(Capitolo 12) Promessi Sposi: Riassunto

Summary

In this video, Patrick Scenic offers a detailed summary of Chapter 12 from 'I Promessi Sposi,' where Renzo arrives in Milan, and the story intensifies. He explains the devastating famine of 1628, caused by poor harvests, war, and rising bread prices. The citizens' growing anger leads to riots, with protests against the government and bakers. Renzo becomes involved in the chaos, witnessing the violence and frustration of the crowd as they destroy bakeries and target the Vicario di Provvisione. The chapter concludes with the crowd moving towards the Vicario’s house, escalating the tension.

Takeaways

• 😀 Renzo arrives in Milan in chapter 12 of *I Promessi Sposi*, marking a turning point in the story as the situation becomes more complicated.
• 😀 The book offers a quick, detailed overview of each chapter of *I Promessi Sposi*, summarizing the key events, emotions, and narrative techniques used.
• 😀 In 1627, a poor harvest did not cause immediate suffering because of previous grain reserves, but in 1628, another poor harvest combined with the war worsened the food shortage.
• 😀 The war in Mantua and Monferrato contributed to the worsening conditions by destroying crops and forcing grain to support the army, further depleting the food supply.
• 😀 With grain prices soaring, the population began to resent bakers, accusing them of hoarding grain and inflating prices for profit.
• 😀 The Spanish governor of Milan, Don Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, was absent, and his deputy, Antonio Ferreri, imposed price controls on grain to appease the public, which led to baker protests.
• 😀 A commission of magistrates, after receiving complaints from bakers, raised the price of bread, further escalating tensions among the people.
• 😀 On November 10, 1628, small groups of people began protesting in the streets, and the next day the unrest grew, with many showing violent tendencies.
• 😀 The protesters targeted bakers and their goods, attacking and robbing them. As the violence escalated, they turned to the Grucce bakery, where a confrontation led to casualties.
• 😀 Renzo joins the crowd and is exposed to various rumors and conspiracy theories about the bread crisis, including suspicions of poisoned bread and undercover police agents in the crowd.
• 😀 At the Grucce bakery, Renzo witnesses the destruction and realizes that further violence against the bakeries won't solve the bread shortage. The crowd then moves to attack the home of the Vicario di Provvisione, leading to a tense standoff.

Q & A

What event does Renzo arrive at in Milan in Chapter 12 of 'I Promessi Sposi'?

Renzo arrives in Milan amid a worsening famine, and the story begins to complicate as tensions rise due to food shortages and political unrest.

What caused the famine in the year 1628 as described in the script?

The famine was caused by a poor harvest in 1627, compounded by a lack of provisions from previous years and the ongoing war in Mantua and Monferrato, which damaged crops and disrupted food production.

How did the Spanish authorities respond to the rising tensions over food prices?

The Spanish authorities, under Gran Cancelliere Antonio Ferreri, imposed a price cap on grain and bread, which pleased the people but caused distress among the bakers who feared economic collapse.

What actions did the bakers take in response to the price cap imposed by the authorities?

The bakers protested and threatened to strike, leading to the creation of a commission by Don Gonzalo to address the situation, which ultimately resulted in an increase in bread prices.

What triggered the riots in Milan in November 1628?

The riots were triggered by the increase in bread prices after the Spanish authorities raised the price of bread to reflect market conditions, causing widespread frustration and anger among the population.

How did the people react to the increase in bread prices?

The people were furious and began to form spontaneous groups in the streets, leading to violent protests, looting, and attacks on bakeries and other food establishments.

What role did Renzo play in the riots described in the transcript?

Renzo joined the mob heading towards the Grucce bakery, where he witnessed the destruction and violence, feeling conflicted about the destruction of the bakeries but continuing to follow the crowd.

What did Renzo think about the destruction of the bakeries?

Renzo was concerned that if all the bakeries were destroyed, there would be no way to bake bread, further exacerbating the food crisis.

What does the narrator, Manzoni, imply about the effectiveness of the riots in solving the food crisis?

Manzoni uses irony to suggest that destroying the bakeries will not solve the famine or the bread shortage. The riots only serve to escalate the situation without providing any real solution.

What event happens towards the end of the chapter that further fuels the riots?

At the end of the chapter, the mob moves toward the house of the Vicario di Provvisione, planning to attack him, believing he is responsible for the food shortage and the higher bread prices.