# Ambition and Power in Bellarion the Fortunate

> Theme guide for Bellarion the Fortunate by Rafael Sabatini.

Characters like the Princess Valeria, the Marquis Theodore, and Facino Cane are driven by political ambition and the pursuit of power, with Bellarion navigating these schemes, often using cunning and strategy to advance his own position while professing indifference to worldly rewards.

## Where it surfaces

- [VI: The Winds of Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/vi-the-winds-of-fate): Barbaresco's ambition to lead the council of regency and Theodore's ruthless pursuit of power through intrigue are central to the chapter.
- [Service](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/vii-service): The conspirators seek to advance themselves through regicide.
- [IX: The Marquis Theodore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/ix-the-marquis-theodore): Bellarion's ambition drives him to seek advancement through risky service, while Theodore wields power by manipulating those around him.
- [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/book-ii): Bellarion's training under Facino Cane is driven by the pursuit of power and influence, reflecting the ruthless ambition that defines the political machinations of the era.
- [III: The Countess of Biandrate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/iii-the-countess-of-biandrate): Facino's ambition to adopt and train Bellarion reflects his desire to shape a successor; Bellarion's own ambition to return to Montferrat in strength.
- [IV: The Champion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/iv-the-champion): The Countess urges Facino to seize power, contrasting his honour-bound restraint with the actions of Pandolfo and Buonterzo.
- [V: The Commune of Milan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/v-the-commune-of-milan): Facino's military power and popularity make him a threat to the Duke, and he must navigate the politics of the court.
- [Manoeuvres](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/vii-manoeuvres): Facino's bitterness at the Duke's ingratitude and his determination to win the campaign despite personal slights reflect the dynamics of ambition and power.
- [IX: De Mortuis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/ix-de-mortuis): Gabriello Maria Visconti manipulates alliances and marriages to secure power, while Theodore of Montferrat seeks to restore lost territories.
- [XI: The Siege of Alessandria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xi-the-siege-of-alessandria): Della Torre's secret alliance plans, Vignate's seizure of Alessandria, and the Visconti brothers' rivalry all reflect power struggles.
- [XII: Visconti Faith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xii-visconti-faith): Beatrice's covert exultation reveals her ambition for empire, even at the cost of her husband's heartbreak.
- [Severance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xvi-severance): Bellarion's plan to raise his own condotta and negotiate alliances reflects his growing ambition and political acumen.
- [XVII: The Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xvii-the-return): The alliance proposal between Facino Cane and Theodore of Montferrat is driven by mutual ambition to recover territories and challenge Milan's power. Bellarion's own rise reflects personal ambition.
- [XVIII: The Hostage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xviii-the-hostage): Bellarion's calculated moves to secure the alliance and the prince's safety demonstrate his ambition to shape political outcomes, while Theodore's resistance shows the struggle for control.
- [I: The Lord Bellarion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/i-the-lord-bellarion): Facino's reluctance to let Theodore gain Genoa reflects the power struggles among the Italian lords, while Bellarion's rise as a condottiero shows personal ambition.
- [II: The Battle of Novi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/ii-the-battle-of-novi): Theodore's ambition to conquer lands and usurp power drives the plot, while Bellarion's actions are motivated by a desire to restore the rightful heir.
- [III: Facino's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/iii-facino-s-return): Facino consolidates absolute power over Milan, while Filippo Maria's brief ambition is crushed; Bellarion rises through loyalty.
- [IV: The Count of Pavia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/iv-the-count-of-pavia): Valeria suspects Bellarion of aiming at a throne, while Bellarion warns the Countess not to jeopardize her chance at becoming a duchess.
- [VI: The Inheritance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/vi-the-inheritance): Bellarion manipulates Filippo Maria's greed and Beatrice's desire for the ducal crown to secure his own influence, demonstrating the ruthless pursuit of power.
- [VII: Prince of Valsassina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/vii-prince-of-valsassina): Bellarion's relentless drive to secure power for Filippo Maria and himself, using calculated manipulation and military strategy.
- [VIII: Carmagnola's Bridges](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/viii-carmagnola-s-bridges): Carmagnola's desire for command and Valeria's trust in him highlight the struggle for control and influence within the army.
- [IX: Vercelli](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/ix-vercelli): Carmagnola's ambition to conquer Vercelli and lay Montferrat at Valeria's feet; Bellarion's calculated restraint.
- [XII: Carmagnola's Duty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xii-carmagnola-s-duty): Carmagnola's ambition and pride are challenged, and the power dynamics among the captains shift.
- [XIII: The Occupation of Casale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xiii-the-occupation-of-casale): Bellarion's rise from a nameless scholar to a condottiero prince who holds a city in subjection, yet he plans to renounce power once his mission is complete.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/themes/ambition_and_power
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/themes