Giovan Straparola's The Pig King

In Giovan Straparola’s tale, “The Pig King”, Straparola offers a cultural view on the theme of love and marriage by exploring the larger cultural and social context of the tale’s production to convey the insecurities and uncertainties of women. Straparola’s early version of one of the most iconic fairy tales in “Beauty and the Beast”, offers a comforting message about the existing anxieties and concerns of a woman when subjected to the idea of marriage. Giovan Straparola’s making of the folktale, “The Pig King”, records the historical and cultural context of the tale’s production for his argument to be consistent with the current views and beliefs of the Italian Renaissance. The author’s ability to integrate the tale’s cultural context to his …show more content…
Growing up, the pig would begin to develop the same attributes and aspects to those of a wild pig. To his perspective it appeared normal for him to develop these sort of odd characteristics because these normal habits are due to his ignorance of the reality of the life of a normal human being.
Driven by his desire to marry a beautiful wife, the pig believed his appearance would be overshadowed by his true identity underneath his awful, filthy skin. However, the pig’s unpleasant acts of affection would not please his bride. Overcome by rage and irritation, her plan to kill the pig was thwarted by the pig and was later killed. Miraculously, the pig prince would soon find true love, someone who admires him for who he truly is. Delightful to have found true love, the pig discloses a secret of his to his wife, and underneath his skin garment he reveals a handsome young