McNair’s English 12 Name: ________________________________________

Federigo’s Falcon Study Guide Date: __________________________ Period: ________

Text Analysis – Cause and Effect

Events in a story are often related by cause and effect. One event, the cause, results directly in another event, the effect. Analyzing these cause-and-effect relationships can help you follow a complicated plot. As you read “Federigo’s Falcon,” use the diagram to keep track of cause-and-effect relationships.

Part II. Short Answer – Sorry, these are not in order! J

1. Which details in the first paragraph reflect the time setting of the Middle Ages?

2. At the beginning of the story, how does Federigo try to win Monna Giovanna’s love?

3. Why did the characters in “Federigo’s Falcon” leave Florence and move to the countryside?

4. What was Monna’s opinion of Federigo when she learned he had killed and cooked his falcon?

5. What does the role of the brothers suggest about the status of women during the Middle Ages?

6. What happy event ends the story?

7. What qualities does the narrator admire in Coppo di Borghese Domenichi, the man from whom she heard the story she is about to tell?

8. How did Federigo lose his wealth?

9. What two reasons explain why the falcon is special to Federigo?

10. What did Monna Giovanna’s son say was the one thing that would make him feel better?

11. What was the cause of Monna Giovanna’s inner conflict when she went to visit Federigo? Do you approve with how she resolved it? Explain your answer.

12. How did Federigo’s meal indirectly cause the death of Monna Giovanna’s son?

13. After her son dies how eager is Monna Giovanna to marry? Use details from the tale to support your answer.

14. What did Monna Giovanna’s brothers demand of her, and what did she respond?

15. How were Federigo’s actions in keeping with the code of chivalry and courtly love?

16. At what point in the story does Monna Giovanna change her mind about Federigo?

17. What does the scene when Federigo weeps tell you about the medieval attitude toward crying?

18. Paraphrase Federigo’s speech beginning with “My lady …” (on the bottom of page 211)

19. The background information explains this story was meant to have a “happy ending”. Do you believe it’s happy? Why or why not?

20. Because Federigo is madly in love, his life is troubled. If Federigo were not so devoted to Monna Giovanna, how might the story change?

21. For each scene listed, circle virtuous or vain to describe Monna Giovanna. Explain your answer on the line!

her response to Federigo’s spending (lines 21–27) virtuous vain

Explain: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

her promise to her son (lines 54–71) virtuous vain

Explain: ____________________________________________________________________________________________

her decision to marry Federigo (lines 168–175) virtuous vain

Explain: ____________________________________________________________________________________________

22. Situational irony happens when a reader or character expects one thing to happen, but something different happens. What is ironic about the dinner Federigo serves Monna Giovanna?

23. Compare Texts: In “The Pardoner’s Tale,” how do the rioters feel about money? In “Federigo’s Falcon,” how does Federigo feel about money?

Part III. Thoughtful Response – Answer each question in one to two well-developed paragraphs on your own paper and staple it to the back of this sheet. Be sure to be specific and use textual evidence to support your answer!!

24. Does this tale present love as having positive or negative consequences tale? Use details from the tale to support your opinion.

25. Is this tale about love, or is it about virtue? Support your opinion with details from the tale.