Summary
"Venice Preserved" unfolds a tale of love, betrayal, and rebellion in a politically charged Venice. Jaffeir, a former servant and now son-in-law to the senator Priuli, finds himself drawn into a web of conspiracies as his fortunes dwindle. The complex relationships and heart-wrenching decisions in this story lead to tragic ends for its key players.
A Troubled Union
Jaffeir, who once served the influential Venetian senator Priuli, secretly marries Priuli's daughter, Belvidera. For several years, they manage to live in happiness, untouchable by the father's disapproval. However, misfortune strikes when Jaffeir loses his wealth, prompting him to seek assistance from Priuli. In a desperate move, he pleads for help using Belvidera's name, but the senator remains unmoved and vows they must fend for themselves. Jaffeir, deeply wounded by Priuli's refusal, recalls how he once saved Belvidera from a shipwreck, catalyzing their love. Despite his earnest reminder, he leaves Priuli's house in despair.
Allies and Conspirators
Jaffeir's path soon crosses with Pierre, a disenchanted friend who has served Venice with little recognition or reward. Pierre, empathizing with Jaffeir's plight, presents him with an opportunity for revenge. This opportunity is disguised as a noble cause: striking back against the corrupt government. Jaffeir agrees to meet Pierre that evening and join a group of conspirators. Returning home, he finds solace in Belvidera, who assures him of her unwavering love, regardless of their financial status.
A Jealous Lover's Vow
Meanwhile, Pierre visits Aquilina, a courtesan he passionately loves. He is furious to learn that she has been involved with Antonio, an elderly senator, in exchange for money. This betrayal adds fuel to Pierre's desire for vengeance, prompting him to involve Aquilina in the conspiracy. He makes her swear to extract any secrets she can from Antonio and pass them on to the plotters, who plan to meet at her residence that night.
The Pledge of Loyalty
As midnight approaches, Jaffeir finds himself lamenting his fate at the Rialto. Pierre arrives and leads him to the conspirators' secret gathering. The group hesitates to trust Jaffeir, so to prove his sincerity, he offers Belvidera as a hostage. The leader, Renault, and the Spanish ambassador, both involved in the plot to overthrow the government, accept her as collateral. They warn that her life will be forfeit should Jaffeir betray them.
A Test of Conscience
Jaffeir's resolve starts to waver when he learns that Renault attempted to violate Belvidera, stopping only when she screamed for help. Shaken, Belvidera swears she can endure anything if she knows the reason behind her being offered as a hostage. Understanding her predicament, Jaffeir unveils the conspiracy's plan to assassinate the senate and seize control of Venice. Horrified, Belvidera urges him to reconsider, as the plot would unjustly harm many innocents, including her father.
Crisis and Confession
That evening, the conspirators reconvene to finalize their plans for the imminent uprising. Overcome with disgust for the scheme and its architects, Jaffeir quietly slips away to find Belvidera. Together, they make their way to the senate chamber. However, they are intercepted by the ducal guard and brought before the senate. There, Jaffeir confesses his role in the plot, leveraging their fear to negotiate a pardon for his co-conspirators in exchange for preventing the coup. The conspirators, including Pierre, are captured and brought in as prisoners. Ignoring Jaffeir's pleas for understanding, Pierre strikes him across the face in anger.
Betrayal and Desperation
Despite assurances of clemency, the senate betrays their word, condemning the conspirators, Pierre among them, to death by torture. Jaffeir is incensed by this treachery. In his fury, he threatens to kill Belvidera, his...
(This entire section contains 859 words.)
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pledged hostage, but stops short due to his love for her. Instead, he persuades her to seek help from her father to save the conspirators, warning that her own life is at stake. Overcome by love for his daughter, Priuli agrees to assist, but his intervention comes too late.
The Final Sacrifice
Jaffeir arrives at the execution site only to discover that all conspirators except Pierre have already been executed. Pierre, having requested a final conversation with Jaffeir, stands alone on the scaffold. In their brief exchange, Pierre apologizes and asks Jaffeir to spare him from a disgraceful death by executing him personally. Jaffeir obliges and swiftly turns the dagger on himself, dying alongside his friend.
Grief and Madness
In a desperate attempt to save Pierre, Aquilina pleads with Antonio, but he refuses her. Enraged, she stabs him, leaving him to perish. Meanwhile, Belvidera, haunted by fear, descends into madness within her father's house. Despite Priuli's and his servants' best efforts to comfort her, she deteriorates rapidly, unaware of Jaffeir's self-inflicted death. As she sees him for the last time, he foretells they will never reunite. Shortly after, she is visited by a vision of Jaffeir's ghost, followed by news of his demise. Pierced by grief, Belvidera is further tormented by the apparitions of Jaffeir and Pierre, leading her into a frenzy that ends in her own death. Her father, devastated by the cycle of violence and loss, seeks refuge in solitude, yearning for a place devoid of light where he can mourn his daughter's tragic fate in peace.