The Story Of Belfagor In Literature And Folk-Lore

""The Story of Belfagor in Literature and Folk-Lore"" by William E. A. Axon is a comprehensive exploration of the legendary character Belfagor and his appearances in various literary works and folk tales throughout history. Belfagor is a demon who is sent to Earth by Satan to investigate claims that marriage is a miserable institution. However, Belfagor ends up falling in love with a woman and experiences the hardships of marriage himself. Axon delves into the origins of the Belfagor story, tracing it back to its earliest known versions in Italian literature. He then examines its spread throughout Europe and its influence on popular culture, including its appearance in plays, operas, and even a novel by Machiavelli. The book also explores the significance of the Belfagor story in folklore and its role in shaping cultural attitudes towards marriage and relationships. Axon analyzes the themes of the story, such as the dangers of greed and the importance of love and commitment in marriage. Overall, ""The Story of Belfagor in Literature and Folk-Lore"" provides a fascinating look at the evolution of a timeless tale and its impact on literature and society.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.