# Marquis Mazzini — A Sicilian Romance character guide

> Marquis Mazzini in A Sicilian Romance by Ann Radcliffe.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** the noble Mazzini, the Marquis de Mazzini, Marquis de Mazzini

**First appearance:** 0001-a-sicilian-romance

## Snapshot

Voluptuous, imperious, and dead to paternal tenderness, he rules Mazzini through pride while believing himself master of a wife who governs him.

## Who they are

Ferdinand, fifth marquis of Mazzini, is a man of vehement passions and overbearing pride, more concerned with appearances than with the daughters he leaves to a governess's care. He abandons the castle for the gaieties of Naples, paying only annual visits to dictate his children's education as a matter of pride rather than affection. Yet for all his tyranny, he is himself governed by Maria de Vellorno, who bends his passions to her purpose while he imagines himself most independent — a contradiction that makes him both the family's oppressor and its dupe.

## In the story

### [A Sicilian Romance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/chapters/a-sicilian-romance)

The tyrannical patriarch whose cruelty and secrecy drive the plot.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/chapters/i)

The fifth marquis of Mazzini, a voluptuous and imperious man, who remarries after his first wife's death and neglects his daughters.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/chapters/ii)

Marries Louisa de Bernini, treats her unfeelingly, and later marries Maria de Vellorno; leaves the castle for Naples.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/chapters/iii)

Enforces his authority, threatens to disown Julia if she refuses the duke, and sets the wedding for three days hence.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/chapters/iv)

Enraged by Julia's escape, interrogates Robert, dispatches search parties, and later makes concessions to Madame de Menon.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/chapters/v)

Referenced as the master of the castle to which the duke returns.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/chapters/vi)

Continues to keep Ferdinand imprisoned and sends servants to search for Julia in the forest of Marentino.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/chapters/vii)

Referenced as the marquis who imprisoned Julia and was unaware of Caterina's family origins.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/chapters/viii)

Confronts the duke and swears revenge on Julia, but agrees to suspend the search temporarily.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/chapters/x)

The Marquis is mentioned as the father who seeks to reclaim Julia, with his emissaries arriving at the monastery to negotiate with the Abate.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/chapters/xi)

The Marquis threatens the Abate, withdraws his forces, but later secretly enters the monastery, raising Julia's fears.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/chapters/xii)

The marquis rejoices at Julia's disappearance, believing she will fall into his hands, and orders a search for Ferdinand.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/chapters/xiv)

Imprisoned the Marchioness; brought food to the cell; discovered by Julia; his cruelty and second marriage are recounted.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/chapters/xv)

Plots the murder of his wife, learns of Maria's infidelity, poisons the marchioness, and dies after being poisoned himself.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/chapters/xvi)

Confesses to poisoning his wife; his funeral is held; his fabricated story about the southern buildings is revealed as a cover for imprisoning the marchioness.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/characters/mazzini
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_sicilian_romance_se/characters