
Ljubomorni Estremadurac
The Jealous Extremaduran is a dark, psychological tale about the destructive power of jealousy. The novel is a satire on possessiveness, fear of women's freedom, and the illusion that happiness can be "locked in." One of Cervantes' most poignant "exemplar
Filipo de Carrizales, an elderly wealthy man from Extremadura, squanders his wealth in Spain in his youth, flees to the New World (Peru), where he makes a fortune over the course of 20 years, and returns to Seville as an "indiano" at the age of 68. Obsessed with the fear of infidelity (due to his own past and old age), he decides to marry - but only to a virgin whom he will be able to completely control.
He finds 13-year-old Leonora, a poor, beautiful and innocent girl from a noble family. After marrying her, he builds a fortress-like house with no windows facing the street, with high walls and a single door guarded by a black slave (eunuch) named Loaysa. He locks his young wife in a house with maids and old women, forbids her to go out, talk to men, and even look out the window - all to prevent possible deception.
But fate plays tricks: the young musician and thief Loaysa (not a eunuch, but a street hustler) enters the house, seduces the maids and Leonora. On a night of orgy and dancing, Loaysa enters Leonora's room. She rejects him, but Carrizales finds them in a compromising position (although full-blown adultery has not occurred). The old man, devastated by jealousy and shame, dies of a heart attack.
On his deathbed, he forgives Leonora (who remains innocent at heart), but she, devastated by guilt and grief, dies a few days later in a convent.
One copy is available
- Traces of patina





