Fortunato character from Matteo Falcone. "Matteo Falcone" main characters

The action takes place on the island of Corsica, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. Merimee treated this historical figure with great respect and, portraying his countrymen, endowed them with extraordinary spiritual strength, integrity, uncompromisingness, indomitable will and courage. M. F., in all respects, is a true Corsican: “Short, strong, with curly, jet-black hair, thin lips, an aquiline nose, large, lively eyes, and a face of the color of tanned skin.”

He is famous as an excellent shooter, he is considered "just as true friend, as well as a formidable enemy. Merime notes that he is generous with alms and is always ready to help those who need it. True, they say that he once killed his rival, but this only gives the hero a certain romantic halo. At the moment when the events described in the novel take place, Mateo is about fifty years old. He is married. He has three daughters, successfully married, and a ten-year-old son, Fortunato, the hope of the family and the heir to the name.

From the moment the hero appears to the final scene, no more than an hour passes. Here he is, accompanied by his wife. He goes "ahead light" carrying one gun in his hands and the other in a sling, for it is not fitting for a man to carry anything but a weapon. The hero is just as focused and stern in the last moments of the action. His words, with which the short story ends, sound very ordinary and sober. As if nothing had happened. But in fact, something happened that could forever deprive any other person of both calmness and reason. M.F. just killed his son. And he did it not in anger, unable to control himself, but, on the contrary, very soberly assessing everything that had already happened and what could happen in the future. “This boy is the first of our kind to commit a betrayal,” he says. Indeed, while M. F. and his wife were absent, fate was pleased to test Fortunato. At first, he agrees to hide the wounded fugitive for a silver coin, but then, seduced by the sergeant's silver watch, betrays his guest to his pursuers. Just at the moment when the soldiers were preparing to carry away the stretcher with the captive, M.F. appears. “The house of the traitor!” - says the captured fugitive and spits on the threshold.

Most likely it was at this moment that the fate of little Fortunato was decided. M. F. snatched the watch from his hand, threw it against a stone, and ordered his son to follow him. He had already made a decision, reasoning that the one who once allowed himself to be bribed would not be able to avoid temptation in the future, and did not want to raise a traitor M. F.. It is the love for his son, the fear of seeing him as a despised corrupt creature that pushes the hero to kill. He makes the boy read a few prayers, takes aim and after the phrase "God forgive you!" - shoots. “Now I will bury him,” Mateo Falcone calmly says to his wife, who has come running to the shot. - He died a Christian. I command that Mass be celebrated for the repose of his soul."

The image of Mateo Falcone for Merimee was the embodiment of harsh simplicity, courage and a special kind of humanity, aimed at combating sinfulness and meanness. Not murder is a sin, but the violation of eternal laws. No matter how terrible the act of M. F. may seem, it is impossible not to recognize in him a deep, hard-suffered rightness.

One of the translators of the short story Merimee in Russia was N. V. Gogol. (He helped to make a poetic version of the translation by V. A. Zhukovsky.) And in this regard, the phrase of Taras Bulba, who also committed filicide, is involuntarily recalled: “I gave birth to you, I will kill you!” Here, too, the murder of a son by a father appears as highest form punishment for betrayal and cowardice, as an attempt to restore trampled justice.

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What complex and ambiguous feelings aroused in me the story of P. Merimee "Mateo Falcone"! Following the strict code of honor of Corsica, the protagonist he took away the life of his ten-year-old son, who committed a kind of betrayal.

Mateo Falcone is handsome: he has jet-black curly hair, a huge nose, thin lips, a face of tanned skin and big lively eyes. This man became famous for his accuracy and strong unbending character. His name was famous in Corsica, and Mateo Falcone was considered "as good a friend as he is a dangerous enemy."

Mateo Falcone's son, Fortunato, is only ten years old, but he is a bright, intelligent and attentive boy, "the hope of the family and heir to the name." It is still small, but it is already possible to leave a house on it.

Once, when his parents were not at home, Fortunato met face to face with a fugitive who was being pursued by the Voltigeurs. The fugitive was wounded and decided to turn to the good name of Falcone in the hope that here he would be helped to wait out the danger. For a fee, Fortunato hid this man in a haystack.

Calmly, coolly and mockingly, Fortunato meets the shooters pursuing the intruder, led by the formidable Sergeant Gamba, a distant relative of Falcone. Confident that the glorious name will protect him, the boy tries for a very long time to convince the soldiers that he did not see anyone. However, many facts betray the sergeant that the fugitive is hiding nearby, somewhere here, and he seduces little Fortunato for hours. The boy, unable to withstand the temptation, betrays the shelter of the fugitive he has hidden.

Fortunato's parents - the proud Mateo and his wife - appear when the fugitive is already tied up and disarmed. When the sergeant explains to Mateo that little Fortunato helped them a lot in capturing the "big bird", Mateo understands that his son committed a betrayal. His glorious name and reputation are disgraced; contempt is full of the captive's words, thrown over his shoulder: "The house of the traitor!" Mateo understands that soon everyone around will know about this event, besides, the sergeant promises to mention Falcone's name in the report. Burning shame and indignation seize Mateo's heart when looking at his son.

Fortunato has already realized his mistake, but his father is unbowed. Not listening to explanations and not accepting apologies, Mateo, with a loaded gun, leads his terrified son to death into poppies - dense thickets of bushes.

The denouement of the novella is cruel and unexpected, although it could have been foreseen. Mateo Falcone, after waiting for the boy to read all the prayers known to him, kills him. material from the site

Severe laws taught Mateo that there can be only one retribution for betrayal - death, even if it is only a child's misconduct. By committing a crime in the eyes of his father, the boy was deprived of the right to correct the mistake. And the whole point is not that Mateo Falcone is an evil or bad father, but that our concepts of love and hate, honor and dishonor, justice and crime are too different.

I do not approve of Fortunato's action, but the irreversibility and uncompromising nature of his father's actions frighten me.

In P. Merime's short story, there are no unambiguously positive or unambiguously negative characters. The author tells us that life is complex and multicolored, teaches us to see not only the results, but also the reasons for our actions.

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Written in 1829, the short story has the appearance of a smooth, progressive narrative, opening with an exposition in which the author introduces the reader to the setting of the work - the Corsican poppies and the main character - the rich owner of sheep herds, Matteo Falcone. Prosper Merimee introduces into the text the image of the author-narrator, who met with the proud Corsican two years after the story happened, in order to more fully reveal the character of the latter.

Matteo Falcone is drawn by him as a man who does not look his age, who still shoots accurately and is known in the neighborhood as a good friend and a dangerous enemy. The tragedy that happened in the life of the hero, if it affected him, is not visible to others: there are still no gray hairs on his head, his eyes have not lost their sharpness. Matteo Falcone - a father who killed his ten-year-old son for betrayal - a true Corsican, who puts honor above all else, was able to find the strength to live on precisely because he did not compromise his inner principles and punished the traitor who appeared in his family.

Plot plot falls on a meeting of the ten-year-old son of Matteo Falcone - Fortunato with a bandit fleeing from the soldiers - Giannetto Sanpiero, during which the boy, not without difficulty, agrees to help the wounded. In the unwillingness of the child to help the guest free of charge, both his character and his further tragic fate. Fortunato's meeting with his uncle - Sergeant Teodoro Gamba at the dialogue level repeats the conversation with Giannetto Sanpiero: at the beginning, Fortunato does not want to help his relative in the capture of the fugitive (a parallel with how the boy refuses to help the bandit), then he defends himself from threats directed at him name of his father, after which he succumbs to temptation and sells his help for a silver chest watch, which is clearly worth more than one five-pound coin given to him by Giannetto.

In artistic image of Fortunato the features of Matteo Falcone are visible - fearlessness, awareness of one's belonging to an ancient family, cunning and resourcefulness (the episode with how the boy hid the bandit - in a haystack, covering him from above with a cat with kittens). The tendency to betrayal, bargaining and corruption are his personal traits, due to both his young age and the new trends that have come into Corsican society. They are still barely perceptible, but are already traced in the children's rivalry (the son of Uncle Fortunato, who is younger than him, has a watch, but the boy does not) and in the adult sentences of Giannetto and Teodoro (it is interesting that both the bandit and the minister of justice act in the same way, when they want to get their way. The boy’s mother, Giuseppa, is in character something between her husband and her son: she hardly, but still, makes her husband’s decision to get rid of the traitor, even if he is the desired son, who was expected for so long after three daughters; as in Fortunato, she has a love for material things: recognizing in Giannetto the kidnapper of a dairy goat, she rejoices at his capture, while Matteo sympathizes with the hungry bandit.

climax novella, expressed in the scene of the extradition of Giannetto to Sanpiero Fortunato, gradually turns into a denouement: at the beginning we see how Matteo Falcone reacts to what happened in his house, then we get an assessment of what is happening from Giannetto, spitting on the threshold "traitor's house", after which we see Fortunato, afraid of his father's wrath, who decided to correct the situation with a bowl of milk, then the narrative focuses on like a bandit, who rejects a hearty gift, turns to face the soldier who arrested him, calls him his comrade and asks for water to drink. Watching what is happening, Matteo Falcone remains silent. He does not help Giannetto, since he did not take responsibility for his fate, but he also does not intend to tolerate a traitor in his family. While the soldiers tie up the arrested person and put him on a stretcher, Matteo Falcone does nothing and does not show himself in any way: perhaps he is gathering his thoughts, perhaps he is waiting for the witnesses of the future murder to leave. A true Corsican does not justify himself before Giannetto, but he does not help his relative, Teodoro Gamba, either. The inner excitement of the hero can be seen only by the fact that he does not say goodbye to the latter when he leaves.

Matteo Falcone remains laconic until the end of the tragic denouement. He does not succumb to the persuasion of his wife, who appeals to his paternal feelings (persuasion is also not too intrusive, since Giuseppa understands the essence of what is happening and partly agrees with her), does not allow his heart to soften from the tearful requests of his son to have mercy on him. All that he can do for his child is to give him the opportunity to pray before death in order to leave life as a Christian. Having read two prayers, Fortunato asks his father not to kill him, saying, like all children, that "he'll get better", and, as an adult, trying to find a reasonable solution to improve the situation (ask uncle corporal to pardon Giannetto), but Matteo Falcone remains adamant. He gives his son time for two more prayers, one of which - a litany - turns out to be long and difficult for both participants in the unfolding tragedy, after which he shoots Fortunato. Matteo kills the boy in a ravine with loose earth in which it will be easy to dig a grave. Such foresight indicates that the decision made by the protagonist is final and irrevocable.

Giuseppa, like a real Corsican woman, comes to terms with the decision of her husband, who has the full right to control the lives of his family members. The heroine understands that the stained honor can only be washed away with blood. She tries to save her son's life, but she has no arguments against Matteo's formidable words: "I'm his father!". Realizing that a tragic outcome is inevitable, Giuseppa throws himself on his knees in front of the image of the Mother of God and begins to pray. She runs into a ravine at the sound of a gunshot, hoping to see a different outcome, but is faced with "perfect justice." Matteo Falcone immediately gives his wife instructions on how to live on: serve a memorial service for Fortunato and invite one of the sons-in-law to the house.

The novel "Matteo Falcone" is a story about Corsican morals, proud and stern, sacredly honoring the law of hospitality (even in relation to fugitive criminals) and requiring its implementation from all, without exception, people, regardless of age. A society in which every member has at least one murder behind his soul must have its own immutable law. Fortunato broke it. Matteo had no choice but to punish the criminal.

In the title of the work - the name of the protagonist, an extraordinary personality respected in Sicily. He is known there as a proud and honest man, a brilliant shooter, although Matteo has settled down, he has a house, a wife, daughters are already married, a ten-year-old son Fortunato is the hope and pride of the family.

One day, the parents had to go away on business and leave the boy at home alone. Just at that time, when the boy was resting in the sun, shots rang out and a wounded bandit ran up to the house, asked him to hide (in the name of the boy's father), but he agreed to help only for a silver coin. Cunningly hiding the criminal, the child talked with the soldiers for a long time, and in the end "surrendered" this almost relative to them in a matter of hours. The parents had just returned to see how the arrested man spat on the threshold of the traitors, then Matteo called his son with him, made him read all the prayers he knew, and then shot the juvenile traitor to the horror of his mother.

The story teaches not to sell people, not to change your humanity for material values. It is shown here that you can pay with your life for betrayal, without receiving any pity and compassion even from the closest person.

Read the summary by Matteo Falcone Merimee

The story begins with an explanation of the concept of "poppies". In Corsica, this is the name given to the high growth of trees, which are burned again and again. It is customary for criminals to hide in these thickets. All that is needed in this refuge of the runaways is a cloak with a hood and a knife. And the shepherds will help with the rest.

The story continues with a portrait and characterization of the protagonist. Matteo is not a shepherd, but a rich man who has many livestock. But Matteo was not born a rich man, but became so himself. Initially, he became known throughout the area as an outstanding marksman. His skill amazed everyone. Even in the dark, he hit a sheet of paper three times out of four. Everyone knew that there was no salvation for his enemies. With such a person, everyone wanted to be friends, not hostile.

He appeared to be a strong man with curly hair, a proud aquiline nose and thin lips, betraying the restraint of character. He successfully married, his wife bore him three daughters to his displeasure. It is clear that Matteo dreamed of an heir to whom he could transfer everything: possessions, surname, moral principles... And then a boy was born, who was named Fortunato. Naturally, he became a family favorite. The daughters have already grown up, successfully married. Everything was fine. Of course, Matteo, on occasion, did not refuse to help even fugitive criminals in the "maquis". The story emphasizes that Matteo led an honest life for a very long time, but always remembered his past. He did not like the soldiers, who could always find some sin in the most honest person.

And then one day the husband and wife had to leave to visit their flocks. They didn’t take the boy with them, because someone should, at least nominally, guard the house. And for example, to take out water to a traveler ...

Fortunato was waiting for no one. He basked in the sun, dreaming about the upcoming visit to his uncle. And suddenly his peace was disturbed by shots. Soon a man wounded in the thigh appeared on the road. He obviously walked with difficulty. When he got home, he asked for help. He asked Gianetto to simply hide him from his pursuers, especially since he recognized Matteo's son in Fortunato, to whom he was a distant relative. However, the boy was in no hurry to help ... Then the criminal threatened him with a gun. The cunning boy guessed that the gun had already been unloaded in the skirmish with the soldiers, and the wounded boy would not be able to reach the wounded boy with a knife. The guy kept repeating that his father was the same Falcone, that he had nothing to be afraid of. The fugitive remarked that his father would not have been happy to learn that Gianetto had been seized by soldiers on the threshold of this house. In the end, the boy asked what he would be rewarded for saving. Rummaging through his bag, the fugitive found a silver coin. The boy accepted it gladly. He hid the wounded man well - not in the house, which would have been too obvious, but in a haystack, and also planted a cat with kittens on it, as if they had been there for a long time.

Soldiers soon appeared and began to ask about the fugitive. The boy mocked them a little, playing the fool, repeating their questions, answering inappropriately. Instead of sending them on the wrong track, he aroused suspicion. Although they themselves understood that the criminal could not have gone far with such a wound ... The little owner of the house kept trying to convince them that he had slept in the sun, but the sergeant understood that the shots were supposed to wake him up. It is important that the soldiers know Matteo and even fear him. They do not dare to enter the house for a search. One even pierces a haystack with a bayonet, but finds nothing. Having tried all the methods of persuasion (threats, blackmail, and the like), the sergeant is already ready to take the soldiers away, but in the end he resorts to an obviously useless trick - he promises his son Matteo a watch for the fugitive. And the boy thought... the sergeant showed him a beautiful and expensive watch. Tempted, the guy points to the haystack and grabs the watch.

The soldiers find the wounded man, tie him up. He is a brave man, continues to joke, treats the soldiers well, although they are his enemies. All the anger of the criminal now focused on the boy and his family. Mother and father return. By the way, she carries a heavy bag, and he only carries a gun. Matteo manages to see how his relative spits on their traitorous doorstep. A soldier praises the father of his "law-abiding" son. Matteo turns pale, he has already made a decision ... When the outsiders left, he broke the clock, took his son into the ravine and, despite the pleas of the traitor, shot him. Having buried the boy as a Christian, Matteo decides to ask his son-in-law to move in with them, to become their real son.

Picture or drawing of Merimee by Matteo Falcone

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