Dood Paard - Eleonora, of de farce van de tragedie

The story

Anna travels to Napels to work on a book about the rebellious Eleonora Fonseca Pimentel, court poet and private librarian to the queen of Napels. This Eleonora broke free from a violent marriage and, inspired by the French Revolution, developed into a Femme Savante and leader of the revolution, which in 1799 led to the short-lived Neapolitan Republic. But 5 months later, it was crushed by the king of Napels and Pimentel was hanged in the market square to the loud cheers of the people.

The life of Eleonora de Fonseca Pimentel serves as a mirror for the historian. She admires the courage of this woman and wants to get as close to her subject as possible. She studies for days and nights and has intense conversations with her assistant, whose youthful energy and curiosity do not leave her unmoved. She works with such passion that, in nocturnal fever dreams, wandering through her apartment, she thinks she really is Eleonora.

The confrontation with this figure forces her to look at her own life and find the courage to change course. That puts a strain on the relationship with her husband. This husband, whom we previously got to know as a man who encourages his wife in her search, suddenly turns out to be a petty, jealous little monarch who is afraid of losing his kingdom. Anna must, just like the rebellious Eleonora, fight for her life.