Reading Notes: Italian Popular Tales, Part B
The Story of Crivoliu
Crivoliu is born from an incestuous relationship between a brother and a sister who lost their parents. On his back, his father made a cross and wrote: "Crivoliu, who is baptized, son of a brother and sister."
This story really reminds me of the Greek tale about Perseus whose mother and he were thrown into a box when Zeus impregnated her. They were also sent to the sea and found by a fisherman. Crivoliu is also found by a fisherman and is raised by their family. The brothers' jealousy also reminded me of Joseph from the bible, AKA King of Dreams.
In the story, Crivoliu becomes the Pope even though he is a child born of sin. I thought this was interesting because of how much importance is placed on penance - it wasn't even a sin he committed, but because he repented and prayed, he as considered holy enough to become the Pope. The Cardinals had been searching for a long time before they found him, so when the dove alighted on his head they were really desperate to make him Pope. I wonder if he was really so interested in going with them. I think a discussion between the two parties would have made things interesting. Perhaps Crivoliu didn't want to be Pope and was just fine hanging out in the cave for the rest of his life.
Story source: Italian Popular Tales by Thomas Frederick Crane (1885).
Crivoliu is born from an incestuous relationship between a brother and a sister who lost their parents. On his back, his father made a cross and wrote: "Crivoliu, who is baptized, son of a brother and sister."
This story really reminds me of the Greek tale about Perseus whose mother and he were thrown into a box when Zeus impregnated her. They were also sent to the sea and found by a fisherman. Crivoliu is also found by a fisherman and is raised by their family. The brothers' jealousy also reminded me of Joseph from the bible, AKA King of Dreams.
In the story, Crivoliu becomes the Pope even though he is a child born of sin. I thought this was interesting because of how much importance is placed on penance - it wasn't even a sin he committed, but because he repented and prayed, he as considered holy enough to become the Pope. The Cardinals had been searching for a long time before they found him, so when the dove alighted on his head they were really desperate to make him Pope. I wonder if he was really so interested in going with them. I think a discussion between the two parties would have made things interesting. Perhaps Crivoliu didn't want to be Pope and was just fine hanging out in the cave for the rest of his life.
The Pope by Fernando Botero
Story source: Italian Popular Tales by Thomas Frederick Crane (1885).
Comments
Post a Comment