Ugolino and his Sons (blog post #6)

                             

   Count Ugolino della Gherardesca was an Italian nobleman and naval commander. In the 13th century, Italy was split into two parties: Ghibellines, who sided with the emperor, and the Guelphs, who sided with the pope. During this time Pisa was controlled by the Ghibellines, which is where Ugolino was born. After King Enzio of Sardinia, the son of Emperor Frederick II was captured, Ugolino was appointed governor. He later on inherited the title of a Count of Donoratico. To preserve his power, in case of political hostility of Neighboring powers, he had his sister marry Giovanni Visconti,judge of Gallura, who became his ally. Through his time of power, there were disorder in the city, which lead to his arrest and as well as Giovanni, they were accused of plotting to undermine Pisa's government. 

   This marble statue was created by Jean- Baptiste Carpeaux, who was a french sculptor and painter during the second empire under Napoleon III. This sculpture is called "Ugolino and his sons" and is based on canto 33 of the Inferno. While Ugolino, the father, was faced with imprisonment he was creeping closer to his death of starvation, his children and grandchildren begged their father to eat them so that he may live. From Canto XXXIII, In. 70-73, "'father our pain' they said,'will lessen if you eat us you are the one who clothed us with this wretched flesh;we plead for you to be the one to strips it away'."In this sculpture you can see the struggles Ugolino had to face. Surely he did not want to devour his children, but if he didn't he would die. Ugolino proved this statement in Canto XXXIII In. 70-73,"' … And I, Already going blind, groped over my brood Calling to them, though I had watched them die, For two long days. And then the hunger had more Power than even sorrow over me.'" His statement is that "hunger proved stronger than grief." Because of this Ugolino became known as "cannibal Count" he was always seen "gnawing at his own fingers"