Romola · Chapter
The Shipwrecked Stranger explained
In the bustling Mercato Vecchio of Florence, a crowd gathers to discuss political and religious tensions, including the recent death of Lorenzo de' Medici and the preaching of Fra Girolamo Savonarola.
What happens
In the bustling Mercato Vecchio of Florence, a crowd gathers to discuss political and religious tensions, including the recent death of Lorenzo de' Medici and the preaching of Fra Girolamo Savonarola. Amidst the chatter, Bratti Ferravecchi, a junk dealer, encounters a mysterious shipwrecked stranger and attempts to learn his story, but the stranger proves elusive. The chapter introduces the vibrant market scene and the social dynamics of Florence, setting the stage for the stranger's arrival and the political upheaval to come.
Themes in this chapter
Political and Religious Corruption
The chapter opens with discussions of taxes, portents, and the influence of preachers, highlighting the intertwining of politics and religion in Florence.
Historical Change and Continuity
The death of Lorenzo de' Medici marks a turning point, while the market scene shows the continuity of daily life amidst political upheaval.
Characters to notice
- Bratti Ferravecchi
A junk dealer who finds the shipwrecked stranger and tries to engage him in conversation, showing his shrewd and opportunistic nature.
- Nello
A barber with a ready tongue, who engages in banter about politics and religion, and later joins Bratti in searching for the stranger.
- Goro
A market-goer who complains about taxes and discusses the political situation, showing the common citizen's perspective.
- Niccolò Machiavelli
A forceful speaker who dismisses Goro's complaints and shows his pragmatic and outspoken nature.
Key passages
“By San Giovanni, though, I am not sure there isn’t some truth in what Ser Cioni says. For I know I have good reason to find fault with the quattrini bianchi myself.”
Goro expresses his agreement with Ser Cioni's complaints about the new coinage, showing his dissatisfaction with the government's financial policies.
This quote illustrates the public's grievances against the magistracy and the economic tensions in Florence.
“I’ve heard you say yourself, that a man wasn’t a mill-wheel, to be on the grind, grind, as long as he was driven, and then stick in his place without stirring when the water was low.”
Goro reminds Niccolò of his earlier speeches about the need for action and not being passive, showing the political debates among the citizens.
This exchange highlights the political engagement of the common people and the influence of Machiavelli's ideas.