(Capitolo 9) Promessi sposi: Analisi

Summary

In this video, Patrick Sharif explores Chapter 9 of 'The Betrothed' in six key points. He begins by discussing the city of Monza, revealing its significance to the story and its real historical inspiration. The monastic figure, Gertrude, is compared to the real-life Marianna de Leyva, highlighting her tragic story. Manzoni's portrayal of Gertrude blends both physical and emotional characteristics, showing her pride and inner turmoil. The analysis continues with a critique of the primogeniture law and its effects, followed by insights into minor characters, such as the humble barcaiolo and the gossiping la faccetta. The video invites further discussion and interaction.

Takeaways

• 😀 The city of Monza is central to the story, but its name was not initially revealed due to the connection with a powerful family. It was later identified thanks to historian Giuseppe Ripamonti.
• 😀 The character of the nun of Monza is based on a real historical figure, Marianna de Leyva, who was forced into a convent due to her noble family's pressure to maintain their wealth.
• 😀 Marianna, who took the monastic name of Suor Virginia, had an illicit affair with a man named Paolo Osio, leading to multiple murders to cover it up, and eventually her being walled up in a room for 14 years.
• 😀 Manzoni describes Gertrude (the nun of Monza) physically as a once-beautiful woman whose appearance has deteriorated, reflecting both her inner pride and her troubled life.
• 😀 Gertrude's pride is evident in her decision to embrace monastic life, choosing honor over personal freedom, despite the internal conflicts that come with this decision.
• 😀 In the context of Gertrude’s affair, Manzoni critiques the aristocratic norm that forbade noble women from having relationships with men of lower social classes, showcasing Gertrude's struggle with shame and remorse.
• 😀 Manzoni condemns the ancient law of primogeniture, which granted inheritance rights solely to the firstborn son, seeing it as a violation of the sacred family institution.
• 😀 The minor characters such as Father Guardiano, who lacks moral strength and courage, and Fra Cristoforo's disciples, play important roles, showing various facets of society and morality.
• 😀 The barge-man and cart-driver refuse money from Renzo, highlighting their belief in selflessness and helping others without seeking financial reward.
• 😀 The character of La Fattore serves as a gossiping figure, curious about the lives of Lucia and Agnese, showing the role of rumors in the community.
• 😀 The script encourages interaction through comments or joining a Facebook group, with a reminder to subscribe to the channel for more updates.

Q & A

Why did Manzoni choose not to reveal the name of the city where Lucia and Agnese are located?

Manzoni chose not to reveal the name of the city to avoid linking the events of Lucia's life with the powerful family of a character involved. However, it is later revealed that the city is Monza, which was confirmed by a Milanese historian, Giuseppe Ripamonti.

What is the historical inspiration behind the character of the Nun of Monza?

The character of the Nun of Monza is based on a real event involving the noble Spanish family De Leyva. The real-life figure, Marianna De Leyva, was forced into a convent by her father, Don Martino, to preserve the family’s wealth. She later became known as Suor Virginia.

How does Manzoni describe the physical appearance of the Nun of Monza?

Manzoni describes the Nun of Monza as having a certain beauty, but one that is faded and almost disfigured. Her forehead is white but wrinkled, and her eyes are dark, revealing a mix of pride and pity. These physical features reflect her troubled inner life.

What role does pride play in Gertrude’s (the Nun of Monza) decision to enter the convent?

Gertrude's decision to enter the convent is driven by pride. She sacrifices her personal freedom to uphold her noble family's honor, as she cannot renounce the privileges of her social class. Her pride ultimately leads her to live a life of torment.

How does Manzoni portray Gertrude's inner conflict regarding her romantic relationship?

Manzoni shows Gertrude’s inner conflict through her feelings of shame and remorse when a servant discovers her love letter. During that time, it was forbidden for women of noble lineage to have relationships with men from lower social classes, further emphasizing her guilt.

What does the law of primogeniture represent in the story, and how does Manzoni critique it?

The law of primogeniture, which gave the firstborn son the right to inherit all of the family’s wealth, is criticized by Manzoni in the story. He sees it as a violation of the sacred institution of the family and uses the story of the Nun of Monza to highlight its negative impact.

How does Manzoni depict the minor character of the Father Guardian in the story?

The Father Guardian is portrayed as lacking moral integrity and charisma. Unlike Fra Cristoforo, he is fearful of gossip and adopts a servile attitude toward the powerful, further highlighting his moral shortcomings.

What is the significance of the characters like the barcaiolo (boatman) and barrocciaio (cart driver) in the story?

The barcaiolo and barrocciaio are portrayed as characters who, despite being in humble positions, refuse monetary compensation for their help. They exemplify the values of helping others without expecting rewards, which contrasts with the selfish attitudes of higher social classes.

How does the character of Lazzaro add to the narrative in terms of curiosity and gossip?

Lazzaro is depicted as a curious and gossip-driven character who constantly questions Lucia and Agnese. His role emphasizes the spread of rumors and how gossip can influence perceptions of others in the story.

What can we learn about Manzoni’s view of society and its moral values from the story?

From the story, Manzoni critiques the moral and social systems of his time. Through characters like the Nun of Monza and others, he explores themes such as the consequences of pride, the unjust legal systems, and the importance of integrity and charity in society.