by Marzia Volpones

The Final Act: A Crime of Honour

They soon became lovers. Rumours on their love affair were stirred up. This secret unveiled to Gianciotto made him furious with jealousy and mad with revenge.

Pretending to go to the close -by town of Pesaro on business he suddenly and unexpectedly came back and caught them together in Francesca's bedroom.

Unaware that Paolo got stuck in his attempt to escape down a ladder she let him in. Gianciotto lunged at Paolo with a sword. Francesca stepped between the two men and was killed instead, much to the dismay of her husband who promptly finished his brother Paolo off.

His jealous revenge made his crime of honour be accomplished.

"Historical facts" say that the two lovers were buried in a single tomb, testimonial of their everlasting love. A cold stone for a flashy love.

Dante handed down Paolo and Francesca's love story to posterity making their sensual ,passionate love swept in a lively flame living for ever in the "lovers' whirlwind" in the Second Circle of Hell.

Today thousands of tourists climb up to Gradara castle to see Francesca's chamber: sense again the tragically story of the two lovers, dreaming of a passionate kiss...in the scented midnight summer dreams...

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