# Duchessa Sanseverina — The Charterhouse of Parma character guide > Duchessa Sanseverina in The Charterhouse of Parma by Stendhal. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the Duchessa, Signora Sanseverina, Signora Duchessa, the Duchessa Sanseverina **First appearance:** 0001-the-charterhouse-of-parma ## Snapshot A brilliant, fearless woman who commands the court of Parma with her wit and will, moving heaven and earth for her nephew Fabrizio. ## Who they are The Duchessa Sanseverina rules Parma's drawing rooms through charm, intelligence, and an absolute refusal to be intimidated, whether by princes, ministers, or would-be lovers. Her devotion to Fabrizio is fierce and unapologetic, driving her to schemes that would ruin a less audacious woman, and her generosity to a fugitive poet hiding in her palace walls reveals a reckless streak beneath the elegance. She is the novel's true strategist, and her ambitions for Fabrizio set the plot's machinery in motion. ## Relationships ### [Prince Ranuccio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters/prince_ranuccio) _psychological_ The Duchessa skillfully manipulates the infatuated Prince, using her charm to gain political influence and protect her family. ### [Fabrizio del Dongo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters/fabrizio_del_dongo) _family_ A fiercely devoted aunt who acts as a protective mother figure, orchestrating Fabrizio's rise and shielding him from danger. ### [Conte Mosca](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters/conte_mosca) _romantic_ A long-term, devoted lovers relationship built on mutual respect, political partnership, and deep affection. ### [Clelia Conti](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters/clelia_conti) _rivalry_ A tense rivalry born from Clelia's love for Fabrizio and the Duchessa's possessive, manipulative interference. ### [Ferrante Palla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters/ferrante_palla) _psychological_ The Duchessa manipulates the impoverished, revolutionary poet Ferrante, using his love for her to secure his services for murder. ### [Lodovico](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters/lodovico) _professional_ A master-servant relationship where the Duchessa trusts Lodovico as a capable and discreet agent for her schemes. ### [Fabrizio del Dongo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters/fabrizio_del_dongo) _family_ A fiercely devoted aunt who acts as a protective mother figure, orchestrating Fabrizio's rise and shielding him from danger. ### [Conte Mosca](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters/conte_mosca) _romantic_ A long-term, devoted lovers relationship built on mutual respect, political partnership, and deep affection. ### [Prince Ranuccio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters/prince_ranuccio) _psychological_ The Duchessa skillfully manipulates the infatuated Prince, using her charm to gain political influence and protect her family. ### [Prince Ranuccio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters/prince_ranuccio) _psychological_ The Duchessa skillfully manipulates the infatuated Prince, using her charm to gain political influence and protect her family. ### [Conte Mosca](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters/conte_mosca) _romantic_ A long-term, devoted lovers relationship built on mutual respect, political partnership, and deep affection. ### [Fabrizio del Dongo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters/fabrizio_del_dongo) _family_ A fiercely devoted aunt who acts as a protective mother figure, orchestrating Fabrizio's rise and shielding him from danger. ## In the story ### [To the Reader](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/to-the-reader) Central figure of the story related by the Canon's nephew; her adventures are the focus of the tale. ### [The Charterhouse of Parma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/the-charterhouse-of-parma) Visits Fabrizio occasionally at the Charterhouse and dies shortly after him. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/v) Visits Canon Borda to plead for Fabrizio, revealing the accusation by Ascanio and seeking help from Barone Binder. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/vi) The Duchessa (formerly Contessa Pietranera) advises Fabrizio on his ecclesiastical career, urging him to believe blindly and avoid objections. She also experiences anxiety over Mosca's political perils. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/vii) Overjoyed at Fabrizio's arrival, she does not notice the jealousy her joy provokes in Conte Mosca. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/viii) Struggles with her feelings for Fabrizio, seeks advice from Conte Mosca, and is described as being plunged into black melancholy. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/ix) Fabrizio thinks of her advice and fears causing her grief. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/x) Expresses relief and emotion at Fabrizio's return; discusses her husband's death and legacy. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/xi) Shows deep affection for Fabrizio, feeling hurt by his desire to leave; she is moved by his transformation into a serious man. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/xii) Writes affectionate letters to Fabrizio, swears to leave Parma unless he returns in triumph, and has taken inventory of her fortune. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/xiii) Fabrizio writes to her; she takes offense at his lighthearted tone. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/xiv) Confronts the Prince to demand Fabrizio's pardon, threatening to leave Parma; shows Roman pride and strategic cunning. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/xv) Learns of Fabrizio's arrest at a party; turns pale and struggles to maintain composure. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/xvi) Overwhelmed by despair and rage at Fabrizio's imprisonment; she contemplates vengeance, feigned indifference, and a break with Conte Mosca. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/xvii) Appears in society again, breaks with Conte Mosca, and shows indifference to Fabrizio's fate, though she is pale from illness. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/xviii) Mentioned as being in a state of utter despair over Fabrizio's imprisonment, inspiring Clelia's pity and thoughts of heroic action. ### [Chapter XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/xix) Desperately tries to establish communication with Fabrizio, but her attempts are thwarted by the governor's vigilance. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/xx) Actively works to secure Fabrizio's escape, using her influence to win over a soldier in the garrison and sending a letter with escape instructions. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/xxi) Orchestrates Fabrizio's escape, uses Ferrante Palla for support, and plots revenge against the Prince. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/xxiii) Engages in a melancholy monologue about her age, jealousy of Clelia, and desire for revenge; she receives news of the Prince's death and later returns to Parma to hasten Clelia's marriage. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/xxiv) Arranges court festivities to counter Rassi; despairs over Fabrizio's return to the citadel; fears poison and considers eliminating Rassi. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/xxv) Confronts the Prince about the poison threat to Fabrizio and makes a desperate oath to save him. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/xxvi) Suspects a reconciliation between Fabrizio and Clelia, decides to leave court. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/xxvii) Resides in Naples with the Conte, hosts concerts and conversazioni, and advises Fabrizio to cultivate his preaching. She refuses the Prince's offer of marriage, proposing instead a lifelong friendship. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters/duchessa_sanseverina - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters