Federigo's Falcon

Question

Giovanni Boccaccio, translated by Mark Musa and Peter Bondanella

When the lady heard this, she was taken aback for a moment, and she began to think what she should do. She knew that Federigo had loved her for a long while, in spite of the fact that he never received a single glance from her, and so, she said to herself:

“How can I send or go and ask for this falcon of his which is, as I have heard tell, the best that ever flew, and besides this, his only means of support? And how can I be so insensitive as to wish to take away from this gentleman the only pleasure which is left to him?”

And involved in these thoughts, knowing that she was certain to have the bird if she asked for it, but not knowing what to say to her son, she stood there without answering him. Finally the love she bore her son persuaded her that she should make him happy, and no matter what the consequences might be, she would not send for the bird, but rather go herself for it and bring it back to him; so she answered her son:

“My son, take comfort and think only of getting well, for I promise you that the first thing I shall do tomorrow morning is to go for it and bring it back to you.”

Which statement best describes the situation Monna finds herself in?

She is upset because in order to save her son she must take something from a man who has already ruined himself.

She is upset because her son is so spoiled as to ask for a man's only valuable possession.

She is excited by her son's request for Federigo's falcon because she thinks it will revive him.

She does not care for Federigo and does not hesitate to ask him for his falcon to save her son.

Answer 1

The statement that best describes the situation Monna finds herself in is:

She is upset because in order to save her son she must take something from a man who has already ruined himself.

Monna is conflicted because she recognizes that Federigo has dedicated himself to her and has suffered greatly due to his unrequited love for her. Asking for his falcon, which is not only his prized possession but also his means of support, feels insensitive to her given the context of his sacrifices and struggles.