Romola · Chapter
IV: First Impressions explained
In Nello's barber shop, Tito Melema is introduced to Domenico Cennini, a goldsmith, and Piero di Cosimo, a painter.
What happens
In Nello's barber shop, Tito Melema is introduced to Domenico Cennini, a goldsmith, and Piero di Cosimo, a painter. Tito seeks to pawn a valuable ring, and Piero, struck by Tito's face, suggests he would make a perfect model for a traitor in his painting. Tito is momentarily startled but recovers, and Cennini agrees to help him find work, inviting him to meet his brother. Nello, the barber, is charmed by Tito and plans to learn more about him before introducing him to Bardo Bardi.
Themes in this chapter
Knowledge and Erudition
Tito is presented as a learned young man with knowledge of Greek and Latin, and the chapter discusses the value of scholarship in Florence.
Betrayal and Deception
Piero's comment about Tito's face being suitable for a traitor introduces the theme of deception and hidden motives.
Characters to notice
- Tito Melema
Arrives at Nello's shop, seeks to pawn a ring, and is noted for his striking appearance and scholarly demeanor.
- Nello
The barber, who introduces Tito to Cennini and Piero, and is impressed by Tito's looks and charm.
- Domenico Cennini
A goldsmith who examines Tito's ring and offers to help him find employment.
- Piero di Cosimo
A painter who sees Tito as a model for a traitor in his painting, causing Tito to startle.
Key passages
“You come as opportunely as cheese on macaroni.”
You have arrived at the perfect moment.
Nello uses a culinary metaphor to express the timeliness of Cennini's arrival.
“A perfect traitor should have a face which vice can write no marks on—lips that will lie with a dimpled smile—eyes of such agate-like brightness and depth that no infamy can dull them—cheeks that will rise from a murder and not look haggard.”
An ideal traitor would have an innocent-looking face that shows no signs of evil, with a charming smile and bright eyes that remain untarnished by wrongdoing.
Piero explains why Tito's appearance would be perfect for his painting of a traitor.