# Romola de' Bardi — Romola character guide

> Romola de' Bardi in Romola by George Eliot.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Romola, Madonna Romola, Poor Romola, The Romola, Romola de ' Bardi

**First appearance:** 0007-v-the-blind-scholar-and-his-daughter

## Snapshot

A blind scholar's daughter whose fierce conscience is tested by marriage, Florence's upheaval, and a flight she cannot quite complete.

## Who they are

Romola de' Bardi moves through Florence as daughter, wife, and reluctant Madonna to the poor, her loyalty pulled between duty to others and the demands of her own soul. When she tries to flee the city in disguise, Savonarola's rebuke — 'who is so base as the debtor that thinks himself free?' — fixes the tension that will define her: she cannot abandon a pledge, even one that wounds her. Her early arc turns on whether integrity can survive inside a bond she has begun to regret.

## In the story

### [Romola](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/romola)

The protagonist, whose personal journey and moral choices are central to the narrative.

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

Mentioned as Bardo's daughter, a figure of gravity and devotion, whose life is tied to her father's scholarly world.

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

Daughter of Bardo de' Bardi, described as fair as the Florentine lily. She is mentioned as a possible attraction for Tito, though she does not appear in this chapter.

### [V: The Blind Scholar and His Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/v-the-blind-scholar-and-his-daughter)

Shows deep affection and pity for her blind father, kneeling beside him and offering to study diligently to be more useful. Her 'doubtful attractiveness' is transfigured by 'mingled pity and affection'.

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

Surprised by Tito's youth and beauty; her proud demeanor softens as she feels a new sense of comradeship.

### [A Man's Ransom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/ix-a-man-s-ransom)

Tito's romantic interest, whose noble simplicity inspires awe and admiration in him.

### [XI: Tito's Dilemma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xi-tito-s-dilemma)

Romola is present with her father when Tito visits, unaware of Tito's internal conflict.

### [XII: The Prize Is Nearly Grasped](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xii-the-prize-is-nearly-grasped)

Her life is described as an image of loving devotedness. She firmly declares her love for Tito and her wish to marry him, showing a rare moment of personal desire.

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

Romola is determined to visit her dying brother Dino at San Marco, despite the political and social implications. She remains unaware of Tito's deep-seated guilt and the true reason for his unease.

### [XV: The Dying Message](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xv-the-dying-message)

Visits her dying brother, receives his prophetic warning, and is deeply shaken by the encounter.

### [Under the Loggia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xvii-under-the-loggia)

Grieving for her brother Dino, she seeks solace in Tito and shares her troubling vision, revealing her deep love and trust.

### [XVIII: The Portrait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xviii-the-portrait)

Though not present, Tito's thoughts are occupied with her, as he plans to use the commissioned artwork to guard her mind from monkish fancies.

### [XIX: The Old Man’s Hope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xix-the-old-man-s-hope)

Radiant and happy in her love for Tito; defends him to Bernardo, seeing goodness in all his actions.

### [XX: The Day of the Betrothal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xx-the-day-of-the-betrothal)

Betrothed to Tito, she experiences a mix of joy and unease, troubled by the grim Carnival procession and the hidden crucifix.

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

Romola is intelligent and dutiful, devoted to her blind father Bardo. She is drawn to Tito's charm but is unaware of his deception and the moral compromises he has made.

### [Florence Expects a Guest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xxi-florence-expects-a-guest)

Mentioned as having been married to Tito for over eighteen months, her fortunes now tied to the political upheaval in Florence.

### [Inside the Duomo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xxiv-inside-the-duomo)

Present in the Duomo, she observes Baldassarre with compassion, noting his grey hairs and evident suffering.

### [XXVII: The Young Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xxvii-the-young-wife)

Feels the growing distance from Tito, struggles with her disappointment in marriage, and tries to suppress her own impulses to please him.

### [XXVIII: The Painted Record](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xxviii-the-painted-record)

Visits Piero to see her father's portrait, but is unsettled by the sketch of Tito and the prisoner, yet suppresses her suspicions.

### [XXXI: Fruit Is Seed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xxxi-fruit-is-seed)

Romola perceives Tito's change and feels the first clear sign of distance in their marriage. She is deeply affected by the portrait of her father and the memory of his unfulfilled wishes.

### [XXXII: A Revelation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xxxii-a-revelation)

Romola is devastated and enraged by Tito's betrayal, feeling the pride of the Bardo blood for the first time. She confronts him about selling her father's library.

### [No Place for Repentance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xxxiv-no-place-for-repentance)

Her scorn and judgment drive Tito to seek refuge elsewhere; her presence looms over his thoughts.

### [XXXV: What Florence Was Thinking Of](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xxxv-what-florence-was-thinking-of)

Romola is deeply hurt and withdrawn after Tito's betrayal, remaining silent and emotionally distant, though she quietly complies with his requests.

### [XXXVI: Ariadne Discrowns Herself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xxxvi-ariadne-discrowns-herself)

Romola watches the library being packed away, feels the pain of her father's loss, and plans her secret departure from Florence, torn between memories of past happiness and her resolve to leave Tito.

### [XXXVII: The Tabernacle Unlocked](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-tabernacle-unlocked)

Romola executes her plan to leave Florence, writing farewell letters, taking the crucifix from the tabernacle, and departing in disguise.

### [XL: An Arresting Voice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xl-an-arresting-voice)

Flees Florence in disguise but is stopped by Savonarola; struggles with her sense of duty and personal sorrow.

### [XLI: Coming Back](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xli-coming-back)

Renounces her resolve to leave her husband and submits to Savonarola's guidance, feeling her will 'utterly bruised' and seeking direction. She returns home and prepares to embrace a life of duty and service.

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

Romola tends to Baldassarre and learns of Tito's betrayal. She is devastated and later discovers Tito's secret wife, Tessa, and their children, which leads her to attempt to flee Florence.

### [XLII: Romola in Her Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xlii-romola-in-her-place)

Dressed in simple black serge, she moves through the streets tending to the sick and hungry, embodying selfless charity.

### [XLIII: The Unseen Madonna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xliii-the-unseen-madonna)

Romola participates in the procession, feeling a deep connection to Florence and its citizens. She is fatigued but remains resolute in her search for Baldassarre, showing her commitment to helping the needy.

### [XLIV: The Visible Madonna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xliv-the-visible-madonna)

Finds solace and purpose in charitable works, inspired by Savonarola. Her encounter with Baldassarre stirs her anxieties about Tito's past.

### [XLVI: By a Street Lamp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xlvi-by-a-street-lamp)

Confronts Tito about his involvement with Spini's plot, threatens to denounce him, and is physically restrained by her husband.

### [XLVII: Check](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xlvii-check)

Tormented by doubt about her husband and her own conduct. She watches through the night and resolves to go to San Marco to warn Savonarola, confronting Tito in the Piazza.

### [XLVIII: Countercheck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xlviii-countercheck)

Feels penitent for her public outburst, seeks reconciliation, but is met with coldness. She confesses her distrust and pleads for honesty, but is left in despair.

### [XLIX: The Pyramid of Vanities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/xlix-the-pyramid-of-vanities)

Walks through the Piazza to see the Pyramid of Vanities, feeling detached from the public enthusiasm. She defends Savonarola's strictness to Piero, reflecting her own somber disposition and commitment to beneficent strength.

### [L: Tessa Abroad and at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/l-tessa-abroad-and-at-home)

Romola encounters Tessa in the street, protects her from a thief by hiding her necklace, and guides her towards home. She is described as a 'heavenly lady' by Tessa.

### [LI: Monna Brigida's Conversion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/li-monna-brigida-s-conversion)

Romola comforts her cousin Monna Brigida after the Piagnoni boys strip her of her vanities, offering her own drapery and words of reassurance about the beauty of natural aging.

### [A Prophetess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/lii-a-prophetess)

Romola is deeply engaged in charitable work and is spiritually and politically conflicted, torn between her admiration for Savonarola and her loyalty to her godfather Bernardo del Nero.

### [On San Miniato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/liii-on-san-miniato)

Romola confronts Baldassarre and learns the truth about Tito's betrayal. She is deeply affected, feeling pity and horror, and agrees to meet him again.

### [The Evening and the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/liv-the-evening-and-the-morning)

Warned Bernardo del Nero of danger, driven by a growing purpose and anxiety.

### [LV: Waiting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/lv-waiting)

Finds renewed purpose and sympathy for Savonarola during the Plague and his excommunication, while remaining in a state of anxious waiting for Baldassarre and haunted by Tito's betrayal.

### [LVI: The Other Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/lvi-the-other-wife)

Discovers Tito's other wife and children, leading to a crisis of conscience about her marriage. She resolves to confront Tito and request a separation.

### [LVIII: A Final Understanding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/lviii-a-final-understanding)

Confronts Tito about his betrayal, declares their union a pretence, and seeks to intervene with Savonarola for the prisoners.

### [LIX: Pleading](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/lix-pleading)

Confronts Savonarola, passionately pleading for the life of her godfather Bernardo del Nero. Her faith in the friar is shattered as she accuses him of sophistry and abandoning his own principles.

### [LX: The Scaffold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/lx-the-scaffold)

Witnesses her godfather's execution with intense, almost transcendent composure, identifying with his nobility and resolving to escape her husband afterward.

### [LXI: Drifting Away](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/lxi-drifting-away)

In a state of profound despair, Romola has fled Florence again. She has lost faith in Savonarola and feels all her bonds of affection are broken. She buys a boat and drifts out to sea, longing for death or a new destiny.

### [LXVIII: Romola’s Waking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/lxviii-romola-s-waking)

Wakes from a night of drifting, finds a new purpose in caring for a child and the sick, showing her resilience and compassion.

### [LXIX: Homeward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/lxix-homeward)

Experiences a 'new baptism' of purpose, rejecting her earlier desire for death and feeling a renewed call to help the suffering. She undergoes deep self-judgment, questioning her past actions and her flight from Florence, while feeling a growing pull to return.

### [LXX: Meeting Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/lxx-meeting-again)

Returns to Florence, determined to find Tessa and the children, and to provide for them.

### [The Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/lxxi-the-confession)

Romola is deeply troubled by Savonarola's confession, reading it repeatedly and feeling the anguish of his fall as if it were her own.

### [LXXII: The Last Silence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/lxxii-the-last-silence)

Romola is deeply shaken by Savonarola's retraction and seeks to witness his final moment, hoping for a last declaration of innocence.

### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/romola_se/chapters/epilogue)

Now older and serene, Romola imparts moral lessons to Lillo, reflecting on her past and the lives of her father and Fra Girolamo.

## Links

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