This article accompanies the fable
The Whore's Revenge


Punch and Judy Shows

The physical fights between Casanova and La Charpillon resemble Punch and Judy shows. Mister Punch possibly is derived from Pulcinella, a stock character in the fabulous Italian commedia dell'arte that Casanova knew well. I love the Wikipedia description of him (it seems to have been elevated to a Wiki Classic quote and it has been much fought over):

"The stereotypical view of Punch casts him as a deformed, child-murdering, wife-beating psychopath who commits appalling acts of violence and cruelty upon all those around him and escapes scot-free – this is greatly enjoyed by small children."

Below you can see him beating up Judy.