The Captive Marriage Experiment

This thread follows Anselmo’s test of Camilla, Lothario’s betrayal, and the deaths caused by their deception.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Two Friends

The Two Friends Friendship and marriage Anselmo and Lothario are celebrated friends; Lothario helps Anselmo marry Camilla. After the wedding he reduces his visits out of concern for propriety. A dangerous request Anselmo wants to test his wife's virtue by having Lothario court her. His curiosity risks the friendship and marriage he claims to value.

Lothario’s Warning

Lothario’s Warning Arguments against the test Lothario explains that testing a virtuous wife may destroy the very trust Anselmo seeks to confirm. He compares Camilla to a jewel that should not be needlessly struck. Anselmo persists Anselmo insists on an experiment and pressures his friend to begin. Lothario agrees only to prevent a worse betrayal by another suitor.

The False Courtship

The False Courtship A test becomes real Lothario first pretends to court Camilla, then genuinely falls in love with her. Camilla resists before yielding during Anselmo's absence. Deception deepens Anselmo mistakes Lothario's fabricated reports for proof of virtue. The friends' shared scheme now conceals an actual affair.

The Staged Proof

The Staged Proof Jealousy and performance Lothario reports new suspicions after seeing Leonela's lover escape. Camilla stages an attack and wounds herself to persuade Anselmo of her fidelity. Confidence restored Anselmo watches the performance and believes the deception. His curiosity has made him an audience to his own dishonour.

The Fatal Discovery

The Fatal Discovery Escape and exposure Leonela flees after Anselmo discovers her lover. Camilla runs to Lothario, and Anselmo learns that both have disappeared. A tragic ending Anselmo dies after learning the truth; Lothario later dies in battle, and Camilla enters a convent and dies of grief. The experiment destroys all three.

At the opening of the inset tale

Before the planned courtship

During Anselmo’s staged experiment

After Anselmo returns home

Near the end of the inset tale