Angelica's mother

Lord_X says > He's just mad because of the status that a former peasant with no manners and education like Calogero achieved, and that they had a daughter so perfect despite being from poor and ruthless families. He was educated by members of the aristocracy and regarded himself higher than Calogero, who now had all the money and power, so he didn’t think it was suitable for Tancredi to marry someone with such scoundrel roots.

Ciccio's reaction is all part of the changing times they're experiencing. The wealth and power always resided with the aristocracy. They'd bestow favors upon certain people like Ciccio who then had a little more status but remained very poor. Everything was in the process of changing and Calogero represented the new wave.

By the old standards, Calogero was nothing; he had nothing; he could never amount to anything; and was only able to get an attractive wife because she was 'damaged' goods. She had great beauty but was completely lacking in intelligence and social graces. At one point that may have been fine but they were moving up in the world. They were starting to get invitations to socialize. Calogero, himself, was out of place and unaccustomed to rubbing elbows with the upper crust; his wife would have been a complete disaster. She remained hidden so he could make excuses for her not attending; being ill is understandable but only if she's not constantly seen all over town.

Calogero didn't know how to dress, did not spend money lavishly, and didn't look the part but he was able to educate his daughter. She was not only able to make the transition; she was the belle of the ball. The great Prince Salinas had to ask him, Calogero, for his daughter's hand on behalf of his nephew. That could have never happened just a few years prior. That's why he was speechless at first then anxious to get it all of it in writing and signed. It's also why Salinas had to keep Ciccio locked in with the dogs to avoid, what would have been, big gossip.

Angelica, despite her beauty, would never have been suitable for Tancredi or any other aristocrat or man with status. She could have been their mistress at best but never a wife yet Salinas saw her as the better choice to be his nephew's bride than his own beloved daughter, Concetta. Salinas even noted at the ball how inbreeding, which aristocrats were known to do, had caused their offspring to be like a bunch of wild monkeys. Concetta was Tancredi's first cousin but she expected to marry him and her mother cried when it was clear it would not happen.

As the daughter of the Prince, at one time Concetta would have been a great asset but now Tancredi needed a wife with wealth and the personality to help propel him forward. Perhaps the best thing Tancredi's father did was to squander any inheritance he might have gotten. It made him bold and ambitious in a way the Prince's own sons were not.


Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

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