Federigo responds to Monna's request by mourning the fact that he cannot give her what she wants. He expresses deep sorrow over the loss of the falcon, which he had prepared for her meal, and feels that his inability to fulfill her request is a great misfortune. Thus, while he is heartbroken that he cannot grant her wish, his primary reaction is one of sadness over not being able to serve her as he desires.
Federigo's Falcon
Giovanni Boccaccio, translated by Mark Musa and Peter Bondanella
When he heard what the lady requested and knew that he could not oblige her since he had given her the falcon to eat, Federigo began to weep in her presence, for he could not utter a word in reply. The lady, at first, thought his tears were caused more by the sorrow of having to part with the good falcon than by anything else, and she was on the verge of telling him she no longer wished it, but she held back and waited for Federigo’s reply after he stopped weeping. And he said:
“My lady, ever since it pleased God for me to place my love in you, I have felt that Fortune has been hostile to me in many things, and I have complained of her, but all this is nothing compared to what she has just done to me, and I must never be at peace with her again, thinking about how you have come here to my poor home where, while it was rich, you never deigned to come, and you requested a small gift, and Fortune worked to make it impossible for me to give it to you; and why this is so I shall tell you briefly. When I heard that you, out of your kindness, wished to dine with me, I considered it fitting and right, taking into account your excellence and your worthiness, that I should honor you, according to my possibilities, with a more precious food than that which I usually serve to other people; therefore, remembering the falcon that you requested and its value, I judged it a food worthy of you, and this very day you had it roasted and served to you as best I could; but seeing now that you desired it in another way, my sorrow in not being able to serve you is so great that I shall never be able to console myself again.”
How does Federigo respond to Monna's request?
He is heartbroken that she would take the only thing he values from him.
He mourns the fact that he cannot give her what she wants.
He cries over the fact that he killed his beloved bird without needing to.
He falls more in love with her for her devotion to her son and is mad he cannot help her.
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