Philippine Literature

Here is the summary of Florante at Laura for stanzas or saknong 374 until 392. You’ll also find here a vocabulary builder (talasalitaan).

In this section, you’ll hear the side of Laura (nagwika si Laura).

Here are the various stanzas…

Stanza 374 – The three (Florante, Aladin, Flerida) happily listened to the story of Laura’s life.

Stanza 375 – Laura addresses Florante and narrates to him that not long after he left the kingdom of Albania, whispers of a growing disturbance reached the palace.

Stanza 376 – But people were having a hard time understanding the problem, similar to a doctor trying to figure out the cause and location of an illness.

Stanza 377 – Soon the kingdom was surrounded by armed soldiers.

Stanza 378 – People were shouting, screaming that King Linceo be put to death for starving the people.

Stanza 379 – All this was done by Adolfo, who blinded the people and fooled them into thinking the trouble was caused by the king.

Stanza 380 – King Linceo was soon dragged from his throne, and beheaded.

Stanza 381 – Even those who were loyal to King Linceo were decapitated. The executions did not stop until all the loyal ones were wiped out.

Stanza 382 – Count Adolfo ascended to the throne, and threatened Laura with death, if she will not accept his offer of love.

Stanza 383 – Laura played along, so that she could have enough time to seek revenge, and to get the word out to Florante in Etolia.

Stanza 384 – Laura asked for 5 months, before she will fully accept Adolfo. But she promised herself that if Florante does not rescue her in time, then she will just take her own life.

Stanza 385 – Laura has a letter sent to Florante, and in less than a month Florante returns to Albania (only to be captured by Adolfo).

Stanza 386 – Adolfo was worried that Florante would return with a huge army, so he sends Florante a letter “signed” by King Linceo urging him to come home alone.

Stanza 387 – When Laura learns of this, she decides to end her own life. But before that could happen, Menandro’s army arrives and surrounds the kingdom of Albania.

Stanza 388 – Laura is guessing that her letter for Florante may have been read by Menandro, which explains why Menandro was like a hungry wolf upon arriving at Albania.

Stanza 389 – Seeing the hopeless/winless situation, Adolfo and his allies flee at night, bringing Laura (who’s tied to a horse).

Stanza 390 – In the forest, Adolfo tries to take advantage of Laura, but he is pierced by someone’s arrow.

Stanza 391 – Flerida narrates how she heard the cries of a woman, and how this moved her to take action.

Stanza 392 – Flerida eventually finds Laura, and sees Adolfo trying to force himself on her. So Flerida shoots him with her arrow.

Florante at Laura Tagalog Notes

» Talasalitaan para sa Saknong 374 – 392 (PDF)

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