Numtdiau Temper , And ftruck tb*
Infetti on into ali bis Sotti. Sempr. Be fure to prefs upon bim
evry Motive. Juhas Surrender , finse bis Fatbcrs Deatb , IVould
give up Afrtck into Csfars Hands , Ani In
punto ci fono già d ammutinarti . Dell* auftera di Caco difciplina
Fan tutti alti lamenti : ed a cambiare Padron , non altro attendono , che
il cenno. Scmpr. Siface, tempo quì non è da perdere. Mentre
eh* uom parla > il vincitor s* accoda , £ campo fopra noi prende a
momenti . L* attività di Celar non conofe? , Che con tremendo corfo
Io precipita Di guerra in guerra : invan formò natura Montagne e
mari a opporli a fuo paffaggio : Ei formonca in Tua marcia, e varca tutto;
SpiananG avanti a lui Pirene ed Alpi : Per entro a i venti , e V onde , e
le tempefte La via fi fa bramofo di battaglia . Un giorno più ,
porrallo a noftre porte. Ma dimmi; hai guadagnato il giovin Giuba?
A Cefar ciò si ti farà più grato , E ti farà più vantaggiofo. Stf. Ohimè
! E* perduto, Sempronio, egli è perduto. Son tutti i fuoi pender
delle virtuti Pieni di Caro ... Ma io vo provare Anco una volta [
perciocch' io V attendo Qui a momenti ] s' ancor vincer poffo
Quelle m aflìme dure ed infleflibili Di fe , d* onore , e di non so qu ai
cofe , Che r indole Numidica hangli guada , E tutta 1* alma fua
tinta ed infetta. Scmpr. Imprimigli ben ben ciafeun motivo .
Se Giuba fi rcndeffe, poicrf è morto Il Padre fuo ; darebbe nelle mani
A Cefar Y Affrica, c farebbel Sire Della
Digitized by Google And mah btm Lord of balf tbe
buruing Zone . Syph. Bup is it trae, Sempronius , tbat your
Settate Is calfd togetber ? Gods ! Tbou musi b'e cauttous ! Cato
bas piercing Eyes, andivill dtfcern Oitr Brands , unles (bey re cover d
tbtck isoitb Art . Scmpr. Let me alone , good Sypbax , TU
conceal My Tbougbts in Fajjton ( *$$$ tbefureft *way > ) TU
bello w cut for Rome and f or my Country , And moutb at Cafar ttll I
fbake tbe Settate . Tour cold Hypocrtjjc's a ti ale Dewice y A wotm
out Trick: Wonldsl tbou betbougbt in Farne ftì Cloatb tbyfetgnd Zeal in
Rage, in Ftre , in Fury ! Syph. In trotb y tbotirt ablc to inftrutl
Grey bairs , And teacb tbe wily African Deceit ! Scmpr Once
more , Le fare to try tby Skill on Jnba. Mean *wbi!e FU baslcn to my
Roman Soldiers , Infame tbe Muttny , and under band BlocJ »p tbeir
Dijcontentt , tilt tbey break out Unlocìid for , and dtf ebarge tbemfehes
on Cato . Remembcr, Sypbax , we muft work in Hafle : O thrà wbat anxious
Moment s pafs betwen Tbe Btrtb of Flots 3 and tbeir laft fatai Periods
. Obi *tts a dreadful Internai of Time, Ftltd up isottb Horror ali
, and big witb Deatb ! Deftrutlton bangs on c*vry Word we fpeak ,
On evry Tbougbt , *till tbe concludi ng Stroke Determtncs ali , and
clofes our Dcfign . ( Exit • Syphaxfolus TU try ifyst I
can reduce to Reafon Thit Digitized by
Google «3( Della metà dell'infocata Zona.
Stf. E' egli ver, Sempronio, che 'J Senato Vollro s* adunerà ? Sii
ben guardingo : Cato ha occhi sì acuti e penetranti,
Ch' egli fi accorgerà di noli re frodi , Se ben non fi
ricuoprono con arte. Sempr. Lafciami far , Siface : afeonder voglio
Dentro la paffione i miei penfieri . Quefla è la via la più
ficura : io voglio Aito gridar per Roma e per mia Patria
Contra Cefar , Anch' io fcuota il Senato . Le fredde
ipocrifie fon moda antica , E ufato giuoco . Eflfer tu vuoi
creduto Sincero ? vedi il fimulato zelo E di rabbia, e
di fuoco, e di furore. Stf Inver tu puoi infimi r vecchi anco
fcaltri, E infegnar frode all'Affocano ifteffo . Sempr, A
Giuba guadagnar tue arti impiega , Mentre al Romano efercito m'
affretto A incoraggiar gli ammutinati , e loro Odii
infiammar , foffiando fottomano , Finché impenfati rompan fopra
Cato , Vuolfi , Siface, qui celeritade. Quanto
angofeiofi padano i momenti Fra '1 nafeer di Congiure , e '1 fin
fatale ! Oh qua 1 dubbio intervallo, afpro, e tremendo,
Colmo tutto d' orror , pregno di morte ! Da ogni voce pende
la ruina , Da ogni penfier , finché P ultimo colpo
Termine ponga a perigliofa imprefa . farte . Siface foìo
. Tentar vo* , s' anco pofso alla ragione D Rad-
Digitized by Google TWj beadìlrong Youtb,
andmake bìm fpurn at Cato. Tbe Ttme a Jbort , Csfar comes rufbtng on ut —
— Bnt boldl young Julafeet me y and approdi bes . SCENE
IV. » > Juba, Syphax . Jub. O Tpbax , /
joy to meet tbee thus alone . O ì ha*V* objemed of late tby Looks
are falYn y Cfcrcaft "ysottb gloomy Cares 5 and Dtfcontent
> 77>f » /f // wrf , Sypbax , / coniare tbee , w , Wbat are
tbe T bonghi tbat hit tby Brow in Frownt y And turn tbtne Eye tbus coldly
on tby Prènce ? Syph. Tèi not my Talent to conceal my Tbougbtt
, • Nor carry Smtlet and Sun-fbtne in my Face , Wben
Dtfcontent fits beany at my He art . I baue not yet fo mucb the Roman in
me . Jub. Wby doji tbou caft ont facb ungenrout Termi Againft
tbe Lordi and Swreigm of tbe World ? Doft tbou not fee Mankind fall down
he f or e W, And <rwn tbe Force of tbetr Superior Vtrtue t li
tbere a Nation in tbe Wtldi of Africk , Amtdft our barren Rocki and
burning Sandi , Tbat doet not tremile at tbe Roman Name ì
Syph. Codi l uberei tbe Wortb tbat feti tbit People tip Aboi)e your
own Numtdidt tawny Som ! Do tbey noitb tottgber Sinewi bend tbe Bow
? Orfltei tbe Jarveltn fwtfter to iti Mark , Larvici) d from tbe
Vsgour of a Roman Arm ? W ho Itke our atl/ve African infiruiìt
Tbe Digitized by Google Raddurrc
quello giovane ottinato, E fargli in fine difpregiar Catone. 11
tempo è breve : Celare ne viene . Ma ferma! Ecco Giuba. Egli
s'accoda. SCENA IV. Giuba, e Siface. Giti.
Q Iface , io godo d' incontrarti folo . O Toflervai poco fa turbato in
vifta , Di nuvolofe cure ofcuro il volto . Dimmi, Siface, io ti
fcongiuro, dimmi, Quai penfier ti contristano la fronte, E gir fan
freddo fui tuo Prence il guardo ? Sif. Non fon atto a celare i miei
pontieri . Non può fplendere il rifo in mio fembiante , Quando
affifo è nel cuor grave fconforto : Non ho ancor tanto del Romano
apprefo. Gtub. Perchè cai voci ingiuriofe vibri Contra i
Sovrani Signori del Mondo? L'uman gener non vedi avanti a loro
Proftrato confettar l'alto valore ? Evvi Nazione infra i deferri
d'Affrica, Fra no fi re rupi ignude e a r ficee arene, Che non
paventi e tremi a) Roman nome? Sif. O Dei ! qual meno è quel , che
quello popolo Solleva fopra i figli di Numidia? Con maggior forza
tendon eflì Parco, O vola più velocemente al fegno Dardo lanciato
da Romano braccio? Chi come l'agile Affricano , forma
«8( )fr B T£<? fiery Stecdy and tratnt bim to bit Hand
? Or guide s in Troops $V embattled Elepbant , Loaden ujitb IVar ?
Tbefe, tbefe are Arts , my Pance, In nsAich your Zama does not ftoop to Rome
. Jub. Tbeje ali are Vtrtues of a meaner Rank , Ftrfstttons
tbat are flaced tn Bones and Nerva . A Roman Soni ts bent on bigbet Vtews
: To avi li ^e tbe rude unpoltfb % d World , Ani lay it under tbe
Reftratnt of Laws j To make Man mtld andfoctable to Mani To
cultivate tbe wild licenttous Savage Witb Wtfdom , Dtjapltne , and ItVral
Artt ; TV Embelltfiments of Ltfe : Virtuet Uìe tbefe Make Human
Nature fbtne , reform tbe So*l y And break our fierce Barbarìans tnto Men
. Syph.Patieuce ktndHeavml—Excufe an old Mans wamtb JVbat are
tbefe -wond* rous civili ^ing Artt , Tbts Roman Poltfb , and tbis fmootb
Behaviour , Tbat render Man tbus tratlable and tame t Are tbey not
only to dtfgmfe our Pafftons , To fet our Looks at vartance vottb ottr
Thougbtt , To deck tbe Starts and Salita of tbe Sotti , And break
off ali itt Commerce wttb tbe Tongue ; In fhort , to ebange ut into otber
Creatura Tbau isohat our Nature and tbe Gods dejignd ut ì
Jub. To Vtrtke tbee Dumb: Turn up tby Eya to£atoì Tbere mayft thott
fee to ivbat a Godltke Heigbt Tbe Roman Vtrtues lift up mortai Man
. Wbile good , and jufi , and anxious for bis Frìends y He % s
fttll feverely bent agatnft bimfelf ; Renouncing Sleepb, and Refi ,
and Food, and Eafe , He Digitized by
Google *3( >9 )» Il feroce deftriero, e Jo maneggia
? Chi meglio in truppe guida gli Elefanti A ramaelt
rati, carichi di guerra? Quefte fon, Prence mio, quelle fon
Farti, Per cui non cede Zama vofìra a Roma . Gtnb. Arti
d'inferior ordine fon quefte , Forza e perfezion d' o da e di nervi
. Più alto mira un'anima Romana ; A formar rozzo e mal polito Mondo
, E fottoporlo al freno delle leggi, E render l'uomo all'uom mite
ed amico; Con fenno e difciplina e nobili arti Domefticar felvaggi,
e ornar la vita. Tali arti fplender fan natura umana , Riforman
l'alma, e i barbari fann' uomini. S/f. O Cieli , fofferenza / d' un
uom vecchio Sia feufato il calor: quali fon quefte Mirabili arti, e
Romana vernice, E pulito contegno, che cotanto Fan domeftico
l'uomo, e civilizzalo? Buone non fon , che a mafeherar gli affetti,
E dal volto feordar fare i penfieri, E frenar la natia voga dell'alma
, E romper Aio commercio colla lingua, E in altre creature trasformarci
Contra il difegno di Natura e Dio. Ciuk Perchè tu taccia , volgi
gli occhi a Cato. In lui rimira , quanto predo a Dio Virtù Romana
innalza un uom mortale. Per gli amici follecito , indulgente, A fe
fteftb fevero , il fonno niega , Il ripofo, ed il comodo , ed il
Col- Digitized by Google He
ftriues witb TbnJI and Hungcr , Toil and Heat ; And wb:n bts Fortune fets
before btm ali • Tbe Bomps and Bleafures tbat bis Sortì can wifb y
Hts rtgtd Vtrtne wtll accept of none. Syph. Bcltcvc ine , Prtnce ,
theres not an Afri can Tbat tra'verfes our wafi Numtdtan Dejarts In
qtteft of Prey , and Iwes upon bis Bow , Brtt better praclifes tbefe
boafted Virtues. Coarje are bts Meals , tbe Fortune of tbe Cbafe ,
Amtdft tbe rttnmng Stream be Jlakes bts Tbtrfl , ToiFs ali tbe Day , and
at tb' approacb of Ntgbt On tbe firft friendly Bank be tbrows btm down
, Or rejìs bts Head upon a Boti "ttll Morn : Tben rifes frefb
, pttrfues bis wonted Game , And tf tbe followtng Day be chance to fini
A fiew Repafl y or an untafled Sprtng y Bleffes bts Start y and tbtnks tt
Luxury . Jub. Tby Prejudices , Sypbax, wont dtf certi Wbat
Vtrtues growfrom Ignorance and Cboice y Nor bow tbe Hero dtffers from tbe
Brute . But gtant tbat Otbers coti d witb equal Glcry Look do cjn
on Pleafuret and tbe Batts of Senfe 5 IV bere fiali we find tbe Man tbat
bears Affiitlion , Great and Majefttck in bts Griefs , ìtke Cato ?
Heaiins y wttbwbat Strengtb , wbat Steadtnefs ofMind, He Triumpbs in tbe
mtdft of ali bts Sujferings ì How does be rife againll a Load of Woes
, And tbank tbe Gods tbat tbrow tbe IVetgbt upon btm \ Syph.
T## Bnde y tank Bride y and Havgbttnefs of Soul ; /
tbink Colla fete combatte, e colla famcj Collo ftento,
col caldo : e quando ancora Tutte le pompe ed i piacer del Mondo A
contentargli l'alma s' offerì fsero , Sua rigida virtù
rigctterebbegli. S/f. Credimi, Prence: non ci è Affricano,
Che varchi noftre vafte erme contrade Di preda a inchieda, e di fuo arco
viva, Che tai virtù meglio non metta in opra . Rozzo mangiar ciò
che gii da la caccia : Nel corrente rufcel traflì la fete; Tutto il
dì (tenta , e quando vien la notte Gettali filila prima amica ripa,
O fopra rupe la fua tetta pofa Infino a giorno. Pofcia frefeo ci
forge A profeguir fuo giuoco: e fe'l vegnente Giorno accade eh' ci
trovi un nuovo pafto , O fcaturire un non guftaro fonte, Dio
benedice , e crede effer ciò ludo . Ginb. La tua prevenzion quelle
virtudi Da non faper prodotte, da queir altre, Che figlie fon d'
elezione umana , Nè dal bruto diftinguer fa l'eroe. Ma porto che
con egual gloria fprezzi Altri i piaceri e il lufinghevol fenfo ,
Dove fi troverà mai un Catone Nel fuo dolore maeftofo e grande ?
Dei ! con qual fermo e valorofo cuore Nel mezzo a i fuoi fofFriri egli
trionfa, Sotto T incarco de* fuoi guai s' innalza , £ di quel pefo
ne ringrazia i Numi / Sif. Orgoglio è quefto, e Romana alterigia
, / ri/ffl the Romani cali tt Storci/m . Had aot
your Royal Fatber tbougbt fi b/ghty Of Roman Virtù* y and of Catos
Caufe y He had not fui In by a Slave'; Hand inglorious :
Nor would bis slangbterd Army now baue lain On Africk's Sands
, dtsfigurd iutth their Wounds , To gorge the IFohes and Vttltures
of Numtdta . Jub. IV by doft tboa cali my Sorrows np afrejb ?
My Fatber s Name brtngs Tears into my Eyes . Syph. Oh , tbat youd
profit by your Fatber s tilt ! Jub. JVbat ivortd(i tbou baie me do
? Syph. Abandon tato . Jub. Sypbax , / fiori d be more
tban twice art Orpban Byfucb a Lofi . Syph. Ay , tbere's the
Tie tbat binds you ! Toh long to cali bim Fatber . Marctas
Cbarms Work in your He art unfeen y and pie ad f or Cato . No
'wonderyou are deafto ali I Jay . Jub. Sypbax ,your Zeal becomes
importunate ; httherto permitted it to rame , And talk at large 5
but learn to keep it in , Leaft tt fio» Id take more Freedom tban VII
gfae it. Syph. Sir , your great Fatber newer ujed me tbus .
Alas , he s Dead ì But canyou eer forget The tender Sorrows , and the
Pangs of Nature 3 The foud Embraces , and repeated Blvjjìngs ,
Wbtch you dreisofrom bim in your laìt Fareivel ? Sttll muft I chertfb the
dear fad Remembrance , At once to torture and to plcafe my Seul .
Tic Digitized by Google
Chiamata da lor, credo,- Stoicifmo. Non avtfle il reale padre
voftro Tanto avuto concetto del Romano Valore, e della
caufa di Catone; Non faria fenz'onor così caduto Per
man fervile: nè Tarmata Tua Sconfitta giacerla fu gli arenofì
Campi d'Affrica, caica di ferite A ingraffar gli avoltoi
della Numidia . Giub. Perchè vuoi rinnovar mio cruccio atroce?
Chiamami al pianto di mio padre il nome. Sif. Oh profittale delle
fue fciagure / Gtub. Che vuoi eh' io faccia? S$f. Abbandonar
Catone. Giub. Orfano mi farei più di due volte. Sif. Oh, il vincolo
è quefto che vi lega ! D l'aerare di chiamarlo padre.
Di Marzia i vezzi opran fui voftro cuore * Quelli fon gli
avvocati di Catone, E a tutto quel ch'io dico vi fan fordo.
Giub. Siface , voftro zelo efee importuno. Fin qui di vaneggiare io
t' ho permeffo , E parlar largo; ora a frenarlo impara,
Nè voler franco effer più eh* io non voglio. Sif. Sir; non sì meco
usò voftro gran padre. Laflb/ egli è morto: ed obbliar potete
I teneri dolori, e le trafitte Di natura , ed i cari
abbracciamenti Le replicate benedizioni , Ch'egli vi
diede nelf cftremo addio ? E' d' uopo eh* f accarezzi la
foave Trifta rammemoranza , onde ne fente Tormento in
uno, e compiacenza l'alma. E II Digitized by
Google . «J(34)ì»> Tbe good old King , at parting ,
wrung my Hand 9 ( Hts Eyes brim-full of Tears ) tbeu figbtng cryd
, Prttbce be careful of my Som ! hts Grtcf Swelfd uf fo
htgb be coudnot utter more. Jub. Alas , tby Story mclss away my
Soni . Tbat beft of Fatbers ! Ixrw /ball I dtfebarge Tbe G rat nude
and Duty , nsJbteb 1 o*we bim ! Syph. By ìaytng up bts Counctìs tn
your He art . Jub. Hts Counctìs bade me yteld to tby Dtretltons
; Tben , Sypbax , cbtde me tu jevercjl Terms , Vcnt ali tby Pajfton
, and III fland tts fbock , Cairn and unruffled as a Summer-Sea ,
IV ben not a Breatb of IVtnd fltes oer its Sur face . Syph. Alas ,
my Prtnce , ld guide you to your Safety . Jub. I do beitele tbou
ivoud/i i but teli me bovu ? Syph, Flyfrom tbe Fate tbat follorws
Cdjars Foes . Jub. My Fatber feornd to dot . Syph. And
tberefore dyd. Jub. Better to die ten tboufand tboufattd Deatbs
y Tban isoound my Honour . Syph. Ratber fay your Lame.
Jub. Sypbax y l ite promtsd to preferve my Temper . Wby wilt tbon
urge me to confefs a Fiume y 1 long bave fitfled , and woud fatn conce al
? Syph. Beitele me , Prtnce > 'tts bard to conquer Love y
But eafie to drvert and break tts Force : Abjence mtgbt cure tt , or a
fecond Mtflrefs Ltpbt up anotber Flame , and fut out tbts . Tbe
glowsng Dames of Zamds Royal Court Have Faces flu[bt -witb more exalted
Cbarms . Tbe Sun , tbat rolls bis Cbariot oer tbeir Headt , Works
up more Ftre ani Colour tn tbetr Cbcckt : Were Digitized
by Google Il buon vecchio al partir la man mi ftrinfe
[ Gli occhi pieni di pianto ] c fofpirando Di ile ; Deh cura abbi del mio
figliuolo . E '1 gonfiato dolor così fe crollo, Ch* egli più non
poteo formar parola. Gtub. Latto ! il racconto tuo mi ft r ugge 1*
Alma . Ottimo Padre / come potre* io Adempir verfo lui i miei
doveri ? Sif. Gli avvifi fuoi nel voftro cuor ferbaee.
Gtub. Quefti tur di feguir gì* indrizzi tuoi. Co' termin più feveri
adunque bravami, Siface : sfoga pur tutto il tuo sdegno ; AH'
impeto di lui ftarommi quieto £ tranquillo , qual mar di (late , in calma
\ Quando nè pure un venticcl 1* increfpa. Sif. Prence, mia
mira è fol voftra falvezza . Gtub. C redolo j ma qual via ad effer
falvo ? Stf. De i nemici di Cefar fuggi il fato . Gtub.
Mio Padre ciò sdegnò . Stf. Perciò morio . Gtub. Mille volte morrei
, che fare oltraggio Al mi* onor . Stf. Dite pure , al voftro amore
. Gtub. Data ho parola già di (tarmi quieto. Perchè forzarmi
a palefar la fiamma Chiufa tenuta, e eh* io pur vo* celare?
Stf. Prence, amor fuperare è forte cofa; Ma romperlo è leggiera, e
divertirlo. Lontananza lo farà , od altro amore Accende un* altra
fiamma , e eftingue quella. Le Dame alla Real Corte di Zama
Splendono accefe d* un più bel vermiglio . Il Sol , che fu (or tette il
cocchio gira , Le guance tinge in più vivace fuoco. E 2
Quc- Were yon ivìtb tbefe , my Prtnce ,youd foonforget
The pale unripend Beauttes of the Nortb . Jub. Tts not a Sett of
Fatture: , or Compie xio» y The Ttnfiure of a Sktn , tbat I admire
. Beauty [oon grows famtltar to the Louer , Fades in h/s Eye y and
palls upon the Senfe . The nìtrtuous Marcia towrs abo*ve ber Sex :
True y [he is fair , [ Ob 3 bow dtutnely fair ì ] But ftìll the ìcvely
Matd improbe s ber Charmi Wilb inward Greatnefs , «naffctled Wtfdom
, And Santltty of Manners . Catos Soul Shtnes out tn enery tbtng
(he atls or fpeakf , Wbtle isoinning Mtldnefs and attrattive Smilcs
Dwell in ber Lookf , and -with becoming Grace Soften the Rigour of ber
Fatbers Vtrtues . Syph. How does yottr Tongtte gro-w u)anton in ber
Praife § Bnt on my Knees I begyoa isooud confider — — Enter
Marcia , and Lucia . Jub. Bah ! Sypbax 5 f/V not fbe ! — - Sbe
mowes tbis Way ; And njttb ber Lucia , Lucius s fair Daughter , My
Heart beats tbick • I prttbee Sypbax lea<ve me . Syph. Ten
tboufand Cttrfes f alien on % em botb ! Mow wtll tbts W 'iman VMtb a
fingle dance UadOy wbat fw been laVrtng ali tbis wbile . [ Exit
< Jub», Digitized by Google
Quefte, fe con lor fofte , o Prence mio , Farebbonvi
obbJiar quelle del Norte Beltà pallide, acerbe, ed immature.
Gtfib. Fattezze o colorito io non ammiro . Saziati tofto di beltà
1* amante : Appaffita ed intipida gli viene. La cada
Marzia il fedo Aio far monta: E' bella pur , divinamente bella
; Ma V interna grandezza , e fchietto fenno , Santi
coftumi crefcono i fuoi vezzi. Spicca Catone in fue parole ed atti
, Mentre dolci attrattive , e dolce rifo Albergan n»l
Tuo volto , ed avvenenti Grazie ammollifcono il rigor
paterno. S/f. Come facil ti (doglie voftra lingua Nelle fue
lodi ! Ma protrato a i voftri Piedi vi priego , che contideriate .
. . Entra Marcia , e Lucia. « Cinb. Siface,
oh ! non è lei ? ella quà viene Colla bella di Lucio figliuola
. Palpita forte il cor : Siface , lafciami . Stf Mille
maJedizion vengano loro ! Disfarà tutto quel che ho
fabbricato Con una fola occhiata or quefta femmina, fatte
SCE- Digitized by Google
*8( 3 8 » Juba, Marcia, Lucia. ■ Jub.
T T AH cbarming Maid y bow does tby Beantby Jmootb X~\ The Face of IV ar
, and make ev'n Horror fmtle ! At Sigbt of tbee my He art jbakes off iu
Sorro-wt 3 Ifeel a Daw» of Joy break tn npon me y And f or a nobile
forget tb % Approacb ofCtfar . Ma r. Ifioud be grteiid ,young Prime
y to tbtnk my Prefence Unbent your Tbougbtt y and (lackend Vw to Armt
y Wbtle y warm wttb Slaugbter , onr uttloriont Fot , Tbreatens
aloud , and calls you to tbe Fteld . Jub. 0 Marcia , let me bope
tby kind Concerni Andgentle fVifbes follow me to Battei! The
Tbougbt *wtll gìwe new Vigonr to my Arm y Add Strengtb and Weigbt to my
defcendtng S-word y And drive it in a Tempeft on tbe Foe.
Marc. My Prayers and IVtflet alwayt fiali attend Tbe Friends of
Rome , tbe glorious Caufe of Vtrtue , And Men appronjd of by tbe Gods and
Cato . Jub. Tbat Juba may deferte tby piont Caret, Mgare for
c<vcr on tby Godltke Fatber , Tranfplanttng y one by one , into my
Life Hit brigbt Perfecliont , Vi// / flint like bim . Marc.
My Fatber ne<ver at a Ttme like tbit Woud lai o*t bts grcat
Sotti in Wordt , and wafie Sncb Digitized
by Googl SCENA V. Giuba , Marcia , * Iw/*.
G/'^Z-. T 7 Ergin leggiadra , oh come tua beltade V La faccia della
guerra ammorbidifee , E lieto rende ancor 1' ifteflo orrore ! Dal
mio cuore il dolor fugge a tua villa; Spuntar fento novella alba di gioja
, E Ccfare vicino intanto obblio . Mar%. M' increfeeria il
penfar, giovane Prence, Che de i voftri penfier Rendette 1* arco La
mia prefenza, c gli impigrire air armi; Mente caldo di ftrage il
Vincitore Alto minaccia , e sì t* afpetta al campo. Gtub. O
Marzia lafcia , eh* io fperi , che tue Cure cortefi , e generofe
brame M* accompagnino franco alla battaglia. Quefto pcnfier , nuovo
daranne al braccio Vigore e forza , e pefo al mio fendente , Che
cadrà fui nimico in gran tempefta. Mar%. Miei prieghi e voti gli
amici di Roma Seguiran tempre, di virtù la caufa , E i pregiati da
i Dei e da Catone . Gtub. Per meritar le tue pietofe cure,
Sempre fido darà Giuba in tuo Padre , Le iltuftri doti fue ad una ad
una Trapiantando in fe fteffo, finché giunga A fimile fplcndor.
Mar^, Mio Padre mai Non avrebbe in un tempo come quello , Logorato
il fuo fpirito in parole, Sucb precious Moment* . Jub.
Tby Rtprocfs are imfi s T/tf* wrtuous Matd > *o «yi Troops
, «^«(/ /ir* ffo/r langutd Souls witb Catos Vtrtue ; If e' re
I Uad tbem io the Fteld y wben ali The lì ar Jball ftanà ranged m tts
juft Array , And dreadful Fomp : 1 ben wtll I tbtnk on ti: se l
0 lowely Matd , Tben wtll I tbtnk on Tbee ! And , in tbe Jbock of
cbarging Hcfts , remember U'bat glonous Deeds fboud grate tbe man, wbo
bopes Ter Marcia s Leve . Lue. Marcia , you re too federe
: Hgvd ccud you cbide te young goodnatured Prince, And drt*vc
htm f rem you witb fo ftern an Air , A Prtnce tbat Icves and dotet on you
to Deatb ? Mar. T/x tberefore , Lucia , tbat 1 cbtde htm front
me Hit Air , bts Voice , bis Locks y and bonetl Sotti Speak ali fo
mwingly in bis Bebalf, 1 dare not truft my felfto bear btm talk
. Lue. IV ly ivi II you fighi agatnft fo fweet a Paffton y
And fi rei yeur Heart to fucb a World of Cbarms ? Mar. Hciv ,
Lucìa , ivoudft tbou baie me fink away In fleajing Drcams , and lofe my
felf in Leve y Wen enìry moment Catos Ltfes at Stake ? Cafar comes
arnid witb Terror and E^venge, And atms bts Tbunder at my Fatbers Head
: Sboud not tbe fad Occafion fwallow up My otber Cares , and draw
tbem ali tnto it ? Lue. Wby baie not I tbts Conftancy ofMtnd
y Wbo Nè tanti cari momenti
perduto. Giub. Sono giudi i rimproveri, Donzella Valorofa :
nV invio alle mie truppe Col valor di Catone a infiammar V
alme. Se mai ai campo condurrolle , quando La battaglia
fchierata fi preferiti In fiera pompa ; in te terrò il
penfiero, Vaga Donzella , in te terrò il penfiero: £
nel più forte della dura zuffa Sovverrommi, quai fatti
gloriofi Un* amante fregiar deggian , che afpira AH*
amore di Marzia. fané Lue. Sete,o Marzia , Troppo fevera.
Come il cuor fofTrio Di fgridar così buon giovine Prence,
E fcacciarlo con aria così torva, Prence, che v' ama più
della fua vita ? Marifr Per quello, Lucia, da me lo difeaccio.
L' aria, la voce, il guardo , il gentil core Parlan per lui
con tal podente incanto , Che d' udirlo parlare io pur non
ofo. Lue. Perchè combattere un fi dolce affetto? Perchè
indurare a tanti vezzi il core ? Mar^ Come mai , Lucia , vuoi eh* io mi
disfaccia In piacevoli fogni e in folli amori, Orche in
cimento èognor vita di Cato? Vien di vendetta e di terrore
armato Cefare , e di Caton mira alla teda II fulmin fuo
: la trifta congiuntura Impiega tutti quanti i miei penfieri,
E sì gli unifee e rinconcentra in ella. tue. Se tanti ho io così
gravofi affanni , F P<r- <3( 4»
)& Wio * fu mavy Grufi to try its Torce ? Sure y
Nature fot md me of ber fof tifi Mould y Enfeebled ali my Sotti uoitb
tender Paffions y And funi me evn below my own vjeak Sex : Pity and
Love , by turns , opprefs my Heart . Mar. Lucia , d sburtben ali tby
Cares on me. And let me [bare tby ma Vi re tir ed Diftrefs ; Teli
me ix'bo raifes up tbis Confiicl in tbee ? Lue. / need not blufb to nawe
tbem , isjben I teli tbee T bey re Marcia s Brotbers , and tbe Sons
of Cato . Mar. Tbty betb bebold tbee ^ub tbeir Sifters Eyes : And
often bave reveal d tbeir Vajfion to me. But teli me , u bofe Addreft
thott f amour ft mofl ? Hong to btow , and jet I àrtad to bear it .
Lue. ì'/bicb is it Alarci a ^ijòesfor ? Mar. For nei t ber —
And y et f or botb — Tbe Tcutbs bave equal Sbare In Marcias Vifbes
, and divide tbeir Sifleri But teli meikb'ub of tbtm is Lucia s
Cboicet Lue. Marcia, tbey lotb are bipb in my Efleem, But in
my Love — li'by wilt tbou make menante hìm ? Tbou intrisi ft it it a blid
andfoolfb Paffion y Pleasd at.d difgpfted v'itb it knemos not vubat
. Mar. O Lucia , I m ferplex % d 9 O teli me vobtcb I mufl
bereafter cali my bafpy Brotber ? Lue. Suppofe 'twere Portins 3 coudyou
blame my Cboicet O Tortimi , tbou bafì fioln a^ay my Soul ! IV'ith
vi bat a gractfid Tender ne fs be loves ! And breatUs tbe foftefi , tbe
fincerefl Voisos ì Complacency , and Trutb , and manly Sweetneft
Dj.)fll ever on bis Tofane , and fmootb bis TbotfghtS. Marctts is
ovtr-warm > Ih fond Compiami Have Digitized
by Google Perchè una tal fermezza non m' è data ?
Fcmmi natura di più molle parta , Co' più teneri affetti
infievoiimmi , £ caricò Copra il mio debol fedo: Pietà
e Amor dittringommi a vicenda. Mar%. Lucia, le cure tue fopra me
pofa; Mettimi a parte de* tuoi cupi affanni . Dimmi,
chi detta in te quello conflitto? Lue. Non ho da aver rollar di
nominare I tuoi fratelli, e figli di Catone. Mar%- Coli'
occhio di lor fuora ambi ti mirano, E il loro amor fovente hanmi
fvelato . Ma dimmi, qual de i due più favorifei? Bramo
faperlo, c pur temo d* udirlo. Lue. Qual 1 è quegli , che Marzia brameria
? Mar^. Niun de due, - e forfè anco amenduni - Di Marzia
nelle brame hanno egual parte I giovani , e dividon la
forella. Ma dimmi: Lucia qua* di loro elegge? Lue. Marzia,
ambo fon nella mia (lima grandi, Ma nel mi* amor . . . perchè vuoi tu eh'
io '1 nomini Ben tu fai , come è cieco amore e folle , II
qual , ne fa perchè, vuole e difvuole . Mar%. Lucia , io fon perplcffa .
O dimmi , quale Appellar deggia il mio fratel felice. Lue. Se
foffe Porzio , me 'n da re (le biafmo ? O Porzio , m* hai involata Y alma
mia . Con qual leggiadra tenerezza egli ama ! Spira i difii più
fchictti , e più gentili . Verità , cortetla , mafehia dolcezza
Pulifcon le parole ed i penfieri . Fervido è Marco , e impetuofi
troppo F 2 Sono *3( 44 )fr /firw mncb
Farr.ejìnefs and PcJJton in tbem\ 1 bcur bim ivitb a /cerei kind of
Dread y And tremile at bis Vebemence of Temper Mar.
Alas poor Tontb ! low cari fi tbou tbrow bim front the ? Li: :ìa ,
tbou knormB not balf tbe Love be bears tbee\ H benecr be jpeaks of
ti ce , bis Hearfs in Flames, lls fendi ottt ali bis Soul in ewry
Word , , 'mi tbixks , and talks , and looks like one
tranfportcd. Vnbappy Tontb! boiu v/ill thy CoUnefs raife
. i Francesco Paolo Bozzelli. Keywords:
il tragico, il tragico latino, l’implicatura di Lucano, l’edonismo di Bozzelli,
capitol su Bozzelli nella storia della filosofia italiana di Gentile –
edonismo, morale, etica – costituzione napoletana. Refs.: Luigi Speranza,
“Grice e Bozzelli” – The Swimming-Pool Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51690066285/in/photolist-2mRReaw-2mKF6Rp
Grice
e Bozzetti – bruno contro I matematici -- filosofia
italiana – Luigi Speranza (Borgoratto Alessandrino). Filosofo. Grice: “If
Strawson is a Griceian, Bozzetti is a Rosminian – he philosophised on substance
(‘il concetto di sostanza’ from the point of view of ‘gnoseologia,’ and also on
‘dialogue,’ and ‘piety,’ – he also speaks, like I do, of construction, and
reconstruction, and indeed, ‘metaphysical reconstruction,’ one of my routines!”
– “My favourite has to be his philosophy of dialogue.” -- Figlio di Romeo (uno
dei Mille di Garibaldi, divenne colonnello e poi generale dell’Esercito
Italiano) e da Edvige Griziotti De Gianani. I genitori erano originari dalla
provincia di Cremona. Tutta la famiglia Bozzetti si sposta a Trapani, poi a
Napoli, a Reggio Calabria, ad Ancona, a Genova e infine a Torino, seguendo le
destinazioni del capofamiglia. Scrive delicate poesie, indirizzate ai suoi familiari.
Si laurea a Torino. Entra nell’ordine dei Rosminiani. Novizio al Convento
rosminiano del Sacro Monte Calvario di Domodossola (dove una sala è oggi a lui
dedicata) e ordinato sacerdote. Si laurea a Roma. Insegna a Domodossola. Nominato
Superiore Provinciale dei Collegi rosminiani e a Roma. Eletto Preposito
Generale, cioè VII successore di Antonio Rosmini. Insegna a Roma. Sostenne e
spiegò le tesi di Rosmini, in particolare quelle esposte nella Filosofia del
diritto. Sacro Monte Calvario di
Domodossola, Via Crucis. La persona è soggetto di diritto, cioè cerca
liberamente la verità e aderisce liberamente alla legge morale, su cui forma la
propria coscienza e la consapevolezza di avere una destinazione o metier.
Gl’Agiati pubblicano questo sintetico profilo di lui. Attratto dalla filosofia
rosminiana che fa della “persona” il diritto sussistente ed il fondamento dello
stato italiano, ripropose la metafisica del filosofo roveretano quale unica
speculazione che sapesse inquadrare il problema dell'essere personale in un'organicità
ontologica più comprensiva (il vivente). Filosofo costruttivo, capace di far
convergere molteplicità ed unità, frammentarismo e organicità. Lettera di
Rosmini, Risposta al prof. Sciacca, Domodossola, C. Antonioli. Centro di studi
filosofici di Gallarate. Dizionario biografico degli italiani. Nacque
a Borgoratto (Alessandria) il 19 sett. 1878 da Romeo, prima garibaldino poi
ufficiale dell'esercito regolare, e da Edvige Gianani. Il B. compì gli studi
seguendo il padre nelle diverse residenze di Trapani, Napoli, Reggio Calabria,
Ancona, Genova, Torino. In quest'ultima città conseguì la laurea in
giurisprudenza, rivolgendo però maggiore interesse alla filosofia, in
particolare al pensiero di Rosmini ("Fu una liberazione quando trovai
nella Filosofia del diritto di Rosmini che la persona umana è il diritto
sussistente. Notiamo bene: la persona non solo ha dei diritti ma essa è il
diritto": Il valore della persona, in Opere, III, p. 2924). Apparve dunque
fondamentale al B. il concetto di persona come diritto sussistente, che gli rivelò
il proprio esistere "come soggetto di tre esigenze fondamentali,
inviolabili e inalienabili: la ricerca e il possesso della Verità, la libera
adesione alla Legge morale con la conseguente formazione della coscienza, la
consapevolezza di una destinazione eterna, oltre questa vita mortale"
(ibid., pp. 2924 s.). Dopo la laurea, entrò all'Istituto della Carità; fu
novizio al Calvario di Domodossola nel 1900 e nel 1906 fu ordinato sacerdote.
Nel 1908 si laureò in filosofia; nel 1909in lettere all'università di Roma.
Incominciò quindi la sua esperienza educativa come insegnante di filosofia, di
letteratura italiana, di teologia nelle scuole dell'Istituto della Carità. Fu
superiore dei collegi rosminiani; nel 1929 fu superiore provinciale, e infine
superiore generale dell'istituto intero dal 1935 fino alla morte. Nel
1908 il B. pubblicò a Roma Il concetto di sostanza e la sua attuazione nel
reale. Saggio di ontologia e metafisica (Opere, I, pp. 5-59). Del 1909 è il
volume su Antonio Rosmini nell'aspetto estetico e letterario, Roma (Opere, I,
pp. 63-217), che tratta della formazione e delle qualità dello stile di Rosmini
e del suo merito come scrittore, e illustra la sua teoria estetica. Al 1917
appartiene il saggio Rosmini nell'"Ultima Critica" di Ausonio Franchi,
Firenze (Opere, I, pp. 221-302). Negli anni 1923-26 il B. pubblicò La vita di
Antonio Rosmini (Opere, I, pp. 305-373). Dopo una serie di scritti minori (Tra
noi e Dio, Domodossola 1935; Nella Chiesa di Cristo, ibid. 1939; Lineamenti di
pietà rosminiana, ibid. 1940), pubblicò nel 1940 a Milano gli Sviluppi del
pensiero rosminiano nella "Teosofia"(Opere, III, pp.
2795-2843). In questo saggio il B. affrontava il problema dell'"ente
nella sua totalità". Per Rosmini tutto il sistema del sapere umano ha tre
principî: l'idea, l'anima, l'ente. La filosofia deve cominciare dal principio
ideale, quindi procedere allo studio del principio subiettivo intelligente. Ma
per raggiungere il suo compimento la filosofia deve studiare "ciò che è
primo nell'ordine assoluto degli oggetti conoscibili, per sé, ossia l'ente …
Così si arriva all'Ontologia". Il primo ontologico è chiamato da Rosmini
"essenza dell'essere". Questa, una in se stessa, si trova determinata
in una pluralità di forme: ideale, reale, morale. La conciliazione razionale
dell'unità dell'essere e della molteplicità degli enti si ha "nella natura
dell'essenza dell'essere, cioè nella sua virtualità"(ibid., p. 2828). Il
reale, secondo il B., come già per Rosmini, è sentimento e ha origine per creazione.
Il B. si richiama a questo punto alla dottrina rosminiana del sentimento
fondamentale, che non è soltanto il sentimento fondamentale corporeo, ma è
"la realtà dell'atto con cui noi ci sentiamo come esseri viventi, di una
vita che è al tempo stesso spirituale e sensitivo-corporea" (ibid., p.
2837). Nel 1943 fu pubblicato a Roma Il problema ontologico nella
filosofia rosminiana (Opere, I, pp. 923-1045), che comprende il corso di
filosofia teoretica tenuto dal B. nell'università di Roma, dove egli era stato
nominato nel 1942 libero docente di filosofia per alti meriti culturali.
Al 1945-46 appartiene La persona umana, corso di lezioni di filosofia morale
tenuto all'università di Roma in quell'anno accademico (Opere, I, pp.
1109-1189). Il problema della persona era stato, come si è visto, il
problema che aveva costituito il punto di partenza intellettuale del Bozzetti.
Da questo problema iniziale, da cui era partito, il B. percorse la
"traiettoria ontologica". Dalla persona all'essere ideale,
dall'essere ideale a Dio da una parte e alle tre forme dell'essere dall'altra
con tutte le principali implicanze. La "traiettoria sociale", che è
l'altra traiettoria secondo cui si sviluppò il pensiero del B. sulle tracce
della dottrina rosminiana, tornava a implicare il problema della persona,
riconosciuta quale realtà che, per la presenza del divino, deve essere sempre
tenuta presente non come ragione di mezzo, ma come avente ragione di fine.
Tutti i possibili rapporti tra gli uomini - politico, giuridico, economico,
affettivo - debbono fondarsi su questa concezione della persona. Il B.
morì a Roma il 27 maggio 1956. Gli scritti del B. sono stati raccolti in
G. B., Opere complete, a cura di M. F. Sciacca, 3 voll., Milano 1966.
Fonti eBibl.: G. Esposito, Il "gran rifiuto" di Rosmini, I, Rosmini e
il 1848, in Riv. rosminiana, XXVII (1933), 3, pp. 211-219 (replica di G. B.
ibid., pp. 219-223); Id., Il "gran rifiuto" di Rosmini, III, Replica
al B.,ibid., XXVIII (1934), 2, pp. 127-132 (replica di G. B., ibid., pp. 132-135);
M. F. Sciacca, Rosmini e noi. Lettera al p. G. B.,ibid., XXXVIII (1944), 1-2,
pp. 2-13; Id., Il sec. XX, Milano 1947, II, pp. 549, 844; D. Morando,
Ricordando un educatore-filosofo: il p. G. B., in Rivista rosminiana, L (1956),
3, pp. 161-174; C. Riva, P. G. B. Il pensatore e il sacerdote, in Atti della
Accademia roveretana degli Agiati, V (1956), pp. 35-48; Id., P. G. B., in
Giornale di metafisica, XII (1957), 3, pp. 183-199; Id., La "persona"
nel pensiero di padre B., in Iustitia, III (1957), pp. 221-228; Ricordando p.
G. B., Domodossola 1957; Enciclopedia filos., I, pp. 788 s. G. Bozzetti. Un
giudizio di Siro Contri sulla filosofia neoscolastica”. Ilia ed Alberto” di
Angelo Gatti.. Matematismo” in Rosmini? Rosmini-Serbati A.”, voce
dell’Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. X, Città del Vaticano, Ente per l’E.C. e per
il libro cattolico. A distanza di un secolo, Una recente critica del “Nuovo
Saggio” da parte di G. Zamboni. A proposito di idealismo, La “realtà assoluta”.
A. Rosmini e Roma, Roma, Istituto di Studi Romani. Ai margini di un Congresso.
Affermazioni e tendenze. Amore e matrimonio. Angelina Lanz. Antonio
Rosmini e l’ora presente. Camillo Viglino. Cenni biografici di A. Rosmini nel I
volume dell’Edizione Nazionale. Che cos’è l’arte? Che cos’è l’Istituto della
Carità. Che cos’è la materia? L’indagine filosofica. Che cos’è la natura? Parla
il filosofo. Cino. Croce, Gentile e la filosofia dell’arte. D. Luigi Gentili
(rec. R. Bessero Belti). Del rosminianismo di Manzoni. Fantasma e idea nella
percezione ci sono. Fantasma e idea sono scoperti dalla riflessione nella
percezione. Foscolo. Gesuitismo. Giuseppe Morando. Gregorio XVI e Rosmini, in
Gregorio XVI, vol. I, a cura dei Camaldolesi di S. Gregorio al Celio, Roma. Il
“caso dell’Oregon” e il Tribunale politico di Rosmini. Il “gran rifiuto” di
Rosmini, La vera ragione del rifiuto, Il capitano Giuseppe Pagani. Il
fallimento della vita. Il IX Congresso nazionale di Filosofia. Il Papa e
d’Annunzio. Il principio unitario della filosofia rosminiana, in “Giornale di
Metafisica” Il valore della persona. Il valore delle cose terrene. Intorno a
Manzoni, La seconda moglie - Ancora sul rosminianismo di Manzoni - Manzoni e il
Giansenismo. L’atteggiamento religioso dell’ottocento. L’economia nel
sintetismo e nell’equilibrio di tutte le forze politiche e sociali. L’eredità
del liberalismo nella mentalità contemporanea. L’Ermengarda di Manzoni. L’etica
del Rosmini e il Prof. Zamboni. L’opera d’arte e le tre forme dell’essere.
L’ossessione del sesso. La “costante” nelle variazioni della filosofia. La
“ragione”, atto costitutivo dell’uomo. La “religione della libertà”. La
“vitalità” della logica di Rosmini. La concezione rosminiana dell’essere. La
marchesa di Canossa e A. Rosmini. La moda e il pudore. La nostra realtà e
l’altra vita. La pedagogia di A. Rosmini. La persona umana, Domodossola-Milano,
Sodalitas. La Vita di Antonio Rosmini, 1. La giovinezza. Nel silenzio. La
vocazione. In montibus sanctis. Laicismo. Le “difficoltà” dell’essere ideale,
Una tentata difesa. Le tre ascensioni spirituali di Rosmini. Leggende che
si perpetuano. Lo Stato e la religione. Lorenzo Michelangelo Billia. Natura e
soprannatura in rapporto alla realtà storica. Opinioni sul sistema di
gnoseologia e di morale di G. Zamboni, Astrazione, analisi, trasparenza, 1931,
I, 29-34. Papini nel suo “S. Agostino”. Per finire. Perché Rosmini non è
filosofo cattolico? Perorazione. Quando si parla di essere, Realtà e
trascendenza nel progresso del diritto. Replica a B. C. Replica al Bonafede,
Riassumendo le nostre discussioni gnoseologiche. Ricordando Giuseppe
Capograssi. Risposta al prof. Sciacca. Risposta alla lettera al Direttore.
Rosmini e Hegel. Rosmini e i Gesuiti in un recente articolo della Civiltà
Cattolica, La ricerca storica. Rosmini e i Gesuiti in una biografia di P.
Roothaan. Rosmini e i Rosminiani nell’Enciclopedia Treccani. Rosmini e Kant, Il
“superamento” di Rosmini. Rosmini e l’Università, Rosmini e Michaelstaedter, A
proposito di un libro di G. Chiavacci. Rosmini e S. Tommaso non possono andare
d’accordo? – Interesse scientifico e interesse pratico - Ortodossia e metodo.
Rosmini in un dizionario del Risorgimento italiano. Rosmini monofisita?
Rosmini nel diario di Margherita di Collegno, Rosmini nell’“Ultima critica” di
Ausonio Franchi.S. Francesco d’Assisi, 1926, IV, 315-317. Bozzetti G., San
Tommaso e il Rosmini, in “Coscienza”. Sempre sulla confusione fra idea
dell’essere e idea dell’ente, Per fatto personale. Sopra una cortese
discussione Zamboni-Chiarelli. Stato e Chiesa secondo C. A. Jemolo. Sul
Filottete di Sofocle. Sul problema del male, la volontà e il male. Sul
rosminianismo del Manzoni, L’innatismo nel dialogo
“Dell’invenzione”,Sull’astrazione dell’Idea dal Reale. Sull’infinità dello
spazio, il punto di vista è uno solo. Sull’ontologismo. Sulla moralità di
Machiavelli. Sulla natura della conoscenza, Risposta a G. Rossi. Tolstoi.
Umiltà del critico. Un libro significativo: Il Rosmini di B. Brunello. Un
recente giudizio sulle “Cinque Piaghe” in Germania. Rosmini: l’asceta, il
filosofo, l’uomo, l’amico, Roma, Studium.
GIORDANO BRUNO, PARIS: 1586.+ WALTER HORATIO PATER
"Jetzo, da ich ausgewachsen, Viel
gelesen, viel gereist, Schwillt mein Herz, und ganz von
Herzen, Glaub' ich an den Heilgen Geist." --
Heine+ [234] IT was on the afternoon of the Feast of Pentecost that news
of the death of Charles the Ninth went abroad promptly. To his successor
the day became a sweet one, to be noted unmistakably by various pious and other
observances; and it was on a Whit-Sunday afternoon that curious Parisians had
the opportunity of listening to one who, as if with some intentional new
version of the sacred event then commemorated, had a great deal to say
concerning the Spirit; above all, of the freedom, the independence of its
operation. The speaker, though understood to be a brother of the Order of
St. Dominic, had not been present at the mass--the usual university mass, De
Spiritu Sancto, said to-day according to the natural course of the season in
the chapel of the Sorbonne, by the Italian Bishop of Paris. It was the reign of
the Italians just then, a doubly refined, somewhat morbid, somewhat
ash-coloured, Italy in France, more Italian still. Men of Italian birth,
"to the great suspicion of simple people," swarmed in Paris, already
"flightier, less constant, than the girouettes on its steeples," and
it was love for Italian fashions that had brought king and courtiers here
to-day, with great eclat, as they said, frizzed and starched, in the beautiful,
minutely considered dress of the moment, pressing the university into a perhaps
not unmerited background; for the promised speaker, about whom tongues had been
busy, not only in the Latin quarter, had come from Italy. In an age in
which all things about which Parisians much cared must be Italian there might
be a hearing for Italian philosophy. Courtiers at least would understand
Italian, and this speaker was rumoured to possess in perfection all the curious
arts of his native language. And of all the kingly qualities of Henry's
youth, the single one that had held by him was that gift of eloquence, which he
was able also to value in others--inherited perhaps; for in all the
contemporary and subsequent historic gossip about his mother, the two things
certain are, that the hands credited with so much mysterious ill-doing were
fine ones, and that she was an admirable speaker. Bruno himself tells us,
long after he had withdrawn himself from it, that the monastic life promotes
the freedom of the intellect by its [235] silence and self-concentration.
The prospect of such freedom sufficiently explains why a young man who, however
well found in worldly and personal advantages, was conscious above all of great
intellectual possessions, and of fastidious spirit also, with a remarkable
distaste for the vulgar, should have espoused poverty, chastity, obedience, in
a Dominican cloister. What liberty of mind may really come to in such
places, what daring new departures it may suggest to the strictly monastic
temper, is exemplified by the dubious and dangerous mysticism of men like John
of Parma and Joachim of Flora, reputed author of the new "Everlasting
Gospel," strange dreamers, in a world of sanctified rhetoric, of that
later dispensation of the spirit, in which all law must have passed away; or again
by a recognised tendency in the great rival Order of St. Francis, in the
so-called "spiritual" Franciscans, to understand the dogmatic words
of faith with a difference. The three convents in which Bruno lived
successively, at Naples, at Citta di Campagna, and finally the Minerva at Rome,
developed freely, we may suppose, all the mystic qualities of a genius in
which, from the first, a heady southern imagination took the lead. But it
was from beyond conventional bounds he would look for the sustenance, the fuel,
of an ardour born or bred within them. Amid such artificial religious
stillness the air itself becomes generous in undertones. The vain young monk
(vain of course!) would feed his vanity by puzzling the good, sleepy heads of
the average sons of Dominic with his neology, putting new wine into old
bottles, teaching them their own business--the new, higher, truer sense of the
most familiar terms, the chapters they read, the hymns they sang, above all, as
it happened, every word that referred to the Spirit, the reign of the Spirit,
its excellent freedom. He would soon pass beyond the utmost limits of his
brethren's sympathy, beyond the largest and freest interpretation those words
would bear, to thoughts and words on an altogether different plane, of which the
full scope was only to be felt in certain old pagan writers, though approached,
perhaps, at first, as having a kind of natural, preparatory kinship with
Scripture itself. The Dominicans would seem to have had well- stocked,
liberally-selected, libraries; and this curious youth, in that age of restored
letters, read eagerly, easily, and very soon came to the kernel of a difficult
old author--Plotinus or Plato; to the purpose of thinkers older still,
surviving by glimpses only in the books of others--Empedocles, Pythagoras, who
had enjoyed the original divine sense of things, above all, Parmenides, that
most ancient assertor of God's identity with the world. The affinities,
the unity, of the visible and the invisible, of earth and heaven, of all things
whatever, with each other, through the consciousness, the person, of God the
Spirit, who was at every moment of infinite time, in every atom of matter, at
every [236] point of infinite space, ay! was everything in turn: that
doctrine--l'antica filosofia Italiana-- was in all its vigour there, a hardy
growth out of the very heart of nature, interpreting itself to congenial minds
with all the fulness of primitive utterance. A big thought! yet
suggesting, perhaps, from the first, in still, small, immediately practical,
voice, some possible modification of, a freer way of taking, certain moral
precepts: say! a primitive morality, congruous with those larger primitive
ideas, the larger survey, the earlier, more liberal air. Returning to
this ancient "pantheism," after so long a reign of a seemingly
opposite faith, Bruno unfalteringly asserts "the vision of all things in
God" to be the aim of all metaphysical speculation, as of all inquiry into
nature: the Spirit of God, in countless variety of forms, neither above, nor,
in any way, without, but intimately within, all things--really present, with
equal integrity, in the sunbeam ninety millions of miles long, and the
wandering drop of water as it evaporates therein. The divine
consciousness would have the same relation to the production of things, as the
human intelligence to the production of true thoughts concerning them. Nay!
those thoughts are themselves God in man: a loan, there, too, of his assisting
Spirit, who, in truth, creates all things in and by his own contemplation of
them. For Him, as for man in proportion as man thinks truly, thought and,
being are identical, and things existent only in so far as they are
known. Delighting in itself, in the sense of its own energy, this
sleepless, capacious, fiery intelligence, evokes all the orders of nature, all
the revolutions of history, cycle upon cycle, in ever new types. And God
the Spirit, the soul of the world, being really identical with his own soul,
Bruno, as the universe shapes itself to his reason, his imagination, ever more
and more articulately, shares also the divine joy in that process of the
formation of true ideas, which is really parallel to the process of creation,
to the evolution of things. In a certain mystic sense, which some in
every age of the world have understood, he, too, is creator, himself actually a
participator in the creative function. And by such a philosophy, he assures us,
it was his experience that the soul is greatly expanded: con questa filosofia
l'anima, mi s'aggrandisce: mi se magnifica l'intelletto! For, with
characteristic largeness of mind, Bruno accepted this theory in the whole range
of its consequences. Its more immediate corollary was the famous axiom of
"indifference," of "the coincidence of contraries."
To the eye of God, to the philosophic vision through which God sees in man,
nothing is really alien from Him. The differences of things, and above
all, those distinctions which schoolmen and priests, old or new, Roman or
Reformed, had invented for themselves, would be lost in the length and breadth
of the philosophic survey; nothing, in itself, either great or small; and
matter, [237] certainly, in all its various forms, not evil but divine.
Could one choose or reject this or that? If God the Spirit had made, nay! was,
all things indifferently, then, matter and spirit, the spirit and the flesh,
heaven and earth, freedom and necessity, the first and the last, good and evil,
would be superficial rather than substantial differences. Only, were joy
and sorrow also to be added to the list of phenomena really coincident or
indifferent, as some intellectual kinsmen of Bruno have claimed they
should? The Dominican brother was at no distant day to break far enough
away from the election, the seeming "vocation" of his youth, yet
would remain always, and under all circumstances, unmistakably a monk in some
predominant qualities of temper. At first it only by way of thought that
he asserted his liberty--delightful, late-found privilege!--traversing, in
mental journeys, that spacious circuit, as it broke away before him at every
moment into ever-new horizons. Kindling thought and imagination at once, the
prospect draws from him cries of joy, a kind of religious joy, as in some new
"canticle of the creatures," a new monkish hymnal or
antiphonary. "Nature" becomes for him a sacred term.
"Conform thyself to Nature"--with what sincerity, what enthusiasm,
what religious fervour, he enounces the precept to others, to himself!
Recovering. as he fancies, a certain primeval sense of Deity broadcast on
things, in which Pythagoras and other inspired theorists of early Greece had
abounded, in his hands philosophy becomes a poem, a sacred poem, as it had been
with them. That Bruno himself, in "the enthusiasm of the idea,"
drew from his axiom of the "indifference of contraries" the practical
consequence which is in very deed latent there, that he was ready to sacrifice
to the antinomianism, which is certainly a part of its rigid logic, the
purities of his youth for instance, there is no proof. The service, the
sacrifice, he is ready to bring to the great light that has dawned for him,
which occupies his entire conscience with the sense of his responsibilities to
it, is that of days and nights spent in eager study, of a plenary, disinterested
utterance of the thoughts that arise in him, at any hazard, at the price, say!
of martyrdom. The work of the divine Spirit, as he conceives it, exalts,
inebriates him, till the scientific apprehension seems to take the place of
prayer, sacrifice, communion. It would be a mistake, he holds, to
attribute to the human soul capacities merely passive or receptive. She,
too, possesses, not less than the soul of the world, initiatory power,
responding with the free gift of a light and heat that seem her own. Yet
a nature so opulently endowed can hardly have been lacking in purely physical
ardours. His pantheistic belief that the Spirit of God was in all things,
was not inconsistent with, might encourage, a keen and restless eye for the
dramatic details of life and character for humanity in all its visible
attractiveness, since there, too, in [238] truth, divinity lurks. From
those first fair days of early Greek speculation, love had occupied a large
place in the conception of philosophy; and in after days Bruno was fond of
developing, like Plato, like the Christian platonist, combining something of
the peculiar temper of each, the analogy between intellectual enthusiasm and
the flights of physical love, with an animation which shows clearly enough the
reality of his experience in the latter. The Eroici Furori, his book of
books, dedicated to Philip Sidney, who would be no stranger to such thoughts,
presents a singular blending of verse and prose, after the manner of Dante's
Vita Nuova. The supervening philosophic comment re-considers those
earlier physical impulses which had prompted the sonnet in voluble Italian,
entirely to the advantage of their abstract, incorporeal equivalents. Yet
if it is after all but a prose comment, it betrays no lack of the natural stuff
out of which such mystic transferences must be made. That there is no single
name of preference, no Beatrice or Laura, by no means proves the young man's
earlier desires merely "Platonic;" and if the colours of love
inevitably lose a little of their force and propriety by such deflection, the
intellectual purpose as certainly finds its opportunity thereby, in the matter
of borrowed fire and wings. A kind of old, scholastic pedantry creeping
back over the ardent youth who had thrown it off so defiantly (as if Love
himself went in for a degree at the University) Bruno developes, under the mask
of amorous verse, all the various stages of abstraction, by which, as the last
step of a long ladder, the mind attains actual "union." For, as
with the purely religious mystics, union, the mystic union of souls with each
other and their Lord, nothing less than union between the contemplator and the
contemplated--the reality, or the sense, or at least the name of it-- was
always at hand. Whence that instinctive tendency, if not from the Creator
of things himself, who has doubtless prompted it in the physical universe, as
in man? How familiar the thought that the whole creation longs for God,
the soul as the hart for the water- brooks! To unite oneself to the infinite
by breadth and lucidity of intellect, to enter, by that admirable faculty, into
eternal life-- this was the true vocation of the spouse, of the rightly amorous
soul--"a filosofia e necessario amore." There would be degrees
of progress therein, as of course also of relapse: joys and sorrows,
therefore. And, in interpreting these, the philosopher, whose
intellectual ardours have superseded religion and love, is still a lover and a
monk. All the influences of the convent, the heady, sweet incense, the
pleading sounds, the sophisticated light and air, the exaggerated humour of
gothic carvers, the thick stratum of pagan sentiment beneath ("Santa Maria
sopra Minerva!") are indelible in him. Tears, sympathies, tender
inspirations, attraction, repulsion, dryness, zeal, desire, recollection: he
finds a place for them all: knows them all [239] well in their unaffected
simplicity, while he seeks the secret and secondary, or, as he fancies, the
primary, form and purport of each. A light on actual life, or mere barren
scholastic subtlety, never before had the pantheistic doctrine been developed
with such completeness, never before connected with so large a sense of nature,
so large a promise of the knowledge of it as it really is. The eyes that
had not been wanting to visible humanity turned with equal liveliness on the
natural world in that region of his birth, where all its force and colour is
twofold. Nature is not only a thought in the divine mind; it is also the
perpetual energy of that mind, which, ever identical with itself, puts forth
and absorbs in turn all the successive forms of life, of thought, of language
even. But what seemed like striking transformations of matter were in
truth only a chapter, a clause, in the great volume of the transformations of
the Spirit. To that mystic recognition that all is divine had succeeded a
realisation of the largeness of the field of concrete knowledge, the infinite
extent of all there was actually to know. Winged, fortified, by this
central philosophic faith, the student proceeds to the reading of nature, led
on from point to point by manifold lights, which will surely strike on him, by
the way, from the intelligence in it, speaking directly, sympathetically, to
the intelligence in him. The earth's wonderful animation, as divined by one who
anticipates by a whole generation the "philosophy of experience:" in
that, the bold, flighty, pantheistic speculation became tangible matter of
fact. Here was the needful book for man to read, the full revelation, the
detailed story of that one universal mind, struggling, emerging, through
shadow, substance, manifest spirit, in various orders of being--the veritable
history of God. And nature, together with the true pedigree and evolution
of man also, his gradual issue from it, was still all to learn. The
delightful tangle of things! it would be the delightful task of man's thoughts
to disentangle that. Already Bruno had measured the space which Bacon
would fill, with room perhaps for Darwin also. That Deity is everywhere,
like all such abstract propositions, is a two-edged force, depending for its
practical effect on the mind which admits it, on the peculiar perspective of
that mind. To Dutch Spinosa, in the next century, faint, consumptive,
with a hold on external things naturally faint, the theorem that God was in all
things whatever, annihilating, their differences suggested a somewhat chilly
withdrawal from the contact of all alike. In Bruno, eager and
impassioned, an Italian of the Italians, it awoke a constant, inextinguishable
appetite for every form of experience--a fear, as of the one sin possible, of
limiting, for oneself or another, that great stream flowing for thirsty souls,
that wide pasture set ready for the hungry heart. Considered from the
point of view of a minute observation of nature, the Infinite might figure as
"the infinitely little;" no blade [240] of grass being like another,
as there was no limit to the complexities of an atom of earth, cell, sphere,
within sphere. But the earth itself, hitherto seemingly the privileged
centre of a very limited universe, was, after all, itself but an atom in an
infinite world of starry space, then lately displayed to the ingenuous
intelligence, which the telescope was one day to verify to bodily eyes.
For if Bruno must needs look forward to the future, to Bacon, for adequate
knowledge of the earth--the infinitely little; he looked back, gratefully, to
another daring mind, which had already put the earth into its modest place, and
opened the full view of the heavens. If God is eternal, then, the universe is
infinite and worlds innumerable. Yes! one might well have supposed what
reason now demonstrated, indicating those endless spaces which sidereal science
would gradually occupy, an echo of the creative word of God himself,
"Qui innumero numero innumerorum nomina dicit." That the stars
are suns: that the earth is in motion: that the earth is of like stuff with the
stars: now the familiar knowledge of children, dawning on Bruno as calm
assurance of reason on appeal from the prejudice of the eye, brought to him an
inexpressibly exhilarating sense of enlargement of the intellectual, nay! the
physical atmosphere. And his consciousness of unfailing unity and order
did not desert him in that larger survey, making the utmost one could ever know
of the earth seem but a very little chapter in that endless history of God the
Spirit, rejoicing so greatly in the admirable spectacle that it never ceases to
evolve from matter new conditions. The immovable earth beneath one's
feet! one almost felt the movement, the respiration of God in it. And yet
how greatly even the physical eye, the sensible imagination (so to term it) was
flattered by the theorem. What joy in that motion, the prospect, the
music, the music of the spheres !--he could listen to it in a perfection such
as had never been conceded to Plato, to Pythagoras even.
"Veni, Creator Spiritus, Mentes tuorum
visita, Imple superna gratia, Quae tu
creasti pectora!" Yes! the grand old Christian hymns, perhaps the
grandest of them, seemed to blend themselves in the chorus, to deepen
immeasurably under this new intention. It is not always, or often, that
men's abstract ideas penetrate the temperament, touch the animal spirits,
affect conduct. It was what they did with Bruno. The ghastly
spectacle of the endless material universe, infinite dust, in truth, starry as
it may look to our terrestrial eyes--that prospect from which Pascal's faithful
soul recoiled so painfully--induced in Bruno only the delightful consciousness
of an ever-widening kinship [241] and sympathy, since every one of those
infinite worlds must have its sympathetic inhabitants. Scruples of
conscience, if he felt such, might well be pushed aside for the
"excellency" of such knowledge as this. To shut the eyes,
whether of the body or the mind, would be a kind of dark ingratitude; the one
sin, to believe directly or indirectly in any absolutely dead matter anywhere,
because involving denial of the indwelling spirit. A free spirit,
certainly, as of old! Through all his pantheistic flights, from horizon
to horizon, it was still the thought of liberty that presented itself to the
infinite relish of this "prodigal son" of Dominic. God the
Spirit had made all things indifferently, with a largeness, a beneficence,
impiously belied by any theory of restrictions, distinctions, absolute
limitations. Touch, see, listen, eat freely of all the trees of the
garden of Paradise with the voice of the Lord God literally everywhere: here
was the final counsel of perfection. The world was even larger than
youthful appetite, youthful capacity. Let theologian and every other
theorist beware how he narrowed either. The plurality of worlds! how petty in
comparison seemed the sins, to purge which was the chief motive for coming to
places like this convent, whence Bruno, with vows broken, or obsolete for him,
presently departed. A sonnet, expressive of the joy with which he
returned to so much more than the liberty of ordinary men, does not suggest
that he was driven from it. Though he must have seemed to those who
surely had loved so lovable a creature there to be departing, like the prodigal
of the Gospel, into the furthest of possible far countries, there is no proof
of harsh treatment, or even of an effort to detain him. It happens, of
course most naturally, that those who undergo the shock of spiritual or
intellectual change sometimes fail to recognise their debt to the deserted
cause: how much of the heroism, or other high quality, of their rejection has
really been the growth of what they reject? Bruno, the escaped monk, is
still a monk: his philosophy, impious as it might seem to some, a new
religion. He came forth well fitted by conventual influences to play upon
men as he was played upon. A challenge, a war-cry, an alarum; everywhere
he seemed to be the creature of some subtly materialized spiritual force, like
that of the old Greek prophets, like the primitive "enthusiasm" he
was inclined to set so high, or impulsive Pentecostal fire. His hunger to
know, fed at first dreamily enough within the convent walls as he wandered over
space and time an indefatigable reader of books, would be fed physically now by
ear and eye, by large matter-of-fact experience, as he journeys from university
to university; yet still, less as a teacher than a courtier, a citizen of the
world, a knight-errant of intellectual light. The philosophic need to try
all things had given reasonable justification to the stirring desire for travel
common to youth, in which, if in nothing else, that whole age of the [242]
later Renaissance was invincibly young. The theoretic recognition of that
mobile spirit of the world, ever renewing its youth, became, sympathetically,
the motive of a life as mobile, as ardent, as itself; of a continual journey,
the venture and stimulus of which would be the occasion of ever new
discoveries, of renewed conviction. The unity, the spiritual unity, of
the world :--that must involve the alliance, the congruity, of all things with
each other, great reinforcement of sympathy, of the teacher's personality with
the doctrine he had to deliver, the spirit of that doctrine with the fashion of
his utterance. In his own case, certainly, as Bruno confronted his
audience at Paris, himself, his theme, his language, were the fuel of one clear
spiritual flame, which soon had hold of his audience also; alien, strangely
alien, as it might seem from the speaker. It was intimate discourse, in
magnetic touch with every one present, with his special point of impressibility;
the sort of speech which, consolidated into literary form as a book, would be a
dialogue according to the true Attic genius, full of those diversions, passing
irritations, unlooked-for appeals, in which a solicitous missionary finds his
largest range of opportunity, and takes even dull wits unaware. In Bruno,
that abstract theory of the perpetual motion of the world was a visible person
talking with you. And as the runaway Dominican was still in temper a
monk, so he presented himself in the comely Dominican habit. The eyes
which in their last sad protest against stupidity would mistake, or miss
altogether, the image of the Crucified, were to-day, for the most part, kindly
observant eyes, registering every detail of that singular company, all the
physiognomic lights which come by the way on people, and, through them, on
things, the "shadows of ideas" in men's faces (De Umbris Idearum was
the title of his discourse), himself pleasantly animated by them, in
turn. There was "heroic gaiety" there; only, as usual with
gaiety, the passage of a peevish cloud seemed all the chillier. Lit up,
in the agitation of speaking, by many a harsh or scornful beam, yet always
sinking, in moments of repose, to an expression of high-bred melancholy, it was
a face that looked, after all, made for suffering--already half pleading, half
defiant--as of a creature you could hurt, but to the last never shake a hair's
breadth from its estimate of yourself. Like nature, like nature in that
country of his birth, the Nolan, as he delighted to proclaim himself, loved so
well that, born wanderer as he was, he must perforce return thither sooner or
later, at the risk of life, he gave plenis manibus, but without selection, and,
with all his contempt for the "asinine" vulgar, was not fastidious.
His rank, unweeded eloquence, abounding in a play of words, rabbinic
allegories, verses defiant of prosody, in the kind of erudition he professed to
despise, with a shameless image here or there, product not of formal method,
but of Neapolitan improvisation, was akin to [243] the heady wine, the sweet,
coarse odours, of that fiery, volcanic soil, fertile in the irregularities
which manifest power. Helping himself indifferently to all religions for
rhetoric illustration, his preference was still for that of the soil, the old
pagan one, the primitive Italian gods, whose names and legends haunt his
speech, as they do the carved and pictorial work of the age, according to the
fashion of that ornamental paganism which the Renaissance indulged. To
excite, to surprise, to move men's minds, as the volcanic earth is moved, as if
in travail, and, according to the Socratic fancy, bring them to the birth, was
the true function of the teacher, however unusual it might seem in an ancient
university. Fantastic, from first to last that was the descriptive epithet; and
the very word, carrying us to Shakespeare, reminds one how characteristic of
the age such habit was, and that it was pre- eminently due to Italy. A
bookman, yet with so vivid a hold on people and things, the traits and tricks
of the audience seemed to revive in him, to strike from his memory all the
graphic resources of his old readings. He seemed to promise some greater
matter than was then actually exposed; himself to enjoy the fulness of a great
outlook, the vague suggestion of which did but sustain the curiosity of the
listeners. And still, in hearing him speak you seemed to see that subtle
spiritual fire to which he testified kindling from word to word. What
Parisians then heard was, in truth, the first fervid expression of all those
contending apprehensions, out of which his written works would afterwards be
compacted, with much loss of heat in the process. Satiric or hybrid
growths, things due to hybris,+ insolence, insult, all that those fabled satyrs
embodied--the volcanic South is kindly prolific of this, and Bruno abounded in
mockeries: it was by way of protest. So much of a Platonist, for Plato's
genial humour he had nevertheless substituted the harsh laughter of
Aristophanes. Paris, teeming, beneath a very courtly exterior, with
mordent words, in unabashed criticism of all real or suspected evil, provoked
his utmost powers of scorn for the "triumphant beast," the
"constellation of the Ass," shining even there, amid the university
folk, those intellectual bankrupts of the Latin Quarter, who had so long passed
between them gravely a worthless "parchment and paper"
currency. In truth, Aristotle, as the supplanter of Plato, was still in
possession, pretending to determine heaven and earth by precedent, hiding the
proper nature of things from the eyes of men. Habit--the last word of his
practical philosophy--indolent habit! what would this mean in the intellectual
life, but just that sort of dead judgments which are most opposed to the
essential freedom and quickness of the Spirit, because the mind, the eye, were
no longer really at work in them? To Bruno, a true son of the
Renaissance, in the light of those large, antique, pagan ideas, the difference
between Rome and the Reform would figure, of course, as but an insignificant
variation upon [244] some deeper, more radical antagonism between two
tendencies of men's minds. But what about an antagonism deeper still?
between Christ and the world, say! Christ and the flesh?--that so very
ancient antagonism between good and evil? Was there any place for
imperfection in a world wherein the minutest atom, the lightest thought, could
not escape from God's presence? Who should note the crime, the sin, the
mistake, in the operation of that eternal spirit, which could have made no
misshapen births? In proportion as man raised himself to the ampler
survey of the divine work around him, just in that proportion did the very
notion of evil disappear. There were no weeds, no "tares," in
the endless field. The truly illuminated mind, discerning spiritually,
might do what it would. Even under the shadow of monastic walls, that had ever
been the precept, which the larger theory of "inspiration" had
bequeathed to practice. "Of all the trees of the garden thou mayst freely
eat! If you take up any deadly thing, it shall not hurt you! And I
think that I, too, have the spirit of God." Bruno, the citizen of
the world, Bruno at Paris, was careful to warn off the vulgar from applying the
decisions of philosophy beyond its proper speculative limits. But a kind
of secresy, an ambiguous atmosphere, encompassed, from the first, alike the
speaker and the doctrine; and in that world of fluctuating and ambiguous
characters, the alerter mind certainly, pondering on this novel reign of the
spirit--what it might actually be--would hardly fail to find in Bruno's
theories a method of turning poison into food, to live and thrive thereon; an
art, surely, no less opportune in the Paris of that hour, intellectually or
morally, than had it related to physical poisons. If Bruno himself was
cautious not to suggest the ethic or practical equivalent to his theoretic
positions, there was that in his very manner of speech, in his rank, unweeded
eloquence, which seemed naturally to discourage any effort at selection, any
sense of fine difference, of nuances or proportion, in things. The loose
sympathies of his genius were allied to nature, nursing, with equable maternity
of soul, good, bad, and indifferent, rather than to art, distinguishing, rejecting,
refining. Commission and omission; sins of the former surely had the
preference. And how would Paolo and Francesca have read the lesson?
How would this Henry the Third, and Margaret of the "Memoirs," and
other susceptible persona then present, read it, especially if the opposition
between practical good and evil traversed another distinction, to the
"opposed points," the "fenced opposites" of which many,
certainly, then present, in that Paris of the last of the Valois, could never
by any possibility become "indifferent," between the precious and the
base, aesthetically--between what was right and wrong, as matter of art?
NOTES 234. +Pater's article appeared in The Fortnightly Review, 1889.
Later it was much revised and included as Chapter VII of the unfinished novel,
Gaston de Latour. 234. +From Heine's Aus der Harzreise, "Bergidylle
2": "Tannenbaum, mit grunen Fingern," Stanza 10. 243.
+E-text editor's transliteration: hybris. Liddell and Scott definition:
"wanton violence, arising from the pride of strength, passion, etc."Giuseppe Bozzetti. Keywords: matematismo, monofisismo,
interpersonale, implicatura interpersonale, il dialogo, fine razionale, la
ragione come atto costitutivo dell’uomo, persona, uomo. Uomini, bruno contro I
matematici. Morale, il problema del male, ill-will, liberta, legge morale,
kant, Rosmini non e cattolico. Refs.: Luigi Speranza, “Bozzetti e Grice” – The
Swimming-Pool Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51690258960/in/photolist-2mKEZ5T-2mKG68o-2mGnP2f-G3tvCn
Grice e Branciforte
– i giochi olimpici – filosofia italiana – Luigi Speranza (San Vito dei
Normanni). Filosofo. Grice: “You’ve got to love Branciforte: my favourite is
his philosophy of what he calls ‘il messaggio,’ – I do use the term when I speak
of a transmitter, and an addressee, etc. – the fact that he was born where
Ikkos was born help, since one would need to recover Ikkos’s message!
Branciforte sees philosophy as a pilgrimage of love – ‘il peregrine dell’amore’
with his ‘canzionere’ and surely the song needs an addressee!”. trabia: Giuseppe Giovanni Lanza del Vasto (n.
San Vito dei Normanni), filosofo. Esponente della nobile famiglia siciliana dei
Lanza di Trabia. Il suo vero nome è infatti Giuseppe Giovanni Luigi Enrico
Lanza di Trabia-Branciforte. La sua personalità eccezionale riunisce
caratteristiche disparate: filosofo con una forte vena mistica, ma anche
patriarca fondatore di comunità rurali e attivista nonviolento contro la guerra
d'Algeria o gli armamenti nucleari. Trabia nacque in un piccolo
paese salentino, San Vito dei Normanni, nella masseria "Specchia di
Mare", da famiglia antica ed illustre: il padre, Luigi Giuseppe, nato a
Ginevra il 18 novembre 1857, dottore in giurisprudenza e titolare di un'azienda
agricola-vitivinicola era figlio illegittimo del principe siciliano Giuseppe
III Lanza di Trabia (1833-1868) e la madre, belga, era la marchesa Anna Maria
Enrichetta Nauts, nata ad Anversa il I luglio 1874. Giuseppe Giovanni aveva due
fratelli: Lorenzo Ercole, e Angelo Carlo, cittadino americano nel 1939 (nel
1943 partecipò allo sbarco in Sicilia). Lanza studiò al liceo Condorcet a
Parigi, poi filosofia a Firenze e Pisa, dove fu allievo di Armando
Carlini. «La guerra di Abissinia già iniziava ed il mio rifiuto a parteciparvi
era la cosa più evidente. E poi questa guerra non era che l’inizio: in seguito
forse sarei stato ad uccidere inglesi, tedeschi e un giorno avrei avuto dinanzi
alla mia baionetta Rainer Maria Rilke. No, la mia risposta era no. “Ma che cosa
è che rende la guerra inevitabile?”, mi domandavo. Benché giovane avevo capito
la puerilità delle risposte ordinarie, quelle che si rifanno alla nostra
cattiveria, al nostro odio e al pregiudizio. Sapevo che la guerra non aveva a
che fare con tutto ciò. “Certo, una dottrina esiste per opporsi alla guerra e
la vedo nel Vangelo”, dicevo, “ma com’è che i cristiani non la vedono? Manca
quindi un metodo, un metodo per difendersi senza offendere. Un modo nuovo,
diverso, umano di risolvere i conflitti umani”. Solo in Gandhi vedevo colui che
avrebbe potuto darmi una risposta ed il metodo.» (Pagni R., Ultimi
dialoghi con Lanza del Vasto, p.50-51) Così Lanza del Vasto ricorda la sua
decisione di partire per l'India, autofinanziandosi con la vendita a un'amica
facoltosa del manoscritto della sua prima opera, Giuda. Lanza non partiva alla
ricerca di spiritualità, tanto più che la conversione al cristianesimo gli
impegnava pienamente l'animo: «Ma mi ero, non senza pena, convertito alla
mia propria religione, e avevo il mio da fare per meditare le Scritture ed
applicarne i comandamenti. E se mi si chiedeva “siete cristiano?”, rispondevo:
“Sarebbe ben prezioso dire di sì. Tento di esserlo".» (L’Arca aveva
una vigna per vela, p.11). In India, Lanza conobbe il Mahatma Gandhi, con il
quale stette qualche mese, per poi recarsi in Himalaya. Durante il viaggio
«conobbi le inquietudini sociali dell'India ed il suo metodo di liberazione, la
non violenza, che era molto contraria al mio carattere (come del resto credo
sia contraria al carattere di tutti). Nessuno è non violento per natura: siamo
violenti e non proviamo vergogna a dirlo, anzi lo diciamo con un certo
orgoglio. Ma ciò che non diciamo è che la vigliaccheria e la violenza fanno la
forza delle nazioni e degli eserciti e la non violenza consiste nel superare
questi due grandi motivi della storia umana». In India trova «un'umanità simile
alla nostra quanto opposta: qualche cosa come un altro sesso.l ritorno in
Europa Lo scrittore e studioso in una delle sue comunità rurali (l'ultimo
a destra) Tornato dall'India dopo ulteriori peregrinazioni in Terra Santa,
Lanza comprende che la sua vocazione è di fondare una comunità rurale
nonviolenta, sul modello del gandhiano ashram, la comunità autarchica ed
egualitaria che per il Mahatma doveva essere la cellula della società. Gli ci
volle del tempo prima di riuscire a concretizzarla attraverso la fondazione
della comunità dell'Arca, che avvenne il 26 gennaio 1944. Tra le poche persone
a cui gli riesce di esporre il suo progetto c'è Simone Weil, che incontra a
Marsiglia. Nonostante il suo pacifismo, la Weil non nutriva molta fiducia nella
nonviolenza gandhiana. Lanza gliene parlò e lei sembrò comprendere meglio. Poi
parlarono della visione dell'Arca, che allora non si chiamava ancora così, ed
era la prima volta che Lanza ne parlava con qualcuno: «Lei capì subito! “È un
diamante bellissimo”, disse. “Sì,” risposi “è vero. Ha solo un minuscolo
difetto: che non esiste”. E lei: “Ma esisterà, esisterà, perché Dio lo
vuole"."Simone aveva ragione. L'ultima sede della comunità fu la
Borie Noble, con circa centocinquanta persone che vivono nel modo più frugale e
gioiosamente comunitario. Il nome venne quando si cominciò a parlare di
“lanzismo”: «Si cominciava a parlare di Lanzisti e Lanzismo, cosa che mi fece
rizzare il pelo. “Amici miei”, annunciai, “noi ci chiameremo l'Arca, quella di
Noè beninteso. E noi gli animali dell'Arca.». Negli anni successivi
numerosissime iniziative nonviolente videro protagonista Lanza e i suoi
compagni, che seppero attirare l'attenzione dell'opinione pubblica francese e
non solo. La prima azione pubblica nonviolenta è del 1957, contro le torture e
i massacri compiuti dai francesi in Algeria, e si svolge a Clichy in una casa
dove aveva vissuto San Vincenzo de Paoli. L'azione fu guardata con relativo
favore dalla stampa, e giunse la solidarietà di personalità come Mauriac o
l'Abbé Pierre. Poi vennero le lotte contro il nucleare, la prima delle quali
nel 1958: Lanza con i suoi compagni penetrano nel cancello di una centrale
elettronucleare e vengono poi trascinati via dai poliziotti. Poi ancora la
campagna contro i “campi di assegnazione per residenza”, sorta di campi di
concentramento per gli algerini “sospetti”, e quella in favore degli obiettori
di coscienza. Durante la Quaresima del 1963, tra due sessioni del Concilio
Vaticano II Lanza fece un digiuno di quaranta giorni compiuto nell'attesa di
una parola forte sulla pace da parte della Chiesa. Poco dopo il trentesimo
giorno, il Segretario di Stato consegnò a Chanterelle, la moglie di Lanza, il
testo dell'enciclica Pacem in Terris: «Dentro ci sono cose che non sono mai
state dette, pagine che potrebbero essere firmate da suo marito!». Opere:
Le pèlerinage aux sources, Denoël, Parigi, traduzione italiana: Pellegrinaggio
alle sorgenti, Jaca Book, Milano; Approches de la vie intérieure, Denoël,
Parigi; traduzione italiana: Introduzione alla vita interiore, Jaca Book,
Milano 1989; Technique de la non-violence, Denoël, Parigi 1965; traduzione
italiana: Che cos'è la non violenza, Jaca Book, Milano 1979; Il canzoniere del
peregrin d'amore, Jaca Book, Milano 1980; Vinôbâ, ou le nouveau pèlerinage,
Denoël, Parigi 1954; traduzione italiana: Vinoba, o il nuovo pellegrinaggio,
Jaca Book, Milano 1980; L'Arche avait pour voilure une vigne, Denoël, Parigi 1978;
traduzione italiana: L'Arca aveva una vigna per vela, Jaca Book, Milano 1980;
Pour éviter la fin du monde, Rocher, Parigi; traduzione italiana: Per evitare
la fine del mondo, Jaca Book, Milano 1991; Principes et préceptes du retour à
l'évidence, Denoël, Parigi 1945; traduzione italiana: Principi e precetti del
ritorno all'evidenza, Gribaudi, Torino 1988; Préface au Message Retrouvé de
Louis Cattiaux, Denoël, Parigi 1956; traduzione italiana: Il Messaggio
Ritrovato, Mediterranee, Roma 2002. Note
Pagni, cit.51 Lanza del Vasto,
Pellegrinaggio alle sorgenti82 Gabriella
Fiori, Lanza del Vasto e Simone Weil, Prospettiva Persona n°
86/,//prospettivapersona/editoriale/86/lanza_weil.pdf Pagni, cit., p.58-59 L'Arca aveva una vigna per vela48 ivi99
Jacques Madaule, Chi è Lanza del Vasto Arnaud de Mareuil, Lanza del
Vasto (Seghers, 1965) René Doumerc, Dialoghi con Lanza del Vasto (Albin Michel)
Claude-Henri Roquet, Les Facettes du cristal (Conversazioni con Lanza del
Vasto, Parigi 1981) Arnaud de Mareuil, Lanza del Vasto, sa vie, son oeuvre, son
message (Saint-Jean-de-Braye 1998) Anne Fougère, Claude-Henri Rocquet: Lanza
del Vasto. Pellegrino della nonviolenza, patriarca, poeta, (Paoline, Milano
2006) Antonino Drago, Paolo Trianni, La filosofia di Lanza del Vasto (Jaka
Book, Milano 2008) Altri progetti Collabora a Wikisource Wikisource
contiene una pagina in lingua francese dedicata a Lanza del Vasto Collabora a
Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons contiene immagini o altri file su Lanza del
Vasto L'Arche de Lanza del Vasto (sito
principale), su arche-nonviolence.eu. Comunità di St Antoine, su
arche-de-st-antoine.com. Comunità dell'Arca in Italia, su xoomer.virgilio.
Provincia di Brindisi su Lanza del Vasto. Lanza del Vasto & Ramon Llull
(es), su denip.webcindario.com. 2472923 I0000 0001 2275 7061 IT\ICCU\CFIV\001261 50047299 121291928
cb11911016p XX956618 NLA35291519 NDL (EN, JA) 00446875 Identitieslccn-n50047299 Biografie Biografie Letteratura Letteratura Filosofo del XX secoloPoeti
italiani del XX secoloScrittori italiani Professore1901 1981 29 settembre 5
gennaio San Vito dei NormanniNonviolenzaLanza.
vasto: essential Italian philosopherBranciforte: Giuseppe Giovanni Luigi Enrico
Lanza di Trabia-Branciforte -- Vasto: Essential Italian philosopher. Grice:
“Note that he is Lanza del Vasto, but if he wants to keep the Vasto, under
Vasto he goes! Even though Lanza is the aristocratic bit to it!” Lanza del
Vasto Giuseppe Giovanni Lanza del Vasto
Giuseppe Giovanni Lanza del Vasto (San Vito dei Normanni, 29 settembre
1901Elche de la Sierra, 5 gennaio 1981) filosofo, poeta e scrittore italiano.
Esponente della nobile famiglia siciliana dei Lanza di Trabia. Il suo vero nome
è infatti Giuseppe Giovanni Luigi Enrico Lanza di Trabia-Branciforte. La sua
personalità eccezionale riunisce caratteristiche disparate: poeta, scrittore,
filosofo, pensatore religioso con una forte vena mistica, ma anche patriarca
fondatore di comunità rurali sul modello di quelle gandhiane e attivista
nonviolento contro la guerra d'Algeria o gli armamenti nucleari. Nacque in un piccolo paese salentino, San
Vito dei Normanni, nella masseria "Specchia di Mare", da famiglia
antica ed illustre: il padre, Luigi Giuseppe, nato a Ginevra il 18 novembre
1857, dottore in giurisprudenza e titolare di un'azienda agricola-vitivinicola
era figlio illegittimo del principe siciliano Giuseppe III Lanza di Trabia
(1833-1868) e la madre, belga, era la marchesa Anna Maria Enrichetta Nauts,
nata ad Anversa il I luglio 1874. Giuseppe Giovanni aveva due fratelli: Lorenzo
Ercole, nato nel 1903, morto a Rapallo nel 1958 e Angelo Carlo, nato nel 1904,
cittadino americano nel 1939 (nel 1943 partecipò allo sbarco in Sicilia). Lanza
studiò al liceo Condorcet a Parigi, poi filosofia a Firenze e Pisa, dove fu
allievo di Armando Carlini. «La guerra
di Abissinia già iniziava ed il mio rifiuto a parteciparvi era la cosa più
evidente. E poi questa guerra non era che l’inizio: in seguito forse sarei
stato ad uccidere inglesi, tedeschi e un giorno avrei avuto dinanzi alla mia
baionetta Rainer Maria Rilke. No, la mia risposta era no. “Ma che cosa è che
rende la guerra inevitabile?”, mi domandavo. Benché giovane avevo capito la
puerilità delle risposte ordinarie, quelle che si rifanno alla nostra
cattiveria, al nostro odio e al pregiudizio. Sapevo che la guerra non aveva a
che fare con tutto ciò. “Certo, una dottrina esiste per opporsi alla guerra e
la vedo nel Vangelo”, dicevo, “ma com’è che i cristiani non la vedono? Manca
quindi un metodo, un metodo per difendersi senza offendere. Un modo nuovo,
diverso, umano di risolvere i conflitti umani”. Solo in Gandhi vedevo colui che
avrebbe potuto darmi una risposta ed il metodo.» (Pagni R., Ultimi dialoghi con Lanza del
Vasto, p.50-51) Così Lanza del Vasto ricorda la sua decisione di partire per
l'India nell'autunno del 1936, autofinanziandosi con la vendita a un'amica
facoltosa del manoscritto della sua prima opera, Giuda. Lanza non partiva alla
ricerca di spiritualità, tanto più che la conversione al cristianesimo gli impegnava
pienamente l'animo: «Ma mi ero, non
senza pena, convertito alla mia propria religione, e avevo il mio da fare per
meditare le Scritture ed applicarne i comandamenti. E se mi si chiedeva “siete
cristiano?”, rispondevo: “Sarebbe ben prezioso dire di sì. Tento di
esserlo".» (L’Arca aveva una vigna
per vela, p.11) L'incontro con Gandhi In India, Lanza conobbe il Mahatma
Gandhi, con il quale stette qualche mese, per poi recarsi in Himalaya. Durante
il viaggio «conobbi le inquietudini sociali dell'India ed il suo metodo di
liberazione, la non violenza, che era molto contraria al mio carattere (come
del resto credo sia contraria al carattere di tutti). Nessuno è non violento
per natura: siamo violenti e non proviamo vergogna a dirlo, anzi lo diciamo con
un certo orgoglio. Ma ciò che non diciamo è che la vigliaccheria e la violenza
fanno la forza delle nazioni e degli eserciti e la non violenza consiste nel
superare questi due grandi motivi della storia umana». In India trova
«un'umanità simile alla nostra quanto opposta: qualche cosa come un altro
sesso». Il ritorno in Europa Lo scrittore e studioso in una delle sue
comunità rurali (l'ultimo a destra) Tornato dall'India dopo ulteriori
peregrinazioni in Terra Santa, Lanza comprende che la sua vocazione è di
fondare una comunità rurale nonviolenta, sul modello del gandhiano ashram, la
comunità autarchica ed egualitaria che per il Mahatma doveva essere la cellula
della società. Gli ci volle del tempo prima di riuscire a concretizzarla
attraverso la fondazione della comunità dell'Arca, che avvenne il 26 gennaio
1944. Tra le poche persone a cui gli riesce di esporre il suo progetto c'è
Simone Weil, che incontra a Marsiglia, nel 1941. Nonostante il suo pacifismo,
la Weil non nutriva molta fiducia nella nonviolenza gandhiana. Lanza gliene
parlò e lei sembrò comprendere meglio. Poi parlarono della visione dell'Arca,
che allora non si chiamava ancora così, ed era la prima volta che Lanza ne
parlava con qualcuno: «Lei capì subito! “È un diamante bellissimo”, disse. “Sì,”
risposi “è vero. Ha solo un minuscolo difetto: che non esiste”. E lei: “Ma
esisterà, esisterà, perché Dio lo vuole”». Simone aveva ragione. L'ultima sede
della comunità fu la Borie Noble, con circa centocinquanta persone che vivono
nel modo più frugale e gioiosamente comunitario. Il nome venne quando si
cominciò a parlare di “lanzismo”: «Si cominciava a parlare di Lanzisti e
Lanzismo, cosa che mi fece rizzare il pelo. “Amici miei”, annunciai, “noi ci
chiameremo l'Arca, quella di Noè beninteso. E noi gli animali dell'Arca.». Negli anni successivi numerosissime
iniziative nonviolente videro protagonista Lanza e i suoi compagni, che seppero
attirare l'attenzione dell'opinione pubblica francese e non solo. La prima azione
pubblica nonviolenta è del 1957, contro le torture e i massacri compiuti dai
francesi in Algeria, e si svolge a Clichy in una casa dove aveva vissuto San
Vincenzo de Paoli. L'azione fu guardata con relativo favore dalla stampa, e
giunse la solidarietà di personalità come Mauriac o l'Abbé Pierre. Poi vennero
le lotte contro il nucleare, la prima delle quali nel 1958: Lanza con i suoi
compagni penetrano nel cancello di una centrale elettronucleare e vengono poi
trascinati via dai poliziotti. Poi ancora la campagna contro i “campi di assegnazione
per residenza”, sorta di campi di concentramento per gli algerini “sospetti”, e
quella in favore degli obiettori di coscienza. Durante la Quaresima del 1963,
tra due sessioni del Concilio Vaticano II Lanza fece un digiuno di quaranta
giorni compiuto nell'attesa di una parola forte sulla pace da parte della
Chiesa. Poco dopo il trentesimo giorno, il Segretario di Stato consegnò a
Chanterelle, la moglie di Lanza, il testo dell'enciclica Pacem in Terris:
«Dentro ci sono cose che non sono mai state dette, pagine che potrebbero essere
firmate da suo marito!». Opere Le
pèlerinage aux sources, Denoël, Parigi 1943, traduzione italiana:
Pellegrinaggio alle sorgenti, Jaca Book, Milano 1991; Approches de la vie
intérieure, Denoël, Parigi 1962; traduzione italiana: Introduzione alla vita
interiore, Jaca Book, Milano 1989; Technique de la non-violence, Denoël, Parigi
1965; traduzione italiana: Che cos'è la non violenza, Jaca Book, Milano 1979;
Il canzoniere del peregrin d'amore, Jaca Book, Milano 1980; Vinôbâ, ou le
nouveau pèlerinage, Denoël, Parigi 1954; traduzione italiana: Vinoba, o il
nuovo pellegrinaggio, Jaca Book, Milano 1980; L'Arche avait pour voilure une
vigne, Denoël, Parigi 1978; traduzione italiana: L'Arca aveva una vigna per
vela, Jaca Book, Milano 1980; Pour éviter la fin du monde, Rocher, Parigi 1971;
traduzione italiana: Per evitare la fine del mondo, Jaca Book, Milano 1991;
Principes et préceptes du retour à l'évidence, Denoël, Parigi 1945; traduzione
italiana: Principi e precetti del ritorno all'evidenza, Gribaudi, Torino 1988;
Préface au Message Retrouvé de Louis Cattiaux, Denoël, Parigi 1956; traduzione
italiana: Il Messaggio Ritrovato, Mediterranee, Roma 2002. Note Pagni, cit.51
Lanza del Vasto, Pellegrinaggio alle sorgenti82 Gabriella Fiori, Lanza del Vasto e Simone
Weil, Prospettiva Persona n°
86/,//prospettivapersona/editoriale/86/lanza_weil.pdf Pagni, cit., p.58-59 L'Arca aveva una vigna per vela48 ivi99
Jacques Madaule, Chi è Lanza del Vasto Arnaud de Mareuil, Lanza del
Vasto (Seghers, 1965) René Doumerc, Dialoghi con Lanza del Vasto (Albin Michel)
Claude-Henri Roquet, Les Facettes du cristal (Conversazioni con Lanza del
Vasto, Parigi 1981) Arnaud de Mareuil, Lanza del Vasto, sa vie, son oeuvre, son
message (Saint-Jean-de-Braye 1998) Anne Fougère, Claude-Henri Rocquet: Lanza
del Vasto. Pellegrino della nonviolenza, patriarca, poeta, (Paoline, Milano
2006) Antonino Drago, Paolo Trianni, La filosofia di Lanza del Vasto (Jaka
Book, Milano 2008) Altri progetti
Collabora a Wikisource Wikisource contiene una pagina in lingua francese
dedicata a Lanza del Vasto Collabora a Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons
contiene immagini o altri file su Lanza del Vasto L'Arche de Lanza del Vasto (sito principale),
su arche-nonviolence.eu. Comunità di St Antoine, su arche-de-st-antoine.com.
Comunità dell'Arca in Italia, su xoomer.virgilio. Provincia di Brindisi su
Lanza del Vasto. Lanza del Vasto & Ramon Llull (es), su denip.webcindario.com.
Biografie Biografie Letteratura Letteratura Filosofo del XX secoloPoeti
italiani del XX secoloScrittori italiani Professore1901 1981 29 settembre 5
gennaio San Vito dei NormanniNonviolenzaLanza. -- Giuseppe
Giovanni Luigi Enrico Lanza di Trabia-Branciforte. A • imm.
Digitized by thè Internet Archive in 2017 with funding
from Getty Research Institute
https://archive.org/details/deigiuochiolimpiOOics
Prf/^ro .-fcàfZle ^ f.tt. di F -Bei'fy/'J-i' ■ Airy'rvKAT^.wj
jyj^ix.ù *^h:e7J'Atv attLiAI^d DEI ©iierosiHìi
©iLHMiPKsir DELLA GRECIA E DEI CIRCEINSI UN ROMA
DELLE CORSE DI BIGHE E DE’ FANTINI A CAVALLO ED A PIEDI IN
PADOVA e nell’ Anfiteatro dell’Arena in
Milano dal 1807 ® 1834 coi Nomi e Cognomi del
Proprietarj dei Cavalli e di quelli dei Yincitori stati premiati
nei diversi Spettacoli M'J. G- A SPESE
DELL’AUTORE i836 Edizione posta sotto la
Salvaguardia delle Leggi. Miiako. Dalla Tipografìa
Visa]^ —»#•-- DEI
(gailXgSìl I GiuocHl più famosi della Grecia furono
gli Olim- pici. Essi instituiti furono non solamente per avvezzare
la gioventù agli esercizj del corpo, e per celebrare in un determinato
tempo la memoria de’più grandi avve- nimenti; ma eziandio per onorare gli
Dei. Distinte ve- nivano cinque maniere differenti di esercitarsi oltre
quella del canto, e della musica; vale a dire il Corso che si fece
in prima a piedi, e poscia sopra de’coccbi; il Salto; il Disco; la Lotta;
finalmente il Cesto o sia la Scherma a colpi di pugni. I
giuochi Olimpici, così chiamati dalla città di Olim- pia, celebravansi
ogni cinque anni; il che nascer poi fece il costume di contare per via di
Olimpiadi. Essi cominciavano con un solenne sacrificio, e solevasi quivi
accorrere da tutte le parti della Grecia: i vincitori erano pubblicati ad
alta voce da un Araldo, e lodati con dei cantici di vittoria; e si soleva
ancora cinger la tevta del medesimi con una corona trionfale. Ogni città,
a cui appartenevano, faceva a’ medesimi de’ricchi doni, e man-
tenuti erano per tutto il rimanente della vita a pubbli- che spese.
Il jiriraoj che riportò il premio uel corso a piedi chiamavasi
Corebo, nativo di Elide.. Cinisca figliuola del re Archidamo fu la prima
del suo sesso, che guadagnò il premio nel corso de’cocchi, ciocché
avvenne nella sesia Olimpiade; così pure altre femmine ebbero parte in
questi giuochi. Cleostene Epidanio riportò il premio del
corso a ca- vallo. Polidamante, figlio di Nicia, aveva una
statura gigan- tesca, ed una forza, un coraggio ed una destrezza
stra- ordinaria. Essendo ancor giovane assaltò sul monte Olimpo un
gran leone, il quale desolava il paese, e l’uccise. Esso ancora
fermava con una sola mano un cocchio tirato da quattro cavalli; quindi
Dario figlio di Arta- serse curioso di esser testimonio della sua forza,
gli pose sul capo tre de’ più forti delle sue guardie, ed egli li
uccise tutti con un colpo di pugno. Milone Crotoniala il più
robusto, e nerboruto di tutti gli atleti si mise un giorno ne’ giuochi
Olimpici un toro di due anni sopra le spalle, e portollo correndo
sino all’estremità dello steccato senza prender fiato, di poi l’uccise
con un colpo di pugno. Teagene Tasiese è commendabile per la sua
destrezza, per la sua agilità, e pel gran numero di corone dal
rnedesimo riportale in diversi torneamenti, che si fanno ascendere a
quattrocento. 1 vincitori di questi giuochi onorare solevansi
con delle corone; la più antica che data venne ai medesimi era di
Ulivo; e poscia date ne furono di Gramigna, di Salcio, di Lauro, di
Mirto, di Quercia, di Palma e di Appio. Gli atleti vincitori
incominciarono a far innal- zare le loro statue, che furono dai medesimi
dedicate agli Dei; quindi ancora scolpiti venivano i loro nomi
sopra alcune colonne, poste nella pubblica piazza. Il concorso a questi
giuochi era si grande, che solamente i principali personaggi delle città
Greche vi potevano aver luogo, e si celebravano con molta pompa e
ma- gnificenza. DEI m ^^oma E DEL
CIRCO MASSIMO Cm legge la storia de’principj <31 Roma, avrà
osser- vato, che questa singolare città prese ne’suoi primordj il
governo, le leggi, la magistratura, la religione, i riti e le arti dagli
Etruschi popoli circonvicini. Di tre specie erano i giuochi: i
primi erano sce- nici, o teatrali e consistevano, come oggi, a
rappre- sentare sul teatro commedie, canti, suoni, balli, e tutti
questi alla foggia toscana. Anfiteatrali erano i secondi; e si riducevano
a combattimenti gladiatori tra uomini ed uomini, o tra uomini e fiei’e. I
giuochi Circensi formavano la terza specie; ed erano, come dice
Tertul- liano, nel loro apparato i più ricchi, ed i più pomposi.
Consistevano essi in corse di uomini a piedi ed a cavallo precedute
da varj sagrifizi: concorreva a questo brillante spettacolo tutto il
popolo romano, e special- niente la più elegante gioventù e le più belle
fanciulle, le quali in lunghi stuoli andavano parte per vedere, e
parte per esser vedute. 11 primo Circo chiuso che si ediGcasse in
Roma, fu opera di Tarquinio Prisco principe appassionato per le
grandi costruzioni. Esso edificio fu chiamato Circo Massimo, il
quale poscia più non bastò alla cresciuta popolazione di Roma.
Giulio Cesare credette dover dedicare al popolo ro- mano ed alla
religione, di cui era divenuto capo, un altro — 6 —
ijii’co proporzionalo al bisogno; ma in vece di farlo nuovo, pensò
meglio di accrescere quello eretto da Tarquinio. Augusto suo
successore rifabbricò questo Circo, ornan- dolo di marmi in occasione,
che andava abbellendo la sua capitale. Dionigi d’Alicarnasso
narra che ai suoi tempi il Circo Massimo era circondato da gran
porticato, avente molte scale artificiosamente distribuite a libero passo
di quelli che entravano ed uscivano: esso conteneva duecento ses-
santa mila spettatori. Tanta magnificenza non bastò ai successori
d’Augusto; perchè Tiberio, Caligola, Claudio e Nerone vi fecero an-
ch’essi varj accrescimenti. Quegli però, che più d’ogni altro lo
accrebbe, fu Tra- jano, perchè a’suoi tempi la popolazione di Roma
era giunta forse al massimo suo aumento. 1 Romani erano cosi
amanti di queste solennità, che non domandavano al Principe, altro che
abbondanza di pane, e frequenza di giuochi Circensi. Questi
gran giuochi Circensi consistevano poi in una solenne processione
terminata da varj pubblici sacrifizi, che si facevano sulla spina del
Circo; e in una corsa di cento Righe tirate a quattro cavalli di fronte,
e di una numerosa corsa di fantini a cavallo ed a piedi.
Queste cento Bighe erano divise in quattro fazioni, distinte dai
colori, coi quali erano dipinte. V’ erano le bianche, le rosse, le
prasiue, o sia verde chiaro e le ve- nete, o sia ceruleo marino; in modo,
che ve n^erano ven- ticinque per ciascun colore. Ogni Biga
portava un nome, e quello probabilmente del suo agitatore.
Finite le corse de’carri, gli agitatori scendevano nel- l’arena, e
correvano a piedi a gara. Dopo la corsa venivano gli atleti e i
lottatori, i quali facevano anch’ essi i loro esercizj, e con ciò
finivasi la giornata. Questi differenti esercizj erano
interrotti da pubblici elogi che recitavansi in lode dei vincitori, e
dalle di- stribuzioni, che ad essi faceansi delle corone e
de’premi. Ecco dato un cenno o un’ idea dei Giuochi Circensi.
VENEZIA COME LA GRECIA E ROMA aveva aneli’
essa i suoi Spettacoli Consistevano questi in Regate o corse lungo
il Ca- nalazzo che divide in due parti \^enezla, e in caccle di tori
con cani, nelle forze erculee divise in due fazioni di così detti
Nicolottl e Castellani, e in voli dal campanile di san Marco alla riva
della Piazzetta. Furono sempre soggetto di universale ammirazione
la Venezia questi spettacoli, massimamente quello della così detta regata.
Si dava principio allo spettacolo con un fresco, vale a dire con
una corsa di tutte le barche fornite riccamente in diversi costumi, oltre
le Bissone a otto remi, 3Ialgarolte a sei remi e Peote, barche tutte di
una diversa costru- zione: v’ erano quelle, che rappresentavano le
quattro parti del mondo, le quattro stagioni dell’anno, i quat- tro
elementi, non che quelle rappresentanti la Forza, la Temperanza e la
Giustizia. Terminato il corso delle barche simboleggiate,
avevano luogo le così dette regate, la prima delle quali era di
dodici battelletti a un remo, e dodici a due remi, e quella delle gondole
a un remo, e a due remi nel me- desimo numero. — 8 —
Prendevano il corso dalla Motta di sant’ Antonio; schierate partita
per partita avanti un cordino, davano la mossa con uno sbaro di
raortaletto; percorrevano tutto il Canalazzo sino alla volta del palo
collocato al Corpus Domini, girato questo giungevano alla meta, in
volta del canale a casa del Nob. sig. Foscari, ove era costruita una
macchina a guisa di pulvinare, e dal giudici ri- cevevano i premi
destinati ai vincitori. La lunghezza del Canalazzo rappresentava un
ma- gnifico Anfiteatro: tutti i maestosi palazzi basati anche ih
parte sul legno d’india erano addobbati di ricchissime tappezzerie orientali,
e chiudeva lo spettacolo una mar- cia trionfale di tutte le suddette
barche. BELLE CORSE AL PRATO DELLA VALLE
m ^ac/o ova Sua Eccellenza proveditore
Andrea Metnó nell’anno 1780 circa ei’esse il gran Prato della Valle in
ampio Circo Olimpico, adorno di statue rappresentanti uomini
illusti'i, di obelischi, e di vasi etruschi, per far le corse particolari
delle bighe, dei fantini a cavallo, dei barberi e dei fantini a
piedi. Era costume in tutte le città dello Stato Veneto di dare
corse di cavalli e di uomini a piedi. Ambivano i nobili veneti
d’avere al loro Servizio i cosi detti Lacchè o Volanti, che correvano a
piedi in tutte quelle corse che si facevano nello Stato, e queste
erano frequentij difatto questi Volanti a piedi correvano da Mestre
a Padova in due ore (spazio di venti miglia italiane.) Le
solenni corse erano di miglia dieci, tra andata e ritorno, e chi non
correva questo spazio meno di un’ora non prendeva premio. Detti premi
erano cinque con le loro bandiere, la prima rossa, la seconda celeste, la
terza verde, la quarta gialla, e la quinta bianca. Tutti
quelli che si distinsero in queste gare sono i seguenti:
IO Nelle Corse parziali dei Lacchè: Picino
Angelo. Fineo Antonio. Sellila Giuseppe.
Badia Antonio. Palermo Mariano. Peverin
Donienieo. Bernardinelli Antonio. Martello Carlo. Costa
Paolo. Baggio Pietro. Seresa Paolo. Morte
Antonio. Nardini Giuseppe. Schincaglia Gio. Battista.
Nardini Nicola. Giustiniani Paolo. Nelle corse
parz Il N. Alessandro Pepoli. Il N. Giacomo
Savorgnani. Il N. Siraone Contarini. 11 N. Lodovico
Priuli. Bologna Gio. Battista, Meneghini Antonio.
Bettini Gio. Battista. Rabaldi Giovanni. Contenti Angelo.
Menegazzi Gio. Battista Poiana Gio. Battista. Petito Pietro.
Coradi Girolamo. Bologna Santo. Picino Francesco.
Faina Paolo. Bianchini Giuseppe. Strajoto
Domenico. Coppa Girolamo. li delle Bighe: Il N.
Agostino Nani. Il N. Antonio Riva, Il N. Zaneto
Morosini: ed altri. J DELLA
COSTRUZIONE DEL CIRCO O ARENA IN MILANO af/fa 3^ùa/z/ta
c/ Nell^anno 1806, a spese della comune di Milano fu eretto
il gran Circo sulle tracce degli antichi Circhi di Roma, dietro disegno
dell’egregio signor cavaliere Luigi Canonica regio architetto^ il suo
giro esterno è di braccia milanesi i4oo circa^ la sua lunghezza interna
dalle car- ceri alla porta trionfale braccia 4oo; la sua larghezza
dal pulvinare alla porta mortoria braccia aSo. (0 Nell’interno del
pulvinare il cornicione è fregiato di un basso rilievo a chiaroscuro
rappresentante la gran pompa Circense degli antichi Romani, dipinta
dall’esimio signor Monticelli Angelo. Dice Dionigi, ed anche
Ovidio, che avanti di comin- ciare i giuochi Circensi, la pompa, o sia
processione, scendeva dal Campidoglio, e pel foro romano s’incammi-
nava in bell’ordine verso il circo Massimo; la galleria interna di ordine
Corinto, ornata di otto colonne di gra- nito lombardo, come pure tutti i
gradi, e scalari, che discende al podio; e ciò è quanto viene
rappresentato nel suddetto fregio. La porta trionfale è di
ordine dorico di granito; il timpano sopra il cornicione rappresenta la
Fama in basso rilievo, che distribuisce le corone al vincitori. Le
car- (i) Il braccio di Milano corrisponde a metri lineari
Oj5g centimetri. 12 — deri, della
lunghezza di braccia loo in Uno colla terrazza sopra le medesime, e le
torri deU’oppldo costituiscono un imponente fabbricato tutto di pietra
viva. Nel giorno 17 dicembre 1807, nell’AnGteatro dell’ A-
rena in Milano, ebbe luogo il famoso spettacolo, non più vedutosi in
questa Capitale, della Naumachia, o re- gata di barche. Per
l’esecuzione di detto spettacolo, si fecero traspor- tare una quantità di
barche di varie dimensioni, pren- dendole nei laghi vicini, e facendo
venire molti barca- iuoli abitanti i paesi lungo il lago di Como — Dato
il segnale, si distaccarono dal luogo delle carceri sei barche,
ciascuna portando seco quattro barcaiuoli, i quali fecero la loro corsa
col compire tre giri intorno alla Arena. Successivamente compirono i loro
girl altre dodici bar- che a sei a sei, come si disse delle prime. Le
prime due di ciascuna coppia, che prime poterono arrivare alla
meta, dovettero di nuovo cimentarsi nella quarta corsa per la decisione
del premi, e rimasero vincitori gl’ in- frascritti: e)Loiue
6 ©o^w/oiufi Set Sverni a 111
cilowtiita ulaX'C' IH Andrea Gregol . ,
I. 4oo Antonio Bianchi. . . II.
3oo 1 Fortunato Prada . . . III.
200 i La Lira Laliana equivale ad Aiistr. r.
l4- — i3 — ’ Nel giorno i Marzo 1808 si tenne
neirAnfi teatro deU TArena in Milano lo spettacolo di bighe, e fantini
a piedi ed a cavallo. In detto giorno si diede lo spetta- colo suddetto,
essendosi prima esperlmentati gl’individui ed i cavalli, e riconosciuti
aventi ciascuno le condizioni necessarie prescritte dai politici
regolamenti. In detta giornata i vincitori furono i seguenti.
Slfooute e Co^H-owt'e' ìit, Sei. ©O/caffi
cKjoiM'e' 6' ©«^M'ome e> ilei, ( 3 ^ aiitim/
IH/ cHoin-m'OiitoMt'e t)eC ^teiuio la §c.
CO RSO DELLE BIGHE. Vignoni Gio. .
Cardinali Gio. B.“ I. 3 oo Della Tela
Gaet. Barzaghi Luigi li. 200
Roelli Ambrogio Radaelli Pietro IH.
100 CORS.A DEI FANTINI A CAVALLO.
Bottini Baldassare Porlesi Angelo I.
200 Ghezzi Antonio Daniri Paolo . II.
100 CORSA DEI FANTINI A PIED
I. Coppa Girolamo I. i 5 o
«5 Feroldi Gio. Fr. II. 75
Scorpioni Gaet. III. 5 o 1 Lo Scudo
di ItJilano equivale ad Auslr. L. 5 . 29. 1 Nel giorno
i6 Agosto 1 8 io si diede nell’Arena di Mi- lano un eguale spettacolo
tenutosi nel i Marzo 1808, cioè, corse di bighe e fantini a piedi ed a
cavallo. Quelli che fortunati ottennero in quel giorno il premio
furono i seguenti descritti nell’infrascitta tabella: Dii/
5*t(5pueba^ Dei/ GnvaKl cTCjouve 6 Go^itoiue
De^fi/ cHau-w^o., e/ Dei/ ^ aw.kwi; j ^MlM/td 111
/ Qiaiòi JWuw/Ou/tocw/e De6 $reiui/0 IH/
cltaE. CORSO DELLE Bl GHE. Fontana Gio.
Batt. Cardinali Gio, B.“ I. aooo
Caprara S. E. Carlo Vimercati Carlo II.
0 0 Sevolini Antonio Trabattoni
Paolo III. 1000 CORSA D EI
FANTINI A CAVALLO. Saul Conte Àlorio
Porlesi Luigi . . I. i5oo Besozzi
Filippo . Bucchetti Luigi. IL 1000
CORSA DEI FANTINI A PIED r.
Testoni Antonio I. 1000 Coppa
Girolamo II. 5oo Feroldi Gio. Fr.
III. 3oo — i5 — NeU’Anfiteatro
dell’Arena in Milano si tenne pubblico divertimento della regata eseguita
con barche fatte tra- sportare dai vicini laghi, e con barcaiuoli
abitanti i paesi lungo i detti laghi. Detto spettacolo ebbe
luogo nel giorno i Giugno i8ri colla distribuzione dei seguenti premi
consegnati ai sin- goli vincitori della medesima regata.
Storne e Go^uoitt/e Jet c/lomiuoM/tooiC'e
Se-K ^teutio 11* Garavaglia Paolo . .
I. 4oo Baroni Antonio . . . II.
000 Bianchi Agostino . . III.
200 — i6 — Nel giorno i agosto i8ii sì tenne
nell’Arena di Mi- lano uno spettacolo di corse di bighe, e fantini a
piedi ed a cavallo, colla distribuzione dei sottonotati premi dati
ai singoli vincitori come appare dall’unita tabella. dei/ Oa.vafCv
Slboni/e 6 Go^it/oiwe cibu&'.^ix, e dei.
lU/ Qtxóói/ lHoUMM/OW/toWe deC 11*
5taK. CORSO DELLE BIGHE, Vignoni Carlo .
Cardinali Gio. B. I. 2000 Galli
Giuseppe. Barzaghi Luigi . II. i5oo
Della Tela Gio.B. Vimercali Carlo III.
1000 CORSA DEI FANTINI A CANAI
LO, Labedojers Charles Pier Giuseppe .
I. i5oo Alari conle Saule Rossi
Ferdinando II. 1000 CORSA DEI
FANTINI A PIEDI. Mandelli Giuseppe
I. 1000 Tesloni Antonio II.
5oo Coppa Girolamo III. 3oo
17 — In Milano fuori di porta Orieulale nel giorno 17
ago- sto 1812, si tennero le corse di fantini a piedi ed a
cavallo. Detto spettacolo ebbe il suo principio al ponte di
Porta Orientale, ed aglrandosi 1 fantini intorno all’ al- bergo, detto di
Loreto nuovo, ritornarono essi sullo stesso ponte a ricevere gli
stabiliti premi ai singoli vincitori come dall’unita tabella:
afLoiiKe e Q/o^woiwe Jet $^capi/i,eta»j Jo)
Oo/vix^G, Dii/ ^OÀAhwV ^ veruno
IU> oRoiinM'outow/e ut ^taP, CORSA
DEI FANTINI A CAVALLO. Saul Conte Alario
Botta Angelo . . I. i5oo Caprini
Giovanni Comolli Luigi . IL 1000
Cordini Agostino Domiri Paol9 . III.
5oo CORSA DEI FANTINI A PIEDI.
Coppa Girolamo I. 1000 Testoni
Antonio II. 600 Poutigia Frane.”
III. 3oo 2 — i8 —
Avendo il Consiglio Comunale della regia città di Mi- lano
deliberato di festeggiare con pubbliche dimostra-^ zlonl di esultanza il
fausto arrivo in Milano di S. A. l’Arciduca Giovanni. La
Commissione delegata del predetto Consiglio de- duce a notizia, che tra
gli spettacoli 'pubblici divisati nel giorno i8 maggio i8i5, si faranno
le Corse dello bighe e de’fautini a cavallo, e dei fantini a piedi.
3«/ De» (3Li5iti6 e ©o^Moitve De^^ii
cAsirt'iga e Da ^ antiiu/ ^teu*wj
ciloii*iuoitbotx« 2ycc&. DÌI. CO
RSO DELLE BIGHE. Giovanni Galli . Gio. Cardinali
. I. 100 Giovanni Galli .
Giacomo Gallarati Carlo 'Vimercali /
Pietro Redaelli II. 8o , detto
Cadetto in. 6o CORSA BEI FANTINI A
CAVALLO. Giuseppe Bordoni GiovanniBelloni
I. 8o Gaetano Turcotii l
Giuseppe Bordoni Ferdin. Bergomi II.
6o Giuseppe Picozzi III. So
CORSA DEI FANTINI A PIE! H.
Giuseppe Maodelli I. 5o Frane.
Pontigia IL 4o Antonio Testoni
III. 3o Uno Zecchino corrisponde ad Auslr. L. i3.
6o. i >9 Spettacoli Circenai diretti da Girolamo
Coppa da eseguirsi nel giorno 29 settembre 18 16 . La Russia
ha le sue slitte, la Scozia le sue caccie, l’Inghilterra le sue corse, la
Spagna le sue giostre dei tori. La musica, il ballo, la corsa, le
militari evoluzio- ni, le sceniche rappresentazioni sono spettacoli
de’quali anche a’giorni nostra ogni popolo si diletta, e che pa-
gano varii ed importanti tributi all’utilità pubblica. il sistema
degli antichi spettacoli ci dimostra i sommi vantaggi che se ne possono
ritrarre. Il vigore de’ corpi, che ha tanta influenza in quello
dell’anima, la destrezza, l’agilità, la forza ed il coraggio, non erano i
soli beni che col piacere combinavano negli esercizii della greca e
della romana palestra, e negli spettacoli a’qnali que- sti servivano.
Veniva co’ medesimi mirabilmente alimen- tata, estesa, invigorita la
passione della gloria. In essi comparivano i più distinti personaggi^
Socrate si faceva un dovere d’intervenire, Alcibiade riportò tre premi,
e Catone si disponeva nella sua gioventù a divenire quel che fu
nella sua vecchiezza. Le corone d’ulivo, di lauro , di appio verde
o secco che si davano ai vincitori de’diversi giuochi in Grecia, i
premj presso a poco simili che si davano per Io stesso merito in Roma,
preparavano quelli che si ottenevano quindi dalla virtù e dai talenti del
magistrato e del guerriero nel foro e nel campo; nella palestra e nel
circo gli esercizii erano diversi, ma lo scopo era sempre un solo,
quello di alimentare cioè la passione della gloria. Ma i costumi nostri
son diversi da quelli de’Greci e de- gli antichi Romani, e le nostre
leggi non hanno uopo di un tal mezzo per estendere questa utilissima
passione. Si può dire per altro che noi pure potremmo ritrarre dei
rilevanti vantaggi da questi spettacoli se venissero nella patria nostra
adottati, purché si avesse cura di pre- venire gl’incovenieuti che
s’introdussero in quelli de’Ro- ^ni, si modificasse l’antica pakstra, e
se ne proscrivesse ^ ferocia e l’indecenza. — • 30
Somministrando con essi de’piaceri utili agli uomini,
s’impedirebbe che da loro medesimi se ne formassero de'perniciosi.
Quell’ istinto che conduce i giovani all’ azione ed al placei’e
potrebbe in questi spettacoli servir di mezzo per abituarli all’ordine,
alla tolleranza della fatica, al vigore del corpo, all’energia dello
spirito e per garantirli dal- Tozio sempre seguito’ dalla noia, dalla
frivolezza e dal vizio. Con ({ueste idee Coppa Girolamo e
compagni pensa- rono d’introdurre in questa Capitale alcuni
spettacoli, ch’essi denominano Circensi dal circo od anfiteatro si-
tuato sulla piazza d’armi di questa Città, luogo dove in- tendono di
darli, e a questo oggetto implorarono ed ottennero la necessaria
permissione dall’Imperiale Regio Governo di Milano. Una corsa
di dieciotto fantini a piedi, vestili alla Romana che sortiranno dalle
Carceri, e gireranno in- torno alla spina, faranno otto corse complete
sino alla meta, i primi tre vincitori otterranno Il primo . .
italiane lir. 3 oo 11 secondo « 200 li terzo . . . . .
. » 100 Questa verrà seguita da altra corsa di dodici fautini
a cavallo che sortendo dalle carceri, faranno quattro corse complete sino
alla meta Al primo . . . italiane lir, 5 oo Al secondo
« 3 oo Al terzo 30 0 ■ Immediatamente alle accennate
corse succederà quella di sei bighe, le quali sortiranno parimenti dalle
carceri e faranno quattro corse complete sino alla meta La
prima . . . italiane lir. 700 La seconda * >» 4 ®®
L.i ter/.a » 3 oo 4 Lo spettacolo sarà chiuso
con una marcia trionfale e pompa Circense composta di quattrocento
individui ve- stiti tutti alla Romana. I. Il Prefetto dei giuochi
in cocchio a quattro cavalli di fronte. II. Banda militai^. III.
Insegne e trofei, varj genj, carro per le vestali ti- rato da otto buoi
di fronte. IV. Centuria o compagnia di 100 militari alla Romana. V. Tutti
i fantini a piedi ed a cavallo e gli auriga vincitori e pi’emiati in
carro trionfale tirato da quattro buoi di fronte. VI. Banda
militare. VII. Altra compagnia di loo militari alla Ro- mana non che
tutti i perdenti delle corse che chiudono la pompa Circense.
Colti e generosi Milanesi! la suddetta società assumo questa utile
e dispendiosa impresa sotto i vostri beni- gni auspicj. Voi che con tanto
ardore proteggete tutte le vantaggiose insti tuzioni, onorerete de’
vostri suffragi pur questa, che al vantaggio unisce il vostro
diletto. La scelta degli spettacoli sarà regolata dalla condizione
de’tempi e del luogo, e dal gran principio di dare al pubblico un utile
trattenimento. Ma a voi s’ appartiene 1 ’ animarla ed il proteggerla.
Incoraggiti da vostri applausi i valorosi atleti che si presenteranno in
questi spettacoli, nascerà nobil gara tra loro, e siffatti esercizj che
da principio potranno essere oggetto di semplice curiosità, diverranno
poscia mercè il vostro generoso eccitamento un oggetto di pub-
blico interesse. 32 — 1 c}'(3oiwe E
3«. dei/ 0a(>a£& cT^lWe • 00^U«HM
ellotACi^A » ^ autùw $e>eiulo iM
aAouuM'OHtlSM. d.f ^veuM/o IH» ólloE.
CO RSA DELLE BIGHE. Gio. Vignoni . .
Gio. Cardinali . I. 700 Girolamo
Galli. Girol. Barzaghi II. 4oo
Pietro Rossi . . Pietro Radaelli III.
200 CORSA UEl FAlVTmi A CAVALLO.
Gius. Caprini . Fran. Arrigoni I.
5oo Antonio Villano Gaet. Bazzeri
II. 3oo Stefano Bianchi Luigi Lonati
. . III. aoo CORSA DEI
FANXmi A PIEDI. Gius. Mandelli . I.
3(50 Girolamo Coppa II. aoo
Antonio Testoni IH. 100 — 23 —
spettacoli Circensi diretti da Girolamo Coppa nel 6 ottobre 1816
. Mentre si sta preparando un grandioso spettadolo che deve
principalinante corrispondere a quelli che dagli antichi Romani
chiamavansi Gircensijsl è divisato intanto di dare nel giorno suindicato
un trattenimento a questo rispettabile Pubblico, che* pel suo genere e per
il buon ordine ond’esso verrà eseguito riuscirà di sommo dilello.
Consisterà il medesimo in una corsa di dodici fantini a cavallo
nella quale compariranno de’cavalli forestieri, che sortiranno dalle
carceri, faranno sei giri completi per arrivare alla metà.
Indi avrà luogo una porsa di ventiquattro fantini a piedi che
saranno divisi in tre partite, ciascuna delle quali sarà composta di
otto, estratti a sorte. Ognuna di esse deve fare quattro giri, ed I primi
delle singole par- tite che giungeranno alla mela, dovranno cimentarsi
ad un’altra corsa di quattro giri per la decisione de’prenij.
Sortiranno poscia gli altri ventuno fantini, i quali dovranno fare
unitamente quattro giri, ed il primo di loro che giungerà alla meta avrà
il premio. Succederà a queste un’altra corsa dilettevole
eseguila da ventiquattro nani, che a guisa di satiri degli antichi
greci rallegrerà gli spettatori. Questi sortiranno dalle car- ceri, e
faranno un giro completo sino alla meta, i primi tre riporteranno il
premio. Due bande militari delle più melodiose rallegrerà lo
spirito degli spettatori nel tempo che dureranno queste corse.
Lo spettacolo avrà fine con Una marcia trionfale In cui vedrassi un
superbo cocchio, nel quale vi sarà il Prefetto dei giuochi. Terranno
dietro al medesimo i fan- tini a piedi, ed a cavallo, che non ottennero
il premio, e si chiuderà lo spettacolo con un maestoso carro trion-
fale, su cui vi saranno i vincitori accompagnati da numerose comparse,
che colla splendidezza degli abiti loro e colla regolarità de’loro
movimenti renderanno ollre- modo piacevole e dignitosa questa
marcia. Accorrete dunqile, generosi milanesi, che hen degno
farà di voi lo spettacolo che vi si annunzia. Vogliate procurare a
voi stessi un nuovo e grande di- letto, ed all'impresa di questi giuochi
l'onore di aver saputo deliziosamente occupare alcune delle ore da
voi destinate al sollievo dell’animo. cTtoiM'S 8
Go^HOtM'e 3ei/ ^cepueboyc/j SeK Oavo-tCì. e
Oo^M'oiue Dà/ <5 ^ ccMhm Svenino iM.
0fa^Si/ cUsuuu'Ou.tM' e n* CORSA r
tEI FANTINI A CAVAI .LO. Angelo Curii
. Antonio Giulini I. 4oo Carlo
Galimberti Luigi Borsoni . ir. 3oo
Ambrogio Oliva Matteo Sarti . . III.
300 CORSA DEI FANTINI A PIEI
)I. Gius. Borghetli I. 3oo
Carlo Pedrelli . II. 300 Giuseppe
Tadei. III. 100 CORSA D EI 21
FANTII VI A PI EDI. Girolamo Coppa
Unico 3òo C :ORSA DEI NA
NI. Pietro Botta detto Girolamo .
^ . I. 100 Carlo Limonzino
detto Amabile ir. 8o Baldass.
Ducbetti detto Formica in. 6,
1 20 Avendo il Consiglio Comunale deliberato di
festeggiare il fausto avvenimento di S. A. R. il serenissimo arci-
duca Ranieri, vice-re del Regno Lombardo- Veneto; la Commissione delegata
del suddetto Consiglio deduce à pubblica notizia, che tra gli spettacoli
divisati nel i6 giugno 1818, si faranno le corse delle bighe e de’
fan- tini a cavallo ed a piedi, neU’anfìteatro dell’Arena alla
Piazza d’Armi. f Oo^tt'ouve ìei; ^C'OpMclaty
Sei/ Gixvixffi- 10^01116 e Go^M'OIìVI’ oADut-i^a.
e Dei» ^veiMio tiK QlaSiii Ili
CORSA DELLE BIGHE. Giuseppe Ant, conte Eallhyany
1 Cardinale Gio. I. too
Gio. Fontana . . Carlo Vimercati II.
80 F ra nccScoF rigerio Paolo Trabattoni
III. 60 CORSA I] • EI FANTINI A
CAVAI .LO. Giosuè Pizzini . Ant.
Marchesi . 1. 8a Gaetano Bordoni
Filip. Ognibenè II. 6a Gaetano
Bordoni Dionigio FiOren- . tini
III. 5 o CORSA DEI FANTINI
A PIEDI. Gius. Borghetti I. 5
o Carlo Pedrelli . IL 4 o
Giuseppe Tadei III. 3o • a6 —
Ndi 1 8 ottobre 1818 ▼! fa il seguente avviso. Ridotti a compimento
i difficili apparecchi dello spettacolo annua* ràato col precedente
manifesto del giorno i 5 e vedendo che r attuale stagione favorisce pure
il buon esito del medesirai, ci affrettiamo di prevenire il rispettabile
Pub- blico di questa illustre Metropoli, che oggi giorno die-
ciotto avrà luogo un sorprendente fuoco artificiale com- posto e diretto
da Morengbi Giuseppe. Colte e gentili signore milanesi, l’invito è
a voi prin- cipalmente diretto, perchè se voi onorerete in copioso
numero lo spettacolo che vi si annunzia, esso sarà pure onorato di gran
numero di nomini, solendo questi ac- correre ove vi siano garbate e
virtuose dopne. Gran Carosello o Giostra diretta dal si-
(jnor Capitano I\ antica IJng arese il 22 agosto 1819 .
Questo grandioso spettacolo del Cai’osello fu eseguito alla
presenza dì S. A. I. R, il serenissimo arciduca Ranieri vice-re del Regno
Lombardo-Veneto; il medesimo era composto da quattrocento cavalieri
ungheresi sotto la direzione de’ loro comandanti. L’area dell’anfiteatro
rap- presentava un antico torneo arricchito nel suo quadro- lungo
di colonne, di statue in armatura dei secoli di mezzo, nel centro
torreggiava un magnifico obelisco acforno di ricchissimi trofei militari,
al suono armonioso di quattro bande riunite succederono le gare fra i
ca- valieri giostratori, e queste si combinarono in dilettevoli
contraddanze, evoluzioni militari, in quadri pittoreschi, e chiudeva lo
spettacolo una marcia trionfale. “ — Grandioso
spettacolo di corse di fantini a piedi dirette da Girolamo Coppa, e mac-
china di fuochi artificiali, che avrà luogo il 28 novembre 1819 .
Una banda delle più melodiose rallegrerà gli spetla- loi’i ^ indi
si presenteranno ventiquattro fantini a piedi i quali eseguiranno una ben
ordinala corsa^ che sarà di* visa in tre parli, ciascuna delle quali sarà
composta di otto; ognuna di esse deve fare quattro giri, ed i primi
delle singole parti che giungeranno alla meta^ dovranno rimettersi ad
altra corsa di quattro giri per la decisione de’premi.
Sortiranno poscia gli altri ventuno fantini, i quali do- vranno
fare unitamente quattro giri, ed il primo di loro, che giungerà alla
meta, verrà unito ai primi tre; i quali dovranno di nuovo cimentarsi ad
una corsa di altri quat- tro giri, per la decisione degrinfrascritti premi.
Oo^it;>(ue 3el ^cetili» iit
OfoAòt. ilef ^teuMO ii« tTTClf. Bardelli Carlo .
. . I. 3oo Branca Giuseppe . .
IL 200 Tadei Giuseppe . . III.
i5o Pedroni Domenico . . IV.
100 Dopo ciò si cominceranno le forze ginnastiche dei
già rinomali Atleti e mentre che il Pubblico anderà ap- plaudendo r
attività, la destrezza, e la forza degl’ indi- viduati atleti, una
granata annuncierà, che nell* Anfi- teatro evvi un magnifico fuoco
artificiale composto « k^lrelto dal professore di pirotecnica,
Giambattista Pio- tiiarla, milanese. Una maccViina
rappresentante la reggia di Minerva, Dea delle scienze, si troverà
innalzata nell’anfiteatro. Gli spettatori potranno conoscere che il
disegno di questa è tolto da uno de’più magnificbi e grandiosi
nell’ordine architettònico, avendo campo di osservarlo
partitamente, trientre si eseguiranno le suddette corse.
Diverse qualità di razzi, granate e bombe in N.° di 4 t) 0 ;
saranno i forieri dell’incendio della macchina. Una galante
girandola, che mostrerà senza interru- zione variate figure e moltipllcl
colori, sarà il primo pezzo de’gluochi fermi. Due grandi
tornei faranno al naturale distinguere il solò e la luna. Due
sorprendènti stelloni contornati da piccole stel- lette tutte illuminate,
giuocheranno unitamente, e for- meranno uii fuoco brlllaote.
Due girandole con specchio d’ illuminazione, forme- ranno un mulino
a vento. Due rosoni in continuo giro, cori specchio a vari
co- lori, si apriranno e si chiuderanno replicatamente. Una
scappata di mille saraSetti, formeranno in aria un bouquet con
batteria. Due casse di 4^0 razzi a batterla regolata, faranno
una continua moschettata. Una sortita di 4^0 palle avvampate;
faranno apparire il chiaror del giorno. La macchina verrà
illiiminata a giorrto, riel ciii mezzo' risplenderà la statua di
Minerva. Ventiquattro fontanonl di un getto tnaraviglloso,
forme- r.nnno un intrecciato giùoco. Un fuoco alla foggia di
un grande Vesuvio, si alzerà nell’aria, con istrepitosa batteria, che
annuncierà il ter- mine dello spettacolo, Colti e generosi
Milanesi, voi che con tanto^ 'ardore proteggete le belle arti, l’artefice
Piomarta, ardisce as- Sicurai vi, che non rimarrete delusi.
^ 29 — Nel giorno i 4 maggio 1820, Giambattista Piomarta
professore macchinista di fuochi artificiali^ che nel giorno vent’otto
novembre del decorso anno, incendiò la mac- china da esso costrutta con
pieno aggradimento, ha di- visato anche 3 richiesta di molte persone che
nbn sono allora Intervenute, di ripetere il disegno della stessa
mac- china. Due bande militari annuncieranno il
divertimento, che comincerà con una dilettevole corsa di dodici
nani elegantemente vestiti alla spagnupla, i quali sqrtiranno dalle
carceri, e gireranna due volte intorno alTarea del- Tanfiteatro, ed i
primi tre che arriveranno alla meta otterranno i seguenti prepil,
S^ovu/e e/ Dei. tenui»
OflX^^lr II* 3 TCif. Angelo Roncignolo . .
I. 100 Giuseppe Poiani . . IL
80 Ambrogio Pisina III. 60
La Lira Milanese equivale ad Auslr. Cent, 87. Spettacolo del
professore Giacomo Garnerin, nel 23 luglio 1820 . Esperienze
aereo-fisiche che non ebbero effetto, per cui fu condannalo il Garnerin a
dare un altro spetta- colo nel mezzo della piazza d'armi gfatis, che
venne applaudito dal pubblico. — 3o — Grandioso
spettacolo diretto da Gerolamo Coppa per il giorno 6 Agosto 1820 .
Uno dei grandi avvenimenti che ci ha lasciato la storia antica, è
certamente la guerra micidiale tra i Greci ed i Trojani che terminò
coll’incendio e distruzione della famosa città di Priamo, causata dal
rapimento della greca Elena fatto da Paride. Questo punto d’istoria
tanto interessante, sebbene involto nelle tenebre dei se- coli e nel
bivio della favola, di cui Omero, e Virgilio ce ne dipingono
maestrevolmente la miseranda catastrofe, è l’interessante trattenimento
che Girolamo Coppa, e Socj si propongono di dare nel suddetto
giorno. Troja cinta dalle sue inespugnabili mura, che Sarà
collocata al sito delle carceri, si vedrà rapidamente ardere dalle Gamme;
le grida, il pianto, la disperazione degli infelici abitanti confusi
collo strepito dell’armi; le mine delle più alte moli, la desolazione dei
vinti e il tripu- dio dei vincitori; la partenza del pio Enea
portando sugli omeri il vecchio suo padre Anchise; una sor-
prendente illuminazione del tèmpio di Minerva col simulacro trasparente
della Dea; un fuoco che a guisa di Vesuvio s’innalzerà nell’aria sarà lo
spettacolo tragico-pan- loraimico-pirotecnico che si presenterà a questo
Pubblico rispettabile. Armata greca, guidata dal duci collegati ti-
rati nelle bighe da quattro cavalli di fronte, trombettieri a cavallo,
sacerdoti, auguri, sacriGcatori, vittime e il gran cavallo nel cui cavo
seno vi si nascondono armi, guer- rieri, attrezzi, macchine di guerra;
armata trojana, coro di donzelle e fanciulle, bande militari, analogo
vestia- rio, popolo, e tutto ciò che forma il maestoso ed im-
ponente corredo di questo grande avvenimento, che verrà «seguilo da
mille, e più individui, non che con quella indispensabile illusione che
ne costituisce il pregio del- l’azione. 1 - — 3
i — fiel giorno 3 setUrobro 1820^ a ricbh^ta . generale
&l replica il grandioso spettacolo del famoso incendio e di>
sti’Uzione della celebre città di Troja^ causato dal Ratto d’Elena fatto
da Paride. Quindi è die lo spettacolo verrà eseguito con
ujaggior nuineró d’attori^ di truppe, di bighe, e di tutti quegli
importanti accessori che esige la nobiltà e grandezza
deirargomento. Esperienze aereo fisiche d^eseguirsi soltanto
aWaltezza delle piante del professore Già' corno Gnrnerin di Parigi^ nel
giorno 10 settembre 1820 alle ore 6 pomei'idiane. Appoggiato
il detto Garnerin ai tratti d’aggradimento dimostrati al suo spettacolo,
che ebbe l’onore di dare nello scorso agosto sulla grande piazza d’armi,
egli si accinge a darne un altro nuovo, di sommo interesse, e di
particolare sua invenzione. Detto spettacolo consisterà nel
combattimento delle Co- mete preceduto dalla prova del paracadute,
eseguita con un animale vivo, che ritornando a terra, discenderà
tranquillamente nella stessa arena, e da un pallone, col quale il
professore, dimostrando la necessità dell’inven- zione del suo
paracadute, farà conoscere appieno le tern ribili catastrofi succedute a
Pilatre-des-Roziers, e mada- ma Blanchard ed al rinomatissimo italiano
Zambeccari p*r mancanza del paracadute, c darà altre espegenze areo-pirojecniche.
— 3a — La conquista di Belgrado. Grandioso spet-
tacolo per il 17 settembre 1820 . Di- retto da Girolamo Coppa. ,
Quel Belgrado, che nella storia della guerra aveva res i illustri i
nomi di Corvino, Huniade, Massimiliano di Baviera, ed Eugenio di Savoja era
finalmente destinato a coronare la gloria di Loudon.
SuU’eseiTipio deir anno scorso penetrarono anche in quest’anno sul
piàncipio di agosto i Turchi nel Banato dalla parte di Schuponeck, si
sparsero per tutta la valle, e volevano avanzare verso Mahadiaj ma li 28
agosto cac- piolli il generai Cleirfart intieramente dal territorio
Au- striaco. Loudon restituissi 3 Seraelicco, si accorsero or ora
chiaramente i Turchi, che si trattava dall’assedio di Belgrado. Il Bascià
fece chiedere istantemente una tre- gua; Loudon vi condiscese, nello
stesso tempo facendo intendere al Bascià di decidersi se voleva rendere
la piazza, ed accettare la libera sortita. La quale proposta venne
ricusata dal Bascià, e s’ incomincia col bombar- damento della fortezza.
PARTE PRIMA. Al sito delle Carceri s’innalzerà la fortezza di
Belgrado cinta dalle sue inespugnabili mui*a in istato d’assedio.
L’arena del circo rappresenterà un campo di battaglia, sparso qua e là di
tende militari, padiglioni, attrezzi da guerra, cannoni, mortaj, e di
truppe Tedesche ed Un- gheresi. Il colonnello conte d’ Argentau, parla ai
suoi subalterni. Miei signori, noi siamo stati prescelti dal
Maresciallo Loudon, per l’ iutrapresa dell’attacco della fortezza. Ma
tutto dal nostro zelo dipende, spero quindi che ognuno impiegherà tutte
le sue forze per sostenere anche in quest’occasione l’onore del nome che
portiamo, e la gloria che il nostro Maresciallo si è acquistata.
Non vi è bisogno d’ulteriori esortazioni lusingandomi di po- tere
giustamente riporre in loro tutta la mia fiducia. — 33 —
PARTE SECONDA. S’ Incomincia l’ assalto della fórtezza. La
soldatesca, ripartita in quattro colonne, attaccano ad un tempo di-
verse parti. — I volontari precedono ciascuna colon- na, e i granatieri,
che fra questi si trovano, marciano alla testa. Le truppe sono seguite da
trecento lavoratori con fascine, corbelli, sacchi d’arena, ed altri
necessari strumenti per costruire sul momento batterie, ridotti, ed
altre fortificazioni. Si attaccano con coraggio e riso- lutezza} le
paL'zzate vengono superate. Il cannonamento sostiene l’attacco. 1 Turchi
si difendono disperatamente, vengono con impareggiabile valore respinti,
si gettano nella piazza migliaja di palle, granate e bombe, PARTE
TERZA. Il Bascià fa chiedere un abboccamento al Maresciallo
per la capitolazione della fortezza, sortono da Belgrado tre dei più
ragguardevoli fra i Turchi con il loro se- guito, si presentano al
padiglione del generale Loudon. 11 Bascià affetta di essere un Mussulmano
estremamente zelante, riferisce essere dal supremo destino
determinata fino dall’eternità la resa della fortezza; e spiegò quindi
il desiderio di essere condotto colla sua guarnigione a Nissa, ma
Loudon sceglie in vece la fortezza d’Orsova. •PARTE QUARTA.
L’esercito Austriaco prende possesso della fortezza en- trando
trionfalmente con acclamazione di gio|a; al mo- mento venne basato sulle
mura della fortezza un ma- gnifico arco trionfale guernito di fuochi
artificiali; opera del pirotecnico Giovanni Battista Piomarta.
I. Le cannonate secche u mazzo di stelle. II. Dodici piramidi
intrecciate di serpenti. HI. Esplosione di bombe. IV.
Otto circoli di fuoco a colori diversi. 3 34 -
V. Gran decorazione all^arco trionfale. VI. Esplosione di
granate. VII. Una sfuggita di due mila razzi formeranno in
aria un bouquet al naturale. Vili. Un fuoco alla foggia d*un
acceso Vesuvio si alzerà con strepitosa batteria che annuncierà il
termine dello spettacolo. Prima discesa col Paracadute di
madami- gella Garnerin areoporista, che avrà luogo il 5 maggio
1824, e corse di fantini a cavallo ed a piedi, eon marcia
trionfale, dirette da Girolamo Coppa. L’apertura delle porte
sarà annunciata da alcuni spari d’artiglieria. Due gran bande di musica
militare esegui- ranno dei pezzi scelti d’armonia durante tutto lo
spet- tacolo. Madamigella Garnerin monterà nell’aerostato per
eseguire la sua ascensione, che sarà immediatamente se- guita dalla sua
discesa col paracadute, e sarà preceduta altresì dall’ascensione di un
pesce rombo indicatore della direzione. Ventiquattro fantini
a piedi eseguiranno una b^n r- dinata corsa, che sarà divisa in tre
parti, ciascuna com- posta di otto fantini, che faranno tre giri, ed i
primi delle singole parti, che giungeranno alla meta, dovranno
rimettersi ad altra corsa di tre giri per la decisione dei premi.
Sortiranno poscia altri ventuno fantini pure a piedi, i quali dovranno
fare tre giri, ed il primo di loro che toccherà la meta, verrà unito a
primi tre. 1 quat- tro fantini che primi furono nell’aringa, dovranno
di nuovo cimentarsi ad una corsa di altri tre giri per la decisione
dei controscritti premi. La corsa dei fantini a cavallo, venne
distribuita come segue. Uodici fantini a cavallo eseguiranno due
corse, divisi a sei per sei, compiendo i tre prefissi giri circo-
— 35 — • lari. I sei fantini a cavallo che nelle
suindicate due corse saranno i primi arrivati alla meta, si disputeranno
la palma con altra corsa, Gssata ugualmente di tre giri, e i tre
che rimarranno vincitori avranno il relativo premio. (0^oiMe &
0o^ao(Me Sfi/ dei/ Sedine e Oo^itoiue deu ^
(XitUitt/ ^teuMo ('RsuMuoii/tcOc'e de6
^texMMO uv .^. cRou/i. CORSA DEI FANTINI A
CAVALLO. Preda Giuseppe Raja Domenico
I. 3oo Gioja ‘Pietro . . Ferri
Luigi II. 200 Picozzi Giovanni
Slopani Giuseppe III. 100 CORSA
DEI FANTINI A PIEDI. Pozzi Francesco
I. 100 Tadei Giuseppe II.
80 Bardelli Carlo . III. 60
Toja Ambrogio . IV. 4o Seconda
discesa col paracadute di madami- gella Garnerin nel 25 maggio 1824
. Delta discesa sarà preceduta da due corse, una di fan- tini
a cavallo, la seconda de’barberi, con due premj in- sieme di lìr. 6oo
aust. e bandiere, con estrazione pub- blica di dodici premi o lotti da
lire 5 o a lire 8oo: for- manti insieme una somma di lire 2600 austriache
che andranno a vantaggio degli spettatori i quali avranno preso dei
biglietti d’entrata a questa seconda esperienza -* 36 —
e spettacolo, e detti numeri corrisponderanno a quelli che saranno
estratti a sorte. Madamigella Garnerin ha fatto stampare 26000
bi- glietti di entrata alla sua esperienza, i quali biglietti
porteranno ciascuno un numerocorrispondente a quello dei. 26000 biglietti
che saranno posti nelle urne, dalle quali ne verranno estratti dodici,
pei dodici prenij pro- messi. Detto spettacolo sarà diviso
cqme segue: I . Corsa dei fantini a cavallo, i quali dovranno
ese- guire tre corse complete, ed i primi tre che arriveranno alla
meta dovranno cimentarsi in un’altra corsa di tre giri, per disputarsi
nuovamente i premj. II. Corsa dei barberi i quali dovranno eseguire
tre giri dell’arena e i primi due, che ariveranuo alla meta avranno
il premio. III . Seconda corsa dei fantini a cavallo, che
serviranno a determinare Tassegnamento de’premj. iei/
da OavoEfi. ^VOUllO da ^ autiM/
ut/ ilowiuw utoW'e teuMO JIduS
CORSA DEI BARBERI. Preda Giuseppe Gardiaali
Nicola I. II. i5o CORSA DEI
FANTINI A CAVALLO. Angiolini Gius. Laudoni Giosuè
Ferrario Frane. Burella Antonio I.
II. 200 i5o - 37 - IV.
Ascensione di madamigella Garnerin, die farà un giro intorno aU’arena.
Poi s’innalzerà ad una considere- vole altezza^ indi farà la sua discesa
col paracadute. y. Si darà fine allo spettacolo con l’ estrazione
pub- blica di dodici premi o lotti dalle lire 5 o fino alle 800.
Avendo il Consiglio Comunale della regia città di Mi- lano
deliberato di festeggiare con pubbliche dimostra- zioni di esultanza il
fausto avvenimento della presenza in Milano di S. M. 1 . R. Paugustissimo
Monarca Fran- cesco I, la Congregazione Municipale e la Commissione
delegala del predetto Consiglio deducono a notizia, che tra gli
spettacoli pubblici divisati si faranno le corse delle bighe e de’fantini
a cavallo, e dell’esperienza arco- statica col paracadute della signora
Elisa Garnerin, nel- l’anfiteatro dell’Arena il giorno 24 maggio 1825.
1 6 t'cu Dei/ GrtoafCi/ (S^X^oiu/e e
Gogii/oiMe Dcgfi/ e Dei. ^ «uh 111/ ^celiti
0 111/ cHoilMIl/ 0 nt< 3 t */6 DeC
^telino III XeceS. 3 TL. CORSO DELLE BIGHE.
Anglolini Carlo Trabattoni Paolo I.
100 Fontana Gio. B. Radaelli Santino
II. 80 Suddetto .... Cardinali
Gio. d. il Pastirolo IH. 60 CORSA DEI
FANTINI A CAVALLO. Formigini Gius. Giuliani
Gius. I. 80 Castellani conte Gaetano
. . . Vaisem Carlo . . II. 60
PezzinI Giosuè Gioja Domenico III. 5
o Spettacolo eseguito da Francesco Orlandi nel 5 aprile 1827
. L’areonauta Francesco Orlandi eseguirà il suo volo
areostatico, sempre che l’ atmosfera si trovi abbastanza tranquilla onde
pòssa lo stesso condurre senza ostacolo il suo naviglio per le difficili
ed azzardose vie dei venti e dimostrare col fatto la verità delle sue
teorie. Aggiungerà la tanto apprezzata corsa de’fantini a ca-
vallo vestiti all’inglese, distribuita come segue; dodici fantini a
cavallo eseguiranno due corse, divisi a sei per sei, facendo i tre
prefissi girl intorno all’arena. I sei fantini a cavallo chd nelle
suindicate due corse saranno arrivali primi alla meta, si disputeranno la
palma con altra corsa, fissata egualmente di tre girl, ed i tre che
rimaranno vincitori avranno il relativo premio. Lo spettacolo sarà
reso più brillante dalla musica eseguita da due bande militari.
Dm QfxvcMi, eJLoiii'e 6 Oo^nom'e- Dei, ^ imtiwi/
^i>edwo ut, Qixiòi Jlowtitwittew'e Def
5*ceiitio 111/ cibitA.' Giuseppe Preda. Brunello
Pietro. I. 4oo Angelo Briani .
Raja Domenico . II. 000 Paolo
Pozzetti , Ferri Luigi . . III. i5o
— Sg — Terza discesa col paracadute delV
aereoporista francese EHisa Garnerin. Questa discesa
preceduta dalla prima ascensione col pallone ritenuto da funi, della sua
giovine allieva Eu- frasia Bernardi che farà il giro
dell’anfiteatro. Detto spettacolo verrà preceduto dalle corse
de’fantiiii a piedi ed a cavallo, e dei barberi, dirette da
Girolamo Coppa, secondo il costume degli antichi Greci e Ro- mani,
ed avrà luogo nel i 5 aprile 1827. Due complete bande militari
suoneranno alternativa- mente durante lo spettacolo. Prima e
seconda corsa de’fantini a piedi. Corsa de’fantini a cavallo.
Terza e quarta corsa de’fantiui a piedi. Corsa
de’barberi. Quinta ed ultima corsa de’fantini a piedi.
Marcia trionfale. I . Gran corso di ^musica militare.
II. Un cocchio con quattro cavalli di fronte, che por- terà il
Prefetto dei giuochi col suo seguito. IH. La prima coorte.
IV. Otto porta-stendardi e trofei. V. Seconda coorte armata
di brandi e di scudi pe- santi. VI» Un gran Carro trionfale
tirato da otto buoi a quattro a quattro di fronte, pei vincitori dei
giuochi circondato da ventiquattro genj simboleggiati. VII.
Terza coorte armata di giavellotti con scudi. VHI. Squadrone di
tutti i fantini a piedi. IX. Squadrone di tutti i fantini a
cavallo, che chiu- derà la marcia. • Terminato
[l’esperimento, Tareonauta rientrò nel circo in carrozza scoperta per
risalutare il pubblico esultante, che l’acclamava. Le corse dei fantini a
piedi, a cavallo e dei cavalli sciolti riuscirono animatissime, per cura
di — 4 » ■“ Girolamo Coppa, il quale in tali
circostanze è stato sem- pre chiamato, come quello che per le molte
corone rac- colte in simili solenni disfida, combinava colla
pratica e col consiglio la fiducia di chi si lasciava da esso di-
rigere. c)lboiM6 e Gogmsui/e ut
cllotwiM'Outowe 111. o^. . . CORSA DEI
BARBERI. Gardinali Nicola I. 3oo^
Ralli Giuseppe . II. 200 Ghiggini
Gio. . IH. 100 CORSA DEI FANTINI A. CAVAL
LO. Conte S. Antonio Passi Gennaro .
> I. 5oo Preda Giuseppe Brunello
Pietro. II. 3oo Gardinali Nicola
Merli Giuseppe. III. 200 CORSA
DEI FANTINI A PIEI )I. Rossi
Giuseppe. I. 100 Feltrini Eugenio. .
IT. 8o Pozzi Francesco III.
6o Gozzini Davide. IV. 4o
• f O . » . ’ Straordinario
spettacolo che sarà eseguito dalla eotnpagnia del eavallerizzo
Alessan- dro Guerra Romano^ nelV^ luglio 1S27. La solennità
di nn magnifico torneo alla foggia di quelli ’che ese^uivansi ne^passati
tempi, formerà la. spet- tacolosa festa ^le dal cavallerizzo Alessandro
Guerra verrà esposta al Pubblico* con l’aggiunta di varii eseroizii
d’e- quitazione, corse a cavallo ed a piedi, e colle bighe di-
rette da Girolamo Coppa. Distrihiizipne drllo spellacolò:
Al suono della musica di due corpi di bande mili- tari che
alterneranno le loix) sipfonie si faranno: I. La corsa di
veutiqq^ttro fantini a piedi, divisi in tre schiere di otto per ciascuna,
che eseguiranno tre giri, e i vincitori di ciascuna dovranno cimentarsi
in altra simile corsa per il conseguimento de’rispettivi premi.
li. La corsa dì tre della compagnia Guerra die ese- guiranno
ciascuno sopra due cavalli* gli esercizii, cosi detti giuochi di Troja,
effettuando a gran corsa tre giri dell’Arena, e il primo che giungerà
alla meta, otterrà una bandiem d’onore •guernita in oro. Il
premiato fu Luigi Guillaume. III. La corsa di sei bighe, che
gareggieranno a due a due, facendo parimenti tre giri, ed i vincitori di
que- sta corsa dovranno essi* pure citoentarsi altra volta in egual
numero di gh^i per riportarne il premio. IV. Comincierà il torneo
col maestoso ingresso dei cavalieri giostranti muniti di armatura di
ferro e lan- cia, distinti ciascuno dai colori de’rispettivi abiti e
sciar- pe, ed accompagnati dql loro particolare corteo^ saranno
essi* preceduti dall’araldo e dal corpo dei trombettieri pure a cavallo,
ed eseguiranno il gran torneo* nel cen- tro dell’Arena in apposito
steccato; ornato di trofei ana- loghi allo spettacolo, colle ins’egne dei
giostratori. Dato il segno colle trombe, si cimenteranno i sei cavalieri
a due, e i tre vincitori dovranno rinnovare tra di loro il
combattimento, sinché uno rimanga superiore a tutti — 4 ^ —
^ ptu- aver toccato colla punta della lancia l’insegila degli
avversar]. .V. Combattimento dei delti tre vincitori tra di
loro pei* ottenere il premio d’unar sciarpa d’onore ricamata e
"uernita in oro. O l Il vincitore della sciarpa fu
Alessandro Guerra. VI. Grande marcia trionfale; si vedranno i
trombet- tieri, l’araldo, i cavalieri giostratorr col rispettivp
loro corteggio, le bande militari, la prima coorte 'armata di scudi
e lance, il gran carro trionfale tirató da buoi,* che porterei donzelle
abbigliate alla foggia delle Vestali, so- stenenti corone di alloro,
mirto e quercia pei vincitori; seguiranno littori e genjianaloghi allo
spettacolo, i porta- insegne con vari trofei, i fantini che avranno
eseguita la corsa a piedi e gli auriga premiati, e finalmente al-
tra coorte d’armati che chiuderà la marcia. iDXjoiM/e »
Qo^omie Deu Gapaffi. » io, ^ CU/IÌÒmì/ •
• II* O^aóAi' cibiMUi'OiitaM 111/
ellou/it. CORSA DELLE BIGHE. Aless. Guerra .
Pifetro Brunello I. 5oo Leop.
Servolini Paolo Trabaltoni II. 3oo
Merliui e Preda Gaetano Rovelli III.
200 CORSA DEI FANTim A PIEDI.
Giuseppe Rossi I. 100 ' Eugenio
Feltrini IL 8o Ariibr. Turconi .
. III. 6o Straordinario spettacolo
che si darà dalla compagnia del cavallerizzo jdllessandro
Guerra nel giorno 22 luglio 1827 . • Cousistente
nelle corse di dodici giovinetti in un sacco, di dodici nani, esercizj
d’equitazione sopra due destrieri, es’ercizj «seguiti da Faustina Guerra
d’anni tre, giuochi de’Coribanti sopra tre cavalli a dorso iludo, gran
torneo antico, pompa circense, e trionfo del cavallo arabo am-
maestrato in me^zo ad un’ fuoco artificiale; rappresen- tante un maestoso
arco trionfale nel mezzo dell’Alena. Primo straordinario
sorprendente spettacolo aereo di volatili diretto da Gio, ‘Battista
Ferrano modonese^ nel 12 agosto 1827 . Le universali acclamazioni
che otteiine Gio. Battista Ferrarlo per questo genere di spettacolo
prodotto a Modena, Parma e Torino, si lusinga anche di meritare
l’aggradimento del generoso pubblico Milanese. I. \d un colpo di
pistola uscirà da una cesta uno stormo di colombi andando in traccia del
loro padrone, e dopo voli vaghi, e non limitati, caleranno ad un
suo cenno al suoi piedi. II. Sortirà un colombo che al
preset’tare di una ban- diera calerà presso la medesima, e vi si fermerà
immo- bile girando sopra la bandiera stessa. III. Un colombo
chiamato il cannoniere, munito di miccia, dopo varj voli, sparerà un
cannone di bella grandezza. - 44 - IV. in campo
un colombo dello il sallatore, che farà il sallo dei cerchio a volonlà
del suo padrone con varie configurazioni e movimenti. V.
Usciranno un’altra volta tutti insieme i due stormi muniti di arma
arlifiziale, e combatteranno in aria tra di loro a fuoco vivo; e al
comando dei rispettivi coman- danti andranno alle loro posizioni.
VI. Un colombo chiamato Timpetuoso, passerà un cer- chio.
coperto di carta, e lo tornerà a passare dopo di aver rotto la carta
stessa. ^ VII. Una colomba detta la guerriera, volando a
campo aperto in traccia del suo padrone lo rinverrà ad un colpo di
pistola; e nell’atto che bramerà calare presso il medesimo le sarà
presentata altra pistola sulla quale essa «si fermerà immobile mentre
sorte il colpo. Vili. Altra colomba chiamata la cacclalrice, darà
com- pimento alla serie dei giuochi in mezzo di uno stormo; ad un
colpo di fucile si distaccherà dallo stormo e calerà .sopra il fucile
medesimo, dove resterà immobile ad una seconda scarica. Una banda
militare collocata al podio del pulvinare suonerà varj pezzi di
musica. Secondo straordinario spettacolo arco di vo- latili
diretto dal suddetto Ferrarlo^ nel 19 agosto 1827 . , Le
universali generose acclamazioni, che ottenne Gio. Battista Ferrarlo da
questo illuminatissimo pubblico JMilanesp, presentando nell’ultima scorsa
domenica II suo .spettacolo dei colombi e la generale cortese
richiesta, perchè nuovamente lo esponga, sosi de.sse stale le ben
accette ragioni per replicare il suddetto spettacolo, con l’aggiunta d’una
corsa di- fantini a cavallo, distribuita come sefrne: O
- 45 - Dodici fantini a cavallo eseguiranno due corse,
tlivisi a sei per sei, corupieiltìo i tre prefissi giri dell’arena.
I sei fantini a cavallo che nelle suindicate due corse saranno
arrivati primi alla meta, si disputeranno il premio con altra corsa,
fissata egualmente di tre giri, e i tre che rimarranno vincitori avranno
il relativo pre- mio, con bandiera d’onore analoga;' si chiuderà lo
spet- tacolo con un giro de’fantini a cavallo vincitori delle
corse, al suono della banda militare. cSl^oiwe 6 Oogw/oiite
Dei ^vo^'uetixtj Dei' SKooiue e Gu^uoiii'e
Dir éf aii'tiu'i • ^vatui} iit
a^iiuMa iitoci'f'/ DeE ^cenilo Jlou/Si
CouteS. Aotonio Fassi Gennaro . r.
3oo Bernareggi Paolo Gioja Angelo . .
II. 200 1 Donato Foglia . Borri
Giuseppe III. TOO Spettacolo maraviglloso
eseguito da Giacomo Gastellier di Parigi, macchinista e com-
positore di fuochi artificiali, nel 26 ago- sto 1827 . Esso
consisterà nella Regala o gara delle gondole, ossia battelli nell’arena
allagata. O Dato il segnale, tre battelli si
slanceranno alla corsa montati ciascuno da quattro gondolieri, e
compieranno due giri deU’arena. Altri sei battelli in due riprese
si contrasteranno la vittoria. I primi tre battelli vincitori in
ciascuna delle tre corse, dovranno cimentarsi ad un’ul- tima cor^a,
perchè vengano contraddistinti dalle diverse qualità de’premj.
✓
- 46 - ofiooitie e/ Oognoiiie •
cibiMmoivb^e iw cHau-òt. Paolo Podoni, Giovanni
Ricci, Pasquale Mari, Giuseppe Luca I. 800
Nicola Frizato, Gaspero Plotli, Gio. Drago, Luigi Porlesi . .
IL 600 Angelo Garavaglia, Paolo Domiri,
Gio. Gerosa, Baldassare Ghezzi III. 0
0 Nulla si è omesso, per quanto si è potuto, affinchè
questa parte del divertimento dilettevole riesca ed in- teressante. I
battelli furono sqelti d’ agile forma, vaga- mente ornati e con eleganza
d’addobbi. Esperti, robusti erano i gondolieri, alcuni scelti dai paesi
lungo i nostri laghi, altri ancora fra gli esteri. * Poscia
sorgeranno dall’onde ai lati dell’edifizio due amene isolette, ed in
-mezzo ad entrambe dominerà l’albero così detto della cuccagna.
Otto per ogni albero saranno quelli che si sforzeranno di toccarne
la cima, genei’oso sarà il bottino, e due bande militari li
accompagneranno sui battelli alla ri- spettiva isoletta nell’audata, e
nel ritorno. Nel mezzo dell’arena sarà basato un grandioso,
ed ottangolare edifizio, che porta per titolo; Il gran tempio
della Pace illuminato a gloi’no con lance di variati colori.
I. Si darà principio al fuoco con colpi di cannone, razzi, e
tourbillons. II. Due grandi congegni rappresentanti il sole, la
luna e le stelle del firmamento, che spariranno poscia con
strepitose esplosioni. III. Razzi a doppio volo, e varj altri
bellissimi fuochi. IV. Avventura di don Chisciotte colle ali, un
mulino a vento, e brillanti vedute. — 4 ? — V.
Due risplendentissime bombe a pioggia d’argemo. VI. Sei girandole
prenderanno diverse conformazioni jjer ben venti volte. VII.
Nuovissimo comb£^ltimento di soli, che cesserà coit grandi scoppj.
Vili. Mirabile batteria di candele egiziane. IX. La gran
cascata di Saint-Cloud, presso Parigi, la quale con quattro straordinarie
cadute genererà un pia- cevolissimo mormorio di una cascata
d’acqua. X. Moltiplici fuoclii della più ricercata
invenzione. XI. Si getteranno nell’acqua diversi pezzi di
fuoco d’un genere affatto singolare, i quali sorgeranno di nuovo dall’acqua,
ascenderanno nell’aria e scoppieranno. Lo spettacolo avrà fine con
un strepito di colpi di grandi racchette. Partiranno esse dalle torri
sopra le cosi dette carceri, e‘ in lato opposto della porta trionfale,
per cni incrocicchiandosi, e cadendo nell’onde produrranno un
vivissimo effetto. Spettacolo da eseguirsi da Francesco
Orlandi il lÒ agosto 1828 . f L’areonaula
Francesco Orlandi, Bolognese, spinto da brama soltanto di lasciare anche
in questa insigne Me- tropoli quel nome, che co’suoi esperimenti egli si
è pro- cacciato nelle città, ed in particolare con quello recente-
mente eseguito in Genova alla .presenza di quella sovrana corte, di molti
illustri personaggi, e di una immensa popolazione, ardisce coraggioso di
cimentarsi di nuovo in Milano, colla lusinga di meritarsi anche qui la
sod- disfazione di un Pubblico colto ed illuminato, quindi con
superiore autorizzazione ha 1’ onore di prevenirlo, che nei suddetto
giorno darà nell’anfiteatro dell’Arena, tre spettacoli degni della
pubblica ammirazione. In prima l’Orlandi eseguirà il suo volo
areostatico, facendo conoscere che l’uomo può dominare non solo
sulla terra e sull’acqua, ma ancora nefjli aerei spazj. - 48
- Secondariameule si rappresenterà uno de’più sorpren- denti
fenomeni della natura, quale è il Vesuvio di Na- poli nell’atto di una
delle più forti sue eruzioni. Nulla sarà certo trascurato onde imitare
(per quanto permette Tarte e Tingegno) col fuoco artificiale, questo
orribile fenomeno, imponente spettacolo che richiamerà l’antica
memoria degl’infelici Pompejani. Per terzo cessata l’eruzione,
apparirà improvvisamente un teatro, rappresentante la reggia d’Apollo
tutta traspa- rente, cpn l’anfiteatro ^legantemente illuminato;
spetta- colo per Milano affatto nuovo, eseguito soltanto l’anno
scorso in Firenze nell’occasione della festa Ji san Gio- vanni, e
replicato colà in quest’anno con eguale felice esito. La
regata Feneziana nel 17 agosto 1828 . Fu sempre soggetto di
universale ammirazione in Ve- nezia lo spettacolo della cosi detta
regata, e venne co- stantemente ritenuto che il medesimo effettuare non
si potesse se non in quella sola città. Dipendentemente dalle
verificazioni di fatto già ese- guite, si è ormai conosciuto, che la
Veneta regata può aver luogo eziandio nell’Arena di Milano non solo,
ma più ancora che l’effetto al Pubblico sarà per riuscire di
maggiore interesse attesa la posizione della località. Per render
più interessante il divertimento, la gara avrà luogo fra i più esperti
gondolieri di Venezia, qui appositamente condotti. Vi sarà molta varietà
di gon- dole e battelli secondo il metodo e costume Veneto.
Si vedranno riccamente fornite in seta le così dette Bissone ad
otto remi. Malgarotte a sei remi e Peote, barche tutte di una diversa
costruzione. Due saranno le orchestre, acciò la musica renda
più animato lo spettacolo. Si darà principio con una marcia
maestosa di tulle le barche appositamente trasportate da Venezia, alla
qual|J “ 49 “ seguirà un cosi detto fresco, o corsa di
tutte le ridette barche. Dopo questo, al segnale di una
tromba, avrà luogo la gara de’battelletti ad un remo con premi, cioè
pri- mo e secondo premio; e per ultimo il premio del por- chetto
secondo il costume di Venezia. Seguirà poscia un nuovo fresco, o
corsa di barche, fino a tanto che verrà allestita una seconda gara
di gondolette a due remi, sostenuta da differenti barcaiuoli. In
fine verrà chiuso il divertimento con nuova marcia, dopo della quale il
suono delle trombe, annunzierà il termine dello spettacolo.
c)ei/ llt> Jbiuiii/ijwtat* ^veiwo
IH -^t/e cUsttòt. GONDOLE A DUE RESI!. Musico
Giuseppe, e Celega Giu- seppe I. 8co
Buranello Natale, e Forti Gio- vanni
IL 4oo BATTELLETTI AD UN REMO.
Calderan Andrea . > . . . I. o
o Papassissa Giuseppe . ; . . II.
200 Spettacolo della regala Veneziana eseguitosi nel
24 agosto 1828 . Si darà principio allo spettacolo con una corsa di
tutte le barche di ogni qualità e grandezza, appositamente
trasportate da Venezia riccamente addobbate alla Turca, Spagnuola, Veneta
ec. non che delle gondole, battelli e barche d’ogni forma. 4
— - 5o — Al primo squillo di tromba avrà luogo la gara dei
piccoli battelletti a due remi eseguita da esperti rema- tori di
Venezia. Finita tale corsa ad uu secondo segnale si
slanceranno nell’acqua dodici esperti nuotatori, i due primi vinci-
tori andranno a prendere i loro premi stabiliti. Dopo tal gara vi
sarà quella delle Bissone ad otto remi dei remiganti Comascbi e del Po,
contro i barca- juoli Veneziani. Avendo avuto luogo una scommessa
di trenta pezzi da venti franchi, verranno questi depositati al
momento presso i giudici che ne disporranno a fa- vore del vincitore. Sarà
vincitrice quella delle Bissone che compirà prima il quarto giro
dell’Arena. Le due Parti interessale in questa scommessa, saranno nelle
ri- spettive Bissone, onde animare vieppiù i remiganti da loro
scelti. dboiue o Oo^u'oiMe' ^teirn^o cRo/mM'oatat»'»
BATTELLETTI A DUE RI EMI. Calderau
Andrea e Tasso Va- lentino I.
800 Friselle Bartolomeo e Bagarolto
Giuseppe II. 4oo Tedesclii Antonio e
Papassissa III. ORI. Giuseppe
N U 0 T A T aoo Clavanzani Giuseppe ....
I. i 5 o Sambo Domenico .....
II. 100 NELLA PRIMA BISSONA
L. Vendetta Girolamo, Celego Giuseppe, Gauasselle
Girolamo, Alberante Santo, Musico Giuseppe, Buranello Natale,
Marella Lorenzo, Forti Govanui. — 5i — Spettacolo del
giorno 19 luglio 1829 . Fra tutti gli spettacoli, ch’ebbero finora
luogo in questo magnifico anfiteatro, i più aggraditi certamente,
ed i più acclamati furono le corse delle bighe, dei cavalli, e de’fantini
a piedi. I Il concorso straordinario di spettatori, di che in
ogni occasione di tali corse videsi affollato l’anfiteatro, ne fa
testimonianza. > L’anfiteatro, già interamente ristaurato ed
abbellito, anche per cura dell’ iutraprenditore, fu elegantemente disposto
per lo spettacolo succennato. Dall’istante in cui verrà aperto al
pubblico l’anfiteatro sino aH’incominciamento delle corse, e negli
intervalli di queste, due bande militari alterneranno degli scelti
pezzi di musica. Alle ore sei cominceranno le corse col- l’ordine
seguente: I. Corsa di sei fantini a cavallo, che slanciandosi
dalle carceri al primo squillo di tromba prendendo la via di mezzo alle
due spine, indi la destra, percorreranno tre volte l’anfiteatro compiendo
l’ultimo giro d’avanti al pulvinare, ove è stabilito il palio, e si
troveranno i signori delegati; fra i primi tre vincitori avrà poi
luogo una seconda corsa. II. Altra corsa di sei fantini a
cavallo. III. Corsa a piedi, che verrà eseguita da otto
giovani dilettanti, che compiranno tre giri intorno alle spine, ed
ognuno dei tre vincitori riceverà una bandiera d’onore. Ottennero
questo premio: I. Davide Dolnago. II. Giacinto Cipolla.
III. Domenico Comasco. IV. Corsa di sei fantini a cavallo,
vincitori nelle pre- cedenti corse, onde disputarsi i primi premi.
Y. Corsa di sei bighe, che percorreranno esse pure tre volte
l’anfiteatro, compiendo parimenti l’ultimo giro davanti al
pulvinare. •«<» 52 — • vr. Altra corsa (li quattro
bighcj 11 vincitore avra una baudiera d’onore e il premio di Lir.
loo. Proprietario Bonella Gennaro. Aurica Santino
Redaelli. VII. Corsa di quindici barberi, che non ebbe li suo
pieno effetto per impreveduto accidente. Vili. Lo spettacolo verrà
chiuso colla marcia trion- fale del vincitori di cadauna corsa
all’intorno dell’anfi- teatro, partendo dalle carceri precedute delle
bande militari. SLoiM/e e Dei' Gix/va-lh
iSffjoute e Gogw/oiite t'enfi/ 6 Da/ ouAÌm/
^ceuM'O lli< cRoilMUiOM-to»
iw/ CORSA DELLE BIGHE. Giuseppe Preda
Paolo Traballoui I. 800 Angelo
Radaelli Gaetano Rovelli II. 600
Carlo Angioliai Luigi Vimercati III.
4oo CORSA DEI EANTINI A GAYAL
LO. Salvatore Passi . Salvatore Passi .
I. 600 Giuseppe Merlini Pietro
Brunello. II. 0 0 Nicola
Sangiorglo Prances. Perrario III. 3
oo / Spettacolo che si darà il ZO agosto 1829 .
• A tenore del manifesti già pubblicati avrà luogo il già
annunciato spettacolo di corse, aggiuntivi gli altri divertimenti sotto
indicati, il quinto dell’introito netto — 53 — è
destinalo a sollievo dì alcune famiglie indigenti. A.n- che per questo
titolo non furono risparmiate spese, onde lo spettacolo riesca più
variato e più accetto. I. Corsa di fantini a cavallo, i primi
quattro, die giun- geranno al palio, dovranno eseguire una seconda
corsa fra di essi per disputarsi i premi. II. Coi'sa di
dodici somarelli montati da gobbi-nani, ciascuno di questi in diverso
abito di carattere carne- valesco, uscendo dalle carceri, eseguiranno due
girl com- piendo Tultlmo davanti al pulvinare. Il primo del
suddetti avrà un premio d’una bandiera ed un borsellino con denari.
III. Seconda corsa dei quattro fantini a cavallo vin- citori nella
prima, per disputarsi i premi. IV. Corsa di sei bighe che
percorreranno tre volte l’anfiteati’O, compiendo 1* ultimo giro davanti
al pulvi- nare. — Le prime quattro, che giungeranno al palio,
eseguiranno una seconda corsa per disputarsi 1 premi. V. Seconda
corsa delle quattro bighe vincitrici nella prima corsa, per disputarsi i
premi. VI. Corsa de’ barberi, 1 quali restando chiusa la via
di mezzo alle spine, percorreranno tre volte l’anfiteatro, compiendo
l’ultimo giro davanti al pulvinare. VII- Marcia trionfale dei
vincitori, con corredo di due bande militari che terminerà il giro
davanti al pul- vinare. Vili. Nell’atto, in cui la marcia
trionfale compirà il giro, verranno incendiate sei grandi piramidi,
collocate alle estremità e nel mezzo delle spine, e sormontate da
altrettanti gran vasi. Altri quattro gran vasi collocati pure sulle spine
a diversa distanza, e diverse batterle prenderanno fuoco nel tempo
medesimo. L’anfiteatro ri- marrà illuminato da un sorprendente fuoco del
Bengal. L’artista pirotecnico Antonio Zucchi si lusinga di
pre- sentare in questo breve passatempo un lavoro dell’arte degno
dell’ammirazione dei suoi concittadini. Sei/ Dai
OiWafK/ ’òecSv JìoLVU/acc iJiMUMOiAtave
3 , 3 e iex, ^ (xvtùt*/v ecc. "òli
^veuMo COUSA DELLE BIGHE. Preda Giuseppe
Trabattoni Paolo I. Quadr. 7 di
G. Ganavesi Giacomo Rovelli Gaetano
II. 5 Gatti Gaetano . Comisoli Carlo
. III. 4 » Garillio Giuseppe
Pomè Giuseppe IV. 6o lir. A. CORSA
DEI FANTINI A CAVALLO. Passi Salvatore .
Passi Salvatore . I. , Quadr. ^ di
G. Merlin) Gius. . Brunello Pietro
II. 3 », Castellani liorenz. Brelino
Andrea III. Pagani Giovanni Smid Giacomo
. IV. 3o lir. A. CORSA DEI BARBERI.
Castellani Lorenzo Cavalla Inglese I.
2 1/2 Q. Sperati Luigi . . Cavalla Transil-
vana II. 1 1/2 » 1 »,
Nicola Gardinali Cavallo Polacco III. La
Quadrupla di Genova equivale ad Austr. L.
g5. Grandioso spettacolo d’ equitazione eseguito dalla
compagnia del cavallerizzo Luigi Guillaume il 5 ottobre 1829 .
I. Coi piacevoli e puerili travagli il piccolo Davidde Guillaume
in aspetto di amorino darà principio al trat- tenimento. Farà detto
fanciullo due volte il giro della vasta Arena sul cavallo in piedi, ed
arditamente mano- vrerà secondo il solito, producendo quella
meraviglia che può destare un adulto coraggio in sì tenera età.
— 55 — II. Nuovo spettacolo presenteranno sedici
individui alti ed in foggia di giganti patagoni dell’America, i quali
correranno due volte d’intorno al grande anfiteatro di- sputandosi il
palio. IH. Tre cavallerizzi (ciascuno in piedi su due
cavalli) rappresentanti gli esercizii, e giuochi detti di Troja.
IV. Il più e più volte applaudito volteggiatore Luigi Guillaume il
figlio, si produrrà ora con sempre maggiore impegno a dar saggi di sua
intrepida perizia, del :nol- tiforme travaglio su tre cavalli a dorso
nudo ed a ra- pidissimo corso. V. Gara a celere corsa di
varii giovanetti artisti, che vestiti in costume inglese percorreranno
per ben tre volte l’arena a cavallo ad uso de’ fantini, ed il primo
percepirà la bandiera d^onore. VI. Ricomparirà il predetto Luigi
Guillaume guidando in piedi quattro cavalli a dorso nudo.
VII. Marcia trionfale dei vincitori, corredata d’armo- niose bande
militari. Vili. Alle spine centrali dell’Arena s’innalzeranno
quat- tro archi trionfali sfavillanti con fuoco d’ artifìcio — Un
giovine in abito d’antico guerriero, montato sopra veloce corridore oserà
lanciarsi con furiosa corsa in mezzo, e fendere replicate volte l’ una
dietro l’ altra le ignee macchine, offrendo all’occhio stupefatto misto
il diletto collo spavento. In questo punto il grande anfiteatro si
troverà all’istante illuminato dal più brillante splendore d’un fuoco del
Bengal. Spettacolo diesi darà il ÌG maggio 1830 dalla
famiglia Uetz. Una parte dei presenti divertimenti, è affatto
nuova per l’anfiteatro. La famiglia Uetz, a cui ne è appoggiato l’esecuzione,
è nella ferma fiducia, che se le particolari sue fatiche nelle grandi
forze d’Alcide, negli equilibri, e nelle piramidi Greche non riesciranno
di sorpresa. — 56 — come nei molti teatri in cui
furono eseguite; lo saranno a motivo della grandezza del circo. Essi sono
divisi come segue: Da una corsa di fantini a piedi, e
cuccagne, e da un magnifico fuoco d’artificio. I. Due ricche
ed eleganti cuccagne erette nel mezzo dell’arena, ed a conveniente
distanza l’una dall’altra. I contendenti all’acquisto saranno
contraddistinti con segui particolari. IL Equilibri e
Piramidi Greche della numerosa fa- miglia Uetz, eseguite sovra il gran
palco appositamente innalzato nel mezzo del circo. III. Corsa
di dodici fantini a piedi, percorreranno l’arena tre volte, ed i primi
che arriveranno al palio percepiranno la bandiera d’onore. Il
primo. Davide Colnago. Il secondo. Giacinto Colnago. Il
terzo. Eugenio Feltrini. IV. Attitudini e posizioni dell’alcide
Francesco Uetz e di quattro fanciulli sovra un gran carro tirato all’in-
giro dell’arena da quattro cavalli riccamente bardati. V. Grandi
forze d’Alcide sul palco posto come sopra. VI. Marcia dei fantini e
di tutti quelli che compone- vano lo spettacolo accompagnati da due bande
militari. \1I. Gran fuoco artificiale diviso come segue;
Tre grandi girasoli, rappresentanti l’iride al naturale. Gran
fuoco di battaglia con duecento colpi di bomba, ed otto esplosioni di
palle lucenti. Tre sorprendenti cascate di fuoco. Esplosione
di ventiquattro grandi miniere. L’aurora. Magnifica
decorazione rappresentante il tempio della Gioja, con diversi ornamenti
di fuoco, e due iscrizioni trasparenti. Illuminazione
generale di tutto l’anfiteatro con fuochi del Bengal, imitanti lo splendore
del sole. Durante la decorazione succennata verrà innalzata una grande
quan- tità di razzi, e verranno tirati moltissimi colpi di can-
none e di bomba. — h — Spettacolo equestre eseqiiito
dalla coinpafjìiìa dì Alessandro 1850.
Guerra., nel 5 1 maggio Alessandro Guerra non
dimenticò nel giro di tre anni i pegni gentilissimi di cortese favore
accordali agli spet- tacoli da lui dati nell’estate 1827 in questo stesso
anfi- teatro ed è appunto questo ricordo che lo incoraggia a
rinnovare in questa per lui propizia circostanza altro
trattenimento. I . Corsa di cinque cavalli a dorso nudo, ed a
gran carriera del giovinetto Giorgio Cocchi, il quale montato in
piedi sopra due, guiderà gli altri tre in avanti. II . Corsa dei
jokejs inglesi a cavallo con tre premj. III. Corsa di tre
damigelle, percorrendo sul cavallo che giungerà al palio,
otterrà in premio un’elegante sciai pa. prima Elisa Sciiier.
IV. Gara a gran carriera, eseguita fra quattro gio- vinetti
allievi, che dovranno percorrere tre volte l’arena ad uso de’fanllni. Il
primo fra d’essi che arriverà al palio, avrà in premio trenta fiorini
moneta di conven- zione. primo Giorgio Cocchi. V. Eserclzj
delti giuochi di Troja eseguiti da tre cavallerizzi, in piedi sopra due
cavalli contemporanea- mente, ed a gran carriera percorreranno per tre
volte l’ampio circo; assegnandosi a quello, che arriverà il primo
al punto di fermata in premio una ripetizione d'oro. Il primo
Pietro Ghelia. VI. Il Guerra col mezzo di artisti più scelti di
Mi- lano, e di pirotecnici di Roma si è prefisso di presen- tare
uno de più grandi apparati di fuochi artificiali. Nel mezzo
deU’amhuIacro superiore alle carceri sarà — 58 —
bnsato un grandioso edifizio, che rappresenterà l*e- slenio di un
magnifico tempio di stile greco decorato da otto colonne con figure e
gruppi allusivi a Plutone e Proserpina. Le sottoposte arcate, pure
presenteranno una caverna, dalla quale escirà un carro ornato da
ana- loghi emblemi tirato da quattro cavalli fiancheggiato da furie
che offrirà allo sguardo degli spettatori il Ratto di Proserpina in mezzo
ad una voragine di fuoco. Si darà principio ai fuochi con un
assortimento di razzi con lumi e pioggia d’oro, ed altri con
batteria. Nel centro del circo succederà una moltiplicità di
fuo- chi variati fra loro. Le decorazioni del tempio, in cima
del quale vi sa- ranno Plutone e Proserpina, saranno illuminati a
giorno con lance a diversi colori, candele romane, e pioggia di
fuoco. La caverna sarà pure intrecciata da tourbillons, can-
dele e fuochi in diversi modi, che termineranno con colpi ed
esplosioni. Una moltiplicità di colpi di grandi racchette,
che parteranno delle due torri sopra le carceri, e che incro-
cicchiandosi in aria produrranno un vivissimo effetto. Al termine
dello spettacolo l’anfiteatro presenterà quasi un nuovo emisfero,
restando in un momento illuminato da un sorprendente fuoco di
Bengal. (Sfioom'e e ?ei. Sei/
Owaffi. Sffjome e Go^weiive M Gfoóòi/ l/W.
..^£,6 elio. Sperati Luigi . Brunelli Pietro
I. 3oo Gallarati Giacomo Gaggia
Bortolo ir. 300 Vignati Giovanni
Cozzio Giuseppe irr. 100 _ 59
— Spettacolo dato dalla compagnia del caval- lerizzo Guerra
li 6 giugno 1830 . Sensibile il rispettoso cavallerizzo Alessandro
Guerra ai generosi pegni di favore continuamente accordati ai suoi
esperimenti, nell’ atto di sortire da questo suolo felice, studiò di dare
ad ultimo pegno di riconoscenza un nuovo straordinario soggetto di
trattenimento al ri- spettabile Pubblico. I. Corsa di dodici
fantini a piedi, i quali dovranno eseguire tre intieri giri, per l’
effetto che i tre primi, che perverranno alia meta abbiano poi a
cimentarsi in altra corsa. il. Corsa di fantini a cavallo, i
quali dovranno com- pire per tre volte l’intero giro dell’Arena, ed i
primi tre, che arriveranno alla fermata, dovranno cimentarsi in
altra corsa per decidere de’pi'emj. III. Corsa di cinque cavalli a
dorso nudo, ed a gran carriera del giovinetto Giorgio Cocchi.
IV. Corsa di una seconda schiera di altri dodici fan- tini a
piedi. V. Corsa di tre damigelle. La prima, che giungerà al
luogo fissato, otterrà in premio una collana d’oro che fu Annetta
Dcpcy. VI. Gara a gran carriera sopra piccoli cavalli eseguita
tra i quattro giovinetti allievi, il primo fra d’essi che arriverà al
palio, avrà in premio trenta fiorini in C. M. che fu Gaetano
Ciniselli. VII. Corsa di sei fantini a piedi, che primi
giunsero alla meta nelle due corse precedenti, per determinare
l’as- segnamento loro fissato. Vili. Esercizj detti giuochi
di Troia, eseguiti da tre cavallerizzi assegnandosi a quello, che
arriverà alla meta il premio d’una spilla di brillanti che fu
Giorgio Coccia. IX. Giuochi atletici e ginnastici eseguiti da
quaranta lottatori anfiteatrali. w— 6o — ' X.
Corsa di Ire fantini a cavallo risultanti i primi nella corsa precedente
per determinare fra loro i premi. XI. Ad oggetto di render più
dilettevole il tratteni- mento il Guerra procurò due artisti funambuli
per opera de’quali averà luogo il Ratto di Proserpina, e con la
replica del fuoco artificiale, che ebbe luogo il 3i mag- gio i83o.
SlLoiive 6 Go^woiive Se)/ Sei/ allÓoi4i« 6
Go^twiu/e dei ^ cmIÙmui ^veimo IM.
clbiuiivoiitei&e IM/ =^. clbu'iit. CORSA DEI
FANTIINI A CAVALLO. De Micheli Gius.
Galimberti Luigi I. 3oo Manini
Francesco Mazzoli Cipriano li. 200
Vignati Giovanni Palmoto Palma . III.
100 CORSA DEI FANTINI A PIEDI.
Colnago Davide I. 100 Tralanzi
Giuseppe IL 8o Madera Giovanni
III. 6o Spettacolo pel 29 giugno 1830 .
Lo spettacolo sarà de’più variati e interessanti. Alle corse delle
bighe e dei cavalli, che fu sempre il diver- timento nell’anfiteatro il
più aggradito ed acclamato, come quello che alletta non solo, ma che
desta entu- siasmo ed ammirazione, chiamando lo spettatore a par-
tici pare dei generosi sforzi della bravura e del coraggio, saranno
frammischiati dei divertimenti puramente car- — 6i —
nevalesclii, trasporlall dal palco e dalla scena per de- stare le
risa. I. Passeggiata mimica in maschera. Il tanto applau-
dito balletto eseguitosi nel p. p. carnevale neU’I. R. Tea- tro
della Scala. ' La comitiva si compone di un araldo a cavallo, e
di dodici caricature villereccie a cavallo in diversi brillanti
caratteri, cioè: Paesano Giardiniere Savojardo — Montanaro
Savojardo — Maltese — Rezio — Chinese — Spagnolo — Catala- no —
Samuese — Celtico — Greco — Frascatano — Stentarello.
Quadriglia a piedi. Giove — Giunone — Minerva — Mercurio —
Apollo — Diana — Ercole — Marte — Nettuno — Plutone — Dio Termine —
Diavolo — Bacco — Satiro — Don Chisciotte — Sancio Pancia — Uffiziale
Svizzero — Spa- glinolo — Turco — Gran Gigante — Spaccamondo — Due
Chinesi — Donna in caricatura — sei caricature diverse — sei Arlecchini —
sei Lapouf — Pulcinella Italiano — Pulcinella Francese — Girolamo —
Vecchio Bamboccio — Piccola Vecchia — Balia. II. Schiera di
sei fantini a cavallo. HI. Altra di sei fantini a cavallo, i tre
primi di ca- dauna corsa, che giungeranno al palio dovranno cimen-
tarsi in una terza corsa per disputarsi i premi. IV. Schiera di
dodici piccoli cavalli montati dalle succennate caricature.
V. Schiera de’sei fantini a cavallo vincitori nelle pri- me corse,
per disputarsi i premi. VI. Gran carro elegantemente ornato, tirato
da quat- tro cavalli in ricca bardatura, e preceduto dall’Araldo,
nel detto carro Francesco Uetz eseguirà ai quattro an- goli dell’anfiteatro
le forze d’Alcide, ed i sorprendenti equilibri, nei quali fu altre volte
tanto applaudito. VII. Corsa di sei bighe, le prime quattro a
giungere al palio dovranno eseguire un^altra corsa per disputarsi i
premi. Vili. Gran carro come sopra, su cui dalla famiglia
Uetz saranno eseguite piramidi ed attitudini Greche. iX. Seconda
corsa delle quattro bighe vincitrici nella prima, per disputarsi i
premi. X. Schiera de’sei piccoli cavalli vincitori nella
prima corsa, che ne eseguiranno una seconda per disputarsi i
premi. XI. Marcia trionfale dei vincitori nelle corse sopra i
l’ispettivi cavalli e bighe, aperta dall’ Araldo come sopra. XII.
Gran bouquet di fiori a fuoco d’artificio e bat- teria, lavoro dell’artista
pirotecnico Giuseppe Uetz, al- l’usciU tutte le porte saranno
illuminate. Dei» ^tepwetir^ ì)ct/ iDfooitve
e i^owc/i<yt 6 Jet/ <5^ aw.tii*i/ liv
0^41 (J^omnuoM/ltvoe Se? ^teuuo iiv oiWi.
CORSA DELLE BIGHE. Preda Giuseppe Trabattoni
Paolo I. 700 Galli Gaetano .
Vimercati Luigi II. 5 oo Gattoni
Giacinto Comisoli Carlo . III. 4oo
Garillio Giuseppe Pomè Giuseppe IV. 3
ao CORSA DEI FANTINI A CAVAL LO.
Fassi Salvatore . Smith Giacomo. I.
400 William Mreglit William Giansi.
II. 3 oo Creizer Antonio Varesi
Gaetano. III. EOO CORSA DEI
PICCOLI CAVALE I. Piaggio Giuseppe
I. 100 Ronchi Felice . II.
75 Agostino Galli . III. 5 o
Grandioso c tutto nuovo spettacolo^ che per opera di Luigi
Henry si eseguirà il 1 agosto 1850 . I. Gran coro pescareccio
alla siciliana composto dal maestro di musica sig. Panizza, diretto dal
sig. Granatelli td eseguito da cinquantadue dei migliori e più
esperti, coristi di questa capitale coll’accompagnamento d’una
numerosa banda militare, composta di novantadue pro- fessori, durante il
quale gli aspiranti ai premj dei dif- ferenti giuochi si presenteranno al
concorso. II. Corsa dei nuotatori, che sarà di tragitto assai breve,
il premio del vincitoi’e sarà di austriache lir. loo. Premiato
Gixisei’pe N., fabbro-ferrajo in S. Celso. III. Giuochi
d’equilibrio, due dei concorrenti, che avi’anuo la destrezza di
stabilirsi i primi in piedi sul palo uno alla destra e l’altro alla
sinistra delle carceri, acquisteranno ciascuno una posata
d’argento. Premiali. Annibale Isman. Antonio Fava. IV.
Corsa dei selvaggi del mare del sud, nelle piroghe delle isole di
Sandwich, scoperte dal capitano Cook, che faranno l’intero giro
dell’arena. Il premio del vincitore sarà di austriache lire lOQ.
Premiato. Giuseppe Arnaboldi. V. Giuoco dei bilancieri, ossia
, giostra di mare sospesa innanzi alla porta libitinaria. Il primo
campione, che avrà rovescialo due de’ suoi avversai] avrà in premio
della sua destrezza, una tazza d’argento. Premiato. Filippo
Megname. \ I. Corsa di due campioni in piedi a fior d’acqua,
che partiranno dalle carceri ed attraverseranno l’arena in tutta la sua
lunghezza. Il vincitore avrà in premio di austriache lire loo.
Premiato. Gaetano Ricco. \ll. Giuoco dei due alberi di
Cipresso, dirimpetto alla porla trionfale, un bicchiere d’argento
collocato alla cima (11 ciascuno del due alberi, sarà 11
premio del vin- citore. Premiati. Pietro Mur\tori. Domenico
An(;isola. Vili. Giuoco delle corde, come si pratica sui
vascelli d’alto bordo, in facciata al pulvinare. Ciascuno del due
vincitori avrà il premio d’un orinolo d’oro. Premiali. .Antonio
Rossi. Davide Colnago. La Balena escirà da una specie di chiavica
praticata alla porta trionfale, ed attraverserà più volte il
recinto dell’arena coll’andamento suo naturale, e con tutti gli
spontanei suol movimenti, aprendo l’immensa bocca col maneggio della
lingua, girando gli occhi e la testa, versando grandi getti d’acqua dei
vasti spiragli alla sommità del suo capo, e movendo in lutti i versi
la voluminosa sua coda, a segno di dare una precisa idea della
forma e natura di questo gran mostro marino. X. Sarà ripetuto il
gran coro sul cader della notte. XI. Corsa (11 due barche
illuminate l’una di lanterne gialle, l’altra di lanterne rosse. Queste
faranno il giro di tutta l’arena partendo dal pulvinare, e la barca
vinci- trice nella corsa avrà il premio di austriache lire loo.
Premiato. Antonio Gregol. XII. Una generale illuminazione in
parte stabile, in parte galeggiante Quattro fontane di fuoco,
lavoro del signor Uetz, annunzieranno al pubblico il termine dello
spettacolo. Spettacolo che darà Francesco Uetz il 26
settembre 1850 . Il suddetto si produrrà con corse di fantini a
cavallo unitamente alla compagnia di Syberlus Vansuest, che
eseguirà quanto di più difficile e variato in equestri eser- cizii
presenta la scuola del celebre Franconi di Parigi. I. La picciola milanese,
d’anni sette, in abito d’amore percorrerà due volte l’anfiteatro in piedi
sul suo cavallo. — 65 — ed eseguendo passi ed
attitudini superiori alla sua età sarà regalata d’una bandiera.
II. Corsa di sei fantini a cavallo, che in abito da mammalucchi,
eseguiranno tre giri intorno all’anfiteatro. III. Corsa di tre
cavallerizzi in piedi sopra due ca- valli. La corsa sarà di due giri. Al
vincitore saranno date aust. lir. loo ed una bandiera il
vincitore fu Colombet. lY. Corsa di altri sei mammalucchi a
cavallo, che come i precedenti, eseguiranno tre giri intorno al
circo. V. Corsa a cavallo di due donne, vestite da Amaz-
zoni, ed accompagnate da due cavallerizzi. Eseguiranno esse tre giri. La
vincitrice otterrà una bandiera d’onore con appesa una ricca sciarpa
che fu madama Bertotto. VI. Corsa dei primi tre mammalucchi
vincitori in cadauna delle precedenti due corse, per disputarsi i
premi di N.” 4 doppie di Genova il primo. N.° 3 il secondo. N. 2 il
terzo, e zecchini tre il quartoj i vincitori fu- rono:
Proprietarj de’ cavalli. I. Passi Salvatori. IL Ratti
Giuseppe. III. Maninj Francesco IV. Vignati Giovanni.
Fantini. I. Smith Giacomo. II. Cattaneo Luigi. III. Mazzoli
Cipriano. IV. Cozzio Giuseppe. VII. Corsa sopra tre cavalli,
eseguita in piedi dal gio- vinetto Tardini, d’anni dieci, vestito alla
Romana, farà due giri. Avrà egli pure una bandiera d’onore.
Vili. La vincitrice madama percorrerà il circo, se- guita da tutta
la comitiva dei vincitori, portanti cia- scuno la propria bandiera.
E per ultimo gran fuoco variato d’artificio, col quale s’illuminerà
il «gran tempio situato innanzi alla porta principale dell’anfiteatro.
Oltre i fuochi del Bengal vi sarà una continua esplosione di colpi di
cannone e di bombe. 5 Straordinario, equestre,
pirotecnico, areosta^ tico spettacolo che darà la compagnia di
Alessandro Guerra il 5 giugno 1851 . Il suddetto darà equestri
esercizi unitameute a corse di jockeys a cavallo, esperimenti areostatici
e fuochi artiOciali; detto spettacolo sarà diviso come segue:
Grand’entrata di tutti gli artisti della compagnia, che col corredo
di due bande militari eseguiranno il giro di tutto Tanfiteatro.
I. Gara a gran carriera sopra piccoli cavalli eseguita da quattro
giovinetti allievi, che dovranno percorrere per tre volte l’intera Arena
ad uso de’fantini. II primo, che ira d’essi arriverà al palio avrà in
premio una ban- diera e fu Rodolfo Guerra. II.
Corsa dei jockeys inglesi a cavallo, dovranno essi compiere tre giri
intorno alla spina ovale, ed i primi tre, che arriveranno alla meta,
dovranno cimentarsi in un’ altra corsa pure di tre giri per disputarsi i
premi. III. Corsa di quattro madamigelle, che percorreranno
tre volte l’Arena: le prime due, che giungeranno alla meta, dovranno
eseguire altri tre giri per ottenere la bandiera d’onore.
Premiata Elisa Schier. I IV. Verranno innalzati
in aria alcuni palloncini col mezzo del gas idrogene, che non saranno
discari agli spettatori. V. Corsa di cinque cavalli a dorso
nudo, ed a gran carriera del giovine Giorgio Cocchi, eseguendo tre
giri intorno la spina ovale. VI. Corsa dei tre jockeys a
cavallo risultanti i primi nella corsa precedente per determinare fra
loro i premi, — 67 ~ pel primo di ausi. lir. 3oo — pel
secondo 2oo — pel terzo lOo, i vincitori furono; Proprietarj
de* cavalli. Sperati Luigi. Mreght William. Merlo Giuseppe.
Jockey s. Brunelli Pietro. Giansì William. Gambarino
Giovanni. VII. Giuochi di Troja di tre cavallerizzi eseguili
in piedi sopra due cavalli, ed a gran carriera percorreranno tre
volte Tampio circo assegnando al primo uUa ban- diera d’onore.
Premiato Bartolomeo Volani. Vili. Altro esperimento
areostatico coll’ascensione d’un pescatore col pesce rombo.
IX. Tenzone dei due artisti sopra tre cavalli a gran corso,
eseguiranno essi tre giri, ed il primo che arriverà al palio otterrà una
bandiera d’onore. Premiato Bartolomeo Volani. Al
termine dello spettacolo l’anfiteatro presenterà quasi un nuovo orizzonte
pel magnifico fuoco d’artificio opera d’un artista romano, restando in un
istante illuminalo da fuochi di Bengal. Equestre spettaeolo
variato cogli Elefanti, La compagnia del cavallerizzo Benedetto
Tourniaire nel 3i luglio i83i, ottenuta la superiore permissione di
fare nel soprannominato giorno un interessantissimo trattenimento in
questo grande anfiteatro, si propone essa di segnare cosi fatta
avventurosa circostanza col- l’offei-ta d’uno spettacolo d’Equitazione
varialo con di- vertimenti, che nulla avranno di comune con quanti
al- tri, se ne sono dati finora. I. Grande entrata di tntti
gli artisti, che col corredo di banda militare, e di trombettieri
militari a cavallo, eseguiranno il giro di tutto l’anfiteatro.
— 68 - li. Gara a celere corsa di quattro giovinetti vestiti
di jockeys inglesi, percorreranno tre volte il circo, ed il primo
de’quali arrivato al palio riceverà la bandiera. Il vincitore
Nicolò Moro. III. Corsa di otto contadini i quali correranno
tre giri, ed i primi quattro, che giungeranno alla meta, dovranno
nuovamente in un’ altra corsa disputarsi tre premj. IV.
Tenzone di due Greci che sopra due cavalli a schiena nuda per due giri,
eseguiranno nel secondo giro il salto di due barriere, ed il vincitore
avrà una bandiera d’onore. Il vincitore fu Luigi
Tourniaire. V. Esercizi all’Inglese eseguiti da sei cavallerizzi
asse- gnandosi ai primi due, che arriveranno alla meta due premi;
al primo un pajo speroni d’argento, ed al se- condo un anello d’oro. I
vincitori sono: Primo Luigi Naicase.. Secondo Carlo Reichard.
VI. Corsa di quattro damigelle sul cavallo, col pre- mio d’un
braccialetto e un pajo d’orecchini d’oro. Vin- citrici: Prima
Adelaide TourniAire. Seconda Maria Collet. \II. Corsa di quattro artisti
ciascuno in piedi sopra due cavalli col premio d’un pajo speroni
d’argento e d’un anello d’oro. Vincitori: Primo Francesco
Lavelliè. Secondo Luigi Tourniaire, Vili. Corsa dei primi quattro
contadini vincitori, che nuovamente percorreranno con tre giri
l’anfiteatro per disputarsi 1 premj, pel primo aust. lire 200,
secondo i 5 o, terzo 100. Vincitori: I. Pietro Bianchi, lì.
Luigi Cattaneo. 111 . Felice Ronchi. IX. Ricomparirà Luigi
Tourniaire, stando in piedi sopra due cavalli a dorso nudo manovrando
altri quattro cavalli. X. Esercizi di quattro Cosacchi col
premio d’itn oro- logio d'oro, ed uno d’argento. Vincitori:
Primo Francesco Tourniaire. Secondo Carlo Delneccui. XI.
Grande pompa trionfale con due Elefanti magni- ficamente ornati e montati
da madamigella Adelaide Tourniaire, e da Mattias Steffani.
XII. Chiuderà lo spettacolo quattro archi trionlali illuminati d’un
fuoco d’artifizio. Grandioso spettacolo intitolato Vincendio
di Rokeby, pel 22 agosto 1851 . Sarà costruito in mezzo
dell’arena un magnifico ca- stello d’ordine gotico-inglese, lungo
cinquanta braccia, proporzionatamente largo ed alto, della forma d’un
ot- tangono oblungo con quattro torri agli angoli. La parte
principale dello spettacolo consisterà in una manovra in grande, eseguita
nel suddetto castello dive- nuto preda delle fiamme, da pompieri veterani
di questa città, cioè quelli che hanno servito in questo corpo,
sotto ottima direzione, la qual manovra sola durerà per lo meno
un’ora ed un quarto, offrendo ad ogni istante i più superbi e variati
colpi d’occhio, finché le quattro torri ed altre parti del castello
cadranno col fragor del tuono, diffondendo una luce vivissima, il che
unita- mente ad un combattimento al di fuori del castello, offrirà
un colpo d’occhio de’più imponenti che si pos- sono immaginare.
Gl’incidenti dello spettacolo consisteranno in un bom- bardamento
ed espugnazione del castello, in diversi combattimenti interni ed
esterni, marcie ed altre azioni mimiche con musica scelta espressamente a
tal uopo. Agiranno in questo straordinario spettacolo oltre
il corpo suddetto di pompieri un corpo di castellani, un corpo di
banditi, un corpo di truppe regolari con arti- gìieri condotti
da diversi capi, un seguito di damigelle di Matilde, signora del castello
di Rokeby, tutti vestiti ed armati analogamente. Valentissimi
artisti gareggieranno, affinchè lo spetta- colo sia degno del magnifico
anfiteatro, nel quale viene rappresentato, e possa divertire, e fors’anco
sorprendere, questo coltissimo pubblico e quest’inclita guarnigione
sempre giusti nel pronunciare i loro giudizj. 11 grande spettacolo,
che si doveva dare jeri 22 ago- sto nell’Arena di questa città vi attirò
molto concorso di spettatori. La riuscita non avendo
corrisposto all’aspettazione, il Pubblico manifestò la sua
disapprovazione con grida, e la parte meno educata ridusse in pezzi le
sedie e le ta- vole di cui erano muniti i sedili. La maggior parte
però degli spettatori si disponeva già tranquillamente alla
partenza, quando apertesi tutte le porte per la sortita, una moltitudine
del basso popolo si presentò al di fuori per entrare nell’anfiteatro,
dove voleva distruggere per vendetta il fiuto castello di Rokeby, argomento
dello spettacolo. Le guardie militari essendo accorse
per Impedire que- sto pericoloso accesso della moltitudine tumultuante,
ven- nero investite a colpi di pietre^ per cui alcuni soldati ed
impiegati rimasero feriti. Un distaccamento militare dopo aver resistito
per lungo tempo alla sfrenatezza della plelie, tornati vani i
tentativi per allontanarla, nè potendo più oltre difendersi, inco-
minciò daU’cseguire esplosioni di fucile in aria, per in- cutere timore,
ed infine non avendo ottenuto effètto al- cuno, ed incalzando sempre più
la moltitudine, fece sca- riche a palla. Un individuo venne
così sgraziatamente colpito amorfe, ed altre dieci più o meno gravemente
feriti. La moltitudine allora si disperse, ogni tumulto, che
d’altronde limitossi alla sola località dell’anfiteatro cessò, e questo
disordine non ebbe altre conseguenze sulla tran- quillità pubblica, la
quale era in tutte le altre parti della città nella medesima sera^ come
all’ordinario per- fetta. ~ 71 — Spettacolo
equestre eseguito da Alessandro Guerra il 15 giugno 1834 .
Consistente nella corsa delle bìglie — nella corsa dei Jockeys a cavallo
— Corsa di Giorgio Cocchi sopra cin- que cavalli a dorso nudo — Corsa di
quattro dami- gelle vestite alll’Amazzone col premio d’uu’elegante
sciarpa che l’ottenne Leonilda. Carrara. Forze
da^Gladlatori sopra cavalli, eseguiti da Antonio Brand e Gaetano
Ciniselli — Esercizi di Troja, eseguiti da quattro cavallerizzi col
premio d’una ripetizione d’oro ottenuta da Giorgio Cocchi.
> Avrà fine lo spettacolo con un dilettevole fuoco d’ar-^
tificio terminante collo scoppio d’una batteria. afonie e
GogwoiM'6 ?ei. 5'x'Opwe^oW'j Dei Oai’idli'
elGoiite 6 Gogirowve' De^Pi clbiKti^* e 5ocke^A
IH/ ailomiMOute^e De-E ^teiwto iw/ cHauA.
CO RSA BELLE BIGHE. 1 Sperati
Giuseppe Rovelli Gaetano I. 5oo
Consoni Francesco Yimercati Luigi \
II. 200 CORSA DEI JOCR EYS.
Guerra Alessandro Ciniselli Gaetano I.
3oo Suddetto . . . Volani Bartolomeo
II. 200 72 *“ Spettacolo equestre
del detto Guerra il 22 giugno 1 854 , Consistente nelle corsa
delle bighe — Corsa dei fan- tini a cavallo — Corsa di tre damigelle
sopra due ca- valli pel premio d’tma spilla di diamanti e corona
d’al- loro, la vincitrice fu Leonilda Cariura.
Altra corsa di Giorgio Cocchi dirigendo sette cavalli Esercizi dei
Gladiatori — Corsa di quattro dami- gelle a cavallo col premio d’un
anello vinto da Luigia Letard, Avrà fine lo spettacolo
con un fuoco artificiale, re- stando illuminato l’Anfiteatro da fuochi di
Bengal. eTCtfiue e Oo^u/diue Sei/ dei
Oa(;ixl^ eHaoitie e Oo^uoiu'e e del ^ oaitiiu
^vatMO Uh ’^om/movXaK/e deE ^velino
IH cllou/A. CORSA DELLE BIGHE, Sperati
Giuseppe Rovelli Gaetano I. 5oo
Consoni Francesco Vimercati Luigi II.
300 CORSA DEI FANTINI A CAVAI
LO, De Micheli Frane. Ciniselli Gaetano
I. aSo Guerra Alessandro Volani
Bartolomeo II. i5o Grisetti Carlo ,
Cozzi Giuseppe. III. 100 I
t- re .¥ I
< I t V: ■
v:" spettacolo Consistentt
tini a cavalle valli pel prei loro, la vinci Altra
corsa »— Esercizi d gelle a cavali Avrà fine ’
stando illumi (Set ^topwela. deir Qrava^ Sperati
Giusef Consoni Frane CORSi De Micheli Fri
Guerra Alessat Grisetti Carlo HVC
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THE GETTY (£tiìfii ììbrarv oKeywords: i giochi olimpici, Ikko, Crotone, Taranto. Branciforte. Refs.:
Luigi Speranza, "Grice e del Vasto," per Il Club Anglo-Italiano, The
Swimming-Pool Library, Villa Grice, Liguria, Italia. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51779941241/in/dateposted-public/
Grice e Brandalise – il municipio di Firenze –albero
fiorito -- immune, comune – filosofia italiana – Luigi Speranza (Pistoia).
Filosofo. Grice: “I would say that Brandalise is a Griceian – his tutees know
it! He has philosophised on keywords: communicazione, l’altro, indeed what he
calls the Kantian transcendental necessity of ‘l’altro,’ and the idea of a
‘collective’ desiderio – or comunita – What is that if not my philosophy of
communication?” Adone Brandalise (Pistoia) è un critico letterario, letterato e
accademico italiano. Si è laureato nel 1972 con Vittore Branca con una tesi dal
titolo L'opera e la critica. Esperimenti critici su testi narrativi italiani,
in cui vengono sperimentati nuovi metodi critici su testi di Alessandro Manzoni
e Carlo Emilio Gadda. Professore di
teoria della letteratura presso l'Padova, la sua attività di ricerca si
caratterizza per il costante intreccio tra riflessione filosofica e
psicoanalitica con l'interpretazione del testo letterario. I luoghi seminali
della sua ricerca vanno individuati nello studio di Spinoza e Plotino, cui si
dedica sin dalla giovinezza, di Hegel e dell'idealismo tedesco, oltre che
nell'approfondimento risalente agli anni Settanta dell'opera di Jacques
Lacan. Promotore di numerose iniziative
scientifiche, tra cui alcuni progetti di didattica e ricerca legati agli studi
interculturali, ha collaborato a riviste quali "Lettere italiane",
"Studi novecenteschi", "Immagine riflessa", "Il
centauro", "Filosofia politica" o "Trickster". Tra i temi che segnano la sua ricerca vanno
senz'altro segnalati alcuni molto ricorrenti: il problema della singolarità, il
rapporto tra mistica ed evento soggettivo, quello tra pensiero filosofico e
azione politica, quello tra poesia e pensiero. Attentissimo cultore della
musica operistica e del cinema, tra gli autori che maggiormente animano la
scena della sua riflessione, affidata soprattutto all'oralità, sono Platone,
Leopardi, Melville, Nietzsche, Shakespeare, Luis de León, Max Ophüls e Orson
Welles. Operaismo Brandalise opera sin
dal 1973 presso la Facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia dell'Padova, dove anima e
partecipa a partire dagli anni settanta alla costituzione di numerosi seminari
e momenti di studio, anche in relazione con i dibattiti dell'operaismo. Oltre
all'attività sindacale, in comunicazione con Guido Bianchini (Padova,
19261998), segna questa fase di sua riflessione politica il lavoro svolto
"off air" nella direzione romana di "Il Centauro. Rivista di
Filosofia e teoria politica" (1981-86), nel cui comitato direttivo
operavano anche Nicola Auciello, Adriana Cavarero, Remo Bodei, Massimo
Cacciari, Umberto Curi, Giuseppe Duso, Roberto Esposito, Giacomo Marramao,
Giangiorgio Pasqualotto, Biagio De Giovanni (direttore) e Roberto
Racinaro. Il Centauro, rivista
pubblicata dall'editore Guida, nasce in una fase storica segnata dal caso Moro,
dal compromesso storico, dal teorema Calogero. L'idea dei redattori era di
avviare un laboratorio politico in cui potessero intervenire intellettuali
legati al PCI, anche se in modi spesso prossimi al dissenso. Tuttavia non
compare nelle rievocazioni più recenti degli anni dell'operaismo il nome di
Brandalise, certo per la relativa assenza di suoi interventi scritti, ma anche
per il coagularsi del suo percorso politico negli anni Novanta intorno alla
"nozione sintomatica" di politica invisibile e poi, nel decennio
successivo, di decostituzionalizzazione.
Opere Oltranze. Simboli e concetti in letteratura, Padova, 2002
Categorie e figure. Metafore e scrittura nel pensiero politico, Padova, 2003.
con E. Macola, Psicoanálisis y arte de ingenio: de Cervantes a María Zambrano,
Malaga, Miguel Gomez, 2004 con E. Macola eSanchez Otin, Bestiario lacaniano,
Milano, Bruno Mondadori, 2007. L'immagine del territorio e i processi
migratori, in M. BERTONCIN, A. PASE, Territorialità, Milano, Franco Angeli,
2007. In weiter Ferne so nah. In margine al sermone Beati Pauperes, in (G.
Panno) Il silenzio degli angeli. Il ritrarsi di Dio nella mistica medievale e
nelle riscritture moderne, Padova, Unipress, 2008, 157–163. Oltre la comparazione. Modi e
posizioni del pensiero dopo l'intercultura, in (G. Pasqualotto), Per una
filosofia interculturale, 59–69, Milano,
Mimesis, 2008. Introduzione (con A. Barbieri), in (A. BarbieriMura, G. Panno),
Le vie del racconto. Temi antropologici, nuclei mitici e rielaborazione
letteraria nella narrazione medievale germanica e romanza, Padova, Unipress,
2008, I-XXVIII. Il multilinguismo nella
mediazione (con A. Celli, K. Rhazzali, E. Sartori), in (G. Mantovani)
Intercultura e mediazione, Roma, Carocci, 2008. Postfazione, in C. Tenuta, Dal
mio esilio non sarei mai tornato, io. Profili ebraici tra cultura e letteratura
nell'Italia del Novecento, Roma, Aracne, 2009,
167–170 978-88-548-2376-1. con N.
Fazioni, Cosa cambia con Lacan? Saperi, pratiche, poteri, in International
Journal of Žižek Studies, Vol 6, n. 4,,
1751-8229 (WC ACNP). Dentro il confine, Milano, Mimesis,. 978-88-575-5688-8 Metodi della singolarità,
Milano, Mimesis,. 978-88-575-5735-9 La
necessità dell'Altro: scritti in onore di Adone Brandalise, Milano, Mimesis,. 978-88-575-6349-7 Dario Gentili, La crisi del politico.
Antologia di "Il Centauro", Guida (2007) Altri progetti Collabora a Wikimedia
Commons Wikimedia Commons contiene immagini o altri file su Adone
Brandalise adonebrandalise: Sito
dedicato all'opera e al pensiero di Adone Brandalise Podcast degli interventi del Rpf Adone Brandalise Biografie Letteratura Letteratura Università Università Categorie: Critici letterari
italiani del XX secoloCritici letterari italiani del XXI secoloLetterati
italianiAccademici italiani del XX secoloAccademici italiani Professore1949 16
giugno Pistoia. Adone Brandalise. THE OLDEST CITY WALLS. 35
camlet bound round the waist with a girdle, after the ancient
fashion, and a mantle lined with minever, with a hood which they wore
over their heads. And the women of the people were clothed in coarse
green cloth of Cambrai, made after the same fashion. A hundred lire* was
an ordinary dower for a wife. A dower of two or three hundred was in
those days considered enormous. Girls, for the most part had
completed their twentieth year before they were married. Thus rude in dress
and customs were the Florentines of those days ; but they were loyal, and
kept good faith, both among each other and towards the Commonwealth.
And with their poverty and coarse mode of life, they did greater
things, and acted more virtuously, than we do with our greater effeminacy
and greater riches. " Those were the manners of the good old
times before the building of the second walls around the increased city.
The position of these walls, and the amount of space thus added to
the city, are very accurately known. The line taken by the new circuit
has been minutely recorded by Malispini,f Villani, J and Coppo Stefani.§
But it will be sufficient for our purpose to indicate in a more general
manner the extent of the increase. The old city, wholly
confined to the northern bank of the river, stretched along it from a
point near the present Ponte Santa Trinita, to another a little beyond
the building of the Uffizi. A line drawn northward from the foot of the
Ponte Santa Trinita, to the corner formed by the Via de' Rondi-
nelli and the Via de' Cerretani, and thence turning at a sharp angle
westward, proceeding then in a direct line to the Piazza del Duomo,
encircling the Cathedral, and then turning southwards to rejoin the river
by a line nearly correspond- * The Tuscan lira is now equal to
eightpence sterling-. To find its equivalent value at the time in
question it must be multiplied by from ten to fifteen. \
Chap. lxi. % Book iv. chap. viii. § Book i. rubr. xxxiv. d 2
36 HISTORY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF FLORENCE. ing with
the present Via del Proconsolo, the Piazza di San Firenze, and the Via de
Leoni, would very nearly mark the position of the old wall. The new one,
built in 1078, enclosed an area much more than twice as large as the
old city. This new wall extended along the northern bank of the
river from the present Ponte alle Grazie to the Ponte alia Carraia. A
direct line drawn in north-western direction from the foot of the latter,
to the sharp corner made by the Via delle Cantonelle, behind the Church
of St. Lorenzo, turning at that corner to follow in a south-easterly
direction, and nearly in a straight line, the course of the streets
De Gori, C alder ai, De Pucci, De' Cresci, and St. Egidio, to the
corner of the Via del Fosso, and there again turning to the south-west,
and striking towards the river in a direct line by the streets Del
Diluvio and De Benci, to the foot of the Ponte alle Grazie, would form
the new boundary of the city on the northern bank of the river. But
the suburbs which had been gradually formed on the southern bank,
were also now for the first time brought within the walled city. This new
" Oltrarno" quarter, "beyond the Arno," comprising
less than a quarter of the space now occupied by the city on the southern
bank, was bounded by the river from the Ponte Santa Trinitd, nearly to
the Ponte alle Grazie, and by a line of wall which, starting from
the bank at the spot where the former of these bridges now stands,
followed the entire length of the present Via Maggio, and then turning at
an acute angle back again towards the river, crossed the Piazza de Pitti
in an oblique direction, so as to exclude the ground on which the
Pitti Palace now stands, pursued an irregular course along the foot of
the steep hill, which here leaves but a narrow space between it and the
Arno, till it rejoined that river in the immediate neighbourhood of the
Ponte alle Grazie. It will be seen that this notable
enlargement of the city, POPULATION OF THE CITY. 37
while more then doubling its former area, comprised a space less
than a fourth of that contained within the present wall, which third
circuit was, in most respects as it still remains, traced in the year
1285. Keywords: immune, comune, rodano,
paradosso del reciproco, amare, ligarsi, bestiario griceiano, bestiarium
griceianum, il municipio di Firenze. "To change the image somewhat, what
bothers me about what I am being offered is not that it is bare, but that it
has been systematically and relentlessly undressed. I am also adversely
influenced by a different kind of unattractive feature which some, or perhaps
even all of these bêtes noires seem to possess." Refs.: Luigi Speranza, “Grice e Brandlise” –
The Swimming-Pool Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51778961512/in/dateposted-public/
Grice
e Breccia – la metafisica del dialogo – filosofia italiana – Luigi Speranza (Trento).
Filosofo. Grice: “I like Breccia; he is, like Vitruvio, obsessed with the male
human body – but also about the ‘metafisica del dialogo,’ so we can call him a
Griceian!” -- Breccia nel suo studio a
Roma. Pier Augusto Breccia (Trento ),
filosofo. La pittura di Breccia esplora l’essere umano con un approccio
ermeneutico (nel senso della filosofia ermeneutica moderna di Jaspers,
Heidegger, Gadamer) e si apre su un vasto orizzonte di temi filosofici. L’opera
di Breccia include oli su tela, matite e pasteli su carta, 7 libri e numerosi
saggi critici. Breccia ha esposto in personali in Europa e USA. La
famiglia paterna è originaria di Porano, un piccolo paese dell’Umbria, dove sua
madre, Elsa Faini (di Trento), si era trasferita nel dopoguerra. I genitori di
Pier Augusto lavoravano entrambi nel settore ospedaliero: infermiera la madre e
chirurgo il padre Angelo. Quando Pier Augusto ha cinque anni, la famiglia si
trasferisce a Roma, dove Breccia trascorrerà la maggior parte della sua vita.
Il giovane Pier Augusto si iscrive al “Liceo classico statale Giulio Cesare” di
Roma, dove matura un profondo interesse per gli studi umanistici che lo
accompagnerà per il resto della vita. A 14 anni, scopre la Divina Commedia che
studia di sua iniziativa affascinato dalle allegorie dantesche. Subito dopo,
attratto dalla filosofia e dalla mitologia greca, traduce per l’editore
Signorelli l’“Antigone” di Sofocle e il “Prometeo legato” di Eschilo. Ancora
nella fase adolescenziale traduce i “Dialoghi” di Platone. Completati gli
studi liceali, nel 1961 si iscrive alla facoltà di medicina dell’Università Cattolica
del Sacro Cuore e nel luglio del 1967 riceve, con il massimo dei voti, la
laurea in medicina. Professione medica Dopo la laurea consegue una
specializzandosi in urologia, in chirurgia generale e successivamente in
chirurgia cardiovascolare mentre comincia a far pratica al Policlinico Agostino
Gemelli di Roma. Nel 1969, sposa Maria Antonietta Vinciguerra, nel ’70 nasce il
primo figlio, Claudio e nel '71 la figlia Adriana. Nei primi anni 1970, si
trasferisce a Stoccolma, dove lavora al centro di chirurgia toracica e
cardiovascolarere dell'Istituto Karolinska sotto la supervisione di Viking
Björk (inventore della valvola cardiaca Bjork–Shiley). Tornato all’università
Cattolica di Roma e al connesso ospedale Gemelli, nel 1979 diviene professore
associato. Nel corso degli anni 1970, pratica più di mille interventi a cuore
aperto e pubblica circa cinquanta articoli in riviste mediche. Il punto
di svolta: dal bisturi alla matita È l’estate del 1977 quando Breccia scopre un
inaspettato talento per il disegno, che nei due anni successivi diverrà il suo
hobby. Soltanto nel 1979, dopo la morte di suo padre e a seguito di una
profonda crisi esistenziale, il talento disegnativo trova la sua espressione
creativa. La produzione artistica dei primi due anni e il pensiero filosofico
da questa ispirato confluiscno nel libro "Oltreomega".
Nell’agosto del 1983, durante un periodo di produzione artistica e di mostre in
Italia e all’estero (‘'Monologo corale’', ‘'Le forme concrete dell
in-esistente’', ‘'La semantica del silenzio’') prende un'aspettativa dalla
professione medica. Nel biennio seguente, lo stile artistico, da lui definito
"ideomorfico", si delinea con maggior chiarezza, così come il
pensiero filosofico, che nell’84 presenta nel libro “L’Eterno Mortale”. Nel 1985
dà le dimissioni dalla professione di chirurgo e nello stesso anno porta le sue
opere a New York, presentandole in due mostre consecutive, alla Gucci Gallery e
all’Arras Gallery. La strada dell’arte, si delinea rapidamente e, appena date
le dimissioni, si trasferisce a New York dove trascorre la maggior parte del
tempo tra il 1985 e il 1996. Durante questo periodo, espone in diverse città
degli Stati Uniti (New York, Columbus, Santa Fe, Miami e Houston). Sin
dall’inizio è estremamente prolifico e l'opera dei primi dieci anni viene
raccolta nel libro “Animus-Anima”, che comprende 500 immagini di sue opere. Nel
1996, torna stabilmente a Roma ed espone in diverse città italiane ed europee.
Nel ‘96, pubblica "L’altro Libro", contenente opera del periodo 1991-1999
e nel 1999, scrive “Il linguaggio sospeso dell’auto-coscienza”. Nel 2002
Breccia presenta novanta opera in un’imponente personale al museo Vittoriano e
nel 2004 pubblica “Introduzione alla pittura ermeneutica”, il suo manifesto
artistico, al quale collabora il filosofo Elio Matassi. Negli anni seguenti,
malgrado le condizioni di salute, è impegnato in numerose mostre in musei
italiani ed europei. Il 17 Novembre, due settimane dopo la chiusura della
sua mostra di Trento, ha un infarto nel suo studio di Roma, viene portato al
Policlinico Gemelli, e lunedì 20 novembre
muore all’età di settantaquattro anni. Ragione e immaginazione:
“lo spazio pensante” Lo spazio è l’elemento più distintivo delle opere di Breccia,
che egli stesso definisce “denominatore comune della pittura ermeneutica[...]
principio stesso delle nostre facoltà intellettive”. Tuttavia, se nello
spazio paradossale di Breccia la ragione si sospende e precipita di continuo,
il senso di armonia ed equilibrio, che caratterizza tutta la sua opera permette
all’immaginazione di entrare nello spazio senza alcun tormento. Forme,
colori e luce: dis-oggettivazione Un'altra caratteristica delle tele di Breccia
è la presenza di “oggetti”, in un equilibrio generato tuttavia da forme e
colori piuttosto che da una oggettiva metrica di spazio. Allo stesso tempo,
tali “oggetti”, ridotti a forme/colori essenziali o addirittura trasformati in
spazio stesso o “altro da sé”, sono privi di una vera oggettività e di
conseguenza sono aperti ad essere letti come linguaggi, segni o, più
propriamente nel senso della filosofia ermeneutica di Karl Jaspers, come
“cifre”, cioè “segni” non ancora interpretati. L’uso della luce e del
chiaroscuro è parallelo a quello dello spazio e della prospettiva nella
molteplicità di paradossi. L’assenza di una fonte di luce all’interno
dello spazio pittorico contribuisce a rimuovere contenuti emozionali. In
ultimo, il rapporto luce-spazio-forma crea l'ennesimo paradosso di Breccia. Se
la luce è spesso associata a ciò che è comprensibile razionalmente (e.g. “luce
della ragione”), nelle opere di Breccia tutto appare al contempo luminoso e
misterioso. Pittura ermeneutica Breccia ha usato il termine “pittura
ermeneutica” per descrivere la sua posizione come artista nel suo Manifesto
“Introduzione alla pittura ermeneutica” (2004). Il presupposto di
significabilità della cifra pittorica ermeneutica è la libertà da canoni,
convenzioni, dogmi di spazio e tempo, del qui e dell’ora, che permette una
verifica della significabilità dal di dentro. In tal senso, l’arte può essere
un’esperienza di conoscenza, in quanto “apertura” da “un lato sull’infinita
alterità dell’essere o di Dio, e dall’altro sulla personale coscienza dell’
‘Io’.”(Introduzione alla pittura ermeneutica, 2004). Note Moschini
e Zitko, p.37. Zitko, p.11. Zitko, p.15. Comunicare, n. 82,
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore,. Unomattina, RAI, Gennaio
2000. Unomattina, Gennaio 2004.
Zitko 12. Moschini e Zitko,
p.38. Steiner 1997. Steiner 1991.
Moschini e Zitko, p.39. Moschini
e Zitko, p.40. P.A. BRECCIA,
Introduzione alla Pittura Ermeneutica, 2004, p.45-46 Vivaldi 1988.
Moschini Zitko, 40. Steiner
1988. Moschini e Zitko, 38-43. Moschini e Zitko, 40-42. Moschini, M. e Zitko(), "The educational
path of Ideomorphism. From theory of knowledge to philosophy", Journal of
Philosophy and Culture supplement, XVI-1, laNOTTOLAdiMINERVA Zitko(), "Il
linguaggio della pittura ermeneutica e la Chiffer di Karl Jaspers",
Dipartimento di Letteratura e Filosofia, Universita' di Pisa Steiner, R. (1988)
"Profile: Pier Augusto Breccia", ART TIMES Steiner, R. (1991)
"Critique: Pier Augusto Breccia at Arras Gallery, NYC", ART TIMES
Steiner, R. (1997) "Pier Augusto Breccia: Another Look, NYC", ART
TIMES Matassi, E. (2008) "Sur la peinture Hernéutique: Pier Augusto
Breccia, “le messager d’alterité”.In: Du Nihilism à l’hermenéutique Altri
progetti Collabora a Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons contiene immagini o
altri file su Pier Augusto Breccia Sito
ufficiale, su pieraugustobreccia.com. libri
gratis su itunes The educational path of Ideomorphism La pittura ermeneutica,
su didattic aermeneutica. 1º maggio 26
dicembre ). Pier Augusto Breccia: biografia, su direnzo. Biografie Biografie:
di biografie Categorie: Pittori
italiani del XX secoloFilosofi italiani del XX secoloSaggisti italiani Professore1943 12 aprile 20 novembre Trento Roma. THE
DIALOGUE The universe of speech is egocentric. At the centre is the
speaker (ego) and the listener is slightly off-centre ( tu ). The
listener becomes a speaker in his turn and the axis of the universe
shifts slightly, but these are the two persons of speech, and all others
are objects to be pointed out. Ego spreads symbols in front of tu , but
tu is the arbiter of intelligibility. If ego makes unintelligible noises
or speaks Greek to the Eskimo tu , there is no communication and
therefore no lan- guage. If ego's symbols are unsatisfactory or
unsatisfactorily arranged, tu demands a new set or a better arrangement.
Since speech is a function of action, tu ' s acts determine the sense
of ego's symbols to the extent that ego must either acquiesce or
come to a new understanding. Soliloquy, meditation, and
‘arranging one’s thoughts’ are imitations of dialogue. They have involved
in past time even movements of lips ; hence the theatrical convention
that the soli- loquy and the read letter can be overheard. But ego does
not speak to ego ; he has far quicker ways of understanding himself.
He soliloquizes before an imaginary tu and he arranges his thoughts
with a view to addressing later some real tu . The dialogue occurs
within a frame of reference provided by circumstances and concerns some
event. Sir A. H. Gardiner 1 de- scribes speech as four-sided, with the
four factors of speaker, 1 A. H. Gardiner, Speech and Language , Oxford,
1932, p. 62. io ASPECTS OF LANGUAGE listener,
words, and things. The things, however, should be those of a given
moment, forming an external and concrete association which we call
circumstance. It is better to think of them as external and concrete,
because so they are in all languages, including savage ones. Two persons
may discuss the square root of minus one in an oubliette at midnight and
so reach an extreme of abstract speech, but the topic is no more than the
last of a long series of abstractions which began with the sum of two
flints or cave-bears or the Circumstances or Context
;t:‘‘ EG<)0 V\ y ,-N \ /' y i \
i. \ / / A \ / s \ i T-U i V v>
! •* s. \| Event or Phenomenon
Impression Expression impression I H like. A square was once
a pattern on the ground. If one says to another ‘the unexamined life is
not worth living’ there has to be a context of ethical discussion to
determine what is ‘life’, ‘worth* or ‘examination*. An insurance agent
might be puzzled by the phrase and emend it to ‘the medically unexamined
life is not worth insuring*. Even so, though more concrete, his language
represents the end of a complex process of civilized abstraction. That
speech should be possible without visible circumstances is a relatively
late development, and is achieved by the creation of contexts. The
con- text of a discourse consists of spoken conventions which enable
us to dispense with visible objects, by siting the discourse well
enough to give the supplementary information that would otherwise
have been derived from circumstance. The language even of
savages contains some abstraction, since they speak of some parts of
circumstance and neglect others. Yet the Australian Arunta cannot count
or distinguish times or identify themselves. Basque host ‘five* probably
means ‘closed fist’, and counting in multiples of twenty (Basque ogei) was
achieved by LANGUAGE ii
counting fingers and toes. Getting lost in the higher figures, it might
prove simpler to proceed by subtraction (Lat. 19 undeviginti , 18
duodeviginti , Finnish 9 yhdeksan, 8 kahdeksan , cf. 1 yksi, 2 kaksi 9
and the Indo-European for 10). Chinese characters are singularly
illuminating concerning the relations between concrete and abs- tract.
‘Benevolence* is ‘man plus two* (a man who thinks of another beside
himself), ‘happiness* is ‘one mouth supported by a field*, ‘peace* is ‘a
woman under a roof* (indoors), ‘home* is ‘a pig under a roof* (food and
shelter), ‘spirit* is the skeleton of a great man, a ‘great* man is one
who has not only legs to obey but arms to en- force, ‘father* is a ‘hand
holding a whip*. These written analyses are, no doubt, scholarly and
sometimes whimsical. It is not exactly in that way that abstractions have
been derived from objects and contexts substituted for circumstance, but
the language of savages is astoundingly concrete and only fully
intelligible when spoken in the presence of the objects of
discourse. Communication lies partly in what we say, partly in the
circum- stances. The latter fill in so much that actual speaking is
elliptical, erratic, incomplete, and imprecise. Even the elliptical words
may be further curtailed by substituting gestures, 1 which refer one
back vaguely to the circumstances. Thus one may overhear: A.
Hullo! How*s tricks? B. So so ; and the boy ? A .
Bursting with energy, thanks. The first is not a question but a
breach of silence, 2 and establishes the conversation on the basis of
casual familiarity. It does not seek or receive an answer, but an opening
is made for A’s principal interest (which is known from the circumstances),
and A , when replying with information, acknowledges the kindly intention
of B. It is possible to say quite intelligibly ‘Old what*s-his-name is
just bringing in the thingummy*, if, at a Burns dinner, Mr. McLeod
is seen piping in the haggis. It is even better to be imprecise, and to
say ‘my heart went pit-a-pat’, ‘the tray came bang, thump, crash
down the stairs’, or ‘whiff, it *s gone*, because, while the
circumstances 1 Gesture-languages seem, however, to be translations
of the spoken word or of set phrases as a whole. The Arunta are said to
have a gesture-language of 250 signs. This seems to be different from the
gestures which refer directly to circum- stance. 2 *To a
natural man, another man’s silence is not a reassuring factor, but, on
the contrary, something alarming and dangerous.* B. Malinowski, Magic ,
Science and Religion , Boston, 1948, p. 248. 12
ASPECTS OF LANGUAGE would explain either these sentences or
explicit statements, these expressions give an impression of the immediate
event, not generalized as one which might occur elsewhere. This is the
basis of the astonishing development of ideophones in Zulu and
other Bantu languages which will be discussed later. When we ‘speak
like a book’ we provide explicit contexts as if circumstances did not
exist visibly to complete our meaning, and this procedure, neces- sary in
writing, is recognized as a defect in conversation. Grammatical and
verbal completeness is thus not required of the sentence, and there is
nothing to be, as older grammarians said, ‘understood’. It was difficult
under the old regime to say precisely what word or words were to be
‘understood* since the phrase could be completed in various ways, but
older grammarians, obsessed by literary contexts, did not sufficiently
allow for the completion by environment. R. Lenz 1 gives the following
conversation: . A. Where are you off to, Peter? B.
Valparaiso. A . At once ? B. No. Tomorrow, by the slow
train. A What for? B . A matter of business.
A. Something important ? J5. Yes; the sale of my land.
A . Have you a buyer in sight? B . It seems so. A
. Well, congratulations. B. Thanks. This is what the
linguist must accept. He is not at liberty to rewrite the sentences so
that each should have subject, verb, object, and other principal parts.
They are already complete and fully intelli- gible in the circumstances.
They are even intelligible as parts of a context. Circumstance, and
context eliminate uncertainties which theoretically exist. Thus of
eighty-four words in the fourth tone of i in Chinese, 2 only ‘thought,
will, intention* can exist in the vicinity of ‘understand*. The same
sound may mean ‘a mountain in Shan- tung*, ‘dress*, ‘I* (in speaking to
rulers); ‘licentious*, and ‘hiccup’, 1 R. Lenz, La Oracion y sus
partes , 1925, p. 32. 2 Chinese words are quoted according to the
transliteration adopted in D. MacGillivray’s Mandarin-Romanized
Dictionary of Chinese , Shanghai, 1925. It is according to Wade’s system,
which has no special advantage beyond that of a wide diffusion. See also
the pocket dictionaries by Goodrich and Soothill.
LANGUAGE 13 but none of these are things one
‘understands*. Actually, by com- bining synonyms (i+-szu l ‘thought,
will, intention’) modern Chinese gives the hearer more time to identify
the meaning, but these compounds are readily dissolved when no ambiguity
is possible. The written language provides ninety-two different signs for
i A so that the precise meaning identifies itself, without dependence
on visible circumstances or even on context. By way of
compensation, the old literary style was sparing of doublets or other
helps to understanding. Within the frame of circumstance each
sentence refers to an event or phenomenon as it appears to, and
interests, us at the moment of speaking. We distinguish activities and
states, but the distinction is partly an illusion. ‘Rome is the Eternal
City’ now and as things appear to us, though founded traditionally in 753
b.c., and still not so long-lived as Babylon. Damascus and Jerusalem
are older and still exist, but do not appear to us to have the
enduring quality conferred by the succession of the Papacy to the
Caesars. I am content now, but the phrase does not prevent my being dis-
contented in half an hour ; you are a Grand Duke or a soldier, but a
revolution may cancel all titles or you may be demobilized to- morrow.
The event is not known to us in all its cosmic significance ; we can only
speak of what appears to us (represented by the wavi- ness of the line in
the diagram). Of what appears, we put into words only what momentarily
interests us, as in the celebrated observa- tion: ‘What a lovely day!
Let’s go and kill something.’ We make a mock of the objective statement ‘Queen
Anne ’s dead’ because we are not accustomed to make affirmations without
immediate inter- est ; though historians have devised for such statements
a measure of interest by the postulate that all historical dicta are, in
some way, worth while. Each event is, of course, unique. ‘Bear kills man’
and ‘Man kills bear’ are totally dissimilar events. It is thus not
sur- prising that many languages should have word-sentences which
express each event by a unique construction, and all show a phenomenal residue
(the verb) after analysis has gone so far as to provide names for the
parties, their qualities, and their modes of action and being. The verb
continues to show formidable com- plexities in such a language as French,
though the noun has become almost an invariable unit. The Latin verb
offered a complex para- digm which was simplified by analysis in
primitive Romance, but the Romance languages have used these analytical
simplifications 14 ASPECTS OF LANGUAGE to build
new synthetic paradigms. It is clear that the result is not due to
analytical failure, but to an appreciation of the need to dis- criminate
between phenomena. For the s^ke of simplicity we are considering
the first com- munication of a series. Ego's primary impression of the
event may be derived from any of the senses, though it is most likely to
be visual. It will be more agglomerative than any expression, and
probably either total or of selected parts modified by all their minor
characteristics. Infants, like Humpty-Dumpty, endeavour to speak in a
total way, packing their whole meaning into some such phrase as din-din.
One can take din-din as equal to ‘I am thirsty’ or ‘Why don’t you give me
a drink?’ or (in the case I have in mind) ‘I want more fizzy lemonade’.
The situation is unanalysed and the whole of it is expressed, so far as
the infant can, in two syllables and their accompanying intonations. On
the other hand, the agglomerative type of structure is common in
primitive tongues. The primary impression is thus intrinsically unlike
tu's secondary impression, which depends on the co-ordination of a linear
series of symbols. The older linguists spoke of ‘inner speech-form’
and ‘outer speech-form’ as if these had a one-to-one correspondence,
and it is still deemed legitimate to speak of the mental image of a
speech-sound and its actual enunciation. Whether the mind works in that
way a linguist is hardly qualified to know, since his task begins with
the audible sentence . 1 The disconformity between global impressions and
a linear series of symbols seems to be what convinces so many that their
thoughts are too rich for words. There is an act of translation involved.
Impressions are collected at some point of the brain, co-ordinated, transformed
into orders to the speech organs, transmitted as a series of vibrations,
collected by the ear-drum, and retranslated into meaning. The various
mental movements have been identified to some extent by
physiologists. Ego displays his impression to tu in the form of a
linear symbolic expression. Any symbol that tu accepts is valid for
communication with tu y and any that he rejects is invalid. Ego may offer
any one of many gizon y homoy anthropos , czlowieky mard y ember , mies,
jen y hito t insdn, adamy orang , muntu, oquichtli, runa or tree y zugatz
, arbor y Baum , dendron , derevo y car and so on. The relation between
sound and thing is entirely artificial, and according to the language so
is x See, however, A. H. Gardiner, Speech and Language , 1932, ch.
ii, ‘An Act of Speech*. LANGUAGE 15
the convention. Even onomatopoeia is conventional. The imitations
serve, not because they are good, but because they are conventional. 1 To
a Frenchman one offers subject-verb-object, and to a Turk subject-object-verb
; to a Chinese attribute-substantive is the same as substantive-attribute
to a Siamese or Malay. Increased stress has the effect in one language
that play on tones has in another. The symbols are just symbols, valid in
any agreed convention, but without conventional agreement,
unintelligible. Expression is a linear succession of sounds, and
the sentence is a complete expression. It is understood, as we have seen,
within the frame of circumstance or context, and we cannot presume
that it has any necessary grammatical form. A sentence need not
have a verb ‘expressed or understood’, though it must have the
quality of phenomenality. It need not be a judgement. Most
sentences consist of parts, and this is true even of polysynthetic word-
sentences. The parts are not necessarily words, for in primitive
languages we find embryonic stems which are not precisely deter- mined
for form or meaning, and in synthetic and agglutinative languages we find
affixes which are significant parts of a sentence. Tu hears the
expression and is the arbiter of its intelligibility. He collects and
retranslates the individual syllables as soon as they begin to be heard,
and combines them for meaning. If he cannot achieve a meaning he asks for
further symbols, whether in the same language or in another. He reacts
either by himself becoming a speaker or by performing some action. But in
either reaction it becomes plain that tu’s impression is not identical
with ego’s. Their minds are somehow differently constituted (symbolized
in the diagram by the size of the circles). Despite all conventional
agree- ment, there is no perfect understanding between ego and tu .
What tu understands, more or less in agreement with ego , are (1) the
reference of symbols to things, which is the ‘logical’ or grammatical
sense of the sentence, (2) an emotional supercharge represented by agreed
stylistic symbols (which may be zero), and (3), since tu is also an
artist in words, something of the event itself. He under- stands this in
his own fashion. He may, for instance, be specially susceptible to the
word torpedoed as having gone through the experi- ence or as being
endowed with a vivid imagination. In this third aspect of meaning,
however, though it is not expressed in symbols, 1 e.g. the sound of
a shot is in English bang or crack , in Spanish pum or pa$ (the latter
perhaps more appropriate to the slither of the bullet as it lands).
16 ASPECTS OF LANGUAGE there is something on which the
artist in words can reckon; a play of mind on mind, through language but
above convention, which is presumably the secret of great poetry and
oratory. There is here an aspect of language which is beyond exact
measurement but can be intuitively felt. The speaker not merely conveys a
logical mean- ing and an emotion to the hearer, but stirs the hearer to a
secondary act of creation. The reactions to great literature are diverse
and some of them stimulate further reactions, so that works as
funda- mental as the Authorized Bible, Hamlet , and the Aeneid
become encrusted with added meanings, and are hard to reduce to
their original intention. Nor is the original intention, say of the
Aeneid , necessarily the highest value of a poem on which the imagination
of a Dante has operated so profoundly. Pier Augusto Breccia. Keywords: ego
tu -- Erstwiile, Gardiner, ego et tu, la
metafisica del dialogo, noi, ovvero, la metafisica della conversazione,
implicatura ermeneutica. Refs.: Luigi Speranza, “Grice e Breccia” – The
Swimming-Pool Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51779906638/in/dateposted-public/
Grice e Brescia – rarità
vichiane –rarita griceiana -- filosofia italiana – Luigi Speranza
(Trani). Filosofo. Si laurea con lode presso la Facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia
dell'Università degli Studi di Perugia. Inizia la sua docenza come professore
di Storia dell'Arte presso il Liceo Classico Carlo Troya di Andria. Consegue la
cattedra di Latino presso il Liceo Classico Oriani di Corato. Consegue la
cattedra di Lettere e Storia presso l'Istituto Magistrale di Terlizzi. Insegna Latino nel Liceo Nuzzi di Andria. Oottiene il
suo primo incarico da preside a seguito del concorso superato. La prima
presidenza è dunque a Trani presso il Liceo Scientifico Valdemaro Vecchi,
intitolato al Vecchi dietro sua proposta. Presiede il Liceo Monticelli di
Brindisi. Presiede il Liceo Nuzzi di Andria. Presiede il Liceo Classico Carlo
Troya di Andria, esteso anche a Liceo Linguistico e Liceo delle Scienze Sociali
durante la sua direzione in seguito alla partecipazione alla Commissione
Brocca. Membro della Società di Storia Patria per la Puglia. Consegue il
Premio della Cultura della Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri. Viene
insignito della Medaglia d'Oro del Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione per i
benemeriti della cultura, dell'arte e della ricerca scientifica. Ottiene
l'onorificenza di Cavaliere della Repubblica Italiana. Ottiene il Premio Pannunzio
per la saggistica conferito dal Centro Pannunzio di Torino. Dopo una
lunga e serena vita di studi muore improvvisamente ad Andria. Appresa la
notizia anche il sindaco di Andria Bruno ha espresso il cordoglio personale e
della città alla famiglia. Citando Loris Maria Marchetti su Pannunzio
Magazine: Ispirandosi alla lezione, originalmente aggiornata, di Croce e
di Popper (ai quali ha dedicato importanti studi), elabora un sistema
filosofico in quattro parti (Antropologia, Epistemologia, Cosmologia, Teoria
della Tetrade) dove trovano un punto di incontro storicismo, epistemologia ed
ermeneutica. La sua filosofia investe anche il pensiero politico e
l’àmbito dell’estetica, donde il suo fittissimo esercizio di saggista di
letteratura e arti figurative, interpretate sostanzialmente nel loro risvolto
filosofico-cognitivo. Altre opere: “Il tempo e la libertà”; “Pascal e
l’ermeneutica”; “Croce e il mondo”; “L’oro di Croce, Joyce dopo Joyce, Ipotesi
su Pico, Massa non massa, Radici di libertà, Il vivente originario, Tempo e
idea, I conti con il male, Radici dell’Occidente, Forme della vita e modi della
complessità; saggi su Bassani, Calvino, ecc.
Fedele collaboratore delle iniziative del Centro “Pannunzio”, negli Annali
comparvero suoi saggi su C. L. Ragghianti e su Cervantes in rapporto
all’Ariosto e alla tradizione italiana. Nel pannunziano Magazine pubblica, tra
gli altri, saggi su Torquato Accetto, Max Ascoli, Croce, L. de Bosis, F. De
Sanctis, Freud, Aldous Huxley, Jung, Leonardo da Vinci, Vittorio Mathieu, Moravia,
Pasolini, Solgenitsyn,Vico. Alfredo Parente - L'“opera bella” come impegno
morale, “Rivista di studi crociani”, Giovanni Spadolini - Mazziniani asceti,
“La Stampa”, Francesco Compagna - Editoriale, “Nord e Sud”, Raffaello Franchini
- L'idea di progresso. Teoria e storia, Giannini, Raffaello Franchini, Trittico
crociano, “Il Tempo”, A. Rosario Assunto, Filosofia del giardino e filosofia
nel giardino. Saggi di teoria e storia dell'estetica, Bulzoni, Roma, Rosario Assunto
- recensione di Brescia, “Non fu sì forte il padre”. Letture e interpreti di Croce,
Salentina, Galatina, in “Rassegna di cultura e vita scolastica”, Vittorio Stella
- recensione di Brescia, “Non fu sì forte il padre”. Letture e interpreti di Croce,
Salentina, Galatina, in “Rivista di studi crociani”, Vittorio Stella - Il
giudizio dell'arte. La critica storico-estetica in Croce e nei crociani,
Quodlibet Studio, Macerata, Charles Boulay - Benedetto Croce jusqu' en 1911.
Trente ans de vie intellectuelle, Librairie Droz, Ginevra, Nicola Fiorelli - “La
Follia di New York”, Sviluppi filosofici nella più recente “scuola” crociana,
Schena, Fasano. Vincenzo Terenzio, Natura e spirito nel pensiero di Giuseppe Brescia,
Mario Adda, Bari, Pietro Addante - La “fucina del mondo”. Storicismo
Epistemologia Ermeneutica, Schena, Fasano, Franco Bosio -recensioni di I conti
con il male, Laterza, Bari, ICalvino e Andria, Andria; Tempo e Idee,
Libertates, Milano, Il vivente originario, Libertates, Milano, in “Rivista
Rosminiana”, Franco Bosio - recensione di Le “Guise della prudenza”. Vita e
morte delle nazioni da Vico a noi (Laterza, Bari), “Rivista Rosminiana”, Dario
Antiseri; Croce e l'Anticristo, “Avvenire”, Dario Antiseri, Popper protagonista
del secolo XX, “Biblioteca Austriaca”, Rubbettino, Dario Antiseri - Popper,
Rubbettino, Dario Antiseri, Le ragioni della
libertà, Rubbettino, Antonio Jannazzo - Il liberalismo italiano del Novecento.
Da Giolitti a Malagodi, “Fondazione Luigi Einaudi”, Rubbettino, Beniamino
Vizzini - Per una discussione intorno al problema della libertà. Cenni per un
colloquio di ermeneutica morale con Giuseppe Brescia, Postfazione a Tempo e
Idee.'Sapienza dei secoli' e reinterpretazioni, Libertates, Milano, Beniamino
Vizzini - Vita e dialettica nel pensiero di Giuseppe Brescia e Pavel Florenskj,
“Rivista Rosminiana”, Fulvio Janovitz - Gli studi su Croce, “Nuova Antologia”, Fulvio
Janovitz - Quando Croce dialogava con Dio. Religiosità e cristianesimo di Croce
prima e dopo la lettura dell'epistolario con Maria Curtopassi, “Nuova Antologia”,
Fulvio Janovitz, Il mio Croce. Scritti, Quaderni della “Nuova Antologia”, Firenze, Paolo
Bonetti - Introduzione a Croce, Laterza, Bari 1984. Paolo Bonetti - recensione
di I conti con il male. Ontologia e gnoseologia del male, Giuseppe Laterza, Bari,
in “Nuova Antologia”, Samuele Govoni - Brescia celebra il Bassani amante
dell'arte, “La Nuova Ferrara” - Cultura, Cosimo Ceccuti - La Religione della
Libertà, “Il Resto del Carlino”, Cultura e Società, Il caffè. Nico Aurora - De
Sanctis e l'attualità del 'Discorso di Trani'. La lezione di Brescia a 134 anni
di distanza, “La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno”, Stefano Vaccara - Presentazione di
Max Ascoli, il filosofo mondiale della libertà, “La Voce di New York”, Giuseppe
Poli - recensione di Le “Guise della prudenza”. Vita e morte delle nazioni da Vico
a noi, Laterza, Bari, in “Risorgimento e Mezzogiorno”, Domenico Cofano -
recensione di Brescia, Giovanni Bovio. La vita e l'opera, Società di Storia
Patria per la Puglia, Andria, etetedizioni, in “Nuova Antologia”, Giovanni
Bovio, maestro del pensiero, “La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno”. È scomparso improvvisamente
il preside Brescia "andriaviva.it", Quirinale.it Quirinale.it – Onorificenze, Loris Maria
Marchetti, Brescia, di Loris Maria Marchetti, su Pannunzio Magazine. Nuovo
lavoro editoriale del prof. Giuseppe Brescia – Società di Storia Patria per la
Puglia, chiamato “Le ‘guise della prudenza’ Vita e morte delle nazioni da Vico
a noi”. Per le edizioni Giuseppe Laterza del libro riportato, la premessa
intitolata “Come fermar il declino delle Nazioni”, Nella “Pratica di questa
Scienza Nuova” del 1725 il Vico, nostro europeo Altvater (come riconobbe
Wolfgang Goethe), assegna alla propria opera un valore “diagnostìco”, dal
momento che permette di riconoscere a quale stadio del suo corso si trovi una
nazione, sia in rapporto alla sua “acmè” sia nella prospettiva dello stadio
successivo di dissoluzione del proprio stato. È a questo punto che “bisogna
lottare per restaurare il senso comune perduto” e riavviare – così- il
“ricorso”.Su questa linea si muove la presente raccolta unitaria, ricomponendo
i saggi “Le ‘guise della prudenza’ Vita e morte delle nazioni da Vico a noi”,
che dà anche ìl titolo all’intiero volume, apparso in “Filosofia e nuovi
sentieri” (ottobre-novembre 2016); “Pico e Vico” (dalla “Rivista Rosminiana”,
CIX/I-II, gennaio-giugno 2015, pp. 135-140); con i percorsi “Teoria dei colori
Alchimia Apocalisse in Newton”, “Le origini dell’Islam la vita di Antonio Carafa”,
e l’11 Settembre 1683”, “Famiglia vita e imprese di Antonio Carafa”, “La razzia
dell’universo”, “Revisioni e conferme delle ‘tesi’ di Henri Pirenne” e
“L’orrore delle razzie s’irradia nel mito”, incentrati sul problema del male
nella storia e il rapporto con il fondamentalismo (preannunciati nelle rubriche
“Ternpo e Libertà” di “traninews-infonews”, e “Noi Credevamo” di
Videoandria. Tale complessa ricerca si inserisce nell’ultima fase del mio
pensiero, caratterizzata dai lavori ermeneutici Il vivente originario e Tempo e
Idee. ‘Sapienza dei secoli e reinterpretazioni’ (Libertates Libri, Milano 2013
e 2015 entrambi con prefazione di Franco Bosio); I conti con il male. Ontologia
e gnoseologia del male (Ed. Giuseppe Laterza, Bari 2015) e Italo Calvino e Andria.
Variazioni sul senso del celeste (Matarrese, Andria 2016), arricchiti spesso di
Iconografia e mappe concettuali. L’ultimo attuale saggio “Rarità vichiane a
Trani” riprende i lineamenti della duplice “Lectio Magistralis”, tenuta nella
Biblioteca “Giovanni Bovio” di Trani (19 gennaio e 3 febbraio 2017), per
onorare i duecento anni dalla nascita di Francesco De Sanctis, nella ricorrenza
dell’elevato “Discorso di Trani” del 29 gennaio 1883, non ché il capitolo La
Nuova Scienza, dedicato soprattutto a Vico dal critico e maestro d’Italia
civile nella sua Storia della letteratura del 1870, per conto della Sezione
andriese della Società di Storia Patria per la Puglia. Siamo (come ognun vede),
“alle origini della modemità e a “tenuta della civiltà” umanistica, di cui
l’idealismo storicistico rappresenta la nobile (quanto sofferta)
fioritura”. Il lavoro del prof. Brescia è incentrato sul tragico nella
storia (incidente ferroviario di Andria;fondamentalismo; 11 settembre 1683 e
biografia di Antonio Carafa, dettata dal Vico; Vico e De Sanctis a Trani.Giuseppe
Brescia. Keywords: rarità vichiane, Croce, implicatura, Croce inedito. Refs.:
Luigi Speranza, “Grice e Brescia” – The Swimming-Pool Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51779591401/in/dateposted-public/
Grice
e Bressani – vo significando – Vendler: have
you stopped meaning it yet? -- intorno alla lingua toscana – filosofia toscana
– filosofia italiana – Luigi Speranza (Treviso). Filosofo. Grice: “Strawson,
being boring, likes Bressani’s arguments – alla Plato and Aristotle, but mainly
Aristotle – againsts what Galileo has the cheek to call ‘filosofare’! – But I
prefer Bressani’s poems, the buccoliche, and especially his lovely treaise
‘discorso in torno alla lingua,’ his little ethical treatise is charming
especially if you are into what some (not I, certainly) call ‘developmental
conversational pragmatics’!” -- regorio Bressani (Treviso), filosofo. Discorsi
sopra le obbiezioni fatte dal Galileo alla dottrina di Aristotile, Gregorio
Bressani (Treviso) filosofo italiano.
Biografia Si laureò all'Padova nel 1726 interessandosi a letteratura e
filosofia. Fu aiutato da Francesco Algarotti, cui aveva inviato delle proprie
opere. Sostenne uno scolasticismo
classico in opposizione alla scienza moderna di Galileo e Newton. Opere Gregorio Bressani, Modo del filosofare introdotto
dal Galilei, ragguagliato al saggio di Platone e di Aristotile, In Padova,
nella Stamperia del Seminario, 1753. 2 luglio.a Gregorio Bressani, Discorsi
sopra le obbiezioni fatte dal Galileo alla dottrina di Aristotile, In Padova,
Angelo Comino, 1760. 2 luglio. Gregorio
Bressani, in Dizionario biografico degli italiani, Roma, Istituto
dell'Enciclopedia Italiana. Filosofia Filosofo Professore1703 1771 3 febbraio
12 gennaio Treviso. DISCORSO INTORNO ALLA LINGUA ITALIANA. Del Sig. Dottore GREGORIO
BRESSANI TRI VIGI AN Oec. R E CI TATO NELLA SAL A VERDE DI PADO V A IN UN
ACCADEMICO ESERCIZIO L' ANNO MDCCXL. X 3 487 i Ompariſce per la prima
volta a luſtrare la noſtra Miſcellanea il Signar Dottore Gregorio Brefsani, fogo
getto di chiaro nome, e di ornamento e fplendere alla fra Patria, col preſente
Ragionamento ſopra la Lingua Italiana; recitato da lui ultimamentepiù a cagion
di eſercizio, che per altro fine in una Radunanza di Letterati nella Città di
Padova: da i quali avendoſi per noi ſa puto l'approvazione che ebbe, ſperiamo
far coſa grata all'Autore, e inſieme d'al. cun noftro merito, col pubblicarlo;
tan to più, che potrà egli ſervir d'ajuto e di lume a quelli (che molti fono )
'i quali banno biſogno di faggia ſcorta nello ſteam dio, che affettano dell
Italiana favella. -- X 4 DI 488 DISCORSO INTORNO ALLA LINGUA ITALIANA DI
GREGORIO BRESSANI TRIVIGIAN O Dottor, e Accademico Ricovrato; Da efo recitato
in un'Accademia di eſer. cizio nella Sala Verde di Padova, nel meſe di Maggio,
1740. A Chiemque fa,Eruditi edotti Ac cademici, quanto malagevol ſia il
rintracciare le cauſe effettrici delle umane cognizioni, non parrà coſa ſtrana
il ſentimento di Platone, ch' el le fieno provenienti tutte dalla Remi nifcenza.
Nè io credo, che attribuis re ſi poſsa ad altro, fuorchè alla re. miniſcenza il
fentire, e l' accorgerſi del Del Sig. Gregorio Breſſani. 489 9 e 3 dello
fpirito, e del vero pregio delle belle Arti. Imperocchè tale vi ha che nè per
tutta l'attenzion ſua, ne per opera degli altri non arriva giam mai ad
intenderlo. E laſciando di far parola di quegli, che niun dilet ro pigliano, o
nella Archittetura, o nella Muſica, che ſono moltiſſimi rivolgo la
conſiderazion mia a colo ro, che pur amano d'eſser tenuti di ottimo guſto nella
noſtra Lingua nulla fi accorgono, nè ſono per ven tura atti ad accorgerſi, in
che ne con fiſta principalmente la venuſtà e la grazia. Avvegnacchè adunque
ciaſcu na Lingua ſenta molto più dell'ideas le, che non ſente l'Architettura la
Muſica, e fia a lato di quelle in termini incomparabilmente più ange fti
riſtretta; non è per tanto che ella non abbia le ſue verità in riſpetto a que'
pochi, a cui è dato d'intendere non ſolamente il ſignificato delle vo ci; ma la
relazione tra loro meglio convenevole. Ora come io, ſenza più, approvo
iVocabolarj, gli avver timenti di Gramatica e le Oſsers vazioni, che intorno a
queſta Lingua XS o § fo 490 Diſcorſo della Lingua Italiana fonofi facte dalla
diligenza d'Uomini valenci; poco avrò che accennare de' fuoi materiali, ed il
mio ragionamen. to ſarà fpezialmente della forma quanto a me, la migliore, che
rice ver ella debba dalla fantaſía, e dal giudizio degli Scrittori. Ogni Archi
tetto adopra i materiale medeſimi, ed oſserva gli ordini medeſimi della Architettura;
e le loro opere ſono tra di sè varie nella proporzione, e nella leggiadria.
Ogni Compofitore di Muſica adopra le medefime note: 0. gni Scrittore di
qualſifia Lingua ado pra le medeſime parole, e ſegue le regole, che
riſpettivamente ſonogli preſcritte dalla ſua arte. Tuttavia i bei riſultati,
che di eſse procedono, fono, ed eſser debbono tra di sè di. verſi. Ma quanto
agevol penſo che mi farebbe il ridire le regole máte riali, che vi ha, per
favellar bene; tanto io temo di non faper altro che ofcuramente ragionare della
varietà, e perfezione di detti riſultati; ficco me quelli, che appartengono
anzi al giudicio de' noftri fenfi, che della no ftra ragione. Pur nondimeno per
le í PO Del Sig. Gregorio Breſami. 491 poche coſe in genere, che io ſono per
accennare, ſpero che il mio ra gionamento fia di qualche utilità a coloro che
non fono eſtremamente otcufi nel capire la vaghezza della noftra favella; ed a
Voi, Signori Accademici forſe non diſcaro ad udire. ! A noſtra Lingua, ſecondo
l'opi nion mia, da altri chiamaſi Ita liana perchè di tutta Italia' fi fon
preſi i vocaboli, donde è compoſta: da alcuni chiamaGi Volgare, forſe per chè
uſata, ed inteſa volgarmente:E da cercuni chiamaſi Toſcana, o perchè il più de'
vocaboli fi fon preſi appun to di Toſcana, o perchè agli Toſca ni, come a Padri
di detta lingua, e come a Tutori d'orecchio, e di giu, dicio finiffimo,
meritamente è conce. duto il diritto di giudicar della puri tà, e della
barbarie di ciaſcun voca bolo. E nel vero ad evitare la con fufione, che ne
addiverrebbe, ſe cia. ſcuno a ſuo talento uſaſse di nuove voci; egli è del pari
laudevole che neceſsario, che v'abbia il ſuo Tribu. X 6 nale 9 492 Diſcorſo
della Lingua Itatiana nale inappellabile, che altri vocaboli diſapprova come
anticaglie, altri non ammette come barbari, ed altri ritie. ne, o adotta come
neceſsarj, o leg giadri. Il che dà a divedere, che la noſtra Lingua è un corpo
vivo ſog. getto ad alterazione, in quella guila che ſono gli altri tutti, o
naturali o politici. E perchè qualſivoglia cor ро dalla ſteſsa ſua naturale
alterazio ne è minacciato di rovina; faggiamen te fanno i Signori Accademici
della Cruſca, che non adottano per Mae ftro di Lingua ogni triſtanzuol di Gra
matico, che non tiene veruno ſtile e che in luogo di vocaboli ufitati, e di
proprj, ne adopra ſpeſso di affet tati, e di rancidi, di groſsolani, o di
ſtranieri. Benst a gran ragione a dottarono, e quando che ſia, ſon cere to che
adotteranno i vocaboli di que? grand’ Uomini, che per la loro viva, ed ordinata
fantafia, o inventarono, o crebbero alcune belle arti, o alcu« ne- ſcienze; e
fu di neceſſità il trovar nuove voci ad eſprimere i loro nuovi concetti. Per
altro qual biſogno, o qual capriccio egli è mai di ufar vo ca Del Sig.Gregorio
Brejani. 493. mano un diſcorſo (Nè io giày caboli zotici, e duri d'altre provin
cie d'Italia, o di accattarne degli ſtra nieri; quando ne abbiamo in tanta
copia di cosi proprj, e di così gentili? Ma come egli ſta nel volere di Chiun
que l'apparare i materiali della noſtra Lingua; non così puote ciaſcuno, o ſa
farne quell'accozzamento, onde ri fulti un diſcorſo naturale, ed inſie me
leggiadro: Nelle ricerche più aftrufe di qualche verità di Filica non v'ha
paragone tra 'l faper indo vinare quale non fia la cauſa d'un Fea nomeno e l'indovinare
quale ella fia. All'iſteſso modo confiderando io ciò, che ſi voglia per
iſcriver bene ed elegantemente, ben potrei io an noverare millantà difetti, che
disfora lafcero indietro di moſtrare alimeno le fonti principali, donde
derivano ): ma non così di leggieri potrei additare qual fia la grazia, e
l'armonia, che lo ren de vago, e lodevole. Pare io conſi dero, che benehe:la
noſtra Lingua; come io difli innanzi, quaſi altro non fia, che un Mondo ideale;
non oſtan te i caratteri del fuo bello, poſsono ef 494 Diſcorſo della Lingua
Italian eſsere in qualche parte paragonabili con quegli, che riſpettivamente fi
rav. vifano nel noſtro Mondo materiale. E certamente in quella guiſa, che a
ciaſcuna parte del noſtro Cielo riſpon. de la produzione di coſe differentiffie
me; forſe per ragioni ſomiglianti-, à ciaſcun paeſe riſponde un linguaggio
tutto proprio, e differente dagli altri. E non fa forza, che nella noſtra me.
defima Italia chiamaſseſi un tempo panis ciò, che noi al preſente chia miamo
pane; poichè non è ſolamente la varia deſinenza di ſuono, che die ftingua l'una
Lingua dall'altra; ben il modo, con che ſeguendo non ſo quale neceſſità, fi.concepiſcono
le coſe, e fi eſprimono. Onde non è maravi glia, che non ogni Clima produca in
gegni atti ad ogni genere di compo, nimenti. In fatti ſiccome non è il metro,
che diſtingua la poeſia dalla prola; ma il modo diconcepire diver. ſo; cosi io
porto opinione, che alme no in gran parte l'indole, e'l genio della lingua
Latina tuttavia fuffifta nel la noſtra Volgaré. La qual coſa ſem. bra, che
abbiale voluto confermare il dis Del Sig. Gregorio Breſani. 495 divino Dante,
laddove, fingendo egli di parlare con Virgilio, diſse: Tu fe il mio Maeſtro, e
il mio Au tore, Tuſe folo Colui, da cui io tol. Lo bello Stile che mi ha fatto
De nore. Vero è che l' Armonia dello Stile, la qual naſce ſpezialmente dallo
traſpo nimento delle voci, e chiamaſi coſtru zione, a chi paragona lo ſcriver
ret torico di Cicerone, o 'l robufto di Li vio col noſtro parlar familiare non
può a meno di non parere di gran tratto diverfa: ma ella non parrà già tanto,
paragonando un componimen. to de' Latini con un noftro ſopra un fimile ſoggetto,
e d'una ſpezie mede fima. In fine molto meno ne parreb be diverſa, ove à noi
foffe dato di faa per pronunziare le parole de Latini come facevan elli, cioè
con quegli ac. centi, è con quelle delipenze, che per comune opinione noi
abbiamo -fiera mente alterati, o perduti. Ma nos cost 496 Diſcorſo della Lingua
Italiana così interviene, ove noi la predetta armonia paragoniamo con quella di
qualche Lingua ſtraniera; o ci diamo a credere di poter rimeſcolarne i vo
caboli, e forme di dire; che effendo d'un genio differentiffimo; ficcome non ſi
appiccano giammai gli inneſti di quelle piante, che ſono tra di sè diverſe;
così ciaſcuna Lingua mal com pofta tutto ciò, che fenie d'un Clima diverſo. Io
dico adunque, che la no ftra Lingua in ciaſcuna ſua parte dee ſentire, per dir
così, della ſua ſpezie, e della ſua Nazione. Il che riſponde a quel carattere
di bellezza, che nel le coſe create e corporee chiamaſi u. nità; unità però
tale, che da eſſa pro viene, ő piuttoſto in eſſa ſtà racchiu. ſo un altro
carattere, che è la varie ttà; la quale come rendeſi manifeſta negli animali, e
nelle piante d'un'in fteila ſpezie, e d'un iſteffo Clima; così ella dee
apparire nello ſtile di cia Icuno Scrittore d' un'iſteſſa Lingua. Il qual mio
ſentimento moſtra in ſem. bianti d'effer il medeſimo, che quello del celebre
Baccone di Verulamio lade dove tocca della bellezza dello ftile $ 1 dis Del
Sig. Gregorio Breſſani. 497 dicendo dover' egli eſſere, rivis didu um fuis,
imitans neminem, nemini imi tabile". Talchè dovendofi pur togliere
d'altrui i vocaboli, ed i modi di di re; conviene anche in ciò imitar la Natura,
che non genera coſa, fe non colla corruzione d'un'altra: Voglio ſignificare,
che quanto noi togliamo d'altrui per formare un diſcorſo, dee talmente tritarfi
nel noſtro cervello innanzi ché noi lo veſtiamo di nuova forma, che al fuo
apparire niuno ha da accorgerſi donde noi l'abbiamo tol to. Ed intorno a ciò
comunemente non ſi dà nel ſegno; perchè altri per travolco giudicio indi
ſcoſtaſi, quanto più ſi affatica di raggiugnerlo. Altri per infingardaggine li
ripoſa nel limi tare del buon ſentiero, ſenza voler cercare più avanti: E
finalmente altri è di ſentimento ottuſo e d'intellis genza aſſai corta a capire
la bellezza, e la fecondità, per dir costi, di quel vero, che egli imprende ad
imitare, Se ne fcoſtano i primi, a' quali per ciocchè troppo ftà a cuore di
render fi ſingolari dagli altri e col penſare e coll' eſprimerſi; mentre ſtudiano
di celu 3 498 Diſcorfo della Lingua Italiana ceffare il vizio della trivialità,
offen. dono nel vizio della affettazione, in comparabilmente più rincreſcevole.
La qual'affettazione conſiſte in certe parole ſquarciate, e lmanioſe, ed in
certi accozzamenti di quelle, che vol garmente ſi chiamano belle fraſi Iono
forme di dire, che fanno notabi. le diſugguaglianza col reſtante del di ſcorſo
e pe' quali (che che fi creda no gli ſciocchi) riſulta un Tutto of tremodo
ftentato, e deforme. Elem pio di ciò noi abbiamo in coloro, che avendo appreſo
di molti vocaboli ale la rinfufa e varj modi di favellare da parecchi Dicitori,
e tutti pulitif fimi; per la vanità di moſtrarlene do viziofi, in qualunque
racconto ne in trudono quanti mai poſsono il più, e mallimamente gli da loro
ſtimati me no comuni; tra quali ne intrudono anche di quegli, che non ſolo male
fi convengono colla ſemplicità della Na. tura; ma talora non ſi convengono
colla Verità del loro ſteſso ſentimen to: e meritamente ripiglia coſtoro il
noftro Sovrano Poeta, dicendo: E Del Sig. Gregorio Breffani. 499 7 1 E quale
che a gradin' oltre fo metu te? LC Non vede pide dall uno all'altre filo. e 3
Per tanto niun' altra venufta, niun' altra grazia ricever puote un diſcorſo
dagli vocaboli o forme di dire, fe non quella, che deriva dal collocare
ciaſcuno al luogo fuo; talmente che appaja eſser i vocaboli piuttoſto, che
abbiano cercato d'elser uſati dove fo. no; che d'eſser eglino ſtati cercari
ftu. diofamente dagli Scrittori. E perchè tanto altri allontanafi dal vero
coll' aggiungervi ciò, che non gli ſi con viene; quanto altri coll'ommettere di
collocarvi ciò, che gli fi conviene; ne ſeguita che un diſcorſo rieſce
diffetiofo sì ad uſare in eſso vocaboli di fover. chio, e fuori di propofito,
che a ri petere alcuni vocaboli, in vece d'ale tri varj, che fi vorrebbono, ad
eſpri mere propriamente i propri concerti dell'animo, ed a fervare in un ragio
namento quella varietà, che richiede fi a formarlo giuſta l'eſemplare ſoprac.
cen. 500 Diſcorſo della Lingua Italiana cennato de' corpi Fiſici. Ma che? Se
gli Uomini per una parte fon moſli da certo naturale deſiderio, o da qual
ſivoglia altro ſtimolo di giugnere nel la loro arte alla perfezione poſſibile i
ſono all'incontro (laſciando ſtare gli altri impedimenti, che ſpeſso ſi attra
verſano al lor diſegno ) comunemente refpinti dalla fatica, che loro convien
durare, prima che ad eſli venga fatto di apprendere ad eſercitare qualſifia
arte con lode. Ne vi ha alcuna arte per limitata, o facile che ſia ſopra le
altre, che pigliandoſi a gabbo non rieſca imperfetta. Per la qual coſa, l'arte
dello ſcriver bene si nella no ftra, che in ciafcuna altra Lingua, richiede
anch'eſsa di molta fatica, ed induſtria. E vanno fortemente errati la maggior
parte de' noftri Scrittori che da che ſentonſi forniti di alquan ei vocaboli, e
modi, onde groſsamer te eſprimerſi; ed effi eſtimano di la per iſcrivere quanto
baſta laudevol mente. E come fi ſcontrano in uno ſtile un poco colto, che in un
certo modo dovrebbe eſser di rimprovero al loro difetto; dicono coſto che gli è
uno 4 DelSig.Gregorio Breſani. 501 uno ſtile che ſente dell'affettato ', ©
dell'antico, „ dandogli a torto biaſmo, e mala voce. E così, diſprezzando efli
animoſamente ciò che per loro poltroneria non hanno appreſo. Ferman fua
opinione Prima che arte, o ragion per lor ſi ſcopra. Che ſe pur vero foſse, che
uſar non non ſi poteſsero altri vocaboli, o mo di di dire, ſe non gli uſati da
coſto. ro; il groſso Vocabolario della noſtra Lingua ridurrebbefi ad un
libriccivolo di quattro carce;. e laddove la noſtra Lingua ora vanta di eſsere
la ricchilli ma di voci, e di maniere leggiadre diverrebbe la più povera e
ſmozzicata di tutte. Oltrechè in proceſso di tem po gli ottimi Scrittori, c
Padri di no Itra Lingua ne diverrebbono molto oſcuri, e direi per poco in
intelligi gibili ". Vuolli per tanto aver pieria conoſcenza sì de'
vocaboli, che delle forme di dire; acciocchè il noſtro iti le abbia la predetta
varietà, e con ef ſo la ſua unità, per cui egli mantien. fi 302 Diſcorſo della
Lingua Italiana fi ſempre fomigliante a ſe ſteſſo, e per cui ſembra quaſi
uſcito di una fo la trafila. E le parole groſsolane ri meſcolate colle gentili,
e le parole adoperate fuor di luogo, o con fazie vole repetizione, o le parole
che non ſono più in uſo; lono come altrettan te ſcabroſità, che gli impediſcono
l' uſcirne. Per notabile che ſia la varie. tà, o differenza tra gli Uomini
nelle parti, che fuori appajono del corpo, non è mai li grande, quanto ella è
nel la capacità, ed aggiuftatezza del loro ſpirito. Per la qual cola io avviſo
di non poter paragonare gli umani inge gni, che a coſe dello ſteſso genere
bensi, ma di ſpezie diverſa. E fiami lecito il paragonargli a varie piante,
alcune delle quali reſtano picciole, perocchè la ſtruttura primordiale de' loro
ftami non comporta che fieno più oltre ſviluppate, ed eſteſe (e Gae lileo
Galilci dimoſtra, che così gli Animali, come le piante, ſe foſsero d'altra
grandezza, che non ſono vorrebbefi che la ſimmetria delle lor parti foſse del
cutto diverſa ) ed al cune altre non ſi eſtendono, come eften Del Sig.Gregorio
Breſſani. 503 eſtender ſi potrebbono per difetto dell' opportuno alimento. Varia
è la eſten, fione, e'l comprendimento de' noſtri ingegni, e varia è la forte,
che gli forniice di ajuti, e di occaſioni fa. vorevoli, onde poſsano coltivarli.
Egli è certo perciò, che quale s'im barazza nel voler' ordire un ragiona mento,
dirò così, di più fila ſopra la comprenſione, o coltura del fuo in gegno,
ovvero contro all'inclinazion lua particolare; il detto ragionamen to fiaccherà
da se medefimo, diffol. vendoli quaſi in brani; ed anche i vocaboli ftelli, con
che vorrà eſpri merlo non avranno nè unità, nè grazia. Nè fi de'credere che
l'Archi tetto, il quale fia buono da fabbrica. re una camera, fia fempre buono
da faper fabbricare un palagio: Nè che un Compoſitore d'una breve, e fem. plice
ſuonata fia fempre buono da con porre una Sinfonia aſſai lunga con tutte le
parti, che in eſſa ſi vou gliono a formare un'armonia perfec ta: Ne in fine che
un Uomo di leto dere, al quale venga fatto di ſaper unire inſieme una decina di
verli > fia 504 Diſcorſo deila Lingua Italiana per sé, ſia per queſto buono
da fare un Inne go poema; come ſe il palagio, la Sinfonia, ed il poema altro
non foſ. ſero, che un aggregato di più unità minori: Che nè la Camera, nè la
breve Suonata, nè la decina di verfi conſiderate riſpettivamente nel pala gio,
nella Sinfonia, nel poema, non lono già unità, ma parti. E però non folo deono
effer belle ma deono eſſerlo, anche per riſpetto a tutte le altre parti, che
ſono con efle integrali di tutta la fabbrica. Io non niego di molte
opericciuole ef ſere altrettante unità nel loro gene re, come ſono le grandi;
ma molto maggior forza, ed eſtenſione dinge. gno richiedeſi nel comprendere un
Poema (purchè le colę.; che in eſſo fon contenute; nonoſtante che d'un racconto
ſi trayalichi in altro; fien tutte come parti integrali d'una azion ſola ) nel
comprender, difli, un poe ma, che un Sonetto, una lunga Ora zione, che una
picciola riſtoria, ed al fro breve ragionamento: Ed il Boca caccio medesimo
fempre' doviziofiffi. mo che egli è di bei modi di dire, pure Del Sig.Gregorio
Breſani. sos che egli pure ſecondo la varia facilità, e feli cità, con cui egli
concepiva le coſe; vario è il diletto, che egli ne reca ad eſprimerle. Nel
breve racconto di qualche Novella non ha pari a dipi gnerla con vivi colori, e
con genti li, con mirabile naturalezza ė lega giadria; mentre e pare a me, lia
anzi increlcevole che nò nel lun. go racconto del ſuo Filocopo, e della lua
Fiammetta, ed altrove. In ſom. ma colui, che imprende a far coſa ſopra la forza,
e diſpoſizion nacura le del ſuo ſpirito, non potrà giam mai ben riuſcirne.
Certa coſa è che un'attenzione indefeffa a leggere, e conſiderare parte per
parte i gran Maeſtri della noſtra Lingua; ed un ben lungo uſo di ſcrivere,
raffinano aſſai il noſtro giudicio, e perfeziona no il noſtro ſenſo, ma egli è
certo ancora, che il viburno con tutto l' artificio, e la ſollecitudine degli
Agri coltori, non giugnerà mai all' altezza de i Cipreſli, nè il pioppo farà
mai fructo: cioè quale non avrà chiara ap prenſiva, ed eſteſa a veder per sè
ſteſ lo ciò, che ſia d'uopo a formarequel Miſcell.Tom.III, Y la 506 Diſcorſo
della Lingue Italiana la maniera di componimento, ch'ei fi prefigge nell'animo,
dalle coſe più materiali in fuori; nè dalla copia ottimi libri, nè dalla viva
voce de'pe ritiMaeſtri, non potrà mai che poco, ed oſcuramente appararlo. E per
que fto appunto che gli Autori cladici del. la noſtra lingua non tenean biſogno
di badare neli eſprimerſi ad altro, che a' proprj fentimenti dell'animo, a chi
guarda ſottilmente, ſono impareggia bili con coloro che eſſendo ordina.
riamente poveriſfimi d'ingegno, ſpen. dono tutto il loro tempo nell'imitar, gli.
Ma comechè gli Uomini ſpeſſo fi Jamentino quando della lor povertà, quando
della poca robuſtezza, o d'al. tro difetto del corpo, quando della loro mala
volontà, o educazione; af ſai di rado, o non mai fi dolgono di non effer
forniti d'ingegno, e di giu. dizio atto a qualſifia impreſa, non che a faper
iſcrivere, e favellare, come ſi conviene. Anzi non v'ha coſa più na. turale, e
comune, ficcome è il vede. re gli inertiſſimi del Mondo a preſu mer molto di sè,
e creder di far gran cole DelSig.Gregorio Breſani. 507 coſe; quando col loro
poco ſenno non fanno altro, che infucidare, e guaſta re i penſieri, e le
maniere di dire che trovano ſparſe qua e là nell'altrui opere. Ecco per tutto
ciò che appreſ ſo alla cognizione, che Uom dee ave re de'vocaboli, e d'altro; è
da vede. re qual grandezza, e qualità di com ponimento ſia da eſſo, e qual fia
la forza del ſuo ſpirito a concepire chia ramente più coſe, e'l modo, onde più
facilmente, e felicemente le concepi. fce; perchè altri farà eccellente nella
poeſia, che non ſarà appena di mez zano valore nella prota: ſenzachè al tri
ſarà grazioſo in un genere di poe fia, che in un altro genere non ſarà gran
coſa piacevole: Altri farà com. mendabile in un genere di profe; non così in un
altro. Ma qualunque ſia il genere de componimenti, qualunque ne fia la fpezie,
qualunque in fine ſia la abilità del noſtro fpirito a formare più queſto
componimento, che quel.; ſi ha ad ogni ora in ciaſcuna coſa, grande, o picciola
che ella fiafi, da aſcoltar la Natura; che forſe ſotto no. Y 2 me 508 Diſcorſo
della Lingua Italiana me di Amoreaccennar volle in quei verfi il noſtro non mai
baftevolmente lodato Poeta:. Io mi ſon un, che, quan do Amore ſpira, noto; e a
quel mo do Ch'ei detta dentro., vo fignifican do. Ma queſto ſi vuol fare con
tal artifi cio; che meglio pud eſſer inteſo da molti, che eſpreſſo da
pochiſſimi. Ed io per certo non ſaprei comemeglio a parole eſprimerlo. Ben ſo
eſſere i più minuti, ed eſatti raffinamenti, che fanno quel bello, quel raro in
ogni coſa, per cui ella ſale in gran pregio, ed in eſſo dura coſtantemente appo
ogni Etade futura. Ma la maggior par te degli Uomini, che pur ſi chiamano di
profondo ſapere, non badano a dete ti raffinamenti, perchè amano meglio, come
dicon efi, di raccozzare eſprimere rozzamente molte coſe, che poche con
leggiadria. Di quegli poi, che ſi conoſcono, e ſi dilettano de'leg gra. 7 e di
Del Sig. Gregorio Bretani. 509 giadri componimenti, altri'l fanno per averlo
ſolamente udito, ed appreſo da' Maeſtri; ed altri 'l fanno maſſimamen te per
propria meditazione, e quaſi per intimo ſenſo. De'primi molti po. trai udire a
giudicare rettamente dell' altrui Opere, ed a ragionare a mara viglia de'
precetti dell'arte; non così però ad eſeguirgli nelle loro. Oltrechè effendo
ne'più perfetti Eſemplari di Lingua quella ſteſſa gradazione di ferie, che
ravviſaſi in ciaſcuna ſpezie de' corpi Filici; coſicchè l'ultimo Icric tore tra
gli ottimi venga ad eſsere il primo tra gli altri inferiori; rare volte avviene,
che altri fuorchè i ſecondi, cioè, gli aventi il ſenſo ac comodato a conoſcere
il vero ſpirito d'uno ſtile, che naſce di una bella fantaſia, correcta bensì,
ma non pun to alterata dall'umano artificio; che ſappiano diſtinguere tra i
buoni gli ottimi, e co'migliori gareggiar di lo de ne' loro componimenti.
Benche il Mondo tutto de' Letterati non ab. bonda, che di ingegni mediocri, o
di coltivati mediocremente; come ſi abbattono a qualche manie. i quali Ý 3. ra
510 Diſcorſo della Lingua Italiana 1 1 1 ra di file, o ſtrabocchevolmente fan
taſtico, od in qualunque altro modo corrotto, e fallo; fannol conoſcere ed
isfuggire; per altro facendo un fae fcio, come ſi dice, di tutti gli altri;
hanno la ſtima medeſima di Autori di merito differentiſlimi. E non ef fendo
forſe uſi di meditare ſopra ver runa coſa, per rinvenire da sè la ve rità; la
credenza dell'uno di coſto ro è ſoſtegno, e ragione baſtante al la credenza
dell'altro. In quanto poi a coloro che con qualche nuovo mo do di ſcrivere,
tuttochè privo della venuftà, e della finezza da me ac cennata, deſtano in
altrui ammira zione, e dilecto ye da i più fonte nuti per valentiffimi
Scrittori; non è gran fatto da ſtupirſene, che il giu dizio della gente groffa,
cioè de i più, in ſomiglianti cole è fallaciffimo. E inveſtigando io la ragione,
onde in tervenga, che una ſtampita rechi al la moltitudine forſe diletto maggio
re, che non reca un'armonia aggiu. ſtata; che un vafto, e bianco pala gio, che
piuttoſto dovrebbe dirſi un gran mucchio di pietre, fia ftimato, ed Del Sig.Gregorio
Breſſani. Sil ed ammirato più, che una picciola caſa fabbricata cơn ottima
architet tura; e che finalmente uno ſtile, ed altra coſa fregolarà piaccia per
av ventura più, che non piacciono le coſe fatte riſpettivamente ſecondo le
buone regole dell'arte; avviſai, che ella non poſſa eſſer alcra, ſe non ſe
queſt'una: che concioſiecchè ricevono gli idioti dentro di sè un'idea di cofa,
che non ha nè ordine, nè proporzione, può ſembrar loro aggiuftara, e gen tile;
perciocchè la confiderano in se ſteſſa ſenza paragonarla colle idee che efli
hanno delle coſe veramente efiftenti; e ſenza paragonarla con que' caratteri di
bellezza, che badanie do ſottilmente, fi ravviſano nelle co ſe tutte, quali elle
ſono create e diſpoſte dall' Artefice fapientiſſimo: i quali caratteri vie più
rendonſima nifeſti, e mirabili, quanto maggiore fi è l'attenzione, e
l'intelligenza di chi gli conſidera. Quindi noi vedrem mo più maniere di ſtile
ampolloſo, o d'altra guiſa falſo aver tenuto per infino a tanto che fonofi dati
gli - Uomini a fare il ſopraccennato pa ra 512 Diſcorſo della Lingua Italiana
> ragone; che è quanto dire a diſtin. guere l'ideale, che ha infiniti fimili
fuori di se, dal chimerico, che fol tanto dimora nel noſtro ſregolato giudizio:
ed all'incontro lo ſtile che è il vero (vero io intendo di quella verità, che
riſulta dalla con venienza tra l'eſpreſſion noſtra, e la eſpreſſione la più
acconcia, che ima giniamo effer poflibile in chi favel la, ſecondochè gli detta
la Natura ) può eſſere per alcun tempo in poco pregio, appreſſo coloro, che non
fanno altro, che correr dietro a ciò, she ha faccia di novità, ſenza cere care
più oltre. Ma certifſima coſa è, che opinionum commenta (come di ce Cicerone )
delet dies; nature jue dicia confirmat. Ed io da capo fran camente
attribuiſcoverità anche al modo di ſcrivere che pazzo è per opinion mia, qual
fi crede, che non abbiavi altrove verità nelle belle are ti; ſalvo che ne'
teoremi della Geo mecria, ovvero ne' calcoli dell'Arit metica: quaſichè
innumerabili non foſſero i fenomeni in Natura (e tuca ti ſenza dubbio ſono nel
loro gene i re Del Sig.Gregorio Breſſani. 513 VO. re aggiuſtatiſſimi ) a' quali
non ſi ponno addattare ne' calcoli, nè figu re geometriche. Ma effendone noi
certi altronde dell'armonia e della verità delle coſe farce dall'arte, gliam
noi dire perciò, che fien men belle, o men vere di quelle, di cui noi
conoſciamo in parte, e geome. tricamente dimoſtriamo l' artificio? Il perchè io
dico eſſerci verità in una Cantica di Dante, eſpreſſa co me ha fatto egli; che
ella non ci farebbe altrimenti, ſe l'argomento ſteſso foſse eſpreſso dall' Uomo
più ſcienziato del Mondo, ma ignudo di vocaboli gentili, e di maniere di dire
leggiadre: Che altra verità contiene in sè una ſteſsa immagine delineata con
perfecta ſimmetria, con atteggia mento naturale, con ombreggiamenti, e colori
convenienti; ed altra, ſe det ta immagine tanto quanto ſi diſcoſta
dall'eſemplare di Natura; benchè noi per quella eſsa la ravvilaflimo egual
mente. Ora che altro è il noſtro Icria vere, e'l noſtro favellare, ſe non che
un dipignere le noſtre idee ſopra la immaginativa di chi ci ſtanno ad udi • re;
514 Diſcorſo della Lingua Italiana re; onde non dobbiam noi eſser con tenti ſol
tanto, che una idea da noi groſsamente, non ſo ſe io mi debba die re piuttoſto
abbozzata, che eſpreſsa, non venga tolta in iſcambio con un'al tra; ma dobbiamo
innoltre porre ogni ftudio per eccitare in altrui quel vivo ſentimento di
quallfia coſa, che ab biam noi medeſimi, allorchè vivamen te, e chiaramente
l'abbiamo apprela. Che avvegnachè l'arte dello ſcrivere confifta tutta in un
aggregato di ſegni, o di modi, ſcelti, ſe vuoi, ad arbi trio degli Uomini, io
tengo non per tanto eſser detti ſegni quaſi una coſa ſteſsa con ciò, che per
eſſi ne viene rape preſentato; o almeno dover eſser tali, Sì che dalfatto il
dir non ſia diverſo Lungo ſarebbe il diſcender ora á ra. gionar de' particolari,
che recano, o tolgono la leggiadria, e la verità a va rie maniere di
componimenti. Ma ancorachè io nol faccia, il poco, che io ne accennai in comune,
ſpero che per avventura defterà in chi che fia la reminiſcenza di quanto fa di
meſtieri ula. Del Sig.Gregorio Breſſani. 515. uſare a voler iſcrivere con lode;
per chè in fine, ſiccome non da altri, che dal proprio ſentimento ſi può appren
dere a modificar variamente l'armonia della Muſica, nè della Architectura; così
non da altri, che da sè veruno non può apprendere il vero modo di addattare la
propria fantaſia a cutte le occaſioni particolari di aver da eſpri merſi, che
ſono ſenza numero. Poco io diffi eſſere ciò, che mi cadde in animo di accennare
verſo il molto che un eſperto dicitore, quello, che io non ſono, avrebbe faputo
e medi tare, ed eſprimere di attinente a così raſto argomento. Con tutto ciò
ten gol per lufficientiffimo; purchè ſia da tanto di deſtare in eſso voi,
umanil ſimi e ſaggi Accademici, la voſtra cu rioſità ad iſcoprire le mie
fallacie; onde a mio utile proprio, io appren da quanto forſe mi trovi lunge
dal fe gno ' prefiſso; mentre io delidero di guidare altrui pel retro cammino
del la Verità. Keywords: intorno alla lingua
toscana. Refs.: l’implicatura di
Galilei, discorso intorno a nostra lingua – discorso intorno al volgare –
Aligheri – vo significando – “meaning” – I am meaning – Gallileo, forma logica
aristotelica – vo significando -- forma logica galileana – forma logica
platonica – grammatica e geometria – grammatica profonda di Galilei -- Luigi
Speranza, “Grice e Bressani” – The Swimming-Pool Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51780179194/in/dateposted-public/
Grice
e Bruni – interpretare – l’interpretazione di Romolo – filosofia italiana –
Luigi Speranza (Arezzo). Filosofo. Grice: “Bruni is
a philosopher – and a Griceian one at that; he reminds me when Strawson and I
used to give joint seminars on ‘De interpretation;’ our tutees found it boring
but we would say, ‘lay the blame on the Stagirite.” Grice: “Boezio was possibly
wrong in missing the metaphorical impicature of ‘hermeneutic,’ and give us a
rather boring ‘inter-pretatio’ – which is the thing Bruni uses when dealing
with Cicero – Bruni is unaware if what he is doing is ‘interpreting’ or
‘volgarizare,’ i. e. render the thing into the volgare that the volgo may
appreciate! His impicature seems to be: let the classics stay classic!” –Grice:
“But there is a little word that Bruni uses that is crucial, ‘recta’ –
interpretation has to be ‘recta,’ as opposed to incorrect – which leads us to
impilcature – is over-interpretation mis-interpretation? We think it is!” –
“But since an implicaturum is cancellable, we have to be VERY careful here, as
Bruni is – especially when he visited I Tatti!” – Politico, scrittore e umanista italiano di
Toscana, attivo soprattutto a Firenze, della cui Repubblica ricopre la più alta
carica di governo di Cancelliere. Uomo di grande personalità, arguto e forbito
parlatore dotato di grande eloquenza, si insere nella disputa sulla questione
della lingua, discussione apertasi con l'avvento della lingua volgare
all'interno della lingua in uso specie in chiave letteraria a quell'epoca.
Conobbe Filelfo ed ha come maestro Malpaghini. Nei suoi studi riscontra
fenomeni di ‘corruzione’ della lingua latina dall'interno, rilevando ad esempio
in Plauto le forme di assimilazione fonetica“isse” per “ipse”; oppure “colonna”
per “columna”. Teorizza quindi che il latino si fosse evoluto dal proprio
interno, sostenendo l'esistenza di una di-glossia. Oltre al latino antico classico,
aulico, sarebbe esistito un livello inferiore, meno corretto, usato
informalmente nei contesti quotidiani, da cui provengono la lingua romanza o
italiana – toscano, fiorentino. Oppositore di questa teoria e Biondo, il quale
sostiene invece che la causa della “decadenza” o corruzione del latino fosse
stata l'aggressione esterna dei due popoli germanici: gl’ostrogoti e i
longobardi. Gli studi storici hanno mostrato che le due teorie di Biondo e
Bruni non sono effettivamente incompatibili. Il latino si è evoluto per
ragioni, sia “interne” (e. g. le corruzioni di Plauto), sia “esterne” (le
invasion dei barbari ostrogoti e longobardi). Nella prima metà Professoresi
avevano pareri opposti in merito alla dignità del volgare. Filosofi come
Salutati e Valla disprezzano il volgare perché non dotato di norme
grammaticali; Alberti, al contrario, si adopera molto per far riconoscere il
volgare come lingua ricca di dignità nel panorama filosofico. Bruni conceve il
dialogo “Ad Petrum Paulum Histrum”, nel quale dava la parola a due esponenti
dell'umanesimo del periodo: Salutati, appunto, e Niccoli. Il primo assere che
il volgare sarebbe stato degno solo se regolamentato da assiomi precisi, e si
dispiaceva del fatto che Alighieri non avesse scritto la sua Commedia nel ben
più nobile latino. Niccoli propone una visione ancora più radicale, arrivando a
giudicare tre fra i principali filosofi italiani Alighieri, Petrarca e
Boccaccio poco più che degli ignoranti. Niccoli difende questi ultimi,
riconoscendo la grandezza delle loro opere, invece di giudicarli in base alla
lingua che usarono. È celebre una sua epistola in cui delinea princìpi
fondamentali dell'umanesimo. È sepolto nella basilica fiorentina di Santa Croce
in un monumento opera di Rossellino. Altre opere: “De primo bello punico”
(della prima guerra punica);“Vita Ciceronis o Cicero novus” (vita di Cicerone,
ovvero, Cicerone nuovo); “Aristotele, Ethica nicomachaea”; “Oratio in
hypocritas”; Pseudo-Aristotele, “Libri oeconomici”; “Commentarius de bello
punico, adattamento di Polibio”; “De militia”; “Commentarius rerum graecarum”;
“De interpretatione recta” “Aristotele, Politica”; “Commentarius rerum suo
tempore gestarum”; “De bello italico adversus Gothos”; “Historiae Florentini
populi”, Storie del popolo fiorentino (Storia fiorentina) da Acciaiuoli ed uscì
a stampa a Venezia. Vedi alla voce "letteratura umanistica" in
umanesimo, riferimenti in Carlo Dionisotti, «Bruni, Leonardo», in Enciclopedia
Dantesca. Roma, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana. Cesare Vasoli, BRUNI, Leonardo,
detto Leonardo Aretin, in Dizionario
Biografico degli Italiani, Repertorium Brunianum. Lingua volgare. Questione
della lingua Monumento funebre di Bruni di Rossellino, basilica di Santa Croce,
Firenze. Dizionario biografico degli italiani. Epistole (in latino). Dialogi ad Petrum Paulum
Histrum di Leonardo Bruni - di Carlo Zacco Cancelliere fiorentino.
Leonardo Bruni è originario di Arezzo, ma Arezzo pochi anni dopo la sua
nascita passa sotto il controllo di Firenze, e lo stesso Bruni si può definito
a pieno titolo acquisito da Firenze ed ottenne nel 1415 la cittadinanza di
Firenze. E’ personaggio molto importante dal punto di vista letterario ma ebbe
una funzione importante sotto il profilo amministrativo-civile perché fu uno
dei più importanti cancellieri della repubblica fiorentina, successore, non
immediatamente, a quello che il più noto dei cancellieri del 300: Coluccio
Salutati, una grande figura di intellettuale, che si pose come diretto erede,
insieme con il Boccaccio, del Petrarca. Coluccio Salutati. Coluccio è un
personaggio di questo dialogo. Svolse in Firenze un ruolo molto importante sia
dal punto di vista politico (più politico del Bruni), e dal punto di vista
amministrativo-civile è uno dei più noti e importanti cancellieri di firenze:
le sue missive sia d’ufficio che private sono moltissime, e lasciò una forte
impronta. Un impronta volta a delineare l’ideologia della città di Firenze: la
difesa stessa della libertà fiorentina, per fare solo un esempio fra tutti,
contro la tirannide viscontea. • Gli studi di Greco. Il salutati ebbe anche un
altro importante merito che fu quello di portare a Firenze gli studi di Greco.
Fu per impulso del salutati, anche se non solo suo, che venne a Firenze il
Crisolora: uno dei più importanti dotti bizantini e proprio tramite lui si
instaurò lo studio del greco a Firenze. Intorno al Crisolora si stabilisce un
gruppo di figure, non soltanto fiorentine, poiché dato che il greco si poteva
studiare a Firenze, vennero anche da altri luoghi giovani per imparare il
greco; e tra questi giovani che vennero a Firenze ad imparare il greco ci sta
il dedicatario di questa opera: Pietro Paolo Istriano, che è Pier Paolo
Vergerio, che operava nel contesto carrarese, a Firenze per studiare il greco,
e poi era tornato a Carrara. A sua volta aveva scritto un trattato pedagogico
intitolato “sui nobili costumi”. Trattati pedagogici: altro aspetto
dell’umanesimo, molti scritti sono di carattere pedagogico perché uno degli
aspetti importanti nell’umanesimo è proprio legato alla formazione dei giovani
basata sulle Humanae Litterae. • L’umanesimo fiorentino. Questo è il contesto
culturale entro cui nasce questa operetta, interessante perché mette in
evidenza gli elementi di contrasto tra l’umanesimo inteso come un recupero
classicistico di stretta osservanza e la volontà di coniugare ad un
rinnovamento degli studi, quello che era la tradizione: in modo particolare
quella dei tre fiorentini Dante, Petrarca e Boccaccio. Ripresa del
dialogo classico. Questa operetta non è un trattato: è impostata come una
discussione, una disputatio ma è a sua volta, sviluppando alti elementi, è un
altro dei caposaldi di rifondazione del dialogo in latino: sulla scorta dei
classici, più sistematicamente di quanto non avesse fatto il pur importante
esempio petrarchesco. Disputatio in utramque partem. Questo è un dialogo
diegetico, non mimetico, dunque un dialogo dove la cornice è costantemente
presente. E’ un dialogo costruito in due libri, e la discussione è svoltain
utramque partem, da una parte e dall’altra. C’è un personaggio, un letterato e
al tempo stesso un personaggio di un certo peso a Firenze che si chiamava
Niccolò Niccoli, che sostiene due parti tra loro contrapposte: nel primo libro
attacca violentemente le figure di Dante, Petrarca e Boccaccio, inserendo
questo suo discorso in un attacco relativo alla condizione della cultura
contemporanea: quindi denunciando lo stato di decadenza della cultura
contemporanea; nel successivo libro fa unapalinodia e svolge un discorso
opposto: gli elogia di questi tre personaggi. Problemi di Datazione
Problemi. Oltre al fatto del far vedere che cosa è diventata a questa altezza
cronologica la disputatio, ci sono diversi aspetti in questo che sono
interessanti. a) C’è un primo problema di carattere cronologico, qui ridotta ai
minimi termini, in una discussione che è ancora in corso: è un opera su cui si
è discusso e scritto molto, e la cui datazione è uno degli elementi di
discussione. b) Altro elemento di discussione che è collegato a questo è se
questi due libri siano stati concepitiunitariamente o se il secondo sia stato
scritto dopo: cioè se l’autore avesse cambiato idea rispetto a quello che aveva
fatto sostenere al Niccoli e avesse svolto poi nel secondo libro
successivamente una palinodia egli stesso nel celebrare l’elogio dei tre
fiorentini. a) la datazione Termini ante/post quem. L’opinione più
persuasiva a tal proposito è questa. Innanzitutto c’è un problema di tempo
interno: c’è un indicazione precisa dal punto di vista cronologico, come emerge
all’inizio del dialogo; questo dialogo è collocato in due giorni diversi, uno
successivo all’altro, nei giorni di Pasqua dell’anno 1401. Il fatto che come
tempo interno sia dato il 1401 non significa che quello sia il tempo reale di
scrittura naturalmente. Comunque, posto che qui venga messo come data il 1401 è
evidente che il Bruni non potè scrivere l’opera prima del 1401. L’altro termine
di riferimento non dopo il quale fu scritta l’opera, è il 1408 perché in quella
data, in una lettera, Bruni stesso direttamente ci parla di questa sua operetta
come già pubblicata (pubblicata ovviamente equivale a «circolante», almeno tra
alcuni dotti). • morte di Salutati. Altro aspetto da considerare riguarda le
figure dei personaggi presenti. Tra queste figure c’è quella importante, una
sorta di Nume tutelare, il personaggio anziano, l’intellettuale in età avanzata
rispetto al gruppo dei giovani (c’è questa differenza importante che va
considerata) che èColuccio Salutati. Coluccio muore nel 1406. Se noi stiamo a
guardare ai dati dell’operetta possiamo pensare che sia stata scritta quando il
Salutati era ancora vivo, se consideriamo il Salutati personaggio, che ci viene
presentato in vita. In realtà però c’è tutta una serie di elementi che
fanno propendere a ritenere che sia stata scritta, almeno per quello che
riguarda il secondo libro, dopo la morte del Salutati. Perché si attribuiscono
al salutati posizioni che difficilmente il Salutati avrebbe sottoscritto (lo
sappiamo da altri dati, lettere ecc). b) l’unitarietà Unitarietà
dell’opera. Altra questione: è unitaria o no questa operetta? Su questo punto è
più difficile rispondere: il primo libro presuppone indubbiamente un secondo
libro che certamente modificasse l’assetto del primo con il capovolgimento di
posizione. Nei termini della disputatio in utramque partemla tesi più
persuasiva è che indubbiamente sotto questo profilo, quello che è svolto come
materia nel secondo libro sia già dato nel primo come presupposto. Cioè che
come testo dal punto di vistaunitario il bruni avesse pensato all’opera in due
libri; certo però è che ci sono alcune piccole diffrazionidall’uno all’altro.
Cambia la casa dove si svolgono i dialoghi; viene introdotta un’altra figura,
cosa possibile anche per alcuni spunti ciceroniani a dire il vero, ma questo
muta alcuni aspetti e alcune parti dell’impostazione: in altre parole non è da
escludere che il progetto originario, pur prevedendo un secondo libro come è
nella logica con cui è stata scritta l’opera, si sia poi svolto effettivamente
in untempo successivo nel secondo libro. Ciò non toglie che, così come è
svolta, l’opera abbia un assetto contenutistico unitario, anche nell’impianto
della disputa in entrambe le direzioni. Modello ciceroniano Il modello
del De Oratore. Uno degli aspetti più interessanti dal punto di vista
letterario riguarda la consapevolezza da parte del bruni di voler imitare
anch’egli Cicerone, non però il Laelius come aveva fatto il Petrarca, ma una
delle opere più imitate da questo momento in poi in tutto il dialogo
umanistico, e cioè il De Oratore. Il De Oratore è importante in quanto modello
per eccellenza del Cortegiano. Le analogie • impianto realistico. Ci sono
delle modificazioni nell’impianto da parte del bruni rispetto al modello del de
oratore: l’aspetto che lega maggiormente questo testo al De Oratore è
l’impianto con una cornice di carattere realistico: qui abbiamo la Firenze
reale di quel tempo, abbiamo personaggi storicamente individuati, abbiamo una
autorità come il Salutati. • la palinodia. Altro aspetto interessante sul piano
dell’impianto: la palinodia, l’affermare una cosa e il fare il discorso in
opposto rispetto a quello che si è detto nel primo libro è una modalità attuata
nel de oratore mediante il personaggio di Antonio: Antonio sostiene una tesi
nel primo libro (nel De Oratore sono tre) e capovolge la tesi nel secondo:
viene mostrato da Cicerone il modo retorico e le ragioni di questo. E’
stato anche osservato che si tratta di una palinodia che non nega gli asserti
precedenti, però sicuramente modifica quello che era stato detto nel libro
precedente. • l’ambientazione. Anche la casa come luogo di raccolta, di
discussione dei dialoghi è un elemento ciceroniano; e lo è anche il tempo
di festa: qui siamo a Pasqua. Le differenze • Autore presente / assente.
La differenza che balza più all’occhio è che mentre per Cicerone non c’è la
presenza diretta dell’autore, perché cicerone dice di aver riportato dialoghi e
discussioni che si erano svolti diversi anni prima, e c’è quindi una
diffrazione di carattere temporale, per cui Cicerone afferma di aver riportato
la testimonianza di chi gli aveva raccontato quei dialoghi, qui invece c’è la
presenza diretta dell’auctor e c’è una attualizzazione totale, nel senso che a
prescindere dalla data specifica, siamo all’inizio del 400, e i temi trattati
sono altrettanto attuali e attualizzati. Vediamo solo la prima parte, ma
senza leggere la seconda non si capisce l’effettivo svolgimento del discorso.
Alcuni moduli che vediamo riguardano solo questo dialogo, altri riguardano una
modalità che nel tempo viene ad essere ripresa e si evolve, come vedremo nel
Cortegiano, dove siamo però in un ambiente diverso: questo cittadino, quello di
Castiglione, della corte. Questo è ambiente privato: un gruppo di amici
che discutono tra di loro. Il testo Il dibattito sulle tre glorie
fiorentine Queste discussioni non sono invenzione del Bruni: abbiamo altre
tracce e testimonianze in ambito fiorentino in relazione alle critiche che
gruppi di giovani classicisti di stretta osservanza avevano avanzato criticando
aspramente le cosiddette glorie fiorentine: Dante Petrarca e Boccaccio. Quello
che sta al fondo di questo dialogo è un problema e un tema di discussione
quanto mai attuale nella Firenze del tempo. Se a noi può sembrare strano, visto
che pensando a Dante pensiamo ad un grandissimo poeta e autore, trovare Dante
trattato come un autore di popolo, di farsettai, di pescivendoli eccetera, può
dare adito a qualche stupore. Le stesse accuse sono riferite da altri, non li
introduce solo il bruni: i problemi di cui si discute sono problemi su cui le
discussioni c’erano nella Firenze del tempo. Abbiamo dunque da un lato si
afferma prima questo aspetto destruens e dall’altro lo stesso che dice di
aver parlato di quelle cose per ragioni di carattere retorico e per fare in
modo che fosse proprio Coluccio salutati a fare l’elogio. Quindi li giustifica
come una sorta di esercizio di simulazione retorica. La dedicatoria
L’antico detto. Vediamo i caposaldi di questo discorso. Anche qui abbiamo un
proemio che è una lettera dedicatoria molto breve rivolta al Vergerio. La
lettera si apre con un antico detto di un saggio, e sia apre così a mo’ di
omaggio verso il Vergerio, che con questo detto, attribuito a Francesco il
vecchio da carrara, suo signore, aveva aperto il suo trattato. Questo detto è
relativo alla patria: antico detto di un saggio che l’uomo per essere felice
deve innanzitutto avere una patria illustre e nobile. Elogio di Firenze.
La patria di origine del Bruni non è più Arezzo nelle condizioni in cui era
precedentemente, rovinata e distrutta ormai dai colpi della fortuna. Ha però il
bruni a sua volta l’opportunità di vivere in una città eccellente, quest’opera
è anche una celebrazione della grandezza di Firenze. Il fatto che Firenze sia
una città eccellente è dimostrato facilmente perché lo stesso dedicatario era
stato con lui a Firenze compagno di studi presso il Crisolora: c’è stata dunque
una comunanza di studi, di vita e di affetti. Il dono all’amico lontano.
Una comune abitudine alla conversazione e alla discussione, a dato che l’amico
è lontano, desiderato e rimpianto, così come l’amico lontano desidera e
rimpiange gli amici fiorentini gli manda proprio come memoria ed omaggio (il
Bruni al Vergerio) la testimonianza di una delle discussioni da poco avvenute
tra loro giovani amici e il Salutati, come testimonianza che può
trasmettere le discussioni di una volta allo stesso Vergerio. Anticipa, sui
contenuti, ciò che riguarda la dignità degli argomenti e la dignità degli
uomini. Cita i due protagonisti-antagonisti: Coluccio Salutati e il Niccoli.
L’altra dichiarazione che costantemente viene fatta in trattati di questo
genere è la testimonianza –dedica: dice alla fine di questo proemio: «così io
rimando la disputa trascritta in questo libro in modo che tu, benchè assente,
in qualche modo possa godere di quanto godiamo noi, e nel far questo ho cercato
soprattutto di rendere con la massima fedeltà le due posizioni contrastanti
(originale: morem utriusuqe, il costume di entrambi)» e affida allo stesso
Vergerio il compito di giudicare se ci sia riuscito oppure no. La
psicologia del personaggio. Questo è un altro tratto importante: quello della
delineazione del personaggio: non sono solo voci, con personaggi con una loro
individualità. Essendo un dialogo diegetico questa loro personalità può essere
messa in evidenza per alcuni tratti dalla cornice diegetica, ma soprattutto dal
modo in cui ciascuno si esprime, e quindi da quella sorta di delineazione psicologica
che deriva dal discorso. L’abilità è anche quella di rendere da parte del bruni
l’atteggiamento nel dire dei due, e ne è giudice lo stesso Vergerio che li
conosceva entrambi. La rappresentazione dei personaggi rappresentano anche
dunque una prova distile e di bravura da parte dell’autore. Noi non
abbiamo modo di vederlo nel testo latino, ma quest’opera è letterariamente
significativa anche nel movimento stesso delle voci. Il primo libro
Cornice introduttiva Come viene fatta l’introduzione nel dialogo diegetico?
Innanzitutto c’è la cornice introduttiva, che ci dà delle indicazioni relative
alle circostanze del dialogo, al luogo e ai personaggi. Bruni e Niccoli
vanno a casa di Coluccio. In questa nostra cornice noi abbiamo che nel tempo delle
feste, questi giovani personaggi stanno andando a casa di Coluccio Salutati,
che viene definito «senza dubbio l’uomo più eminente del tempo nostro per
sapere, eloquenza e dirittura morale»: triplice occorrenza che definisce il
carattere del nume tutelare. Viene poi introdotto un novo personaggio: mentre
stanno per andare da Coluccio Salutati incontrano Roberto De Rossi, il quale a
sua volta è definito per ciò che è proprio del personaggio stesso in relazione
agli studi: «uomo dedito agli studi liberali». Tutti insieme vanno da Coluccio,
e De Rossi si unisce a loro. La critica di Coluccio. Arrivati a Casa di
Coluccio c’è un momento di Silenzio: Coluccio pensa che quei ragazzi gli
vogliono dire qualcosa, loro non iniziano per far cominciare il maestro e quindi
viene rappresentata questa pausa: un elemento di carattere anche realistico.
Alla fine Coluccio, dato che nessuno parla si decide ed interviene nel
discorso. Quindi la persona più autorevole inizia il suo discorso: che inizia
nei termini di una conversazione, quello che può avvenire quando un gruppo di
persone si trova in casa di uno che è più autorevole di loro, e questo comincia
a parlare, e di fatto esprime il piacere di vederli e poi comincia, li loda per
la loro passione per gli studi, ma esprime poi una critica. • importanza della
disputatio. Critica relativa al fatto che hanno trascurato quello che per
Coluccio invece è importante: la disputatio, l’abitudine alla discussione che
secondo il Salutati è fondamentale proprio per affrontare in pieno sottili
verità, per poterle sceverare compiutamente, per mantenere la mente in
occupazione, e scambiando discorsi in comune per fare una gara esercitando il
proprio intelletto, al fine di ottenere la gloria quando si sia superiori nella
disputa rispetto agli altri, oppure la vergogna quando si è battuti; da qui
verrebbe uno stimolo allo studio per imparare di più. Pag. 75, in fondo: «Che
cosa può … lo sguardo di tutti». Attenzione: qui la traduzione dice
questione,che potrebbe far pensare alla quaestio, nel testo latino si dice
invece rem, l’oggetto della discussione, è diverso il senso da dare alla cosa.
E’ importante l’esercizio perché se non si compie, chi è studioso rimane a
parlare con sé stesso e con i propri libri, ma non si mette a gara e non
interviene nel colloquio con gli altri uomini, e non viene ad essere di
giovamento, non ottiene i frutti che possono essere dati dallo scambio
argomentato delle discussioni. Rievocazione degli studi a Bologna. Evoca
gli esordi della sua stessa educazione quando era aBologna: dove aveva avuto un
insigne maestro ed aveva appreso l’arte del discutere; poi aveva avuto modo di
cimentarsi ulteriormente in relazione ad un dotto teologo e sapiente a Firenze,
e al tempo stesso dotto in teologia, agostiniano, e insieme amante dei
classici: è Luigi Marsili, che animava un cenacolo presso la chiesa di Santo
Spirito, ed è una figura eminente della Firenze trecentesca, che viene anche
nominato dal Petrarca. • l’elemento cronologico. Ci viene dato attraverso il
Marsili l’elemento cronologico che si diceva all’inizio poiché il Marsili è
indicato come morto sette anni prima: dato che era morto nel 1394, allora 7
anni prima ci porta al 1401. • L’insegnamento del Marsili. Il Marsili aveva
dimostrato a Coluccio, nei tempi posteriori alla giovinezza, quando valesse la
discussione: era un sapiente conoscitore degli studi di teologia, ma anche un
conoscitore degli antichi; tanto profondamente legato alla scrittura degli
antichi da averle assimilate, anche stilisticamente tanto da riprodurne le movenze.
L’esempio che porta il Salutati di Sé e di quanto aveva guadagnato da queste
discussioni è dato per mostrare attraverso la propria persona, quanto
efficacemente egli ritenga sia proprio della discussione, cioè: il frutto delle
sue opere era stato dato secondo il salutati proprio attraverso questa via.
Dunque l’esercizio è fondamentale. Su questo punto si intavola tutta la
discussione che segue. Sintesi • Coluccio Salutati, pur sostenendo di
ammirare gli amici per la loro apssione per gli studi, criticava il fatto che
non si dedicassero, come esercizio non solo opportuno e utile, ma necessario,
la disputazione. • Coluccio aveva portato il proprio esempio sia dalle
indicazioni che aveva ricevuto dalla scuola di grammatica quando era un giovane
studente a bologna, e sia per quello che aveva ricavato dal rapporto
continuo assiduo e importante con il dotto teologo studioso dei classici Luigi
Marsili. • Una indicazione del Marsili ci dà l’indicazione del tempo interno
del dialogo nel 1401. • Il discorso del Salutati si concludeva con una
esortazione ai giovani perché si dedicassero alla disputa e cercassero di dare
maggior frutto ai loro studi. La risposta di Niccolò. Come personaggio
antagonista risponde Niccolò Niccoli: fin dalla presentazione che nella
dedicatoria aveva fatto al Vergerio il Bruni aveva presentato le due figure di
Coluccio e Niccoli proprio in questo senso. In più di un momento pare che
Niccoli dia ragione al Salutati riconoscendo l’importanza della disputa che
potrebbe giovare molto agli studi, e lodando il Salutati per l’efficacia sul
piano dell’eloquenza con cui aveva dimostrato questa tesi; e ricorda a sua
volta la figura del Crisolora, chiamato dallo stesso Salutati nel 1396 e da cui
questi giovani avevano imparato il greco. Il salutati invece aveva preso i
primi rudimenti ma non tanto da essere in grado di fare una traduzione dal
greco al latino. Le colpe della generazione precedente. Pare che Niccoli
dia ragione al salutati, ma non è così: egli giustifica se stesso e i
suoi amici dicendo che se non svolgono quella esercitazione non possono essere
accusati i ragazzi stessi ma devono essere accusati i tempi: c’è qui una
rappresentazione estremamente negativa, che riprende alcuni tratti del Bruni
scrittore già ben presenti nelle opere polemiche di Petrarca, e che per alcuni
elementi emergono anche nel De Vita Solitaria, un attacco da parte del Niccoli
molto duro nei confronti della condizione in cui è ridotta la cultura per colpa
delle generazioni precedenti e che dispersero il grande patrimonio della
cultura antica. Di fatto come sappiamo la concezione stessa del medioevo nasce
polemicamente proprio in contrapposizione con quello che riguarda la volontà da
parte degli uomini umanisti in primo luogo di ritornare alle fonti della vera sapienza
degli antichi superando la decadenza; è una notazione polemica questa che noi
non facciamo nostra, ma che riguarda la cultura del tempo. • Penuria di libri.
Il Niccoli spiega che per poter svolgere una disputatio è indispensabile
padroneggiare bene un argomento, e per fare questo bisogna avere una
grande mole di conoscenze; Niccoli si domanda come si possa acquisire una tale
mole di conoscenze in questi tempi oscuri, con tanta penuria di libri; invita a
considerare poi come erano le discipline umanistiche in passato e come sono
oggi: parte qui una sorta di rassegna che mostra le radici greche della
filosofia, mostra che cosa comportò il passaggio a Roma della filosofia dei
greci e mostra come ai tempi moderni è ridotta la filosofia. Polemica contro
gli aristotelici. Qui il Niccoli si lancia, sulla scorta di considerazioni già
petrarchesche (non qui enunciate come tali, perché non si fa qui il nome
di Petrarca) contro i filosofi e soprattutto contro gli aristotelici: non
contro Aristotele, ma contro gli aristotelici che tutto basano sull’autorità di
un solo filosofo, e tutto basano sul cosiddetto ipse dixit, essi d’altra parte
fanno questo sulla base di un'unica autorità, e non soltanto mostrano con ciò
di non conoscere bene ciò di cui parlano, ma mostrano una grande arroganza: la
dimostrazione della loro arroganza e della difficoltà nel padroneggiare gli
scritti di Aristotele, trova una base polemicamente anche con riferimento a una
polemica che a sua volta contro i retori del suo tempo aveva fatto cicerone. •
la corruzione del latino e dei testi. Poi ritorna all’oggi e accusa i filosofi
aristotelici di parlare di cose che in realtà non sanno, e come possono
saperle? Se questi non solo ignorano il greco, ma ignorano in gran parte anche
il latino? E qui è sotto accusa anche il latino «pervertito» del medioevo, che
non era quello degli umanisti. Addirittura il Niccoli dice che se tornasse lo
stesso Aristotele, non riconoscerebbe neppure più i suoi testi; sottolinea un
aspetto importante da un punto di vista filologico, cioè il problema della
restituzione critica dei testi aristotelici, il problema cioè di andare a
cercare il maggior numero di esemplari dei testi di Aristotele e il tentativo
di restituirli alla loro rispettiva lezione, e questo poteva essere fatto a
partire dal testo greco. La conoscenza del greco che questo circolo di umanisti
possedeva, era in quei tempi appannaggio di quei pochi che avevano beneficiato,
sulla scorta del Crisolora. Altro affondo: gli occamisti. Dopo questo
attacco agli aristotelici passa ad attaccare i dialettici: anche questa è una
polemica già petrarchesca, con i cosiddetti barbari Britanni, soprattutto
dialettici e logici occamisti, seguaci di Occam: secondo le accuse che venivano
fatte essi si occupavano di cose da poco, di frivolezze, invece che di
occuparsi di cose importanti ed eccellenti. Ciò non vale solo per le due
discipline evocate ma dice che potrebbe dirsi lo stesso di tutte le altre arti:
Grammatica, retorica e tutte le altre arti. Non mancano gli ingegni, ma mancano
i mezzi per imparare in questa condizione del sapere. Non abbiamo né mezzi ne
maestri. L’eccezione del Salutati. A questo punto è chiaro che occorre
fare un eccezione, perché sennò nel contesto del discorso ciò avrebbe
significato attaccare lo stesso Salutati; allora il Salutati è salvato dal
Niccoli ed elogiato e rappresenta l’eccezione che conferma la regola. Perché il
Salutati ha potuto far frutto con i suoi studi? In virtù del suo grande
ingegno, quasi divino, che gli ha consentito di fare quel salto di qualità e
quindi di essere l’eccezione alla regola. Ubi sunt. L’ultima parte del
Discorso di Niccoli si imposta su quel modello di elegiaco tema dell’Ubi Sunt,
dove sono mai?, tanto presente in ambito medievale, ma qui piegato a lamentare
la mancanza dei grandi libri dei classici; e fa un elenco di libri di grandi
autori che mancano. Il precetto di Pitagora. Aggiunge poi un aspetto legato
alla necessità del silenzio cui sono costretti, e fa un riferimento ad un
precetto dell’antico filosofi Pitagora: Pitagora aveva invitato i discepoli,
prima di parlare, a meditare e restare in silenzio per cinque anni, e se i
discepoli di Pitagora, che pure avevano tale maestro e tale possibilità stante
la cultura del tempo antico, come potranno questi giovani parlare e mettersi a
disputare? Dice il Niccoli: «noi che non abbiamo né maestri ne
insegnamenti né libri: come possiamo fare questo? Dunque non ti devi arrabbiare
con noi se stiamo zitti e non discutiamo, non è colpa nostra ma dei tempi».
Torna la cornice. A questo punto (pag 91) ritorna la cornice. Al discorso
diretto viene reintrodotta la cornice con una sorta di segno teatrale: una
pausa di silenzio che fa si che ci sia anche uno stacco in relazione alla voce
che ora segue; uno degli aspetti efficaci del dialogo è la messa in scienza dei
personaggi e quindi la rappresentazione delle loro voci. La cornice interviene
diegeticamente introdotta dal narratore-autore, che interrompe il flusso del
discorso, segnando appunto una pausa di silenzio. Disputa intorno
a disputare. Interviene Coluccio rilevando la contraddizione, perché il Niccoli
che aveva sostenuto di non poter parlare e discutere a causa dei tempi, aveva a
sua volta dato unabrillante dimostrazione di essere capace di discutere con le
sue stesse parole. Allora Coluccio cerca dichiudere questo discorso dicendo:
«lasciamo dunque se credete questa disputa che è intorno al disputare».
Gli altri chiedono il confronto. Ma il discorso non può finire qui e c’è
l’intervento di un dialogo a più voci, quindi c’è una variazione nel modo in
cui sono introdotte le voci di dialogo ed efficacemente dal punto di vista
letterario il dialogo viene ad essere animato. • Rossi. Interviene Roberto De
Rossi, che non vuole che la discussione rimanga a metà; • Coluccio. interviene
di nuovo Coluccio che dice per teme di aver destato il leone dormiente e chiede
il parere degli altri: chiede innanzitutto a Roberto De Rossi se sia d’accordo
con lui o con il Niccoli dichiarando che in relazione a Leonardo, cioè colui
che è al tempo stesso personaggio e autore del dialogo, non ha dubbi perché
ritiene che Leonardo sia d’accordo con Niccolò. • Bruni. Interviene allora con
la voce che dice io lo stesso Bruni che chiede di essere considerato
ungiudice: non vuole prendere posizione; fermo restando che c’è una aggiunta,
non priva di una certa ambiguità, perché riconosce che la causa è in gioco non
meno di quella di Niccolò. • Rossi. Interviene infine Roberto De Rossi che a
sua volta dichiara di sospendere il giudizio, e di sospendere il suo parere
finché entrambi non espongono la loro opinione. Dunque Coluccio adesso deve
fare una confutazione di quello che Niccoli ha detto. La confutazione di
Coluccio. Si apre una ulteriore fase del dialogo nell’ottica di una
confutazione fatta da Coluccio in relazione a quello che Niccoli ha detto. In
primo luogo fa notare che è facile confutare che dice che a causa dei tempi non
si può disputare quando egli stesso lo ha dimostrato egli stesso disputando.
C’è anche una schermaglia un poco scherzosa in relazione al Niccoli. Un altro
degli aspetti del dialogo è anche l’introdurre battute per alleggerire il senso
delle discussioni, così come si introduce all’interno del discorso
riferendosi ad un personaggio che inizia a parlare «sorridendo» ecc, così
anche da battute. Viene ad essere interrotto a sua volta il Salutati da Roberto
De Rossi con un'altra obiezione: allora se tu elogi il Niccoli che ha mostrato
di poter disputare, perché dici che ci si debba esercitare? Se senza
esercitarsi il Niccoli c’è riuscito così efficacemente, vuol dire che
l’esercizio non è necessario. Risponde con una contro obiezione il Salutati
dicendo che l’esercizio è fondamentale per poter ottenere un ulteriore
eccellenza: se già ci sono delle buone disposizioni soltanto esercitandosi si
può migliorare. Elogio dell’esercizio. Coluccio si lancia in un elogio
dell’esercizio. Questo esercizio e la disputa sono di nuovo ri-definiti, e
questa definizione è importante: pag. 95, riga 5:«perciò … io chiamo
disputa»: - insisto su questo poiché il modo in cui è definita la disputa
e la discussione delimita i caratteri della discussione stessa, e la distingue
rispetto alla quaestio degli scolastici. Non poi così bui. Il Salutati
ammette che la situazione in cui versano le arti liberali non è la migliore
possibile. Però in relazione all’atteggiamento assolutamente negativo nel
Niccoli tende a minimizzare: sì, un po’ sono decadute, ma non al punto tale che
siano nella condizione che diceva il Niccoli. E se è vero che molti libri
mancano, è ben vero che altri ce ne sono, e comunque le cose che abbiamo le
dobbiamo usare e non le dobbiamo disprezzare. E dunque ribadisce che il Niccoli
sbaglia ad attribuire la colpa ai tempi, perché così non riconosce quello che
deve imputare a sé stesso; cioè si sottrae di fatto quello che sono le sue
responsabilità. Chiarisce anche che il suo intento è quello di porsi in
opposizione a lui, e non di attaccarlo violentemente, cioè non è il suo un
atteggiamento volutamente polemico in termini distruttivi. La illustre
tradizione fiorentina. D’altra parte introduce, ritenendo che questa parte del
discorso possa essere compiuta, un ulteriore passo, che poi scatenerà il resto
della discussione e la reazione del Niccoli: E dice: pag. 97: «come è possibile
che tu venga a dire che in tempi moderni non ci siano possibilità da
parte degli ingegni di fiorire se tu tralasci tre uomini fioriti da questa
nostra città e nei nostri tempi. Dante, Petrarca e Boccaccio, che sono levati
al cielo da così grande universale consenso. - C’è un motivo anche
di carattere patriottico. -c’è una specificazione data in relazione a Dante che
è significativa per come volgerà poi il seguito del dialogo, poiché sembra
essere posta una riserva sul fatto che Dante prescelse il volgare, infatti dice
«se Dante avesse usato altro stile (alio genere scribendi) io non mi
contenterei di porlo insieme a quei nostri padri, ma a loro e ai greci stessi
io lo anteporrei»: cioè da un lato c’è una lode del ruolo di Dante, dall’altro
una riserva del modo di scrivere. E dice che quei tre non vanno dimenticati ma
ricordati perché sono il vanto e la gloria della città. Dante. E qui la
voce di Niccoli esplode. In realtà il verbo non è messo, c’è un ellissi, ma il
traduttore lo sottolinea permettere in evidenza l’esplosione polemica del
Niccoli. C’è un vero e proprio grido del Niccoli. (pag. 97) «allora Niccoli
insorse … ignorante d’ogni cosa?» - e qui comincia un atto d’accusa. Che parte
da Dante, che viene accusato di non capire il latini di Virgilio, citando un
passo del XXII del Purgatorio; viene accusato di non aver capito l’età di
catone e di averlo invecchiato rispetto a quello che dice Lucano; viene
accusato di aver preso Cesare che era un tiranno, averlo lodato, ed aver messo
l’uccisore di cesare nella bocca di Lucifero; è accusato anche per la sua
cultura basata sulla scolastica, e per il latino di Dante stesso. E dunque che
cosa deve essere Dante? A chi deve essere lasciato Dante? A quale pubblico?
Pagina 99, in fondo: «per cio … familiare solo a gente simile».
Fiorentini contro Dante. Che a gruppi di classicisti di stretta osservanza
fosse rimproverato un atteggiamento simile lo sappiamo da altre fonti: che
possono anche essere collegate a questo, ma ci sono anche altre fonti
fiorentine che ci trasmettono questo atto d’accusa, mossa a giovani che invece
di guardare alle glorie della patria. Le attaccano. L’accusa è ancora più dura
perché non riguardava solo un giudizio di carattere letterario che attaccava i
numi tutelari della cultura fiorentina e il vanto della cultura fiorentina, ma
perché questi stessi giovani erano accusati di disinteresse nei confronti delle
sorti della patria. Un po’ di tempo prima della scrittura di questi dialoghi,
c’era stato uno scontro violento tra Firenze contro Gian Galeazzo Visconti, e
c’era stato un momento in cui pareva che Firenze dovesse soccombere, solo la
morte di Gian Galeazzo nel 1402 salva Firenze definitivamente, perché gli
ultimi atti di guerra versavano molto negativamente. E si diceva che c’erano
questi gruppi di giovani classicisti che si disinteressavano totalmente, che
non si occupavano delle sorti della patria; e qui viene fatto un collegamento
tra lo spirito civile e le glorie cittadine. Qui il discorso è riportato in
termini letterari, ma c’è sotteso dell’altro. Un riverbero di questo si vede
alla fine del secondo dialogo. Petrarca e Boccaccio. Da dante si passa
Petrarca, e si attacca ciò che Petrarca aveva propagandato a quattro venti in
relazione alla grandezza del suo poema L’Africa in latino, poema non compiuto,
e quindi da questa grande aspettativa, dice Niccoli, (noi diremmo “dalla
montagna”) è saltato fuori «un topolino». Di fronte alle accuse fatte a Dante e
Petrarca, è inutile continuare con Boccaccio, che viene liquidato, poiché se è
inferiore ai primi due, è inutile continuare. D’altra parte non soltanto
questi sono da giudicare nei termini dati, ma ancor più è da giudicare
negativamente la loro singolare arroganza per come si sono dichiarati:
letterati, dotti e poeti. La conclusione liquidatoria del Niccoli, a pag 103, è
la seguente: «perciò Coluccio mio … non hanno sapere alcuno»: una dichiarazione
radicale. A questo punto vediamo come finisce questo primo libro, perché siamo
quasi alla fine. Riprende a parlare Coluccio: c’è un distacco nella cornice nell’atteggiamento
«sorridendo come sua abitudine»: ora teniamo presente che i personaggi
ciceroniani, dei dialoghi ciceroniani, in particolare il De Oratore, quando
prendono la parola, nella cornice diegetica sono mostrati mentre a prendono
«sorridendo». Allora realismo nei confronti del Niccoli: «quanto vorrei.. non
abbia trovato un avversario», e qui cita gliavversari di Virgilio e Terenzio.
Però gli avversari di questi grandi latini del passato erano comunque più
sopportabili. Teniamo presente che questa sembra una nota caratteriale del
Niccoli, questa figura del Niccoli la troviamo al centro di diversi dialoghi di
polemiche e lettere. Ma perché gli avversari erano più sopportabili, perché
loro si opponevano ad una sola persona, e invece il Niccoli si oppone a tutti i
suoi concittadini. Ma il giorno ormai muore, ed occorre differire la risposta,
che necessita molto tempo, data la grandezza dei tre personaggi di cui occorre
fare la lode, per compensare il vituperio di Niccolo. Coluccio rimanderà questa
difesa. E qui Coluccio chiude circolarmente tornando al tema della discussione.
Fine. La conclusione del primo libro Necessità di una lode. Il
primo libro ci dice che l’attacco del Niccoli viene rifiutato in Toto dal nume
tutelare, con le parole del quale si era aperto il dialogo del primo libro, e a
causa del quale si erano svolti questi colloqui. [30:57] Viene rimandato, senza
un’indicazione che dica a quando, viene detto che sarebbe necessario un
discorso non breve e che il tempo lo impedisce. Allora a questo punto, così
come è impostato questo libro, ci fa presupporre che ce ne debba esse un altro
che comporti l’elogio di questi tre, perché rimane in un tempo di attesa.
Qui però c’è un problema relativo al modo di trasmissione dei manoscritti dei
nostri dialoghi in relazione alla fortuna del testo: devo dire che i Dialogi
ebbero una notevolissima fortuna, abbiamo un numero rilevante di manoscritti
però c’è anche un dato che non possiamo eludere: una parte di manoscritti ci
trasmette il primo libro soltanto, quindi sembra di capire che una circolazione
di questo primo libro sia stata precedente o autonoma rispetto alla diffusione
dell’opera completa, cioè dei due libri. Questo non vuol dire che tra il primo
e il secondo ci sia uno iato di composizione, anche se è una delle testi
che sono state avanzate; e non significa soprattutto che il secondo libro sia
una aggiunta esterna, successiva o pensata dopo, perché in realtà la
conclusione stessa del libro anche se non è determinata, è la conclusione che
compare spesso nei dialoghi, anche ciceroniani, quando viene rimandato ad un
successivo giorno. Ma qui non è specificato il quando, questo è vero, quindi
c’è qualche interrogativo che pone la conclusione di questo primo libro.
Il secondo libro Il secondo libro si imposta certamente in un
rapporto che possiamo definire, considerando l’opera nel suo insieme un
rapporto unitario, un rapporto non senza qualche diffrazione: cioè noi ci
aspetteremmo qualcosa d’altro, e cioè che fosse Coluccio a riprendere la lode
dei tre grandi fiorentini, e soprattutto che si riagganciasse a quello che è
stato detto nel primo libro. Invece il modo in cui si riaggancia ha qualche
diffrazione. La cornice Verso casa De Rossi. Il secondo libro del
dialogo dunque si apre il giorno dopo; si ritrovano quelli che si erano uniti
il giorno precedente, ma si aggiunge un altro personaggio. Altro interrogativo:
questo personaggio è Piero di Ser Mini, definito «giovane sveglio e sommamente
facondo». Come ricorda la nota che questo Piero di Ser Mini fu successore del
Salutati nella cancelleria di Firenze. Era rappresentato come personaggio
familiare e vicino a Coluccio, e insieme alla sua comparsa cambia anche la sede
dei personaggi: si ritrovano i personaggi del primo dialogo, tranne Roberto de
Rossi, che vanno appunto a casa di Roberto de Rossi; nel primo il De Rossi si
era aggiunto, ora i tre si aggiungono a lui. • Oltr’Arno. C’è un passaggio
nella dislocazione che non è privo di significato: vanno oltr’Arno, perché
Roberto De Rossi abitava al di là dell’Arno, oltre Palazzo Pitti; interessante
nella dislocazione perché quando finisce il dialogo ritorneranno dall’altra
parte: è come se uscissero dalla città e tornassero in città una volta concluso
l’elogio e restituita per certi versi la pienezza della compartecipazione di
quella che è l’opinione dominante. Ci sono anche connotazioni che rimandano a
luoghi per eccellenza propri di quelli che sono dibattiti di natura filosofica,
anche se questo non è propriamente filosofico: si parla del giardino, del portico.
Lode di Firenze. A questo punto non comincia una discussione come avevamo visto
essere terminata nel secondo libro, ma il nostro discorso comincia in un altro
modo: comincia con una laudatio di Firenze. Bisogna ricordare brevemente due
cose che devono essere tenute presenti per capire meglio: a) L’encomio di
Bruni. il Bruni aveva scritto presumibilmente tra il 1403 e il 1404, una
laudatio, unencomio, uno scritto il lode di Firenze; particolarmente
interessante in relazione alla tradizione delle lodi alla città perché cambia
l’impostazione: si basa sul Panatenaico di Elio Aristide, cioè viene
magnificata Firenze sul modello dell’elogio di Atene, e l’elogio viene fatto
per tutti gli elementi di Firenze, dall’aspetto fisico e monumentale della città,
alle sue istituzioni, alla città come rappresentativa al massimo grado come
figlia e erede di Roma, perché i Romani erano stati fondatori di Firenze ai
tempi della repubblica romana (secondo l’ipotesi avanzata in quegli ultimi
anni), ed era la depositaria e l’erede della libertà repubblicana;
quest’operetta era stata importante, e qui l’elogio in alto stile viene fatto
proprio da Salutati, che fa l’elogio della città dicendo per esempio quali
magnifici palazzi ci sono (e mostra i palazzi appena oltrepassati per andare da
Roberto de Rossi) e dice quanto bene ha fatto Leonardo Bruni a lodare Firenze e
loda a sua volta, lodando Firenze, quella che il Bruni la fatto della città
(esalta la laudatio di Bruni). • l’encomio dell’«encomio». Quindi che cosa
ottiene il bruni come autore in questo modo? Mette lapropria opera come
lodata dallo stesso Salutati. Ci sono anche dei nessi con alcune altre opere
del Salutati stesso. Questo elogio viene completato dall’intervento di Pietro
di Ser Mini e poi di altri e viene a toccare in questo modo, come se fosse un
discorso che si svolge naturalmente, viene a toccare proprio il tema in
oggetto, e cioè l’elogio delle glorie della città, le glorie letterarie. b) Per
capire altri punti facciamo presente che a pagina 107 viene citata un operetta
del Salutati, dal Salutati stesso: è un trattato scritto nel 1400 si intitolava
De Tyranno; qui il Salutati aveva difeso la legittimità del potere di Cesare, e
soprattutto aveva difeso Dante per la posizione assunta nella sua opera. Non è che
qui adesso il Salutati faccia una palinodia di quello che aveva scritto, però
qui ne dà una interpretazione un tantino diversa; e questa è una ragione che ci
fa pensare che il Salutati fosse morto a quell’epoca, perché non avrebbe ma
accettato, conoscendo quanto fosse molto fortemente difensore delle proprie
idee e posizioni. Una diffrazione: il parere di De Rossi. Lasciando stare
questo aspetto del problema, passiamo a parlare dei vanti di Firenze, e Roberto
(al quale erano state ricordate le glorie politiche della propria famiglia in
difesa del partito guelfo) diceva che bisognerebbe svolgere le lodi di questi
personaggi, perché questi tre poeti non sono davvero «la minor parte della
nostra gloria» (pag. 109). Noi però ci dobbiamo domandare quale fosse la
posizione di Roberto nel libro precedente: aveva detto di non voler dare
giudizi, di aspettare a dare un parere, mentre qui si dichiara finalmente
d’accordo. Allora Coluccio risponde, ed anche questo ci stupisce in quanto non
dice che tale elogio effettivamente vada fatto, infatti Coluccio dice: «sei nel
giusto Roberto, essi sono non solo la minima parte, ma anzi di gran lunga la
fonte maggiore della nostra gloria; ma che debbo fare ancora, non aprii ieri a
sufficienza il mio sentire su quei tre sommi?» ma in realtà non aveva risposto:
aveva solo detto che era contrario al parere del Niccoli, e che per svolgere
l’elogio ci voleva molto tempo: quindi c’è una vera e propria diffrazione,
seppure lieve in questo. Integrazione della laudatio del Bruni. Teniamo
presente che nella laudatio di Firenze il bruni aveva glissato sulle glorie
fiorentine sotto questo aspetto: cioè nella laudatio non sono citati Dante,
Petrarca e Boccaccio; la laudatio si conclude con il vanto degli egregi
fiorentini, ma non ci sono i nomi, è un vanto generale. Questa parte ora, in un
certo senso si riaggancia alla laudatio del bruni e la completa: in un certo
senso questo secondo libro ha indubbiamente anche questo scopo. Tanto più che
il Bruni, quando nelle sue lettere parla di questo testo, lo definisce «i libri
dei nuovi poeti», quindi l’aggancio con la laudatio indubbiamente amplifica e
porta in una direzione questo discorso. Niccoli Smascherato. Come si può
risolvere il problema a questo punto? Niccoli rimane sulla posizione di prima?
No. Vien operata una definizione in chiave retorica della posizione del
Niccoli: di fatto Coluccio afferma di aver ben capito il giorno prima che il
Niccoli aveva fatto questo in modo artificioso: l’aveva fatto non dicendo
quello che pensava lui, ma lo aveva fatto per provocarlo,perché quello che
Niccoli voleva era che lui facesse l’elogio, ma Salutati non ci era caduto, ed
aveva capito bene quali erano idee di Niccoli, il quale, insieme a Bruni,
continua ad insistere che sia lui a fare l’elogio dei tre Grandi: Salutati dice
che farà ben questo, ma solo quando lo vorrà lui! A questo punto c’è una
schermaglia, uno scambio di battute con effetto teatrale, fino a quando c’è una
sorta di rilancio tra le parti: il Salutati vuole che sia il Bruni a fare l’elogio,
mentre Bruni vuole che sia Coluccio, o quanto meno vuole decidere lui chi debba
farlo (e questo è un passo di tipo meta letterario, in quanto Bruni è anche
scrittore!); alla fine Bruni viene fatto arbitro e decide che sia Niccoli a
fare l’elogio: il Niccoli li ha attaccati, il Niccoli ora li difenda. Allora il
Niccoli prende la parola e ribalta l’accusa che aveva fatto il giorno prima. Il
modello di questo è stato rilevato dagli studiosi nel personaggio di Antonio
tra il 1° e il 2° libro del De Oratore. Come Antonio, anche il Niccoli, pur
facendo una confutazione di quelle accuse, non si adegua totalmente a quello
che pensa il Salutati, così come Antonio, nel 2° libro del De Oratore non
diviene totalmente dell’idea dell’altro nume tutelare: c’è una dialettica
interna che rimane. Excusatio. Innanzitutto il Niccoli si lancia in una
ampia excusatio, fin troppo ampia: e questo potrebbe fare pensare che il
Niccoli storico, una qualche responsabilità in queste accuse ai tre grandi
potesse pure averla. Insiste dicendo che gli altri non poteva assolutamente
credere che egli attaccasse veramente i tre grandi: è noto a tutti l’amore che
ha avuto per l’opera di Dante, per la memoria di Petrarca, per il quale è
andato fino a Padova per leggere l’Africa, l’amore per Boccaccio ecc. afferma
di essere consapevole di aver fatto quello che diceva Coluccio: ha fatto un
vituperio dei tre fiorentini solo per sollecitare Coluccio a fare l’elogio.
Dato che a questo punto tocca a lui, è costretto a farlo, con grande soddisfazione
di Coluccio che lo obbliga. Palinodia, ma non totale. Da pag 113
inizia la palinodia: ciò che rende grandi Dante, Petrarca e Boccaccio, e
risponde alle accuse che egli stesso aveva fatto prima. Ma c’è una differenza:
il Salutati si pone su questa posizione: il salutati è un innovatore che non
rompe con la tradizione, è l’erede del Petrarca a Firenze, e di Boccaccio. Però
il Salutati non vuole rompere e contrapporsi nello stesso modo in cui altri
avevano fatto con la tradizione precedente; il Niccoli recupera le lodi dei
tre, ma alla fine del suo discorso ritorna a quello che aveva detto prima: come
il Salutati è un eccezione al tempo contemporaneo, così questi tre grandi
fiorentini sono delle eccezioni, perché il loro grandissimo ingegno permise
loro di eccellere nonostante la decadenza degli studi e nonostante la
situazione del mondo loro contemporaneo. Non è quindi propriamente la posizione
del salutati, ne una ritrattazione vera e propria, o una confutazione delle
accuse espresse prima. Petrarca precursore degli umanisti. Ci sono nelle
cose dette diverse cose interessanti, una in particolare riguarda il Petrarca e
il riconoscimento della sua funzione per l’avvio del rinnovamento negli studi
umanistici: riconosce l’importanza di Petrarca come fondatore del movimento
umanistico. Il discorso improvvisato. L’altro aspetto importante per la
struttura del dialogo riguarda la dichiarazione del parlare all’improvviso
(119) e senza preparazione: questo dopo aver fatto la lode di Dante; la
caratteristica peculiare del dialogo è che venga fatto come una conversazione
reale: gli argomenti posti in campo, come in una conversazione e senza un
ordine sistematico, senza una preparazione preordinata: ciò mette in evidenza
il carattere di naturalezza e libertà del discorso, rispetto a quello che
sarebbe in termini sistematici e stringenti di una trattazione filosofica.
Questo è un discorso, non un dialogo informa di trattato. Petrarca e
Boccaccio latini. Altro aspetto interessante, per la posizione dal punto di vista
culturale è che, mentre di Dante viene esaltata la Commedia, per vari
motivi, di Petrarca e Boccaccio viene rilevata soprattutto l’opera latina: di
Petrarca in larghissima misura poi, solo poco si dice della produzione in
volgare; di Boccaccio il Decàmeron in quanto tale non è citato! Sono citate le
opere latine: un solo accenno può far pensare al Decàmeron, ma la centralità è
data alla Genealogie. A questo punto, Dopo che Niccoli ha finito il suo
discorso, allora viene pronunciata l’assoluzione del Niccoli che viene
scagionato da quello che aveva fatto il giorno prima: gli viene data
l’assoluzioneperché nella perorazione della causa aveva difeso le sue ragioni e
quindi non è responsabile di nulla. D’altra parte però anche nel modo in cui
viene data questa sorta di assoluzione, la formulazione non è priva di tratti
di ambiguità: perché quello che si dice riguarda non tanto il discorso del
Niccoli, quanto ciò che Niccoli aveva riportato a sé per l’amore che aveva
avuto per questi autori; un margine diambiguità dunque rimane. In
definitiva. Delle Eccezioni. La parte finale del dialogo risolve e conclude
dicendo che da parte del Niccoli si ritiene abbastanza largamente premiato per
tutte le lodi ricevute, e ritorna però ai principi precedenti affermando che è
lontano dal credere di sapere qualcosa, e proprio ritorna circolarmente la sua
tesi fondamentale (125): «tanto più ciò mi par difficile, tanto più ammiro i
fiorentini in quanto nonostante l’avversità dei tempi, per una loro
sovrabbondanza di ingegno riuscirono ad essere pari o superiori agli antichi»:
delle eccezioni duqnue, illuminanti ma niente altro che delle eccezioni. Il
dialogo si conclude con l’intervento di Roberto e il ritorno al di là di ponte
vecchio. Modelli e fonti La cornice. La cornice di carattere
conviviale è la cornice classicamente ben autorizzata, il Simposioed altro, è
un’altra delle cornici riusate, non frequentemente, nel dialogo
umanistico-rinascimentale. Il fatto che qui sia stato accennato in questa forma
è indizio di una attenzione da parte del Bruni verso questa nuova forma di
dialogo. Abbiamo visto quali fossero i modelli, e in particolare come modello
di dialogo diegetico, cioè narrativo in quanto introdotto da cornice che
continua a ritornare, il De Oratore. D’altra parte anche quando di fatto ci
siano anche altri modi e altre forme come quelle miste date da cornice
introduttiva e poi l’elemento di carattere mimetico, sulla scorta del Laelius
de amicitia o come aveva fatto Petrarca nel Secretum, in relazione al dialogo
umanistico, non per il Bruni, rimane un punto nodale di riferimento; specie in
alcuni tratti che si riprendono e ricompaiono nei dialoghi
quattro-cinquecenteschi: in particolare per il fatto che ci sia una cornice di
carattere realistico (cosa che non c’è nel Secretum); una cornice di carattere
realistico; coordinate spazio temporali che corrispondono ad aspetti di
carattere realistico; e personaggi che appartengono a figure storiche ben
individuate. Altro dato che rimane costante e comune è la rappresentazione scenica:
c’è una dimensione teatrale largamente riconosciuta, rappresentazione scenica
sia in relazione ai personaggi, sia ai personaggi che si alternano nel dialogo:
personaggi che vengono a recitare un ruolo, come vedremo ancora di più nel
Cortegiano. Abbiamo poi visto la dichiarazione di veridicità: l’autore dice di
aver riportato un reale dialogo, e abbiamo visto come si vuole cercare di
rendere evidente al lettore, di mimare l’andamento di una libera conversazione:
una conversazione non preordinata. Il dialogo Diversi usi del
dialogo. Il nostro non è un trattato, ma la forma del dialogo è una di quelle
privilegiate per il trattato quattro-cinquecentesco. Naturalmente le
possibilità insite possono essere diverse: in quanto noi ci possiamo trovare di
fronte ad un trattato in forma di dialogo in cui si voglia veicolare unatesi, e
si individua una strategia comunicativa dialogica che fa capire quale sia la
sua tesi. Ma ci possono essere altre possibilità: ci può essere quella propria
del confronto di opinioni, con un dialogo che si compone via via in una ricerca
che si completa a vicenda, e d’altra parte ci sono anche dialoghi che rimangono
aperti: sono confronti di opinioni che non sono riconducibili in unità, e
quindi la discordia rimane. Il dialogo per sua stessa natura presenta problemi
di carattere interpretativo in quanto ha un margine interno di ambiguità, nel
senso che ci troviamo di fronte ad enunciazioni di posizioni diverse da parte
dei personaggi: dipende molto dalla strategia compositiva, che può indirizzare
il lettore, ma ci possono essere delle voci, delle posizioni dei tratti che
possono sembrare ambivalenti o volutamente lasciate con prospettive diverse da
parte dell’autore, e questo comporta evidentemente dei problemi e difficoltà di
interpretazione. Naturalmente ci sono anche dialoghi dove da questo punto di
vista viene fatto intendere in maniera chiara ed evidente e viene orientata in
maniera che non ci siano dubbi quella che è la prospettiva dell’autore. In
questo è un notissimo l’esempio di Galileo, dove le posizioni sono definite in
modo chiaro, e la posizione di Simplicio è quella di chi enuncia testi che
devono essere confutate. Leonardo Bruno. Leonardo Bruni.
Bruni. Keywords: interpretare, implicatura geometrica, Ethica nicomachaea,
Grice, Hardie. “Ad Petrum Paulum
Histrum”, l’interpretazione di Romolo – l’interpretazione di Remolo – I sei aquile
I duodici aquile– primi I sei corvi – il segnato? Refs. Luigi Speranza, “Grice
e Bruni: implicatura geometrica” – The Swimming-Pool Library.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51779503526/in/dateposted-public/
Grice e Bruno – L’opera – libretto di -- Atteone
– filosofia italiana – Luigi Speranza (Nola). Filosofo. Grice: “Italians should
concentrate on the few Italian philosophical dialogues by Bruno in the
vernacular, and leave those in ‘the learned’ for those who cannot deal with the
‘volgare’!” “My favourite has to be the one on Atteone – which Bruno describes
as the ‘furor’ of a ‘heroe’ – Atteone il cacciatore – but the one on the Fiume
at the Campidoglio is also very good!” --
Giordano Bruno – Grice: “A genius”. La sua
filosofia, inquadrabile nel naturalismo rinascimentale d’amare infinitiamente,
fonde le più diverse tradizioni filosofiche — materialismo antico, galileismo, neoplatonismo,
ermetismo, mnemotecnica -- ma ruota intorno a un'unica idea: l'infinito –
“l’immenso” -- inteso come l'universo infinito, effetto di un Dio infinito,
in-figurabile, fatto di infiniti mondi, da amare infinitamente. Non
esistono molti documenti sulla sua gioventù. È lo stesso filosofo, negli
interrogatori cui fu sottoposto durante il processo che segna gli ultimi anni della sua vita, a dare le
informazioni sui suoi primi anni. Io ho nome Giordano Filippo della famiglia di
Bruni, della città de Nola vicina a Napoli dodeci miglia, nato ed allevato in
quella città, e più precisamente nella contrada di san Giovanni del Cesco, ai
piedi del monte Cicala. Figlio dell'alfiere Giovanni e di Fraulissa Savolina per
quanto ho inteso dalli miei. Il Mezzogiorno era allora parte del Regno di
Napoli. Fu battezzato col nome di Filippo in onore dell'erede al trono. La sua
casa - che non esiste più - era modesta, ma nel suo “De immense” ricorda con
commossa simpatia l'ambiente che la circondava, l'amenissimo monte Cicala, le
rovine del castello del XII secolo, gli ulivi, in parte gli stessi di oggi, e di
fronte, il Vesuvio, che, pensando che oltre quella montagna non vi fosse più
nulla nel mondo, esplora ragazzetto. Ne trae l'insegnamento di non basarsi esclusivamente
sul giudizio dei sensi, come fa, a suo dire, il grande Aristotele, imparando
soprattutto che, al di là di ogni apparente limite, vi è sempre qualche cosa
d'altro. Impara a leggere e a scrivere da un prete nolano, Giandomenico de
Iannello e compì gli studi di grammatica nella scuola di Aloia. Prosegue gli
studi superiori a Napoli, che era allora nel cortile del convento di san
Domenico, per apprendere lettere, logica e dialettica da Colle e lezioni
private di logica da un agostiniano, Vairano. Il Sarnese, ossia Colle e un
aristotelico. Per Colle, solo il concetto conta, nessuna importanza avendo la
forma nella quale il concetto e espresso. Scarse le notizie su Vairano, del
quale Bruno ebbe sempre ammirazione, tanto da farlo protagonista dei suoi
dialoghi cosmologici e da confidare al bibliotecario Cotin che eglio fu «il
principale tutore che abbia avuto in filosofia. Per delineare la sua prima
formazione, basta aggiungere che, introducendo la spiegazione del nono sigillo
nella sua “Explicatio triginta sigillorum”, scrive di essersi dedicato fin da
giovanissimo allo studio dell'arte della memoria, influenzato probabilmente
dalla lettura del trattato Phoenix seu artificiosa memoria di Tommai. In
convento Interno della chiesa di san Domenico Maggiore a Napoli, dove
Bruno seguì il suo noviziato e fu promosso agli ordini sacri A 14 anni, o 15
incirca rinuncia al nome di Filippo, come imposto dalla regola domenicana,
assume il nome di Giordano, in onore a Giordano di Sassonia, successore di
Domenico, o forse di Giordano Crispo, suo tutore di metafisica, e prende quindi
l'abito di frate domenicano dal priore del convento di san Domenico Maggiore a
Napoli, Pasca. Fnito l'anno della probatione, e admesso da lui medesimo alla
professione», in realtà fu novizio il 15 giugno 1565 e professo il 16 giugno
1566, a diciotto anni. Valutando retrospettivamente, la scelta d'indossare
l'abito domenicano può spiegarsi non già per un interesse alla vita religiosa o
agli studi teologici – che mai ebbe, come affermò anche al processo - ma per
potersi dedicare ai suoi studi prediletti di filosofia con il vantaggio di
godere della condizione di privilegiata sicurezza che l'appartenenza a quell'ordine
potente certamente gli garanta. Che egli non fosse entrato fra i
domenicani per tutelare l'ortodossia della fede cattolica lo rivelò subito
l'episodio – narrato da lui stesso al processo – nel quale nel convento di san
Domenico, butta via le immagini dei santi in suo possesso, conservando solo il
crocefisso e invitando un novizio che legga la Historia delle sette allegrezze
della Madonna a gettar via quel libro, una modesta operetta devozionale,
pubblicata a Firenze, perifrasi di versi in latino di Chiaravalle,
sostituendolo magari con lo studio della Vita de' santi Padri di Cavalca.
Episodio che, pur conosciuto dai superiori, non provoca sanzioni nei suoi
confronti, ma che dimostra come fosse del tutto estraneo alle tematiche devozionali
contro-riformistiche. Chiesa di San Bartolomeo a Campagna, dove celebra la
sua prima messa. E andato a Roma e sia stato presentato a Pio V e al cardinale Rebiba,
al quale avrebbe insegnato qualche elemento di quell'arte mnemonica che tanta
parte avrà nella sua speculazione filosofica. Fu ordinato suddiacono, diacono,
e presbitero, celebrando la sua prima messa nel convento di san Bartolomeo a
Campagna, presso Salerno, a quell'epoca appartenente ai Grimaldi, principi di
Monaco, e si laurea con una tesi su Aquino e Lombardo. Non bisogna pensare
che un convento fosse esclusivamente un'oasi di pace e di meditazione di
spiriti eletti. Nei confronti dei frati di san Domenico Maggiore furono emesse
diciotto sentenze di condanna per scandali sessuali, furti e perfino omicidi. Non
deve pertanto stupire il disprezzo che ostenta sempre nei confronti dei frati,
ai quali rimprovera in particolare la mancanza di cultura; e non solo, ma,
secondo un'ipotesi di Spampanato comunemente accettata in sede critica, nel protagonista
del suo “Candelaio”, Bonifacio, egli assai probabilmente alluse proprio a un
suo con-fratello, Bonifacio da Napoli, definito nella lettera dedicatoria alla
Signora Morgana B. “candelaio” “in carne ed ossa”, ossia “sodomita”. Tuttavia,
la possibilità di formarsi un'ampia cultura non manca certo nel convento di san
Domenico Maggiore, famoso per la ricchezza della sua biblioteca, anche se, come
negli altri conventi, sono vietati i saggi di Erasmo da Rotterdam che però si procura in parte, leggendoli di nascosto. La
sua esperienza conventuale e in ogni caso decisiva. Vi puo compiere i suoi
studi e formare la sua cultura leggendo di tutto, da Aristotele ad Aquino, da
Gerolamo a Crisostomo, oltre alle opere di Ficino. La sua indipendenza di
pensiero e la sua insofferenza verso l'osservanza dei dogmi si manifestarono inequivocabilmente.
Discutendo di arianesimo con Montalcino, ospite nel convento napoletano,
sostenne che le opinioni di Ario e meno perniciose di quel che si riteneva,
dichiarando che Ario dice che il verbo non era creatore né creatura, ma medio
intra il creatore e la creatura, come il verbo è mezzo intra il dicente
(DICENS, DICTOR, utterer, mittente) ed il detto (il detto, DICTUM, utteratum,
missum) e però essere detto primogenito avanti ogni creatura, non dal quale ma
per il quale è stato creato ogni cosa, non al quale ma per il quale si refferisce
e ritorna ogni cosa all'ultimo fine, che è il Padre, essagerandomi sopra
questo. Per il che fui tolto in suspetto e processato, tra le altre cose, forsi
de questo ancora. E all'inquisitore veneziano espresse il proprio scetticismo
sulla trinità, ammettendo di aver dubitato circa il nome di “persona” del
Figliolo e del Spirito Santo, non intendendo queste due persone distinte dal
Padre, ma considerando il Figlio, neo-platonicamente, l'intelletto e lo spirito,
pitagoricamente, l'amore del padre o l'anima del mondo, non dunque “persone” o
sostanze distinte, ma manifestazioni divine. Denunciato da Agostino al
padre provincial Vita, costui istituì contro di lui un processo per eresia e,
come racconta lui stesso agli inquisitori veneti, dubitando di non esser messo
in preggione, me partto da Napoli ed ando a Roma. Raggiunse Roma, ospite del
convento domenicano di Santa Maria sopra Minerva, il cui procuratore, Lucca,
divenne pochi anni dopo generale dell'Ordine e
censura i saggi di Montaigne. Sono anni di gravi disordini: a Roma
sembra non farsi altro, scrive il cronista Gualtieri, che rubare e ammazzare:
molti gittati in Tevere, né di popolo solamente, ma i monsignori, i figli di
magnati, messi al tormento del fuoco, e nipoti di cardinali sono levati dal
mondo e ne incolpa il debole Gregorio XIII. è accusato di aver ammazzato e
gettato nel fiume un frate: scrive Cotin, fugge da Roma per un omicidio
commesso da un suo frère, per il quale egli è incolpato e in pericolo di vita,
sia per le calunnie dei suoi inquisitori che, ignoranti come sono, non
concepiscono la sua filosofia e lo accusano di eresia. Oltre all'accusa di
omicidio, ha infatti notizia che nel convento napoletano erano stati trovati,
tra i suoi saggi, saggi di Crisostomo e di Gerolamo annotate da Erasmo e che si
sta istruendo contro di lui un processo per eresia. Così abbandona
l'abito domenicano, riassume il nome di Filippo, lascia Roma e fugge in
Liguria. Portico del Palazzo comunale di Noli, dove soggiorna per un breve
periodo. Sotto il portico una lapide ricorda il soggiorno del filosofo:
"Giordano Bruno Prima d'insegnare all'Europa Le leggi dell'ordine
universale fu maestro in Noli di grammatica e cosmografia. è a Genova e scrive
che allora, nella chiesa di Santa Maria di Castello, si adora come reliquia e
si fac baciare ai fedeli la coda dell'asina che portò Gesù a Gerusalemme. Da
qui, va poi a Noli, dove insegna grammatica ai bambini e cosmografia agli
adulti. è a Savona, poi a Torino, che giudica deliciosa città ma, non
trovandovi impiego, per via fluviale s'indirizza a Venezia, dove alloggia in
una locanda nella contrada di Frezzeria, facendovi stampare il suo primo
saggio, “De' segni de' tempi”, per metter insieme un pocco de danari per
potermi sustentar; la qual opera feci veder prima al reverendo padre maestro
Fiorenza, domenicano del convento dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo. Ma a
Venezia e in corso un'epidemia di peste che ha fatto decine di migliaia di
vittime, anche illustri, come Tiziano, così va a Padova dove, dietro consiglio
di alcuni domenicani, riprende il saio, quindi se ne va a Brescia, dove si ferma
nel convento domenicano. Qui un monaco, profeta, gran teologo e poliglotta, sospettato
di stregoneria per essersi messo a profetizzare, viene da lui guarito,
ritornando a essere - scrive ironicamente - il solito asino. IDa Bergamo decide
di andare in Francia: passa per Milano e Torino, ed entra in Savoia passando
l'inverno nel convento domenicano di Chambéry. Successivamente, è a Ginevra, città dov'è presente una numerosa
colonia di italiani riformati. Bruno depone nuovamente il saio e si veste di
cappa, cappello e spada, aderisce al calvinismo e trova lavoro come correttore
di bozze, grazie all'interessamento del marchese Caracciolo il quale, transfuga
dall'Italia vi aveva fondato la comunità
evangelica italiana. S'iscrive allo studio di Ginevra come Filippo Bruno
nolano, professore di teologia sacra. Accusa il professore di filosofia Faye di
essere un cattivo insegnante e definisce pedagoghi i pastori calvinisti. È
probabile che volesse farsi notare, dimostrare l'eccellenza della sua
preparazione filosofica e delle sue capacità didattiche per ottenere un
incarico d'insegnante, costante ambizione di tutta la sua vita. Anche la sua
adesione al calvinismo e mirata a questo scopo. E in realtà indifferente a tutte
le confessioni religiose. Nella misura in cui l'adesione a una religione
storica non pregiudicasse le sue convinzioni filosofiche e la libertà di
professarle, sarebbe stato cattolico in Italia, calvinista in Svizzera,
anglicano in Inghilterra e luterano in Germania. Arrestato per diffamazione,
viene processato e scomunicato. Costretto a ritrattare. Lscia allora Ginevra e
si trasferisce brevemente a Lione per passare a Tolosa, città cattolica, sede
di un'importante studio, dove occupa il posto di lettore, insegnandovi, come
Grice, il “De anima”, di Aristotele e componendo un trattato di arte della
memoria: la Clavis magna, che si rifarebbe all'Ars magna. A Tolosa conosce il
filosofo scettico Sanches, che volle dedicargli il suo libro “Quod nihil
scitur”, chiamandolo filosofo acutissimo. Ma
non ricambia la stima, se scrisse di lui di considerare stupefacente che
questo asino si dia il titolo di dottore. A causa della guerra di religione fra
cattolici e ugonotti, lascia Tolosa per Parigi, dove tiene un corso di lezioni
sugli attributi di Dio secondo Aquino. E in seguito al successo di queste
lezioni, come egli stesso racconta agli inquisitori, acquistai nome tale che il
re Enrico terzo mi fece chiamare un giorno, ricercandomi se la memoria che ho e
che professo, e naturale o pur per arte magica; al qual diedi sodisfazione; e
con quello che li dissi e feci provare a lui medesmo, conosce che non era per
arte magica ma per scienzia. E doppo questo fa stampar un libro de memoria,
sotto titolo “De umbris idearum”, il qual dedica a Sua Maestà; e con questa
occasione si fa lettor straordinario e provvisionato. Appoggiando fattivamente
l'operato politico di Enrico III di Valois, a Parigi sarebbe rimasto poco meno
di due anni, occupato nella prestigiosa posizione di lecteur royal. È a Parigi
che dà alle stampe le sue prime opere pervenuteci. Oltre al “De compendiosa
architectura et complemento artis Lullii” vedono la luce il “De umbris idearum”
(“Le ombre delle idee”) e l'Ars memoriae ("L'arte della memoria"), seguiti
dal “Cantus Circaeus”, “Il canto di Circe”, e dalla commedia in volgare intitolata “Candelaio”
(Il sodomita). Nella suai intenzioni, il
saggio di argomento mnemotecnico, è distinto così in una parte di carattere
teorico e in una di carattere pratico. Per lui l'universo è un corpo unico, organicamente
formato, con un preciso ordine che struttura ogni singola cosa e la connette
con tutte le altre. Fondamento di quest'ordine sono le idee, principi eterni e
immutabili presenti totalmente e simultaneamente nella mente divina, ma queste
idee vengono "ombrate" e si separano nell'atto di volerle intendere.
Nel cosmo ogni singolo ente è dunque imitazione, immagine -- "ombra" --
della realtà ideale che la regge. Rispecchiando in sé stessa la struttura
dell'universo, la mente umana, che ha in sé non le idee ma le ombre delle idee
(Shakespeare, l’ombra dell’ombra), può raggiungere la vera conoscenza, ossia la
idea e il nesso che connetta ogni cosa con ogni altre, al di là della
molteplicità degli elementi particolari e del loro mutare nel tempo. Si tratta
allora di cercare di ottenere un metodo conoscitivo che colga la complessità
del reale, fino alla struttura ideale che sostiene il tutto. Tale mezzo
si fonda sull'arte della memoria, il cui compito è di evitare la confusione
generata dalla molteplicità delle immagini e di connettere la immagine della
cosa con il concetto, rappresentando simbolicamente tutto il reale. Nel
pensiero del filosofo, l'arte della memoria opera nel medesimo mondo dell’ombre
delle idea, presentandosi come emulatrice della natura. Se dall’idea prende
forma la cosa del mondo in quanto la idea contiene l’immagine di ogni cosa, e
ai nostri sensi la cosa si manifestano come ombra di quella, allora tramite
l'immaginazione stessa e possibile ripercorrere il cammino inverso, risalire
cioè dall’ombra alle idea, dall'uomo a Dio: l'arte della memoria non è più un
ausilio della retorica, ma un mezzo per ri-creare il mondo (cf. Grice
metaphysical routine: creation of concept, recreation of concept, creation of
thing). È dunque un processo visionario e non un metodo razionale quello che propone.
A similitudine di ogni altra arte, quella della memoria ha bisogno di un
sostrato (i subiecta), cioè "spazi" dell'immaginazione atti ad
accogliere il simbolo adatti (gl’ “adiecta”) tramite uno strumento opportuno.
Con questi presupposti, lcostruisce un “sistema” (cf. Grice, Gentzen), che associa
a ogni segno una immagine proprie della mitologia, in modo da rendere possibile
la codifica di segno e concetto secondo una particolare successione di
immagini. Il segno puo essere visualizzato su un diagramma circolare, o
"ruote mnemoniche", che girando e innestandosi l'una dentro l'altra,
fornisce un strumento via via più potenti. “Il canto di Circe” è composta da
due dialoghi. Protagonista del primo è la maga Circe che risentita dal
constatare che l’uomo si comporta come un animale inferiore, opera un incantesimo
trasformando l’uomo in bestia, mettendo così in luce la loro autentica natura.
Nel secondo dialogo, dando voce a uno dei due protagonisti, Borista, riprende
l'arte della memoria mostrando come memorizzare il dialogo precedente. Al testo
si fa corrispondere uno scenario che viene via via suddiviso in un maggior
numero di spazi e i vari oggetti lì contenuti sono ogni immagine relativa a
ogni concetto espresso nello scritto. Il Cantus resta dunque un trattato di
mnemotecnica nel quale però il filosofo già lascia intravedere una tematica
morale che e ampiamente riprese in opere successive, soprattutto nello “Spaccio
de la bestia trionfante” e ne “De gli eroici furori”. Ancora pubblica infine il
Candelaio, una commedia in cinque atti in cui alla complessità del linguaggio,
un italiano popolaresco che inserisce termini in latino, toscano e napoletano,
corrisponde l'eccentricità della trama, fondata su tre storie parallele. Esterno
della chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta dei Pignatelli, in Largo Corpo di Napoli,
presso il Seggio del Nilo, dove Bruno ambienta il suo Candelaio. Il nome “Candelaio”
deriva dalla statua del dio Nilo. La commedia è ambientata nella
Napoli-metropoli del secondo Cinquecento, in posti che il filosofo ben conosce
per avervi soggiornato durante il suo noviziato. Il candelaio (sodomita) Bonifacio,
pur sposato con la bella Carubina, corteggia la signora Vittoria ricorrendo a
pratiche magiche. L’avido alchimista Bartolomeo si ostina a voler trasformare i
metalli in oro. Il grammatico Manfurio si esprime in un linguaggio
incomprensibile (deutero-Esperanto). In queste tre storie si inserisce quella
del pittore Gioan Bernardo, voce di lui stesso che con una corte di servi e
malfattori si fa beffe di tutti e conquista Carubina. In questo classico
della letteratura italiana, appare un mondo assurdo, violento e corrotto,
rappresentato con amara comicità, dove gli eventi si succedono in una
trasformazione continua e vivace. La commedia è una feroce condanna della
stupidità, dell'avarizia e della pedanteria. Interessante nell'opera la
descrizione che lui fa di sé stesso. L'autore, si voi lo conoscete, direste
ch'ave una fisionomia smarrita: par che sii in contemplazione delle pene
dell'inferno, par sii stato alla pressa come le barrette: un che ride sol per
far come fan gli altri: per il più lo vedrete fastidito e bizzarro, non si
contenta di nulla, ritroso come un uomo d'ottant'anni, fantastico com'un cane
ch'ha ricevute mille spellicciate, pasciuto di cipolla. Intende venire in
Inghilterra il dottor Giordano Bruno, Nolano, professore di filosofia, la cui
religione non posso approvare. Dalla lettera dell'ambasciatore inglese a Parigi
Cobham a Walsingham. Lascia Parigi e parte per l'Inghilterra dove, a Londra, è
ospitato dall'ambasciatore di Francia Castelnau, che gli affianca il letterato
Florio in quanto lui non conosce l'inglese, accompagnandolo fino al termine del
suo soggiorno inglese. Nelle deposizioni lasciate agli inquisitori veneti egli
sorvola sulle motivazioni di questa partenza, riferendosi genericamente ai
disordini là in corso per questioni religiose. Sulla partenza da Parigi restano
però aperte altre ipotesi: che Bruno fosse partito in missione segreta per
conto di Enrico III; che il clima a Parigi si fosse fatto pericoloso a causa
dei suoi insegnamenti. Bisogna aggiungere anche il fatto che davanti agli
inquisitori veneziani, qualche anno più avanti, esprimer parole di
apprezzamento per la regina d'Inghilterra Elisabetta che egli aveva conosciuto
andando spesso a corte con l'ambasciatore. -- è a Oxford, e alla St. Mary
sostenne con uno di quei professori una disputa pubblica. Tornato a Londra, vi
pubblica l'”Ars reminiscendi”, l' “Explicatio triginta sigillorum” e il “Sigillus
sigillorum” nel quale insere una lettera indirizzata al vice cancelliere di Oxford,
scrivendo che là trovea dispostissimo e prontissimo un uomo col quale saggiare la
misura della propria forza. È una richiesta di poter insegnare nella
prestigiosa università. La proposta viene accolta. Parte per Oxford. Il “Sigillus
sigillorum” e considerato di argomento mnemotecnico. Il sigillus e è una
concisa trattazione teorica nella quale il filosofo introduce tematiche
decisive nel suo pensiero, quali l'unità dei processi cognitivi; l'amore come
legame universale; l'unicità e infinità di una forma universale che si esplica
nelle infinite figure della materia, e il furore nel senso di slancio verso il
divino, argomenti che saranno di lì a poco sviluppati a fondo nei successivi
dialoghi italiani. È presentato inoltre in quest'opera fondamentale un altro
dei temi nucleari di sua filosofia: la magia come guida e strumento di
conoscenza e azione, argomento che egli amplierà nelle cosiddette opere
magiche. A Oxford tiene alcune lezioni sulle teorie copernicane, ma il
suo soggiorno presso quella città dura ben poco. A Oxford non gradirono quelle
novità, come testimonia Abbot, che fu presente alle lezioni di Bruno. Quell'omiciattolo
italiano intraprese il tentativo, tra moltissime altre cose, di far stare in
piedi l'opinione di Copernico, per cui la terra gira e i cieli stanno fermi;
mentre in realtà era la sua testa che girava e il suo cervello che non stava
fermo. Le lezioni furono quindi interrotte, ufficialmente per un'accusa di
plagio al “De vita coelitus comparanda” di Ficino. Sono anni questi difficili e
amari per il filosofo, come traspare dal tono delle introduzioni alle opere
immediatamente successive, i dialoghi londinesi: le polemiche accese e i
rifiuti sono vissuti lui come una persecuzione, ingiusti oltraggi, e certo la
fama che già lo aveva preceduto da Parigi non lo aiuta. Ritornato a Londra, nonostante
il clima avverso, pubblica presso John Charlewood sei saggi fra le più
importanti della sua produzione: sei opere filosofiche in forma dialogica, i
cosiddetti "dialoghi londinesi", o anche "dialoghi
italiani", perché tutti in lingua italiana: “La cena de le ceneri”; “De la
causa, principio et uno”; “De l'infinito, universo e mondi”; “Spaccio de la
bestia trionfante”; “Cabala del cavallo pegaseo con l'aggiunta dell'Asino
cillenico”; “De gli eroici furori”. “La cena de le ceneri” dedicata a Castelnau,
presso il quale era ospite, è divisa in cinque dialoghi, i protagonisti sono quattro
e fra questi Teofilo può considerarsi il portavoce dell'autore. Immagina che il
nobile sir Fulke Greville, il giorno delle ceneri, inviti a cena Teofilo, lui stesso,
Florio, precettore della figlia dell'ambasciatore, un cavaliere e due
accademici luterani di Oxford: i dottori Torquato e Nundinio. Rispondendo alle
domande degli altri protagonisti, Teofilo racconta gli eventi che hanno portato
all'incontro e lo svolgersi della conversazione avvenuta durante la cena,
esponendo così le teorie del nolano. Bruno elogia e difende la teoria di Copernico
contro gli attacchi dei conservatori e contro chi, come Osiander, che aveva
scritto una prefazione denigratoria al De revolutionibus orbium coelestium,
considera solo un'ipotesi ingegnosa quella dell'astronomo. Il mondo di
Copernico, però, era ancora finito e delimitato dalla sfera delle stelle fisse.
Nella Cena, non si limita a sostenere il moto della Terra di seguito alla confutazione
della cosmologia tolemaica; egli presenta altresì un universo infinito: senza
centro né confini. Afferma Teofilo (portavoce dell'autore) riguardo
all'universo che sappiamo certo che essendo effetto e principiato da una causa
infinita e principio infinito, deve secondo la capacità sua corporale e modo
suo essere infinitamente infinito. Non è possibile giamai di trovar raggione
semiprobabile per la quale sia margine di questo universo corporale; e per
conseguenza ancora li astri che nel suo spacio si contengono, siino di numero
finito; et oltre essere naturalmente determinato cento e mezzo di quello». L'universo,
che procede da Dio quale Causa infinita, è infinito a sua volta e contiene
mondi innumerabili. Per Bruno sono principi vani sostenere l'esistenza
del firmamento con le sue stelle fisse, la finitezza dell'universo e che in
questo esista un centro dove ora dovrebbe trovarsi immobile il Sole come prima
vi si immaginava ferma la Terra. Formula esempi che appaiono ad alcuni autori
come antesignani del principio di relatività galileiana. Seguendo la Docta
ignorantia del cardinale e umanista Cusano, sostiene l'infinità dell'universo
in quanto effetto di una causa infinita. -- e ovviamente consapevole che le
Scritture sostengono tutt'altro – finitezza dell'universo e centralità della
Terra – ma, risponde: «Se gli dei si fossero degnati di insegnarci la
teorica delle cose della natura, come ne han fatto favore di proporci la
pratica di cose morali, io più tosto mi accosterei alla fede de le loro rivelazioni,
che muovermi punto della certezza de mie raggioni e proprii sentimenti. Come
occorre distinguere tra dottrine morali e filosofia naturale, così occorre
distinguere tra teologi e filosofi: ai primi spettano le questioni morali, ai
secondi la ricerca della verità. Dunque Bruno traccia qui un confine abbastanza
netto fra opere di filosofia naturale e Sacre scritture. I cinque dialoghi
del De la causa, principio et uno intendono stabilire i principi della realtà
naturale. Lascia da parte l'aspetto teologico della conoscenza di Dio, del
quale, come causa della natura, non possiamo conoscere nulla attraverso il
«lume naturale», perché esso «ascende sopra la natura» e si può pertanto
aspirare a conoscere Dio solo per fede. Ciò che interessa a Bruno è invece la
filosofia e la contemplazione della natura, la conoscenza della realtà naturale
nella quale, come già aveva scritto nel De umbris, possiamo soltanto cogliere
le «ombre», il divino «per modo di vestigio. La costellazione di Orione
Riallacciandosi ad antiche tradizioni di pensiero, Bruno elabora una concezione
animistica della materia, nella quale l'anima del mondo viene a identificarsi
con la sua forma universale, e la cui prima e principale facoltà è l'intelletto
universale. L'intelletto è il «principio formale costitutivo de l'universo e di
ciò che in quello si contiene» e la forma non è altro che il principio vitale,
l'anima delle cose le quali, proprio perché tutte dotate di anima, non hanno
imperfezione. La materia, d'altro canto, non è in sé stessa
indifferenziata, un "nulla", come hanno sostenuto molti filosofi, una
bruta potenza, senza atto e senza perfezione, come direbbe Aristotele. La
materia è allora il secondo principio della natura, della quale ogni cosa è
formata. Essa è «potenza d'esser fatto, prodotto e creato», aspetto equivalente
al principio formale che è potenza attiva, «potenza di fare, di produrre, di
creare» e non può esserci l'un principio senza l'altro. Ponendosi quindi in
contrasto col dualismo aristotelico, Bruno conclude che principio formale e
principio materiale benché distinti non possono essere ritenuti separati,
perché «il tutto secondo la sostanza è uno». Discendono da queste
considerazioni due elementi fondamentali della filosofia bruniana: uno, tutta
la materia è vita e la vita è nella materia, materia infinita; due, Dio non può
essere al di fuori della materia semplicemente perché non esiste un
"esterno" della materia: Dio è dentro la materia, dentro di noi. Nel “De
l'infinito, universo e mondi” riprende e arricchisce temi già affrontati nei
dialoghi precedenti: la necessità di un accordo tra filosofi e teologi, perché
«la fede si richiede per l'istituzione di rozzi popoli che denno esser
governati»; l'infinità dell'universo e l'esistenza di mondi infiniti; la
mancanza di un centro in un universo infinito, che comporta un'ulteriore
conseguenza: la scomparsa dell'antico, ipotizzato ordine gerarchico, la
«vanissima fantasia» che riteneva che al centro vi fosse il «corpo più denso e
crasso» e si ascendesse ai corpi più fini e divini. La concezione aristotelica
è difesa ancora da quei dottori (i pedanti) che hanno fede nella «fama de gli
autori che gli son stati messi nelle mani», ma i filosofi moderni, che non
hanno interesse a dipendere da quello che dicono gli altri e pensano con la
loro testa, si sbarazzano di queste anticaglie e con passo più sicuro procedono
verso la verità. Chiaramente un universo eterno, infinitamente esteso,
composto di un numero infinito di sistemi solari simili al nostro e sprovvisto
di centro sottrae alla Terra, e di conseguenza all'uomo, quel ruolo
privilegiato che Terra e uomo hanno nelle religioni giudaico-cristiane
all'interno del modello della creazione, creazione che agli occhi del filosofo
non ha più senso, perché come già aveva concluso nei due dialoghi precedenti,
l'universo è assimilabile a un organismo vivente, dove la vita è insita in una
materia infinita che perennemente muta. Il copernicanesimo, per Bruno,
rappresenta la "vera" concezione dell'universo, meglio, l'effettiva
descrizione dei moti celesti. Nel Dialogo primo del De l'infinito, universo e
mondi, il nolano spiega che l'universo è infinito perché tale è la sua Causa
che coincide con Dio. Filoteo, portavoce dell'autore, afferma: «Qual raggione
vuole che vogliamo credere che l'agente che può fare un buono infinito lo fa
finito? e se lo fa finito, perché doviamo noi credere che possa farlo infinito,
essendo in lui il possere et il fare tutto uno? Perché è inmutabile, non ha
contingenzia nell'operazione, né nella efficacia, ma da determinata e certa
efficacia depende determinato e certo effetto inmutabilmente: onde non può
essere altro che quello che è; non può essere tale quale non è; non può posser
altro che quel che può; non può voler altro che quel che vuole; e
necessariamente non può far altro che quel che fa: atteso che l'aver potenza
distinta da l'atto conviene solamente a cose mutabili». Essendo Dio
infinitamente potente, dunque, il suo atto esplicativo deve esserlo altrettanto.
In Dio coincidono libertà e necessità, volontà e potenza (o capacità); di
conseguenza, non è credibile che all'atto della creazione Egli abbia posto un
limite a sé stesso. Bisogna tener presente che Bruno opera una netta
distinzione tra l'universo e i mondi. Parlare di un sistema del mondo non vuol
dire, nella sua visione del cosmo, parlare di un sistema dell'universo.
L'astronomia è legittima e possibile come scienza del mondo che cade
nell'ambito della nostra percezione sensibile. Ma, al di là di esso, si estende
un universo infinito che contiene quei "grandi animali" che chiamiamo
astri, che racchiude una pluralità infinita di mondi. Quell'universo non ha
dimensioni né misura, non ha forma né figura. Di esso, che è insieme uniforme e
senza forma, che non è né armonico né ordinato, non può in alcun modo darsi un
sistema». «Quando aviene che un poltrone o forfante monta ad esser principe o
ricco, non è per mia colpa, ma per iniquità di voi altri che, per esser scarsi
del lume e splendor vostro, non lo sforfantaste o spoltronaste prima, o non lo
spoltronate e sforfantate al presente, o almeno appresso lo vegnate a purgar
della forfantesca poltronaria, a fine che un tale non presieda. Non è errore
che sia fatto un prencipe, ma che sia fatto prencipe un forfante.»
(Spaccio de la bestia trionfante, Fortuna (Sofia): dialogo II, parte II) Opera
allegorica, lo Spaccio, costituito da tre dialoghi di argomento morale, si
presta a essere interpretato su diversi livelli, tra i quali resta fondamentale
quello dell'intento polemico di Bruno contro la Riforma protestante, che agli
occhi del nolano rappresenta il punto più basso di un ciclo di decadenza
iniziato col cristianesimo. Decadenza non soltanto religiosa, ma anche civile e
filosofica: se Bruno aveva concluso nei precedenti dialoghi che la fede è
necessaria per il governo dei «rozzi popoli» cercando di delimitare così i
rispettivi campi d'azione di filosofia e religione, qui egli riapre quel
confine. Nella visione di Bruno, il legame fra l'uomo e il mondo, mondo naturale
e mondo civile, è quello fra l'uomo e un Dio che non sta "nell'alto dei
cieli", ma nel mondo, perché la «natura non è altro che dio nelle cose».
Il filosofo, colui che cerca la Verità, deve pertanto necessariamente operare
là dove sono situate le «ombre» del divino. L'uomo non può fare a meno di
interagire con Dio, secondo il linguaggio di una comunicazione che nel mondo
naturale vede l'uomo perseguire la Conoscenza, e nel mondo civile l'uomo
seguire la Legge. Questo legame è proprio quello che nella storia è stato
interrotto, e il mondo tutto è decaduto perché è decaduta la religione
trascinando con sé e la legge e la filosofia, «di sorte che non siamo più dèi,
non siamo più noi. Nello Spaccio, dunque, etica, ontologia e religione sono
strettamente interconnessi. Religione, e questo va evidenziato, che Bruno
intende come religione civile e naturale, e il modello cui egli si ispira è
quello degli antichi Egizi e Romani, che «non adoravano Giove, come lui fusse
la divinità, ma adoravano la divinità come fusse in Giove. Per ristabilire il
legame col divino occorre però che «prima togliamo dalle nostre spalli la
grieve somma d'errori che ne trattiene.» È lo "spaccio", cioè
l'espulsione di ciò che ha deteriorato quel legame: le "bestie
trionfanti". Le bestie trionfanti sono immaginate nelle
costellazioni celesti, rappresentate da animali: occorre
"spacciarle", cioè cacciarle dal cielo in quanto rappresentanti vizi
che è tempo di sostituire con altre virtù: via dunque la Falsità, l'Ipocrisia,
la Malizia, la «stolta fede», la Stupidità, la Fierezza, la Fiacchezza, la
Viltà, l'Ozio, l'Avarizia, l'Invidia, l'Impostura, l'Adulazione e via
elencando. Occorre tornare alla semplicità, alla verità e all'operosità,
ribaltando le concezioni morali che si sono ormai imposte nel mondo, secondo le
quali le opere e gli affetti eroici sono privi di valore, dove credere senza
riflettere è sapienza, dove le imposture umane sono fatte passare per consigli
divini, la perversione della legge naturale è considerata pietà religiosa,
studiare è follia, l'onore è posto nelle ricchezze, la dignità nell'eleganza,
la prudenza nella malizia, l'accortezza nel tradimento, il saper vivere nella
finzione, la giustizia nella tirannia, il giudizio nella violenza.
Responsabile di questa crisi è il cristianesimo: già Paolo aveva operato il
rovesciamento dei valori naturali e ora Lutero, «macchia del mondo», ha chiuso
il ciclo: la ruota della storia, della vicissitudine del mondo, essendo giunta
al suo punto più basso, può operare un nuovo e positivo rovesciamento dei
valori. Nella nuova gerarchia di valori il primo posto spetta alla
Verità, necessaria guida per non errare. A questa segue la Prudenza, la
caratteristica del saggio che, conosciuta la verità, ne trae le conseguenze con
un comportamento adeguato. Al terzo posto Bruno inserisce la Sofia, la ricerca
della verità; quindi segue la Legge, che disciplina il comportamento civile
dell'uomo; infine il Giudizio, inteso come aspetto attuatorio della legge.
Bruno fa quindi discendere la Legge dalla Sapienza, in una visione razionalista
nel cui centro c'è l'uomo che opera cercando la Verità, in netto contrasto col
cristianesimo di Paolo, che vede la legge subordinata alla liberazione dal
peccato, e con la Riforma di Lutero, che vede nella "sola fede" il
faro dell'uomo. Per Bruno la "gloria di Dio" si rovescia così in
«vana gloria» e il patto fra Dio e gli uomini stabilito nel Nuovo Testamento si
rivela «madre di tutte le forfanterie». La religione deve tornare a essere
"religione civile": legame che favorisca la «communione de gli
uomini», la civile conversazione. Altri valori seguono i primi cinque: la
Fortezza (la forza dell'animo), la Diligenza, la Filantropia, la Magnanimità,
la Semplicità, l'Entusiasmo, lo Studio, l'Operosità, eccetera. E allora
vedremo, conclude beffardo Bruno, «quanto siano atti a guadagnarsi un palmo di
terra questi che sono cossí effuse e prodighi a donar regni de' cieli». È
questa evidentemente un'etica che richiama i valori tradizionali
dell'Umanesimo, cui Bruno non ha mai dato molta importanza; ma questo schema
rigido è in realtà la premessa per le indicazioni di comportamento che Bruno
prospetta nell'opera di poco successiva, De gli eroici furori. Cabala del
cavallo pegaseo con l'aggiunta dell'Asino cillenico. «Li nostri divi asini,
privi del proprio sentimento ed affetto vegnono ad intendere non altrimente che
come gli vien soffiato alle orecchie delle rivelazioni o degli dei, o dei
vicarii loro; e per conseguenza a governarsi non secondo altra legge che di
que' medesimi. (Cabala del Cavallo Pegaseo, Saulino: dialogo I) La Cabala del
cavallo pegaseo viene pubblicata insieme a l'Asino cillenico in unico testo. Il
titolo allude a Pegaso, il cavallo alato della mitologia greca nato dal sangue
di Medusa decapitata da Perseo. Al termine delle sue imprese, Pegaso volò nel
cielo trasformandosi in costellazione, una delle 48 elencate da Tolomeo nel suo
Almagesto: la costellazione di Pegaso. "Cabala" si riferisce a una
tradizione mistica originatasi in seno all'ebraismo. Calcografia raffigurante
le stelle della costellazione di Pegaso che delineano la figura del cavallo
mitologico Pegaso L'opera, percorsa da una chiara vena comica, può essere letta
come un divertissement, opera d'intrattenimento senza pretese; oppure
interpretata in chiave allegorica, opera satirica, atto di accusa. Il cavallo
nel cielo sarebbe allora un asino idealizzato, figura celeste che rimanda
all'asinità umana: all'ignoranza, quella dei cabalisti, ma anche quella dei
religiosi in generale. I continui riferimenti ai testi sacri si rivelano
ambigui, perché da un lato suggeriscono interpretazioni, dall'altro confondono
il lettore. Uno dei filoni interpretativi, legato al lavoro critico svolto da
Vincenzo Spampanato, ha individuato nel cristianesimo delle origini e in Paolo
di Tarso il bersaglio polemico di Bruno. De gli eroici furori. De gli eroici
furori. Nei dieci dialoghi che compongono “De gli eroici furori” a Londra, individua
tre specie di passioni umane: quella per la vita speculativa, volta alla
conoscenza; quella per la vita pratica e attiva, e quella per la vita oziosa.
Le due ultime tendenze rivelano una passione di poco valore, un furore bass. Il
desiderio di una vita volta alla contemplazione, cioè alla ricerca della verità,
è invece espressione di un furore eroico, con il quale l'anima, rapita sopra
l'orizzonte de gli affetti naturali vinta da gli alti pensieri, come morta al
corpo, aspira ad alto. Non si giunge a tale effetto con la preghiera, con atteggiamenti
devozionali, con aprir gli occhi al cielo, alzar alto le mani, ma, al
contrario, con il venir al più intimo di sé, considerando che Dio è vicino, con
sé e dentro di sé più ch'egli medesmo esser non si possa, come quello che è
anima delle anime, vita delle vite, essenza de le essenze». Una ricerca che assimila
a una caccia, non la comune caccia ove il cacciatore ricerca e cattura le
prede, ma quella in cui il cacciatore diviene egli stesso preda, come Atteone
che nel mito ripreso da lui, avendo visto la bellezza di Diana, si trasforma in
cervo ed è fatto preda dei cani, i pensieri de cose divine, che lo divorano facendolo
morto al volgo, alla moltitudine, sciolto dalli nodi de li perturbati sensi, di
sorte che tutto vede come uno, non vede più distinzioni e numeri. La conoscenza
della natura è lo scopo della scienza e quello più alto della nostra vita
stessa, che da questa scelta viene trasformata in un furore eroico assimiliandoci
alla perenne e tormentata vicissitudine in cui si esprime il principio che
anima tutto l'universo. Il filosofo ci dice che per conoscere veramente l'oggetto
della nostra ricerca, Diana ignuda, non dobbiamo essere virtuosi (virtù come
medietà tra gli estremi) ma dobbiamo essere pazzi, furiosi, solo così potremmo
arrivare a capire l'oggetto del nostro studio (Atteone trasformato in cervo). La
ricerca e l'essere fuoriosi, non sono una virtù ma un vizio. Il dialogo è
inoltre un prosimetro, come La vita nuova di Dante, un insieme di prosa e di
poesia (distici, sonetti e una canzone finale). Il precedente periodo oxoniense
inglese è da considerarsi il più creativo di Bruno, periodo nel quale ha
prodotto il maggior numero di opere fino a quando l'ambasciatore Castelnau
essendo richiamato in Francia lo induce a imbarcarsi con lui; ma la nave verrà
assalita dai pirati, che derubano i passeggeri d'ogni avere. A Parigi
Bruno abita vicino al Collège de Cambrai, e ogni tanto va a prendere in
prestito qualche libro nella biblioteca di Saint-Victor, nella collina di
Sainte-Geneviève, il cui bibliotecario, il monaco Cotin, ha l'abitudine di
annotare giornalmente quanto avveniva nella biblioteca. Entrato in qualche
confidenza col filosofo, da lui sappiamo che Bruno stava per pubblicare
un'opera, l'Arbor philosophorum, che non ci è pervenuta, e che aveva lasciato
l'Italia per «evitare le calunnie degli inquisitori, che sono ignoranti e che,
non concependo la sua filosofia, lo accuserebbero di eresia». Il monaco annota
tra l'altro che era ammiratore d’Aquino, che disprezzava le sottigliezze degli
scolastici, dei sacramenti e anche dell'eucaristia, ignote a Pietro e a Paolo, i quali non seppero altro che hoc est
corpus meum. Dice che i torbidi religiosi sarebbero facilmente tolti di mezzo,
se fossero spazzate tali questioni e confida che questa sarà presto la fine
della contesa. L'anno successive pubblica, dedicata a Piero Del Bene, abate di
Belleville e membro della corte francese, la Figuratio Aristotelici physici
auditus, un'esposizione della fisica aristotelica. Conosce il salernitano Mordente, che due anni prima aveva pubblicato
Il Compasso, illustrazione dell'invenzione di un compasso di nuova concezione
e, poiché egli non sa il latino, che ha apprezzato la sua invenzione, pubblica
i “Dialogi duo de Fabricii Mordentis Salernitani prope divina adinventione ad
perfectam cosmimetriae praxim”, dove elogia l'inventore ma gli rimprovera di
non aver compreso tutta la portata della sua invenzione, che dimostrava
l'impossibilità di una divisione infinita delle lunghezze. Offeso da questi
rilievi, il Mordente protestò violentemente, sicché Bruno finì col replicare
con le feroci satire dell'“Idiota triumphans seu de Mordentio inter geometras
Deo dialogus” e del “Dialogus qui de somnii interpretatione seu geometrica
sylva inscribitur. Fa stampare col nome di Hennequin l'opuscolo
antiaristotelico “Centum et viginti articuli de natura et mundo adversus
peripateticos”, partecipando alla successiva pubblica disputa nel Collège de
Cambrai, ribadendo le sue critiche alla filosofia aristotelica. Contro tali
critiche si levò un giovane avvocato parigino, Raoul Callier, che replicò con
violenza chiamando il filosofo Giordano "Bruto". Sembra che
l'intervento del Callier abbia ricevuto l'appoggio di quasi tutti gli
intervenuti e che si sia scatenato un putiferio di fronte al quale il filosofo
preferì, una volta tanto, allontanarsi, ma le reazioni negative provocate dal
suo intervento contro la filosofia aristotelica, allora ancora in grande auge
alla Sorbona, unitamente alla crisi politica e religiosa in corso in Francia e
alla mancanza di appoggi a corte, lo indussero a lasciare nuovamente il suolo
francese. In Germania La Piazza del Mercato di Wittenberg Raggiunta
in giugno la Germania, Bruno soggiorna brevemente a Magonza e a Wiesbaden,
passando poi a Marburg, nella cui Università risulta immatricolato come
Theologiae doctor romanensis. Ma non trovando possibilità di insegnamento,
probabilmente per le sue posizioni antiaristoteliche, s'immatricola a Wittenberg
come Doctor italicus, insegnandovi per due anni, due anni che il filosofo
trascorre in tranquilla operosità. “uomo di nessun nome e autorità fra voi,
sfuggito ai tumulti di Francia, non appoggiato da alcuna raccomandazione
principesca, mi avete ritenuto meritevole di cordialissima accoglienza, mi
avete incluso nell'albo della vostra accademia, mi avete accolto in un consesso
di uomini tanto nobili e dotti, da sembrare ai miei occhi non una scuola
privata o una conventicola esoterica, bensì, come si conviene all'Atene
tedesca, una vera università.» (Dedica del De lampade combinatoria). Pubblica
il De lampade combinatoria lulliana, un commento dell'Ars magna e il “De
progressu et lampade venatoria logicorum”, commento ai Topica di Aristotele. Altri
commenti a opere aristoteliche sono i suoi “Libri physicorum Aristotelis explanati”.
Pubblica ancora, a Wittenberg, il “Camoeracensis Acrotismus”, una riedizione di
“Centum et viginti articuli de natura et mundo adversus peripateticos”. Un suo corso privato sulla Retorica sarà
invece pubblicato col titolo di “Artificium perorandi” (l’arte della
conversazione). Anche le “Animadversiones circa lampadem” e la “Lampas triginta
statuarum” verranno pubblicate. Nel saggio della Yates si fa cenno al fatto che
il Mocenigo aveva riferito all'Inquisizione veneziana l'intenzione di Bruno,
durante il suo periodo tedesco, di creare una nuova setta. Mentre altri
accusatori (il Mocenigo negherà questa affermazione) sostenevano che egli
avrebbe voluto chiamare la nuova setta dei Giordaniti e che essa avrebbe
attirato molto i luterani tedeschi. L'autrice inoltre si pone la domanda se in
questa setta vi fossero stati dei rapporti con i Rosacroce dato che in Germania
emersero all'inizio del XVII secolo presso i circoli luterani. Il nuovo duca
Cristiano I, succeduto al padre morto l'11 febbraio 1586, decide di rovesciare
l'indirizzo degli insegnamenti universitari che privilegiavano le dottrine del
filosofo calvinista Pietro Ramo a svantaggio delle classiche teorie
aristoteliche. Dovette essere questa svolta a spingere Bruno a lasciare Wittenberg,
non senza la lettura di una “Oratio valedictoria”, un saluto che è un
ringraziamento per l'ottima accoglienza della quale era stato
gratificato: «Sebbene fossi di nazione forestiero, esule, fuggiasco,
zimbello della fortuna, piccolo di corpo, scarso di beni, privo di favore,
premuto dall'odio della folla, quindi sprezzabile agli stolti e a quegli
ignobilissimi che non riconoscono nobiltà se non dove splende l'oro, tinnisce
l'argento, e il favore di persone loro simili tripudia e applaude, tuttavia
voi, dottissimi, gravissimi e morigeratissimi senatori, non mi disprezzaste, e
lo studio mio, non del tutto alieno dallo studio di tutti i dotti della vostra
nazione, non lo riprovaste permettendo che fosse violata la libertà filosofica
e macchiato il concetto della vostra insigne umanità.» (citato in Opere
di Giordano Bruno e Tommaso Campanella). Ne fu ricambiato dall'affetto degli
allievi, come Hieronymus Besler e Valtin Havenkenthal, il quale, nel suo
saluto, lo chiama «Essere sublime, oggetto di meraviglia per tutti, dinanzi a
cui stupisce la natura stessa, superata dall'opera sua, fiore d'Ausonia, Titano
della splendida Nola, decoro e delizia dell'uno e l'altro cielo». A Praga
e a Helmstedt I sigilli di Giordano Bruno Amoris I sigilli di
Giordano Bruno sono delle incisioni realizzate dallo stesso e pubblicate
all'interno delle sue opere a partire dal periodo praghese. Esse rappresentano
figure geometriche sovrapposte ma anche veri e propri disegni con presunte
decorazioni e lettere. A parte il titolo dei sigilli non abbiamo alcuna
spiegazione in merito al loro significato o al loro reale utilizzo. Fino a oggi
sono state fatte molto congetture dai vari studiosi senza giungere a nessuna
conclusione definitiva. Giunge a Praga, in quegli anni sede del Sacro
Romano Impero, città dove rimane sei mesi. Qui pubblica, in unico testo, il De
lulliano specierum scrutinio e il De lampade combinatoria Raymundi Lullii,
dedicato all'ambasciatore spagnolo presso la corte imperiale, don Guillem de
Santcliment (il quale vantava Raimondo Lullo fra i suoi antenati), mentre
all'imperatore Rodolfo II, mecenate e appassionato di alchimia e astrologia,
dedica gli Articuli centum et sexaginta adversus huius tempestatis mathematicos
atque philosophos, che trattano di geometria, e nella dedica rileva come per
guarire i mali del mondo sia necessaria la tolleranza, sia in campo
strettamente religioso – «È questa la religione che io osservo, sia per una
convinzione intima sia per la consuetudine vigente nella mia patria e tra la
mia gente: una religione che esclude ogni disputa e non fomenta alcuna
controversia» – sia in quello filosofico, campo che deve rimanere libero da
autorità precostituite e da tradizioni elevate a prescrizioni normative. Quanto
a lui, «alle libere are della filosofia cercai riparo dai flutti fortunosi,
desiderando la sola compagnia di coloro che comandano non di chiudere gli
occhi, ma di aprirli. A me non piace dissimulare la verità che vedo, né ho
timore di professarla apertamente» Ricompensato con trecento talleri
dall'imperatore, in autunno Bruno, che sperava di essere accolto a corte,
decide di lasciare Praga e, dopo una breve tappa a Tubinga, giunge a Helmstedt,
nella cui Università, chiamata Academia Julia, si registra. Una targa
presso il Planetario di Praga ricorda il passaggio del filosofo in quella
città. per la morte del fondatore dell'Accademia, il duca Julius von
Braunschweig, vi legge l'Oratio consolatoria, ove presenta sé stesso come
forestiero ed esule: «spregiai, abbandonai, perdetti la patria, la casa, la
facoltà, gli onori, e ogni altra cosa amabile, appetibile, desiderabile». In
Italia «esposto alla gola e alla voracità del lupo romano, qui libero. Lì
costretto a culto superstizioso e insanissimo, qui esortato a riti riformati.
Lì morto per violenza di tiranni, qui vivo per l'amabilità e la giustizia di un
ottimo principe». Le Muse dovrebbero essere libere per diritto naturale eppure
«sono invece, in Italia e in Spagna, conculcate dai piedi di vili preti, in
Francia patiscono per la guerra civile rischi gravissimi, in Belgio sono
sballottate da frequenti marosi, e in alcune regioni tedesche languono
infelicemente». Poche settimane dopo viene scomunicato dal sovrintendente
della Chiesa luterana della città, il teologo luterano Heinrich Boethius per
motivi non noti: Bruno riesce così a collezionare le scomuniche delle maggiori
confessioni europee, cattolica, calvinista e luterana. Presenta ricorso al
prorettore dell'Accademia, Daniel Hoffmann, contro quello che egli definisce un
abuso – perché «chi ha deciso qualcosa senza ascoltare l'altra parte, anche se
lo ha fatto giustamente, non è stato giusto» – e una vendetta privata. Non
ricevette però risposta, perché sembra che fosse stato lo stesso Hoffmann a
istigare Boethius. Benché scomunicato, poté tuttavia rimanere ancora a
Helmstedt, dove aveva ritrovato Valtin Acidalius Havenkenthal e Hieronymus
Besler, già suo allievo a Wittenberg, che gli fa da copista e vedrà ancora
brevemente in Italia, a Padova. Bruno compone diverse opere sulla magia, tutte pubblicate
postume: il “De magia”; le “Theses de magia”, un compendio del trattato
precedente, il “De magia mathematica”, che presenta come fonti la
Steganographia di Tritemio, il De occulta philosophia di Agrippa e lo
pseudo-Alberto Magno; il “De rerum principiis et elementis et causis” e la “Medicina”,
nella quale presume di aver trovato forme di applicazione della magia nella natura. "Mago"
è un termine che si presta a equivoche interpretazioni, ma che per l'autore,
come egli stesso chiarisce sin dall'ìncipit dell'opera, significa innanzitutto
sapiente: sapienti come per esempio erano i magi dello zoroastrismo o simili
depositari della conoscenza presso altre culture del passato. La magia di cui
Bruno si occupa non è pertanto quella associata alla superstizione o alla
stregoneria, bensì quella che vuole incrementare il sapere e agire
conseguentemente. L'assunto fondamentale da cui il filosofo parte è
l'onnipresenza di un'entità unica, che egli chiama indifferentemente
"spirito divino, cosmico" o "anima del mondo" o anche
"senso interiore", identificabile come quel principio universale che
dà vita, movimento e vicissitudine a ogni cosa o aggregato nell'universo. Il
mago deve tenere presente che come da Dio, attraverso gradi intermedi, tale
spirito si comunica a ogni cosa "animandola", così è altrettanto
possibile tendere a Dio dall'essere animato: questa ascensione dal particolare
a Dio, dal multiforme all'Uno è una possibile definizione della
"magia". Lo spirito divino, che per la sua unicità e infinità
connette ogni cosa a ogni altra, consente parimenti l'azione di un corpo su un
altro. Bruno chiama «vincula» i singoli nessi fra le cose: "vincolo",
"legatura". La magia altro non è che lo studio di questi legami, di
questa infinita trama "multidimensionale" che esiste nell'universo.
Nel corso dell'opera Bruno distingue e spiega differenti tipi di legami –
legami che possono essere utilizzati positivamente o negativamente,
distinguendo così il mago dallo stregone. Esempi di legami sono la fede; i
riti; i caratteri; i sigilli; le legature che vengono dai sensi, come la vista
o l'udito; quelle che vengono dalla fantasia, eccetera.Alla fine di aprile del
1590 Giordano Bruno lascia Helmstedt e in giugno raggiunge Francoforte in
compagnia di Besler, che prosegue verso l'Italia per studiare a Padova. Avrebbe
voluto alloggiare dallo stampatore Wechel, come richiese al Senato di
Francoforte ma la richiesta è respinta e allora Bruno andò ad abitare nel locale
convento dei Carmelitani i quali, per privilegio concesso da Carlo V, non erano
soggetti alla giurisdizione secolare. Vedono la luce tre opere, i
cosiddetti poemi francofortesi, culmine della ricerca filosofica di Bruno: il “De triplici minimo et mensura ad trium
speculativarum scientiarum et multarum activarum artium principia libri V”, in
cui vi sono delle immagini simili alla tabula recta di Tritemio; “De monade,
numero et figura liber consequens quinque”; il “De innumerabilibus, immenso et
infigurabili, seu De universo et mundis libri octo”. De minimo. Chi potrà
ritenere che gli strumenti diano misurazioni esatte dal momento che il fluire
delle cose non mantiene un identico ritmo ed un termine non si mantiene mai
alla stessa distanza dall'altro? Da De minimo, in Opere latine, a cura di Carlo
Monti, POMBA). Nei cinque libri del “De minimo” si distinguono tre tipi di
minimo: il minimo fisico, l'atomo, che è alla base della scienza della fisica;
il minimo geometrico, il punto, che è alla base della geometria, e il minimo
metafisico, o monade, che è alla base della metafisica. Essere minimo significa
essere in-divisibile – e dunque Aristotele erra sostenendo la divisibilità
all'infinito della materia – perché, se così fosse, non raggiungendo mai la
minima quantità di una sostanza, il principio e fondamento di ogni sostanza,
non spiegheremmo più la costituzione, mediante aggregazioni di infiniti atomi,
di mondi infiniti, in un processo di formazione altrettanto infinito. I
composti, infatti, «non rimangono identici neppure per un attimo; ciascuno di
essi, per lo scambio vicendevole degli innumerevoli atomi, si muta
continuamente e ovunque in tutte le parti». La materia, come il filosofo
aveva già espresso nei dialoghi italiani, è in perenne mutazione, e ciò che dà
vita a questo divenire è uno «spirito ordinatore», l'anima del mondo, una
nell'universo infinito. Dunque nel divenire eracliteo dell'universo è situato
l'essere parmenideo, uno ed eterno: materia e anima sono inscindibili, l'anima
non agisce dall'esterno, poiché non c'è un esterno della materia. Ne viene che
nell'atomo, la parte più piccola della materia, anch'esso animato dal medesimo
spirito, il minimo e il massimo coincidono: è la coesistenza dei contrari:
minimo-massimo; atomo-Dio; finito-infinito. Contrariamente agli atomisti, quali
ad esempio Democrito e Leucippo, non ammette l'esistenza del vuoto. Il
cosiddetto vuoto non è che un vocabolo col quale si designa il mezzo che
circonda i corpi naturali. Gli atomi hanno un termine in questo mezzo, nel
senso che essi né si toccano né sono separati. Inoltre distingue fra minimi
assoluti e minimi relativi, e così il minimo di un cerchio è un cerchio; il
minimo di un quadrato è un quadrato, eccetera. I matematici dunque errano nella
loro astrazione, considerando la divisibilità all'infinito degli enti
geometrici. Quella che Bruno espone è, usando con terminologia moderna, una
discretizzazione non solo della materia, ma anche della geometria, una
geometria discreta. Ciò è necessario onde rispettare l'aderenza alla realtà
fisica della descrizione geometrica, indagine in ultima analsi non separabile da
quella metafisica. Nel De monade Bruno si richiama alle tradizioni pitagoriche
attaccando la teoria aristotelica del motore immobile, principio di ogni
movimento: le cose si trasformano per la presenza di principi interni, numerici
e geometrici. De immenso Negli otto libri del De immenso il filosofo
riprende la propria teoria cosmologica, appoggiando la teoria eliocentrica
copernicana ma rifiutando l'esistenza delle sfere cristalline e degli epicicli,
ribadendo la concezione dell'infinità e molteplicità dei mondi. Critica
l'aristotelismo, negando qualunque differenza tra la materia terrestre e
celeste, la circolarità del moto planetario e l'esistenza dell'etere. Il
castello, situato presso Elgg e allora di proprietà di Heinzel von Tägernstein,
l’ospita nel suo breve soggiorno nel cantone di Zurigo. Parte per la Svizzera,
accogliendo l'invito del nobile Heinzel von Tägernstein e del teologo Egli,
entrambi appassionati di alchimia. Così Bruno, per quattro o cinque mesi,
ospite di Heinzel, insegna filosofia presso Zurigo: le sue lezioni, raccolte da
Raphael Egli con il titolo di Summa terminorum metaphysicorum, saranno pubblicate
da costui a Zurigo, e poi, postume, a Marburgo, insieme con la “Praxis
descensus seu applicatio entis”, rimasta incompiuta. La “Summa terminorum
metaphysicorum,” Somma dei termini metafisici, rappresenta un'importante
testimonianza dell'attività di Bruno insegnante. Si tratta di un compendio di
52 termini fra i più frequenti nell'opera di Aristotele che Bruno spiega
riassumendo. Nella “Praxis descensus”, “Prassi del descenso”, il nolano
riprende gli stessi termini (con qualche differenza) questa volta esposti
secondo la propria visione. Il testo consente così di confrontare puntualmente
le differenze fra Aristotele e Bruno. La Praxis è divisa in tre parti, con gli
stessi termini esposti secondo la divisione triadica Dio, intelletto, anima del
mondo. Purtroppo l'ultima parte manca del tutto e anche la rimanente non è completamente
curata. Infatti ritorna a Francoforte per pubblicarvi ancora il De imaginum,
signorum et idearum compositione, dedicato a Hans Heinzel. Ed è questa l'ultima
opera la cui pubblicazione fu curata da Bruno stesso. È probabile che il
filosofo avesse intenzione di tornare a Zurigo, e ciò spiegherebbe anche perché
Egli abbia atteso prima di pubblicare quella parte della Praxis che aveva
trascritto, ma in ogni caso nella città tedesca gli eventi evolveranno ben
diversamente. Francoforte e sede di un'importante fiera del libro, alla quale
partecipavano i librai di tutta Europa. Era stato così che due editori, il
senese Ciotti e il fiammingo Giacomo Brittano, entrambi attivi a Venezia, avevano
conosciuto Bruno almeno stando alla successive dichiarazioni di Ciotti stesso
al Tribunale dell'Inquisizione di Venezia. Il patrizio veneto Mocenigo, che
conosce Ciotti e ha comprato nella sua libreria il “De minimo” del filosofo
nolano, affida al libraio una sua lettera nella quale invitava Bruno a Venezia
affinché gli insegnasse li secreti della memoria e li altri che egli professa,
come si vede in questo suo libro. Appare quantomeno strano il fatto che, dopo
anni di peregrinazioni in Europa decidesse di tornare in Italia sapendo quanto
il rischio di finire sotto le mani dell'inquisizione fosse concreto.
Probabilmente non si considera “anti-cattolico” ma semmai una sorta di
riformatore che spera di avere concrete possibilità di incidere sulla Chiesa.
Oppure il senso di pienezza di sé o della sua "missione" da compiere
altera la reale percezione del pericolo a cui poteva andare incontro. Inoltre,
il clima politico, ossia l'ascesa vittoriosa di Enrico di Navarra sulla Lega
cattolica sembra costituire una valida speranza per l'attuazione delle sue idee
in ambito cattolico. Bruno e a Venezia. Che egli sia tornato in Italia spinto
dall'offerta di Mocenigo non è affatto sicuro, tant'è che passeranno diversi
mesi prima che accetta l'ospitalità del patrizio. Non era certo un uomo a cui
mancavano i mezzi, anzi, egli era considerato omo universale, pieno di ingegno
e ancora nel pieno del suo momento creativo. A Venezia si trattenne solo pochi
giorni per poi recarsi a Padova e incontrare Besler, il suo copista di
Helmstedt. Qui tenne per qualche mese lezioni agli studenti che frequentano
quello studio e spera invano di ottenervi la cattedra di matematica, uno dei
possibili motivi per cui Bruno torna in Italia. Compone le “Praelectiones geometricae”,
l'”Ars deformationum”, il “De vinculis in genere”, e il “De sigillis Hermetis
et Ptolomaei et aliorum”. Con il ritorno di Besler in Germania per motivi
familiari, torna a Venezia e si stabilì in casa del patrizio veneziano, che era
interessato alle arti della memoria e alle discipline magiche. Informa il Mocenigo
di voler tornare a Francoforte per stampare delle sue opere. Questi pensa che
cercas un pretesto per abbandonare le lezioni. Il giorno dopo lo fece
sequestrare in casa dai suoi servitori. Il giorno successivo Mocenigo presenta
all'Inquisizione una denuncia scritta, accusandolo di blasfemia, di disprezzare
le religioni, di non credere nella Trinità divina e nella transustanziazione,
di credere nell'eternità del mondo e nell'esistenza di mondi infiniti, di
praticare arti magiche, di credere nella metempsicosi, di negare la verginità di
Maria e le punizioni divine. Quel giorno stesso, e arrestato e tratto
nelle carceri dell'Inquisizione di Venezia, in san Domenico a Castello. Maiori
forsan cum timore sententiam in me fertis quam ego accipiam” (“Forse tremate
più voi nel pronunciare contro di me questa sentenza che io nell'ascoltarla. Giordano
Bruno rivolto ai giudici dell'Inquisizione. Il processo di Giordano Bruno,
basso-rilievo del basamento della statua in Campo de' Fiori da Ferrari.
Naturalmente sa che la sua vita è in gioco e si difende abilmente dalle accuse
dell'inquisizione veneziana. Nega quanto può, tace, e mente anche, su alcuni
punti delicati della sua dottrina, confidando che gli inquisitori non possano
essere a conoscenza di tutto quanto egli abbia fatto e scritto, e giustifica le
differenze fra le concezioni da lui espresse e i dogmi cattolici con il fatto
che un filosofo, ragionando secondo il lume naturale, può giungere a
conclusioni discordanti con le materie di fede, senza dover per questo essere
considerato un eretico. A ogni buon conto, dopo aver chiesto perdono per gli
errori commessi, si dichiara disposto a ritrattare quanto si trovi in contrasto
con la dottrina della Chiesa. L'Inquisizione romana chiede però la sua
estradizione, che viene concessa, dopo qualche esitazione, dal Senato veneziano.
E rinchiuso nelle carceri romane del Palazzo del Sant'Uffizio. Nuovi testi, per
quanto poco affidabili, essendo tutti imputati di vari reati dalla stessa
Inquisizione, confermano le accuse e ne aggiungono di nuove. E forse torturato,
secondo la decisione della Congregazione, stando all'ipotesi avanzata da Luigi
Firpo e Michele Ciliberto, una circostanza negata invece dallo storico Andrea
Del Col. Non rinnega i fondamenti della sua filosofia. Ribada l'infinità
dell'universo, la molteplicità dei mondi, il moto della terra e la non
generazione delle sostanze. Queste non possono essere altro che quel che sono
state, né saranno altro che quel che sono, né alla loro grandezza o sostanza
s'aggionge mai, o mancarà ponto alcuno, e solamente accade separatione, e
congiuntione, o compositione, o divisione, o translatione da questo luogo a
quell'altro. A questo proposito spiega che il modo e la causa del moto della
terra e della immobilità del firmamento sono da me prodotte con le sue raggioni
et autorità e non pregiudicano all'autorità della divina scrittura. All'obiezione
dell'inquisitore, che gli contesta che nella Bibbia è scritto -- terra stat in
aeternum -- e il sole nasce e tramonta, risponde che vediamo il sole nascere e
tramontare perché la terra se gira circa il proprio centro. Alla contestazione
che la sua posizione contrasta con l'autorità dei Santi Padri, risponde che
quelli sono meno de' filosofi prattichi e meno attenti alle cose della natura.
Il filosofo sostiene che la terra è dotata di un'anima, che le stelle hanno
natura angelica, che l'anima non è forma del corpo, e come unica concessione, è
disposto ad ammettere l'immortalità dell'anima umana. Roma, Piazza di
Campo de' Fiori. E invitato ad abiurare otto proposizioni eretiche, nelle quali
si comprendevano la sua negazione della creazione divina, dell'immortalità
dell'anima, la sua concezione dell'infinità dell'universo e del movimento della
terra, dotata anche di anima, e di concepire gli astri come angeli. La sua
disponibilità ad abiurare, a condizione che le proposizioni siano riconosciute
eretiche non da sempre, ma solo ex nunc, è respinta dalla congregazione dei
cardinali inquisitori, tra i quali Bellarmino. Una successiva applicazione
della tortura, proposta dai consultori della congregazione fu invece respinta
da Clemente VIII. Nell'interrogatorio si dice ancora pronto all'abiura, ma icambia
idea e infine, dopo che il tribunale ha ricevuto una denuncia che accusa Bruno
di aver avuto fama di ateo in Inghilterra e di aver scritto il suo “Spaccio
della bestia trionfante” direttamente contro il papa, rifiuta recisamente ogni
abiura, non avendo, dichiara, nulla di cui doversi pentire. Al cospetto
dei cardinali inquisitori e dei consultori Mandina, Pietrasanta e Millini, è
costretto ad ascoltare in ginocchio la sentenza che lo scaccia dal foro
ecclesiastico e lo consegna al braccio secolare. Terminata la lettura della
sentenza, secondo la testimonianza di choppe, si alza e ai giudici indirizza la
storica frase. Maiori forsan cum timore sententiam in me fertis quam ego
accipiam. Forse tremate più voi nel pronunciare contro di me questa sentenza
che io nell'ascoltarla. Dopo aver rifiutato i conforti religiosi e il crocefisso,
con la lingua in giova – serrata da una mordacchia perché non possa parlare,
viene condotto in campo de’ fiori, denudato, legato a un palo e arso vivo. Le
sue ceneri sono gettate nel Tevere. Volse il viso pieno di disprezzo
quando ormai morente, venne posta innanzi l'immagine di Cristo crocefisso. Così
muore bruciato miseramente, credo per annunciare negli altri mondi che si è
immaginato in che modo i romani sono soliti trattare gli empi e i blasfemi.
Ecco qui, caro Rittershausen, il modo in cui procediamo contro gli uomini, o
meglio contro i mostri di tal specie. Il suo dio è da un lato trascendente, in
quanto supera ineffabilmente la natura, ma nello stesso tempo è immanente, in
quanto anima del mondo: in questo senso, Dio e Natura sono un'unica realtà da
amare alla follia, in un'inscindibile unità panenteistica di pensiero e
materia, in cui dall'infinità di Dio si evince l'infinità del cosmo, e quindi
la pluralità dei mondi, l'unità della sostanza, l'etica degli "eroici
furori". Questi ipostatizza un Dio-Natura sotto le spoglie dell'Infinito,
essendo l'infinitezza la caratteristica fondamentale del divino. Egli fa dire
nel dialogo De l'infinito, universo e mondi a Filoteo. Io dico Dio tutto
Infinito, perché da sé esclude ogni termine ed ogni suo attributo è uno e
infinito; e dico Dio totalmente infinito, perché lui è in tutto il mondo, ed in
ciascuna sua parte infinitamente e totalmente: al contrario dell'infinità de
l'universo, la quale è totalmente in tutto, e non in queste parti (se pur,
referendosi all'infinito, possono esse chiamate parti) che noi possiamo
comprendere in quello» (Giordano Bruno, De infinito, universo e mondi)
Per queste argomentazioni e per le sue convinzioni sulla Sacra Scrittura, sulla
Trinità e sul Cristianesimo, già scomunicato, fu incarcerato, giudicato eretico
e quindi condannato al rogo dall'Inquisizione della Chiesa cattolica. Fu arso
vivo a piazza Campo de' Fiori il 17 febbraio 1600, durante il pontificato di
Clemente VIII. Ma la sua filosofia sopravvisse alla sua morte, portò
all'abbattimento delle barriere tolemaiche, rivelò un universo molteplice e non
centralizzato e aprì la strada alla Rivoluzione scientifica: per il suo
pensiero Bruno è quindi ritenuto un precursore di alcune idee della cosmologia
moderna, come il multiverse. Per la sua morte, è considerato un martire del libero
pensiero. A distanza di 400 anni,Giovanni Paolo II, tramite una lettera del
segretario di Stato Vaticano Angelo Sodano inviata a un convegno che si svolse
a Napoli, espresse profondo rammarico per la morte atroce di Giordano Bruno,
pur non riabilitandone la dottrina: anche se la morte di Giordano Bruno
"costituisce oggi per la Chiesa un motivo di profondo rammarico",
tuttavia "questo triste episodio della storia cristiana moderna" non
consente la riabilitazione dell'opera del filosofo nolano arso vivo come
eretico, perché "il cammino del suo pensiero lo condusse a scelte
intellettuali che progressivamente si rivelarono, su alcuni punti decisivi,
incompatibili con la dottrina cristiana". D'altronde anche nel saggio
della Yates viene ribadito più volte la completa adesione di Bruno alla
"religione degli egizi" scaturita dal suo sapere ermetico nonché
afferma che "la religione egiziana ermetica è l'unica religione
vera". La ricezione della filosofia di Bruno Il Dizionario di Pierre
Bayle Ritratto di Caspar Schoppe, opera di Peter Paul Rubens Malgrado la
messa all'Indice dei libri di Bruno decretata, questi continuarono a essere
presenti nelle biblioteche europee, anche se rimasero equivoci e incomprensioni
sulle posizioni del filosofo nolano, così come volute mistificazioni sulla sua
figura. Già il cattolico Kaspar Schoppe, ex luterano che assistette alla
pronuncia della sentenza e al rogo di Bruno, pur non condividendo «l'opinione
volgare secondo la quale codesto Bruno fu bruciato perché luterano» finisce con
l'affermare che «Lutero ha insegnato non solo le stesse cose di Bruno, ma altre
ancora più assurde e terribili», mentre il frate minimo Marin Mersenne
individuò nella cosmologia bruniana la negazione della libertà di Dio, oltre
che del libero arbitrio umano. Mentre gli astronomi Brahe e Keplero
criticarono l'ipotesi dell'infinità dell'universo, non presa in considerazione
nemmeno da Galileo, il libertino Gabriel Naudé, nella sua Apologie pour tous
les grands personnages qui ont testé faussement soupçonnez de magie esalta in
Bruno il libero ricercatore delle leggi della natura. Bayle, nel suo
Dizionario, arrivò a dubitare della morte per rogo di Bruno e vide in lui il
precursore di Spinoza e di tutti i moderni panteisti, un monista ateo per il
quale unica realtà è la natura. Gli rispose il teologo deista John Toland, che
conosceva lo Spaccio della bestia trionfante e lodava in Bruno la serietà
scientifica e il coraggio dimostrato nell'aver eliminato dalla speculazione
filosofica ogni riferimento alle religioni positive; segnala lo Spaccio a
Leibniz - che tuttavia considera Bruno un mediocre filosofo - e al de La Croze,
convinto dell'ateismo di Bruno. Con quest'ultimo concorda il Budde, mentre Christoph
August Heumann ritorna erroneamente a ipotizzare un protestantesimo di
Bruno. Con l'Illuminismo, l'interesse e la notorietà di Bruno aumenta. Weidler
conosce il De immenso e lo Spaccio, mentre Jean Sylvain Bailly lo definisce
«ardito e inquieto, amante delle novità e schernitore delle tradizioni», ma gli
rimprovera la sua irreligiosità. In Italiaè molto apprezzato da Barbieri,
autore di una Storia dei matematici e filosofi del Regno di Napoli, dove
afferma che scrisse molte cose sublimi nella Metafisica, e molte vere nella
Fisica e nell'Astronomia e ne fa un precursore della teoria dell'armonia
prestabilita di Leibniz e di tanta parte delle teorie di Cartesio. Il sistema
dei vortici di Cartesio, o quei globuli giranti intorno i loro centri
nell'aere, e tutto il sistema fisico è suo. Il principio di dubitazione
saviamente da Cartesio introdotto nella filosofia a Bruno si deve, e molte
altre cose nella filosofia di Cartesio sono di lui. Questa tesi è negata
da Niceron, per il quale il razionalista Cartesio nulla può aver preso da lui,
irreligioso e ateo come Spinoza, che ha identificato Dio con la natura, è
rimasto legato alla filosofia del Rinascimento credendo ancora nella magia e,
per quanto ingegnoso, è spesso contorto e oscuro. Brucker concorda con l'incompatibilità
di Cartesio con lui, che considera un filosofo molto complesso, posto tra il
monismo spinoziano e il neo-pitagorismo, la cui concezione dell'universo
consisterebbe nella sua creazione per emanazione da un'unica fonte infinita,
dalla quale la natura creata non cesserebbe di dipendere. Fu Diderot a
scrivere per l'Enciclopedia la voce su Bruno, da lui considerato precursore di
Leibniz - nell'armonia prestabilita, nella teoria della monade, nella ragione
sufficiente - e di Spinoza, il quale, come lui, concepisce Dio come essenza
infinita nella quale libertà e necessità coincidono: rispetto a lui pochi
sarebbero i filosofi paragonabili, se l'impeto della sua immaginazione gli
avesse permesso di ordinare le proprie idee, unendole in un ordine sistematico,
ma era nato poeta. Per Diderot, Bruno, che si è sbarazzato della vecchia
filosofia aristotelica, è con Leibniz e Spinoza il fondatore della filosofia
moderna. Jacobi pubblica per la prima volta ampi estratti del “De la
causa, principio et uno” di «questo oscuro filosofo», che sa però dare un disegno
netto e bello del panteismo. Lo spiritualista non condivide certo il panteismo
ateo di lui e Spinoza, di cui ritiene inevitabili le contraddizioni, ma non
manca di riconoscerne la grande importanza nella storia della filosofia. Da
Jacobi Schelling trae spunto per il suo dialogo su lui, al quale riconosce di
aver colto quello che per lui è il fondamento della filosofia: l'unità del
Tutto, l'assoluto hegeliano, nel quale successivamente si conoscono le singole
cose finite. Hegel lo conosce e nelle sue “Lezioni” presenta la sua filosofia
come l'attività dello spirito che assume dis-ordinatamente» tutte le forme,
realizzandosi nella natura infinita. È un gran punto, per cominciare, quello di
pensare l'unità. L’altro punto fu cercare di comprendere l'universo nel suo
svolgimento, nel sistema delle sue determinazioni, mostrando come l'esteriorità
sia segno delle idee. In Italia, è l'hegeliano Spaventa a vedere in lui il
precursore di Spinoza, anche se il filosofo nolano oscilla nello stabilire un
chiaro rapporto fra la natura e Dio, che appare ora identificarsi con la natura
e ora mantenersi come principio sovra-mondano, osservazioni riprese da Fiorentino,
mentre Tocco mostra come egli, pur dissolvendo dio nella natura, non rinuncia a
una valutazione positiva della religione, concepita come utile educatrice dei
popoli. Nel primo decennio del Novecento si completa l'edizione di tutte
le opere e si accelerano gli studi biografici su lui, con particolare riguardo
al processo. Per Gentile, altre a essere un martire della libertà di pensiero,
ha il grande merito di dare un'impronta strettamente razionale alla sua
filosofia, trascurando misticismi medievaleggianti e suggestioni magiche.
Opinione, quest'ultima, discutibile, come recentemente ha inteso mettere in
luce la studiosa inglese Frances Yates, presentando Bruno nelle vesti di un
autentico ermetico. Mentre Badaloni ha rilevato come l'ostracismo
decretato contro lui abbia contribuito a emarginare l'Italia dalle innovative
correnti della grande filosofia del Seicento europeo, fra i maggiori e più
assidui contributi nella definizione della filosofia bruniana si contano
attualmente quelli portati da Aquilecchia e Ciliberto. Monumento a Giordano
Bruno. Medaglia con monumento a Giordano Bruno in Campo de' Fiori a Roma,
incisione di Broggi. La medaglia, di 60 mm, fu donata a personaggi illustri e
comitati vari. Insieme a questa fu coniata un'altra medaglia di 64 mm in
bronzo, abbastanza simile, a scopo commerciale Gli sono stati dedicati il
cratere lunare Bruno e due asteroidi della fascia principale: Giordano e
Cenaceneri. IRapisardi gli dedicò un'epigrafe. All'ipocrisia volpeggiante fra
la scuola e la sagrestia, ai conciliatori della scienza col sillabo, all'imbestiato
borghesume, che tutto falsando e trafficando, d'ogni sacrificio eroico
beatamente sogghigna, le coscienze, cui sorride ancora la fede nel trionfo di
tutte le umane libertà, lanciano oggi ad una voce dalle università italiane una
sfida solenne a gloria della tua virtù, a vendetta del tuo martirio o Giordano
Bruno. Numerose scuole sono state intitolate a Bruno in tutta Italia, in
particolare licei classici: ad esempio ad Arzano, Albenga, Roma, Torino,
Mestre, Budrio e Melzo, mentre a Maddaloni gli sono stati intitolati il
Convitto nazionale e il liceo classico cittadino. In Italia sono numerosi i monumenti
intitolati a Bruno, sono presenti: un monumento in una piazza a Nola, un busto
a Montella, un bassorilievo a Monsampolo del Tronto e un'epigrafe a Teora. Nel
Campo de' Fiori di Roma è presente il più importante monumento a Bruno, eretto
esattamente nel luogo in cui il filosofo fu condannato al rogo. La figura e il
ruolo del mago che Shakespeare presenta con Prospero, ne La tempesta, fosse
influenzata dalla formulazione del ruolo del mago attuata da Bruno. Sempre in
Shakespeare, è ormai dai più accettata l'identificazione del personaggio di “Berowne”
(Browne, Bruno), in “Pene d'amor perdute” con il filosofo italiano,
considerando il parzialmente documentato e più che plausibile incontro tra i
due durante il suo soggiorno inglese.Un riferimento molto più esplicito si
trova in The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, Marlowe. Il personaggio “Bruno”,
l'antipapa, riassume molte caratteristiche della vicenda del filosofo: «I
cardinali dormienti si affannano / a punire Bruno, che invece è lontano. Vola.
/ Il suo superbo corsiero, vivo come il pensiero, / Già passa le Alpi.»
(Christopher Marlowe, La triste storia del dottor Faust; citato in Jean Rocchi,
Giordano Bruno davanti all'inquisizione, Stampa Alternativa) La stessa vicenda
del Faust marlowiano richiama alla mente la figura del "furioso"
bruniano in De gli eroici furori. Cinema Interpretato da Volonté. Protagonista
nel film di Montaldo Giordano Bruno nel quale è stato interpretato da Volonté.
Compare anche nel film Galileo di Cavani. Negli anni novanta Rai Uno produce un
film documentario curato da Porta su Giordano Bruno. Interpretato da Vita. Nel
film Caravaggio con Alessio Boni c'è una scena in cui è mostrato il rogo di Bruno.
Contrariamente alle fonti che parlano di Bruno con la lingua in giova, il
filosofo appare legato al palo mentre poco prima delle fiamme incita la gente a
non lasciarsi irretire dai falsi maestri. “Candelaio” è al centro della fiction
Il tredicesimo apostolo - Il prescelto trasmessa su Canale 5. Il rapper
Caparezza ha dedicato a lui una mini-storia nel brano "Sono il tuo sogno
eretico", presente in Il sogno eretico: «Infine mi chiamo come il fiume che
battezzò colui nel cui nome fui posto in posti bui,/ mica arredati col feng
shui. Nella cella reietto perché tra fede e intelletto ho scelto il suddetto, Dio
mi ha dato un cervello, se non lo usassi gli mancherei di rispetto. E tutto
crolla come in borsa, la favella nella morsa, la mia pelle è bella arsa. Il
processo? Bella farsa! Adesso mi tocca tappare la bocca nel disincanto lì
fuori, lasciatemi in vita invece di farmi una statua in Campo de' Fiori/Mi
bruci per ciò che predico è una fine che non mi merito, mandi in cenere la
verità perché sono il tuo sogno eretico.» (Caparezza, Sono il tuo sogno
eretico). La metal band californiana Avenged Sevenfold lui ha dedicato il brano
intitolato Roman Sky presente nel nuovo album The Stage. L'album tratta infatti
temi quali l'intelligenza artificiale e l'universo. Sono dedicati al filosofo
anche il brano Anima Mundi di Massimiliano Larocca e l'album Numen Lumen del
gruppo neofolk Hautville, che ha nelle liriche brani diBruno. Altre opere: “De compendiosa
architectura et complemento artis Lullii”; “De umbris idearum”; “Ars memoriae”;
“Cantus Circaeus”; “Candelaio”; “Ars reminiscendi, Triginta sigilli, Triginta
sigillorum explicatio, Sigillus sigillorum”; “Cena de le Ceneri”; “De la causa,
principio et uno”; “De l'infinito, universo e mondi” “Spaccio della bestia
trionfante”; “Il cavallo pegaseo”; “De gli eroici furori”; “Centum et viginti
articuli de natura et mundo adversus peripateticos” – “contro i peripatetici”
-- “Figuratio Aristotelici physici
auditus”; “Dialogi duo de Fabricii Mordentis Salernitani prope divina
adinventione”; “Idiota triumphans”; “De somnii interpretation”; “Mordentius”; “De
Mordentii circino”; “Animadversiones circa lampadem” “animadversions in
lampadem”; “Lampas triginta statuarum” – trenta statue -- (Napoli); “Artificium perorandi”; “De lampade combinatoria”;
“De progressu”; “De lampade venatoria logicorum”; “Libri physicorum Aristotelis
explanati, Napoli); “Camoeracensis Acrotismus seu rationes articulorum
physicorum adversus peripateticos”; “Oratio valedictoria”; “De specierum scrutinio”
De lampade combinatoria”; “Articuli centum et sexaginta adversus huius
tempestatis philosophos”; “Oratio consolatoria”; “De magia (Firenze); “De magia
mathematica (Firenze); “De rerum principiis et elementis et causis” (Firenze);
“Medicina” (Firenze); “Theses de magia” (Firenze); “De innumerabilibus, immenso
et in-figurabili”; “De triplici minimo et mensura”; “De monade, numero et
figura”; “De imaginum, signorum et idearum compositione” (sintassi); “De
vinculis in genere” (Firenze); “Summa terminorum metaphysicorum”; “Accessit
eiusdem Praxis descensus seu applicatio entis”. Bruno nota che quantunque
Averroè fosse arabo e perciò «ignorante di lingua greca, nella dottrina
peripatetica però intese più che qualsivoglia greco che abbiamo letto; e arebbe
più inteso, se non fusse stato così additto al suo nume Aristotele. Sia dai due
volti. Io ho lodato molti eretici ed anco principi eretici; ma non li ho lodati
come eretici, ma solamente per le virtù morali che loro avevano; né li ho mai
lodati come religiosi e pii, né usato simil sorte di voce di religione. Ed in
particulare nel mio libro Della causa, principio ed uno io lodo la Regina de
Inghilterra e la nomino diva, non per attributo di religione, ma per un certo
epiteto che li antichi ancora solevano dare a principi, ed in Inghilterra, dove
allora io mi ritrovava e composi quel libro, se suole dar questo titolo de diva
alla Regina; e tanto più me indussi a nominarla cusì, perché ella me conosceva,
andando io continuamente con l'Ambasciator in corte. E conosco di aver errato
in lodare questa donna, essendo eretica, e massime attribuendoli la voce de
diva. Degno di nota è che Bruno pubblica tutti e sei questi saggi indicando
luoghi di stampa non corrispondenti: Venezia. Che Dio sia nella materia non
implica che possa essere conosciuto. Dio è immanente da un punto di vista
ontologico, mentre è trascendente sul piano gnoseologico. In questo universo
metto una providenzia universal, in virtù della quale ogni cosa vive, vegeta e
si move e sta nella sua perfezione; e la intendo in due maniere, l'una nel modo
con cui è presente l'anima nel corpo, tutta in tutto e tutta in qual si voglia
parte, e questo chiamo natura, ombra e vestigio della divinità; l'altra nel
modo ineffabile col quale Iddio per essenzia, presenzia e potenzia è in tutto e
sopra tutto, non come parte, non come anima, ma in modo inesplicabile. Spaventa
fu convinto assertore del ruolo fondamentale della filosofia italiana nel
panorama della filosofia moderna, e in particolare di Bruno e Campanella. L'asinità. La fortuna di Bruno. Bruno in
Shakespeare e nella cultura inglese. “Il Bruno di Gentile”. L'Asino Cillenico.
Clavis Magna. “Clavis Magna, ovvero, Il
Sigillo dei Sigilli. De signorum compositione. Explicatio. Sigillorum. Sigilli, Sigillus
Sigillorum. Clavis Magna, ovvero, L'arte di inventare. De Compendiosa
Architectura et Complemento Artis. “L'Arte di Comunicare” Artificium
Perorandi”. “Clavis Magna, ovvero, La
logica per immagini”. Il Bruno degli italiani. ‘Bruno’ regia di di Montaldo. Dizionario
biografico degli italiani. CESAR calendaire romaine. Centro di Studi Bruniani. (CA
ui i) e iui Mia ba, VA dai ‘agi LS it Il EGR
Ln i \ LA va Di = | Pome Rm Te ti n. i Li I e Aa Kt
Hlirpogt] lb pi n 9 ha So Rif [a E Ji > a ILLE di
pe LIS ia Giordano Bruno
DRAMMA MILANO
Tipografia Commercial n 1884 als dtt
, TORIO EMANUELE , Carnevale 1881 -82. {Resta sapore
* T'ERSONAGGI >>
GIORBANO BRUNO —. . . Sig. G. SALASSA LORENZO (figlio naturale di
GIORDANO BRUNO, «dot- tato:da).. ... ». > A.D'ANDRADE
ROMANO DEI LOMBARDI «+. > F. MIGLIARA LEANDRO giovine patrizio.
S.ra ANGIOLETTI LAURA figlia di ROMANO. >» A. Busi
IL GRANDE INQUISITORE . Sig. SALVARANI — ROCCO LILLE DAMIANI
ANDREA . Ni agN° UNGUARDIANO) che nonparlano —N. N. UN
OsTE .. Ni Ni Giovani e Nobili Veneziani, Servi di Romano,
Gondolieri, Seguaci di Bruno, Soldati, In- quisitori, Si Servi del S.
Uffizio, Frati e Popolo. L'azione del 1.° e 2.° Atto è in
Veni quella del:3.° e 4.° Atto in Re Anno 1600
ber a pieni Sofee bi;
pece SUIT ZIA Fitto Primo
PIAZZA IN'VENEZIA Un’Osteria e alcune seggiole. — In fondo
un canale praticabile, che traversa la scena. — Sul canale un
ponte, che mette in un viottolo, sull'angolo del quale sorge a destra, un
magnifico Palazzo illumi— minato a festa, prospiciente sul Canale. —.Un
in- gresso laterale, illuminato da faci fisse ai muri, con- ducedal
viottolo nel Palazzo. La porta principale verso . il Canale è aperta;
durante la scena seguente, visi ve- dono approdare gondole, dalle quali
scendono persone ragguardevoli, che, ricevute dai servi, entrano
nel Palazzo. — Sera. i SCENA TI, GIOVANI e
NOBILI VENEZIANI, parte ‘in abiti fanta- stici con mezza maschera al
volto, e parte in abiti comuni, vengono da sinistra, traversano il
ponte, e dalla strada entrano nel Palazzo. LEANDRO, ROCCO ed altri
Giovani vanno e vengono ferman- dosi sulla Piazza, cantando e ridendo,
Poi LQ- RENZO e LAURA. Leandro (accompagnandosi colla
ghitarra) A te, Venezia bella, adorata, A te, mia sposa, la
serenata. HEVVPETIAIAMITEREZI LIA VITE RENTAL
rara rr ovinantosinezineneisevazize vecio sinioneee IVTIPRErTA:Itr rara
rirevenaatos aes szereris cva:i0e vice vi’ veve’ ’avurecovio sr 0uIvI vare ri
[tti STA Hocco (Volgendosi all’osteria)
Leandro, scuotiti! Le mura adori?... Vieni ove brillano
Divini amori, Ove donzelle Cotanto belle Potrai mirar.
Coro dei nobili Al convito n’andiam! alla festa!
Leandro Prima di venir alla gran festa Distruggere io vo’
un'idea funesta! Oste, su via porgetemi Vino di Cipro; a questo
petto ardente - - Occorre del più vecchio e più potente.
Vivan le belle Danzanti; volano.... Gli occhi fiammeggiano
Più che le stelle; Ne’ Joro vortici Mi ruban Vanima.... sui
Crudo gioir! «__°—’—Più non mi muovo — Suolo dolcissimo, ir
belt —r____——_———_——_—F—rrrrrr
n -___ a-rt-rvreorosoeeriovoe nueva zeranen sonia mise
eeerarmierereriiovnieteacivoteote0ie Nido mio nuovo!
Muoio in tue braccia... Santo delir! | A te, Venezia
bella, adorata, A te, mia sposa, la serenata,
Coro AI Convito! n’andiam alla festa. (S'appressano in una gondola
LAURA e LORENZO) Eaurna Sul mare immenso — più non
impera Nè sulla terra — che la circonda... Venezia, è fango —
la tua bandiera! Lutto e non feste! — Pianga e s’ asconda.
Core (con alto di cu iosità) E un amante e la sua Della Che
passeggiano alla luna; Laura sembra la sua stella, Ma egli fa poca
fortuna. Seguiam tutti i vaghi amanti, E vediam, se pur n’ è
dato, In fra i suoni, i balli e i canti Di trovar
l’innamorato. È Lorenzo di Giordano, Che fuggì dal
sacro tempio ; lì Lorenzo... il vil, l’insano Che ne porge un
triste esempio. Lorenzo (con ira) .
È rivolta a me l’offesa? L’alma freme, batte il core!
- Già suonaron l’ultim’ ore; - E voi tutti io sfiderò.
Laura E rivolta a te I’effesa; rato L’alma freme, batte il
core!... Già suonaron l'ultim’ ore Io con te li sfiderò.
(LORENZO furente si scaglia contro ROCCO, e gli toglie la spada.
Gli altri NOBILI sguainano. le proprie e si schierano în fondo)
SCENA II. Detti, ROMANO dei LOMBARDI entra frettoloso
dalla casa di destra, seguito da servi con torce accese,
Bomano Chi grida? Chi chiama? Qual chiasso villano? Non son
cîttadini, ma plebe briaca ! Lorenzo, tu?... Il ferro in mano hai
snudato?.... Parla! Che avvenne! Sei pazzo ?... Ti placa!...
Laura (atterrita alla vista del padre) Che mai dirà Al
Genitor?... pa Voce non ha, Non ha più
cor. Lorenzo (con timore) Che mai dirò AI
Genitor?... Voce non ho, Non ho più cor. Leandro (con
circospezione) Il segno di croce facciamoci... e andiam via!
Quel vecchio è uno sgherro dell’ Inquisizione. Partiamo, fuggiamo... La
belva più ria, E un angelo a petto di questo demòne. Romane
(ai Nobili) Non chiedo ragioni di vostra contesa, Fra
tenebre nacque... in tenebre resti; E calmi la notte col sonno gli.
ardori Di giovani folli, di stolti furori.... Partite! Or è cauto
lontani restar. Coro di Nobili (infimoriti da Romano).
Fuggiam dal feroce Vegliardo Romano : Col fiato ne
ammorba Il truce, l’insano; ‘— 10 — nea
Qui tutto è sospetto.... Amici, fuggìam. 1 NOBILI, it
CORO, LEANDRO e LAURA sì riti- rano pel ponte ed entrano nel Palazzo.
L’OSTE ha chiuso ed è scomparso durante la rissa, ROMANO fa un
cenno ai Servi di allontanarsi. SCENA III. ROMANO e
LORENZO Romano Vengo, tu il sai, da Roma; e il Santo
Re e Pontefice armava il braccio mio. ‘Or sotto il ferreo terribil
manto Della suprema Città di Dio L’ Inquisizione veneta sta;
E a Roma solo ubbidirà. Dell’ eresia le vampe infeste Soffocherò —.
tutte le teste D’ un colpo all’ idra io troncherò.
Lorenzo Fu il Campanella scoperto e preso? Romano
Libero ei 8° agita... Ma il gran sovrano De’ rei, che Italia e il mondo
ha acceso Contro la Chiesa santa, è Giordano.
Presso i suoi complici quì ascoso stà! Lorenzo Odio quel
uomo tanto... tel giuro. Romano Non basta odiarlo:
questo io non curo; Tu quì arrestarlo ora dovrai: (Musica da
ballo neil’interno del Palazzo) In fra le maschere lo
scoprirai, Ed il porrat — nelle mie man. Lorenzo Si
chiede un atto di traditor?... Romano Queste ai novizi prove si
dan. Lorenzo Tradir ricuso; son uom d’onor. Romano (con sdegno)
A me tu, folle, devi?... RANA RARA pinete
Lorenzo Obbedienza ! Homano Ed alia Chiesa! Trema... .
Lorenzo (soffocando il furore) Obbedienza! Romano Dunque
?... Lorenzo (con sottomissione) Giordano io scoprirò! Eomano
(ricomponendosi) Tuci giovanili e schictti Modi ti gioveran, se
manca il senno Di età maggior, Tuo sguardo onestà; ispira, K assai
tua voce ad ascoltarti attira. Per la grand’ opra non sarai solo,
D’altri miei fidi 1’ aiuto avrai; Pronto a miei cenni sempre sarai,
Uno per ‘tutti sia il mio voler. Lorenzo (con
dolore) L’iniqua trama ahi mi colpisce! La terra, il
cielo pur n’ hanno orror!... Vile è colui, ch’ altri tradisce,
Nè v' ha pietade pel traditor. ERomano (imperioso)
Come voglio, sia fatto. Or d’ altro; è m'’ odi. Dal dì che ardenti
e improvidi Sguardi su Laura hai posti, Travolto dalla subita
Cicca passion tu fosti; N | Una rea febbre 1° agita
Tutte le membra o siolto, E vedo nel tuo volto Il
fuoco del delir. Bada! io ti scruto, o giovine, E leggo il tuo
desire; Guai se tal fiamma ignobile Io non vedrò svanire. Tu
sogni; ma chi vigila l'e per tuo ben consiglia; Dimentica mia
figlia, O trema del tuo ardir. (parte da sinistra
mentre sì volge ancora con fiero sguardo su LORENZO).
Lorenzo (con dolore): SO Solo alfin... solo quì sono...
Piangere, impallidir, tremar t’è dato
sa Povero cor! Ma dannate in
eterno ei Son mie lacrime in lor foco d'inferno. Ci i . . 0
cielo, perchè l’aere Fa A ._ ©. Spargi de’ tuoi profumi? CRT
a O terra perchè il giubilo. SA Delle tue stelle assumi?
© nare: A me negata è l'estasi. da D’ ogni dolcezza
umana, No: ae d'ogni gioia lè vana (ale EZIO Larva, che fugge
ognor; TERIOS L’ amor che è riso d’ angioli, 0; Di Nel povero
mio cor. i Strazio divien di dèmone, WA Delirio agitator. pr
| Amar non posso... 0° AARON] eta P, ‘L'odio mi restag» SS CE ao ag
Son stretto a questa to; LR 1 sur aRatalità. EI _: Vò di te
vincere. | Con santo zelo, .. Servir vo’ il Cielo... E questa
l’ ultima . «Mia volontà. .
(parte con fretta per il ponte). ‘ Cala la
Vela. arnie, Affo Secondo onere ge
oi SALA NEL PALAZZO LOREDANO Una splendida sala da
Ballo nel Palazzo di Lore- dano a Venezia, con colonnato per modo che si
possa figurare l’accesso in altre sale. Illuminazione splen-
didissima. SCENA L Coro degl’Invitati ($
acc incanto dell’ebbre sale! Che ballo immenso! Sarà
immortale. Quest’ è la reggia della letizia; Il, paradiso. d’ ogni.
delizia. Deh! non fuggire, tempo; t’ arresta; Bearsi al lungo delir
giocondo Della fatata splendida festa Tutto in. Venezia vorrebbe il
mondo. {Gl’invitati s'allontanano in varie parti) SCENA
ILL GIORDANO entra con cautela e colla maschera in mano, poi
gli amici. drrezadzanzecezanconca n ionici oc. c0100
dna enricicondiizeotentoro neo dan'ontooarcrroniòolo
/Tasossignorcecanzaraanee Giordano Quì ognun danza e
delira Spensierato e demente. E niun ragiona, E senno e
cuore ha niuno. x tutto quì è in periglio, ove il Leone
Alato di San Marco Prostrato dalla Santa Inquisizione
Ai piè, scordò il ruggito Di cui tremò per secoli ogni
lito (volgendosi in fondo) Ecco gli amici: ma assai lenti e
scarsi. Alcuni dei Primi Luce! Giordano Giustizia a
tutti! E Primi E verità! Alcuni dei Secondi
[venendo oltre) Luce ! Giordano Giustizia a
tutti E Secondi E
libertà! Giordano Grazie diletti ! Sian pochi i
detti; Molta l’opra. A ingannar V'astuta Corio Dei biechi
Inquisitori Ho scelto queste sale Di Loredano. È pronto ognuno
? Coro Ognuno! Giordano L’ ardir pari del
vero alla grandezza? Ed uniti? Coro Siam tuoi,
Giordano Bruno! Giordano e Coro Nel popol vero s’
incominci 1’ opra: S° illumini! Bugiarda è la parola Di
Roma e il suo Re, che Dio si noma, Sull’ alma i Papi vogliono l’
impero Per posseder la terra; E coi libri e col
braccio tt Viva facciasi ovunque eterna
guerra Allo spirito, al verbo, a ogni menzogna, Con che farci suoi
schiavi Roma agogna SCENA III. DETTI e LAURA che
entra anelante dalla sinistra colla maschera in mano. |
Enura Signor, fuggite! Giordano Io? no! non fuggo. Coro
(insospettito) Fuggiamo.... È pazzo! (fuggono da va»ie aio
Giordano (con ira) Vili! Tu hai fede? (a Laura) ERaunna
(sempre ancelante) Gran Dio! In queste sale Circondavi un
estremo ‘ Periglio. Per voi tremo... Fuggite per pietà.
IIIEEZZZERETETTEZIEXIZZELUPPEE PE CETO CE TI CE CES CECI ICI IA CIT
ALIZICI AZIO LETO EI Va besasnza rea dI gra rirvarai tion
Giordano (simulando) Fuggir?... Da chi fuggire? Laura
Da tutti! I delatori, Cui fia virtù tradire, Vi cercano
là fuori... Son mille a me ben noti, Fierissimi e devoti
Al sacro Tribunal. Giordano (sorpreso) Mi
conoscete? Eguana A Padova Vi scorsi il«dì che
ardito Nel fiume vi gettaste, E un fanciullin tornaste Vivo
al materno sen. L’ Inquisizion seguiavi Co’ mille sgherri
suoi Per arrestarvi; e voi Tra il popolo festante Poteste in
un istante Securo allor fuggir. Giordano (simulando la
calma) Bruno era quegli, che allor miraste! Io non lo
sono!... Mal giudicaste, . — 20— i
Laura (sorpresa) Credetti... ho divinato! © ;
Voi siete il gran filosofo. Giordano Oh certo s’ è
ingannato Il vostro giovin cor. Laura Perdonate se un
lembo alzo del velo, Che a me vasconde... (solleva: dl velo) Io v'
ho scoperto!... siete... Celarvi non potete... Giordano E chi
son io? Laura Giordano Bruno, cittadin di Nola!
SCENA IV. (Durante quest’ultimo colloquio, LORENZO entra
da destra, LEANDRO da sinistra; si fermano in - fondo, e, non
veduti funno alto di attenzione). “erimmiberarisisaorizeoeee
— Mi — nisi bro aravrariszazazezea ripa
paio : Lorenza ngi Ho. in mani, alfin 1, dai i
‘Ch’ ha Italia avvelenato; ‘Salvo da Ini mille: anime! a Il mondo
mi sia. EH 9 Leandro (4. LormNZO | con simulata ironia)
% TAL il salverài, mia “tnamo, | 79) È quegli'il gran? ;
Filosofo) di Il celebre Giordanb. VESTA Dal Tribunal del
Dèmoni Ù 401 1 PR. E O ARNO E ‘J RARE. |
Baura (| ‘801 ‘presa vi ala PISAE) | dia 39 DS IDE Lorenzo!
dui GicoL.. (a o pi di te-che mai sarà? F a
iI Gietiala (con dolore) Fui tradito !..-Oh
cerudoltà So IV I Santo phrto) Tana ‘in Cactpnse deg
Di palpiti, di ladina , Tempo,non è, mio cuore; .: .
‘ Salvarlo, fat Miracoli. DERE eo -0t devo ame l'amore. OL
DI Giordano © La luce tua mi sfolgora,
Fanciulla, nel pensiero; Se il mio profeta! Libero Trionferà
il mio vero. (poi fissando LORENZO) Quel volto! V° è
1’ immagine Impressa di Teresa... Misto è quel volto... e
annunziami La gioia ed il dolor! (Prendendo per mano
LORENZO) Giovane, dimmi: sei tu di Roma? La tua favella mel
dice... Parla! Dimmi: tua madre come sì noma? Teresa
forse? Lorenzo Teresa?... Sì! SCENA V.
(In fondo appare ROMANO con SERVI e SOLDATI poi vengono
gl’Invitati). Giordano L’ inquisizione! Oh quale
orror! (a Lorenzo) E tu con essa? Ah traditor! o Io a te la vita
diedi... e la morte - Tu, iniquo, appresti al Genitor!... A te l’
inferno schiuda le porte... Sii maledetto, vil delator.
fekresrey=neoan0enencastecpregsoneeaossog@zor—rorerovrseereeeericrone
cer csvpirtetronertpariosonnen contiene nanenene Lorenzo
Tu... padre mio? Che mai feci io!... Padre, perdonami
_Se pur ancora ‘ Merto pietà. SCENA VI.
GU INVITATI che riappariscono da destra e sinistra e detti. GI
Envitati e Leandro La festa è orrenda! Fuggiamo tutti;
Qual tradimenti! > > Keco distrutti --- Degl’ innocenti
Gli almi piacer. - HEomano Grazie, o Ciel!
Nelle mie mani Or Giordane io vedo tratto! Roma esulti...! Il suo
desìo Finalmente è soddisfatto. Lerenzo Orrenda
infamia! Tu il. padre mio?... Ah me infelice! Che mai fec? io!
Padre, perdonami... O Ciel, pietà! 2 ERA
EeIOrtitiezast:nuvo cene cen vinariesazyaza cc uPONPPA PESSANO MT RI
Laura (a GIORDANO) Delle amarezze il calice
Berrò con te, Giordano; Già in seno il duolo squarciami
Il core a brano a brano; Peno per te, pel figlio Mio
primo e solo amor. Leandro Oh come ovunque penetra
La santa Inquisizione ! Come sarà terribile La sua imputazione
! In lui perdiamo un figlio, Che della patria è onor.
Giordano (4 LAURA) Ah no! Laura, non piangere...
Giordano ha l’alma forte ! Pel Vero è pronto a vincere Il
duolo pur di morte! Dio deh! ritorna il figlio A Laura
e al Genitor, Lorenzo Sento nel seno piovermi
D'un aspro duol le stille!... Il padre... oh! il padre scorgere
ab 0); Temon le mie pupille! Com'è infelice un
figlio Ribelle al genitor ! Romano Entro mi
serpe un fremito, Che mi sconvolge il core, Veggendo quest’
eretico Di scismi banditore, Che, della
Chiesa*figlio, Divenne traditor! Leandro Tu
piangi?... Incauto, a Lui {affida Pel suo perdono; ma l’alma
infida Nel suo rimorso gran pena avrà. Coro (a
LORENZO) Che piangi?... Ognuno vile ti grida; Se’ un
traditor; se’ un parricida! Nè Dio, nè il mondo n’avran pietà.
(I SOLDATI circondano GIORDANO e cala la tela/.
IITTTTAAEIAIII RA CORTI Affo Cerzo
IN ROMA Sala nel palazzo
dell’Inquisizione. — In fondo, nel mezzo della parete una cortina nera
che chiudela scena, — A sinistra una finestra aperta con ferriata. In
fondo un tavolo coperto con un tappeto nero, a cui siedono il
grande INQUISITORE e DUE SCRIVANI; ai lati siedono gl’INQUISITORI, e, di
fronte, GIORDANO, R0- MANO e LORENZO, — Porte a destra e a
sinistra. SCENA I. Romano {> iordano!
Voi siete’ D’innanzi ai vostri giudici, al supremo Tribunal
della terra! E qui dovete, Smésso l’antico stile, Risponder
vero, obbediente, umile. “cà ra G. Inquisitore
Vostro nome è Giordan Bruno? Giordano Di Nola.
mrantsiorizea nano (199 AMDI ATTI ANI ANAZANAZA NZ RATTI TIT IATA
TERI ri prenpanianananananarenaenzana G. Inquisitore
Vi conosciamo! Voi correste in terre D’eretici; lè in Praga, in
Francoforte. ‘ E predicaste spesso agl’ infedeli La
santissima Chiesa dileggiando Di Roma, tutti i novator
germani Esaltando. D’ Iddio 1’ essenza in false Forme sponeste;
come v’ inspirava Mal talento. D’ Iddio la legge in pubblici
E in segreti convegni commentaste; Le coscienze fùr guaste.
Giordano Mentite! Solo io dissi agli uomini Il
mondo ha una visiera Di antiche, immense tenebre ; Cerchi la luce
vera. Dio vuol che l’uomo spinga L’acuta sua pupilla Fin dove
in cielo brilla L’eterno suo splendor. Coro
d’Inquisitori D’ anime felle Empia utopia! Il tuo,
ribelle, Un Dio non è. Non ha che larve - Tua
fantasia; .0 & gi ver disparve ; “Se in eresia ft fo i AI
fuoco, ‘al fuoco: © Sia condannato! 1 “REP carcer. poco, s ra
! tal OmpIO, egli de (Si apre la cortina’ dalla’ quale ‘escono
pina DTA io GRANDE INQUISITORE, quindi ROMANO, poi gli SCRIVANI,
‘gi ISQUISITORI, ed sea pIoR-SSf DANÒ accompagnato, dalle GUARDIE. : Gala
la cortina e solo LORENZO rimane în ‘scend), SCENA DÒ
dt e Laura 01,3 (LAURA entra dalla' sinisird e presi itasi) di
LORENZO | in atto supplichevole). SÉ Roe dia eor ATI
v Rat Laura! moi (HI dÉ tia Koi i È &
Loréiizo i «105 si vo MREPSRI RATA GIL
Lorenzo Di ea DO Ur PA Ale 2 i sd Met: la "I
Che vuoi tut ot Raid) fai I nSetdi o SERRA 2
Senti la ToRe.e. un uomo Rico tu soi. “ rE:
Lorenzo Tinura! Da me che brami? Sento straziarmi il
cuore... Laura Ah! tu il padre salvar déi, Se
una belva ancor non sei. Lorenzo Tact Laura! Il ver
dicesti È mio padre! Io lo sentìa Quando'.il labbro suo:
terribile. Me colpevole maledia. È mio padre! Ancor lo
sento AI perenne! e fier tormento.‘ ©’ Che m’ opprime e strazia il
cor. Laura | Pietà del misero. Tuo
genitor. Lorenzo L’accento tuo terribile E un dardo al
traditor. ebic Laura Lorenzo. it i #1) Ma
shananorazi scenza sanacenencacaee cena sane oeanconeesccnionaacea—ea—e@ce0cui0reò’npsQa”ncceinci’’’
ne Agp ipmpasrssssso— Lorenzo Nol posso!
Laura Va da me lungi, o perfido, Se nieghi al
genitor Salvar la vita. E sorga il dì terribile
Che ognuno, o traditor, Ti nieghi aita.
Lorenzo Taci!.... e che far poss’ io? Laura
Aiutarmi a salvarlo; tu lo puoi! ‘Ei fugga da quell’ orrida
Fossa in serena terra, Ove su lui degli uomini Taccia sì
cruda guerra. Ove un demén carnefice Non trovi nell’ amico,
Nel figlio, un traditor; Ove il sovran suo spirito Onnipotente e
pio Possa inalzarsi libero Di tutti al Padre, a
Dio; E riabbracciar qui un figlio, Che traviò pentito,
Stringendolo al suo cor. . pra, im
masasenananasasesc’poossoncostor09posporooscoesaesose®
Lorenzo Quell’ardire, che in volto a te
brilla, La speranza, la fede m' ispira: E una sacra, divina
favilla Della fiamma, che tarde nel cor. Raura e
Lorenzo (assieme) Con te nutro la credula speme, Che a
giustizia il trionfo sorrida; Siamo uniti per vincere insieme Od
insieme da forti morir. (partono). Muta la scena. — Carcere di GIORDANO
con porte in fondo: dentro vedesi un giaciglio di pietra, una seg-
giola ed un tavolo su cuì arde una lampada. — A sinistra una scala
da cui si accede agli Uftizii del- l’ Inquisizione. SCENA
III. Giordane (seduto sul giaciglio) «Ecco, o Roma,
l’eretico In questo tetro carcere rinchiuso !.... Del
sangue suo dissetinsi I tuoi Inquisitori Ebbri di gioia
in lor ciechi furori! (Gleaso Sul rabido rogo dall’empio
innalzato La fiamma divampa sanguigna e stridente, Ma
in mezzo all'incendio securà possente Del martire invitto la voce
s’ udrà. Il rogo non strugge — la libera idea; Ma, eterna fenice —
risorge o sfavilla; Del vasto creato — nel verbo s'inslilla
Te dense tenebre — del mondo a fugar. In mano ai carnefici — chi,
miser, mi trasse, Tu fosti, mio figlio; — tu sli maledetto ' 9 Ma
no maledirti, + ma no, nol poss’io: La morte è un trionfo — per me,
figlio mio! SCENA IV. LORENZO apre con furia la porta
del fondo che mette nel carcere; indi entra anche LAURA. Entrambi
«$0NO Raealii in domino nero come i servi del- V’
Inquisizione. Lorenzo (di piedi di GIORDANO) Padre mio! Tuo
figlio... Giordano Non sogno! Lorenzo Si, son io,
ch’ hai maledetto ; Ma figlio tuo! Ripeti un altra volta La tua
maledizione i Coll’ accento d’ un padre, ed al mio cuore Più cara
suonerà di quel che fora Del sacerdote la benedizione ; Ah!
lasciami morir a pieid tuoi. TIrCItIVISIÀ poorrcensersantisaazuztt=veSnII=TIERERA
TATE conuaca riv ertaziori (apusa ra rara zar sara ra bist enaneronesane
‘Giordano Felice è un tal momento! A me t’ adusse
Iddio; Ora tu sei redento! M’ abbraccia, o figlio mio.
Lorenzo Padro' i] mio cuore un balsamo Nella tua voce
trova! Col tuo perdon risorgere Mi sembra a vita
nuova. Laura Redento il figlio, accoglierlo Ben
può il paterno core; Quale inattesa grazia !.., Disparve ogni
terrore. Mutti (inginocchiandosi) Gran Dio, che fra
le angoscie Apri a quest’ alma il riso, E mesci ai loro
spasimi In terra un paradiso. A te, che i santi
vincoli Riannodi di natura, Salga da queste mura
L’ inno de’ nostri cor.
Giordano (STO ER
Dal fondo del cor mio 2/0 SARA Grazie a te sien, gran Dio! a
Pi E | SCENA V. re k » à, s ER wr: DETTI,
e ROMANO, che presentasi in cima della >° dente.
Fissa collo sguardo LORENZO, indi scende rapidamente. Lo seguono il
GUARDIANO Retles va x carceri e i SERVI del S. UHEIZIO: - da
si ‘Romano < È Come tu qui?... La figlia ancor Di vedo, ea Oh
mio furore ' eco 3 F : x Laura e Lorenzo 00 o O qual terror! >
ua | » Romano È ‘ Giiordano.. - Questa ou fatale a me
una figlia nn dio Spa ma a te la vita. (LEANDRO, il GUARDIANO delle
carceri ei SERVI. del S. UFFIZIO mascherati ed armati si ap-
d pressano). Lg i VEL 7 Pi AE
Li unisoseorevrespropeosovo ” Romano (a
GIORDANO) Trencar ti voglio, qual vile stelo ; Delle tue carni la
terra e il Cielo Io colle fiamme consolerò. Lorenzo Ed
io fidato m’ ero a tal jena ? Tutto l’inferno qui si scatena, E
cielo e terra han di te orror. Laura e Leandro Sublime
martire! La tua gran vita Tronca in un lampo tra l’infinita
Gioia... Qual strazio sento nel cor! Giordano Del mio carnefice sul
volto scritto Sta col livore il suo delitto; Solo dal Cielo
giustizia avrò. Romano (a° Soldati) Innanzi al Tribunal condotto
sia. Coro (Servi e Soldati) S'innalza un turbine
Di guai novelli. Su de’ fratelli —
Tratti in error. E l’empio eretico < «N° è lavcagionez
9:13 <L Maledizione Sul corruttor! Al rogo ignifico
‘ Condotto Sia. © Chi l’eresia Tra noi portò. . Legge
inviolabile Il turbolento A tal tormento Già condannò.
RIC FROCIO RA ATONTAITA Atto
Quarto Gran sala nel Palazzo
dell’Inquisizione in Roma... —. Nel fondo una Galleria apertà sostenuta
da colonne, fra ile quali: si, aprono grandi fin:stre che lasciano
tra- vedere le cupole e i colli di Roma. — Porta: a de- stra e a
sinistra. — Nelmazzo un tavolo con quattro candelabri. — Siedono al
tavolo il grande INQUI- SITORE, ROMANO e ) UE SCRIVANI. — DUE SERVI
«ai. lati, quindi gl’ INQUISITORI, i SCENA I. Coro
d'Inquisitori || |) eo nembo dall’aere piove Lupa ' Di
Giordano su:l’empia cervice! "Non v'ha niun che l’appelli
infelice, Non v'ha cor che si muova a pietà. Pronto è il
rogo, la fiamma divampa... E pur essa la vittima è pronta !
AI gran Nome Cristiano quest’onta. Or. dal fuoco purgata sarà.
} SCENA II, Giordano (appressandosi). O sommo
Inquisitor! Giunta è l'estrema Ora, che me a gran
prova... al rogo.... appella! G. Inquisitore (alle guardie)
Fuor della porta vigilate ! (le guardie e i servi partono)
O Bruno Di Nola! Quest’ è 1’ ora che vi chiama Alla prova
del fuoco.... a morte.... 0 a vita Lieta d'ogni uom nel mondo! E a voi
concesso Ciò e’ ha nessuno fu giammai; la scelta Fra la vita e la
morte! Scegliete. E in, vostre man la vostra sorte!
Giordano (Mi tentan!) Che si vuol da ms? Parlate. G.
Inquisitore Qui in faccia a tutti, dichiararvi figlio Della
Romana Chiesa ora e in eterno E vi doniam la vita; rimarrete
Prigion; ma al figlio libertà darete! Giordano (Dèmone
tentator!) Nol vò.... nol posso! G. Inquisitore (qa RomaANO)]
Perduto! Udiste ?... La sentenza è data! (Parte coi servi,
Le guardie circondano GIORDANO e partono). i SCENA II.
Romano (in preda a soffocato sdegno). Cieco sirumento io sono
all’empie voglie Di costoro! Ubbidir sempre... e frattanto Spezzare
di mia figlia il vergin core, Serbando la mia vita al lutto e al
pianto! O Laura, tu l’adori D’averno il rio Filosofo, Che con
l'accento magico Tuo cuor conquise già. Or ei morrà sul
rogo!... Ma temo per mia figlia... Dal duol trafitta,
all’empio Vicina ella cadrà!... Senza la figlia, il padre Più
viver non potrà. To l’adoro! In lei Tiposi Ogni speme ed ogni
alta; La mia luce, la mia vita Con la sua si spegnerà. Volgi,
o Dio su me, su lei Un tuo sguardo protettor, E la figlia, che
perdei Deh! ridona al genitor. (ROMANO parte da sinistra e
nell'uscire si. moontra con LAURA). CA
SCENA IV. Laura (apprdssandosi ‘a ROMANO) Ah! padre
caro, mi benedici! Quel divin spirto, che t’empie il core, Io pur
lo sento! Odio i nemici Di quel gran ùomo;-che' giùsto muore... Ma
tu, che. il puoi, deh! tu lo salva;; Se Do, «con Lui io morirò. :
(Romano La rea fiamma, che in cor ti VE Per chi
scuote de’ Papi l’impero, Sulla fronte il delitto’ ti Stampa Che tu
svolgi nel cupo pensiero... “Salvo tu vuoi Giordano ? Iniqua
! Nol sperar... tu Il chiedi > invano. i (parte) Laura
(con disperazione) Più di salvarlo non v' ha speranza!
L’ ala nel tempo batte spietata! . - Ah! la fatale ora 8°
avanza. i Con te Giordano io morirò. ( prende il veleno) A
morte infame traggono. ; L’ apostolo del vero; Ma dal suo rogo.
pallida; | La fiamma sorgerà. Che sovra. il cieco popolo...
La luce porterà; COLERE Nè più potrassi spegnere
Quel fuoco che foriero Sarà di libertà. | Coro frecta
judicate filù hominum Laura Quai voci ascolto! Lugubre
E questo il canto estremo, Ch’ ora al supplizio adduce- L’ apostolo
del Ver. Coro Recta judicate fili hominum Laura
Con te Giordano! Morir voglio! Al gaudio tuo volar desio.
SCENA Ve {LORENZO e LEANDRO col corteo funebre
s’inol- trano nella scena. GIORDANO Tifo, le guardie si fa avanti
nel mezzo). Giordano Gran Dio! la vittima. Tu
vedi pronta Il rogo a scendere \a 1 1 Per la tua, fe;
CERRI TERA ee L'ira de’ perfidi,
Ovunque. conta, Oggi terribile Piombò su di me.
Coro Etenim in corde iniquilates operamini; Injustitias
manus vestrae concinnant. Lorenzo Si squarcino le
tenebre Or dell’uman pensiero, E torni vivo a splendere Il
sol di verità, Che strugga alla tirannide L’ atroce maestà,
E’ incenerisca i fulmini Del mistico nocchiero Nella futura
età.. Giordano e Leandro Da’ rei carnefici Il rogo
ardente Pel nuovo martire E posto là; Ma la giustizia
Di Dio clemente Le braccia schiudere A Lui vorrà. |
(GIORDANO circondato ddlle guardie parte col corteo.)
Leandro, Cero (partendo) In terra injustitias manus. vestrae
concinnant. SCENA VI. (LORENZO s’appressa a LAURA,
che si troverd, vicina. a ROMANO), i Lorenzo (con
disperazione) O Padre, addio. Per me l’estrema Ora fatale
suonata è già? Guarda tuo figlio, che più non trema Nel
vendicare la verità. A me di Laura l’amor fu tolto : Perchè
un mistero buio sognai... Ah! padre, credilo, tutto: ignorai; Solo
or la luce scorgo del Ver. ER omamno Lorenzo!
Lorenzo [trattosi dall’ abito uu pugnale, si ferisce)
Laura! Laura (riavendosi avvicinasi a LORENZO) Al gaudio Ei
vola. Romane (sorreggendo LORENZO) Serbate a quanti
spasimi E il povero mio cor? o aaravai
-ercerecote e ————merie—i ve oraconcorsoee «n - peacee -LilsSTFri= pone rete na
dor e. Lorenzo È tardi, o padre, il piangere...
. Anche Lorenzo... muor! (gli cadde ai piedi). Romano.
/Odesi “una campana a lenti rintocchi; avvicinandosi a LAURA e
sorreggendola/ Orribil pena mi strazia il core... Un
disumano fui genitore...! Non v’ha infelice al par di me!
Laura (presso LORENZO) Lieta è quest’ ora... della mia vita...
Bel paradiso la via... m’ addita Giordano.... Io volo... In ciel... con
tel (Da una finestra vedonsi le fiamme del rogo, ed un
urlo di popolo annunzia la fine dello spettacolo. Cala la
tela], op de nia - oe vr 2A SN
DI LESANIA AL TR I RRIA Ji ) _ DE sa NI
Ao AME Ta0 “Si 1 iL VPI, | ati Lion
"Ul ci Li TR PSR = Hi (i dI - Un pi
Hi 3 i si f VI % Y, ILA
} 4 ” ; A Yy 4 Pi f f lo L É } 1} Ì ;
A A Refs.: Luigi Speranza, Bruniana. Filippo Bruno. Giordano Bruno.
Keywords: paganesimo ario, anti-catolecismo, anti-papismo, filosofia come
anti-religione, ragione, non fede, contra la fede, fede irrazionale –
irrazionalismo della religione, irrazionalismo, ario, ariano, tradizione aria,
religione pagana, filosofia e religione nella Roma antica – irrazionalismo
della religione antica romana – carattere metaforico della religione pagana della
Roma antica, ermetismo, composizione dei signi, de signorum compositione,
compositio signorum, asino,asinita, Spaventa, Giudice, Cacciatore, Gentile,
implicatura e ligatura, relativita, infigurabile, indeterminabile, Grice,
indeterminacy, open, implicature, il Bruno di Marlowe; il Bruni di Shakespeare
(Pene d’amore perdute), Grice e Bruno a Oxford. Refs.: Luigi Speranza, “Grice e
Bruno” – The Swimming-Pool Library.
Grice e Bruzi – I
geti -- filosofia italiana – Luigi
Speranza (Squillace). Filosofo. Grice: “Cassiodoro was possibly a genius; I
mean, I wrote a logic, and so did he – but he was ‘consul’ on top! My favourite
– and indeed, the ONLY tract by him I recommend my tutees is his “Dialettica” –
Strawson prefers his “De anima,” but ‘anima’ is a confused notion, for
Wittgenstein and neo-Wittgensteinians alike – no souly ascription without
behaviour that manifests it! – whereas with ‘dialettica’ you are safe enough!”
–Grice: “I should be pointed out that of the three of the trivial arts –
‘dialettica’ is the only one that deals with my topic, conversation or
dia-logue – grammatical is almost autistic, and rhetoric is for lawyers, i. e.
sharks! Only ‘dialettica’ represents why those in the Lit. Hum. programme chose
‘philosophy’!” Grice: “Dialettica INCORPORATES all that grammatical and
rettorica can teach!” -- Cassiodoro Flavio Cassiodoro Gesta
TheodoriciFlaviusMagnus Aurelius Cassiodorus. Cassiodoro, da un manoscritto su
vellum del XII secolo. Magister officiorum del Regno Ostrogoto Durata
mandato523533 MonarcaTeodorico il Grande (fino al 30 agosto 526) Atalarico
(fino al 533) PredecessoreSeverino Boezio Prefetto del pretorio d'Italia Durata
mandato533533 MonarcaAtalarico SuccessoreVenanzio Opilione Durata mandato535537
MonarcaTeodato (fino all'autunno 536) Vitige (fino al maggio 540)
PredecessoreVenanzio Opilione Successore Fidelio Dati generali
Professionefilosofo Flavio Magno Aurelio Cassiodoro Senatore (latino: Flavius
Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator.
Visse sotto il regno degli ostrogoti. Percorse un'importante carriera
politica sotto il governo di Teodorico ricoprendo ruoli tanto vicini al
sovrano, da far pensare in passato ad un effettivo contributo diretto al
progetto del re ostrogoto. Successore di Boezio, oltre che consigliere, fu
cancelliere de Teodorico e il compilatore delle sue lettere ufficiali e dei
provvedimenti di legge. Collabora anche con i successori di Teodorico. Al
termine della guerra si stabilì in via definitiva presso Squillace, dove fondò
la biblioteca di Vivario. La fonte principale che ci permette di conoscere la
famiglia di Cassiodoro è data dalla sua più vasta e importante opera, le “Variae”.
Nacque in una delle più stimate famiglie dei Bruzi, facente parte del
patriziato. L'origine del nome è da ricercarsi in un luogo di culto dedicato a
Giove. Da una lettera scritta da Cassiodoro per Teodorico abbiamo notizie sui
suoi genitori, così come su un parente di nome Eliodoro. Dall'antica origine
della famiglia si può comprendere la scelta dei Bruzi come nuova patria,
essendo questa una zona della Magna Grecia. Si hanno notizie inoltre del suo
bonno, definito “vir illustris” e del nonno Senatore. Quest'ultimo fu tribuno
sotto Valentiniano III, e in qualità di ambasciatore conobbe il re degli Unni
Attila. Odoacre e Teodorico ritratti nelle Cronache di Norimberga. Al
padre furono indirizzate alcune lettere delle “Variae”, il che ci offre più
dati su di lui. Ricoprì il ruolo di comes rerum privatarum e successivamente di
comes sacrarum largitionum nel governo di Odoacre. Mantenne la propria
posizione di funzionario d'amministrazione anche sotto Teodorico, tanto da
diventare governatore provinciale. Lo si ritrova governatore della Sicilia, e
dopo essere entrato nelle grazie di Teodorico, governatore della Calabria,
quando si ritirerà alla sua villa. Così come per i suoi familiari,
ricaviamo notizie sulla vita di Cassiodoro solo dalle sue opere. La nascita e quella
indicata dal Tritemio nel suo “De scriptoribus” (Basilea 1494). Il menologio lo
ricorda il 25 settembre. Per quelli che, come Theodor Mommsen, non ritengono
attendibili i dati del Tritemio, le date di nascita e morte di Cassiodoro
rimangono ipotizzate, principalmente grazie a quelle note dei suoi incarichi
amministrativi; nonostante ciò molte cronache tendono a confondere alcuni dati
della vita di Cassiodoro con eventi vissuti dal padre, attribuendo una grande
longevità al letterato di Squillace. Proprio per quanto riguarda Squillace, non
è certo che vi nacque. Molto più probabilmente vi passò l'infanzia, ricevendo
dalla propria famiglia una prima educazione e seguendo degli studi. Ancora
giovane fu avviato dal padre alla carriera pubblica, per la quale ricopre
anzitutto il ruolo di “consiliarius”, per poi diventare quaestor sacri palatii,
forse perché Teodorico apprezza particolarmente un panegirico che egli aveva
composto. Poco tempo dopo ricevette il governatorato di Lucania e
Bruttii, notizia che si può apprendere da una lettera inviata al cancellarius
Vitaliano. Seguendo differenti interpretazioni storiche, questa congettura è
stata però di recente messa in dubbio. Risale la designazione a console.
Nonostante si trattasse ormai di una carica onorifica manteneva una certa
importanza, permettendolo di ricoprire il ruolo di eponimo. Dei anni successivi
non si conosce salvo la pubblicazione della Chronica. Successivamente, fu
nominato magister officiorum del re, succedendo nella carica a Boezio. Il ruolo
e di grande prestigio, e rappresenta con esso il capo dell'amministrazione
pubblica, degli official e delle scholae
palatinae. Alla morte di Teodorico, si
apre una complessa fase di successione. Divenne ministro della la figlia di
Teodorico, succedutagli sul trono come reggente per il figlio Atalarico.
Presumibilmente perdette parte della sua influenza nei primi anni di tali
mutamenti politici, ma seppe poi riproporsi e, con un lettera di Atalarico,
guadagna il titolo di Prefetto del pretorio per l'Italia. Non ricopre questo
ruolo politico per molto tempo. Atalarico morì e ai consueti problemi di
successione si aggiunse la malvolenza di Giustiniano verso gli ostrogoti,
insofferenza che culminò poi con la guerra gotica. Resse nuovamente la
prefettura, sotto i re Teodato e Vitige, per poi abbandonare definitivamente la
carriera pubblica. Nelle Variae si possono trovare le ultime lettere scritte
per conto di Vitige, anche se non viene detto nulla sul concludersi della sua
funzione politica né si sa alcunché dei suoi successori. Di fronte all'avanzata
bizantina rimase dapprima in ritiro a Ravenna, luogo che offriva ancora una
certa sicurezza. Ravenna e conquistata dalle truppe imperiali, e da quel
momento si perdono le sue tracce. Le alternative vagliate sono una permanenza a
Squillace, dove però avrebbe avuto scarse possibilità di movimento, o una
permanenza più lunga a Ravenna. Lo si ritrova nel seguito di papa Vigilio a
Costantinopoli, città nella quale potrebbe anche aver soggiornato, secondo una
terza ipotesi, in un periodo precedente alla data conosciuta. Rientrò nei
Bruttii solo dopo la fine della guerra, ritiratosi definitivamente dalla scena
politica, fondò il monastero di Vivario presso Squillace. Si hanno anche per
questa parte della sua vita pochissime informazioni, non si conoscono quindi le
motivazioni che lo portarono alla creazione di questa comunità monastica né
particolari sulla contemporanea situazione politica della penisola italica; per
quanto riguarda la sua situazione personale, si può ipotizzare che non ebbe
eredi diretti. Al Vivarium trascorse il resto dei suoi anni, dedicandosi allo
studio e alla scrittura di opere filosofiche. Qui istituì uno scriptorium per
la raccolta e la copiatura di manoscritti, che fu il modello a cui successivamente
si ispirarono i studii. Opera, il De ortographia. IL'obiettivo principale del
progetto politico-culturale di Cassiodoro fu quello di accreditare il regno
teodericiano come una restaurazione del Principato, ossia quella forma di
governo che aveva garantito la collaborazione, formalmente quasi paritaria, tra
l'imperatore e la classe senatoria. Questa autorappresentazione del governo
goto serviva in primo luogo come legittimazione del regno nei confronti
dell'Impero costantinopolitano. Sostanzialmente, essendosi conformato il regime
ostrogoto al modello imperiale, il primato dell'imperatore e fondato
esclusivamente su un piano carismatico (pulcherrimum decus). Al tempo stesso,
tale imitazione da parte di Teoderico poneva l'Amalo in una posizione di
superiorità nei confronti degli altri regni barbarici attraverso un principio
politico-carismatico, basato su una gerarchia di due livelli (l'impero e il
regno di Teoderico, gli altri regni), con un vertice binario e leggermente
asimmetrico. Tra tutti gli altri dominantes, Teoderico era il solo che, per
volontà divina, aveva saputo dare al suo regno gli stessi fondamenti etici e
legali dell’imperium: il suo regno era una replica perfetta del modello imitato
e a sua volta un modello.» (Andrea Giardina[43]) La prospettiva di
Cassiodoro, infatti, non è più l'impero universale, bensì quella nazionale
dell'Italia romano-ostrogota, autonoma ed egemone rispetto agli altri regni
occidentali, sebbene siano state avanzate riserve circa la reale ambizione di
Teoderico di assumere l'eredità del decaduto Impero romano d'Occidente. In
particolare, il fondamento dell'ideologia cassiodoriana ruota intorno al
concetto di “civilitas”, che indica tanto il rispetto delle leggi e dei
princìpi della romanità, quanto la convivenza sociale, giuridica ed economica
di romani e stranieri fondata sulle leggi. Secondo Cassiodoro, il regno goto si
sarebbe fatto custode della civilitas, garantendo così la giustizia e la pace
sociale (l’otiosa tranquillitas, cioè l'obiettivo di ogni buon governo), in
accordo con la legge divina e la migliore tradizione imperiale romana. Il
richiamo all'ideologia del Principato da parte di Teoderico e Atalarico si
basa, nella fattispecie, sull'emulazione della figura di Traiano, così come
tratteggiata nel Panegirico di Plinio il Giovane. Con il regno di Teodato,
invece, il principale modello di riferimento fu quello
dell'”imperatore-filosofo” -- un ideale etico-politico ampiamente imbevuto di
caratteri neoplatonici. In seguito, nell'impellenza della guerra greco-gotica,
Vitige si distinse per il recupero di un'ideologia più specificamente
germanica, in cui e messi in risalto le virtù bellica e l'ardore
guerriero. San Benedetto da Norcia.
Inoltre esiste la possibilità che un primo abbozzo di ciò che sarebbe
diventato il monastero esistesse già da tempo, presente nei territori di
Squillace da una data sconosciuta e utilizzato come residenza da Cassiodoro
solo al ritorno in patria dopo la guerra gotica. Ad ogni modo non aiuta nelle
varie ipotesi il silenzio delle fonti, poiché le Variae erano state già
pubblicate e nessuna delle opere dell'ormai ex politico trattò di questa
fondazione; nulla si conosce sul parto di questo progetto, né quando quest'idea
fosse stata concepita.[59] Nonostante si intuisca dalle ultime opere di
Cassiodoro un avvicinamento potente alla fede cristiana (si pensi al De anima e
all'Expositio Psalmorum[60]), il monastero di Vivario nacque con uno scopo
differente dal celebre Ora et labora: l'obiettivo principale del nucleo
monastico fu infatti la copiatura, la conservazione, scrittura e studio dei
volumi contenenti testi dei classici e della patristica occidentale. La
caratteristica di Vivarium era quindi la sua forma di scriptorium, con le
annesse problematiche di rifornimento materiali, studio delle tecniche di
scrittura e fatiche economiche. I codici e manoscritti prodotti nel monastero
raggiunsero una certa popolarità e furono molto richiesti. Le forme entro cui
si espresse invece l'organizzazione monastica dal punto di vista religioso sono
ben poco chiare, né aiuta l'assenza di riferimenti alla vicina esperienza di
Benedetto da Norcia; forse Cassiodoro non ne conobbe neppure l'esistenza, o
potrebbe averne parlato in opere non giunteci. Alcuni storici avanzano
l'ipotesi che la Regula magistri, su cui si basa la Regola benedettina, sia
addirittura opera dello stesso Cassiodoro. Questo presunto rapporto tra i due è
però generalmente rigettato dagli studiosi, anche alla luce di alcune citazioni
provenienti dalle Institutiones che chiariscono le norme monastiche adottate da
Vivarium:[64] «Voi tutti che vivete rinchiusi entro le mura del monastero
osservate, pertanto, sia le regole dei Padri sia gli ordini del vostro
superiore e portate a compimento volentieri i comandi che vi vengono dati per
la vostra salvezza... Prima di tutto accogliete i pellegrini, fate l'elemosina,
vestite gli ignudi, spezzate il pane agli affamati, poiché si può dire
veramente consolato colui che consola i miseri.» (Cassiodoro,
Institutiones.[65]) Ritratto del profeta Esdra nel quale per molto tempo
si riconobbe la figura di Cassiodoro, contenuto nel Codex Amiatinus. Questa
citazione mostra come Vivarium seguisse quindi le più comuni regole monastiche
contemporanee, mentre altri passaggi delle Institutiones ci suggeriscono un ruolo
laico per Cassiodoro, forse esterno alla vita monastica e puramente
patronale Il vero centro vitale di Vivarium era, particolare che segna la
differenza con ogni altro centro monastico, la biblioteca. Cassiodoro distingue
inoltre i libri del monastero da quelli personali, differenza poi scomparsa in
un periodo successivo. E la biblioteca, infatti, come centro di cultura di
tutto il monastero, la novità del suo programma, una biblioteca nata ed
accresciuta secondo le intenzioni del fondatore che dei suoi libri conosceva
non solo la sistemazione, perché l'aveva curata personalmente, ma anche i
testi, perché li aveva studiati, annotati, arricchiti di segni critici, riuniti
insieme secondo la materia in essi trattata e persino abbelliti esteriormente.
Il monastero prende nome da una serie di vivai di pesci fatti preparare dallo
stesso Cassiodoro. La loro presenza rappresentava un forte valore simbolico,
legato al concetto di Cristo come Ichthys. Non lontano dal centro si trovava
una zona per anacoreti, riservata a monaci con pregresse esperienze di vita
cenobitica. Vivarium sorgeva, secondo gli studi ad oggi compiuti, nella
contrada San Martino di Copanello, nei pressi del fiume Alessi. In quella zona
fu ritrovato un sarcofago datato VI secolo, associato a graffiti devozionali e
subito considerato la sepoltura originale di Cassiodoro. Per ciò che riguarda
la ripartizione del lavoro, i monaci inadatti a seguire la biblioteca con
annessi oneri intellettuali sono destilla coltivazioni di orti e campi, mentre
i letterati si occupavano dello studio delle sette arti liberali (dialettica,
retorica, grammatica, musica, geometria, aritmetica, astrologia) questi ultimi
erano divisi in notarii, rilegatori e traduttori. Le opere di carità erano
espressamente raccomandate dal fondatore, e legati a queste fiorivano gli studi
di medicina. Cassiodoro fece preparare tre edizioni differenti della Bibbia e
si occupò di copiature e riscritture di molti altri testi della cristianità,
considerando tutto ciò una vera e propria opera di predicazione. Non mancano
però nella biblioteca di Vivarium i testi profani: tra gli altri furono salvati
grazie all'opera di Cassiodoro le Antiquitates di Flavio Giuseppe e l'Historia
tripartita. Le opere di Cassiodoro del periodo di Teodorico, quelle da noi
conosciute, sono tre: le Laudes, la Chronica e l'Historia Gothorum. Della prima
si sono conservati solo due frammenti, mentre della Gothorum Historia rimane
solo un'epitome a opera dello storico Giordane. La Chronica racconta la saga
dei poteri temporali di tutta la storia, dai sovrani assiri sino ai consoli del
tardo Impero, passando ovviamente per tutta la storia romana. Possediamo un
frammento di un'ulteriore opera, l'Ordo generis Cassiodororum, che ci offre
notizie sulla famiglia dell'autore. Tra la produzione di Cassiodoro occupano un
posto speciale le Variae, raccolta di documenti ufficiali scritti i quali ci
offrono quindi informazioni su differenti periodi della vita dell'autore e
sulla storia dei Goti. A queste si può aggiungere il “De Anima”, opera per la
prima volta lontana da interessi politici e invece basata su temi della
filosofia psicologica. Il terreno religioso è battuto anche dalla successiva
Expositio Psalmorum, commento ai salmi di particolare importanza poiché unico
esempio pervenutoci dal mondo tardo antico. Al periodo di Vivarium appartengono
tra le opere a noi giunte, le Institutiones, le Complexiones in epistolas Beati
Pauli e le Complexiones in epistolas catholicas, le Complexiones actuum
apostolorum et in Apocalypsi e il De ortographia. La prima, senza dubbio
l'opera più importante di Cassiodoro, è datata in un periodo in cui il centro
monastico era sicuramente avviato; rappresenta sostanzialmente una
"guida" per gli studi nel monastero, è ricca di informazioni sulla vita
dei monaci e sulle opere intellettuali da loro compiute. Il De ortographia sarà
la sua ultima opera, scritta attorno ai novant'anni. Uno scritto di chiari
intenti politici è la Chronica, una sorta di storia universale scritta nel 519
su richiesta per celebrare il consolato di Eutarico Cillica (diviso con
l'Imperatore Giustino), genero di Teodorico e designato al trono. Il sovrano
d'Italia non aveva eredi maschi mentre Eutarico, sposandone la figlia
Amalasunta, era riuscito a donargli un nipote, Atalarico. Alla luce di questa
nuova dinastia, la scelta di offrire il ruolo di console a Eutarico
rappresentava quindi un importante evento politico: si trattava della celebrata
unione tra i romani ed i goti, progetto che poi fallirà tragicamente. L'opera,
che come comprensibile dal titolo ha chiari fini storici, propone una
successione dei grandi poteri politici succedutisi nella storia, passando da
Adamo sino ad approdare al 519 con Eutarico. È basata su numerose fonti che
Cassiodoro spesso cita quali Eusebio, Gerolamo, Livio, Aufidio Basso, Vittorio
Aquitano e Prospero d'Aquitania. Per la trattazione successiva al 496 invece
l'autore è autonomo. L'elemento dell'opera che maggiormente colpisce è il suo
carattere spiccatamente filo-gotico. Cassiodoro arriva a manipolare alcuni
eventi storici o a farne addirittura scomparire altri, al fine di non far
apparire i Goti sotto un'oscura luce. Historia Gothorum Re Davide
vincitore in una miniatura dall'Expositio Psalmorum, presente nell'edizione del
Cassiodoro di Durham. Una delle sue opere più importanti fu il De origine
actibusque Getarum (più noto come Historia Gothorum) in 12 libri, nel quale la
sua ideologia filogotica era tracciata e sviluppata in maniera più
organica.[83] Si considera l'opera contemporanea o poco successiva alla
Chronica, anche se più studiosi tendono a ritenerla più recente, forse composta
tra il 526 e il 533. Certamente la stesura fu caldeggiata da Teoderico, per
essere infine pubblicata sotto Atalarico. Nonostante ciò essa ci è pervenuta
solo nella versione ridotta dello storico Giordane, i Getica. Prima storia
nazionale di un popolo barbarico, la Historia Gothorum era tesa a glorificare
la dinastia degli Amali, la stirpe regnante, attraverso una ricostruzione della
storia dei Goti dalle origini ai tempi presenti. Il tentativo più ardito
dell'opera fucome emerge dal titolo stessol'identificazione dei Goti con i
“geti” -- popolazione già nota a Erodoto e maggiormente conosciuta dal mondo
romano. Il racconto narra eventi storici e come scopo ha inoltre quello di celebrare
l'unione tra goti e romani, qui comprovata dal matrimonio tra il romano Germano
Giustino e l'amala Matasunta. Il fine ultimo dell'opera lo svelaper bocca di
Atalarico Cassiodoro stesso. Questi Cassiodoro ha sottratto i re dei Goti al
lungo oblio in cui li aveva nascosti l'antichità. Questi ha ridato agli Amali
la gloria della loro stirpe, dimostrando chiaramente che noi siamo stirpe
regale da diciassette generazioni. L'origine dei goti egli ha reso storia
romana, quasi raccogliendo in una corona fiori prima sparsi qua e là nel campo
dei libri. Dell’Ordo generis Cassiodororum rimane un solo frammento in più
copie. Il l testo, dalla difficile interpretazione, fu composto negli anni
della carriera pubblica di Cassiodoro ed è dedicato a Rufio Petronio Nicomaco
Cetego. L'opera offre rare notizie sulla famiglia di Cassiodoro, in particolare
sul padre; nelle poche righe centrali vengono nominche Boezio e Simmaco, il che
farebbe pensare ad un qualche grado di parentela tra l'autore e queste due
figure, impossibile attualmente da stabilire. La sua attività di funzionario al
servizio del regno goto è testimoniata dalle Variae, una raccolta di lettere e
documenti, redatti in nome dei sovrani o trasmessi a firma dell'autore stesso
in un arco di tempo che va dall’assunzione della questura al termine della
carica di prefetto al pretorio. Il titolo come l'autore spiega nella prefazione
all'opera è dovuto alla “varietà” degli stili letterari impiegati nei documenti
del corpus, il quale divenne successivamente un riferimento per lo stile
cancelleresco e curiale. Espone nella praefatio dell'opera il fine di questa
raccolta di testi, ovvero la necessità di fornire nozioni utili a chiunque si
dovesse in futuro accostare alla carriera pubblica. Ulteriore obiettivo dichiarato
è quello di far conoscere i propri trascorsi come membro del ceto
dirigente.[85] Le Variae sono assai utili per conoscere le istituzioni, le
condizioni politiche, morali e sociali sia dei Goti sia dei Romani dell'Italia
del tempo.[85] De anima Cominciato poco prima della conclusione delle
Variae, il “De anima” è considerato da Cassiodoro come una sorta di tredicesimo
volume per quest'opera, quasi ne rappresentasse l'appendice. Affronta temi
esterni al mondo della politica, avvicinandosi agli stessi interessi spirituali
che poi toccherà con la Expositio Psalmorum. Il “De anima” si dipana su dodici
questioni, tra le quali l'incorporeità e il destino dell'anima, legata alla
tradizione di Tertulliano, Agostino e Claudiano Mamerto. Anche per l’Expositio
Psalmorum non è possibile dare una datazione certa, anche perché la sua
composizione sembra essere stata portata avanti per un periodo abbastanza
prolungato. Si tratta di un commento completo ai salmi, unico esemplare
rimastoci da tutta la tarda antichità. Per mole è certamente l'opera maggiore
di Cassiodoro, anche se non viene considerata la più matura tra le sue
produzioni. Una più ampia influenza nel Medioevo ebbero le sue Istituzioni,
“Institutiones divinarum et saecularium litterarum”, erudita introduzione alle
sette arti liberali – dialettica, retorica, grammatical – musica, geomtrica,
aritmetica. Progettata dopo che la richiesta di Cassiodoro per la fondazione di
un'studi ricevette una risposta negativa da papa Agapito I, l'opera visse un
lungo periodo di incubazione: basti pensare che al suo interno cita il De
orthographia, ultima opera attestata di Cassiodoro. Il lavoro su questa
enciclopedia si suddivide in varie sezioni: la prima presenta i vari libri
della Bibbia, la storia della Chiesa e degli studi teologici; la seconda si
occupa di quelle arti incluse successivamente nel trivio e quadrivio, con un
occhio rivolto alla cultura pagana e alle norme atte per trascrivere
correttamente gli antichi. Altre opere sono citate direttamente da Cassiodoro
nel De orthographia. Complexiones in Epistolas et Acta apostolorum et
Apocalypsin; si tratta di un commento ad alcuni passi degli Atti degli Apostoli
e dell'Apocalisse di Giovanni Expositio epistolae ad Romanos (Commento alla
lettera dei Romani). Liber memorialis; breve riassunto del contenuto della
Sacra Scrittura. Historia ecclesiastica tripartita, di cui fu autore della sola
prefazione. De orthographia; trattato destinato a fissare norme e regole per la
trascrizione di scritti antichi e moderni. Senator è parte integrante del nome
e non già designazione della carica pubblica (Momigliano, 1978, 494-504; Momigliano, 1980487). Le ipotesi che vogliono Cassiodoro
organizzatore e stratega nascosto dietro Teodorico sono ad oggi considerate
generalmente infondate, superate dalla tradizione che vede Cassiodoro estraneo
alla politica del regno; Cardini, 2009109.
Cardini, 200911; Abbate, Cardini, Momigliano, 1980487. In Siria si trovano attestati i nomi
Κασιόδωρος e Κασσιόδωρος. Cassiodoro, Variae, I, 3. Noto come Mons Cassius, da questo deriva
Kassiodoros, ovvero "Dono del Monte Cassio". Cardini,
200972. Cassiodoro, Variae, I, 4. Cassiodoro, Variae18. Onore guadagnato forse per la difesa della
Calabria dai Vandali di Genserico nel 404.
Michel Rouche, IV- Il grande scontro (375-435), in Attila, I
protagonisti della storia, traduzione di Marianna Matullo, 14, Pioltello (MI), Salerno Editrice,, 87,
2531-5609 (WC ACNP). Cardini, 200974. Tuttavia non si conosce né la data in cui
ricoprì la carica né il nome della provincia. Cardini, 200975. Il nome stesso di Cassiodoro viene riportato
solo nelle lettere dei papi Gelasio, Giovanni II e Vigilio. In Cardini, 2009, 75-76 ci si sofferma su dizionari e prontuari
la cui affidabilità è considerata generalmente affidabile; in particolare si
cita l'opera Lessico classico di Federico Lübker. Cardini, 2009, 75-76; a novant'anni scriverà ad esempio nel
Vivarium un trattato di ortografia. Franceschini, 200830. Cardini,
200976. Cassiodoro, Ordo generis, 27-32; si tratta di una carica pubblica con
funzioni di consigliere. Cassiodoro,
Variae, IX, 24. Cassiodoro, Variae, IX, 39. Cardini. La congettura
si basa su un passo delle Variae, in cui però Cassiodoro non afferma esplicitamente
di essere stato governatore dei Bruzi. Questa ipotesi è stata rimessa in
discussione da Andrea Giardina e Franco Cardini (Giardina, 2006, 23-24;Cardini, Aveva cioè la possibilità di
dare il proprio nome all'anno, unitamente a quello del collega. Cardini,
200978. Cassiodoro, Variae, IX, 24-25.
Ghisalberti, 200238. Ovvero le
segreterie imperiali (officia memoriae, epistularum, libellorum e
admissionum). Si tratta del corpo militare
speciale incaricato di sorvegliare la corte imperiale. Non si è certi se fosse stato nominato
prefetto del pretorio per la prima o seconda volta. Cardini, Cassiodoro,
Variae, X, 33-34. Cassiodoro, Variae,
XII, 16-24. Momigliano, 1978495;
Cardini, 2009, 79-80. Cardini,
2009, 81. Cardini, 2009, Cardini, 2009, 84.
Reydellet, Giardina, 2006,
116-141. Cassiodoro, Variae, I
1,2-3, su bsbdmgh.bsb.lrz-muenchen.de 1º luglio ).. Giardina, 2006122. Teillet,,
281-303. Dietrich Claude,
Universale und partikulare Züge in der Politik Theoderichs, in
«Francia»,Reydellet, 1995292. Wolfram,
1990295. Cassiodoro, Variae, IX 14,8:
Gothorum laus est civilitas custodita., su bsbdmgh.bsb.lrz-muenchen.de
(archiviato dall'url originale l'8 luglio )..
Cassiodoro, Variae, II 29,1: regnantis est gloria subiectorum otiosa
tranquillitas., su bsbdmgh.bsb.lrz-muenchen.de 13 luglio ).. Cassiodoro, Variae, IV 33, su
bsbdmgh.bsb.lrz-muenchen.de (archiviato dall'url originale l'11 luglio ).. Reydellet, Anonimo Valesiano, II 60: a
Romanis Traianus vel Valentinianus, quorum tempora sectatus est,
appellaretur.. Cassiodoro, Variae, VIII
3,5: Ecce Traiani vestri clarum saeculis reparamus exemplum., su
bsbdmgh.bsb.lrz-muenchen.de 7 luglio )..
Cassiodoro, Variae, VIII 13,3-5: Non sunt imparia tempora nostra
transactis: habemus sequaces aemulosque priscorum. (...) Redde nunc Plinium et
sume Traianum. (...) Bonus princeps ille est, cui licet pro iustitia loqui, et
contra tyrannicae feritatis indicium audire nolle constituta veterum
sanctionum. Renovamus certe dictum illud celeberrimum Traiani: sume
dictationem, si bonus fuero, pro re publica et me, si malus, pro re publica in
me.., su bsbdmgh.bsb.lrz-muenchen.de (archiviato dall'url originale l'8 luglio
).. Reydellet, 1981, 248-250.
Vitiello, 2006, 111-222. Reydellet, 1981, 250-253.
Vitiello, Cardini, Cassiodoro, Expositio Psalmorum, praef 1-5.
Cardini, 2009140. Cardini, Pellegrini,
200523. Cardini, 2009, 141-142. Cassiodoro, Istituzioni, I,
XXXII, 1. Cardini, 20092. Cassiodoro, Istituzioni, I, XXIX. Cardini, 2009142. Cassiodoro, Istituzioni, I, IV, 4. Cassiodoro, Istituzioni, I, VIII, 14. Cassiodoro, Istituzioni, I, XXXII, 2. Cassiodoro, Istituzioni, II, II, 10. Questo porta gli studiosi a ipotizzare una
maggior partecipazione di Cassiodoro al progetto. Cassiodoro, Istituzioni34. Cardini, 2009143. Cardini, Cardini, 2009145. Coloro che preparavano i testi per la
trascrizione. Cassiodoro, Istituzioni,
I, XXX, 3. Cassiodoro, Istituzioni, I, VIII, 3.
Cardini, 2009146. Cardini, 2009148. Cardini, 200986. Cardini, Cardini, Cardini, 200992.
Cardini, 200993. Altaner, 1944341. Ceserani, 197976. Cardini, Cardini, 200985. Eutarico morirà infatti nel 522. La cronaca è un genere letterario
caratterizzato dall'esposizione di fatti storici in ordine cronologico. Simonetti, 2006101. Moorhead, Cassiodoro, Variae, IX, 25. De origine actibusque Getarum, in sessanta
capitoli. «La Historia Gothorum occupa
un posto di rilievo nella storia della cultura occidentale perché fu la prima
storia nazionale di un popolo barbarico: in tal senso essa introduce veramente
il medioevo». Simonetti, 2006102.
Simonetti, 2006, 101-102. Germano Giustino faceva parte della Gens
Anicia, mentre Matasunta era nipote di Teodorico. Cardini, 200987. ...originem Gothicam
historiam fecit esse Romanam...
Cassiodoro, Variae, IX, 25, 5. Cardini, 200988. Il frammento è noto anche come Anecdoton
Holderi; edizione critica e traduzione francese in Alain Galonnier,
"Anecdoton Holderi ou Ordo generis Cassiodororum: introduction, édition,
traduction et commentaire", Antiquité tardive, Cardini, Cassiodoro, Variae27. Cassiodoro, Variae, XI, 7. Cardini, Momigliano, Istituzioni delle
lettere sacre e profane. Cardini,
200994. Cardini, 200995. Muse,
1964, III137. Cassiodoro, Istituzioni15. Opere di Cassiodoro Expositio Psalmorum, M.A.
Adriaen, 1958. Le Cronache, Mirko Rizzotto, Gerenzano, Runde Taarn, 2007. Le
Istituzioni, Antonio Caruso, Roma, Vivere in, 2003. Le Istituzioni, Mauro
Donnini, Città Nuova, Ordo generis Cassiodororum, Lorenzo Viscido, M. D'Auria,
Variae (traduzione parziale), Lorenzo Viscido, Squillace, Pellegrini Editore,
2005. De Orthographia, Tradizione manoscritta, fortuna, edizione critica
Patrizia Stoppacci, Firenze, Sismel-Edizioni del Galluzzo, (Società internazionale per lo studio del
Medioevo latino). Expositio Psalmorum. Volume I, Tradizione manoscritta,
fortuna, edizione critica Patrizia Stoppacci, Firenze, Sismel-Edizioni del
Galluzzo, (Società internazionale per lo
studio del Medioevo latino). Roma immaginaria, Danilo Laccetti, Roma, Arbor
Sapientiae,. Confido in te Signore. Commento alle suppliche individuali,
Antonio Cantisani, Milano, Jaca Book,. Autori moderni Samuel J. Barnish, Roman
Responses to an Unstable World: Cassiodorus' Variae in Context, in: Vivarium in
Context, Vicenza, Centre for Medieval Studies Leonard Boyle, Maïeul Cappuyns,
Cassiodore, in Dictionnaire d'histoire et de géographie ecclésiastique, XI, Parigi, 1949. Franco Cardini, Cassiodoro
il Grande. Roma, i barbari e il monachesimo, Milano, Jaca Book, 2009. Antonio
Caruso, Cassiodoro. Nella vertigine dei tempi di ieri e oggi, Soveria Mannelli,
1998. Giuseppe Centonze, Il Lactarius mons e la cura del latte a Stabiae.
Galeno, Simmaco, Cassiodoro, Procopio, Castellammare di Stabia, Bibliotheca
Stabiana, Arne Soby Christinsen, Cassiodorus Jordanes and the History of the Goths:
Studies in a Migration Myth, Museum Tusculanum Press, 2002. Lellia Cracco
Ruggini, Cassiodorus and the Practical Sciences, in: Vivarium in Context,
Vicenza, Centre for Medieval Studies Leonard Boyle, 2008, 978-88-902035-2-7 Alain Galonnier, Anecdoton
Holderi, ou Ordo generis Cassiodorum: éléments pour une étude de l'authenticité
boécienne des Opuscula sacra, Louvain-la-Neuve, Peeters, 1997. Andrea Giardina,
Cassiodoro politico, Roma, L'Erma di Bretschneider, 2006. Arnaldo Momigliano,
Cassiodorus and Italian Culture of His Time, Oxford, 1958. Arnaldo Momigliano,
CASSIODORO, in Dizionario biografico degli italiani, 21, Roma, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia
Italiana, 1978. 15 maggio. Arnaldo
Momigliano, Cassiodoro, in Sesto contributo alla storia degli studi classici e
del mondo antico, II, Roma, Edizioni di
Storia e Letteratura, 1980. John Moorhead, Cassiodorus on the Goths in
Ostrogothic Italy, in «Romanobarbarica», 1999. James J. O'Donnell, Cassiodorus,
BerkeleyLos Angeles Londra, Alessandro Pergoli Campanelli, Cassiodoro alle
origini dell'idea di restauro, Milano, Jaca book,, 978-88-16-41207-1. Alessandro Pergoli
Campanelli, Nova construere, sed amplius vetusta servare: Cassiodoro e la
nascita della moderna idea di restauro, Studi Romani, LIX, 1-4, gennaio-dicembre, 25–62. Gianfranco Ravasi, Cassiodoro il
senatore cristiano, Il Sole24ore, 13.07.26. Marc Reydellet, Cassiodore et
l'idéal du Principat, in Id., La royauté dans la littérature latine de Sidoine
Apollinaire à Isidore de Séville (BEFAR 243), Roma, École française de Rome,
1981. Marc Reydellet, Théoderic et la «civilitas», in Antonio Carile (cur.),
Teoderico e i Goti tra Oriente e Occidente. Congresso Internazionale (Ravenna,
28 settembre-2 ottobre 1992), Ravenna, Longo, 1995. Vitantonio Sirago, I
Cassiodoro. Una famiglia calabrese alla direzione d'Italia nel V e VI secolo,
Soveria Mannelli, 1986. Suzanne Teillet, Cassiodore et la formation d'une
idéologie romano-gothique, in Id., Des Goths à la nation gothique. Les origines
de l’idée de nation en Occident du Ve au VIIe siècle, Paris, Les Belles
Lettres, 2. Massimiliano Vitiello, Il principe, il filosofo, il guerriero:
lineamenti di pensiero politico nell'Italia ostrogota, Stuttgart, Steiner,
2006. Herwig Wolfram, Die Goten: Von den Anfängen bis zur Mitte des sechsten
Jahrhunderts, München, Beck, 19903. Altri testi
Le Muse. Enciclopedia di tutte le Arti, Novara, Istituto geografico De
Agostini, 1964. Lezioni di letteratura
calabrese, Pellegrini Editore, Francesco Abbate, Storia dell'arte nell'Italia
meridionale, Donzelli Editore, 1997. Berthold Altaner, Patrologia, Marietti,
1944. Remo Ceserani e Lidia De Federicis, Il materiale e l'immaginario:
laboratorio di analisi dei testi e di lavoro critico, Loescher, 1979. Luciana
Cuppo Csaki, Contra voluntatem fundatorum: il monasterium vivariense di
Cassiodoro dopo il 575, ACTA XIII Congressus Internationalis Archaeologiae
Christianae (Città del Vaticano-Split)
II551-586. Luciana Cuppo Csaki, Il monastero vivariense di Cassiodoro:
ricognizione e ricerche, 1994-1999, Frühes Christentum zwischen Rom und
Konstantinopel, Akten des XIV. Internationalen Kongresses für Christliche
Archäologie, Wien, hrsg. R. Harreither, Ph. Pergola, R. Pillinger, A. Pülz
(Wien 2006) 301-316. Ezio Franceschini, Lineamenti di una storia letteraria del
Medioevo latino, Milano, I.S.U. Università Cattolica, 2008. Alessandro
Ghisalberti, La filosofia medievale, Firenze, DemetraGiunti, 2002. Ettore
Paratore, Storia della Letteratura Latina dell'Età Imperiale, Milano, BUR);
Manlio Simonetti, Romani e Barbari. Le lettere latine alle origini dell'Europa
(secoli V-VIII), Roma, Carocci. Opere di Cassiodoro, su digilibLT, Università
degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale Amedeo Avogadro. Opere di Cassiodoro / Cassiodoro (altra
versione) / Cassiodoro (altra versione), su openMLOL, Horizons Unlimited srl.
Opere di Cassiodoro,. Opere di Cassiodoro, su Progetto Gutenberg. Cassiodoro,
in Catholic Encyclopedia, Robert Appleton Company. Opere di Cassiodoro nella Patrologia Latina
del Migne Opere di Cassiodoro nella Bibliotheca Augustana, su hs-augsburg.de.
Monvmenta Germaniae Historica, Societas Aperiendis Fontibvs Rerum Germanicarvm
Medii Aevi, Avctorum Antiqvissorum Tomus XII, Berolini apud Weidmannos 1894:
Cassiodori Senatoris Variae, recensvit Theodorvs Mommsen, accedvnt I. Epistvlae
theodericianae variae edidit Th. Mommsen. II. Acta synhodorvm habitarvm Romae
A. CCCCXCVIIII. DI. DII. edidit Th. Mommsen. III. Cassiodori orationvm
reliqviae edidit Lvd. Travbe. Sito ufficiale del Premio Cassiodoro, su premiocassiodoro.eu.
Aggiornamenti sul sito di Vivarium (fondazioni monastiche di Cassiodoro), su
centreleonardboyle.com. l'11 maggio 18 maggio ). La fontana di Cassiodoro, su centreleonardboyle.com).
Beatus Cassiodorus e La fama sanctitatis di Cassiodoro Sulla fama di santità di
Cassiodoro nel Medioevo. Vivarium in Context Archiviato il 4 giugno in.. Scheda libro con recensioni dei saggi di
S.J. Barnish e L. Cracco Ruggini citati nella. Le dignità de' Consoli e de
gl'Imperadori, e i fatti de' Romani, e dell'accrescimento dell'Imperio, ridotti
a compendio da Sesto Ruffo, e similmente da Cassiodoro, e da M. L. Dolce
tradotti & ampliati, appresso Gabriel Giolito de' Ferrari, Venezia).
Storici romani Antica Roma Antica Roma
Biografie Biografie Cristianesimo Cristianesimo Letteratura Letteratura Lingua latina Lingua latina Medioevo Medioevo Categorie: Politici romani del VI
secoloLetterati romaniStorici romaniComites rerum privatarumComites sacrarum
largitionumConsoli medievali romaniCorrectores Lucaniae et BruttiorumMagistri
officiorumPrefetti del pretorio d'ItaliaScrittori. Grice: “The English had
taught Italians that it’s not fair to call Cicero an Italian, or Pythagoras,
for that matter, since this all happened before Garibalid! I’m glad the
Italians never learned the lesson!” --
MAGNI AURELII CASSIODORI SENATORIS De Artibus ac Diſciplinis
Liberalium Litterarum, PR Æ FATI O. vism lectioni 33. titulis Prov. 8.28.
Erionum 7. tartiem titke nec men wa/ > nec 716m2To Liberdivina UPERIOR
liber, Domino præſtan- fuam cubitum unum? Item IſaiasPropheta dicit: 16.40.1:.,
S | licet divinarum continet lectionum manu. Rurſus creatura Dei probatur facta
ſub comprebējus. hic triginta tribu's titulis noſcitur pondere;ſicut ait in
Proverbiis Salomon: Ei li. coinprehenſus. Qui numerus ætati Dominice brabat
fontesaquarum; & paulo poft: Quando probatur accommodus, quando mundo
peccatis appendebar fundamenta terra, cum eo eram. mortuo æternam vitam
præſtitit, & præmia cre- Quapropter opere Dei fingularizato, magnifi Hic
liber ſce- dentibus ſine fine concellit. Nunctempus eſt, cæ res neceſſariâ
definitioneconcluſæ ſuntut; fi cularium le- ut aliis ſeptein titulis ſæcularium
lectionum præ- cut eum omnia condidiffe credimus: ita & quem ſentis
libritextuin percurrere debeamus; qui ta- admodun facta ſunt,
aliquatenusdiſcerenus. lis abfolue men calculus per ſeptiinanas fibimet
ſuccedentes Unde datur intelligi mala opera diaboli nec Opera diabolt tur,
& cur in ſe continue revolutus, uſque ad totius orbis pondere, nec menfura,
nec numero cortineri: nec pondere, finem ſemper extenditur. quoniam quicquid
agit iniquitas, juſtitie ſein Defeptenario Sciendum eft plane, quoniam
frequenter quic- per adverſum eſt; ſicut & tertius deciinus Pſalmus
continentur. numero, quid continuam atqueperpetuum Scriptura fan- meminit,
dicens: Contritio, ú infelicitas in viis Pfal. 13.30 quid feript.o. ita
vultintelligi, fub iſto numero comprehendit; corum, á viam pacis non
cognoverunt: non eſt ia Super cum ficut dicit David: Septies in dielaudem dixitibi;
timor Dei anteoculos eorum. Ifaias quoque dicit: intel'iyat. Plal. 118. cùm
tamen alibi profiteatur: Benedicam Domi- Dereliquerunt Deuin Sabaoth, &
ambulaverunt 164. numin omni tempore: femper lausejus in ore meo. per vias
diſtortas. Revera mirabilis, & fummè Et Salomon: Sapientia edificavit fibi
domum, ſapiens Deus, qui omnes creaturas ſuas ſingulari excidit columnas feptem.
In Exodo quoque dixit moderatione diſtinxit: ne aliquid eorumfæda fingulari
Doininus ad Moyſen: Facies lucernas ſeptem, & confuſio pollideret. Unde
Pater Auguſtinus in deratione dio Exod.05.37. pones easſuper candelabrum, ut
luceant ex adver- libro 4. de Geneli ad litterain minatifinè difpu- ftinxerit?
Apocal. 1.4. fo. Quem numerum Apocalypfis in diverfis re tavit. bus omnino
commeinorat; qui tamen calculus Modd jamſecundi voluminis intremus initia,
adillud nos æternum tempus trahit,quod non po- quæ paulò diligentiùs audiamus;
* Intentus no- *Hicincipiño teſt habere defectú. Meritò ergo ibi femper com-
bis elt de arte Grammatica, tive Rhetorica, vel MSS. codd. memoratur, ubi
perpetuum tempus oftenditur. de diſciplinis aliqua breviter velle confcribere;
Arithmetita Sic Arithmetica diſciplina dotata eſt, quando quarum rerum
principia neceffe eft nos inchoa dotata,quan rerum Opifex Deus diſpoſitiones
ſuas ſub nume- re; dicenduinque prius eft de arte Grammatica; Dei ſub nu xi,
ponderis, & menfuræ quantitate conſtituits quæ eft videlicet origo &
fundamentuin Libera mern, ponle- ſicut ait Salomon; Omnia in numero, menfura,
lium litterarum. re our menu- c pondere feciſti. Creatura ſiquidem Dei ſic nu
Liber autein dictus eſt à libro, id eſt, arboris Liber unde ra ft24. micro
facta cognoſcitur, quando ipfe in Evange- cortice dempto atque liberato, ubi
ante copiam dictus. Sap. 11. 21. lio ait:Veftri autem & cepilli capitis
omnes nume- chartarum Antiqui carmina deſcribebant. Scire Matth.10 jo ratifunt.
Sic creatura Dei conſtituta eſt in men- autem debemus, ſicut Varro dicit,
utilitatis ali ſura; ficut ipfe in Evangelio teſtatur: Quis an- cujus caufà
omnium artium extitiſie principia. Matth.6.27. tem veftrum cogitans poteft
adjicere ad ftaturam Ars verò dicta eft, quòd nos fuis regulisarctet Unie ars
Plal. 33. 2. Prov. 9. 1, Ca Deus on - nes creatsT45 11. 12. n. do creat1471
dieta. Liberalium Litterarum. 559 rints compoſuit. malis voce. our atque
conſtringat. Alii dicunt à Græcis hoc trà- Finis verò elimatæ locutionis vel
ſcripturæ, in ctum eſſe vocabuluin, amo tús agerős, id eſt, à culpabili placere
peritia. virtute doctrinæ, quam diferti yiri uniuſcujul Sed quamvis Auctores
ſuperioruin temporum QuideGram que bonæ rei ſcienriam vocant. de arte
Grammatica ordine diverſo tractaverint, matica orne tiùs ſcriple Secundò de
arte Rhetorica, quæ propter nito- fuiſque ſæculis honoris decushabuerint,ut
Palæ rem ac copiain eloquentiæ ſuæ, maxiniè in civi- mon, Phocas, Probus; &
Cenſorinus: nobis ta Libus quæſtionibus, neceſſaria niinis, & hono- men
placet in medium Donatum deducere, qui rabilis æſtiinatur. & pueris ſpecialiter
aprus, & tironibus probatur Tertiò de Logica, quæ Dialectica nuncupa-
accomınodus, Cujus gemina coinmenta reliqui-- Gemina com tur. Hæc, quantùm
Magiſtri ſæ. ulares dicunt, mus, ut ſupra quòd ipfe * planus eſt, fiat clarior
menta in ar diſputatdivina UPERIOR liber, Domino præſtan- fuam cubitum unum?
Item IſaiasPropheta dicit: 16.40.1:., S | licet divinarum continet lectionum
manu. Rurſus creatura Dei probatur facta ſub comprebējus. hic triginta tribu's
titulis noſcitur pondere;ſicut ait in Proverbiis Salomon: Ei li. coinprehenſus.
Qui numerus ætati Dominice brabat fontesaquarum; & paulo poft: Quando
probatur accommodus, quando mundo peccatis appendebar fundamenta terra, cum eo
eram. mortuo æternam vitam præſtitit, & præmia cre- Quapropter opere Dei fingularizato,
magnifi Hic liber ſce- dentibus ſine fine concellit. Nunctempus eſt, cæ res
neceſſariâ definitioneconcluſæ ſuntut; fi cularium le- ut aliis ſeptein titulis
ſæcularium lectionum præ- cut eum omnia condidiffe credimus: ita & quem
ſentis libritextuin percurrere debeamus; qui ta- admodun facta ſunt,
aliquatenusdiſcerenus. lis abfolue men calculus per ſeptiinanas fibimet
ſuccedentes Unde datur intelligi mala opera diaboli nec Opera diabolt tur,
& cur in ſe continue revolutus, uſque ad totius orbis pondere, nec menfura,
nec numero cortineri: nec pondere, finem ſemper extenditur. quoniam quicquid
agit iniquitas, juſtitie ſein Defeptenario Sciendum eft plane, quoniam
frequenter quic- per adverſum eſt; ſicut & tertius deciinus Pſalmus
continentur. numero, quid continuam atqueperpetuum Scriptura fan- meminit,
dicens: Contritio, ú infelicitas in viis Pfal. 13.30 quid feript.o. ita
vultintelligi, fub iſto numero comprehendit; corum, á viam pacis non
cognoverunt: non eſt ia Super cum ficut dicit David: Septies in dielaudem
dixitibi; timor Dei anteoculos eorum. Ifaias quoque dicit: intel'iyat. Plal.
118. cùm tamen alibi profiteatur: Benedicam Domi- Dereliquerunt Deuin Sabaoth,
& ambulaverunt 164. numin omni tempore: femper lausejus in ore meo. per
vias diſtortas. Revera mirabilis, & fummè Et Salomon: Sapientia edificavit
fibi domum, ſapiens Deus, qui omnes creaturas ſuas ſingulari excidit columnas
feptem. In Exodo quoque dixit moderatione diſtinxit: ne aliquid eorumfæda
fingulari Doininus ad Moyſen: Facies lucernas ſeptem, & confuſio pollideret.
Unde Pater Auguſtinus in deratione dio Exod.05.37. pones easſuper candelabrum,
ut luceant ex adver- libro 4. de Geneli ad litterain minatifinè difpu-
ftinxerit? Apocal. 1.4. fo. Quem numerum Apocalypfis in diverfis re tavit. bus
omnino commeinorat; qui tamen calculus Modd jamſecundi voluminis intremus
initia, adillud nos æternum tempus trahit,quod non po- quæ paulò diligentiùs audiamus;
* Intentus no- *Hicincipiño teſt habere defectú. Meritò ergo ibi femper com-
bis elt de arte Grammatica, tive Rhetorica, vel MSS. codd. memoratur, ubi
perpetuum tempus oftenditur. de diſciplinis aliqua breviter velle confcribere;
Arithmetita Sic Arithmetica diſciplina dotata eſt, quando quarum rerum
principia neceffe eft nos inchoa dotata,quan rerum Opifex Deus diſpoſitiones
ſuas ſub nume- re; dicenduinque prius eft de arte Grammatica; Dei ſub nu xi,
ponderis, & menfuræ quantitate conſtituits quæ eft videlicet origo &
fundamentuin Libera mern, ponle- ſicut ait Salomon; Omnia in numero, menfura,
lium litterarum. re our menu- c pondere feciſti. Creatura ſiquidem Dei ſic nu
Liber autein dictus eſt à libro, id eſt, arboris Liber unde ra ft24. micro
facta cognoſcitur, quando ipfe in Evange- cortice dempto atque liberato, ubi
ante copiam dictus. Sap. 11. 21. lio ait:Veftri autem & cepilli capitis
omnes nume- chartarum Antiqui carmina deſcribebant. Scire Matth.10 jo ratifunt.
Sic creatura Dei conſtituta eſt in men- autem debemus, ſicut Varro dicit,
utilitatis ali ſura; ficut ipfe in Evangelio teſtatur: Quis an- cujus caufà
omnium artium extitiſie principia. Matth.6.27. tem veftrum cogitans poteft
adjicere ad ftaturam Ars verò dicta eft, quòd nos fuis regulisarctet Unie ars
Plal. 33. 2. Prov. 9. 1, Ca Deus on - nes creatsT45 11. 12. n. do creat1471
dieta. Liberalium Litterarum. 559 rints compoſuit. malis voce. our atque
conſtringat. Alii dicunt à Græcis hoc trà- Finis verò elimatæ locutionis vel
ſcripturæ, in ctum eſſe vocabuluin, amo tús agerős, id eſt, à culpabili placere
peritia. virtute doctrinæ, quam diferti yiri uniuſcujul Sed quamvis Auctores
ſuperioruin temporum QuideGram que bonæ rei ſcienriam vocant. de arte
Grammatica ordine diverſo tractaverint, matica orne tiùs ſcriple Secundò de
arte Rhetorica, quæ propter nito- fuiſque ſæculis honoris decushabuerint,ut
Palæ rem ac copiain eloquentiæ ſuæ, maxiniè in civi- mon, Phocas, Probus; &
Cenſorinus: nobis ta Libus quæſtionibus, neceſſaria niinis, & hono- men
placet in medium Donatum deducere, qui rabilis æſtiinatur. & pueris
ſpecialiter aprus, & tironibus probatur Tertiò de Logica, quæ Dialectica
nuncupa- accomınodus, Cujus gemina coinmenta reliqui-- Gemina com tur. Hæc,
quantùm Magiſtri ſæ. ulares dicunt, mus, u t ſupra quòd ipfe * planus eſt,
fiat clarior menta in ar diſputationibus ſubtiliffimis ac brevibus vera ſe-
dupliciter explanatus. Sed & ſanctum Augufti- tes Donati queſtrat à fallis.
num propterfimplicitatem fratrum breviter in- Caffiodorus Quarto de
Mathematica, quæ quatuor com- ftruendain, aliqua de codem titulo ſcripſiſſe re-
*MS.Sanger. plectitur diſciplinas, id eſt, Arithmeticam,Geo- perimus, qux vobis
le titanda reliquimus: ne Lasinus. metricam, Muſicain, & Aſtronomnicain.
Quain quid rudibus deeſſe videatur, qui ad tantæ ſcien Che Mathe. Mathematicam
Latino ferinone doctrinalem diæ culmina præparantur. maticado tri poffumus
appellare; quo nomine licet omnia doctrinalia dicere valeamus,quæcumque docent:
Donatus igitur in fecundit purte ita diſceptat. hæc libi tamen commune
vocabulum propter ſuam excellentiam propriè vindicavit; ut Poeta De Voce
Articulata. dictus, intclligitur Virgilius: Orator enuntia De Littera. tus,
advertiturCicero; quamvis multi & Poëtæ, De Syllaba. &Oratores in
Latina lingua eſſe doceantur;quod De Pedibus. etiam de Homero, atque Demoſthene
Græcia fa De Accentibus. cunda concelebratı Dc Pofituris, ſeu Diſtinctionibus.
Quid fit Ma Mathematica verò eſt ſcientia, quæ abſtra Et iterum de Partibus
Orationis octo thematica? ctam conſiderat quantitatem. Abſtracta eniin De
Scheinatibus. quantitas dicitur, quam intellectu â materia fe De Etymologiis.
parantes, vel ab aliis accidentibus, folâ ratio De Orthographia. cinatione
tractamus. Sic totius voluminis ordo * Ed. * ado. quaſi quodam * vade promiffus
eſt. Vox articulata, eft aër percuſſus, fenfibilis au- Quid fit vox Nunc
quemadmodum pollicitafunt, per divi- ditu, quantum in ipſo eſt. articulati.
Duplex dif- fiones definitioneſque ſuas, Domino juvante, Littera, eſt pars
ininima vocis articulatæ. Quid Littera. cendi genius. reddamus: quia duplex
quodammodo diſcendi Syllaba, eft comprehenſio litterarum, vel unius Qwid Syd
genus eſt, quando & lincalis deſcriptio imbuit vocalis enuntiatio, temporum
capax. * Ed. pol. diligenter aſpectum, & * per aurium præparatum Pes; eſt
ſyllabarúm & temporum certa dinu- Quid pes. intrat auditum. Nec illud
quoque tacebimus, meratio. quibus auctoribus tain Græcis, quam Latinis,
Accentus, eſt vicio carens vocis artificioſa pro- Quid Accen quæ dicimus,
expoſita claruerunt ut; qui ſtudio- nuntiatio. MSS.Reg. le legere voluerit,
quibuſdam * compendiis in Pofitura, ſive diſtinctio, eſt moderatæ pronun- Quid
pofitu Sang. competentiis. tiationis apta repauſatio. troductus, lacidiùs
Majorum di& ta percipiat, Partes autem orationis ſunt acto, Nomen, EXPLICIT
PRÆFATIO. Pronomen, Verbuin, Adverbium, Participium, tionis funs Conjunctio,
Præpofitio, Interjectio. Capitula Libris Nomen, eſt pars orationis cum caſu,
corpus Quid fis non aut rem propriècommuniterve fignificans; pro- men. Caput.
I. De Grammatica: priè, ut Roma, Tiberis: cominuniter, ut urbs, 2. De
Rhetorica. Huvius, 3. De Dialectica; Pronomen, eſt pars orationis, quæ pro
nomi- Quid Pronta 4. De Arithmetica: ne pofita, tantuindem pene ſignificat,
perſo S. De Muſica, namque interdum recipit. 6. De Geometria. Verbum, eſt pars
orationis cum tempore & Quid verbi. 7. De Aſtronomia: perſona fine caſu.
Adverbium, eft pars orationis, quæ adjecta Quid Advcr CAPUT PRIMUM verbo,
ſignificationem ejus explanat atque iin- bium. pler; ut, jam faciam, vel non
fáciam. Inſtitutio de Arte Grammatica. Participium, eſt pars orationis, dicta
qudd par- Quid Parti tem capiat nominis, partemque verbi; recipit cipium. Unde
Grama maticanomen GKRammatica à litteris nomen accepit, ficuè enim ànomine
genera & cafus, à verbo tempo vocabuli ipfius derivatus fonus oſtendit; ra
& fignificationes, ab utroque numeros & fi acceperit? quas primus
omnium Cadınus ſexdecim tantum guras. legitur inveniſſe, eaſque Græcis
ſtudioſiſſimis Conjunctio, eſt pars orationis annectens, ordi. Qyid com
tradens, reliquas ipſi vivacitate animi ſuppleve- nanfque ſententiam. junctio.
De quarum formulis atque virtutibus, Præpoſitio, eſt pars orationis, quæ
præpofira Quid Præpo Helenus, atque Priſcianus ſubtiliter Attico ſer- aliis
partibus orationis, fignificationem earum Juio. Quidfit Gra mone locuti ſunt.
Grammatica verò, eſt peritia aut inutat, aut complet, autminuit. * MSS. Au-
pulchrè loquendi ex Poëtis illuſtribus, * Orato Interjectio, eſt pars orationis
ſignificans mentis Quid inter Etoribus, ribuſque collecta. Officium ejus eſt
fine vitio affectuin voce incondità. ječtio. dictionem proſalem metricamque
componere: Scheinata, ſunt transformationes fermonum Quid Sche ba. ra. Partes
ora octo. 5 $ 1 men. runt. marica? mata. 560 Caffiodorus de Inſtitutione Quid
Ortha les, vel fententiaruin, ornatus cauſâ policæ; quæ à dis:interdami, ut
folers,iners. quodam Artigrapho nomine Sacerdote collecta, In plurali quoque,
excepto genitivo & accuſa fiunt numero nonaginta octo: ita tamen, ut qux
rivo, omnibuscalibus ſimiliter declinantur.Nam à Donado inter vitia polita ſunt,
in ipfo numero quædam in uin genitivo, accuſativo in es exeunt, collecta
claudantur. Quod & mihi quoque du- ut Mars, ars: quædam in ium, ut fapiens,
patiens, ruin videtur vitia dicere,quæ auctorum exemplis, & ob hoc
accuſativi eorum in eis excunt. Plera & maxiinè legis divinæ auctoritate
firmantur. que aurein ex his nomina tribus generibus com Hæc Grammaticis
Oratoribufque cominunia munia funt, & in licreram quam habent, neutra funt:
quæ tamen in utraque parte probabiliter in nominativo plurali dant etiam genitivis
reli reperiuntur aptata. quoruin generuin,cum quibus coinmunia funt. Addenduin
eſt etiam de Eryinologiis, & Ortho In T littera, neutra tantùm nomina
quædam, graphia, de quibus alius fcripfiffe certiflimum eſt. pauca finiuntur;
ut git, quod non declinatur; Quid 'Etymo. Etymologia eſt aut vera aut
veriſimilis deinon- ut caput, ſinciput. Quidam cùm lac dicunt, loysa. ftratio,
declarans ex qua origine verba defcen- adjiciunti, propter quod facit lactis:
ſed Vir dant. gilius. Orthographia eſt rectitudo fcribendi nullo er Lac mihi
non æſtate novum, non frigore defit. graphics. rore vitiata, quæ manum componit
& linguam. quippe cùm nulla apud nos nomina in duas mu Hæc breviter dicta
fufficiant. tas exeant, & ideo veteres lacte in nominativo Cæterùm qui ea
voluerit lariùs pleniùſque co dixerant, gnoſceye, cum præfarione ſua codicem
legat, X littera terminat quædam, in quibus omnia quem noſtra curiolitate
formavimus, id eſt, Ar- communia in iuin cxeunt in genitivo plurali; ob tem
Donati, cui de Orthographia librum, & hoc. accuſativo in i & s. Plurima
verò genitivo alium de Etymologiis inferuimus, quartum quo- in u & in, non
præcurrente i, & ob hoc in e & s que de Schematibus Sacerdotis
adjunximus;qua- accuſativo exeunt; nam in reliquis conſentiunt. tenus diligens
lector in uno codice reperire pof- Ut pote cùın ſingulariter omnia nominativa
& ſit, quodarti Gramınaticæ deputatum effe co vocativa habeant genitivum
ini & s, agant da gnoſcit. tivum in i littera: ablativum in e vel i
definiant, Nomen da Sed quia continentia magis artis Grammaticæ adjectáque m
accuſativum definiant impleánt verbum tant dicta eft, curaviinus aliqua
denominis verbique que: pluraliter verò dativum ablativúmque in partes adje
regulis pro parte ſubjicere, quas rectè tantùm bus fyllaba finiunt. muis
Ariſtote. Ariſtoteles orationis partes adferuit. Nam de cæteris, quibus
diſident Veteres, qui dam atrocum & ferocum, qua ratione omnium x DE
NOMINIBUS. littera finitorun una ſpecies videbitur. Huic x litreræ omnes
vocales præferuntur; ut capax, fru Nominis partes ſunt. tex, pernix, atrox,
redux. Ex iis nominibus quædam in nominativo producuntur, quædain Qualitas,
mocomm. corripiuntur: quædam conſentiunt in noininati Comparatio, ouynpisisa vo,
in obliquis diſſentiunr. Pax enim, & rapax, Genus, 2005. item rex &
pumex, item nux & lux, etiam pri Numerus, água uo'so mam poſitionem variant
ad nix & nutrix. Item Figura, oxaudio nox & atrox ſic in prima
politioneconſentiunt, Caſus, T @ SIS. urdiſcrepentper obliquos. Et illud
animadvertendum eſt, quædam ex iis x Pronominis partes: litteram in g, quædam
in c per declinationes compellere. Lex enimlegis, grex gregis facit, Qualitas
ut pix picis, nux nucis. Nain in his quæ non ſunt Genus. monoſyllaba, nunquam
non x littera genitivo i Numerus. c convertitur; ut frutex fruticis, ferox
ferocis. Figura. Supellex autem, & ſenex, & nix, privilegio quo
Perſona. dam contra rationem declinantur: quoniam ſu Caſus. pellex duabus
ſyllabis creſcit, quod vetat ratio; & fenex ut in nominativo itein genitivo
diffyllabus G Ræca nomina, quæ apud nos in us; ut, manet, cùm omnia x litterâ
terminata creſcant. vulgus, pelagus, virus,Lucretiusviri dicit; Et nix nec in
cconvertitur, ut pix: nec in gut quamquam rectiùs inflexum maneat. Secundæ rex:
ſed in u conſonans, in vocalem tranſire non ſpecies funt, quæ per obliquos
caſus creſcunt, & poſſit. genitivo ſingulari in is litteras exeunt; ut,
genus, In plurali autem genitivo, ablativus ſingularis nemus: ex quibus quædam
uine mutant; ut olus formas vertit. Nam in a auto terminatus, in rum oleris,
ulcus ulceris: quædam in o, ut nemus exit; e correpta in um:producta, in rum:
iter neinoris, pecus pecoris. In dubitationem ve- minatus in uin. Dativus &
ablativus pluralis a. niunt fænus & ftercus in e, an in o inutent: in is
exeunt & in bus. Quæ præcepra in ſcholis quoniam quæ in nusſyllabam
finiunt, u in e mu- ſunt tritiora: ſed quotiens in is exeunt, longa tant; ut,
vulnus, ſcelus, funus, & funeratos fyllaba terminantur: quotiesin bus,
brevi. De dicimus. Fænusenim exemplo non debet noce- curlis nominum regulis,
æquuin eſt confequenter re, cùin inter dubia genera ponatur. Item vete-
adjicere canones verborum primæ conjugatio res ſtercoratos agros dicebant, non
ſterceratos. nis. In S littera finita nomina, præcurrentibus n vel r, omnia
ſunt uniusgeneris: nili quæ ante ſe t habent, interdun d recipiunt, ut ſocors
ſocor DE De Grammatica. 561: Tempus zeovc. DE V ER BIS. ſyllaba, manente
productione terminantur; ut Commeo, commea, commeavi: Lanio, lania, Partes
verbi funt. laniavi: Satio, fatia, fatiavi. Eodem modo, codem tempore, fpecie
inchoativa,adjectâ ad im Qualitas, perativum modum in bam fyllaba terininantur;
Conjugatio. ut cominea commeabain, lania laniabam, æſtua Genus. æſtuabain.
Prima conjugatione, codem modo, Numerus. eodem tempore, ſpecie recordativa,
adjectis ad Figura. imperativum modum veram ſyllabis, terminan Tempus. tur
partes: ut Commea commeaveram, lania, la Perfona. 'niaveram, æſtua æſtuaveram.
Priina conjuga tione, codem modo, tempore futuro, adjecta Qualitas Verbi. ad
imperatiuum modun bo fyllaba, terminan rur; ut Cominea commeabo, lania laniabo,
æſtua Modi, # ſtuabo. Indicativi, ogesich. Quæveròindicativo modò, tempore
præſen Imperativi, προσακτική. tì, ad primam perfonam in o littera, nulla alia
Opeativi, ευκτική. præcedente vocali terminantur, ea indicativo Conjunctivi,
útotaxix. modo, tempore præterito, ſpecie abſoluta 80 Infinitivi, atrapéu pet
exacta, quatuor modis proferuntur. Et eſt primus, qui lunilem regulam his babet.
Genus Verbre Qui indicativo modo, tempore præſenti, prima perſona penultiinam
vocalem habet: ut Amo, Adiva, švępyutix.. ama, amavi, amabam, amaveram, amabo,
Pafliva, mee.Jotus amare, Communia, rond. Secundus eft, qui o ini convertit
ultimam in præterito perfecto,penultimam in pluſquàm per fecto e corripit; ut
Adjuvo, adjuvi, adjuveram. Tertius, qui fimilem quidem regulaın habet Præſens,
évesa's. primi modi, ſed detracta a littera deliungit; ut Præteritum; ta
zenauges Seco, ſecavi, ſecaveram, ſecabo, ſecare. Facit Futurun, uitwr. enim
ſpecie abſoluta ſecui, & exacta ſecueram. Imperfcerum, megatinad's. Quartus
eſt, qui per geininationein fyllabae Perfectum, Tee XÉCU. profertur; ut Sto,
ſtá, kteci, fteterain, itabo Pluſquain perfectam, impon TEARO'S. ftare. Huic
ſimile Do, da, dedi, dabáin, dede Infinitum; mogises. ram, dabo, dare, correpta
littera a contra re-, gulain, in eo quod eſt, dabam, dabo, dare. Proferuntur
fecunda conjugationis verba, dente vocali terminantur, vel præcante quæ
indicativo modo, teinpore præſenti, perſo vocali qualibet, formas habet
quatuor. na prima, in eo litteris terminantur; ut Video, Secundæ conjugationis
correpræ verba verba,, for- vides vides; monco monc mones. Secundæ conjugatio
mas habent viginti. Sic quæcumque verba indi- nis verba, indicativomodo,
teinpore præſenti, cativo modo, tempore præfenti, perſona primà, ad ſecundanı
perſonam iu e littera producta,ter in o littera terminantur, forinas habentſex,quæ
ininantur; ut Video, vide; moneo, mone. Se voces forınas habent duas. Quæ nulla
præceden- cundæ conjugationis verba, infinito inodo, ad te vocali in o littera
terminantur, formas habent je & ta ad imperativum modum re fyllaba, manen
duodecim. te productione terminantur; ut Vide, videre; Tertiæ conjugationis
productæ verba, qua mone, monere. Secundæ conjugationis verba, indicativo modo,
tempore præſenti, perſona indicativo modo, tempore præterito, {pecie ab prima
in o littera terminantur, formas habent ſoluta & exacta, ſeptem modis
declinantur; & quinque. Quæcumque autem verba cujuſcum- eft primus, qui
forinain regulæ oſtendit.Nam for que conjugationis indicativo modo, temporė
mahæc eſt;cùm fecundæ conjugationis verbum, præſenti, perfona prima, vel nulla
præc dente indicativomodo,temporepræterito quidem per vocali, vel qualibet alia
præcedente, in o littera fecto, adjecta ad iinpecalivun modum vi fyllaba,
*terminantur, corum declinatio hoc numero for- manente produđione. marum
continetur. De quibus fingulis dicam. Primæ conjugationis verba indicativo
modo, CAPUT SECUNDUM. tempore præſenti, perſona prima, aut in o litte: ra nulla
alia præcedente vocali terminantur, ut De Arte Rhetorica., Canto io ut lanio,,.
Rrium aliæ ſuntpofitæ in Artes in tres Primæ conjugationis verba iinperativo
modo, temporepræſenti ad ſecundam perſonain in a lit- lis eſt Aſtrologia:
nullum exigens actum, ſed ipſo duntur. tera producta terminantur;ut amo, ama:
canto, rei, cujus ſtudium habet, intellectu contenta, canta: infinito modo ad
imperatiuum modum, quæ Geargintzün vocatur. Alia in agendo, cujus in in re
fyllaba,manente productione terminantur; hoc finis eſt, ut ipſo actu
perficiatur, nihilque ut aina, amare: canta, cantare. Item prima con- poſt
actum operisrelinquat, quæ peakmix dici jugatio, quæindicativo modo, tempore præte-
tur, qualis ſaltatio eſt.Alia in effectu,quæ operis, rito, ſpecie abſoluta,
adjectâ ad imperatiuun yi quod oculis fubiicitur confummatione, finein Bbbb V.
ib, uclanio,fatio:autuo,uræſtuo,continuo A evognizione peltimatione rerum,quas
partes divina 562 Caffiodorus ea 1 tor. Etanda, accipiunt, quam nontoxù
appellamus, qualis eſt cauſam, locum, tempus, inftramentum, occa pictura.
fionemnarratione delibabiinus. Multæ ſæpe in Orationis duo Duo funt Genera
orationis: altera pespetua, una cauſa ſunt narrationes. Non femper co ordi
fuigenera. quæ Rhetorica dicitur: alteraconciſa, quæ Dia- ne narrandum, quo res
geſta eſt. Enthumous fit tectica; quas quidem Zeno adeo conjunxit, ut ad
augmentum vel invidiæ, vel miſerationis, vel hanc compreſlæ in pugnum manus,
illam expli- in adverfis. Initium narrationis à perſona fier, & catæ
fimilean dixerit. ſi noſtra elt, ornetur: fi aliena, infametur. Et Initiam di
Initia dicendidedit natura: initium artis ob- hæc cum ſuis accidentibus
ponitur. Finis narra cendi dedit fervatio. Homines enim ficur in Medicina, cum
tionis fit, cùın eò perducitur expofitio, unde natura,ini- viderent alia falubrià,
alia inſalubria ex obſerva- quæſtio oriatur. sium artis ob. tione eoruin
effccerunt arrein. feruatio. Facultas orandi confunmatur naturâ, arte, De
Egreſionibus Pacultas orandi tribus exercitatione; cui partein quartam
adjiciunt qui cofummatur. dam imitationem, quam nosarti ſubjicimus. Egreſſus
eſt, vel egrelfio, hoc eſt, méx6a95, Tria debet Tria funt quæ præltare debet
Orator; ut do- cum intermiffà parum re propofitâ, quiddain in præftare Ora-
ceat, moveat, delecter. Hæc enim clarior divi- terſeritur delectationis
utilitatiſve gratiâ. Sed fio eft, quàm eorum qui totum opus:in res, & ir hæ
ſunt plures, quiæ pertotam cauſam varios ex affectus partiuntur, curſus habent;
ut laus hoininum locorumque; Invadendo In fuadendo ac diſſuadendo rrja primùm
fpe- ut defcriptio regionum, expoſitio quarundam fodiſficaden- ctanda ſunt;
quid ſit de quo deliberetur: qui lint rerum geſtarum, vel etiam fabulofarum. do
triape- qui deliberent: quis ſit quifuadeat rem, dequa Sed indignatio,
miſeratio, invidia, convi elintpar. deliberatur.Omnisdeliberatio de dubiis fit.
Par- tium, excuſario, conciliatio, maledictorum re "tes fuadendi. tes
ſuadendi ſunt honeftum, utile, neceſſarium. futatio, & fimilia:omnis
amplificatio, minutio, Quidam, ut Quintilianus, furetor; hoc eſt,pofli- omnis
affectus, genusdeluxuria, de avaritia, re bile, approbat. ligione, officiis
cuin ſuis argumentis ſubjecta ſi milium rerum, quia cohærent, egredi non viden
Ware Procemiam à Græcis dicitur. tur. Areopagitæ damnaverunt puerum, corni cum oculos
eruentem; qui putantur nihil aliud Clarè partem hanc ante ingreffum rei, de qua
judicaffe, quàm id lignum effe pernicioſiflima diccndum fit,oftendunt.Nain
livepropterea quod mentis, multiſque malo futuræ li adoleviſſet. brun cantus
elt, & Citharædi pauca illa, quæ an tequam legitimum certamen inchoent,
emerendi De Credibilibus favoris gratia canunt, Proæmium cognomina runt.
Oratores quoque ea, quæ priuſquam cau Credibilium tria funt genera: ünum
Grmiſti- Tria ſunt ore. fain exordiantur, ad conciliandos libi judicun muni,
quia ferè ſemper accidit; ut, liberos à pa aninospræloquuntur, Procinii
appellationc fi- rentibus amari. gnarunt. Sive quod 40 Græci viam appellant
Alterum velut propenſius, eum qui rectè va id, quod ante ingrekun reiponitur,
fic vocari leat, in craſtinum perventurum. Dikfit Proa- eft inſtituruin. Caufa
Proæmii hæc eſt, ut audiro Tertium tantum non repugnans; ab eo in dong mii
carla. rem, quò fit nobis in cæteris partibusaccommo- furtum factum, qui domui
fuit. datior, præparemus. Id fit tribus modis, li be nevolum, atrencum,
docilemque feceris; & in Argumenta unde ducantur. reliquis partibus haud
minus, præcipuè tamen in initiis neceſſe eſt animos judicum præparare. Ducuntur
argumenta à perſonis, cauſis, tem pore; cujus tres partes ſunt, præcedens,
conjun Quid differt Proæmium ab Epilogo. ctum, inſequens. Si agimus, noſtra
confirmana da ſunt priùs; tum ea, quæ noftris opponuntur, Quidam putarunt quòd
inPræmio præterita, refutanda. Si reſpondemus; ſæpiùs incipiendum in Epilogo fucura
dicantur. Quintilianus autem à refutatione. Locuples & fpeciofa
&imperio co quod in ingreffu parciùs & modeſtiùs præten- ſa vult eſſe
Eloquentia. tanda ſit judicis miſericordia: in Epilogo verò licear toros
effundere affectus, & ficam oratio De Concluſione nem induere perſonis,
& defunctos excitare, & pignora reorum perducere, quæ minus in
Concluſio,quæ peroratio dicitur, duplicem has concluſodomen proæmiis ſunt
uſitata. bet rationem; ponitur enim autin rebus, aut in plicem habet affectibus
rerum, repetitio & congregatio, que rationem. De Narratione. Græcè ávax!IO
HAURIS dicitur, à quibufdam La tinorum renumeratio dicitur, & memoriam au
Narratio aut torà pro nobis eſt, aut cora pro ditoris reficit, & totam
ſimul cauſam ponit an adverſariis, aut mixta ex utriſque. Si erit tota te
oculos; ut etiam ſi per ſingulos minus vale pro nobis, contenti ſimus his
tribus partibus, bant, turbâ moveantur: ita tamen ut breviret uc judex
intelligat, meminerit, credat, nec quic eorum capita curlimque tangantur. Sed
tunc fita quan reprehenſione dignum pPomba. ubi inultæ caufæ, vel
quæſtionesinferuntur; nam Notandum, ut quoties exitus rei ſatis oſtendit fi
brevis & fimplex eſt, noneft neceffaria. priora, debemus hoc eſſe contenti,
quò reliqua intelliguntur; fatius eſt narrationi aliquot fuper De Affectibus:
eſſe, quàm deeffe; nain ſupervacua cum rædio dicuntur: neceſſaria cum periculo
ſubtrahuntur. Affectuum duæ funt ſpecies, quas Græci '90s affectuur Quæ
probacione tractaturi ſumus, perſonain, aj mrásos vocant, hoc eit, quafimores
& affe- dua ſung species, dibilium gito nera. 1 1 De Rhetoricà. 563 Te.
ventio. tio. tio. 114. us concitatos } & Teses quidem affectus con- &
quæſtionem.Cauſa eft res,quæ habet in ſe con citatos: " Jos veròmites
atque compofiros; in il- troverſiam in dicendo politam, perſonarum cer lis
vehementesmotus, in his lenes: & resos qui- tarum interpoſitione: quæſtio
autem,eft res, quæ demimperat, its perſuadet; hi ad perturbatio- habet in ſe
controverſiam in dicendo polítam, nem, illi ad benevolentiam prævalent. Et eſt
line certarum perfonarum interpofitione. Frágos temporale, ndos verò perpetuum;
utra que ex eadem natura: fed illud majus, hoc mi DE PARTIBUS RHETORICA nus, ut
amor esos, charitas » Sus; tados con citat, isos fedat. Partes Rhetoricæ funt
quinque. In adverſos plus valet invidia,quàm convitium: quia invidia
adverſarios, convitiuin nos inviſos Inventio. facit. Nam ſunt quædam, quæfi ab
imprudenti Diſpoſitio. bus excidant, ſtulta ſant; cum ſimulamus, venuſta
Elocurio Orator vitio creduntur. Bonus altercator vitio iracundiæ ca Meinoria,
iracundiæ ca- reat; nullus enim rationi magis obftat affectus, &
Pronuntiatio. reat; & qua- fertextra cauſamplerumque, & defornia convi
tia facere ac mereri cogit, & nonnunquam in ipſos Inventio eft ex cogitatio
rerum verarum aut ve. Quid fitta judices incitatur; quoniam ſententiæ, verba,
fi- riſinilium,quæ cauſam probabilem reddunt. guræ, coloreſque funt occultiores
quæſtiones in Difpofitio eft rerum inventarun in ordinem Quid Diſposa genio,
cura, exercitatione. pulchra diftributio. Conjectura omnis, aut de re eſt,
autde animo. Elocutio eft idoneoruin verborum ad inventio Onid Eloc14 Utriuſque
tria teinpora ſunt, præteritum, pre- nein accommodata perceptio. ſens,
&futuruin. De re & generales quæſtiones Memoria eſt firma aniini rerum
ac verborum funt, & definitæ; id eft, & quæ non continentur, ad
inventionem perceptio. Quid Memo perſonis, & quæ continentúr. De animo
quæri Pronuntiatio eſt ex rerun & verborum dignita non poteſt, niſi ubi
perſona eſt; & de facto, cùm te, vocis &corporis decora moderatio. Quid
Proing nuntiatio. de re agitur, aut quid factum ſit in dubium venit, aut quid
fiat, aut quid futurum ſit, & reliqua fi De Generibus caufarum. unilia, De
Amphibologia. Genera cauſarum Rhetoricæ ſunt tria princi- General Cares palia.
Demonſtrativum, Deliberativum, Judi- Jarum Rheto Innsetabia Amphibologiæ
ſpecies ſunt innumerabiles, ciale: Ticefunttrica les lient Am. adeò ut
Philofophi quidam putent nullum effé Demonſtrativum & In laude phibologia
verbum, quod non plura ſignificet genera, aut oftentativum species admodum
pauca; aut enim vocibus fingulis ac- Eyxaurasino's In vituperatione cidiper ópw
rupaar aut conjunctis per ainbiguani Emdeuxtixò, conſtructionem, Quando fiat
Vitiofa oratio fit, cùm inter duo nominamè- Deliberativum & ſua In
ſuaſione. vitioſa oratio dium verbum ponitur. forium dicitur De oppofitio
Oppoſitiones & fi contrariæ non ſint, ſed dif- EupBBAEUTIKON In diſſualione
niben. fimiles: verumtamen li fuain figuram ſeryant, ſuntnihilomimus
antitheta.. r In accuſatione, & de Naturalis quæitio eſt, quæ eſt
temporalis;fic Judiciale fenſione cut cúm que ſunt per ordines temporum acta,
acercón marrantur. Nunc ad artis Rhetoricæ diviſiones În præmii penſione, &
definitionofque veniamus; quæ ficut extenſa at negatione que copiofa cft; ita à
multis &claris ſcriptoribus tractata dilatatur, Demonſtrativum genus eſt,
cùm aliquid de- Quid fit De monſtramus, in quo eſt laus & vituperatio,hoc
monftrativi Onidfit Rhetorica eſt, quando per hujuſinodidefcriptionem oſten-
genus. dituraliquis, atque cognoſcirur; ut pſalınús 28. Rhetorica Rhetorica
dicitur à copia deductæ locutio-. & alia vel loca vel pſalmi plurimi,ut:Domine
unde dicta. 'nis influere. Ars autein Rhetorica elt, fi- in calo miſericordia
tua, &uſque adnubesveria cur magiſtri tradunt fæculariuin Litterarum, tas
tua. Iuſtitia tua ficutmontesDei, & reliqua. bene dicendi ſcientia in
civilibus quæſtionibus. Deliberativum genus elt, in quo eſt ſualio de. Quid
Delią Quid fit Ora Orator igitur eſt vir bonus, dicendi peritus, ut diſſualio,
hoc eft quid appetere, quid fugere, berativos. zor, ju offi- dictum eſt in
civilibus quæſtionibus. Oratoris quiddocere, quid prohibere debeamus, citum,erfinis.
autem officium eſt, appolitè dicere ad perſuaden Judiciale genus elt, in quo
eſtaccuſatio & de Quid Fudia ciale. dum. Finis, perſuadere dictione,
quatenus rex fenſio, vel præmii penſio & negatio. ruin & perſonarum
conditio videtur admittere in civilibus quæſtionibus: unde nunc aliqua bre De
Statibus. viter aſſumemus, ut nonnullis partibus indicatis, penè totiusartis
ipſius ſumınam virtutemque in Status Græcè ça'os. Status cauſarum ſunt año
Status caufae telligere debeamus. rationales, aut legales. Status verò dicitur
ea bacionales, rum åut ſuns Civiles quæſtiones ſunt ſecundum Fortuna viles
quaftio- tianum Artigraphum novelluin, quæ in com; a Hæ funt quæſtiones an
huic, an cumhoc, an học Quid fit firas ant legales, nes, & quo modo divi
munem animi conceptionem poffunt cadere; id seinpore, an hac lege,an apud ipſum.
Quidquidpræter van duntur. iſtas quinque partes in oratione dicitur; egreſſio
eſt. eſt, quâ unuſquiſque poteftintelligere, cùm de Hæc nagex aois, quoniam à
reco dicendi itinere defc. æquo quæritur & bono. Dividuntur in cauſam,:
&itur quælibet inſerendo. Bbbb ij Quid fine ci 564 Caffiodorus Quidfit con
Um. res, in qua cauſa conſiſtit. Fit autem ex intentio ne & depulfione, vel
conftitutione. ab alio objicitur, ab adverſario pernegatur, Statum alii vocant
conftitutionem, alii qua 2. Finitivus ſtatus cſt, cùm id quod objicitur,
jocuralis fia. {tionen, alii quod ex quæſtione appareat. non hoc efle
contendimus: fed quid illud lit, ad hibitis definitionibus approbamus. Quid
fam.si Status rationales ſecun Conje & ura. 3. Qualitas eft, cùm qualis res
lit, quæritur; dum generales quæſtio Finis. & quia de vi & genere
negotii controverſia elt, nes ſunt quatuor. Qualitas. conſtitutio generalis
vocatur. Tranſlatio. 1. Conjecturalis ſtatus eft, cùın factum, quod Imprudentia
(Purgatio Caſus. Concellio Juridicialis Abſoluta Aut caufæ, Nixologian Remotio
Aur facti. 3 criminis Negotialis aitam Cui juftè in aliocom generalis Relatio
mittitur, quia & ifle in GegyueTiku priva criminis te fæpius commifin
Αντίγκλημα.. Deprecatio Neceflitas. Qualitas Comparatio Squando melius id
Αντίστασης. factum peragitur. 1 ſunt quinque ! с 12. 1 1 in Pſal. paz. ratio,
Juridicialis eft, in qua æqui &re &ti natura, Questas Ju. ſ
Scriptum& voluntas. riuscialis præmii & pænæ ratio quæritur. Porov ij
dienoido Quid Nego Negotialis eſt, in qua, quid juris ex civili mo Sätus
Legales Leges contrariæ, tizivs. re & æquitate lit, confideratur.
Ambiguitas. Αμφιβολία. Quid Abfo luta. Abſoluta eft, quæ ipfo in ſe continet
juris & Collectio, live Raciocinatio. injuriæ quæſtionem. Συλλογισμός purua
Raid Allium. 'Affumptiva eſt, quæ ipfa exſe nihil dat firmi, Definitio Legalisa.
aut recuſationem foris, aut aliquid defenfionis aſſumit. Scriptum &
voluntas eſt, quando verba ipſa quid.fcripti Quid con Conceſſio eſt, cum reus
non id quod factum eſt, videntur cum ſententia ſcriptoris dillidere. &
voluniss. defendit: fed, ut ignofcatur, poftulat; quod nos Legis contrariæ
ſtatus eſt, quando inter fe duz Quid legis Comment. ad pænitentes* probavimus
pertinere. leges, aut pluresdiſcrepare videntur. contrarieta Remotio criminis
eft, cùm id crimen quod in Ambiguitas eſt, cùm id quod fcriptum eſt, tus,
169.1.09103. ferrur ab fe &ab ſua culpa, vi & poteftate in duas auc
plures res ſignificare videtur. Quid Ambi aligin reus dimovere conatur. guitas.
Collectio Quid Remo, quæ & Ratiocinatio nuncupatur, Quid Colle tio
criminis. Relatio criminis eſt, cùm ideo jure factum di- eſt quando ex eo quod
fcriptum eſt, invenitur, ft:0. Quid Relatio citur, quod aliquis ante injuriam
laceſſierit., Definitio legalis eſt, cum vis verbi quaſi de criminis. erid Defini
Comparatio eft, cùm aliud aliquod alterius finitivâ conſtitutione, in qua
pofita fit, quz- tio legalis. Quil Compa. factum honeſtum aut utile contenditur,
quod, ricur. ut fieret illud quod arguitur, dicitur eſſe com Status ergo tam
rationales quam legales à Statusà qui iniffum. quibuſdam decein & octo
connumerati ſunt. bullam 18. 2 Quid Purga Purgatio cft, cùm factum quidem
conceditur, Cæterum ſecundum Rhetoricos Tullii decem & Tullio verò bes
partenha- fedculparemovetur. Hæc partes habertres,Im- novem inveniuntur,
propterea qudd Tranſlatio- 19.numeran prudentiam, caſum, neceſſitatem.
Impruden- nem interRationales principaliter adfixit ftatus. tia eft, cùin
fciſfe fe aliquid is qui arguitur,negat. Unde feipfum eciam Cicero (ſicut
ſuperiùs di Caſus eſt, cum demonſtratur aliquam fortune &tum eſt )
reprehendens, Tranſlationem Legalia vim obſtitiffe voluntati. Neceſſitas eſt,
cùm vi bus ftatibus applicavit. quadam reus id quod fecerit, feciſſe ſe
dixerit. Quid ft De precatio. Deprecatio eſt, cùm & peccaffe, &
conſultò De Controverfia. peccaſſe reus conficetur; & tamen, ut ignoſca
Quid Trans- tur,poftulat.Quodgenus perraro poteft accidere. Omnis controverſia,
ſicut ait Cicero, aut fim- Controverfis ex Cicerone lario. 4. Tranſlatio
dicitur, cùm caufa ex eo pendet, plex eſt, aut juncta, aut ex comparatione.
triplex eft. cùm non aut is agere videtur, quem oportet: aut Simplex eſt,
quæabſolutam continet unam Quid fit com non cum eo, quioportet: aut non apud
quos, quo quæſtionem, hoc modo: Corinthiis bellum indi- jeftura fim tempore,
qua lege, quo crimine, qua pæna cenus, án non. plex. oporteat. Tranſlationi
adjicitur Conſtitutio, Juncta, eſt ex pluribus quæſtionibus, in quòd actio
tranſlationis &commutationis indi- plura quæruntur
hocpacto:Carthagodiruatur: Quid juncts. an Carthaginienſibus reddatur, an
eocolonia de Ubi adverſariis omnia conceduntur, & per colas ducatur.
lacrymas lupplices defenditur reus. Ex comparatione, utrum potius, an quod po-
Quid ex com paratione, a Et ſi juncta erit conſiderandum erit, utrum ex plu
ribus quæftionibus juncta fit, an ex aliqua cóparatione. tur. H: gere videtur.
1 De Rhethorica. 565 > Exorarum. rario, t11.0. tiſſimum quæritur ad hunc
modum: utrum exer Exordium, eft oratio animum auditoris ido Quit fis
cituscontra Philippum in Macedoniam mittatur, neè comparans ad reliquam
dictionem. qui ſociis fit auxilio: an teneatur in Italia; ut Narratio, eft
reruin geftarum, aut at geſta- Quid Nar quàmmaximæ contra Annibalem copiæ fint.
rum expoſitio. Partitio eft, quæ fi re &tè habita fuerit, illu- Quid Per,
DE GENERIBUS CAUSARUM. ftrem &perfpicaam roram efficit orationem.
Confirmatio eft, per quam argumentando no- Qrid Confir Genera cauſarumfunt
quinque. ftræ caufæ fidem, & authoritatem, & firinamen- mario. tum
adjungit oratio. Honeſtum. Reprehenfio eft per quam argumentando ad- Quid Repre
Admirabile. verſariorum confirmatio diluitur, aut elevarur. henfio. Humile.
Concluſio eſt exitus & determinatio totius exid con Anceps. orationis, ubi
interdum & Epilogorum allegatio cnfio. Obſcurum. flebilis adhibetur. Hæc
licer Cicero Latinæ eloquentiæ Lumen Duos libros Quid honefti Honeſtum caufæ
genus eft, cui ſtatim fine ora- eximium, per varia volumina copiosè ninis &
de Rethorica cauſæ genus. tione noftra favet auditoris aniinus. Admirabile
diligenter effuderit, & in arte Rhetorica duobus compoſuit ci Admirabile, à
quo quod eft pre eft alienatus animus eorum, libris videatur amplexus;
quorumCoinmenta à cero, quosM. Victorinus ter opinio- qui audituri ſunt. Mario
Victorino compoſita, in Bibliotheca mea commentatus num hominü Humile eft, quod
negligitur ab auditore ', & vobis reliquiffecognoſcor. eft. conftitutum.
nonmagnopere attendendum videtur. Quintilianus etiain Doctor egregius, qui poſt
Quintiliansis Quid Admi. rabile. Anceps in quo aut judicatio dubia eft, aut
Auvios Tullianos fingulariter valuit implere quæ Doctor egre Quid Humile cauſa
&honeſtatis & turpitudinis particeps, ut docuit, virum bonum dicendi
peritum à priinâ gius in Rhe. Qivid Anceps benevolentiam pariật,
&offenfionem. ætate fuſcipiens, per cunctas artes, ac diſcipli- sorica
doceka Puid'obfcs Obſcurum, in quo aut tardi auditores funt,aut nas nobiliuin
litterarum erudiendum eſſe mon difficilioribus ad cognoſcendum negotiis cauſam
ftravit. Libros autein duos Ciceronis, de arte implicata eft. Rhetorica, &
Quintiliani duodeciin inſtitutio num ! judicavimus eſſe jungendos; ut nec codi
DE PARTIBUS RHETORICÆ cis'excrefceret magnitudo, & utrique duin ne ceffarii
fuerint, parati feinper occurrant. Partes orationis Rhetoricæ funt fex.
Fortunatianum verò Doctorem novellum, Fortunatik. qui tribusvoluninibus de hac
re ſubtiliter minu- nustria ro Exordium. tèque tractavit; in pugillari codice
Rhetorica Narratio. congruenterquc redegimus; ut &faſtidiuin lecto
confecis. Partitio. ri tollat, &quæ ſuntneceffaria competenter in
Confirmatio. ' finuet. Hunc legat qui brevitatis amator eft, Reprehenfio. nam
cum opus ſuum in multos libros non teten Concluſio, five derit: plurima tamen
acutiffimâ ratiocinatione Peroratio. diſſeruit.Quos codices cum præfatione ſua
in uno corpore reperietis eſſe collectos. DE RHETORICA ARGUMENTATION E. da. tim
lumina de aptè lorfitan, Rhetorica Argumentatio fit. Illatio quæ r Propoſitio |
Aut per Inductio- ! nem cujusmembra &Affumptio funt hæc. dicitur. |
Concluſio ina tayo Rhetorica Argu mentatio tracta tur. rEvdúcemus.Talo
PEYSúumps, eſt commentum, Convincibili. vel commentio ', hoc eſt | Oſtentabili.
mentis conceptio. 3 Sententiabili. Exemplabili. Txer Suunne, qui eft imper-
iCollectitio. fectus fyllogylinus, atque Rethoricus, ficut Fortuna tianus dicit,
in generibus i explicatur. azódseçu eſt cer ta quædam argu menti concluſio vel
ex confe quentibus, vel repugnantibus. Aut perRatiocina tionem de Argu mentis,
in quo no mine complectun Atodict. tur, quæ Græci di cunt. Emxelamud too s
Emreignus, eft fententia cum fatione, Latinè dicitur Exe čutio, vel Approbatio,
vel Argumentum 11.apemrbiem uc verò, qui eſt Aut Tripertitus. Rhetoricus &
latior fyllogyf: 3 AutQuadripercitus. Aut quinquepertitus. | mus eft. 566
Caffiodorus Unde Argu titus. ductio. Mem2. cit. mêtatiodista. Argumentatio
dicta eſt quaſi argutæ mentis rici ſyllogiſmi, latitudinediſtanz&
productione oratio. fermonis à dialecticis fyllogiſmis, propter quod Quidfit Ar
Argumentatio eſt enim oratio ipſa, qua inven- Rhetoribus datur. gumentatio. tum
probabiliter exequimur argumentum. Tripertitus, epichirematicus fyllogiſmus
eſt; Quid Triper Quid fit In Inductio eft oratio,qua rebusnon dubiis capra- qui
conſtat inembris tribus: id eft, propoſitione, mus aſſenſionein ejus, cum quo
inſtituta eſt,live aſſumptione, concluſione. inter Philofophos, ſive
interRhetores, five inter Quadripertitus eſt, qui conſtatmembris qua- Quid Quz
Seriocinantes. tuor: propoſitione, affumptione, & una propo- dripernicus.
Quid Probo Propoſitio inductionis eſt,quæ fimilitudines fitionis live
afſuinptionis conjuncta probatione, fitio. concedendæ rei unius inducit, aut
plurimaruin. & conclufione. Quid illatio. Illatioinductioniseft, quæ &
affumptio dicitur, Quinquepertitus eſt,qui conſtat membris quin- Que de Marine
quæ rem dequa contenditur, & cujus cauſa ſimi- que:id eft,propoſitione,&
probatione, aſſum- quepertiim, litudines adhibitæ ſunt introducit. ptione,
& ejus probatione, & concluſione. Quid con Concluſio inductionis eſt,
quæ aut conceſſio. Hunc Cicero ita facit in arte Rhetorica: Si de clulo. nem
illationis confirmat, aut quid ex ea confi- liberatio & deinonſtratio
genera ſunt cauſarum, ciatur, oftendit. non poffunt rectè partes alicujus
generis cauſa Qwid Ratio Ratiocinatio eft oratio, quâid de quo eft quæ- putari.
Eadem enim res, alii genus, alii pars effc cinatio. ítio comprobamus. poteft:
idem genus, & pars effe non poteſt, vel Quid Enthy Enthymema igitur eſt,
quod Latinè interpreta- cætera; quoufque fyllogiſini hujus meinbra clau cur
mentis conceptio, quam imperfectum fyllo- dantur. Sed videro quantum in aliis
partibus giſmum ſolent Artigraphi nuncupare. Nam in lecter ſuum exercere poſſit
ingenium. duabus partibus hæc argumentiforma conſiſtit: Memoratus aurein
Fortunatianus in tertio libro quando id quod ad fidein pertinet faciendam,
meminit de oratoris memoria, de pronuntiatio utitur fyllogiſmorum lege præterita;
ut eſt illud: ne, & voce, unde tainen Monachus cum aliqua Si tempeſtas
vitanda eſt, non eft igitur navigan- utilitate diſcedit: quando ad ſuas partes
non im dum. Exſola enim propoſitione & conclufione probè videtur attrahere,
quod illi ad exercendas conítat effe perfectum: unde magis oratoribus,
controverſias utiliter aptaverunt. Memoriam { i quàm dialecticis convenire
judicatum eſt. De quidem lectionis divinæ re cognita cautela ſerva dialecticis
autem ſyllogiſinisſuo loco dicemus. bit, cùm in ſupradicto libro ejus vim
qualitatém Quid con Convincibile eft,quod evidenti ratione * con- que
cognoverit: artem verò pronuntiationis in *AIS.convin.vincitur;ſicut fecit
Cicero pro Milone. Ejusigi- divinæ legis effatione concipiet. Vocis autem di
tur mortis ſedetis ultores, cujus vitain, li * pPombais ligentiam in pſalmodiæ
decantatione cuſtodiet. * Ed. poſetis. per vosreſtitui poſſe, noletis. Sic
inſtructus in opere ſancto redditur, quamvis Quid Ofien Oſtentabile eft, quod
certa reidemonſtratione libris ſæcularibus occupetur. rabile. conſtringit; ſic
Cicero in Catilinam: Hic ramen Nunc ad Logicam, quæ & Dialectica dicitur,
vivit, imò etiam in Senatuin venit. ſequenti ordine veniamus, quam quidam diſci
Quid Senten tiabile. Sententiale eft, quod ſententia generalis addi- plinain,
quidam artem appellare maluerunt, di cit; ut apud Terentiun: Obſequium
amicos,ve centes: quando apodicticis,id eſt, probabili ritas odium parit. bus
diſputationibus aliquid diſſerit, diſciplina Quid Exem plabile. Exemplabile elt,
quod alicujus exempli com- debeat nuncupari: quando verò aliquid verilimi M. G.
ini. paratione eventum fimilem comminatur; ſicut le tractat, ut ſunt
ſyllogiſini ſophiſtici, nomen Cicero in Philippicisdicit:Temiror,Antoni,quo-
artis accipiat. Ita utrumque vocabulum pro ar *M.G. per- rum facta * imitere,
eoruin exitus, non * per- gumentionis ſuæ qualitate promeretur. timefcere,
horrefcere. Quid Colle Collectivum eſt, cùm in unum, quæ argumen CAPUT TERTIUM.
tata funt, colliguntur; ſicut ait Cicero pro Milo ne: Quem igitur cum gratia
noluit, hunc voluit De Dialectica cuin aliquorum querela, quemjure, quem loco,
quem temporemoneftaulus: hunc injuria,alie- DJalecticam primiPhiloſophi
indi&ionum no cum periculo non dubitavit occidere. runt: non tamch ad artis
redegereperitiam. Poſt Ed. deftris Præterea ſecundum Victorinum Enthymematis
quos Ariſtoteles, ut fuit * diſciplinarum omniun altera eft definitio. Ex fola
propoſitione,ſicutjam diligens inquiſitor, ad regulas quaſdam hujus Ariffoseler
dictum eſt, ita conſtat Enthymema; ut eft illud: doctrinæ argumenta perduxit,
quæ priùs ſub cer- Dialectice Si tempeſtas vitanda eſt, non eſt navigatio
requi- tis præceptionibus non fuerunt. Hic libros fa- argumenta ad regulas
renda. Ex fola aſſumptione s ut eſt illud: Sunt ciens exquiſitos, Græcorum
ſcholam multiplici quafdamper autem qui munduin dicantfine divina adminiſtra-
laude decoravit; quem noftri non perferentes duris. tione diſcurrere. Ex
folaconcluſione; ut eft il- diutiùs alienum, tranſlatum expofitúmque Ro
Dialecticam lud: Vera eſt igitur divina * fententia. Ex pro- manæ eloquentiæ
contulerunt. Dialecticam verò, *MS. fcick poſitione& affumptione; ut eft
illud: Si inimicus &Rhetoricam Varro in nove;n diſciplinarú libris canin
move eſt, occidit. Inimicus autem eſt: & quia illi deelt tali funilitudine
definivit. Dialectica & Rhetori- libris Vaira.conclufio, Enthymnema
vocatur. Sequitur Epi- ca eſt, quod in manu hominis pugnus adſtrictus,
definivit. chirema. & palma diſtenſa: illa brevi oratione argumenta Quid
Epic Epichirema eft, quod fuperiùs diximus, dels concludens, iſta facundiæ
campos copioſo fer chirema. cendens de ratiocinatione latior excurfio Rheto-
mone diſcurrens: illa verba contrahens, ifta di Itendens. & Argumentum eſt
argutæ mentis indicia quod per indagationes probabiles,rei dubiæ
perficitfidem,per Rhetoricaad illa,quæ nititurdocenda, facun- pomaleticom
Dialectica fiquidem ad differendas res acutior: Que fic diffe excmpla
confirmans; ut eft: Noliæinulari in malignan tibus: quoniam tanquain fænum,
&c. dior. Illa ad ſcholas nonnumquam venit, iſta ju. & Rhetori saris.
Zivim. n.19167. & Rhetoria 64m. De Dialectica.. son quenter. girer procedit
in forum: illa requirit rariſſimos & noftræ diſpoſitionis curràtintentio.
Conſue * MSS.fre- ftudiofos, hæc * frequentes populos. Sed priul- tudo iraque
eft doctoribus philoſophiæ, ante quam de fyllogiſmisdicamus, ubi totius Diale-
quam ad Iſagogen veniant exponendam, divis dicæ utilitas &
virtusoſtenditur, oporter de ejus lionem philoſophiše paucis attingere:quam nos
initiis, quaſi quibuſdam elementis, pauca diffe- quoque ſervantes; præſenti
tempore non immer cere; ut ficut eſt à Majoribus diſtinctus ordo, ita ritò
credimus intiinandain, Philofophiæ divifio. In Inſpectivam, TIXMT, hæc
dividitur in In Naturalem. | Doctrinalem, hæc (In Arithmeticam dividitur
Muficam. Geometricain. Divinain. Aftronomicain Diviſt thing Lofophiæ.
Philoſophia divi ditur fecundum Ariftotelem. Moralem. | Sirir. Er Actualeta
Ciſpenſativa, Φρακτικών PorxorowyXXV. hæc dividitur in Civilem. ίπολιτική »
ACETA! oixorouexin. weg.Xti xh. νομοθεπκό., thesxor. Sewertexn.. φυσική.
Definitiò Philos fophiæ. megatoxin. resnio intoxin. 23 Quid 1 3. Dirogoera
oroimene Occs Kated to duratór ávöçóórw. plina quæ curſus cæleftium, fiderumque
figuras homophine en Philoſophia eft divinaruin, humanarùmque re contemplatur
omnes, &habitudines ftellaruni quotuplex. rum, inquantum homini poſſibile
eſt, probabilis circa ſe; & circa terram, indagabili ratione per Ycientia:
Aliter,Philoſophia eſt ars artiuni, & dif- currit. Actualis dicitur, quæ
res propoſitas ope ciplina diſciplinarum.Rucſus, Philoſophia eſtme, rationibus
ſuis explicare contendit. Moralis di ditatio mortis,quod magis convenit
Chriſtianis, citur, per quam mos vivendihoneſtus appetitur; 2.Corint. 16. qui
ſæculi ambitione calcata, converſatione dif- & inſtitura ad virtutem
tendentia præparantur. ciplinabili, fimilitudine futuræ patriæ vivunt;
Diſpenſativa dicitur, domeſticaruin reruin fa Philip. 3. 20. Sícut
dicitApoftolus: In carne enim ambulantes, pienter ordo diſpoſitus. Civilis
dicitur, per quàm non ſecundum carnem militamus; & alibi: Con- totius
civitatis adminiſtrarur utilitas. Philoſo verſatio noftra in calis eft.
Philofophia eſt affimi- phiæ diviſionibus definitionibúſque tractatis, in lari
Deo ſecundum quod poflibile eft homini. quibus generaliter omnia continentur,
nunc ad Inſpectiva dicitur,qua ſupergreſſi vilbilia de di- Porphyrii librum,
qui Iſagoge inſcribitur, acce vinis aliquid & cæleſtibus contemplamur,
eáque damus. mente foluinmodo contuernur, quantum corpo De Iſagoge Porphyrii.
reum ſupergrediuntur aſpectum. Naturalis dici tur,ubiuniuſenjufque rei natura
diſcutitur: quia de Genere. Dávc. nihilcontra'naturain generaturin vita: ſed
unun | de Specie. tidos. quodque hisufibus deputatur, in quibus à Crea- llagoģe
Por de Differentia. Depoeg tore productú eit: nifi fortè cum voluntate divina
phyrii tractat de Proprio. ibor aliquod miraculuin proveniremonſtrerur.Doctii i
de Accidente, συμβεβηκός. *MSS. figni- nalis dicitur ſcientia, quæ abſtractam *
conſiderat ficar. quantitatem. Abſtracta eniin quantitas dicitur, Genus eft ad
fpecies pertinens, quod de diffe- Quid fit Ge quam intellectu àmateria
ſeparantes,vel ab aliis rentibus fpecie, in co quod quid ſit, prædicatur; nun
accidentibus; ut eſt, par, impar: vel alia hujuſce ut animal. Per ſingulas enim
fpecies, id eft, modi in ſola ratiocinatione rractainus. Divinalis hominis,
equi, bovis, & cæterorun,genus anis dicitur, quando aụt ineffabilem naturam
divi- mal prædicarur atque ſignificatur, nam, aut ſpirituales creaturas ex
aliqua parte, Species eſt, quod de pluribus & differentibii's Quid fit Spo
profundifſimâ qualitate differimus. Arithinerican numero, in eo quod quid fit,
prædicatur; nam cies, eſt diſciplina quantitatis numerabilis ſecundum de
Socrate, Platóne, & Cicerone homo prædi ſe. Muſica, eſt diſciplina quæ de
numeris loqui- catur. tur, quiad aliquid ſunt his, qui inveniuntur in
Differentia eſt, quod de plaribus & differen » Quid fit Dif". ſonis.
Geometrica, elt diſciplina magnitudinis tibus ſpecie,in eo quod quale
ſit,prædicatur; ſicuc erensia, immobilis,&formarum. Aftronoinia,eſt diſci-
rationale & inortale,in eoquodquale ſit, dc ho- f mine prædicatur, 568
Caffiodorus € lcens. men. atque bos. Tulum, Quid fit Pro Proprium eſt, quod
unaquæque ſpecies, vel Hoc opus Ariſtotelis intentè legendum eſt, cur Carego
prium. perſona certo additamento infignitur, &ab om- quando ficut dictum
eſt; quicquid hoino loqui- rie Ariftotelis ni communione feparatur. tur, inter
decem ifta Prædicamenta inevitabili, intentè les erid fut Ac. gende. Accidens
eſt, quod accidit & recedit præter ter invenitur: proficit etiam ad libros
intelligen ſubjecti corruptionem: vel ea quæ fic accidunt, dos, qui live
Rhetoribus, fivc Dialecticis appli ut penitus non recedant. Hæc qui pleniùs
noſſe cantur. deliderant, Introductionem legant Porphyrii; * £ d.alicujus
quilicetad utilitatein * alieni operis ſedicatſcri Incipitperi hermenias, id
eft, de inter bere, non tamen ſine propria laude viſus eſt talia pretatione.
dicta futinafle. Sequitur liber peri hermenias ſubtiliſimus rii Categorie
Ariſtotelis. mis, & per varias formas, iterationéfque cautif ſimus, de quo
dictuin eſt: Ariſtoteles, quando Sequuntur Categorix Ariſtotelis, ſive Prædi-
librum peri herinenias ſcriptitabat, calamum in camenta: quibus mirum in modum
per varias fi- mente tingebat. gnificantiasomnis fermo concluſuseſt: quorum De
nomine. organa ſive inftruinenta ſunt tria. De verbo. Inftrumenta Organa vel
inſtrumenta Categoriaruin five In libro peri hermenias; De oratione,
drogoriarum (rent tria, /ci Prædicamentorum funtæquivoca, univoca, de- id eft,
de interpretatio De enunciatione. licet. nominativa. ne, prædictus philofo De
affirmatione. Æquivoca. Æquivoca dicuntur, quorú noinen folùm com- phusdehis
tractat. De negatiore. mune eft, fecundùm nomen verò ſubſtantiæ ratio
Decontradictione, diverſa; ut animal, homo, & quod pingitur. Vniyoca,
Univoca dicuntur, quorum & noinen com Nomen, elt vox fignificativa ſecundùm
placi- quid fitmoi mune eſt, & ſecunduin nomen diſcrepare eadem tum, ſinė
tempore: cujus nulla pars eſt ſignificati ſubſtantiæ ratio non probatur: ut
animal, homo, va ſeparata: utSocrates. Verbum, eſt quod conſignificat tempus:
cujus Quid forver Deuominati Dena ninativa, id eſt, derivativa, dicuntur pars
nihil extra ſignificat, & eſt ſemper eorum bum, quæcuinque ab aliquo ſola
differentia caſus ſe- quæ de altero dïcuntur nota; ut ille cogitat, dil cundum
noinen habent appellationem: ut å putat. grammatica gramınaticus,& à
fortitudine fortis. ' Oratio, eſt vox fignificativa, cujus partium Quid ſit örä
aliquid * feparatim ſignificativum eſt; ut Socrates to Subſtantiaa sola,
diſpucat. * MSS.lepa | Quantitas, mosotas. Enuntiativa otàtio, eſt vox
ſignificativadeeo Quid fit Ad aliquid. ney's Fan quod eft aliquid, vel non eſt;
ut Socrates eſt, So- Enuntiatid. Ariſtotelis Ariſtotelis Catego Qualitas.
TÓTUS. crates non eſt. Categorie riæ, vel Prædicamen- į Facere. FOREV.
Affirinatio, eft enuntiatio alicujas de aliquo: quid fit Af son decem. ra decem
ſunt Pati. PeoMHT. ur Socrates eſt. formatio. Situs. ευρώς. Negatio, eft
alicujus de aliquo negatio: ut So- luid fitNe. Quando. done. crates non eſt.
gatio. Ubi. Contradictio, eſt afficmationis & negationis euid fitcom |
Habere. (xar. oppoſitio: ut, Socrates diſputat, Socrates non diſputát. Subſtantia
elt, quæ propriè, &t principaliter Hæc omnia per librum ſuprà memoratum mi.
Liber Pero Hermenias & maxiinè dicitur; quæ neque de ſubjectopræ- nutiſſimè
diviſa; & ſubdiviſa tractantur, quæ Boetio feprem dicatur, neque in
ſubjecto eſt; ut aliquis homo, breviter intimnaſſe ſuffciat, quando in ipfo
com- libris expoſé vel aliquis equus. Secundæ autem ſubftantiæ di- petens
explanatio reperitur: maximè cùin eum tu. cuntur, in quibus ſpeciebus, illæ quæ
principa- Tex libris àBoëtio viro magnifico conſtet expoſi liter ſubſtantia
primò dicta ſunt, inſunt atque tum, qui vobis inter alios codiceseſtrelictus.
clauduntur; ut in homine, Cicero. Nunc ad fyllogiſticas ſpecies formulaſque vea
Quantitas Quantitas aur diſcreta eſt, & habet partes ab nianus, in quibus
nobilium Philofophorum ju aplex, aiſ alterutrodiſcretas,nec eominunicantes,
ſecun- giter exercetur ingenium, dum aliquem communem terminum, velut nu merus,
& ſerino quiprofertur; aut continua eſt, De Formulis ſyllogifmorum. &
habet partes quæ ſecundum aliquem coinmu* nein terininuin adinvicem
convertuntur; velut (in priina forinula modi no linca, ſuperficies,
corpus,locus, motus,tempus. Forinulæ Categori Ad aliquid verò funt, quæcumque
hoc ipſo coruin, id eſt, Præ-, In ſecunda formula modi Formale ca quod ſunt,
aliorum eſſe dicuntur; velur majus, dicativorum ſyllo quatuor. duplum,habitus,
difpofitio,ſcientia, ſeriſus, gilmorú ſunttres. | In tertia formula modi
politio. i ſex. Qualitas, eſt, fecundum quam aliqui quales dicimur; ut bonus,
malus. Modiformule prime ſunt novem. Facere eſt, ut ſecare, vel urere, id eft,
ali quid operari. Pati eſt, ut ſecari, vel uri. Primus modus eſt, quiconcludit,
id eft, qui Situs, eft, ut ftat, ſeder, jacet. Quando colligit ex univerſalibus
dedicativis, dedicati eft, ut hefterno, vel crás. vum univerſale directum; ut,
omne juſtum ho Ubi eſt: ut in Aſia, in Europa, in Lybia. neſtum, omne honeftum
bonum, omne igitur Habere eft: ut calccatum, velarmatum effe. juſtum bonum.
Secundus ött. tradictio, nos creta, con sinna, vem. tegoricum Syllogiſmorum
funt tres. DeDialectica. 569 * Ed, concler dit. per quæ ſubti Secundus
moduscft, qui * conducit ex univer- rivis particulari & univerfali
dedicatvium parti ſalibus dedicativâ & abdicativâ abdicativum uni- culare
directum: ut quoddam juſtam honeſtum, verſale directum: ut oinnejuſtum honeſtum,
nul- omne juſtum bonum, quoddam igitur honeſtuin lum honeſtum turpe, nullum
igitur juſtum bonum. turpe. Tertius modus eſt, quiconducit ex dedicativis
Tertius modus eſt, qui conducir ex dedicativis univerſali & particulari
dedicativum particulare particulari & univerſali,dedicativum particulare
directum: ut, omne juſtum honeftuin, quod directum: ut quoddam juftum eft
honeſtum,om- dam juſtuin bonum, quoddam igitur honeſtum ne honeftuin utile,
quoddam igirur juftumn utile. bonum. Quartusinodus eſt, qui conducitex
particulari Quartus modus eſt, quiconducit ex univerſa dedicativa,
&univerſali abdicativa, abdicativum libusdedicativa & abdicativa
abdicativum parti particulare directum: ut quoddam juſtum hone- culare directum:
utomne juſtuin honeſtuin, nul Itum, nullum honeftunı turpe, quoddam igitur lum
juſtum malum, quoddam igitur honeſtum juſtum non eft turpe. non eſt malum.
Quintus modus eſt, qui conducit ex univerſa Quintus modus eſt, qui conducit ex
dedicativa libus dedicativisparticulare dedicativum per re- particulari &
abdicativa univerſali abdicativum Mexionem: ut omne juftum honeſtum, omne ho- particulare
directum: ut, quoddam juſtum, ho neftum bonum, quoddam igitur bonum juſtum.
neſtum, omne honeſtum bonum,igitur quoddan Sextus modus eft, qui conducit ex
univerſali honeftum non eft malum. dedicativa, & univerſali abdicativa,
abdicativum Sextus modus eſt, qui conducit ex dedicativa univerſale per
reflexionem: ut omne juſtum ho- univerſali & abdicativa particulari
abdicativum neltuin, nulluin honeſtum turpe, nullum igitur particulare directum:
ut,omnejuſtum honeſtum, turpe juftum. quoddam juſtum non eſt malum, quoddam igi
Septimusmodus eſt,quiconducit ex particulari tur honeſtuin non eſt malum. &
univerſali dedicativis dedicativum particulare Has formulas Categoricorum
ſyllogiſmorum reflexionem: ut quoddamn juftum honeſtum, qui plenè nofſe
deſiderat, librum legat, quiin Liber Apa!e omne honeſtum utile,quoddam igitur
utile juſtú. fcribirur -Peri hermenias Apuleii, & qui inſcribi: Odavus
modus eft, qui conducirex univerfa- lias ſunt tractata, cognoſcet. Nec
faſtidium no- tur Peri her libus abdicativa & dedicativa particulare
abdica- bis verba repetita congeminent; diftin &ta enin, menias, le tivum
per reflexionein: ut nullum turpe hone- atque conſiderata, ad
magnasintelligentiæ vias, gendus. ftum, omnehoneſtum juſtum, quoddamn igitur
præftante Domino,nosutiliter introducent.Nunc juſtum non eft turpe. ad
hypotheticos fyllogiſinos, ordine currente, Nonas modus eit, qui conducit ex
univerſali veniainus abdicativa, &particulari dedicativa abdicativum particulareper
reflexionem:velut nullumturpe Modi Gyllogiſmorim hypotheticorum,qui fiunt
Modifyllogif morum hyposs honeſtun, quoddam honeſtum juſtum, quoda cum aliqua
conjunctione, Jeptem funt. dam igitur juſtum non eſt turpe. funt feptem. Primus
modus eſt, velut: Si dies elt, lucer; eſt Modi formuleſecunda funt quatuor.
autein dies; lucet igitur. Secundusmodus eft ita: ſi dies eſt, lucet, non
Primus modus eſt, qui conducit ex univerſali- lucet; non eft igitur dies. bus
dedicativa & abdicativa abdicativum univer- Tertius modus eſt ita: non
& dies eſt & nonlu fale directum: velutomne juſtum honeſtum,nul- cet,
atqui dies eft, lucèt igitur. lum turpe honeftum,nullum igitur juſtum turpe.
Quartus modus eft ita: aut nox, aut dies eft, at Secundus modus eſt,
quiconducit ex univerſa- qui dieseſt, non igitur nox eſt. libus abdicativa
& dedicativa abdicativum uni Quintus moduseſt ita: aut dies eſt, aut nox,
at-. verſale directuin: velut nullum turpe honeftum, qui nox non eſt, dies
igitur eſt. omne juſtum honeſtum, nullumigitur turpe Sextus inodus eſt ica: non
& dies eſt, & nonlu juftum cet, dies autem eſt, nox igitur non eſt.
Tertius modus eſt, quiconducit ex particulari. Septimus modus eſt ita:non &
djes eft & nox, dedicativa & univerfali abdicativa ab licativum atqui
nox non eſt, dies igitur eſt. particulare directum: veluc quoddam juftum ho
Modos autem hypotheticorum ſyllogiſinorum neſtum, nulluin turpehoneftum,
quoddam igi- fi quis pleniùs noſſe deſiderat, legat librum Marii Marius Vi tur
juſtum non eſt turpe. Victorini, qui inſcribitur de fyllogiſmis hypo-
&torinus librá Quartus r.odus eſt, quiconducit ex particu- thericis.
Sciendum quoque, quoniam Tullius de hypotheti: lari abdicativa & univerfali
dedicativa abdicati- Marcellus Carthaginenſisde categoricis & hy- edidit.
vum particulare directum: velut quoddamn juftum potheticis fyllogiſmis, quodà
diverfis philoſo: TulliusMar non eſt turpe, omne malum turpe, quoddam
phislatiſſimè dictum eft, feptem libris breviter cellus igitur juſtuin non eft
malum, ſubtilitérque tractavit; ita ut priino libro de re: thag. de Syl gula,
ut ipſe dicit, colligentiarum artis Dialecticæ logiſmis Modi formula tertiæfunt
fex. diſputaret; &quod ab Ariſtotele de categoricis compofuit. ſyllogiſmis
multis libris editum eſt, ab ifto fecun Primus modus eſt, qui conducit 'ex
dedicativis do & tertio libro breviter expleretur; quod aut univerfàlibus
dedicativum particulare, tam dire- tem de hypotheticis ſyllogiſmis à Stoicis
innume Etuin, quàm reflexum: ut omne juſtum hone- ris voluminibus tractatum eſt,
ab iſto quarto & ftum, omne juſtum bonum, quoddam igitur ho- quinto libro
colligeretur. In fexto verò de inix neftum bonum vel quoddamn bonum ho- tis
fyllogiſinis, in ſeptimo autem de compoſitis neftuin. diſpucavit; quem codicem
vobis legendum re-, Secundus modus eſt, qui conducit ex dedica- liqui. cccc
theticorum Car Jeprem libros > $ 70 Caffiodorus Quid las Depnilio. 1.1 1
longum viaticum: modò ut laudet, ut adolers De Definitionibus. centia eſt Aos
ætatis. Octava ſpecies definitionis eft, quain Græci Hinc ad pulcherrimas
definitionum ſpecies ac- x7 a paistoin rõ Evertix vocant, Latini per pri Milanius,
quæ tantà dignitate præcellunt, ut pof- vantiam contrarii ejus quod definitur,
dicunt; up ſont dici orationun maxiinuin decus, & quædam bonum eſt, quod
malum noneft: juftuin eſt, quod lumina dictionuin. injuſtum non eft. Et his
fimilia: quod fe ita na Definitio verò, eſt oratio uniuſcujuſque rei turaliter
ligat, ut neceſſariam cognitionem fibi naturam à communione diviſam, propria
ſignifi- unius comprehenſione connectat. Hoc autem catione concludens: hæc
multis modis, præce- genere definitionis uti debemus, cùm contrarium priſque
conficitur. notun eſt; nam certa ex incertis nemo probat. Definitionum prima
eſt óvoradcas, Latinè ſub- Sub qua ſpecie ſunt hæ definitiones. Subſtantia
ftantialis, quæ propriè & verè dicitur definitio; eft, quod neque qualitas
eſt, neque quantitas, ne or eſt, homoanimalrationale mortale, ſenſus dif- que
aliqua accidentia: quo genere definitionis ciplinæque capax;llæc enim definitio
per fpecies Deus definiri poteſt; etenim cùm quid fit Deus, &
differentiasdeſcendens, venit ad proprium, & nullo modo comprehendere
valeamus: ſublatio deſignat plenillimè quid ſit homo. omniuin exiſtentium, quæ
Græci örta appellant, Sccunda eſt ſpecies definitionis, quæ Græcè cognitionem
Dei nobis circumciſa & ablata no ŽVYOMMA TIx ) dicitur, Latinè notio
nuncupatur: tarum rerum cognitione ſupponit; ut li dicamus, quam notionem
communi,non proprio nomine Deus eſt, quod neque corpus eſt, neque ullum
poffumus dicere. Hæc iſto modo ſemper effici- elementum, neque animal, neque
mens, neque cur: Homo eſt, quod rationali conceptione & ſenſus, neque
intellectus, neque aliquid, quod exercitio præeſt animalibus cunctis. Non eniin
ex his capipoteſt; his enim ac talibus ſublatis, dixit, quid eſt homo, ſed quid
agat, quaſi quodam quid fit Deus, non poterit definiri. figno in notitiam
denotato. In iſta enim &in re Nona ſpecies definitionis eſt, quain Græci
liquis notio rei profertur: non ſubſtantialis, ut Kåtalnooi, Latini per quamdam
imaginatio in illa primariaexplanatione declaratur; & quia nem dicunt: ut,
Æneas eſt Veneris & Ănchiſæ illa fubftantialis eſt, definitionum omnium
obti- filius. Hæc ſemper in individuis verſatur, qux ner principatum. Græci
aqua appellant. Idem accidie in eo gene Tertia fpecies definitionis eſt, quæ
Græcè redictionis, ubialiquis pudor aut metus elt no Trolótus dicitur, Latinè
qualitativa. Hæc dicendo minare: ut Cicero, cùm me videlicet ficarii illi quid
quale lit, id quod fit, evidenter oſtendit. deſcribant. Cujus exemplum tale eſt:
homo eft, qui ingenio Decima fpecies definitionis eft, quam Græci valet,
artibus poller, & cognitione rerum: aut as Tót, Latini, veluti, appellant;
ut fi quæ quæ agere debeat eligit:aut animadverſione quod ratur quid ſit
aniinal, refpondearur, homo: inutile fit contemnit; his enim qualitatibus ex
non enim manifeftè dicitur animal folum effe preſſus ac definitus homo eſt.
hominem, cum fint alia innumerabilia: ſed cuin Quarta ſpecies definitionis eſt,
quæ Græcè dicitur homo, veluti ipfum hominem animal de soggapixn, Latinè deſcriptionalis
nuncupatur: fignat: cùm tamen huic nomini multa ſubja quæ adhibitâ circuitione
dictorum factorúmque, ceant. Rem enim quæfitam prædictum declata rem, quid fit
deſcriptione declarat;ut ſi lu- vit exemplum. Hoc eſt autem proprium defini
xuriofum volumus definire, dicimus: Luxurio- tionis, quid fit illud, quod
quæritur, declarare. fus, eſt victus non neceffarii & fumptuoli & one
Undeciina ſpeciesdefinitionis eft, quam Græ rofi appetens,in deliciis
affluens,in libidine pron- ci rece tead the matter, Latini per iudigentiain
ptus; hæc & talia definiunt luxuriofum. Que pleni ex eodem genere vocant:
ut ſi quæratur ſpecies definitionis, oratoribus magis apta eſt, quid fit
triens, refpondeatur, cui dodrans deeft, quàm dialecticis, quia latitudines
habet; hæc ut lit aſlis. fimili modo in bonis rebus ponitur, & in Duodecima
ſpecies definitionis eſt, quam Græ malis. ci, Kata imesvov, Latini per laudem
dicunt; ut Quinta ſpecies definitionis eft, quam Græcè Tullius pro Cluentio:
Lex eſt mens, & animus, AT nikov: Latinè ad verbum dicimus: hæc vo- &
confilium, & fententia civitatis. Et aliter pax cem illam, de qua
requiritur, alio ſermonedeſi- eſt tranquilla libertas. Fit &
pervituperationem, gnat uno ac ſingulari, & quodammodo quid il- quam Græci
tózer vocant: ſervitus eſt poſtre lud ſit in uno verbo pofitum, uno verbo alio
de- mum malorum omnium, non modò bello, ſed clarat; ut conticefcere eſt tacere:
item cùm ter- morte quoque repellenda. minum dicimus finem, aut terras
populatas inter Tertiadecima eſt ſpecies definitionis, quam pretemur effe
vaſtatas. Greci κατ'αναλογίαν,Latini juxta rationem dicunt: Sexta ſpecies
definitionis eſt, quam Græci x fed hoc contingit, cum majoris ire nomine, res
Thu nepoege, per differentiam dicimus; id eft, definitur inferior: ur eſt illud,
homo ininor mun cùm quæritur, quid interſit inter regem & ty- dus. Cicero
hac definitione ſiculus eſt:Edictum, rannum, adjecta differentia quid uterque
fit, de- legem annuam dicunt eſſe. finitur: id eſt, rex eſt modeftus &
temperans, ty Quartadecima eſt ſpecies definitionis, quam rannus verò impius
& immitis. Græci sess, Latini ad aliquid vocant: ur eſt Septima eft fpecies
definitionis, quam Græci illud, pater eft, cui eſt filius:dominus eſt, cui eft
el ustápoegr. Latini per tranſlationein dicunt: fervus: & Cicero in
Rhetoricis, genus eſt, quod ut Cicero in Topicis, Lictus eſt, quà Auctus elu-
plures partes amplectitur: item pars eſt, quod lu dit. Hoc variè tractari
poreſt: modò enim ut beſt generi. moveat, ficut illud, caput eſt arx corporis:
modò Quintadecima eſt ſpecies definitionis, quam ut vituperet, ut illud,
divitiæ ſunt brevis vitæ Græci koste BiTiongear, Latini fecundum rei fa ! De
Dialectica. 571 tionuom. 5 rationem vocant: ut dies eſtrol fuprà terras:nox,
dicativus atque ſubjectus. Terminos autem voco elſolſubterris. Scire autem
debemus prædictas verba &nonina,quibuspropoſitio nectitur;ut niquifuntper
propoſe ſpecies definitionum, Topicis meritò eſſe ſocia- in ea propoſitione qua
dicimus:Homojuſtus eſt: tas, quoniaminter quædam argumenta funtpoſi- hæc duo
nomina, id eſt, homo & juftus, propo tæ, & nonnullis locis
commemoranturin Topi- fitionis partes vocantur. Eoſdem etiam terminos cis. Nunc
ad Topica veniamus, quæ ſunt argu- dicimus: quorum quidem alter ſubjectuseſt,
al mentorum fedes, fontes ſenſuu, origines di- ter verò prædicativus, Subjectus
eſt terminus, &tionum: de quibus breviter aliqua dicenda ſunt, qui minor
eſt: prædicativus verò, qui major: ut ut &dialecticos locos, &
rhetoricos, ſive corum in ea propolitione, qua dicitur, Homo juſtus,
differentias agnofcere debeamus: ac prius dedia- homo quidem minus eſt, quàm
juſtus. Non Iceticis dicendum eft. enim in folo homine juſtitia eſſe poteft,
verùm etiam in corporeis diviníſque ſubſtantiis: atque De Dialecticis locis.
ideo major eſt terminus, juſtus: homo verò, mi nor; quò fit, ut homo quidem
ſubjectus fit ter Quid die Propoſitio, eft oratio verum - falfúmveſignifi-
minus, juſtus verò prædicativus. Propofitio. cans, utſiquis dicat, cælum eſſe
volubile: hæc Quoniam verò hujuſmodi (implices propolis enuntiatio &
proloquiun nuncupatur: quæſtio tiones alterum habentprædicativum terminum, verò
eft, in dubitationem ambiguitatémque ad- alterum verò ſubje& um, à majoris
privilegio par ducta propofitio; utſiqui quærant, an fit cælum tis propoſitio
prædicativa vocata eft.Sæpe autem Quid Concli- volubile. Concluſio, eft
argumentis approbara evenit, ut hi termini ſibimet inveniantur æqua 330.
propoſitio; ut fi quis exaliis rebus probetcælum les, hocinodo, homoriſibilis
eſt; homo namque effe volubile.Enuntiatio quippe live ſui tantum &
riſibilis uterque ſibi æquus eſt terminus. Nam caufa dicitur,five ad alios ad
ferturad probandum, ncque riſibile ultra hominem, nec ultra riſibile propofitio
eft: cùm de ipſa quæritur, quæſtio: homo porrigitur: ſed in luis hoc evenire
neceſſe lipſa eſt approbáta, conclufio. Idem igitur pro- eſt, utſi quidam
inæquales termini ſunt, major politio,quæſtio, & conclufio, fed
differuntinodo, ſemper de ſubjectoprædicetur: fi verò æquales Quid fit Ar
Argumentum eſt oratio rei dubiæ faciens fi= utrique, converſa de fe
prædicatione dicantur. gumentum. dem. Non verò idem eſt argumentum, quod &
Ut verò minor demajore prædicetur, in nulla arguinentatio. Nam vis ſententiæ
ratióque ea, propoſitione contingit. Fieri autein poteft, ut quæ clauditur
oratione, cùm aliquid probatur propoſitionum partes, quas terminos dicimus,
ambiguum, argumentum vocatur: ipfa verò ar- non ſolum in nominibus, verum
etiain in oratio gumenti elocutio, argulhentatio dicitur; quò fit, nibus
inveniamus. Nam ſæpe oratio deoratione ut argumentum quidem mens
argumentationis prædicatur hoc modo: Socrates cum Placone so Git atque
ſententia: argumentatio verò argument diſcipulis de philoſophiæ ratione
pertractat; hæc per orationem explicatio. quippe oratio, quæ eft, Socratesçum
Platone & Quid fit Locus verò eſt argumenti fedes, vel unde ad diſcipulis,
ſubjecta eſt: illa verò, quæ eft, de propoſitain quæſtionein conveniens
trahitur ar- philofophiæ ratione petractat, prædicatur. Rur gumentum. Quæ cùm
ita fint, ſingulorum dili- ſus aliquando nomenſubjectum eſt, oratio præ ='
gentiùs nătura tractanda eſt, eorumque per fpe- dicaruin, hocmodo: Socrates de
philoſophiæ ra-. cies ac membra figuraſque facienda diviſio. cione pertractat;
hic eniin Socrates ſolus ſubje Acpriùsde propoſitione eſt diſſerendum: hanc
ctus eſt:oratio verò, quàm dicimus, de philoſo eſſe diximus orationein,
veritatem, vel menda- phiæratione pertractat,prædicatur.Evenir etiam,
Duæſuntpro- cium continentem. Hujus duæ ſunt ſpecies: una ut fupponatur oratio,
& fimplex vocabulum pofitionum affirmatio, altera verò negatio. Affirmatio
eſt, prædicetur hoc inodo: Similicudo cum ſupernis fpecies ſub,, fi qui ſic
efferat, Caluin volubile eſt:negatio, li diviníſque ſubſtantiis, juſtitia eſt;
hic enim ora quis ita pronuntiet, cælum volubile non eſt. rio per quam
profertur fimilitudo, cum ſupernis alie. Harumverò aliæ ſunt univerſales, aliæ
ſunt par- diviníſque ſubſtantiis fubjicitur:juſtitia verò pre ticulares, aliæ
indefinicæ, aliæ ſingulares. Uni- dicatur. Sed de hujuſmodipropoſitionibusin
his verſales quidem, ut ſi quis ita proponat: Oin- commentariis, quos in Peri
hermenias Ariſtotelis nis homo juftuseft, nullus homo juſtus eft. Par- libros
ſcripſimus, diligentiùs differuimus. ticulares verò, fi quis hoc modo:Quidamn
homo Arguinentum, eft oratio rei dubiæ faciens fi- Quid fit an juftus eft,
quidam homo juſtus non eſt. Inde- dem:hanc femper notiorem quæſtione elſe nez
gumentum, finitæ fic:Homojuſtus eſt, homo juſtusnon eſt. ceſſe eſt. Nain
liignora nobis probantur, argu Singulares verò funt, quæ de individuo aliquid
mentum verò rem dubiam probat: neceffe eft, ut fingularique proponunt:utCato
juſtuseſt, Cato quod ad fidem quæſtionis affertur, fit ipfa notius juſtus non
eft; etenim Cato individuus eſt, ac quæſtione. Argumentorum verò oinnium alia
Multiplicito fingularis. ſuntprobabilia & neceſſaria:alia veròprobabilia
Juris Argan Harum verò alias prædicativas, alias conditio. quidem, ſed non
neceſſaria: alia neceffaria; ſed nales vocainus. Prædicativæ funt, quæ fimpli-
non probabilia:alia nec probabilia, nec neceffaria. Quid forProm citer
proponuntur, id eſt, quibus nulla vis con- Probabile verò eſt, quod
videturvelomnibus, vel bavile Argu ditionis adjungitur: ut fi quis fimpliciter
dicat, pluribus, velfapientibus, & his vel omnibus, vel mensun. Cælum eſſe
volubile. At, li huic conditio copu- pluribus, vel maximè notis, atque
præcipuis, letur, fit ex duabus propoſitionibus una condi- vel unicuique
artifici fecundum propriam facul tionalis, hocmodo: Cælum (irotundum ſit, efle
càtem; ut de medecinamedico, gubernatori de volubile; hîc enim conditio id
efficit, ut ita de- navibus gubernandis: & præterea quod ei vides mum cælum
volubile eſſe intelligatur, ſit ro- tur cuin quo fermo conſeritur, vel ipſi qui
judi tundum. Quoniam igitur aliæ propofitiones præ- cat. In quo nihil artiner
verum falfùmvelit árgưr dicativæ ſunt, aliæ conditionales: prædicativa- mentum,
fi tantùm veriſimilitudinem tenet. rum partes, terminos appellamus. Hi ſunt præ
Neceffariun vero eft, quod ut dicitar, ita eſt, Quidfor Ne cearium. Сccc ij
Locis. quibus multe mentorum genera. 572 Caffiodorus rium. atque aliter eſſe
non poteft: & probabile quidein, fpeciebusutiturargumentis, quæfunt probabi
ac neceflarium eſt; ut hoc ſi quid cuilibet rei ſic le ac neceſſarium,
neceſſariuin ac non probabile. additum, totum majus efficitur. Neque enim Patet
igitur, in quo philoſophus ab oratore, ac quifquam ab hąc propoſitione
diffentiet, & ita ſe dialectico in propria confideratione diſſideat; in
Quid fit le habere neceſſe eſt. Probabilia verò acnon ne- co ſcilicet, quod
illis probabilitatem, huic veri provabile ac ceffaria, quibus facilè quidem
animus acquief- tatem conſtat elle propofitam. Quarta yerò fpe non neceffa- cit,
fed veritatis non tenet firmitatem; ut cies argumenti, quain ne arguinentun
quiden học, ſi mater eſt, diligit. Neceſſaria verò funt, rectè dici
ſupràmonſtravimus, fophiftis Tola eſt Quid fit ne cilarium,ac ac non
probabilia, quæ ita quidein eſſe, ut dicun- attributa. Topicorum verò intentio
eft, verili non probabile tur ſe habere, necefle eft, ſed his facilè non con-
milium argumentorum copiam demonſtrares de ſentit auditor:ut ob objectum
Lunaris corporis, fignatis enim locis,è quibus probabilia arguinen bredamſunt
Solis evenire defectunt. Neque neceſſaria verd ta ducuntur, abundans.&
copiofa neceſſe fiat nec neceffa- peque probabilia funt, quæ neque in opinione
materia differendi. ria,necpro- hominum, neque in veritate confiftunt, ut hoc,
Sed quoniam, ut fuprà dictum eſt, proba babilia habere quæ non perdiderit
cornua Diogenem, bilium argumentorum alia funt neceffaria, quoniam habcatid
quiſque quod non perdiderit; alia non neceſſaria: cùm loci probabilium ar quæ
quidem nec argumenta dici poſſunt: argu- guntentorum dicuntur, evenit, ut
neceſſario mentaenim rei dubiæ faciunt fidem. Ex his au- ruin quoque doceantur,
quo fit, ut oratoribus tem nulla fides eſt, quæ neque in opinione, ne- quidem
ac dialecticis hæc principaliter facultas que in veritate ſunt conſtitutą. Dici
tamen poo parecur, ſecundo verò loco philofophis. Nam teſt, ne illa quidem eſſe
argumenta, quæ cùm fint in quo probabilia quidem omnia conquiruntur, neceffaria,
minimè tamen audientibus appro- dialectici atque oratores javanțur: in quibus
verò bantur. Nam ſi rei dubiæ fit fides, cogendus eft probabilia ac neceffaria
docentur, philoſophic.e animus auditoris, per ea quibus ipſe adquieſcit,
demonſtrationi miniſtratar ubertas. Non modò u concluſioni quoque, quam nondum
probar, igitur dialecticus atqueorator, verùm etiam de poſlit accedere. Quod fi
quæ tantùm neceffaria monſtrator, ac veræ argumentationis effector, (unt, ac
non probabilia, non probat ille qui ju- babetquod ex propoſitislocis libi
poſſit adſuine dicat,eltneceſſe, utneillud quidein probet,quod re. Cùm inter
argumentorum probabilium focos, ex hujuſcemodi ratione conficitur. Itaque
evenit neceſſariorum quoque principia traditio mixta ex hujufmodi
ratiocinatione, ea, quæ tantùm contineat. Illa verò argumenta, quæ neceſſaria
neceffaria ſunt, ac non probabilia, non efle ar- quidein ſunt, ſed non
probabilia; atque illud gumenta. Sed non ita eſt, atque hæc interpreta- ultimum
genus; fcilicet ilec probabile,nec ne tio non rectæ probabilitatis
intelligentiam tenet. ceſſarium,à propofiti operisconſideratione fem Ea funt enimprobabilia,
quibusſponte, atque jundum eſt. Nili quod interdum quidam ſophi ultrò conſenſus
adjungitur; ſcilicet ut moxaudi- ſtici loci exercendi gratia lectoris
abhibentura ta fint, approbentur. Quocirca Topicorum pariterutilitas
intencióque de fint ar Quæ veròneceffariafunt,ac nonprobabilia,aliis patefacta
eft; his enim & dicendi facultas, &in gamenta pro babilia. probabilibus
ac neceſſariis argumentisantea de veſtigatio veritatis augetur.
monſtrátur,cognitáque &credita, ad alterius rei, Nam quid dialecticos atque
Oratores locorum locorum ** de qua dubitatur, fidem trahuntur;ut ſuntfpecu-
juvát agnitio? Orationi per inventionem co micos arque lationes,id
cft,cheoremata, quæ in Geometriacon- piampræftant. Quid verò neceffariorum
doctri- Oratoresmus fiderantut. Nam quæ illic proponuntur, non funt nam locorum
philoſophis tradit? viam quodam- sum juvas. talia, ut in his fponte
animusdiſçentis accedar: modo veritatis illuftrat. Quò magis perveſtis ſed
quoniam demonſtrantur aliis argumentis, illa ganda eft rimandâque ulterius
diſciplina ea, quæ quoque ſçita & cognita ad aliarum fpeculatio- cùm
cognitione percepra uſu atque exer pumargumenta ducuntur.Itaque probabilia non
citatione firmanda. Magnum enim aliquid lo Cunt, ſed ſunt neceſſaria his quidem
auditoribus, corum conſideratio pollicetur, fcilicetinvenien quibus nondum
demonſtrata funt: ad aliud ali- di vias; quod quidem hi, qui ſunt hujus
rationis quid probandum, argumenta effe non poffunt; expertes,ſoliprorſus
ingenio deputantur: neque hi autem qui peioribus rationibus eorum, qui-
intelligunt, quantun hac conſiderationequærat bus non adquieſcebant, fidem
cceperunt, poffunt, cur, quæ in artem redigit vim poteſtatemque na cas quæ non
ambigunt, ad argumentuin vocare. turæ. Sed de his hactenus: nunc de reliquis ex
Sed quia quatuor facultatibus differendi omne plicemus. artificium continetur,
dicendum eſt qux quibus uti noverit argumentis; ut, cui potiſſimum diſci De
Syllogiſmise plinæ locorum atque argjinentorum paritur u Diale &tice,
bertas, evidenterappareat. Quatuorigitur fa Syllogiſmorum verò
aliiſuntprædicativi, qut" Syllogiſmialii Oratori, Phi- cultatibus,earúmque
velutopificibus,differendi categorici vocantur,aliiconditionales,quos hy-
predication Dolopho, so omnis ratio ſubjecta eft, id eſt, dialectico, ora,
potheticos dicimus. Et prædicativiquidem funt, males, com phifte dife
rendiomnis tori, philofopho, ſophiſtæ. Quorum quidem qui ex omnibus
prædicativis propoſitionibus quid fins. ratio fobjekta dialecticus atque orator
in communi argumen- connectuntur sur is, quem exempli gratiafupes, torummateria
verſautur; uterque enim,five ne- riùs adnotavi, omnibus enim propoſitionibus
cellaria, kve minimè, probabilia tamen ſequitur prædicativis
texitur.Hypothetici verò funt,quo Quefit diffe ventia inter argumenta. His
igitur illæ duæ fpecies argu- ium propofitiones conditione nituntur, ut hics
Dialecticum, menti famulantur,quæ funt probabile ac non si dies eft, lux eſt
zett autem dies, lux igitur eſte Oratorent & neceffarium: philoſophus vero
ac demonftrator Propofitia enim prima conditionem tenet hanc, Philoſuphum. de
ſela tantum veritate pertractant: Asque ideo quoniam ita demum lux eft, fi dies
eft. Atque ſive liņt probabilia, five non fint, nihil referi,' idea fyllagiſmus
hic, hypochericus, id eſt condi modo duin ſine peceſlaria: bic quoque his
duabus tiopalis vocatur. Inductio verò eft oratio, per i i Onid fais duftio. De
Dialectica: 573 Tuniwy. $ niio. 0 10 OS 2712 quam fitàparticularibus ad
univerfale progreflio, plumvocamus:quoniam vero non pluresquibus hoc modo: Siin
regendis navibusnan forte, ſed id efficiat colligit partes, ab inductione
diſcedit. arte legitur gubernator: fi regendis equis auriga Ita igitur duæ
quidem ſunt argumentandiſpecies non fortis eventu, ſed commendatione artis ad-
principales: una, quæ dicitur fyllogiſmus, alte ſumitur: fi in adminiftranda
republica non ſorsra que vocaturinductio; ſub his aurem, &veluc principem
facit,ſed peritía moderandi; & fimi- ex his manantia, enthymema atque
exemplum, * Ed. infe- lia, quæ in pluribus conquiruntur, quibus * im- Quæquidem
omnia ex ſyllogiſmo ducuntur, & pertitur: & in omni quoque re, quam
quiſque ex fyllogifino vires accipiunt: live enim ſit enthy regi atque
adminiſtrari gnaviter volet, qui non 'mena, liveinductio, live etiam exemplum,
ex forte accommodat, ſed arte, rectorem, fyllogiſmo quàm maximè fidem capit;
quod in Vides igitur quemadmodum per fingulas res prioribus reſolutoriis, quæ
ab Ariſtotele tranftu currat oratio,ur ad univerſale perveniat.Nam cùm linus,
denonſtratumeft. Quocirca fatis eſt de non forte regi, ſed arte navim, currum,
rempubli- fyllogilino differere, quaſi principali, & cæte cam collegiffet,
quali in cæteris ſeſe quoque ita ras argumentandiſpecies continente. habeat,
quod erat univerſale concluſit: in omni Reſtat nunc quid fit locus, aperiçe.
Locus nam- Quid forlocais bus quoque rebus, non ſorte ductum, fed arte, que eſt,
ut* Marco Tullio placet, argumentifea Dialectico. * MSS.Man præcipuum debere
præponi. Sæpe autem multo, des; cujus definitionis quæ fitvis, paucis abſol rum
collecta particularitas aliud quiddam parti- vam, Argunventi enim fedes partin
maxinia culare demonſtrat; ut fi quis fic dicat: Si neque propoſitio intelligi
poteft, partim propofitionis navibus, ncque curribus, neque agris ſorte præ-
inaximè differentia. Nam cùm fint alize propoli ponuntur; nec rebus quidein
publicis rectores tiones, quæ cùin per ſe notæ lint, cùm nihil ul eſſe ſorte
ducendi funt. Quod argumentationis teriùs habeant, quo demonftrentur, atque hæ
genus maxiinè folet eſſe probabile, etſi non maxinæ & principales vocentur,
funtque aliæ æquam ſyllogyſmi habeat firinitatem. Syllogif- quarum fidem primæ
ac maximæ, fuppleant mus namqueabuniverfalibus ad particularia de-
propofitiones: neceffe eft, ut omnium quæ curret. Eftque in eo, fi veris
propoſitionibus dubitantur, illæ antiquiſſimam teneant pro+ contexatur, firma
atque immutabilis veritas. bationein; quæ ira aliis fidem facere poffunt, Ut
inductio habet quidem maximam probabi- ut ipſis nihil queat notius inveniri.
Nam li litatem, ſed interdum veritate deficitur; ut in argumentum eſt, quod rei
dubiæ faciat fidem, hac: Qui fcir canere, cantor eſt: & qui luctari ídque
notius ac probabilius eſſe oportet, quàm luctaror: quique ædificare, ædificator;
quibus illud quodprobatur: neceſſe eſt, utargumentis multis fimili jatione
collectis, inferri poteſt: omnibus illa maximam fidem tribuant, quæ ita Qui
fcit igitur malum,malus eſt, quod non pro- per ſe nota ſunt, at alienâ
probationenon egeant: cedit;mali quippe notitia deeſſe non poteſt bonoš Sed
hujulinodi propoſitio aliquotiens quidem virtusenim ſeſe diligit, aſpernatúrque
contraria, intra argumenti ambitum continetur: aliquotiens nec vitare vitium
niſi cognitum queat. yerò extra polita, argumenti vires ſupplet ac per His
igitur duobus velut principiis, &generibus fices, Duo funt alii
argumentandi, duo quidem alii deprehenduntur Cinnes igitur loci, id eft;
maximarum diffe, Omnes loci à argumentori argumentationis modi: unusquidem
fyllogiſmo, rentiæ propoſitionum, aut ab his ducantur ne quibus ternii modi,
Enthy alter verò inductioni ſuppoſitus. In quibus qui- ceſſe eſt terminis, qui
in quæſtione ſunt propo memaſciet exemplum, ea dempromptumſit conſiderarequod,
ille quidem fiti, prædicato ſcilicețarquefubjeéto: aut extrin qaid (ma à fyllogiſmo,
ille verò ab indu & ione ducat exor- ſecus adfumantur:auc horum medii acque
inter dium: non tamen,aut hicfyllogiſmum, aut ille utrofque verſentur. Eorun
verò locoruin, qui impleat inductionem; hæc autem ſunt enthyine ab hisducuntur
terininis, de quibus in quæſtione ma, atque exemplum, Euthymema quippe eft
dubitatur, duplex modus eſt: unus quidem ab imperfectus fyllogiſmus, id eſt
oratio, in qua non corum fubftantia, aker verò ab his, quæ eoruin omnibus antea
propoſitionibus conftitutis,inter ſubſtantiam conſequuntur shi verò quià
ſubftária tur feſtinata conclufiosut fi quis ſic dicat: homo funt, inſola
definitione conliſtunt.Definitio enim animal eſt, ſubſtantiaigicur eſt;
præterınjſic eniin ſubſtantiammónftrát; & fubſtaạtiæ integra det alteram propofitionem,
quâ proponitur omne monſtratio, definitio eſt. Sed, id quod dicimus, aniinal
elle fubftantiam. Ergo cùm enthymema patefaciamus exemplis;ut omnis vel
quæftionum, ab univerſalibus ad particularia probanda con- vel arguinentationum,
vel locoruin ratio con tendit, quali ſimile Jyllogiſmo eft. Quod vero quieſcat.
Age enim quæratur; an arkores ani non omnibus, qu:e conveniunt
fyllogiſmo,propor malialint, řátque hujuſmodifyllogiſmus: ani+ ſitionibus
utitur, à fyllogiſmi ratione difcet mal eftfubftantia animata ſenſibilis:non
eft arbor dit, atque ideò imperfectus vocatuseft fyllogif- fubftantia animata
fenfibilis; igitur arbor animal mus, non eft. Hic quæſtio de genere eft; utrùm
enim Exemplum quoque inductioni fimili ràtionę arboresfub aniinaliumgenere
panendæ fint,qux & copulatur, & ab ea diſcedit. Eft enim exem- ritur:
locus qui in univerſali propofitione con, plum, quod perparticulare propoſitum,particu-
filtit, huic generis definitio non convenit, id lare quoddam contendit
oſtendere, hoc modo; ejus, cujus ea definitio eft, fpecies non eſt loci Oportet
à Tullio conſule necari Catilinan, cùm fuperioris differentia: qui locus
nihilominus à Scipione Gracchus fueritinteremptus; appro, nuncupatur à
definitione. batum eſt enim Catilinam à Cicerone debere pe Vides igitur ut çora
dubitatio quæftionis fyllo rimi, quod â Scipione Gracehus fuerit occiſus: giſmi
argumentatione* tracta (it per convenien: * Ed.sracht quæ utraque particularia
effe, ac non univerſalià tes & congruas propoſitiones,quæ vim ſuam ex
"4. lingularum deſignat interpoſitio perſonarum prima &maxima
propofitionecuftodiunt; ex ea Quoniamigiturex parte pars approbatur, quafi
{cilicet, quænegat effe fpeciem, cui ñnon conve: inductionis fimilitudinem
tenet id, quodexem- niat generis definitio, Acque ipſa univerſalis pro nis
ducantur: 374 Caſſiodorus ftantia du tem. poſitio à ſubſtantia tracta eſt unius
eorum termi- eſt, hoc modo fæpe quæſtionibus argumenta ni, qui in quæſtione
locati ſunt; ut animalis,id fuppeditat; ut fi fit quæſtio, an juſtitia utilis
fit, eſt, ab ejusdefinitione,quæ eſt ſubſtantia anima- fit fyllogiſmus: Omnis
virtus utilis elt, juſtitia ra ſenſibilis. Igitur in cæteris quæftionibus ſtri-
autem virtus eſt, ergo juſtitia utilis eſt. Quæſtio ctim ac breviter locorum
differentiis coinmemo- de accidenti, id eſt, an accidat juftitiæ utilitas.
fatis, oportet uniuſcujuſque proprietatem vigi- Locus is, qui in maxima
propoſitione conſiſtir. lantis animi alacritate percipere. Quæ generi adfunt,
& fpeciei. Hujus ſuperior Locus ex ſub Hujus aureinloci, qui ex fuſtſtantia
ducitur, locus à toto, id eſt, à genere, virtute ſcilicet, quæ ftus, duplex
duplex modus eſt; partim namquc à definitione, juſtitiæ genus eſt. Rurſus fit
quæſtio, an huma eft. partim à deſcriptione argumenta ducuntur. næ res
providentiâ,regantur. Cùm dicimus, li Differt autem definitio à deſcriptione,
quòd mundus, providentiâ regitur: homines autem Que fit dif- definitio genus ac
differentias affumic: def- pars mundi funt: humanæ igitur res providen ferentia
inter criptio verò ſubjectain intelligentiam - claudit, tia reguntur. Quæſtio
de accidenti, Locus quod defcriptiq quibuſdam vel accidentibus unam
efficientibus toti evenit, id congruit etiam parti. Supremus proprietatein, vel
ſubſtantialibus præter genus locus à toro, id eſt, ab integro. Quod partibus
conveniens aggregatis. Sed definitiones, quæ ab conftat, id verò eft mundus,
qui hominum to accidentibus fiunt, tamen videntur nullo modo tum eſt.
ſubſtantiam demonftrare: tamen quoniam fæpe A partibus etiain duobus modis
argumenta naf- A partibus veræ definitionesita ponuntur, quæ ſubſtantiam cuntur:
aut enim à generis partibus, quæ ſunt, duobus modis monſtrant: illæ etiam
propofitiones,quæ à deſcri- fpecies:aut ab integri, id eſt, torius; quæ par-
azamente ptione fumuntur,à fubftantiæ loco videntur affu- tes tantum proprio
vocabulo nuncupantur. Et Mojcanine. mi. Hujus verò tale fit exemplum; quæratur
de his quidem partibus, quæ ſpecies funt, hoc enim, an albedo ſubſtantia fit:
hic quæritur, an modo fit quæſtio, an virtus mentis benè conſti albedo
ſubftantiæ, velut generi ſupponatur. Di- tutæ fic habitus: quæſtio de
definitione, id eft, cimus igitur: ſubſtantia elt, quod omnibusacci- an habitus
benè conſtitutæmentis,virtutis lit de dentibus poſſit eſſe ſubjectum: albedo
verò nul- finitio. Facieinus itaque ab ſpeciebus argumen dis accidentibus
fubjacet, albedo igitur fubſtan- tationem lic: Si juftitia, fortitudo,
inoderatio, tia non eſt. Locus, id eſt, maxima propoſitio, atque prudentia,
habitus benè conftituræ mentis eadem quæ fuperiùs. Cujus enimdefinitio vel funt:
hæc autem quatuorunivirtuti velut generi deſcriptio ei,quod dicitur,ſpecies
effe non conve- ſubjiciuntur: virtus igitur benè conſtitutæ men nit, id ejus
quod eſſe ſpecies perhibetur, genus tis eſt habitus. Maxima propoſitio; quod
enin noneſt. Deſcriptio verò fubftantiæ albedini non ſingulis partibus ineſt,
id toti inefTe neceffe eft. convenitalbedo: igitur ſubſtantia non eſt.
Argumentum verò à partibus, id eſt, à generis Locus differentia ſuperior à
deſcriptione; quam partibus, quæ ſpecies nuncupantur; juſtitia enim, duduin
locavimus in ratione ſubſtantiæ. Sunt fortitudo, modeſtia & prudentia,
virtutis fpe etiam definitiones, quæ non à rei ſubſtantia, ſed cies ſunt. à
nominis ſignificatione ducuntur, atque itą rei, Item ab his partibus, quæ
integri partes eſſe di de qua quæritur, applicantur; ut ſi ſît quæicio, cuncur,
fit quæſtio, an fit utilismedicina. Hæc utrumnephiloſophiæ ſtudendum fit, erit
argu: in accidentis dubitatione conftituta eſt. Dicimus mentatio talis:
Philofophia ſapientiæ amor eſt, igitur, ſi depelli morbos, ſalurémque fervari,
huic ſtudendum nemo dubitat: Itudendum igitut mederique vulneribus utile eft:
igitur medicina eſt philofophiæ. Hic enim non definitio rei, ſed eſt utilis.
Sæpe autem & una quælibet pars valer, nominis interpretatio argumentum
dedit. Quod ut argumentationis firmitas conſtet, hoc inodo; etiam Tullius in
oſtenſione ejuſdem philofophiæ ut fi de aliquo dubitetur, an fit liber: ficum
vel uſus eſt defenfione, & vocatur Græcè quidem cenſu, velteſtamento, vel
vindictâ manumiſ ovouzOtong, Latinè autem nominis definitio. fum eſſe
monſtremus, liber oſtenſus eſt: atque Hæc de his quidem argumentis, quæ ex
ſubſtan- aliæ partes erantdandæ libertatis. Vel rurſus, fi cia terminorum in
quæſtione politorun fumun- dubitetur, an ſir domus quod eminus conſpici tur,
claris,ut arbitror,patefecimus exemplis: nunc tur: dicimus quoniam non eſt; nam
vel rečtun de his dicendum eſt, qui terminorum ſubſtana ei, vel parietes, vel
fundamenta defunt, ab una tiam conſequuntur. rurſus parte factum eſt
arguinentum. Divifio loco Horum verò multifaria diviſio eſt; plura enim Oportet
autem non folùm in ſubſtantiis, ve Tum qui(ubu funt, quæ ſingulis ſubſtantiis
adhæreſcunt: ab růın etiam in modo, temporibus, quantitatibus, franciam com his
igitur, quæcujuſlibet ſubſtantiam comitan- torum, partéfque reſpicere. Id enim
quod dici fequantur. tur, argumenta duci folent, aut ex toto, aut ex mus
aliquando in teinpore, pars': rurſus li fim partibus, aut ex caufis, vel
efficientibus,vel ma- pliciter aliquid proponamus,in modo totum eſt: teria, vel
fine. Er eſt efficiens quidem cauſa, li cum adječtione aliqua, pars fit in
modo. Item quæ inover atque operatur, ut aliquid explice- fi omnia dicamusin
quantitate, tòrum dicimus: tur: materia verò, ex qua fit aliquid,vel in quafit:
fialiquid quantitatisexcerpimus, quantitatis po, propter quod fit. Sunt etiam
inter eos lo- nimus partem. Eodem modo &in loco: quod cos, qui ex his
ſumuntur, quæ ſubſtantiain con- ubique eſt, totum eſt: quod alicubi, pars. How
ſequuntur, aut ab effectibus, aut à corruptioni- ruin autem omnium communiter
dentur exem bus', aut ab uſibus, aut præter hos omnes ex pla. A toto ad partem
fecundum tempus: fi communiter accidentibus. Quæ cùm ita fint, Deus ſemper eſt,
&nunc eſt. A parte ad totum cum priùs locum, qui à toto fumitur, inſpicia-
ſecundum modum:ſi *anima aliquo modo niové» * MSS. amie tur, & fimpliciter
movetur; movetur autem cum mal. Totum duobus modis dici folet: aut ut genus,
irafcitur;univerſaliter igitur & fimpliciter mo bus modisdi- aut ut idquod
ex pluribus integrum partibus vetur. Rurfus à toro ad partes in quantitate: fi
conſtat. Er illud quidem quod ut genus, totum finis mus. Totum duo citur. 1 1
De Dialectica. 3 teria, fi jori. TA A. > verus in omnibus Apollo vatės eſt;
verum erit oppoſitis, vel ex tranffuinptione. Et ille quidem Pyrrhum Romanos
ſuperare. Rurſus in loco, fi locus, qui rei judiciuin tenet, hujuſmodi eft; ut
Locus à rei Deus ubique eft, & hîc igitur eſt. id dicamus effe, vel quod
omnes judicant, vel judicio. Locusà came "Sequitur locus, quinuncupaturà
cauſis. Sunt plures, & hivel ſapientes, vel ſecundam unam fis multiplex.
verò plures cauſa, id eft, quæ vel principium quanque artem penitus
eruditi.Hujus exempluin præſtantmotusatque efficiunt: vel ſpecierum for- eft,
cælum eſſe volubile: quòd ita fapientes, atque mas ſubjectæ ſuſcipiunt: vel
propter eas aliquid, in Aſtronoinia do & illimi diſudicaverint. Quæ vel quæ
cujuſlibet forma eſt. ſtio de accidente. Propofitio, quod omnibus,vel Zocus ab
effi- Argumentum igitur ab eficiente cauſa; ut fi pluribus, veldoctis videtur
hominibus,ei contra ciense cauſa. quis juſtitiam naturalemn velit oſtendere,
dicat: dici non poſſe. Locus à rei judicio. congregatio hominum naturalis eſt:
juſtitiam A fimilibus verò hoc modo, fi dubitetur, an verò congregatio hominum
fecit: juſtitia igitur hominis proprium fit eſſe bipedem, dicimus fi naturalis
eſt. Quæſtio de accidente. Maximapro- militer: ineſt equo quadrupes, &
homini bipes; poſitio: quorum effacientescauſæ naturales ſunt, non eft autem
equi quadrupes proprium; non eft apſa quoque ſunt naturalia. Locus ab
efficienti igitur hominis propriuin bipes. Quæſtio de pro bus; quodenim
uniuſcujuſque cauſa eſt,id efficit prio. Maxiina propoſitio. Si quod
limiliterineſt, can rem, cujus caufa eft, non eſt proprium, ne id quidem de quo
quæritur, Locus à ma Rurſus, ſi quis Mauros arima non habere con- eſſe
propriuin poteſt. tendat, dicit idcirco eos minimè armis uti, quia Locus à
fimilibus: hic verò in gemina dividitur. Locus àfomi libus duplex. his ferrum
deſit. Maximapropoſitio, ubi materia Hæc enim fimilitudo, aut in qualitate, aut
in deeſt, & quod ex materia efficitur, defit locus à quantitate conſiſtit:
ſed in quantitate paritas mareria: utrumque verò, ideft, ex efficientibus
nuncupatur, id eſtæqualitas. atque materia,uno nomine à cauſa dicitur. Æquè
Rurfus ab eo quod eſt majus, fi an fit animalis Locais à Ma. enim id quod
efficit, atque id quod operantis definitio, quod ex ſe moveri poffit, dicimus,
actum ſuſcipit, ejus rei, quæ efficitur, cauſæ magis oportet eſſe animalis
definitionem, quòd funt. naturaliter vivat, quàm quòd ex ſemoveri poffit Locais
à fine. Rurſus à fine fit propofitum, an juftitia bona Non eft autem hæc
definitio animalis, quòd natu fit, fiet argumenratio talis. Si beatum eſſe, bo-
raliter vivat: ne hæc quidem, quæ minùs vide num eſt, & juſtitia bona eſt;
hic eſt enim juſtitiæ tur effe definitio, quod ex ſe inoveripoſſit, ani finis,
ut qui ſecundum juſtitiam vivit, ad beati- malis definitio eſſe paranda eſt.
Quæſtio de defi rudinem perducatur. Maxima propoſitio, cujus nitione.
Propoſitio maxima. Si id quod magis finis bonus eft, ipſum quoque bonum eft.
Locus videbitur ineſſe non ineſt, ne illud quidem à fine. quod minus ineffe
videtur, inerit. Locus ab eo Loctus a for Ab eo verò, quæcujuſque forma eſt,ità
non po- quod eſt inajus. tuiſſe volare Dædalum, quoniam nullasnaturalis A
minoribus verò converſo modo. Nam fi eft locus à formæ pennas habuiſſet.Maxima
propoſitio, tan- hominis definitio, animal grellibile bipes: cúm- mori. tìm
quemque poffe, quantùın formapermiſerit. que id bipes videatur effe definitio
hominis mi Locus à forma, nus. quàm animal rationale mortalc; fitque defi Loc
tus ab effe, Ab'effectibus verò, & corruptionibus, &uſibus nitio ea
hominis, quæ dicit animal grellibile bi Etibus, corrm- hoc modo: namn ti bonum
eſt,domus, conſtru- pes, erit definitio hominis, animal rationale - ptionibus,
&io bonum eſt, bonum eſt domus. Rurfus fi mortale. Quæſtio de definitione.
Maxima propo ufibus., maluin eſt, deſtructio domus: bona eſt domus,& ficio:
Si id quod minus videtur ineffe, ineſt: & fi bona eſt domus, mala eſt
deſtructio domus. id quod magis videtur inefle, inerit. Multæ au Item ſi bonum
eſt equitare, bonum eſt equus: & tem diverfitates locorum ſunt, ab eo quod
eſſe fi bonum eſt equus, bonum eſt equitare. Eſt au- magis acminùs, argumenta
miniſtrantium: quos tein primum quidem exemplum à generationi- in expoſitione
Topicorum Ariſtotelis diligentius bus, quodidem ab effectibus vocari poteft.
Sea perſequuti fumus. cunduin à corruptionibus, tertium ab ufibus. Item ex
proportione: ut fi quæràtur, an ſorte Lucus ex pro Omnium autem maximæ
propofitiones: cujus fint legendi in civitatibus magiſtratus, dicamus portione.
effectio bonaeſt, ipfum quoque bonum eſt, & è minimè: quia ne in navibus
quidem gubernator converfo: & cujus corruptio mala eſt, ipſum bo- forte
præficitur: eſt eniin proportio, nain ut fele nuin eſt, & è converſo:
&cujus uſus bonuseſt, habet gubernatorad navem, itamagiſtratus adci ipfum
bonum eft, & è converſo. vitatem. Hic autem locus diftat ab eo, quod ex ſi
Locus à com A coinmuniter autem accidentibus argumenta milibus ducitur. Ibi
enim una res quæ cuilibet muniteracci- funt, quotiens ea ſumuntur accidentia,
quæ re- & alii comparatur: in proporcione verò non eſt linquere ſubjectum,vel
non poffunt, vel non ſo. limilitudo rerum, fed quædam habitudinis coin lent;
utſi quis hoc inodo dicat: ſapiens non pa paratio. Quæſtio de accidenti
proportione.Quod nitebit; pænitentia enim malum factum comita- in
quaquereevenit, id in ejus proportionali eve tur: quod quia in ſapiente non
convenit, ne poe- nire neceſſe eſt. Locus à proportione. nitentia
quidein.Quæſtio de accidentibus.Propo Ex oppoſitis verò multiplexlocus eft.
Quatuor Locus ex op fitio maxima: cui non ineft aliquid,ei neillud qui- enim
libimet opponuntur modis; aut enim ut pofo ismulti dein, quod ejus eſt
conſequens, ineffe poteſt. contraria adverfo ſeſe loco conſtituta refpiciunt:
plex. Locus à coinmuniter accidentibus. aut ut privatio, & habitus: aut
relatio: aut affir De lo cis ex Expeditisigitur locis his, qui ab ipſis
terminis inatio &négatio. Quorum diſcretiones in co li srinfecus. in
propofitfone poſitis, affumuntur: nunc de his bro qui de decem prædicamentis
fcripruscſt,com dicendum eft, qui licet extrinfecuspoſiti, argu- meinoratæ
ſunt; ab his hocmodoargumentanaſ menta tamen quæſtionibusfubminiftrant: hi ve
ro ſunt vel ex rei judicio, vel ex ſimilibus, vel à A contrariis fi quæratur,
an lit virtutis pro- Locus à con majore, vel à minore, velà proportione, velex
prium laudari, dicam minimè: quoniam ne vitii trariis.; D cuntur. 570
Caſſiodorus Jocentu. habits. sione. Locus ex. ne. quidem vituperari. Quæſtio de
proprio. Maxi- ſecundum proprii nominis fimilitudinem corr ma propoſitio:
quoniam contrariis contraria fequuntur. conveniunt. Locus ab oppoſitis, id eft,
ex con Mixti verò loci appellantur: quoniam ſi de ju- Qui mirtilo. ' trario.
ſtitia quæritur, & à caſu, vel à conjugatis argu Locuus à pri Rurſus ſit in
quæſtione pofitum: An ſit pro- menta ducuntui; neque ab ipſa propriè atque
vatione prium oculos habentium videre, dicam miniinè: conjunctè, neque ab his
quæ ſunt extrinſecus eos namque qui vident, aliàs etiam cæcos eſſe polica videntur
trahi, fed ex ipſoruin calibus, id contingit. Nain in quibus eſt habitus,in
eiſdem eſt, quadam ab iplis levi immutatione deductis: poteriteſſe privatio;
& quod eſt proprium, non Jure igitur hi loci medii inter eos, qui ab iplis,
poreſt àſubjecto diſcedere. Etquoniam venien- & eosquiſunt extrinfecus,
collocantur. te cæcitate viſus abfcedit:non effe proprium ocu Reſtat locus à
diviſione, qui tractatur hoc mo- Locus è divi. los habentium videre
convincitur. Quæſtio de de. Omnis diviſio vel negatione fit, vel parti- fione
fisvel proprio. Propofitio, ubi privatio adetle poteft tione; ut ſi quis ita
pronuntiet: omne animal negatione,vel Partitione & habitus, proprium
nonelt. Locus ab oppofi- aut habet pedes, autnon haber. Partitione verò, tis,
ſecunduin habitum ac privationein. velut ſi quis dividat: omnis hoino aut ſanus,
aut Zocus à rela. Rurſus ſit in quxſtione pofitum, an patris fit æger eft. Fit
autem univerfa divifio, vel, ut ge proprium procreatorem eſſe, dicain rectè
videri: neris in ſpecies, vel.totius in partes, vel vocis in quia filii eſt
propriuin procrcatum efle; ut enim proprias ſignificationes, vel accidentis in
ſubje ſeſe habet pater ad filium, ita procreatus ad pro- cta, velſubjecti in
accidentia, vel accidentis in Creatorem. Quæſtio de proprio. Propofitiomaxi-
accidentia. Quorum omnium rationemin meo ma: ad ſe relatorum propria, &
ipſa ad ſe refe- libro diligentius explicavi, quem de diviſione Libram dedi
runtur. Locus à relativis oppofitis. Locus ab af compoſui:atque idcircoad
horuin cognitionem vifione com pour celſis formatione e Item fit in quæſtione
politum, an lit ani- congrua petantur exempla. Fiunt verò argumen - dow
negatione. malis proprium moveri, negem: quia nec tationes per diviſionem, tun
ea ſegregatione, * Ed. in ani- * inaniinati quidein eſt proprium non moveri.
qux per negationem fit, cum ea quæ per parti mali. Quæſtio de proprio.
Propofitio inaxiina: op- tionem. Sed qui his diviſionibus utuntur, aut di
politorum oppoſitaeſſe propria oportere. Ló- re& tâ ratiocinatione
contendunt: aut in aliquid cus ab ppolitis, ſecundum affirmationem ac
impoſibile atque inconveniens ducunt, atque negationem; moveri enim & non
moveri, ſe- ita id quod reliquerant, rurſus adſumunt. cundum affirmationem
negationémque fibimmer Quæ faciliùs quiſque cognoſcer, li prioribus opponuntur.
Analiticis operam dederit: horum tamen in præ Ex tranſſumptione verò hoc modo
fit: cùm ex fentitalia præftabunt exempla notitiain. Sit in transJumptio.
histerminis in quibus quæſtio conſtituta eft,ad quæſtionepropoſituin, an
ulaorigo fit temporis: aliud quidem notius dubitatio transfertur; atque quod
qui negare volet, id nimirum ratiocinatio ex ejus probationeea, quse in
quæſtione ſunt po- ne firmabit mallo, modo effe ortum:ídque dire ſita,
confirmantur; ut Socrates, cùin quid pof- &tâ ratiocinatione monftrabit,
hocmodo: quo ſet in unoquoque juſtitia, quæreret; omnein niain mundusærernus
eſt (id enim pauliſper ar tractatum ad reipublicæ tranſtulit inagnitudi-
guinenti gratiâ concedatur ) mundus verò fine nem; atque ex co quodilla
efficeret infingulis, tempore effe non potuit, teinpus quoque eſt æter etiani
valere fitinavit. Qui locus à roro forſican num: ſed quod æternum eſt, carerorigine:
tem eſſe videretur: ſed quoniam non inhæret in his, pus igitur orignem non
habet. Atſi per impolli de quibus proponitur terminis, fed extra poſita
bilitatein idem deſideretur oſtendi, dicetur hoc res, hoc tantum quianotior
videtur, affumitur; modo. Sitempus habet origineni,non fuit ſemper idcirco ex
tranſfumptionelocus id convenienti teinpus: fuit igitur, quando non fuit
rempus, ſed vocabulo nuncupatus eft. Fit verò hæc tranſlum- fuiffe ſignificatio
eſt temporis; fuit igitur tein prio &in nomine, quoties ab obfcuro vocabulo
pus, quando non fuittempus: quod fieri non ad notius transfertur argumentatio,
hoc modo; poteft; non igitur eſt ulluin temporisprincipiuin ut ſi quæratur, an
philoſophus invideat, fitque pofitum. Namque, ut ab ullo principio cæpe ignotum
quid philoſophi ſignificet nomen, dice- rit, inconveniens quiddam atque
impoffibile mus ad vocabulum notius transferentes, non in- contingit fuiſſe
teinpus, quando non fuerit videre qui ſapiens ſit; notius enim eſt fapientis
tempus. Reditur igitur ad alterain partein, vocabuluin, quàm philofophi. Ac de
his qui- quod origine careat: fed hæc quæ ex negatio dem locis qui extrinfecus
aſſumuntur, idoncè di- ne diviſio eſt, cùm per eam quælibet argu ctuin eſt:
nunc de mediis diſputabitur. menta ſumuntur, nequit fieri, ut utrumque fit,,
quod affirinatione & negatione dividi De Mediis. tur: itaque ſublato uno,
alterum manet; pofi tóque altero reliquum tollitur: vocaturque hic à Ex quibus
Medii enim loci ſumuntur vel ex calu, vel ex diviſione locus, medius inter eos
qui ab ipfis conjugatis, vel ex diviſione naſcentes. Caſus duci folent, atque
eos qui extrinſecus adſumun Sumantur. Quid fit eſt alicujus nominis principalis
inflexio in adver- tur. Cùm enim quæritur, an ulla temporis lit bium:
uràjuſtitia inflectitur juſtè, cafus igitur origo, ſumit quidem eſſe originem;
& ex eo pet Quid Conju- eſt juſtitia,id quod dicimus juftè, adverbium.
propriamconſequentiam à re ipſa,quæ quæritur, Conjugata verò dicuntur, qux
abeodein diver- htimpoſſibilitatis & mendacii fyllogiſmus;quo fo modo ducta
Auxerunt:ut à juſtitia, juftum; concluſo reditur ad prius, quod verum eſſe ne
hæc igitur inter ſe & cum ipſa juſtitia conjugara ceſſe eſt; fiquidem ad
quod eioppofitum eſt, ad dicuntur, ex quibus omnibus in promptu lunt
impoſſibile aliquid inconvenienſque perducit. argumenta. Namfi id quod juftum
eft, bonum Itaque quoniam ex ipfa re, de qua quæritur, fieri eſt; & id quod
juſtè eſt, benè eſt; & qui juftus fyllogiſmus folet, & quali ab iplis
locus eft du eft, bonus cft, & juftitia bona eſt; hæc igitur cus: quoniam
verò non in eo permanet, fed ad locis Medii Calus. gaid. politum De Dialectica.
577 BA tis li 1. nd 20 je 18 19 100. TOR: OK parti 17 10.3. pofitam redit,
quafi extrinſecus fumitur: idcirco Quibus ita popofitis inſpiciatRus nunc cos
lo: igitur hic à diviſione locus inter utrumque me cos', quos duduin
extrinfecuspronuntiabamus Delocis eta dius collocatur. affuini; ea enim, quæ
extrinſecus affumuntur, frempris,, of Loci ex par Ac verò hi qui ex partitione
funiuntur, multi- non ſunt ita ſeparata atquedisjuncta, ut non ali nitione fum-
plici funt modo. Aliquotiens enim quæ divi quandoquali è regione quadam, ca quæ
quærun qua dintre pri,maisiplici duntur, fimul effe poffunt; ut fi vocem in
figni- tar, afpiciant. Nam & funilitudines & oppofita frunt modo.
ficationes dividamus, oinnes fimul eſſe poſſunt: ad ea lme dubio referuntur,
quibus ſimilia vel op veluti cum dicimus amplector, aut actionein li polica
funt, licet jure atqueordine videantur ex gnificat, aut paffionem; utrumque
finul lignifi trinſecus collocata. Sunt autem hæc, ſimilitudo, care poteft.
Aliquotiens velut in negationis mo- oppoſitio, magis,ac minus, rei judicium. In
ſimi do, quæ dividuntur fimul eſſe non poffunt; ut litudine enimcum rei
fimilitudo, tum propor fanus eſt, aut æger. Fitautein raciocinatio in tionis
ratio continetur. Omnia enim fimilitudi priore quidem mododivilionis, tum quia
omni- nem tenent. bus adeſt quodquæritur, vel non eft: tum verò Oppolica verò
in concrariis, in privationibus; idcirco alicui adeſſe, vel non adeffe quod
aliis ad in relationibus, in negationibus conſtant. Com ſit, vel minimè.
paratio verò majoris ad minus quædam quali ſi Nec in his explicandis diutiùs
laboramus, fi miliuin diffimilitudo eft; rerum enim per fe finni
prioresReſolutorii, vel Topica diligentiùs inge- lium in quantitate diſcretio
majus fecit ac minus, nium le& oris inftruxerint. Nam fi quæratur, Quod
enim omni qualitate, omnique ratione utrum canis fubftantia fit, atque hæc
divifio fiar: disjunctum eſt, id nullo modo poterit compara canis vel
latrabilis animalis eſt velmasinx belluæ, ri. Exrei verò judicio quæ ſunt
argumenta, quaſi vel cæleftis lideris nomen e demonftraretque per teſtinionium
præbent, & ſunt inartificiales loci ſingula & canem latrabilem
fubftantiam eflc,ma- atque omnino disjuncti; nec rem potius, quàm rinam
quoquebelluam, & cælefte fidus ſubſtantiæ opinionem judiciúmque fectantes.
Tranſſum poffe fupponi,nonftravit canem eſſe fubftantiam. ptionis verò locus
nunc quidem in'æqualitate, Acque hic quidem ex ipfis in quæſtione propoſi- nunc
verò in majoris minoriſve.comparatione tis; videbitur argumenta traxiſſe. At in
talibus conſiſtit; aut enim adid quod eſt finile, aut ad id fyllogiſmis, aut
fanus eſt aut æger: ſed fanus eft, quod eſt majus aut minus, fit arguinentorum
raa non eft igitur ager: ſed fanus non eft, rgerigi- fionumque tranſſumptio.
cur eſt; velica: liæger eft, fanus igitur non eſt; Hi verò loci quos mixtos
eſſe prædiximus, aut De locismist velita: fi æger noneft, fanus igitureſt. Ab
his ex caſibus, autex conjugatis, aut ex diviſionenaſ- sis. * M5$. in- quæ
funt* extrinſecusſumptus eſt ſyllogiſmus,id cuntur: in quibus omnibus
conſequentia, & re trinfecu. elt,ab oppoſitis. Idcirco ergo totus hic
àdiviſio- pugnantia cuſtoditur. Sed ea quidem,quæ ex defi ne locus inter
utrofque medius eſſe perhibetur: nitione, vel genere, vel differentia, vel
caufis quia ſi negatione fit conftitutus, aliquo inodo arguinenta ducuntur,
demonftratione maxiinè quidem ex ipfis fumitur, aliquo modo ab exte-
fyllogiſinis vires atque ordinem ſubminiſtrant: tioribus venit. Si verò à
particioneargumenta reliqua verò verifimilibus ex dialecticis. Atque ducuntur;
nunc quidem ab ipfis, nunc verò ab hi loci maximè, qui in corum fubftantia
ſunt, de exterioribus copiam præſtant: quibus in quæſtione dubitatur, ad
prædicativos Etca Græci quidem Themiſtii diligentiſſimi ac fimplices:reliqui verò
ad hypotheticos & con ſcriptoris ac lucidi, & omnia ad facultatem
intel- ditionalesreſpiciuntfyllogiſmos. Partitio locou ligentiæ revocantis,
talis locorum videtur effe Expeditis igitur locis,& diligenter tam defini
partitio. Quæcùm ita fint, breviter mihi loca- tione, quàm exemplorum etiam
luce parefactis, rum divifio coinmemoranda eſt, ut nihil præte- dicendum
videtur, quomodohiloci maximarum rea relictum eſſe monftretur, quod non intra
cam ſint differentiæ propoſitionum, idque brevi; ne probetur effe inclufum. De
quo enim in quali- que enim longå diſputatione res eget. Omnes bet quæſtione
dubitatur, id ita firınabitur argu- enimmaxiinæ propoſaiones,vel definitiones,
in mentis; ut ea vel ex his ipfis fumantur, quæ in eo quòd ſunt maximæ, non
differunt: ſed in ed quæſtione ſunt conſtirura, vel extrinfecus ducan- quòd hæ
quidein à definitione, illæ verò à genere, tur vel quaſi in confinio horum
pofita veſtigen- vel aliæ veniant ab aliis locis, & his jure differre; tur.
Ac præter hanc quidem diviſionein nihil ex- hæque earum differentiæ eſſe
dicuntur. tra inveniri poteſt: ſed ſi ab ipſis fumitur argu mentum, aut ab
ipſoruin neceffe eſt ſubſtantia De Topicis. fumatur, aut ab his quæ ea
conſequuntur, aut abhis quæinſeparabiliter accidunt,veleis adhæ- Topica ſunt
argumentorum ſedes, fontes fen- Quid fire ſubſtantia ſeparari ſejungique fuum,
origines dictionum. Itaque licet definire Topica. vel non poffunt, vel non
folent. Quæ verò ab locum eſſe argumentiſedem: argumentum aucem corum
fubftantiaducuntur, ca aut in deſcriptio- rationem, quæ reidubiæ faciat ħdem.
Et funt ar- Quibus ex aut in definitione ſunt; & præter hæc, à no- gumenta
aut in ipfo negotio, dequo agitur: aut rebus argi minis interpretatione. Quæ
verò eavelur ſub- ducuntur exhis rebus, quæquodanmodoaffectæ menta ernano
ftantias continentia conſequuntur, alia ſunt, vel ſunt ad id,de quo quæritur;
& ex rebus aliis tra ut generis, vel differentiæ, vel integræ formæ,
&tæ nofcuntur: aut certè affumuntur extrinſecus. vel fpecierum,
velpartiumloco circaca, quæ in- Ergo hærentia loca argumentorum in eo ipfone-
Ex locis han quirantur, alliſtunt. Item, vel caufæ, vel fines, gotio
funttria,id eſt, à toto, à partibus, à nota. rentibus & vel effectus, vel corruptiones,
vel uſus,vel quan A toto eft argumentum etiam,cùm definitio ad- ſunt tria.
ticas, vel tempus, vel fubliſtendimodus. Quod hibetur adid, quod quæritur;
ſicut ait Cicero, * Ed. exfc. verò propriè inſeparabile, vel adhærens, acci-
Gloria eſt laus rectè fa &torum, magnorúmque in dens nuncupatur, id in
communiter accidentibus rempublicam fama meritorum: * ecce quia gloria
numerabitur. Et præter hæc quid aliud cuiquam totum eſt, per definitionem
oſtendis, quid lis inelle pollit, non poteft invenici. gloria. Dddd firs 218 -
am Timr. 578 Caffiodorus tredecim. Argumentum à partibus ſic; utputa, ſi oculus
A repugnantibus arguinentum eſt, quando videt, non ideo totuin corpus videt.
illud quod objicitur,aliqua contrarietate deftrui A nota autem fic ducitur
argumentuin, quod tur; ut Cicero dicit:Is igitur non inodò à te per Græcè
Etymologia dicitur: Siconſul eſt,qui con- riculo liberatus, ſed etiam honore
ampliſſimodi ſulit reipublicæ, quid aliud Tullius fecit,cùm ad- tatus, arguitur
domi ſuæ te interficere voluiffe. fecit fupplicio conjuratos? A cauſis
argumentum eſt, quando ex conſuetu Exipfis rebus Gex rebus
Nuncducunturargumenta & ex his rebus, quae dine communi res quæ tractatur,
fieri potuiſſe aliis, e junt quodammodo affectæ ſunr adid, de quo quæri-
convincitur; ut in Terentio: Ego nonnihil veri & ex rebus aliis tra &tæ
nofcuntur: & funt tus ſuin dudum abs te Dave, ne faceres, quod loca
tredecim, id eſt, alia à conjugatis, alia à ge- vulgus fervorum folet, dolis ut
ine deluderes. nere, alia à forma generis, id eft, fpecie, alia à Ab effectibus
ducitur argumentum, cùm ex his Limilitudine, alia à differentia, alia ex
contrario, quæ facta ſunt, aliquid adprobatur; utin Virgi alia à conjunctis,
alia ab antecedentibus, alia à lio: Degeneres animos timor arguit; nam timor
conſequentibus, alia à repugnantibus, alia à cau- eſt caula, ut degener (ic
animus, quod ciinoris fis, alia ab effectibus, alia à comparatione inino-
effectum eſt. rumi, majorum, aut parium. A comparatione argumentuin ducitur,
quando Primò ergo à conjugatis argumentum ducatur. per collationem perfonarum
live caufarum, fen Conjugata dicuntur, cùm declinatur à nomine, tentiæ ratio
confirmatur, & à majori ratione hoe & fit verbun; ut Cicero Verrem
dicit everriſſe modo, ut in Virgilio: Tu potes unanimes arna provinciam: vel
nomen à verbo, cùmlatrocinari rein prælia fratres. Ergo qui hoc in fratribus po
dicitur latro: aut nomen à nomine; ut Terentius: teft, quanto magis in aliis?'A
minorum compa Inceptio eſt amentium, haud amantium, ratione; ſicut Publius
Scipio Pontificem maxi A genere argumentum eſt, quando à re gene- mum Tiberium
Gracchum non mediocriter labe rali ad ſpeciem aliquam deſcendit: ut illud
Virgi- factantem ſtatum reipublicæ privatus interfecit. lii, Varium &
mutabile ſemper fumina: potuit A pariuin comparatione;lic Cicero, in Piſone
&Dido, quod eſt ſpecies, varia & mutabilis nihil intereſſe, utrum ipſe
conſul improbis con eſſe. Velillud Ciceronis, quod fecit argumen- cionibus,
perniciofis legibus rempublicam vexer, tum, deſcendens à genere ad ſpeciem:Nam
cùm an alios vexare pațiatur. omnium provinciarum ſociorúmque rationem
Extrinſecus verò affumentur argumenta hæc, De Argu diligenter habere debeatis,
tuin præcipuè Siciliæ, quæ Græci år give vocant, id eſt, inartificialia, meniis
ex judices. quod teitimonium ab aliqua externa re fumitur frin'ecus afa
fumptis. Aſpecie argumentumducitur, cùmgenerali ad faciendam fidem; &
prius. quæſtioni fidem fpecies facit; ut illud Virgilii: A perſona, utnon
qualifcuinque lit, ſed illa An non fic Phrygius penetrat Lacedæmonapa- quæ
teitimonii pondus habet adfaciendam fi ftor? quia Phrygius paſtorſpecies eſt;
& fi iftud dem, fed & morum probitate debet effe lauda ille unusfecis,
& alii hoc Trojani generaliter fa- bilis. tere poffunt. A natura auctoritas
eſt, quæ maxima virtute A ſimili argumentum eft, quando de rebus conſiſtit;
& à tempore funt, quæ afferant aucto aliquibus fimilia proferuntur; ut
Virgilius. ritatem; ut ſunt ingenium, opes, ætas, fortu Suggere tela inihi, nam
nullum dextera fruftra na, ars, uſus, necellitas, concurſio rerum for Torſerit
in Rutulos, fteterintque in corporc tuicaruin. Grajum A dictis fačtíſque
majorum petitur fides: cùm Iliacis campis. priſcorum dicta factáque memorantur.
A differentia argumentum ducitur, quando Et à tormentis fides probatur, poft
quæ neme per differentiam aliquæ res feparantur; Virgilius: creditur velle
mentiri. Non Diomedis equos, nec curruin cernis Achil lis. De Syllogiſmis. A
contrariis argumentum ſumitur, quando res diſcrepantes fibimet opponuntur; ut
Teren Prima figura modos haber quatuor, qui uni tius: Nam fi illum objurges,
vitæ qui auxilium verfaliter vel particulariter affirmativam vel ne tulit, quid
facies illi qui dederit damnum aut gativam concludent. malum? Secunda item
quatuor modos, qui ab negativa A conjunctis autem fides petitur argumenti;
concludent, five univerſaliter live particulariter. cùm quæ lingula infirma
ſunt, fi conjungantur Tertia figura haber ſex modos, qui affirmative vim
veritatis affumunt; ut, quid accedit ur tenuis vel negativè, ſed particulares
facient copclufio ante fuerit, quid fi ut avarus, quid fi ut audax, nes. quid
fi ut ejus, quiocciſus eſt, inimicus? Singula Ergo primæ figuræ modus primuseſt,
qui con hæc quia non ſufficiunt, idcirco congregata po- ficitur ex duabus
univerſalibus affirmativis, ha nuntur, ut ex multis junctis res aliqua confir-
bens concluſionem univerfaliter affirmativain, hoc modo. Ab antecedentibus
argumentum eft, quando Omne bonumeft amabile. aliqua ex his quæ priùs gefta
funt, comproban Omne juftum eft bonum. tur; ut Cicero pro Milone:Cùm non
dubitaverit Omne igitur juftum eft amabile. aperire quid cogitaverit, vos
poteſtis dubitare Secundus modus figuræ primæ conficitur ex quid fecerit?
præceſſit enim prædictio,ubi eft ar- univerſali abnegativa, & univerfali
affirmativa, gumentum, & fecutuin eſt factum. habens concluſionem
univerſaliter, hoc modo. A confequentibus verò arguinentum eſt, quan Nullus
rifibilis eft irrationalis. do pofitam rem aliquid inevitabiliter conſequi
Omnis homo eft riGbilis. tur; ut fi mulier peperit, cum viro concubuit. Nullus
igitur homo eſt irrationalise. metur. De Dialectica. 579 Tertiusmodusprimæ
figuræ eſt, qui conficitur gationem particularem concludit, hoc modo. ex
univerſali affirinativa, & particulari affirma Quidam homo non eſt albus.
tiva, particularem affirmativam concludens, hoc Omnis homo eft animal. modo.
Quoddam igitur animal non eſt albumi Omne animal movetur. Sextus modus tertiæ
figuræ eſt, qui ex univer Quidam homo eſt animal. ſali negativa, &
particulari affirmativa particula Quidam igitur homo movetur. rem negativam
concludir, hoc modo. Quartusmodusprimæ figuræ eſt, qui confi Nallus homo eft
lapis. citur ex univerſali abnegativa, & particulari affir Quidain homo eſt
albus. mativa, particularem abnegativam concludens, Quoddam igitur album non
eſt lapis. hoc modo. Demonftrati ſunt omnes modi trium figuraru:n Nullum
inſenſibile eſt animatumi categorici fyllogiſmi, licet quidam primæ figuræ
Quidam lapis eft inſenſibilis. aliosquinque modos addiderint. Quidam igitur
lapis non eſt animatus. Secundæ verò figuræprimus inodus eſt, qui ex De
Paralogiſmis. univerſali abnegativa, & univerſali affirmativa Paralogiſmi
verò primäe figuræ ita fiunt,ex prio concludit hoc modo univerſale abnegativum.
ri affirmativa univerſáli, &fecunda negativa uni Nullum maluin eſt bonum.
verfali. Omnis homo eft animal: nullú animal eſt Omne juſtum eſt bonum. lapis:
nullus igitur homo lapis eſt. Et quiamuta Nullum igitur juftum eſt malum. to
termino &univerfale & particulare concludet Secundæ verò figuræ
ſecundus modus eſt, in & negativaļn & affirmativam: ob hoc eſt inutilis
quo ex univerſalipriore affirmativa, & pofteriore approbatus idem
paralogiſmus,quiex duabus ne univerſali abnegativa conficitur univerfalis abne-
gativiş univerſalibus fit hoc, modo. Nullus lapis gativa concluſio, hoc modo.,
animal eft: nullum animal immobile eft: nullus Omne juftum eft æquum. igitur
immobilis eft lapis. Nullum malum eſt æquum, Idem paralogiſmus, qui ex duabus
particulari Nullum igitur malum eſt juſtum. bus affirmativis fit hocmodo:
Quidam equus Tertius ſecundæ figuræ modus, qui ex priore animal eſt: quoddam
animal bipes eſt: quidam univerſali negativa,& pofteriore particulari
affir- igiturequusbipes eſt. Rurſum ex duabus parti inativa, negationem
colligit particularem, hoc cularibus negativis họcmodo: Quidam homo al modo.
bus non eft: quoddam album non movetur: qui Nullus lapis eſt animal. dam igitur
homo non movetur. Quædam ſubſtantia eſt animal. Dein, fi prior affirmativa
particularis, & ſecun Quædá igitur ſubſtantia non eſt lapis. da negativa
particularis fuerit, hoc modo: Qui Quartus moduseſt ſecundæ figuræ, qui ex
affir- dam equus animal eſt: quoddam animal quadru mativa priore univerſali,
& pofteriore particu- pesnon eſt: quidam igitur equus quadrupes non lari
negativa, particularem negationem conclu- elt. dit, hoc modo. Idem,li prior
negativa particularis, ſecunda Omne juſtum eſt rectum. affirmativa fuerit
particularis,hoc modo: Quidam Quidam homo non eft rectus. homo equus non eſt,
quidam equus immobilis Quidam igitur homo non eſt juſtus. eſt; quidam igitur
homo immobilis eſt. Primus modus tertiæ figuræ eſt, qui ex duabus Idem, fi
major propofitio affirmativa fuerit uni univerſalibusaffirmativis, particularem
affirmati- verſalis, & minor propoſitio negativa fuerit par vam concludit:
quia univerſalem affirmativam ticularis, paralogiſmus erit, hoc modo: Omnis
licet in particularem affirmativam converti, hoc homo animal elt, quoddam
animal rationabile modo. non eít, quidam igitur homo rationabilis non eft:
Omnis homo eſt animal. At verò ſi major fuerit propoſitio univerſalis Omnis
homo eſt ſubſtantia. negativa, & minor particularis fuerit negativa;
Quædain igitur ſubſtantia eſt animal. nullus poterit eſſe fyllogiſmus, hocmodo:Nuli
Item ſecundus modus tertiæ figuræ eft, in quo lus lapis animal eſt, quoddam
animal pinnatum ex univerſalinegatione & univerfali affirmacione eft, nullus
igitur lapis pinnatuseſt. fit particularis negativa concluſio. Rurſus, li
primafuerit particularis, ſecunda Nullus hoino eſt equus. verò univerſalis,
& utræque affirmativæ propofi Omnis homo eſt ſubſtantia. tiones, non erit
ſyllogiſmus, hoc modo: Qui Quædá igitur fubftantia non eft equus. dam lapis
corpus eſt, omne corpus menfurabile Tertius modus člttertiæ figuræ, qui ex
particu- eſt, quidam igitur lapis inenfurabilis eſt. lari & univerſali
aftırmativis parcicularem affir Idem,liprima fuerit particularis propoſitione
mativam concludit, hoc modo. gativa, & fecundauniverſalis negativa, non
erit Quidam hoino eſt albus. fyllogiſmus, hoc modo: Quoddam animal bipes Omnis
homo eſt animal. non eft, nullum bipes hinnibile eſt, quoddam -Quoddam igitur
animal eſt album. igitur animal hinnibile non eſt; Quartus verò modus tertiæ
figuræ eft, qui ex Idem, ſi prior affirmativa particularis, ſecunda univerſali
&particulari affirmativis, particulare negativa univerſalis propolițio
fuerit; ſyllogif, affirmativum concludit, hoc modo. mum non facit; hocmodo:
Quidamn lapis inſen Omnis homo eſt animal. farus eſt, nullum inſenſatuin vivit,
quidam igi Quidam homo eſt albus. tur lapis non vivit. Quoddam igitur album eſt
animal. Idem, li prior negativa particularis propoſitio Quintus verò modus
tertiæ figuræ eſt, qui ex faerit, & fecunda attirnativa univerſalis, para
„particulari negativa, & univerſali affirınativa ne- logiſinus erit, hoc
modo: Quoddam nigrunani. Dddd ij M cha 1 ܬ 580
Caffiodorus non cſt. lis eft. anarum non eſt, omne animatum movetur, quod-
Confirmationem, Reprehenſionem, Peroratio dam igitur nigrum non movetur. Et de
finitis nem. Quæ partes inſtrumenta ſunt Rhetoricæ fa propolitionibus
fyllogiſmus non fit, quia parti- cultatis: quoniam Rhetorica in omnibusſuisſpe
culares fimiles ſunt. ciebus ineft, & ſpecies eidem inerunt. Nec po tiùs
inerunt, quàm eiſdem ea, quæ peragunt, ad Omnes propofitiones his modis
conftant. miniſtrabunt. Itaque & inJudiciali genere cau faruin neceffarius
eft ordo Proemii, & Narra Id eſt, Simplices, ita. Contraria. tionis, atque
cæteroru: n; & in Demonſtrativo, Omnis homo juſtuseſt. Nullus homojuſtus
eſt. Deliberativóque neceſſaria ſunt. Opus auté Rhe- o "uis Rhero Quidam
homo juſtus Quidam homo juſtus toricæ facultatis,docere & movere: quod
nihilo- rice of move. eſt. minus iiſdem ferè rex inftrumentis, id eft oratio-
re docere, Contradictoria. nis partibus, adıniniftratur. Partes autem Rho Omnis
homo rationalis Nullus homo rationa- toricæ, quoniam partes ſunt facultatis,
ipfæ quo eſt. que ſunt facultates; quocirca ipfæ quoque ora Quidam homorationa-
Quidam hoino ratio- tionis partibus, quali inſtrumentis utentur. lis eft. halis
non eft. Atque ut his operentur, eiſdem inerunt. Nam Ex utriſque terminis
infinitis. Omnis non in exordiis niſi quinque ſint ſupradictæ Rhetori homo non
rationalis eſt. Nullus non homo non cæ partes; utinveniat, eloquatur, diſponat,
me rationalis eſt. Quidam non hoino non rationa- minerit, pronuntiet, nihil
agit orator. Eoden lis eſt. Quidam non hoino non rationalis non eſt. quoque
modo & reliquæ ferè partes inſtrumenti, Item ex infinito ſubjecto:Omnis non
homo nili habeant omnes Rhetoricæ partes, fruſtra. Tationalis eft. Nullus non
homo rationalis eſt. funt. Hujus autem facultatis effector, orator eſt: Quidam
non homo rationalis eſt. Quidaın non cujus eft officium dicere appoſitè ad
perſuaſio hoino rationalis non cft. nein: finis tum in ipſo quidem bene
dixiſſe, id Item ex infinito prædicato: Omnis homo non eſt, dixiſſe appolitè ad
perſuaſionem: altera rationalis eſt. Nullus hoino non rationalis eft. verò
perſualifie. Neque enim fi qua impediant Quidam homo non rationalis eſt. Quidam
homo oratorem, quominus perfuadear, facto officio, non rationalis non eſt.
finem non elt confequutus:ſed is quidem, qui Item quæ conveniunt: Omnis homo
rationalis officio fuit contiguus & cognatus, conſequitur, eſt. Nullus
hoino non rationaliseſt. Onnis ho- facto officio. Is verò, qui extrà eſt, ſæpe
non mo non rationalis eſt. Nullus homo non ratio- confequitur: neque tamen
Rhetoricam ſuo fine nalis eit. Quidam homorationalis eſt. Quidam contentam,honore
vacuavit.Hæc quidem ita ſunt homo non rationalisnon eſt. Quidam homo non mixta,
ut Rhetorica infit fpeciebus, ſpecies verò rationalis eft. Quidam homo non
rationalis non infint cauſis. eſt. Cauſarum verò partes ſtatus effe dicuntur:
quos Canlari Item. Omne non animal non homo eſt. Nul- 'etia: aliis nominibus
cum conſtitutiones, tum partes flares dicuntár, lum non animal non homo eſt.
Quiddam non quæftiones nominare licet:qui quidem dividun animal non homo eſt.
Quiddam non animalnon tur ita, ut rerum quoque natura diviſa eſt. Sedà fiones.
homo non eſt. principio quæſtionum differentias ordiamur: Item converfæ ex
prædicato infinito. Omne quoniain Rhetoricæ quæſtiones circunſtanciis non
animal homo eſt. Nullum non animal homo involutæ ſunt omnes, aut in fcripti
alicujus con eit. Quoddain non aniinal homo eſt. Quoddamn troverſia verfantur,
aut præter fcriprum ex re ipſa... non animal hoino non eſt. fumunt contentionis
exordium, Item converfæ ex infinitoſubjecto. Omne ani Et illæ quidem
quæſtiones,quæ in ſcripro ſunt, Queflionesia pro quin mal non homo eſt. Nullum
animal non homo quinque inodis fieri poffunt. Unoquidem, cùng eft. Quiddam
animal non homo eſt. Quoddam hic ſcriptoris verba defendit, & ille
ſententiains i polliams. aniinalnonhomo non eft. atque hic appellatur ſcriptum,
& voluntas, Item propoſitiones indefinitæ. Homo juſtus Alio verò, fi inter
fe leges quadain contrarieta eſt. Hoino juſtus non eſt. te diffentiunt, quarum
ex adverſa parte aliæ de Indefinitarum propoſitiones cum ſubje& o in-
fendunt, aliæ faciunt controverſiam; atque hic finito. Non hono juſtus eſt: Non
homo juſtus vocatur ftatus legis contrariæ. non eſt. Tertio, cùin fcriptum, de
quo contenditur, Ex prædicato infinito. Homo juſtus non eſt. fententiam claudit
ambiguam: ambiguitas ex ſuo Homonon juſtus non eft. nomine nuncupatur. Ex
utriſque terminis infinitis. Non homo Quarto verò, cùm in eo quod ſcriptum
eſt,aliud non juſtus eſt. Non homo non juſtus non eſt. non fcriptum
intelligirur; quodquia per ratioci Propoſiriones ſingulares vel individuæ.
Plato nationein & quamdam ſyllogiſmiconſequentiam juſtus eſt. Plato juſtus
non eſt. veſtigatur, ratiocinativus vel fyllogiſmnus di Ex infinito ſubjecto.
Non Plato juſtus eſt. citur. Non Plaro juſtus non eſt. Quinto, cùm ſermo
ſcriptuseſt, cujus non fa Ex infinito prædicato. Plato non juſtus eſt. cilè vis
ac natura clareſcat,niſidefinitione detecta Platonon juſtus non eſt. lit; hic
vocatur finis in ſcripro; quos omnes à ſe Ex utriſque terminis infinitis. Non
Plato non differre, non eſt noſtri, operiſve rhetorici demon juftus eſt. Non
Plato non juſtus non eſt. ftrare. Hæcautem ſpeculanda doctis, non rudi bus
diſcenda proponiinus: quamvis de eorum De locis Rhetoricis. differentia in
Topicorum commentis per tranſi- Quationes Rhetorice tum differuerimus.
Rhetorica oratio habet partes ſex, Procinium, Earum autem conſtitutionum, quæ
præter fcri- prin masina plices, fex. quod Exordiumcft, Nacrationein,
Partitionem, ptum in ipfaruin rerum contentione lunt politæ, corum dinzi modis
fica præter fcri habet partes De Dialectica. 581 1 ses. riaicialis ita
differentiæ ſegregantur,ut rerum quoque ip- lem partem vergant, defenfionis
copiam non mi farum natura divila lit. In oinni enim Rhetorica niftrant; ex
eiſdem enim locis accalatio defenſió. quæſtione dubitatur, an ſit, quid ſit,
quale fit; & que confiftit. propterhæc,an jure, vel more poſſit exerceri
judi Si igitur perſona in judiciam vocatur, neque ciuin. Sed li factum; velres
quæ intenditur ab facta:n, dictúmve ulluin reprehenditur, cauſa eſte
adverſario,negatur, quæſtio eſt utrùm fit ea; quæ non poteſt. Nec verò factum,
dictúinve aliquod conjecturalis conſtirutio nominatur. Quod fi in judicium
proferri poteſt, li perſona non exi factum quidem eſſe conſtiterit,ſed quidnain
ſit id ftet. Itaque in his duobus omnis judiciorum ra quod factum eſt,
ignoretur: quoniam vis ejus tioverſatur, in perfona ſcilicet, atque negotia
definitione monftranda eſt, finitiva dicitur con- Sed, ut dictum eft, perſona
eſt, quæ in judicium ftitutio. Ac fi &effe conftiterit, & de rei
defini- vocatur: negotium, factum, dictúmveperſone, tione conveniat, fed quale
fit inquiratur: tunc propter quod reus ftatuitur. Perſona igitur & ne quia
cui generi ſubjici debet ambigitur, genera- gotiamſuggerere arguinenta non
poſſunt;de ipſis lis qualitas nuncupatur. In hac verò quæſtione enim quæſtio
eſt: de quibus autem dubitatur, ea & qualitatis, & quantitatis, &
compatationis dubitationi fidem facere nequeunt Argumen ratio verſatur. Sed
quoniam de gènere quæſtio tum verò erit ratio rei dubiæfaciens fidem. Fa, eſt,
ſecundum generis formam in plura neceffe ciunt autem negotio fidem ea, quæ ſunt
perſo eſt hujusconſtitutionis membra diſtribui. nis ac negotiis attributa. Ac
fi quando perſona Omniis quito Omnis eniin quæftio generalis, id eſt, cùm de
'negotio faciat fidem,velutſi credatur contra rem ftio generalis in duas difiri
genere, & qualitate,vel quantitatequæritut facti, publicam fenfifle
Catilinam,quoniam perſona bnisur par in duas tribuitur partes. Nam aut in
præcerito eſt vitiorum turpitudine denotata: tunc non iiz quæritur de qualitate
propoſiti, aut in præſenti, eo quod perſona eſt, & in judicium vocatur, fia
aut in futuro. Si in præterito, juridicialis con dem negorio facit, ſed in eo
quod ex attributis Ititutio nuncupatur: fi præſentis vel futuri tem- perſonæ
quandam ſuſcipit qualitatem. Sed ut re poris teneat quæſtionem,negotialis
dicitur. rúin ordo clariùs colliquefcat, de circumſtantiis Quæftio Fun
Juridicialis verò, cujus inquiſitio præteritum arbitror eſſe dicendum. refpicit,
duabuspartibus fegregatur. Aut enim De Circumftantiis. duabus parti. in ipfo
facto vis defenfionis ineft, & abſolurà Circunſtantiæ ſunt, quæ
convenientis fubftan. Detircnm. buslegrégie qualitas nuncupatur: Aut
extrinfecus affumitur, tiam quæſtionisefficiunt. Nifienim fit qui fece Gancias
para & affumptiva dicitur conſtitutio. rit, & quod fecerit, cauſáque
cur fecerit, locus, situr Cicero. Sedhæc in partesquatuor derivatur: aut enim
tempúſque quo fecerit,modus, etiain facultas; conceditur criinen, aur removetur,
aut refertur, que li delint,cauſa non ſtabit. Has igitur circum aur, quod
eſtultimum, comparatur. Conceditur ftantias in geinina Cicero partitur, ut eam
quæ crinen, cùm nulla inducitur facti defenſio, ſed eſt, quis, circumſtantiam
in attributis perſone venia poſtulatur. Id fieri duobus modis poreſt, ponat:
reliquas verò circumſtantias in attributis circumftan fi depreceris, aut
purges. Deprecaris,cùm nihil negotio conititaat. Et primùın quidem ex cir
excufationis attuleris. Purgas, cùım facti culpa cumftantiis, eam quæ eft, quis,
quam perfonæ tia titur, Quispada cicina his adſcribitur'; quibus obliſti
obviarique non attribuit, ſecar in undecim partes. Nomen, ut in undecim poffit,
neque tamen perſona ſint; id enim in Verres, natura ut barbarus, victus
utamicusno- partes. aliam conſtitutionem cadit. Sunt autem hæc, im- biliuin,
perſona ut dives, ſtudium ut Geometra, prudentia, caſus, atque necellitas.
cafus ut exul, affectio ut amans, habitus ut ſa Removeturverd criinen, cùm ab
eo, qui in- piens, conſilium, facta, & orationes. Eáque cellitur,
transfertur in alium. Sed remotio cri- extra illud factum dictúmque ſunt, quæ
nunc minis duobus fieri modis poteft: fi aur cauſa re- in judicium devocantur.
Reliquas verò cir fertur, aut factum. Caufa refertur, cùm aliena cumſtantias,
quæ funt, quid, cur, quando,ubi, poteftare aliquid factum eſſe contenditur:
faćtum quomodo, quibus auxiliis, in attributis negocio verò, cumalius aut
potuiffe, aut debuiffe facere ponit. Quid, &cur, dicenscontinentia cum ipfo
demonſtratur. Atque hæc in his maximè valent, negotio: cur, in cauſa
conſtituens; ea enim cauſa fi ejus nominis in nos intendatur actio, quòd non
eſt uniuſcujuſque fa &ti, propter quam factaeſt * MSS.pottat fecerimus id,
quod * oportuit fieri. Refertur cri Quid verò, ſecat in quatuor partes. În ſum-
Quidfeceria men, cuin jultè in aliquem facinus commiſlum iam tacti, ut parentis
occifio. Exhac maximè quatuorpars * MSS.com- effe * conceditur:quoniam is, in
quem commif- locus fumitur amplificationis ante factum; ut senditat. fum ſit,
injuriofusfæpe fucrit, atque id quod in- concitus rapuit gladium: duon fit;
vehementer tenditur, meruit pati. percuſſit. Poſt factum; in abdita fepelivit.
Quæ Comparatio eft, cùin propter meliorem utilio- omnia cùın lint facta, tamen
quoniain ad geſtum réinve rem factum, quod adverſarius arguit, negotiuin, de
quo quæritur, pertinent, non ſunt commiffum effe defenditur. Atque hæchactenus:
eafacta, quæ in attributis perſonæ numerara nunc de inventione tractandum eft.
ſunt. Illa enim extra negorium, quòd extra poſi ta perſonam informantia fidem
ei negotio præ De Inventione ſtant, de quo verſatur intentio: hæc verò facta,
quæ continentia ſunt cum ipfo negotio,ad ipſuni Etenim priùs quidem Diale &
icos dedimus, negotium; de quo queritur, pertinent. nunc Rhetoricos promimus
locos, quos ex attri Poftreinas verò quatuor circamftantias Cicero In perſona,
butis perſonæ ac negotio venire neceſſeeſt. Per- ponit in geſtione negotii, quæ
eſt ſecunda pars & negotio fona, quæ in judicium vocatur, cujus dictum ali-
attributorum negotiis. Et eam quidem circuin quod factúmve reprehenditur.
Negotium; fa- ſtantiam, quæ eſt quando, dividit in tempus, ut putCie to Cuando,
dia conftitute of. cum dictumveperfonæ, propter quod in judi- modò fecit; &
in occaſionem,ut cunctis dormien- in tempus, so cium vocatur. Itaque in his
duobus omnis lo- tibus. Eam verò circunftantiam quæ eſt ubi, lo- in occafionč..
* MSS.excu- corum ratio conſtituta eſt; quæ enim habent* re. cum dicit; ut in
cubiculo fecir: quomodo verò, ſarionis. prehenſionis occaſionem, eadem nili ad
excuſabi ex circuinftantiis inoduin ur clain fecit: omnis loco. tum ratio >
1 582 Caffiodorus 1 mus. fed de vo 1 quibus auxiliis circumftantiam, facultatem
ap- ita adhærebant, ut ſeparari non poſſint;ut locus, pellat, ut cuin multo
exercitu. Quorum qui- tempus, & cætera, quæ geſtum negotium non dem locorum
& fiex circumſtantia rerum, natu- relinquunt. tulis diſcretio clara eft:nos
tarnen benevolentiùs Hæc verò, quæ ſunt adjuncta negotio, non in faciemus, ſi
uberiores ad ſe ditferentias oſtenda- kærent ipſi negotio, ſed accedunt
circuinitantiis, & tunc demum argumenta præſtant, cùm ad com Nam cùm ex
circumſtantiis alia M. Tullius parationem venerint: ſunant verò argumenta
propofuerit effe continentia cum ipfo negotio: non ex contrarietate, fed ex
contrario;& non alia verò in geſtione negorii, atque in continen- ex
ſimilitudine, ſed ex ſimili, ut appareat ex re tibus cuin ipſo negotiv: illum
adnurneraverit lo- latione ſumi arguinenta in adjunctis negotio; & cum quem
appellavit, duin fit sex ipſa prolatio- ea eſſe adjunéta negotio, quæ funt ad
ipſum, de nis fignificatione idem videtur elle locushic,dum quo agitur,negotium
affccta. fit, cum eo, qui eſt in geſtionenegotii; ſed non Conſecutio verò, quæ
pars quarta eft eorum, ita sft: quia dum fit, illud eft, quod eo tempore quæ
negotiis attributa ſunt, neque in,iplis ſunt açimiſum eſt, dum facinus
perpetratur, ut per- rebus, neque rerum ſubſtantiam relinquunt,ne ouſſit.
Ingetione verò negotii, ca ſunt, quæ & que ex comparatione reperiuntur: ſed
rem geftam ante factum, & dum fit, & poft factum, quod vel antecedunt,
vel etiam conſequuntur. Atque eſtum eſt continent;in omnibus enim tempus, hic
locus extrinſecus eſt. Primum eniin in eo. locus, occafio,modus, facultas
inquiritur, Rur- quæritur id, quod factum eſt, quo nomine ap ſus dum fit,
factuin eft, quod adininiftratur, eft pellari conveniat: in quo non de re,
negotium:qux verò funt in geſtione negotii, non cabulo laboratur. Qui deinde
auctores ejus facti ſunt facta, fed facto adhærent; in illis enim, teni-
&inventores, comprobatores, atque æinuli, id pus, occaſionem, locum, modum,
facultatein, totum ex judicio, & quodam teſtimonio extrin facta eſſe
conſenſerit: fed, ur dictum eſt, qux ſecus políto, ad ſublidium confluit
argumenti. cuilibet facto adhærentia fint, atque in nullo Deinde &quæ ejus
rei ſit ex conſueto pactio, ju modo derelinquant: quia quadam ratione ſubje-
dicium, ſcientia, artificium. Deinde natura cta funt ipſi, quod geſtum eſt,
negotio. ejus, quid evenire vulgò ſoleat: an inſolenter & Item ea quæ funt
in geſtione negotii, finchis, rardhomines id ſuâ auctoritate comprobare, an quæ
funtcontinentia cum ipfoncgotio, eſſe poſ- offendere in his conſueverint;
&cætera quæ fas funt. Poteft eniin & locus, & tempus, &oc- ctum
aliquod fimiliter confeftim, aut intervallo cafio, & modus, & facultas
facti cujuſlibet intel- folent conſequi: quæ neceſſe eſt extrinſecus po ligi,
etiamſi nemo faciat, quod illo loco; vel fita ad opinionein inagis tendere,
quam ad ipfam, temporc, veloccaſione, vel modo, vel facultate rerum naturam.
fieri poſſet. Itaque ea quæfunt in geſtione nego Itaque in hæcquatuor licet
negotiis attributa, tii, line his quæ ſuntcontinentia cum ipfo nego- dividere;
ut fint partim continentia cum ipſo ne tio, effe poffunt. Illa verò line his
eſſe non pof- gotio, quæ facta eſſe ſuperiùs dictum eſt: partim ſunt; facèum
enim præter locum, tempus, occa- in geſtionenegotii, quæ non effe facta, fed
factis fionem, modum, facultatémque efle non pote- adhærentia dudum
monſtravimus: partim adjun rir. Atque hæcfunt, quæ in attribucis perſona eta
negotio; hæc, ut dictum eſt, in relatione ac negotio confiftunt, velut in
Dialecticis locis ponuntur: partim geſtum negotium conſequun ea, quæ in ipfis
cohærent, de quibus quæritur: tur; horum fides extrinſecus fuinitur. Ac de
reliqua verò quæ vel funt adjuncta negotio, vel Rheroricis quidem locis ſatis
dictum. negotium geſtuin conſequuntur, talia ſunt, qua Nunc illud eſt
explicandum, quæ ſit his ſimi-. Quid fat diain Dialecticis locis ca, quæ
ſecundum Themi- litudocum Dialecticis, quæ veròdiverſitas;quod hobertura corean
ſtium quidem partim rei ſubſtantiam conſequun- cùm idoneè, convenientérque
monſtravero,pro- Dialecticisfa tur, partim funt extrinfecus, partim verſantur
poſiti operis explicetur intentio. Primò adeo ut militudo,que in mediis;
ſecundum Ciceronem verò inter affe- in Dialecticis locis, ficut Themiſtio
placet, alii verè diverfi &a numerara ſunt, vel extrinſecus polita."
funt, qui in ipſis hærent, de quibus quæritur: tab. Sunt enim adjuncta negotio
ipfa etiam quæ fi- alii verò affumuntur extrinſecus, alii verò inedii quajiilem
fa dem faciunt quæſtioni, affecta quodammodo ad inter utroſque locati ſunt; ſic
in Rhetoricis quo cinn gafiio. id, de quo quæritur, reſpicientia negotium, de
que locis, alii in perſona atque negotio conſi quo agitur, hoc modo. Nam
circumſtantix ſtunt, de quibus ex adverſa parte certatur: alii feprem quæ in
attributis perſonæ, vel negotio, verò extrinfecus, ut hi qui geſtum negotium
con numeratæ funt, hæc cum cæperintcomparari,& fequuntur: alii verò medii.
quafi in relationem venire, fi quid ad ſe conti Quoruin proximi quidem negotio
funt hi, qui nens referatur, vel ad id quod continet, fit aut ex circumſtantiis:
reliqui in geſtione negotii ſpecies, aut genus: fi id referatur,quod ab eo lon-
conſiderantur. Illi veròqui in adjunctis negotio gillime diſtet, contrariun: at
ſi ad finem ſuum collocantur, ipſi quoque intermedios locos pos atque exitum
referatur, tum eventuscft. liti ſunt: quoniam negotium, de quo agitur, qua
Eodem quoque modo ad majora, & minora, dam affectione refpiciunt. Vel fi
quis ea quidem & paria comparantur. Atque omnino tales loci quæ perſonis
attributa ſunt, vel quæ continentia in his quæ funt ad aliquid conſiderantur.
Namn ſunt cum ipfo negotio, vel in geſtione negotii majus,autminus, alit lunile,
aut æquèmagnum, conſiderantur; his lumilia locis dicat, qui ab ipfis aut
diſparatum, accedunt circumſtantüs, quæ in in Dialectica trahuntur, de quibus
in quæſtionc attributis negotio atque perſonæ numeratæ ſunt; dubitatur.
Conſequentia verò negotio ponat ex ut dum ipfæ circumftantiæ aliis comparantur,
fiat trinſecus. Adjuncta verò inter utrumque conſti ex iis argumentum facti
dictive, quod in judi- tuat. cium trahitur. Diſtat autem à ſuperioribus, quòd
Ciceronis verò diviſioni hoc modo fic fimilis, ſuperiores loci, vel facta
continebant, vel factis Nam ea quæ continentia ſunt cum ipſo negocio, Sunt
adjun Eta ucgorio, ni, 1 De Dialectica. 583 1 1 ! 1 0 1 1 Dialecticus verò non
ita velea quæ in geſtione negotii conſidecantur, in do aliquid ſpecialiter
probant, ad Rhetores,Poë ipſis hærent, de quibus quæritur. Ea verò, quæ tas,
Juriſperitóſque pertinent. Quando verò ge adjuncta ſunt, inter affecta
ponuntur. Sed ea quæ neraliter diſputant,ad Dialecticosattinere manis geitum
negotiuin conſequuntur, extrinfecus feſtum eit. collocata ſunt. Vel Gi quis ea
quidem, quæ con Mirabile planè genusoperis, in unum potuiſſe tinentia ſunt cum
ipfonegotio, in ipſis hærere colligi, quicquid mobilitas ac varietas humanæ
arbitretur:affecta verò effe ea,quæ funt in geſtio- mentis in fenlîbus
exquirendis per diverſas cauſas ne negotii, vel adjuncta negotio: extrinfecus
porerat invenire; concludi liberuin ac volunta verò ea, quæ geftum negotium
conſequuntur. riun intellectum. Nam quocumque ſe verterit, Nam jam illæ
perfpicuæ communitates", quod quaſcumque cogitationes intraverir, in
aliquid quidem ipſi penè in utriſque facultatibus verſan- corum quæ prædicta
ſunt, neceſſe eſt ut huma tur loci, ut genus, ut pars, ut ſimilitudo, ut con-
num cadat ingenium. trarium, ut majus, ac minus. Decommunicati Illud autem
competens judicavimus recapitu bus quidem ſatis dictum. lare breviter, quorum
labore in Latinum elo Differentiæ verò illæ funt, quòd Dialectici quium res
iftæ pervenerint; ut nec auctoribus etiam thelibus apti funt: Rhetorici tantùm
ad gloria ſua pereat, & nobis pleniffimè reiveritas hypotheſes, id eft,
quæftiones informatas circum- innoteſcat. Iſagogen tranſtulitPatriciusBoëtius,
ftantiis affumuntur. Nain ſicut ipfæ facultates à commenta ejus gernina
derelinquens. Cate femetipfis univerſalitate, & particularitate di- gorias
idem tranſtulit Patricius Boëtius, cujus ſtinctæ ſunt: ita earum loci ambitu,
& contra commenta tribus libris ipfe quoque formavit. ctione diſcreti ſunt.
Nam Dialecticorum loco-. Peri herinenias fuprà inemoratus Patricius tran rum
major eſt ainbitus; & quoniam præter cir- ftulit in Latinum: cujus commenta
ipſe duplicia cumſtantias funt quæ fingulares faciunt cauſas, minutillimâ
diſputatione tractavit.Apuleius verò non modò ad theſes utilesſunt, verumetiam
ad Madaurenſis ſyllogiſmos categoricos breviter argumenta, quæ in hypothefibus
polita ſunt, eof- enodavit. Suprà memoratus verò Patricius de que locos qui ex
circumftantiis conſtanc,claudunt fyllogiſmis hypotheticis lucidiflimè
pertractavit. atque ambiunt. Itaque fit; ut ſeinper egeat Rhe- * Topica
Ariftotelis,uno libro Cicero tranſtulit in Hæcdefuitin tor Dialecticis locis?
Dialecticus verò fuis poflit Latinum, cujus commentaprofpe & oratque ama-
MSS. effe contentus. tor Latinorum Patricius Boëtius octo libris expo Semper
eget Rherorenim quoniam cauſas ex circumſtantiis fuit. Nam & prædictus
Boëtius Patricius eadem* Rhetor D4- tractat, ex iifdem circumftantiis argumenta
præ- "Topica Ariſtotelis octo libris in Latinum vertic lecticislocis,
fumit, quæ neceſſe eſt ab univerſalibus, & ſupli- eloquiun. cioribus
confirmari, qui ſunt Dialectici. Diale &ti Confiderandum eft autem, quòd
jam,quia lo cus verò, qui prior eft, polteriore non eget, nifi cus ſe attulit
in Rhetorica parte, libavimus quid aliquando incideritquæftio perfonæ; ut cuin
fit interſit inter artein & diſciplinain, ne ſe diver incidensDialectico ad
probandam fuam theſim, fitasnominun permixta confundat. Interartem Que fa
diften Cáufam circumſtantiis inclufam, tunc demum & diſciplinai Plato,
& Ariſtoteles, opinabiles artem dif Rhetoricis utatur locis. Itaque in
Dialecticis lo- magiftri fæcularium litterarum, hanc differen- ciplinam ſee '
cis (fi ita contingit) à genere argumenta fumun- tiam eſſe voluerunt, dicentes:
Arrem cflc habitu- cundem Plaa tur,id eft, ab ipſa generis natura: fedin Rheto-
dinem operatricem contingentium, quæ fe & Sonem ricis ab eo generequod illi
genus eſt, de quo agi- aliter habere poffunt: Diſciplina verò elt, quæ Vide prefer
tur; nec ànatura generis, ſed à re fcilicet ipſa,quæ de his agit, quæ aliter
evenire non poffunt tionem Nunc ergo ad Mathematicæ veniamus initium. Sed ut
progrediatur ratio, ex eo pendet, quòd natura generis antè præcognita eſt; ut
fi dubite De Mathematica. tur, an fuerit aliquis ebrius, dicitur, fi tefellere
velimus, non fuifle: quoniam in eo nulla luxu- ' Mathematica, quam Latinè
poſſumus dicere luid fitMara ries antecefferit. Idcirco nimirum, quia cum ku-
doctrinalem, ſcientia eſt, qux abſtractam con- in quas para xuries ebrietaſis
quaſi quoddam genus fit, cui fiderat quantirarem. Abſtracta enim quantitas tes
dividalun luxuries nulla fuerit, ne ebrietas quidem fuit: dicitur, quâ
intellectus à materia ſeparátur, vel ſed hoc pender ex altero. Cur enim fi
luxuries ab aliis accidentibus; ut eſt par, impar, vel alia non fuit, ebrietas
eſſe non potuit, ex natura ge- hujuſcemodi, quæ in ſola ratiocinatione tracta
neris demonftratur, quod Dialectica ratio ſub- mus, hæc ita dividitur ”
miniſtrat. Unde enim genus abeft, inde etiain fpecies abelle necefle
eft:quoniam genus fpecics r Arithmeticain, non relinquit. Ec de fimilibus
quidem, & de contràriis, eo Muſicam. Diviſio Matheina dem modo, in quibus
maxima ſimilitudo eft in ticæ in ter Rhetoricos ac Dialecticos locos:
Dialectica Geometriam.. eniin ex ipſis qualitatibus, Rhetorica ex quali 1 tatem
ſuſcipentibus rebus argumentaveſtigat; ut Aſtronomian. Dialecticus ex genere,
id eft, ex ipfa generis na tura: Rhetor ex ea re, quæ genuseft. Dialecti
Arithmetica; eſt diſciplina quantitatis numera Quid fit cus ex ſimilitudine,
Rhetor ex funili, id eft, ex bilis fecuuduin ſe. Aruthinetica. ta re, quæ
fimilitudinem cepit. Eodem modo Mufia eſt diſciplina, quæ de numeris loqui-
QuidMufica. ille ex contrarietate, hic ex contrario. tur, qui ad aliquid ſunt
his, qui inveniuntur in Memoriæ quoque condendum eft, Topica Ora- ſonis.
toribus, Dialecticis, Poëtis, & Juriſperitiscom Gcometria, eſt diſciplina
magnitudinis immo- Quid Geomes muniter quidem argumentapræftare: fed quan-
bilis & fornarum. rentia inter genus eſt, trii 384 Caffiodorus 1 didit.
Inns. Quid fis A. Aſtronomia, eft diſciplina curſus cæleſtiain (i- tergunt,
&ad illam inſpectivain contemplatio fronomia. derum, quæ figuras
conteinplatur omnes, & ha- nem, fi tamen ſanitas mentis arrideat, Domino
bitudines ftellaruin circaſe, & circa terram inda- largiente, perducunt.'
gabili ratione percurrit. Quas ſuo loco paulò la Scire autem debemus Joſephum
Hebræorum Abraham ciùs exponemus, ut commemoratarum rerum doctiſſimum, in libro
primo Antiquitatum, ritu- primim Aris virtus competenter poffit oftendi. Modò
de dif- lo nono dicere,Arichinericain, & Aſtronomiam ihmeticamen
ciplinarumnominedifferainus. Abrahain primùm Ægyptiis tradidiffe; unde ſe
Aftronomien Diſciplina Diſciplinæ ſunt, qux, licut jam di & um eft, mina
ſuſcipientes (utfunt hoinines acerrimi in Ægypainte nunquam nunquam opinionibus
deceptæ fallunt; & ideo genii) cxcoluiffe ſibi reliquas latiùs diſciplinas.
opinionibus cali nomine nuncupantur,quia neceffariò ſuas re- Quasmeritò fan
&i Patres noftei legendas ſtudio deceptæ fal gulas ſervant. Hænec
intentione creſcunt,nec fillinis perſuadent: quoniam ex magna parte per
Iubductione minuuntur, nec aliis varieratibus eas à carnalibus rebus appetitus
noſter abſtrahi permutantur: ſed in vi propria permanentes, re- tur, &
faciunt deſiderare, quæ, præftante Do gulas ſuas inconvertibili firmitate
cuſtodiunt. mino, ſolo poſſumus corde reſpicere. Quocirca Has dum frcquenti
meditatione revoluimus, fen- tempus eſt, ut deeis ſingillatin ac breviter diſſe
Cum noftruin acuunt, limúmque ignorantix de- rere debeamus. CAPUT QUARTUM De
Arithmetica C49 Arith metica inter Scriptores fæculacium litterarum
interdiccipli- faru efleformata;attamennulla corum,prætet Mathemati cas
diſcipli metiiam eſſe volucrunt:propterea quòd Mufica, Credo trahens hoc
initium, ut multi philoſo mis prima ju. & Geometria, &Aſtronomia, quæ
fequuntur, photum fecerunt, ab illa ſententia prophetali, Sam 11. 21. indigent
Arithmetica, ut virtutes ſuas valeant ex- quæ dicit: Omnia Deum menſura, numero,
& plicare. Verbi gratia,ſimplum ad duplum, quod pondere difpofuiſſe habet
Muſica, indiget Arithmetica: Geometria Hæc itaque confiftit ex quantitate
diſcreta, čHY Arish verò, quod habet trigonuin, quadrangulum,vel quæ parit
genera numerorum, nullo fibi com- metice conf his funilia, item indiget
Arithmeticas Aſtrono- munitermino ſociata. V. enim ad x. vi. ad iiii. vii. lidt
ex quar mia etiam, quòd habet in moru liderum nuineros ad iii. per nullam
coinmunein terminuin alteru- titate difcre punctorum, indiget Arithinetica.
Arithmetica trâ fibi focietate nectuntur. Arithmetica vecò di sa. Pithagora
verò, urlit, neque Muſica, neque Geometria, citur, co quòd numeris præeſt
Numerus verò, merica dica Arithmetia neque Aſtronomia egere cognoſcitur. Propterca
cft ex inonadibus multitudo compofita; ut iii. V. tur,& que camlan.c.
hisfons, & måter Arithmetica reperitur; quam X. xx. & cætera. Intentio
Arithmeticæ elt doce- fit ejusinsects diſciplinam Pythagoras fic laudalle *
probatur; re nos naturam abſtracti numeri, & que ei acci- tio. uromnia ſub
numero, & menfura à Deo creata dunt; ut verbi gratia, parilitas,
impacilitas, & firatur. fuiſſe incinoret, dicens: Alia in motu, alia in
cætera. Cur Arith vit. * Ed. mon s Paritei pat. Pariter impat. Impariter par Prima
diviſio numera Tvel par, qui eſt Numerus, qui congre gatio monaduneſt, ľ
Primus& ſimplex. vel iinper, qui eſt. Secundus & compoſitus. Tertius
mediocris, quiquodam modo primus, & incompoſitus, alio verò modo ſecundus,
& (compofitus. Quid fit Par Par numerus eft, qui in duas partes æquales
verbi gratia, xxiiii, in bis xii: xii, in bisyi:ſexo dividi poteft; ut ii. iii.
vi.viii. x. & reliqui. in bis tres, & ampliùs non procedit. Quid impar.
Impar numerus eſt, qui in duas partes æquales Primus & fimplex numerus eft,
qui monadi- Quid primit dividi nullatenus poteft, ut iii. v. vii. viiii.
xi.& c cammenſuram ſolam recipere poteſt; ut verbi & implex reliqui. gratia
iii. v. vii. xis xiii. xvii. & his finilias Quidpariter Pariter par numerus
eſt, cujus diviſio in dua Secundus & compoſitus numerus eft, qui non Quid
fecur par bus æqualibus partibus fieri poteſtuſque ad mo- folùm monadicam
menſuram, ſed &arithmeti doto come nada; ut verbi gratia lxiüi. dividitur
in xxxii; cam recipere poteſt; ut verbi gratia, viiii. xv. xxi. poftmo xxxii,
in xvi: & xvi, in viji: viii in iii:üii, & his ſimilia. in duo: ïi,
verò in i. Mediocris numerus eſt, quiquodam modo fim Quid pariter Pariter impar
numerus eſt, qui fimiliter fo- plex & incompoſitus efle videtur, alio verò
ino- cris impar. lummodo in duas partes dividi poteft æquales; do fecundus
& compoſitus, ut verbi gratia, viiii. utx, in v: xiiii, in vii: xviii, in
viiii.& his fi- ad xxv. dum comparatus fuerit, primus eft & milia.
incompoſitus: quia non habet communem nu Quid impari. Impariter par nuinerus
eſt, qui plures diviſio- merum, niſi ſolum monadicum: ad xv. verò li nes,
ſecundùm æqualitatem partium dividere comparatus fuerit, ſecundus eft &
compofitus: poteft, non tamen uſque ad allem perveniat; ut quoniam ineſt illi
communis numerus præter monadi. Quid Media ter par De Arithmetica. 383
mõnadicum, id eſt, ternarius'numerus, qui no- fexta pars, duo:quarta pars,tria:
tertia pars,iii: vein menſurat terterni, & xv. ter quini. & duodecima
pars unum; qui oinnes aſſumpti fiunt xvi. Altera divifio, de paribios, do
imparibues Indigens nunerus eſt, qui & ipſe de paribus QuidIndigãs. numeris.
deſcendit, quantitatis fuæ ſummain partiuin in feriorem habet; ut viii. cujus
medietas, iiii: [ aut ſuperfluus. quarta pars, ii: octava pars, i; quæ fimul
con gregatæ partes fiunt vii. aut par eſt. < aut indigens. Perfectus numerus
eft, qui taten & ipfe de QuidPerfe Numerus. paribus deſcendit: is dum par
ſit, omnes partes aut impar. į aut perfectus. Taas ſimul aſſumptas, æquales
habet; ut vj. cu jus medietas, tria: tertia pars, ij: vj. pars únum. Quid
Sriper. Superfluus numerus eſt, qui deſcendit de pari- Qux aſſumptæ
partesfaciunt ipſum ſenariumnus fluis. bus, is dum par ſit, ſuperfluas partes
quantitatis merum fuæ habere videtur; ut xii, habetmedietatem vie. Geti
popolazione stanziata nella regione successivamente nota come Dacia Lingua
Segui Modifica Ulteriori informazioni Questa voce sull'argomento antica Roma è
solo un abbozzo. Contribuisci a migliorarla secondo le convenzioni di
Wikipedia. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferimento. 1leftarrow
blue.svgVoce principale: Storia della Dacia. Geti era il nome che veniva
dato dagli scrittori pre-Romani alla popolazione stanziata nella regione
successivamente nota come Dacia, a centro nord dell'ultimo tratto del Danubio,
dove aveva gli inizi l’antica Bulgaria. I Geti erano parte del gruppo di
genti indoeuropee, forse parte della famiglia tracica; è possibile che fossero
tanto parte del popolo dei Daci o Tracchi, quanto che da questi siano stati a
un certo punto assorbiti. Per gli autori romani i termini Daci e Gaetierano
considerati in genere equivalenti, anche se Seneca indicava Geti come gli
abitanti delle pianure della Valacchia[1], mentre Stazio indicava i Daci come
gli abitanti dei territori montuosi e collinari della Transilvania[2]; inoltre
distinguevano i Tyragetae, Geti stanziati vicino al fiume Nistro. Storia
Modifica Secondo Erodoto, i Geti erano "la più nobile e la più giusta di
tutte le tribù traciche". Quando nel 514 a.C. i Persiani, guidati da Dario
I, attuarono una campagna contro gli Sciti, le varie popolazioni dei Balcani si
arresero al sovrano e lo lasciarono passare sui loro territori; solo i Geti
opposero resistenza. I Geti in seguito furono sconfitti da Alessandro Magno nel
335 a.C. sulle rive del Danubio, nel corso della sua campagna nei Balcani; in
quell'occasione, Alessandro per attraversare il Danubio si servì di zattere e
di piccole imbarcazioni di pescatori, sorprendendo circa 4000 Geti, attaccati
alle spalle, dopo aver attraversato il fiume. Religione Modifica Come ci
tramanda Erodoto, i Geti (alla fine del VI secolo a.C.) credevano
nell'immortalità dell'anima e consideravano la morte un mero cambio di
paese: «Ecco in che consiste la loro fede nell'immortalità. Essi
credono di non morire, e che chi muore vada dal Demone Salmoxis. Alcuni di essi
chiamano questa stessa divinità Gebeleizi. Mandano ogni cinque anni uno di loro
tratto a sorte, come messo a Salmoxis, ogni volta incaricandolo di recargli le
loro richieste. Ed ecco come lo mandano. Alcuni, che hanno quest'incarico, se
ne stanno con tre giavellotti; mentre altri afferrano le mani e i piedi
dell'uomo che inviano, lo fanno ondeggiare, e lo scagliano in alto verso le
punte dei giavellotti. Se viene trafitto e muore, ritengono propizia la
Divinità; e se non muore, la colpa è del messo, che essi dichiarano malvagio.
Gli muovono quest'accusa, e ne mandano un altro, al quale danno, mentre è
ancora in vita, i loro incarichi.» (Erodoto, Storie, IV, 94) Erodoto
aggiunge anche che «Inoltre scagliano, questi stessi Traci, frecce
verso l'alto al cielo, contro il tuono e il fulmine, e minacciano quella
Divinità, perché ritengono che fuori del loro non vi sia alcun altro
Dio.» (Erodoto, Storie, IV, 94) Accanto a Zalmoxis, un ruolo di rilievo
tra le divinità gete era attribuito a Gebeleixis. Il primo sacerdote godeva di
una posizione prominente in quanto rappresentante della divinità suprema,
Zalmoxis, ed era anche il consigliere del re. Giordane nella sua Getica,
attribuiva a Deceneo il titolo di sacerdote capo di Burebista[3]. Note
Modifica ^ Seneca, Phedra, 165-170. ^ Stazio, Silvae, I, 1, 7; III, 3, 169. ^
Giordane, Getica X, a cura di Mierow. URL consultato il 26 dicembre 2017
(archiviato dall' url originale il 20 novembre 2009). Voci correlate
Modifica Daci Dacia (regione storica) Traci Altri progetti Modifica Collabora a
Wikiquote Wikiquote contiene citazioni di o su Geti Collabora a Wikimedia
Commons Wikimedia Commons contiene immagini o altri file su Geti Collegamenti
esterni Modifica ( EN ) Geti, su Enciclopedia Britannica, Encyclopædia
Britannica, Inc. Modifica su Wikidata Portale Antica Roma: accedi
alle voci di Wikipedia che trattano di Antica Roma Ultima modifica 7 mesi fa di
188.216.224.177 PAGINE CORRELATE Storia della Dacia Daci popolazione indoeuropea
Dacia (regione storica) regione e regno dell'Europa orientale nel corso
dell'antichità classica Wikipedia Il contenuto Then Cyrus, king of the
Persians, after a long interval of almost exactly six hundred and thirty years
(as Pompeius Trogus relates), waged an unsuccessful war against Tomyris, Queen
of the Getae. Elated by his victories in Asia, he strove to conquer the Getae,
whose queen, as I have said, was Tomyris. Though she could have stopped the
approach of Cyrus at the river Araxes, yet she permitted him to cross,
preferring to overcome him in battle rather than to thwart him by advantage of
position. And so she did. (62) As Cyrus approached, fortune at first so favored
the Parthians that they slew the son of Tomyris and most of the army. But when
the battle was renewed, the Getae and their queen defeated, conquered and
overwhelmed the Parthians and took rich plunder from them. There for the first
time the race of the Goths saw silken tents. After achieving this victory and
winning so much booty from her enemies, Queen Tomyris crossed over into that
part of Moesia which is now called Lesser Scythia--a name borrowed from great
Scythia,--and built on the Moesian shore of Pontus the city of Tomi, named
after herself. (63) Afterwards Darius, king of the Persians, the son of
Hystaspes, demanded in marriage the daughter of Antyrus, king of the Goths,
asking for her hand and at the same time making threats in case they did not
fulfil his wish. The Goths spurned this alliance and brought his embassy to
naught. Inflamed with anger because his offer had been rejected, he led an army
of seven hundred thousand armed men against them and sought to avenge his
wounded feelings by inflicting a public injury. Crossing on boats covered with
boards and joined like a bridge almost the whole way from Chalcedon to
Byzantium, he started for Thrace and Moesia. Later he built a bridge over the
Danube in like manner, but he was wearied by two brief months of effort and
lost eight thousand armed men among the Tapae. Then, fearing the bridge over
the Danube would be seized by his foes, he marched back to Thrace in swift
retreat, believing the land of Moesia would not be safe for even a short
sojourn there. (64) After his death, his son Xerxes planned to avenge his
father's wrongs and so proceeded to undertake a war against the Goths with
seven hundred thousand of his own men and three hundred thousand armed
auxiliaries, twelve hundred ships of war and three thousand transports. But he
did not venture to try them in battle, being overawed by their unyielding
animosity. So he returned with his force just as he had come, and without
fighting a single battle. (65) Then Philip, the father of Alexander the
Great, made alliance with the Goths and took to wife Medopa, the daughter of King
Gudila, so that he might render the kingdom of Macedon more secure by the help
of this marriage. It was at this time, as the historian Dio relates, that
Philip, suffering from need of money, determined to lead out his forces and
sack Odessus, a city of Moesia, which was then subject to the Goths by reason
of the neighboring city of Tomi. Thereupon those priests of the Goths that are
called the Holy Men suddenly opened the gates of Odessus and came forth to meet
them. They bore harps and were clad in snowy robes, and chanted in suppliant
strains to the gods of their fathers that they might be propitious and repel
the Macedonians. When the Macedonians saw them coming with such confidence to
meet them, they were astonished and, so to speak, the armed were terrified by
the unarmed. Straightway they broke the line they had formed for battle and not
only refrained from destroying the city, but even gave back those whom they had
captured outside by right of war. Then they made a truce and returned to their
own country. (66) After a long time Sitalces, a famous leader of the
Goths, remembering this treacherous attempt, gathered a hundred and fifty
thousand men and made war upon the Athenians, fighting against Perdiccas, King
of Macedon. This Perdiccas had been left by Alexander as his successor to rule
Athens by hereditary right, when he drank his destruction at Babylon through
the treachery of an attendant. The Goths engaged in a great battle with him and
proved themselves to be the stronger. Thus in return for the wrong which the
Macedonians had long before committed in Moesia, the Goths overran Greece and
laid waste the whole of Macedonia.Cassiodoro. Cassiodoro Bruzi. Bruzi.
Keywords: dialettica, Squillace, i geti e i goti – teodorico, eteodorico, virtu
bellica, ardore guerriero, pagenesimo. Cassiodoro’s surname was Bruzi, from
Brutti – he wrote a story of the Goths, but he mistook them for the Bulgarians
(geti, gotti). Refs.: Luigi Speranza, “Grice e Bruzi” – The Swimming-Pool
Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51711096263/in/photolist-2mTaJAS-2mMwTke-2mKiLGD-2mKfeSA/
Grice e Buonafede – filosofia
italiana – Luigi Speranza
(Comacchio). Filosofo. Grice: “You’ve got to love Buonafede; he is all into the
longitudinal unity of philosophy, literally from Remo – he has chapters on the
Ancient Romans, on philosophy from the first monarchy to the second, a chapter
on Cicerone, and one of a lovely phrase, the Roman equivalent to the century of
Pericles, ‘filosofia nel regno di Augusto,’ but also on later developments of
Italian philosophy, even a chapter on Cartesianism in Italy, and how philosophy
on the whole was ‘resurrected’ or ‘revitalised’ in Italy --. I once joked that
philosophers should never give much credit to Wollaston – but Buonafede totally
proves me wrong!” -- Essential Italian
philosopher. Di familia nobile, studia a Bologna e Roma. Insegna a Napoli.
Saggio, “Ritratti poetici, storici e critici di varj uomini di lettere – Appio
Anneo de Faba Cromaziano” (Simone, Napoli) -- opera accolta favorevolmente negli ambienti
culturali napoletani frequentati da Buonafede, nella quale convivono giudizi
critici su alcuni importanti esponenti della filosofia moderna (quali
Machiavelli e Spinoza), con parziali accoglimenti di altri (Cartesio e Locke),
in uno stile composito tra il barocco e l'arcadico. Insegna a Bergamo e
Rimini. Membro nell'Accademia dell'Arcadia, assumendo il nome di Agatopisto
Cromaziano con il quale diede alle stampe numerosi saggi. Insegna a Sulmona. Saggio
“Della restaurazione di ogni filosofia ne’ secoli XVI, XVII e XVIII di
Agatopisto Cromaziano” (Graziosi, Venezia – Societa Tipografica de classici
italiani, Milano) -- particolarmente critica verso la filosofia sensista di
Cartesio e Locke. Baretti: ebbe una violenta polemica con lui. Il “Saggio di
commedie filosofiche”, contenente un testo in endecasillabi, “Il filosofo
fanciullo” che, in uno stile comico, critica celebri filosofi dell'antichità
riportando citazioni fuori dal contesto.Venivano beffeggiati, tra gli altri,
Socrate, Democrito e Anassagora. Il saggio trova qualche apprezzamento. Baretti,
scrittore e critico letterario torinese, in un numero del suo periodico la
Frusta letteraria nel quale era solito firmarsi con lo pseudonimo di Aristarco
Scannabue, espresse giudizi negativi sul Saggio del Buonafede trovandolo
irrilevante e privo di comicità. Punto sul vivo, replica immediatamente con il
libello, dai toni assai aspri, “Il bue pedagogo: novella menippee di Luciano da
Fiorenzuola contro una certa Frusta pseudo-epigrafia di Aristarco Cannabue”
(Luca).”. Gli rispose ancora Baretti con una nutrita serie di articoli,
Discorsi fatti dall'autore della Frusta letteraria al reverendissimo padre don
Luciano Firenzuola da Comacchio autore del Bue pedagogo, pubblicati su diversi
numeri della Frusta. La polemica, una
delle più aspre e celebri delle cronache filosofiche italiane prosigue
ancora.Fa pressioni verso i responsabili della Repubblica di Venezia affinché
eliminassero gli articoli apparsi sulla Frusta e perché Baretti fosse poi
espulso dallo Stato Pontificio quando si trasferì ad Ancona. Il critico non fu lasciato tranquillo neppure
quando fuggì in Inghilterra: l'irriducibile Buonafede lo accua allora di
simpatie verso il protestantesimo. Il giudizio di Croce e piuttosto
negativo, scrisse che la sua filosofia e il risultato di «un ingegno da
predicatore e da predicatore mestierante, che ha un impegno da assolvere, un
sentimento da inculcare, un nemico da abbattere» senza che possano distrarlo
dal suo fine «né la ricerca della verità delle cose né l'ammirazione di quel
che è bello». Più positivo il giudizio di Natali nella voce redatta per l'Enciclopedia
Italiana, lo giudica “uomo d'ingegno acutissimo, filosofo non volgare, spesso
arguto e vivace e dotato di dottrina assai superiore a quella del Baretti. Altre
opere: “Delle conquiste celebri esaminate col naturale diritto delle genti
libri due di Agatopisto Cromaziano” (Riccomini, Lucca, Milano, Fondazione Mansutti);
“Saggio di commedie filosofiche con ampie annotazioni di A. Agatopisto
Cromaziano” (Faenza, pel Benedetti impressor vescovile, e delle insigni
Accademie degl'illustrissimi sigg. Remoti e Filoponi); “Sermone apologetico di
Tito Benvenuto Buonafede per la gioventù italiana contro le accuse contenute in
un libro intitolato Della necessità e verità della religione naturale, e rivelata”
(Benedini, Lucca); “Della malignità istorica: discorsi tre contro Pier
Francesco Le Courayer nuovo interprete della Istoria del Concilio di Trento di
Pietro Soave” (Bologna, per Lelio dalla Volpe impr. dell'Instituto delle
Scienze); “Dell'apparizione di alcune ombre novella letteraria di Tito
Benvenuto Buonafede” (Lucca, appresso Jacopo Giusti nuovo stampatore alla
Colonna del Palio); “Istoria critica e filosofica del suicidio ragionato di
Agatopisto Cromaziano” (Lucca, Stamperia di Vincenzo Giuntini, a spese di
Giovanni Riccomini); “Versi liberi di Agatopisto Cromaziano messi in luce da
Timoleonte Corintio con una epistola della libertà poetica..., Cesena, Società
di Pallade per Gregorio Biasini al Palazzo Dandini); “Della istoria e della
indole di ogni filosofia di Agatopisto Cromaziano” (Lucca, per Giovanni
Riccomini); “Il genio borbonico, versi epici di Agatopisto Cromaziano nelle
nozze auguste delle altezze reali di Ferdinando di Borbone, infante di Spagna e
di Maria Amalia, arciduchessa infanta” (Parma, per Filippo Carmignani,
stampatore per privilegio di sua altezza reale); “Della letteratura comacchiese
lezione parenetica in difesa della patria di Agatopisto Cromaziano giuniore”
(Parma, Bodoni). Opere di Agatopisto Cromaziano” (Napoli, presso Giuseppe Maria
Porcelli). “Epistole tusculane di un solitario ad un uomo di città, Gerapoli); “Storia
critica del moderno diritto di natura e delle genti di Agatopisto Cromaziano,
fa parte della Biblioteca cristiano-filosofica decennio primo, consacrato alla
divinità” (Firenze, nella Stamperia della Carità). Dizionario Biografico degli
Italiani. Soffre di gotta e una caduta in piazza Navona aggrava le sue
condizioni. La storiografia filosofica, Vestigia philosophorum”. Il medioevo e
la storiografia filosofica, Rimini, Maggioli Editore. Fondazione Mansutti,
Quaderni di sicurtà. Documenti di storia dell'assicurazione, M. Bonomelli,
schede bibliografiche di C. Di Battista, note critiche di F. Mansutti. Milano:
Electa. Memorie istoriche di letterati ferraresi, III, Ferrara. Ritratto di Appiano Buonafede.
Assicurazione. Luigi Speranza, "Grice e
Buonafede," per Il Club Anglo-Italiano, The Swimming-Pool Library, Villa
Grice, Liguria, Italia. I Romani, fin d'allora che ebbero le canne
per tetti e un solco in luogo di fosse e di muraglie, esercitarono la
divinazione, con la cui guida ordi (1 ) Seneca I. c. (2) Plinio Hist. Nat. lib.
II, cap. 53. V. Lucrezio lib. V. (3) Macrobio Saturnal. lib. VII, cap. 13. V.
Scipione Maffei ap pressoG. Lampredi l. c. (4 ) Cassiodoro. lib. III Var. Ep.
Museo Etrusco 1. II, tab. 15. UNDECIMO 1499 narono e nobilitaronoi rudimenti
della loro pira teria; e Romolo fu insiemeil fondatore e il primo augure di
Roma (1 ). Uomini armati e rubatori co nobbero che questa larva di religione e
questa pre tesa scienza del futuro potea aver influssi propiz; nelle loro
spedizioni, siccome l'esito comprovo: é fu veramente cosa ammirabile che una
tanta pue rilità, di cui gli auguri istessi rideano, producesse vantaggi sì
grandi alla fortuna romana. Presero adun que quei primi uomini la disciplina
augurale dagli Etruschi, e non curarono altro (2 ). Furon dette as sai novelle
della filosofia degli Aborigeni, de' Sabi ni, degli Ausonj e di altre genti di
quelle contrade; ma i critici le numerarono tra le favole (3). Numa Pompilio,
secondo regolo di quella feroce masna da, pensò di ammansarla con la religione
e con la pace. Finse colloquj con le Muse, e divulgò notturni congressi con la
dea Egeria. Istituì sacerdoti agl’Id dii, e fu egli stesso sacerdote. Scelse le
vergini a Vesta, le quali serbasser perpetuo il fuoco nel cen tro d'un tempio
rotondo. Vietò le immagini delle sostanze divine e i sacrifizj cruenti. Ordinò
gli au gurj, gli oracoli, le interpretazioni de' fulmini e di altri prodigj, e
le funebri ceremonie e le placazioni de' Mani. Corresse i mesi e l'anno secondo
il corso del sole e della lupa. Scrisse libri sacri, che furon seppelliti con
lui, e niun potè leggerli. Consacrò l'arcano e il silenzio con la istituzione
della dea Ta cita. Chiuse il tempio di Giano; e Roma guerriera divenne pacifica
e religiosa (4). In questi regola menti di Numa furono cercati, e dicono anche
ri trovati gl'indizj di molta filosofia. La finzione de'. (1) Cicer. De
Divinatione lib. I. 2. Cicer. I. c. (3) G. Hornio Hist. Phil. lib. IV, сар. 3.
T. Livio lib. I, cap. 8; lib. XL, cap. 29. Plutarco in Numa. 200 CAPITOLO
prodigj e de' secreti colloqui col cielo, e il silenzio è l'arcano e i
sacrifici senza sangue, e le proibi zioni di effigiare la Divinità, sono
sembrate dottrine pitagoriche; e sopra tutto il fuoco del tempio di Vesta è
stato creduto un simbolo del sistema di Pitagora, il quale insegnava la
stabilità del sole nel centro del nostro mondo (1 ). Il perchè corse già
opinione che Numa fosse stato discepolo di Pita gora; ma è stato poi osservato
che questo filosofo vivea in Italia quando L. Bruto salvò Roma dai ti ranni (2).
Onde piuttosto Numa avrebbe dovuto am maestrare Pitagora; sebbene io non credo
che un filosofo chiuso tra i monti di Calabria abbia mai udito parlare d'un
capo di ladroncelli ristretti (ra i monti latini. Isacco Newton pensò che Numa
pren desse il suo sistema celeste dagli Egiziani, osserva tori antichissimi
delle stelle (3). Ma io non so per suadermi che unpover uomo sabino estendesse
il saper suo fino alla penetrazione degli ardui misteri di Egitto; e reputo più
verisimile che lo studio de gli Etruschi nelle meraviglie de' fuochi celesti, e
la molto diffusa e popolarevenerazione del fuoco gui dassero Nụma alla
istituzione di questo rito. Mime raviglio io bene come coloro che cercano il
Pan teismo dappertutto, non abbiano trovato nel fuoco centrale di Vesta il
simbolo dell'anima del mondo, e di quelle altre stoiche e Spinoziane dottrine
che pure si sforzano di trovare altrove con maggiore difficoltà. Forse si
saranno contenuti da questa im putazione, perchè negli oracoli e nelle altre
divina zioni di Numa, e nelle mortuali placazioni e ceri monie si conoscono
alcuni vestigj non dispregevoli (1 Plutarco. (2) Livio I. c. Cicer. Tuscul.
Disput. lib. I, 16; IV, 1. V. P. Bayle Dict. art, Pythagoras, e J. Brucker de
Phil. Roman. yet. 3 ) De MundiSystemate. UNDECIMO. 201 d'una libera provvidenza
e d'una vera immortalità degli animi separati dai corpi. Io ebbi quasi voglia
di aggiunger qui, che per sentenza di Varrone (1) gl'Iddii de' Romani e de'
Latini prima ancora di Numa e di Romolo erano gl' Iddiidi Frigia portati da
Enea, quei di Frigia erano i medesimi di Samo tracia tanto famosa per li suoi
misterj che erano gli stessi d'Egitto; e siccome di questi mostreremo con
qualche verisimilitudine che nascondeano la unità di Dio e la immortalità degli
animi, così po trebbe dirsi il medesimo della segreta dottrina del l'antico
Lazio e de' primi Romani. Ma oltre le gravi difficoltà contro la venuta d'Enea
in Italia, i.se veri critici potrebbono opprimermi con altre dub biezze assai;
onde ho deposto il desiderio dipro porre le mie conghielture. Non è però male
alcuno averle accennate.Questa è l'immagine della piccola filosofia dei primi
tempi di Roma, la quale appena apparita per lo pacifico genio di Numa, fu
dissipata dagl'ingegni guerrieri de' suoisuccessori, e per più secoli fu
esclusa ed anche abborrita, come nimica dell'austerità e della fortezza, da
quei valorosi uo mini che, intenti alla conquista del mondo, o non ebbero ozio
di volgersi alla filosofia, o pensarono di non averne bisogno, o dubitarono che
potesse opporsi a quell'immenso latrocinio. Ritorneremo su questo argomento, e
avremo copiosa materia di ra gionare ovę riguarderemoquei tempi di Roma che
dagli storici e dai politici furon detti molli e corrot ti, e dagli amici della
filosofia furono onorati come. mansueti e sapienti. (1) V. Macrobio Saturnal.
lib. III, cap. 4; P. Giurieu Hist. Cri tica Dogmat, Par. I Il genio bellicoso
di Romolo ammansato un poco dalla pacifica Egeria, che era il Genio di Numa,
nella signoria dei seguenti Regoli di Roma tornd alla primiera ferocità. Nè
altramenle potea inter venire in una città e in un popolo composto di uo mini
violenti e perturbatori, e per delitti e per ti mor delle pene fuggitivi dalle
lor terre, e riparati nella nascente ciltà come nell'asilo delle scellerag gini;
i quali assuefatti al sangue e alla rapina, se fosser mancate guerre esteriori,
avrebbero infero cito contro le viscere della lor medesima società. Perchè fu
mestieri esercitarli senza riposo in im prese e rubamenti perpetui; e questa
che parve prima necessità, divenne appresso costume, e fu l'origine primaria
della grandezza romana. Un po polo cosi funestamente educato non potea esser
amico di alcuna filosofia: e ' veramente, come alcuna volta si offersero le
opportunità d'introdurla, con molta ruvidezza la impedirono per timore che non
ammollisse l'austerità militare, e non traviasse la gioventù romana dalla
usurpazione del mondo. Nel (1 ) J. Brucker 1. c. QUARANTESIMOTTAVO 289 campo
d'an uom consolare furon trovati sotterra alcuni manoscritti di filosofia
attribuiti a Numa, e il pretore comando risolutamente che fossero ab bruciati (1
). Un altro pretore per consultazione del senato, e poco dopo anche i censori
dichiararono, non piacere che soggiornassero nella città certi fi losofi e
retori maestri d'un nuovo genere di disci pline diverse dalla consuetudine e
dal costume de maggiori; per la qual novità i romani giovani in torpidivano (2).
Questo avvenne intorno al fine del sesto secolo dalla fondazione di Roma nel
conso Jato di C. Fannio Strabone e di M. Valerio Mes sala; ed è ben degno di
considerazione che quei grand' uomini avean già messa ad effetto gran parte del
lor latrocinio, e la filosofia era ancora un nuovo genere di disciplina
contrario alle loro consuetu dini. In quel torno medesimo, e non so bene se
poco prima o poco dopo, accadde quella famosa ambasceria ateniese de tre
filosofi Carneade, Dio gene e Critolao (3). Gli Ateniesi avendo saccheg giata
Oropo città della Beozia, furono dai Sicionj con l'autorità de' Romani
condannati in cinquecento talenti. Ma questa multa sembrando soperchia, spe
dirono a Roma i prefati filosofi per ottener condi zioni più sopportabili.
Nella dimora e nella espet tazione di essere ascoltati dal senato, tennero
dotte assemblee nei cospicui luoghi di Roma, e ostenta rono dottrina incognita
ed eloquenza inaudita alle orecchie romane; e Critolao la usò erudita e roton
da, Diogene modesta e sobria, Carneade violenta e rapida: ma comechè ognuno
ottenesse gran lode, l'Accademico sopra tutti risvegliò le meraviglie inu (1 )
Plinio lib. III, cap. 12. (2) A Gellio Noc. Att. lib. XV, cap. 2. (3) Vedi
presso P, Bayle (artic. Carneade, not. N ) i litigj in-. torno a quest'epoca.
BUONAFEDE. Ist. Filos. Vol. II. 19 290 CAPITOLO sitate e fino i furori
pubblici, massimamente della gioventù, che dimentica de' piacerifu rapita quasi
fanatica dalla nuova filosofia (1 ). E convien certo che molto singolar cosa
fosse questa eloquenza di Carneade, mentre fu detto che ora a guisa d'un fiume
incitato e rapace sforzava e svelleva ogni cosa e seco rapiva l'uditore con
grande strepito, e ora dilettando lo imprigionava, e per una parte
manifestamente predando, e per un'altra rubanilo nascostamente, o con laforza o
con la frode vin cea gli animi più prepurati a resistere (2). Ma ciò che
maggiormente rileva, da Cicerone medesimo maestro tanto eccellente di queste cose,
fu delto che avrebbe pure desiderato di possedere la divina celerità d'ingegno
e l'incredibil forza di dire e la copia e la varietà di Carneade, il quale in
quelle sue disputazioni niuna sentenza difese che non pro vasse, niuna oppugnò
che non mettesse a compiuta ruina (3). Consapevole di queste sue viltoriose vee
menze, ardì, stabilita la giustizia in un giorno con molto copiosa orazione,
distruggerla in un altro alla presenza di Galba e di Catonemaggiore,in quella
età oratori grandi alla maniera romana. Lattanzio ci serbd in poche parole la
sostanza di questa con futazione della giustizia. Carneade la divise in ci vile
e naturale, e l'una e l'altra mise a niente; per chè la civile è prudenza, non
è giustizia; la natu rale è giustizia, non è prudenza. Quella si varia secondo
i tempi e i luoghi, e ogni popolo l'attem pera a suo comodo: questa è una
inclinazione verso l'utilità che la natura infuse in ogni animale, alla quale
chi volesse ubbidire incorrerebbe in mille fro (1 ) Pausania lıb. VII. Plutarco
in Catone Majore.A. Gellio lib.VII, cap. 14. Macrobio Saturnal. lib. I, cap. 5.
(2) Numenio presso Eusebio Praep. Ev. lib. IV, cap. 8. (3) Cicerone De Oratore
lib. II, 38; III, 18. QUARANTESIMOTTAVO 291 di. Moltissimi esempj dimostrano
cosiffalta essere la condizione degli uomini, che volendo essere giu sti, sono
imprudenti e stolti; e volendo essere pru denti e avveduti, sono ingiusti:
laonde non può concedersi una giustizia che è inseparabile dalla stoltezza. Nel
quale proposito trascorse in queste parole abborrite dai conquistatori: Se i
popoli fio renti per signoria e i Romani oggimai possessori del mondo volessero
esser giusti restituendo l'al trui, dovrebbono ritornare alle capanne e giacere
nella miseria (1 ). Cicerone, che molto avea medi tate queste e più altre
difficoltà di Carneade, le trascorse senza risposta (2); e altrove avendo sta
tuito un diritto naturale indipendente dalle istitu zioni degli uomini, prega
l'Accademia e Arcesila e Carneade a volersi tacere, perchè assalendo queste
ragioni, indurrebbono grandi ruine; e desidera ben molto di placar tali uomini,
non ardisce rispinger li (3). Ma M. Porzio Catone censore uom di ri gida
innocenza e di antichi costumi e di senatoria e militare austerità (per le
quali virtù era già nata e crescea la grandezza di Roma), udite queste am bigue
e scandalose orazioni, e veduti i furori della gioventù romana, e considerate
le conseguenze fu neste alla fortuna della repubblica, le quali poteano sorgere
da quella molle e licenziosa filosofia, pre stamente e fortemente dimostrò nel
senato che non era bene sopportare più a lungo nella città quegli ambasciatori
filosofi che persuadevano quanto loro piacea, e confondeano il vero col falso,
e aliena vano dalla robusta e antica istituzione la gioventù; 2 (1 ) Lattanzio
lib. V, cap. 14, 16. V. P. Bay le I. c. G, H, et art Porcius, H. (2) Cicerone
De Repub. presso S. Agostino De Civ. Dei lib. II, cap. 21, e Lallanzio I. c. (3
) Ciceronc De Legib. lib. I. 292 CAPITOLO e quindi era mestieri conoscere e
risolvere di quella legazione, e tosto rimandando gli ambasciatori ad istruire
i fanciulli di Grecia, ricondurre i giovani romani ad ascoltar come dianzi i maestrati
e le leg gi (1). Di questo modo Catone parlo, e gli amba sciatori furono
congedati. Non è però che questo Catone fosse nimico del sapere, mentre è noto
per la istoria ch'egli in gioventù militando a Taranto ascoltò volentieri da
certo suo ospite pitagorico dottrine contrarie alla voluttà, e crebbe
nell'amore della frugalità e della continenza: indi in età più matura fu
interprete delle leggi, e difensore e ac cusatore instancabile del Foro, e
scrittore di ora zioni e di cose rustiche e delle origini romane; nelle quali
opere mostrò copia e gravità di dottrina; e, in breve, tutta la sua lunghissima
vita distribuì tra la milizia e tra le leggi e le lettere, e tra la più austera
pratica della virtù e la persecuzione più vio lenta de vizj (2). Onde fu detto
che le sue guerre perpetue contro i malvagi costumi non erano alla repubblica
meno utili delle vittorie di Scipione con tro i nimici (3). Il perchè non credo
io già ch'egli per odio di Carneade o per altra malevolenza ab. borrisse la
filosofia greca; ma piuttosto perchè la militare e severa indole di Roma ne'
suoi dì così domandava, e perchè l'esempio di Grecia ammol lita e scaduta in
mezzo a tanto lusso di filosofia forse lo spaventava. E siccome egli era per
natura inclinato all'eccesso de' rigori, parlava forse più for leinente che non
sentiva; e nella guisa che esage rando dicea che le adultere erano
avvelenatrici ile' loro mariti (4), e che tutti i medici greci erano da 5. (1 )
Plinio lib. VII, cap. 30. Plutarco in Catone. (2) Cicerone de Ci. Or. 17. Tito
Livio lib. XXXIX, 41. C. Nie pote Frag. Vitae Catonis. Plutarco I. c. (3)
Seneca Ep. 87: (4 ) Quintiliano lib. V, 11. QUA RANTESIMOTTAVO 293 fuggirsi,
dacchè aveano giurato di uccidere tutti i Barbari e quindi anche i Romani (1);
così per av. ventura ingrandiva gli abborrimenti di tutta la fi losofia de
Greci, e dicea a suo figliuolo: Pensa che io parli da vate: indocile ed
iniquissima è la ge nerazione de' Greci. Quando avverrà che quella gente a noi
dia le sue lettere, saremo tutti corrotti e perduti (2 ). Di queste sue
amplificazioni, oltre il suo amore per la disciplina pitagorica, può essere
argomento lo studio ch ' egli mise negli scrittori e nelle lettere greche non
solamente nella sua grave età, quando le meditò avidamente, come chi vuole estinguere
una lunga sete, ma nella sua pretura di Sardegna, e ancor prima; poichè, per
testimonianza di Plutarco, egli in età di quarantacinqueanni parlò agli
Ateniesi per un interprete, ma potea parlar greco, se avesse voluto, e i suoi
libri erano ornati e ricchi di opinioni, di esempi e di istorie fonti, e di
sentenze morali tradotte fedelmente dal greco (3). Da questi riscontri jo
deduco che Catone disprezzando i Greci in pubblico e leggendoli in privato, non
era veramente tanto nimico loro quanto ostentava; e che meditando egli e usando
ne' suoi componimenti le opinioni greche, è chiaro che vi erano dunque in Roma
i libri greci, e che non erano incognite le greche opinioni a quella età, e
quindi prima della ambasciata de tre filosofi vi era tra i Romani qualche
tintura di greca filosofia. Frattanto Furio, Lelio, Scipione e altri di genti
patrizie furon del numero di que' giovani accesi nell'amore delle dottrine
greche, i quali venuti a matura età e assunti al comando degli eserciti che
soggiogavan la Grecia, prese da' greci (1 ) Plinio lib. XXIX, cap. 1. (2 )
Plinio I. c. Plutarco l. c. (3) Cicerone De Senectute 1, 8. Val. Massimo lib.
VIII, cap. 10. Plutarco I, c. Aurelio Vittore De Viris Illustr, 294 CAPITOLO e
al governo delle provincie conquistate, ebbero agio di veder da vicino e di
ascoltare i valenti uomini e i filosofi greci, coi quali strinsero
dimestichezza, e vollero finanche averli compagni nelle lor case, nei viaggi
enelle medesime spedizioni militari. Cosi leg. giamo che Scipione Africano
volle aver seco assidua mente in casa e nella milizia insiem con Polibio, isto
rico singolare egrande uomo di Stato e di guerra, anche Panezio filosofo
stoico. Era questi un Rodiano ingenuo e grave, il quale salito ai primiluoghi
del Portico, oltre alcun altro componimento, scrisse i libri lodatissimni degli
Uffizj secondo quella disci plina; ma non gli piacque la stoica divinazione e
l'apatia, e le spine della disputa e l'asprezza delle parole e l'orror de
costum; e più gentilmente e umanamente fiolsofo, non così legandosi a Zenone e
quegli altri, che non amasse anche Aristotele Senocrate e Teofrasto e Dicearco,
e non ammirasse Platone come divino e sapientissimo e santissimo e come l'Omero
de' filosofi, sebben quella sua or poetica, or ambigua immortalità degli animi
non gli tornasse a grado. Fu dunque Panezio uno Stoico modesto e libero e degno
della famigliarità di Sci pione, il quale erudito in questa temperata stoica
dottrina fu mansuetissimo ed umanissimo; e ripar lendo la sua vita tra la
milizia e la filosofia, sali per fama di valore e di lettere fra i massimi am
plificatori della gloria di Roma (1). Ad illustre ed esimia indole aggiungendo
la ragione e la dottrina, e assiduamente conversando col medesimo Panezio e con
Diogene stoico e con altri eruditissimi uo mini greci, furono in compagnia di
Scipione pre (1 ) Cicerone Acad. Quaest. lib. II, 33; De Fin. lib. 1, 2, et IV,
9,28; De Off. lib. II, 14; III, 2; Tusc. Disp. lib. I, 32; De Div. lib. I, 3,
7; JI, 42; Or. pro Murena 33; De Or. lib. III; De Nat.: Deor. lib. I, II. A.
Gellio Noc. At. lib. XII, 5. Suida v.Panaetius. QUARANTESI MOTTAVO 295 clari e
singolari per modestia e per continenza L. Furio e C. Lelio cognominato
Sapiente (1 ). Si acco starono a Panezioea questi medesimi studj L. Fi lippo e
C. Gallo e P. Rutilio e M. Scauro e Q. Tube rone e Q. Muzio Scevola, e altri
soinmiuomini nella repubblica, e massimamente i giureconsulti (2 ); i quali
invitati da lanta luce di esempi e dalla ma gnificenza e dal metodo della
stoica morale, pen sarono che niun'altra potesse congiungersi più co modamente
alla giureprudenza romana. In queste narrazioni è facile a vedersi che la
stoica filosofia entrò la prima in Roma con molto nobil fortuna; e quantunque
Carneade esultasse sopra i compagni suoi, quando non però si ebbe a prender
partito, quei medesimi che lo aveano ascoltato con tanto furore, si rivolsero
alla stoica disciplina; la quale benchè non possa mostrar tra i Romani una suc
cessione continua di maestri e grande strepito di scuole e di libri, mostra
iudizj cospicui della rive renza in cui era tenuta e; tra gli altri il grande
Porn peo, che approdato a Rodi volle ascoltar Possido nio da Apamea stoico di
primo nome, che avea cat tedra in quella Isola, e recatosi alla sua casa, vietà
prima che il littore percotesse la porta, e per som ma testificazione d'onore
comando che si abbas sassero i fasci; indi entrato, vide Possidonio gia cere
gravemente per dolori in tutta la persona, e salutatolo con onorifiche parole
gli disse,molto mo lesto.essergli per quella sua malattia non potere
ascoltarlo. Ma tu veramente puoi, rispose Possi donio, nè io concederò mai che
il dolore fuccia che (1 ) Cicerone De Or. II; De Fin. II; Or. pro Archia. (2)
Cicerone Or. pro Murena; De Or. Il; in Bruto 30, 31. V. Vincenzo Gravina De Or.
Juris cap. 57, 59; Giovanni Schiltero Manud. Phil. Moralis ad Jurispr. cap. 1,
3; D. Westphal De Stoa Juriscon. Rom.; Everardo Ottone De Stoica Juriscons.Philosophia.
d 296 CAPITOLO un tanto uomo sia venuto indarno a vedermi. E cosi giacendo
disputò gravemente e copiosamente, che niente era buono, salvo l'onesto. E
intanto ardendo pure come per fiaccole il dolore, spesso dicea: Niente fai, o
dolore: sebbene tu sia molesto, io non confes serò mai che tu sia male. Pompeo
si congedò richie dendo il filosofo se niente volesse ordinargli, ed egli
rispose: Rem gere praeclare, atque aliis prestare me mento (1 ). Cicerone poi
lo ascoltà come scolare (2); e M. Marcello si tenne in grande onore di condurlo
a Roma(3 ), ove fu in altissima estimazione per li suoi libri della Natura
degl'Iddii, degli Uffizj, della Di vinazione, e per altrenobili scritture che
andarono a male (4 ); e poichè era cultor non vulgare dell'astro nomia, ebbe
gran lode nella composizione di quella sua sfera, la quale in ognuna delle sue
conversioni rappresentava nel sole, nella luna e ne' pianeti quello che si fa
in cielo nel giorno e nella notte (5). Pos sidonio adunque dopo Panezio fu
ornamento grande e propagator sommo della fortuna stoica tra i Ro mani. Altri
Greci di minor nome sostennero la me desima fatica, e accompagnarono e
amınaestrarono altri Romani, che molto si dilettarono di quella di sciplina; e
tra questi non è giusto tacere di Q. Lucilio Balbo, divenuto stoico eguale ai
Greci medesimi, cosicchè Cicerone nei Dialoghi della Natura degļId dii gli
diede a sostenere le parti della stoica teologia. Ma niuno tra i Romani, nè
forse pure tra i Greci agguagliò la persuasione, la pratica e la costanza
stoica di Catone Uticense, onde ottenne da Cice (1 ) Cicerone Tusc. Disp. lib.
II,25.Plinio Juniore Ep.lib. VI, 30. (2) De Nat. Deor. lib. I, 3. (3) Suida v.
Possidonius.Aieveo (lib. XIV) lo dice famigliare di Scipione domator di
Cartagine; ma è anacronismo. (4) Cicerone De Div.lib.1, 3;De Nat.Deor. lib.1,44;ad
Att. XVI, ep. 11; De Off. lib. I, 45. (5) Cicerone De Nat. Deor. lib. II, 34.
QUARANTESIMOTTAVO 297 rone il nome di Stoico perfetto, che in tanti uo mini di
quel genere ricordati e variamente lodati nelle sue opere non avea saputo
ancora concedere a veruno (1 ). E di vero parve che la natura mede sima si
dilettasse ad organizzare in quest'uomouno Stoico singolare; perciocchè è fama
che fino dalla puerizia con la voce e col volto mostrò ingegno se rio, rigido,
intrepido, inflessibile alle lusinghe e alle minacce, e fin d'allora spirante
immobilità nell'amor della patria. Ma fatto adulto ebbe famigliari e mae stri
Antipatro Tirio e Atenodoro Cordilione, uom solitario e alieno dai rumori e
dalle corti; e dap poi tende sempre dimestichezza con altri filosofi stoici, e
con la forza della istituzione confermò ed accrebbe la natura già molto
propensa, e non per la disputa, ma per la vita fu Stoico. Éntrato nei maestrati
della repubblica e negli strepiti del Foro e della milizia, usò tal forma di
parlare e di vive re, che le meraviglie furon grandissime di tutti i Romani,
massimamente che di quei di oramai era mutata e corrotta ogni cosa. Con una
voce la cui intensione e forza era inesausta, parlava al popolo e al senato non
eleganze e novità, ma ragioni giu ste, piane, brevi, severe e degne della
stoica di sciplina e di Catone. Le usanze sue non eran dis simili dalle parole,
e con forti esercitazioni si ad destrava a sostenere il calore e la neve col
capo ignudo, e a viaggiare a piedi in ogni stagione. Nella guerra civile in
mezzo alla militare licenza fu tem perante, e combatte con fortezza congiunta a
pru denza, e ottenne lodi e onori, che rifiutò. Eletto tribuno de' soldati per
la Macedonia, fu simile ai soldati nelle fatiche; ma nella grandezza dell'animo
e nella forza dell'eloquenza fu maggiore di tutti i (1 ) Cicerone Praef. ad
Parad. Strabone lib. VII, XI, XIV. 298 CAPITOLO capitani. Visild l’Asia per
conoscer l'indole di quelle terre e i costumi degli uomini, e per conquistare
il solitario stoico Atenodoro Cordilione, che riputò la più ricca di tutte le
prede. Ritornato a Roma, di vise il suo tempo tra Atenodoro e la repubblica.
Non curò di esser questore prima di aver cono sciute a fondo tutte le leggi
questorie; e in quel maestrato corrotto pessimamente tante cose mutò per la
giustizia e per la salute della repubblica, che nell'amore della giustizia e
della temperanza fu te nuto maggiore di tutti i Romani. Nel senato fu sem pre
il primo a venire e l'ultimo a ritirarsi. Dalla sua solitudine di Lucania, ove
si era raccolto per viver tranquillamente tra i libri e i suoi filosofi, de
siderò il tribunato della plebe unicamente per re sistere ai magnati
prepotenti, e in questa ardua con tenzione dimostrò giustizia, fede, candore,
magna nimità; a segno che Cicerone con molta licenza di giuochi agitando lo
stoicisino di Catone nella causa di Murena, incorse il biasimo di rettorica
dissolu tezza; di che però l'uomo apato non si commosse per niente, e solamente
ammonì un poco il licen zioso giuocatore con quelle brevi ma significanti
parole: Buoni Iddii ! Noi abbiam pure il ridicolo Console; e poi nella
congiurazione Catilinaria vi gilanteinente lo soccorse, come amico di lai e
delle repubblica. Ma si accrebbero fuor d'ogni termine le invidie, le
emulazioni e le violenze de' cittadini potenti, e i consigli di perder la
patria e la libertà preponderarono ad ogni virtù. Catone resistè for temente; e
mentre altri erano Pompejani e altri Cesariani, egli perseverò ad esser
repubblicano. Si attenne poi a Pompeo come a male minore, e guer reggid e parlò
da grande soldato e da filosofo. Dopo la battaglia farsalica, nella successione
continua delle disgrazie e nella ruina di tutte le cose si riparò ad
QUARANTESIMOTTAVO 299 Utica, disse ai suoi che provvedessero a sè mede simi con
la fuga o con altri consigli, entrò nel ba gno, e poi cend e bevve lietamente e
disputò co' suoi filosofi, e sostenne, il solo sapiente esser li bero.
Coricatosi lesse due volte il Fedone, dormi ancora, e svegliato si uccise (1).
Con molta prolis sità si è voluto disputare delle cagioni del suicidio di
Catone; il che secondo il pensier mio si è fatto assai vanamente (2); perocchè
dalle cose fin qui rac contate si conosce, senza bisogno di tante dispu
tazioni, che il nimico alle porte, la dignità e la li bertà perduta, la
speranza del fine de' mali pre senti e del riposo futuro, e il sistema e il
costume stoico e romano furono le cagioni palesi di quel suicidio. A queste
cagioni fu aggiunta la trasfusione degli animi nell'anima del mondo, ossia
Iddio im merso necessariamente e indivisibilmente nella ma teria; il che fu
raccolto non solamente dalla indole del sistema stoico, ma da quelle parole che
Luca nio prestò a Catone: Iupiter est quodcumque vi des, quocumque moveris (3),
per cui il prode Col lin allogó Catone tra i Panteisti (4 ). Maperchè quel
verso può essere più del poeta che di Catone, e perchè posto ancora che sia di
questi, può aver senso che Iddio è presente per tutto, e in fine per chè la
teologia stoica non è così empia come al cuni immaginarono, secondochè dianzi
abbiam det to, perciò non possiamo acconsentire al Panteismo di Catone. Sebben
fosse propizia e luminosa, così come si (1 ) CiceroneOrat. pro Murena; Paradox.
I. Plularco in M. Ca tone Uticensi. Seneca Ep. 14, 24,95; et De Provid. (2 )
Lattanzio lib. III, c. 18. Siollio Hist. Ph. mor. Gentil. S 177. J. Brucker De
Phil. Romanor. S XXIII. (3) Phars. lib. IX, 580. (4 ) De la liberté de penser.
G. F. Buddeo De l’Ath. et de la superst. cap. J, S 22. J. Brucker l. c. 300
CAPITOLO è divisato, la fortuna della scuola stoica tra i Ro mani; tulta volta
non è da pensarsi che ad altre sette mancassero affatto gli amici; che anzi
alcuni furono che indifferentemente estimaron tutte le scuo le, e quelle parti
preser da esse, che più sembra ron concordi a certe forme di verità, a cui
avean l'animo assuefatto. Così L. Licinio Lucullo nella Grecia e nell'Asia,
mentre sostenea il peso del go verno de' popoli e mentre vincea Tigrane e Mitri
date, coltivava le buone lettere e conversava coi filosofi greci; e dappoichè
ebbe trionfato, mise a guadagno le ricchezze predate, e dai militari pec cati
raccolse piaceri e felicità. Si congedd dai tur bamenti della guerra e della
repubblica, e tutto ri volto a pensieri di riposo edificò ville e palagi di
meraviglioso lavoro e d'incredibil magnificenza, e intese a pranzi e a cene e
ad ogni guisa di ame nità, di eleganza e di delizia; nelle quali mollezze se
tra le acclamazioni degli uomini dilicati incorse ne' biasimi degli animi
austeri, certamente ottenne l'applauso di tutti, allorchè di tanto amò la filo
sofia, che raccolta a gran costo insigne copia di li bri compose una biblioteca
di pubblico uso, e edi, ficò stanze e portici e scuole, e le dedicò in do
micilio delle Muse e della pace e in ospizio dei greci maestri, che fuggendo i
tumulti di guerra si riparavano a Roma. Per questo egregio uso gli fu rono
quasi perdonate e quasi rivolte a lode le ru berie della guerra. Egli dissimile
da que' signori che prendono per sè il pensiere di comperare le biblio teche, e
lasciano alirui il pensiere di leggerle, pose gran parte delle sue delizie ne'
libri e nelle consue tudini coi dotti e filosofi uomini, e ascolto ed esa minò
ogni genere di filosofia, e molto ebbe in pre gio e in continua familiarità
Antioco Ascalonita, uom di robusto parlare e principe in quei giorni
QUARANTESIMOTTAVO 301 della vecchia Accademia, il quale si argomentava a
mettere in amicizia con lei gli Stoici e i Peripa tetici; e a Lucullo piaceano
questi pensieri: onde Cicerone, amico e lodatore magnifico di lui, nel Dialogo
intitolato al suo nome gl'impose la difesa della vecchia Accademia (1 ). Con
questa magnifi cenza e splendore di esempj non solo la casa di Lucullo, ma Roma
istessa fu quasi ripiena di filo sofi e d'imitatori, tra i quali altri si
attennero al genio riconciliatore di Antioco, altri spaziarono nella liberlà di
Carneade, altri si accostarono ad altri greci maestri, e niuno in tanta copia
d'ingegni elevati, di cui Roma egregiamente fioriva in quella età, seppe
aspirare a nuovi principati nella filoso fia, mentre affettavano pure il
principato istesso del mondo. Molti han fatto le meraviglie come i Ro mani,
così nimici di servitù e così avidi di signo ria, fossero poi tanto propensi a
servire nella filo sofia, in cui agli eccelsi animi dee parer tanto bello il
regnare. Ma non è meraviglia niuna che uomini intenti perpetuamente ad infinito
dominio non aves ser ozio di componer nuovi sistemi, e volendo pure esser
filosofi seguisser gli antichi per brevità. M. Giunio Bruto, nato
verisimilmente dagli amori furtivi di Servilia e di Giulio Cesare, che percid
molto lo amava e lo dicea figliuol suo, venne a massimo nome nella istoria di
Roma non solamente perchè fu tra i sommi repubblicani e tra quei fer rei uomini
che nè per lusinghe di beni nè per ter rore di mali si piegano, e all' onesto,
al giusto e al vero sacrificano la gratitudine, i benefattori, i consanguinei e
sestessi; ma perchè grandemente amò la filosofia, e quasi tutti i filosofi
greci nella (1 ) Cicerone nel lib. II o IV Acad. Quaest. Lucullus. Plutarco in
Lucullo. Svelopio in Julio 83. 302 CAPITOLO sua età rinomati ascoltò, e tutte
le sette conobbe, e si attenne poi alla vecchia Accademia, la mez zana e la
nuova non molto approvando, e fu an miratore di Antioco, e Aristone di lui
fratello ebbe compagno e domestico (1 ). Per questi studj con in signe amore
coltivati nella gravità immensa, quasi nella oppressione continua de' civili e
dei militari negozi e delle turbazioni e degli estreini pericoli, egli adornd
la filosofia col sermone latino, talche non rimase a desiderarsi altro dai
Greci (2); e ol tre i componimenti di eloquenza e d'istoria, scrisse i libri
della Virtù e degli Uffizj; ed è memoria che desse opera a cose letterarie fino
in mezzo al inag. gior émpito di guerra e in quella gran notte che andd innanzi
alla battaglia farsalica. In questa con giunzione de' gravissimi affari e della
filosofia e nel lo studio di tutti i filosofi greci Bruto imitò Lucil lo; ma
non volle già initarlo nell'abbandonamento della repubblica e nel termine della
dignità e della gloria tra i molli ozj e i senili piaceri; che anzi amd meglio
imitare Catone fratello di sua madre, e a somiglianza di lui filosofò per la
vita, ed ebbe animo grande e libero dalle cupidigie e dalle vo luttà, e tanto
costante ed immobile nella fede e nell'amor della patria e nella sentenza
dell'onesto e del giusto, che per difesa di questi principj non sentà ribrezzo
di mettere il pugnale nelle viscere di Cesare suo benefattore e suo padre, e
poi nella per dizione della libertà e di tutte le cose romane met. terlo nelle
sue viscere istesse (3). Alcune belle qui stioni furono agitate in questi
propositi. E prima (1) Cicerone De Cl. Oraloribus 97; Acad. Quaesi. lib. I, 3.
Plutarco in Bruto. (2) Cicerone Acad. Quaest. I. c. (3) Cicerone Tusc. Disp. V,
1; De Fin. lib. III. Seneca Consol. ad Helviam 9, e Ep. 95. Plutarco I. c. V.
gli Storici Romani. QUARANTESIMOTTAVO 303 se Brulo malvagiamente facesse
cospirando alla morte di Cesare; la quale investigazione richie dendo un
diligente esame dei diritti e delle abbli gazioni di Cesare e di Roma; e una
esatta idea del usurpatore e del tiranno, e dei doveri e de' limiti del
patrizio e del cittadino non può esser nè breve nè affaccevole al nostro
istituto. In secondo luo go, se Bruto possa essere escusato allorchè nella
ruina della buona causa giunto al mal passo di uc cidersi con le sue mani,
vituperò la virtù escla mando con gli ultimi fiati: Infélice virtù ! io ti cre
dea una realità e sei un nome. Tu vai schiava della fortuna, che è più forte di
te (1 ). Pietro Bayle presto a Bruto alcune difese che secondo me non posson
molto piacere (2); e la difesa migliore è che quelle parole non pajon di Bruto;
sì perchè Plutar co, diligente narratore di tutte le avventure della sua vita,
niente racconto di quella esclamazione, sì perchè non è verisimile che un tanto
uomo in così corte parole dicesse assurdità e contraddizio ni; chè tale
certamente è negare la realità alla vir tù, e poi affermare che ella è meno
forte e che è schiava della fortuna, il che senza stoltezza non può dirsi di
cose che non esistono. In terzo luo go, fu quistione se Bruto avesse a
numerarsi tra gli Stoici. È stato detto che lo Stoicismo di Bruto è un sogno (3).
E veramente risguardando l'auto rità delle parole citate di Cicerone e di
Plutarco egli abbracciò la prima Accademia; ma siccome dai medesimi scrittori è
detto che si dilettò in tutte le dottrine de' greci filosofi e ammirò Antioco
famoso conciliatore del Portico coll'Accademia e col Peri (1 ) Dione lib.
XLVII. Floro lib. IV, cap. 7. (2) Art. Brutus, C, D. (3 ) Paganido Gaudenzio De
Phil. Rom.. 25. J. Brucker l. c. S XIII. 304 CAPITOLO pato, e perchè d'altronde
è noto che parlò e scrisse gli Ufficj in istile stoico, e fu iinitatore e
lodatore di Catone, e lo imitò finanche nel suicidio, che è la più ardua di
tutte le imitazioni (1 ); io credo bene che abbracciasse or l'una, or l'altra
senten za, come gli venne a grado, e la stoica forse più spesso e più
fortemente di tutte. Onoriam breve mente Porcia, figliuola di Catone e moglie
di Bru to, la quale avversa alle sfrenatezze delle zie e della madre, ed
erudita nella filosofia del padre e del ma rito, non la insegnò già vanamente
da qualche cat tedra per farsi o adulare o deridere, ma la praticò
valorosamente nella educazione de'figliuoli, e nel governo della famiglia, e
nella robustezza virile, e nella custodia de' segreti domestici, e nella fede e
nell' amor maritale, a cui da intrepida stoica sacri ficò volontariamente la
vita in guisa molto crude le; e questa ultima parte vorremmo poter toglier
dalla sua istoria per non offuscare la chiarezza di tanta lode (2). M. Terenzio
Varrone, a similitudine di Lucullo e di Bruto, gli studi delle lettere e della
filosofia coltivò insieme coi pensieri e con le opere militari e cittadine. Ma
veduto il naufragio della repub blica, e campato per maraviglia dall'ira di
Cesare e dalla proscrizione de' Triumviri, si riparò di buo n'ora, come in un
porto, nell'ozio delle lettere e della filosofia, e tutto intero s'immerse in
questa beata tranquillità; cosicchè avvennero gli estremi cangiamenti di Roma e
la compiuta ruina della li bertà della dominazione assoluta di Ottaviano, ed
egli nascosto nella sua biblioteca, e intento a com (1) Cicerone ad Att. lib.
XII, ep. 46. Seneca ep. 95. Plutarco e i citati dinanzi. (2) Plutarco in Bruto
et in Catone Minore. Val. Massiino l. IV, cap. 6. QUARANTESIMOTTAVO 305 za,
porre sempre nuovi libri, che si numerarono fino a qualtrocentonovanta, appena
si avvide di tanti movimenti, e passando la sua lunghissima vita in ogni
maniera di lettere fino all' ultima decrepitez divenne il più dotto ed
universale uomo, che non i Latini solamente, ma i Greci ancora avesser mai
conosciuto; e fu detto di lui che innumerabili cose avendo lette, era
meraviglia come gli fosse ri masto ozio di scrivere, e che pure lante cose avea
scritte, quante appena può credersi che alcuno ab bia mai lette. Altre lodi si
leggon di lui; e noi ine desimi in questa gran lontananza di età come vo gliamo
esaltare la vastità della sapienza di alcuno, usiam dirlo un Varrone (1 ). Ma
niuna commenda zione agguagliò quella di Cicerone, il quale amico ed ammiratore
essendo del valentuomo, conobbe e adunò le opere di lui in quel magnifico
elogio. I tuoi libri, o Varrone, noiperegrinie vagabondi nella nostra città,
quasi come forestieri, ridussero a casa, perchè alfine potessimo chi e dove
siamo conoscere. Tu la età della patria, tu le descrizioni de tempi, tu i
diritti delle cose sagre e de' sacer doti, tu la domestica e la bellica
disciplina, tu la sede delle regioni e de' luoghi, tu delle cose umane e delle
divine i nomi, i generi, gli ufficj, le cagioni ci palesasti, e la luce
grandissima spargesti ne' no stri poeti e nelle latine lettere e nelle parole;
e tu istesso un vario poema ed elegante per ogni ma niera componesti, e la
filosofia in molti luoghi in cominciasti assai veramente per iscuoterci, mapoco
per ammaestrarci (2). Nel medesimo dialogo, in cui (1 ) Cicerone Acad. Quaest.
I; Tusc. Disp. I, e altrove. Se neca Cons. ad Helviam. Arnobio adv. Gentes lib.
V. S. Agostino De Civ. Dei lib. IV et VI, e altri. V. Popeblount Cens. cel. Aut.;
G. A. Fabrizio Bibl. Lat. tom. I. (2) Cicerone Acad. Quaest. lib. III.
BUONAFede. Isi. Fil. Vol. JI. 20 306 CAPITOLO Cicerone loda Lanto nobilmente il
suo amico, gli assegna ancora la difesa della prima Accademia, e lo colloca
nelle parti di Antioco e di Bruto (1). Ove si vede la falsità o almeno la
inesattezza di coloro che lo misero tra gli Stoici (2); perchè sebbene se condo
il sistema di conciliazione egli potesse amare inolte dottrine sloiche, ne
potea amare ancora di altre scuole, e non dovea dirsi Stoico assolutamen le.
Molto meno era poi da numerarsi tra i dubita tori della mezzana Accademia sul
tenue fondamento d'una sua satira intitolata le Eumenidi, in cui gli uomini
erano accusali d'insensatezza; e su quel l'altra dottrina sua, che niuna
stranezza venne mai nell'animo agl'infermi deliranti, la quale non fosse
affermata da qualche filosofo, il che molte volte suol dirsi anche da uomini
che certo non sieguon Carneade e Pirrone (3). Ma non era giusto per al cun modo
condurlo stoltamente ad accrescere l'ar mento degli Atei, perchè insegnò molte
favole es servi nella religione de' suoi di, che offendeano la dignità e la
natura degl'Iddii imınortali (4). Impe rocchè egli queste cose insegnando,
distinse gl'Id dii in favolosi, civili e filosofici; e parve bene che contro
tutti avesse a ridire, e non senza ragione; ma pure affermò che i primi erano
del teatro, secondi della città, e i terzi del mondo; e mostrò che disputava
contro le favole poetiche, cittadine e filosofiche, non contro gl'Iddii, e
parve che avesse gran voglia di onorare i filosofici, quando fosser purgati
dalle fiuzioni, mentre li disse, i Numi del mondo (5). Di que' tanti libri di M.
Varrone non ri (1 ) Cicerone l. c. () L. Cozzando De Mag. Ant. Phil. I. III. G.
A. Fabrizio Bibl. Graec. vol. II. (3) Uezio De la Forblesse de l'Esprit humain
liv. I, ch. 14. (4) S. Agostino De Civ. Dei lib. VI, cap. 5. (5 ) S. Agostino
I. c. QUARANTESIMOTTAVO 307 mangono altro che i nomi o alcuni frammenti delle
intichità divine ed umane, e della Forma della Fi losofia, e della Lingua
Latina, della vita del Po polo Romano, delle Ebdomade, de' Poeti, e delle
Origini sceniche, e delle Menippee, per le quali fu cognominato Menippeo e
Cinico Romano, e delle Cose rustiche, che sole vennero a noi salve dall' in
giuria del tempo (1 ). Questi furono i più cospicui Sincretisti roniani, ai
quali si potrebbe aggiungere ancor Cicerone, il quale vagò per varie filosofie,
e lentò riconciliazioni di sistemi; ma perchè amò con molta parzialità i metodi
della seconda Accademia, lo allogheremo tra que' filosofi romani che si atten
nero a certe scuole, e ora amarono i placiti pita gorici, ora gli aristotelici,
ora gli epicurei, ora gli stoici, siccome si è detto, ora altre guise di greca
filosofia. Molta fu veramente la fama della filosofia pitago rica; ma fosse
colpa sua o d'altrui, sofferse dissipa zioni e disgrazie che la misero ad
oscurità. Tutta volta i Romani udirono qualche novella di Pitagora, al lorchè
nella guerra sannitica persuasi dall'oracolo di Apollo Pitio a dedicare in
celebre luogo della città una statua al più forte e l'altra al più sapiente
deGre ci, l'una innalzarono ad Alcibiade e l'altra a Pitagora: il che facendo,
mostrarono, secondo l'avviso di Pli nio, di non sapere nè la civile nè la
filosofica istoria di Grecia (2). Dopo quella dedicazione non è meno ria che i
Roinani tenessero alcun conto di Pitagora, se non quando il maggior Catone
ascoltò il Pitago rico Tarantino, e nella medesima età il Calabrese Ennio
appard alcune dottrine pitagoriche in quella terra ove Pitagora avea insegnato,
e le sparse nel (1 ) Cicerone Tusc. Disp. l. I. S. Agostino De Civ. Dei lib.
XII, cap. 4, cap (2 ) Plinio lib. XXXIV, cap. 6. 308 CAPITOLO suo poema, nel
quale ardì sognare che l'anima di Omero era passata in lui. Ma non persuase di
que ste idee nè Catone a cui insegnò le lettere greche, nè P. Scipione Africano
di cui godè la famigliari tà, nè altri Romani che udirono volentieri i suoi
versi eroici e lo tennero sommo Epico senza voler essere pitagorici (1 ). Io
però vorrei che meglio si esaminasse se un poeta per alquanti versi che sen ton
di Pitagorismo possa trasformarsi in filosofo pi tagorico. Potrebbe parere che
questa metempsicosi somigliasse quella di Omero in Ennio. P. Nigidio Figulo
tuttochè fosse riputato vicino alla univer sale dottrina di Varrone, e fosse
senatore e pretore e amico intimo e consigliere e compagno nei grand affari di
Cicerone, che molto lo riverì, come acre investigatore de' segreti della patura
e uomo dot tissimoe santissimo, e come quello che dopo i no bili Pitagorei polea
rinnovare la lor disciplina quasi estinta, non si sa che persuadesse niuno, e
fu stretto a ridurre la sua grande sapienza fisica e matema tica e astrologica
alle indovinazioni de' ladri che talvolta rubavan le borse de' suoi amici, e a
com poner gli oroscopj di Augusto e del Triumvirato, e a disegnare la rapidità
del cielo con gli avvolgi. menti della ruota del vasajo, donde ottenne il so
prannome di Figulo (2 ); le quali avventure non so no veramente degne d'un
senatore e d'un pretore pitagorico, ma posson forse mostrare che si pochi (1 )
Cicerone pro Murena 14; Acad. Quaest. I; De Fin. I, e altrove. Persio Sat. VI.
V. Vossio De Hist. Latinis, e A. Baillet Jugem. (2) Cicerone Fragm. de
Universitate. S. Agostino De Civ. Dei lib. V, cap: 3; Ep. fam. lib. IV, ep. 13.
Plutarco in Cicero ne. A. Gellio lib. X, cap. 2; lib. XI, cap. 2. Macrobio
Saturn. lib. II, cap. 12; VI, cap, 8. Apulejo in Apolog. Dione lib. XLV.
Svetonio in Augusto 94: Lucano Phars. I, 639. V. P. Bayle art. Nigidius. ICO
QUARANTESIMOTTAVO 309 LER affari di scuola esercitaron questo Nigidio, ed ebbe
tanto vuoto nella vita, che gli storici ainici della sua gloria pensarono bene
a riempierlo di favole. Non è questa la prima nè l'ultima panegirica istoria
colpevole di supplementi favolosi. A confermazione della tenue fortuna di
questo Pitagorico fu scritto, che avendo egli composti i libri degli Animali,
de gli Uomini, delle Viscere, delle Vittime, degli Au gurj, de' Venti, della
Slera grecanica, e di altri moltiplici argomenti, per la cui abbondanza fu
quasi eguale a Varrone, ove però le scritture di questo si divulgarono e si
lessero assai, le Nigidiane per la sottigliezza e per la oscurità giacquero
abbando nate; e l'autore poi avendo seguite le parti di Pom peo, per timore di
Cesare morì in esilio volonta rio. Poco appresso Anassilao Larisseo professò il
Pitagorismo, ed esplorando i segreti della natura per la medicina e per uso di
certe sue magiche me raviglie, e con le sue scoperte armirabili venendo in
sospetto di magia e forse uccidendo i malati più che gli altri medici con meno
segreti, fu da Augu sto condannato all'esilio (1 ). La filosofia pitagorica
ebbe adunque assai avversa fortuna tra i Romani in questa età. La peripatetica
ottenne qualche mi gliore, ma non molto illustre accoglienza; perchè sebbene
Catone e Crasso e Pisone e Cicerone istes so non abborissero i peripatetici
uomini, e nelle memorie di questi tempi sieno ricordati con onore Andronico
Rodiano e Demetrio e Alessandro An tiocheno e Stasea Napoletano e Cratippo
Mitileneo maestro del figliuolo di Cicerone e di altri nobili giovani Romani;
tuttavolta per le narrate disgrazie e depravazioni degli aristotelici libri, o
per quali In: TIK ita pi V Ci I Jedi (1 ) Eusebio in Chr. Plinio lib. XIX,cap.
1; XXVIII, cap. 2; XXXV, cap. 15. Irenco lib. I, cap: 7. Epifanio Haer. 34. V.
Vos. sio De Idol. lib. I, 6; Fabrizio Bibl. Graec. vol. I. 310 CAPITOLO che
fossero altre cagioni, il nome di Aristotele fuori di molto pochi era, per
testimonianza di Cicerone, ignoto ai filosofi de' suoi giorni (1 ). Ma gli
Epicurei quantunque spesso ripresi e più spesso calunniati e singolarmente
flagellati da quella sottile eloquenza di Cicerone, che sapea persuadere
finanche il ' falso quando volea, pure in onta di tanto travaglio videro assai
Romani di nome e di opere illustri non arrossirsi di essere Epicurei. Lucio
della tanto antica e nobile famiglia Torquata, e G.Vel lejo sostenitore delle
ragioni di Epicuro nel dialo go della Natura degli Iddii di Cicerone, e
principe degli Epicurei che allora erano in Roma, eC. Tre bazio, como di somma
scienza nel Diritto civile, a cui Cicerone intitold la Topica, e L. Papirio Pe
to, egregio oratore e soldalo, e L. Saufeio e T. Al buzio e C. Amafanio, e più
altri numerati da Pie tro Gassendo, furono nobilissimi Epicurei (2). Ma C.
Cassio e T. Pomponio Attico per singolarità di fama e d'ingegno emersero
splendidamente dalla folla degli altri. Il primo fu quel prode assassino di
Cesare, che nell'ardor dell' assalto ad uno de' con giurati che dietro a lui si
aslenza dal ferire, disse: Feriscilo anche per mezzo alle mie viscere (3). Egli
vincitore de' Parti e soldalo di primo valore e som mo Epicureo, parld
secondochè l'émpito militare e le disperazioni della sua scuola lo animavano, e
per gli stessi principj nella perdita della battaglia e della libertà si fece
uccidere, e si uccise egli mede simo con quello stesso pugnale con cui avea
ferito Cesare, e fu acclamato e pianto come l'ultimo de' Romani (4). Alcune
avventure filosofiche di que (i ) Cicerone Topic.Praef. V. P. Bayle art.
Cratippus; J. Bru cker De Phil. Rom. & XXIV, XXV. (2) De Vila et mor.
Epicuri lib. II, cap. 6. (3) Aurelio Vittore De Vir. III. (4 ) Plutarco in
Caesare, in M. Antonio, in Bruto. QUARANTESIMOTTAVO 311 st'uomo domandano
qualche riflessione. Bruto vide uno spettro d'inusitata grandezza,einterrogato
chi fosse, rispose: Io sono il tuo mal Genio, o Bruto: tu mi rivedrai a
Filippi; ove lo rivide e fu vinto. Di questa apparizione ebbe discorso con
Cassio, il qual disse, non esser credibile che vi fossero Genj, ed esser nostre
immaginazioni; e quando pure vi fossero, nè aver figure di uomini, nè forza che
giun ga a noi. Ma sarebbe pur bene che fossero, aggiun se, acciocchè noi
condottieri di bellissimi e santis simi fatti andassimo forti non solamente per
fanti e cavalli e navi, ma per la protezion degl' Iddii (1 ). Bruto si consolo
per questo discorso. Ma Cassio medesimo ebbe la sua visione, e parve che conso
latore degli altri non sapesse consolare sè stesso. Nella giornata di Filippi
vide G. Cesare in sem biante sovrumano e minaccioso che a tutta bri glia veniva
a combattere contro lui, ed egli spa ventato disse: Che ci rimane più oltre, se
è stato poco averlo ucciso? (2) Di lui è anche raccontato che nel giorno della
uccisione di Cesare invocò l'a nima e l'ajuto del grande Pompeo (3), e che rive
dendo insieme con Bruto le truppe romane, disse loro: GlIddii, che prendon cura
delle guerre giu ste, vi rendan premio di tanta fede. Noi abbiam prese tutte le
giuste misure: il rimanente si aspetta dalla vostra virtù e dagl Iddii
favorevoli. Se essi vorranno, noi vi ricompenseremo della grand'opera di questa
vitloria (4). Le siffatte visioni e preghiere divote non parvero proprie d’un
Epicureo, il quale se non affatto rifiutava i fantasiuni, certo non.co noscea
gli animi immortali e la provvidenza de (1 ) Plutarco in Brulo. (2) Val. Massimo
lib. I, сар. ult.' (3 ) Plutarco in Caesare et in Bruto. (4) Appiano Aless.
Bell. Civ. lib. IV. 312 CAPITOLO gl'Iddii; onde quelle apparizioni e
invocazioni o vo glion tenersi per favole del popolo e degli storici, o per
fanatismi di Cassio, il quale agitato dalla gran dezza de' casi lasciò
trasportarsi nelle idee e nelle parole comuni, e si scordò di essere Epicureo
(1). Io non dissento da questi pensieri; maquanto agl'Id dii e alla provvidenza
io desidero ehe i miei leg gitori si ricordino di quanto abbiam disputato in
questo argomento esaminando la teologia epicurea con quella diligenza che
abbiam saputo maggiore; e non diffido che le preghiere di Cassio possano
porgere alcun nuovo indizio della provvidenza non affatto distrutta nel sistema
Epicureo. Tito Pomponio Attico fu il più sincero e ilpiù costante ornamento
della scuola epicurea; e se Cas sio ed altri con lui troppo s'immersero nel
comore e nel fumo di Roma, e deviarono dal piacere e dalla felicità che erano i
fini dell' Epicureismo, egli fer mamente rivolto a queste mire, già prima nelle
tur bazioni di Silla si riparò ad Atene, e ascoltando Fe dro e Zenone Sidonio
visse tranquillamente negli ozj e negli orti d'Epicuro, e con la gravità ed uma
nità dell'ingegno ottenne tanta benevolenza, che dai Greci ebbe statue e dai
Romani il hel scprannome di Attico; indi ritornato alla patria, si allontand
dagli onori offerti e da tutti gli affari civili, e niuna parte prendendo nelle
contese de' potenti, e ser bandosi amico de litiganti, e usando fede con tutti
e liberalità e cortesia, non si sa ben dire se più fosse amato o riverito; e
vivendo a sè medesimo e non per ostentazione d'ingegno, ma per governo della
vita filosofando, campo dalla proscrizione di tanti cittadini, e caro ai
vincitori menò vita riposata e luminosa; alla quale però nè il suo genero Agrip
(1 ) P. Bayle art. Cassius Longinus (Cajus) Primo. QUARANTESIMOTTAVO 313 pa, nè
il progenero Tiberio, nè il pronipote Druso dieder tanto splendore quanto la
intima amicizia di Cicerone, le cuiLettere e i libri della Vecchiezza e delle
Leggi lo consecrarono alla immortalità (1 ). In questa beatitudine di vita
giunto a grave età fu preso dalla dissenteria e dalla febbre. Ubbidì prima ai
medici inutilmente, e poisperimentata l'ostina zione del male, alla presenza di
alcuni amici suoi, Voi siete buoni testimonj, disse, della cura e dili genza
mia nel difendere in questo tempo la mia sa nità. Io ho dunque soddisfatto al
debito mio. Ri mane ora che io provveda a me stesso. Voglio che voi il
sappiate. Imperocchè ho statuito di non vo lere più oltre alimentare il mio
male; perchè in questi giorni truendo innanzi la vita col cibo, ho accresciuto
i dolori miei senza speranza di sanità. Per la qual cosa io prima vi domando
che il mio consiglio approviate; indi che non vogliate sfor zarvi a
dissuadermi. Dette queste cose con tale co stanza di voce e di vollo che parea
non uscisse dalla vita, ma da una casa per passare ad un'al tra, gli amici
piansero e pregarono, ed egli le la grime e le preghiere compresse con un
ferino silen zio. Così avendo digiunato due di, la febbre cessd; inè mutò
proposito per questo, ed essendo a mezza via, non volle tornare indietro e andò
oltre digiu nando, e morì ragionatamente secondo i principi di Epicuro, e non
già come Cassio impetuosamen te e a mal tempo. Questo inumano errore di moda e
di scuola fu in Attico error di ragione ee di gran d'uomo (2 ) Tito Lucrezio
Caro, inferiore certo ad Attico e a quegli altri nella dignità della vita, ma
nella poe (1 ). Cicerone De Fin. e nelle Epistole ad Attico e altrove. C. Ni
pote in Artico. Seneca Ep. 21. (2 ) C. Nipote I. c. 314 CAPITOLO lica gloria de
componimenti epicurei maggiore di quanti fiorirono in quella scuola. Nella elà
di Cice rone e di Attico vide anch'egli Atene, e ascoltò Fe dro e Zenone e
visse negli Orti di Epicuro, e per mostrare a Roma i suoi progressi nella guisa
più dilettevole, scrisse in esametri latini sei libri della Natura delle Cose,
ne' quali fu delto non essere meraviglia che profondesse tutte le empietà e le
pazzie di Epicuro, perciocchè gli avea composti ne' corti intervalli di ragione
che gli rimaneano al quanto liberi dalla frenesia contratta per certa be vanda
amorosa (1 ). Ma noi invitiamo ancora qui i leggitori nostri a volersi ridurre
a memoria le ra gioni altrove disputate contro i malevoli di Epicu ro, le quali
secondo la nostra estimazione posson molto valere contro gli oppressori di
Lucrezio. Non sarebbe difficile una dissertazione, giacchè le dis sertazioni
sembrano facilissimi affari, ove si pro vasse che Lucrezio non fu il più pazzo
de' poeti, e non sarebbe difficile un'altra in cui si mostrasse che molti
filosofi furon più pazzi di questo poeta. Ma non so se queste dissertazioni con
tutta la biz zarria de'loro titoli, che sogliono pur essere di qual che
raccomandazione, potrebbono riuscir dileltose a chi le componesse e a chi le
ascoltasse. Imperoc chè sarebbe necessità recitar molti di que' versi epicurei
che secondo il ruvido carattere della scuola non sono i più molli e i più
eleganti, e non sono poi tanto chiari da mettervi fondamento sicuro. Noi
adunque, senza pretendere in dissertazioni, direm così per passaggio,come gli
fu dato a colpa di vio lata religione ch'egli attribuisse alla natura degl'Id
dii il godimento di somma pace e la divisione dai (1 ) Eusebio in Chr. V. G. A.
Fabrizio Bibl. Lat. vol. I; P. Bayle art. Lucrece. QUARANTESIMO STAVO 315
dolori e dai pericoli nostri, e che insegnasse non aver essi bisogno di noi, nè
esser presi da benevo lenza o da ira; e che giacendo la vita degli uo mini
sotto grave religione, la quale dal cielo mo strava il capo con orribil
risguardo soprastante ai mortali, un uom greco fu il primo che ardì levar gli
occhi contro di lei e resistere. Lui nè la fama degl'Iddii, nè i fulmini nè i
minacciosi romori del cielo raffrenarono; che anzi l'acre virtù del suo anino
s'irritò, e ruppe le strette porte della natu ra, e con la vivida forza della
mente vinse e tras corse oltre i confini del mondo, e misurò tutto l'Im menso;
e c'insegnò quello che può nascere e quello che non può, e quali sieno le
potestà e i termini fermi delle cose. Onde la religione a sua vicenda è
calpestata dai nostri piedi, e la vittoria ci aggua glia al cielo (1 ). Ma si è
già detto abbastanza al irove che le divine tranquillità possono avere nel
sistema di Epicuro sensi non affatto distrutlori di ogni provvidenza; e
veranente lasciando pure stare il Deslandes, che fa una pielosa predica a
Lucrezio per questo disprezzo suo della religione (2), è ben molto che Pietro
Bayle (3) non abbia saputo ve dere che la religione, contro cui Lucrezio usa
qui tanto disprezzo, non è altro che quella superstizio ne che insieme con
altre scellerate opere insegnò ai Greci le vittime umane; onde egli dopo la
descri zione d'Ifigenia all' altare conchiude: che tanto di mali potè la
religione persuadere. Io certo non ar direi affermare che Lucrezio insegnasse
la Provvi denza ove scrisse, una certa forza nascosta strito lare le cose umane,
e sembrare che conculchi e 1 (1 ) T. Lucrezio De Rer Nat. lib. I. (2) Deslandes
Hist. De la Phil. tom. III. (3) P. Bayle I. c. E. 316 CAPITOLO prenda in
ludibrio i fasci e le scuri (1 ); o dove in vocò V'enere origine e regolatrice
di tutta la na tura, o dove implorò l'ajuto della governante For tuna nei
disordini e nelle ruine del mondo (2 ). Ma non ardirei pure accusarlo di
Ateismo (3 ), e im porgli più errori di quelli che secondo la sentenza nostra
abbiamo veduti nel suo maestro Epicuro, di cui fu seguace tanto rigido, che
permettendosi il suicidio in quella filosofia, egli neusò a suo agio, e nel
settecentesimoterzo anno di Roma, quaranta quattresimo di sua età, si uccise di
propria mano. È stata opinione che C.Giulio Cesare, uomo di estraordinaria forza
d'ingegno e di cuore, sebbene potendo ottener' somma gloria dalle lettere e
dalla filosofia, volesse averla piuttosto dalla politica e dalle arme, tuttavia
non isdegnasse alcuna volta di starsi tra i filosofi, e gli piacesse di essere
Epicureo. Im perocchè dicono che parlando al senato non dubitò di affermare
ardimentosamente, di là dalla morte non esservi tormento nè gaudio (4); e non
ebbe poi timore per voglia e comodo suo di tagliar boschi sacri e di seguir le
sue imprese contro gli avvisi de sacerdoti e della religione (5). Ma a dir vero,
que sti non sono i caratteri propri dell'Epicureismo: e poi si potrebbe
dubitare se Cesare così parlasse al senato, come Sallustio lo fece parlare; e
se così ta gliasse gli alberi sacri, come Lucano con la poetica licenza
racconto; e date eziandio per vere queste leggende, è molto ben noto che anche
Cicerone, usando della rettorica volubilità, predicò talvolta pubblicamente la
mortalità degli animi senza essere (1 ) De Rerum Nat. lib. V, 1225. V. Rondel
Vila Epicuri. (2) De Rer. Nat. lib I; V, 105. (3) V.G.F. Reimanno Hist. Ath.
cap. XXXVII, $ 5. (4 ) Sallustio De Bello Catilivario 51. (5) Lucano Phars. lib.
III. Svetonio in Cesare 59, 81. QUARANTESIMOTTAVO 317 Epicureo, anzi senza
recarsi ascrupolo di predicarne la immortalità in altre pubbliche orazioni, ove
il bi sogno della causa lo domandasse (1 ). Così gli ora tori romani
costumavano, e agli stessi metodi Ce sare ubbidi; e così pur fece nell'affare
de'presagi e della religione, mentre se è scritto che talora tras scurò le
romane superstizioni, è scritto ancora che spesse volte le uso, e parve che le
avesse per ve re (2). Molto meno io poi ardirei imporre a Cesare l'Epicureismo,
perchè fu accusato di osceni amori con Nicomede re di Bitinia, e perchè molte
nobili donne romane e alcune reine corruppe, e perchè fu detto la moglie di
tutti i mariti e il marito di tutte le mogli (3 ), e perchè sostenne assai
altre infauna zioni di lascivo costume; le quali oltrechè possono essere
alterate dalla malevolenza e dalla effrenatezza popolare di Roma, che le lodi e
i trionfi de gran d'uomini solea contaminare con le satiriche licenze, non
posson poi essere argomenti di doltrine epicu ree, giacchè nè gli Epicurei
professavano questa dis solutezza, nè la corruzion de costumi è buon argo mento
per la corruzione delle massime; e siccome non sarebbe buon discorso dai
regolati costumi di Cassio e di Attico didurre che non erano Epicurei, così non
sarebbe pure conchiuder che Cesare era per la sregolatezza de'suoi. Piuttosto
si potrebbe rac cogliere alcun indizio di Epicureismo dalla replicata
avversione che Cesare mostrò verso i costumi di Ca tone, contro cui scrisse due
libri intitolati gli An ticaloni (4). Gli Epicurei erano i giurati nimici de (1
) Cicerone Orat. pro Cluentio et pro Rabirio. (2) Plutarco e Svetonio in
Caesare. Floro lib. IV, cap. 2. Dione lib. XLII. V. P. Bayle art. César. (3 )
Svetonio in Caesare 49 e segg. (4 ) Svetonio I. c. Plutarco in Cicerone V.
Adriano Baillet Des Satires personelles,.ou des Anti, Entr. I, S 1. 7 318
CAPITOLO gli Stoici, e Catone era Stoico grande. Pare adun que che Cesare non
potesse prorompere a tanta av versità contro tutti i costumi di Catone senza es
sere Epicureo. Vaglia questo come pnò il meglio. Ma qualunque fosse la setta di
Cesare, certamente il solo pensiere di correggere il Calendario Romano
disordinato dalla negligenza de' sacerdoti, e l'Anno Giuliano, ch'egli diede a
tanta parte di mondo, mo strano in loi genio filosofico e gasto di astronomnia.
Quella versatile eloquenza di cui gli avvocati e i pubblici parlatori di Roma
usavano nella varietà e lalora nella contraddizione delle cause, fu la ori gine
primaria dell' applauso in cui venne tra i Ro mani la filosofia della nuova
Accademia; la quale insegnando a disputare per tutte le parti, e colo rendo di
probabilità il pro e il contro, e somınini strando argomenti per tutti i casi,
era molto oppor tuna a quella eloquenza forense che potea dirsi la grande e
forse la prima via delle soinme fortune. Sembra adunque ben detto che la stoica
filosofia per la gravità degli uffizj e de' principj sociali fu tra i Romani la
disciplina de' giudici, de' legislatori e de' giureprudenti; la epicurea fu lo
studio quasi domestico e privato di uomini desiderosi di vivere Jictamente; la
pitagorica e l'aristotelica fu la cura di pochi; la platonica confusa alla
stoica si riputò degna de' sacerdoti, e l'accademica fu la delizia de causidici
e degli oratori; siccome, a dir vero, pare che fusse pure in altre terre e in
altre età, e che sia ancor nella nostra. È però mestieri avvertire che parlando
di accademica filosofia, non vuole inten dersi un pirronismo effrenato, che
forse non ebbe esistenza salvo ne' capricci di uomini esageratori; ma un
temperato genere di filosofare per cui si esa minano i placiti di tutte le
scuole, e si sceglie il buono, e si cerca il vero, e si crede di trovar solo
QUARANTESIMOTTAVO 319 il probabile,e secondo questo si governa la vita.
Cicerone fu il ipaggior lume di questa filosofia tra i Romani; il quale con la
forza d'una singolare elo quenza e con l'abbondanza della dottrina e con la
varietà de' libri così la nobilitò egli solo, che gli altri furon dimenticati.
Ma egli sarà ben tale da po ter valere per tutti. Mentre io ora mi accosto a
que sto sommo maestro del nobil parlare, e vedo che la eccellenza della sua
lode e la grandezza degli ob bligbi nostri domanderebbono eloquenza pari alla
sua, sento vergogna della mia lontananza da quel sublime esemplare, e
volentieri sfuggirei per ros sore il difficile incontro, se la vergogna non
fosse vinta dalla necessità. CAPITOLO XLIX. re, 0 Della Filosofia di M. Tullio
Cicerone. M. Tullio Cicerone Arpinate, o che suo padre fosse purgatore di panni
e i suoi avi cultori di ceci, o che la sua gente avesse origine dai che
nascesse onorato dagli oracoli e dai prodigj, o all' uso comune nel silenzio
degl' Iddii e nell'ordine della natura, siccome variamente si raccontò (1 );
niente più e niente meno fu il medesimo uomo non molto cospicuo tra i soldati,
non affatto pic ciolo tra i filosofi, grande tra i maestrati e tra i consoli,
massimo tra gli oratori. Nell'adolescenza e appresso nella età anche matura amò
i poeti e scrisse versi, de' quali rimangon frammenti biasi mati più del dovere,
e coltivò le lettere greche e (1 ) Plutarco in Ciceroue. Dione lib. XLVI. V. G.
A. Fabrizio Bibl. Lat. vol. II. 320 CAPITOLO la eloquenza (1 ). Cresciuto. si
accostó ai filosofi. Ascoltỏ gli Epicurei per disprezzarli allora e dap poi,
senza averli forse intesi. Conversò con gli Stoici e coi Peripatetici, e
apprese i luoghi e i fonti del disputare, e altre loro dottrine non ab borri:
ma singolarmente coltivo gli Accademici per amore di quella versatile e forense
eloquenza di cui abbiam detto (2). Su questi fondamenti, con quel buon metodo
non inteso dai nostri pedanti, appog. giò e poi confermò viemaggiormente la sua
arle oratoria. Presa la toga virile si attenne ai giore consulti (3). Militò un
poco nella guerra Marsi cana, e venuta la pace ritornò molto volentieri alle
lettere. Visse dimesticamente con Diodoro stoi co eruditissimo, frequentò
Molone oratore Rodia no, e Ortensio, che era il primo parlatore di Ro ma: non
trascurò fino di apprender le più gen tili eleganze del dire da Cornelia, da
Lelia e da altre dame romane, colà imparando eloquenza ove altri ora sogliono
disimpararla: non fu giorno che non usasse nuove diligenze erudite, e non decla
masse e disputasse ora con parole latine, ora con greche. Trasse nel vulgare di
Roma alcune scrit lure di Protagora e di Senofonte e altre di Platone, e
singolarmente il Timeo, di cui ci rimane una parte, per la quale conosciamo che
Platone po trebbe sopportarsi tradotto da Cicerone, laddove non si può nelle
versioni di altri. Ci rimangono (1 ) Cicero pro Archia I. Plutarco l. c.
Svetonio de Cl. Ret. 2. Vossio De Poel. Lal. V. Andrea Scollo Cicero a
calumniis vin. dicatus. (2) Cicerone De Off.lib. I, 1; II, 1; Ep. fam. lib.
XIII, ep. I et 16; Paradox. I; De Or. lib. III, 28; Tusc. Disp. lib. II, 2; in
Bruto 90; De Nat. Deor. e altrove. Plutarco I. c. (3 ) Cicerone in alcuni
luoghi citati, e De Fio. lib. V, el De Div. II; e vedi i Frammenti, Plutarco 1.
c. Quintiliano l. 1, 2; III, 1; X, 5. S. Agostino De Civ. Dei lib. V, cap. 8.
QUARANTESI MONONO 321 pure alcuni frammenti di sue traduzioni diOmero, le quali
non ci nojano come quelle degl' interpreti nostri (1 ). Istruito da tante
esercitazioni e animato da questi presidj, nel suo venticinquesimo anno, che
era il seicento settantaunesimo di Roma (2) non dubitò di mostrarsi nella luce
del Foro, e agitd la sua prima causa, che alcuni dicono esser quella in difesa
di Sesto Roscio Amerino, contro la vo lontà di Silla, e ne uscì vincitore con
tanta ammi razione, che niuna altra causa parve poi superiore al suo patrocinio
(3). Ma poichè Silla raffrenatore di Mitridate e domatore di Mario era in quei
giorni dittatore e quasi signore assoluto delle vite e delle cose romane, fu
voce che Cicerone temendo la ira di quel fiero autore delle proscrizioni,
rifuggisse in Grecia (4 ). Altri pensarono che si desse a viaggiare per
ricuperare la sanità afflitta per troppa veemen za nella declamazione (5).
Comunque fosse, visitò Atene e molto usd col famoso Sincretista Antioco, e
visse congiunto a Pomponio Attico con quella amicizia che durò tra loro fino
alla morte. In que sto viaggio verisimilmente fece iniziarsi nei misteri
Eleusini, de' quali così parld come se la loro so stanza fosse l'unità d'Iddio
e la immortalità degli animi (6). Tale fu l'avviso nostro nella esposizione del
sistema arcano d'Egitto, e tale è del dotto Warburton e del Middleton, il che
molto consola (1 ) Cicerone in alcuni luoghi citati, e De Fin. I. V, e De Div.
II; e vedii Frammenti. Plutarco I. c. Quintiliano I. I, 2; III, 1; X, 5. S.
Agostino De Civ. Dei lib. V, cap. 8. (2) V. Middleton Vita Cicer. lib. I. (3)
Cicerone in Bruto 91. Middleton I. c. (4) Plutarco l. c. (5) Cicerone in Bruto.
Cicerone De Nat. Deor. lib. I, 42; De Leg. lib. II, 14; Tusc. Disp. lib. I, 15.
BUONAFEDE. Ist. Filos. Vol. II. 21 322 CAPITOLO le nostre conghietture (1 ). Da
Atene navigò nell'A sia, e conversò cogli oratori e coi filosofi di quelle
terre, e sopra tutti con Possidonio; e declamo in greco nel mezzo a nobil
frequenza con tale fecondità, che i greci oratori piansero il loro destino, per
cui non solamente le fortune, ma le arti e le scienze dalla Grecia trapassavano
a Roma (2). Silla morì, e Ci cerone restaurato nella sanità ritornò alla patria,
ove fu prima negletto come un grecolo scolastico; ma poi eguagliando e spesso
vincendo la gloria di Cotta e di Ortensio oratori lodatissimi di quella età,
rimosse Roma dalla sua negligenza, e ottenne prestamente la questura ed ebbe in
sorte la Sicilia, ove avendo ricevuto lodi e onori inusitati, s'im maginò che
tutta Roma fosse piena della sua glo ria. Masbarcato a Pozzuolo in tempo che
grande era il concorso di molti uomini romani, ebbe il dispetto di vedersi
ignoto, e conchiuse adirato che iRomani aveano le orecchie sorde e gli occhi
acuti. Dopo questa mortificazione, grave di vero in uomo perduto nella fantasia
della gloria, egli deliberò di battere assiduamente il Foro e i pubblici
luoghi, e starsi tuttodì presente a quegli occhi acuti che dif finivano le
sorti de' cittadini ambiziosi (3). Agitò cause nobilissime, e fu edile, pretore
e console non meno per favore degli ottimati, che per giudizio del popolo (4).
Egli ricevè la repubblica piena di sollecitudini,e non vi erano mali che i
buoni non temessero e i ribaldi non aspettassero. I tribuni e Catilina e i suoi
compagni teneano consigli di ruina. Ma Cicerone li compresse e salvò la
repubblica (5). (1) Warburton Della divina Legazione di Mosè vol. I. Middle ton
I. c. (2) Plutarco I. c. (3) Div. in Verr. I, et lib. II, 2; pro Planco 26.
Plutarco i. c. (4) Cicerone in più luogbi, e Plutarco l. c. (5) Sallustio De
Bello Calilinario e gli altri Storici Romaui. QUARANTESIMONONO 323 ze Tire! Per
la grandezza dell'opera venne a somma grazia de' patrizi e del popolo, e fu
acclamato padre della patria; e poco appresso vinto dalla invidia e dalla frode
di P. Clodio, fu spinto in esilio, e le sue ville incendiate e le sue case con
ogni sostanza arse e saccheggiate. Andò errando con animo assai abbat tulo per
l'Italia e per la Grecia, nel che mostrd di essere più oratore che filosofo;
finanche richia mato per pubblico consenso, e restaurati i suoi danni per
sentenza del senato, ritornò a Roma, incontrato da tutte le città, e portato,
siccom'e gli raccontò, sulle spalle di tutta l'Italia (1 ). Ebbe in provincia
la Cilicia, e parve che volesse eser citar nella guerra le arti della pace. Ma
come si accese la discordia civile, egli seguendo le parti di Pompeo, e
pretendendo in valor militare, dopo la sconfitta farsalica si pentì d'esser
soldato e ricuso di guerreggiare più oltre; cosicchè il giovin Pom peo sdegnato
di quella codardia, lo avrebbe uc ciso se Čatone non lo campava (2). Venne poi
a riconciliazione con Cesare, e nella mutazione della repubblica, che assai gli
gravava nell'animo, si ri volse alle lettere e alla filosofia, e istruì nobili
gio vani romani, e leggendo e scrivendo libri passò la maggior parte de' suoi
giorni nella dolcezza degli studj e nei silenzi della sua villa
Tusculana.Ritorno anche ad Atene per alleggerimento di noja e per la memoria
delle passate esercitazioni. In questo spazio ripudid Terenzia, e mend in
moglie una ricca donzella, e pianse puerilmente la morte di Tullio la, e
ripudid la nuova moglie perchè non volle 702 ber che V. i luoghi di Cicerone
presso Francesco Fabrizio nella Vita di Cicerone. (1 ) Plutarco I. c. et in
Caesare. Dione lib. XXXVIII. Vellejo lib. 11. Cicerone Or. pro Domo sua ct post
Rcd. ad Quir, et post Red. ad Sen. e altrove. (2) Plutarco lic. 1 334 CAPITOLO
pianger con lui; nelle quali avventure fu accusato di amori sozzi é ridicoli, e
di animo debole per temperamento o per anni (1 ). Con tutti questi do mestici
fastidj avrebbe potuto esser felice, se avesse perseverato nell' amore del
letterato ozio e dellafilosofia. Ma dopo l ' assassinamento di Cesare gli
piacque di rientrare nella tempesta civile, e seb · bene non fosse tra i
congiurati, si attenne al loro portito, e M. Antonio già suo pernico irritò mag
giormente con le Filippiche. Dopo varie vicende si compose il Triumvirato, e
Cicerone ne fa la vit tima più sacra e più pianta da Roma, già ridotta a pochi,
e da tutta la posterità. Egli poichè ebbe udita la fama della proscrizione,
fuggì prima al mare e s'imbarcò con venti contrarj, onde presa terra a Circejo,
tra molti pensieri niuno piacendogli quanto la morte, disegno di recarsi a Roma
e uccidersi nella casa istessa di Cesare per versare sopra l'in grato la
vendetta del suo sangue. Indi persuaso da nuovi pensieri navigò ancora e prese
pur terra,e nojato del mare e della vita, lo morrò, disse, in quella patria che
spesse volte'ho conservata; e non morendo pur questa volta, si adagi ) e dormà
nella sua villa Formiana. Mentre i suoi domestici spa ventati dal romor de'
soldati lo guidavano a forza verso il mare, apparvero i carnefici, contro cui i
servi si prepararono a combattere. Cicerone co mandd che stessero: guardò con
fermo occhio gli assassini e singolarmente il lor condottiere Popilio Lena, che
reo di parricidio era stato difeso e salvato da lui: sporse dalla letlica il
capo, e, Fale, (1 ) Cicerone Tusc. Disp. lib. I, 1; De Off. lib. II, 1, 2; e in
più Lettere ad Allico e ai suoi amici. Plutarco I. c. V. l'Orazione al tribuita
a Sallustio. — Donato (in VI Eneid. ) accomoda a Cice rone quel verso
diVirgilio: Hic thalamos invasit Natac velitos que hymeneos. V. P. Bayle art.
Tullie, 0. QUARANTESIMONONO 325 disse, l'opera' vostra, e quello prendelo, di
che avete bisogno: l'ingralo " Popilio con parricidio maggiore del primo
gli recise il capo e le mani, e recò l'iniquo fardello ad Antonio, il quale con
gran festa affisse su i rostri quel capo sublime e onorato e quelle mani
benefiche, spettacolo miserabile e argomento di pianto ai buoni Romani e di
trastullo agli schiavi, ai traditori e ai tiranni (1 ). Nell'anno di Roma
settecendecimo e di Cicerone sessanta qualtresimo avvenne questa tragedia, in
cui si vide la morte di Cicerone e della repubblica. Daquesto tenore distudj e
di vita non solamente si può conoscere che Cicerone era pieno d'un de siderio
smoderato di gloria, che lo rendea forte e magnanimo nella buona sorte e
timoroso e pian gente nella disgrazia (onde Cristina di Svezia, con una regia
libertà che sarebbe licenza in uomini pri vati, usava dire, Cicerone essere il
solo poltrone che fosse capace di grandi cose ); ma si pud an cora scorgere
facilmente che il sommo fine poli tico di Cicerone fu l'acquisto delle maggiori
for tune nella repubblica: che due essendo i mezzi per giungervi, la scienza
militare e la oratoria, e co noscendo egli di valer poco nella prima, comechè
molto si tormentasse per giungervi, si attenne vi gorosamente alla seconda; e
che egli avendo sen tenza, niuno essere oratore perfetto il quale non
abbiascienza di tutte le grandi cose, vago per qua Junque facoltà, e sopra
tutto per le opinioni di ogni filosofia, e tutto questo adunamento di dottrine
in dirizzo al suo desiderio di essere oratore perfet to (2). Questo studio è
palese nelle sue opere, le (1 ) T. Livio Epit. 121. Plutarco in Cicerone et in
Antonio. Sve. tonio in Augusto. Vellejo II,8, 65, 66.Dione lib. XLVII. Ap piano
lib. IV. Seneca Súas. I et VI. V. Massiino lib. V, 3. Floro PADOV,6. (2)
Cicerone De Or. lib. I, 6; II, 2. 326 CAPITCLO quali a ragionatori severi
appariscono più eloquenti che filosofiche, e mostrano maggior cura del bel dire
che del corretto pensare. Cicerone adunque sempre intento alla eloquenza e
sempre caldo d'una immaginazione vivace e feconda e d'una voglia ine sausta di
meraviglie rettoriche, e sempre frettoloso per la moltitudine dei gra rissimi
affari, trascorse e quasi sfiorò le nozioni filosofiche, e divenne gran dissimo
nel dipingere, nell'adornare e nel persua dere; ma nel vigore del discorso e
del giudizio e nelle sottili distinzioni del vero e del falso parve che le più
volte l'oratore fosse smisuratamente più grande del filosofo. Gli è però vero
che nel silen zio delle lettere forensi e senatorie, e nell'ingenuo ozio in cui
la usurpazione di pochi lasciava i grandi uomini di Roma, Cicerone ottenne
dalla disgrazia questa utilità, che riposatamente e liberamente me dità e
scrisse argomenti filosofici (i ), e massima mente si esercitò nella parte
teologica e morale cui appartengono i libri notissimi della Natura degl'Id dii,
della Divinazione, del Fato, del Sogno di Sci pione, dei Fini, della
Vecchiezza, dell'Amicizia, delle Leggi, degli Uffizj, le Disputazioni Tuscula
ne, i Paradossi Stoici e le Quistioni Accademiche; nelle quali si argomentd
particolarmente a distrug gere i greci sistemi alla maniera di Carneade, e pa
lesò il suo. Coopose ancora l'Ortensio ossia l'Am monizione alla Filosofia, e i
libri della Repubbli ca, che sono perduti (2). Ma per quanto ozio egli avesse e
per quanto meditasse, non seppe mai di vezzarsi dall'esagerato linguaggio
oratorio, e di lui usd pomposamente nella esposizione de sistemi e delle
ragioni filosofiche; e poi vi aggiunse i suoi (1 ) Cicerone De Off. lib. II, 1,
2. (2) Cicerone ne fa memoria, De Fin. I. I; De Div. I. II; Tusc. Disp. lib.
III. S. Agostino De Civ. Dei e Lattanzio in più luoghi. QUARANTESIMONONO 327
amori e i suoi odj per certe scuole, e questi an cora rettoricamente amplifico;
e per giunta di am biguità gli piacquero le platoniche forme de' dialo ghi e le
accademiche dispute e le confutazioni per ogni parte e gl'inclinamenti ora ad
un lato, ora ad un altro; donde risultarono equivoci e dubbj e opi nioni
diverse intorno alla filosofia. Ma noi pensia mo di poter mettere alcun ordine
in tanto invi luppo ragionando di questa guisa. - Non fram mezzo alle pompe
eloquenti delle orazioni e alle asluzie forensi, e non tra le epistole di
complimen lig di raccomandazioni, di condoglienze, di affari, nè tra i
parlamenti e i dialoghi di uomini ora epi curei, ora stoici, ora peripatetici
passionati, è da cercarsi la filosofia di Cicerone, siccome alcuni fe cero e
fanno incautamente, ma è giusto rintrac ciarla in que' luoghi delle sue opere
filosofiche ove egli parla in persona e sentenza sua propria. —Cid statuito,
ascoltiamo Cicerone medesimo, il quale senza equivocazione e mistero alcuno ci
racconta ch'egli professa la filosofia della nuova Accademia; perciocchè a
coloro che si meravigliavano come egli principalmente approvasse
quellafilosofia che toglie la luce e quasi sparge una nottesopra le co se, e
protegesse impensatamente una disciplina de serta, egli risponde: « Non
imprendiamo già noi « il patrocinio di cose deserte. Questo metodo, per « cui
si disputa di tutto e non si giudica aperta « mente di niente, nato da Socrate,
ripetuto da « Arcesilao, confermato da Carneade, invigorì fino u alla nostra
età; il qual metodo ascolto essere u ora abbandonato in Grecia, il che io credo
av « venuto non per vizio dell'Accademia, ma per pi u grizia degli uomini:
mentre se gran cosa è ap prendere alcuna disciplina, quanto è maggiore u
apprenderle tutte ! la qual cosa è necessario che 328 CAPITOLO quelli facciano,
i quali hanno proposto per la investigazione del vero disputare contro tutti i
« filosofi e a favore di tutti; e questa difficile fa « coltà non penso io di
avere acquistata, solamente u penso di averla seguita. Nè già noi a questa gui
u sa filosofando, riputiamo, niente esser vero, ma piuttosto al vero essere
congiunto il falso con « tanta rassomiglianza, che manchi il certo criterio «
di giudicare e di assentire; dalle quali dottrine siegue questo precetto, nolto
essere il probabi le, il quale benchè non sia bene compreso, non « pertanto
avendo certo uso insigne ed illustre, « dee governare la vita del savio (1 ). »
- E altro ve: « Io vorrei (egli dice ) non a nome di Attico, di Balbo o di
Vellejo, ma a suo, che fosse ben u conosciuta la nostra sentenza; imperocchè
non « siamo noi vagabondi nell'errore, nè manchiamo « di quello che è da
seguirsi; poichè quale sarebbe « la mente e quale la vita, tolta la regola del
di sputare e del vivere? Ma noi, ove gli altri dicono u alcune cose certe,
alcune incerte, dissentendo da essi, altre diciamo probabili, altre
improbabili. « Perchè adunque non potrò attenermi al proba « bile e riprovare
il contrario, e dechinando dalle « arroganti affermazioni, fuggire la temerità,
che « è tanto lontana dalla sapienza? Ma i nostri Ac « cademici disputano
contro ogni sentenza, peroc « chè questo lor probabile non può risplendere se «
non si fa contesa per l' una parte e per l'al « tra (2). » Oltreacciò egli
c’invita a leggere le sue Quistioni Accademiche, ove questi propositi erano
esaminati più diligentemente (3); cosicchè può dirsi che quando egli ne'suoi
Dialoghi disputa (1 ) Cicerone DeNat. Deor. lib. I, (3) De Off. lib. II, 2;
Tusc. Disp. I. I,9; Ii, 3; De Div. I. II, 3. (3) Cicerone II. cc. Acad. Quaest.
lib. II, 3. 5. QUARANTESIMONONO 329 per le parti accademiche, parla in propria
perso na, e quindi par fuori di ogni dubitazione che egli è nel metodo di
quegli Accademici che ogni cri terio poneano nella probabilità. Di qui
s'intende com ' egli ora si attemperava agli Stoici, ora ai Pla tonici, ora ai
Peripatetici, senza abbandonar l'Ac cademia; perché ove cercava i doveri
dell'uomo e le leggi sociali, trovava maggiore probabilità nelle dottrine del
Portico; e dove investigava i principi delle cose e trattava la psicologia e la
teologia, credea forse trovarla maggiore nel Platonismo e nel Peripato (1 ); e
dove di queste e di altre filo sofie disputava e ne bilanciava le vantate
eviden ze, sospendea il giudizio ed era Accademico; e così pure quando
persuadeva il popolo e il senato, pas sava a grande suo comodo nelle sentenze
contra rie, e non avea ribrezzo alcuno di contraddirsi ac cademicamente. La
moda del Foro era di potere essere Accademico Probabilista, ed egli serviva
alla scena, e lo era con gli altri. Cicerone adunque così disposto tratto di
tutte le parti della filosofia ove più diligentemente, ove meno. E certamente
egli coltivò la logica e la in segnò con gran cura ne' suoi Libri Rettorici, ma
a sua maniera, vuol dire per servigio della eloquen za e del Foro. Parve
chepensasse con Socrate non essere molta la utilità della fisica per la probità
e beatitudine della vita (2). Conobbe tuttavia i mag giori sistemi antichi, e
vide nella rimota vecchiaja della filosofia certe nozioni che si vantano scopri
menti di questi ultimi tempi, come il moto della terra, gli antipodi, la
gravitazione o attrazione uni versale, che tiene il mondo nell'ordine (3). Ma
nella (1 ) De Off. lib. I, 2, 3; Tusc. Disp. lib. 21. (2) De Nat. Deor. lib. 1,
21; Acad.' Quaest. lib. II, 39. (3 ) De Nat. Deor. II, 45; Acad. Quaest. II,
38. 330 CAPITOLO naturale teologia e nella morale pose ogni sua cu ra. « È
fermissimo argomento della esistenza d'Id « dio (egli dice ) che niuna gente
sia tanto fiera e « niun uomo tanto crudele, che non serbi nell' a. w nimo la
opinion degl'Iddii;e questo consenso di a tutte le genti dee riputarsi una
legge di patu « ra (1 ). La bellezza del mondo e l'ordine delle cose « celesti
stringe a confessare una prestante ed eter a na natura, e un fabbricatore e
moderatore della « grand' opera (2), il quale è da immaginarsi come « una mente
sciolta e libera e segregata da ogni « componimento mortale, che tutto sente e
muo « ve, ed è fornita di moto sempiterno (3), e come a un maestro e signore
che le celesti e le terrene « ed umane cose e tutto l'Universo amministra, sen
« za la cui provvidenza quale tra gli uomini sarebbe « pietà, quale santità,
qual religione? le quali virtù tolte, sorgerebbe il disordine e la confusion
della u vita, e non rimarrebbe società alcuna nel genere « umano (4). Io così
mi persuado e così sento, che « tanta essendo la celerità degli animi e tanta
la « memoria delle cose passate e la prudenza delle future, e tante le arti e
le scienze e le scoperte, quella natura che le contiene non può esser mor «
tale (5); e semplici essendo gli animi e senza mi « stura, é movendosi per sè
medesimi, nè possono « dividersi e dissiparsi, nè cessare di moversi; ed «
essendo celesti e divini e sempre desiderosi della - immortalità, non possono
essere ingannati dachi « li produsse, e debbono essere eterni (6). E quindi (1
) Cicerone Tusc. Disp. lib. I, 13; De Nat. Deor. III, 3. (2) De Div. II,72;
Tusc. I, 29. (3) Tusc. Disp. I, 27. (4 ) De Fin.IV, 5; Acad. Quaest. I, 8; De
Nat. Deor. I, 2, 44; I1, 66; III, 36; Fragm. De Repub. III. (5) De Senectute.
(6 ) De Senect. et Tusc. I, 27, 29. QUARANTESIMONONO 331 gmni su stenza 1: anto
fra serbi mi Consen ne deres ante de erator& ginarsi az ata dan ente en
(3), es e le to pinista i miniars le quali pfusica ja nelset si senta je tapis
denta 1 comechè Cerbero tricipite e il fremito di Cocito u e il tragitto di
Acheronte sieno favole senili, deb « bon perd rimanere dopo la morte i premj e
le pe. ne, e quelle due socratiche vie per cui gli empj si « dividono e i buoni
si congiungono agl' Iddii (1). ” - Su questi grandi principj egli collocò
l'edifizio del naturale diritto e di tutta la morale; e primie ramente dalla
eterna ragione e volontà' di Dio, e dalla comune ragione degli uomini, e dalla
natura e relazion delle cose dedusse la origine e la realità e l'autorità e la
obbligazion d'un naturale e pub blico diritto. - « La legge (egli dice ) è un
eterno impero che governa l'Universo con la sapienza del comandare e del
proibire, ed è la mente di « Dio che costringe e divieta; e non solamente è più
antica della età de' popoli e delle città, ma eguale a quell' Iddio che difende
e regge i cieli e « le terre. La mente divina non può esser senza ra gione, nè la
ragione divina può esser senza la « forza di fermare le cose giuste e le
ingiuste. Una legge sempiterna fu sempre e una ragione appog u giata alla
natura delle cose; la quale non allora che fu scritta, cominciò ad esser legge,
ma al « lora che nacque, e nacque insieme con la mente divina; il perchè la
legge vera e primaria, idonea á a comandare e a proibire, è la diritta ragione
del « sommo Giove (2); la quale non è legge scritta, « ma nata, e la quale non
abbiamo imparata, non ricevuta, non letta, ma l'abbiamo attinta dalla «
medesima natura e dalla comune intelligenza, per u cui giudichiamo il diritto e
il torto, è l'onesto « e il turpe; imperocchè estimar queste cose dalla BST PEN
ne par 2017 depositse. Em opinione, non dalla natura, è stoltezza (3). (1 )
Tusc. 1,5,6, 21, 30; De Ainic. 4; De Nat. Deor. II, 2. (2) De Leg. II, 4, 5. (3)
Pro Milone; De Leg. I, 10, 15. zar. 1,1 332 CAPITOLO Io non posso astenermi
dalla ricordanza di quelle parole memorabili di Cicerone nel terzo libro della
Repubblica, le quali da Lattanzio ci furono conser vate (1 ). — La retta
ragione è certamente la vera legge consentanea alla natura diffusa in tutti, co
« stante, sempiterna, la quale comandando chiama « al dovere, e ci spaventa
dalla frode vielando. « Niente è lecito toglier da lei, niente cangiare, e «
molto meno abborrirla. Nè dal senato, nè dal popolo possiamo essere sciolti da
questa legge, w nè altro dichiaratore o interprete è da cercarsi; « nè altra legge
è ad Atene, altra a Roma, ma ella « sola ed una, sempiterna ed immutabile
governa « in ogni tempo tutte le genti, e uno è il comune « quasi maestro e
comandante di tutti, Iddio. Egli è di questa legge l'inventore, il disputatore,
il pro mulgatore, al quale chi non obbedisce fugge sè « stesso e disprezza la
natura dell'uomo, e per que « sto istesso paga massime pene, quantunque sfugga
« tutti quegli altri eventi che si riputano supplizj." - Oltre questi
nobili conoscimenti della origine, del fondamento, della realità, della forza,
della im mutabilità delle leggi naturali, Cicerone conobbe la utilità della
religione nella società; di che niuno vorrà dubitare (egli dice ) che intenda
come sien molte le cose che si ferman col giuramento, e quan ta salute
apportino le religioni de' patti, e quanti sieno distolti dalla scelleraggine
per timore del di vino supplizio, e quanto sia santa la società di que'
citladini che fra loro interpongon gl'Iddii come giu dici e testimonj (2). Egli
conobbe ancora la sanzio ne ossia la intimazion della pena contro i violatori,
senza cui le leggi non avrebbon forza di obbligare, (1 ) Lallanzio Div. Inst.
lib. VII, cap. 8. De Leg. lib. II, 7. QUARANTESI MONONO 333 ma diverrebbono
avvisi e consigli; e non ebbe so lamente quella sanzione come una conseguenza
aa turale della colpa, ma come una vera imposizion di castigo, se non in questa,
certo nella vita av venire, siccome già sopra abbiam divisato (1 ). Co nobbe
egli non meno quella così semplice e cosi vera divisione del codice della
umanità in doveri verso Dio, verso noi medesimi e verso la società; e insegnò
che la filosofia dono e ritrovamento di vino ci erudisce nel culto degl'Iddii,
e poi nel diritto degli uomini posto nella società del genere umano: che l'uouo
non è nato a sè solo; che anche parte di lui ne domanda la patria e parte gli
amici: che gli uomini sono prodotti per gli uomini acciocchè si giovino a
vicenda; e che debbono ricevendo e dando permutare gli uffizj, e con le arti,
con le le facoltà stringere la compagnia degli uomini con gli uomini (2). —
Questa succinta immagine della giure prudenza e della morale di Cicerone offre
nella sua medesima brevità una idea molto elevata e molto magnifica e superiore
a quante opere di antichi uo mini giunsero a noi in questo argomento, e forse a
quante mai furono composte prima di lui. Tutta volta non è già vero che la
morale Ciceroniana con tenga una disciplina compiuta, e discenda con per fetto
ordine e verità in tutti i particolari; percioc chè anzi con buon accorgimento
fu avvertito essere diffettuosa in assai parti necessarie, e gli argomenti
nella maggior parte esser trattati leggiermente, e per decisioni assai rigide
palesarsi che il severo giu reprudente non conoscea i verj principj donde po
teano di dursi gli scioglimenti di certi casi (3 ). Ma con tutto ciò neppure è
vero che Cicerone ne' suoi opere, con (1 ) V. Ubner Essai sur l'Hist. du Droit
Nat. Par. I, S 12. (2) Tusc. Dis. 1, 26: De Oll. I, 7. (3) G. Barbeyrac Pret, à
Pufendorf. 334 CAPITOLO 0 trattati di morale fosse un Pirronista, e nelle sue
dispute di naturale teologia un distruttore di tutte le religioni. La
primaimputazione assume per fon damento che Cicerone avendo statuiti i principi
della morale, prega l'Accademia di Arcesila e di Carneade perturbatrice di
tutte queste cose a ta cersi, perchè volendo assalire i principj che sem bran
così bene composti, fara troppe ruine, e desi dera placarla, e non ardisce
rimoverla (1 ). La se conda accusazione è dedotta da quello spirito di
dubitazione che domina in tutte le sue opere e sin golarmente nei libri della
Natura degl Iddii, ove mostra gran voglia di confutare e deridere tutte le
antiche dottrine della Divinità, e concede alla fine tutti i trionfi
all'Accademico Cotta. Al che si ag. giunge unagrande incostanza e può dirsi
contrad dizione nell'affare gravissimo della immortalità de gli animi;
perciocchè in molte epistole sue, nelle quali scopertamente parlava co' suoi
amici, o du bita di quella immortalità, o rappresenta la morte come l'ultimo
de' mali e il fine delle sensazioni e di tutte le cose (2). Noi, per quello che
dinanzi si è avvertito, dobbiam consentire che Cicerone fu Accademico, e non
altro conobbe che sole proba bilità; nel che certo errò gravemente, e grande
fra gilità iufuse in tutto il suo sistema teologico e mo rale: tuttavolta
perchè al suo probabile diede la forza e l'autorità che noi diamo al vero e
all' evi dente, riparò un poco il dauno che fin d'allora il Probabilismo
minacciava. Fuori di questo errore, egli molte affermò di quelle medesime
verità che (1 ) Ciecrone De Legibus l. 13. V. G. Barbeyrac l. c. (2) Ep. Fam.
lib. V, 16, 21; lib. VI, 3, 4, 21; Ad Attic. IV, 10; e altrove. V. P. Bayle art.
Spinoza, M., e Cont. des Pens.div. 105; A. Collin De la liberté de penser; G.
F. Buddeo De l'Athéisme ch. I, 22. QUARANTESIMONONO 335. noi stessi affermiamo,
e nel naturale Diritto molte ne vide di quelle ancora che furon vantate come
scoprimenti del nostro fortunato secolo, di che po tremmo tenere amplissimi
discorsi se qui fosse luo go. Egli veramente sparse assai dubbi e molte risa
sulle teologie antiche, e non era nel torto. Tenne ancora ragionamenti
ipotetici intorno alla immor talità degli animi; e alcuna volta scrivendo a
tali che la negavano, si attemperò alle loro opinioni per consolarli e
persuaderli più speditainente. Per altro, quando fu sciolto da siffatti
riguardi, parlò di que sti argomenti con quella dignità che abbiam rac
contata.Adunque nè Cicerone fu di quegli Ateinè di quei Pirronisti esagerati
che non conoscono Di vinità e moralità nè vera nè probabile. Non si vuol qui
tralasciare che la scuola pirronica o scettica, sia che fosse oscurata dalla
modestia e serietà del l'Accademia, sia che la fama di negligenza, di stra
nezza e di stolidità la mettesse a pubblico disprez zo, non ebbe accoglienza
niuna tra i Romani; di forma che uncerto Enesidemo da Gnosso intorno all'età di
Cicerone avendo tentato in Alessandria di sollevare dalla dimenticanza lo
Scetticismo, e con questo intendimento avendo scritti più libri pirronici, che
intitold a L. Tuberone uoino prima rio tra i Romani, nè gli sforzi dello
scrittore nè l'autorità del Mecenate valsero a far leggere que libri e a
persuadere amore per quella filosofia (1 ). Donde si prende un nuovo argomento
che Cicero ne, il quale raccolse tutti gli applausi di Roma, non potè essere
Pirronista. Per questa descrizione della romana filosofia si conosce che tutto
lo splendore di lei si restrinse alla età di Cicerone, e si rinnova. (1) E.
Menagio in Laertium lib. IX, 62 e 116. J. Brucker De Phil. Rom. cap. I, S
XXVIII. 336 CAPITOLO quella meraviglia come i grandi uomini appariseo no
insieme ad un tratto, e poi sopravviene la bar barie che li prevenne. Prima di
quei dotti uomini che vissero in compagnia di Ciceroneo poco prima, i Romani
eran tutt'altro che filosofi. Dappoi dechino la filosofia, come la eloquenza e
la latinità. Noi an cora siccome abbiam ricevuto, così possiamo tras mettere
alla posterità gli esempi vicini e forse pre senti di queste subite mutazioni.
CAPITOLO L. Digressione intorno alla Filosofia di Archimede. Prima che
Cicerone, compiuta la sua questura partisse dalla Sicilia, aind di conoscere le
rarità di quella isola, e visitò singolarmente Siracusa, città per gloria di
armi e dilettere nobilissima. Quivi presso la porta Agrigentina tra i vepri e
gli spineti vide una colonnetta, nella quale era la figura di una sfera e d'un
cilindro, e per tai segni scoperse quello essere il sepolcro diArchimede, e
mostran dolo ai Siracusani che l'ignoravano, molto si ral legrò che se un uomo
Arpinate non avesse disco perto il monumento di quell' acutissimo cittadino,
essi per avventura sarebbon rimasti al bujo (1 ). Da questa narrazione
prendiamo opportunità di ono rare Archimede Siracusano, il quale tuttochè av
volto in un silenzio ingrato degli antichi e dei mo derni scrittori e in una
negligenza che move lo sde gno, anche tra i pochi e dispersi frammenti appa.
risce il maggiore di quanti matematici e meccanici avanzino nelle memorie di
tutta l'antichità. Forse (1 ) Cicerone Tusc. Disp. lib. V, 23. CINQUANTESIMO
337 alcuni si meraviglieranno che noi disordinatamente prendiamo a scrivere di
Archimede dopo Cicerone, che fiorì quasi due secoli dopo di lui. Ma sappiano
cotesti autori cronologisti che non abbiamo finora trovato parte più opportuna
ove allogare un uomo che non ebbe vaghezza di setta alcuna nè greca ne romana,
e la ebbe piuttosto di essere filosofo da sè; e poi sappiano che senza bisogno
non vogliamo essere rigoristi in cronologia, e sappiano in fine che se è pur un
errore trasportare la memoria di Ar chimede a dugento anni dappoi, io credo
certo che sia errore molto più grande trasportarla nel vuoto, siccome gli
Stoici della filosofia usaron finora. Nac que adunque questo divino ingegno,
siccome Cice rone (1 ) lo nomina, intorno all'anno ccccLvII di Roma; e o
ch'egli fosse della regia stirpe di Gerone re di Siracusa (2), o che fosse un
umile omuncolo fatto chiaro dalla verga e dalla polvere, vuol dire dalla
geometria (3), o che fosse nudo di ricchezza e solamente pago di ben intendere
i cieli e le ter re (4 ), non superbo e non depresso per niente di quelle varie
fortune, cercò nella sapienza la nobiltà e la grandezza della sua sorte. Le
matematiche pure e le applicate all'utile della patria e alla felicità della
vita furono la sua cura perpetua. Nella mi sura delle grandezze curvilinee,
argomento allora nuovo o poco famigliare agli anteriori matematici, aperse
incognite strade e immaginò metodi fecon di, che appresso germogliarono
ampiamente e fu rono i semi e, per testimonianza di Giovanni Wal lis, i
fondamenti di tutte le invenzioni onde si vanta la nostra età. Sono già note le
sue scoperte nelle (1 ) Tusc. Disp. I. (2) Plutarco in Marcello. (3)
CiceroneTusc. Disp. V, 23. (4 ) Silio Italico de Bello Pun. lib. XIV, 343.
BUONAPEDE. Ist. Filos. Vol. II. 22 338 CAPITOLO misure e nelle proporzioni
della sfera e del cilin dro, di cui tanto si compiacque, che volle scolpite nel
suo sepolcro quelle due figure come caratteri di singolar distinzione. Sono
ancor note le sue spe culazioni intorno alla conoide e alla sferoide, e la
quadratura della parabola, e le proprietà delle spi rali; e queste cose, onde
si crede che molto si di latassero i confini dell'antica geoinetria, Archimede
Irattò in libri che tuttavia esistono, quali sono, della Sfera e del Cilindro,
della dimensionedel Cir colo, della Conoide e della Sferoide, del Tetra: 0
nismo, della Parabola, delle Linee spirali, a cui come opera teoretica si può
aggiungere l'Arenario Ossia del Numero delle arene; nel quale trattato,
supponendo ancora che l'Universo ne fosse pieno, calcolo quel numero contro
l'opinione di tali che lo riputavano infinito (1 ). Lode eguale e forse mag
giore ottenne Archimede allorchè le astrazioni geo metriche condusse alla
pubblica utilità; e sebbene io non sappia indurmi a credere ch'egli fosse il
creatore della meccanica (2 ), mentre studiò pure in Egitto, ove ognun sa che
la meccanica non potea esser negletta; tuttavolta egli fu certamente assai
benemerito di questa facoltà. Nei due celebri suoi libri che tuttavia esistono,
l'uno intitolato degli Equiponderanti, e l'altro dei Galleggianti, ovvero delle
cose che nuotano o che si traggono per li fluidi, egli stabilì i principj
statici ed idrostatici, ai quali dicono che siamo debitori della presenteesten
sione de' nostri scoprimenti; e aggiungono che Ar chimede istesso dando assai
contrassegni di altis sima penetrazione in questo genere di studj, mo (1 ) V.
Claudio Francesco de Chales in Cursu Math. tom. I, de Progressu Maibes.;
Giammaria Mazzucchelli Notizie intorno ad Archimed ”, e Moniucla Ist. delle
Malem. lib. IV. (2) Montucla l. c. CINQUANTESIMO 339 strò che avrebbe potuto
pervenire a questa nostra estensione medesima, se non si fosse rivolto ad al
tri pensieri (1 ). Il re Gerone avendo affidata ad un artefice una massa di oro
perchè lavorasse una co rona dedicata agl' Iddii, venne a sospetto che il buon
artefice gli avesse fatto furto; onde impose ad Archimede che studiasse di
conoscere la verità. È fama che il matematico entrato nel bagno si avvide che
quanto del corpo suo entrava nell'acqua, tanto ne usciva; donde preso lo
svoglimento della qui stione, uscì fuori tutto ignudo e correndo gridava per
via expriua evprzo, ho trovato ho trovato; e se condo questo esperimento
immerse la corona in un vaso pieno di acqua; indi successivamente v'immerse due
masse di egual peso, l'una di oro, l'altra di ar gento, ed esaminò quant'acqua
spandessero i tre corpi, e quindi conobbe quello che investigava(3). Ma questo
metodo, quando pur fosse possibile, non è sembrato, e non è veramente degno
della elevazione di Archimede; nè egli per così poco sa rebbe fuggito via
ignudo, nè Gerone avrebbe det to che dopo così gran prova tutto era da credersi
ad Archimede. È dunque più verisimile e più de gno di lui, che avendo già egli
nel suo Trattato de' Galleggianti stabilito questo principio: i corpi immersi
in un fluido vi perdono tanto del proprio peso, quanto è un volume loro eguale
del'fluido; di qui raccogliesse che l'oro siccome più compatto vi perda meno
del suo peso e l'argento più, e un misto dell'uno e dell'altro in ragione del
suo com ponimento. Bastava dunque pesare nell' aria e nel l'acqua la corona e
le due masse di oro e di ar gento per ferinare quanto ciascuna perdeva del (1 )
Montucla l. c. (2 ) Vitruvio lib. IX, cap. 3. 340 CAPITOLO proprio peso, e dopo
questi passi il problema non avea più difficoltà per un uomo come Archimede.
Questo fecondo principio valse al valentuomo per la scoperta di molte verità
idrostatiche, le quali po trebbono leggersi nel lodato suo libro, se a questi
dì non fossero molto divulgate (1 ). Ben quaranta invenzioni meccaniche si
onorano col nome di Ar chimede (2); ma solamente alcune vanno errando disperse
negli scritti di antichi autori, e non fuor di ragione può credersi che secondo
lo stile usitato molte si abbian volute render mirabili col prestito di un gran
nome. Dicono di Archimede la chioc ciola, strumento ingegnosissimo e
utilissimo, per cui usando la propensione medesima del grave alla caduta si
produce la sua elevazione, e con tale or degno s'innalzano le acque ove
bisogna, e si asciu gano le navi e le terre (3). Sono però alcuni che lo credon
più antico di Archimede (4). L'organo idraulico portò già il nome di Archimede
(5); ma questo grato arnese benchè dia segno di musica perizia, è piuttosto un
gioco dilettevole che un ri trovamento sublime. Laforza infinita e la moltipli
cazione delle girelle furono poste fra le invenzioni di Archimede; ma altri
affermano, altri negano,? niuno ha migliori argomenti. Dammi fuori di qui ove
io fermi i piedi, e moverò dal suo luogo la terra, disse Archimede a Gerone. E
veramente ap presso ai suoi principj si posson in teoria immagi nar macchine le
quali rendano idonea una potenza minima a sollevare un peso inassimo (6 ).
Nella pra (1 ) Vedi Mazzucchelli e Montucla II. cc. (2) Parpo lib. VIII. Pr.
VI, prop. 10. (3 ) Diodoro lib. I et V. Ateneo lib. V. (4) V. Catrou e Roville
Hist. Rom. tom. VIII. (5) Tertulliano De Animo. (6) Plutarco in Marcello: Dic
ubi consistam; caclum terramque movebo. CINQUANTESIMO 341 tica Archimedle volle
dar segno a Gerone che avreb be saputo mettere ad effetto le sue promesse, e
pri mieramente una grandissima nave tutta carica, la quale non potea moversi
senza molta fatica e as sai numero di uomini, egli solo qutto e sedente, senza
sforzo alcuno e coll' ordinario impulso della mano aggirando l'ordegno suo,
mosse e guidd co me gli piacque; indi per comandamento del me desimo principe
avendo disegnata e messa a per fezione una molto maggiore e inolto meravigliosa
nave, nella quale oltre le parti usitate in siffatti la. vori, e tutte di
estraordinaria sontuosità e grandez za, vi erano giardini e peschiere e
cisterne e acque correnti e sale e bagni e fino una biblioteca, e poi vi
sorgeano olto gran torri armate, e ai loro luo ghi erano baliste e mani ferrate
e altri strumenti da guerra per gli assalti e per le difese, e di smo derato
carico e di molto popolo era grave, Archi mede non ostante la enormità di tanta
mole, che tutti i Siracusani insieme non valsero a smovere, fece per certo
ingegno suo che il solo Gerone la traesse in mare (1). È stato detto che questi
rac conti ridondino di gran favola, il che pud benesser vero; ma non penso che
vi sia fondamento alcuno di affermarlo. Vedute queste meravigliose opere il Re
Siracusano sapientemente avvisò di esercitare la stupenda fecondità di questo
Genio tutelare di Si racusa, e lo pregò a comporre ogni genere di mi litari
strumenti per riparo del regno e per offesa dell' inimico. Archimede, buon
amico del suo Re e della sua patria, siccome i sapienti sono o debbono essere,
ubbidì volentieri. Questi ritrovamenti bel lici furono inutili, mentre Gerone
visse nella pace e nell'amicizia de' Romani. Ma lui morto, arse una (1 )
Plutarco in Marcello. Ateneo lib. V. 342 CAPITOLO guerra molto crudele, e
Siracusa fu assediata dal console Marco Claudio Marcello, nobile capitano e
rinomato per Viridomaro re de' Galli ucciso, e più per Annibale da lui
sconfitto più volte. Egli con oste gravissima e con gran forza di navi e con
macchine e con militari stratagemmi e con la fama di prode e felice soldato
strinse e assalì Siracusa per terra e per mare. In tanta fierezza di arma mento
i Siracusani furono presi da tacita paura e da terrore. Archimede solo non
ismarrì, e vepne con le sue macchine a ricomporre i cuori dissipati de
cittadini, e a sostenere la patria, e a mostrare a Marcello che un filosofo
potea esser maggiore del Re de' Galli e di Annibale, e bilanciarsi con la forza
e con la fortuna istessa di Roma. Per scienza e per avvedutezza di questo uomo
le muraglie di Si racusa erano guernite di copia incredibile di bale stre, di
catapulte e di altri macchinamenti per lan ciar dardi e palle e sassi di ogni
grandezza, e da vi cino e da lontano, secondo tutti i bisogni. Vi erano ordegni
che facendo cadere grossissime travi cari che di pesi immensi sopra le galee e
le navi nimi che, le abissava subitamente nelle acque. Vi erano ancora certe
mani di ferro con le quali si abbran cavano quelle navi e quelle galee e si
levavano per aria, e poi si lasciavancadere tutte subito con som mersione e
ruina, e altre volte si traevano a terra e si aggiravano e si stritolavano
nelle rupi, su cui stavanle mura della città. Dietro queste mura, che in più
luoghi erano pertugiate, stavano scorpioni tesi a cogliere i nemici, che per
isfuggire dai lan ciamenti lontani si avvicinavano, onde non rima nea luogo sicuro
dalle offese; e Marcello colpito da tutti i lati senza saper d'onde e come, usa
va dire: Questo geometra Briareo sorpassa ben molto i Giganti centimani; tante
sono le vibrazioni sue CINQUANTESIMO 343 contro di noi (1 ). I Romani in terra
e in mare erano anch'essi molto ben provveduti di macchine mi litari, e
singolarmente sopra otto galee levavano certo congegno nominato per
similitudine sambu ca, con cui agguagliavano le mura e poteano in trudersi
nella citlà. Ma il Briareo Siracusano lanciò alcuni sassi gravi oltre a
seicento libbre, e battute quelle sambuche, le rovesciò con grande strepito e
danno (2). In somma un solo vecchio geometra rendè Siracusa invincibile, e
confuse il valore di Roma e il miglior capitano che ella avesse in que' giorni
(3 ). Gli assalitori furono stretti a rimetter molto della loro baldanza e
ridurre ad un lungo blocco quella tanta vivacità di assalti. Appresso non si
parld più di Archimede, e Siracusa fu pre sa, e il suo invito difensore, quasi
dimentico della patria e di sè stesso e ozioso nella pubblica ruina, si fece
ammazzare per fatua ostinazione nel dise gno d' una figura di geometria. Io non
so bene se sia troppa offesa di gravi narratori gettare tra le fa vole queste
sconnessioni attribuite al più connesso uomodel mondo. Forse per liberare
Archimede da cosiffatte inezie e quasi deserzioni nel maggiore bi sogno della
patria, alcuni pensarono di riempiere questo vuoto col meraviglioso racconto
dell'incen dio delle navi di Marcello con gli specchi ustorj. Un medico riputato
grande (4), un istorico medio cre (5) e un picciol poeta (6) furono i
divulgatori di quel famoso incendio. Ma la tenue autorità di cosiffatti uomini
non vale per niente a fronte del (1 ) T. Livio lib. XXIV. Polibio Excerp. lib.
VIII, 5. Plutarco ). c. V. il cav. Folard nel suo Commento sopra Polibio. (2)
Polibio e Plutarco II. cc. (3) Cicerone De Fin. V. Livio lib. XXV, 31; e altri.
(4 ) Galeno De Teinp lib. III, cap. 2. (5) Zonara tom. I, lib. IX. (6 ) Tzetze
Hist. XXXV, chil. II. 344 CAPITOLO sana, silenzio di Livio, di Polibio e di
Plutarco, i quali diligentemente avendo scritto della guerra siracu non
avrebbono mai taciuto unavvenimento tanto stupendo, e insieme di tanto
ammaestramento nell'arte della guerra, così nel guardarsi da quegli specchi incendiari,
come per usarne contro i nimi ci; e certo io credo che se quel terribil metodo
fosse stato veramente messo ad effetto, non sareb bono mancati imitatori, e
l'armata navale di Mar cello non sarebbe stata la sola incendiata. Noi me.
desimi, studiosissimi quanto altri di spopolare il mondo con le militari
invenzioni, non avremmo, io credo, all'economico e facile artifizio di
Archimede anteposti altri dispendiosi e incomodi metodi. Molti veramente hanno
studiato assai nella catottrica per trovar modo di suscitare quel funesto
esperimento, e alcuni son giunti a provare che certo con un solo specchio di
convessità continua o sferica o parabo lica non era possibile quell' incendio
in tanta di stanza, ma era ben possibile con molti specchi pia ni; e tra altri
in questi ultimi giorni il Buffon com pose uno specchio formato diquattrocento
specchi così disposti, che tutti riflettevano i raggi ad un punto comune; e
questo adunamento nella distanza di centoquaranta piedi liquefaceva il piombo e
lo stagno in corto tempo, e in distanza maggiore in ceneriva il legno, il che
parve che mostrasse pos sibile il metodo di Archimede (1 ): ciò non ostante
queste pratiche per ostacoli non superabili giaccion neglette, e le nostre
armate navali si distruggono a vicenda con altro, che con raggi di sole. Non è
le cito partire dalla istoria di Archimede senza dire alcuna cosa de' suoi
studj astronomici, e di quella (1) A.Kircker Ars magna lucis et umbrae lib. X,
P. III. Buf fon Mém. de l'Acad. 1948. V. Montucla I. c. CINQUANTESIMO 345 t 1
tanto celebre sfera e tanto lodata dai poeti, dagli oratori, dagli stoici e,
ciò che più vale, dai filo sofi (1 ). Era questa una macchina o di rame o di
bronzo o di vetro, la quale o a forza di aria o di acqua, o di ruote e di molle
e di pesi o di forza magnetica, o di altri ingegni movendosi, esprimeva tutti i
rivolgimenti e i fenomeni celesti, senza eccet tuarne finanche i tuoni e i
fulmini (2); e secondo alcuni rappresentava questi movimenti secondo il sistema
Copernicano (3). Le quali cose, se sono vere, come possono essere, attese le
altre grandi opere di quest'uomo, e massiinamente perchè egli si compiacque
assai di questo lavoro e di lui solo volle lasciar memoria alla posterità con
un libro intitolato Spheropeia, che si è poi smarrito, pos siamo raccogliere
con nuovo argomento, se altri pur ne mancassero, che nelle scienze più utili
l'an tichità davvero ne sapea almen quanto noi(4 ). Mol. te edizioni furono
promulgate delle opere di Archi mede, e illustri uomini o in tutto o in parte
le ador narono con somma diligenza, fra i quali si distin sero assai
Gianalfonso Borelli, Giovanni Wallis, Isacco Barow, Andrea Tacquet e
Evangelista Tor ricelli (5 ). Oltre le pubblicate vi è memoria di al tre
scritture di Archimede, che si dicono ascose in qualche biblioteca, come della
Frazione del cir colo, della Prospettiva e degli Elementi di Mate matica; o
perdute affatto, come de' Numeri, della Meccanica, degli Specchi comburenti,
della Nave (1 ) Ovidio Fast. II e VI. Claudiano Epigr. Cicerone De Nat. Deor.
II; Tusc. I. Sesto Empirico con. Math. VIII. Lattanzio lib. II, 5. Franc.
Giunio Cath.'Archit. mechan. ec. Cardano, Vos. sio, Kircker, e altri molti. (2)
V. G. Mazzucchelli I. c. (3) Girolamo Cardano De Subtilitate lib. XVII. Pappo
in Prooemi. lib. VIII. (5) v. G.A. Fabrizio Bibl. Graec. vol. II. G.
Mazzucchelli 1. c. 346 CAPITOLO di Gerone, della Archiettura, degli Elementi Co
nici, delle Osservazioni celesti (1 ). E nel proposito di questa ultima opera è
bene ricordarci che Ma crobio accenna certo metodo con cui Archimede pensò di
avere misurate le distanze della terra dai pianeti e dalle stelle, e di queste
di quelli fra loro. Ma qual fosse quel metodo non è scritto, che sa rebbe molto
grato a sapersi. — In questa breve, ma non iscorretta nè vana immagine degli
studj di Ar chimede noi vediam un uom serio, che non dise gna sistemi sul vuoto
e non fa calcoli inutili, e non va sempre oltre senza saper dove vada; ma che
studia le forze e gli effetti della natura, e trascura l'ignoto e si ferma sul
certo, e di questo usa per utilità de' suoi cittadini e per accrescimento della
pubblica felicità. Invitiamo a rallegrarsi quei filo sofi e quei matematici che
somiglian questo grande esemplare. E preghiamo a correggersi quegli altri che
pensano sempre e non operan mai, e mentre divagano per sentieri che non
riescono a fine al cuno, e mentre ostentano linguaggi che il più de gli uomini
e talvolta essi medesimi non intendono, non sanno poi levare un peso di
alquante libbre,o tenere un po' d'acqua disordinata senza impoverir le famiglie
e le città, e senza amplificare i mali con la perversità de' rimedj. CAPITOLO
LI. Della Filosofia del regno di Augusto. Dopo la battaglia di Azzio C. Cesare
Ottaviano Augusto divenuto re senza prenderne il nome, chiuse (1) Fu stamprlo
un libro da Giovanni Gogava degli Specchi Ustorj, da lui tradotto dall'arabo, e
un altro intitolato Lemma ta; ma non sono estimati degni di Archimede. -
Montucla e Mazzucchelli II. cc. CINQUANTESIMOPRIMO 347 il tempio di Giano e arò
la pace e le lettere. La sua età ebbe ed ha tuttavia la lode del più collo e
più letterato tempo di Roma; al qual vanto io so certo che Lucullo e Attico e
Cicerone repugnerebbono, e non so come non repugniamo noi stessi. Impe rocchè
gli è ben vero chenon solamente Roma era già assuefatta alla filosofia e non
potea divezzarsi così d'improvviso, e che Augusto anch'egli secondo la
consuetudine romana fu amico de filosofi ed en trò vincitore in Alessandria
tenendo per la mano il filosofo Areo, per cui amore non distrusse quella città,
e poi ebbe assai caro Atenodoro di Tarso e lo ascolid attentamente (1 ), e
quindi avvenne che la filosofia seguì a coltivarsi nella nuova' domina zione, e
per costume e per desiderio di applauso e per cortigianeria fiorirono a quei di
molti uomini sapienti: tutta volta io non so vedere in quella età i gran
simulacri che si videro nel fine della repub blica, e vedo anzi che come tutti
i costumi ro mani, così anche la filosofia piegò a mollezza, e quindii poeti
assunser la toga filosofica e otten nero gli applausi maggiori, a tal che la
istoria let teraria della età di Augusto sarebbe assai tenue senza questi
poeti, de' quali adunque sarà mestieri scrivere in primo e quasiin unico luogo.
Publio Virgilio Marone, nato nel contado man tovano, con estraordinario ingegno
poetico studiò di piacere ad Augusto e a Roma; e conoscendo che a riuscire nel
suo desiderio era mestieri condire le sue poesie con dottrine filosofiche, così
fece, e salì alla gloria di Bucolico e di Georgico eguale ai Greci, e di Epico
secondo alcuni riguardi mag giore di Omero (2), e quello che è ora nel nostro (1
) Svetonio in Augusto et Claudio. Plutarco in Antonio. Se neca Cons. ad Helviam.
Luciano in Macrob. Zosimo lib. I, cap. 6. (2) A. Baillet Jug. des Scayans t.
IV, des Poét. Lat. 348 CAPITOLO proposito,di poeta filosofo. Mainvestigandosi
poi di quale filosofia si dilettasse, insorser varie sen tenze. Alcuni
lodissero Epicureo, perchè ascolto Si rone maestro di quella scuola, e perchè
un tratto racconto che l'orto Cecropio spirante aure soavi di fiorente sapienza
lo cingea con la verde ombra (1); e altrove condusse Sileno briaco a cantare
come nel gran vuoto si adunassero i semi delle terre, dell'aria, del mare e del
fuoco (2); e in altri versi nomninò felice colui che potè conoscere le cagioni
delle cose, e calpestò tutti i timori e il Fato ine sorabile e lo strepito
dellavaro Acheronte (3): nelle quali parole l'Epicureismo parve evidente ad al
cuni; mentre ad altri l'orto Cecropio e il peda gogo di Bacco e i semi nel
vuoto parvero equivoci e scherzi di poesia, e il Fato e l'Acheronte calpe stati
e comuni ad altre filosofie non sembrarono argomenti di Epicureismo;
massimamente perchè nello stesso tenore di canto il poeta disse anche felice
colui che conosce gl’iddii agresti Pane e il vecchio Silvano e le Ninfe sorelle
(4), che di vero non erano cose epicuree. Per queste difficoltà fu soggiunto
che Virgilio potea esser Platonico là dove insegnò il compimentodella età
vaticinata dalla Si billa Cumana, e il grande ordine de' secoli, e i mesi
dell'anno grande di Platone, e il ritorno di Astrea e di Saturno e degli aurei
giorni (5); il quale mescolainento io non credo certo che Platone po tesse mai
riconoscer per suo. Si abbandonò adun (1 ) Virgilio Ceiris. Servio in Ecl. VI.
P. Gassendo De vila Epi. curi lib. I, cap. 6. G. A. Fabrizio Bibl. Graec. vol.
II, et Bibl. Lat. lib. I, cap. 4, S 4. (2) Virgilio Ecl.VÍ, 31. (3 ) Georgic.
II, 490. (4) Georg. ivi, 493. (5) Ecl. IV, 5. V. Servio in h. I.; Paganino
Gaudenzio De Phil. Rom. cap. 174; J. Brucker De Phil. sub Imp. $ II.
CINQUANTESIMOPRIMO 349 que questo pensiere, e fu estimato che Virgilio era
stoico, perchè narrò che vedute le ingegnose opere delle api, alcuni aveano
detto esservi parte della mente divina in esse, e Dio scorrere per tutte le
terre e per li tratti del mare è per lo cielo pro fondo, e dar vita a tutti i
nascenti, e tutti a lui ritornare e risolversi in lui, e non esser luogo d
morte, e tutti vivere nel numero delle stelle e nel l'alto cielo (1 ). Ma se
Virgilio ci narra che altri di ceano queste sentenze, non le dicea dunque egli
stesso. Anche nel sesto libro della Eneide, che è il più magnifico e più
profondo di tutto il poema, Virgilio conduce Anchise a filosofare della origine
e natura del mondo e degli uomini; e questa tro jana filosofia senzamolti
discernimenti fu messa a conto del poeta. Uno spirito dice il Trojano, in
ternamente alimenta il cielo, le terre, i mari e la luna e le stelle, e una
mente infusa per le mem bra agita tutta la mole, e al gran corpo si mesce.
Quindi scaturiscon tutti i viventi, in cui è ignea forza e origine celeste, per
quanto i nocenti corpi non li ritardano, e le terrene e mortali membra non gli
affievoliscono; onde avviene che desiderano e temono e godono e si dolgono, e
non mirano al l'alto, chiusi datenebre e in carcere oscuro. Dopo la morte
soffrono i supplicj degli antichi peccati: indi son ricevuti nell'ampio
Eliso,finchè per lungo tempo si tolgan le macchie, e ritorni puro l'etereo
senso e il fuoco del semplice spirito. Compiuto il giro di mille anni, un İddio
convocava gli animi in grandeschiera al fiume Leteo, perchè dimen tiche
rivedano il cielo, e comincino a desiderare i ritornamenti ne' corpi (2). Così
parld Anchise, e (1 ) Georg. IV, 220. (2) Æneid. lib. VI, 719. 350 CAPITOLO
Virgilio fu accusato di Ateismo stoico da uomini cheinsegnando sempre a non
precipitare i giudi zj, li precipitarono essi medesimimolto più spesso che non
può credersi (1). Ma primieramente l'A teismo stoico è una falsa supposizione,
siccome ab biarno veduto in suo luogo; e poi le parole spirito e mente she è
infusa e che alimenta le cose, e il foco e l'etereo senso sebben possano avere
sentenza stoica, la possono anche avere di altre scuole che fecero uso di
simili formule. Inoltre quelle parole sono miste agli Elisi e al fiume della
Oblivione, e al millesimo Anno, e all'Iddio evocatore degli animi smemorati, ma
immortali a rigore; le quali giunte non sono stoiche per niente. E in fine
siccome Vir gilio apertamente ammonì, le antecedenti parole della Georgica, che
parvero stoiche, essere dial tri; così dovrà dirsi in queste della Eneide,
quando egli ancora non lo dicesse. Ma disse pure che eran di Anchise, il quale
qualunque uomo si fosse, e fosse ancora una favola, certamente non era
Virgilio. Dopo queste considerazioni, io molto mi sdegno che uo mini non
vulgari citino tutto giorno questidue passi come una tessera dell'Ateismo
stoico e dello Spi nozismo, e mi sdegno ancor più che si producano come un
argomento della empietà di Virgilio. Non essendo adunque plausibile questa
attribuzione, fu immaginato da altri che Virgilio amasse il Pitago rismo, e da
altri, che molto sanamente sentisse delle cose divine; il che io non saprei
come potesse pro varsi (2 ). Ma un autor celebre prese a mostrare che lo scopo
di quell' incomparabile sesto libro della (1 ) R. Simon Bibl. crit. P. Bayle
Cont. des Pensécs sur les Co mètes. G.G. Leibnitz Théodicée disc. prél. G.
Gundling. Gun dliogiao. P. XLIV, S 8. J. Brucker L. c. (2) Lattanzio lib.
1.5.R. Cudwort System. intell. cap. IV, S 19; Cap. V, sect. IV, S 29.
CINQUANTESIMOPRIMO 351 Eneide era la dipintura simbolica del sistema de misterj
Eleusini e della unità di Dio, e de' premj e delle pene nella vita
avvenire(1).A persuaderci di questo nuovo pensamento il valente autore con
molto studiati riscontri d'antichità e con bell'appa rato di dottrine
incomincia ad insegnarci che la Eneide non è già una favola inutile da
raccontarsi ai fanciulli o da rappresentarsi agli oziosi nelle lun ghe sere d'inverno,
ma è un sistema di politica e di morale e di legislazione, per cui si vuol
dilet tarc e istruire Augusto che è l'Enea e l'eroe del poema, e insieme tutto
il mondo romano, e anche il genere umano intero. Per la qual cosa il poeta
assumendo il carattere di maestro in Etica e di le gislatore, usa i vaticini e
i prodigi per contestazione della Provvidenza, e introduce ilsuo eroe intento
ai sacrifici e agli altari e portatore degl' Iddii nel Lazio, e pieno di tanta
religione, che a taluno, cui piaceva di averne meno, sembrò che Enea fosse più
idoneo a fondareunmonastero,che un regno (2). L'amicizia, l'umanità e le altre
virtù sociali entrano nel sistema di legislazione, e la Eneide n'è piena. Vi
entrano ancora i premj e le pene dopo la morte, e il poeta ne fa amplissime
narrazioni. Orfeo, Er cole,Teseo celebri legislatori furono iniziati nei mi
steri, e le loro iniziazioni si espressero simbolica mente con le discese loro
all'inferno. Cosi Enea le gislatore del Lazio si fa discendere all' inferno per
significare la sua iniziazione negli arcani Eleusini, ne' quali è noto che
Augusto ancora era iniziato. E veramente è grande la similitudine Ira le ceri
monie eleusine ei riti della discesa di Enea all in ferno. Il Mistagogo o
Gerofanta, ora maschio, ora (1 ) Warburlou Diss. de l'Initiation aux mystères.
(2) S. Euremond presso il Warburton. 352 CAPITOLO femmina, era il condottiere
de proseliti, e la Si billa è la guida di Enea. Proserpina era la Deità de'
misterj, ed è la reina dell' inferno Virgiliano; negl'iniziati si volea
l'entusiasmo, e in Enea lo vuol la Sibilla. Nel ramo d'oro sono figurati i rami
di mirto dorati, che gl'iniziati portavano e di cui si tessevan corone. L antro,
l'oscurità, le visioni, i mostri, gli ululati, le formole Procul esto, profa ni,
si trovan comuni ai misterj e alla Eneide, come sono ancora comuni il
Purgatorio, il Tartaro e gli Elisi e le esecrazioni contro gli uccisori di sè
me desimi, contro gli Atei e contro altri malvagi. Di cendo queste ineffabili
cose, Virgilio domandaprima la permission degl' Iddii: E voi, egli dice, Numi
dominatori degli animi, e voi tacite Ombre,e tu Caos, e tu Flegetonte, luoghi
ampiamente taciturni per tenebre, concedete ch'io parli le cose ascoltate, e
col favor vostro divulghigli arcani sommersi sotto la profonda terra e la
caliginc (1 ). Questa preghiera dovea ben farsi da chi sapea gli spaventosi
divieti che gl'iniziati sofferivano di non divulgar mai la tremenda religion
dell'arcano. Da quesli, che erano i piccioli misterj, passa Virgilio ai grandi
significati nella beatitudine degli Elisi. Enea si lava con pura acqua, che era
il rito degl' iniziati, allorché dai piccioli erano elevati ai grandi misterj.
Fatta la lu strazione, il pio Trojano e l'antica sacerdotessa pas sano ai
luoghi dell'allegrezza, e alle amene ver dure dei boschi fortunati e alle sedi
beate, ove i campi dal largoaere sono vestiti di purpureo lilme, e conoscono il
loro sole e le loro stelle. I legisla tori, i buoni cittadini, i sacerdoti
casti, gl’inven tori delle arti, e tutti que' prodi che ricordevoli di sè
stessi fecero con le opere egregie che altri si ri (1 ) Æncid. VI, 264.
CINQUANTESIMOPRIMO 353 cordasser di loro, quivi coronati di candida benda
soggiornano (1 ). Queste immagini erano mostrate ne' grandi misteri, come qui
negli Elisi. Adunque le pene e i premj della vita futura erano ! argo inento
della istituzione Eleusinia e del sesto canto di Virgilio. Finalmente la
confutazione del Poli teismo e la unità di Dio era figurata nello spirito
interno alimentatore, e nella mente infusa alle mem bra di tutta la mole, di
che i nostri pii metafisici agguzzaron tanti commenti. Così disse il dotto
Inglese, a cui rendiamo onor grande per la erudi zione e per l'ingegno, e
mediocre per la rigorosa verità. Ma comechè non consentiam seco in tutta la
serie de' confronti, non sappiam discordare che in quel libro diVirgilio e in
tutto il suo poema non sieno palesi gl'insegnamenti delle sociali virtù, de'
premj e delle pene future, e talvolta non apparisca alcun indizio di sublime
dottrina nel sommo argo mento dell' unica Divinità. Ora per la varietà di
queste sentenze intorno alla filosofia di Virgilio, e perchè già sappiamo che i
begli spiriti e gli ora tori di Roma nel torno di questa età trovavano as sai
comoda quella filosofia, nella quale era usanza prendere da tutte le scuole il
verisimile e l'accon cio alle opportunità, e non si metteano a colpa oggi
essere Stoici e domane Epicurei, e talvolta l'uno e l'altro insieme nel
medesimo giorno; perciò noi portiamo sentenza che ancora i poeti (lasciando
stare quegli che strettamente cantarono alcuna par ticolare filosofia, come
Lucrezio e forse Manilio ) usarono le mode istesse de' begli spiriti e degli
ora tori; e servendo alla scena e al gusto dominante e al comodo, e volendo
piacere al genio superficiale di Augusto e della sua corte, filosofarono alla
gior (1 ) Encid. VI, 630. BUONAFEDE. Ist. Filos, Vol. ll. 23 354 CAPITOLO nata
e misero nei loro poémi quella filosofia che l'argomento e il diletto chiedeano,
pronti a met terne: un'altra in bisogno diverso. Se noi vorremo domandare ai
nostri poeti, come trattino la filoso fia nei loro componimenti, risponderanno
che gli aspergono di Stoicismo quando parlano ai nostri Catoni, di Epicureismo
quando lusingano i dame rini e le fanciulle, di Platonismo quando adulano le
pinzochere, senza però giurare nelle parole di quelle scuole, anzi senza aver
mai conosciuto a fondo i loro sistemi. A tale guisa io ho per fermo che
poetasse Virgilio, e gli altri poeti della età di Angusto. Questo genere d'
uomini fu sempre uso a fingere molto e a dir quello che accomoda e piace,
piuttosto che quello che sentono. Quanto alla mo rale di Virgilio, tuttochè sia
stata da alcuni solle vata a grandi altezze (1 ), e sia veramente superiore
assai alle dissolutezze degli altri poeti di quella età, si vede in essa
talvolta questo genio di scena e di comodo poetico e di pubblico diletto. Non
dispia ceano a Roma le vittime umane; piaceano assai gli amori, e sommamente le
conquiste e il sangue de' nemici. Quindi egli conduce il suo eroe, chedicono
essere il maestro della morale virgiliana, ad inmo lare i prigionieri, a
sedurre e tradire Didone, ad uccider Turno supplichevole, a turbare e conqui
star le altrui terre; e allorchè prese a lodare M. Clau dio Marcello figlio di
Ottavia sorella di Augusto, tutta quella amplissima laudazione che fece pian
gere il zio e svenire la madre e che arricchì il poe ta, si rivolse finalmente
nella cavalleresca e guer riera virtù (2) a cui non so se la filosofia non af (1
) Lodovico Tommasini Méthode d'étudier chrétiennem. les Poéles. R. le Bossu Du
Poéme Épique ch. IX. (2 ) Du Hainel Diss. sur les Poésies de Brebeuf.Jacopo
Peletier Ari Puélique V. A. Baillet Jug. des Savans. Des Poétes Lalios.
CINQUANTESIMOPRIMO 355 fatto cortigiana vorrà senza molte restrizioni con
cedere questo bel nome.Si potrebbono amplificar molto le querele filosofiche;
ma in tanta copia di ornamenti e di lodi è giusto usar moderazione ue? biasimi
(1 ) Q. Orazio Flacco Venosino, amico intimo e am miratore di Virgilio, fu non
meno di lui ornamento sommo della età di Augusto. Parve che questi due
incomparabili ingegni dividesser fra loro il regno poetico, e fedelmente si
contenessero nei limiti sta biliti, e l'uno non entrasse mai nella provincia
del l'altro. Orazio adunque ceduta la poesia bucolica, georgica ed epica a
Virgilio, assunse la satirica, la epistolare e la lirica; e cosi' i due amici potendo
essere sommi in tutti questi generi, amarono me glio esserlo in generi diversi
senza emulazione e senza invidia. Questi, che posson dirsi i Duumviri della
poesia latina, ebbero, siccome in parte si è veduto, campi amplissimni ove
seminare le filosofi che doltrine. Ma Orazio, per lo genio spezialmente della
satira e della epistola, gli ebbe anche mag giori, ed egli usò di questo comodo
assai diligen temente per piacere ad Augusto, a Mecenate e a sè stesso, e alla
età sua e alla seguente posterità. Dappriina educato nelle lettere romane,
visitare Atene. Mi avvenne, egli dice, di essere nu drito a Roma, e
quiviimparare quanto nocesse ai Greci l'ira –Achille. La buona Atene mi
condusse ad arte migliore, e a discernere il diritto dal torto, e a cercare il
vero nelle selve di Accademo. Ma i duri tempi mi rimosser dal dolce luogo, e il
ca lore della guerra civile mi spinse a quelle arme che non furono eguali alle
forze di Augusto. Umile par tü da Filippi con le penne recise e privo della
casa volle poi (1 ) Encicl. VI. 356 CAPITOLO furono ag e del fondo paterno:
l'audace povertà mi strinse a far versi (1 ). E altrove non ha ribrezzo di
raccon tare che nella sconfitta Filippica militando nelle parti diBruto, fuggi
e gettò lo scudo (a). Così mal concio venne a Roma, e nato ad altro che a spar
gere il sangue degli uomini e il suo, divenne poeta, ed ebbe parte non infima
nell' amicizia di Mecenate e di Augusto, dai quali ottenne soccorsi alla sua
povertà. Da queste avventure fu raccolto che Ora zio erudito nelle selve di
Accademo era dunque Ac cademico. Ma questo sembrando poco, giunte quelle altre
parole di Orazio: La sapienza è il principio e il fonte dello scrivere
rettamente, e le carte socratiche possono dimostrarlo (3). Ove si vede l'amor
suo grande alle dubitazioni di So crate, che forse somigliavano quelle di
Arcesila e di Carneade. In una bellissima epistola a Mecenate, la quale è certo
scritta nella vecchia età di Orazió o nella prossima alla vecchiaja, lo sciolgo
per ten po, egli dice, il cavallo che invecchia, acciò non faccia rider le
genti ansando e cadendo nella fine del corso. Depongo i versi e gli altri
sollazzi. Le mie cure e le mie preghiere si rivolgono al vero e all
onesto.Adunoe compongo dottrine per usarle in buon tempo. E perchè niun mi
domandi a quale guida e a quale albergo miattenga, io, non istretto a giurare
nelle parole di alcun maestro, vado ove mi menano i venti. Ora sono agile e
m'immerso negli affari civili,ora custode e seguace rigido della vera virtù,
ora furtivamente scorro ne' precetti di Aristippo, e le cose a me sottopongo, e
non voglio io essere sottoposto alle cose (4). Ove non oscura (1 ) Orazio
Epist. I. II, 2. (2 ) Carm. lib. II, Ode VII. (3) De Arte Poet. (4 ) Ep. lib. I,
!. CINQUANTESIMOPRIMO 357 diente si vedono i pensamenti d' un uomo che pren de
secondo le occasioni quello che più gli torna a piacere dalle sette diverse. Fu
aggiunto ch'egli acre mente derise gli Stoici in più luoghi (1 ), il che era
secondo il costume accademico; e che secondo il medesimo uso affermò e negò le
istesse dottrine sen za eccezione delle più solenni, come la esistenza degl'
Iddii, i prodigj, le cose del mondo avvenire, la provvidenza, il fine dell'
uomo; donde non sola mente dedussero le idee accademiche di Orazio, ma ancora
il suo pirronismo. A queste osservazioni se vorremo sopraggiungere il genio del
secolo e il co. modo dell'Accadernia, e quel di più che abbiam detto della
filosofia di Virgilio, non sembrerà in giusto consentire alle accademiche propensioni
di Orazio; non mai perd ad un pirronismo esagerato, di cui non possiamo avere
alcun fondamento; anzi lo avremo in opposito guardando a tante risolute
sentenze sue, e all'abborrimento di tutti i più dotti Romani contro quella
estremità; e non ha similitu dine di vero che un uom tanto destro ed elegante
volesse esporsi al disprezzo di tutta Roma senza proposito alcuno. Ma comechè
le cose ragionate fin qui sembrino bene congiunte a verità, alcuni pur sono che
vorrebbono Orazio epicureo (2). Raccolse le altrui ragioni e aggiunse le sue
per convincerlo di Epicureismo teoretico e pratico Francesco Al garotti in un
suo Saggio della vita di quel poeta. Insegna egli adunque che molti sono i
luoghi epi curei ne' versi di Orazio, perciocchè scrisse in una sua satira di
certo strano prodigio che potea ben crederlo un Giudeo circonciso, non egli,
perchè avea (1 ) Satyr. lib. I, 3; 11, 3. (2) P. Gassendo De Vita Epicuri lib.II,
cap. 6.G.A. Fabrizio Bibl. Lat. lib. I, cap. 4. Reimanuo Hist. Alh. cap. 37.
Stollio Hist. Pbil. mor. Geni. J. Brucker I. e. S III. 358 CAPITOLO porco del
apparato che gl' Iddii menan giorni sicuri e non mandan gid essi dall'alto
tetto del cielo le meravi. glie della natura (1 ). E in una epistola a Tibullo:
Come tu vorrai ridere, guarila me pingue e nitido gregge epicurco (2). Ma se
queste ed al tre parole epicuree vagliono a fare Orazio epicu reo, varranno
adunque le stoiche, le peripatetiche, le socratiche, le platoniche, lequali
sono pur molte ne' suoi versi, a renderlo scolare di quegli uomini; e queste
varietà non potendo comporsi in uno senza che egli fosse Accademico, o se
vogliamo Eclettico a buona maniera, adunque io non so altro dedurre salvochè
quello che dianzi abbiamo riputato simile al vero. Oltre a questo abbiam poi
una molto so lenne abiurazione dell'Epicureismo in una sua ode, che è di questa
sentenza: Già scarso e rado ado rator degl' Iddii, erudito in sapienza insana
errai; ora mi è forza ritornare indietro. Vedo Iddio che gli umili cangia coi
sommi, e attenua il grande, e mette a luce l'oscuro, e gode toglier l'altezza
di colà e qui collocarla (3 ). E abbiano ancora un an tiepicureismo in quelle sue
magnifiche parole: lo non morrò intero, e la massima parte di me evi terà la
morte (4). La maggior forza però è, siegue a dire il valente Algarotti, che si
vede la conformità grande tra i precetti di Épicuro e le massime e le pratiche
di Orazio. L'uno e l'altro predicarono che de' pubblici affari non dee
inframmettersi il sapien te, che ha da abborrire le laidezze dei Cinici, efug.
gire la povertà e lasciare con qualche opera din gegno memoria dopo sè, e non
farmostra delle cose suc, e dover essere amatore della campagna, e non (1 )
Satyr. lib. 1,5. (2) Epist. lib. I, 4. (3) Od. lib. I, 34. (4) Od. lib. III,
30. CINQUANTESIMOPRIMO 359 1 tenere uguali le peccata, e amare la filosofia, e
non temere la morte e non darsi pensiere della sepol tura (1 ). Ma, secondochè
io estimo, questa forma di argomentazione è cosi burlevole, come sarebbe quell
altra, che Orazio fosse epicureo perchè avea il naso e gli occhi come avea
Epicuro; senza dir poi che questo discorso medesimo potrebbe abu sarsi per
intrudere Orazio in qualunque scuola; per chè nel vero molti altri maestri
erano in Grecia e fuori, che insegnavano doversi fuggire i pubblici affari e le
lordure ciniche e la povertà, e amare la campagna e il piacere e la utilità, e
non brigarsi della morte e del sepolcro. Adunque non pud es ser provato che
Orazio fosse epicureo, perchè disse molte parole o usate dagli Epicurei insieme
con al tri, o anche rigorosamente epicuree, nella guisa che non può provarsi
che fosse stoico o peripatetico, perchè disse molte sentenze prese dal Peripato
é dal Portico; e ritorna quello che di sopra fu detto, questa indifferenza per
tutte le scuole e quest'uso appunto di ogni placito che torni a comodo, pro
vare solamente la filosofia accademica di Orazio. Trar poi le frasi oscene ei
costumi dissoluti di Ora zio a prova di Epicureismo, con pace di chiunque io
dico che questa diduzione non è consentanea al vero sistema epicureo, nè
all'umano. Abbiam già veduto altrove che il legittimo orto epicureo non era
quella terra immonda che alcuni si finsero, e possiamo veder facilmente che,
riunpetto a molte oscenità sentenziose di Orazio, moltissime parole sue sono
gravi, austere e diritte per narrazione dei contraddittori medesimi (2). E
vediamo tutto dì che (1) Laerzio in Epicuro. Orazio Epist. lib. I, 1, 10, 17;
lib. II, 2. Salyr. lib. II, 4. Od. lib. III, 20, 30, e altrove. (2) F.
Algarolii Saggio sopra Orazio. V. Francesco Blondel Comp.dePindare et d'Horace.
L. Tominasini Mélode d'étudier ec. A. Baillet I. c. 360 CAPITOLO se la depravazione
delle parole e de' costumi fosse argomento di Epicureismo, oggimai sarebbe
epicu. rea tutta la terra. Stabiliamo per compimento di questo esame, che se
vorremo da tutti gli scherzi canori de' poeti raccogliere inconsideratamente i
si stemi e le vite loro, comporremo piuttosto poemi che istorie. Spargiamo
dunque fiori, non spine, so pra il sepolcro del più filosofo di tutti i poeti.
P. Ovidio Nasone Sulmonese fiori alquanti anni dopo Orazio, nella età anch'
egli di Augusto; al quale comunquepotesse piacere per la fecondità e per la
vivezza, dispiacque per la lascivia de' versi, o piuttosto, siccome alcuni
pensarono e come Ovi dio medesimo disse, per aver veduto imprudente mente una
certa colpa che volle tacere, e si para gond ad Atteone che fu preda a' suoi
cani, percioc chè vide senza pensarvi Diana ignuda (1 ); e questa Diana parve a
taluno Giulia sorpresa nelle brac cia di Augusto suo padre (2), e altri
indovinarono altri arcani di oscenità. Ma è molto più giusto ta cere ove tacque
Ovidio medesimo, tuttochè punito ed esigliato alle rive dell'Eusino fosse
pienissimo d'i ra, che fa parlare pur tanto la generazione irrita bile de'
poeti. Questo ingegno, nato per la poesia, amoreggio, e pianse in versi, e fu
antiquario, e se gretario degli eroi e delle eroine anche in versi, e disse le
mutazioni delleforme in nuovi corpi dalla origine del mondo fino a' suoi tempi;
e sempre in versi, perchè s'egli prendea a scriver prose, usci vano versi
spontanei suo malgrado. Nel molto nu mero de' suoi poemi il più reputato per
serietà e per certo condimento filosofico è quello che ha per titolo le
Metamorfosi; delle quali benchè sia stato (1 ) Ovidio De Ponto lib. II, el. IX;
lib. III el. III. Tristium II et lll, e altrove. (2) V. P. Bayle art. Ovide, B,
K. CINQUANTESIMOPRIMO 361 detto che sentono la decadenza della buona Lati nità
e preparano il mal gusto che poi sopravven ne, e mostrano il fasto giovanile (1
), noi pensiamo di poter dire che sono certamente menogiovenili delle altre
poesie di Ovidio, e ch' egli medesimo, il qualepotea giudicarne quanto i nostri
critici dili cati, le tenne in gran conto, e poichè l' ebbe com piute, Io,
disse, ho tratta a fine un'opera che nè l'ira di Giove, nè il fuoco, nè il
ferro, nè la vo race vecchiaja potrà abolire. Quel giorno che sul corpo
solamente ha diritto, metta amorte quando vorrà lo spazio diquesta vita
incerta. Con la parte migliore di me volerò sopra le stelle, e il nome no stro
sarà indelebile. Dovunque la romanapotenza nelle terre vinte si estende, sarò
letto dalla bocca del popolo; e se niente hanno di vero i presagi de' vati,
viverò per fama nella eternità de' secoli (2). Senza involgerci ora nell' esame
delle virtù poeti che diquesto componimento, o epico o ciclico ch'ei voglia
dirsi, o di una azione o di mille, o contra rio ad Omero e ad Aristotele, o
favorevole ai poe tici libertinaggi, di che gli scrittori dell'arte sapran no
disputare;noi diremo piuttosto della meraviglia grande che questo poema eccitò
con le narrazioni di tanti mutamenti di forme, i quali non si seppe mai bene
che cosa significassero. Chi dicesse che questi sono delirj d'un poeta infermo
per febbre, direbbe forse lo scioglimento più facile della qui stione, ma non
il più verisimile, nè il più cortese alla fama e all'ingegno di Ovidio. Onde vi
ebbe chi disse, sotto quelle metamorfosi ascondersi la serie Jelle mutazioni
della nostra terra, e un certo siste ma di storia naturale (3); il che parendo
poco ido (1 ) V. A. Baillel l. c. (2) Metamorph. lib. XV. (3) Roberto Stooekio
Act. Erud. 1907. G. A. Fabrizio Bibl. Lat. vol. II. 362 CAPITOLO neo a spiegare
tutte quelle favole, fu soggiunto che le idee di Pitagora, di Empedocle e di
Eraclito e la mitologia e la opinione corrente a quel tempo sono le chiavi di
quello enimma. Il perspicace War burton immagindche le metamorfosi sorgono
dalla metempsicosi; e che siccome questa è la condotta della Provvidenza dopo
la morte, così quelle lo sono per lo corso della vita: e in fatti Ovidio
dapprima espone le metamorfosi come castighi della scelle raggine, e poi
introduce nell'ultimo libro Pitagora ad insegnare ampiamente la metempsicosi (1
). Que sto è il più ragionevole aspetto che possa prestarsi a quel poema; e se
per molte gravi difficoltà non è forse affatto vero, meriterebbe di essere per
la bellezza del pensiere e per onore del nostro poe ta. Già altrove abbiamo
parlato con qualche dili genza della famosa cosmogonia e teogonia di Ovi dio, e
della diversità sua dagli altri sistemi de' poeti greci, e del Dio anteriore al
Caos e agl'Iddii sub alterni, il quale è Uno e Anonimo nella descri zione
Ovidiana (2). Diciamo ora alcuna cosa del l'accennato luogo delle Metamorfosi
ove Pitagora è introdotto ad insegnare il suo sistema della me tempsicosi,
accompagnato coi pensieri di Eraclito e di Empedocle; imperocchè ivi è scritto
che gli uomini attoniti per la paura della morte temono Stige e le tenebre, ei
nomi vani e gli argomenti de' poeti, e i falsi pericoli del mondo: che le anime
non muojono, ma lasciando la prima sede vivono e alloggiano in nuove case: che
tutto si muta, niente finisce: che lo spirito erra, e di colà viene qui, e di
qui altrove, e occupa tutte le membra, e dalle fiere trascorre ne' corpi umani,
e da questi in quel 6) Warburton Diss. IX. (2) Metamorp. lib. I. V. il cap.
XVII e XVIII di questa Istoria. CINQUANTESIMOPRIMO 363 le, e non si estingue in
tempo veruno: che niente è fermo in tutto il giro, e ogni cosa scorre a so
miglianza di fiume, e ogni vagabonda immagine si forma (1 ). Chiunque vorrà
legger tutta intera que sta prolissa narrazione, potrà conoscere che qui ve
ramente parla Pitagora; ma poi tanto vi parla an cora Empedocle ed Eraclito, e
tanto Ovidio me desimo, che finalmente non s'intende chi parli. A dunque il
nostro poeta non puddirsi professore di niuna di queste sette, e pare molto più
giusto pen sare ch'egli o era Accademico, o niente. La serie di questi poeti e
il genio di Augusto e del secolo appresentano un sistema quasi generale di
filosofia accademica, e perciò non si può ameno di ripren dere la franchezza
del Deslandes e di altri, che senza pensare più oltre affasciano insieme
Augusto, Me cenate, Agrippa, Virgilio, Orazio, Ovidio, Tibul lo, Properzio,
Livio, e tutti gli altri grandi uomini di quella età, e li dicono Epicurei (2
). Si vorrebbe separare da questa general regola M. Manilio, il quale intitold
ad Augusto un poema delle Cose Astronomiche, e si mostro contrario agli Epi.
curei e favorevole agli Stoici; e, Chi vorrà credere, disse, che il mondo e
tante moli di opere sieno pro dotte da corpuscoli minimi e da cieco concorso?
Una natura potente per tacito animo e un Iddio è infuso nel cielo, nella terra
e nel muré, e go verna la gran mole, e il mondo vive per movimento d'una
ragione, e lo Spirito Uno abita tutte le par ti, e inaffia l’orbita intera, la
quale si volge per Nume divino, ed è Iddio, e non siadunò per ma gisterio di
forluna (3). Per queste e per altre parole (6 ) Metarnorp. XV. (2) Deslandes
Hist. cril. de la Philos. lib. VII, cap. 30. V, P. Gassendo l. c. (3) Manilio
Astronom. I, II et IV..364 CAPITOLO di Manilio fu immaginato ch'egli non era
Accade mico, ma Stoico e Panteista e precursore dello Spi noza (1 ).
Noirichiamiamo a memoria le cose dette qui degli altri poeti del tempo di
Augusto, e più innanzi degli Stoici, e affermiamo che un verso o due che
involti in dubbj e in equivoci possono sen tir forse un poco di Stoicismo, non
fanno uno Stoi co perfetto, e quando pur lo facessero, uno Stoico non è un
Panteista nè uno Spinoziano. Se le ingiurie de' secoli, che dispersero tanta
parte della Istoria di T. Livio Padovano, non avessero affatto distrutti i suoi
dialoghi istorici insieme e fi losofici, e i suoi libri in cui scrivea
espressamente della filosofia (2), io credo che noi potremmo co noscere la
filosofia della età di Augusto molto più chiaramente che per tutte le immagini
poetiche delle quali finora abbiam detto, e inoltre potremmo ve dere a quale
sistema si atteñesse egli stesso. Ma non rimanendo altro di lui che parte della
sua Istoria, i curiosi ingegni hanno voluto raccoglier da essa un qualche
assaggio della sua filosofia; e alcuni lo hanno dileggiato come un superstizioso
narrator di miracoli assurdi e un uom credulo e popolare. Ma per le clausole
filosofiche apposte a molte narra zioni di prodigj (3), e per la fede istorica
onde ri putò necessario raccontare le pubbliche opinioni e i casi scritti negli
annali e nelle memorie antiche, fu molto bene difeso. Giovanni Toland,
vaneggian. do di volerlo difendere assai meglio, lo gravò della maggior
villania; perocchè lo fece tanto poco su perstizioso, che lo trasformò in Ateo,
e poi lo com (1 ) A. Collin De la liberté de penser. Gio. Toland Orig. Ju daic
G. L. Mosemio ad Cudwort System. int. cap. 4, S 20. J. Brucker 1. c. S V. (2)
SenecaEp.100. G.A.Fabrizio Bibl. Lat. vol. I. )(3) Lipiec 20.Gxva CINQUANTESI
MOPRIMO 365 mendo come uomo di buon senno e di esquisito giudizio, e come un
saggio filosofo e un ingegno elevato (1 ). Queste arditezze furono confutate am
piamente (2); e noi lasciando pure da parte molte altre sentenze di Livio, lo
confuteremo con una sola, ove di certi tempi romani disse: Non ancora era
venuta la negligenza degl'Iddii, che ora tiene il nostro secolo, nè ognuno a
forza ďinterpreta zioni si formava comodigiuramenti e leggi, ma piut tosto ai
giuramenti e alle leggi si accomodavano i costumi (3). Queste parole non sono
del Catechi. smo degli Atei. Agatopisto
Cromaziano, di Buonafede. Appiano Buonafede. Tito Benvenuto Buonafede. Keywords:
storiografia filosofica, criteria – storia neutral della filosofia – il primo
filosofo romano – in lingua latina – previo all’ambasciata di Carneade – the
patronizing tone of classicist Johnson Murford. Each man is the architect of
his own fortunes – Appio -- -- filosofia antica, filosofia romana antica. Filosofo:
addito a reflessioni generali sulla vita. Refs.: Luigi Speranza, “Grice e
Buonafede” – The Swimming-Pool Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51685215466/in/photolist-2mSMKfP-2mKfeSA/
Grice e Buonamici – you
scratch my back -- etymologia di muovere -- corpi in movimento – filosofia italiana –
Luigi Speranza (Firenze).
Filosofo. Grice: There are many Buonamici, so you have to be careful – this one
is a genius – he taught at Pisa, in the M. A. programme, both Aristotle’s
Poetics – imitazione, il tragico, -- and his ‘motus’ – Galileo happened to be
his tutee, and the rest is the leaning tower!” Frequenta lo Studio di Firenze,
dove segue il corso del l'umanista Vettori (si conservano alcune lettere
scambiate tra i due). Filosofo naturale e latinista, si ispira molto agli
antichi testi che commenta (Aristotele, Nicomaco…). Tutore di Galilei a Pisa.
Altre opere: “De Motu libri X, quibus generalia naturalis philosophiae
principia summo studio collecta continentur, necnon universae quaestiones ad
libros de physico auditu, de caelo, de ortu et interitu pertinentes
explicantur, multa item Aristotelis loca explanantur et Graecorum, Averrois,
aliorumque doctorum sententiae ad theses peripateticas diriguntur, apud
Sermartellium (Firenze); Discorsi poetici nella accademia fiorentina in difesa
d'Aristotile. Appresso Giorgio Marescotti (Firenze); “De Alimento libri V, B.
Sermartellium juniorem” (Firenze). Galilei, De motu antiquiora” “Quaestiones de
motu elementorum”. BUONAMICI (Francesco)GentiluomoFiorentino,eMedico,eraLet tore di
Filosofia con gran concorso di Scolari (1) nell'Università di Pifa-nel 1569
(2), e nel 1575 (3). In detta Università avendo Giulio de' Libri altro
Profesfore tacciato il Buonamici, come quello che citaffe testi falfi, questi
una mentita gli diede; ed effendo state gettate da alcuno in fua scuola certe
cor na, il Buonamici così diffe: Si vede che costui debbe avere in tafa grande
a b éondanza di questa mercanzia, poichè ne porta qua. Egli v insegnò quaranta
tre anni » e letto aveva due volte tutto San T o m m a f o, e in ultimo gli
erano pagate quattrocento feffanta piastre di provvifione. Il buon gusto nelle
belle Lettere congiunse allo studio delle facoltà più gravi; fu Accademico
Fiorenti no (4); e godette della stima de Granduchi di Toscana (5), da quali,
ficco me eglisteffoafferma(6), findagiovinettofunodritoeornatodigradiono
revoli. Morì ad Orticaja vicino a Dicomano, ove, ficcome anche alle P a n cole,
aveva un Podere; nel 16o4 (7), e lasciò tutto il fuo ad uno Speziale. Fu
recitatadaAttilioCorfiinquellaPievefulCadavereun’Orazionfunera V. II. P. IV. -
В b b le, (1) Poccianti, Catal. Script. Florentin. pag. 73. (4) Salvini, Fasti
cit. pagg. 248. e 282. (6) Buonamici, Dife.orf.Poetici,DiscorsoVIII.pag іЯў.
annoverò fra i principali Peripatetici di quello Studio. (7) Salvini, Fasti
cit. pag. 355. (3) Poccianti, loc. cit. di Firenze nel Tom. VI. Par. IV. a car.
55. e fegg. ove (5) Bianchini, Ragionamenti intorno a' Granduchi,
2318 B U O N A M I C I. le, e a’ 27. di Maggio nell' Accademia Fiorentina altra
Orazione funerale venne recitata da Tommafo Palmerini (8). Di lui hanno parlato
con lode diverfi Scrittori citati dall'Autore delle N o tizie Letter. ed
Istoriche dell'Accademia Fiorentina (9), e dal P. Negri (1o), il qual ultimo
noi fiam di parere che sbaglj, ove fra gli autori che hanno parlato del
Buonamici registra anche il Crescimbeni, il quale non di questo, m a di Gio.
Francesco Buonamici di Prato ha parlato, ficcome nell' articolo
diquest'ultimodiremo:.IlnostroFrancescofcriffediverfeOpere, lequali, febbene da
alcuni fieno d'ofcurità tacciate (11), fanno conofcere il fuo fape re, la fua
fingolare dottrina, e la sua cognizione anche della Lingua Greca. Eccone il
Catalogo: - I. Francifci Bonamici Florentini e primo loco Philosophiam
ordinariam in almo Gymnasio Pifano profitentis De Motu Libri X. quibus
generalia naturalis Philoso phie principia fummo studio collećfa continentur -
Nec non universe Questiones ad Libros de Physico Auditu, de Cælo, de Ortu és
Interitu pertinentes, explican tur. Multa item Aristotelis loca explanantur, či
Græcorum Averrois, aliorumque Dostorum Fententie ad Thefes peripateticas
diriguntur ec. Florentiæ apud Bartho lomeum sermartellium1591.infogl.Fu
affailodatoilmetododiquest'Opera, di cui il Piccolomini era uno de' principali
ammiratori. II. Discorsi Poetici detti nell'Accademia Fiorentina in difesa
d'Aristotile. In Firenze per Giorgio Marescotti 1597. in 4. con Dedicatoria a
Baccio Valori fegnata dalle Pancole a XIX. di Fettembre del 1587 (12). In
questi Difcorfi, che fono VIII. risponde alle oppofizioni fatte dal Castelvetro
ad Aristotile. III. De alimentis Libri V. ubi multe Medicorum Tententie
delibantur, ở cum Aristotele conferuntur. Complura etiam Problemata in eodem
argumento notantur, ở quibusdamexGræcaLeếtionepriftinusnitorrestituitur.Venetiis16o1.in4(13);
e Florentie apud Bartholomeum Fermartellium Juniorem 16o3. in 4. IV. Una sua
Lezione fatta sopra ilSonetto del Petrarca, che incomincia: Quando 'l Pianeta
che diffingue l'ore, - nell’A c c a d e m i a F i o r e n t i n a s o t t o il
C o n f o l a t o d i T o m m a f o d e l N e r o a 3 o. d i Ottobre del 1569,
fi conserva a penna in Firenze nel Cod. 1259. della Libre ria Strozziana (14).
V. Lećiiones super I. és 11. Meteororum. Queste Lezioni fopra l’argomento delle
meteore (cui affermava il medefimo Buonamici, per testimonianza di Monfig. S o
m m a i, d' aver per difficilistimo, rispetto alla difesa d' Aristotile che
giudicava effere stato mirabile nelle cofe che appariscono al fenfo »,ma
nell’altre affai ambiguo) efiftevano a penna in Firenze nella Libreria de Si
gnori Gaddi fra Codici mís, paffati, per compera fattane da Francesco I.I m
eradore felicemente regnante, e Granduca di Toscana, l'anno 1755. nella 鷺 Laurenziana al Cod. 8o5. num. 2. - VI. Filippo Valori (15) fcrive
che lasciò delle fue fatiche fopra la Metafifi ca, ed altro, la quale
Metafifica poffeduta da diverfi, ebbe in R o m a qualche difficoltà a stamparsi
per alcune cofe Filosofiche stampate anche ne Libri De motu,
ficcomeaffermailsuddettoMonfig.Sommai.IlPoccianti(16)famen Z1OI) C
(8)CosìaffermailSalvinine Fasticit.acar.355. stentiapennanelTom.III.dellenostreMemorieMSS.
NonfoppiamoPertantoconqualfondamentoilP.Negri
acar.835.fiaffermachealBuonamicomancavadistin nell’紫 degliscrittoriFiorent.acar.188.aflerifcache
zione,echiarezza,echediventassefemprepiùoscuro,
indettaAccademiafuAttilioCorficheinfuamortere-
perchèpigliavalefueLezioni,eleandavaritoccando,e
citòl’OrazionefuneralequandoilCorfilarecitòsulca
ripulendo,ecomeegliintendeva,epresupponevailmede davere nella Pieve, ove fu
depositato. fimo degli altri, a poco a poco le ridase inintelligibili, (9)A
car.214. febbenefettenelfondamentofemprefaldoelefueLezio (1o)
for.degliScrittoriFiorentini,pag;187.Ol niantichefonolemigliori. tre gli
Scrittori citati dal Negri parla con lode di lui anche Filippo Valori ne’ Termini
di mezzo rilievo ec, a Caľ, 7• (11) Si vegga Filippo Valori ne” Termini cit. a
car. 7. In alcune Memorie scritte da mano di Monfig. Girola mo Sommaī, ed
inferite nelle Schede Magliabechiane efi (12) Catalog. della Libreria Capponi,
pag. 89. (13) Lipenio, Bibl. real. Medica, pag. i1. (14)Salvini,Fafficit.pag
zoz. (15) Loc. cit. (16) Loc. cit. - - I697. in foglio volante.
(17) Loc. cit (18) oservaz, fopra i Sigilli antichi, T o m. I: pag. 19. (19)
Efistono presso di noi nel Tom. III. delle nostre - Memorie mfs. a car. 835.
(zo) Descrizione della Provincia del Mugello, pag. 265. 5 B U O N A M I C I.
2319 zionedecommentar.inLogicamở EthicamlasciatidalnostroAutore;ilNe gri (17)
accenna un fuo Traćiatus Logice efiftente ms. nella Libreria del P a lazzo Ducale
de' Medici, il quale è indirizzato a Lelio Torello Giureconful to, e incomincia:
Multa profećio, variaque_ec; e ilchiariffimo Sig. Domeni co Maria Manni (18) fa
ricordanza d'una Cronica fcritta a mano da France fco Buonamici efiftente nella
Libreria Gaddi pure in“Firenze. Dalle schede Magliabechiane comunicateci dal
chiariffimo Sig. Canonico Angiolo Maria Bandini (19) apprendiamo ch'era
opinione che il Cavaliere Aquilani aveffe molti Scritti e Opere da stamparfi
del nostro Autore. D a ciò che abbiamo fin qui detto ci fembra di poter
afferire che il nostro Autore fia diverso da quel Dottor Francesco Buonamici
morto a 23. di Set tembre del 16o3. il quale ha il suo deposito nella Chiefa
del Piviere di S. B a bila detto anche S. Bavello e S. Bambello nella Provincia
del Mugello in T o fcana, ilquale di tutta la sua eredità lafciò che foffe
fatto un fondo per m a n tenimento a Pisa di tre giovani parte di S. Gaudenzio,
e parte di Dicomano con obbligo di addottorarfi, del quale fa menzione il Dott.
Giuseppe Maria Brocchi(2o), ma senzaaccennarefefiaScrittored'Operaalcuna. V” è
stato anche un Francesco Giuseppe Buonamici, di cui fi ha alle stam pe un
Elegia, ed un Epigramma in Lingua Latina per la nafcita di Giacomo Augusto
Lorenzo Ferdinando Maria figlio d'Amedeo del Pozzo ec. In Milano. Francesco Buonamici.
Keywords: corpi in movimento, Aristotele, filosofia naturale, Galilei,
razionalismo, aristotelismo pisano, de imitazione – aristotele – poetica –
mimica – de motu – muggerbrydge --. Refs.: Luigi Speranza, “Grice e Buonamici” –
The Swimming-Pool Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51779319951/in/dateposted-public/
Buonarroti. Grice: “Some call him
Michelangelo, but that’s rude!” -- See
the study of Buonarroti’s Moses by Freud, “filosofia”
Grice e Buonsanti –vector – il vettore -- implicatura di
‘animale’ – ‘non umano’ -- filosofia
italiana – Luigi Speranza
(Ferrandina). Filosofo. Grice: “I like Buonsanti; Strawson calls him a
veterinarian, but I call him a philosopher,, for surely he is a philosophical
zoologist – he philosoophised, like Aristotle did, on the comparative
physiology and anatomy of ‘human’ and pre-human.!” Esponente di spicco della
storia della medicina veterinaria italiana ed europea è stato una delle figure
più rappresentative della Scuola veterinaria milanese. Diresse l'Enciclopedia medica italiana edita
da Vallardi e La Clinica veterinaria (di cui fu anche fondatore). Altre opere: Dizionario dei termini antichi e
moderni delle scienze mediche e veterinarie Manuale delle malattie delle
articolazioni Trattato di tecnica e terapeutica chirurgica generale e speciale
La medicina Veterinaria all'Estero, organizzazione dell'insegnamento e del
servizio sanitario. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani. Nicola Lanzillotti
Buonsanti. Keywords: etimologia di ‘veterinario’ -- animale; filosofia e
medicina nella Roma antica. Refs.: Luigi Speranza, “Grice e Buonsanti” – The
Swimming-Pool Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51688339127/in/photolist-2mMZAaw-2mKwfqP/
Grice e Buonsanto – pratico
-- prammatica del discorso – filosofia italiana – Luigi Speranza (San Vito dei
Normanni). Filosofo. Grice: “Buonsanto is a good one – I call him the Italian
Wittgenstein; he talks of a reasoned grammar (grammatical ragionata) and not of
rules but regoletta – and he like Austin speaks of the genius (il genio) del linguaggio
– he speaks of a ‘philosophical approach’ to grammar – of ‘proposizioni’ and
the rest – of etimologia, and sintassi, so he is into implicature!” Filosofo pontaniano italiano. Nato nella
cittadina salentina nell'allora via Vento (oggi via Cesare Battisti), qui compie
i suoi primi studi classici. Fattosi domenicano, non ancora ventenne, entra nel
convento dei Padri predicatori di San Vito dei Normanni, ove si dedica allo
studio della filosofia scolastica.
Diventando educatore, si distingue per le sue idee innovatrici nei
metodi didattici, diventando ben presto un vero luminare del pensiero
pedagogico della cittadina. Diventa anche un attivo sostenitore del movimento
repubblicano, e insieme al notaio Carella, porta dalla vicina Brindisi un
albero di naviglio per piantarlo, in segno di libertà, nella piazza antistante
il Castello. Le sue convinzioni, però, lo costringono a fuggire da San Vito ed
egli ripiega prima a Ostuni e poi a Martina Franca, da cui raggiunge, da
ultimo, il convento di San Domenico a Napoli, dove muore. La città natale ha dedicato al suo nome una
scuola media cittadina. Dizionario
Biografico degli Italiani. Altre opere: “Etica iconologica”; “Il sistema metrico”;
“Geografia” “Storia del Regno di Napoli”; “Antologia Latina”; “Sistema d'istruire
i giovanetti”. By planting the tree, Buonsanti meant that he wanted peace.
Etica iconological: children learn by imitating: ‘sistema per educare i
giovinetti” – If we are looking for a typical Latin root for acting (or not
acting,a s in the prototype of the ‘lazy Latin lover’) we should search for the
‘agire’ root, that gives us action. Qua philosophers, we are interested in that
branch of philosophy that deals with action. Which one is it? Cannot be
‘morals’ because ‘ethos’ or mos is costume, rather than action. Analytic
philosophers speak of ‘philosophy of action’ – Grice: “But not I”. Grice: “In
my ‘Actions and Events’ I elaborate on this. I find that the vernacular English
is ‘do’ – and that we need a special interrogative. Socrates in Athens whatted?
He drank hemlock. Quandum – at what time – ubi – at what place, quia – for what
reason (all from Aryan qw- root) are each examples of such an interrogative. Grice:
“Latin is better equipped than English with the range of interrogatives whose function
is to inquire, with respect to any of the ten categories, which item WITHIN the
category would lend its name to achieve the conversion of an open sentence into
the expression of a alethically or practically satisfactory utterance. Each of these interrogatives (‘quando’, ubi,
quia) have an INDEFINITE counterpart. Corresponding to ‘ubi’ is ‘unum ubi’.
Corresponding to quod ‘unum quod’ – and so on. There is the occasion when the
utterer requires not a pro-NOUN, but a pro-VERB, parallel to the two kinds of a
pro-noun (interrogative and indefinite). A pro-verb is used or serves to make
an inquiry about an indefinite reference to one of ten categories of items
which a PREDICATE (P), qua epi-thet, ascribes to a subject (S), in a way exactly
parallel to the familiar range of a pronoun. Just as the question, ‘WHERE [Ubi]
did Socrates drink the hemlock’ is answered by ‘In Athens’, consider the yes-no question, ‘Socrates WHATTED in 399?’. The question
might be answered by ‘Yes’ – And given the principle of conversational
helpfulness, if one is in a position to specify what VERB we would use to
express, we do just that. ‘Drank’. And more specifically, ‘Drank the hemlock.’ And
given that Socrates did drink the hemlock in 399 B. C. as the answer just
reminds us, we say: ‘There! I *knew* that Socrates SOME-WHATTED in 399 B. C.” The
Romans lacked our ‘do’ – which was a good thing for them, for they were able to
avoid our constant abuse of ‘do’ – the Roman equivalent would be ‘agire’ --. By
way of a periphrasis – by which we can come close to the roman way. We ask, for
example, WHAT did Socrates DO in 399 B.C.?’ In its capacity as PART (along with
‘what’) of a make-shift pro-VERB, the very
English ‘do’ –not a German thing, even! – can STAND IN FOR (be
replaceable by) ANY English VERB – or phrasal verb or verb phrase (‘put
up’) whatsoever. Cf. pro-verb – do as
proverb. They herd cattle, and raise corn, as we used to do. HereVito
Buonsanti. Vito Buonsanto. Keywords: prammatica del discorso, Peirce, icon,
Grice, iconic, iconologia, eicon, icon: Peirce, icon, Grice, iconic,
iconologia, eicon, icon, pratico e
prasso are cognate praktikos dalla radice per -- Refs.: Luigi Speranza, “Grice e Buonsanto” –
The Swimming-Pool Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51716306536/in/photolist-2mMZAaw-2mPrdWj-2mKF12n/
Grice e Burgio – the
goths in Italy – Romans contra Goths – la guerra gotica in Italia -- dialettica
ostrogota – filosofia ostrogota – filosofia italiana – Luigi Speranza (Palermo). Filosofo.. Grice:
“You gotta love Burgio: my favourite of his philosophical pieces are his study
on the tradition, development and problems of ‘dialettica’ – from Athenian onwards
– and his explorations of contractualism, since I’ve been called one – a
contractualist I mean, as so was Grice [G. R. Grice].” -- Alberto Burgio Deputato della Repubblica
Italiana LegislatureXV Legislatura Gruppo parlamentareRifondazione Comunista
CoalizioneL'Unione CircoscrizioneLombardia 3 Incarichi parlamentari giunta per
il regolamento; XI Commissione (Lavoro pubblico e privato); Commissione
esaminatrice del premio Lucio Colletti dal 28 luglio 2006 Dati generali Partito
politicoPRC Titolo di studioLaurea in lettere e filosofia Professionedocente
universitario Alberto Burgio (Palermo), filosofo.. Nato a Palermo il 13 maggio 1955, dal 1993
insegna Storia della filosofia presso l'Bologna. È stato eletto deputato al
Parlamento della Repubblica alle elezioni politiche del 2006 (XV
legislatura). Si è occupato
prevalentemente di storia della filosofia politica e di filosofia della storia
con studi su Rousseau e l'idealismo classico, la teoria della storia tra Kant e
Marx e il marxismo italiano (Labriola e Gramsci), il razzismo e il
nazismo. Altre opere: “Filosofia
politica: eguaglianza, interesse comune, unanimità” (Napoli, Bibliopolis). Rousseau,
la politica e la storia. Tra Montesquieu e Robespierre, Milano, Guerini);
“Robespierre” (Napoli, La Città del Sole); “Italia pre-aria” (Bologna, Clueb);
“L'invenzione dell’ario” Studi su razzismo e revisionismo storico, Roma, manifestolibri);
“Nel nome dell’ario. Il razzismo nella storia d'Italia” (Bologna, Il Mulino); “Modernità
del conflitto. Saggio sulla critica marxiana del socialismo, Roma, DeriveApprodi);
“Struttura e catastrophe” Kant Hegel Marx, Roma, Editori Riuniti); La guerra
dell’ario, Roma, manifestolibri); Gramsci storico. Una lettura dei
"Quaderni del carcere", Roma–Bari, Laterza); “La forza e il diritto.
Sul conflitto tra politica e giustizia” (Roma, DeriveApprodi); Guerra. Scenari
della nuova "grande trasformazione", Roma, DeriveApprodi); “Labriola
nella storia e nella cultura della nuova Italia, a cura di, Macerata, Quodlibet);
Escalation. Anatomia della guerra infinita, (Roma, DeriveApprodi); “Il contrattualismo”
(Napoli, La Scuola di Pitagora); “Dia-lettica, co-loquenza:Tradizioni,
problemi, sviluppi” (Macerata, Quodlibet); “Per Gramsci. Crisi e potenza del
moderno, Roma, DeriveApprodi); “Manifesto per l'università pubblica” (Roma,
DeriveApprodi); “Senza democrazia. Un'analisi della crisi, Roma, DeriveApprodi);
“Nonostante Auschwitz. Il ritorno del razzismo in Europa, Roma, DeriveApprodi);
“Rousseau e gli altri. Teoria e critica della democrazia tra Sette e Novecento,
Roma, DeriveApprodi); “Il razzismo, con Gianluca Gabrielli, Roma, Ediesse); “Identità
del male. La costruzione della violenza perfetta” (Milano, FrancoAngeli); “Gramsci.
Il sistema in movimento, Roma, DeriveApprodi); “Questioni tedesche, a cura di,
Mucchi, Modena, («dianoia»). “Orgoglio e
genocidio. L'etica dello sterminio nella Germania nazista” (Roma, DeriveApprodi);
“Il sogno di una cosa. Per Marx, Roma, DeriveApprodi); “Critica della ragione
razzista, Roma, DeriveApprodi. Any Oxford philosophy tutor who is
accustomed to setting essay topics for his pupils, for which he prescribes
reading which includes both passages from Plato or Aristotle and articles from
current philosophical journals, is only too well aware that there are many
topics which span the centuries; and it is only a little less obvious that
often substantially 66 Paul Grice similar positions are
propounded at vastly differing dates. Those who are in a position to know
assure me that similar correspondences are to some degree detectable across the
barriers which separate one philosophical culture from another, for example
between Western European and Indian philosophy. il l/F) (fa
figlili; WT'I Tr»acjedLia
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Diritti di traduzione, ristampa e riproduzione
riservati. ARGOM ENTO A Teodorico,
fondatore della Signoria dei Goti in Italia, morto nell'anno 526,
successe la figlia Ama- lasunta. - Donna di animo virile, di bellezza non
comune, ed amante della romana civiltà, era odiata dai principali Signori
goti che ligi alle antiche co- stumanze vedevano di mal occhio la nuova
regina mostrare clemenza verso i vinti e prediligere usi e costumi
che secondo essi avrebbero finito col corrom- pere i vincitori degli
Eruli e dei Romani. Amala- sunta , a cui fu tolta la tutela del proprio
figlio Ala- rico che poi dopo alcuni mesi perde miseramente la
vita, credette di rassodare la propria autorità spo- sando uno dei più
potenti signori della sua Corte a nome Teodato, ma questi appena salito
sul trono si unì ai nemici di lei, l'accusò di illecite tresche, le
tolse ogni autorità e quindi la relegò in un castello sul lago di Perugia
dove poi la fece secretamele uccidere. Così la storia.
PERSONAGGI A TTOR1 AMALASUNTA, regina de' Goti SigS
Antonietta tfricei Baratiti TEODATO, signore goto , suo
cugino , . Sig. Francesco Pandolpii SVENO, giovane patrizio
romano Sig. Filippo Patierno ftfcw • LAUSCO, capo de' guerrieri .
Sig. p ao lo Medini SVARANO , altro capo de' guer- rieri Sig.
Luigi Calcaterra GUALTIERO , guerriero goto , amico di
Sveno .... Sig. Luigi Vistarmi Guerrieri, Araldi, Sacerdoti,
Signori goti, Congiurati, Damigelle della Regina, Uomini e Donne
del popolo. Trombettieri, Paggi. La scena è nei
primi tre atti in Pavia. Nel quarto atto sul lago Trasimeno.
Epoca anno 534 dell' era cristiana. Il virgolato si
omette. ATTO PRIMO SCENA PRIMA.
Atrio colonnato nel Castello di Pavia. Ai lati alti e lunghi por-
tici che si perdono nelV oscurità. Un raggio di luna batte sulle mura del
Castello che si vede nel fondo. — Il davanti della scena è interamente
immerso nell' ombra. Molli guerrieri goti dormono sdraiati sul
terreno. l«ausco è in piedi appoggiato ad una colonna, immobile e
pensieroso. Dal fondo s'avanzano cautamente Tediato e Svarano.
Teo. (a bassa voce) Lausco?... Lau. ics.) _ Sì.
Teo. Gessò la festa? Lau. (additando i guerrieri)
Guarda... dormono costor. Sva. Tutto tace. Teo. L'ora è
questa Che anelava il mio furor! Aborrito, disprezzato,
Alla terra e al ciel nemico. Quando l'astro del mio fato
Parve a un tratto impallidir, Sovra il capo d'Alarico Imprecando la
sventura Solitario in queste mura M'affidai nell'avveniri (o
Lausco) Tremi tu?... Lau. Non tremo mai! Teo. Ei mi offese e
m'oltraggiò, lo d'ucciderlo giurai. Sei fedel? Lau.
L'ucciderò. Sva. Quando l'opra tia compita Ci
vedrem? 8 ATTO Teo. Del trono al pie.
Lau. Tu proteggi la mia vita; Io lo scettro appresto a
te. (entra rapidamente nell'interno del Castello) Teo. (dopo
un istante di silenzio, guardando attorno con ter- rore e prestando
ascolto) Perchè tremo?... nulla sento... Sva. (a bassa
voce) S'ei fallisse il colpo? Teo. Ah no! (si
sente un grido) Sva. Parmi un grido... Teo. (con ansia
terribile) Oh qual tormento! (grida confuse nelV interno del
Castello) Sva. Ah! L'uccise! Teo. (con gioia feroce) Io
regnerò! (partono rapidamente, mentre i guerrieri destati dalle
grida balzano in piedi e afferrano le loro armi.) SCENA
II. Guerrieri, poi Sveno. Alcuni guerrieri
Qual suono!... l'udiste? Altri guerrieri Confuso lamento
Sull'ali del nembo - per l'etra echeggiò. (Sveno si precipita
sulla scena pallido, coi capelli in di- sordine, colla spada
sguainata) Tutti Tu, Sveno? Ove corri? Sve. Tremate! Egli è
spento. Dei regi l'erede trafitto spirò! Tutti Trafitto
Alarico! Alcuni guerrieri All'armi! Altri guerrieri
terrore! Ma parla... rispondi! chi fu l'uccisore? Sve. Della
notte nel silenzio Era immersa la natura...
PRIMO Non s' udia fra queste mura Che del gufo
l'ulular... Quando un grido orrendo, atroce M'empie il core di
spavento... Ah, quel grido ancor lo sento Al mio orecchio
risuonar. Tutti Era il grido della morte Che venia fra queste
porte. Sve. Corro al prence... di sangue cosparso, Un pugnale avea
fitto nel petto!... Non profferse il suo labbro alcun detto... Sol
la mano mi strinse... e spirò! Guerrieri (brandendo ferocemente le
spade) Morte, morte all'indegno uccisore! Si ricerchi... fuggir non
ci può! (entra Teodato e si confonde fra i guerrieri) Sve.
Maledetto il parricida, D'Alarico l' uccisori Di celarsi
invan s'affida, Di sfuggire al mio furor! Tutti All'armi,
guerrieri! s'esplori ogni loco... Già l'alba nel cielo propizia
spuntò. Di ferri recinto -qui tratto fra poco Fra strazii perisca -
chi sangue versò! (partono in varie direzioni, Sveno va per
seguirli) SCENA HI. Teoclato e Sveno. Teo.
Sveno, t'arresta. Sve. Da me che vuoi? Teo. Giovane,
ascolta; parlar ti vo'. D'ira sfavillano gli sguardi tuoi Ma in
core leggerti ben io lo so. (con sarcasmo) Tu Romano, tu
figlio d'Italia Ch'ora è serva e che un di fu regina, / Goti
2 10 ATT0 Puoi dei Goti temer la rovina, D'Alarico
alla morte tremar? Folle! Invano celare presumi L'empia gioia che
tutto t'invade, Tu che privo di patria e di numi Qui un asilo
venisti a cercar! Svfi. {con alterigia) E che vuoi
dire? Tr0 D'Alarico estinto "' Or chi sul trono
ascenderà, noi sai? D'imbelle donna sulla chioma cinto Il diadema
fatale or tu vedrai. SvE.D'Amalasunta?(co« impeto) Mai più degna
mano Trattò lo scettro!... ^ . Tfo. (sogghignando) Ne più
bella! • v Insano! SvE. Solo ed orfano
reietto Sull'avel del padre estinto, Senza pane, senza tetto,
Io vivea di ceppi avvinto- Quando un angiolo di Dio Quasi in sogno
m'appari... E pietoso al dolor mio I miei ceppi infranse un
di. Or che cinto di perigli Sovra il trono assiso egli e.
Sfido l'uom che mi consigli Di tradire onore e fé! Teo Una minaccia
suonano Questi tuoi detti, o Sveno? So che per me
terribile Odio tu nutri in seno! Sve. Odio?... t'inganni. -
Sprezzo Mi desta un traditor. - Teo. Ne avrai condegno prezzo
(raffrenandosi) Della regina il cor! Sve. Trema... ah trema!
Potrebbe a un mio detto Il tuo capo cadere al mio pie. -
PRIMO J 1 Finché l'ira raffreno nel petto, Va,
t'invola lontano da me! Teo. (Egli l'ama ! Ogni sguardo, ogni detto (da
sé) Il suo amore disvela per lei. Vendicarmi fin d'ora
potrei, Ma la sorte matura non è!) Sve. Altro a dirmi
t'avanza? Teo. E l'odio mio Dunque, $veno, non temi?
Sve, Io?... Lo desio! - (partono da opposti lati) FINE
DELL'ATTO PRIMO. ATTO SECONDO SCENA
PRIMA. /Steca sala nel Castello di Pavia; in fondo un gran
verone dal quale si vede la pianura e in lontananza l'Appennino;
due porte laterali. Amalasunta sola. Ama. (guardando
dal verone) Ecco la luce... Coi suoi raggi il sole Le tenebre
disperde; e tu svanisci Fatai notte che a me toglievi il figlio,
Unica speme del mio core!... Oh, come Sulla fronte mi pesa questa
triste Aurea corona!... [Alcune giovinette che passano sulla via,
cantano in lontananza) Cono esterno (Un giorno in quest'ora Per via
m'incontrò. Spuntava l'aurora Quand' ei mi baciò. È bello il
suo viso, Mi piace il suo cor, Mi piace quel riso Che parla
d'amor!) Ama. (prestando ascolto) ...Air opra usata
allegre Quelle fanciulle avviansi cantando. - Come sfavilla in
quelle voci tutto Il contento dell'anima!... Io qui soffro! Un
abisso ritrovo in ogni loco, In ogni sguardo un tradimento... Ahi
lassa! Coro esterno (come sopra) »(Di gemme e castelli
» Se il ciel mi privò, «Degli anni più belli » La fé mi lasciò.
- ATTO SECONDO 15 »E tu, o giovinezza,
«Che allieti il mio cor, «Mi doni l'ebbrezza, •
Mi doni l'amor!) (il canto si perde in lontananza) Ama. Eppure un
dì di rosee Sembianze rivestita Dono del cielo agli
uomini Mi si pingea la vita: - Quando tra feste e gaudii Col
nero crin gemmato I giorni miei trascorrere Potea del padre
allato. Or fra le tristi tenebre Presso all'aitar di Dio Con
disperati aneliti La morte invoco anch'io. «Or che svanir le liete
«Larve di pace e amor, «Or che si pasce l'anima «Di lutto e di
dolor! (parte) SCENA II. Lausco e Svarano entrano
cautamente. Sva. La vedesti? Lau. Piangeva; e quel
pianto Un inferno nel petto mi desta. Sva. E che pensi?
Lau. Che a compier ci resta Di Teodato il volere. - Sva. Frattanto
Simulare ne giova. - Il mistero, Della mente nasconda il
pensiero. - Lau. Per lei scampo più in terra non v'ha;- S'
essa cede, perduta sarà.- 14 ATTO La gente
romana - prostrata ed inulta Che un tempo sui mondo - superba
regnò, Caduta nel fango -ci sprezza, c'insulta, Al giogo ribelle -
piegarsi non può. Ma il ferro del barbaro, Forier di
sventura Al suolo atterrando Di Roma le mura,
L' Italica terra Di sangue inondò! Costei che di sensi
-romani è nutrita Il brando dei padri - vorrebbe spezzar; Clemente
redimer - la schiatta aborrita, Sul trono con essa - chiamarla a
regnar. Ma il ferro del barbaro Ancor non è infranto;
Foriero per gli empii Di lutto e di pianto, Più
splendido al sole S'appresta a brillar! SCENA
111. A ina lasunta, Lansco e Svarano~ Lai.
(inchinandosi in umile atteggiamento) Alla regina messaggier
m'invia li consesso dei prenci e dei guerrier. Ama. Parla,
signor. Lau. Nella parola mia De' tuoi fedeli udrai
franco il pensier! Una nemica parricida mano A noi il re, a te
toglieva il figlio. A che celarlo? Il tradimento insano Cinge il
trono di lutto e di periglio. (marcato) Di questo scettro che
ora stringi... puoi L'immane pondo sostener tu sola?
SECONDO il Ama. Mal t'intendo, guerrier... Da me che
vuoi? Oscura giunge a me la tua parola. Lau. Su quel trono a
te d'accanto Cinga un prence la corona. Se fìnor la
madre ha pianto, La regina or dee regnar. Ama. (quasi
parlando a sé stessa) Dunque, o schiava, tergi il pianto!
Su, di fiori t'incorona! Pronta è 1' ara; non di
pianto, Questa è l'ora d'esultar!... Di mio figlio dal
letto di morte Voi volete condurmi all'aitar? Sceglier
dunque m?è forza un consorte, Queste bende funèree squarciar?
Sva. E possente adorata re ina Sovra i Goti regnar tu potrai;
Poiché salva da certa rovina In tal guisa l'Italia
sarà. Lau. Del sangue dei regi Prescelto dal fato,
Vi ha un prence che al trono Sol puote aspirar. Ama.
Chi è desso? rispondi! Lau. S'appella Teodato. Ama. Teodato
dicesti?... (da sé) (Mi sento mancar!) Lau. Neil' ombra e nel
silenzio, Solo col suo pensiero, Visse del mondo
immemore, Fido alla patria e al re. Non è guerrier, ma
a reggere Il contrastato impero, l fidi tuoi ten
pregano, Devi innalzarlo a te ! Ama. Non fia mai !
Sva. Che parli, o regina? Ama. Io noi deggio.
J ATTO Lau. Da certa rovina Puoi tu sola la
patria salvar! Sva. Bada, o donna ! Secreta, possente Dei Romani
l'astuzia congiura. Se sul trono regnar vuoi secura, No, mei credi,
non devi esitar. Lau. Che risolvi ? Ama. Noi deggio.
Lau. (deposto l'umile atteggiamento e minaccioso) Al comun
voto Amalasunta ceda! -A te pon mente! Ama. E tanto ardisci ? -
Parti ! Lau. Ancor m'udrai ! - Avvi un romano in questa
corte: -ha nome Sveno ■ e tu 1' ami! Ama. (da sé) (Cielo!)
Lau. (afferrandola per la mano) Incauta, trema! Se esiti o nieghi,
in questo istesso istante Sarà Sveno dannato a orrendo scempio.
Della morte del figlio a tutti innanzi 10 qui l'accuserò !
Ama. (con impeto) Menzogna infame! Egli è innocente... e tu
lo sai ' Lau. Che importa ? Sva. Egli è romano. - Qui ciascun
1' aborre. 11 popolo è a noi ligio - e speri invano! Ama.
Ahimè!... Sva. Risolvi. Ama. (dopo un istante
d'esitazione) Ebbene... ei fìa salvato. A me consorte, sarà
re Teodato. a 5 Sva. Dell'impero dei Goti la stella S'
oscurava nell' italo cielo. Ma fra breve più fulgida e bella La
vedranno i nemici brillar, E nel fango dovranno gli ignavi, Sempre
schiavi, servire e tremar! SECONDO 17
Lau. (Io trionfo! Più fulgida e bella (da sé) La mia stella
risplende nel cielo. La perduta possanza che anelo Sol Teodato a me
puote ridar. E nei fango dovranno gli ignavi, Sempre schiavi, servire
e tremar !) Ama. Ahi, s'oscura, tramonta mia stella (da sé) Che
finora brillò senza velo. Signor, tu che regni nel cielo
1 miei passi tu devi guidar, E redenti dovranno gli ignavi
, Non più schiavi , al mio nome acclamar ! (alle ultime
parole Sveno compare in fondo alla scena. — Lausco e Svarano escono
gettando su Sveno uno sguardo di trionfo) SCENA IV.
Aniala«uiita e Sveno. Sve. Grida di gioia risuonar qui
sento. Ama. (Ah, tutto ignora.) [da sé) Sve. Eppure d'
Alarico L' inulta salma nell' ave! non scese. Ama. Chi del
figlio a me parla?... In queste soglie Sanguigna luce spanderan fra
breve A sacrileghe nozze le votive Faci d'Imene. - A che mi guardi
? Il fato A me 1' impone ; sarà re Teodato. Sve. (arretrando con
grido di dolore) Ah! Ama. Tu piangi? ■ Io asciutto ho il
ciglio. Mai non piange una regina. Della patria nel periglio
Ogni affetto tacer de. Quel poter che mi trascina D'altro amore è
in me più forte, Affrontar saprei la morte... Se la patria il
chiede a me. 18 ATTO Sve. »Tu spezzasti mie
catene, «Vita, onori a te degg' io. »Ogni avere ed ogni bene
»Che beasse il pensier mio. Tutto è sciolto. - Un dì saprai Se
t'amò quest'infelice, Ma quel giorno, o traditrice, Io vederlo non
potrò. Alla tomba or mi trascina Questo amor di me più forte,
Sotto i colpi della sorte L'alma affranta si spezzò!... (si ode il
suono di una marcia funebre) Coro esterno (Neil' avello
dei padri discendi Dormi in pace, figliuolo dei re. Prega il ciel
che i presagi tremendi Sian dai Goti sviati per te. La tua vita ha
troncato il destino, Sulla reggia or si libra il dolor. Piombi
almeno lo sdegno divino Sovra il capo all'infame uccisori) Ama.
(con voce straziante) Ah... quelle voci!... Son le preci estreme...
Sovra la tomba di mio figlio... Io manco... (lasciandosi cadere quasi
svenuta sopra una sedia) Sve. (con disperata ironia) In te
ritorna... Le funeree faci Alle tue nozze pronube, domani
Risplenderanno !... In te ritorna! Esulta! CORO esterno (allontanandosi
gradatamente) (Nell'avello dei padri discendi, Dormi in pace,
figliuolo dei re. Prega il ciel che i presagi tremendi Sian dai
Goti sviati per te. La tua vita ha troncato il destino, Sulla
reggia or si libra il dolor. Piombi almeno lo sdegno divino Sovra
il capo all' infame uccisori) SECONDO 19 Ama.
(quasi in delirio) Dove sono ?... Ah, già fissato, Scritto in
cielo è il fato mio! Non dagli uomini , da Dio, La pietà sperar si
de! Sve. Tu dagli uomini, da Dio, Maledetta sei da me!
FINE DELL'ATTO SECONDO. ATTO TERZO
SCENA PRIMA Una sala nel Castello di Pavia. — Una porta in
fondo. Teodato solo. Teo. E ancor non riede... Inebbriante
meta Cui da tanti anni ascosamente anelo,... Splendida larva di mie
notti, alfine Io ti raggiungo!... Pur mi costi!... A mezzo Volgea
la notte, ed io sognava... ahi, truce Terribil sogno! - Mi cingea la
chioma La corona regale, e sovra il trono D'Amalasunta al fianco io
m'era assiso Al sinistro chiaror delle pallenti Faci di morte... e
innanzi a me sorgea Dell'ucciso Alarico insanguinato L'orrido
spettro, e mi guardava come Quando nei petto il suo pugnai gli
infisse Lausco!... e con la man parea dal soglio Strapparmi a
forza!... ed io tremava. - Oh vile Debolezza dei core!... D'un
delitto A me che monta, se ciascun l'ignora? No, più non tremo. -
Già la notte sparve E con essa svanir fantasmi e larve! Nei cupo
orrore di notte bruna Quando la luce nel ciel fuggì, Fosca sibilla
fin dalla cuna A me lo scettro predisse un dì. E da quel giorno
speme funesta Per anni ed anni rinchiusi in cor; E nel silenzio
d'aspra foresta Solo, spregiato, vissi fìnor. Sangue mi costa quel
serto, è vero: Ma la mia sorte compir si de. ATTO
TERZO 21 Colpe e delitti sprezza il pensiero Se ad essi è
premio poter di re. Se al soglio stendere la man poss'io Che a me
il destino - vaticinò, Sui vinti popoli - lo scettro mio Dall'Alpi
al Brennero - distenderò! SCENA li. Laureo, £ varano e
Teodato. Lau. Possente è quest'oro che tutto conquide! Teo.
Che rechi? Sva. Trionfi ; - la sorte ci arride. L\u. La
credula plebe venduta esultò. Il trono or t'aspetta. Teo.
Calcarlo saprò. Lau. «Ma pria che tu cinga la chioma del
serto, »0 prence, rammenta chi un trono t'ha offerto. «Dell'opra
tremenda qual premio sperai, «Teodato, scordarlo potresti? Teo. »
Giammai. Sva. «Non scordar quella notte e il pugnale
«Che nell'ombra celato ferì. Lau. «Non scordar che un destino
fatale «Nello stesso delitto ci unì. Teo. Io la mente, le
braccia voi siete In quest'opra di sangue e d'orror; Se
compirla, o guerrieri, saprete A voi dono possanza e tesor! » Cadde
Alarico. - Ma quel sangue è poco, «Altri deve saziar l'ira del
seno. Lau. «Altri?... t'intendo. Teo. «Amalasunta e Sveno...
Nella pianura di Pavia, commosse S'adunano le turbe. -
Amalasunta Oggi il serto mi cinge! Sva. «I miei guerrieri
«Io stesso condurrò. 22 ATTO l jA u.
«Popolo e prenci »A1 tuo trionfo acclameranno. Sva.
Quando L'ora fìa giunta, la fatale accusa Profferisca il tuo
labbro! ^ AU - A noi la cura Lascia del resto. Teo. La
superba donna Ed il suo drudo, d'uno stesso colpo Atterrati
cadranno. - mia vendetta! Ad essi morte... ^AU. Il soglio a te
s'aspetta. Teo., Lau. e Sva. (a tre) Sol d'Italia, di
luce funesta Splendi in questo bel giorno sereno. L'atra gioia che
m'arde nel seno, La mia sorte rischiara così. Potrò alfine, a me
intorno prostrata, Calpestarti, empia turba di schiavi. Vili e
ignavi! Già l'ora è sonata, Di vendetta già corrono i dì. (partono
per opposti lati) SCENA HI. La gran pianura di Pavia:
si scorge a grande lontananza la città presso a cui scorre il Ticino, e
più lontano ancora la ca- tena degli Appenini. Da un lato s'innalzerà un
trono for- mato di trofei d'armi. Sveno, indi
Gualtiero. GuA.Chi veggio?... Sveno... in questo loco?
stolto! Fuggi! t'invola ai colpi della sorte! Altro
scampo non hai... Taci? Sve. Io t'ascolto. Non ti
comprendo. Oua. E che mai speri? Sve. Morte! Agli
infelici altro non resta in terra. Così tradirmi!... Iniqua
donna! TERZO W Gua. E sei Uomo... e
guerriero! Sve. Un dì lo fui! - M'atterra Or la sventura. -
Ahimè!... perchè vivrei?... (con 'profonda tristezza) Della sua
fede immemore E dell'amor giurato, Essa i legami infrangere
Volle del mio passato. Ma nel troncar quei vincoli Ch'eterni io pur
credea, Senza pietà la rea Anche il mio cor spezzò. Fonte
d'amare lagrime È l'avvenir, lo sento. Verranno per la misera
I dì del pentimento. Ma di quel giorno infausto, Forse lontano
ancora , La sanguinosa aurora, Gualtiero, io non vedrò!
[squilli di trombe; sì comincia a sentire in lontananza il suono di
una marcia trionfale che si va sempre più avvicinando) Gua. Odi?
Sve. {con rabbia) Ei trionfa!... Folgori Non ha per gli empi il
cielo! Or gli omicida ammantansi Della virtù col velo. Gua.
Che parli? Sve. Un fero dubbio Mi tormentava il
petto. Ora in certezza cangiasi L' orribile sospetto. Gua.
Che far vorresti? Sve. Nulla. Io spettator - qui
resto. Gua. Ti uccidi! Sve. Il voto è questo Più
ardente del mio cor! U ATTO SCENA IV.
Al suono di marcia trionfale si avanzano i guerrieri, i principi, i
sacerdoti, i congiurati, il popolo. — Indi preceduti da una schiera di
guardie Amalasunta e Teodato rivestiti delle insegne reali; poi Lausco,
Starano ed altri guer- rieri. Sveno e Gualtiero si confondono tra la
folla; il popolo manda grida festive. Coro generale
Giunta è l'ora - dei Goti la stella S'oscurava nell'italo
cielo; Ma fra breve più fulgida e bella La vedranno i
nemici brillar. E nel fango dovranno gli ignavi Sempre
schiavi - servire e tremar! Lau., Sva. e Congiurati (a bassa voce tra di
loro) (Nel silenzio, nell'ombra celati Già a piombare la
folgore è presta... Dee quel serto di luce funesta Di
Teodalo sul capo brillar. Pronti all'opra; già l'ora è
suonata; Gli empi schiavi dovranno tremar!) Ama. (dal
trono) Popolo e prenci, udite il mio pensiero Or tutti
voi che a me giuraste fé, Del mio talamo a parte e
dell'impero Ognun saluti in Teodato il Re! Tutti Viva, viva
Teodato! Rintroni Tutta Italia di canti e di suoni; E
dei Rardi l'accento ispirato Dica al mondo i dettami del
fato! Teo. (in piedi sul trono) Su, mescete in colmi
nappi! La mia gioia ognun divida. Ogni volto qui
sorrida Del contento del suo re! TERZO 25
Lau. Sva. e Coro Su, libiamo e repente rintroni Tutta
Italia di canti e di suoni ; E dei Bardi l'accento ispirato Narri
al mondo i dettami del fato! Sve. (slanciandosi di mezzo alle turbe
Or tutti ascoltatemi: Vo' bevere anch'io! Le tazze
spumeggiano, Esulta il cor mio. Qui dove è sepolta La salma
tradita, Unirò, i sacrileghi, La morte alla vita!... Ama.
Sciagurato! Teo. Quai detti! Che sento! Tutti Vanne,
fuggi: raffrena il tuo accento! Sve. Di cantici e suoni (con
impeto) Rintroni la reggia, Il vin che rosseggia È
sangue d'un re! Su, datemi un calice, Lo vuole il destino; Al
prence assassino (additando Teodato) Bevete con me!... Teo.
(alzandosi furibondo) Ah... è troppo! - Guerrieri! Addotto in
ceppi Ei venga, e tosto sia dannato a morte! Ama. (gettandosi ai
piedi di Teodato) Deh, pietade, pietà della sua sorte! Ei
delira, infelice. Guerrieri e Popolo A morte! A morte! Teo. (con
voce terribile respingendo Amalasunta) Per lui preghi? Invan lo
speri. Temi or tu lo sdegno mio. Tutti io leggo i tuoi
pensieri, E tuo sposo e re son io! (* guerrieri si slanciano contro
Sveno) 26 ATTO TERZO Ama. Deh, fermate, o
ciel!... Teo. Popolo! Sve. indegno! Teo.
L'ultima ora per gli empi suonò! donna, io t'accuso! (ad
Amalasunta) (al popolo) Per sete di regno Del sangue del
figlio costei si macchiò ! Ama. cielo, e tu il soffri!? Lau., Sva.
e Congiurati (tumultuando) Discenda dal trono! Di cingere il
serto più degna non è! Sve. Ah, l'empio trionfa! Tutti Non speri
perdono! Discenda dal trono! Congiurati Teodato fia re!
Ama. (strappandosi la corona e calpestandola) M'uccidete! il
patibolo è presto. Ecco il serto... ai miei pie lo calpesto! Ma tu,
vile che esulti, paventa! Già la folgore piomba su te! Sve. Sì,
m'uccidi ! Ma larva cruenta (a Teodato) Me nei sogni, alle veglie
vedrai! Sì, m'uccidi, ma ovunqne ne andrai Ombra irata verronne con
te! Teo., Lau., Sva., Congiurati e Coro Traditori, tremate!
Egual sorte Vi riserba al supplizio, alla morte! Empii entrambi!
Tremendo, funesto, Vi colpisce lo sdegno del re! (Amalasunta e
Sveno sono trascinati dai guerrieri, mentre il popolo ed i Congiurati
acclamano Teodato.) FINE DELL'ATTO TERZO.
ATTO QUARTO SCENA PRIMA. Sala
semidiroccata di un castello sul lago Trasimeno. In fondo a destra una
scalinata conduce alla terrazza di una vecchia torre da cui traspare un
lembo di cielo, solcato da neri nu- voloni. - A sinistra pure sul fondo
due porte le quali apren- dosi lasciano vedere il lago. - È notte
tempestosa. Una lam- pada rischiara debolmente la scena.
Amalasunta seduta, immersa in un cupo silenzio: alcune Damigelle le
stanno intorno. Dam. (parlando fra loro) Oh, come rugge
la tempesta!... Udite?... Con sinistro fragor, del lago i flutti
Solleva il vento sibilando, e l'etra La folgore rischiara... Ama.
Ahi... triste idea!... Dam. Favella seco stessa... Ah, la
ragione L'infelice smarriva, il dì fatale Che qui all' esiglio la
dannar. Ama. Lo sento... Me chiama il figlio... e, nel
lenzuol funebre Avvolto, un uomo gli è d'accanto..: oh il veggio!
Sveno... Sveno tu sei!... Che parli?... E puoi Maledirmi così?... Ah no,
non fìa!... Troppo il vivere è grave all'alma mia!... Dam. Geme e
soffre... l'atroce sventura [fra loro) Di sua mente il sereno
offuscò. Così buona, sì candida e pura Già tremendi dolori provò,
(le Dam. partono) Ama. (inginocchiandosi) Signor, che col
sangue hai redento Dei mortali feroci il destino, D'una misera
ascolta il lamento, Su lei volgi lo sguardo divino. 28
ATTO Figlio, amici, corona perdei!... Deh, mi togli, o
Signor, questa vita. Tu che padre pei miseri sei, Deh, perdona alla
donna tradita! (si sente un fragore d'armi che va sempre -più
avvicinandosi) SGENA II. Sveno seguito da alcuni
guerrieri romani ed Amalasuitta. SvE. (accorrendo ad Amalasunta)
Ti riveggo... oh gioia! Ama. (indietreggiando con terrore)
Ognora La sua larva appar così!... Sve. Di salvarti è tempo
ancora... Per salvarti io venni qui! Oh quante montagne
stanotte ho varcato, Per aspri sentieri, dei lampi al chiarori »Tra
gli ermi dirupi la mano del fato »I passi guidava del mio corridori
Coll'oro corruppi gli sgherri inumani; Dell'empio i disegni svelarono a
me... Fra poco a svenarti verranno gli insani... Qui corsi a
salvarti o morire con te. Ama. Deh, taci!... vaneggi... che parli di
morte? Quest' oggi serena ci arride la sorte. Sve. (con
affetto e rapidamente) Vieni... fuggiam! Propizia É la
tempesta a noi. Vieni... i miei fidi attendono, Salvare ancor ti
puoi! In altre terre profughi Scampo securo avremo. Là, ignoti
al cielo e agli uomini, Vivere ancor potremo! (dal fondo entra
Gualtiero) Ama. (sempre delirando e sorridente) Taci... che
l'onda aspetta... Azzurro è il ciel sereno... Sull'agile
barchetta, Vieni, ci culli il mar' QUARTO 2< Vedi,
soave e placido Tramonta il sole, o Sveno... Della mia vita il
tramite Voglio così troncar! Sve. (disperatamente)
Infelice!... non m'ode... o sventura! Ah, ritorna in te
stessa!... Gua. (che in quel frattempo avrà spiato dalla porta in
capo allo scalone, accorrendo rapidamente) V affretta!
Già d'armati risuona il fragor! Sve. (tentando trascinare
Àmalasunta) Vieni... ah vieni! Ama. (abbandonandosi sulla
sedia) La lieve barchetta... Sovra il mare ci culli...
Gua. Oh terror! Sve. A forza si tragga!... Alcuni Romani
(accorrendo da una porta laterale) È tardi! t'arresta! Già cinto è
il castello. Sve. La morte ci resta! Coro di Goti
(interno) S'atterrin le porte! Gua. Più speme non v'è!
Sve. (sguainando la spada) Guerrieri, a pugnare venite con
me! {Sveno getta un ultimo sguardo sopra Àmalasunta quasi assopita,
e parte con Gualtiero ed i guerrieri) SCENA III. Si ode
il lontano cozzo delle armi ed il fragore della pugna. Damigelle
accorrendo atterrite. Dam. Regina, regina. Deh, sorgi... ti
desta; Non odi dell'armi la furia funesta? Ama. Voi
piangete?... sul mio ciglio Ora il pianto inaridì...
30 ATTO (t7 rumore si va sempre più avvicinando) Non
sapete?... Aveva un figlio... Era bello... eppur morì!.., (molti
romani attraversano la scena fuggendo nella mas- sima confusione e
gridando) Guerrieri romani Fuggite! I nemici già infranser le
porte!... Fuggite! v' attende terribile morte. (partono; le donne
fuggono anch'esse; la scena resta deserta) Ama. (sempre immobile e
sorridente) Dalla madre l'han diviso; Poca terra il
ricoprì. E la madre dell' ucciso Più non piange da quel
dì!... (il fragore della mischia è al colmo. Sveno mortalmente
ferito si precipita sulla scena, e va a cadere ai piedi di Amalasunta. —
Sul limitare della porta in fondo compare Teodato colla spada sguainata,
seguito da Lausco e Svarano.) SCENA ULTIMA.
Amalasunta, Sveno» Teodato, Lausco, Svarano. La scena è
rischiarata dai lampi. Ama. (nel vedere Sveno moribondo, quasi
destandosi da un sogno) Tu Sveno!... che miro?... Sve. (con
voce morente) Salvarti... voli' io... L'estremo sospiro... tu
accogli... del cor... Ama. (alzando le mani al cielo
disperatamente) morte, a che tardi? Teo. (con feroce ironia,
avanzandosi) Fia pago il desio!... La morte che chiedi, io
t'arreco! Sve. (tentando sollevarsi) Oh furor ! Teo. Col tuo
drudo ai danni miei Qui tessevi inganni ancora. QUARTO
31 In mia possa alfine or sei... Di tua morte è giunta
l'ora!... (sguainando il pugnale) Questo ferro, ah tu
noi sai, Il tuo figlio uccise un dì! [Sveno con supremo sforzo
a/ferrando la spada si solleva per slanciarsi su Teodalo, ma fatti alcuni
passi ricade al suolo e muore, - La tempesta rumoreggia colla mas-
sima violenza) TEp. {gettando il suo pugnale ai piedi di Amalasunta)
Or lo prendi. - A te il serbai, Or che il fato si compi ! Ama.
(afferrando il pugnale e sollevandosi in tuono profetico e solenne)
Godi!... ma ascoltami: Vicina a morte, Io la tua sorte
Predico a le! Ancora un anno... Poscia al cospetto Del cielo
- giudice T aspetto - o Re! (si uccide e va a cadere presso il
cadavere di Sveno.) Lau., Sva. Un anno! Teo. (tremante)
I delitti han forse un confine Che il piede dell'uomo varcare non
può?... Guerrieri Goti (prorompendo sulla scena con faci ed armi
insanguinate) Del sangue degli empi-rosseggian le sale; Già cadder
svenali -dal nostro pugnale, E il popol di schiavi - che Italia
rinserra Fra i re della terra - Teodato acclamò! FINE.
'ikw.<> mm
%-tìftWWJ^ Alberto
Burgio. Keywords: dialettica ostrogota, filosofia ostrogota, filosofia aria,
filosofia occidentale – Grice: the east and west --. “Those in a position to
know” ostrogoto, longobardo, ario, ariano, mistica, scuola di mistica, lingua,
religione, l’italia longobarda, l’italia ostrogota -- Refs.: Luigi Speranza, “Grice e Burgio” – The
Swimming-Pool Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51779505063/in/dateposted-public/
Burtiglione.
Grice e Cabeo – spirito sulfureo -- filosofia
mannetica – filosofia italiana – Luigi Speranza (Ferrara). Filosofo. Grice: “You’ve
got to love Cabeo; unless, if you are sailor like me – he almost invented the
North Pole – he philosophised on magnetism – a phenomenon which the
Graeco-Romans found ‘magic’ (vide Carini, “L’etimologia del megnete”) – Grice:
“The homerotic associations are soon discovered by the super-hero, “Magneto.””
-- Essential Italian philosopher. Con il suo nome è stato
chiamato il cratere lunare Cabeus. Novizio della Compagnia di Gesù, ebbe
Giuseppe Biancani come insegnante di matematica nel collegio gesuitico di Parma
dove compiuti i suoi studi fu docente di filosofia per molti anni e ricevette
gli ordini sacerdotali. Abbandonato l'insegnamento fu predicatore in varie
città italiane mantenendo sempre stretti rapporti di familiarità con Ferdinando
Gonzaga e Francesco d'Este. Cabeo prese parte alla contesa tra Bologna e
Ferrara sull'introduzione del Reno nel Po Grande avvenuta negli anni 20 del
seicento, prendendo le parti dei ferraresi e opponendosi alle teorie di
Benedetto Castelli Si stabilì a Genova dove conobbe Giovanni Battista
Baliani divenendone amico. Nel suo commento alle Meteore di Aristotele Cabeo
sostenne e testimoniò la priorità della scoperta della legge di caduta dei
gravi dello scienziato genovese rispetto a quella di Galilei. Cabeo
collaborò con vari fisici del suo tempo su argomenti che mettevano in
discussione le ricerche di Galilei: con lo stesso Baliani a Genova, con il
Renieri a Pisa, con il Riccioli, suo amico e allievo anche lui del Biancani,
con il quale conduce a Ferrara esperimenti sulla caduta dei gravi. Soggiorna a
Roma nello stesso periodo in cui era presente nMarin Mersenne, il segretario
dell' Europa dotta, che vi si trovava in occasione dell'elezione di Carafa a
generale dei gesuiti. Torna a Genova per dedicarsi all'insegnamento nel
collegio gesuitico. Cabeo compone “Philosophia magnetica” (Ferrara) criticata gli
studiosi galileiani. Sostene l'imprescindibile necessità che ogni asserzione
scientifica fosse sostenuta dall'esperienza e, sulla base degli studi di Maricourt,
Porta, Gilbert, e Garzoni, assere, dopo aver condotto accurati esperimenti, che
la terra possede una qualità magnetica che assieme alla gravità faceva sì che
la terra e stabile e immobile. Define il fenomeno della repulsione elettrica. “In
quatuor libros Meteorologicorum Aristotelis commentaria,et quaestiones quatuor tomis
compraehensa”, o “Philosophia experimentalis” si schiera a difesa della
priorità di Baliani e, nel criticare in nome dell'osservazione e
dell'esperimento la concezione metafisica aristotelica, introduce la
presentazione di questioni scientifiche attuali. Il saggio e condotto in duri
toni anti-galileiani con un'aspra contestazione del fenomeno della marea così
com'e descritto da Galilei. Sostene invece che la marea e dovuta all'ebollizione
operata dalla Luna di un spirito sulfureo e salnitrosio presente sul fondo del
mare. Sostenne la validità scientifica dell'alchimia, una "philosophia
chimica" degna di studio e osservazione. Idraulici italiani,
Fondazione, Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani. A. Ingegno, Op. cit. Claudii Berigardi Circulus Pisanus De veteri
et peripatetica philosophia in Aristotelis libros de Coelo, Utini. Galilei,
Opere (ediz. naz.), Le opere dei discepoli di Galileo Galilei, I, L'Accademia
del Cimento, Firenze, Fulvio Testi, Lettere, Maria Luisa Doglio, Bari, Evangelista
Torricelli, Faenza, Lorenzo Barotti, Memorie istoriche di letterati ferraresi, Ferrara,
Girolamo Tiraboschi, Storia della letteratura italiana, VFirenze, Timoteo
Bertelli, Sopra Pietro Peregrino di Maricourt e la sua epistola "De
Magnete", in Bull. di bibliogr. e di storia delle scienze mat. e fisiche
pubbl. da B. Boncompagni, Pietro Riccardi, Biblioteca matematica italiana,
Modena; Raffaello Caverni, Storia del metodo sperimentale in Italia, II,
Firenze, Silvio Magrini, Il "De Magnete" del Gilbert e i primordi
della magnotologia in Italia in rapporto alla lotta intorno ai massimi sistemi,
in Archivio di storia della scienza, Jean Daujat, Origines et formation de la
théorie des phénomènes électriques et magnétiques, Paris, Lynn Thorndike, A
History of magic and experimental Science, New York, Alexandre Koyré, Etudes
d'histoire de la pensée scientifique, Paris, Serge Moscovici, L'expérience du
mouvement. Jean Baptiste Baliani disciple et critique de Galilée, Paris, Claudio
Costantini, Baliani e i gesuiti. Annotazioni in margine alla corrispondenza del
Baliani con Gio. Luigi Confalonieri e Orazio Grassi, Firenze, Maria Bellucci,
La filosofia naturale di Claudio Berigardo, in Rivista Critica di Storia della
Filosofia, Charles Coulston Gillispie, Dictionary of Scientific Biography, New
York, Scribners, John Lewis Heilbron, Electricity in the 17th and 18th
Centuries. Los Angeles: University of California Press, Cesare Maffioli, Out of
Galileo, The Science of Waters, Rotterdam: Erasmus Publishing, Peter Dear,
Discipline and Experience: The Mathematical Way in the Scientific Revolution.
Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995. Maria Teresa Borgato, Niccolò Cabeo
tra teoria ed esperimenti: le leggi del moto, in G.P. Brizzi and R. Greci (ed),
Gesuiti e Università in Europa, Bologna: Clueb, Craig Martin, With
Aristotelians Like These, Who Needs Anti-Aristotelians? Chymical Corpuscular
Matter Theory in Niccolò Cabeo's "Meteorology", in Early Science and
Medicine, Carlos Sommervogel, Bibliothèque de la Compagnie de Jésus. Niccolò
Cabeo, su TreccaniEnciclopedie on line, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia
Italiana. Niccolò Cabeo, su sapere, De
Agostini. Alfonso Ingegno, Niccolò
Cabeo, in Dizionario biografico degli italiani, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia
Italiana. Opere di Niccolò Cabeo / Niccolò Cabeo (altra
versione), su openMLOL, Horizons Unlimited srl. Niccolò Cabeo, in Galileo Project,
Rice University. Ferrara Genova. Noto anche come Nicolaus Cabeo, italiano
gesuita filosofo, teologo, ingegnere e matematico. I struito nel collegio dei Gesuiti
a Parma. Passa i prossimi due anni a Padova e ha trascorso studia in Piacenza
prima di completare tre anni di studio in filosofia a Parma. Ha trascorso altri
quattro anni a studiare teologia a Parma e l'apprendistato di un altro anno di
a Mantova. Ha poi insegnato teologia e la matematica a Parma, poi è diventato un predicatore. Per un certo
periodo ha ricevuto il patrocinio dei Duchi di Mantova e del Este a Ferrara.
Durante questo periodo è stato coinvolto in idraulica progetti. Egli avrebbe
poi tornare a insegnare la matematica ancora una volta in Genova, la città dove
sarebbe morto. Egli è noto per i suoi contributi alla fisica esperimenti e
osservazioni. Egli ha osservato gli esperimenti di Baliani per quanto riguarda
la caduta di oggetti, e ha scritto su questi esperimenti osservando che due
oggetti diversi cadono nello stesso lasso di tempo, indipendentemente dal
mezzo. Inoltre ha effettuato esperimenti con pendoli e osservato che una carica
elettricamente corpo può ottenere oggetti non elettrificato. Egli ha anche
notato che due oggetti carichi respinti a vicenda. Le sue osservazioni
sono state pubblicate nelle opere, Philosophia Magnetica e in quatuor libros
Aristotelis meteorologicorum Commentaria. La prima di queste opere esaminato la
causa della Terra magnetismo ed è stata dedicata ad uno studio del lavoro di
Gilbert. Pensato alla Terra immobile, e quindi non ha accettato il suo
movimento come la causa del campo magnetico. Describe attrazione elettrica in
termini di effluvi elettrici, rilasciato sfregando alcuni materiali insieme.
Questi effluvi spinto nell'aria circostante spostarlo. Quando l'aria riportato
nella sua posizione originale, portava corpi leggeri con essa facendole muovere
verso il materiale attraente. Entrambi Accademia del Cimento e Boyle eseguiti
esperimenti con vuoti a tentativi di confermare o smentire le idee di
Cabeo. La sua seconda pubblicazione Cabeo era un commento di Aristotele
Meteorologia. In questo lavoro, ha esaminato attentamente una serie di idee
proposte da Galilei, tra cui il movimento della terra e la legge di caduta dei
gravi. Si è opposto alle teorie di Galileo. Anche discusso la teoria del flusso
d'acqua proposta da allievo di Galileo, Castelli. Lui e Castelli sono stati
coinvolti per una disputa nel nord Italia circa il reinstradamento del fiume
Reno. La gente di Ferrara erano su un lato della controversia e Cabeo era il
loro avvocato. Castelli e il favorite dell’altro lato della controversia e
agiva come agente di Urbano VIII. Anche discusso alcune idee su alchimia in
questo saggio. Il cratere Cabeus sulla Luna porta il suo nome. Il LCROSS
progetto ha scoperto la prova di acqua nel cratere Cabeus. Guarda anche Storia
di Geo-magnetismo Elenco dei cattolici-scienziati chierici Riferimenti
Heilbron, JL, energia elettrica nei secoli 17 e 18. Los Angeles: University of
California Press, Maffioli, Cesare, Out of Galileo, The Science of Waters. Rotterdam:
Erasmus Publishing, Sommervogel, Bibliothèque de la Compagnie de Jesus.
Bruxelles: Gillispie, Charles Coulston, Dizionario della biografia scientifica 3. New York: Scribners, Borgato, Maria
Teresa, Niccolò Cabeo Tra Teoria ed Esperimenti: le leggi del moto, in GP
Brizzi e R. Greci, Gesuiti e Università in Europa, Bologna: Clueb, Caro Peter.
Disciplina e Esperienza: Il modo matematico nella rivoluzione scientifica.
Chicago: University of Chicago Press. The Eoman Neptunus, then, and the Greek
Poseidon, are two distinct deities ; and the first remarkable point of
difference between them, with the exception of their names, is, that
while the former is a true sea-god, the latter, as Mi . Gladstone
well observes, ^ has in him nothing of an elemental deity.’ The name
Neptune is ‘ connected with many words that mean to bathe or swim ’
; ^ and so Col. Kobertson says of the Nith, a Gaelic river name in Ayr
and Dumfries : ^ This river name comes from the designation of the
god of the waters called Neithe^ of which this one is a slight
contraction. It is most probable the Cimbri, as well as the Gael, knew of
the ^ Cox, Manual of Mythology, 195. . C
18 poseidOjst. water-god “ Neitlie,” and also
named a river after him ; and Mr. Fergusson, in his work on Eiver
Names?” refers to a representation found in Tuscany of Neptune? and that
the name written over the figure was Nethun?” and gives as to this
name the following extract : “ There can he little doubt that ndhw means
water? in the Tuscan language.” The river Nethan^ in Strath- clyde,
Lanark, is undoubtedly from the same source, namely, from Neith-an,
meaning Neithe’s river.’ ^ So, again, in the Hellenic mythology,
Nereus, eldest son of Pontos, the Deep, is the true sea-god of Homer, who
gave to the element of water that name of nero, in the popular
speech of the Greeks, which it still retains.’ ^ Thus their names
are illustrative of the characters of Neptune and Nereus, as the true Latin
and Greek sea-gods. And in the Hellenic mythology, be- sides Pontos
and N&eus, there is also the deep- flowing' 6keanos, sire of rivers,
inland seas, and fountains.® There was, therefore, no gap in the
Greek Pantheon which required to he filled by another sea-god, and on all
these veritable marine deities Poseidon violently obtruded bim-
' GratJic Topography of Scotland, 144. ® Gladstone, Juv. Mun.
243. ® II. xxi. 195. poseidCj^ the builder.
19 self, a circumstance which makes his position with
respect to them somewhat anomalous. PoseidOn, lord of the horse,
seems also to be connected, if not identical, with the Latin deity
Consus, who, by the later Eomans, was identified with Neptiinus, although
originally quite distinct from the sea-god. Consus, an obscure
divinity, was regarded as the god of council^ secret deliberations,
and mysteries; and also as the patron of horsemanship. In his festival
the Consualia, horses and mules were freed from labour and crowned
with flowers. Mr. Cox is inclined to connect the name with the
Hindu Granesa, ^ the lord of life and of the reproductive powers of
nature;’ ^ but this is purely conjectural. Consus also curiously
corresponds with Khons or Chons, who, in the Egyptian Pantlieon, appears
as the son of Amen-Ea, and the third person in the triad of Thebes, and
whose name signifies Huntsman. Thus Khons, Consus, and Poseidon are
alike associated with the horse ; whilst the attribute of mysterious
wisdom which clmrac- terizes Consus, distinguishes Poseidon in a
similar ^ Mythology of the Aryan Nations, i. 347, note.
THE LATm GOD CONSUS. 69 manner ; a fact not at
once apparent in the Hellenic Mythology, because this phase of
Poseidon’s character is much overshadowed by the attributes of several of
the Aryan divinities. Thus wisdom generally is a special
characteristic of Zeus,^ of Apollon,^ or of Helios the Sun,^ who
sees and knows all things. But the wisdom of these beings only represents
the knowledge derived from ocular observation, which is perfectly
distinct from the knowledge of mys- terious religious secrets or other
occult matters, and therefore they do not, in reality, trench on
the character of Poseidon in this particular, but only appear to do so.
In a remarkable passage in the Iliad, Poseidon claims to be wiser
than Apollon, who does not deny the assertion, and in every way
confesses his inferiority; while the Subordinate (Hypodmos) of Poseidon,
Proteus the Aigyptian,^ is possessed of unerring know- ledge and
prophetic powers. We may fairly assume that the master was as wise as
the servant ; indeed he is expressly represented as gifted with
prophetic powers,® and it would seem ' II. xiii. 355. “ Horn. Hymn
to Hermfis, 635. » II. iii. 277; Od, viii. 302. <
XXL 440. * Od. iv. 386. * II. xx. 293. 70
poseibOi^. not improbable tbat, although the Egyptians did
not admit Poseidon eo nomine among the number of their divinitiesj* yet
that, under the name of Khons, he obtained a place in their Pantheon
; as we shall find reason to believe that his worship prevailed
amongst all the branches of the Hamitic Family, although he was known
amongst them by different names. Census, moreover, is re- garded as
a god of the lower world, or Chthonian divinity — another circumstance
which connects him with Poseidon, whose character becomes more and
more Chthonian the farther his cultus is traced into the East, where also
his phase as lord of knowledge and wisdom appears more manifestly.
The name Census well preserves both this idea and his connection with the
horse ; and it may be remarked, that the titles of the more
mysterious divinities are generally found to he manifold in meaning.
Census in Italy, like Poseidon in Grreece, is finally regarded as a
marine deity, because his worship has been brought into the country from
beyond the sea. ^ Herod, ii, 43. Nicolaus Cabeus. Niccolò
Cabeo. Keywords: filosofia mannetica, la terra e immobile per la sua qualita
magnetica, la marea e prodotto della ebullizione di uno spirito sulfureo e
salnitroso nel fondo del mare. Refs.: Luigi
Speranza, "Grice e Cabeo," per Il Club Anglo-Italiano, The
Swimming-Pool Library, Villa Grice, Liguria, Italia.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51691928304/in/photolist-2mKQDnb-2mKbdmo/
Grice e Cacciari – umanesimo italiano – umanesimo
all’italiana -- filosofia italiana – Luigi Speranza (Venezia). Grice: “If I were today
to chose a philosophical piece by Cacciari that would be his ‘angelo’ – quite a
concept! If Whitehead is right, as I claim he is, when he says all philosophy
is footnotes to Cratylo, Plato does deal with ‘aggelos’ as ‘metaxu’ which he
then develops in Symposium – Cacciari, like Reale, are fascinated by this!” – Grice:
“Solomon, who read it, illustrated Alcebiades as Eros between Dionisos and
Apollo!” -- ssential Italian philosopher. Massimo Cacciari (n. Venezia)
è un filosofo, politico, accademico e opinionista italiano, ex sindaco di
Venezia. Di ascendenze emiliane per via paterna (il nonno Gino Cacciari,
di Medicina, si era trasferito a Venezia per dirigere i cantieri navali della
città), è figlio di Pietro, pediatra, e di una casalinga proveniente da una
famiglia di artisti. Dopo aver frequentato il Ginnasio Liceo Marco Polo
di Venezia, si è laureato in Filosofia nel 1967 all'Università degli Studi di
Padova, con una tesi sulla Critica del Giudizio di Immanuel Kant, con relatore
Dino Formaggio. Ancora studente, fu collaboratore dei professori Carlo Diano,
Sergio Bettini e Giuseppe Mazzariol. Carriera accademica Nel 1980 diviene
professore associato di Estetica presso l'Istituto di Architettura di Venezia,
dove nel 1985 diventa Professore. Nel 2002 fonda la Facoltà di Filosofia
dell'Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele a Cesano Maderno, di cui è preside
fino al 2005. È tra i fondatori di alcune riviste di filosofia politica, che
hanno segnato il dibattito dagli anni sessanta agli anni ottanta, tra cui
Angelus Novus, Contropiano, il Centauro, Laboratorio politico. Al centro
della sua riflessione filosofica si colloca la crisi della razionalità moderna,
che si è rivelata incapace di cogliere il senso ultimo del reale, abbandonando
la ricerca dei fondamenti del conoscere. La sua visione muove dal concetto di "pensiero
negativo", ravvisato nelle filosofie di Friedrich Nietzsche, di Martin
Heidegger e di Ludwig Wittgenstein, per risalire ai suoi presupposti in alcuni
aspetti della tradizione religiosa e del pensiero filosofico occidentali.
Ha pubblicato numerose opere e saggi, tra i quali meritano una particolare
attenzione: Krisis (del 1976); Pensiero negativo e razionalizzazione; (1977),
Dallo Steinhof (1980), Icone della legge (1985), L'angelo necessario (1986),
Dell'inizio (1990), Della cosa ultima (2004) vincitore del Premio Cimitile.
Hamletica, Adelphi, Milano, 2009 è il suo lavoro più recente. I volumi Icone
della legge e L'angelo necessario presentano, inoltre, alcune pagine dedicate
alla filosofia dell'icona e agli esiti del pensiero del mistico russo Pavel Aleksandrovič
Florenskij. Tra i numerosi riconoscimenti sono da ricordare la laurea
honoris causa in Architettura conferita dall'Università degli Studi di Genova
nel 2003, la laurea honoris causa in Scienze politiche conferita dall'Bucarest
nel 2007 e la laurea honoris causa in "filologia, letteratura e tradizione
classica" conferita dall'Bologna nel. Attualmente è Presidente della
fondazione Gianni Pellicani e insegna
Pensare filosofico e metafisica presso la Facoltà di Filosofia dell'Università
Vita-Salute San Raffaele di Milano, di cui è stato anche prorettore
vicario. Suo fratello Paolo è stato deputato di Rifondazione Comunista
tra il 2006 e il 2008. Carriera politica In Potere Operaio e nel PCI Da
giovane fu un politico militante e occupò con gli operai della Montedison la
stazione di Mestre. Collaborò negli anni sessanta alla rivista mensile Classe
operaia e, dopo contrasti interni tra Mario Tronti, Alberto Asor Rosa e Toni
Negri (il quale fu un incontro essenziale per la sua formazione), diresse insieme
ad Asor Rosa la rivista, definita di "materiali marxisti",
Contropiano con la quale si tentò la riunificazione del gruppo. Ma il tentativo
fallì e il gruppo veneto trasformò la rivista nel giornale Potere Operaio
"Giornale politico dagli operai di Porto Marghera" a cui Cacciari,
deluso, non aderì. In seguito entrò nel Partito Comunista Italiano, ricoprendo
cariche apparentemente lontane dai suoi interessi filosofici: responsabile
della Commissione Industria del PCI Veneto negli anni settanta, fu poi eletto
alla Camera dei deputati dal 1976 al 1983, e fu membro della Commissione
Industria della Camera. Sindaco di Venezia (1993-2000) Fu sindaco di
Venezia dal 1993 al 2000 schierato tra i principali sostenitori de I
Democratici di Romano Prodi tanto che si parlò di lui come un probabile leader
dell'Ulivo. Fin dall'inizio della sua attività politica vide nel federalismo
una tradizione da recuperare per i progressisti italiani laddove buona parte
dei dirigenti della sinistra vedevano in questa attenzione agli ideali
federalisti un freno al consenso elettorale del centro-sud. In preparazione
delle elezioni regionali del 2000, era convinto che per vincere in una regione
tradizionalmente moderata, la sinistra avrebbe dovuto agganciare una parte
dell'elettorato in fuga dalla ex DC e per questo scopo tentò di
"aprire" ad un'alleanza con la Lega Nord (poi disapprovata dal
centro-sinistra italiano), e mosse in questa direzione politica alcuni
significativi passi, ma non riuscì a convincere fino in fondo l'elettorato autonomista.
Nel 1997 fu sua la volontà di realizzare il progetto per edificare il ponte di
Calatrava, il quale ha portato continue polemiche con la Corte dei conti nel
corso degli anni. Europarlamentare e consigliere regionale veneto Alle europee
del 1999 si candida con la lista de I Democratici risultando eletto in due
circoscrizioni: lui ha optato per quella nord-occidentale. La sua
sconfitta alle Regionali del 2000, quando fu candidato per la presidenza della
regione Veneto, fece tramontare l'ipotesi che potesse diventare il futuro
leader dell'Ulivo. Cacciari ottenne in quella tornata il 38,2% dei voti,
uscendo sconfitto dal rappresentante della Casa delle Libertà Giancarlo Galan,
che ricevette il 54,9% dei consensi. In quella tornata elettorale Cacciari
ottenne un seggio da consigliere regionale: per questo si dimise, per
incompatibilità, da europarlamentare. Sindaco di Venezia (2005-) Nel 2005
annunciò l'intenzione di ricandidarsi per la seconda volta a sindaco di
Venezia. I partiti di sinistra dell'Ulivo, avevano però, già raggiunto
l'accordo per la candidatura unitaria del magistrato Felice Casson, ma Cacciari
dichiarò di non voler rinunciare alla propria candidatura, anche a costo di
spaccare l'unità della coalizione, come effettivamente avvenne, con Cacciari
sostenuto da UDEUR Popolari e La Margherita e Casson appoggiato da tutti gli
altri partiti del centrosinistra. Al primo turno delle votazioni Casson
ebbe il 37,7% dei voti, mentre Cacciari si fermò al 23,2%; sfruttando le
divisioni presenti in maniera ancora più acuta nel centrodestra a Venezia,
furono proprio i due rappresentanti del centro-sinistra ad andare al
ballottaggio. A sorpresa Cacciari, seppur sostenuto da liste più deboli, riuscì
a far leva sull'elettorato moderato e vinse la sfida con 1 341 voti di
vantaggio sul suo competitore (50,5% contro 49,5%). L'inattesa vittoria
del politico-filosofo causò malumori all'interno della coalizione (Casson
commentò il risultato esclamando: "Ha vinto Cacciari? Allora ha vinto la
destra!") e una particolare situazione nel consiglio comunale veneziano:
la Margherita, con il 13,4% di voti, ebbe diritto a ben 26 seggi, (mentre i DS,
che ottennero il 21,2%, si dovettero accontentare di 6 seggi) e l'UDEUR,
nonostante un modesto 1,4%, si accaparrò 2 seggi (a differenza di Rifondazione
Comunista che con il 6,8% si aggiudicò un solo seggio). Nel complesso,
quindi, la coalizione Cacciari, con il 14,8% dei suffragi, ebbe diritto a 28
seggi, mentre il raggruppamento di Casson, con il 41%, risultò possessore di 9
seggi. Ciò consentì a Cacciari, iscritto alla Margherita, di cui era esponente
di punta in Veneto, di poter governare la città con una solida maggioranza
consiliare. In occasione delle successive elezioni regionali del 2005,
delle elezioni politiche del 2006 e delle amministrative del 2007 Cacciari mise
in evidenza quella che egli chiamava la questione settentrionale. Il 2
novembre 2009, anche deluso dall'evoluzione del Partito Democratico, annunciò
l'abbandono della politica attiva dopo la conclusione del mandato di sindaco,
avvenuta nell'aprile. Abbastanza accesa la politica condotta dalla sua
giunta contro gli ambulanti abusivi e molto contestate furono anche le
ordinanze che, ai fini del decoro urbano, imponevano il divieto di vendere dei
cibi da asporto presso la piazza San Marco, di girare a torso nudo, di
sdraiarsi in terra ecc. Nel 2007 inoltre, con la creazione del festival di Roma
da parte dell'allora sindaco Walter Veltroni, espresse disappunto nel caso in
cui quello di Venezia ne fosse stato oscurato. Non pochi gli attriti con la
Lega Nord in vista della sua intenzione di realizzare un campo Sinti, nella
zona di Mestre. Celebre poi la campagna che favoriva l'uso dell'acqua pubblica
in contrapposizione all'acquisto di quella in bottiglia. A lui si deve il
restauro di Palazzo Grassi e di Punta della Dogana. Il 23 luglio, a
Mogliano Veneto, presentò il manifesto politico Verso Nord, un'Italia più
vicina, diretto a chi non si riconosceva né nel PD, né nel PdL e voleva una
politica per il Nord diversa da quella attuata dalla Lega. Il manifesto si è
poi trasfuso in un partito politico chiamato appunto Verso Nord, nato
ufficialmente il 12 ottobre. Pensiero Massimo Cacciari nel 1976
Nelle sue prime opere (Krisis, 1976, Pensiero negativo e razionalizzazione,
1977) Massimo Cacciari sviluppa la sua riflessione che, prendendo spunto da
Friedrich Nietzsche, Ludwig Wittgenstein e Martin Heidegger, conferma «... la
fine della razionalità classica e dialettica e l'emergere pieno, costruttivo,
rifondativo e non distruttivo [...] del "pensiero negativo".»
Dall'analisi della cultura viennese e mitteleuropea, che si forma sullo sfondo
dei grandi mutamenti del sistema capitalistico tra l'800 e il '900, Cacciari
identifica una società reazionaria incapace di aprirsi alla modernità e
improntata al nihilismo, punto d'arrivo del fallimento del pensiero dialettico
della scuola hegeliano-marxista. In quest'ambito si origina il pensiero
negativo (Negatives Denken) che ad iniziare da Schopenhauer sembra collegarsi
all'irrazionalismo ma che in realtà è la conseguenza ultima della tradizione
metafisica occidentale che pretendeva di superare ogni contraddizione e la
negatività dell'esistenza stessa tramite quella libera volontà, coerentemente
negata da Nietzsche e ancora presente invece nell'ascesi schopenhaueriana, come
strumento per la liberazione dal dolore di vivere[25]. La crisi della
metafisica occidentale è anche dimostrata dalla fiducia nella tecnica,
presuntuosa esaltazione di quella ragione che invece rivela il sostanziale
fallimento dei valori ultimi che dovrebbero guidare il progresso umano: «...la
tecnica realizza la direzione implicita della metafisica modernama nel
realizzarla ne critica e liquida anche l'idea centrale [il fondamento
originario]» che era la certezza dei valori. Da qui un'epoca caratterizzata dal
nulla dei valori e dalla fine della filosofia ormai rivolta «tutta al passato,
a prima della ratio»[26] Con l'avvento del pensiero negativo finalmente
ci si libera «da un ideale totalitario del sapere, per cui non si dipende più
da un ordine naturale, fisso ed immutabile, di cui la ragione scopre le leggi,
ma si interviene creativamente, dando ordine alle cose, in una molteplicità di
saperi».[27] Nelle sue ultime opere Cacciari intreccia la riflessione filosofica
con quella teologica quasi risalendo ad una tradizione interpretativa
platonica. Se ormai la filosofia si è specializzata e frantumata in una serie
di campi specifici che cosa vorrà dire "pensare" al suo stesso
inizio? Cacciari cerca la risposta in quella tradizione filosofico-teologica
che pone il principio, l'"inizio" nella nozione di
"Deus-Esse".[28] Fin dal libro primo della sua opera
filosofica, Dell’Inizio, Cacciari si colloca su un terreno complementare e
diametralmente opposto a quello di Emanuele Severino: se il primo evidenzia la
contingenza dell'originato, il secondo enfatizza l'unicità eterna dell'origine.
Mentre per Cacciari l’originario è inizio a-logico, che conserva sempre
inalterata la possibilità di non essere inizio di qualcosa che altro-da-sé, di
negarsi come inizio e che quindi non esista originato alcuno, secondo Severino,
invece, l’originario è la struttura logico-necessaria di significati il cui
contenuto è tutto ciò che è, tale per cui non è mai potuto esistere, non è mai esistito
e non potrà mai esistere alcun ente non originato da quell'unica totalità
iniziale. Secondo Severino, la veracità di Dio e del Destino prevale sulla Sua
onnipotenza, nel senso che è inevitabile e scontata in partenza la vittoria sul
nemico, mentre è impossibile che Egli fugga davanti ad esso, finendo con il
cadere nel nulla, il proprio contrario.[29] Citazioni «Caro C., non
possiamo proseguire la nostra via che attraverso lo straniero che ospitiamoe
che chiamiamo 'nostro' Io. Questo è il vero volto dell'altro, del prossimo
ineludibile, appiccicato a noi come un incubo! Hospes / hostis,
necessariamente. 'Assicurarcelo' è impossibile.» (Massimo Cacciari, Della
cosa ultima, Adelphi, Mi, 2004, pag. 135) «Pietà afferra il poeta —
pericolosissima pietà, sul limite estremo della misericordia inordinata.»
(Massimo Cacciari, "Della cosa ultima", Adelphi, Mi, 2004, pag.
251) Opere Introduzione di Massimo Cacciari a Georg Simmel, Saggi di
estetica, Padova, 1970 Qualificazione e composizione di classe, in Contropiano
n. 2, 1970 Ciclo chimico e lotte operaie, con S. Potenza, in Contropiano, n. 2,
1971 Dopo l'autunno caldo: ristrutturazione e analisi di classe, Marsilio,
Padova, 1973 Pensiero negativo e razionalizzazione. Problemi e funzione della
critica del sistema dialettico, 1973 Metropolis, Roma, Officina, 1973 Piano
economico e composizione di classe, Feltrinelli, 1975 Lavoro, valorizzazione,
cervello sociale, in Aut Aut, n. 145-146, Milano, 1975 Note intorno a «sull'uso
capitalistico delle macchine» di Raniero Panzieri, in Aut Aut, n. 149-150,
Milano, settembredicembre 1975 Oikos. Da Loos a Wittgenstein, con Francesco
Amendolagine, Roma, 1975 Krisis, Saggio sulla crisi del pensiero negativo da
Nietzsche a Wittgenstein, Feltrinelli, 1976 (ottava edizione nel 1983) Pensiero
negativo e razionalizzazione, Marsilio, Venezia, 1977 Il dispositivo Foucault,
Venezia, Cluva, 1977 Dialettica e critica del politico. Saggio su Hegel,
Feltrinelli, 1978 Walter Rathenau e il suo a mbiente, De Donato, 1979
Crucialità del tempo: saggi sulla concezione nietzscheana del tempo, et al,
Liguori, 1980 Dallo Steinhof, Adelphi, 1980 (nuova edizione 2005) Adolf Loos e
il suo angelo, Electa, 1981 Feuerbach contro Agostino d'Ippona, Adelphi, 1982
Il potere: saggi di filosofia sociale e politica, con G. Penzo, Roma, Città
Nuova, 1985 Icone della legge, Adelphi, Milano, 1985 (nuova edizione 2002) Zeit
ohne Kronos, Ritter Verlag, Klagenfurt, 1986 L'Angelo necessario, Adelphi,
Milano, 1986 (nuova edizione 1992) Drama y duelo, Tecnos, Madrid, 1989 Le forme
del fare, con Massimo Donà e Romano Gasparotti, Liguori, 1989 Dell'Inizio,
Adelphi, 1990 (nuova edizione nel 2001) Dran, Méridiens de la décision dans la
pensée contemporaine, Ediotions de L'Eclat, 1992 Architecture and Nihilism,
Yale University Press, 1993 Desde Nietzsche: Tiempo, Arte, Politica, Biblios,
Buenos Aires, 1994 Geofilosofia dell'Europa, Adelphi, Milano, 1994 (nuova
edizione 2003) Großstadt, Baukunst, Nihilismus, Ritter, Klagenfurt, 1995
Migranten, Merve, Berlino, 1995 Introduzione a F. Bacone, Nuova Atlantide,
Silvio Berlusconi Editore, Milano, 1995 L'Arcipelago, Adelphi, Milano, 1997
Emilio Vedova. Arbitrii luce, Catalogo della mostra, Skira, 1998 Arte,
tragedia, tecnica, con Massimo Donà, Raffaello Cortina, 2000 El Dios que baila,
Paidos, Buenos Aires, 2000 Duemilauno. Politica e futuro, Feltrinelli, Milano,
2001 Wohnen. Denken. Essays über Baukunst im Zeitalter der völligen
Mobilmachung, Ritter Verlag, Klagenfurt und Wien, 2002 Della cosa ultima,
Adelphi, Milano, 2004 La città, Pazzini, 2004 Il dolore dell'altro. Una lettura
dell'Ecuba di Euripide e del libro di Giobbe, Saletta dell'Uva, 2004 Soledad
acogedora. De Leopardi a Celan, Abada Editores, Madrid, 2004 Paraíso y
naufragio. Musil y El hombre sin atributos, Abada Editores, Madrid, 2005 Magis
Amicus Leopardi, Saletta dell'Uva, 2005 Maschere della tolleranza, Rizzoli,
Milano, 2006 Introduzione a Max Weber, La politica come professione, La scienza
come professione, Mondadori, Milano, 2006 Europa o Filosofia, Machado, Madrid, 2007
Tre icone, Adelphi, Milano, 2007 Anni decisivi, Saletta dell'Uva, Caserta, 2007
M. Cacciari-Mario Tronti, Teologia e politica al crocevia della storia, Milano,
AlboVersorio, 2007, 978-88-975-5337-3.
The Unpolitical. Essays on the Radical Critique of the Political Thought, Yale
University Press, 2009 Hamletica, Milano, Adelphi, 2009,
978-88-459-2388-3. La città, Pazzini, 2009 Il dolore dell'altro. Una
lettura dell'Ecuba di Euripide e del libro di Giobbe, Caserta, Saletta
dell'Uva,, 978-88-613-3035-1. M.
Cacciari-Piero Coda, I comandamenti. Io sono il Signore Dio tuo, Bologna, Il
Mulino,, 978-88-151-3776-0. Enzo
Bianchi-M. Cacciari, I comandamenti. Ama il prossimo tuo, Bologna, Il Mulino,, 978-88-152-3377-6. Doppio ritratto. San
Francesco in Dante e Giotto, Milano, Adelphi,,
978-88-459-2672-3. Il potere che frena, Milano, Adelphi,, 978-88-459-2765-2. Labirinto filosofico,
Milano, Adelphi,, 978-88-459-2876-5.
Filologia e filosofia, Bologna, Bononia University Press,, 978-88-692-3023-3. Re Lear. Padri, figli,
eredi, Caserta, Saletta dell'Uva,,
978-88-613-3082-5. M. Cacciari-Paolo Prodi, Occidente senza utopie,
Bologna, Il Mulino,, 978-88-152-6513-5.
M. Cacciari-Bruno Forte, Dio nei doppi pensieri. Attualità di Italo Mancini,
Brescia, Morcelliana,. Generare Dio, Bologna, Il Mulino,, 978-88-152-7368-0. La mente inquieta.
Saggio sull'Umanesimo, Torino, Einaudi,,
978-88-062-4085-1. Ha preparato anche i testi per l'opera Prometeo.
Tragedia dell'ascolto di Luigi Nono (1984-1985). Elogio del diritto
(insieme a Natalino Irti, con un saggio di Werner Wilhelm Jaeger, Milano )
Onorificenze Grand'Ufficiale dell'Ordine pro Merito Melitensi (SMOM)nastrino
per uniforme ordinariaGrand'Ufficiale dell'Ordine pro Merito Melitensi (SMOM) —
Venezia, 2 febbraio 2008[30] Laurea Honoris Causa in Architettura, conferita
dall'Università degli Studi di Genova nel 2003[31]nastrino per uniforme
ordinariaLaurea Honoris Causa in Architettura, conferita dall'Università degli
Studi di Genova nel 2003[31] Laurea Honoris Causa in Scienze politiche,
conferita dall'Università degli Studi di Bucarest nel 2007nastrino per uniforme
ordinariaLaurea Honoris Causa in Scienze politiche, conferita dall'Università
degli Studi di Bucarest nel 2007 Laurea Honoris Causa in Filologia, Letteratura
e Tradizione Classica, conferita dall'Alma Mater StudiorumBologna nel nastrino
per uniforme ordinariaLaurea Honoris Causa in Filologia, Letteratura e
Tradizione Classica, conferita dall'Alma Mater StudiorumBologna nel Premi e riconoscimenti 2005Medaglia d'oro del
Círculo de Bellas Artes di Madrid 2007Uomo per la pace International Chair
Jacques Derrida (Torino) Note
Enciclopedia Treccani alla voce coripsondente Barbara Romano,
i panni sporchi si lavano in casa MA IL CAV., sul piano del gusto, è UNA
catastrofeCONTRO VERONICA: "Se io ho qualcosa da dire a mio marito gli
scrivo privatamente""Evelina MANNA è un'amica""vengo SEMPRE
paparazzato dA qualche testa di cazzo", in Dagospia, Libero, 5 maggio
2009. 21 giugno. Camillo Langone, Cari
italiani vi invidio, Roma, Fazi,,
978-88-7625-253-2. Giorgio Dell'Arti, Biografia di Massimo
Cacciari, cinquantamila. 6 giugno
(archiviato il 19 luglio ). Città
di VeneziaSindaco, su comune.venezia.
l'8 marzo 10 febbraio ). Cacciari Massimo, Università Vita-Salute San
Raffaele. 21 giugno 1º agosto ). vedi l'intervista "La predestinazione
del male" F. Dal Bo, L'utopia
dell'angelo. Note a L'angelo necessario di M. Cacciari, in G. Bertagni (a
cura), Architetture utopiche, «arcipelago», n. 5, 2000, 114-121.
sito istituzionale della Fondazione Gianni Pellicani, su
fondazionegiannipellicani (archiviato il 10 giugno ). Corriere, 23.7.Lettera firmata da Massimo
Cacciari, su corriere. 1º aprile
(archiviato il 17 luglio ).
Dolores Negrello, A pugno chiuso. Il Partito comunista padovano dal
biennio rosso alla stagione dei movimenti, Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2000, 160 e
166-167, 88-464-2146-9. 1º maggio. Adnkronos, su www1.adnkronos.com. 25
agosto (archiviato il 25 agosto ). Progetto Italia Federale, su
progettoitaliafederale. 25 agosto
(archiviato l'8 maggio 2006).
Copia archiviata, su ilpost, 11-02-13. 16 aprile (archiviato il 17 aprile ). Cacciari: "Addio alla politica.
Sconfitti i miei progetti", in Corriere della Sera, 2 novembre 2009. 21
gennaio. Copia archiviata, su codacons,
22 maggio 99. 16 aprile (archiviato il
16 aprile ). Copia archiviata, su
pressreader.com, 4 maggio 2007. 16 aprile
(archiviato il 17 aprile ). Copia
archiviata, su Repubblica, 29 agosto 2006. 16 aprile (archiviato il 17 aprile ). Copia archiviata, su
lagazzettadelmezzogiorno, 27 dicembre 2009. 16 aprile (archiviato il 17 aprile ). Copia archiviata, su nuova Venezia.gelocal,
11 giugno 2008. 16 aprile (archiviato il
17 aprile ). Copia archiviata, su corriere,
14 maggio 2009. 16 aprile (archiviato
l'8 luglio 2009). Il manifesto
politico Archiviato l'11 maggio
in. di Verso Nord Cacciari lancia
Verso nord Ma non siamo il terzo polo, in la Repubblica, 24 luglio 13. 5
dicembre. F. Restaino, Il dibattito filosofico
in Italia (1925-1990), in N. Abbagnano, Storia della filosofia, IV, t. II, Torino 1994 p.739 F. Restaino, Op.cit. ibidem In Maurizio
Pancaldi, Mario Trombino, Maurizio Villani, Atlante della filosofia, Hoepli
editore, 2006 p.153 Giovanni Catapano,
Coincidentia Oppositorum: Appunti sul pensiero di Massimo Cacciari a cura del
Dipartimento di Filosofia, Padova Cfr.
Massimo Cacciari in EMSF, su emsf.rai. 18 aprile 24 luglio ).
Davide Grossi, La differenza tra il discorso filosofico di Severino e
quello di Cacciari, in Lo SguardoRivista di Filosofia, II, n. 15,, 166, 177,
2036-6558 (WC ACNP), 7179281251
(archiviato il 25 aprile ). Ospitato su archive.is. Dal sito web del Sovrano Militare Ordine di
Malta. Archiviato l'8 dicembre in. architettura.unige/inf/documenti03/cacciari/cacciari.htm
"facoltà di architettura di genovaLaurea Honoris Causa a Massimo
Cacciariaggiornato il 17 ottobre 2003" "La Facoltà di Architettura di
Genova, il 15 ottobre u.s., ha conferito la laurea Honoris Causa a Massimo
Cacciari. La motivazione della Facoltà sottolinea il contributo dato da
Cacciari alla cultura architettonica internazionale nel corso di oltre un
trentennio." F. Dal Bo, L'utopia
dell'angelo. Note a L'angelo necessario di M. Cacciari, in G. Bertagni (a cura),
Architetture utopiche, «arcipelago», n. 5, 2000, 114–121. L. Tussi, La confusione dialogica
Intervista con Massimo Cacciari Recensione di Geofilosofia dell'Europa, su
ItaliaLibri Recensione di Hamletica, Andrea Fiamma Recensione di Il potere che
frena, Andrea Fiamma Traduzione francese in versione integrale e gratuita di un
libro inedito in italiano: Drân. Méridiens de la décision dans la pensée
contemporaine (Drân. Meridiani della decisione nel pensiero contemporaneo) I.
Bertoletti, Massimo Cacciari. Filosofia come a-teismo, Edizioni ETS, Pisa,
2008. D. Borso, Il giovane Cacciari, Mille lire stampa alternativa, Milano
1995. G. Cantarano, Immagini del nulla. La filosofia italiana contemporanea,
Edizioni Bruno Mondadori, Milano, 1998. G. Catapano, Coincidentia oppositorum.
Appunti sul pensiero di Massimo Cacciari, «Etica & Politica», III/2 (2001)
G. Catapano, "Coincidentia oppositorum". Appunti sul pensiero di
Massimo Cacciari, in Libertà, giustizia e bene in una società plurale, C. Vigna,
Vita e Pensiero, Milano 2003, 475–495.
J. León, “Ontología de crisis: Aion y dialéctica negativa en la crítica
marxista italiana[collegamento interrotto]”, VI Congreso de la Sociedad
Académica de Filosofía: Experiencia de la crisis, crisis de la experiencia.
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, 22-24 Mayo. N. Magliulo, Cacciari e Severino.
Quaestiones disputatae, Mimesis, Milano-Udine,. N. Magliulo, La luce oscura.
Invito al pensiero di Massimo Cacciari, Saletta Dell’Uva, Caserta, 2005. N.
Magliulo, Un pensiero tragico. L’itinerario filosofico di Massimo Cacciari,
Città Del Sole, Napoli, 2000. L. Mauceri, La hybris originaria. Massimo
Cacciari ed Emanuele Severino, Orthotes Editrice, Napoli-Salerno,. Altri
progetti Collabora a Wikiquote Citazionio su Massimo Cacciari Collabora a
Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons contiene immagini o altri file su Massimo
Cacciari Massimo Cacciari, su
TreccaniEnciclopedie on line, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana. Opere di Massimo Cacciari / Massimo Cacciari
(altra versione), su openMLOL, Horizons Unlimited srl. Opere di Massimo
Cacciari,. Massimo Cacciari, su
europarl.europa.eu, Parlamento europeo.
Massimo Cacciari, su storia.camera, Camera dei deputati. Massimo Cacciari, su Openpolis, Associazione
Openpolis. Registrazioni di Massimo
Cacciari, su RadioRadicale, Radio Radicale.
Cacciari: la necessità della libertà, su RAI Filosofia, su
filosofia.rai. PredecessoreSindaco di VeneziaSuccessoreVenezia-Stemma.svg
Ugo Bergamo5 dicembre 199328 febbraio 2000Paolo CostaI Paolo Costa17 aprile
20058 aprile Giorgio OrsoniII V D M Vincitori del Premio Cesare Pavese Filosofia
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secoloFilosofi italiani del XXI secoloPolitici italiani del XX secoloPolitici
italiani del XXI secoloAccademici italiani del XX secoloAccademici italiani Professore1944
5 giugno VeneziaSindaci di VeneziaConsiglieri regionali del VenetoDeputati della
VII legislatura della Repubblica ItalianaDeputati dell'VIII legislatura della
Repubblica ItalianaDirettori di periodici italianiEuroparlamentari dell'Italia
della V legislaturaFederalistiFondatori di riviste italianeMilitanti di Potere
OperaioOpinionisti italianiPolitici de I DemocraticiPolitici della
MargheritaPolitici del Partito Comunista ItalianoPolitici del Partito
Democratico (Italia)Professori dell'Università IUAV di VeneziaStudenti
dell'Università degli Studi di Padova. Mercurio
messegero di Giove e l’umo – angelus – mercurial – Giambologna – Villa Medici
-- Umanesimo Periodo storico le cui origini sono rintracciate dopo la
metà del 14° sec., e culminato nel 15°: tale periodo si caratterizza per un più
ricco e più consapevole fiorire degli studi sulle lingue e letterature
classiche, considerate come strumento di elevazione spirituale per l’uomo, e
perciò chiamati, secondo un’espressione ciceroniana, studia humanitatis. Si
parla di u. filologico per distinguere, nel 14° e 15° sec., l’attività degli umanisti
intesa al recupero, allo studio, alla pubblicazione dei testi classici,
dall’attività di quegli stessi umanisti intesa più generalmente alla creazione
letteraria e filosofica, all’elaborazione di una nuova civiltà. Si parla poi di
u. volgare in relazione allo sbocco storico dell’U., quando, nella seconda metà
del 15° sec., gli ideali letterari di scrittura armoniosa e ornata sono
trasferiti in Italia alle opere letterarie in volgare. Con riferimento,
esplicito e implicito, all’U. quale periodo storico, il termine è usato infine
per caratterizzare ogni orientamento che riprenda il senso e i valori
affermatisi nella cultura umanistica: dall’amore per gli studi classici e per
le humanae litterae alla concezione dell’uomo e della sua ‘dignità’ quale autore
della propria storia, punto di riferimento costante e centrale della
riflessione filosofica. ADVERTISING Per l’U. rinascimentale ➔ Rinascimento. L’U. FILOLOGICO
Intorno alla metà del 14° sec., e per impulso soprattutto di F. Petrarca, gli
studi classici assunsero un carattere nuovo, il cui aspetto più appariscente fu
la ricerca, nelle biblioteche chiesastiche e poi monastiche, dei codici
antichi. Si manifestò, in pratica, l’esigenza di non contentarsi di quella
parte della letteraturalatina che era giunta sino allora per
tradizionescolastica e culturale ininterrotta, ma di recuperare anche la parte
di essa che era stata dimenticata. Si cercò, inoltre, di restituire le
testimonianze della grecità che, salvo nell’Italia meridionale, erano state
sino allora dovunque trascurate. Si accompagnò a questa ricerca lo sforzo di
sostituire alla lingua latina, più o meno profondamente corrotta durante il
Medioevo, la lingua dei classici, cioè di recuperare la latinità (in
particolare quella virgiliana e ciceroniana) anche come strumento linguistico:
il latino così diventò, proprio quando i vari volgari avevano prodotto
capolavori, la lingua letteraria per eccellenza. Nel costituire la sua ricca
biblioteca, soprattutto durante la permanenza ad Avignone, punto d’incontro di
varie correnti culturali, Petrarca esercitò un’azione decisiva nella storia
testuale dei classici, sia scoprendo nuovi testi, sia riunendo in un unico
corpo i documenti della tradizione manoscritta (come, per es., per Livio). A
Petrarca si deve la scoperta (1333) di due orazioni ciceroniane, nonché il
recupero delle epistole Ad Atticum e di un testo mutilo delle
Institutionesquintilianee; a Boccaccio le riconquiste, integrali o parziali, o
la rivalorizzazione criticadi testi di Varrone, Marziale, Apuleio, Seneca,
Ovidio, e soprattutto di Tacito. Seguì nel 1392, per opera di C. Salutati, la
riscoperta delle epistole ciceroniane Ad familiares. Estremamente fecondo fu il
primo Quattrocento: il solo P. Bracciolini scoprì, tra le molte altre, opere
come le Selve di Stazio, le Puniche di Silio Italico, il De rerum natura di
Lucrezio, altre orazioni ciceroniane ecc. Si può dire che tutto o quasi il
patrimonio attuale di autori latini è stato scoperto o rimesso in circolazione
nel Quattrocento; dopo, solo sporadicamente sono stati recuperati nuovi testi,
sino alla fase di scoperte umanistiche greche determinata dalla
papirologia. Anche l’U. greco, almeno come desiderio di avvicinarsi alla
grecità, se non come effettivo possesso della lingua, comincia da Petrarca e da
Boccaccio, il quale ultimo ospitò a Firenze (1360-62) il calabrese Leonzio
Pilato e lo fece nominare lettore di greco allo Studio: da lui i due amici
ebbero facilmente la traduzionelatina dei poemi omerici, dalla quale gli studi
greci in Occidente hanno il loro effettivo inizio. Poco dopo (1397) M.
Crisolora cominciò a Firenze il suo insegnamento più tecnicamente umanistico,
finché, come conseguenza anche dell’afflusso di eruditi greci (G.G. Pletone, il
Bessarione) in occasione del Concilio di Ferrara-Firenze (1438-39) e per
effetto della caduta di Costantinopoli in mano ai Turchi (1453: G. Argiropulo,
D. Calcondila, C. Lascaris), l’U. greco raggiunse la sua piena fioritura.
Intanto, gli umanisti affinavano il loro latino, creando ex novo una grammatica
e una stilisticadella lingua (Elegantiae latinae linguae di L. Valla, 1444), e
sviluppavano la grande filologiaumanistica della quale era già stato iniziatore
Petrarca. I testi da sempre conosciuti e quelli ora ritrovati erano corretti,
interpretati, commentati dal punto di vista linguistico, storico, archeologico;
s’instaurava così, al posto della semplice ricezione medievale, una lettura
critica ad alto livello, nella quale consiste la più importante novità
dell’Umanesimo. In Italia, la ricerca erudita sull’antichità continuò nel
primo Cinquecento, ma con minore libertà e inventività critica, mentre si
sviluppavano le raccolte archeologico-antiquarie; la grande filologia riprese
nel secondo Cinquecento (P. Vettori, P. Manuzio, F. Orsini, O. Panvinio, C.
Sigonio). Alla fine del secolo, il primato filologico passò a Francesi,
Olandesi (Giusto Lipsio), Tedeschi, Inglesi; ma ormai si trattava di attività
filologica nel senso moderno, che escludeva cioè quei fini di costruzione
integrale dell’uomo, che furono propri dell’Umanesimo. Nel campo del
diritto, l’intensificazione degli studi filologici contribuì a una completa
riscoperta delle fonti di diritto romano, che portò in primis alla messa in
discussione del Digesto risultante dalla Vulgata. I maggiori esponenti di
questa corrente furono il francese G. Budé, il tedesco A. Zasius e l’italiano
A. Alciato. Soprattutto la scuola francese è permeata dall’U., con lo sviluppo
della scuola culta e l’affermarsi del mos gallicus iura docendi (➔ culti, scuola dei). L’U. VOLGARE
Essendo l’educazione dell’uomo la meta finale dell’U., era naturale che presto
o tardi, svanita l’antistorica speranza di una resurrezione pura e semplice
della lingua latina, ci si accorgesse che essa non poteva essere raggiunta se
non attraverso l’adozione della lingua da tutti parlata; era naturale dunque
che l’U. latino volgesse verso l’U. volgare. Ciò avvenne in Italia nella
seconda metà del Quattrocento. Ma occorreva che l’uso del volgare fosse
sottratto all’arbitrio di ogni scrivente e sottoposto a regole fisse. Questa
gara, a cui già Dante accenna ma non senza contraddizioni, diventa aperta e
consapevole in Petrarca e in Boccaccio, i quali intesero realizzare in volgare
opere in tutto degne dell’antico; giunse poi a piena maturazione nel secondo
Quattrocento, accompagnando o causando il risorgere della poesia (A. Poliziano,
M.M. Boiardo, I. Sannazzaro); ricevette infine nel primo Cinquecento da P.
Bembo la sua sistemazione nella teoria e nel concreto campo grammaticale e
stilistico. SCRITTURA UMANISTICA Scrittura usata nei manoscritti del 15°
sec., dopo la riforma scrittoria promossa dagli umanisti italiani.
L’ammirazione per la scrittura chiara e sobria degli antichi manoscritti (per
lo più dei sec. 9°-12°, in minuscola carolina) indusse a riportare in uso la
littera antiqua, ritenuta la scrittura antica dei Romani, a riprodurre cioè
l’alfabeto rotondo e aggraziato della carolina. Già con Petrarca ebbe inizio il
movimento di reazione contro la scrittura gotica dominante; con Boccaccio la riforma
si affermò più chiaramente e con N. Niccoli e P. Bracciolini la scrittura
umanistica raggiunse il suo pieno sviluppo. Essa sorse a Firenze, diffondendosi
poi negli altri centri di cultura italiani. Di solito i manoscritti umanistici
si riconoscono per l’uso frequente della s di tipo maiuscolo, la gsempre
chiusa, la t con l’asta oltrepassante la sbarra, la i con il puntino e altri
caratteri, oltre che per la fattura accurata del codice, la bianchezza della
pergamena e le miniature. Accanto all’umanistica libraria o rotonda si ebbe una
forma corsiva (usata prevalentemente nei documenti) che rappresenta la
trasformazione della gotica corsiva sotto l’influenza della rotonda.Massimo Cacciari. Keywords: umanesimo italiano,
‘l’angelo necessario’ – l’angelo e il paisano -- the angel and the paysan –
‘Who art thou?’ ‘I am the necessary angel of the earth’, illuministi italiani –
implicatura laberintica, Alighieri, umanesimo, implicatura dell’angelo e il
contadino. Refs.: Luigi Speranza, "Grice e Cacciari," per Il Club
Anglo-Italiano, The Swimming-Pool Library, Villa Grice, Liguria, Italia.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51687742577/in/photolist-2mTcXro-2mSyCEz-2mSrk4f-2mSg7gF-2mQ8kJS-2mN8ym7-2mMQbzj-2mLQdrQ-2mLPa8B-2mLQxu7-2mPpVqK-2mKGXJq-2mKAuZM-2mKtc6t-2mKjS3C-2mKbkhx
Grice e Cacciatore – napoleone in nudita
eroica -- gl’eroi di Vico – filosofia italica – filosofia italiana – Luigi
Speranza (Salerno). Grice: “Cacciatore is a good one; my favourite are
three: his ‘dallo storicismo allo storicismo,’ and his ‘metafisica
dell’espressione’ – I never knew it had one! – and ‘la lancia di Odino,’ a
Wagnerian study of Dilthey, his specialty! Speranza, on the other hand, and
naturally, prefers Cacciatore’s ‘dialogo con Vico’.” Grice: “Cacciatore
co-philosophised, like I with Strawson, and called the thing, genially, ‘a
four-hand piece’! Giuseppe Cacciatore (Salerno), filosofo. Laureatosi in
Filosofia presso l'Università degli studi di Roma"La Sapienza" nel
1968, ha collaborato nei primi anni settanta in qualità di assistente con
Fulvio Tessitore nell'Salerno, dove ha anche avviato la sua carriera
accademica. Dal 1981 è Ordinario di Storia della Filosofia presso la Facoltà di
Filosofia dell'Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, di cui tra il 1990
e il 1995 è stato anche Presidente del Corso di Laurea. Nel 1995, inoltre,
diventa direttore del Centro di Studi Vichiani del CNR di Napoli. Dal 2001 al
2007 è stato direttore del dipartimento di filosofia "Antonio Aliotta"
dell'Università federiciana. Ha tenuto numerose conferenze presso le
Barcellona, Berlino, (Freie Universität Berlin e Humboldt Universität), Bochum,
Brema, Brno, Bruxelles, Düsseldorf, Essen, Graz, Halle, Lipsia, Maracaibo,
Monaco di iera, Parigi, Potsdam, Valencia, Varsavia, Città del Messico (UNAM e
UIC). È vicepresidente del CdA e membro del comitato scientifico dell'Istituto
di Studi Latinoamericani (ISLA) di Pagani, del quale è diventato direttore a
partire dal 2007. Nel 2007 è stato nominato socio corrispondente dell'Accademia
nazionale dei Lincei. Dal è presidente
della Società Salernitana di Storia Patria Nel
è stato insignito del premio nazionale “Frascati Filosofia”. È stato
Presidente della Società Italiana degli storici della filosofia dal al. È dal
coordinatore del dottorato di ricerca in Scienze filosofiche dell'Napoli
“Federico II”. A partire dal è stato
nominato rappresentante dell'Napoli “Federico II” nel comitato
tecnico-scientifico del Consorzio universitario Civiltà del
Mediterraneo. Altre opere:
“Splicare, comprendere” (Istituto di Filosofia, Salerno);
“Splicare/comprendere” (Napoli, Guida); “Ragione
e speranza” (Bari, Dedalo); “La sinistra socialista nel dopoguerra, pref. di F.
De Martino, Bari, Dedalo); “Vita e forme della scienza storica. Saggi sulla
storiografia – splicare, comprendere” (Napoli, Morano); “Storicismo
problematico e metodo critico, Napoli, Guida); “La lancia di Odino:
splicare/comprendere” (Milano, Guerini e associate); “La Quercia di Goethe.
Note di viaggio dalla Germania, Soveria Mannelli (CZ), Rubbettino); “Goethe in
Italia” –“La quercia di Goethe”, L'etica dello storicismo, Lecce, Milella);
“Vico: metafisica, poesia e storia -- Akademie Verlag, Berlino); “Bruno” (Edizioni Marte, Salerno); “Cassirer
interprete di Kant e altri saggi, Siciliano Editore, Messina); “Il pratico e il
civile civile in Croce” Rubbettino, Soveria Mannelli (CZ); Labriola in un altro
secolo. Saggi, Rubbettino, Soveria Mannelli (CZ); “Saperi umani e consulenza
filosofica, Meltemi Editore, Roma); “Vico: L'infinito nella storia” (Edizioni
scientifiche italiane, Napoli); “Interculturalità, Tra etica e politica (in
coll. con G. D'ANNA), Carocci, Roma,. Interculturalità. Religione e teologia
politica (in coll. con R. DIANA), Guida, Napoli, A quattro mani. Saggi di filosofia e storia
della filosofia (in coll. con G. CANTILLO), M. Martirano Edizioni Marte,
Salerno); Problemi di filosofia della storia nell'età di Kant e di Hegel.
Filologia, critica, storia civile” (Aracne, Roma); “Mente, Corpo, Filosofia
pratica, Interculturalità, Mimesis, Milano-Udine); “Dimensioni filosofiche e
storiche dell'interculturalità, Mimesis, Milano); “Dallo storicismo allo
storicismo, Introduzione di F. Tessitore, G. Ciriello, G. D'Anna, A. Giugliano,
ETS, Pisa); In dialogo con Vico. Ricerche, note, discussioni, M. Sanna, R.
Diana e A. Mascolo, Edizioni di Storia e Letteratura, Roma. GIUSEPPE CACCIATORE
BIBLIOGRAFIA DEGLI SCRITTI (1969-2020) A CURA DI ARMANDO MASCOLO @2020
Francesco D’Amato editore è un marchio editoriale della società Infolio srls
con sede in Sant’Egidio del Monte Albino (Salerno) alla via Alfonso Albanese,
26 www.damatoeditore.it info@damatoeditore.it ISBN 978-88-5525-011-5 Prima
edizione: 2 dicembre 2020 Tutti i diritti sono riservati Immagine di copertina Giuseppe
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Scorrere i titoli di una bibliografia significa ripercorrere quella che Umberto
Eco ha efficacemente definito come la «memoria vegetale»1, ovvero il lento e
graduale dispiegarsi delle idee e delle riflessioni consegnate per sempre alla
scrittura e che hanno scandito le diverse tappe del cammino intellettuale del
suo autore. Quando ci poniamo di fronte ad uno scritto, in effetti, cerchiamo
di scorgere la persona che si cela dietro di esso, il suo modo individuale di
vedere le cose. «Non cerchiamo solo di decifrare, ma cerchiamo anche di
interpretare un pensiero, un’intenzione»2. La lettura diviene in tal senso un
dialogo silente con l’autore che ci consente di riannodare i fili che intessono
la trama della sua personale visione del mondo. Accade così che nello sfogliare
la corposa Bibliografia degli scritti di Giuseppe Cacciatore emergano, pagina
dopo pagina, i tratti salienti che ne delineano il profilo di uomo e,
soprattutto, di intellettuale, e che ci si renda conto di come una bibliografia
non sia altro che la narrazione fedele di una biografia, ovvero di una vita
consacrata alla scrittura. Prefazione Armando Mascolo I libri si fanno solo per
legarsi agli uomini al di là del nostro breve respiro e difendersi così
dall’inesorabile avversario di ogni vita: la caducità e l’oblio. Stefan Zweig,
Mendel dei libri 1 Cfr. U. Eco, La memoria vegetale e altri scritti di
bibliofilia, Milano, Bompiani, 2011, pp. 7-26. 2 Ivi, p. 13. 8 È un’impresa
quanto mai ardua poter restituire la complessità e la ricchezza che
caratterizzano l’intero corpus dell’opera di Cacciatore, vale a dire di uno
studioso che nell’arco di più di cinquant’anni di attività (il suo primo
articolo risale infatti al 1969) ha saputo spaziare tra gli autori e le
correnti filosofiche più diverse, tenendo sempre fermo, quale asse teoretico
portante delle sue ricerche, lo studio storiografico e storico-filosofico dello
storicismo. Tale linea d’indagine si è andata via via articolando, nel corso
del tempo, attraverso differenti plessi tematici, autori e aree geografiche. In
ambito tedesco, ad esempio, Cacciatore ha saputo confrontarsi, tra gli altri, con
il pensiero di Kant, Marx, Dilthey, Bloch, Humboldt, Droysen, Troeltsch,
Rickert e Cassirer, mentre nel panorama della storia del pensiero filosofico
italiano ha offerto importanti studi su Vico, Labriola, Gramsci, Gentile,
Croce, Capograssi e Piovani, per citarne solo alcuni. I suoi principali
interessi di ricerca abbracciano una considerevole messe di questioni legate ai
temi della storia, dell’immaginazione, del rapporto tra poesia e filosofia,
dell’azione individuale e della sua dimensione etico-politica. In questa vasta
ed eterogenea costellazione di studi e di interessi, un posto di tutto rispetto
occupa ormai da tempo la filosofia di lingua spagnola quale ulteriore fonte che
ha alimentato il peculiare storicismo “critico-problematico” espresso da Cacciatore3.
Questi ha il merito di aver dato, a partire dai primi anni ’80 del secolo
scorso, un decisivo impulso allo studio, all’approfondimento e alla diffusione
della filosofia spagnola e ispanoamericana in Italia. Il suo primo lavoro su
una delle figure simbolo del pensiero ispanico, Ortega y Gasset, risale infatti
al 1983, anno in cui si celebrò il centenario della nascita del filosofo
madrileno. Da allora, Cacciatore ha fornito alla comunità scientifica
importanti contributi su alcune delle mas3 Per una puntuale ricognizione
dell’itinerario filosofico di Cacciatore, si veda il recente contributo di L.
Anzalone, Lo storicismo etico-politico e la comunità democratico-interculturale
di Giuseppe Cacciatore, in «Logos. Rivista di Filosofia», n.s., n. 14, 2019,
pp. 173-192. 9 sime espressioni del pensiero iberico e iberoamericano quali
Alonso Briceño, Andrés Bello, María Zambrano, José Gaos, Xavier Zubiri, Eduardo
Nicol, Leopoldo Zea, Octavio Paz. Da alcuni anni, infine, Cacciatore dedica
buona parte del suo impegno scientifico allo studio dei problemi filosofici
inerenti all’interculturalità e alle categorie filosofiche in essi implicati
come quelle di identità, riconoscimento, universalismo, cittadinanza, laicità,
democrazia, diritti umani, intersoggettività e senso comune. Dagli scritti di
Cacciatore emergono con forza alcune idee portanti che da sempre hanno sorretto
e indirizzato la sua attività di studioso. Voglio soffermarmi su due di esse in
particolare, in quanto espressione, a mio avviso, di un’opzione teorica e
metodologica ben precisa. La prima riguarda il modo di concepire la storia
della filosofia, intesa quale diramazione di una più vasta e articolata storia
della cultura, prospettiva che lascia trasparire una profonda sintonia di
Cacciatore con il pensiero orteghiano. Nel denso saggio introduttivo
all’edizione argentina della Storia della filosofia di Émile Bréhier4, Ortega y
Gasset delinea i tratti più significativi di quella che definisce una «nuova
filologia», il cui principio fondamentale si radica su una concezione
“vitalista” e “funzionalista” dell’idea secondo la quale quest’ultima risulta
essere sempre una «reazione di un uomo ad una determinata situazione della sua
vita», vale a dire, «un’azione che l’uomo realizza in vista di una determinata
circostanza e con una precisa finalità»5. Secondo il filosofo spagnolo, 4 Cfr.
É. Bréhier, Historia de la filosofía, 2 tt., ed. a cargo de D. Náñez, prólogo
de J. Ortega y Gasset, Buenos Aires, Editorial Sudamericana, 1942. L’originaria
edizione francese della monumentale opera di Bréhier era stata pubblicata – in
due tomi divisi in sette volumi – tra il 1926 e il 1932 per conto dell’editore
Félix Alcan di Parigi. 5 J. Ortega y Gasset, Prólogo a “Historia de la
filosofía”, de Émile Bréhier (Ideas para una historia de la filosofía), in Id.,
Obras completas, 10 voll., Madrid, Taurus, 2004-2010, vol. VI, p. 147; trad.
it. La “Storia della filosofia” di Émile Bréhier (Idee per una storia della
filosofia), in J. Ortega y Gasset, Idee per una storia della filosofia, a cura
di A. Savignano, Firenze, Sansoni, 1983, p. 84. 10 dunque, non esistono “idee
eterne”, in quanto «ogni idea è ascritta irrimediabilmente alla situazione o
circostanza di fronte alla quale rappresenta un compito attivo ed esercita una
funzione»6. In questa prospettiva, la filosofia è da intendersi, pertanto, come
«un sistema di azioni viventi»7 – un sistema di “idee” appunto – di cui non è
possibile fare storia prescindendo dal luogo e dal tempo particolari che lo
hanno generato. Un’effettiva storia della filosofia – conclude Ortega – non
può, di conseguenza, ridursi a mera e astratta esposizione cronologica delle
“dottrine filosofiche”, ma dovrebbe esser capace di «eliminare la presunta
esistenza disumanizzata attraverso cui ci presenta le dottrine e tornare ad
immergerle nel dinamismo della vita umana, mostrandocene in essa il
funzionamento teleologico»8. Da questo punto di vista, il personale “saggismo
filosofico” di cui Cacciatore ha dato prova durante l’intero dispiegarsi della
sua parabola intellettuale sembra informarsi perfettamente al principio
ispiratore della «nuova filologia» enunciato da Ortega, principio che presiede
alla sua peculiare concezione della filosofia intesa come un’attività
assolutamente universale, ma al contempo segnata da forti particolarismi
nazionali e culturali, da quelli che Alain Badiou ha definito come «momenti
della filosofia»9, nello spazio e nel tempo. La filosofia, insomma, non è altro
che «un’ambizione universale della ragione che si manifesta […] in momenti del
tutto singolari»10. Il secondo aspetto che emerge dalla maggioranza degli
scritti di Cacciatore consiste nella rilevanza che questi ha 6 Ivi, pp.
147-148; trad. it. cit., p. 84. 7 Ivi, p. 148; trad. it. cit., p. 85. 8 Ivi, p.
149; trad. it. cit., p. 86. 9 A. Badiou, Panorama de la filosofía francesa
contemporánea, in M. Abensour (a cura di), Voces de la filosofía francesa
contemporánea, Buenos Aires, Colihue, 2005, p. 73. Si veda ora la mia
traduzione italiana, preceduta da un’introduzione intitolata Alain Badiou e
l’avventura filosofica francese, apparsa in «Archivio di storia della cultura»,
XXI, 2008, pp. 421-442. 10 Ibidem. 11 da sempre assegnato alla dimensione
etico-pratica della filosofia, vale a dire alla sua intrinseca vocazione
civile. Come ha osservato Giuseppe Antonio Di Marco, «la ricerca complessiva di
Cacciatore […] presuppone una concezione e una pratica della filosofia a
partire da un suo orizzonte storico. Ciò implica mettere in rapporto reciproco
la filosofia e la vita concreta degli uomini, intesa come “vita civile”»11. In
una recente intervista rilasciata ad un noto quotidiano nazionale12, Cacciatore
chiarisce la sua peculiare visione della filosofia e del ruolo che ad essa
attribuisce nella società di oggi in questi termini: «La filosofia alla quale
da sempre mi sono ispirato – dichiara Cacciatore – ha un profilo
fondamentalmente storico (lo storicismo critico-problematico) ed
etico-politico. […] Sono convinto che il destino stesso della filosofia, quella
filosofia che aiuta l’uomo da sempre a meravigliarsi e interrogarsi senza
affidarsi a disegni metafisici e a fondazionalismi ontologici, è nella sua
declinazione etica». Una filosofia, insomma, «che si presenta non come fede o
dogma (razionalistico o materialistico che sia, poco importa) ma come
“credenza”, come complesso articolato e plurale di forme di pensiero e di modi
di vivere il mondo». E conclude: «La scelta di vita che impone la filosofia è
molto semplice e non comporta sacrifici o difficoltà, ma solo l’educazione
quotidiana alla critica, al giudizio mai assoluto e sempre rivedibile sulle
cose e sugli uomini, sulla storia passata, presente e futura, sulla vita e
sulle scelte della comunità e della società». Sulla scorta di queste
considerazioni, non sorpende constatare come gli autori con i quali Cacciatore
ha saputo misurarsi nel corso della sua attività di studioso siano tutti
indistintamente animati da una stessa passione filosofica e civile, rivelando
così la precisa «intenzionalità etica» che 11 Cfr. G.A. Di Marco, Introduzione,
in G. Cacciatore, Sulla filosofia spagnola, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2013, p. 11. 12
Cfr. Meraviglia, arma del pensiero, intervista a cura di F. Palazzi, in «Il
Roma», 2 agosto 2013, p. 11. 12 attraversa la sua intera produzione scritta. La
bibliografia di Cacciatore, in definitiva, è la chiara testimonianza, come ha
ben messo in luce Fulvio Tessitore, di una costante «operosità scientifica»,
nonché di un solido «impegno civile» capace di coniugare fruttuosamente scienza
e vita13, nel pieno convincimento di voler consacrare la propria professione
intellettuale all’esercizio «etico» del pensiero, facendo dell’«educazione
quotidiana alla critica» il proprio inconfondibile stile di vita. * * * La
presente Bibliografia vuole essere un omaggio al Prof. Giuseppe Cacciatore e al
suo magistero in occasione del suo settantacinquesimo compleanno. Desidero
rivolgere un sentito ringraziamento al Prof. Fabrizio Lomonaco per i preziosi
consigli che mi ha fornito nella fase di allestimento del volume. Un
ringraziamento particolare, infine, va alla Dott.ssa Lorena Grigoletto per il
suo fondamentale aiuto nel lavoro di sistemazione e di uniformazione del
materiale bibliografico qui raccolto. Portici, 21 novembre 2020 13 Cfr. F.
Tessitore, Presentazione, in G. Cacciatore, Sulla filosofia spagnola, cit., p.
9. 13 Giuseppe Cacciatore si laurea nel 1968 presso la Facoltà di Lettere e
Filosofia dell’Università La Sapienza di Roma con una Tesi sul pensiero di
Dilthey sotto la direzione dei Proff. Gabriele Giannantoni e Gaetano Calabrò.
Viene nominato, nello stesso anno, addetto alle esercitazioni presso la
cattedra di Storia delle dottrine politiche della Facoltà di Magistero
dell’Università di Salerno, tenuta allora da Fulvio Tessitore. Nel 1969 ottiene
una borsa di studio presso l’Istituto italiano per gli studi storici “Benedetto
Croce” di Napoli. Segue, nel frattempo, il magistero di Pietro Piovani,
frequentando e collaborando ai seminari di Filosofia morale presso la Facoltà
di Lettere e Filosofia dell’Università di Napoli Federico II. Nel 1970 viene
nominato, a seguito di concorso, assistente ordinario di Storia della filosofia
presso l’Università di Salerno. Dal 1972 al 1976 è stato professore incaricato,
prima di Filosofia della politica e, poi, di Storia delle dottrine politiche
presso la Facoltà di Giurisprudenza dell’Università di Salerno. Dal 1977 al
1980 ha insegnato Storia della filosofia, in qualità di docente incaricato
stabilizzato, presso la Facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia della medesima
università. Nel 1979 vince il concorso a cattedra e a decorrere dal 1981 è
chiamato a ricoprire, come professore straordinario, l’insegnamento di Storia
della filosofia presso la Facoltà di Profilo Accademico 14 Lettere e Filosofia
dell’Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, conseguendo successivamente,
nel 1984, la nomina a professore ordinario. Ha al suo attivo numerosi volumi e
pubblicazioni che si possono raggruppare intorno ad alcune specifiche aree
tematiche: a) ricerche sullo storicismo tedesco contemporaneo e sulla filosofia
tedesca otto-novecentesca, con libri e saggi su Dilthey, Humboldt, Droysen,
Troeltsch, Cassirer, Rickert, Groethuysen; b) ricerche sulla filosofia italiana
moderna e contemporanea, con libri e saggi su Vico, Cuoco, Ferrari, Colecchi,
De Meis, Imbriani, Croce, sul neoidealismo, sull’esistenzialismo italiano, su
Giuseppe Capograssi e Pietro Piovani; c) ricerche sul marxismo contemporaneo,
con volumi e saggi su Bloch, Lukacs, Labriola, Gramsci, sulla sinistra
socialista e meridionalista del secondo dopoguerra; d) ricerche di teoria e
storia della storiografia, con saggi sulla storiografia tedesca dell’Ottocento,
su Droysen, Lamprecht, sulla Neue Sozialgeschichte, su Villari e la
storiografia positivistica, sulla storiografia italiana del dopoguerra; e) ricerche
sui nessi, storici e sistematici, tra alcuni motivi dell’etica e della
filosofia pratica contemporanee e la tradizione dello storicismo, con saggi su
Vico, Croce, e sulla generale relazione tra Historismus e filosofa della
storia; f) ricerche e studi sulla filosofia e sulla cultura spagnola e
latinoamericana contemporanea con saggi su Ortega, Nicol, Gaos, Zambrano, Zea,
Zubiri, sulla filosofia dei diritti umani, sugli sviluppi della democrazia nel
continente latinoamericano; g) ricerche e studi sulla filosofia
dell’interculturalità nei suoi aspetti etici, ermeneutici, politico-filosofici
ed epistemologici. Ha edito e tradotto testi di Dilthey, di Riedel, di Otto e
si è distinto per aver organizzato diversi convegni internazionali su alcune
figure fondamentali della storia del pensiero filosofico quali Dilthey, Marx,
Vico, Abbagnano, Cassirer, Spengler, Ortega y Gasset, Labriola e Croce. 15 Ha
collaborato e collabora con numerose riviste scientifiche tra cui «Il Pensiero
politico», «Critica marxista», «Criterio», «Rinascita», «Giornale critico della
Filosofia italiana», «Studi storici», «Paradigmi», «Prospettive Settanta»,
«Iride», «L’Acropoli», «Rivista di Storia della filosofia», nonché, in qualità
di giornalista pubblicista, con diverse testate giornalistiche tra cui «Il
Mattino», «Il Giornale di Napoli», «La Città», «Corriere del Mezzogiorno»,
«Roma». È membro del Comitato direttivo del «Bollettino del Centro di studi
vichiani» e fa parte del comitato scientifico di svariate riviste specializzate
come «Discorsi», «Prospettive Settanta», «Studi critici», «Archivio di storia
della cultura», «Geschichte und Gegenwart», «Diritto e Cultura», «Revista de
Hispanismo filosófico». Ha diretto con Fulvio Tessitore la collana “Cultura e
Storia” dell’editore Morano di Napoli. Dirige, sempre con Tessitore, la nuova
serie della collana “Studi Vichiani” presso l’editore Guida di Napoli, la
collana “La cultura storica” dell’editore Liguori di Napoli e la collana
“Istorica” dell’editore Rubbettino di Soveria Mannelli. Presso il medesimo
editore dirige, in collaborazione con Edoardo Massimilla, la collana
“Riscontri”. Con Giuseppe Cantillo e con il compianto collega Antonello
Giugliano ha diretto la collana “Parole chiave della filosofia” dell’editore
Guida di Napoli. Dirige, con Armando Mascolo, la collana di testi della cultura
spagnola e ispanoamericana “Parva Hispanica” dell’editore Rubbettino. È
condirettore, con Antonio Scocozza, di «Cultura Latinoamericana», rivista della
Maestría in Scienza politica dell’Università Cattolica della Colombia e
dell’Università di Salerno. Ha fondato e dirige, con Armando Savignano, Luis de
Llera e Antonio Scocozza, la rivista di studi di filosofia iberica e
iberoamericana «Rocinante». Ha inoltre fondato, con Fabrizio Lomonaco e
Antonello Giugliano, «Logos. Rivista di Filosofia», di cui è attualmente
codirettore. Dal 1986 è socio nazionale dell’Accademia di Scienze Morali e
Politiche della Società nazionale di Scienze Let- 16 tere e Arti in Napoli. È
altresì socio ordinario residente dell’Accademia Pontaniana di Napoli. È stato
membro del Consiglio di amministrazione della “Fondazione Pietro Piovani per
gli studi vichiani” e del Consiglio di amministrazione della “Fondazione
Filiberto e Bianca Menna”. Dal 1990 al 1995 è stato presidente del corso di
Laurea in Filosofia della Facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia dell’Università
Federico II di Napoli. Nel 1994 ha assunto la direzione del “Centro di studi
vichiani” del CNR di Napoli, che ha mantenuto sino al 2002. È stato Visiting
Professor presso numerose Università straniere tra cui l’Universidad Central de
Venezuela (1982), l’Università di Monaco di Baviera (1984) e l’Università di
Halle-Wittenberg (1998). Oltre a partecipare a numerosi convegni, ha tenuto
corsi, conferenze e seminari presso l’Università di Barcellona, Berlino (FU e
“Humboldt”), Düsseldorf, Halle, L’Avana, Maracaibo, UNERMB (Cabimas,
Venezuela), Carabobo (Valencia, Venezuela), München, Münster, Neuquén
(Argentina), Potsdam, Valencia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México,
Universidad Católica de Bogotá. È stato dal 1993 al 1997 delegato del Rettore
dell’Università Federico II di Napoli per i rapporti internazionali. Fa parte,
dal novembre del 2001, della Commissione scientifica del “Centro
Interuniversitario di Ricerca bioetica”. Dal 2001 al 2007 è stato Direttore del
Dipartimento di Filosofia “A. Aliotta” dell’Università Federico II di Napoli.
Dal 1993 al 2010 è stato Presidente della giuria del Premio internazionale di
saggistica “Salvatore Valitutti” e, nel 1999, è stato insignito del Premio
internazionale “Guido Dorso”. È stato membro della Giunta esecutiva del
Comitato nazionale per le celebrazioni di Giordano Bruno nel IV centenario
della morte. Dal maggio 2002 è ricercatore associato presso l’Istituto per la
storia del pensiero filosofico e scientifico (ISPF) del CNR di Napoli. È stato
membro del collegio del Dottorato di ricerca in “Culture dei paesi di lingue
iberiche e iberoamericane” dell’Università “L’Orienta- 17 le” di Napoli, nonché
coordinatore del Dottorato di ricerca in “Geopolitica e culture del
Mediterraneo” presso l’Istituto italiano di Scienze umane (SUM) e del Dottorato
di ricerca in “Cultura, Storia e Architettura del Mediterraneo” della Scuola di
alta formazione dell’Università Federico II di Napoli. Nel 2012 ha ricevuto la
nomina a Profesor Titular presso la Universidad Católica de Bogotá (Colombia).
A partire dal 2007 è diventato socio corrispondente dell’Accademia Nazionale
dei Lincei. Nello stesso anno è diventato Direttore dell’Istituto di Studi
Latinoamericani, carica che ha mantenuto sino al 2009. È stato coordinatore di
due progetti di ricerca di interesse nazionale (2007 e 2009). Nel corso del
2011 gli è stato assegnato il Premio Perrotta per il Giornalismo a Salerno e il
Premio Internazionale di Filosofia Karl Otto Apel a Cosenza, e nel 2013 è stato
insignito del Premio nazionale “Frascati Filosofia”. Nello stesso anno è stato
nominato Presidente della “Società Salernitana di Storia Patria”, incarico che,
dal 2010 al 2014, ha ricoperto anche per la “Società Italiana degli Storici
della Filosofia”. Dal 2014 al pensionamento ha coordinato il Dottorato di
ricerca in “Scienze filosofiche” dell’Università di Napoli Federico II e,
nell’anno successivo, è stato nominato rappresentante della medesima università
nel Comitato tecnico-scientifico del Consorzio universitario “Civiltà del
Mediterraneo”. Nel 2015 gli è stata conferita la laurea magistrale honoris
causa in Scienze Pedagogiche presso l’Università di Salerno. È stato membro del
Consiglio di Indirizzo della “Fondazione Ravello” e altresì componente del
Consiglio di Indirizzo della “Fondazione Pietro Piovani per gli studi
vichiani”. Nel 2017 è stato nominato Professore Emerito di Storia della
Filosofia presso l’Università di Napoli Federico II e, per il biennio 2017-2019,
Presidente della Classe di Scienze Morali dell’Accademia Pontaniana di Napoli.
Nel 2019, infine, è stato eletto Socio nazionale dell’Accademia dei Lincei. 19
Legenda: A = Volumi, Opuscoli, Curatele B = Saggi e articoli C = Recensioni D =
Schede E = Edizioni F = Introduzioni, Prefazioni, Premesse G = Articoli
giornalistici 1969 B) 1 – Il momento della “prassi” nello storicismo di
Dilthey, in «Rivista di studi salernitani», 1969, n. 4, pp. 423-461. * * * 1970
B) 2 – Il tricentenario vichiano del 1968, in «Atti della Accademia Pontaniana»
di Napoli, n.s., vol. XIX, 1970 [pp. 20 dell’estratto]. 3 – Hegel in Italia e
in italiano, in F. Tessitore (a cura di), Incidenza di Hegel: studi raccolti in
occasione del secondo centenario della nascita del filosofo, Napoli, Morano,
1970, pp. 1057-1129. Bibliografia degli scritti (1969-2020) 20 C) 4 –
Recensione di D. Ulle, N. Motroshilova, È rivoluzionaria la dottrina di
Marcuse?, in «Rivista di studi salernitani», n.s, III, 1970, 5, pp. 471-481. 5
– Recensione di K. Korsch, Karl Marx, in «Il Pensiero politico», III, 1970, n.
l, pp. 146-148. 6 – Recensione di L. Althusser, Lenin e la filosofia, in «Il
Pensiero politico», III, 1970, n. l, pp. 156-157. * * * 1971 B) 7 – Scuola
storica e diritto naturale in Dilthey, in «Il Pensiero», XVI, 1971, nn. 2-3,
pp. 220-239. 8 – Un discorso raro di Angelo Camillo De Meis, in «Il Pensiero
politico», IV, 1971, n. 3, pp. 393-419. * * * 1972 A) 9 – Wilhelm Dilthey e il
metodo delle scienze storico-sociali, Salerno, Istituto di Filosofia e Storia
della filosofia dell’Università di Salerno, 1972. C) 10 – Recensione di H.
Portelli, Gramsci et le bloc historique, in «Paese Sera Libri», 28 settembre
1972. 21 * * * 1973 B) 11 – Ancora sul giovane De Meis, in «Il Pensiero
politico», VI, 1973, n. 2, pp. 262-266. C) 12 – Recensione di M. Weber, Scritti
Politici, in «Il Pensiero politico», VI, 1973, n. 2, pp. 332-333. * * * 1974 A)
13 – Cultura filosofica e pensiero Politico dal previchismo al 1860 (Lezione
introduttiva al Seminario su “Il Mezzogiorno dalle riforme all’Unità”), a.a.
1973-1974, Facoltà di Giurisprudenza, Universita di Salerno, pp. 12. B) 14 –
Storia, filosofia e politica nell’attività Pubblicistica di Dilthey, in
«Filosofia», 1974, n. l, pp. 64-78. C) 15 – Recensione di H. Medick,
Naturzustand und Naturgeschichte der Bürgerlichen Gesellschaft, in «Il Pensiero
politico», VII, 1974, n. 3, pp. 434-436. 22 G) 16 – Salerno: un confronto da
continuare, in «La Voce della Campania», 1974, n. 14. * * * 1975 B) 17 –
Politicità dello storicismo, in «Il Pensiero politico», VIII, 1975, n. 3, pp.
355-366. D) 18 – Scheda su I. Cervelli, Droysen dopo il 1848 e il cesarismo, in
«Il Pensiero politico», VIII, 1975, n. 3, pp. 430-431. E) 19 – W. Dilthey, Lo
studio delle scienze umane sociali e politiche, trad. it. e cura di G.
Cacciatore, Napoli, Morano, 1975. F) 20 – Introduzione a W. Dilthey, Lo studio
delle scienze umane sociali e politiche, Napoli, Morano, 1975, pp. 9-43. * * *
23 1976 A) 21 – Scienza e filosofia in Dilthey, 2 voll., Napoli, Guida, 1976.
D) 22 – Scheda su G. Armani, Gli scritti su Carlo Cattaneo, in «Bollettino del
Centro di studi vichiani», VI, 1976, pp. 236-237. 23 – Scheda su G.
Mastroianni, Studi sovietici di filosofia italiana, in «Bollettino del Centro
di studi vichiani», VI, 1976, pp. 248-249. 24 – Scheda su M. Prisco, Gli
ermellini neri, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani», VI, 1976, p. 253.
25 – Scheda su F. Tessitore, Storicismo e Pensiero politico, in «Bollettino del
Centro di studi vichiani», VI, 1976, p. 254. * * * 1977 B) 26 – Scientificità
del marxismo e pensiero utopico, in «Atti della Accademia di Scienze morali e
politiche» di Napoli, vol. LXXVII, 1977, pp. 63-83. 27 – Discutendo di Croce e
il partito politico, in «Il Pensiero politico», X, 1977, pp. 127-135. 28 – Una
lettera per guadagnare il paradiso (a proposito della lettera di Berlinguer a
Mons. Bettazzi), in «Lineazeta», I, 1977, n. 6, p. 9. 24 D) 29 – Scheda su N.
Badaloni, Il marxismo di Gramsci, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani»,
VII, 1977, pp. 231-232. 30 – Scheda su J. Freund, Les théories des sciences
humaines, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani», VII, 1977, p. 242. * *
* 1978 B) 31 – Etica, storia e futuro in Ernst Troeltsch, in «Storia e
politica», XVII, 1978, n. 3, pp. 497-532. 32 – Su una lettura storica della
questione sindacale, in «Il Pensiero politico», XI, 1978, n. 3, pp. 406-410. 33
– Luigi Cacciatore e la sinistra socialista. Politica unitaria e
meridionalismo, in Aa.Vv., Mezzogiorno e fascismo, Napoli, ESI, 1978, pp. 587-730.
C) 34 – Recensione di G. Acocella, Questione meridionale e sindacalismo
cattolico, in «Il Tetto», XV, 1978, n. 85, pp. 125-128. * * * 25 1979 A) 35 –
Ragione e speranza nel marxismo. L’eredità di Ernst Bloch, Bari, Dedalo, 1979.
36 – La sinistra socialista nel dopoguerra. Meridionalismo e politica unitaria
in Luigi Cacciatore, prefazione di F. De Martino, Bari, Dedalo, 1979. B) 37 –
Economia e base materiale nell’utopia concreta di Ernst Bloch, in R. Crippa (a
cura di), La dimensione dell’economico, Padova, Liviana, 1979, pp. 439-466. 38
– Vico e Dilthey. La storia dell’esperienza umana come relazione fondante di
conoscere e fare, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani», IX, 1979, pp.
35-68. C) 39 – Recensione di E. De Mas, D. Faucci, F. Nicolini, A. Verri, Vico
e l’instaurazione delle scienze, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani»,
IX, 1979, pp. 159-162. D) 40 – Scheda su H. Albert, Storia e legge: per la
critica dello storicismo metodologico, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi
vichiani», IX, 1979, p. 189. 41 – Scheda su M. Alicata, Lettere e Taccuini di
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26 43 – Scheda su D. Bohler, Philosophische Hermeneutik und hermeneutische
Methode, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani», IX, 1979, p. 194. 44 –
Scheda su G. P. Caprettini, Voce Allegoria (Enciclopedia Einaudi), in
«Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani», IX, 1979, p. 195. 45 – Scheda su E.
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studi vichiani», IX, 1979, pp. 206-207. 46 – Scheda su S. Otto, Die
Geschichtsphilosophie Giambattista Vicos, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi
vichiani», IX, 1979, pp. 211-212. 47 – Scheda su K. Pomian, Voce Ciclo
(Enciclopedia Einaudi), in «Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani», IX, 1979,
p. 213. 48 – Scheda su C. Prandi, Voce Credenze (Enciclopedia Einaudi), in
«Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani», IX, 1979, p. 214. 49 – Scheda su M.
Riedel, Verstehen oder Erklären? Zur Theorie und Geschichte der hermeneutischen
Wissenschaften, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani», IX, 1979, p. 216.
50 – Scheda su A. Salsano, Voce Enciclopedia (Enciclopedia Einaudi), in
«Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani», IX, 1979, pp. 216-217. F) 51 – Nota
del curatore, in Federazione salernitana del PCI (a cura di), Per i
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Centro di studi vichiani», X, 1980, pp. 196-203. D) 54 – Scheda su M. Jay,
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250-251. 56 – Scheda su S. Otto, Faktizität und Transzendentalität der
Geschichte. Die Aktualität der Geschichtsphilosophie G. Vicos im Blick auf Kant
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57 – Scheda su S. Otto, Geistesgeschichte zwischen Philosophie und Feuilleton,
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1981 B) 58 – Sentimento metafisico e infelicità della ragione (a proposito di
Metafisica di A. Masullo), in «Critica marxista», 1981, n. 6, pp. 185-192. 59 –
Materiali su “Vico in Germania” (in collab. con G. Cantillo), in «Bollettino
del Centro di studi vichiani», XI, 1981, pp. 13-32. D) 60 – Scheda su G. Conte
(a cura di), Metafora, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani», XI, 1981,
pp. 279-280. 61 – Scheda su M. Ciliberto, Come lavorava Gramsci, in «Bollettino
del Centro di studi vichiani», XI, 1981, pp. 282-284. 62 – Scheda su A. Di
Nola, Voce Origini (Enciclopedia Einaudi), in «Bollettino del Centro di studi
vichiani», XI, 1981, p. 287. 63 – Scheda su U. Eco, Voce Metafora (Enciclopedia
Einaudi), in «Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani», XI, 1981, pp. 287-288.
64 – Scheda su S. Natoli, Soggetto e Fondamento. Studi su Aristotele e
Cartesio, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani», XI, 1981, p. 295. 65 –
Scheda su S. Otto, Materialen zur Theorie der Geistesgeschichte, in «Bollettino
del Centro di studi vichiani», XI, 1981, pp. 296-297. * * * 29 1982 B) 66 –
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vita), in «Rinascita», XL, 1983, n. 21, pp. 29-30. D) 77 – Scheda su B. De
Giovanni, La “Teologia civile” di Vico, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi
vichiani», XIIXIII, 1982-1983, pp. 417-419. * * * 31 1984 B) 78 – La norma come
“misura”: gnoseologia, etica e storia nella filosofia di Pietro Piovani, in A.
Masullo (a cura di), Difettività e fondamento, Napoli, Guida, 1984, pp. 87-99.
79 – Marxismo e utopia neqli anni venti: Bloch e Lukács, in Aa.Vv., L’Utopia, Messina,
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81 – Ortega y Gasset e Dilthey, in L. Infantino, L. Pellicani (a cura di),
Attualità di Ortega y Gasset, Firenze, Le Monnier, 1984, pp. 89-113. 82 –
Riflessioni “inattuali” su Francesco De Sanctis, in «Rassegna storica
salernitana», 1984, n. 1-2, pp. 109-115. 83 – Note sulla recezione di G. Bruno
nella filosofia italiana della seconda metà dell’Ottocento, in «Atti
dell’Accademia di Scienze morali e politiche» di Napoli, vol. XCV, 1984, pp.
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«Studi storici», n. 1, 1984, pp. 119-130. 86 – La recezione italiana della
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89 – Un protagonista dell’opposizione socialista. Per l’unità delle forze
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91 – G. Cacciatore, G. Cantillo (a cura di), Wilhelm Dilthey. Critica della
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94 – Dilthey e la storiografia tedesca dell’Ottocento, in G. Cacciatore, G.
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1981, in «Bollettino del Centro di Studi vichiani», XIV-XV, 1985, pp. 349-355.
96 – Recensione di R.W. Schmidt, Die Geschichtsphilosophie G.B. Vicos,
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vichiani», XIVXV, 1985, pp. 361-366. D) 97 – Scheda su F. Tessitore, La
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Wilhelm Dilthey. Critica della metafisica e ragione storica, Bologna, Il
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vichiani», XVI, 1986, pp. 451-452. 105 – Scheda su S. Otto, Rekonstruktion der
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(in collab. con G. Cantillo) di W. Dilthey, Storia della giovinezza di Hegel e
Frammenti Postumi, Napoli, Guida, 1986, pp. 7-10. 107 – Nota introduttiva (in
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109 – Lezioni e battaglie di Pasquale Villari, in Aa.Vv., Napoli tra idealismo
e positivismo, suppl. a «Itinerario», 1987, n. 2, pp. 27-31. 110 – Un convegno
su Labriola in Germania, in «Studi storici», 1987, n. 1, pp. 261-268. 111 – La
recezione italiana della Existenzphilosophie, in K.-E. Lösse (hrsg.),
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115 – Il problema della storia alle origini del neoidealismo italiano, in P. Di
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di A. Omodeo, in «Il Mattino», 19 settembre 1989. 133 – L’idealismo realistico
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di W.V. Humboldt), in «Il Giornale di Napoli», 12 settembre 1991. 172 – Alle
origini della vita, tra miti e simboli, in «Il Giornale di Napoli», 18 ottobre
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344 – Nel nome del Papa-re, in «La Città», 12 marzo 1997. 345 – Va’ dove ti
porta il senso comune, in «La Città», 16 marzo 1997. 346 – Incenso di regime sul
dialogo ecumenico, in «La Città», 23 marzo 1997. 347 – De Luca liberale?
Macché..., in «La Città», 28 marzo 1997. 348 – Quell’Europa senza volto che
batte moneta, in «La Città», 30 marzo 1997. 58 349 – Quelle domande cruciali
sui principi dell’agire, in «La Città», 1 aprile 1997. 350 – La prospettiva
dell’utopia. Gramsci tra etica e politica, in «La Città», 15 aprile 1997. 351 –
Il conte Yorck nella Salerno senza memoria, in «La Città», 20 aprile 1997. 352
– Senza retorica né rimozioni. Una mostra sull’antifascismo nel segno di
Giovanni Amendola, in «La Città», 23 aprile 1997. 353 – Ma l’abito “dalemiano”
non si addice a Gramsci, in «La Città», 27 aprile 1997. 354 – Mediterraneo,
rotta della tolleranza, in «La Città», 1 maggio 1997. 355 – Un fiume carsico bagna
la politica, in «La Città», 7 giugno 1997. 356 – Liberalizzare contro il marcio
(a proposito di aborti clandestini), in «La Città», 22 giugno 1997. 357 – Se la
ricchezza non fa la felicità, in «La Città», 25 giugno 1997. 358 – Ricordando
Giacumbi, in «La Città», 2 luglio 1997. 359 – De Luca ha fatto bene ad aprire
il palazzo, in «La Città», 3 luglio 1997. 360 – L’eroe il prete e poi?, in «La
Città», 9 luglio 1997. 361 – Vico? Meglio una suite di lusso, in «La Città», 13
luglio 1997. 362 – Le contraddizioni di un “liberatore”, in «La Città», 24
luglio 1997. 363 – Non c’è più rispetto per il popolo tifoso, in «La Città», 12
agosto 1997. 364 – Stupidità formato europeo, in «La Città», 14 agosto 1997.
365 – I camerati e il boia Hess, in «La Città», 17 agosto 1997. 366 – Solo
silenzi e improvvisazione, in «La Città», 19 agosto 1997. 367 – Wojtyla un
grande pontefice, in «La Città», 22 agosto 1997. 59 368 – Napoli, l’hegelismo e
la filosofia civile, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 26 agosto, 1997. 369 –
Intellettuali, liberatevi della società spettacolo, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 4 settembre 1997. 370 – Berlino la “rossa”, in «La Città», 27
settembre 1997. 371 – La Berlino delle piazze, in «La Città», 28 settembre
1997. 372 – Filosofi a confronto nel nome di Valitutti, in «La Città», 1
ottobre 1997. 373 – La “Cosa 2” non sia il comitato di De Luca, in «La Città»,
5 ottobre 1997. 374 – Berlino, oltre il muro, in «La Città», 5 ottobre 1997.
375 – Berlino, storia senza “lezioni”, in «La Città», 12 ottobre 1997. 376 – La
civiltà delle “illusioni”, in «La Città», 15 ottobre 1997 377 –
Staatsbibliothek, miracolo tedesco, in «La Città», 18 ottobre 1997. 378 –
Immagini della Germania. Arte da un paese diviso, in «La Città», 26 ottobre
1997. 379 – Bohème e dittatura DDR. Ribelli nel segno dell’arte, in «La Città»,
2 novembre 1997. 380 – I politici? Ultimi in classifica, in «La Città», 5
novembre 1997. 381 – La filosofia del lavoro e le riflessioni di Vico, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 7 novembre 1997. 382 – Amarcord Brandeburgo.
Pennellate sulla memoria, in «La Città», 9 novembre 1997. 383 – Fantasmi
comunisti nella “metafisica” Halle, in «La Città», 16 novembre 1997. 384 – Con
la collaborazione di tutti si può stroncare il fenomeno, in «La Città», 16
novembre 1997. 385 – Bravo, ma dopo di lui?, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 19
novembre 1997. 386 – Che saggio quel clown! Fo, profeta fuori patria, in «La
Città», 23 novembre 1997. 60 387 – Mezzogiorno e politica. La lezione di
Machiavelli, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 27 novembre 1997. 388 – Lipsia, gli
ultimi venti e la rivoluzione, in «La Città», 29 novembre 1997. 389 – Salerno
raccontata via etere, in «La Città», 7 dicembre 1997. 390 – Così lontani così
vicini. Miopi verso l’Europa, in «La Città», 14 dicembre 1997. 391 – Il nipote
di Heidegger, in «La Città», 21 dicembre 1997. 392 – Le ragioni del
compromesso, in «La Città», 24 dicembre 1997. 393 – Dresda, l’arte è servita,
in «La Città», 28 dicembre 1997. 394 – Siamo più poveri. Gravi le colpe, in «La
Città», 30 dicembre 1997. 395 – Lettere di viaggiatori tedeschi da Salerno e
dintorni, in «La Provincia di Salerno», n. 2, dicembre 1997, pp. 15-18. * * *
1998 A) 396 – La quercia di Goethe. Note di viaggio dalla Germania,
introduzione di P. Chiarini, Soveria Mannelli, Rubbettino, 1998. B) 397 – Voce
Storicismo, in N. Abbagnano, Dizionario di Filosofia, terza edizione, Torino, Pomba,
1998, pp. 1051-1053. 398 – Voce Storiografia, in N. Abbagnano, Dizionario di
Filosofia, terza edizione, Torino, Pomba, 1998, pp. 1056-1057. 61 399 – Die
Tradition des problematisch-kritischen Historismus im Rahmen der italienischen
philosophischen Kultur der zweiten Hälfte des 20 Jahrhunderts, in «Geschichte
und Gegenwart», 17, 1998, n. 2, pp. 121-125. 400 – Bio-Bibliographie von Fulvio
Tessitore, in F. Tessitore, Wilhelm von Humboldt und der Historismus, Nürnberg,
Seubert Verlag, 1998, pp. 43-47. 401 – Dilthey e Cassirer interpreti del
Rinascimento, in «Rinascimento», vol. XXXVII, 1997 [edito nel 1998], pp. 45-63.
402 – Gli studi su Vico fuori d’Italia nelle ricerche del “Centro di Studi
vichiani”, in F. Fanizza, M. Signore (a cura di), Filosofia in dialogo. Scritti
in onore di Antimo Negri, Roma, Pellicani Editore, 1998, pp. 111-135. 403 –
Bloch su Feuerbach, in W. Jaeschke, F. Tomasoni (a cura di), Ludwig Feuerbach
und die Geschichte der Philosophie, Berlin, Akademie Verlag, 1998, pp. 363-385.
404 – Düsseldorf: la partecipazione dell’Ateneo fridericiano alle giornate di
cultura italiane, in «Notiziario», Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico
II, III, 1998, nn. 18-19, pp. 47-51. 405 – Filosofia e storia a Napoli nel
’900, in «Notiziario», Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, III, 1998,
nn. 18-19, pp. 51-68. 406 – Ethik und Geschichtsphilosophie im kritischen
Historismus, in D. Losurdo (hrsg.), Geschichtsphilosophie und Ethik, Frankfurt
a. M., Peter Lang Verlag, 1998, pp. 57-86. 407 – La hermenéutica de Vico entre
filosofía y filología, in «Intersticios. Filosofía, Arte, Religión»,
Universidad Intercontinental de México, 3, 1997-1998, n. 6, pp. 93-98. 408 –
Hegel e la religione nell’interpretazione di Dilthey, in R. Bonito Oliva, G.
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Milano, Guerini e Associati, 1998, pp. 402-417. 409 – Antonio Genovesi economista
e riformatore, in «Rassegna storica salernitana», XV, 1998, n. 30, pp. 103-116.
62 410 – Le fait e la fiction. Storicità e vita nel pensiero di Bernhard
Groethuysen, in «Rivista di storia della filosofia», 1998, n. 2, pp. 267-287.
411 – Filosofia della pratica e filosofia pratica in Croce, in P. Bonetti (a
cura di), Per conoscere Croce, Napoli, ESI, 1998, pp. 213-230. F) 412 – Nuovi
itinerari per la storia della cultura, presentazione di A. Giugliano, La storia
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5-11. 413 – Un “intermezzo” vichiano sul concetto di cittadinanza, introduzione
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415 – Senza tetto al di là del muro, in «La Città», 4 gennaio 1998. 416 –
L’onda d’urto del revisionismo lato “inedito” della Resistenza, in «La Città»,
6 gennaio 1998. 417 – Gli occhi dei bambini e la topografia del terrore, in «La
Città», 11 gennaio 1998. 418 – Scongiuro granata in salsa partenopea, in «La
Città», 17 gennaio 1998. 419 – La scuola napoletana rilegge Hegel, in «Corriere
del Mezzogiorno», 18 gennaio 1998. 420 – Una birra al tavolo della filosofia,
in «La Città», 18 gennaio 1998. 421 – L’altra faccia di Spencer Tracy, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 24 gennaio 1998. 63 422 – La quercia di Goethe
sulle ceneri di Buchenwald, in «La Città», 25 Gennaio 1998. 423 – Così il
modello americano ha stregato Amburgo e Brema, in «La Città», 1 febbraio 1998.
424 – Noi cittadini in ospedale, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 3 febbraio
1998. 425 – Millennium. Chimere e paure, in «La Città», 8 febbraio 1998. 426 –
Vico e la cultura francese. Modernità di un rapporto, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 13 febbraio 1998. 427 – Vico, la storia nel castello, in «La
Città», 15 febbraio 1998. 428 – Editoria, la fabbrica dei casi, in «La Città»,
22 febbraio 1998. 429 – La filosofia e i “nipotini” di Kant, in «La Città», 1
marzo 1998. 430 – La Berlino di Brecht e di Mann, in «La Città», 10 marzo 1998.
431 – I grovigli positivistici. Errico De Marinis tra politica e sociologia, in
«La Città», 15 marzo 1998. 432 – Bene il decisionismo. Ma la progettualità?, in
«La Città», 18 marzo 1998. 433 – Berlino espressionista, in «La Città», 24
marzo 1998. 434 – Le tentazioni del leaderismo, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno»,
26 marzo 1998. 435 – Il decalogo neo-liberale di De Luca, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 28 marzo 1998. 436 – Intellettuali dove siete finiti?, in «La
Città», 1 aprile 1998. 437 – Gli artigli dell’editoria minore, in «La Città», 3
aprile 1998. 438 – È morto Menna, il patriarca della “grande Salerno”, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno”, 11 aprile 1998. 439 – Il sol levante riscoperto.
Altri studi di storia orientale, in «La Città», 12 aprile 1998. 440 – Razzismo
off limits, in «La Città», 21 aprile 1998. 64 441 – L’aberrazione della
sproporzione tra il reato e la condanna, in «La Città», 22 aprile 1998. 442 –
Tributo “di piazza” per Valitutti, in «La Città», 24 aprile 1998. 443 – L’urlo
impegnato della politica, in «La Città», 5 maggio 1998. 444 – Bruno dalle
censure al futuro, in «La Città», 8 maggio 1998. 445 – Giordano Bruno sopravvalutato?,
in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 10 maggio 1998. 446 – La risorsa che ignoravamo,
in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 12 maggio 1998. 447 – La forza? A Partenope. La
Napoli degli intellettuali liberi, in «La Città», 23 maggio 1998. 448 – Il
Novecento a Napoli. Modernità e arcaismo, in «Il Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 26
maggio 1998. 449 – Nella città senza memoria, in «La Città», 10 giugno 1998.
450 – Cassandra abitava a Sarno, in «La Città», 13 giugno 1998. 451 – La linea
di ‘frontiera’ della scienza politica, in «La Città», 23 giugno 1998. 452 –
Centocinquanta saggi per festeggiare Tessitore, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno»,
30 giugno 1998. 453 – Le ali blu e gli squarci rossi della storia, in «La
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«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 8 agosto 1998. 456 – La politica dei re nudi, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 22 agosto 1998. 457 – Ma il Novecento non è solo
scontro tra totalitarismi, in «Il Mattino», 1 settembre 1998. 458 – Il viaggio
di Bodei nell’identità nazionale, in «La Città», 20 settembre 1998. 65 459 –
Autodafé oltre il luogo comune, in «La Città», 1 ottobre 1998. 460 – Il barone
assediato. Meridione e latifondo nell’era dei Borbone, in «La Città», 11
ottobre 1998. 461 – Un’etica per la bioetica, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 14
ottobre 1998. 462 – Il PCI secondo Galasso. Viaggio fino alla Quercia, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 27 ottobre 1998. 463 – Quel “Manifesto” vecchio di
150 anni è ancora vivo nel dibattito attuale, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 9
dicembre 1998. 464 – 1799: ecco il boom degli ideali, in «La Città», 18
dicembre 1998. 465 – L’Occidente che non ama il dissenso, in «Corriere del
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479 – Nuove soggettività per il Mezzogiorno europeo, in «Ora Locale», III,
1999, n. 2, p. 13. 480 – Il Novecento non è solo scontro tra totalitarismi, in
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1999, pp. 7-23. 505 – Presentazione (in collab. con R. Cangiano) di La
Provincia di Salerno per Salvatore Valitutti, Salerno, Provincia di Salerno,
1999, pp. 4-6. 506 – Introduzione (in collab. con V. Gessa Kurotschka) a G.
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508 – Il “controcanto” salernitano, in «Cronache del Mezzogiorno», 14 gennaio
1999. 509 – A lezione di diritti umani, in «La Città», 23 gennaio 1999. 510 –
Il Referendum non ci salverà, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 9 febbraio 1999.
511 – Camorrista. Un insulto senza limiti, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 16
febbraio 1999. 512 – Un impegno collettivo, in «La Città», 28 febbraio 1999.
513 – “Napoli capitale” secondo Galasso, una lezione sulla contemporaneità
della storia, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 24 marzo 1999. 514 – La
rivoluzione attiva del Sud, in «La Città», 28 marzo 1999. 515 – Quegli oscuri
conflitti della fede, in «La Città», 10 aprile 1999. 70 516 – “La mia Napoli”,
autobiografia intellettuale tra ricordi e pensieri, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 17 aprile 1999. 517 – Salernitani per la Liberazione, in «La
Città», 23 aprile 1999. 518 – Troppe analisi “nordiste”, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno»,
27 aprile 1999. 519 – Colpevole tolleranza, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 25
maggio 1999. 520 – L’impolitico della democrazia, in «La Città», 1 giugno 1999.
521 – La plebe inesistente di Salerno, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 4 giugno
1999. 522 – Salerno saluta Kristeller, in «La Città», 12 giugno 1999. 523 –
Incontri ravvicinati con cultura, letteratura e politica del Sud America, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 23 giugno 1999. 524 – Cari esangui cultori
nichilisti, lo storicismo napoletano è vivo e invidiato, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 4 luglio 1999. 525 – Quel popolo in bilico tra ragione e
sentimento, in «La Città», 3 agosto 1999. 526 – Lo storicismo messo alla gogna,
in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 15 agosto 1999. 527 – Dopo l’urbanistica un
sintomo di svolta, in «La Città», 7 novembre 1999. 528 – Non siamo un’isola
felice, in «La Città», 21 novembre 1999. 529 – Tattiche e passioni del
burocrate illuminato, in «La Città», 24 novembre 1999. 530 – Salerno e il
destino dei numeri, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 22 dicembre 1999. 531 – Una
terza via tra ottimismo e pessimismo, in «La Città», 27 dicembre 1999. * * * 71
2000 A) 532 – L’etica dello storicismo, Lecce, Milella edizione, 2000. 533 – G.
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secondo dopoguerra, in «L’Agenda di Salerno e Provincia», n.s., VII, 2003, n.
73, pp. 26-27. 696 – Il Mediterraneo tra idea filosofico-culturale e progetto
politico, in «Civiltà del Mediterraneo», 2003, n. 3, pp. 63-77. 697 – Destini
personali per l’individualità post-metafisica, in «Iride», XVI, 2003, n. 39,
pp. 385-389. 698 – Lo storicismo come scienza etica e come ermeneutica
dell’individualità, in «Magazzino di filosofia», 2002 [stampato nel 2003], n.
8, pp. 120-133. 699 – Dal “logo astratto” al “logo concreto”, dal tempo
all’eternità. Gentile e la storia, in P. Di Giovanni (a cura di), Giovanni
Gentile. La filosofia italiana tra idealismo e anti-idealismo, Milano, Franco
Angeli, 2003, pp. 97-122. 700 – Le Opere magiche di Giordano Bruno, in
«Archivio di storia della cultura», XVI, 2003, pp. 165-168. 701 – Il
Mediterraneo tra idea filosofico-culturale e progetto politico, in Aa.Vv.,
Mediterraneo e cultura europea, Soveria Mannelli, Rubbettino, 2003, pp. 7-19.
702 – Vico: narrazione storica e narrazione fantastica, in G. Marchetti, O.
Rignani, V. Sorge (eds.), Ratio et Su- 85 perstitio. Essays in Honor of
Graziella Federici Vescovili, Fédération Internationale des Institus d’Études
Médiévales, Louvain-La-Neuve, 2003, pp. 483-505. 703 – Croce e l’idea di
Europa, in Seduta inaugurale dell’anno accademico 2003, Società Nazionale di
Scienze, Lettere e Arti in Napoli, Napoli, Giannini, 2003, pp. 33-45. 704 – La
filosofia dello storicismo di Vincenzo Cuoco, in «Rassegna storica
salernitana», n.s., XX, 2003, n. 40, pp. 107-120. 705 – Per la critica del
riformismo “apatico”, in «Ora Locale», VI, 2003, n. 3, pp. 5-6. 706 – Una nuova
morfologia del potere, in «Mezzogiorno Europa», IV, 2003, n. 5, pp. 27-29. 707
– La “Quercia di Goethe”. Note di viaggio dalla Germania (conversazione
registrata non corretta) in «Rotary Club Salerno. Il Bollettino», LIV, 2003, n.
3, pp. 4-5 e 8. 708 – Bellum justum, bellum sanctum, in «Iride», XVI, 2003, n.
40, pp. 425-432. 709 – Die “politische” Dimension des kritisch-problematische
Historismus in Italien, in K.E. Lönne (hrsg.), Historismus in den
Kulturwissenschaften, Düsseldorf, Francke Verlag, 2003, pp. 39-65. 710 –
Dilthey: connessione psichica e connessione storica, in M.G. Lombardo (a cura
di), Una logica per la psicologia: Dilthey e la sua scuola, Padova, Il
Poligrafo, 2003, pp. 211-223. 711 – Sul concetto di progresso.
L’interpretazione di Hegel in Croce e Bloch, in P. Cipolletta (a cura di),
Ereditare e sperare. Un confronto con il pensiero di Ernst Bloch, Milano,
Mimesis, 2003 [pubblicato nel 2004], pp. 113-130. 712 – Storia, memoria,
immagini tra Vico e Hegel, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani»,
XXXIII, 2003 [pubblicato nel 2004], pp. 199-208. 713 – Intervento nella Tavola
rotonda, Salerno: città della rimozione?, in M. Schiavino (a cura di), Un
secolo di libri. La libreria Carrano a Salerno (1920-1986), Salerno, Marte
Editore, 2003, pp. 22-26. 86 714 – Note in margine al problema del modello
francese nella filosofia e nella politica della rivoluzione napoletana, in E.
Di Rienzo, A. Musi (a cura di), Storia e vita civile. Studi in memoria di
Giuseppe Nuzzo, Napoli, ESI, 2003, pp. 189-202. D) 715 – Scheda di M. Perniola,
Del Sentire, Torino, 2002, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani»,
XXXIII, 2003 [pubblicato nel 2004], pp. 396-397. F) 716 – Prólogo a H. Calello,
Gramsci del “americanismo” al talibán. Globalización, imperialismo y reconstrucción
en America Latina, Buenos Aires, ed. Altamira, 2003, pp. 5-11. 717 –
Introduzione a A. Di Maio, M. Malatesta, La filosofia di Cleto Carbonara,
Napoli, Luciano Editore, 2003, pp. 5-8. G) 718 – Com’è politica la filosofia di
Nietzsche. Parola di Losurdo, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 30 gennaio 2003.
719 – “Colloqui” su Croce: cinque modi per rileggerne il pensiero, in «Corriere
del Mezzogiorno», 26 febbraio 2003. 720 – Non toccate Matteotti, in «Il
Mattino», ed. di Salerno, 26 febbraio 2003. 721 – Lanocita storico tra
contadini e latifondisti, in «Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno, 7 marzo 2003. 722 –
L’esempio di Ninì Di Marino, in «Il Salernitano», 10 marzo 2003. 723 – Le
opinioni di Ietto e le intuizioni di Borges, in «Il Salernitano», 17 marzo 2003.
724 – Quel “sole nero” non scalda il Sud, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 21
marzo 2003. 87 725 – Oscurantismo culturale o miopia amministrativa?, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 1 aprile 2002. 726 – Altri viaggi nel Sud: quando
la storia si fa paesaggio e avventura mentale, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 2
aprile 2003. 727 – Il vescovo s’invischia in politica, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 15 aprile 2003. 728 – Cuba, è svanito il sogno, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 3 maggio 2003. 729 – Comunisti e cultura, il caso italiano, in
«Il Mattino», 26 maggio 2003. 730 – La Spagna degli anni ’30 e la “guerra
civile europea”, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 10 giugno 2003. 731 – Lo Stato
di Giffoni oltre le microstorie, in «Il Salernitano», 21 giugno 2003. 732 – La
fortuna non fa miracoli due volte, in «Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno, 20 agosto
2003. 733 – Un forum per scegliere il candidato alla Provincia, in «Il
Mattino», ed. di Salerno, 5 settembre 2003. 734 – Diametro? Ecco perché non
potrò mai aderire, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 18 ottobre 2003. 735 – Cuoco
e la filosofia politico-civile del nuovo secolo, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno»,
9 novembre 2003. 736 – Se l’unica variante è la fedeltà al leader, in «Il
Mattino», ed. di Salerno, 20 novembre 2003. * * * 2004 A) 737 – G. Cacciatore,
M. Martirano (a cura di), Vico nelle culture iberiche e lusitane, Napoli,
Alfredo Guida Editore, 2004. 88 738 – G. Cacciatore, V. Gessa Kurotschka, E.
Nuzzo, M. Sanna (a cura di), Il sapere poetico e gli universali fantastici. La presenza
di Vico nella riflessione filosofica contemporanea, Napoli, Alfredo Guida
Editore, 2004. B) 739 – Su alcune interpretazioni tedesche del Rinascimento nel
Novecento, in F. Meroi, E. Scapparone (a cura di), Humanistica. Per Cesare
Vasoli, Firenze, Olschki, 2004, pp. 345- 368. 740 – Commento a Rudolf Makkreel,
in R. Bodei, G. Cantillo, A. Ferrara, V. Gessa Kurotschka, S. Maffettone, (a
cura di), Ricostruzione della soggettività, Napoli, Liguori, 2004, pp. 55-61.
741 – Una filosofia per l’America Latina: Leopoldo Zea, in «Cultura
Latinoamericana», 2003 [edito nel 2004], n. 5, pp. 431-453. 742 – Bruno tra
Spaventa e Labriola, in F. Meroi (a cura di), La mente di Giordano Bruno,
Firenze, Olschki, 2004, pp. 463-483. 743 – Qualche riflessione filosofica sulla
giustizia, in «La Giustizia», XXVI, 2004, n. 1-2, pp. 8-11. 744 – Socialismo
meridionale. Mancini e De Martino, in «Ora locale», VII, 2004, n. 1, pp. 5-6 e
p. 20. 745 – Il meridionalismo socialista di Francesco De Martino e Giacomo
Mancini, in «Rassegna storica salernitana», 2004, n. 41, pp. 283-298. 746 –
Marxismo e storia tra Labriola e Croce, in M. Griffo (a cura di), Croce e il
marxismo un secolo dopo, Napoli, Editoriale Scientifica, 2004, pp. 315-339. 747
– Vico: narrazione storica e narrazione fantastica, in G. Cacciatore, V. Gessa
Kurotschka, E. Nuzzo, M. Sanna (a cura di), Il sapere poetico e gli universali
fantastici. La presenza di Vico nella riflessione filosofica contemporanea,
Napoli, Alfredo Guida Editore, 2004, pp. 117-139. 89 748 – Der Begriff der
Zurechnung in einer Phase der italienischen Rechtsphilosophie: Vico,
Filangieri, Pagano, in M. Kaufmann, J. Renzikowski (hrsg.), Zurechnung als
Operationalisierung von Verantwortung, Frankfurt a. M., Peter Lang, 2004, pp.
29-45. 749 – Cassirer interprete di Kant, in A. Anselmo (a cura di), La
presenza di Kant nella filosofia del Novecento, Messina, Siciliano Editore,
2004, pp. 13-67. 750 – Croce: il concetto di progresso e la critica della
filosofia della storia, in M. Meletti Bertolini (a cura di), Etica e politica.
Saggi in memoria di Ferruccio Focher, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2004, pp. 21-32.
751 – Manfred Riedel, der Freund und Lehrer, in H. Seubert ((hrsg.), Verstehen
in Wort und Schrift. Europäische Denkgespräche. Für Manfred Riedel, Köln Weimar
Wien, Böhlau Verlag, 2004, pp. 66-77. 752 – Storicismo, filologia, ermeneutica
in August Boeckh, in G. Indelli, G. Leone, F. Longo Auricchio (a cura di),
Mathesis e Mneme. Studi in memoria di Marcello Gigante, Napoli, Pubblicazioni
Dipartimento di Filologia Classica “F. Arnaldi”, 2004, vol. II, pp. 381-397.
753 – Leggere Vico, in M. Filoni (a cura di), Leggere e rileggere i classici.
Per Livio Sichirollo, Macerata, Quodlibet, 2004, pp. 39-63. 754 – Un’idea
moderna di certezza: la filologia di Vico tra ermeneutica e filosofia, in S.
Caianiello, A. Viana (a cura di), Vico nella storia della filologia, Napoli,
Alfredo Guida Editore, 2004, pp. 177-197. 755 – Croce und Bloch über den
Begriff des Fortschritts, in «Jahrbuch für Recht und Ethik», Band 12, 2004, pp.
383-399. 756 – “Eranos” nella storia della cultura europea del ’900, in
«Archivio di storia della cultura», XVII, 2004, pp. 241-248. 757 – Gramsci:
problemas de ética en Los Cuadernos, in «Telos. Revista de estudios
interdisciplinarios en ciencias sociales», Maracaibo, VI, 2004, n. 3, pp.
351-362. 90 F) 758 – Presentazione (in collab. con A. Scocozza) di G. Bellini,
Dal Mediterraneo al mare oceano. Saggi tra storia e letteratura,
Salerno-Milano, Oèdipus, 2004, pp. 7-23. 759 – Il contributo delle culture ispaniche
e lusitane alla conoscenza di Vico, introduzione a G. Cacciatore, M. Martirano
(a cura di), Vico nelle culture iberiche e lusitane, Napoli, Guida, 2004, pp.
5-18. G) 760 – Il futuro di Salerno, in «Il Quartiere», II, 2004, n. 6, p. 3.
761 – L’avvocato militante. Ricordo di mio padre, in «Cronache del
Mezzogiorno», 19 gennaio 2004. 762 – Dall’etologia all’etica. Il cammino di
Lorenz passa anche da Napoli, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 24 gennaio 2004.
763 – Il giorno della memoria senza riti, in «Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno, 27
gennaio 2004. 764 – L’indipendenza e le mosche, in «Il Salernitano», 20
febbraio 2004. 765 – Martino e le varianti della smemoratezza, in «Il Mattino»,
ed. di Salerno, 18 marzo 2004. 766 – De Luca, l’autocritica di un Ulivo in affanno,
in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 23 marzo 2004. 767 – Sinistra riformista e
socialista, è ora di ritrovare vera unità (in collab. con E. Ajello e A.
Trione), in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 4 aprile 2004. 768 – Diritti umani,
questione non solo filosofica ma politica, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 23
aprile 2004. 769 – Quelle lettere a Croce e a Engels (a proposito del Carteggio
Labriola), in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 12 maggio 2004. 770 – Amendola: in
volume quattro anni di lettere, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 5 giugno 2004.
91 771 – Se l’Ulivo scopre le sue lobby di potere, in «Il Mattino», ed. di
Salerno, 24 giugno 2004. 772 – Rinascita a S. Lucia, in «L’Articolo Domenica»,
5 settembre 2004, n. 16. 773 – Io, contribuente prigioniero di una voce, in «Il
Mattino», ed. di Salerno, 2 ottobre 2004. 774 – Il programma della coalizione
priorità assoluta, in «L’Articolo Domenica», 3 ottobre 2004, n. 20. 775 – Il
buonsenso dei cittadini. Quando gli elettori sono più convinti degli eletti, in
«L’Articolo Domenica», 31 ottobre 2004, n. 24. 776 – Vico e il corpo: se la
genetica attinge alla filosofia, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 4 novembre
2004. 777 – Programmi condivisi, «L’Articolo Domenica», 5 dicembre 2004, n. 29.
* * * 2005 A) 778 – Cassirer interprete di Kant e altri saggi, Messina,
Siciliano Editore, 2005. 779 – Filosofia pratica e filosofia civile nel
pensiero di Benedetto Croce, presentazione di F. Tessitore, Soveria Mannelli,
Rubbettino, 2005. 780 – G. Cacciatore, G. Cotroneo, R. Viti Cavaliere, Croce
filosofo, 2 voll., Soveria Mannelli, Rubbettino, 2003 [pubblicato nel 2005].
781 – G. Cacciatore, V. Gessa Kurotschka, E. Nuzzo, M. Sanna, A. Scognamiglio
(a cura di), Il corpo e le sue facoltà. Giambattista Vico, «Laboratorio
dell’ISPF», II, 2005, 1. 92 B) 782 – Leben und Struktur. Dilthey und die
Zweideutigkeit von Sprache der Geschichte, in J. Trabant (hrsg.), Sprache der
Geschichte, Schriften des Historischen Kollegs Kolloquien 62, München,
Oldenbourg, 2005, pp. 55-64. 783 – Identità, pluralismo, universalismo dei
diritti, in A. De Simone (a cura di), Identità, spazio e vita quotidiana,
Urbino, Edizioni QuattroVenti, 2005, pp. 397-407. 784 – Capograssi e
l’idealismo, in P. Di Giovanni (a cura di), Idealismo e anti-idealismo nella
filosofia italiana del Novecento, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2005, pp. 73-91. 785 –
La cultura storica a Napoli nella seconda metà dell’Ottocento, in G. Vitolo (a
cura di), Storia, filologia, erudizione nella Napoli dell’Ottocento, Napoli,
Guida, 2005, pp. 133-146. 786 – Croce: l’idea di Europa tra crisi e
trasformazione, in G. Cacciatore, G. Cotroneo, R. Viti Cavaliere (a cura di),
Croce filosofo, 2 voll., Soveria Mannelli, Rubbettino, 2003 [pubblicato nel
2005], vol. I, pp. 117-144. 787 – Il concetto di imputazione in alcuni momenti
della filosofia giuridica italiana, in C. Giarratana, I. Randazzo (a cura di),
Seminari di Filosofia Corrado Dollo, I, Soveria Mannelli, Rubbettino, 2004
[pubblicato nel 2005], pp. 21-39. 788 – Il Marx “democratico”, in M. Musto (a
cura di), Sulle tracce di un fantasma. L’opera di Karl Marx tra filologia e
filosofia, Roma, Manifestolibri, 2005, pp. 145-160. 789 – Le facoltà della
mente “rintuzzata dentro il corpo”, in G. Cacciatore, V. Gessa Kurotschka, E.
Nuzzo, M. Sanna, A. Scognamiglio (a cura di), Il corpo e le sue facoltà.
Giambattista Vico, «Laboratorio dell’ISPF», II, 2005, 1, pp. 91-105. 790 –
Modernità e filosofia. Per una discussione del rapporto fede ragione, in E.
Granito (a cura di), La fede nella ragione e le ragioni della fede, Napoli, La
Città del Sole, 2005, pp. 93-106 [cfr. in questo stesso volume gli interventi
nella tavola rotonda, pp. 204-210 e 228-229]. 93 791 – Una filosofia per
l’America latina: Leopoldo Zea, in P. Colonnello (a cura di), Filosofia e
politica in America latina, Roma, Armando Editore, 2005, pp. 51-67. 792 – Vico
e Kant sulla storia, in «Studi Italo-Tedeschi / Deutsch-Italienische Studie»,
XXIV, 2004, Collana di Monografie dell’Accademia di Studi italo-tedeschi,
Merano, 2005, pp. 271- 293. 793 – María Zambrano: la storia come “delirio” e
“destino”, in L. Silvestri (a cura di), Il pensiero di María Zambrano, Udine,
Forum, 2005, pp. 29-62. 794 – Identità e filosofia dell’interculturalità, in
«Iride», XVII, 2005, n. 45, pp. 235-244. 795 – Riflessioni sui diritti umani nel
pensiero di Giuseppe Capograssi, in «Civiltà del Mediterraneo», 2005, nn. 6-7,
pp. 167-187. 796 – Interprétations historicistes de la “Scienza Nuova”, in
«Noesis», 2005, n. 8, pp. 45-63. 797 – Significato e prospettive della
“cittadinanza attiva”, in «Ora Locale», VII, 2005, n. 4, pp. 5-6. 798 –
Intervento del moderatore in L. Rossi (a cura di), Elea. Il divenire di una
cultura, l’essere di un pensiero, Atti del Convegno, Ascea 23-28 maggio 2000,
Agropoli, Tipografia Iannuzzi, 2005, pp. 77-80. 799 – Ricordo di Nicola
Badaloni, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani», XXXV, 2005, pp. 9-12.
800 – Sull’edizione critica della Scienza Nuova 1730, in «Bollettino del Centro
di studi vichiani», XXXV, 2005, pp. 160-165. 801 – Interpretazioni
storicistiche della Scienza Nuova, in F. Rizzo (a cura di), Filosofia e
storiografia. Studi in onore di Girolamo Cotroneo, Soveria Mannelli,
Rubbettino, 2005, pp. 53-70. 802 – Leer a Vico hoy, in «Cuadernos sobre Vico»,
2004- 2005, nn. 17/18, pp. 21-36. 803 – La ingeniosa ratio de Vico entre
sabiduria y prudencia, in «Cuadernos sobre Vico», 2004-2005, nn. 17/18, pp.
37-45. 94 804 – Croce: l’idea di Europa tra crisi e trasformazione, in
«Rassegna di Studi crociani», XV, 2005, n. 29-30, pp. VII-XVIII. 805 – María
Zambrano: ragione poetica e storia, in «Rocinante. Rivista di filosofia iberica
e iberoamericana», n. 1/2005, pp. 107-126. 806 – Un libro sulle parole chiave
di Gramsci, in «Archivio di storia della cultura», XVIII, 2005, pp. 299-306. C)
807 – Recensione di E. Nuzzo, Tra ordine della storia e storicità. Saggi sui
saperi della storia in Vico, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani»,
XXXV, 2005, pp. 185-191. 808 – Recensione di F. Crispini, Idee e forme di
pensiero. Brevi saggi di storiografia filosofica, in «Bollettino del Centro di
studi vichiani», XXXV, 2005, pp. 225-228. D) 809 – Scheda di F. Marone, Narrare
la differenza, Milano, Unicopli, 2003, in «L’Articolo», 7 gennaio 2005. F) 810
– Introduzione e Presentazione (in collab. con L. Rossi) di Ricordo di Francesco
Cacciatore, Salerno, Plectica, 2005, pp. 7-17. 811 – Prefazione (in collab. con
G. Cotroneo e R. Viti Cavaliere) a G. Cacciatore, G. Cotroneo, R. Viti
Cavaliere (a cura di), Croce filosofo, 2 voll., Soveria Mannelli, Rubbettino,
2003 [pubblicato nel 2005], pp. VII-VIII. 812 – Prefazione a E. Todaro, Vorrei,
Salerno, Arti Grafiche Boccia, 2005. 813 – Prefazione a G. Magnano San Lio,
Forme del sapere e struttura della vita. Per una storia del concetto di Wel- 95
tanschauung. Tra Kant e Dilthey, Soveria Mannelli, Rubbettino, 2005, pp.
III-VII. 814 – Presentazione di F. Lomonaco, Tracce di Vico nella polemica
sulle origini delle pandette e delle XII Tavole nel Settecento italiano,
Napoli, Liguori, 2005, pp. VII-IX. G) 815 – Quando un filosofo-tifoso non la prende
con filosofia, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 7 gennaio 2005. 816 – Andiamo
oltre i tatticismi e le convenienze di parte, in «L’Articolo della Domenica»,
16 gennaio 2005, n. 3. 817 – Brutta Salernitana. Un grazie a Rubino, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 18 gennaio 2005. 818 – Com’è destabilizzante il
mercato di gennaio, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 25 gennaio 2005. 819 – Anche
il computer contro la Salernitana, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 30 gennaio
2005. 820 – Alle regionali una lista unica delle sinistre, in «Il Mattino», ed.
di Salerno, 1 febbraio 2005. 821 – Ma non è solo sfortuna, sbaglia anche il
tecnico, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 5 febbraio 2005. 822 – Quelle quattro
“polpette” da stropicciarsi gli occhi, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 8
febbraio 2005. 823 – Se manca del tutto il blocco sociale di riferimento, in
«L’Articolo della Domenica», 13 febbraio 2005, n. 7. 824 – Tra dottor Jekill e
Mister Hyde, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 15 febbraio 2005. 825 – Difese le
ragioni dei deboli, in «Agire», XXXIII, 20 febbraio 2005, n. 6. 826 – La forza
dell’umiltà, ma secondi a nessuno, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 23 febbraio
2005. 827 – Gregucci fa le raccomandazioni agli altri e dimentica se stesso, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 1 marzo 2005. 828 – Storia di umano dolore, in
«Agire», XXXIII, 6 marzo 2005, n. 8. 96 829 – Si conferma la storia di Davide.
E Golia-Torino è stato fermato, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 8 marzo 2005.
830 – Confesso: al fischio finale sono saltato in piedi come un ossesso, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 15 marzo 2005. 831 – Più cittadinanza attiva nella
Regione del futuro, in «L’Articolo della Domenica», 20 marzo 2005, n. 12. 832 –
Attenzione, bisognerà lottare fino alla fine, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 29
marzo 2005. 833 – Dal Sud una leadership al servizio del paese, in
«L’Articolo», 5 aprile 2005. 834 – Attore del Novecento, in «Agire», XXXIII, 10
aprile 2005, n. 13. 835 – La Salernitana in stato di grazia. Ma ora non
parliamo del futuro, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 12 aprile 2005. 836 – Dopo
il passo falso col Modena ora si spera nell’effetto trasferta, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 19 aprile 2005. 837 – Sale all’Arechi contro il malocchio, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 22 aprile 2005. 838 – Ora sono seriamente
preoccupato dall’involuzione della Salernitana, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno»,
26 aprile 2005. 839 – Un grande impegno in difesa della Costituzione, in «Il
Quartiere», III, 11 aprile 2005. 840 – L’auriga Gregucci tenga in equilibrio il
“carro alato” della Salernitana, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 3 maggio 2005.
841 – Occorre un ultimo sforzo per uscire dal labirinto, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 11 maggio 2005. 842 – Che fatica essere più di Trenta, in «Il
Mattino», ed. di Salerno, 13 maggio 2005. 843 – Sono preoccupato, in panchina
c’è troppa confusione mentale, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 17 maggio 2005.
844 – Adesso le armi migliori sono il cuore e il carattere, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 24 maggio 2005. 845 – Democrazia progressiva. La lezione di
Amendola, in «L’Articolo della Domenica», 29 maggio 2005, n. 21. 97 846 – Non
c’è tempo per diatribe e recriminazioni. Bisogna solo vincere per rimanere in
B, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 31 maggio 2005. 847 – È tempo di pensare al
nuovo progetto, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 7 giugno 2005. 848 – La solita
telenovela, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 14 giugno 2005. 849 – Isla: Italia e
Venezuela incontro tra due culture, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 17 giugno
2005. 850 – Con i DS divisi l’unità è impossibile, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 3 luglio 2005. 851 – Levi della Vida, l’islamista del ’900 che
sfidò Gentile, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 27 luglio 2005. 852 – Non si può
costruire fuori l’unità che manca nei DS, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 3
agosto 2005. 853 – Le colpe di Aliberti e del Napoli, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 11 agosto 2005. 854 – Pronti per il campionato, evitiamo dannose
illusioni, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 6 settembre 2005. 855 – Ora dobbiamo
limitare i danni, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 13 settembre 2005. 856 –
Depressione addio, finalmente l’orgoglio, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 27
settembre 2005. 857 – Carissima Salernitana, resto ancora ottimista, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 4 ottobre 2005. 858 – Un master per consulenti di
filosofia, in «Il Mattino», ed. di Napoli, 5 ottobre 2005. 859 – Salernitana
grigia con sprazzi di colore, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 11 ottobre 2005.
860 – Occorre una frustata psicologica, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 18
ottobre 2005. 861 – Vent’anni dopo, siamo tornati alle beghe paesane, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 25 ottobre 2005. 862 – Cinque squilli di tromba:
ora Salerno è più serena, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 8 novembre 2005. 863 –
Vico studiava l’Oriente. Oggi cinesi e giapponesi 98 rileggono il filosofo, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 11 novembre 2005. 864 – Salernitana mi avevi
illuso. Ora si giochi come si fa in serie C, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 15
novembre 2005. 865 – Squallore e desolazione: domenica da dimenticare, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 22 novembre 2005. 866 – Orgogliosi del “nostro”
Zoro e della Salernitana di Cuoghi, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 29 novembre
2005. 867 – Parola di filosofo. L’imponderabile fa bello il calcio, in «Corriere
del Mezzogiorno», 1 dicembre 2005. 868 – Per la Salernitana di Cuoghi una
vittoria utile per il rilancio, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 6 dicembre 2005.
869 – Se la bravata di Ambrosio non sarà punita allo stadio non andrò più, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 13 dicembre 2005. 870 – Un’altra gara grigia e
mediocre in attesa di un regalo a gennaio, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 20
dicembre 2005. 871 – Una questione di sistema, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno»,
21 dicembre 2005. 872 – Ha ragione Cuoghi: gioco brutto ma la classifica adesso
ci sorride, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 23 dicembre 2005. 873 – Il rischio è
che la politica sia nuovamente sconfitta, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 28
dicembre 2005. * * * 2006 A) 874 – Antonio Labriola in un altro secolo. Saggi,
Soveria Mannelli, Rubbettino, 2006. 99 B) 875 – L’interculturalità e le nuove
dimensioni del sapere filosofico e delle sue pratiche, in V. Gessa Kurotschka
(a cura di), I saperi dell’umano, il sapere umano, la consulenza filosofica, in
www.unica.it/rfiscuman/. 876 – L’etica e la sacralità del corpo umano, in F.
Salvatore (a cura di), Le cellule staminali miniere di salute, «Come alla corte
di Federico II», 2006, n. 7, pp. 21-22. 877 – Relazione tenuta al convegno su
Le forme del dissenso tra riformismo e globalizzazione (10-11 maggio 2002), in
Aa.Vv., Le forme del dissenso tra riformismo e globalizzazione, Napoli,
Istituto italiano per gli studi filosofici, 2006, pp. 133-150. 878 – Si sta
imponendo un laboratorio politico al negativo, in «Mezzogiorno Europa», VII,
2006, n. 2, pp. 24-25. 879 – Il concetto di progresso e la critica della
filosofia della storia in Benedetto Croce, in M. Agrimi, R. Ciafardone, B.
Razzotti (a cura di), Croce all’aprirsi del XXI secolo, Lanciano, Rocco Barabba
Editore, 2006, pp. 307-322. 880 – Per Leopoldo Zea, in «Cultura
Latinoamericana», 2004 [stampato 2006], n. 6, pp. 111-18. 881 – Capire il
racconto degli altri, in «Reset», 2006, n. 97, pp. 16-19. 882 – Vita e
struttura: Dilthey e l’“ambiguità” della lingua della storia, in M. Failla (a
cura di), «Bene navigavi». Studi in onore di Franco Bianco, Macerata,
Quodlibet, 2006, pp. 5-14. 883 – Croce e l’autobiografia, in A. Marini (a cura
di), Temi crociani della “nuova Italia”, numero monografico di «Magazzino di
filosofia», 2004 [stampato nel 2006], pp. 49-61. 884 – Cerimonia di
conferimento della cittadinanza onoraria di Salerno a Fulvio Tessitore,
Laudatio, Comune di Salerno, 18 gennaio 2005, Napoli, Arte Tipografica, 2006,
pp. 13-26. 885 – Croce nell’interpretazione di Alberto Caracciolo, in «Archivio
di storia della cultura», XIX, 2006, pp. 375-384. 100 886 – L’unità di storia
filologica e logica speculativa. Gentile e la storia della filosofia, in G.
Gentile, Il concetto della storia della filosofia, a cura di P. Di Giovanni,
Firenze, Le Lettere, 2006, pp. 233-248. 887 – Riflessioni sui diritti umani nel
pensiero di Giuseppe Capograssi, in «Civiltà del Mediterraneo», n. 7-8,
2005/2006, pp. 245-265 [numero monografico a cura di S. Langella, che raccoglie
gli Atti del Convegno su “Genesi, sviluppi e prospettive dei diritti umani in
Europa e nel Mediterraneo”, Genova 26-28 ottobre 2004]. 888 – La sinistra tra
omologazione culturale e frammentazione partitica, in M. Cimino, M. Alcaro (a
cura di), Politica e cultura in Calabria. Ora Locale (1996-2005), Cosenza,
Klipper, 2006, vol. II, pp. 166-172. 889 – Ancora sulla storia in Sartre, in
«Bollettino Studi sartriani», II, 2006, 1, pp. 25-34. 890 – La Escolástica
española y la génesis de la filosofía latinoamericana. Alonso Briceño:
metafísica e individualidad, in «Límite. Revista de filosofía y Psicología»,
Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica (Chile), vol. I, 2006, n. 14, pp. 5-24. 891 –
María Zambrano. Ragione poetica e storia, in «Il Pensiero», XLV, 2006/2, pp.
93-107. 892 – Di alcuni pensieri filosofici sul Chisciotte, in «Rocinante.
Rivista di filosofia iberica e iberoamericana», n. 2/2006, pp. 19-27. 893 –
Voce Sviluppo (in collab. con G. D’Anna), in Enciclopedia filosofica Bompiani,
vol. XI, Milano, Bompiani, 2006, pp. 11247-11249. F) 894 – Editoriale in
«Logos. Rivista annuale del Dipartimento di Filosofia “A. Aliotta”», n.s.,
2006, n. 1, pp. 7-9. 895 – Nota introduttiva (in collab. con P. Di Giovanni) a
P. Di Giovanni (a cura di), La cultura filosofica italiana attraverso le riviste
1945-2000, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2006, pp. 9-10. 101 896 – Introduzione a
Poesia e filosofia, raccolta di testi del Seminario tenutosi a Cagliari, 20-22
maggio 2004, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi vichiani», XXXVI, 2006, pp.
49-53. G) 897 – Tifo venezuelano per la Salernitana, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 10 gennaio 2006. 898 – I granata ancora a bagnomaria. Ma il gioco
incoraggia a sperare, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 17 gennaio 2006. 899 – Ma
senza vittorie non si cantano messe, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 24 gennaio
2006. 900 – Una vittoria macchiata, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 31 gennaio
2006. 901 – Una giornata negativa proprio contro la migliore, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 7 febbraio 2006. 902 – Gli arbitri difendano il “povero” Di
Vicino. Ma prima che finisca in ospedale come Totti, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 22 febbraio 2006. 903 – Altro che Pinturicchio. L’artista ora è
Di Vicino, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 28 febbraio 2006. 904 – Diversità è
ricchezza, in «Agire», XXXIV, 5 marzo 2006, n. 8. 905 – Playoff, io lascio
aperto uno spiraglio alla speranza, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 8 marzo
2006. 906 – La sacralità del corpo umano e l’etica della ricerca, in «Corriere
del Mezzogiorno», 9 marzo 2006. 907 – Ora è inutile recriminare. Bisogna
stringere i denti, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 14 marzo 2006. 908 – Cresce
il rammarico per i punti perduti, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 21 marzo 2006.
909 – Quel nervosismo è di buon auspicio, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 28
marzo 2006. 910 – “De Profundis” da veri caimani, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 31 marzo 2006. 102 911 – Finale emozionante. Tifosi in prima
linea, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 4 aprile 2006. 912 – Amendola, democrazia
come dono, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 7 aprile 2006. 913 – Manteniamo i
nervi saldi e l’impresa si concretizzerà, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 11
aprile 2006. 914 – Non cediamo all’isterismo. Bisogna lottare e sperare, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 15 aprile 2006. 915 – Il Teramo è l’unica squadra
che possiamo acciuffare, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 25 aprile 2006. 916 –
Non è stata solo sfortuna, il tecnico ha qualche colpa, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 3 maggio 2006. 917 – In attesa della giustizia sportiva non posso
che promuovere tutti, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 10 maggio 2006. 918 – Da
filosofo granata a Tifoso Accademico: Rettore non smettere, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 13 maggio 2006. 919 – Sono più che convinto, il Genoa sarà
eliminato, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 30 maggio 2006. 920 – Cari D’Alema e
Fassino, sul caso Salerno schieratevi, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 4 giugno
2006. 921 – Il sogno non è finito e la rinascita è sicura, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 6 giugno 2006. 922 – Un’altra politica: qualcuno ci aveva
creduto, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 28 settembre 2006. 923 – Salernitana
d’alta quota, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 3 ottobre 2006. 924 – Rimettiamo i
piedi a terra. E regoliamo bene la difesa, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 10
ottobre 2006. 925 – Giuseppe Cantillo: indagine sull’uomo tra storia e natura,
in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 17 ottobre 2006. 926 – Rispetto le scelte di
Novelli. Ma non rimproveri Mattioli, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 17 ottobre
2006. 927 – Né cappa né spada, solo politica, in «Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno,
30 ottobre 2006. 928 – Una vittoria ottenuta senza spettacolo, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 31 ottobre 2006. 103 929 – Quei minuti di pura follia con tanti,
troppi colpevoli, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 14 novembre 2006. 930 – Così
non va: per aspirare ai playoff il club dovrà intervenire sul mercato, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 21 novembre 2006. 931 – Una squadra troppo mediocre
contro un combattivo Lanciano, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 28 novembre 2006.
932 – Come nacque e come morì il gruppo dei Trenta, in «Il Mattino», ed. di
Salerno, 1 dicembre 2006. 933 – Olio nelle giunture e pedalare. E che non si
parli di sfortuna, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 5 dicembre 2006. 934 – Ma
senza (il criticato) Mancini sarebbero tornati a mani vuote, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 19 dicembre 2006. 935 – La crisi non si cura con l’aspirina, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 19 dicembre 2006. * * * 2007 A) 936 – G.
Cacciatore, A. Giugliano (a cura di), Storicismo e storicismi, Milano, Paravia
Bruno Mondadori, 2007. 937 – G. Cacciatore, V. Gessa Kurotschka (a cura di),
Saperi umani e consulenza filosofica, Roma, Meltemi, 2007. 938 – G. Cacciatore,
D. Conte, F. Lomonaco, E. Massimilla (a cura di), Filosofia, storia,
letteratura. Scritti in onore di Fulvio Tessitore, Roma, Edizioni di Storia e
Letteratura, 2007. B) 939 – Finito e infinito nella filosofia vichiana della
storia, in D. Venturelli, R. Celada Ballanti, G. Cunico (a cura di), 104 Etica,
religione e storia. Studi in memoria di Giovanni Moretto, Genova, Il Melangolo,
2007, pp. 37-48. 940 – Immaginazione, identità e interculturalità, in
«Postfilosofie», II, 2006, n. 3 [stampato nel 2007], pp. 119-133. 941 – La
filosofia dello storicismo come narrazione della storia pensata e della storia
vissuta, in G. Cacciatore, A. Giugliano (a cura di), Storicismo e storicismi,
Milano, Paravia Bruno Mondadori, 2007, pp. 109-168. 942 – Dall’ermeneutica allo
storicismo, e ritorno, in F. Coniglione, R. Longo (a cura di), La filosofia
generosa. Studi in onore di Anna Escher Di Stefano, Catania, Bonanno Editore,
2007, pp. 11-18. 943 – Genesi crisi e trasformazioni della filosofia civile
italiana, in F. Coniglione, R. Longo (a cura di), La filosofia generosa. Studi
in onore di Anna Escher Di Stefano, Catania, Bonanno Editore, 2007, pp.
143-154. 944 – La Escolástica española y la génesis de la filosofía
latinoamericana. Alonso Briceño: metafísica e individualidad, in M. Kaufmann,
R. Schnepf (hrsg.), Politische Metaphysik. Die Entstehung moderner
Rechtskonzeptionen in der Spanischen Scholastik, Bern, Peter Lang, 2007, pp.
107-121. 945 – Riflessioni sui diritti umani nel pensiero di Giuseppe
Capograssi, in A. De Simone (a cura di), Diritto, giustizia e logiche del
dominio, Perugia, Morlacchi, 2007, pp. 439-461. 946 – El historicismo como
ciencia ética y como hermenéutica de la individualidad, in M.E. Borsani, C.E.
Gende, Filosofía-Crítica-Cultura, Neuquén, EDUCO, 2006 [stampato nel 2007], pp.
81-93. 947 – Vico: i saperi poetici, in A. Battistini, P. Guaragnella (a cura
di), Giambattista Vico e l’enciclopedia dei saperi, Lecce, Pensa, 2007, pp.
257-267. 948 – L’ingeniosa ratio di Vico tra sapienza e prudenza, in C.
Cantillo (a cura di), Forme e figure del pensiero, Napoli, La Città del Sole,
2007, pp. 225-240. 949 – Mediterraneo e filosofia dell’interculturalità, in
F.M. Cacciatore, A. Niger (a cura di), Il Mediterraneo. Incontro 105 di
culture, Roma, Aracne, 2007, pp. 29-42. 950 – I saperi umani e la consulenza
filosofica (in collab. con V. Gessa Kurotschka), in G. Cacciatore, V. Gessa
Kurotschka (a cura di), Saperi umani e consulenza filosofica, Roma, Meltemi,
2007, pp. 13-34. 951 – L’interculturalità e le nuove dimensioni del sapere
filosofico e delle sue pratiche, in G. Cacciatore, V. Gessa Kurotschka (a cura
di), Saper umani e consulenza filosofica, Roma, Meltemi, 2007, pp. 319-327. 952
– Para Leopoldo Zea, in «Cuadernos Americanos», vol. 4, 2007, n. 122, pp.
177-183. 953 – Formas y figuras del ingenio en Cervantes y Vico, in «Quaderns de
Filosofia i Ciència», n. 37, 2007, pp. 57-70. 954 – Praxis e storia in Sartre,
in G. Stoica, R.V. Pantelimon, E. Tusa (coord.), Gramsci si Sartre mari
gânditori ai secolului XX, Bucuresti, Editura ISPRI, 2007, pp. 114-123. 955 –
Per una redifinizione del concetto di identità, in M. Mafrici, M. R. Pellizzari
(a cura di), Tra res e imago. In memoria di Augusto Placanica, Soveria Mannelli
(Cz), Rubbettino, 2007, t. II, pp. 717-728. C) 956 – Recensione di A. Tortora,
Presenze valdesi nel Mezzogiorno d’Italia (secoli XV-XVII), Salerno, Laveglia,
2004, in «Bollettino della Società di Studi Valdesi», CXXIV, dicembre 2007, pp.
134-137. F) 957 – Storicismo in nuove dimensioni (in collab. con A. Giugliano),
in G. Cacciatore, A. Giugliano (a cura di), Storicismo e storicismi, Milano,
Paravia Bruno Mondadori, 2007, pp. VII-XI. 958 – Presentazione (con D. Conte,
F. Lomonaco, E. Massimilla) di G. Cacciatore, D. Conte, F. Lomonaco, E. 106
Massimilla (a cura di), Filosofia, storia, letteratura. Scritti in onore di
Fulvio Tessitore, Roma, Edizioni di Storia e Letteratura, 2007, pp. 5-7. 959 –
Anarchia illuminata. Una nuova sintesi tra universalismo e contestualismo
nell’età contemporanea, prefazione a M. Kaufmann, Anarchia illuminata. Una
introduzione alla filosofia politica, Napoli, Liguori, 2007, pp. XI-XXI. 960 –
Verità e storicità nella metafisica dell’espressione di Nicol, prefazione a E.
Nicol, Metafisica dell’espressione, traduzione, introduzione e cura di M.L.
Mollo, Napoli, La Città del Sole, 2007, pp. 9-26. 961 – La Pedagogia come etica
civile, premessa a S. Valitutti, La rivoluzione giovanile, Roma, Armando, 2007,
pp. V-X. 962 – Presentación di J.M. Sevilla, El Espejo de la época. Capítulos
sobre G. Vico en la cultura hispánica, Napoli, La città del Sole, 2007, pp. 13-16.
963 – Prefazione (in collab. con V. Gessa Kurotschka) a G. Cacciatore, V. Gessa
Kurotschka (a cura di), Saper umani e consulenza filosofica, Roma, Meltemi,
2007, pp. 9-11. 964 – Presentazione di G. Magnano San Lio, Forme del sapere e
struttura della vita. Per una storia del concetto di Weltanschauung. Dopo
Dilthey, Soveria Mannelli (Cz), Rubbettino, 2007, pp. 7-9. 965 – Fulvio
Tessitore. Lo storicismo come filosofia dell’evento. Dialogo filosofico a cura
di G. Cacciatore, in «Iride», XX, 2007, n. 52, pp. 483-529. G) 966 – Vacca, il
riformismo italiano in odore di controriformismo, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 14 gennaio 2007. 967 – Una svolta necessaria, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 16 gennaio 2007. 968 – Nuove professioni. Il filosofo diventa consulente
etico, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 21 gennaio 2007. 969 – Zero
centrocampisti. È l’ultimo schema, in «Corrie- 107 re del Mezzogiorno», 30
gennaio 2007. 970 – Tutte soluzioni tampone, ma per tre anni nessuno ha pensato
ai lavori, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 14 febbraio 2007. 971 – La
presunzione a volte gioca brutti scherzi, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 20
marzo 2007. 972 – Dovremo sorbirci un altro anno di C, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 27 marzo 2007. 973 – Squadra senza muscoli e senza dignità, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 3 aprile 2007. 974 – È bene riflettere solo sul
futuro, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 17 aprile 2007. 975 – Relativismo e
relatività nel dibattito filosofico contemporaneo, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 17 maggio 2007 [anche in Come alla corte di Federico II, 8,
Università di Napoli Federico II, 2007, pp. 17-18]. 976 – Diversità e
tolleranza, una lunga storia europea, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 16 giugno
2007. 977 – Due volumi in onore dei settant’anni di Fulvio Tessitore, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 23 giugno 2007. 978 – Venezuela: a proposito di un
articolo di Pierluigi Battista, in «Liberazione», 19 agosto 2007. 979 – Carlo
Pisacane, il volto democratico e socialista del Risorgimento, in «Liberazione»,
22 agosto, 2007. 980 – Vi spiego perché di calcio non scrivo più, in «Corriere
del Mezzogiorno», 26 agosto 2007. 981 – Chavez e la visione apocalittica della
stampa italiana, in «Liberazione», 26 agosto 2007. 982 – De Luca va oltre i
poli, ma per rafforzare se stesso, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 28 settembre
2007. 983 – Valitutti, l’etica che diventa azione politica, in «Il Mattino»
(cronaca di Napoli), 30 settembre 2007 [anche su «Il Mattino», cronaca di
Salerno, 1 ottobre 2007]. 984 – Apriamo un dibattito serio ed informato sulla
riforma della Costituzione di Chavez, in «Liberazione», 21 novembre 2007. 108
985 – Valitutti e la scuola nel libro di Ietto, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno»
(ed. di Salerno), 30 novembre 2007. 986 – La lezione democratica e il caudillo
inesistente, in «Liberazione», 4 dicembre 2007. * * * 2008 A) 987 – G.
Cacciatore, P. Colonnello, S. Santasilia (a cura di), Ermeneutica tra Europa e
America Latina, Roma, Armando Editore, 2008. 988 – G. Cacciatore, M. Martirano
(a cura di), Momenti della filosofia civile italiana, Napoli, La Città del
Sole, 2008. 989 – G. Cacciatore, I. Gallo, A. Placanica (a cura di), Storia di
Salerno, 3 voll., Avellino, Sellino Editore, 2008. 990 – G. Cacciatore, L.
Rossi (a cura di), Salerno in età contemporanea, vol. III di Storia di Salerno,
a cura di G. Cacciatore, I. Gallo, A. Placanica, Avellino, Sellino Editore,
2008. B) 991 – Ermeneutica e interculturalità, in G. Cacciatore, P. Colonnello,
S. Santasilia (a cura di), Ermeneutica tra Europa e America Latina, Roma,
Armando Editore, 2008, pp. 49-60. 992 – Ermeneutica e interculturalità, in G.
Coccolini (a cura di), Interculturalità come sfida. Filosofi e teologi a
confronto, Bologna, Dehoniana Libri/Pardes Edizioni, 2008, pp. 227-244. 993 –
Geschichte zwischen Leben und Struktur. Die Zweideutigkeit der Sprache der
Geschichte bei Dilthey, in G. 109 Kühne-Bertram, F. Rodi (hrsg.), Dilthey und
die hermeneutische Wende in der Philosophie. Wirkungsgeschichtliche Aspekte
seines Werkes, Göttingen, Vandenhoeck und Ruprecht, 2008, pp. 119-136. 994 –
Una filosofía para América Latina, in S. Sevilla (ed.), Visiones sobre un
transterrado. Afán de saber acerca de José Gaos, Madrid-Frankfurt a. M.,
IberoamericanaVervuert, 2008, pp. 181-201. 995 – Età della storia ed età
dell’uomo in Vico: fanciullezza, decadenza e rinascita delle nazioni, in S.
Ciurlia, E. De Bellis, G. Iaccarino, A. Novembre, A. Paladini (a cura di),
Filosofia e storiografia. Studi in onore di Giovanni Papuli, vol. II, L’età
moderna, Lecce, Congedo Editore, 2008, pp. 17-25. 996 – Editoriale, in «Logos»,
n.s., n. 2-3, 2007-2008, pp. 7-8. 997 – Universalismo senza arroganza, in
«Reset», n. 108, 2008, pp. 54-58. 998 – Praxis si istorie la Sartre, in A.
Neacsu (coord.), Sartre în gândirea contemporanea, Craiova, Editura
Universitaria, 2008, pp. 32-44. 999 – Note su Cenni e voci. Saggi di
sematologia vichiana di J. Trabant, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi
vichiani», XXXVIII, 2008, n. 1, pp. 171-183. 1000 – L’immutato amore per gli
apostoli del socialismo, in C. Raia (a cura di), Per Gaetano Arfé.
Testimonianze, Napoli, Libreria Dante & Descartes, 2008, pp. 48-53. 1001 –
Cultura e strutture del sapere tra Ottocento e Novecento (in collab. con L.
Rossi) in G. Cacciatore, L. Rossi (a cura di), Storia di Salerno, vol. III, Salerno
in età contemporanea, Avellino, Sellino Editore, 2008, pp. 235-243. 1002 –
Forme e figure dell’ingegno in Cervantes e Vico, in «Rocinante. Rivista di
filosofia iberica e iberoamericana», III, 2007-2008, n. 3, pp. 13-24. 1003 –
Percorsi della filosofia italiana nell’opera di Santucci, in W. Tega, L. Turco
(a cura di), Un illuminismo scettico. La ricerca filosofica di Antonio
Santucci, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2008, pp. 19-41. 110 1004 – Giambattista Vico e
Vincenzo Cuoco nella tradizione della filosofia civile italiana (in collab. con
M. Martirano), in G. Minichiello, C. Gily (a cura di), Il pensiero politico
meridionale, “Centro di Ricerca Guido Dorso”, Annali 2007, Avellino, Edizioni
del Centro Dorso, 2008, pp. 219-235, 1005 – Una nuova edizione di Teoria e
storia della storiografia di Benedetto Croce, in «Archivio di storia della
cultura», XXI, 2008, pp. 267-272. 1006 – Per il settantesimo compleanno di
Fulvio Tessitore, in «Archivio di storia della cultura», XXI, 2008, pp.
373-376. 1007 – Elias Canetti: la vita delle parole, in E. De Conciliis (a cura
di), La provincia filosofica. Saggi su Elias Canetti, Milano, Mimesis, 2008,
pp. 157-176. 1008 – Carlo Pisacane. Socialismo e Risorgimento, in «Rassegna
Storica Salernitana», n. 49, 2008, pp. 163-173. 1009 – Genesi, crisi e
trasformazione della filosofia civile italiana, in G. Cacciatore, M. Martirano
(a cura di), Momenti della filosofia civile italiana, Napoli, La Città del
Sole, 2008, pp. 9-18. 1010 – Filosofia “civile” e filosofia “pratica” in
Giambattista Vico, in G. Cacciatore, M. Martirano (a cura di), Momenti della
filosofia civile italiana, Napoli, La Città del Sole, 2008, pp. 21-43. 1011 –
La filosofia civile nello storicismo di Antonio Labriola, in G. Cacciatore, M.
Martirano (a cura di), Momenti della filosofia civile italiana, Napoli, La
Città del Sole, 2008, pp. 233-252. 1012 – Carlo Pisacane: Socialismo e
Risorgimento, in R. Diana (a cura di), Il pensiero civile a Napoli fra
Ottocento e Novecento, Napoli, Il Denaro Libri, 2008, pp. 59-77. 1013 – Croce:
l’idea di Europa tra crisi e trasformazione, in R. Diana (a cura di), Il
pensiero civile a Napoli fra Ottocento e Novecento, Napoli, Il Denaro Libri,
2008, pp. 189-215. 1014 – Etica filosofica ed etica politica in Giovanni
Amendola, in R. Diana (a cura di), Il pensiero civile a Napoli fra 111
Ottocento e Novecento, Napoli, Il Denaro Libri, 2008, pp. 217-229. 1015 –
L’unità di storia filologica e logica speculativa. Gentile e la storia della
filosofia, in R. Lazzari, M. Mezzanzanica, S. Storace (a cura di) Vita,
concettualizzazione, libertà. Studi in onore di Alfredo Marini, Mimesis,
Milano, 2008, pp. 51-60. 1016 – Ancora sul positivismo e la storia, in G.
Bentivegna, F. Coniglione, G. Magnano San Lio (a cura di), Il positivismo
italiano: una questione chiusa?, Acireale-Roma, Bonanno, 2008, pp. 14-26. 1017
– Giovanni Cuomo. Le istituzioni culturali e la nascita del Magistero, in V.
Bonani (a cura di), Giovanni Cuomo. Una vita per Salerno e il Mezzogiorno,
Salerno, Editrice Gaia, 2008, pp. 101-108. 1018 – Il posto dell’Oriente nel
pensiero di Vico, in D. Armando, F. Masini, M. Sanna (a cura di), Vico e
l’Oriente: Cina, Giappone, Corea, Roma, Tiellemedia Editore, 2008, pp. 25-35.
1019 – Filosofia e crisi in Ortega e Nicol, in G. M. Pizzuti (a cura di), Studi
in onore di Ciro Senofonte, Napoli, ESI, 2008, pp. 13-28. 1020 – Universalismo
etico e differenza: a partire da Vico, in «Bollettino del Centro di Studi
vichiani», XXXVIII, 2/2008, pp. 7-26. 1021 – L’oggetto della scienza in Vico,
in G. Federici Vescovini, O. Rignani (a cura di), Oggetto e spazio:
fenomenologia dell’oggetto, forma e cosa dai secoli XIII-XIV ai postcartesiani,
Firenze, Sismel Edizioni, 2008, pp. 227-240. 1022 – La logica poetica e
l’identità meticcia. Note sul nesso tra immaginazione, identità e
interculturalità, in V. Gessa Kurotschka, C. De Luzenberger (a cura di),
Immaginazione etica interculturalità, Milano, Mimesis, 2008, pp. 213-229. 1023
– Storia e marxismo in Sartre, in G. Farina (a cura di), Sartre après Sartre,
Torino, Aragno, 2008, pp. 215-226. 1024 – Universalismo etico y diferencia: a
partir de Vico, in «Cuadernos sobre Vico», nn. 21-22, 2008, pp. 57-72. 112 F)
1025 – Introduzione (in collab. con L. Rossi) a Storia di Salerno, vol. III,
Salerno in età contemporanea, Avellino, Sellino Editore, 2008, pp. 15-19. 1026
– Introduzione a G. Buono (a cura di), Contigo aprendí. Studi iberici e
iberoamericani in onore di Antonio Scocozza, Soveria Mannelli (Cz), Rubbettino,
2008, pp. 9-13. 1027 – Fulvio Tessitore. Lo storicismo come filosofia
dell’evento. Dialogo filosofico a cura di G. Cacciatore, in F. Tessitore, Per
una critica di me stesso. I vent’anni dell’Archivio di storia della cultura,
Acireale-Roma, Bonanno Editore, 2008, pp. 9-66. 1028 – Prefazione a P. Di Vona,
L’ontologia dimenticata. Dall’ontologia spagnola alla Critica della ragion
pura, Napoli, La Città del Sole, 2008, pp. 7-11. 1029 – Premessa (in collab.
con M. Martirano) a G. Cacciatore, M. Martirano (a cura di), Momenti della
filosofia civile italiana, Napoli, La Città del Sole, 2008, pp. 7-8. 1030 –
Presentazione (in collab. con P. Di Giovanni) a P. Di Giovanni (a cura di), La
cultura filosofica italiana attraverso le riviste (1945-2000), vol. II, Milano,
Franco Angeli, 2008, pp. 7-8. G) 1031 – Giunte nuove, sono d’accordo, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 8 gennaio 2008. 1032 – “Guernica 1937”, un pezzo di
storia che spiega il Novecento, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 30 gennaio 2008.
1033 – Il socialismo affronta la globalizzazione, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 8 febbraio 2008. 1034 – D’Agostino e la Salerno yiddish, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 16 febbraio 2008. 1035 – Il mercato cancellò la
politica, in «Roma», 9 marzo 2008. 113 1036 – Promessa mantenuta. E adesso
arrivederci in serie A, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 29 aprile 2008. 1037 –
Teologia politica. Il nuovo pericolo per l’Occidente, in «Il Mattino» (Cultura
Napoli), 1 giugno 2008. 1038 – L’emergenza della fame, in «Roma», 8 giugno
2008. 1039 – PD campano, afasia totale, in «Roma», 15 giugno 2008. 1040 – Le due
virtù della politica, in «Roma», 22 giugno 2008. 1041 – Sopportare, c’è un
limite, in «Roma», 29 giugno 2008. 1042 – Università nel mirino, in «Roma», 6
luglio 2008. 1043 – Eutanasia, ieri e oggi, in «Roma», 13 luglio 2008. 1044 –
Una chance per rinascere, in «Roma», 20 luglio 2008. 1045 – Mezzogiorno, ora si
svolti, in «Roma», 27 luglio 2008. 1046 – Dai militari alla fiducia, in «Roma»,
3 agosto 2008. 1047 – Olimpiadi tra sport e politica, in «Roma», 10 agosto
2008. 1048 – La brutta fine della sinistra senza più idee, in «Roma», 17 agosto
2008. 1049 – Torniamo alla realtà, in «Roma», 24 agosto 2008. 1050 – Il
meridione e la scuola, in «Roma», 31 agosto 2008. 1051 – Caso Englaro, non
cambia nulla, in «Roma», 7 settembre 2008. 1052 – Ora si teme un effetto
boomerang, in «Roma», 10 settembre 2008. 1053 – Via gli slogan dalla scuola, in
«Roma», 14 settembre 2008. 1054 – Kalashnikov e zone franche, in «Roma», 21
settembre 2008. 1055 – Un’analisi spietata senza risentimento, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 23 settembre 2008. 1056 – L’economia? La sinistra parli, in
«Roma», 28 settembre, 2008. 1057 – Psicosi razzista: limiti culturali, più che
politici, in «Roma», 12 ottobre 2008. 1058 – Vitiello interpreta Vico tra
storia sacra e profana, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 26 ottobre 2008. 114
1059 – Cara sinistra, non solo cortei, in «Roma», 26 ottobre 2008. 1060 – Sì a
Obama per l’economia, in «Roma», 2 novembre 2008. 1061 – Atenei, mai più risse
e steccati, in «Roma», 9 novembre 2008. 1062 – Eluana, norme e poco clamore, in
«Roma», 16 novembre 2008. 1063 – Lévi-Strauss: cent’anni di vita, in «Roma», 23
novembre 2008. 1064 – Inquietudini dall’Oriente, in «Roma», 3 dicembre 2008.
1065 – Commissariare il Comune e la Regione, in «Roma», 7 dicembre 2008. 1066 –
Umanità, ferite e diritti violati, in «Roma», 14 dicembre 2008. 1067 – PD, a
chi serve tenerlo in vita?, in «Roma», 21 dicembre 2008. 1068 – 2009: povertà
in agenda, in «Roma», 28 dicembre 2008. * * * 2009 A) 1069 – L’infinito nella
storia. Saggi su Vico, con una postfazione di V. Vitiello, Napoli, Edizioni
scientifiche italiane, 2009. 1070 – G. Cacciatore, A. Di Miele (a cura di), In
ricordo di un maestro. Enzo Paci a trent’anni dalla morte, Napoli, Scripta Web,
2009. 115 B) 1071 – Tango: tra filosofia di vita e intercultura, in «Cultura
Latinoamericana», n. 8-9, 2006-2007 [editi nel 2009], pp. 493-502. 1072 –
Universalismo e particolarismo, oggi. Un punto di vista filosofico, in A. Pirni
(a cura di), Logiche dell’alterità, Pisa, ETS, 2009, pp. 157-169. 1073 – Intercultura
e diritti di cittadinanza, in «Pedagogia più Didattica», 2, aprile 2009, pp.
19-25. 1074 – Fenomenologia esistenzialismo storicismo (in collab. con G.
Cantillo), in G. Cacciatore, A. Di Miele (a cura di), In ricordo di un maestro.
Enzo Paci a trent’anni dalla morte, Napoli, Scripta Web, 2009, pp. 9-39. 1075 –
Vico tra Storicismo e Historismus, in «Philosophia. Bollettino della Società
Italiana degli storici della filosofia», I, 2009, 1, pp. 113-131. 1076 –
Momenti della filosofia napoletana attraverso le riviste, in A. Garzya (a cura
di), Le riviste a Napoli dal XVIII secolo al primo Novecento, “Quaderni
dell’Accademia Pontaniana”, 53, 2008 [uscito nel 2009], pp. 63-73. 1077 –
“Rivoluzione passiva” e critica del presente, in «Logos», n.s., n. 4-5, 2009-2010,
pp. 351-356. 1078 – La “duplice fiamma della vita”. Divagazioni filosofiche su
amore e desiderio, in A. Amendola, E. D’Agostino, S. Santonicola (a cura di),
Il desiderio preso per la coda, Salerno, Plectica, 2009, pp. 11-33. 1079 – La
philosophie de l’historisme de Vincenzo Cuoco, in M. Boussy (éd.), Vincenzo
Cuoco. Des Origines politiaques du XIXe siècle, Paris, Publications de la
Sorbonne, 2009, pp. 183-194. 1080 – Universalismo e particolarismo, oggi. Un
punto di vista filosofico, in «Archivio di storia della cultura», XXII, 2009,
pp. 321-331. 1081 – Vico, in F. Coniglione, M. Lenoci, G. Mari, G. Polizzi (a
cura di), Manuale di base di storia della filosofia, Firenze, University Press,
2009, pp. 101-110. 116 1082 – Pratiche filosofiche (in collab. con V. Gessa
Kurotscka), in F. Coniglione, M. Lenoci, G. Mari, G. Polizzi (a cura di),
Manuale di base di storia della filosofia, Firenze, University Press, 2009, pp.
259-261. 1083 – Kant e la “comunità degli uomini”. Note in margine alle pagine
kantiane di Pasquale Salvucci, in N. De Sanctis, N. Panichi (a cura di),
Politicità della filosofia. Atti delle giornate di sudio in memoria di Pasquale
Salvucci, Urbino, Quattroventi, 2009, pp. 25-43. 1084 – “Storia falsa” e libera
critica storica, in «Historia Magistra», I, 2009, n. 2, pp. 173-178. 1085 –
Eduardo Nicol. Una filosofía del hombre entre metafísica de la expresión e
histoicidad crítica, in R. Horneffer (ed.), Eduardo Nicol (1907-2007).
Homenaje, México, UNAM, 2009, pp. 59-74. 1086 – Voce Benedetto Croce, in G.
Liguori, P. Voza (a cura di), Dizionario Gramsciano, Roma, Carocci, 2009, pp.
186-190. 1087 – Voce Soggettivo, soggettivismo, soggettività, in G. Liguori, P.
Voza (a cura di), Dizionario Gramsciano, Roma, Carocci, 2009, pp. 778-780. 1088
– Voce Storicismo, in G. Liguori, P. Voza (a cura di), Dizionario Gramsciano,
Roma, Carocci, 2009, pp. 814-818. 1089 – Voce Universale, in G. Liguori, P.
Voza (a cura di), Dizionario Gramsciano, Roma, Carocci, 2009, p. 874. 1090 –
Europa e Mediterrandeo tra identità e interculturalità, in «Civiltà del
Mediterraneo», n. 15, giugno 2009, pp. 117-132. 1091 – Contributo in Note su
Vico Storia natura linguaggio, di V. Vitiello, in «Bollettino del Centro di
studi vichiani», XXXIX, 2/2009, pp. 110-113. C) 1092 – Recensione di S.
Woidich, Vico und die Hermeneutik. Eine rezeptionsgeschichtliche Annäherung,
Würzburg, Koenigshausen und Neumann, 2007, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi
vichiani», XXXIX, 2/2009, pp. 173-178. 117 D) 1093 – Scheda di C. Pinto, Il
riformismo possibile. La grande stagione delle riforme: utopie, speranze realtà
(1945- 1964), Soveria Mannelli (Cz), Rubbettino, 2008, in «Historia Magistra»,
n. 1, 2009, p. 169. F) 1094 – Presentazione (in collab. con A. Di Miele) di G.
Cacciatore, A. Di Miele (a cura di), In ricordo di un maestro. Enzo Paci a
trent’anni dalla morte, Napoli, Scripta Web, 2009, pp. 7-8. 1095 – Prefazione a
A. Manzi, Un sacco brutto. Trentuno tesi sulla Napoli del degrado, Sarno (Sa),
Edizioni dell’Ippogrifo, 2009, pp. 7-12. 1096 – Premessa a F. Perricelli (a
cura di), Miti, antimiti e storie al femminile nelle letterature e nelle
culture ispaniche, Salerno, Edizioni Arcoiris, 2009, pp. 9-10. G) 1097 –
Napoli, la crisi e la via d’uscita di Napolitano, in «Roma», 4 gennaio 2009.
1098 – Solo lo tsunami li spazzerà via, in 1«Roma», 1 gennaio 2009. 1099 –
Guerre vere e baruffe TV, in «Roma», 18 gennaio 2009. 1100 – Lo storico umbro
Salvatorelli e la ricca eredità dell’antifascismo, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 23 gennaio 2009. 1101 – Con Obama, oltre il buio, in «Roma», 25
gennaio 2009. 1102 – I cattolici napoletani dal moderatismo al partito
popolare, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 27 gennaio 2009. 118 1103 – Lo
“sfasciume” del nostro Sud, in «Roma», 1 febbraio 2009. 1104 – È una sinistra
ormai immobile, in «Roma», 22 febbraio 2009. 1105 – I migliori anni del PCI nel
libro di Colasante, «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 25 febbraio 2009. 1106 – Città
discariche e incubo ronde, in «Roma», 1 marzo 2009. 1107 – Contraddizioni
globali e soluzioni locali: l’integrazione possibile, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 4 marzo 2009. 1108 – Città in crisi, antiche colpe, in «Roma», 15
marzo 2009. 1109 – Piazza fatua e politica out, in «Roma», 22 marzo 2009. 1110
– Il PD sempre nel tunnel, in «Roma», 29 marzo 2009. 1111 – Nuove identità per
i moderati, in «Roma», 5 aprile 2009. 1112 – Non si ripetano vecchi scenari, in
«Roma», 19 aprile 2009. 1113 – Sinistra a picco perché rimuove i bisogni veri,
in «Roma», 10 maggio 2009. 1114 – Stato, partiti e tanti conflitti, in «Roma»,
17 maggio 2009. 1115 – Parlate un pò dell’Europa, in «Roma», 31 maggio 2009.
1116 – Obama: mai negare la storia, in «Roma», 7 giugno 2009. 1117 –
Un’occasione per riflettere, in «Roma», 9 giugno 2009. 1118 – Calcio-spettacolo
e mezze verità, in «Roma», 14 giugno 2009. 1119 – La questione cattolica e il
caso Napoli, in «Il Mattino» (cronaca di Napoli), 23 giugno 2009. 1120 – La
Napoli del degrado in 31 voci, in «Roma», 2 luglio 2009. 119 1121 – Sicurezza
sì, emotività no, in «Roma», 5 luglio 2009. 1122 – Il Papa, l’etica e il
mercato, in «Roma», 12 luglio 2009. 1123 – Se il Sud perde anche i cervelli, in
«Roma», 19 luglio 2009 1124 – Lo scandalo del “Crescent”, in «Roma», 26 luglio
2009. 1125 – Crescent: siamo alla bega strapaesana, in «Cronache del Mezzogiorno»,
31 luglio 2009. 1126 – Il mare, un limite e un confine, «Roma», 5 settembre
2009. 1127 – Salerno, dal locale al globale (in collab. con L. Rossi), in
«Roma», 26 settembre 2008. 1128 – Il nuovo tempo della politica, in «Roma», 27
settembre 2009. 1129 – Nuovi riflettori sul povero sud, in «Roma», 4 ottobre
2009. 1130 – Democrazia senza eccessi, in «Roma», 11 ottobre 2009. 1131 – Nella
riflessione morale il riscatto del paese, in «Roma», 27 ottobre 2009. 1132 –
L’ateneo non è un’azienda, in «Roma», 1 novembre 2009. 1133 – Il muro cadde,
ripartiamo da lì, in «Roma», 8 novembre 2009. 1134 – Avanza la fame, non c’è
giustizia, in «Roma», 22 novembre 2009. 1135 – Disoccupazione oltre il dramma,
in «Roma», 6 dicembre 2009. 1136 – L’individuo e la comunità: l’etica secondo
Cantillo, in «Roma», 20 dicembre 2009. 1137 – Il consulente filosofico? Ecco a
che cosa serve (in collab. con R. Viti Cavaliere), in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 20 dicembre 2009. 1138 – Niente sinistra senza cultura, in
«Roma», 20 dicembre 2009. 120 1139 – Quando i partiti perdono grinta, in
«Roma», 27 dicembre 2009. * * * 2010 A) 1140 – G. Cacciatore, G. D’Anna (a cura
di), Interculturalità. Tra etica e politica, Roma, Carocci, 2010. 1141 – G.
Cacciatore, G. Cantillo, A quattro mani. Saggi di filosofia e storia della
filosofia, a cura di M. Martirano, Salerno, Edizioni Marte, 2010. 1142 – G.
Cacciatore, R. Diana (a cura di), Interculturalità. Religione e teologia
politica, Napoli, Guida, 2010. 1143 – Fatti Analisi Opinioni. Scritti giornalistici
(1989- 2009), a cura di M. Martirano e R. Diana, introduzione di F. Tessitore,
premessa di F. Lomonaco, Salerno, Editrice Gaia, 2010. B) 1144 – Etica
interculturale e universalismo “critico”, in G. Cacciatore, G. D’Anna (a cura
di), Interculturalità. Tra etica e politica, Roma, Carocci, 2010, pp. 29-42.
1145 – Hegel e la metafora, in «Rivista di storia della filosofia», LXV1, 2010,
pp. 123-129. 1146 – Ricordo di Umberto, in Aa.Vv., Ad Umberto, la sua CGIL,
Salerno, Tipografia Fusco, 2010, pp. 3-5. 1147 – Filosofia come istituzione?,
in G. Macrì, A. Scocozza (a cura di), Rendiconti Dottorati di ricerca in Teoria
e storia delle istituzioni, Napoli, La Città del Sole, 2010, pp. 15-25. 1148 –
Storicismo speculativo e storicismo critico, in G. Po- 121 lizzi (a cura di),
Tornare a Gramsci. Una cultura per l’Italia, Grottaferrata (RM), Avverbi
Edizioni, 2010, pp. 197-212. 1149 – Filosofia e crisi in Ortega e Nicol, in E.
Schafroth, C. Schwarzer, D. Conte (hrsg), Krise als Chance aus historischer und
aktueller Perspektive, Oberhausen, Athena, 2010, pp. 349-363. 1150 –
L’immaginario viaggio di Platone in Italia. Vincenzo Cuoco e il suo romanzo
filosofico, in M. Bettetini, S. Poggi (a cura di), I viaggi dei filosofi,
Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2010, pp. 177-193. 1151 – Lo storicismo
nell’“Archivio”, in G. Bentivegna (a cura di), «Archivio di storia della
cultura». I primi vent’anni, Acireale-Roma, Bonanno Editore, 2010, pp. 13-16.
1152 – Ricoeur: una filosofia critica della storia per il mondo contemporaneo,
in «Discipline filosofiche», XX, 2010, 1, pp. 69-91. 1153 – L’etica della
libertà tra relativismo e pluralismo. Su Isaiah Berlin, in D. Bosco, R.
Garaventa, L. Gentile, C. Tuozzolo (a cura di), Logica, ontologia ed etica.
Studi in onore di Raffaele Ciafardone, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2010, pp.
139-153. 1154 – Il mare metafora del limite e del confine, in P. Volpe, S.
Amendola (a cura di), Il Mare e il Mito, Napoli, D’Auria Editore, 2010, pp.
39-65 [anche in R. Bufalo, G. Cantarano, P. Colonnello (a cura di), Natura
Storia Società. Studi in onore di Mario Alcaro, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2010,
pp. 49-66]. 1155 – Europa y el Mediterráneo entre identidad e
interculturalidad, in E. Nájera Pérez, F.M. Pérez Herranz (eds.), La filosofía
y la identidad europea, Valencia, Colleción Filosofías, 2010, pp. 23-36. 1156 –
Croce e Gentile: la funzione degli intellettuali e l’uso della storia italiana,
in A. D’Orsi, F. Chiarotto (a cura di), Intellettuali. Preistoria, storia e
destino di una categoria, Torino, Aragno, 2010, pp. 477-492. 1157 – Identità
ibride e memoria, in «Iride», XXIII, 2010, n. 60, pp. 365-376. 122 1158 – Verso
una nuova politica della memoria, in «Historia Magistra», n. 4, 2010, pp.
158-161. 1159 – Filosofia come istituzione?, in A. Borsari, M. Ciavolella (a cura
di), Navigatio vitae. Saggi per i settant’anni di Remo Bodei, New York,
Agincourt Press, 2010, pp. 257-267. 1160 – Eduardo Nicol. Una filosofia
dell’uomo tra metafisica dell’espressione e storicità critica, in G. Limone (a
cura di), Filosofia italiana e spagnola. Dialogo interculturale. Saggi in onore
di Armando Savignano, Napoli, Istituto Italiano per gli Studi Filosofici, 2010,
pp. 27-39. 1161 – Altri autori del Vico (in collab. con M. Sanna), in F.M.
Crasta (a cura di), Biblioteche filosofiche private in età moderna e
contemporanea, Firenze, Le Lettere, 2010, pp. 143-163. 1162 – Carlo Pisacane.
Socialismo e Risorgimento, in C. Pinto, L. Rossi (a cura di), Tra pensiero e
azione: una biografia politica di Carlo Pisacane, Salerno, Plectica, 2010, pp.
441-463. 1163 – In ricordo di Stephan Otto, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi
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gennaio 2010. 1182 – Questa sinistra dei due cowboy, in «Roma», 24 gennaio
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1184 – Se la cultura salverà l’Italia, in «Roma», 14 febbraio 2010. 1185 – In
primo luogo sia la cultura, in «Roma», 21 febbraio 2010. 1186 – Sulla pedofilia
solo la verità, in «Roma», 21 marzo 2010. 1187 – La sanità di Obama e i
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svolta, in «Roma», 11 aprile 2010. 1189 – PDL, chiarezza. Mai più “inciuci”. in
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giugno 2010. 1196 – Modelli politici in grave crisi, in «Roma», 4 luglio 2010
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ottobre 2010. 1202 – Non c’è futuro senza ricerca, in «Roma», 17 ottobre 2010.
1203 – Antonio Gramsci, il Risorgimento e la storia d’Italia, in «Corriere»
(quotidiano di Avellino), 17 ottobre 2010, pp. 14-15. 1204 – L’unità, valore
che cementa, in «Roma», 24 ottobre 2010. 1205 – Triste tramonto del Cavaliere,
in «Roma», 31 ottobre 2010 1206 – Il mea culpa di Obama, in «Roma», 7 novembre
2010. 1207 – Troppe tattiche e il paese teme, in «Roma», 14 novembre 2010. 1208
– Nel cratere ancora sommersi dignità e bene comune, in «Roma», 24 novembre
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1210 – La volgarità di Verdini, in «Roma», 5 dicembre 2010. 1211 – Wikileaks,
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Ensayos en torno a la filosofía hispanoamericana, prólogo de A. Scocozza,
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Cittadinanza interculturale, in «Cirpit Review», n. 2, 2011, pp. 16-26. 1220 –
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Memory, in «Iris. European Journal of Philosophy and Public Debate», III, 5,
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ricordo di Vanna Gessa Kurotschka, in «Bollettino del Centro di studi
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d’Italia, in F. Rizzo (a cura di), Risorgimento per lumi sparsi, Firenze, Le
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G. Cunico, D. Venturelli (a cura di), Culture e religioni: la pluralità e i
suoi problemi, Genova, Il Melangolo, 2011, pp. 161-178. 1226 –
Sull’immaginazione, in «Bollettino della società filosofica italiana», n.s.,
maggio-agosto 2011, n. 203, pp. 3-14. 1227 – Vico, Croce und der deutsche
Historismus, in G. Furnari Luvarà, S. Di Bella (hrsg.), Benedetto Croce und die
Deutschen, Sankt Augustin, Academia Verlag, 2011, pp. 69-81. 1228 – Ortega e
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tempo appreso nel pensiero. Festschrift in onore di Domenico Losurdo, Napoli,
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Prolegomeni ad una teoria critico-storicistica del neoumanesimo, in «Nóema», n.
2, 2011, pp. 1-15 [http://riviste.unimi.it/index.php/noema]. 1232 – Garin e
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295-319. 1233 – Alfieri “europeo”. Su una nuova edizione tedesca della Vita, in
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Le “borie” di Vico tra etica e filosofia della storia, in «Rivista di
Filosofia», CII, 2011, n. 3, pp. 363-380. 1236 – Intercultural Ethics and
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la ciencia en Vico, in J. Velázquez Delgado, S. Florencia De la Campa (eds.),
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sacri, in «Roma», 9 gennaio 2011. 1242 – Basta Gossip. Italia a pezzi, in
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«Roma», cronache di Salerno]. 1243 – PCI, una storia contraddittoria, in
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gennaio 2011 [con il titolo Il giorno della memoria, anche in «Roma», cronache
di Salerno]. 1245 – Il mondo brucia e l’Italia tace, in «Roma», 20 febbraio
2011. 1246 – Unità d’Italia, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 25 febbraio 2011.
1247 – Atenei si spera in Trombetti, in «Roma», 27 febbraio 2011. 1248 –
Toccato il fondo vadano a casa, in «Roma», 6 marzo 2011. 1249 – Scuola pubblica
perno dell’Italia, in «Roma», 13 marzo 2011. 1250 – Basta pacchianate su
Salerno capitale, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 18 marzo 2011. 1251 – Dopo le
catastrofi ripensare il mondo, in «Roma», 20 marzo 2011. 1252 – Non votiamo chi
imbratta Salerno, «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 31 marzo 2011. 1253 – Lampedusa
come l’Aquila, in «Roma», 3 aprile 2011. 1254 – Abbagnano, figlio
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Salerno], 16 aprile 2011. 1255 – Chi controlla i libri di scuola, in «Roma», 17
aprile 2011. 1256 – 25 aprile, Cirielli non perde il vizio, in «Corriere del
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Tessitore nello storicismo “religiosamente laico”, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 4 maggio 2011. 1258 – Sud, l’opposizione faccia la sua parte, in
«Roma», 8 maggio 2011. 1259 – Correttezza esemplare [titolo redazionale
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2011. 1260 – Paese sfiduciato e politici distratti, in «Roma», 29 maggio 2011. 1261
– Battisti e l’Italia incompresa, in «Roma», 12 giugno 2011. 1262 – Il caos è
colpa anche della Lega, in «Roma», 26 giugno 2011. 1263 – Una manovra
scellerata, in «Roma», 3 luglio 2011 1264 – Senza lobby di umanisti ma comunque
uniti nella ricerca del futuro (in collab. con F. Lomonaco), in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 6 luglio 2011. 1265 – Una carcassa che va a fondo, in «Roma», 10
luglio 2011. 1266 – Mostri in casa nell’Occidente, in «Roma», 31 luglio 2011.
1267 – Giorni infernali, la scure dei tagli, in «Roma», 7 agosto 2011. 1268 –
Rivolte giovanili, le cause del male, in «Roma», 14 agosto 2011. 1269 –
Giuseppe Amarante, il ricordo negli scritti del grande sindacalista, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 21 agosto 2011. 1270 – Una manovra spericolata, in
«Roma», 4 settembre 2011. 1271 – Restituiteci il vero Avanti, in «Roma», 18
settembre 2011. 1272 – “Forza gnocca” e le morti bianche, in «Roma», 9 ottobre
2011. 1273 – Indignados e buona politica, in «Roma», 16 ottobre 2011. 131 1274
– E ora la Libia va ricostruita, in «Roma», 23 ottobre 2011. 1275 – Masullo
indaga “la libertà e le occasioni”, in «Roma», 6 novembre 2011. 1276 – Ora il
tempo è scaduto, in «Roma», 13 novembre 2011. 1277 – Nessun “golpe”. Svolta
urgente, in «Roma», 20 novembre 2011. 1278 – Napolitano “risorgimentale”, in
«Roma», 27 novembre 2011. 1279 – Il logo è semplice, perciò a me piace, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 30 novembre 2011. 1280 – Ma Monti cosa chiede ai
ricchi?, in «Roma», 4 dicembre 2011. 1281 – Attacchi razzisti brutto segnale,
in «Roma», 18 dicembre 2011. * * * 2012 A) 1282 – G. Cacciatore, G. D’Anna, R.
Diana, F. Santoianni (a cura di), Per una relazionalità interculturale.
Prospettive interdisciplinari, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2012. 1283 – G.
Cacciatore, A. Mascolo (a cura di), La vocazione dell’arciere. Prospettive
critiche sul pensiero di José Ortega y Gasset, Bergamo, Moretti&Vitali,
2012. B) 1284 – Alcune riflessioni su storia e bios, in «Logos», n.s., 7, 2012,
pp. 193-198. 132 1285 – Universalismus und Partikularismus, heute. Ein
philosophischer Gesichtspunkt, in B. Henry, A. Pirni (hrsg.), Der Asymmetrische
Westen. Zur Pragmatik der Koesistenz pluralistischer Gesellschaften, Bielefeld,
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una teoria critica del neoumanesimo, in P. Amodio, E. D’Antuono, G. Giannini (a
cura di), L’etica come fondamento. Studi in onore di Giuseppe Lissa, Napoli,
Giannini Editore, 2012, pp. 71-86. 1287 – Problematizar la razón, a proposito
di José M. Sevilla, Prolegómenos para una crítica de la razón problemática.
Motivos en Vico y en Ortega, in «Revista de Estudios Orteguianos», 24, 2012,
pp. 207-211. 1288 – Socialismo e questione sociale in Carlo Pisacane, in E.
Montali (a cura di), Cattaneo e Pisacane. Gli eroi dimenticati, Roma, Ediesse
Fondazione Giuseppe Di Vittorio, 2012, pp. 29-36. 1289 – «Pensiero vivente» e
pensiero storico. Un paradigma possibile per ripensare la tradizione filosofica
italiana, in «Iride», XXV, aprile 2012, n. 65, pp. 135-142. 1290 – Universalismo
e cura per la differenza. Dimensioni interculturali nel pensiero di Vanna Gessa
Kurotschka, in R. Bonito Oliva (a cura di), Identità in dialogo. La liberté des
mers, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2012, pp. 21-30. 1291 – Formas e figura do engenho
em Cervantes e Vico, in H. Guido, J.M. Sevilla, S. de Amorim e Silva Neto
(org.), Embates da razão: mito e filosofia na obra de Giambattista Vico,
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l’incompiutezza del moderno, in «Topologik. Rivista internazionale di Scienze
Filosofiche, Pedagogiche e Sociali», n. 11, 2012, pp. 7-18. 1293 – Fonti
dell’indipendenza latinoamericana e dell’ideologia americanista: la Filosofía
del Entendimiento di Andrés Bello, in V. Giannattasio, R. Nocera (a cura di)
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cittadinanza, in P. Colonnello, Stefano Santasilia (a cura di), Intercultura
Democrazia Società. Per una società educante, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2012, pp.
51-64. 1295 – Un profilo di Leopoldo Zea, in «Pagine inattuali. Rivista di
filosofia e letteratura», 1, 2012, pp. 39-49. 1296 – Le filosofie del
Risorgimento, in M. Martirano (a cura di), Le filosofie del Risorgimento,
Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2012, pp. 23-36. 1297 – Per una critica della ragione
poetica: l’“altra” razionalità di Vico, in M. Vanzulli (a cura di), Razionalità
e modernità in Vico, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2012, pp. 109-128. 1298 –
Giambattista Vico, in U. Eco (a cura di), L’età moderna e contemporanea, vol.
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in U. Eco (a cura di), L’età moderna e contemporanea, vol. 11, L’Ottocento.
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VIII, Anno XCI (XCIII), Fasc. II, 2012, pp. 427-444. 1302 – Il caleidoscopio
della mente. Attività simbolica e mondo storico in Vico e Cassirer, in F.
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lenta transizione dal fascismo a Salerno capitale, Salerno, Edizioni del Paguro,
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Introduzione di C. Scudieri, Il balilla va alla guerra, i libri della leda,
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(in collab. con A. Mascolo) a G. Cacciatore, A. Mascolo (a cura di), La
vocazione dell’arciere. Prospettive critiche sul pensiero di José Ortega y
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Consulta, in «Roma», 15 gennaio 2012. 1318 – Profitto ingordo e insaziabile, in
«Roma», 22 gennaio 2012. 1319 – Politica e cultura per salvare l’euro, in
«Roma», 29 gennaio 2012. 1320 – Stragi naziste, vittime beffate, in «Roma», 5
febbraio 2012. 1321 – Licenziamenti e giusti motivi, in «Roma», 12 febbraio
2012. 1322 – Il salvataggio della Grecia, in «Roma», 19 febbraio 2012. 1323 –
Ma in futuro torni la politica, in «Roma», 26 febbraio 2012. 1324 - La cultura
sola contro la crisi, in «Roma», 4 marzo 2012. 1325 – Questi partiti da
rinnovare, in «Roma», 11 marzo 2012. 1326 – L’art.18 e i rischi per la
democrazia, in «Roma», 25 marzo 2012. 136 1327 – Ecco i numeri che preoccupano,
in «Roma», 29 aprile 2012. 1328 – I pericoli dell’antipolitica, in «Roma», 6
maggio 2012. 1329 – Ora si pensi alla crescita, in «Roma», 13 maggio 2012. 1330
– Lo spettro del terrorismo, in «Roma», 20 maggio 2012. 1331 – Il Premio
Valitutti, in «La Città», 2 giugno 2012. 1332 – Calcio, vietiamo le scommesse,
in «Roma», 3 giugno 2012. 1333 – Rai, meritato schiaffo ai partiti, in «Roma»,
10 giugno 2012.4 1334 – La corruzione politica dilaga, democrazia verso il
naufragio, in «I Confronti», 17 giugno 2012 [http://www. iconfronti.it]. 1335 –
Medicina, patrimonio da tutelare, in «La Città», 20 giugno 2012. 1336 – Perché
il colle è sotto attacco, in «Il Roma», 24 giugno 2012. 1337 – A D’Agostino
dico: politica imprescindibile per regolare i conflitti, in «I Confronti», 24 giugno
2012 [http:// www.iconfronti.it]. 1338 – I due Mario e gli italiani, in «Il
Roma», 1 luglio 2012. 1339 – Basta Moody’s, facciamo da soli, in «Il Roma», 15
luglio 2012. 1340 – Quella lotta agli sprechi di Berlinguer, in «La Città», 20
luglio 2012. 1341 – La riconquista della politica, in «Il Roma», 29 luglio
2012. 1342 – I programmi e le primarie, in «Il Roma», 5 agosto 2012. 1343 –
Crisi, egemonia della “finanza ombra” e nuove sfide della politica, in «I
Confronti», 6 agosto 2012 [http:// www.iconfronti.it]. 137 1344 – Se prevalgono
le urla, in «l’Unità», 17 agosto 2012. 1345 – Germania e Europa si
intenderanno, in «Il Roma», 19 agosto 2012. 1346 – Tra Nord e Sud rapporto
virtuoso, in «Il Roma», 26 agosto 2012. 1347 – La deriva islamica, in «Il Roma»,
16 settembre 2012. 1348 – Sud, dati Svimez e ricette note, in «Il Roma», 30
settembre 2012. 1349 – Montismo meglio del berlusconismo, in «Il Roma», 7
ottobre 2012. 1350 – Recuperare l’etica in politica, in «Il Roma», 14 ottobre
2012. 1351 – Le strade del mondo. L’Africa di Giorgio Turco luogo dell’anima,
in «La Città», 17 ottobre 2012. 1352 – Primarie PD tra programmi e
giacobinismi, in «La Città», 24 ottobre 2012. 1353 – Berlusconismo, quale
futuro, in «Il Roma», 28 ottobre 2012. 1354 – Il giusto peso della politica, in
«Il Roma», 4 novembre 2012. 1355 – L’idea di De Martino. Unificazione
socialista dell’intera sinistra, in «La Città», 18 novembre 2012. 1356 –
Democrazia da risanare, in «Il Roma», 18 novembre 2012. 1357 – I buoni motivi
per votare Bersani, in «La Città», 23 novembre 2012. 1358 – Limiti e ombre
delle primarie, in «Il Roma», 2 dicembre, 2012. 1359 – Dove ci porta
Berlusconi, in «il Roma», 9 dicembre 2012. 1360 – Centrodestra senza agenda, in
«Il Roma», 30 dicembre 2012. * * * 138 2013 A) 1361 – Sulla filosofia spagnola.
Saggi e ricerche, presentazione di F. Tessitore, introduzione di G.A. Di Marco,
Bologna, Il Mulino, 2013. 1362 – Problemi di filosofia della storia nell’età di
Kant e di Hegel. Filologia, critica, storia civile, presentazione di F.
Lomonaco, Roma, Aracne, 2013. 1363 – G. Cacciatore, G. D’Anna, R. Diana (a cura
di), Mente, corpo, filosofia pratica, interculturalità. Scritti in memoria di
Vanna Gessa Kurotschka, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2013. B) 1364 – Un’etica per la
contemporaneità. Sull’itinerario filosofico di Vanna Gessa Kurotschka, in G.
Cacciatore, G. D’Anna, R. Diana (a cura di), Mente, corpo, filosofia pratica,
interculturalità. Scritti in memoria di Vanna Gessa Kurotschka, Milano-Udine,
Mimesis, 2013, pp. 9-19. 1365 – Das Wesen der Philosophie. Die Bestimmung des
philosophischen Wissens zwischen Geschichtsstrukturen und Lebenszusammenhängen,
in G. D’Anna, H. Johach, E.S. Nelson (hrsg.), Anthropologie und Geschichte.
Studien zu Wilhelm Dilthey aus Anlass seines 100. Todestages, Würzburg,
Königshausen & Neumann, 2013, pp. 53-71. 1366 – Mai più pigrizia da
pensiero unico, in «Il Paradosso», I, aprile 2013, n. 0, p. 5. 1367 – El
pensamiento de Gaos entre historia de las ideas y filosofía de la filosofía, in
S. Sevilla, E. Vázquez (eds.), Filosofía y vida. Debate sobre José Gaos,
Madrid, Biblioteca Nueva/Grupo Editorial siglo XXI, 2013, pp. 219-234. 1368 –
Vico und der Historismus, in P. König (hrsg.), Vico in Europa zwischen 1800 und
1950, Heidelberg, Universitätsverlag Winter, 2013, pp. 139-153. 139 1369 – Il
ruolo delle Humanities nella costruzione di una società interculturale, in
«Philosophia», VII, 2/2012 [stampato nel 2013], pp. 165-176. 1370 –
Interculturalità e riconfigurazione concettuale dell’ermeneutica, in
«Bollettino Filosofico», XXVII, 2011- 2012 [stampato nel 2013], pp. 33-41. 1371
– Interkulturelle Philosophie zwischen Universalismus und Partikularismus, in
E. Schafroth, M. Nicklaus, C. Schwarzer, D. Conte (hrsg.), Italien,
Deutschland, Europa: kulturelle Identitäten und Interdipendenzen, Oberhausen,
Athena Verlag, 2013, pp. 19-34. 1372 – Oltre l’idealismo. Lo storicismo in
forma negativa, in «Giornale critico della filosofia italiana», XCII, 2013,
fasc. II, pp. 447-455 [anche in «Bollettino Filosofico», 28, 2013, pp. 48-58].
1373 – Die Rolle der Humanenities im Aufbau einer interkulturellen
Gesellschaft, in G. Morrone (hrsg.), Universalität versus Relativität in einer
interkulturellen Perspektive, Nordhausen, Traugott Bautz, 2013, pp. 59-72. 1374
– Transmediterraneo. Un approccio filosofico, in A. Scarabelli, R. Catania
Marrone, D. Balzano (a cura di), Sconfinamenti. Omaggio a Davide Bigalli,
Milano, Bietti, 2013, pp. 59-63. 1375 – La filosofia critica della storia di
Ricoeur: narrazioine, tempo, memoria, in «Atti dell’Accademia nazionale dei
Lincei», serie IX, vol. XXIII, Roma, Ed. Scienze e Lettere, 2013, pp. 51-81.
1376 – Vico, Croce e l’Historismus, in G. Furnari Luvarà, S. Di Bella (a cura
di), Benedetto Croce e la cultura tedesca, Firenze, Le Lettere, 2013, pp. 79-92.
C) 1377 – Recensione di D. Losurdo, La Lotta di classe. Una storia politica e
filosofica, Roma-Bari, Editori Laterza, 2013, in «Historia Magistra», n. 12,
2013, p. 156. 140 F) 1378 – Introduzione a P. Signorino, Per Europa, Catalogo
della mostra, Napoli, Arte’m, 2013, pp. 8-10. 1379 – Prefazione di R. Diana,
Configurazioni filosofiche di Sé. Studi sull’autobiografia intellettuale di
Vico e Croce, Roma, Edizioni di Storia e Letteratura, 2013, pp. 5-9. 1380 –
Prefazione di E. Todaro, Vorrei ancora, Salerno, Arti Grafiche Boccia, 2013,
pp. 5-7. G) 1381 – Se ritornano destra e sinistra, in «Il Roma», 6 gennaio
2013. 1382 – Se si ripete ancora il copione del 2006, in «Il Roma», 13 gennaio
2013. 1383 – Se la filosofia aiuta la politica, in «Il Roma», 20 gennaio 2013.
1384 – L’idea della storia congeniale al centrosinistra, in «l’Unità», 23
gennaio 2013. 1385 – La libertà e le occasioni. Ecco il pensiero di Masullo, in
«La Città», 24 gennaio, 2013. 1386 – L’olocausto e l’indifferenza, in «Il
Roma», 27 gennaio 2013. 1387 – Fuga dallo studio, segno del declino, in «Il
Roma», 11 febbraio 2013. 1388 – “La scienza nuova”, un volume per capire.
Vitiello e il pre-testo per dialogare con le filosofie, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno», 15 febbraio 2013. 1389 – La Chiesa a un bivio, in «Il Roma», 17
febbraio 2013. 1390 – Attenti al rischio ingovernabilità, in «Il Roma», 3 marzo
2013. 1391 – I rischi del dopo Chavez. Venezuela al bivio, in «l’Unità», 10
marzo 2013. 1392 – I meriti di Chavez, in «Il Roma», 10 marzo 2013. 141 1393 –
Il Papa e la cura per il prossimo, in «Il Roma», 24 marzo 2013. 1394 – Verso un
governo del Presidente, in «Il Roma», 7 aprile 2013. 1395 – Quando la speranza
si prosciuga, in «Il Roma», 13 aprile 2013. 1396 – Usciamo dall’impasse e diamo
un governo all’Italia, in «l’Unità», 24 aprile 2013. 1397 – Democrazia del web
e i rischi di internet, in «Il Roma», 5 maggio 2013. 1398 – La nuova dottrina
di Papa Francesco, in «Il Roma», 19 maggio 2013. 1399 – Presidenzialismo scelta
oligarchica, in «Il Roma», 9 giugno 2013. 1400 – Astensionismo e antipolitica,
in «Il Roma», 16 giugno 2013. 1401 – Fenomenologia del berlusconismo, in «Il
Roma», 30 giugno 2013. 1402 – Enciclica, più marcata la mano di Ratzinger, in
«Il Roma», 7 luglio 2013. 1403 – Terra di veleni, è un genocidio, in «Il Roma»,
14 luglio 2013. 1404 – Ma il vero allarme è per i nuovi poveri, in «Il Roma»,
21 luglio 2013. 1405 – Il PD, il congresso e i falsi rinnovatori, in «Il Roma»,
28 luglio 2013 1406 – Basta cannoneggiare il PD. È il sistema che è in crisi,
in «La Città», 2 agosto 2013. 1407 – Ma il berlusconismo non è mai tramontato,
in «Il Roma», 4 agosto 2013. 1408 – I casi di Silvio e il ruolo dei giudici, in
«La Città», 5 agosto 2013. 1409 – Spunti di riflessione dagli affreschi
ritrovati, in «La Città», 12 agosto 2013. 1410 – Berlusconi e le richieste
impossibili, in «La Città», 17 agosto 2013. 142 1411 – La sorte di Berlusconi e
la destra che verrà, in «Roma», 18 agosto 2013. 1412 – L’olocausto e il gesto
della Merkel, in «La Città», 23 agosto 2013. 1413 – I limiti dell’intervento
militare in Siria, in «Roma», 25 agosto 2013. 1414 – Lo spettro di una guerra
totale, in «La Città», 28 agosto 2013. 1415 – Il paradosso dell’America, in
«Roma», 1 settembre 2013. 1416 – Il peso politico di Allende 40 anni dopo, in
«La Città», 11 settembre 2013. 1417 – Il linguaggio nuovo del Papa, in «Roma»,
15 settembre 2013. 1418 – Memorie sulfuree di un testimone, in «Roma», 27
settembre 2013. 1419 – Il PDL e il bluff delle dimissioni, in «Roma», 29
settembre 2013. 1420 – Tessitore alla ricerca dello storicismo di Croce, in
«Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 9 ottobre 2013. 1421 – Grillo, populismo e diritti
umani, in «Roma», 13 ottobre 2013. 1422 – Quello che (mi) spaventa dell’astro
splendente Renzi, in «La Città», 15 ottobre 2013. 1423 – Il negazionismo,
idiozia o reato?, in «Roma», 20 ottobre 2013. 1424 – Se il PDL piange, il PD
non ride, in «Roma», 3 novembre 2013. 1425 – Il ruolo della sinistra nel mondo
che cambia, in «La Città», 12 novembre 2013. 1426 – Congressi e tessere,
l’anima perduta del partito democratico, in «Roma», 24 novembre 2013. 1427 –
Revisionismo e l’egemonia culturale, in «La Città», 28 novembre 2013. 1428 – La
lezione storica di Mannucci, in «La Città», 4 dicembre 2013. 143 1429 – Ma il
“miracolo” di Nelson Mandela non è ancora stato completato, in «Roma», 8
novembre 2013. 1430 – Rabbia e antipolitica, un mix esplosivo, in «Roma», 15
dicembre 2013. 1431 – Passate le primarie, il PD ritrovi i contenuti, in
«Roma», 29 dicembre 2013. * * * 2014 A) 1432 – G. Cacciatore, A. Giugliano (a
cura di), Dimensioni filosofiche e storiche dell’interculturalità,
Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2014. B) 1433 – Storicismo critico-problematico e
interculturalità, in «Research Trends in Humanities. Education &
Philosophy», I (2014), 1, pp. 11-12. 1434 – Antonio Banfi dall’umanesimo
critico all’umanesimo storicistico integrale, in «Critica Marxista», n.s., n.
1, 2014, pp. 28-37. 1435 – Machiavelli e l’Italia moderna nelle analisi di
Francesco De Sanctis, in G. Lencan Stoica, S. Dragulin (coord.), New Studies on
Machiavelli and Machiavellism. Approaches and Historiography, Universitatea Din
Bucarest, Ars Docendi, 2014, pp. 299-312. 1436 – Contributo su la Scienza
Nuova. Le tre edizioni del 1725, 1730 e 1744, in «Bollettino del Centro di
studi vichiani», XLIV, 2014, pp. 65-73. 1437 – Presentación del libro de J.M.
Sevilla, Prolegómenos para una crítica de la razón problemática. Motivos en 144
Vico y Ortega, in «Cuadernos sobre Vico», 27, 2013, pp. 71-77 [edito nel 2014].
1438 – Geschichte/Geschichtsphilosophie, in H.D. Brandt (hrsg.), Disziplinen
der Philosophie. Ein Kompendium, Hamburg, Meiner Verlag, 2014, pp. 202-219,
233-239, 243-248. 1439 – Teorie e metodi dell’interculturalità nella
prospettiva di un nuovo umanesimo, in G. Cacciatore, A. Giugliano (a cura di),
Dimensioni filosofiche e storiche dell’interculturalità, Milano-Udine, Mimesis,
2014, pp. 11-18. 1440 – Contro le “Borie ritornanti”: per un sano uso della
critica, in «Trans/Form/Ação. Revista de Filosofia», Universidad Estadual
Paulista, vol. 37, 2014, n. 3, pp. 45-56. 1441 – Paolo Rossi storico del
presente, in D. Balzano, D. Bigalli (a cura di), La ragione curiosa. Atti del
convegno in memoria di Paolo Rossi, Roma, Aracne, 2014, pp. 239-262. 1442 –
Nuovi percorsi dello storicismo critico: la filosofia interculturale, in M.
Castagna, R. Pititto, S. Venezia (a cura di), I dialoghi dell’interpretazione.
Studi in onore di Domenico Jervolino, Pomigliano D’Arco (Na), Diogene Edizioni,
2014, pp. 161-165. 1443 – Nuovo umanesimo e filosofia interculturale, in
«Humanitas», n.s., LXIX, 2014, n. 4-5, pp. 584-595. 1444 – Bloch e il futuro
della dignità umana, in R. Viti Cavaliere, R. Peluso (a cura di), La coscienza
del futuro, Napoli, La Scuola di Pitagora Editrice, 2014, pp. 43-68. 1445 – Tra
ragione storica e ragione narrativa. Sulla critica della ragione problematica
di José Manuel Sevilla, in «Rocinante. Rivista di filosofia iberica e
iberoamericana», n. 8/2014, pp. 11-19. 1446 – Storia e rivoluzione. Per
Giuseppe Prestipino, in T. Serra (a cura di), Giuseppe Prestipino. Un Maestro,
Roma, Edizioni Nuova Cultura, 2014, pp. 13-17. C) 1447 – Recensione di F.
Gallo, Dalla patria allo Stato. 145 Bertrando Spaventa, una biografia
intellettuale, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2013, in «Logos», n.s., n. 9, 2014, pp.
241-245. 1448 – Recensione di A. Agosti, Il partito provvisorio. Storia del
Psiup nel lungo Sessantotto italiano, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2013, in «Historia
Magistra», n. 14, 2014, p.147. 1449 – Passione politica e passioni morali per
salvare la dignità dell’intellettuale (a proposito del carteggio Levi Della
Vida-Salvatorelli), in «Historia Magistra», n. 16, 2014, pp. 145-149. F) 1450 –
Introduzione a Evolving Philosophy, in «Research Trends in Humanities.
Education & Philosophy», I, 2014, 1, p. 10. 1451 – Introduzione (in collab.
con A. Giugliano) a G. Cacciatore, A. Giugliano (a cura di), Dimensioni
filosofiche e storiche dell’interculturalità, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2014, pp.
7-10. 1452 – Presentazione (in collab. con C. Cantillo) del fascicolo di
«Rocinante. Rivista di filosofia iberica e iberoamericana», n. 8/2014, pp. 8-9.
G) 1453 – Il futuro di Renzi e la legge elettorale, in «Roma», 5 gennaio 2014.
1454 – Attenti al razzismo strisciante della Lega, in «Roma», 19 gennaio 2014.
1455 – Legge elettorale, quante perplessità, in «Roma», 27 gennaio 2014. 1456 –
Lo sfascismo intollerabile del M5S, in «Roma», 2 febbraio 2014. 1457 – L’Europa
sappia ripartire dai suoi valori fondamentali, in «Roma», 9 febbraio 2014. 1458
– Renzi, la fretta e il filo del rasoio, in «Roma», 17 febbraio 2014. 146 1459
– Quell’indifferenza nei confronti del Sud, in «Roma», 24 febbraio 2014. 1460 –
Psiup, il partito provvisorio, in «l’Unità», 3 marzo 2014. 1461 – Nazionalismi
e populismi, in «Roma», 3 marzo 2014. 1462 – Aprile ’44: la svolta di Salerno.
I partiti antifascisti al governo, in « La Città», 11 marzo, 2014. 1463 –
Europa delle élites o Europa dei cittadini?, in «Roma», 23 marzo 2014. 1464 –
Renzi, oppositori deboli e divisi, in «Roma», 31 marzo 2014. 1465 – Le ragioni
del successo di Papa Francesco, in «Roma», 6 aprile 2014. 1466 – Embrioni
scambiati e questioni morali, in “«Roma», 20 aprile 2014. 1467 – 25 Aprile: non
stanca retorica ma omaggio ai combattenti, in «La Città», 25 aprile 2014. 1468
– I quattro Papi e la forza della Chiesa, in «Roma», 5 maggio 2014. 1469 – Ma
l’Europa non merita la morte, in «Roma», 19 maggio 2014. 1470 – Uno scatto
d’orgoglio partendo dall’Unità d’Italia, in «l’Unità», 26 maggio 2014. 1471 –
Occorre cambiare politica e uomini, in «Roma», 26 maggio 2014. 1472 –
Disoccupazione giovanile, i dati sono catastrofici, in «Roma», 8 giugno 2014.
1473 – Un uomo diventato eroe negli anni bui della dittatura, in «La Città», 11
giugno 2014. 1474 – Vero leader. Basta revival nostalgici (a proposito di
Berlinguer), in «La Città», 12 giugno 2014. 1475 – Corruzione politica e sete
di potere, in «Roma», 16 giugno 2014. 1476 – La doppia sfida di Renzi a
Bruxelles, in «Roma», 25 giugno 2014. 147 1477 – Immigrati, 4 capitoli per
un’agenda Ue, in «Roma», 7 luglio 2014. 1478 – Autodifesa e rappresaglia, in
«Roma», 13 luglio 2014. 1479 – Il patto del Nazareno? È solo fantapolitica, in
«Roma», 21 luglio 2014. 1480 – Gli opposti estremismi dell’ostruzionismo, in
«Roma», 28 luglio 2014. 1481 – Riforme istituzionali teatrino della politica,
in «Roma», 4 agosto 2014. 1482 – Gemelli “contesi”, dibattito aperto, in
«Roma», 11 agosto 2014. 1483 – Togliatti, il leader politico che realizzò un
capolavoro, in «La Città», 21 agosto 2014. 1484 – Contro i terroristi un corpo dell’ONU,
in «Roma», 25 agosto 2014. 1485 – Amarante negli scritti d’agosto, in «Il
Mattino», 29 agosto, 2014. 1486 – La violazione della dignità umana, in «Roma»,
15 settembre 2014. 1487 – La questione italiana nell’ottica del Mezzogiorno. A
proposito del libro di Barbagallo, in «La Città», 16 settembre 2014. 1488 –
Sindacati e politica, basta con gli slogan, in «Roma», 22 settembre 2014. 1489
– Contro l’Isis scenda in campo l’ONU, in «Roma», 6 ottobre 2014. 1490 – Solo
oggi il virus Ebola è un problema globale, in «Roma», 13 ottobre 2014. 1491 –
L’ergastolo cancellato da Papa Francesco, in «Roma», 27 ottobre 2014. 1492 –
Non resta che dire: povera Italia!, in «Roma», 3 novembre 2014. 1493 – Enrico
Berlinguer e la questione morale, in «La Città», 7 novembre 2014. 1494 –
Venticinque anni dopo, la Germania e l’Europa, in «Roma», 10 novembre 2014. 148
1495 – L’intangibilità del diritto d’asilo, in «Roma», 17 novembre 2014. 1496 –
Se l’Università fa più (e meglio) del Comune, in «Roma», 1 dicembre 2014. 1497
– Berlinguer e Togliatti. Un errore storico cercare le analogie, in «La Città»,
2 dicembre 2014. 1498 – I partiti macchine di potere e clientele, in «Roma», 8
dicembre 2014. 1499 – Napolitano e i rischi dell’antipolitica, in «Roma», 15
dicembre 2014. 1500 – Quel duetto comico tra anima e corpo, in «Roma», 22
dicembre 2014. 1501 – Il Papa e le quindici piaghe della Chiesa, in «Roma», 29
dicembre 2014 * * * 2015 A) 1502 – Dallo storicismo allo storicismo,
introduzione di F. Tessitore, a cura di G. Ciriello, G. D’Anna, A. Giugliano,
Pisa, ETS, 2015. 1503 – In dialogo con Vico. Ricerche, note, discussioni,
introduzione di M. Sanna, a cura di M. Sanna, R. Diana, A. Mascolo, Roma,
Edizioni di Storia e Letteratura, 2015. 1504 – Vita, opuscolo dal Lessico
Crociano, a cura di R. Peluso, Napoli, La Scuola di Pitagora, 2015. 1505 – G.
Cacciatore, S. Cicenia (a cura di), Antonio Genovesi a trecento anni dalla
nascita, Battipaglia (SA), Laveglia&Carlone, 2015. 149 B) 1506 – Del
“pensare in proprio” nell’epoca delle filosofie mediatiche, in «Research Trends
in Humanities. Education & Philosophy», vol. 2, 2015, n. 2, pp. 33-39. 1507
– Il potere che frena. Una riflessione sulla teologia politica di Massimo
Cacciari, in «Jura Gentium», vol. XII, 2015, pp. 76-95. 1508 – La critica in
soccorso dell’umano. Filologia e Umanesimo, in F. Mora (a cura di), Metamorfosi
dell’umano, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2015, pp. 17-32. 1509 – Intervento su
Labirinto filosofico di Massimo Cacciari, in «Logos», n.s., n. 10, 2015, pp.
193-199. 1510 – Religione e violenza. Qualche riflessione a partire da Charlie
Hebdo, in «Historia Magistra. Rivista di storia critica», VII, 2015, n. 17, pp.
7-10. 1511 – Contro le borie “ritornanti”. Per un sano uso della critica, in R.
Diana (a cura di) Le “borie” vichiane come paradigma euristico. Hybris dei
popoli e dei saperi tra moderno e contemporaneo, Napoli, ISPF Lab - Consiglio
Nazionale delle Ricerche, (I Quaderni del Lab, 3), 2015, pp. 31-42. 1512 –
Ancora sul Vico di Pietro Siciliani, in F. Luceri (a cura di), Pietro Siciliani
e Cesira Pozzolini, Filosofia e Letteratura, introduzione di F. Tessitore,
Lecce, Edizioni Grifo, 2015, pp. 35-44. 1513 – Filosofare dopo Ortega: su
alcuni modelli di storia della filosofia e storia delle idee nella Spagna della
seconda metà del Novecento, in «Philosophia», X-XI, 2014, 1-2 [stampato nel
2015], pp. 275-289. 1514 – Filosofi e intellettuali spagnoli nell’opera di
Sciascia, in «Todomodo. Rivista Internazionale di Studi Sciasciani», V, 2015,
pp. 71-79. 1515 – L’idea genovesiana di libertà, in G. Cacciatore, S. Cicenia
(a cura di), Antonio Genovesi a trecento anni dalla nascita, Battipaglia (SA),
Laveglia&Carlone, 2015, pp. 33-48. 1516 – Il Croce di Girolamo Cotroneo, in
G. Gembillo 150 (a cura di), Lo storicismo di Girolamo Cotroneo, Soveria
Mannelli (Cz), Rubbettino, 2015, pp. 9-26. 1517 – Il mio Gramsci, in
«Gramsciana», 1, 2015, pp. 13-15. F) 1518 – Presentazione di C. Scudieri,
Ascesa e fine della classe operaia angrese, Angri (SA), Centro Iniziative
Culturali, 2015, pp. 5-8. 1519 – Introduzione (in collab. con S. Cicenia) a G.
Cacciatore, S. Cicenia (a cura di), Antonio Genovesi a trecento anni dalla
nascita, Battipaglia (SA), Laveglia&Carlone, 2015, pp. 7-10. G) 1520 –
Biondi, esempio di storiografia etico-politica, in «Il Quotidiano del Sud»
(edizione irpina), 11 gennaio 2015. 1521 – Ma le colpe sono anche
dell’Occidente, in «Roma», 12 gennaio 2015. 1522 – Grazie Napolitano,
presidente dei cittadini, in «Roma», 19 gennaio 2015. 1523 – Il PD di Renzi non
è di sinistra, in «Roma», 26 gennaio 2015. 1524 – Il messaggio di Pierro nelle
poesie, in «Il Mattino», 28 gennaio 2015. 1525 – Dalla balena bianca al Partito
della Nazione, in «Roma», 9 febbraio 2015. 1526 – Il gravissimo errore delle
sedute notturne, in «Roma», 16 febbraio 2015. 1527 – Lo scontro armato tra
culture e religioni, in «Roma», 23 febbraio 2015. 1528 – L’idea pericolosa del
Partito della Nazione, in «Roma», 2 marzo 2015. 1529 – Quello spirito che serve
alla Campania e al Sud, in «Roma», 9 marzo 2015. 151 1530 – La misericordia e
il messaggio evangelico, in «Il Mattino» (ed. di Salerno), 16 marzo 2015 1531 –
Aiutare Tunisia e Libia contro la minaccia Isis, in «Roma», 23 marzo 2015. 1532
– La strage di immigrati e l’inerzia della politica, in «Roma», 20 aprile 2015.
1533 – Il 25 aprile e la resistenza dei profughi, in «Il Mattino» (ed. di
Salerno), 25 aprile 2015. 1534 – Italicum, un colpo letale per la nostra
democrazia, in «Roma», 27 aprile 2015. 1535 – Il protagonismo tedesco e la sua
colpa storica, in «Roma», 11 maggio 2015. 1536 – Amarante. Il dovere storico
della memoria e il futuro da salvare, in «La Città», 12 maggio 2015. 1537 – La
globalizzazione della cieca violenza, in «Roma», 18 maggio 2015. 1538 – La
Resistenza di Salerno e il dovere della memoria, in «Il Mattino» (ed. di
Salerno), 22 maggio 2015. 1539 – L’Occidente miope e l’avanzata dell’Is, in
«Roma», 25 maggio 2015. 1540 – Partito della Nazione: il progetto è fallito, in
«Roma», 8 giugno 2015. 1541 – Relazione virtuosa tra scienza e vangelo, in
«Roma», 22 giugno 2015. 1542 – La conversione ecologica di Papa Francesco, in
«Il Mattino» (ed. di Salerno), 2 luglio 2015. 1543 – Che fine ha fatto la
sinistra moderata?, in «Roma», 6 luglio 2015. 1544 – Reddito di cittadinanza
nelle riforme di Renzi, in «Roma», 20 luglio 2015. 1545 – Il pianeta “gemello”
e il futuro della terra, in «Roma», 27 luglio 2015. 1546 – Serve un piano
Marshall per il Mezzogiorno, in «Roma», 3 agosto 2015. 1547 – Barbarie
post-atomica e dominio della ragione, in «Roma», 10 agosto 2015. 152 1548 –
Isis, serve un’alleanza come contro il nazismo, in «Roma», 24 agosto 2015. 1549
– Come si uccidono le università del Sud, in «Roma», 31 agosto 2015. 1550 – La
“nuova” S. Teresa e la politica del territorio, in «La Città», 14 settembre
2015. 1551 – Germania più europea grazie ai profughi, in «Roma», 14 settembre
2015. 1552 – Tragedia immigrati e diritto d’asilo, in «Roma», 21 settembre
2015. 1553 – Quando il rapporto dolore-paziente diventa consapevole, in «La
Città», 22 settembre 2015. 1554 – L’apocalisse delle migrazioni, in «Roma», 28
settembre 2015. 1555 – La forza del papa che parla ai Sud del mondo, in «Il
Mattino», 29 settembre 2015. 1556 – La lobby delle armi e le stragi in Usa, in
«Roma», 5 ottobre 2015. 1557 – Il Sud dimenticato da questo governo, in «Roma»,
19 ottobre 2015. 1558 – Non illudiamoci sul Sud. Il governo lo ha abbandonato,
in «Roma», 2 novembre 2015. 1559 – La risposta forte del papa ai corvi e ai
faraoni, in «Roma», 9 novembre 2015. 1560 – Bisogna evitare reazioni emotive,
in «Roma», 16 novembre 2015. 1561 – Il reciproco rispetto di tutte le
religioni, in «Roma», 23 novenbre 2015. 1562 – La misericordia non è un atto
autoreferenziale, in «Roma», 7 dicembre 2015. 1563 – L’università verso
un’irreversibile agonia, in «Roma, 21 dicembre 2015. 1564 – Lo spettacolo
gender e il paradigma dell’identità sessuale, in «Il Mattino», 27 dicembre
2015. * * * 153 2016 A) 1565 – G. Cacciatore, C. Cantillo (a cura di), Omaggio
a Ortega. A cento anni dalle Meditazioni del Chisciotte (1914-2014), Napoli,
Guida Editori, 2016. B) 1566 – Time, Narration, Memory: Paul Ricoeur’s Theory
of History, in F. Santoianni (ed.), The Concept of Time in Early
Twentieth-Century Philosophy. A Philosophical Thematic Atlas, Switzerland,
Springer, 2016, pp. 167-173. 1567 – Le nuove edizioni delle Scienze Nuove nel
contesto del progetto per l’edizione critica dell’opera vichiana, in
«Rendiconti. Atti della Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei», serie IX, vol. XXVI,
Roma, Bardi Edizioni, 2016, pp. 265-271. 1568 – La polemica sulla «Voce» tra
filosofi ‘amici’, in Aa.Vv., Croce e Gentile. La cultura italiana e l’Europa,
Roma, Istituto dell’Enciclopedia italiana, 2016, pp. 281-287. 1569 – Da Gramsci
a Said. Filologia vivente e critica democratica, in Aa.Vv., Attualità del
pensiero di Antonio Gramsci, «Atti dei Convegni Lincei - 292. Accademia
Nazionale dei Lincei», Roma, Bardi Edizioni, 2016, pp. 41-57. 1570 – Bruno
Trentin: la critica del finalismo storicistico e del comunismo “schematico” e
“ossificato”, in A. Gramolato, G. Mari (a cura di), Il lavoro dopo il
Novecento: da produttori sociali ad attori sociali, Firenze, Firenze University
Press, 2016, pp. 221-232. 1571 – El pensamiento mediterráneo y la filosofía
intercultural, in P. Badillo O’Farrel, J.M. Sevilla Fernández (eds.), La Brújula
hacia el sur. Estudios sobre filosofía meridional, Madrid, Biblioteca Nueva,
2016, pp. 73-85. 1572 – Il posto della parola: lo stile filosofico di Ortega
tra meditazione e saggio, in G. Cacciatore, C. Cantillo (a cura di), 154
Omaggio a Ortega. A cento anni dalle Meditazioni del Chisciotte (1914-2014),
Napoli, Guida Editori, 2016, pp. 31-47. 1573 – In ricordo di Franco Crispini,
in «Logos», n.s., n. 11, 2016, pp. 95-99. 1574 – Die Freiheitsidee bei
Genovesi, in M. Kaufmann, J. Renzikowski (hrsg.), Freiheit als Rechtsbegriff,
Berlin, Duncker und Humblot, 2016, pp. 201-211. 1575 – Per Roberto Volpe. A
quarant’anni dalla morte, in «Rassegna Storica Salernitana», n. 65, 2016, pp.
181-184. 1576 – Ordine e disciplina: usura di parole e di idee, in «Archivio di
storia della cultura», XXIX, 2016, pp. 31-33. 1577 – Ricostruzione,
interpretazione, storicità. Ancora sul rapporto tra psicoanalisi e storia, in
«Bollettino Filosofico», 31, 2016, pp. 17-28. 1578 – Filosofia pratica e
filosofia civile, in A. Musci, R. Russo (a cura di), Filosofia civile e crisi
della ragione. Croce filosofo europeo, Roma, Edizioni di Storia e Letteratura,
2016, pp. 47-67. 1579 – Etica, progresso, marxismo, in «Materialismo storico»,
n. 1-2, 2016, pp. 12-17. 1580 – Il concetto di cittadinanza in Vico come
manifestazione del nesso tra universalità della legge e storicità empirica
della civitas, in «Laboratorio dell’ISPF», XIII, 2016, n.16, pp. 1-10. 1581 –
Diversioni e riflessioni in un recente libro sul Chisciotte, in «Rocinante.
Rivista di filosofia iberica, iberoamericana e interculturale», n. 9/2015-2016,
pp. 97-101. C) 1582 – Recensione di A. Labriola, Tra Hegel e Spinoza. Scritti
1863-1869, a cura di A. Savorelli e A. Zanardo, Napoli, Biblipolis, 2015, in
«Historia Magistra», n. 22, 2016, p. 146. 155 E) 1583 – J. Ortega y Gasset,
Meditazioni del Chisciotte e altri saggi, a cura di G. Cacciatore e M.L. Mollo,
Napoli, Guida Editori, 2016. F) 1584 – Introduzione (in collab. con C.
Cantillo) a G. Cacciatore, C. Cantillo (a cura di), Omaggio a Ortega. A cento
anni dalle Meditazioni del Chisciotte (1914-2014), Napoli, Guida Editori, 2016,
pp. 5-10. 1585 – Premessa a J. Ortega y Gasset, Meditazioni del Chisciotte e
altri saggi, a cura di G. Cacciatore e M.L. Mollo, Napoli, Guida Editori, 2016,
pp. V-XIII. 1586 – Introduzione a D. Di Iasio, Dark Age. Per una rinascita
dell’umano, Manfredonia, Pacilli Editore, 2016, pp. 7-13. 1587 – Introduzione a
M Scalercio, Umanesimo e storia da Said a Vico. Una prospettiva vichiana sugli
studi postcolionali, Roma, Edizioni di Storia e Letteratura, 2016, pp. VII-XII.
1588 – Introduzione a L. Anzalone, Eroi nel paese della mafia. Storie italiane:
Impastato, Ambrosoli, Falcone e Borsellino, Don Puglisi, S. Cesario di Lecce,
Pensa Editore, 2016, pp. 7-18. G) 1589 – Vecchi e nuovi conflitti: scenari
inquietanti, in «Roma», 4 gennaio 2016. 1590 – Zanone, studioso e politico
legatissimo a Salerno (in collab. con R. Cangiano), in «La Città», 9 gennaio
2016. 1591 – Immigrazione, politici sull’onda dell’emozione, in «Roma», 11
gennaio 2016. 1592 – Esprit de finesse et de géométrie. Il connubio felice di
Cicenia, in «Il Mattino» (ed. di Salerno), 16 gennaio 2016. 156 1593 –
L’America di Obama profondamente divisa, in «Roma», 18 gennaio 2016. 1594 – Le
unioni civili e i dubbi del Papa, in «Roma», 25 gennaio 2016. 1595 – La
sconfitta del socialismo democratico e riformista, in «Roma», 1 febbraio 20169
1596 – L’adozione del figliastro, quanta confusione, in «Roma», 15 febbraio
2016. 1597 – Umberto Eco, l’Europa e l’uscita degli inglesi, in «Roma», 22
febbraio 2016. 1598 – Volpe e la città ricostruita dalle macerie, in «Il
Mattino» (ed. di Salerno), 7 marzo 2016. 1599 – Facciamo attenzione alla
polveriera Libia, in «Roma», 7 marzo 2016. 1600 – La crisi della sinistra con
la nascita del PD, in «Roma», 14 marzo 2016. 1601 – La nazione napoletana tra
mito e realtà, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 3 aprile 2016. 1602 – Francesco
De Martino, un uomo che ci manca, in «Roma», 11 aprile 2016. 1603 – La
misericordia del Papa e i fallimenti dei politici, in «Roma», 18 aprile 2016.
1604 – Questa spaccatura non serve a nessuno, in «Roma», 25 aprile 2016. 1605 –
La realtà di una metropoli tra immagini e parole, in «La Città», 3 maggio 2016.
1606 – Papa Bergoglio e il sogno di un’Europa nuova, in «Roma», 9 maggio 2016.
1607 – Il populismo dell’antipolitica, in «Roma», 16 maggio 2016. 1608 – I
politici studino il rapporto Istat per capire cosa fare, in «Roma», 23 maggio
2016. 1609 – Un appuntamento importante campo di prova per Renzi, in “Roma», 6 giugno
2016. 1610 – L’obiettivo deve essere la serie A, in «La Città», 8 giugno 2016.
157 1611 – Un libro che diffonde l’odio contro l’uomo, in «Roma», 13 giugno
2016. 1612 – Anche con la Brexit l’Europa non muore, in «Roma», 20 giugno 2016.
1613 – Si è concesso troppo ai conservatori inglesi, in «Roma», 27 giugno 2016.
1614 – Gli errori che uccidono le nostre democrazie, in «Roma», 11 luglio 2016.
1615 – È una g uerra figlia della globalizzazione, in «Roma», 18 luglio 2016.
1616 – La religione strumento di pace per Francesco, in «Roma», 1 agosto 2016.
1617 – Sicurezza e democrazia per battere la paura, in «Roma», 8 agosto 2016.
1618 – Burkini vietati, non è vera laicità, in «Roma», 22 agosto 2016. 1619 –
Subito un piano nazionale di sicurezza degli edifici, in «Roma», 29 agosto
2016. 1620 – Lo storicismo secondo Tessitore, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 4
settembre 2016. 1621 – Il mondo di “Bella ciao”, la canzone della libertà, il
«Il Mattino» (ed. di Salerno), 16 settembre 2016. 1622 – Ma Ciampi non fu solo
un grande europeista, in «Roma», 19 settembre 2016. 1623 – Quell’inchino
davanti al PCI, in «La Città», 21 settembre 2016. 1624 – Obama e l’agenda delle
sfide globali, in «Roma», 26 settembre 2016. 1625 – Amendola contro i
populismi, in «Il Mattino» (ed. di Salerno), 3 Ottobre 2016. 1626 – Il pericolo
del populsimo demagogico-qualunquista. A proposito della crisi del socialismo
europeo, in «Roma», 3 ottobre 2016. 1627 – Dialoghi sull’anima. Insondabile
mistero, il «Il Mattino» (ed. di Salerno), 8 ottobre 2016. 1628 – Scuola
dimenticata, tornano le proteste, in «Roma», 158 10 ottobre 2016. 1629 –
Penalizzati le donne e i lavoratori meridionali, in «Roma», 17 ottobre 2016.
1630 – Crisi e mutamento nel senso dell’umano, in «Roma», 31 ottobre 2016. 1631
– Quegli eroi di una scelta contrastata, in «Il Quotidiano del Sud», 6 novembre
2016. 1632 – Presidenziali in Usa, scontro tra due mondi, in «Roma», 7 novembre
2016. 1633 – Apocalittici o rassegnati, ma c’è una terza via, in «Roma», 13
novembre 2016. 1634 – Fine del l’esperimento del socialismo cubano?, in «Roma»,
28 novembre 2016. 1635 – Personalizzazione politica nelle logiche di partito,
in «Roma», 12 dicembre 2016. 1636 – Le voci del secolo breve, in «Corriere del
Mezzogiorno”, 13 dicembre 2016. 1637 – Responsabilità degli storici nella vita
civile, in «La Città», 15 dicembre 2016. 1638 – La politica torni giudice di se
stessa, in «Roma», 19 dicembre 2016. 1639 – Il corpo a corpo di Galasso con la
storia, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 22 dicembre 2016. * * * 2017 A) 1640 –
Laurea Honoris Causa in Scienze Pedagogiche. Lectio Magistralis. Il futuro
della filosofia sta nel suo passato, presentazione di A.Tommasetti, Laudatio:
Sullo storicismo di G. Cacciatore di F. Tessitore, Salerno, Università degli
Studi di Salerno, 2017. 159 1641 – L’esperienza filosofica di Fulvio Tessitore
in forma di dialogo. Intervista di Giuseppe Cacciatore, a cura di S. Tarantino,
in appendice la bibliografia degli scritti a cura di F. Lomonaco, presentazione
di M. De Dominicis, Napoli, Editoriale Scientifica, 2017. 1642 – Giuseppe
Giarrizzo, Napoli, Società Nazionale di Scienze, Lettere e Arti, “Profili e
Ricordi” XLI, 2017. B) 1643 – Ricostruzione, interpretazione, storicità. Ancora
sul rapporto tra psicoanalisi e storia, in «Research Trend in Humanties», IV,
2017, pp. 66-73. 1644 – Croce e Dilthey. Le due vie dello storicismo europeo,
in C. Tuozzolo (a cura di), Benedetto Croce. Riflessioni a 150 anni dalla
nascita, Canterano (RM), Aracne Editrice, 2017, pp. 25-33 [anche in S. Di Bella,
F. Rizzo Celona (a cura di), Croce e la modernità tedesca, Roma, Aracne, 2017,
pp. 99-108]. 1645 – In memoria di Italo Gallo, in «Rassegna Storica
Salernitana», n.s., XXXIII/2, dicembre 2016, n. 66, pp. 3-5. 1646 – Il sapere
filosofico e la sua storia tra universalismo e relativismo, in «Storiografia.
Rivista annuale di storia», n. 20, 2016, Roma, Fabrizio Serra Editore, 2017,
pp. 159-167. 1647 – Dilthey e Humboldt. La fondazione filosofica
dell’individualità e la nascita della coscienza storica, in A. Carrano, E.
Massimilla, F. Tessitore (a cura di), Wilhelm von Humboldt,
duecentocinquant’anni dopo. Incontri e confronti, Quaderni dell’«Archivio di
storia della cultura», n.s., vol. 7, Napoli, Liguori, 2017, pp. 395-422. 1648 –
Tra etica dei principi ed etica pratica. I Frammenti di etica di Benedetto
Croce, in «Il Pensiero italiano», I, 2017, n. 1, pp. 21-36. 1649 – Divagazioni
filosofiche (e non) sulla felicità, in V. Caputo (a cura di), L’Io felice tra
filosofia e letteratura, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2017, pp. 15-24. 1650 – Tacito
e il tacitismo in Spagna, in «Rocinante. Ri- 160 vista di filosofia iberica,
iberoamericana e interculturale», n. 10/2017, pp. 139-144. 1651 – Meticciato,
ibridazione, etica interculturale, in G. Magnano San Lio, L. Ingaliso (a cura
di), Alterità e cosmopolitismo nel pensiero moderno e contemporaneo, Soveria
Mannelli, Rubbettino, 2017, pp. 41-52 [anche in M. Longo, G. Miceli (a cura
di), La filosofia e la sua storia. Studi in onore di G. Piaia, Padova, Cleup,
2017, t. 2, pp. 405-417]. 1652 – Gramsci oggi. Tra marxismo critico ed etica
della realizzazione dell’umano, in «Infiniti Mondi», I, 2017, n. 1, pp. 99-106.
F) 1653 – Note introduttive, in «Rassegna storica salernitana», n. 67, giugno
2017, pp. 5-7. 1654 – Prefazione a G. Magnano San Lio, Per una filosofia dello
storicismo. Studi su Dilthey, Soveria Mannelli, Rubbettino, 2017, pp. 7-11. G)
1655 – Non basta l’accoglienza senza vera integrazione, in «Roma», 9 gennaio
2017. 1656 – Il futuro dell’America nell’addio di Obama, in «Roma», 16 gennaio
2017. 1657 – Come cambiano gli Usa nell’era del populismo, in «Roma», 23
gennaio 2017. 1658 – Olocausto, una eredità da trasmettere ai giovani, in
«Roma», 30 gennaio 2017. 1659 – Post, il prefisso che avvelena la democrazia,
in «Il Mattino» (ed. di Salerno), 2 febbraio 2017. 1660 – Le ambizioni di Renzi
e il bene del paese, in «Roma», 6 febbraio 2017. 1661 – Tradizione socialista:
è in crisi profonda, in «Roma», 13 febbraio 2017. 161 1662 – Diritto
all’obiezione e all’autodeterminazione, in «Roma», 27 febbraio 2017. 1663 – La
sinistra ora recuperi i valori espressi dal voto del 4 dicembre, in «La Città»,
28 febbraio 2017. 1664 – Edizione nazionale di Labriola, spunta il testo su
Spinoza, in «Corriere del Mezzogiorno», 3 marzo 2017. 1665 – I nuovi schiavi
del nostro secolo, in «Roma», 6 marzo 2017. 1666 – Magistrati e politica, un
rapporto irrisolto, in «Roma», 20 marzo, 2017. 1667– Cambio d’epoca. 1917
l’anno della rivoluzione, in «La Città», 25 marzo 2017. 1668 – Rappresentante e
rappresentato, in «Roma», 27 marzo, 2017. 1669 – Ecco la nuova casa a sinistra
del PD, in «Roma», 3 aprile 2017. 1670 – Si va verso la terza catastrofe
mondiale, «Roma», 10 aprile 2017. 1671 – Francia, una risposta per il futuro
europeo, in «Roma», 24 aprile 2017. 1672 – Legittima difesa, tante
incongruenze, in «Roma», 8 maggio 2017. 1673 – Di che cosa sarà fatto il
futuro? Emmanuel guardi alle ingiustizie, un «La Città», 8 maggio 2017. 1674 –
Tragedia e sofferenze di un popolo, in «La Città», 21 maggio 2017. 1675 – De Sanctis,
zoom su un maestro, in «Roma», 23 maggio 2017. 1676 – I sette “grandi” e
l’inutile incontro di Taormina, in «Roma», 29 maggio 2017. 1677 – Ma la vera
sinistra rischia di scomparire, in «Roma», 5 giugno 2017. 1678 – La
reintroduzione del sistema voucher, in «Roma», 12 giugno 2017. 1679 – PD, è un
dualismo di difficile soluzione, in «Roma», 3 luglio 2017 162 1680 – Le tante
responsabilità dell’emergenza incendi, in «Roma», 17 luglio 2017. 1681 –
Migranti, sta fallendo lo spirito comunitario, in «Roma», 24 luglio 2017. 1682
– Rapporto da chiarire tra obbligo e libertà, in «Roma», 31 luglio 2017. 1683 –
Migranti, l’Europa tradisce se stessa, in «Roma», 7 agosto 2017. 1684 –
Multinazionali estere libere di avvelenare, in «Roma», 14 agosto 2017. 1685 – S.
Matteo? Basta amenità, è culto storico, in «La Città», 18 agosto 2017. 1686 –
Raggi come Pilato. Serve buon senso, in «Roma», 28 agosto, 2017. 1687 – Il
mondo dei robot, è l’era post-umana?, in «Roma», 4 settembre 2017. 1688 – Gli
abusi di potere di qualche magistrato, in «Roma», 18 settembre 2017. 1689 – I
mitici anni 60 dei primi “nettuniani”, in «La Città», 24 settembre 2017. 1690 –
Spagna e Catalogna sull’orlo del baratro, in «Roma», 25 settembre 2017. 1691 –
L’Università italiana non va criminalizzata, in «Roma», 2 ottobre 2017. 1692 –
Così il “giornalista” Gramsci rilegge gli eventi della rivoluzione d’ottobre,
in «La Città», 6 ottobre 2017. 1693 – Cosa si nasconde dietro la crisi
catalana, in «Roma», 9 ottobre 2017. 1694 – Democrazia italiana: è sempre più
stanca, in «Roma», 16 ottobre 2017. 1695 – I quattro populismi sula scena
politica, in «Roma», 23 ottobre 2017. 1696 – Spagna, è a rischio il futuro
democratico, in «Roma», 30 ottobre 2017. 1697 – Che fine ha fatto la sinistra
italiana?, in «Roma», 6 novembre 2017. 163 1698 – Ma dov’è finita la dignità
umana?, in «Roma», 13 novembre 2017. 1699 – Emergenza migranti, la sciagurata
decisione di affidarsi alla Libia, «La Città», 20 novembre 2017 [anche in
«Roma» col titolo Le ventisei migranti sepolte a Salerno]. 1700 – Quando ci
dimentichiamo delle nostre origini, in «Roma», 27 novembre 2017. 1701 –
Passioni e debolezze di Gramsci nell’originale biografia di D’Orsi, in «La
Città», 27 novembre 2017. 1702 – Se patria e matria diventano contaminazione
virtuosa, in «La Città», 4 dicembre 2017 [anche in «Roma» col titolo Il duro
confronto tra Patria e Matria]. 1703 – Rinnovare la cultura politica per
debellare i neo fascismi, in «La Città», 11 dicembre 2017. 1704 – La svolta
umanistica del biotestamento, in «La Città», 18 dicembre 2017 [anche in «Roma»
col titolo Biotestamento e dignità, una rivoluzione culturale]. 1705 – La
Catalogna vittoriosa non rilanci lo scontro, in «La Città», 27 dicembre 2017
[anche in «Roma», 28 dicembre 2017, col titolo La questione catalana e i rischi
per l’Europa]. 1706 – Umanesimo. La linea analitica di Cacciari. Interrogativi
sulla crisi tra filologia e filosofia, in «Il Mattino» (ed. di Salerno), 27
dicembre, 2017. * * * 2018 B) 1707 – Acerca de la génesis de los conceptos
viquianos de ingenio y fantasía, in «Cuadernos sobre Vico», 30/31, 2016-2017
[pubblicato nel 2018], pp. 87-94. 164 1708 – In difesa della Carta
Costituzionale, oggi come ieri, in «Infiniti Mondi», II, 2018, n. 4, pp. 35-45.
1709 – Divagazioni sulla felicità, in P. Rumore (a cura di), Momenti di
felicità. Per Massimo Mori, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2018, pp. 115-126. 1710 –
Humboldt und Dilthey. Die philosophische Begründung der Individualität und das
Entstehen des geschichtlichen Bewusstseins, in J. Trabant (hrsg.), Wilhelm von
Humboldt: Sprache, Dichtung, Geschichte, Paderborn, Wilhelm Fink Verlag, 2018,
pp. 83-100. 1711 – Etica e storia in Ernst Troeltsch, in G. Cantillo, D. Conte,
A. Donise, E. Massimilla (a cura di), Ernst Troeltsch. Religione, etica,
filosofia della storia, Quaderni dell’«Archivio di storia della cultura», n.s.,
vol. 8, Napoli, Liguori, 2018, pp. 101-111. 1712 – Humanismus e Umanesimo, in
«Archivio di storia della cultura», XXXI, 2018, pp. 339-344. 1713 – Sulla
genesi dei concetti vichiani di ingegno e fantasia, in «Bollettino del Centro
di studi vichiani», XLVIII, 2018, pp. 21-28. 1714 – Pena di morte e
letteratura. Una prospettiva storico-filosofica, in «Logos», n.s., 13, 2018,
pp. 249-253. E) 1715 – A. Labriola, I problemi della filosofia della storia
(1887). Recensioni (1870-1896), a cura di G. Cacciatore e M. Martirano, Napoli,
Bibliopolis, 2018. F) 1716 – Premessa a G. Cirillo (a cura di) L’italia a cento
anni dalla grande guerra. Miti, interpretazioni, politiche industrali, Fisciano
(SA), Gutenberg Edizioni, 2017 [ma distribuito nel 2018], pp. 10-13. 1717 –
Prefazione a S. Tarantino, Chiaroscuri della ragio- 165 ne. Kant e le filosofe
del Novecento. Napoli, Guida Editori, 2018, pp. 7-11. 1718 – Introduzione a L.
Cicalese, A Nocera Superiore dal 1943 al 1946, Nocera Superiore, PrintArt
Editore, 2018, pp. 5-7. G) 1719 – La “vecchia” Costituzione che rianima la
democrazia stanca, in «Il Mattino» (ed. di Salerno), 5 gennaio 2018. 1720 – La
Costituzione merita una riflessione storica, in «Roma», 8 gennaio 2018. 1721 –
“Rubentus”, sperando nel gesto dell’ombrello, in «Roma», 15 gennaio 2018. 1722
– La Segre e gli orrori di ieri, oggi e domani, in «Roma», 22 gennaio 2018.
1723 – Si alla clonazione ma solo a fin di bene, in «Roma», 29 gennaio 2018
[anche in «Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno, col titolo La clonazione tra
ragionevoli e catastrofisti, 1 febbraio 2018]. 1724 – Attenti al pericolo dei
nuovi nazifascisti, in «Roma», 5 febbraio 2018 [anche in «Il Mattino», ed. di
Salerno, col titolo L’Olocausto e la legge polacca. L’aggettivo che nasconde i
carnefici della porta accanto, 6 febbraio 2018]. 1725 – La storia e le
rivoluzioni culturali e sociali, in «Roma», 12 febbraio 2018 [anche in «Il
Mattino», ed. di Salerno, col titolo Il Sessantotto delle libertà sospeso tra
il silenzio e l’idillio della retorica, 13 febbraio 2018]. 1726 – Sacralità
della vita e libertà di suicidio, in «Roma», 19 febbraio 2018 [anche in «Il
Mattino», ed. di Salerno, col titolo La dignità della vita e i sentieri
interrotti della ragion politica, 20 febbraio 2018]. 1727 – Intanto cresce
l’odio verso gli immigrati, in «Roma», 26 febbraio 2018 [anche in «Il Mattino»,
ed. di 166 Salerno, col titolo Fascismo e antifascismo: le parole “vecchie” che
nominano il nuovo, 27 febbraio 2018]. 1728 – Restare ottimisti nonostante
tutto, in «Roma», 5 marzo 2018 [anche in «Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno, col
titolo Stare al mondo con ottimismo nel grigio weekend, 6 marzo 2018]. 1729 –
Quella scintilla viva nell’idea di socialismo, in «Roma», 12 marzo 2018 [anche
in «Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno, La coperta del socialismo che contamina lo
scandalo della modernità, 13 marzo 2018]. 1730 – I populismi, malattia senile
della democrazia, in «Roma», 19 marzo 2018 [anche in «Il Mattino», ed. di
Salerno, col titolo Il “possibile” dei partiti senza demonizzare i congiuntivi
sbagliati, 20 marzo 2018]. 1731 – La preoccupazione per i due populismi, in
«Roma», 26 marzo 2018 [anche in «Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno, col titolo
L’aventinismo nullista travolto dall’onda populista, 27 marzo 2018]. 1732 –
Giornalismo d’inchiesta tra politica e informazione, in «Il Mattino», ed. di
Salerno, 3 aprile 2018. 1733 – La razza non esiste, lo dice la scienza, in
«Roma», 9 aprile 2018 [anche in «Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno, 10 aprile 2018].
1734 – Informazione digitale: uso improprio e illegale, in «Roma», 16 aprile
2018 [anche in «Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno, 17 aprile 2018]. 1735 – Perché i
diritti sono radice immutabile della sinistra, in «Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno,
24 aprile 2018 [anche in «Roma», 23 aprile 2018]. 1736 – Le istituzioni possono
fermare un altro declino. A proposito della chiusura della Libreria
Internazionale, in «Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno, 1 maggio 2018. 1737 –
Internazionale, patrimonio culturale della città, in «YouCamp», 3 maggio 2018.
1738 – Recuperare Marx senza totalitarismi, in «Roma», 7 maggio 2018 [anche in
«Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno, col 167 titolo A che condizione non possiamo non
dirci marxisti, 8 maggio 2018]. 1739 – La strada stretta tra populisti e sovranisti,
in «Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno, 15 maggio 2018 [anche in «Roma» col titolo
L’ultima spiaggia: potere a Mattarella, 14 maggio 2018]. 1740 – Fionda e
cecchini. Il nuovo apartheid dei palestinesi, in «Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno,
22 maggio 2018 [anche in «Roma» col titolo Non resta che diventare cittadini
israeliani, 21 maggio 2018]. 1741 – Uno scontro istituzionale che non ha
precedenti, in «Roma», 28 maggio 2018. 1742 – Apprendisti stregoni contro la
costituzione, in «Il Mattino» (ed. di Salerno), 29 maggio 2018. 1743 – La
mutazione genetica del populismo tradizionale, in «Roma», 4 giugno 2018. 1744 –
La piazza multiclassista e la sinistra incerta, in «Il Mattino» (ed. di
Salerno), 5 giugno 2018. 1745 – Governo muto su diritti e lavoro, in «Roma», 11
giugno 2018 [anche in «Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno, col titolo La testa dura
dei fatti e le visioni innegabili, 12 giugno 2018]. 1746 – La sinistra
sconfitta ma non ancora sepolta, in «Roma», 18 giugno 2018 [anche in «Il
Mattino», ed. di Salerno, col titolo Un nuovo socialismo per la nuova sinistra,
19 giugno 2018]. 1747 – Ambiente e cervello: un dialogo continuo, in “«Roma»,
25 giugno 2018 [anche in «Il Mattino», ed. di Salerno, col titolo Tra anoressia
dei valori e bulimia dei consumi, 26 giugno 2018]. 1748 – Se la nostra Europa
rinnega la vocazione umanitaria, in «Il Mattino» (ed. di Salerno), 3 luglio
2018. 1749 – La perdita d’influenza della classe operaia, in «Roma», 9 luglio
2018. 1750 – Guardiamo la storia come “Magistra Vitae”, in «Roma», 16 luglio 2018.
1751 – Immigrati, il razzista della porta accanto, in «Roma», 23 luglio 2018.
168 1752 – L’indifferenza convive con l’odio, dal giudice xenofobo a Federica,
in «La Città», 24 luglio 2018. 1753 – Il mondo cattolico argine al razzismo, in
«Roma», 30 luglio 2018. 1754 – Sud nel baratro. Governo assente, in «Roma», 6
agosto 2018. 1755 – Renato Cangiano, l’anima del premio Salvatore Valitutti, in
«La Città», 11 agosto 2018. 1756 – Basta proclami, ora servono i fatti, in
«Roma», 20 agosto 2018. 1757 – La democrazia “sostituita” dai social, in
«Roma», 27 agosto 2018. 1758 – Dalla Chiesa l’appello in difesa dell’ambiente,
in «Roma», 3 settembre 2018. 1759 – L’ignoranza “democratica” che genera i
populismi, in «Il Mattino», 11 settembre 2018 [anche in «Roma» col titolo La
storia è il sapere più vicino alla politica, 10 settembre 2018]. 1760 –
Amendola, le lettere della libertà, in «La Città», 14 settembre 2018. 1761 –
Bergoglio e la dura critica al populismo dilagante, in «Roma», 24 settembre
2018. 1762 – Verso la “dittatura della maggioranza” [titolo originale del
giornale: Verso una dittatura delle fake-news], in «Roma», 1 ottobre 2018. 1763
– Perché i populisti odiano la storia, in «Roma», 15 ottobre 2018. 1764 –
Scivoliamo verso il baratro con gli apprendisti stregoni, in «Roma», 22 ottobre
2018. 1765 – Il nemico non è alle porte, ma il pre-fascismo sì, in «Roma», 5
novembre 2018. 1766 – Salerno e la sua storia, in «Cronache della sera», 9
novembre 2018. 1767 – Ecco come nascono i governi autoritari, in «Roma», 12
novembre 2018. 1768 – Dalle veline fasciste ai messaggi grillini, in «Roma», 19
novembre 2018. 169 1769 – Dalle donne parta una rivolta civile, in «Roma», 26
novembre 2018. 1770 – I preoccupanti dati del rapporto Censis, in «Roma», 10
dicembre 2018. 1771 – Diritti umani ancora calpestati nel mondo, in «Roma», 17
dicembre, 2018 * * * 2019 B) 1772 – Dilthey zwischen Universalismus und
Relativismus, in «Aoristo. Journal of Phenomenology, Hermeneutics and
Metaphysics», n. 3, 2019, pp. 84-102. 1773 – Etica e storia in Troeltsch, in
«Aoristo. Journal of Phenomenology, Hermeneutics and Metaphysics», n. 3, 2019,
pp. 227-237. 1774 – “Mis” Vico, in «Cuadernos sobre Vico», 32, 2018 [pubblicato
nel 2019], pp. 53-59. 1775 – La lingua della Scienza Nuova di Vico. In dialogo
con una inedita interpretazione della lingua vichiana, in F. Cacciapuoti (a
cura di), Il corpo dell’idea. Immaginazione e linguaggio in Vico e Leopardi,
Roma, Donzelli, 2019, pp. 103-106. 1776 – Un appuntamento mancato? Il carteggio
AndersLukács 1964-1971, in A. Meccariello, A. Infranca (a cura di), Vie
traverse. Lukács e Anders a confronto, Trieste, Asterios, 2019, pp. 19-30. 1777
– Bloch e l’alleanza tra diritto naturale e diritti umani, in «Infiniti Mondi»,
III, 2019, n. 11, pp. 25-39. 1778 – L’Europa nelle riflessioni di Benedetto
Croce e Thomas Mann, in Aa.Vv., Adotta un filosofo, pogetto di formazione
rivolto alle scuole superiori, Fondazione Campania dei Festival, pp. 29-31. 170
1779 – Il marxismo di Antonio Banfi, in «Critica Marxista», n. 4-5, 2019, pp.
71-80. 1780 – Bloch e l’utopia della Menschenwürde, in «B@belonline», n. 5,
2019, pp. 107-118. 1781 – Storia filosofica o storia storica della filosofia?,
in «Iride», n. 86, 2019, pp. 75-80. 1782 – Weimar 100 anni dopo. Lezioni da
meditare, in «Historia Magistra», XI, 2019, n. 30, pp. 5-8. C) 1783 –
Recensione di F. Esposito, R. Guerriero, Il capitano. La storia di Donato
Vestuti, in «Rassegna Storica Salernitana», n.s., n. 72, dicembre 2019, pp.
190-193. G) 1784 – Rivolta anti-Salvini, disobbedire è giusto, in «Roma», 7
gennaio 2019. 1785 – Sconfessare le promesse dei nostri governanti, in «Roma»,
14 gennaio 2019. 1786 – Così vogliono demolire la democrazia parlamentare, in
«Roma», 21 gennaio 2019. 1787 – Lelio Basso e quell’incontro mancato tra Marx e
Kant, in «Salerno Sera», 26 gennaio 2019. 1788 – Il giorno della memoria e la
nuova barbarie, in «Roma», 28 gennaio 2019. 1789 – Italiani abbindolati grazie
alla paura, in «Roma», 4 febbraio 2019 [anche in «Salerno Sera», 4 febbraio
2019, col titolo Prigionieri dell’istrionismo salviniano]. 1790 – La pietà
verso i morti e i diritti dei migranti, in «Roma», 11 febbraio 2019 [anche in
«Salerno Sera», 11 febbraio 2019, col titolo Il volto salato dei naufraghi].
1791 – L’eutanasia del Sud, morte lenta indotta, in «Roma», 18 febbraio 2019
[anche in «Salerno Sera», 18 febbraio 2019, col titolo Giù le mani dalla
Costituzione]. 171 1792 – L’attacco alla storia: rischia di scomparire, in
«Roma», 25 febbraio 2019 [anche in «Salerno Sera», 25 febbraio 2019, col titolo
Giù le mani dalla storia]. 1793 – La “Città” e quei pirati sulla nave di Teseo,
in «Salerno Sera», 3 marzo 2019 [anche in «Roma» col titolo La truffa delle tre
tavolette de “La Città” di Salerno, 4 marzo 2019]. 1794 – Diseguaglianze e
violenze, una svolta per le donne, in «Roma», 11 marzo 2019 [anche in «Salerno
Sera» col titolo Non una di meno, 11 marzo 2019]. 1795 – Nuova Zelanda,
l’orrore si rinnova, in «Salerno Sera», 18 marzo 2019 [anche in «Roma», col
titolo Abbassiamo a 14 anni il diritto al voto, 18 marzo 2019]. 1796 – Ius
soli, è solo un dovere, in «Salerno Sera», 25 marzo 2019 [anche in «Roma», col
titolo Populismo e sovranismo, una miscela pericolosa, 25 marzo 2018]. 1797 –
No al suprematismo neofascista, in «Salerno Sera», 1 aprile 2019 [anche in
«Roma» col titolo Il populismo italiano e la tragedia umanitartia, 1 aprile
2019]. 1798 – La letteratura e il senso del viaggio, in «Salerno Sera», 8
aprile 2019 [anche in «Roma» col titolo “Giornalisti all’inferno”, romanzo
sorprendente, 8 aprile 2019]. 1799 – Difendiamo la storia o si vendicherà, in
“«Roma», 29 aprile 2019 [anche in «Salerno Sera», 1 maggio 2019, col titolo La
storia un bene comune, se ignorata si vendica]. 1800 – La necessità storica
dell’Europa, in «Salerno Sera», 6 maggio 2019 [anche in «Roma», 6 maggio 2019,
col titolo Un’Europa unita contro il nazionalismo]. 1801 – Per Roberto
Visconti, in «Le Cronache», 6 maggio 2019. 1802 – Decreto sicurezza? È
incostituzionale, in «Roma», 13 maggio 2019 [anche in «Salerno Sera» col titolo
La Costituzione non resti sulla carta, 14 maggio 2019]. 1803 – La dittatura
della Rete, in «Salerno Sera», 20 maggio 2019 [anche in «Roma» col titolo La
dittatura informatica dei social network, 20 maggio 2019]. 172 1804 – Il
Presidente Mattarella è l’ombrello protettivo, in «Roma», 3 giugno 2019 [anche
in «Salerno Sera» col titolo Meno male che Mattarella c’è, 2 giugno 2019]. 1805
– L’ambiente, occasione persa per la sinistra, in «Roma», 10 giugno 2019 [anche
in «Salerno Sera» col titolo La sinistra si allei con i movimenti ecologisti,
11 giugno 2019]. 1806 – L’eredità perduta della classe operaia, in «Roma», 17
giugno 2019 [anche in «Salerno Sera» col titolo La sinistra riscopra la “fatica
del lavoro”, 18 giugno 2019]. 1807 – La vergognosa politica antimeridionalista,
in «Roma», 24 giugno 2019. 1808 – Attenti al populismo penale, in «Salerno
Sera», 8 luglio 2019 [anche in «Roma» col titolo Populismo penale e sequestro
di persone, 8 luglio 2019]. 1809 – I testi Invalsi e la crisi del linguaggio
pubblico, in «Salerno Sera», 14 luglio 2019 [anche in «Roma» col titolo La
scuola scivola sui testi Invalsi, 15 luglio 2019]. 1810 – È un pianeta dominato
dall’egoismo del potere, in «Roma», 29 luglio 2019 [anche in «Salerno Sera» col
titolo Fermiamo la catastrofe ecologica, 29 luglio 2019]. 1811 – Il Sud è
all’ultima spiaggia, in «Salerno Sera», 5 agosto 2019 [anche in «Roma» col
titolo Sud, serve un piano di emergenza, 5 agosto 2019]. 1812 – Tutti uniti
contro il pericolo sovranista, in «Salerno Sera», 11 agosto 2019 [anche in
«Roma» col titolo Il sussulto di orgoglio del premier Conte, 12 agosto 2019].
1813 – Amazzonia-Italia, così va in fumo il futuro, in «Salerno Sera», 26
agosto 2019 [anche in «Roma» col titolo Il balletto PD-5Stelle mentre il mondo
brucia, 26 agosto 2019]. 1814 – Il “nuovo umanesimo” e l’insidia dei
fondamentalismi, in «Salerno Sera», 2 settembre 2019 [anche in «Roma» col
titolo L’umanesimo di Conte e i rifugiati in alto mare, 2 settembre 2019]. 1815
– Non basta aver messo Salvini fuori gioco, in «Roma», 9 settembre 2019 [anche
in «Salerno Sera» col 173 titolo Il governo giallorosso tiri fuori il coraggio,
9 settembre 2019]. 1816 – Diritti umani universali e libera circolazione, in
«Roma», 16 settembre 2019 [anche in «Salerno Sera» col titolo Ma i diritti
dell’uomo sono ancora universali?, 20 settembra 2019]. 1817 – L’urlo di Greta e
il silenzio assordante delle istituzioni, in «Salerno Sera», 29 settembre 2019
[anche in «Roma» col titolo E il decreto sull’ambiente ancora una volta
rinviato, 30 settembre 2019]. 1818 – Se l’essere umano batte l’algoritmo, in
«Roma», 14 ottobre 2019 [anche in «Salerno Sera» col titolo Se l’algoritmo
diventa rischio per la democrazia, 15 ottobre 2019]. 1819 – Il dramma dei
curdi, un popolo senza, in «Roma», 21 ottobre 2019 [anche in «Salerno Sera» col
titolo La tragedia dei curdi e l’ipocrisia dell’Europa, 22 ottobre 2019]. 1820
– Finalmente un disegno per la difesa della storia, in «Roma», 28 ottobre 2019
[anche in «Salerno Sera» col titolo Il ritorno della storia contro la civiltà
delle fake news, 29 ottobre 2019]. 1821 – Ricordando la caduta del muro di
Berlino, in «Roma», 4 novembre 2019 [anche in «Salerno Sera», col titolo 30
anni fa la caduta del muro, ma l’Europa dov’è?, 3 novembre 2019]. 1822 – Ora la
classe operaia si scuota dal letargo, in «Salerno Sera», 17 novembre 2019
[anche in «Roma» col titolo La lenta “dismissione” della lotta operaia, 18
novembre 2019]. 1823 – Quello delle sardine è un mare promettente, in «Salerno
Sera», 2 dicembre 2019 [anche in «Roma» col titolo Le sardine e la polemica
contro i populismi, 2 dicembre 2019]. 1824 – Dai movimenti di piazza
un’inversione di tendenza, in «Roma», 9 dicembre 2019 [anche in «Salerno Sera»
col titolo Se le classi più deboli invocano l’uomo forte, 9 dicembre 2019].
1825 – La brexit e i doveri della sinistra europea, in «Salerno Sera», 16
dicembre 2019 [anche in «Roma» col tito- 174 lo La classe operaia cambiata, lo
sfruttamento invece no, 16 dicembre 2019]. 1826 – Altri tagli alla ricerca, ci
vuole uno sciopero,in «Roma», 23 dicembre 2019 [anche in «Salerno Sera» col
titolo Tagli alla ricerca, l’Italia sempre più povera, 23 dicembre 2019]. * * *
2020 A) 1827 – Sulla Pandemia. Appunti di un filosofo in quarantena,
Sant’Egidio del Monte Albino, Francesco D’Amato Editore, 2020. 1828 – G.
Cacciatore, M. Kaufmann, F. Lomonaco (hrsg.), Zwischen Sprache und Geschichte.
Vicos Methode beim Umgang mit Recht und Naturrecht, Berlin, Peter Lang, 2020.
1829 – G. Cacciatore, M. Sanna, A. Mascolo (a cura di), Le trame dell’ingegno.
Vico nell’orizzonte della cultura iberica e iberoamericana, «Rocinante. Rivista
di filosofia iberica, iberoamericana e interculturale», ISPF-CNR, n.
11/2018-2019, Napoli, Diogene Edizioni, 2020. 1830 – Giuseppe Capograssi e
Pietro Piovani. Riflessioni sull’opera di due maestri, Lettera ad un amico a
guisa di introduzione di F. Tessitore, Napoli, Liguori Editore, 2020. B) 1831 –
Der Zusammenhang zwischen der Universalität des Gesetzes und der empirischen
Geschichtlichkeit der Civitas in Vicos Begriff der Bürgerschaft, in G.
Cacciatore, M. Kaufmann, F. Lomonaco (hrsg.), Zwischen Sprache und Geschichte.
Vicos Methode beim Umgang mit Recht und Naturrecht, Berlin, Peter Lang, 2020,
pp. 61-69. 175 1832 – Una “svolta” negli studi su Vico in Spagna. Note in margine
all’opera di José M. Sevilla Fernández, in G. Cacciatore, M. Sanna, A. Mascolo
(a cura di), Le trame dell’ingegno. Vico nell’orizzonte della cultura iberica e
iberoamericana, «Rocinante. Rivista di filosofia iberica, iberoamericana e
interculturale», ISPF-CNR, n. 11/2018-2019, Napoli, Diogene Edizioni, 2020, pp.
41-51. 1833 – Carlo Pisacane. Risorgimento e questione sociale, in L. Melillo
(a cura di), La lezione di Carlo Pisacane, «Il Pozzo», 1, 2020, pp. 7-12. 1834
– Mito e storia in Vico, in P. De Lucia, S. Langella, M. Longo, F.L.
Marcolungo, L. Mauro, S. Zanardi (a cura di), Storiografia filosofica e
storiografia religiosa. Due punti di vista a confronto. Scritti in onore di
Luciano Malusa, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2020, pp. 176-181. 1835 – Una nuova edizione
de La Giovinezza di De Sanctis, in M. Trotta (a cura di), Francesco De Sanctis
tra storia e memoria. Sulla Giovinezza, edizione critica di Giovanni
Brancaccio, Milano, Biblion Edizioni, 2020, pp. 9-18. 1836 – “Meine” Vico, in
A. Krause, D. Simmermacher (hrsg.), Denken und Handeln. Festschrift für
Matthias Kaufmann zum 65. Geburtstag, Berlin, Duncker & Humblot, 2020, pp.
217-222. 1837 – L’identità ritrovata, in L. Libero (a cura di), Cosa ci resta?
Ambiente, Risorse, Cultura, prefazione di T. Montanari, Salerno, Oèdipus
edizioni, 2020, pp. 22-24. 1838 – Banfi e il marxismo tra razionalismo critico
e materialismo storico, in C. Tuozzolo (a cura di), Marx in Italia. Ricerche
nel bicentenario della morte di Karl Marx, Roma, Aracne Editrice, 2020, t. I, pp.
163-196. 1839 – Aldo Masullo. Tra fenomenologia della soggettività e
geneaologia dell’umano, in «Infiniti Mondi», n. 14, 2020, pp. 203-205. 1840 –
Per la critica della “storia debole”, in G. Cirillo, M.A. Noto (a cura di),
Stagioni e ragioni della storia. Le 176 “vie” della ricerca di Aurelio Musi,
Soveria Mannelli, Rubbettino Editore, 2020, pp. 29-37. 1841 – Il centenario
della Società Salernitana di Storia Patria, in «Rassegna Storica Salernitana»,
n.s., n. 73, giugno 2020, pp. 3-6. 1842 – Per Aldo Masullo, maestro di vita e
di pensiero, in «Rassegna Storica Salernitana», n.s., n. 73, giugno 2020, pp.
199-201. 1843 – Fausto Andria. Una vita esemplare, in «Rassegna Storica
Salernitana», n.s., n. 73, giugno 2020, pp. 203-207. 1844 – Croce und Dilthey:
die zwei Wege des europäischen Historismus, in R. Faraone, M. Kaufmann (hrsg.),
Benedetto Croce, Deutschland und die Moderne, Berlin, Peter Lang, 2020, pp.
93-102. 1845 – Per Antonello Giugliano, in «Archivio di Storia della Cultura»,
XXXIII, 2020, pp. 1-4. 1846 – Per la critica della “storia debole”, in G.
Cirillo, M.A. Noto (a cura di), Ragioni e stagioni della storia. Le “vie” della
ricerca di Aurelio Musi, Soveria Mannelli, Rubbettino, 2020, pp. 29-37. 1847 –
La ricerca della giustizia tra diritto religione e società, in C. De Angelis,
A. Scalone (a cura di), Πολιτεία. Liber amicorum Agostino Carrino,
Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2020, pp. 95-106. 1848 – Dilthey. La ragione tra storia
e vita, in M. Cambi, R. Carbone, A. Carrano, E. Massimilla (a cura di), Ragione,
razionalità e razionalizzazione in età moderna e contemporanea, Napoli,
Federico II University Press, 2020, pp. 307-314. 1849 – Ricordo di Antonello
Giugliano (in collab. con F. Lomonaco), in «Logos», n. 15 (2020), pp. 5-6. C)
1850 – Recensione di U. Baldi, A un semplice cenno del capo. La lotta alla
Gambardella nel 1974, un episodio di “Resistenza Operaia”, Nocera Superiore
(SA), Polis SA 177 Edizioni, 2020, in «Rassegna Storica Salernitana», n.s., n.
3, giugno 2020, pp. 211-214. F) 1851 – Presentazione di A. Franco, F. De
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del Monte Albino, Francesco D’Amato editore, 2020, pp. 7-12. 1853 –
Introduzione (in collab. con M. Martirano) a G. Cantillo, La filosofia del
soggetto. Saggi su etica, comunità e storicità, Sant’Egidio del Monte Albino,
Francesco D’Amato editore, 2020, pp. 5-7. 1854 – Prefazione a A. Mondillo, L.
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1855 – Il ruolo dell’Italia nella guerra Usa/Iran, in «Roma», 6 gennaio 2020
[anche in «Salerno Sera» col titolo Venti di guerra, Italia e Europa senza
voce, 6 gennaio 2020]. 1856 – Habermas, la forza del pensiero, in «Il
Quotidiano», ed. di Salerno, 20 gennaio 2020. 1857 – Il proporzionale è più democratico,
in «Roma», 20 gennaio 2020 [anche in «Quotidiano del Sud», ed. di Salerno, col
titolo Proporzionale prima di tutto, 22 gennaio 2020]. 1858 – Nell’anno
centenario una sinergia virtuosa tra stampa e Storia Patria, in «Quotidiano del
Sud», ed. di Salerno, 26 gennaio 2020. 1859 – Il 27 gennaio resti per sempre
nella coscienza collettiva, in «Salerno Sera», 27 gennaio 2020 [anche in 178
«Roma» col titolo Comprendere è impossibile, conoscere è necessario, 27 gennaio
2020]. 1860 – Il diritto per la comprensione dei processi storici e sociali, in
«Salerno Sera», 4 febbraio 2020. 1861 – L’olocausto dimenticato e l’alleanza in
Turingia, in «Roma», 10 febbraio 2020 [anche in «Il Quotidiano», ed. di
Salerno, col titolo Le democrazie, il lavoro e i rischi della libertà, 12
febbraio 2020]. 1862 – Ambiguità del masaniellismo, in «Il Quotidiano», ed. di
Salerno, 21 febbraio 2020 [anche in «Roma» col titolo Il libro: Masaniello e il
masaniellismo, 24 febbraio 2020]. 1863 – Serve un vaccino contro la paura, in
«Roma», 2 marzo 2020 [anche in «Il Quotidiano», ed. di Salerno, col titolo Il
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Salerno, col titolo Una task force europea per tutelare la salute, 10 marzo
2020]. 1865 – Quando la fratellanza viene prima della libertà, in «Roma», 16
marzo 2020 [anche in «Il Quotidiano», ed. di Salerno, col titolo Sì a barriere
protettive pur di bloccare il virus, 18 marzo 2020]. 1866 – Non violiamo la
dignità dell’essere umano, in «Roma», 23 marzo 2020. 1867 – Il valore
insostituibile delle persone anziane, in «Roma», 30 marzo 2020. 1868 – Qualche
filosofo parla di invenzione ma sbaglia, in «Roma», 20 aprile 2020. 1869 – Aldo
Masullo, il filosofo che amava confrontarsi, in «Roma», 27 aprile 2020. 1870 –
“Prudenza” e “buon senso” negli attacchi al governo, in «Roma», 4 maggio 2020.
1871 – La drammatica ricaduta sulla occupazione, in «Roma», 11 maggio 2020.
1872 – Liberi di circolare ma con prudenza, in «Roma», 18 maggio 2020. 179 1873
– Virus: ancora sui più indifesi: gli ultrasessantenni, in «Roma», 25 maggio
2020. 1874 – La vita di ogni uomo ha la medesima dignità, in «Roma», 1 giugno
2020. 1875 – Una miope politica per l’occupazione, in «Roma», 8 giugno 2020
1876 – Dopo la fratellanza arrivano i nuovi caini, in «Roma», 22 giugno 2020.
1877 – Mondragone, si rischia uno scontro esplosivo, in «Roma», 29 giugno 2020.
1878 – La pandemia e il crollo del tasso di natalità, in «Roma», 6 luglio 2020.
1879 – Il “massacro sociale” è stato quasi compiuto, in «Roma», 13 luglio 2020.
1880 – Unione europea: rinvio? È un colpo mortale, in «Roma», 20 luglio 2020.
1881 – L’Europa sta a guardare la dittatura di Erdogan, in «Roma», 27 luglio,
2020. 1882 – Libertà non significa fare ammalare gli altri, in «Roma», 3 agosto
2020. 1883 – Abbiamo il diritto di difendere la vita, in «Roma», 10 agosto
2020. 1884 – Amarante e la necessità della storia, in «La Città», 21 agosto
2020. 1885 – I pericoli del Sì al Referendum, in «Roma», 24 agosto 2020. 1886 –
Confindustria e Sindacati un conflitto che preoccupa, in «Roma», 31 agosto
2020. 1887 – Il Sud, nuovo motore per la ripresa del Paese, in «Roma», 7
settembre 2020. 1888 – L’indignazione di Saviano sull’attuale politica del PD,
in «Roma»,14 settembre 2020. 1889 – Costruire un’unione europea della salute,
in «Roma», 21 settembre 2020. 1890 – Migranti, è inaccettabile la solidarietà
solo per i rimpatri, in «Roma», 28 settembre 2020. 180 1891 – Misure immediate
contro gli irresponsabili, in «Roma», 5 ottobre 2020. 1892 – Bergoglio alla
fraternità aggiunge l’amicizia sociale, in «Roma», 12 ottobre 2020. 1893 – I
giovani e il concetto di responsabilità, in «Roma», 19 ottobre 2020. 1894 –
Salute ed economia in conflitto, in «Roma», 26 ottobre 2020. 1895 – Il concetto
di libertà non significa arbitrio, in «Roma», 2 novembre 2020. 1896 – Joe
Biden, uniti contro pandemia e razzismo, in «Roma», 9 novembre 2020. 1897 – La
sconcertante discrasia tra potere centrale e locale, in «Roma», 16 novembre
2020. 1898 – Il difficile compito del Presidente Biden, in «Roma», 23 novembre
2020. PER L’ INAUGURAZIONE DELLA STATUA COLOSSALE
DI NAPOLEONE I. OPERA DI CANOVA IN
MILANO IL GIORNO XIV. AGOSTO MDCCCLIX.
DISCORSO DI GIULIO CARCANO
MILANO COI TIPI DI LUIGI DI GIACOMO PIROLA.
— 3 — tira costume di andar cercando nelle
vicissitudini di antichi imperi, in lontane epoche della storia, i
solenni ammonimenti della verità e i riscontri de’ fatti sociali che
manifestano F in- vincibile potere della volontà umana, o lasciano
indovinare il misterioso cammino delle nazioni. Que’ grandi
esempj furono raccolti e magnificati in mille volumi, ascoltati nelle
scuole, con quell 1 entusiasmo eh 1 è il con- vincimento de 1 cuori
giovani e forti. Noi pure li udimmo rac- contare, noi pure abbiamo
palpitato a queste ricordanze di gloria, di senno antico, a quelle
gigantesche contese dell’op- pressione colla libertà, di cui non
credevamo potersi più rinnovare l’esempio. Ma qual vi fu mai, ne’ libri
della storia, più grande, più maraviglioso spettacolo di quello a cui
le nostre generazioni furono presenti, nella parte di secolo che
hanno percorsa ? Una rivoluzione, lenta opera di secoli, e che
attraverso a tanti inciampi, in mezzo alle rovine da essa lasciate , non
è stanca della sua via, aveva diffuso F ardente suo soffio sul
mondo: in Francia, alla guerra civile, che si era spenta nel sangue,
succedeva la guerra contro tutta Europa: era la lotta suprema della società
nuova contro F antica. A que 1 giorni , uscito da un 1 isola oscura
un oscuro pre- destinato mette il piede in terra di Francia , in quella
terra che ben presto deve parer troppa angusta al cammino delle sue
schiere, al desiderio della sua grand’anima. Egli viene; in
— 4 — poco tempo signoreggia l’Europa, ricompone questo mare
agi- tato da tante tempeste, questi elementi della vita sociale
con- fusi tra loro in una guerra feroce; e getta sovra un nuovo
sentiero le nazioni, di cui vuol essere F arbitro e la guida. Passano
pochi anni, i più gloriosi del secolo; ed ecco, in mezzo a immortali
vittorie e a sventure immortali, quelFuomo tocca il termine del suo
cammino; e dispare nel carcere e nell’esilio, lasciando la terra d’Europa
feconda dei germi del- l’avvenire. Così un gran fiume, così quel Nilo
dalle ignote sorgenti, che un giorno gli aveva obbedito, finisce nel
mare, dopo aver deposti tesori di fecondità nelle campagne
attraver- sate dalle vaste sue acque. Dall’esilio, invece, e
dal carcere, colF eterna giovinezza del genio, con gli stessi suoi
concepimenti, con la sua anima stessa — dopo il giro di pochi lustri, in
cui l’Europa tentò invano di ricomporsi ne’ vecchi ordini e in nuove
libertà — ecco che, per mirabile mutamento di fortuna, vediamo com-
parire l’erede de’ pensieri e de’ propositi di quell’uomo. Fu come
una di quelle comete che s’accostano alla terra, poi ne vanno perdute
nelle regioni dell’atmosfera: dopo lunga stagione esse ritornano; la
moltitudine vede in loro delle nuove viaggiatrici del cielo, ma il
sapiente le riconosce e sa che sono le stesse, già da lui salutate e che
ricompajono sull’orizzonte, belle d’eterno splendore. Ed ora,
perchè siamo qui a contemplare un miracolo del- F arte nostra che ricorda
quel Grande ? — I posteri hanno data l’ardua sentenza? Questa gloria fu
vera? Sì — la gloria fu vera ! Napoleone è stato iniziatore d’
un grande principio — il diritto della nazione; quel diritto per
cui abbiamo, oggi, un re ch’è nostro, e nostri sono questi soldati
che custodiscono le mura e i sacri campi della patria. E questi
altri valorosi, che insieme coi nostri hanno combattuto le fraterne
battaglie dell’indipendenza e sparso il sangue per l’Italia, sono
testimonj che noi pure siamo degni di avere una patria, che per essa
abbiamo saputo morire e vincere. Lasciate che ora io
rammenti per che vie da lui proce- desse questo gran fatto dell’ italica
nazione risorgente. L'uragano rivoluzionario, al finir dell’altro
secolo, disper- dendo i principi italiani, aveva costretto ad
allontanarsi dalle Alpi quello che n’ era stato il più antico e vigile
custode : e così, in quel momento, l’arbitro delle nostre sorti, solo
al- l’opera della rigenerazione di questo paese, non fece che get-
tare i fondamenti di un regno italiano. E fu in quegli anni che , resi a
noi stessi , parve che risorgessimo a vita tutta nuova : benché il
fanatismo e 1’ astio di quelli che sconfes- sano il bene , perchè da loro
non è proceduto , siansi sfor- zati di mostrare che quell’epoca corresse
per una brutta via di servitù, di licenza e di tirannide. Non ci era dato
il più sacro dei diritti, la libertà civile e politica, e da lontano
cen- tro doveva giungere fino a noi il cenno imperiale: ma nostri
erano i giudici, i savj del corpo legislatore, i consultori dello Stato;
e avevamo fiorenti scuole cittadine e militari, e stu- pende alpine vie,
e ponti e canali , e quanto più muniva la difesa e la sicurezza interna
dello stato; raccolte in un solo codice le leggi, fondato un sistema
ipotecario, e misure e mo- nete eguali; diffusa e fatta — come dev’
essere — un beneficio popolare, l’istruzione; e gl’ingegni sovrani nella
scienza e nel- l'arte cercati, venerati; e sacri i nomi di Oriani , di
Volta, dì Spallanzani, di Scarpa; e, più che tutto, avevamo una mi-
lizia nostra , che in breve doveva levare a tanta altezza il nome e il
valore de’ nostri soldati; di quei soldati che più di una volta seguirono
i passi dell'Eroe ne’ campi della Germa- nia, contro a stirpi da loro
detestate: poiché a Lui medesimo, sospinto dall’ardente genio del mezzodì
contro la lunga op- pressione delle razze settentrionali, pareva
ribollissero in fondo al cuore le antipatie del suo sangue latino. Ma,
per la seconda volta, contro al nuovo Impero d’ Oc- cidente, rifluiva la
vasta marea del mondo barbarico : il ran- core de’ vinti seppe affrettare
il giorno di una terribile riscos- sa. E, sciolto tutto quel fascio di
forze eh’ egli solo aveva sa- — 6 — puto
stringere in sua mano, sembrò dissiparsi, come un am- pio miraggio, quel
mondo creato da lui. Compiuta questa gran vendetta dei re, quasi
ogni gente di Europa poteva almeno riposarsi nella propria nazionalità:
a noi italiani non rimase che la oppressione, e con essa la me-
moria di quel regno d’Italia, risorto dopo mille anni per così breve
tempo; la memoria di quella parola nuova e feconda, di quegli anni
gloriosi e non perituri. — E ben lo sapevano gli antichi dominatori, qui
ritornali a ribadire la nostra catena: essi, con la paura nell’ animo,
proibivano perfino le imagini dell’ Uomo Fatale: ma come, in ogni
casolare di Francia, il soldato, tornato lavoratore, venerava quella'
sembianza; qui da noi, gli ultimi véliti , compagni di tante sue
battaglie, anda- vano narrando quei fatti con mesto orgoglio. Poi a poco
a poco codesti testimonj d’ una grandezza caduta si diradarono;
quelle imprese divennero come una leggenda, una storia tanto grande da
non parer più vera a genti che cominciavano ad infiacchirsi nella pace. E
così , la virtù di un’ idea , come un’ eco che si perde, andava a
morire. Morire?., la vita, l’anima d’ un popolo non ponno
morire: esse languono spossate , ma poi si risvegliano e risorgono.
— Questa necessità di una patria trapassava da un avanzo d’eroi dispersi
a una generazione di giovani, i quali cresce- vano amando e aspirando a
una libertà da loro non pro- vala. E fu tra que’ giovani , soldati e
màrtiri del pensiero nazionale, che ricomparve ben presto queir istesso
nome che i monarchi avevano creduto di poter cancellare, col
paragrafo d'un trattato, dalla mente d’Europa. D’ allora in
poi, uno spirito ravvivalore si diffuse per tutta la penisola. Come il
navigante che, in oceani lontani, ha fede di giungere a una terra
conosciuta, ma non sa il giorno nè l’ora; un solo principe italiano
vegliava al piede dell’ Alpi , attento a quello spirilo , e ascoltandone
la gran voce , non per soffocarla ma per intenderla. E il
giorno e F ora, eli’ egli aspettava, vennero finalmente. — 7
— Se non che, nelle battaglie dei popoli , coloro che fanno
il primo impeto contro la possa nemica si consacrano da sè stessi
alla morte. Così egli cadde: così, dopo dieci anni, lun- ghi al servaggio,
brevi alla speranza, uscì dall’ animo del tìglio suo il grido della nuova
guerra; mentre, salito al som- mo del potere, 1’ erede del primo
Napoleone gli stendeva la mano ajutatrice. Qui , dalle mura
di Milano , il giorno della liberazione , quest’ uomo che sente di
comprendere i suoi tempi , annun- zia un diritto nuovo all’Europa
attonita, prima ch’ella osi di interrompere col bisbiglio d’una gelosa
diplomazia il corso di quelle vittorie , che in noi destarono un
entusiasmo non ancora spento. È un monarca che confessa il diritto dei
po- poli, apertamente, altamente, con parole che non si dovranno
più cancellare. E quand’ egli le scrisse, là sul campo sangui- noso di
Magenta , sapeva bene che queste parole risponde- vano all’idea
divinatrice e profonda del suo grande anteces- sore; a quell’affetto che,
in Sant’ Elena, gli faceva rimpian- gere di non aver pensato di più all’
Italia, di non averla resa libera e forte e signora di sè medesima. E
nella solennità di questo giorno , al cospetto di questa statua del
Vincitore d’Europa che trionfa ancora, dopo essere stata nove
lustri inonoratamente sepolta ne’- recinti sotterranei di codesto
mu- seo dell’ arti nostre — sacrilegio consumato dalla stoltezza e
dalla paura — in oggi, dico, parmi che quel memorabile suo desiderio per
l’Italia riceva alfine adempimento. A buon dritto, in mezzo alle
sue vittorie, il Conquistatore, che tanto in sè ritraeva dell’antico,
trovò un artefice degno de’ migliori tempi di Grecia che lo seppe
effigiare. Al severo volgere del capo, si scorge l’imperioso profilo
dell’eroe, im- prontato di quella fermezza pensosa, di quella volontà
pos- sente che gli fecero eseguire tanti grandi cose. Nella
perfetta proporzione delle membra, ne’ loro robusti contorni, lo
scul- tore, io credo , volle rendere quell’ ideale che rappresenta
, nell’armonia della forma, l’unità delle forze umane. Sul globo.
— 8 — che tiene in una mano, sta la Vittoria alata,
divenuta ora simbolo verace d’ un altro potere; di quell’influenza
morale cercata con orgoglio, che può regnare ancora sul mondo, e
regnarvi col nome di un Bonaparte. — Nella sua vita e nei trionfi, egli
ottenne l’omaggio di re paurosi, le adulazioni degli scienziati, il
plauso delle moltitudini; ebbe onori quasi divini , che talvolta lo
inebbriarono : ma, forse , i due omaggi più puri gli vennero da
quest’Italia; dalla voce del poeta che pianse sul suo sepolcro, e dall'
opera sublime dello scultore che, effigiandolo, ardiva di consigliarlo, e
in segreto sperava eli’ egli desse la libertà alla sua patria.
Questo capolavoro giacque a lungo celato, quasiché il suo aspetto
fosse bastante a risvegliare una nazione. Poi, per si- mulata noncuranza
d’ una gloria impossibile a rinascere , ne era concessa la pubblica
mostra per decreto di regnante stra- niero, qui dove prima s’era tentato
di tòr via ogni orma del Grande, mutando fino il nome dell’Arco trionfale
a lui dedicato e le imagini vittoriose che dovevano coronarlo.
Ma il vanto d’ inaugurare questo così nobile monumento doveva
essere serbato al solo re italiano che diede sé stesso per la comune
patria, e eh’ è degno di continuar le tradizioni di quel nome e di quegli
avvenimenti. Esso ci mostrò come si combatte e si vince, ci pose in mano
le armi, e i nostri fratelli fece suoi compagni di guerra, e farà de’
figli nostri tanti cittadini e soldati. E quando inostri figli qui
ritorneranno, que- sta statua e la ricordanza del giorno in cui prima
comparve, e del re che la volle innalzata, richiameranno la vita civile
iniziata per noi dal primo Napoleone, l’alleanza e il gene- roso soccorso
che l’altro Napoleone recò all’Italia; sicché ne venne dato di stringere
quella spada che deve compiere la nostra redenzione dallo
straniero. Nè alcuno oserà più di toccare il monumento; vi
stanno a custodia, per serbarlo inviolabile, l’Arte, la Patria, e la
Ri- conoscenza degli Italiani. — 9 —
NOTA Nell’anno 1803, a nome di Bonaparte primo
Console, fu il Canova invitato da Roma a Parigi, e con molto onore e
affetto ricevuto nel castello di Saint-Cloud dal grande eroe che vi
teneva stanza. Fu allora che lo scul- tore italiano ebbe da Bonaparte
medesimo l’incarico di fargli la sua statua; e la modellò in cinque
giorni, con dimensione alquanto gigantesca. Mentre lo scultore era occupato
al lavoro, l’ eroe ora leggeva, or gli ragionava di cose politiche: e
l’ardente amore di patria e la schietta franchezza delle parole
dell’artista andarono cosi a verso del primo Console, che parve
grandemente compiacersi di trattarlo con una famigliarità non usata con
nessun altro, e di cui tutti si mostrarono gelosi. — Di codesti
particolari lasciò ricordo lo stesso Canova in alcuni suoi manoscritti: e
i colloquii di lui con Bonaparte, nel 1803, enei 1810 durante l’Impero,
quando ritornò a Parigi ove l’Im- peratore desiderava ch’egli stabilisse
la sua fìssa dimora, non sono di scarsa importanza; giacche, in quell’
abbandono d’amichevoli discorsi, Napoleone — come altri ebbe a notare —
rivelò sè medesimo, più che no T facciano tanti suoi atti politici fin
qui pubblicati. E fu in que’ giorni che, da Napoleone richiesto del
perchè non avesse fatta la sua statua colossale vestita, lo scultore
rispose « Nemmeno Dio avrebbe potuto far cosa bella , se avesse voluto
ri- traevi, Sire, cosi vestito coi calzoni e gli stivali alla francese.
Noi, come in tutte le altre belle arti, abbiamo il nostro linguaggio
sublime, e il linguaggio dello statuario è il nudo. # (Vedi Missirini,
vita di Canova: Cicognara, storia della scultura; e Artaud , Histoire d’Italie).
Nel catalogo cronologico delle opere di Canova , pubblicato da
Leopoldo Cicognara è ricordata, all’anno 1803, questa statua colossale di
Napoleone, alta sedici palmi romani , in marmo di prima specie. Il
colosso non venne spedito a Parigi che nel 1811; e di là poi passò in
Inghilterra, per dono fattone dal re Luigi XVIII al duca di Wellington, a
quel che si crede: di poi ne fece acquisto lo stesso governo britannico,
come osservò il Cicognara. 2 — 10 —
Nel 1807, per disposizione del principe Eugenio, viceré d’Italia, il
ministro Alquier, ambasciadore di Francia a Roma, commise a Canova una
copia esatta in bronzo della stessa statua colossale; pattuendo il prezzo
di cinquemila luigi. Fu lo stesso viceré che, il maggio del 1812, ordinò
che la statua, fusa per opera di Francesco e Luigi Righetti, fosse
innalzata in Milano, in conve- niente luogo: per il che, il ministro
dell’ interno, Vaccari, fece invito al sena- tore Castiglioni, presidente
dell’Accademia di belle arti, di proporre il luogo e un disegno del
piedestallo. Quando arrivò a Milano l’ opera di Canova, ne fu ingiunto il
pagamento sul tesoro del regno; e, quale essa stava incassata, venne
messa a giacere in un angolo del portico del palazzo delle scienze: i
membri dell’accademia, interrogati poi sul luogo più adatto ad innalzarvi
la statua, suggerirono o la piazza del Duomo, o quella detta in allora
del Ta- gliamelo - piazza Fontana - ovvero il nicchione dell’ antica
piazza de’ Tribunali , dove altre volte era la statua di Filippo II. In
codesta divergenza di propo- ste, il viceré dispose che fosse
provvisoriamente collocata nel secondo cortile del palazzo del Senato.
Ma, ritardato l’adempimento di quest’ordine, il ca- valiere Zanoja,
allora presidente dell’Accademia, ottenne, nel giugno 1813, che fosse
interinalmente deposta nella sala delle antichità: e sono a notarsi il
mo- tivo e il tempo del trasporto cosi ordinato; che gli scolari, cioè,
non avessero a recarle guasto, e che il trasporto si facesse in ore di
scuole non frequentate. Caduto Napoleone I, l’ammirabile opera
dello scultore italiano disparve ne’ sotterranei dell’Accademia milanese;
e vi stette finché, nel 1857, il 3 di marzo (veggasi la gazzetta
ufficiale) l’Imperatore d’Austria, durante il suo soggiorno in Milano,
ordinava che « per quella statua venisse sùbito eretto un conveniente
piedestallo, a spese dello stato, e che sovr’ esso la si collocasse poi ne’
pub- blici giardini di questa capitale. » Fu uno degli ultimi
decreti dati dal regnante austriaco in que’ giorni a Milano; e nuovo tema
di compro encomio a’ giornali ufficiali. Ma il monumen- to, il quale —
per le cose che ci parve non inopportuno di ricordare — deve risguardarsi
come una nobilissima proprietà dello Stato, non doveva sorgere qui se non
quando potesse essere restituito il nome di patria e di regno libero a
questa nostra eletta parte d’Italia. .
POUR L INAUGURATION DE LA STATUE COLOSSALE
DE NAPOLEON I. OUVRAGE DE CANOVA À
MILAN LE XIY AOÛT MDCCCLIX DISCOURS
DE JULES CARCANO MILAN
IMPRIMERIE DE LOUIS DE JACQUES PIROLA. — 15
C est dans les vicissitudes des anciens empires, c’est aux
lointaines époques de l’histoire qu’on est allé jusqu’à ce jour chercher
les enseignements solennels de la vérité; c’ est là qu'on s’est plu à
rapprocher les faits sociaux qui manifes- tent la puissance invincible de
la volonté humaine , ou lais- sent deviner la marche mystérieuse des
nations. Les grands exemples ont été recueillis et exaltés ainsi
dans des milliers de volumes, écoutés dans les écoles avec cet en-
thousiasme, qui est la conviction des cœurs jeunes et forts. Nous aussi
nous les avons entendu raconter, nous aussi nous avons palpité à ces
souvenirs de gloire et de sagesse antiques, à ces luttes gigantesques de
l’oppression contre la liberté, qui nous semblaient ne devoir plus se
renouveler. Mais y a-t-il jamais eu, dans les livres de l’histoire, de
spectacle plus grand, plus merveilleux que celui au quel notre génération
a assisté dans la partie de ce siècle qui vient de finir? Une
révolution, qui fut l’œuvre lente des siècles et qui, malgré tous les
obstacles qu’elle rencontre, toutes les ruines qu’elle laisse sur son
passage, n’est point encore lasse de sa marche, avait répandu son souffle
ardent sur le monde. À la guerre civile, éteinte dans le sang, succédait,
pour la France, la guerre contre l’Europe entière: c’était la lutte
suprème de la société nouvelle contre la vieille société. C’est alors que
, sorti d’une île obscure , un obscur prédestiné met le pied sur la
terre de France, sur cette terre qui bientôt paraîtra - 16
— trop étroite à la marche de ses légions et aux désirs de sa
grande àme. Il vient; l’Europe est maîtrisée; le calme re- naît sur
cette- mer agitée par tant de tempêtes: de sa main puissante il recompose
la vie sociale, dont les éléments ont été confondus et dispersés dans une
guerre cruelle, et il jette les nations sur un nouveau sentier, où il
veut être désormais leur arbitre et leur guide. Peu d’années s’écoulent,
— les plus glorieuses du siècle — et voilà qu’au milieu
d’immortelles victoires, au milieu de revers immortels, cet homme touche
au terme de sa carrière et disparaît dans les fers et dans l’exil,
laissant la terre d’Europe fécondée des germes de l’avenir. C’est ainsi
qu’un grand fleuve, le Nil, aux sources inconnues — qui un jour lui avait
obéi — vient disparaître dans la mer, après avoir déposé des trésors de
fécondité sur les vastes plaines qu’il a traversées et couvertes de ses
eaux. Mais du sein de l’exil et du fond des cachots — après
quelques lustres seulement , pendant lesquels l’Europe fait des vains
efforts pour rentrer dans sa vieille ornière, ou s’éle- ver à une liberté
nouvelle — voilà que, par un admirable re- virement de fortune, nous
voyons paraître l’héritier du Grand homme, avec ses grandes idées, ses
hautes conceptions, avec son àme elle même. Ce fut comme une de ces
comètes qui s’approchent de nôtre planète , et puis vont se perdre
dans les régions de l’atmosphère, pour reparaître long-temps après:
la multitude voit en elles de nouvelles voyageuses, mais le savant les
reconnaît: il sait que ce sont les mêmes qu’il a déjà saluées et qui
reviennent sur l’horizôn , belles d’une éternelle splendeur.
Et maintenant, pourquoi sommes nous ici à contempler une merveille
de notre art qui nous rappelle le grand Homme ? La postérité a-t-elle
prononcé son arrêt? Cette gloire est-elle vraie? Oui, cette
gloire est vraie. — Napoléon a été l’initiateur d’un grand principe, le
droit des peuples; — ce droit par lequel nous avons aujourd'hui un roi
qui est à nous , des — 17 — soldats qui sont à
nous, pour garder les murs et les champs sacrés de la patrie. Et ces
intrépides guerriers qui, avec les nôtres, ont combattu comme des frères
dans cette guerre d’in- dépendance et versé leur sang pour l’Italie ,
sont témoins que nous aussi nous sommes dignes d’avoir une patrie,
puis- que pour elle nous avons su vaincre et mourir.
Laissez-moi vous rappeler maintenant comment est ar- rivé ce grand
fait de la renaissance de la nation italienne. Vers la fin du
dernier siècle, l'ouragan révolutionnaire, di- spersant les princes
italiens, avait contraint à s’éloigner des Alpes celui qui en était le
gardien le plus ancien et le plus vigilant. C’est ainsi que l’arbitre de
notre sort, complètement isolé dans l’œuvre de notre régénération, ne put
que jeter les fondements d’un royaume d’Italie. Rendus à nous mêmes,
pen- dant ces quelques années, il nous sembla que nous ressu-
scitions à une vie tout-à-fait nouvelle; — quoique le fanatisme et le
dépit haineux de ceux qui méconnaissent le bien, parce qu’il a été fait
sans eux, se soient efforcés de montrer ce ré- gime comme suivant une
voie de servitude, de licence et de tyrannie. Nous ne
jouissions pas, il est vrai, du plus sacré des droits, de la liberté
civile et politique, et c’était d’un centre éloigné que nous arrivait la
volonté souveraine; mais les juges étaient à nous; les membres du Corps
législatif, les conseillers d’État étaient à nous; nous avions de
florissantes écoles civiles et militaires des routes admirables à travers
les Alpes, des ponts, des canaux, et tout ce qui peut contribuer à la
sûreté in- térieure de l’État; les lois réunies en un seul code, un
sy- stème hypothécaire fondé, l’unité dans les monnaies et dans les
mesures; l’instruction répandue et devenue — comme elle doit l’être — un
bienfait populaire; les talents supérieurs dans les sciences et dans les
arts respectés, recherchés, et les noms d’Oriani, de Volta, de
Spallanzani, de Scarpa prononcés avec vénération. Et ce qui est plus
encore, nous avions une armée italienne qui devait porter si haut le nom
et la valeur de 3 - 18 — nos
soldats. Car, plus d’une fois , ces soldats suivirent dans les champs de
l’Allemagne le Héros qui, poussé par le génie ardent du midi, sentait,
comme eux, au fond de son cœur bouillonner les antipathies et les haines
de la race latine con- tre la dure oppression des races
septentrionales. Pour la seconde fois, la vaste marée du monde
barbare vint se ruer contre le nouvel empire d’Occident. Les rancunes
des vaincus purent hâter le jour des terribles représailles; et
tout ce faisceau de forces que, seul, il avait su étreindre dans sa
main puissante étant venu à se briser, ce monde, créé par lui, sembla se
dissiper comme un mirage trompeur. Cette grande vengeance des rois
accomplie, presque tous les peuples de l’Europe purent au moins se
reposer dans leur nationalité. A nous seuls Italiens il ne resta que
Toppres- sion, et avec elle le souvenir de ces années glorieuses et
impérissables, de ce royaume d’Italie qui s’était, après mille ans,
relevé pour si peu de temps , et dont le nom n’était plus qu’un mot, mais
un mot riche d’avenir. — - Ils le sa- vaient bien nos anciens dominateurs
, dont le retour rivait nos fers; ils le savaient bien eux qui, la peur
dans l’âme, défen- daient jusqu’aux images de l’Homme Fatal. Mais de
même qu’en France le soldat , redevenu laboureur , cachait celte
image et lui vouail un culte sous son toit de chaume; de même parmi nous,
les derniers vélites, ses compagnons dans tant de batailles , ne
cessaient de redire ses hauts faits avec un triste orgueil. Peu à peu les
rangs s’éclaircirent de ces témoins d’une grandeur passée; ces héroiques
entreprises devinrent comme des légendes, une histoire si grande qu’elle
ne paraissait plus vraie pour une génération qui commençait à s’énerver
dans les douceurs de la paix. Et voilà comment, ainsi qu'un écho
qui se perd, s’en allait mourir la puissance d’une idée. Mourir? —
La vie, l’âme d’un peuple ne peuvent mourir! elles s’affaissent pour un
temps, mais elles se réveillent et se relèvent. Ce besoin d’une patrie se
transmettait des derniers héros dispersés qui avaient combattu pour elle
à une géné- ration de jeunes hommes qui aspiraient après une liberté,
qu’ils -lo- ri' avaient pas connue. Et ce fut parmi
ces jeunes hommes, soldats et martyrs de la pensée nationale, que reparut
bien- tôt ce même nom que les monarques avaient espéré, par un
paragraphe de traité, effacer de la pensée de l’Europe. Dès lors,
un nouvel esprit de vie se répandit par toute la péninsule. Gomme le
navigateur, qui sur un océan lointain, a foi dans son arrivée à une terre
connue, mais qui ne sait ni le jour, ni l’heure ; un seul prince italien
veillait au pied des Alpes, attentif à cet esprit, dont il écoutait la
grande voix, non pour l’étouffer, mais pour l’entendre. Et ce
jour et cette heure tant attendus , vinrent enfin. Dans les batailles des
peuples, ceux qui s’élancent les premiers se dévouent à la mort. C’est
ainsi qu’il est tombé celui qui poussa le premier cri d’indépendance.
Après dix années, — bien longues quand on est esclave, bien courtes quand
on éspére — sortit du cœur de son fils le nouveau cri de guerre;
tan- dis que , l’héritier du premier Napoléon , réintégré dans ses
droits et dans son pouvoir, lui prêtait le secours de son bras
puissant. C’est du haut des murs de Milan , qu’au jour de la
déli- vrance , cet homme qui a si bien compris son époque , an-
nonce un droit nouveau à l’Europe étonnée, avant même qu’elle ose, par
les murmures d’une diplomatie jalouse, in- terrompre le cours de ces
victoires qui ont excité parmi nous un enthousiasme encore brûlant. Le
droit des peuples est proclamé ouvertement , hautement , par des paroles
désormais ineffaçables. Et lorsqu’il les écrivit, sur le champ
ensanglanté de Magenta, l’Empereur savait bien que ces paroles
répondai- ent à la pensée prophétique de son grand prédécesseur, à ce
sen- timent qui, à Sainte-Héléne, lui faisait regretter de n’avoir
pas songé davantage à F Italie , de ne F avoir pas rendue libre ,
forte et indépendante. Dans ce jour solennel, devant cette statue du
Vainqueur de F Europe, qui triomphe encore, devant cette œuvre d’art qui,
pendant près d’un demi-siècle, est resté énsevelie honteusement dans les
souterrains de ce musée — sacrilège consommé par la sottise
et par la peur — en ce jour, dis-je, il me semble que cet illustre regret
a été entendu, et que ce grand désir en faveur de l’Italie va recevoir
son ac- complissement. Il est heureux qu’au milieu de ses
triomphes, le grand Conquérant, dans lequel il y avait tant de reflets de
l’antique, ait trouvé un artiste digne des meilleurs temps de la Grèce
, pour reproduire son image. A ce tour de tête sévère, on re-
connaît le profil impérieux du héros , empreint de cette vi- gueur de
conception, de cette volonté puissante qui lui firent entreprendre et
achever tant de grandes choses. Dans la pro- portion parfaite des
membres, dans leurs robustes contours, l’ar- tiste a voulu rendre cet
idéal qui représente, dans l’harmonie de la forme, l’unité des forces
humaines. Sur le globe qu’il tient en main, est la Victoire ailée,
désormais symbole d’un autre pouvoir; de cette influence morale,
recherchée avec orgueil, qui doit ré- gner sur le monde, et peut y régner
sous le nom d’un Bona- parte. Pendant sa vie, et au milieu de ses
victoires, il obtint l’hommage de rois tremblants , les louanges
flatteuses des savants, les applaudissements de la multitude; il reçut
des honneurs presque divins, qui parfois l’enivrèrent; mais peut-
-être les deux hommages les plus purs lui vinrent de cette Italie; de la
voix du poète qui pleura sur son tombeau, et de l’œuvre sublime du
sculpteur qui, tout en reproduisant ses traits, osait lui donner un
conseil, ésperant sans doute qu’un jour c’est par lui que la liberté
serait rendue à sa patrie. Ce chef-d’œuvre a été longtemps caché,
comme si on eut craint que sa vue fut capable de soulever une nation.
Puis, feignant l’indifférence pour une gloire qui ne pouvait plus
renaître , Y exposition en public en fut accordée par décret d’un
dominateur étranger — ici, où l’on avait cherché d'effacer jusqu’à la
trace du grand homme, en changeant le nom de l’Arc triomphal qui lui
était dédié , ainsi que les images glorieuses qui devaient en couronner
le sommet. La gloire d’inaugurer un aussi noble monument devait
être -21 - réservée au seul roi italien qui
s’est dévoué pour la patrie commune, et qui seul est digne de continuer
les traditions du grand nom et des événements que ce nom rappelle.
Il nous a fait voir comment il faut combattre et vaincre; il a armé
nos bras ; il a fait de nos frères ses compagnons d’ar- mes; il fera de
nos enfants autant de citoyens et de soldats. Et quand ils viendront ici,
cette statue, ainsi que le souvenir du jour où elle reparut à la lumière,
et du roi qui voulut la relever, leur rappelleront la vie civile à
laquelle nous a initiés le premier Napoléon , l’ alliance et le secours
qu’ un autre Napoléon a prêté à l’ilalie ; si bien qu’il nous est
aujourd’hui permis de saisir cette épée qui doit accomplir notre
délivrance du joug de l’étranger. Personne n’osera plus
toucher à ce monument: il a pour gardiens et pour protecteurs de son
inviolabilité, l’Art, la Pa- trie et la reconnaissance des
Italiens. — 22 NOTE En
1803, au nom du premier Consul, Canova fut appelé de Rome à Pa- ris et
reçu au palais de Saint-Cloud avec honneur et distinction par le grand
Héros qui en ce temps y séjournait. Ce fut alors que Bonaparte lui même le
char- gea de faire sa statue; l’artiste la modela en cinq jours et lui
donna une dimension presque gigantesque. Et tandis que le sculpteur était
occupé de son travail, le hé- ros lisait, ou discourait avec lui sur des
sujets politiques. L’amour ardent de la patrie et la franchise de
l’artiste furent si agréables au premier Consul , qu’il se plut à le
traiter avec une familiarité dont il n’avait jamais usé en- vers
personne, ce qui fit bientôt des jaloux. C’est Canova lui même qui nous a
donné ces détails dans quelques-uns de ses manuscrits ; et ses entretiens
avec Bonaparte en 1803 et en 1810, pendant l’Empire, lorsqu’il revint à
Paris , où l’Empereur désirait qu’il fixât sa demeure, sont d'une assez haute
importance; puisque ce fut dans cet amical abandon que Napoléon, comme on
l’a remarqué, se révéla lui môme, bien plus que ne le firent ses actes
po- litiques publiés jusqu’à présent. Ce fut alors que Napoléon lui
demanda pour- quoi il n’avait point fait sa statue colossale habillée.
L’artiste lui répondit : « Dieu lui même, Sire, n’aurait rien fait
de beau, s’il avait voulu vous repré- senter ainsi avec des vêtements
courts et en bottes à la française. Nous avons, comme tous les beaux
arts, notre langage sublime, et le langage de la sta- tuaire, c’est le
nu. * (Voyez Missirini, vie de Canova ; Cicognara, Histoire de la
sculpture; et Artaud, Histoire d’Italie). Dans le catalogue
chronologique des ouvrages de Canova, publié par Léo- pold Cicognara, est
rapportée à 1803 cette statue colossale de Napoléon, haute de sept palmes
romains , en marbre de première qualité. Le colosse ne fut envoyé à Paris
qu’en 1811, et passa de là en Angleterre: le roi Louis XVIII la donna, à
ce que l’on croit, au duc de Wellington. Le gouverne- ment anglais en fit
ensuite l’acquisition, comme l’observe Cicognara . 23
— En 1807, par décision du prince Eugène, vice-roi d’Italie,
le ministre Al- quier, ambassadeur de France à Rome, ordonna à Canova une
copie exacte en bronze de la même statue colossale, dont le prix fut fixé
à la somme de cinq mille louis. Ce fut aussi le vice-roi qui, au mois de
mai 1812, quand la statue fut coulée par les soins de François et Louis
Righetti, ordonna qu’on l’élevât à Milan, dans un lieu convenable. Le
ministre de l’intérieur, Vaccari, invita alors le sénateur Castiglioni,
président de l’Académie des beaux-arts, de proposer la place et le dessin
du piédestal. Quand l’œuvre de Canova ar- riva à Milan, le payement en
fut ordonné sur le trésor du royaume, et elle fut déposée, encaissée
comme elle l’était, sous les portiques du palais des Sciences. Les
membres de l’Académie, consultés sur le lieu le plus convena- ble à
l’érection de la statue , conseillèrent la place de la cathédrale , ou la
place Fontana, que l’on appelait alors place du Tagliamento , ou bien
encore la grande niche de la place des Tribunaux , où était autrefois la
statue de Philippe IL Dans cette divergence d’avis, le vice-roi décida
que, provisoi- rement, elle serait placée dans la seconde cour du palais
du sénat L’exécu- tion de cet ordre fut différée; et le chevalier Zanoja,
alors président de l’A- cadémie, obtint au mois de juin 1813, qu’elle
serait provisoirement placée dans la salle des antiques. Il fut décidé,
pour éviter que les écoliers ne vins- sent à la gâter, qu’elle fût
transporté e à une heure où les classes ne sont pas fréquentées.
A la chute de Napoléon I er , l’œuvre admirable de l’artiste italien
disparut dans les souterrains de l’Académie, et y resta jusqu’au 3 mars
1857, jour où l'empereur d’Autriche, (voir la Gazette Officielle) en ce
moment à Milan, or- donna que l’on érigeât aussitôt un piédestal aux
frais de l’État, et que la statue y fut placée dans le jardin public de cette
capitale. Ce fut un des derniers décrets rendus par le souverain
autrichien à cette époque, et un nouveau thème de louanges payées pour
les journaux officiels. Mais ce monument, que nous devons regarder
comme une des belles pro- priétés de l’État (chose qu’il n’est pas hors
de propos de rappeler ici) ne de- vait s’élever que lorsque le nom de
patrie et de royaume libre serait rendu à cette noble partie de notre
Italie. GETTY RESEARCH iNSTITUTE 3 3125
01096 5651 Giuseppe Cacciatore. Keywords: gl’eroi di Vico – filosofia
italica -- Vico, Croce, Labriola, Bruno, dallo storicismo allo storicismo,
linceo, centro di studii vichiani, nudita eroica --. Refs.: Luigi Speranza,
“Grice e Cacciatore” – The Swimming-Pool Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51779925910/in/dateposted-public/
Grice e Caffarelli – estetica –
synaesthesia -- consentimento – filosofia italiana – Luigi Speranza (Faenza). Filosofo.
Grice: “You’ve gotta love Caffarelli; he philosophised on all that I’m interested
in, notably “il bello,” whih he relates to art, communication, love – and the
rest of it!” Figlio di Colombo ed Edvige Regoli, e una figura singolare nel
panorama culturale faentino della prima metà del Novecento. Frequenta la Scuola
di musica di Faenza ed il Liceo musicale di Bologna, dove consegue il diploma
di composizione. Direttore della Scuola di musica e autore dei poemi scenici
"Galeotus" e "Kisa Gotami".
Gli anni tra la fine del secolo e lo scoppio del primo conflitto mondiale
sono un periodo di intensa e tormentata ricerca interiore, caratterizzata
dall'allontanamento dalle credenze religiose tradizionali. Gli esiti
mistico-esoterici della sua ricerca accentuarono progressivamente il suo
isolamento e la sua solitudine. In ambito locale ebbe stretti rapporti con i
cattolici "autonomisti" della Lega democratica nazionale murriana e
postmurriana, collaborando a diverse iniziative pubblicistiche quali l'Azione
di Donati e Cacciaguerra, la «Rivista bibliografica», «La Rivolta ideale». Partecipa al concorso della Casa Sonzogno di
Milano per opere liriche da far rappresentare Teatro alla Scala con un lavoro
dal titolo Galeotus, " poema scenico in 4 azioni per la musica",
grazie al quale acquisì una discreta fama presso il panorama musicale italiano Si avvicina agli ideali antroposofici di Steiner,
diventando uno dei primi e principali esponenti di questa corrente in Italia.
La sua piena adesione alla dottrina steineriana trova espressione ne
"L'arte nel mondo spirituale”, vero e proprio manifesto di un'estetica
antroposofica. Di analoga ispirazione furono il poema musicale "Adonie"
e il dramma "Ikhunaton". Molto
attento alle rinnovazioni culturali della sua epoca, collabora con Pratella, e
partecipa alle attività del Cenacolo Baccarini dove conobbe Campana. Organista
presso la cattedrale di Faenza. Oltre alla sua attività musicale si segnalano
anche traduzioni dal tedesco e saggi filosofici. Volle donare il suo archivio e
la sua biblioteca alla Biblioteca Comunale Manfrediana di Faenza che li
conserva tuttora. Il Comune di Faenza acquisì il fondo. La loro acquisizione
completa avvenne anche grazie alla volontà di Silvestrini, dell'associazione
faentina Amici dell'arte. Testimonianze coeve parlano di "una decina fra
bauli e casse pieni di manoscritti che si trovano in un disordine
impressionante". A tale donazione si aggiunse anche il pianoforte
utilizzato da Caffarelli, tuttora conservato presso la biblioteca. Partendo dalla antroposofia musicale sviluppa
un sistema armonico comprendente la tavolozza dei dodici suoni della scala
cromatica e che egli chiama sistema dodecamorfo, secondo il quale la musica
deve divenire immagine e manifestazione traendo le sue fonti in una sfera
spirituale. Così egli afferma nel saggio L'arte nel mondo spirituale. La musica
non e una esteriore costruzione di un tema piacevole ma intreccio di suoni-forze,
rapporti di suoni-forme, ricami di suoni-movimenti-archetipi. Tende a crear
forme espansive, delle quali il nucleo germinale è suono archetipo. Così
prosegue nel suo Saggio sull'Armonia sintetica. In questo senso è possibile
considerare il ciclo epta-fonico accordale come il generatore del susseguente
ciclo ultra-epta-fonico, precisamente come la gamma epta-fonica diatonica
genera il ciclo cromatico, e perché l'analogia sia piena, come la gamma dia-tonica
di sette suoni ne genera altri cinque cromatici, così il ciclo epta-fonico
accordale genera altri cinque accordi ultra-eptafonici e cromatici, che sono la
sua completa espansione materiale. L'accostamento che noi facciamo di queste
profonde parole al mondo armonico non è arbitrario e fantastico, ma implicito
nella natura stessa delle cose. E di nuova purissima luce illumina il mondo
armonico, e svela così nuovi rapporti e nuove possibilità, che il mondo dei
suoni ci appare essere un sistema, come un universo di suoni, che nella
generazione e nella vita ri-specchia fedelmente le leggi cosmiche e le
manifesta come vita sonora. Musica Messa in Mib per cori virili a tre voci ed organo,
Galeotus. Silfo: commento musicale per orchestra al poemetto in prosa di Arturo
Onofri. Le anime orfane: canto per violoncello e pianoforte. Triodia seconda. L'
arte nel mondo spirituale: tre saggi come introduzione a una conoscenza
spirituale-cosmica dell'arte (Montanari, Faenza). Saggio sull'Armonia
Sintetica. Doppia generazione delle armonie. L'armonia come co-espressione Disegno storico sulla evoluzione della Sonata,
Il segreto di Boito. Gli orizzonti esoterici dell'arte. Beethoven e la Gioia
(in "I nostri quaderni. Esoterismo
e fascismo. Il movimento antroposofico italiano durante il regime fascista, in
Esoterismo e Fascismo. Un enigma esistenziale. DISSENT
m ENGLAND. Accepting an invitation to say something upon
this subject, I am assured I may speak freely, without any fear of being
mis- understood by my American readers. This assurance is based
upon the fact that in the United States there is no Established Ohurch. Unfortunately
the basis of the assurance is too narrow for all its issues. Not only are
there in England " political dis- senters," there are also
"religious nonconformists." The latter are not necessarily the
former, nor are the former necessarily the latter, though it is only fair
to state that there are many who might be called politico-religious
dissenters. In order to make this distribution of classes clear to
American readers, it should be stated that the religious non-conformists
in particular do not necessarily make a vital question of Ohurch
establishment. They object to the doctrines, creed, ceremonies, and
sacerdotal profes- sions of the Episcopal Ohurch. Were that church
disestablished to-morrow, religious non-conformity would still entertain
its objections to Anglicanism as defined and insisted upon in the
Book of Oommon Prayer. Religious non-conformists look upon that book as a
compromise between popery and Protestantism ; they have carefully
considered all the comments which have been made upon doubtful words, and
they have given due value to the pleadings of men who, being nominally
stanch Protestants, have yet given their " unfeigned assent and
consent" to the doctrines in the Book of Common Prayer ; yet, having
done so they feel that the plain and natural interpretation of the words
of the latter lead to the conclusion that the Prayer Book is distinctly
more papal than Protestant. There are many religious non-conformists in
England who look upon the hierarchy as entirely inconsistent with the
simplicity of the conception of the Christian Ohurch which is given in
the New Testament. They are unable to accept all the pompous and regal
titles which are claimed by the clergy of vari- 646 THE
NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW. ous degrees; they are overwhelmed by such
distinctions as, "Most Eeverend," "Eight Reverend
Father," "Very Eeverend," "Eight Eeverend Lord Bishop
" of London or Winchester ; feeling that such designations are
inconsistent, as I have said, with the sim- plicity of apostolic spirit
and custom. Then again, religious non- conformists are strongly
antagonistic to the sacerdotal claims which are not illogically set up by
many of the English clergy. Not a few clergymen in England insist that
they alone have received valid and authoritative ordination, and under
this im- pression they reject the claims of the entire
non-conformist ministry to be regarded as in any sense divinely
sanctioned. The clergy now more particularly in view are not unwilling to
be friendly with dissenting ministers in a non-professional capacity
; on the contrary, the personal and social manners of such clergy-
men are often distinguished by the highest consideration and courtesy ;
but let a dissenting minister suggest that even one of the least sacerdotal
clergymen should occupy a non-conformist pulpit, and conduct a
non-conformist service of the simplest and least pretending kind, and the
clergyman will fly off as if he had been stung by fire. The clergyman has
what he calls a " professional conscience " or an "
ecclesiastical conscience ;" in the keeping of this self-created
conscience in his relation toward dissenters he is most fastidious,
whilst many dissenters wonder how he can accommodate that same discriminating
conscience to not a few of the things plainly insisted upon in the Book
of Com- mon Prayer. Eeligious non-conformists, not a few, are unable
to accept the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England as they
should be grammatically construed. Others of them think they find in the
Book of Common Prayer the doctrine of regeneration by baptism. Others,
again, are quite unable to accept the Burial Service, because it seems to
make no discrimination between those who died in known sin and those who
died as professed believers in the Lord Jesus Christ; the Prayer Book
looks upon them all as men whose resurrection to Eternal Life is assured
and undisputed. Whether religious non-conformists are right in all their
interpre- tations and inferences is not the immediate question before me
; it is enough to state as a matter of fact that such
interpretations and inferences do keep out of the Church of England many
who have not finally made up their minds upon the political
question of Church Establishment. DISSENT IN ENGLAND. 647
On the other hand there are great numbers in England who are, in
the clearest sense of the term, " political dissenters." The
term has often been used as a stigma, and it has been accepted as
such by those to whom it has been applied. The stigma, however, has
not been regarded as an argument, nor has it, in the slightest degree,
mitigated the hostility which is entertained by those who believe that
the State ought not to be called upon to main- tain any form of religion.
Amongst the political dissenters are found not a few really earnest
Christian men whose political oppo- sition is stimulated by their simple
and ardent piety. Speaking of the religio-political dissenter, I may say
that he starts his argu- ment from a distinct conception (right or wrong)
which he has formed of the nature and scope of the Christian Church. He
says in effect : The Ohurchof Christ is a spiritual institution : the
object of that Church is the conversion and salvation of man. Its
conse- quent purpose' or duty is the spiritual education and edification
of souls : it proceeds upon a recognition of the supremacy and
sover- eignty of the individual conscience : under these
circumstances it is not only absurd, but profane for the State —
necessarily a com- plex body — ^representing all varieties of religious
opinion and cer- tainly representing many who are unbelievers in
Christian doctrine — ^to attempt, in any form, or in any degree, to rule
a distinctively spiritual institution. Eeligious dissenters have been
shocked by the idea that Papists, Jews, Infidels, and Agnostics, should
have any official part or lot in deciding affairs which belong to the
Protestant branch of the Church of Christ. They are fully aware of all
the interpretations and glosses which have been put upon this
action, yet, in this case, as in the other, after giving full
considera- tion to them, they cannot but feel that the Christian Church
is tainted by the touch — however guarded and even generous — of an
unchristian hand. The time was when payment was demanded from dissenters,
as from others, in support of the Established Church of England. That
time has gone by, but no credit is due to the Church itself for its
expiration. For many years a desperate battle was fought about this
question of church rates, and the battle ended in what may be regarded,
without offense, as a vic- tory on the non-conformist side. I allude to
this fact, because it is often said that surely the Church, which has
given up its claim to this species of taxation, has a right to believe
and to teach and to propagate whatever it may believe to be true.
In 648 THE NORTH AMEBIC AN REVIEW. this
contention there is an obvious sophism ; any voluntary body of Christians
may logically elect to stand upon this ground and its claim cannot be j
ustly or successfully disputed. But an Established church is not a
voluntary body ; it distinctly and perhaps proudly claims to be a
national corporation ; it uses the national name ; its designation is
nationally inclusive ; every man, therefore, in the nation has a right to
protest against what he may believe to be a misuse of his name. In theory
the Church of England claims every Englishman as a member. As a matter of
fact, probably one-half of the English population should be reckoned
as wholly outside the establishment ; — some because of distinct
con- scientious conviction ; some because of simple religious
hostility, and others on the ground of religious indifference; yet, still
as a matter of mere statistics, there remains the fact that fully
one-half of the inhabitants of England are not included in what is
called the National Church. Is not this, then, plainly a contradic-
tion in terms ? Ought a church to claim to be the whole, when it is obviously
only a part ? Would the Church be content with non-conformists who
describe England as a non-conformist nation ? Yet, in view of facts of
the most obvious and sugges- tive kind the Church goes on calmly claiming
to be the Church of the Nation, the Church of the whole people, and in
so arrogantly ignoring facts it can hardly be wondered at that non-
conformists should answer the arrogant claim with resentment not always,
perhaps, well controlled or happily expressed. The social influence
of the Established Church in England is often very insidious and very
baleful. Dissenters, though osten- sibly recognized, often have to
explain and almost to apologize for their existence. The ignorance of the
common run of Church people respecting non-conformists and non-conformity
is simply astounding. That there are Church of England dignitaries
and others who are perfectly conversant with the whole history of
non- conformity is, of course, indisputable ; but, speaking of the aver-
age Churchman, I should say that his knowledge of English dis- sent is of
the barest possible kind. A very zealous member of the Established Church
once took up a Congregational Hymn-book in my study, and having perused
it a few minutes exclaimed with unfeigned astonishment: " Why, I see
here several of our hymns !" The hymns in question were the
compositions of James Montgom- DISSENT IN ENGLAND. 649
ery, Charles Wesley, Isaac "Watts, and Phillip Doddridge, yet the
hymns of these historical non-conformists were quietly assumed to be
" Our hymns" in the sense of the Established Church ! This
incident, trivial enough in itself, is quoted as indicative of an amount
of ignorance which would be simply incredible to an enlightened American
reader. Even where dissenters are tolerated they are seldom really
understood by English Churchmen. It is next to impossible to get out of
the mind of the English Church- man the impression that the dissenter is
secretly bant upon robbing the Established Church. The Churchman feels
convinced that if the dissenter could only possess himself of the
endowments of the Church he would be quite satisfied. The Churchman
may be argued down upon every point and may be put to the very
humiliation of silence by logic and by fact, yet, there will linger in
his mind the more or less unconscious persuasion that every dis- senter
is a heretic and a felon. I have hardly ever known an in- stance in which
the average English Churchman has grasped the moral position of the
English dissenter. A vicar of good stand- ing in London lately published
a pamphlet on the question of dis- establishment, in the course of which
he pensively inquires, " If the Church were destroyed, who would
baptize your children, who would marry you, who would oflSciateat the
interment of your de- ceased ?" The absurdity of these inquiries
would be simply farcical if they did not indicate something deeper and
deadlier than them- selves. No dissenter wishes to destroy
the Church. No non-conform- ist is seeking to limit the spiritual
influence of the Anglican Church, or any of its institutions. It would
appear as if the men in question were under the impression that if they
were disen- dowed they would, of necessity, be silenced. They give the
im- pression to those who are outside that they only preach the
Gos- pel and administer the sacraments because they enjoy the
protec- tion and the emoluments of the State. If a Church were
dises- tablished, what is to hinder those men preaching as zealously
as ever ? And if the Church were disendowed what is there to pre-
vent those men marrying and burying people, as occasion might arise ?
Here again creeps in the influence of the sacerdotal argu- ment, which
leads the untrained mind to accept the sophism that nothing is
religiously valid that is not sanctioned by a certain official process.
Suggestions of this kind cannot but have a very 660 THE
NORTH AMERICAN BEriEW. unhappy effect upon the general thinking of
the Anglican com- munity. The impression cannot always be put into words,
but it affects the thought and habit and action of the religious public
to an unlimited and often undefinable extent. Dissenters are every-
where regarded as the enemies of the Church, than which there can be no
greater misjudgment and no greater calumny. Dissent- ers are among the
first to recognize, in the most cordial and em- phatic manner, the noble
service rendered by the clergy and laity of the Church of England. Their
liberality, their zeal, their sym- pathy with the people, their
fearlessness in visiting the abodes of poverty and the abodes of disease,
are all recognized with deep emotion and unfeigned gratitude by the
dissenters of England. Those dissenters are filled with the conviction
that if the Church of England were disestablished and disendowed, and
thus put upon an apostolic basis, not one of these characteristic
features need be in the slightest degree depleted of energy and
beneficence. If any American readers are under the impression that English
dissent- ers have in view the destruction of the English Church, I
should be thankful if my word could be accepted that the dissenters
of England only wish to liberate the Church from State bonds and
not in any degree to interfere with its spiritual enthusiasm and
activity. I have spoken of the social influence of the
establishment being insidious and baleful. In illustration of this
opinion I may say that I had not been many days in this country until
I cut out of an American paper the following announcement :
" Here is an advertisement from an English paper :
" 'To Let. — St. Katharine's, Verulam Road. One of the prettiest
residences in Hitchen. Nine rooms, cellars, large garden. £50. Dissenters
not eligible.' " Let any unprejudiced man read this
advertisement and say whether there is not in it a spirit calculated to
sow dissension in the national mind. Three thousand miles away from the
action of such a spirit, American readers may be able to
contemplate the scene with equanimity, and, perhaps, with some measure
of amusement. But let Americans be given to understand that the
great steamships sailing from the port of New York are open to all the
community, except those who belong to a certain religious persuasion —
say Episcopalians, Congregationalists, Presbyterians — let the
Episcopalians of this country feel that anybody may DISSENT
IN ENGLAND. 651 avail themselves of those ships but Episcopalians,
then they will be able to express proper feeling in proper terms. Nor may
this advertisement be regarded as in any degree exceptional or
singular. The spirit of this advertisement penetrates English society
through and through. I have known farms engaged, and the leases
drawn up, and all the documents ready for signature, when a
question has been asked regarding the religious position of the
incoming tenant, and on its being discovered that he was a dissenter all
the negotiations have been pronounced null and void. There are many
villages and hamlets in England where a Wesleyan Metho- dist may not hold
a prayer meeting, even in his own house, and this is made absolute, not
by some general verbal agreement, but by definite legal covenant. Can it
be wondered at, then, that it should be felt by dissenters that the
social influence of the estab- lishment is often insidious and baleful ?
People who suffer from the puncture of these thorns are more likely to
know how sharp they are than those who look upon the suffering from a
comfort- able distance. There are mercantile situations in England
which are not open to dissenters. There are high educational
positions, as head masters and governors, that are not open to
non-conformists. In this way the spirit of religious persecution is still
rampant. Lord Selborne, in his recent defense of the Church of
England, has pointed out the direction in which his own thoughts are
run- ning. Whilst a tolerant and eminently amiable man, yet his
lord- ship has put it on record that, in his opinion, Mr. Gladstone is
endangering the continued existence of the Church of England by inviting
into his Cabinet men who have made Disestablishment an item in the new
Liberal programme. Is not this religious perse- cution ? Is not this the
very spirit of the Inquisition ? Is it not herein suggested that Mr.
Gladstone should first ask every man eligible for a cabinet position
whether he is a Churchman or a dissenter ? The advertisement
in the above instance pronounces a dis- senter ineligible for the tenancy
of a beautiful villa ; other ad- vertisements pronounce dissenters
ineligible for certain educa- tional official positions ; Lord Selborne,
an ex-Lord Chancellor of Great Britain, pronounces dissenters who have
the courage of their convictions ineligible for cabinet service ! If this
is not re- ligious persecution the term needs to be redefined. In the
face of facts of this kind it is somewhat galling to be exhorted to
"let 652 THE NOBTH AMERICAN REVIEW. bygones
bs bygones." The dissenter is perfectly willing to adopt this maxim
and to follow this policy, but he rightly insists that the bygones should
be gone in reality and not in pretense. The tree is not gone so long as
the root remains. Not a single concession has ever been made to
English dis- senters in a spontaneous and cordial manner on the part of
the English Church. Church rates have been abolished. University
Tests have been superseded, churchyards have been opened for the general
use of the parish, and many penalties and disabilities have been swept
away, but, in every instance, the action has been begun, continued, and
completed by dissenters themselves. Thus the Church is being gradually
disestablished in England ; piece by piece the old fabric is being taken
down. I cannot but regret this piecemeal disestablishment. So long as
persecution was allowed to retain concrete forms and to operate in a way
which could be felt without metaphysical exposition, there was hope
that the people would rise in religious indignation and demand the
eradication and not the mere disbranching of the evil. Eng- lish
dissenters, however, have acted on the policy of a gradual and almost
imperceptible disestablishment, so that now the Church is brought to
about the last degree of attenuation, so much so, indeed, that Churchmen
are asking on every hand, " What have dissenters to complain of ?
what grievances have they to state ? under what penalties do they suffer
?" All these questions show that the interrogators have no idea of
the funda- mental and eternal principle upon which non-conformity takes
its stand, namely, the principle of liberty of conscience and
freedom of action in all matters relating to religious life and
conviction. Dissenters are opposed to the idea that the State should have
any- thing whatever to do with religion, in the way of directing,
con- trolling, or patronizing it. It is, therefore, not a question of
in- tolerance, persecution, or penalty, however feeble or small
these may be ; the question is infinitely greater, penetrating, as
it does, to the very heart of things and insisting that a right
con- ception of the Kingdom of Christ upon earth is inconsistent
with political Cffisarism and worldly criticism and patronage.
It may be asked whether the opposition to the Church of England is
organized, or whether it is left to the expression of
DISSENT IN ENGLAND. 653 general sentiment. In reply to this
inquiry I have to say that there is an institution known by the name of
" Society for the Liberation of Religion from State Patronage and
Control" which is supported by a large number of the most able and
most gener- ous British non-conformists. This Society has been in
existence about forty years, and has been characterized in all its action
by the highest intelligence, determination, and munificence. I am
afraid, without having official records at hand, to say how much money
has been contributed to the funds of this Society, but I am certain that,
taking the whole period of its existence, the sum has been worthy of the
great cause which the contributors have espoused. Perhaps I may speak the
more freely of this Society, because I am neither a member of it nor a
subscriber to its funds. The name of the Society indicates clearly that
the interest of its members begins in religion, rather than in politics.
When we read of a society for the emancipation of slaves we justly
infer that originators and supporters of the society have studied
the question of slavery, and are deeply interested in the subject of
human liberty ; so, when we read of the liberation of religion, we
naturally conclude that those who are interested in that service are
those deeply convinced of the nature and obligation of relig- ious
doctrine and life. Such a society, therefore, I could heart- ily join,
were its action faithful to its name. I do not join the existing society
because it has not shrunk from inviting to its platform men whom I know
to be merely political in their sym- pathies and purposes, and whom I
also know to be hostile to every form of religion, whether established or
non-established. I am prepared to accept the charge of being in some
degree narrow- minded in this matter, but my narrow-mindedness absolutely
pre- vents me from co-operating with men in the liberation of religion,
whose often avowed object I know to be the destruction of religion.
Certainly, as citizens, such men are at liberty to carry out their
convictions, but they ought to be members of a society for the Liberation
of the State from the control and patronage of religion. Under some such
designation as this their society would be legitimate, and their relation
to it would be logical, natural, and necessary. I simply point out this
distinction to indicate why some Englishmen, who are zealous non-conformists,
and even political dissenters, are not connected with the Libera- tion
Society. The words "Liberation Society" are not the whole VOL.
CXLV. — yio. 373. 43 654 THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW.
title of the Society ; if they were, they would be perfectly
sufficient to cover the whole ground ; but, from my point of view, the
posi- tion which is given to " religion" in the title of the
Society should prevent co-operation within the limits of that Society and
under its noble watchword with men who openly live by denouncing
religious doctrine and service of every kind. Having thus delivered
my mind on this matter, I am free to say that the Liberation Society is
from end to end of its history inspired by an honest and lofty purpose.
Its officers, its lectur- ers, its agents are in the overwhelming
majority of instances men whom the Christian churches of England delight
to honor; The Liberation Society is now acknowledged to be a political
factor in contemporaneous English history. Statesmen quietly, and
some- times openly, inquire what the Liberation Society will do in
such and such cases. Even conservative statesmen cannot ignore the
growing power of English non-conformity in the cities, villages, and
hamlets of the country. Much of this is due to the action of the
Liberation Society, whose lecturers have gone everywhere ex- pounding
sound Christian doctrine with regard to Church Estab- lishments, and
circulating in great abundance literature adapted to popular use.
So much for what may be called organized opposition to the
Established Church. But, beyond this, there is an opposition of what I
cannot but consider a more vital and more influential char- acter. Every
non-conformist chapel is, in reality, a non-conform- ist argument. In
nearly every village in England non-conformity makes its institutional
sign. Here is the Primitive Methodist Chapel, yonder is the
Congregational Chapel, further on is the Wesleyan or Presbyterian Chapel,
and the very appearance of these buildings excites inquiry and stimulates
discussion. For my part, I am more hopeful of influences of this kind
than of influences that are critical, controversial, and openly
hostile. Growth is sometimes better than attack. Sometimes men do not
know exactly what course their action is taking, or to what issue it is
tending, so that many who imagine themselves to be simply living a quiet
Christian life, without taking any part or lot in ecclesiastical
politics, are all the time doing a constructive work, the proper issue of
which is the overthrow of Church Establish- ments, and the inauguration
of a healthy religions spontaneity and independence. Many men, who would
hardly allow themselves to DISSENT IN ENGLAND. 655
be called dissenters, are thus, indirectly, upholding the cause of
dissent. So that, in this way and in that, some openly, some
controversially, some silently, some influentially, the great work of
propagating right ideas regarding the Christian Church is pro- ceeding
rapidly and surely in England. All this I have written in no merely
controversial spirit, but simply with a desire to give a frank expression
to my own convictions and, I believe, to the convictions of many of
the English people. If I change the point of view and look upon the
Church of England with Christian eyes, I should claim to be among the
foremost to recognize, as I have already said, the great work which the
Church of England is doing. I can never forget the obligations of
Christian England to the English Church. He would be, not only an unjust
man, but utterly blind, who denies that the erudition, the zeal, the
personal liberality, of the English Church are worthy of the devoutest
com- mendation. I may be permitted to add as an English Congrega-
tional minister that probably no minister in England preaches to more
English clergymen than I myself do, in connection with the noonday
service held every Thursday in the City Temple, London. The personality
of the reference will be forgiven for the sake of the object which I have
in view, which is to indicate that on every hand I have received the
broadest and kindest encouragement from clergymen of the Established
Church. In speech, in writing, in published articles, they have done
everything in their power to encourage me in my service. Yet, this very
kindness brings into strongest contrast the point to which I have already
referred, namely, that not one of these clergymen would be allowed by
his bishop to preach in my pulpit. Clergymen have accepted invita-
tions to preach there. Our arrangements have actually proceeded to the
point of public advertisement. They have even gone to the very morning of
the day on which the service was to be rendered, and at the eleventh hour
the bishop has interposed and forbidden the fulfillment of the
engagement. On two occasions, the Bishop of London has done this in my
own case. Now, this is no ques- tion of Establishment or
Disestablishment. This is purely an Episcopal and sacerdotal question,
and the Episcopal injunction would just be as prompt and resolute as it
is to-day, were Dises- tablishment to take place instantly.
Circumstances of this kind justify me In saying that the Estab-
656 THE NORTH AMEBIC AN REVIEW. lished Church question
may be viewed from either of two points, either from the point of
Episcopacy, amounting almost to Papacy, and from the point of political
dissent or Disestablishment. Al- together the Church life of England is
in a very disturbed and undesirable state. Even courtesy itself is often
streaked by sus- picion. The most cordial social relations are often felt
to be reserved and restrained in a sense that can hardly be expressed
in words. That the Church of England will be disestablished within
a comparatively brief, period is my firm conviction. I hope noth- ing
will be done by violence, but that we shall accept the pro- cesses of
education which, though often slow, are sure. Every Board School that is
founded helps the education of society, and my conviction is that we only
need larger, freer education in or- der to liberate men from the
superstitions and fantasies which have so much to do with the maintenance
of mechanical religion. Joseph Parker, D.D., Minister of the
City Temple, LondonLamberto Pietro Gaetano Caffarelli. Lamberto
Caffarelli. Keywords: l’armonia come co-espressione, armonia virile, coro
virile. Boito, eptafornia, cromatismo, sistema dodecamorfo, saggi filosofici,
teoria dell’armonia, armonia ultra-eptafonica, armonia cromatica, armonia dodecamorfica,
coro virile, armonia virile, armonia come co-espressione virile. Refs.: Luigi
Speranza, “Grice e Caffarelli” – The Swimming-Pool Library.
Grice e Caffo – ego et alter -- l’altruismo
– filosofia italiaa – Luigi Speranza (Catania). Filosofo. Grice: “I
love Caffo; he has philosophised on most things *I* did! My favourite has to be
his ‘bestiary’: “A is for ‘Animal’” – and that’s all the bestiary we need! He
has also explored ‘altruism,’ and is in general concerned with a conceptual
analysis of my basic key expressions: ‘communicazione’ (‘l’origine della
communicazione umana’), ‘logica e linguaggio’ (one of the five questions of
philosophy, for him), etc. – He has dialogued with syntacticians, as I did,
when I met Chomsky!” -- Grice: “Caffo
is a Griceian in the sense that he considers, like I do, there is a continuum
between non-human animal and human animal – indeed, he is so into this, that he
calls his ism ‘animalism,’ which I suppose is o-kay; perhaps we would differ on
the implicatura of the term: which seems to be that ‘umano’ is JUST ‘animale’
-- Urmson and Hare loved to play witht
his: “There is an animal in the backyard.” “I don’t see it.” “You won’t – it’s
a bacteria.” “There is an animal in the backyard.” “I don’t see it.” “It’s Aunt
Lucy.”” Si è laureato in filosofia alla Università degli Studi di Milano e ha
conseguito il dottorato, sempre in Filosofia, presso l’Università degli Studi
di Torino dove, sotto la guida di Maurizio Ferraris, ha poi anche lavorato al
Laboratorio di Ontologia diretto da Tiziana Andina. È noto soprattutto per le
sue teoria sugli Animal Studies, il postumano contemporaneo, e l’antispecismo
(“debole” nella sua versione), per cui è stato anche criticato da alcuni media.
Ne La vita di ogni giorno (edito da Einaudi nel ) si è invece occupato di
filosofia in senso più ampio e divulgativo proponendo una "alternativa
filosofia". In Fragile umanità. Il postumano contemporaneo (Einaudi, ),
"si interroga su quale possa essere il nuovo paradigma di vita destinato a
sostituire l'Homo Sapiens". Dal
insegna Ontologia presso la Facoltà di Architettura del Politecnico di
Torino; insegna anche alla Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti di Milano, alla Scuola
Holden e al Made Program della Accademia di Belle Arti Rosario Gagliardi a
Siracusa. È collaboratore de La Lettura, scrive saltuariamente anche sulle
pagine culturali de La Sicilia, L'Espresso, il manifesto e il Corriere della
Sera. Ha un blog su The Huffington Post. Dirige la rivista Animot: l’altra
filosofia ed è opinionista di varie trasmissioni televisive, come Tagadà o
Porta a Porta. Per le sue posizioni
antispeciste, interviene spesso su reti televisive e radiofoniche italiane e
straniere, oltre che in festival culturali. La sua teoria dell'antispecismo
debole è dibattuta nella stampa specializzata. Ha pubblicato le sue ricerche su
riviste filosofiche quali The Monist, Journal of Animal Ethics, Domus, Rivista
di Estetica. È stato definito da Maurizio Ferraris «il più promettente,
versatile e originale tra i giovani filosofi italiani». A Milano ha co-fondato
il caffè letterario Walden. Nel è
entrato a far parte, appoggiandone il progetto, nell'Advisory Panel italiano di
Diem25. Nel febbraio, conduce assieme a Margherita D'Amico un programma
radiofonico su Rai Radio 3, intitolato "L'umanità e altri animali".
Ha partecipato come speaker alla edizione
del FestivalFilosofia di Modena con una lectio sull'antropocentrismo e
le "persone non umane". È co-curatore del Public Program della Triennale di Milano. Altre opere: “Soltanto per loro, Roma, Aracne);
“Azione e natura umana” Rimini, Fara); “La possibilità di cambiare,
Milano-Udine, Mimesis); “Flatus Vocis, Novalogos, Aprilia); “Adesso l'animalità,
Perugia, Graphe); “Il maiale non fa la rivoluzione, Casale Monferrato, Sonda);
“Margini dell’umanità, illustrazioni di Tiziana Pers, Milano-Udine, Mimesis); “Il
bosco interiore, Casale Monferrato, Sonda); “Del destino umano. Nietzsche e i
quattro errori dell'umanità” Prato, Piano B); “La vita di ogni giorno, Torino,
Einaudi); “Fragile Umanità. Il postumano contemporaneo, Torino, Einaudi); "28
anni. O della filosofia giovanile", in H. D. Thoreau, La Disobbedienza
Civile, Einaudi, Torino); Vegan. Un manifesto filosofico, Torino, Einaudi); “Il
cane e il filosofo. Lezioni di vita dal mondo animale, Milano, Mondadori); Dopo
il COVID 19. Punti per una discussione, Milano, Nottetempo); Quattro Capanne. O
della semplicità, Milano, Nottetempo); Un'arte per l'altro. L'animale nella
filosofia e nell'arte, Firenze, goWare, Edizione cartacea: Graphe, Perugia); “Radicalmente
liberi: A partire da Marco Pannella, Milano-Udine, Mimesis); “Così parlò il
postumano, a cura di. E. Adorni, Aprilia, Novalogos);“A come Animale, Milano,
Bompiani);“Manifesto per gli animali, Roma-Bari, Laterza);“Costruire Futuri.
Migrazioni, città, immaginazioni, Milano, Bompiani);“A partire da Tiziano
Terzani, con prefazione di Angela Terzani, Pordenone, Safarà);“Intromettersi,
Elèuthera, Milano.Antispecismo. Specismo. quando esse stesse
costituiscono oggetto di valutazione. Per l'analisi di queste circostanze sotto
l'aspetto del valore m o rale, il Meinong si serve di una simbolica assai
semplice, distin guendo il bene e il male, secondo che siano propri del
soggetto odialtrisoggetti,rispettivamente colleletteregeu,reu;e le
appetizioni egoistiche, altruistiche e neutrali colle lettere e,a,n,se sono del
soggetto,colle lettere n,qe v se appartengono ad altri soggetti. I valori
egoistici risultano perciò espressi con le lettere i neutrali colle
lettere : 99 ( 1 ) I b i d ., p . - 1 0 9 - 1 1 0 .
page187image2165457520 Ta е e 201 96, Un
Pla , 7 Ja, rn Uca เหฯ
Uy : 129. – Non tutte le circostanze,che accompagnano l'attua zione
di uno scopo della volontà, hanno importanza pel valore morale.E intanto
è certo,che esse in generale entrano a far parte del fenomeno,non in
quanto sono reali,ma in quanto il soggetto le ritiene tali. È sempre il lato
subbiettivo che interessa nel giudizio morale. gli altruistici con
le lettere: Tv e Siccome il Meinong non si propone di dare
una teoria compiuta deifatticoncomitantidelvalore,ma
solodianalizzaretalunicasi page188image2165440512 IL VALORE MORALE
SECONDO IL MEINONG 171 speciali, così, per evitare complicazioni, quando
adopera i simboli senza l'indice intende significare i valori egoistici.
Q u e s t i s i m b o l i p o s s o n o e s p r i m e r e b e n i, m a a n c h
e l e v o l i z i o n i a d essi riferentisi. Per indicare le volizioni il
Meinong adopera gli stessi segni fra parentesi. Infine per
semplificare il calcolo egli suppone,di regola,che la circostanza concomitante
sia sempre una sola,la quale insieme alla volizione formi ciò che egli chiama
binomio della volizione. Se le circostanze sono più, allora si forma un
polinomio (1). La precedenza della lettera in un polimonio o binomio
indica il valore principale desiderato o attuato. Tra lo scopo dellla
volizione e l'oggetto della valutazione conco mitante possono correre le seguenti
relazioni: 1. Identità: ciò che il vero artista crea non soddisfa lui
sol tanto, egli apparirà sempre in qualche modo come un beneficatore di tutta
una sfera di uomini. 2. Coesistenza di più qualità di una stessa cosa o
anche di più cose : per esempio, un tale vuol comprare un piano che ha un b e
l t o n o , m a il p i a n o h a a n c h e u n a c a t t i v a m e c c a n i c
a ; o u n c a n e d a g u a r d i a m o l t o v i g i l e , il q u a l e p e r
ò m o r d e ; o u n a m a c c h i n a c h e lavora bene, ma che fa rumore e
fumo, ecc. 3. Nesso causale, nelle sue due forme: a) lo scopo è causa di
conseguenze valutabili; chi, per esempio, promuove il movimento e l ' i n d u s
t r i a d e i f o r e s t i e r i , m i r a a d a r r i c c h i r e il p a e s
e , m a a n c h e lo demoralizza; b) lo scopo non si può raggiungere che come
ef fetto di dati valori morali ; per esempio, un fabbricante per ( 1 ) I
b i d ., p . 1 1 1 - 1 1 5 . page188image2165440720 130. In che modo
ifatti concomitanti del valore sono connessi collo scopo della volizione?
Siccome ogni scopo di voli zione è anche un oggetto di valutazione,la domanda
può formu larsi,in termini generali, così:come dei valori possono
entrare in connessione tra loro? Si noti però che la connessione deve
sta bilirsi prima del cominciamento della volizione deve tenerne
conto. ,giacchè questa escluse. Le coesistenze casuali restano
naturalmente page189image2165670304 Ora torniamo alla domanda principale:
in che modo il valore morale di una valutazione dipende dai valori
concomitanti,e,in caso di binomio, dal valore concomitante ? 131. – Noi
abbiamo distinto quattro categorie di valori, g, T, u e u , le quali si
applicano anche ai fatti concomitanti. Peròilcasousipuòomettere,perchè
non accadràmai,chesi voglia un proprio non -valore per sè stesso. Rimangono
così trepossibilità, le quali, liberamente combinate, dànno dodici casi
cheono la tavola dei valori. Per l'esame di questi casi bisogna pensare, che ad
un oggetto di volizione si aggiungano gli altri come fatti concomitanti, e
osservare le variazioni di valore che questo intervento produce. 1. La
volizione positivamente altruistica è data dalla for mula (Y).Ilmomento più
importante è qui l'associazione dellacircostanza concomitante u, il proprio
danno. È evidente che l'ag giunta di questo secondo momento accresce il valore
di (i) e di tanto,quanto più grande sarà il sacrificio proprio. Indicando il
valore con W ,si avrà dunque: Se invece si aggiunge v, il danno altrui,
sia di persone estranee al rapporto (quando per beneficare uno si danneggia
altri), sia dello stesso beneficato (quando il beneficio produce pure un male
al beneficato ), allora il valore della volizione con questa circostanza
concomitante diventerà minore. E la formula sarà : ( 1 ) I b i d ., p .
1 1 5 - 1 1 7 . W (ru)< W (Y). W (r)> WY.
page189image2165670720 172 PARTE II - SAGGIO DI UNA TEORIA DEI VALORI
MORALI guadagnare di più deve migliorare la condizione materiale dei
suoi operai (1). Se la circostanza concomitante è pure in favore del
beneficato, allora la formula sarà indubbiamente : W (ru)> W
(Y). page190image2165824832 IL VALORE MORALE SECONDO IL MEINONG 173
Invece l'aggiunta del vantaggio proprio al bene altrui nè dimi nuisce,nè
aumenta il valore.Quindi si avrà: 2. La volizione egoistica è espressa
dalla formula (9),lam o dificazione più grave qui si ha, quando al caso
(g) si aggiunge la circostanza del male altrui v.Allora si avrà: W
(gu)< W (9). Se la circostanza concomitante è invece r, il valore
della voli zione egoistica si eleva. La formula diverrà quindi: W
(gr)> W (9). Che poi alla volizione egoistica si aggiunga la
circostanza secon daria di un altro proprio vantaggio o anche di un proprio
danno, non modifica il valore di (g). Si avranno quindi le due egua
glianze: W (99)= W (g)= 0 W (uu)< W (u). Così pure si
aumenta il non-valore,se oltre al danno principale si aggiungono altri danni.
Epperò : W (UU)< W (U). Per quanto il caso sia inusitato, si
può prevedere anche,che al male altrui si associ una qualche conseguenza
buona,indiretta, page190image2165824624 e W (49)= Wr.
W(gu)=W(g)= 0. 3. La volizione altruistica negativa o anti-altruistica è
espressa con la formula (u).Se per attuare il danno altrui, si fa anche
il danno proprio u,questa circostanza aggrava il male e aumenta il non
-valore. Si avrà quindi: page191image2165602944 174 PARTE
II·SAGGIO DI UNA TEORIA DEI VALORI MORALI Il fatto concomitante della
propria utilità non aggiunge,nè toglie al valore della volizione principale
anti-altruistica.Si avrà quindi l'eguaglianza: W (ug)= W (u). La
somma dei risultati ottenuti si può disporre nel seguente quadro : W
(rr)> W (v)? W (gr)> W (9)? W (ur)> W (u)? W(rg)=W(T) W(99)=W(9)=0
W(ug)=WU) W (ru) < W ( ) W (UU) < W U ) W(ru)>W() W
(uu)< W U ) Da questo quadro si rileva,che le circostanze concomitanti
con segno negativo non sono più feconde di effetti di quelle con segno
positivo.Di queste ultime,g non modifica nulla, e r non dà risul tatisicuri,come
indicailpuntointerrogativo.L'influenzadeifatti concomitanti si può dunque
riassumere così:, agisce aumentando d e b o l m e n t e il v a l o r e ; g n o
n m o d i f i c a n u l l a ; u d i m i n u i s c e g r a n d e mente il valore
; u opera secondo lo scopo della volizione ora au mentando, ora diminuendo e
ora non modificando il valore. Si è già detto che sarebbe unilaterale
il voler giudicare del valore morale di una volizione dallo scopo;che però,in
quanto lo scopo prende parte alla determinazione del valore,l'altruismo
positivo è buono , l'egoismo è indifferente , l'altruismo negativo è
cattivo.Ora è importante constatare,che il senso in cui i tremo menti
valutativi operano sui fatti concomitanti è completamente lo stesso (1).
La validità della tavola dei valori, dianzi tracciata,
page191image2165597536 ma pure prevista. Allora il non -valore si ridurrà, nel
modo indi cato dalla ineguaglianza: 132 . ( 1 ) I b i d ., p . 1 1
7 - 1 2 2 . W (ur)> W (u). g W(gu)<W(9) W (gu)= W (9)=
0 - page192image2165697504 IL VALORE MORALE SECONDO IL MEINONG
175 subisce variazioni,se cambia la qualità della volizione ?--
intendendo per qualità la differenza tra appetizione e repulsione, che però
non deve equipararsi a una contrapposizione logica tra affermazione e
negazione, i cui termini si escludano a vicenda, ma considerarsi come una
doppia possibilità psicologica, di cui l'una abbia altret tanta realtà
indipendente, quanto l'altra. si possono fare le seguenti sostituzioni,
che aiutano a trovare il corrispondente valore nella tavola relativa alle
volizioni (1): (T)= (non—-1)= (U) (U)= (non--V)= (Y) (ū)= (non-
u)= (g). 133. -- Lo stato subbiettivo di rappresentazioni e di predi
sposizioni anteriore alla volizione è indicato dal Meinong con laparola
progetto (project). E siccome in questo stato abbiamo sup posta anche la
cognizione delle circostanze concomitanti valutabili, così al polinomio o al
binomio della volizione corrisponde un poli nomio o un binomio del progetto. Per
indicare questi stati Meinong adopera gli stessi simboli senza la parentesi.
Osservando le voli zioni in rapporto agli stati predisposizionali, l'analisi
delle valuta zioni dei fatti concomitanti può rendersi più esatta. Si
ponga,per esempio,un binomio iniziale vu, che esprima il mio desiderio di far
male, al momento opportuno, a una persona, ma
chenonmisiapossibileevitare,ciòfacendo,conseguenzedan nose per me,u.Se
ildesiderio di non danneggiarmi prevale,al lora non si avrà più il binomio
(uu), ma l'altro (ūr),il quale dice che la volizione è risultata nel senso di
non volere il male proprio, page192image2165590880 (U) (ū)
Un'analisi delle nolizioni mostra, che esse si comportano egual mente
come la volizione, solo che si applicano di regola ai va lori y, u ed
u,ritenendosi assurdo il non volere il proprio van taggio g.Indicando le
nolizioni con (T) g (1) Ibid., p. 122-125.
page193image2165807200 176 PARTE II-SAGGIO DI UNA TEORIA DEI VALORI
MORALI pur ammettendo che questa volizione abbia per circostanza conco
mitante y, cioè il bene altrui. In forma positiva la volizione fi nale sarà
(gr).E così da una situazione iniziale negativa vu si riesce nella opposta gr
(1). Meinong chiama coordinati fra loro due binomi di progetti,dai quali
procedano due volizioni formalmente concordanti. Anche i binomi di queste
volizioni saranno coordinati fra loro (2). Egli si ferma ad esaminare
più a lungo la coppia dei binomi ru - gu, dei binomi, cioè, che hanno la
maggiore importanza pra tica.Il primo esprime l'altrui bene col proprio danno,
il secondo il bene proprio col danno altrui. Nel primo rientrano, nel
senso massimale,tutte le occasioni in cui si può affermare la grandezza
morale di un uomo ; nel senso minimale i casi della più comune fedeltà
al proprio dovere.La sezione di linea dei valori morali che comprende il
meritorio e il corretto è tutta espressa da questo binomio; laddove la
sezione che va dal punto d'indifferenza al tollerabile e al riprovevole
cor risponde alla negazione di questo binomio. Nel binomio gu sono
espressi tutti i casi che vanno dal più sano egoismo alle negazioni più
delittuose dell'altruismo. Reciproca mente, la rinuncia a siffatte volizioni va
dal semplicemente dove roso all'eroico. Le volizioni che procedono da
questi due binomi comprendono adunque tutte le quattro classi di valori ,
caratterizzati in prin cipio (3). 134. – I due binomi anzidetti
suppongono un conflitto fra l'interesse proprio e l'altrui. È evidente che
dalla grandezza di q u e s t i i n t e r e s s i , d a l l a p o r t a t a d i
g e d i Y , d i p e n d e il v a l o r e m o r a l e della valutazione (I
momenti u eu s'intendono compresi nella ne gazione di g e y).Intanto è certo,
che il valore egoistico in cui g è congiunto con u,W (gu), si trova sempre al
disotto del zero della scala, ed ha segno negativo ; mentre il valore
altruistico in cui ècongiuntoconu,W
(ru),sitrovaaldisopradelzeroedhasegno page193image2165808656 (3) Ibid.,
p. 128-130. . (1) Ibid., p. 125-127. (2 ) I b i d ., p . 1 2 8
. page194image2165530544 IL VALORE MORALE SECONDO IL MEINONG 177
positivo. Ciò posto, la funzione valutativa tra i termini dei due binomi si
può scoprire agevolmente con una semplice osservazione. Sacrificare un piccolo
interesse proprio a un grande interesse altrui, ha un valore positivo
minore,che il sacrificare a un piccolo inte resse altrui un grande
interesse proprio. D'altra parte chi non pospone a un grande interesse
altrui un piccolo interesse proprio produce un non-valore morale più basso,che
non colui il quale per una utilità propria rilevante non tien conto di
utilità altrui tras curabili. Questo primo abbozzo di una legge del
valore si può esprimere nelle due formule : Y nelle quali C e
C'indicano le costanti proporzionali sconosciute, condizionate dalla qualità
delle unità g e r (1). 1 3 5 . Nell'applicazione di queste formule
all'esperienza si rendono necessarie talune modificazioni.
Seponiamoivalorireg egualiailimiti e0,alloraical coli diventano molto esatti:
- limW(gu)= - 00. L'esperienza non è però sempre d'accordo con queste
formule. Ognuno ammetterà,chel'adoperarsinell'interessealtruisiaccosti
al punto morale d'indifferenza, quanto più grande è quest'inte resse ; e che
il trascurarlo divenga nella stessa misura riprovevole, supposto costante e
limitato l'interesse proprio da sacrificare. È p.130-131. F.
ORESTANO. page194image2165530960 W (ru)= C e -
W(gu)=-CY 1 per 9 9 12 perr= perr= 0 O
lim W (gu) lim W (gu)= 0 lim W (gu)= 0 per g = 0 (1) lbid.,
limW(ru)= 0, limW(ru)= 0, lim W (ru)= 0 , limW(Yu)= 0,
page195image2165622400 pure evidente,che la trascuranza di un interesse altrui
diviene tanto più indifferente, quanto più irrilevante è questo
interesse. Epperò non si ammetterà da tutti, che il valore
dell'altruismo di venga allora infinito (come nella 2a formula).
Osservando però bene, questi casi non rientrano nel campo della
morale.Si con trasterà pure che il valore del sacrificio di un bene
proprio per l'altrui, cresca colla grandezza del bene sacrificato (formula
terza), ma l'esperienza prova che l’esitazione al sacrificio si fa
maggiore quanto più grande è il bene cui si sta per rinunziare.Invece èda
riconoscersi che non è esatta la quarta formula,perchè non sipuò
negare ogni valore al bene che si fa ad altri, solo perchè non si determina un
conflitto con un bene proprio. Le formule anzidette si debbono mitigare
nella loro assolutezza, perchè si accostino di più alla realtà.Per far
ciò basta attenuare il valore di g, il che si può ottenere aggiungendo
a g ogni volta una costante c o c '. с ( lim W (ru) = C , lim W
(gu) = - 'C ( 1). Y page195image2165626144 178 PARTE
II-SAGGIO DI UNA TEORIA DEI VALORI MORALI Si avranno così le formule
: Queste formule non modificano i limiti funzionali dianzi otte nuti,
ponendo y = 0,T = 0 0 g = 00; cambia bensì la formula delquarto limite,
perocchè se g= 0: Y 136. - Sin qui abbiamo considerato l'una
variabile indipen dente dall'altra. Che avverrà però, se le variazioni
si compiranno in entrambe le variabili congiuntamente, supponendo che reg
rimangano uguali fra loro per grandezza di valore ? Sostituendo a g il
simbolo y, le formule diverranno: ( 1 ) I b i d ., p . 1 3 1 - 1 3 3
. Y T W(ru)=09+ W(ru)= C W(gu)=-6 T
W(gu)= 9td rto с Ć rto'
page196image2165609968 IL VALORE MORALE SECONDO IL MEINONG 179 dal che
risulta, che il non-valore deve crescere e diminuire nello stesso senso di r e
g , e il valore in senso contrario. Consultando l'esperienza,si può riscontrare
agevolmente che un oggetto,per esempio un dono,abbia lo stesso valore per
chi lo dà e per chi lo riceve.Ora si domanda,regalare di più avrà un
valore più alto o più basso del regalare di meno ? Senza dubbio più
alto.E se si contrapponga vita a vita, chi sacrifichi la propria per
con servare quella di un altro, suscita di fatto grande
ammirazione. Questo èperò ilcontrariodiciòchequelleformule
esprimono.Oc corre adunque correggere le formule e per far ciò Meinong intro
duce un esponente di g,più grande dell'unità, e lo indica colle lettere k e
k'. Le due formule diverranno così (rimettendo g al posto di r):
Sicchè si avranno i seguenti limiti: A questo punto le nozioni dei
limiti non hanno più bisogno,se condo il Meinong, di alcun'altra
correzione. Solo per semplicità di espressioneponendoC= 1ek=
2laformuladelbinomiodiverrà: È questa la formula principale, cui
Meinong si riferirà nelle discussioni seguenti (1). Le due volizioni
staranno, secondo la formula principale or ora ( 1 ) I b i d ., p . 1 3 3
- 1 3 6 . page196image2165608928 W (ru)- C e Y gl'+ c perr=
9 g?+1 e 900 pery 9=0 W (gu) = - C' Y W
(ru)= ghto Y limW(ru)=00 limW(gu)=0 limW(ru)=0
limW(gu)=0. Preliminarmente egli ne ricava alcune conseguenze. Ogni
pro getto offre a colui,che dovrà reagire con una volizione,la doppia
possibilità di fare o di tralasciare. W(gu)= Y g?+ 1
page197image2165829408 ricavata,in un rapporto di reciprocità negativa,per
ciò che ri guarda il loro valore morale. In secondo luogo, siccome le
volizioni di grande valore (positivo o negativo) o sono meritorie o
riprovevoli, e quelle di piccolo valore o corrette o tollerabili, così potrà
dirsi in generale che: quanto più distanti sono il numeratore e il denominatore
di quella formula nella scala dei numeri, tanto più il valore della volizione
sarà indicato dalle parti estreme superiore o inferiore della linea dei
valori;quanto più vicini sono invece quei numeri,tanto più l'indice del
valore cadrà verso il punto di mezzo di detta linea. L a f o r m u l a s i a p
p l i c a i n o l t r e a n c h e a i c a s i d i v o l i z i o n i, i c u i s
c o p inon siano accompagnati da circostanze concomitanti. Basta ri durla
così: W ()= = W(g)=0(1). UU . Mentre laprima coppiaesprimevailcasodiconflittod'interessi,
la caratteristica della seconda è la concordanza degl'interessi propri
con gli altrui (positivi e negativi). Se il progetto offre l'occasione di
congiungere con la mia utilità l'altrui, o se mi rappresenta un pericolo
altrui nel quale scorgo un pericolo mio,la volizione corrispondente sarà
espressa con (gr). V'è però anche la rappresentazione del desiderio di un
male altrui, cui si associa anche la previsione di un danno proprio. La corri
spondente volizione sarà espressa con (uu). Ilconflittoquinonesistefrag
er,ma fragev,cioèfrage page197image2165827328 180 PARTE II-SAGGIO DI UNA
TEORIA DEI VALORI MORALI > 137.
IlMeinongpassaoraadesaminare,piùbrevemente, un'altra coppia di binomi :
( 1 ) I b i d ., p . 1 3 6 - 1 3 7 . gr ge-Y Questa riflessione ci
fa subito applicare al caso attuale la formula principale del primo
binomio,così: gø+1 g1 -Y W(vu)= q*+ ( r)=
) Y 1 page198image2165599824 IL VALORE MORALE SECONDO IL
MEINONG 181 Siccome l'azione sarà tanto più riprovevole,quanto
più grande sarà il proprio sacrificio in ragione del danno che si vuol
produrre, si può togliere y dal denominatore ;la formula precedente si cambia
quindi in quest'altra: -(go+ 1)r. Mantenendo anche in questo caso
il principio della reciprocità negativa dei due binomi, l'altro binomio
diverrà epperò la seconda formula principale così ottenuta sarà
(1): (g 138. – Le costanze rilevate in queste formule dimostrano
sufficientemente, che il valore morale è in relazione tanto con lo scopo
principale della volizione, quanto con i fatti valutabili con comitanti .
Questa relazione di dipendenza è però un dato ultimo e irridu cibile? o non
è essa stessa funzione di un dato ancora più pro fondo ? Noi potremo dire di
avere scoperto questo dato, quando osserveremo quel momento particolare della
volizione valutata,che, cresciuto, accresce il valore, diminuito, lo
diminuisce. Ora in questa scoperta l'empiria aiuta più che ogni
riflessione teorica.Essacidice,chenellevalutazionimoraliciòcuisimira
è il carattere permanente del soggetto della volizione, la sua ca
pacità o disposizione intrinseca a sentire il bene e il male degli
altri.Inaltritermininonlavolizionepersèstessa,ma l'animo (die Gesimung) che in
essa si rivela, è il vero oggetto della valu tazione morale.Questo dato
empirico,suggerito dalla comune espe rienza, dev'essere ora dalla teoria
esattamente analizzato (2). page198image2165602736 1 (g°+1) W
(gr)= W (gr)= +1) = W (uu) W (uu)= - (g°+ 1)r,
1 - ( 1 ) I b i d ., p . 1 3 8 - 1 4 0 . (2) Ibid.,1 p.
140-143. page199image2165809488 182 PARTE II-SAGGIO DI UNA TEORIA DEI
VALORI MORALI 1 3 9 . E anzitutto va messo in relazione con le due
formule principali ottenute nelle precedenti analisi. In quanto alla
prima, che si applica ai conflitti tra diversi og getti egoistici e altruistici
di volizione,basta domandare,in chegrado e misura il bene altrui ci sta a
cuore.Per ogni volizione si può così stabilire il valore subbiettivo
dell'oggetto corrispondente. Se vi ha conflitto,vincerà il valore subbiettivo
più grande.La de cisione fra interesse proprio e altrui (egoistico)
seguirà quindi in ogni caso la parte che ha il più grande valore pel
soggetto. Se questo opta per Y, ciò vuol dire che l'interesse altrui
gl'importa più del proprio;e,viceversa,se optaperg,vuol direche,almeno in
questo caso,gli preme più l'interesse proprio che l'altrui. Se ora
poniamo che lo stesso valore y venga preferito in ogni caso da un soggetto a un
più grande g, e da un altro a un più piccolo g, ciò si può spiegare solo
ammettendo una diversità sub biettiva fra i due individui, una diversa
disposizione costante dei loro sentimenti. Quanto più grande è il valore g
costantemente sacrificato,tanto più ilrelativo soggetto è disposto
aisentimenti simpatici. Se, invece, il valore y vien trascurato per un più pic
colo g, si deve concludere che il soggetto della volizione è più in
differente ai valori altruistici. Da queste considerazioni possiamo concludere,
che nelle risolu zioni altruistiche la benevolenza e nelle egoistiche
l'indifferenza dipendono dalla grandezza dell'importanza soggettiva di r e di
g, come era affermato nella prima formula principale dei valori e dei non
-valori morali. La benevolenza e l'indifferenza per l'altrui bene e male è
adunque quel momento,parallelamente al quale variano le grandezze dei valori e
dei non -valori morali:essi sono pertanto il vero oggetto della valutazione
morale (1). 140. -- L'esame della seconda formula dà pure analoghi
ri sultati. Chi opera in danno altrui non s'interessa evidentemente al
bene degli altri,ma si comporta a riguardo di esso almeno con indifferenza. La
volizione (U) segnala però più che l'indifferenza, il b e n e a l t r u i s e
m b r a a v e r e u n v a l o r e n e g a t i v o , e il m a l e u n v a l o r
e p o sitivo.V'è dunque qui un conflitto nel senso della prima formula,
page199image2165810320 ( 1 ) I b i d ., p . 1 4 3 - 1 4 5 . e
page200image2165816560 IL VALORE MORALE SECONDO IL MEINONG 183 con
risultato conforme al valore preponderante, ch'è in tal caso quello
anti-altruistico.Quanto più grande è poi il sacrificio di bene proprio
fatto per realizzare v,tanto più valore ha v pel soggetto,e tanto più grande
è pure la malevolenza che questo sente.Il valore g sembra
intalcasononilbenepropriosacrificato,ma ildannoaltrui raggiunto.La malevolenza
è inoltre tanto più grande quanto più per arrecare un piccolo danno si
sacrifica un grande valore proprio. Seinvecevinconoivaloriegoisticisideveammettere,che
lamale volenza non era comparativamente tanto grande,massime se basta un
piccolo g a scongiurare un rilevante u, val quanto dire a ri durlo indifferente
(1). 141. – Sebbene le analisi sin qui fatte siano assai incom plete, pure
bastano, secondo il Meinong, per farsi idee abbastanza chiare su alcuni
punti essenziali. E anzitutto se ne ricava,che è caratteristico di ogni
valutazione morale l'esser fondata sopra una specie di misurazione dei
valori altruistici dagli egoistici. L'importanza dei fenomeni
binomiali,dei quali ci siamo sin qui occupati,consiste in ciò,che
dall'esito della decisione si ricava quanto valga pel soggetto il bene o il
male di un altro. C'è però nella parola altruismo un doppio
significato,che dà luogo ad equivoci, l'uno positivo e attuale, l'altro
disposizionale.Nel primo senso l'altruismo si distingue per la proprietà
di non essere suscettibile di aumento,mentre nell'altro è aumentabile
indefini tamente . In modo analogo può distinguersi un egoismo
attualmente dato e non aumentabile, da un egoismo che può crescere senza
limiti. Gli oggetti di valutazioni morali si possono, dopo l'anzidetto, r
i d u r r e i n q u a t t r o c l a s s i : l ' a l t r u i s m o p o s i t i v
o è u n b e n e , il n e g a t i v o èun
male,lamancanzadell'altruismopositivoèunmale,laman canza del negativo è un
bene. Il carattere comune delle volizioni,che costituisce l'oggetto della
valutazione morale si può esprimere colla parola “ partecipazione , o “
simpatia , (Anteil). Nelle valutazioni morali adunque si mira alla capacità,
manifestantesi nella volizione,di partecipare all'utile (1 ) I b i d ., p
. 1 4 5 - 1 4 9 . page200image2165808448 page201image2165805952 e al
danno degli altri. Questa disposizione simpatica non è ancora il carattere, ed
è soggetta anche a variare. E anzi notevole, che per il giudizio morale di una
volizione è indifferente, se la di sposizione altruistica del soggetto
sia stata passeggiera o sia per manente (1) Perchè, però, la simpatia
sia veramente morale,occorre che sia imparziale. Qui entra in azione il momento
della giustizia.Quando tre persone in uno stato di uguali bisogni, ricevono
l'uno r, l'altro 2 x, il terzo nulla, allora noi siamo meno inclini ad a m
mirare l'atto altruistico corrispondente. Una sola volizione non è per
sè stessa nè giusta, nè ingiusta, ma diventa tale se confrontata con
altrevolizioni.Di queste una serve di caso normale. Per giustizia si può
quindi intendere essen zialmente la concordanza col valore normale (2).
Il caso più puro di simpatia o di partecipazione è quello in cui si fa
astrazione tanto dallo stato particolare dell'io,quanto dalla persona altrui
individualmente presa. Questa simpatia assoluta, impersonale,universale,non
legata a particolari circostanze di tempo e di luogo forse non esiste, ma in
ogni caso serve come guida ideale per misurare i valori morali. Si può quindi
definitivamente concludere che: oggetto delle valutazioni morali è la simpatia
im personale, che si manifesta nelle volizioni, per il bene e il male del
prossimo (3). 142. — Stabilita la simpatia come la proprietà degli atti
morali, tutta una massa di azioni,nelle quali questo momento non è
direttamente in quistione,non rientrerebbe nella detta categoria. Intanto nella
terminologia corrente l'opposizione tra buono e cattivo comprende anche
valutazioni, nelle quali il criterio della
simpatianonentra.Sidice,peresempio,buonalasubordinazione all'au torità, si
approva in certi casi la menzogna convenzionale,si tollera la mancanza a
promesse non solenni, ecc. Tutte queste valutazioni sono dette dal
Meinong quasi-morali. I giudizi del valore sono qui praticamente incerti e
mutevoli, page201image2165808864 184 PARTE II-SAGGIO DI UNA TEORIA DEI
VALORI MORALI ( 1 ) I b i d ., p . 1 4 9 - 1 5 4 . (2) Ibid., p. 154-155.
( 3 ) I b i d ., p . 1 5 4 - 1 5 9 . page202image2165812400 IL VALORE
MORALE SECONDO IL MEINONG 185 1 4 3 . Esaurita così l'indagine
sull'oggetto della valutazione, Meinong passa a esaminare i problemi che si
riferiscono al soggetto del valore morale. L'ego e l'alter sono pure qui
i due soggetti, che la esperienza contrappone: l'uno l'agente, l'altro il
termine della volizione. Cominciamo dall'ego. Abbiamo ragioni per
ammettere che le valutazioni morali a noi note siano solo concepite nei
riguardi del l'agente? No,perchè l'ego non può
sostituirsiall'alternelvalutare ciò che gli giova di più.Questi lo saprebbe
meglio. Si può ricorrere alle funzioni della coscienza, ma anche queste
variano da persona a persona, e anche nella stessa persona. Il principio
dell'interesse beninteso è quindi sottoposto a gravi variazioni
individuali. Neppure l'alter come tale ha diritto ad essere considerato
come soggetto del valore, in tutte le sue determinazioni individuali e
variabili (2) Da questa analisi Meinong conclude che il vero soggetto del
valore morale dev'essere un terzo disinteressato e neutrale. Come t a l e
il s o g g e t t o n o n è u n o s o l o , m a s o n o i n d e t e r m i n a t
a m e n t e m o l t i ; in quanto anzi si vuol comprendere la totalità
dei disinteressati in unico concetto, si può parlare di un soggetto
collettivo, il quale sarà precisamente la collettività circostante
(dieumgebende Gesamm theit)(3). Il soggetto imparziale e disinteressato
della valutazione morale è adunque la collettività. Il valore morale è
un valore umano e concreto.Le quistioni del valore sono quistioni di fatto. E
un fatto è che l'uomo normal mente attribuisce valore alla simpatia e non
-valore alla disposi zione contraria ad essa.L'uomo,come
tale,è,dunque,indefinitivo, il vero soggetto delle valutazioni morali
(1). page202image2165810944 p. 159-162. (2 ) I b i d ., p . 1 6 3 - 1 6 6
. (3) Ibid., p. 167-168. (4 ) I b i d ., p . 1 6 9 - 1 7 0 . laddove quelli
sinora esaminati si distinguevano per una grande squisitezzaesicurezza.Ma
ancheallevolizioniquasi-moralisipuò applicare il metodo di misurazione,
che si serve dell'ipotesi ausi liare del conflitto, e segnatamente la
comparazione con la forza di motivazione dei valori egoistici (1). (1)
Ibid., page203image2165820048 Anche i valori morali si possono
considerare come valori propri e come valori traslati. Non solo i valori propri
sono fondati sulla estimazionecollettiva,ma ivalorimoraliingeneralecostituiscono
pure, in un certo senso, dei valori traslati per la collettività.La
dimostrazione di questo fatto è di grandissimo interesse pratico, perocchè
conferma,che il soggetto del valore morale è di fatto la collettività, e che
i dissidenti sono individui insufficientemente o erroneamente orientati
(1). 144.– Oggettodellevalutazionisono,comeabbiamovisto, le
disposizioni dell'animo. Che le disposizioni interiori abbiano un valore
traslato nessunomette in dubbio,etantomeno,sidubiterà, che questo valore
varî secondo il termine correlativo delle dispo sizioni, cioè secondo
l'oggetto cui tendono.Il valore dei sentimenti simpatici e antipatici
segna quello delle volizioni, e questo segna il valore delle azioni. Cominciamo
da queste. Dato un individuo E , il quale sia sul punto di agire
favorevol. mente o sfavorevolmente riguardo a un individuo A , si domanda , se
un terzo individuo X , affatto estraneo al rapporto E A , epperò neutrale,
possa provare interesse all'azione di E. La risposta non può essere che
affermativa, e ciò per varie ragioni.Anzitutto pel sentimento generico di
simpatia umana, che non può mancare qui di manifestarsi, tanto più che
gl'interessi egoistici di X non sono in quistione;inoltre perchè l'attività
buona consolida e aumenta in E una disposizione al bene, che potrà poi giovare
ad altri in dividui B , C e persino anche eventualmente a X ; inoltre perchè
l'azione buona è un esempio che provoca,per la legge
dell'imitazione,disposizioni analoghe in altri a fare il simile, il che aumenta
le probabilità generiche buone, favorevoli anche per X. Adunque ciò che
accade tra E ed A non può lasciare indifferente X , il quale attribuirà
valore positivo a un'azione altruistica, e valore nega tivo a un'azione
egoistica di E (2). Dall'azione passiamo al sentimento,cioè
all'animo,che essa rivela. Non c'è dubbio, che nella maggior parte dei casi il
valore della volizioneèilpresuppostodelvaloredell'azione.Un
attoaccidentale (1) Ibid., p. 170. page203image2165825040 186 PARTE
II-SAGGIO DI UNA TEORIA DEI VALORI MORALI (2)Ibid.,p.171-174.
page204image2165831904 IL VALORE MORALE SECONDO IL MEINONG 187 non
esercita tanta influenza indiretta (anche in rapporto all'imita zione),quanto
un atto volontario.Passando dalla volontà alle dispo sizioni dell'animo, che
in quella si manifestano, è pure evidente che la volontà buona è
dipendente da disposizioni costanti del soggetto, le quali sono naturalmente
quotate, come valore traslato, più al tamente di un atto momentaneo, sebbene
voluto. E poichè il contenuto della volontà buona è la simpatia per
altrui beni o mali, così il vero valore traslato dell'atto di E riguardoad A
,risiede per X nella quantità di simpatia che l'atto manifesta (1). Con
una serie di considerazioni infine il Meinong riesce a sta bilire, che nel
terzo individuo X , neutrale e disinteressato, può scorgersi il rappresentante
della collettività, cioè il vero soggetto della valutazione morale (2).
1 4 5 . Compiuta questa indagine intorno all'oggetto e al soggetto del
valore, Meinong affronta ilproblema del dovere,della imputazione e della
libertà. Le indeterminatezze del concetto del dovere, si teoretiche che
pratiche, possono eliminarsi, secondo il Meinong, considerandolo sotto
l'aspetto del valore.Non solo,ma questa indagine cifarebbe conoscere una
sufficiente a spiegare definitivamente i fenomeni del dovere morale. Nel
dovere morale è caratteristico l'oggetto deldovere.Morale è quel dovere che
ha per oggetto una volizione morale. Ciò cheha un valore morale positivo
costituisce il campo del dovere m o rale positivo, mentre il non -valore dà
luogo al dovere negativo. Caratteristico è pure, che il dovere morale ha
diversa intensità secondo la qualità morale del suo oggetto. Il dovere
più reciso ed energico si afferma nel campo del cor retto,ilpiù
energico non-dovere nel campo del riprovevole;più debole è il non -dovere che
si riferisce al tollerabile, e almeno altrettanto debole è forse il dovere del
meritorio. L'intensità non resta però costante nel seno di ciascuna di
queste categorie; si può
inveceingeneraleaffermare,chepeivaloripositivil'intensità del dovere decresce,
a misura che aumenta la grandezza del valore page204image2165827536
2 vera causa (1) Ibid., p. 174-176. ( 2 ) I b i d ., p . 1 7 6 - 1
8 0 . page205image2165697088 188 PARTE II·SAGGIO DI UNA TEORIA DEI VALORI
MORALI morale, pei valori negativi la forza del non-dovere cresce colla
grandezza del non -valore (1). Questa funzione tra intensità del dovere
e valore ci dice,che i dovere è un fenomeno del valore e consiste
precisamente nel va lore della volizione morale, qualificata tale non in
rapporto al sog getto agente, ma in rapporto alla collettività. Esso dipende
cioè non dal valore delle disposizioni d'animo del soggetto (W ), ma dalla
valutazione collettiva (w), la quale determina e impone al sog getto agente un
valore attuale. Notevole è che mentre il valore disposizionale sentito
dall'agente può spingerlo al più grande sa crificio per un ideale,il valore
attuale imposto dalla collettività si contenta di piccoli sacrifici, sicchè i
doveri sociali si possono compiere con un piccolo sforzo. Chi adempie al suo
dovere quoti diano, puro e semplice, attua per la società un valore importan
tissimo, incomparabilmente più grande dello sforzo che gli costa. Il vero
bisogno sociale di moralità si limita a che si faccia ciò ch'è corretto, e
si tralasci ciò ch'è riprovevole ; il contrario rappre senta un
pericolo sociale (2). Donde deriva il carattere autoritativo del
dovere?Premesso che ogni dovere si riferisce al futuro, si può osservare
che esso con siste in un particolare caso di decisione proposto personalmente
all'individuo agente da una valutazione collettiva. Si noti infine, che
al campo del corretto corrisponde il dovere (Pflicht come determinazione
più particolare del Sollen) nel senso più rigoroso della parola, e che il
termine correlativo del dovere è il diritto (3). 146. - Mentre nel
dovere l'interesse morale è rivolto al futuro, l'imputazione riflette
essenzialmente il passato, e partico larmente le azioni compiute. I casi
nei quali non ha luogo alcuna imputazione sono : 1) quelli in cui non c'è
stata volizione,epperò le azioni in cui il momento psichico manca o non
è costituito da una volizione. Gli atti istintivi possono rientrare nella
categoria dell'imputabile, se sta in potere della volontà l'evitarli;
page205image2165698960 (1) Ibid., p. 181-185. (2) Ibid., p. 185-192. ( 3 ) I b
i d ., p . 1 9 2 - 1 9 5 . 9 page206image2165733808 IL VALORE
MORALE SECONDO IL MEINONG 189 2)casiincuic'è statavolizione,ma
èaccadutocosadiversa dallavoluta,oalmenoprevista;
l'errorecontaquitantoquanto l'ignoranza o l'insufficienza intellettuale;
3) casi in cui c'è stata volizione e previsione del risultato, ma o la
volizione non riguarda un fatto moralmente valutabile,o si è agito in uno
stato di necessità (per costrizione esterna,fisica o psichica). Se la
costrizione non era assolutamente irresistibile,invece di soppressione, c'è
attenuazione della responsabilità (1). I casi nei quali l'imputazione si
attenua si possono schema tizzare così : I. L'occasione, cioè il
complesso delle circostanze che hanno influito sulla volizione.Quanto più
grande è stata, per esempio, la tentazione, tanto più piccola la colpa.
Nel concetto d'influenza si comprende anche la suggestione, la quale in certi
gradi può persino sopprimere la responsabilità; II. I momenti
intrasubbiettivi, che si possono suddividere in varie categorie: 2. i
rapporti personali fra il soggetto agente e l'altro sog getto, cui l'azione si
è riferita; 3. l'opinione che si ha della imputabilità del soggetto; 4.
il passato psichico dell'agente; Tutti questi momenti si applicano,oltre
che alla imputabilità, alla calcolazione del merito di un'azione. Il
punto centrale, cui il problema dell'imputabilità o del
meritodiun'azionesiriferisce,èlaspontaneitàmoraledell'agente.In com pendio si
può dire: chi pone il problema della imputabilità di un'azione,cerca di
conoscere due cose:in quale misura l'azione sia proceduta dalla
disposizione d'animo (Gesinnung) del soggetto, e come questa disposizione sia
in realtà (2). page206image2165722576 1. le differenze subbiettive,
dipendenti dal temperamento; 5. il tempo, in rapporto sia alla durata
dell'azione,sia allo intervallo trascorso fra l'azione e l'imputazione
(prescrizione). Il processo della imputazione morale non è però
soltanto intel lettuale ; consiste anche in una reazione emozionale, con
la quale lo spettatore imparziale X si investe quasi della condizione di
A (1) Ibid ., p. 196-197. (2)Ibid.,p.197-204.
page207image2165589840 190 PARTE II-SAGGIO DI UNA TEORIA DEI VALORI
MORALI danneggiato o favorito da E. La collettività,rappresentata da
X, reagisce quindi, dal lato emozionale, come A. Nell'imputazione in
tellettualmente concepita, oggetto della valutazione è la persona lità di E ,
in quanto il suo atto può considerarsi come una emana zione diretta (per la
spontaneità morale) di questa personalità (1). 147. – Pervenuto a
questi risultati nel caratterizzare l'im putazione, Meinong osserva di
non avere fatto uso del concetto della libertà.E segno,egli dice,che
questo momento non ha per la teoria dell'imputazione quell'importanza,
che gli si suole attri buire. Nel concetto della libertà in senso non
soltanto morale,ma ge nerale, c'è una negazione: ciò ch'è negato è qualche
cosa di av verso e di spiacevole, vale a dire un non-valore. Dove manca qualche
cosa di prezioso, c'è una lacuna, non c'è libertà. La libertà che si
riferisce alla vita morale è stata distinta: (I) in libertà dell'agire e (II)
in libertà del volere. I. Per libertà d'agire si è intesa la libertà
fisica di fare o non fare. Si dànno le seguenti eventualità : 1. io
tento un'azione, ma un ostacolo esterno la impedisce; 2. io non tento,
perchè un ostacolo, come nel caso 1, lo impedirebbe ; 3. io tento e
riesco: e così affermo la mia libertà di agire; 4. io non tento, ma se
tentassi non troverei alcun ostacolo, allora la mia libertà di fare è
ipotetica, e diviene una facoltà. II.Questa casistica si può applicare anche
alla libertà del volere, sostituendo al tentativo di fare il tentativo
di volere. Lo stato d'animo predisposizionale della volontà è allora il
de siderio : 1. io desidero,ma non posso volere; 2. io non desidero, ma
se desiderassi non potrei volere; 3. io desidero, e poichè non trovo
alcun ostacolo, voglio anche : è questo il caso della libertà del volere o
del decidersi; 4. io non desidero, ma se desiderassi non troverei
difficoltà anche a volere. Qui la volontà diviene ipotetica, e, se
combinata con altri casi simili, diventa libertà di scelta.
page207image2165603776 ( 1 ) I b i d ., p . 2 0 4 - 2 0 9 .
page208image2165829824 IL VALORE MORALE SECONDO IL MEINONG 191 Abbiamo
così iquattro casi possibili di libertà:libertà dell'agire, libertà del
decidersi, libertà come facoltà, e libertà di scelta. La libertà si
può definire,in una parola, come desiderio di vo lere secondo la propria
inclinazione. Libertà significa allora tanto quanto spontaneità e, così
definita, si ricollega con tutti i momenti della valutazione morale di già
determinati (1). L'etica è la scienza, così conclude il Meinong, che
esamina il valore che l'uomo ha per l'uomo, e più particolarmente il valore
che l'uomo ha nel suo modo di comportarsi con l'uomo. Notevole è in questa
definizione il momento della universalità,che distinque il campo dei fatti
morali. Il senso comune tende nelle valutazioni morali a rendersi indipendente
dalle peculiarità indi viduali e dalle circostanze eccezionali: esso pretende
di tenere una uguale misura per tutti (2). Quella definizione dice pure
che ciascun uomo può essere soggetto di valori morali,non meno che oggetto di
valutazione; nessuno può dirsi neutrale nelle valutazioni morali. Non
puòperomaiaccadere,cheilsoggettoel'oggettodelvalore s'identifichino. Non
che non si possano valutare le proprie voli zioni,ma non sipuò
identificareilverosoggettodelgiudizioetico con sè stesso. Voler porre accanto
a un'etica sociale un'etica indi viduale è perciò inammissibile. Anche quando
l'interesse etico è ri volto al proprio io, la collettività è parte
interessata in queste valutazioni, e non le si può perciò negare la funzione
di vero sog getto del valore morale (3). Si è attribuito all'etica un
carattere normativo; ciò non deve indurre a credere, che questa scienza possa
di propria assoluta autorità imporre precetti al volere e all'agire degli
uomini. In quanto disciplina pratica,essa può dare " norme ,, non in
nome proprio, ma presupponendo posti i fini che si vogliono attuare. Solo
che l'etica non trova,come lealtre scienzepratiche,ivalorigià definiti, ma li
deve ricercare e fissare. Essa diviene quindi normativa nel senso che,
laddove la riflessione ingenua rimane page208image2165823376 148 .
(1) Ibid., p. 209-214. (2)Ibid.,p.219. (3)Ibid.,p.220-222.
page209image2165814896 192 PARTE II-SAGGIO DI UNA TEORIA DEI VALORI
MORALI inerte, l'etica scorge valori e non-valori,e dove la
riflessionein. genua valuta in un dato modo, l'etica lavora a precisare,eacor
reggere queste valutazioni. Con le sue deduzioni e dimostrazioni essa
può infatti chiarire errori ed anomalie del valore, che sfug. gono all'occhio
non esercitato o indifferente.Ma pure non bisogna dimenticare che i problemi
del valore sono problemi di fatto,che l'etica è una scienza empirica, e che
l'empiria ha sempre l'ultima parola nelle statuizioni morali (1).
page209image2165806784 ET (1)Ibid.,p.222-225. costituisc Leonardo Caffo. Keywords: l’altruismo, disobbedienza,
“Homo sapiens sapiens”, homo, uomo, umano, humanus, Anthropos, aner, maschio,
vir, virilita. Specismo, anti-specismo, sub-specismo, homo sapiens sapiens. Refs.:
Luigi Speranza, “Grice e Caffo” – The Swimming-Pool Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51779829480/in/dateposted-public/
Grice e Calboli – langue e parole – Grice
e Gardiner -- de parabola – filosofia italiana – Luigi Speranza (Roma). Grice: “I like
Calboli – he philosophised on much the same subjects I did – colour words
(‘that tie seems/is light blue’) – the philosophy of perception, and parabola,
i.e. expression. If I use ‘utterance’ broadly so does Calboli with his
‘parabola.’ One big difference is that he is a nobleman, who owned a castle
that he ceded to Firenze – I did not!” Altre opere: “Exercitatio philosophica”
(Romae, Giovanni Zempel). Étymol. et Hist.I. Faculté
d'exprimer la pensée par le langage articulé A. Ca 1100 «expression verbale de
la pensée» (Roland, éd. J. Bédier, 140: De sa parole ne fut mie hastifs, Sa
custume est qu'il parolet a leisir); spéc. 1916 ling. distingué de langue*
(Sauss., p.30). B. 1130-40 «action de parler» metre a parole «faire parler»
(Wace, Conception N.-D., éd. W.R. Ashford, 651). C. Le langage oral considéré
par rapport à l'élocution, au ton de la voix ca 1140 de sa pleine parole «à
haute voix» (Pèlerinage de Charlemagne, éd. G. Favati, 8); ca 1165 parole basse
(Benoît de Ste-Maure, Troie, 5299 ds T.-L.); 1160-74 (Wace, Rou, éd. A. J.
Holden, III, 1669: Sa voiz e sa parole mue). D. ca 1165 «faculté d'exprimer sa
pensée par le langage articulé» (Guillaume d'Angleterre, éd. M. Wilmotte, 3068:
De joie li faut la parole). E. 1606 «art de parler, éloquence» employer sa
parole à gagner argent (Nicot); 1674 (Boileau, Art poétique, chant IV ds
OEuvre, éd. F. Escal, p.184); 1740 avoir le don de la parole (Ac.). F. 1688
«droit de parler» (La Bruyère, Caractères, De la Cour, 17 ds OEuvre, éd. J.
Benda, p.218: Ils ont la parole, président au cercle). II. Son articulé
exprimant la pensée A. Suite de mots, message, discours, propos exprimant une
pensée ca 1100 (Roland, 145: De cez paroles que vous avez ci dit...; 1097: Bon
sunt li cunte e lur paroles haltes); 1160-74 (Wace, Rou, II, 867: [Li evesque]
Ne fist pas grant parole ne ne fist grant sermon). B. spéc. 1155 «discussion,
dispute» (Wace, Brut, éd. I. Arnold, 4359); 1531 avoir des paroles ensemble
(Perceforest, t.3, foch. 3 ds Littré). C. ca 1165 «promesse» doner parole
(Benoît de Ste-Maure, op.cit., 13621, ibid.); 1560 prisonniers pour la parole
(E. Pasquier, lettre 21 août, ds Lettres hist., éd. D. Thickett, p.45); 1628
(croire) sur vostre parole (Guez de Balzac, lettre 11 déc. ds OEuvres, éd.
1665, p.284); 1633 homme de parole(Id., lettre 4 juill., ibid., p.202). D. ca
1180 «expression verbale d'une pensée remarquable» (Thomas, Tristan, éd. B. H.
Wind, fragm. Douce, 373: Oïstes uncs la parole). E. 1. ca 1180 «belle, vague
promesse» (Proverbe au vilain, 181 ds T.-L.: De bele parole [var. promesse] se
fait fous tout lié); 1377 paroles sourdes «paroles en l'air, mensonges» (Gace
de La Buigne, Deduis, 10526, ibid.); 2. ca 1470 «phrase creuse, vide» paroles pleines
de vent (Georges Chastellain, Chron., éd. Kervyn de Lettenhove, t.5, p.143). F.
1. 1188 «enseignement» (Aimon de Varennes, Florimont, 1001 ds T.-L.); spéc.
1ertiers xiiies. (Vie de St Jean l'Évangéliste, 567, ibid.: avint ke li
ewangelistes en une chité vint, Où il dist la parole [Luc III, 2]); 1670 la
parole de Dieu «l'Écriture sainte» (Pascal, Pensées, § 555 ds OEuvres, éd. J.
Chevalier, p.1260: Quand la parole de Dieu... est fausse littéralement, elle
est vraie spirituellement); 2. fin xiies. la parole «le Verbe, la Parole faite
chair» (Sermons de St Bernard, éd. W. Foerster, p.98, 22: cil [li troi roi el
staule] reconurent la parole de deu lai ou il estoit enfes). Issu du lat.
chrét. parabola (devenu *paraula par chute de la constrictive bilabiale issue
de -b- devant voy. homorgane) «comparaison, similitude», terme de rhét.
(Sénèque, Quintillien); puis, chez les aut. chrét.: 1. «parabole» (Tertullien,
St Jérôme); 2. «discours grave, inspiré; parole», ce double sens étant dû à
l'hébreu pārehāl (Job XXVII, 1: assumens parabolam suam«reprenant son
discours»; Num. XXIII 7: assumptaque parabola sua, dixit; par la suite: Gloss.
Remigianae: in rustica parabola «en lang. vulg.»), v. Ern.-Meillet, Blaise,
Vaan., § 166, E. Löfstedt, Late Latin, pp.81 sqq. Le lat. est empr. au gr. π α
ρ α β ο λ η ́ «comparaison [par juxtaposition], illustration» empl. dans les
Septante au sens de «parabole» (Marc XII, 1). Parabola a supplanté verbum dans
l'ensemble des lang. rom. (sauf le roum.) grâce à la fréq. de son empl. dans la
lang. relig., verbum étant spéc. utilisé dans cette même lang. pour traduire le
gr. λ ο ́ γ ο ς , v. verbe. Marchese. De Calboli. Paulucci. Paolucci. Francesco
Giuseppe Paulucci di Calboli. Francesco Paulucci di Calboli. Keywords: de
parabola, parabola, parola, parlare, hyperbola, cyclo, ellipsis. exercitatio
philosophica. Refs.: Luigi Speranza, “Grice e Calboli” – The Swimming-Pool
Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/102162703@N02/51778101802/in/dateposted-public/
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