# Nello — Romola character guide

> Nello in Romola by George Eliot.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Nello, the Greek

**First appearance:** 0005-iii-the-barber-s-shop

## Snapshot

The Greek barber whose shop hums with Florence's gossip, and whose tongue is as quick as his razors.

## Who they are

Nello keeps a shop where citizens gather to trade news, opinions, and insults, and he is the city's unofficial chronicler of who is rising and who is falling. He is fond of Tito, proud of his own wit, and useful to everyone who needs to know what Florence is saying before Florence says it. He matters because the early book needs a voice for the city itself — its vanity, its curiosity, and its appetite for a good story about its neighbors.

## In the story

### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/book-i)

The barber, whose shop serves as a central gathering place for gossip and political discussion, introducing key characters and themes.

### [The Shipwrecked Stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/i-the-shipwrecked-stranger)

A barber with a ready tongue, who engages in banter about politics and religion, and later joins Bratti in searching for the stranger.

### [II: Breakfast for Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/ii-breakfast-for-love)

The barber, who identifies Tito as a Greek and jokes about the situation.

### [The Barber's Shop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/iii-the-barber-s-shop)

The loquacious barber of Florence, who acts as a guide and advisor to Tito. He is proud of his city and its intellectual scene, and he is eager to help Tito find his footing.

### [IV: First Impressions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/iv-first-impressions)

The barber, who introduces Tito to Cennini and Piero, and is impressed by Tito's looks and charm.

### [VI: Dawning Hopes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/vi-dawning-hopes)

The barber who introduces Tito to Bardo, praising his learning and character.

### [A Face in the Crowd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/viii-a-face-in-the-crowd)

The barber, witty and teasing, comments on Tito's interactions and the procession, showing his Florentine curiosity.

### [XIII: The Shadow of Nemesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xiii-the-shadow-of-nemesis)

The barber Nello provides Tito with a moment of social distraction, but also delivers the unsettling news that Dino has returned to San Marco, heightening Tito's fears.

### [XVI: A Florentine Joke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xvi-a-florentine-joke)

The barber, who orchestrates a Florentine joke against Maestro Tacco and discusses the latest gossip.

### [XXIX: A Moment of Triumph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xxix-a-moment-of-triumph)

Hosts the gathering in his shop, defends Tito against Piero's criticism, and jokes about Savonarola's visions. He is excited by the news from the Via Larga and waves his cap as the crowd approaches.

### [XLV: At the Barber's Shop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xlv-at-the-barber-s-shop)

The barber, serves Tito and participates in the conversation, commenting on Romola's pale appearance and the famine.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/characters/nello
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/characters