# Marchese del Dongo — The Charterhouse of Parma character guide

> Marchese del Dongo in The Charterhouse of Parma by Stendhal.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Marchese del Dongo, the timorous Marchese, the sullen Marchese, Signor del Dongo

**First appearance:** 0001-the-charterhouse-of-parma

## Snapshot

Fabrizio's reactionary father, a timorous Austrian loyalist who regards his younger son as a scandal and a disappointment.

## Who they are

The Marchese del Dongo is a man of cautious allegiances and small tyrannies, more at home with the Hapsburg order than with the Napoleonic enthusiasms of his son. His disapproval of Fabrizio is both political and personal, and it shapes the boy's decision to leave home in search of a larger life. He stands for the stifling provincial world the novel's young hero must escape.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/i)

The Marchese is sullen and secretive, closeted with his elder son composing cipher despatches to Vienna; he wears his orders while dictating.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/ii)

Angry at Fabrizio's departure, he later offers his sister the Contessa an apartment and allowance at Grianta.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned as being in bed when Fabrizio returns; his authority is implied in the family's political caution.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/vi)

The Marchese is mentioned as disliking paying for the carriage of letters, prompting Mosca to send couriers to avoid his comments.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/chapters/ix)

Fabrizio thinks of his father's failing health and sternness.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters/marchese_del_dongo
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_charterhouse_of_parma_se/characters