BRIDGERTON/FOR WHOM WERE ANTHONY BRIDGERTON’S LAST THOUGHTS BEFORE THE DUEL AT DAWN WITH SIMON BASSET?
Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon your arm,
for love is strong as death,
jealousy is fierce as the grave.
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
the very flame of the Lord.
Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can floods drown it.
If a man offered for love
all the wealth of his house,
he would be utterly despised.”
(Song of Songs 8:6–7 ESV)
HALLO FOLKS
Me again with another Great Post [HAHAHA]
And with a theme, that touches most people deeply.
The last thoughts of someone standing at death’s door
Who do you think of then…..
That happened to Anthony Bridgerton, just before the duel with
his best friend Simon Basset, 2nd Duke of Hastings, for the honour
of his sister Daphne [1]
Now especially for a young man like Anthony, that whole duel thing was a great emotional burden.
He was already traumatized by watching his father die [2] and forced to take care for the whole household because of the deep mourning of his mother Violet [3], while being the eldest son he was the legal head of the Family [including his mother] [4]
And that on an age of 18 years old, at an age when young , especially aristocrats like he, are supposed to have a good Time!
If that was not worse enough he was plagued by the strained
relationship with his mother who, although loving him deeply, had no attention at all for his personal needs [because of her mourning] and
was also at times extremely annoying, always nagging and complaining and not at all appreciating all the work Anthony took upon his shoulders.
[5]
Their relationship further deteriorated when he fell in love with opera singer Siena Rosso, with whom he had a long standing love affair. [5A]
Although understandably his mother was not happy with that because of realistic fear for a social death, since opera zingers were considered
as ”immoral women” and a possible marriage between an aristocrat and an opera singer led to social exclusion [6], there was no excuse for her
severe coldness against her son and the dehumanization of
Siena Rosso [7], which led to constant tension between mother and son [8]
And although he sometimes ended the relationship because of his mother’s constant and immense pressure [9], his love was strong enough
to start up the relationship again and again. [10]
THE DUEL
WHAT WENT BEFORE
Then comes the Duel Drama
Because:
How painful must it be to challenge your closest friend [because
Anthony and Simon were very close friends] [11] for a Life or Death Duel,
which they both didn’t want, but here Anthony had no choice, for the honour of his sister Daphne [12]
All those things together: trauma because watching the death of your father, the burden of maintaining a household and managing Estates, a mother who
emotionally neglects you and is sabotaging the woman you love, including
a duel challenge to your best friend:
All those things are enough to cause
an emotional breakdown
I think that in modern language, Anthony was near to an emotional breakdown.
Enough to break a person.
And then there is the forced double life he had to live-torn
between the cold demands of his rank and the immense pressure of
his mother [what she, fair is fair, not always realized] and his tumultuous
and passionate love life.
Being with Siena in her home, the only place where
he didn’t need to be the Perfect Viscount and the leader of the Household-, must have been Heaven to him, yet apart from the love they shared. [13]
BY THE WAY:
Proof of his Love for her is also that the last evening before the duel he doesn’t stay home
at his Family, but visits her, thinking that it’s maybe the last time he ever sees her.
ON THE EVE OF THE DUEL
WITH SIENA
So it is not strange that when he arrives at Siena on the Eve of the
Duel, he was in great excitement. [14]
Although she first hesitates to let him in [probably they were in their
on/off relationship phase again], she changes her heart when he tells her
about the duel [she looks clearly worried and sad] [15]
He tells her that he wants to go away with her when he survives the duel
[what means killing Simon]
AND
He says to her the heartbreaking words
””If I live to see sunrise I’m free…..free of society….free of these rules
the veery ones that keep us apart…we can go together away from all this Siena…..” [16]
Firstly she says nothing and when he apologizes and wants to leave,
she pulls him back, they go inside and spent a love night together.
He leaves at dawn, giving her a kiss when she still sleeps.
They spent a love night together and at dawn he leaves, giving her a kiss
for the duel [she’s still sleeping]
ADRENALINE!
AT THE DUEL
ANTHONY’S LAST THOUGHTS…..
And now the Big Question:
For whom were Anthony’s last thoughts?
This is what happened:
Anthony arrives, as his brother Benedict, who is his second [17]
Simon Basset has his friend and box trainer mr Mondrich as his second [18]
Then, shortly before the duel begins, Anthony takes Benedict aside and
asks him urgently, with suppressed emotion in his voice, to take care
for Siena.
When Benedict agrees, Anthony emphasizes:
SWEAR IT
And so Benedict does
Here is what they actually said:
Anthony: “If I should fall, I need you to promise me you will take care of Siena Rosso.”
Benedict: “Anthony…”
Anthony: “Promise me. Ensure she is provided for. She is to want for nothing. Do you understand?”
Benedict: “I give you my word.”
Anthony: SWEAR IT! [19]
Those simple words are so touching and impressive
SO THIS IS IN THE MIND OF ANTHONY JUST BEFORE THE DUEL!
And it proves, that it is True Love! [20]
Because Anthony’s last thoughts were not for his mother and how hard
his death would have hit her
Not for his brothers and sisters
Not even for himself
And when you are living your last Hour, your thoughts are with the prson
you hold most dear
And therefore those simple, but deeply touching words Anthony and
Benedict uttered, moved me deeply
THIS IS LOVE
NOT [JUST] LUST! [21]
ASTRID ESSED
NOTES
NOOT 1
NOTEN 2 T/M 10
NOTE 11
NOTE 12
NOTES 13 T/M 16
NOTE 17
NOTE 18
NOTES 19 T/M 21
