Prosper Merimee's Carmen was first published in 1845 and adapted by Georges Bizet into a world famous musical opera. Merimee got the inspiration to write this novella after he heard a story from Countess of Montijo about "a ruffian from Malaga who had killed his mistress". As Merimee was determined to make his heroine a gypsy, he got his materials on Roma gypsies from George Borrow's book The Zincali. The novella is written as if Merimee himself was present when the incidents occurred.
Carmen, is about an unfaithful gypsy girl and her dalliances with love. Jose Lizarrabengoa, a Basque hidalgo from Navarre killed a man while fighting with him and fled. In Seville, he became a soldier after joining a unit of dragoons. Carmen, the gypsy girl worked in a cigar factory cut her co worker's face and Don Jose arrested her. But Carmen escaped, after arousing sympathy in him by telling him that she was half Basque. Don Jose was demoted.
He met Carmen again when she was keeping company with the smugglers. For the love of Carmen, Don Jose joins the band of smugglers and finds out that Carmen was incapable of love and affection, she was most happy changing her lovers and on top of all these she was married. Don Jose was insanely jealous and in a fit of pique killed her husband.
Destroyed in love, he was destined for the gallows. To know more on the pathetic consequences of Don Jose's love for Carmen, please visit My Dear Valentine .
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