I+Promessi+Sposi

INTRODUCTION "I Promessi Sposi", a work by Alessandro Manzoni, is a historical novel and it is considered one of the masterpieces of the Italian literature. The first edition of the work was published in 1821 and entitled "Fermo e Lucia". Moreover, it dealt with characters and tales different from the final edition and the author decided to write it using a mixture of languages and dialects (Lombard, Tuscan, French and also Latin). The second edition (the so-called "Ventisettana") of the novel was published in 1827 with the title "I Promessi Sposi" and it had a lot of success. But Manzoni was not satisfied of the result, because the language of the work was too much linked with his lombard origins. So, he went to Florence to make a further editing of his novel, adopting the florentine model. Furthermore, Manzoni published, between the 1840 and the 1842, the last edition of his novel (the so-called "Quarantana"), the most known one.

PLOT This is the story of two peasants, Renzo Tramaglino e Lucia Mondella, who live in a village near Lecco (in the North of Italy) and who have to get married. In the meanwhile, Don Abbondio, the clergyman of the village, is threatened by two "bravi" (malefactors sent by Don Rodrigo, a powerful Lord of the village), in order to not celebrate the marriage between Renzo e Lucia. So, Don Abbondio, scared, tells to the couple that their wedding will be postponed; but Renzo, talking with Perpetua, the servant of the clergyman, immediately understands that something is going wrong and obliges Don Abbondio to tell him the real problem. Then, having understood the situation, the couple, helped by the suggestions of Agnese, Lucia's mother, decide to address themselves to a lawyer who, nevertheless, reveals himself as a supporter of Don Rodrigo's intentions. Thereafter, Renzo and Lucia ask for help to Father Cristoforo, friar in a nearby convent, who decides to face Don Rodrigo, going to his palace... An absorbing and charming novel by one of the most important authors of the Italian literature. Recommended.