# Canon Montanelli — The Gadfly character guide > Canon Montanelli in The Gadfly by Ethel Voynich. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Montanelli, Cardinal Montanelli, Cardinal, the Cardinal, The old Cardinal, Monsignor Montanelli, IV Monsignor Montanelli, IV Montanelli, Easter Montanelli, Lorenzo Montanelli, Monsignor Lorenzo Montanelli **First appearance:** 0003-part-i-i ## Snapshot A revered churchman whose quiet authority and gentle hands unsettle the prisoner he has come to interrogate more than any threat could. ## Who they are Montanelli visits the Gadfly's cell not to threaten but to listen, and answers the prisoner's stammering mockery with the calm reply, 'I prefer to form my own conclusions.' When his hand touches the Gadfly's cheek, the man who laughs at courts-martial and death itself quivers 'from head to foot' and can give no explanation. His refusal to be provoked—and the strange power he holds over his enemy—makes him the story's moral center of gravity. ## Relationships ### [The Gadfly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/the_gadfly) _family_ Montanelli is the biological father of the Gadfly (Arthur), creating a deeply conflicted bond of love and betrayal. ### [Arthur Burton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/arthur_burton) _family_ Arthur idolizes Montanelli as a father figure before discovering he is his biological father, leading to intense emotional turmoil. ### [Padre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/padre) _psychological_ Montanelli's internal conflict between his role as a priest and his hidden fatherhood is symbolized by his dual identity as 'Padre'. ### [Colonel Ferrari](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/colonel_ferrari) _professional_ Montanelli and Ferrari collaborate as representatives of the church and military, respectively, in suppressing revolution. ### [Gemma Warren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/gemma_warren) _social_ Montanelli and Gemma interact as acquaintances through their shared connection to Arthur, with underlying tension. ### [The Gadfly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/the_gadfly) _family_ Montanelli is the biological father of the Gadfly (Arthur), creating a deeply conflicted bond of love and betrayal. ### [Arthur Burton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/arthur_burton) _family_ Arthur idolizes Montanelli as a father figure before discovering he is his biological father, leading to intense emotional turmoil. ### [The Gadfly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/the_gadfly) _family_ Montanelli is the biological father of the Gadfly (Arthur), creating a deeply conflicted bond of love and betrayal. ### [Colonel Ferrari](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/colonel_ferrari) _professional_ Montanelli and Ferrari collaborate as representatives of the church and military, respectively, in suppressing revolution. ### [Padre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/padre) _psychological_ Montanelli's internal conflict between his role as a priest and his hidden fatherhood is symbolized by his dual identity as 'Padre'. ### [Gemma Warren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/gemma_warren) _social_ Montanelli and Gemma interact as acquaintances through their shared connection to Arthur, with underlying tension. ### [Arthur Burton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/arthur_burton) _family_ Arthur idolizes Montanelli as a father figure before discovering he is his biological father, leading to intense emotional turmoil. ## In the story ### [Part I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/the-gadfly) Arthur's beloved mentor and spiritual father figure, whose influence shapes Arthur's early life. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-i-i) Father Director of the seminary, a born orator with a caressing voice; deeply loving toward Arthur and troubled by Arthur's revolutionary turn. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-i-ii) Montanelli is troubled by Arthur's political leanings and struggles to find the right moment to discuss them. He experiences a sense of loss and distance from Arthur, haunted by the memory of the garden conversation. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-i-iii) Feels the barrier with Arthur, is offered a bishopric, and prepares to go to Rome. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Appointed to the see of Brisighella; expresses anxiety about Arthur and offers to cancel his trip. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-i-v) Mentioned as Arthur's confessor and the new Bishop of Brisighella; his portrait is examined by the officer. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-i-vii) Montanelli is revealed as Arthur's biological father; his letter to Arthur is found, but he is absent during the revelation. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-ii-iii) Mentioned in the Gadfly's letter as being sent to Tuscany on a Jesuit-influenced mission, possibly unaware of its true purpose. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-ii-iv) Arrives in Florence as a famous preacher; draws large crowds; Gemma wants to see how he has changed. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-ii-v) Remains indifferent to the Gadfly's attacks, preaches a farewell sermon, and departs for his see in the Romagna. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-ii-xi) Blesses the disguised Gadfly in the marketplace, is deeply moved by his confession, and later nearly recognizes him in the cathedral. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-iii-ii) Walks through the marketplace blessing the people, then steps between the combatants, causing the Gadfly's hesitation. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-iii-iii) As Cardinal, he refuses the Governor's request for a court-martial, interviews the Gadfly, and is deeply disturbed by the encounter, struggling with insomnia and haunting thoughts. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-iii-iv) Montanelli intervenes to have the Gadfly's chains removed, and later suffers a nightmare about Arthur before being informed of the failed escape. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-iii-v) Visits the Gadfly despite warnings, shows quiet contempt for the Governor's cruelty, and later discusses the situation with the Governor. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-iii-vi) Torn between his love for Arthur and his priesthood, he weeps and offers to sacrifice himself. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-iii-vii) Devastated by the Gadfly's death; stares at the body in shock and repeats 'He is dead.' ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-iii-viii) Leads the Corpus Christi procession while experiencing a severe mental and spiritual breakdown, hallucinating blood and hearing a tormented inner voice. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/chapters/part-iii-epilogue) Reported to have died suddenly from a ruptured aneurism, implied to be from grief. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters/canon_montanelli - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gadfly_se/characters