(Capitolo 32) Promessi Sposi: Riassunto

Summary

In this video, Patrick Seri presents a detailed summary of Chapter 32 from 'I Promessi Sposi.' The chapter focuses on the devastating spread of the plague in Milan, as magistrates seek help from the city governor, Ambrogio Spinola, and Cardinal Borromeo. Despite resistance, a procession is organized in hopes of halting the epidemic, but it leads to a dramatic increase in deaths. The chapter highlights the widespread fear of 'untori' (plague spreaders), leading to mass hysteria, lynchings, and false accusations. As the situation worsens, the city's resources are stretched thin, and the devastating consequences of the plague unfold.

Takeaways

• 😀 The plague continues to spread in Milan, causing more and more victims, leading magistrates to seek help from the governor, Ambrogio Spinola, who is busy with the siege of Casale and does not take action.
• 😀 Cardinal Borromeo is asked to organize a procession with the relics of Saint Charles but refuses, fearing it might either cause public distrust or spread the plague further.
• 😀 The suspicion of 'untori' (plague spreaders) re-emerges, with people reporting sightings of stained walls and accusing others of spreading the disease, leading to several incidents of lynching.
• 😀 Two notable cases of lynching are reported: an elderly man mistaken for a 'untore' and three French boys wrongly accused of defiling the Duomo's walls.
• 😀 Despite Borromeo's initial rejection, he eventually agrees to organize the procession, though strict measures are put in place to limit contact between the public and outsiders.
• 😀 The procession is marked by eerie silence, with the plague victims remaining confined to their homes, while the procession winds through the city, with Borromeo and others in attendance.
• 😀 After the procession, the plague worsens, leading to an alarming increase in deaths, although the public attributes it to the spreaders of the plague rather than the mass gathering.
• 😀 As the plague reaches its peak, deaths soar, and the population of Milan decreases dramatically, from 250,000 to 60,000, with the narrator advising caution about the accuracy of these numbers.
• 😀 The magistrates face numerous challenges in managing the epidemic, including the need to replace lost officials and provide resources for the lazzaretto (plague hospital), as well as dealing with rampant corruption among the monatti (plague workers).
• 😀 Cardinal Borromeo is heavily involved in addressing the crisis, personally visiting the sick and supporting the efforts to manage the plague, despite personal risks and pressure to leave the city.
• 😀 The fear of 'untori' leads to widespread panic, with accusations and legends about their supposed activities circulating, even among educated individuals, though Borromeo himself remains skeptical of such theories.

Q & A

What role did Ambrogio Spinola play during the plague in Milan?

Ambrogio Spinola, the governor of Milan, was largely uninterested in addressing the plague as he prioritized the siege of Casale. He transferred the responsibility for dealing with the plague to the Gran Cancelliere, Antonio Ferreri.

Why did Cardinal Borromeo refuse to organize a procession with the relics of Saint Charles?

Cardinal Borromeo refused to organize the procession because he feared it would either result in failure, causing the people to lose faith in Saint Charles, or further spread the plague. He also worried that it could provide an opportunity for the so-called 'untori' (plague spreaders) to worsen the contagion.

How did the public respond to the increasing number of plague victims?

As the plague spread, the public became paranoid, with widespread suspicions of 'untori' or plague spreaders. This led to cases of lynching and accusations, often based on mere suspicion, such as the incidents involving an elderly man and three French visitors.

What were the effects of the procession on June 11, 1630?

The procession on June 11, 1630, did not prevent the plague from spreading. Although it was believed that the untori infiltrated the procession, the number of plague victims increased dramatically afterward, with the daily death toll reaching around 1,000 at the peak of the epidemic.

How did the plague affect Milan's population?

The population of Milan dramatically decreased due to the plague. It is estimated that the population dropped from 250,000 to 60,000 by the end of the epidemic, though the narrator cautions that these figures may not be entirely accurate.

What was the role of the monatti and apparitori during the plague?

The monatti were responsible for taking sick individuals to the lazzaretto (quarantine area) or burying the dead. Apparitori followed the monatti and rang bells to announce the arrival of the plague cart. These roles were often filled by individuals who saw the epidemic as an opportunity to profit.

How did the authorities try to manage the plague's spread in Milan?

The authorities tried to manage the plague by isolating infected individuals, limiting access to the city, and organizing processions. They also built new structures, like wooden huts and a second lazzaretto, to house the sick, though their efforts were hindered by a lack of resources.

What role did the ecclesiastics play during the plague?

Ecclesiastics played a critical role in managing the plague. Many priests, including Cardinal Borromeo, actively assisted the sick, visited the lazzaretto, and provided support to the afflicted. However, over 60 priests died while helping during the epidemic.

What crimes were associated with the plague, and who were the perpetrators?

Crimes during the plague were often committed by the monatti and apparitori, who were sometimes recruited from criminal backgrounds. They extorted money from healthy individuals, stole from the homes of the infected, and spread rumors to create fear and chaos.

What was the role of the so-called 'untori' and how did people react to them?

The 'untori' were believed to be individuals spreading the plague, often accused of using poisonous substances. The fear of untori led to widespread paranoia, with some people even accusing their own family members. The belief in untori was supported by the supposed confessions of infected individuals during their delirium, although there was no concrete evidence to support their existence.