Summary
The Betrothed, originally published in Italian as I promessi sposi in 1827, is widely considered the most famous and influential novel in Italian literature. Written by Alessandro Manzoni, this historical novel is set in northern Italy in 1628 during the oppressive years of Spanish rule. It tells the story of two young lovers, Renzo and Lucia, whose plans to marry are thwarted by a tyrannical nobleman, setting off a series of dramatic events against the backdrop of war, famine, and plague.
The Betrothed is renowned for its vivid depictions of 17th century Italian life and its profound explorations of human nature, faith, and morality. Manzoni's work was groundbreaking in helping to establish the modern Italian language, and it remains required reading in Italian schools to this day. The novel's enduring themes of love, power, and justice continue to resonate with readers around the world nearly two centuries after its publication.
While less known internationally than some other European classics, The Betrothed has been adapted numerous times for opera, film, and television. One of the most famous adaptations was the 1941 Italian historical film directed by Mario Camerini, which brought Manzoni's epic tale to the big screen. The novel's cultural impact in Italy is difficult to overstate - many of its characters, quotations and expressions have become fixtures in the Italian language and popular imagination.
Plot
Set in 1628 in Lombardy, Italy, The Betrothed follows the story of Renzo and Lucia, two young peasants who wish to marry. However, the local baron Don Rodrigo has his eye on Lucia and forbids the village priest Don Abbondio from performing the ceremony. Renzo and Lucia are forced to flee their village separately - Lucia takes refuge in a convent while Renzo goes to Milan. Along the way, Renzo becomes embroiled in bread riots and is forced to flee to his cousin's village near Bergamo to escape arrest.
Meanwhile, Don Rodrigo enlists the help of a powerful criminal known as the Unnamed to kidnap Lucia from the convent. The Unnamed has a crisis of conscience after meeting Lucia and undergoes a spiritual conversion. He decides to help Lucia instead and returns her to her village under his protection. Don Rodrigo's power begins to wane as a result.
A devastating plague then sweeps through the region. Renzo recovers from the plague and returns to his native village to search for Lucia. He learns she is in a plague hospital in Milan and goes there to find her. Fra Cristoforo, a friar who has been helping the couple, reunites Renzo and Lucia at the hospital. He releases Lucia from a vow of celibacy she had made and allows them to marry.
In the end, Renzo and Lucia return to their village and are finally married by Don Abbondio. They make a fresh start by opening a silk mill near Bergamo. The novel concludes with the couple reflecting on the hardships they endured and the lessons they learned about faith and perseverance through difficult times.
Themes
Power and oppression under foreign rule
Faith and divine providence
Love and perseverance in the face of adversity
Social injustice and class divisions
Courage and moral strength versus cowardice
Redemption and spiritual transformation
Historical events shaping individual lives
Setting
Alessandro Manzoni's classic Italian novel The Betrothed is set in the early 17th century, specifically during the years 1628-1630. This was a tumultuous time in Italian history, marked by Spanish rule over much of the Italian peninsula, including Lombardy where the story takes place. The Thirty Years' War was also raging across Europe during this period, bringing famine, lawlessness, and exploitation to many regions.
The novel's action unfolds primarily in Lombardy, in northern Italy. Key locations include small villages near Lake Como, the city of Milan, and the surrounding countryside. The story begins in a rural village near Lecco on Lake Como, where the main characters Renzo and Lucia live. As events unfold, the characters are forced to flee to various other locales, including convents, castles, and the city of Milan itself.
Manzoni vividly depicts both rural and urban settings of 17th century Lombardy. The peaceful villages and serene lake contrast sharply with the chaos and desperation of plague-ridden Milan. The author's meticulous historical research allows him to paint a richly detailed picture of life during this era, from the power dynamics of Spanish rule to the devastation wrought by famine and disease. This authentic historical backdrop provides the canvas on which Manzoni's tale of love, faith, and perseverance unfolds.
Characters
Renzo Tramaglino: Young silk-weaver engaged to Lucia. Initially naive but becomes more worldly-wise as he faces many difficulties throughout the story. Renzo is hot-tempered but also gentle and honest. He is separated from Lucia, unjustly accused of being a criminal, and must overcome many obstacles to be reunited with his love.
Lucia Mondella: Kind, pious young woman engaged to Renzo. Shy and demure, Lucia is forced to flee her village to escape Don Rodrigo. She makes a vow of celibacy when in danger, complicating her relationship with Renzo. Lucia's strong faith and virtue are central to the story.
Don Abbondio: Cowardly parish priest who refuses to marry Renzo and Lucia after being threatened by Don Rodrigo's men. He provides much of the novel's comic relief through his moral mediocrity and self-serving nature. Don Abbondio reappears throughout the story, often reluctantly drawn into the main events.
Don Rodrigo: Main villain of the novel, a cruel Spanish nobleman who tries to prevent Renzo and Lucia's marriage. He threatens Don Abbondio and attempts to kidnap Lucia. Don Rodrigo represents the foreign oppression of Lombardy and abuses his power as a local baron.
Fra Cristoforo: Brave and generous Capuchin friar who helps Renzo and Lucia. He acts as a father figure and moral compass in the novel. Fra Cristoforo joined the order after killing a man in his youth, and his past informs his compassion for others.
L'Innominato (The Unnamed): Powerful criminal who undergoes a crisis of conscience and conversion. Based on a historical figure, he is torn between his violent past and growing disgust with his life of crime. L'Innominato's redemption is a pivotal moment in the novel.
Agnese Mondella: Lucia's mother. Good-hearted and wise but often indiscreet, she plays a key role in advising and supporting the young couple.
Cardinal Federigo Borromeo: Virtuous and zealous cardinal based on the historical figure. He plays an important role in L'Innominato's conversion and in helping the main characters.
Gertrude (The Nun of Monza): Tragic figure forced to become a nun against her will. She befriends Lucia but is involved in dark deeds due to her frustrated and bitter nature.
Perpetua: Don Abbondio's outspoken and loyal servant. She often provides comic relief through her interactions with the priest.
Quick facts
It is considered the most famous and widely read novel in the Italian language.
Manzoni spent over 20 years writing and revising the novel, publishing the final version in 1842.
The novel is set in Lombardy, Italy in 1628 during the time of Spanish rule.
It contains a vivid description of the plague that struck Milan around 1630.
Manzoni based parts of the novel on a 1627 Italian edict about marriage and on historical chronicles.
The character of the Nun of Monza was based on a real historical figure named Marianna de Leyva.
Pope Francis has recommended that engaged couples read the novel before marriage.
It has been adapted into several films and TV series in Italy.
Manzoni revised the language of the novel to use more standard Tuscan Italian rather than Lombard dialect.
Many quotes and expressions from the novel are still commonly used in Italian today.
About the Author
Alessandro Manzoni, born in 1785 in Milan, was a towering figure in Italian literature. Though initially considered a slow learner, he developed a passion for poetry in his teens. Manzoni's early years were marked by freethinking and Voltairism, influenced by his time in Paris among the “ideologues” - 18th-century philosophers who shaped his liberal views.
A profound religious conversion in 1810, following his wife's embrace of Catholicism, dramatically altered Manzoni's worldview. This spiritual awakening inspired him to write sacred lyrics and a treatise on Catholic morality. Despite personal tragedies, including the loss of his paternal inheritance and the deaths of several family members, Manzoni's literary output flourished during this period.
Manzoni's magnum opus, The Betrothed (1827), cemented his place in world literature. This historical novel, set in 17th-century Lombardy, is renowned for its vivid characters and insightful portrayal of human nature. It also played a crucial role in the development of a unified Italian language, becoming a symbol of the Risorgimento movement for Italian unification.
Beyond his literary achievements, Manzoni was a liberal thinker with a keen interest in economics. His understanding of economic principles is evident in The Betrothed, particularly in his depiction of the Lombardy famine. Manzoni's influence extended beyond his lifetime, with his work continuing to be celebrated in various forms, including Verdi's Requiem composed in his honor.
