Casanova's Memoirs
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As romance writers we often look for sources of inspiration in order to create characters for our stories. Throughout history there have been many great romancers who have stolen the heart of a lady. One particular man was recognized for his promiscuous yet chivalrous ways: Giovanni Jacopo Casanova de Seingalt.
Abandoned by his actor parents, Casanova was born in 1725 and left to be cared for by his grandmother. She educated him beyond his years which gave him a high sense of knowledge and intellect. He was an Italian adventurer who dabbled in various occupations and possessed a legendary reputation as a lover.
In his travels Casanova chronicled his experiences with work and woman. His memoirs boast that he'd had relations with more than 100 women; however, he kept the encounters romantic and charming.
Casanova's Memoirs:
"The day before the abbot was coming to see me, at about six o'clock in the evening, I was sitting at my window, which looked out on the bridge, and gazing at the passers-by, when all at once a carriage and four came up at a good pace and stopped at the inn. There was no footman on it, and consequently the waiter came out and opened the door, and I saw four well-dressed women leave the carriage. In the first three I saw nothing noticeable, but the fourth, who was dressed in a riding-habit, struck me at once with her elegance and beauty. She was a brunette with fine and well-set eyes, arched eyebrows, and a complexion in which the hues of the lily and the rose were mingled. Her bonnet was of blue satin with a silver fillet, which gave her an air I could not resist. I stretched out from the window as far as I could, and she lifted her eyes and looked at me as if I had bade her do so. My position obliged me to look at her for half a minute; too much for a modest woman, and more than was required to set me all ablaze.
I had tucked in my superb ruffles of English point lace, but my frilled shirt front of the same material protruded slightly through my vest, which I had not buttoned carefully. She saw it, and said, "Come here a moment."
"What does madam require?"
"Let me see it. What beautiful lace!"
"So I have been told, madam, but it is very old. An Italian gentleman who was staying here made me a present of it."
"You have ruffles of the same kind, I suppose?"
"Yes, madam;" and so saying I stretched out my hand, unbuttoning my waistcoat. She gently drew out the ruffle, and seemed to place herself in a position to intoxicate me with the sight of her charms, although she was tightly laced. What an ecstatic moment! I knew she had recognized me, and the thought that I could not carry the masquerade beyond a certain point was a veritable torment to me."
In 1798 the Count of Waldstein made a gigantic cross for Casanova's grave. After the death of Count Waldstein nobody remembered who Casanova was, and his grave was left in horrible condition. In the beginning of the 20th century when women went to church on Sunday, they sometimes damaged their clothes on the cross. People say, "Casanova doesn't leave the women alone even after his death."
Sometimes the characters we create aren't necessarily likable, but they do have traits in common with Casanova. Even though Casanova was noted for being a womanizer, his memoirs prove that when he showed interest in a lady he turned on the romance and charm to impress her. Romance should not be confused with love. Your characters can be romantic without having the best intentions.
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