(Capitolo 11) Promessi Sposi: Riassunto

Summary

In this video, Patrick Seri provides a detailed summary of Chapter 11 of *I Promessi Sposi*. Don Rodrigo is anxious after his failed attempt to kidnap Lucia, and his cousin Attilio plans to seek revenge with the help of powerful allies. Meanwhile, Renzo heads to Milan, where he encounters a city in turmoil due to a flour riot. Despite his curiosity, Renzo seeks refuge in a convent. The chapter ends with anticipation of the next, which will explain the origins of the riot. For a deeper analysis, viewers are encouraged to check out the video analysis of the chapter.

Takeaways

• 😀 Don Rodrigo is anxious about the failed abduction of Lucia and seeks to find a solution with his cousin, Attilio.
• 😀 Attilio, offended by the failure, plans to seek help from Count Zio, a powerful figure in Milan, to restore family honor.
• 😀 The village is in turmoil after the disappearance of three people and the failed kidnapping attempt. Various rumors circulate.
• 😀 The Griso reports to Don Rodrigo that Lucia and Renzo tried to marry secretly and have fled to Pescarenico. Later, Lucia and Agnese escape to Monza.
• 😀 Don Rodrigo begins to strategize a new plan, including sending the Griso to Monza to gather more information about the women.
• 😀 The Griso hesitates to go to Monza due to a lack of protection, but eventually agrees after Don Rodrigo insults him.
• 😀 Don Rodrigo contemplates banishing Renzo from the village as an outlaw and seeks legal advice from Azzeccagarbugli.
• 😀 Manzoni makes a literary digression, comparing his approach to narrating the story with a child who succeeds after repeated failures.
• 😀 Renzo, now in Milan, observes signs of a city in revolt, including flour-filled streets and riots. Despite his curiosity, he tries to avoid trouble.
• 😀 The chapter ends with a teaser about the causes of the popular revolt, which will be explored in the next chapter of the story.

Q & A

What is the significance of Don Rodrigo's anxiety in the beginning of the chapter?

Don Rodrigo is anxious because he fears being discovered after his failed attempt to abduct Lucia. This tension highlights his vulnerability and foreshadows the conflicts that will unfold in the chapter.

How does Don Rodrigo react to the failure of the abduction plan?

Don Rodrigo becomes furious upon learning from the Griso that the abduction of Lucia has failed. This reaction reflects his frustration and the escalating danger he faces as his plans begin to unravel.

What role does Attilio play in the story at the start of the chapter?

Attilio, Don Rodrigo's cousin, reminds him about the impending deadline for the bet and expresses his anger over the failure of the abduction attempt. Attilio is motivated by a sense of family honor and promises to take action to resolve the situation.

What does Attilio plan to do after hearing about the abduction's failure?

Attilio plans to seek help from the powerful Conte Zio, a member of the secret council in Milan, to address the failure and restore the family’s honor.

What is the mood in the village after the disappearance of Lucia and the events of the previous night?

The village is in turmoil, with rumors and gossip spreading about the disappearance of three people and the failed abduction. The secrecy surrounding these events creates a tense atmosphere among the villagers.

How does Renzo feel as he arrives in Milan?

Renzo feels a mix of emotions. He is struck by the sight of the Duomo, but a sense of sadness overtakes him when he looks back at the distant Resegone mountain, symbolizing his separation from his home and his troubled journey ahead.

What does Renzo observe in Milan that indicates social unrest?

Renzo notices long lines of flour and people in a state of agitation, which leads him to realize that the city is in the midst of a riot, likely caused by food shortages. This sight suggests that the population is increasingly discontented and that a revolt is brewing.

How does Renzo react to the unrest in Milan?

Despite feeling a sense of satisfaction at the chaos, Renzo chooses to avoid involvement in the riot. He decides to seek refuge at a Capuchin convent, demonstrating his desire to stay out of trouble and focus on his own concerns.

What is Renzo's initial interaction with the Capuchin monk at the convent?

Renzo is informed by the friar at the convent that Father Bonaventura is not present. The friar suggests that Renzo wait for him in the church, but Renzo’s curiosity leads him to leave the convent and investigate the tumult outside.

How does the chapter end, and what is the significance of the narrator's digression?

The chapter ends with an anticipation of the causes and origins of the popular revolt in Milan. The narrator’s digression about a child learning to handle a task step by step serves as a metaphor for Renzo's own journey, implying that despite setbacks, progress can still be made through persistence.