by Yong Soo Heong
If you find yourself caught up in a romantic entanglement, beware if your partner dons a pair of sunglasses reminiscent of the legendary spy’s style. Just like in the films featuring the iconic and fictional British MI6 Agent, these sunglasses could be equipped with hidden recording devices, capturing every word and action.
This cautionary note is underscored by the recent experience of a former Italian Minister of Culture. The ex-minister found himself in a precarious situation when his relationship with a former wedding planner ended poorly. His former lover, who could have rivalled James Bond 007 in resourcefulness, used her knowledge and access to expose their affair.
The situation serves as a real-life reminder of the adage from William Congreve’s 1697 play The Mourning Bride: “Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.” This phrase highlights the intense and often vindictive anger that can follow betrayal, especially in romantic relationships.
The ex-minister, certainly a Baby Boomer in his early 60s and not of Gen X,Y or Z, underestimated the repercussions of his actions and power of social media. Despite his previous warnings to his former lover about exposing their affair, she turned the tables with social media, particularly Instagram. She posted embarrassing details and photos of their relationship, which included official events and sensitive documents.
When he was in power, he even warned his former girlfriend about exposing their affair by saying: “I am the minister, I am a man, I represent an institution and in the future no one will believe what you say.”
But her revelations were a significant blow. She even shared audio and video recordings captured by her smart sunglasses during preparations for an upcoming high-profile G7 cultural conference in Italy.
Faced with such undeniable evidence, the politician had no choice but to resign from Giorgia Meloni’s government and make a tearful confession on television, which his former lover commented on with a triumphant “It made me smile.”
So, do remember: “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” is not just a saying but a warning. The wrath of someone who feels deeply wronged can be relentless and severe. The former wedding planner demonstrated just how cutting that fury can be.
WE