The Maid of Honour
Maid of Honour, The,a romantic drama by Massinger , acted about 1621 – 2 , published 1632 . It is based on a story by Boccaccio .
Bertoldo , natural brother of the king of Sicily and a knight of Malta, is in love with Camiola. Departing on an expedition to aid the duke of Urbino against the duchess of Siena, he asks for her hand, but she refuses on the ground of the disparity of their station and his oath as a knight of Malta not to marry. Bertoldo is taken prisoner by the Sienese, cast into prison, and held to ransom for a large sum, which the king of Sicily, being incensed against Bertoldo, forbids anyone to pay. Camiola directs her follower Adorni , who is passionately devoted to her, to carry the ransom (which she provides from her own estate) to Bertoldo, and to require of him a contract to marry her. Adorni, though it means the defeat of his own hopes, faithfully discharges his mission; Bertoldo is released and...
[The entire page is 261 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Oxford University Press Titles
