I PROMESSI SPOSIWritten by Alessandro Manzoni

ALESSANDRO MANZONIAlessandro Manzoni was one of the most important Italian writers.He was born in 1785, in Milan.He was the nephew of Cesare Beccaria, the most important Italian Illuminist.His parents divorced when he was just a child.He frequented a religious school but when he was 16 he went to Paris with his mother.Here, he met his first wife Enrichetta Blondel.Manzoni was a very patriotic and religous man, his works speak about Italian indipendence and God.His most famous work is « I Promessi Sposi », an historical novel.

THE BACKGROUND

• The story is set during XVIIth century in Lombardia, when Spanish dominated in Italy.

• Europe was devastated by a long war and a lot of people died from the plague.

THE MAIN CHARACTERS« I PROMESSI SPOSI »

Lucia Mondella Renzo Tramaglino

Lucia’s the female protagonist.She’s very religous and she hates every

type of violence.She’s in love with Renzo and they’re

going to marry but don Rodrigo, fallen in love with Lucia, doesn’t want that.

Renzo’s the male protagonist.He’s a factory worker like Lucia, his

girl.When he discovers don Rodrigo’s plan

he wants to kill him but Lucia stops him.

Renzo is more impulsive than Lucia.

THE ANTAGONISTSDON RODRIGO

Don Rodrigo’s a Spanish noble who lives in Lombardia.He’s arrogant and presumptuous.He falls in love with Lucia, but she doesn’t return his love.So he decides to kidnap the girl and stops her marriage with Renzo.He doesn’t succeed.At the end he dies from the plague.He never repents for his bad actions.

THE ANTAGONISTSL’INNOMINATO

L’Innominato (Unnamed) is represented like a very evil man who killed and tortured a lot of people.Don Rodrigo calls l’Innominato to ask him to help him kidnap Lucia.He send his henchmen to kidnap the girl.They succed but when he sees Lucia, he changes and start to believe in God.At the end he doesn’t send Lucia to don Rodrigo but to her mother.He enters a convent.

THE ANTAGONISTSGERTRUDE, MONZA NUN

She became a nun against her will, because her parents wanted.In fact she has an affair with a Monza noble who supports don Rodrigo in his plan.When Lucia goes to Monza, Gertrude welcomes and protects her but after she betrays her.She sends Lucia in the kidnappers’ arms.

• The Bravi are the noble’s henchmen, they do the dirty work.

THE ANTAGONISTSI BRAVI

THE PRIEST AND THE FRIARDon Abbondio Fra’Cristoforo

Don Abbondio is the priest who should marry Renzo e Lucia.

Don Rodrigo’s bravi menace him, a day before the marraige.

So he refused to marry the two lovers.

Fra’ Crsitoforo’s a friar who helps Lucia with don Rodrigo.

He’s the first Lucia’s confidant.

He tries to convert don Rodrigo but he doesn’t

succeed.

MADE BY SABRINA BOSCHI