The novel hinges on Bento's uncontrollable paranoia over his wife's fidelity. This irrational fear relates primarily to Capitu's relationship with Benito's best friend, Escobar, during his life and after his death. He also suspects her when she even looks at other men.
Escobar's help in passing notes between them during...
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their courtship is one item of "evidence" because they were alone together.
After Escobar dies, Capitu mourns their friend. Bento interprets her grief as evidence that she had loved him. He can only believe that this was romantic love, with a sexual component.
To Bento's mind, the worst thing is his suspicion that Escobar fathered their son. As the boy grows, Bento becomes increasingly convinced that his child looks like Escobar, rather than him.