The contrast between Lucrezia's weddings and Cesare's wedding always makes me want to cry. I think they're both romantics at heart. I think they both believe in the fairy tale of love and Lucrezia believes in the fairy tale of marriage, but both times she gets burned.
Yes, Cesare's marriage is political and not in any way driven by love. There will be no happy household in the end, but he gets to have what Lucrezia really wants- an easy connection, compatibility, great sex. The ceremony is simple, there is no festivity covering up unhappiness.
Meanwhile, Lucrezia's weddings both end in disaster. Her brother takes her to bed on both of her wedding nights (one more literally than the other). They are grand, lavish affairs where the decorations cover political scandal and deep hatred between warring factions.
The contrast highlights so well how Lucrezia is a prisoner of the Borgia family ambition. She is the most priceless jewel in the Vatican, but is permanently set in the clutches of her family, unable to get away. Her unhappy marriages end in bloodshed and she is still expected to participate in the spectacle.
On the other hand, Cesare fights to be free of Rodrigo's designs- mostly by embracing his darkness. Even Charlotte d'Albret isn't in Lucrezia's position, even though she is also a woman and is essentially sold into a political marriage. She is just not subject to the demands that Lucrezia is as the Pope's daughter, and later as Cesare's sister.
I really wish we could have seen in season four whether Lucrezia chooses to retain any of her innocence or whether she would have embraced her darkness to free herself from captivity like Cesare did.
Anyway, everytime I watch season 3 I think of the contrast in the weddings and Lucrezia's hopes for love being dashed amid splendor and lies, verses Cesare and Charlotte enjoying themselves in the knowledge that they will never be in love.
