#bartolommeo

International Day of Forests falls on Thursday 21 March 2019. Its theme this year is Forests and Education. (more…)

Balzac’s “The Elixir of Life” is a dark tale, which depicts the static qualities of an individual’s character through its protagonist, Don Juan Belvidero. The aging Grand Duke Bartolommeo Belvidero and his son Don Juan live in a palace in Ferrara, Italy. While the Duke lives a simple life, his son maintains a lavish lifestyle and is prone to excess—he surrounds himself with beautiful women, fine wines and food. One day, Don Juan is called to his father’s bedside because he lies dying. Bartolommeo tells Juan to anoint his body with the contents of a small vial after his death, so that his life can be restored. Although Juan thinks him crazy, Juan obeys and rubs some of the liquid into his father’s eye. The eye opens and reminds Juan of the eye of a young child. Startled, Juan crushes the eye. Years pass and Juan continues his life of sin; he respects no one and enjoys life’s many pleasures. After turning sixty, Juan moves to Spain and marries a religious woman named Dona Elvira. Elvira gives birth to a son named Felipe, who is as religious as his mother. When Juan lies dying, he tells his son that he should bathe his body with the contents of the crystal vial he once used on Bartolommeo because it will cleanse his body of his sins. After he dies, Felipe obeys—he anoints his father’s right arm and face. Juan grabs Felipe around the neck and Felipe faints. Juan’s rebirth is considered a miracle and there is a celebration. During the celebration, Juan bites the abbot, killing him. As a result, it is made apparent that he has not changed—Juan is still a sinner with no respect for religion or any man; he only cares about himself.