Characters Discussed
Florio
Florio (FLOH-ree-oh), a gentleman of Parma, the devoted father of Giovanni and Annabella. Concerned about his son’s “over-bookish” habits, he places his hope in his beloved daughter and leaves her free to marry for love. He is so shocked by the revelation of his children’s incestuous relationship and Annabella’s death that he dies almost instantly of a broken heart.
Giovanni
Giovanni (jee-oh-VAHN-nee), his sensitive, intellectual son, who is consumed by his passion for his sister. He maintains steadily the conviction that his love is virtuous and reaffirms his faith in his affection as he kills Annabella and their unborn child to save her honor.
Annabella
Annabella, his beautiful sister. She rejects the virtuous life her father wants for her and returns Giovanni’s love, repenting her actions only when she realizes that Soranzo intends to kill her for her betrayal of him.
Putana
Putana (pew-TAH-nah), Annabella’s bawdy old servant, who encourages her relationship with Giovanni.
Donado
Donado (doh-NAH-doh), the wealthy uncle of one of Annabella’s foolish suitors.
Bergetto
Bergetto (behr-GEHT-toh), Donado’s tactless, stupid nephew, who courts Annabella with insults, then brags of winning her favor. He is killed by Grimaldi.
Poggio
Poggio (poh-GEE-oh), Bergetto’s servant.
Soranzo
Soranzo (soh-RAHN-zoh), the worldly, well-to-do gentleman whom Annabella marries to save her reputation. He rages and plots her murder when he learns how he has been duped.
Grimaldi
Grimaldi (gree-MAHL-dee), a belligerent Roman gentleman, Annabella’s admirer. He murders Bergetto by mistake as he attempts to take revenge on his successful rival, Soranzo.
Hippolita
Hippolita, Soranzo’s vengeful cast-off mistress.
Richardetto
Richardetto, Hippolita’s husband, rumored dead. Disguised as a doctor, he returns to Parma to spy on his wife’s infidelities.
Philotis
Philotis (fee-LOH-tees), Richardetto’s niece.
Friar Bonaventura
Friar Bonaventura (boh-nah-vehn-TEW-rah), Giovanni’s confessor, who tries unsuccessfully to convince him that he is falling deeper and deeper into sin.
Vasques
Vasques (VAS-kwehz), Soranzo’s servant, expert at extracting information and at thwarting conspiracies against his master.
Characters
Annabella
Florio's daughter, who is romantically involved with her brother, Giovanni.
During their illicit relationship, she becomes pregnant and agrees to marry
Soranzo to cover up her indiscretion. Annabella confesses the incest to the
Friar and writes a remorseful letter to Giovanni. When Soranzo discovers her
pregnancy, he vows to take revenge on Annabella and Giovanni at his birthday
party. However, before he can act, Giovanni kills his sister, murders Soranzo,
and dies fighting Vasques.
Bergetto
Donado's nephew, Bergetto, is foolish and crude. Much of the play's humor comes
from his clumsy attempts to court Annabella. He is ultimately killed by
Grimaldi, who mistakenly believes he is Soranzo.
Friar Bonaventura
A friar who was Giovanni's professor at the university. Bonaventura urges
Giovanni to resist his incestuous desires for his sister. When he meets
Annabella, he persuades her to repent and end her affair with Giovanni. When
Giovanni refuses to heed his advice, Bonaventura leaves.
The Cardinal
The Pope's nuncio, the Cardinal, protects Grimaldi despite knowing he is guilty
of Bergetto's murder. At the play's conclusion, the Cardinal confiscates the
lovers' property in the name of the church.
Donado
A citizen of Parma, Donado is Bergetto's uncle. He hopes to arrange a marriage
between his foolish nephew and Annabella by writing a love letter for him.
However, Bergetto insists on composing and reading his own letter. After
Bergetto's clumsy wooing fails and Annabella rejects him, he remains undeterred
and goes off in search of prostitutes.
Florio
A citizen of Parma and the father of Giovanni and Annabella. Florio appears to have his children's best interests at heart, telling a...
(This entire section contains 758 words.)
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friend he will not force Annabella to marry against her will. However, his idea of "what is best" for his daughter is ultimately driven by financial considerations rather than emotional ones.
Giovanni
Florio's son, Giovanni, is in love with his sister, Annabella. Their incestuous
relationship results in her pregnancy, leading her to marry Soranzo to hide the
affair. In the end, Giovanni kills Annabella, crashes Soranzo's birthday feast
with her heart on his sword, and battles the Banditti and Vasques, who
eventually kills him.
Grimaldi
A Roman gentleman smitten with Annabella, Grimaldi conspires with Richardetto
to kill Soranzo using a poisoned rapier. Richardetto, disguised as a doctor,
agrees to assist Grimaldi, hoping to take revenge on Soranzo for having an
affair with his wife, Hippolita. However, Grimaldi mistakenly kills Bergetto
instead of Soranzo and escapes punishment when the Cardinal grants him
immunity.
Hippolita
Richardetto's unfaithful wife, who is involved in an affair with Soranzo. After
being spurned by Soranzo, she plots revenge with the help of his servant
Vasques, offering him sexual favors and wealth. However, Vasques betrays her
and remains loyal to Soranzo. Hippolita ends up dead when Vasques hands her the
poisoned cup she intended for Soranzo.
Philotis
Richardetto's innocent and obedient niece, she follows her uncle's wishes
without question. Initially, he wants her to marry Soranzo, but later he
decides she should join a convent. She complies without any resistance.
Poggio
Bergetto's somewhat loyal servant, Poggio appears to be more intelligent than
his master, which isn't a high bar. Providing comic relief, he accompanies
Bergetto on his whimsical escapades.
Putana
Annabella's governess, she reacts positively to the news of Annabella's affair
with her brother, stating that she sees nothing wrong with having affairs with
brothers, fathers, or anyone else if the mood strikes. Deceived by Vasques into
revealing the father of Annabella's child, she is subsequently bound and
blinded.
Richardetto
Hippolita's husband and Philotis's uncle, Richardetto masquerades as a
physician to uncover his wife's affair with Soranzo. He conspires with Grimaldi
to help him kill Soranzo. Driven by revenge for Soranzo's relationship with
Hippolita, Richardetto remains cold and calculating, showing little emotion
when his wife dies.
Soranzo
A nobleman in love with Annabella, Soranzo is also having an affair with
Richardetto's wife, Hippolita. After marrying Annabella, he discovers she is
pregnant by her brother and plots revenge for this dishonor. However, before he
can act, Giovanni kills Soranzo at his own birthday celebration.
Vasques
Soranzo's devoted servant, formerly serving his father, Vasques plays a crucial
role in his master's revenge plan. He pretends to collaborate with Hippolita,
promising to assist her in avenging herself on Soranzo in exchange for money
and sexual favors, but ultimately remains loyal to Soranzo. He deceives Putana
to uncover the father of Annabella's baby, then has her bound and blinded. At
the play's conclusion, the Cardinal exiles Vasques instead of punishing him for
his involvement in the schemes of revenge and murder.