History Literature / TheBetrothed

''The Betrothed'' (in Italian ''I promessi sposi'') is an Italian historical novel by Alessandro Manzoni (1785 - 1873). It has been called the most famous and widely read novel of the Italian language.

%%* EarnYourHappyEnding

The novel is very important for the development of the modern Italian language as it's spoken by the masses, as Manzoni felt the necessity of the unification of the land (Italy as a country would not exist until 1861) and deemed necessary to help establish a simple, elegant, clear form of the Italian langue which had no ties to the very numerous regional dialects, but could be read and spoken everywhere in the peninsula. Manzoni made basically the same linguistic choice Dante Alighieri did with the Divina Commedia (''Literature/TheDivineComedy'') in 1300: he picked the Florentine version of the language (not the over-complex written "official" one, though, but rather the common-spoken "vulgar" Florentine Italian) despite him not being Tuscanian, an operation which he himself described as "washing clothes in the river Arno".

* TheDreaded: The Unnamed, so feared that nobody, not even the narrator, dared to pronounce his name, even after his HeelFaceTurn

* HeelFaceTurn: The Unnamed: [[TheDreaded a lord and brigand so scary that not even the narrator dares to pronounce his name]] and with an uncompromising personality, the meeting with Lucia causes him a spiritual crisis that [[DrivenToSuicide nearly has him commit suicide]], and the encounter with Federico Borromeo completes his turn to good.

The novel is very important for the development of the modern Italian language as it's spoken by the masses, as Manzoni felt the necessity of the unification of the land (Italy as a country would not exist until 1861) and deemed necessary to help enstablish a simple, elegant, clear form of the Italian langue which had no ties to the very numerous regional dialects, but could be read and spoken everywhere in the peninsula. Manzoni made basically the same linguistic choice Dante Alighieri did with the Divina Commedia (the Divine Comedy) in 1300: he picked the Florentine version of the language (not the over-complex written "official" one, though, but rather the common-spoken "vulgar" Florentine Italian) despite him not being Tuscanian, an operation which he himself described as "washing clothes in the river Arno".

* VowOfCelibacy: The setting being the very Catholic Italy of the XVII century, several characters have taken one. Most relevant in the cases of [[spoiler:Lucia, who vows to the Virgin Mary that she will remain a virgin if she's saved from a threat]] and [[spoiler:Gertrude, who breaks her vow with a local nobleman]].

First published in 1827, the definitive edition dates 1842, the novel is set in northern Italy during the years 1628 - 1630 and narrates the adventures of a peasant couple (Renzo and Lucia) which tries to get married against the wish of a local nobleman. From there a variety of problems ensues [[spoiler: which are solved at the end]]. The novel is known for its extreme historical accuracy (which stemmed from an almost obsessive research by the author in first-hand documents of the era), its cast of memorable characters and diverse interpretations and possibilities of meaning (Christian allegory, social commentary etc).

The Betrothed (in Italian ''I promessi sposi'') is an Italian historical novel by Alessandro Manzoni (1785 - 1873). It has been called the most famous and widely read novel of the Italian language.

First published in 1827, the definitive edition dates 1842, the novel is set in northern Italy during the years 1628 - 1630 and narrates the adventures of a paesant couple (Renzo and Lucia) which tries to get married against the wish of a local nobleman. From there a variety of problems ensues [[spoiler: which are solved at the end]]. The novel is known for its extreme historical accuracy (which stemmed from an almost obsessive research by the author in first-hand documents of the era), its cast of memorable characters and diverse interpretations and possibilities of meaning (christian allegory, social commentary etc).

Administrivia/NeedsABetterDescription

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* EarnYourHappyEnding

* VowOfCelibacy: The setting being the very Catholic Italy of the XVII century, several characters have taken one. Most relevant in the cases of [[spoiler:Lucia, who vows to the Virgin Mary that she will remain a virgin if she's saved from a threat]] and [[spoiler:Gertrude, who breaks her vow with a local nobleman]].

* DarkAndTroubledPast: the Nun of Monza has one: her parents were distant and abusive and forced her to become a nun so that they wouldn't had to pay for her dowry. She felt isolated amd trapped in a life she didn't want, and so she ended up [[spoiler: breaking her vow of celibacy with a local nobleman and helping him murder a nun who knew about them.]] The story of the real-life Nun of Monza is even more sordid.

* DarkAndTroubledPast: the Nun of Monza has one, starting with distant and abusive parents and ending with her [[spoiler:being accomplice in a murder]] around a year before the beginning of the story.

* DarkAndTroubledPast: the Nun of Monza has one, which starts with distant and abusive parents and ends with her [[spoiler:being accomplice in a murder]] around a year before we know her.

* HotBlooded: Renzo, despite being a good guy, often acts impulsive and has a desire to take action and vengeance. Brother Cristoforo was like this in his youth as well, and sometimes it's still evident.

* PlainJane: Lucia is a type 2, attracting Renzo for her personality and don Rodrigo because she's a near-impossible conquest, rather than for her looks. Lampshaded by some people that after hearing her story were expecting to meet someone much more beautiful.

* VowOfCelibacy: The setting being the very Catholic Italy of the XVII century, several characters have taken one. Most relevant in the cases of [[spoiler:Lucia, who swears to remain a virgin if she's saved from a threat]] and [[spoiler:Gertrude, who breaks her vow with a local nobleman]].

* NoNameGiven: [[ExactlyWhatItSaysontheTin The Unnamed]].

* LoopholeAbuse: By canonical law the priest was only a witness of the wedding, and as long as the couple declared themselves man and wife in his presence and that of two other witnesses the wedding was perfectly valid. Had don Abbondio not interrupted Lucia before she could complete her declaration and then ran, the story would have ended early.