A Farewell to Arms · Character

Rinaldi

An Italian surgeon and Frederic's closest friend, whose surgical brilliance and appetite for women and drink barely mask a growing despair.

supporting

Also known as Poor Rinaldi, Rinaldo Sporchissimo, Rinaldo

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in A Farewell to Arms, Rinaldi is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Frederic's friend and fellow officer, a surgeon in the Italian army.

In the storyA Farewell to ArmsOpen this moment free

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With The Priest (friendship): Rinaldi teases the priest affectionately but respects his quiet faith, creating a bantering yet warm bond. With Catherine Barkley (social): Rinaldi flirts with Catherine lightly, but she…

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See Rinaldi in i

Character Web

16 connections

A slice of how Rinaldi sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Social

Character groups

Frederic's inner circle
Frontline soldiers and spiritual guide
Supporting hospital and escape figures
Protagonist

+11 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it captures the emotional and psychological peak of Frederic’s…

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Relationships

The Priest
friendship · positive
Rinaldi teases the priest affectionately but respects his quiet faith, creating a… How this plays out →
Catherine Barkley
social · ambivalent
Rinin
friendship · positive
Frederic Henry
friendship · positive
Helen Ferguson
social · ambivalent
The Priest
friendship · positive
Rinaldi teases the priest affectionately but respects his quiet faith, creating a… How this plays out →
Catherine Barkley
social · ambivalent
The Priest
friendship · positive
Rinaldi teases the priest affectionately but respects his quiet faith, creating a… How this plays out →
Rinin
friendship · positive
Catherine Barkley
social · ambivalent
Frederic Henry
friendship · positive
Helen Ferguson
social · ambivalent

The Priest
Rinaldi teases the priest affectionately but respects his quiet faith, creating a bantering yet warm bond.
Catherine Barkley
Rinaldi flirts with Catherine lightly, but she remains politely distant, focused on Frederic.
Rinin
Rinaldi and Rinin are fellow Italian officers who share a boisterous, drinking friendship.
Frederic Henry
Frederic and Rinaldi are close friends and fellow officers, with Rinaldi's boisterousness contrasting Frederic's reserve.
Helen Ferguson
Helen and Rinaldi are polite acquaintances, with Helen often disapproving of his flirtatious nature.
The Priest
Rinaldi teases the priest affectionately but respects his quiet faith, creating a bantering yet warm bond.
Catherine Barkley
Rinaldi flirts with Catherine lightly, but she remains politely distant, focused on Frederic.
The Priest
Rinaldi teases the priest affectionately but respects his quiet faith, creating a bantering yet warm bond.
Rinin
Rinaldi and Rinin are fellow Italian officers who share a boisterous, drinking friendship.
Catherine Barkley
Rinaldi flirts with Catherine lightly, but she remains politely distant, focused on Frederic.
Frederic Henry
Frederic and Rinaldi are close friends and fellow officers, with Rinaldi's boisterousness contrasting Frederic's reserve.
Helen Ferguson
Helen and Rinaldi are polite acquaintances, with Helen often disapproving of his flirtatious nature.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Rinaldi in i

In the story

Rinaldi appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

A Farewell to Arms
Frederic's friend and fellow officer, a surgeon in the Italian army.
Book I
Frederic's friend and fellow officer who introduces him to Catherine.
II
Friend who pounds on the window to attract the priest's attention; present in the mess.
III
Frederic's roommate and friend, a surgeon who is infatuated with Miss Barkley and borrows money to impress her.
IV
Accompanies Frederic to the hospital, flirts with Helen Ferguson, and encourages Frederic to visit Catherine.
V
Teases Frederic about his progress with Catherine when he returns to the villa.
VI
Appears at the end of the chapter, teasing Frederic about his involvement with the British and mentioning his own evening at the Villa Rossa.
Chapter VII
Appears in the mess hall, engaging in conversation and drinking with the officers.
Chapter X
Visits Frederic, brings cognac, discusses medal prospects, and teases him about the priest and Catherine.
XII
Visits Frederic with the major, brings news of Catherine's transfer to Milan, and engages in drunken banter.
Book II
Visits Frederic in the hospital, bringing news from the front.
XXI
Sends a letter asking Frederic to bring phonograph records.
XXIII
Not present in this chapter.
Chapter XXIV
Not present in this chapter.
XXV
Drunk and cynical, expresses deep war fatigue and possible syphilis; baits the priest but shows vulnerability.
Chapter XXVII
Mentioned as sleeping when Frederic leaves; later noted as gone with the hospital.
XXXII
Frederic thinks of him, possibly at Pordenone, and reflects on his worry about syphilis.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Rinaldi unlock in the free preview.

See Rinaldi in i

See Rinaldi in A Farewell to Arms