(Capitolo 36) Promessi Sposi: Riassunto

Summary

In this video, Patrick Zeni provides a detailed analysis of Chapter 36 of *I Promessi Sposi*. Renzo, after surviving the plague, searches for Lucia among the procession of the healed, but doesn't find her immediately. After an emotional encounter with Lucia, he learns that their vow to the Madonna doesn't hold because it brings harm to others. With Frà Cristoforo's help, the vow is annulled, and they are one step closer to being together. The chapter emphasizes themes of faith, redemption, and the complexity of promises in the face of adversity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Renzo is worried about Lucia and Don Rodrigo as he attends the procession of the healed individuals.
• 😀 Father Felice delivers a sermon, urging the healed to be thankful and humble, as many are still suffering from the plague.
• 😀 Renzo, while watching the procession, looks for Lucia but cannot find her, so he decides to search the women's quarter.
• 😀 Renzo, pretending to be a 'monatto,' sneaks into the women's quarter to find Lucia, discovering the dire conditions of the sick.
• 😀 Renzo finds Lucia assisting another woman and is relieved to see her alive, but she expresses pain at his presence due to the vow she made.
• 😀 Lucia refuses to break the vow she made, despite Renzo's insistence, as it contradicts their earlier marriage promise.
• 😀 Renzo reveals that he has forgiven Don Rodrigo and expresses his hope for their reunion as a sign of salvation.
• 😀 Lucia insists on not reconciling with Renzo, asking him to leave and to inform her mother, Agnese, that she is safe.
• 😀 Father Cristoforo, hearing of the vow, explains to Lucia that ecclesiastical authorities can annul vows made under special circumstances.
• 😀 After Renzo and Lucia receive absolution, Father Cristoforo gives them a box containing the 'bread of forgiveness,' urging them to teach their children forgiveness in the future.

Q & A

What is Renzo’s primary concern at the beginning of the scene?

Renzo is primarily concerned about Lucia’s safety and is also worried about the fate of Don Rodrigo. He is anxiously searching for her during the procession of the healed patients.

What does Father Felice emphasize in his sermon to the healed patients?

Father Felice emphasizes gratitude to God for healing the patients and urges them not to display excessive joy in public, as many are still suffering. He advises them to begin a new life marked by mercy and Christian charity.

What is Renzo’s emotional reaction when he hears Father Felice’s speech?

Renzo is deeply moved by Father Felice’s sermon. He feels a sense of compassion and hope, though his main focus is still finding Lucia.

Why does Renzo pretend to be a 'monatto' (plague worker)?

Renzo pretends to be a 'monatto' by tying a bell to his foot to blend in and gain easier access to the female quarantine area, hoping to find Lucia more freely.

How does Renzo eventually find Lucia?

Renzo finds Lucia after hearing her voice while trying to remove the bell from his foot. He rushes into a nearby hut where he finds Lucia taking care of a sick woman.

What is Lucia’s reaction when she sees Renzo?

Lucia is shocked and surprised upon seeing Renzo. Although happy to see him, she is also filled with emotional conflict due to their complicated situation, particularly around the vow she made.

What does Renzo tell Lucia about the vow she made?

Renzo tells Lucia that the vow she made is not valid, as it contradicts the promise they made to marry each other. He argues that the Madonna would not want them to be separated, and he suggests naming their first daughter Maria as a sign of devotion.

How does Lucia react to Renzo’s insistence on breaking the vow?

Lucia protests strongly against Renzo’s insistence, reminding him of the difficult circumstances under which she made the vow. She asks him to leave and to inform Agnese that she is fine.

What role does Father Cristoforo play in resolving the situation?

Father Cristoforo plays a crucial role in resolving the conflict around the vow. He explains that, under certain circumstances, ecclesiastical authorities can dissolve vows. He helps Lucia overcome her fear of committing a sacrilege and allows her to marry Renzo by dissolving the vow.

What symbolic gesture does Father Cristoforo perform at the end of the scene?

At the end of the scene, Father Cristoforo gives Renzo and Lucia a wooden box containing the 'bread of forgiveness.' He urges them to preserve it and use it to teach their future children the importance of forgiveness and love.