Heptameron's Novella 32
1.The characters and basic plot of Heptameron novella 32 In Heptameron’s novella 32, the main characters are Bernage, who is some sort of a diplomat for the King, a German homeowner, and his wife. Also mentioned are King Charles VIII, his painter Jean de Paris, and the wife’s young lover. As Bernage arrives late one evening at the German household the man of the house allows him to stay the night, but with difficulty, due to his mistrust towards men being around his wife. During dinner, a beautiful woman joins the two men at the table. She is sombre and quiet, speaks to no one, and drinks from a human skull. The woman’s husband tells Bernage the story of how he caught her in bed with another man, killed her lover with his bare hands, hung
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Bernage brings up two important points that force the German man to reconsider his vow to never trust his wife again: firstly, he points out the obvious regret and humility that have marked the woman’s behaviour and demeanour, arguing that she has learned her lesson enough to never repeat her adultery. Secondly, Bernage brings up an issue that holds strong significance for all men, as much so presently as in the past and future. This is the inheritance issue. Bernage, in a round-about way asks the man to choose what is more important to him – whether it is to hold a grudge forever and thereby punishing himself, or to think of himself now as only a single link in the formation of a future generation of fine men – his own descendants. In other words, is he willing to give up hope of his name carrying on – giving up the chance to immortalize a part of himself – by not having children with his wife? And would he really want his estate to be handed over to someone who doesn’t necessarily care for him? Or is he willing to forgive her (which she obviously – according to Bernage – deserves) and pass his home and substance to legitimate
Bernage brings up two important points that force the German man to reconsider his vow to never trust his wife again: firstly, he points out the obvious regret and humility that have marked the woman’s behaviour and demeanour, arguing that she has learned her lesson enough to never repeat her adultery. Secondly, Bernage brings up an issue that holds strong significance for all men, as much so presently as in the past and future. This is the inheritance issue. Bernage, in a round-about way asks the man to choose what is more important to him – whether it is to hold a grudge forever and thereby punishing himself, or to think of himself now as only a single link in the formation of a future generation of fine men – his own descendants. In other words, is he willing to give up hope of his name carrying on – giving up the chance to immortalize a part of himself – by not having children with his wife? And would he really want his estate to be handed over to someone who doesn’t necessarily care for him? Or is he willing to forgive her (which she obviously – according to Bernage – deserves) and pass his home and substance to legitimate