The Betrothed : From the Italian of Alessandro Manzoni

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Manzoni, Alessandro, 1785-1873

Standardized Title:

I promessi sposi. English

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The Betrothed" by Alessandro Manzoni is a historical novel written in the early 19th century. The narrative centers on two lovers, Renzo Tramaglino and Lucia Mondella, who become entangled in a web of social and personal conflicts that threaten their betrothal. Against the backdrop of 17th-century Italy, the story explores themes of love, tyranny, faith, and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals in a corrupt society. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Don Abbondio, a timid and cowardly curate who is confronted by two intimidating bravoes. They threaten him to prevent the marriage of Renzo and Lucia, revealing the dangerous power dynamics in their society. The narrative provides rich descriptions of the setting around Lake Como and highlights Don Abbondio's internal fears and helplessness in the face of external threats. As he seeks solace in his home, the stage is set for the struggles that Renzo and Lucia will face as they attempt to navigate love amidst societal corruption and oppression. The opening lays a foundation for the dramatic developments to come, establishing a sense of urgency and the complexities of human relations in a turbulent historical context. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Emanuela Piasentini, Barbara Magni, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries (http://www.archive.org/details/toronto)

Notes:

Reading ease score: 65.9 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.

Release date is 2011-02-03