Casanova

The Pieta Mask

Look up the Casanova in your dictionary, and you’ll find that it refers to “a man who is amorously and gallantly attentive to women, a promiscuous man, a philanderer” (American Heritage Dictionary).  And the definition accurately summarizes the life of one Giovanni Jacopo Casanova de Seingalt, the son of an actor and actress in the 1800s.

It might be easier to list the roles in life Casanova didn’t play than the roles he did.  At various times in his seventy years, Casanova was a lawyer, seminary student, novitiate in the Catholic church, violinist, practitioner of cabalistic magic, Freemason, writer, prison escapee, state lottery manager, bond trade, entrepreneur, knight in the Papal Order of the Holy Spur, persona non grata in several countries and citied, publisher, and librarian.

Lest you think Casanova the proverbial Renaissance man who is to be lauded for his skills in all the liberal arts, think again.  His colorful life was the result of his chameleonlike propensity to redefine himself in order to endear himself (more accurately, ingratiate himself) to those who could sponsor him financially, especially wealthy women and church and government officials.  Europe was his stage as he moved from one love affair to another.

While appearing to be sincere, compassionate, loving, and committed, Casanova was, in reality, a man wearing a Pieta Mask.  His compassion was nothing but a front for a self-indulgent lifestyle.

David Jeremiah, Signs of Life, p. 220