Belisa’s Love and Apparent Bereavement

Diana

This thread follows Belisa’s divided affection for Arsenio and Arsileo, her flight after their apparent deaths, and her eventual reunion with Arsileo.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Arsenio’s Courtship Arsenio’s Courtship from "Diana". Arsenio’s Courtship Persistent devotion Arsenio has loved Belisa for years, despite her reluctance to encourage him.

Arsenio’s Courtship from "Diana". Arsenio’s Courtship Persistent devotion Arsenio has loved Belisa for years, despite her reluctance to encourage him.

Arsenio’s Courtship Persistent devotion Arsenio has loved Belisa for years, despite her reluctance to encourage him. He eventually arranges for his son Arsileo to compose a letter that he can present as his own. A letter with another author Belisa reads the verses and recognizes that they reveal Arsileo’s intelligence and feeling more clearly than Arsenio’s. The letter becomes the unexpected beginning of her attachment to the son.

Belisa Loves Arsileo Belisa Loves Arsileo from "Diana". Belisa Loves Arsileo Talent awakens affection Arsileo returns from the Salamanca Academy accomplished in poetry and music.

Belisa Loves Arsileo from "Diana". Belisa Loves Arsileo Talent awakens affection Arsileo returns from the Salamanca Academy accomplished in poetry and music.

Belisa Loves Arsileo Talent awakens affection Arsileo returns from the Salamanca Academy accomplished in poetry and music. Hearing him sing, Belisa falls deeply in love and soon finds opportunities to speak with him. A divided attachment She also feels tenderness toward Arsenio, whose long devotion and gifts have moved her. Belisa’s feelings for father and son are distinct, but their overlap makes the developing romance precarious.

A Secret Meeting A Secret Meeting from "Diana". A Secret Meeting The rendezvous Belisa and Arsileo arrange to speak at night, with Arsileo climbing a mulberry tree by her window.

A Secret Meeting from "Diana". A Secret Meeting The rendezvous Belisa and Arsileo arrange to speak at night, with Arsileo climbing a mulberry tree by her window.

A Secret Meeting The rendezvous Belisa and Arsileo arrange to speak at night, with Arsileo climbing a mulberry tree by her window. Arsenio happens to patrol the street and sees Belisa at the window without recognizing his son. A fatal misunderstanding Arsenio shoots the figure in the tree, believing he has caught a rival. Only after Arsileo falls does he realize whom he has killed, and the mistaken act destroys both men’s lives.

Flight into the Wilderness Flight into the Wilderness from "Diana". Flight into the Wilderness Grief without refuge Belisa sees the apparent deaths of Arsileo and Arsenio and leaves her family home in despair.

Flight into the Wilderness from "Diana". Flight into the Wilderness Grief without refuge Belisa sees the apparent deaths of Arsileo and Arsenio and leaves her family home in despair.

Flight into the Wilderness Grief without refuge Belisa sees the apparent deaths of Arsileo and Arsenio and leaves her family home in despair. She withdraws to an isolated island dwelling, convinced that her beloved and his father are gone. Mourning becomes a life For six months she avoids human company, treating the surrounding landscape as an extension of her sorrow. Her seclusion makes her appear beyond consolation when Felismena and the nymphs find her.

Reunion After the Deception Reunion After the Deception from "Diana". Reunion After the Deception The truth emerges Alfeo later reveals that spirits, not the real father and son, staged the deaths.

Reunion After the Deception from "Diana". Reunion After the Deception The truth emerges Alfeo later reveals that spirits, not the real father and son, staged the deaths.

Reunion After the Deception The truth emerges Alfeo later reveals that spirits, not the real father and son, staged the deaths. Felismena carries this news to Arsileo, and Polidora helps bring him to Belisa. Grief reversed Belisa hears Arsileo’s voice before seeing him, then meets him alive. Their reunion restores the love she believed death had ended, while exposing how completely Alfeo’s deception shaped her exile.

before Arsileo returns from Salamanca

after Arsileo returns from Salamanca

during the summer after Arsileo’s return

immediately after the apparent deaths

after Felismena reaches Felicia’s house