Bellarion the Fortunate · Chapter
XI: The Pledge explained
The captains vote unanimously for Bellarion's death, with only the Marquis Theodore and his sister Valeria dissenting.
What happens
The captains vote unanimously for Bellarion's death, with only the Marquis Theodore and his sister Valeria dissenting. Valeria pleads for a trial before the Duke, but Carmagnola insists that the army demands Bellarion's execution. Theodore declares his belief in Bellarion's innocence, but Carmagnola dismisses this as a trick. Valeria, tormented by doubt, ultimately pledges herself to Carmagnola if he drives Theodore from Montferrat. Meanwhile, Bellarion, awaiting execution, tricks a friar into helping him escape by overpowering the guard and fleeing in disguise.
Themes in this chapter
Loyalty and Betrayal
Bellarion is accused of treason and double-dealing, while Valeria's pledge to Carmagnola ties loyalty to military success.
Deception and Identity
Bellarion's escape relies on disguise as a friar, and Carmagnola accuses him of being a 'glib dissembler' and 'sly devil.'
Love and Manipulation
Carmagnola uses Valeria's fears and hopes to secure her pledge, intertwining romantic desire with political ambition.
Characters to notice
- Bellarion
Condemned to death by the captains, he escapes by overpowering a friar and a guard, fleeing in disguise.
- Valeria of Montferrat
Pleads for Bellarion's life, doubts his guilt, and ultimately pledges herself to Carmagnola if he defeats Theodore.
- Francesco Busone da Carmagnola
Leads the push for Bellarion's execution, dismisses doubts, and secures Valeria's pledge of marriage.
- Theodore of Montferrat
Dissents from the death sentence, believing Bellarion innocent and arguing the letter is a trick.
- Werner von Stoffel
Mentioned as leading Swiss troops who might attempt to rescue Bellarion.
- Ercole Belluno
Impatiently supports the execution and is tasked with informing Bellarion of his fate.
- Ugolino da Tenda
Supports the execution and urges haste to pacify the men.
Key passages
“Unanimously the captains voted for Bellarion's death. The only dissentients were the Marquis and his sister.”
All the military leaders agreed Bellarion should die, except for Theodore and Valeria.
Highlights the isolation of Bellarion's supporters.
“The man who does that may claim me when he wants me. I swear it.”
Valeria promises to marry Carmagnola if he drives Theodore out of Montferrat.
This is the pivotal pledge of the chapter.
“I've brought the light, my son,' he said almost in a whisper. 'Your prisoner desires to be alone in the dark with his thoughts.'”
Bellarion, disguised as the friar, tells the guard that the prisoner wants solitude.
Key moment in Bellarion's escape plan.