Florante at Laura
Encyclopedia
Florante at Laura
by Francisco Baltazar
Francisco Balagtas
Francisco Baltazar y dela Cruz , known much more widely through his nom-de-plume Francisco Balagtas, was a prominent Filipino poet, and is widely considered as the Tagalog equivalent of William Shakespeare for his impact on Filipino literature...

 (more famously known as Francisco Balagtas) is considered as one of the masterpieces of Philippine literature. Balagtas wrote the epic(although its main characters don't possess any extraordinary powers or abilities) during his imprisonment. The work itself is dedicated to María Asuncion Rivera, his sweetheart, whom he nicknamed "M. A. R." and is referenced to as "Selya" in the dedication "Kay Selya" ("For Celia"). Maria Asuncion Rivera was later married to Balagtas' rival, Mariano Capule, who later made false charges against him.

Title

The name "Florante at Laura" is an abbreviation of the actual title which, written in archaic Tagalog
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...

, is:
In modern Filipino orthography:
English translation:

Literary Form

Florante at Laura is written in a literary form called Awit, a word which in its present usage means "song". But the literary form called Awit is a poetic form which has the following characteristics:
1. 4 lines per stanza;
2. 12 syllables per line;
3. an assonantal rhyme scheme of AAAA (in the Tagalog manner of rhyming described by José Rizal
José Rizal
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...

 in Tagalische Verskunst);
4. a slight pause (a caesura) on the sixth syllable;
5. each stanza is usually a complete grammatically-correct sentence;
6. each stanza is full of figures of speech (according to Fernando Monleon, Balagtas used 28 types in 395 instances throughout the poem);
7. (according to the tradition during Balagtas' time,) the author remained anonymous,
8. he offered his/her poem to Maria Asuncion "Selya" Rivera (a tradition which Balagtas built upon in Kay Celia); and
9. he asked for the reader's pardon (which Balagtas does very confidently in Sa Babasa Nito).

Synopsis

The Story is about the love and determination of the Duke Florante and the Princess Laura of Albania while being pursued by The usurper Adolfo.

In the Albanian forest

The story begins deep within a dark, gloomy forest. Florante, a duke of the Kingdom of Albania
Kingdom of Albania
The Kingdom of Albania, or Regnum Albaniae, was established by Charles of Anjou in the Albanian territory he conquered from the Despotate of Epirus in 1271. He took the title of "King of Albania" in February 1272. The kingdom extended from the region of Durrës south along the coast to Butrint...

 is tied to a tree, lamenting the death of his father, Duke Briseo. He is driven mad by the thought that his beloved, Princess Laura, has fallen into the arms of his enemy, Count Adolfo, son of Count Sileno. Nearby, two starving lions keep watch and try to attack Florante. He is saved, just in time, by Aladin, a Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...

 prince who happens to be at the forest at the same time. Weak and bewildered, Florante faints.

The merciful soldier nurses Florante to health. Upon recovery, Florante is initially taken back by Aladin who he considers as an enemy due to his Islamic faith. After a few explanations are made, however, Florante is grateful and begins to tell his story.

Florante's tale

The son of a princess and a royal adviser, Florante grew up in happiness, showered with love. He liked to play games when he was six, and was almost killed by a vulture
Vulture
Vulture is the name given to two groups of convergently evolved scavenging birds, the New World Vultures including the well-known Californian and Andean Condors, and the Old World Vultures including the birds which are seen scavenging on carcasses of dead animals on African plains...

 that entered in their mountain cottage, which was also followed by the attack of a falcon, who snatched his cupid diamond. He was saved by his cousin Menalipo, an archer from Epirus
Epirus
The name Epirus, from the Greek "Ήπειρος" meaning continent may refer to:-Geographical:* Epirus - a historical and geographical region of the southwestern Balkans, straddling modern Greece and Albania...

.

At the early age of 11, his parents, Duke Briseo and Princess Floresca, sent him to Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...

, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....

 to study under Antenor, a renowned teacher. There, he met Adolfo, a fellow countryman, the brightest student in their school. After 6 years of study, Florante surpassed Adolfo's capabilities, talents and intelligence, gaining popularity.

While acting during a school play, Adolfo attempted to kill Florante. Fortunately, Florante’s friend, Menandro, was quick enough to intervene. Adolfo headed home to Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...

 after his failed attempt. One year later, Florante received a letter from his father, announcing the death of his mother.

Though filled with grief, Florante waited two months before he returned home. Menandro, unwilling to be separated from him, accompanied him on his journey. Upon his arrival to Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...

, an emissary of the kingdom of Crotone
Crotone
Crotone is a city and comune in Calabria, southern Italy, on the Ionian Sea. Founded circa 710 BC as the Achaean colony of Croton , it was known as Cotrone from the Middle Ages until 1928, when its name was changed to the current one. In 1994 it became the capital of the newly established...

 requested his assistance in the incoming war against the Persians. Florante had not the will to refuse, for the King of Crotone
Crotone
Crotone is a city and comune in Calabria, southern Italy, on the Ionian Sea. Founded circa 710 BC as the Achaean colony of Croton , it was known as Cotrone from the Middle Ages until 1928, when its name was changed to the current one. In 1994 it became the capital of the newly established...

 was his grandfather.

During his stay in Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...

, Florante was invited to the king's palace. There, he was stunned by the sight of Laura, the daughter of King Linseo, ruler of Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...

.

Coming to the aid of Crotone
Crotone
Crotone is a city and comune in Calabria, southern Italy, on the Ionian Sea. Founded circa 710 BC as the Achaean colony of Croton , it was known as Cotrone from the Middle Ages until 1928, when its name was changed to the current one. In 1994 it became the capital of the newly established...

, Florante fought with the Persian general, Osmalik for 5 hours, finally slaying him in the end. He stayed in Crotone
Crotone
Crotone is a city and comune in Calabria, southern Italy, on the Ionian Sea. Founded circa 710 BC as the Achaean colony of Croton , it was known as Cotrone from the Middle Ages until 1928, when its name was changed to the current one. In 1994 it became the capital of the newly established...

 for 5 months before returning to Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...

 to see Laura. He was surprised by the sight of a Persian flag waving atop the kingdom. He recaptured the palace and saved his father, the king, and Adolfo. He also saved Laura from being beheaded
Decapitation
Decapitation is the separation of the head from the body. Beheading typically refers to the act of intentional decapitation, e.g., as a means of murder or execution; it may be accomplished, for example, with an axe, sword, knife, wire, or by other more sophisticated means such as a guillotine...

 from the hands of an Emir
Emir
Emir , meaning "commander", "general", or "prince"; also transliterated as Amir, Aamir or Ameer) is a title of high office, used throughout the Muslim world...

. He was declared “Defender of Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...

” for his bravery, deepening Adolfo’s envy and hatred.

Florante protected the kingdom, once more, from the Turkish
Turkish people
Turkish people, also known as the "Turks" , are an ethnic group primarily living in Turkey and in the former lands of the Ottoman Empire where Turkish minorities had been established in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Romania...

 forces, under general Miramolin, an acclaimed conqueror. This took place in Aetolia
Aetolia
Aetolia is a mountainous region of Greece on the north coast of the Gulf of Corinth, forming the eastern part of the modern prefecture of Aetolia-Acarnania.-Geography:...

, where he later received a letter from his father. The letter summoned him back to Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...

. He left his troops in the care of his friend, Menandro. Upon returning, he was ambushed by 30,000 soldiers under Adolfo’s orders and was imprisoned for 18 days. There, he learned of the tragic fate of his father and the king. Under Adolfo’s hands, they were beheaded. Florante was then exiled into the forest and tied to the tree.

Aladin's Tale

After months of wandering in the forest, the Persian
Persian people
The Persian people are part of the Iranian peoples who speak the modern Persian language and closely akin Iranian dialects and languages. The origin of the ethnic Iranian/Persian peoples are traced to the Ancient Iranian peoples, who were part of the ancient Indo-Iranians and themselves part of...

, Aladin shares that he is also in a similar circumstance.

Sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...

 Ali-Adab accused his own son, Aladin, of leaving his troops and allowing his conquered enemy to be recaptured. He arranged for his son to be beheaded. Flerida, very much in love with Aladin, begged the Sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...

 not to kill, but merely exile his son. In return, Flerida agreed to marry the Sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...

, who was very fond of her.

Reunion and Peace

Aladin’s speech is interrupted when they hear voices. A woman narrates her escape from a kingdom and a marriage. She speaks of her search for her beloved, a search which lasted 6 years. She shares that while deep in the forest, she heard cries for help. Finding a lady about to be raped by a man, she uses her bow and arrow to kill him. The woman introduces herself as Flerida.

The lady saved by Flerida is revealed to be Laura, who begins to tell her story. While her love was away at war, Count Adolfo gained the popularity of the people, having lied to them and turned them against the king. Count Adolfo then rose to the throne, forcing Laura to be his queen. An army under Menandro, Florante's childhood friend, was able to overthrow Adolfo from power. Adolfo, seeing all was lost, fled into the woods, taking Laura as hostage.

After hearing all this, Florante and Aladin reunite with their loved ones. Florante and Laura returned to Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...

, and became king and queen. Aladin and Flerida returned to Persia, where Aladin became the new sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...

 as his father died due to depression and extreme sadness because Flerida had left him alone in Persia. Aladin and Flerida had been baptised. The two kingdoms lived in harmony and peace.

Characters

  • Florante - a duke of Albania and the main protagonist of the novel.

  • Laura - Daughter of King Linceo of Albania. She is the love interest of Florante and is later married to him.

  • Countor Adolfo - Rival of Florante and the antagonist of the novel. His jealousy and envy towards Florante sparked his rebellion against the king. He was also responsible for the imprisonment of Florante. He was killed by Flerida as he attempted to rape Laura in his escape against the forces loyal to the king.

  • Prince Aladin - Son of Sultan Ali-Adab of Persia. He saved Florante from being eaten by lions in the forest. Later, he marries his love interest, Flerida.

  • Flerida - Aladin's fiancée. She asked Sultan Ali-Adab to spare Prince Aladin's life on the condition that she will be Ali-Adab's wife. She later escaped and killed Count Adolfo as he attempted to rape Laura in the forest.

  • Duke Briseo - Father of Florante and a nobleman of Albania. He was killed, along with King Linceo, by Count Adolfo during his usurpation of power. He was a very good father to Florante.

  • Princess Floresca - Mother of Florante and the Princess of Crotone
    Crotone
    Crotone is a city and comune in Calabria, southern Italy, on the Ionian Sea. Founded circa 710 BC as the Achaean colony of Croton , it was known as Cotrone from the Middle Ages until 1928, when its name was changed to the current one. In 1994 it became the capital of the newly established...

    . She died while Florante was studying in Athens.

  • King Linceo - King of Albania and the father of Laura. A Great Ruler of Albania. He and Duke Briseo were killed by Count Adolfo during the latter's takeover.

  • Sultan Ali-Adab - Sultan of Persia and the father of Prince Aladin. He sentenced his son to death because of cowardice in the battlefield. In exchange for Aladin's life, Flerida promised to marry the Sultan. After her escape, the Sultan committed suicide.

  • Countor Sileno - Father of Countor Adolfo.

  • Menalipo - Cousin of Florante. He saved Florante from vultures when they were younger.

  • Menandro - Friend and confidant of Florante. They first met while they were studying in Athens and Menandro saved Florante from a young Adolfo's attempt to murder him. He and Florante both shared military expedition. He also led the overthrow of Count Adolfo and restored peace in Albania.

  • Antenor - Professor of Florante, Menandro, and Adolfo in Athens. A good and wise teacher to Florante.

  • General Osmalik - A general of Persia. He was killed by Florante during a military expedition.

  • General Miramolin - A general of the Ottoman Empire. He was responsible for the invasion of Albania in order to bring the kingdom under the imperial control.

  • Emir - One of the commanding officers who sacked Albania together with Aladin during the ongoing campaign of Florante and Menandro in Crotone
    Crotone
    Crotone is a city and comune in Calabria, southern Italy, on the Ionian Sea. Founded circa 710 BC as the Achaean colony of Croton , it was known as Cotrone from the Middle Ages until 1928, when its name was changed to the current one. In 1994 it became the capital of the newly established...

    . He nearly slew Laura for her refusal to love him but was defeated.
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