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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Gambara by Honore de Balzac: criminal? Will the executioner seize his victim? Will sorrow consume
the artist's genius? Will the disease kill the patient? or, will the
guardian angel save the Christian?
"Then comes the /finale/, the gambling scene in which Bertram tortures
his son by rousing him to tremendous emotions. Robert, beggared,
frenzied, searching everything, eager for blood, fire, and sword, is
his own son; in this mood he is exactly like his father. What hideous
glee we hear in Bertram's words: '/Je ris de tes coups/!' And how
perfectly the Venetian /barcarole/ comes in here. Through what
wonderful transitions the diabolical parent is brought on to the stage
once more to make Robert throw the dice.
Gambara |
