Fabrizio del Dongo

Clelia Conti

Deeply in love, their relationship is marked by intense passion, secret meetings, and tragic obstacles.

Duchessa Sanseverina

A fiercely devoted aunt who acts as a protective mother figure, orchestrating Fabrizio's rise and shielding him from danger.

Conte Mosca

A loyal mentor and ally who uses his political power to advance Fabrizio's career, despite personal jealousy.

Prince Ranuccio

A tense, antagonistic relationship fueled by the Prince's jealousy over Fabrizio's popularity and his pursuit of Clelia.

Annetta Marini

A brief, flirtatious affair where Annetta is infatuated with Fabrizio, but he treats her as a passing amusement.

Marchesa del Dongo

A strained mother-son relationship; the Marchesa is cold and distant, favoring Fabrizio's older brother.

Rassi

Rassi actively persecutes Fabrizio through legal machinations, acting as a petty and vindictive enemy.

Little Marietta

A youthful, innocent romantic dalliance with a young actress, marked by Fabrizio's charm and her naive affection.

Lodovico

A loyal servant and devoted companion who aids Fabrizio in escapes and adventures with unwavering fidelity.

Duchessa Sanseverina

A fiercely devoted aunt who acts as a protective mother figure, orchestrating Fabrizio's rise and shielding him from danger.

Conte Mosca

A loyal mentor and ally who uses his political power to advance Fabrizio's career, despite personal jealousy.

Clelia Conti

Deeply in love, their relationship is marked by intense passion, secret meetings, and tragic obstacles.

The Charterhouse of Parma

Retires to the Charterhouse of Parma after the death of his son and Clelia's vow, living in pious solitude until his death from a fever.

I

Young Fabrizio is recalled from Milan to Grianta; he is ignorant but charming, takes religious teaching seriously, and spends his days hunting and boating.

II

Leaves home with diamonds sewn into his coat, travels to Paris, is robbed, buys horses and a servant, and is detained by soldiers at the frontier.

III

Our hero, exhausted and hungry, is guided by a vivandière and later joins a general's escort, experiencing the terror and noise of battle.

IV

Fabrizio continues his journey as a soldier, showing resourcefulness and naivety. He steals a horse, rejoins the regiment, and is advised to desert.

V

Follows advice to take a politically safe mistress and avoid liberal activities; learns of his brother's betrayal and nearly stabs a man in a rage.

VI

Fabrizio returns from France and appears to the Contessa as a handsome stranger. He agrees to enter the Church and study at the Ecclesiastical Academy in Naples, following advice from the Duchessa and Mosca.

VII

Returns to Parma after four years in Naples, now a polished and handsome young man, having studied theology and archaeology.

Chapter VIII

Travels to consult Priore Blanès, experiences a moment of sublime beauty on Lake Como, resolves to be honest with the Duchessa, and receives a prophecy from Blanès.

Chapter IX

Reflects on his childhood, his father, and his past loves while in the belfry; nearly arrested but escapes.

Chapter X

Returns to Parma and recounts his adventures; defends his actions with a family story.

Chapter XI

Struggles with his emotions for the Duchessa and his resolve to be sincere; later confronts Giletti in a fight over Marietta.

Chapter XII

Unaware of the political intrigue in Parma; experiences religious fervor and lights candles in San Petronio; receives letters from the Archbishop and Duchessa; meets Peppe and little Marietta.

Chapter XIII

Living in Bologna, infatuated with Marietta, and humiliated by Conte M⸺'s hoax; plans a duel in retaliation.

XIV

Absent from the chapter but central to the plot; condemned in absentia for killing Giletti.

Chapter XV

Arrested and taken to the Torre Farnese; he is struck by Clelia's beauty and recalls their earlier meeting near Como.

XVI

Imprisoned in the Torre Farnese of the citadel; his fate is the central concern of the Duchessa's thoughts.

Chapter XVII

Imprisoned and facing execution; Conte Mosca sends him a purse of six thousand francs.

Chapter XVIII

Imprisoned in the citadel, he becomes fixated on Clelia, boring a hole in the shutter to see her and finding unexpected happiness in his confinement.

Chapter XIX

Imprisoned in the Farnese Tower, he is allowed brief airings by Don Cesare and is the subject of Clelia's conflicted affections.

Chapter XX

Refuses to escape from the citadel, preferring to die there rather than leave Clelia. His love for her is proven by his willingness to face poison.

Chapter XXI

Imprisoned in the citadel, prepares to escape by descending from his window with cords.

XXII

Executes his escape from the citadel during a foggy night, using a cord and scattering sequins to distract soldiers.

Chapter XXIII

Travels with the Duchessa on Lake Como, filled with joy at the prospect of seeing Clelia again; reluctantly agrees to delay his official entry into Parma.

XXIV

Returns to the citadel to be near Clelia; eager to be tried to clear his name; his folly restores the Duchessa's affection.

XXV

Returns to prison to see Clelia; later acquitted and given honors, but remains deeply melancholy and indifferent to his success.

XXVI

Spies on Clelia, disguises himself to visit her, retreats to a convent, and gains a reputation for piety.

Chapter XXVII

Serves as Coadjutor Archbishop, corresponds with the Conte and Duchessa, and secretly attempts to communicate with Clelia through flower arrangements. His indifference to courtly passions earns him the Prince's favor.

Chapter XXVIII

Now Archbishop of Parma, he is deeply in love with Clelia and desperate to have their son Sandrino live with him, leading him to propose a risky abduction scheme.

Appendix

Mentioned in connection with Prince Sixte de Bourbon-Parme, who showed a reflection of Fabrizio's spirit in the late war.