Romola · Chapter
LVII: Why Tito Was Safe explained
Tito Melema, having foreseen the discovery of the Medicean conspiracy, has secured his own safety by betraying his fellow conspirators to the government.
What happens
Tito Melema, having foreseen the discovery of the Medicean conspiracy, has secured his own safety by betraying his fellow conspirators to the government. He reveals the plot to Francesco Valori, obtains immunity from prosecution and retention of his office, and is commissioned to gather further evidence. His actions, while ensuring his immediate safety, begin to earn him the distrust of the Florentine council, and he contemplates a future away from Florence, unburdened by his past.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Deception
Tito's triple game of deception, betraying the Mediceans while maintaining his cover, highlights the theme of betrayal and the moral compromises made for self-preservation.
Political and Religious Corruption
The corruption of political and religious institutions is evident in the use of informants, secret dealings, and the manipulation of justice for personal vendettas.
Redemption and Moral Choice
Tito's choices, driven by self-interest, preclude any possibility of redemption, as he chooses to betray others to save himself.
Characters to notice
- Tito Melema
Betrays the Medicean conspirators to secure his own safety, revealing his duplicity and self-serving nature.
- Francesco Valori
Head of the Piagnoni, accepts Tito's proposition, motivated by his hatred of Bernardo del Nero and desire for a strong sentence.
- Bernardo del Nero
Target of Valori's animosity; his guilt is to be emphasized in the plot, though he only refrained from betraying it.
- Piero de' Medici
The Medicean leader attempting to gather forces; the plot to restore him is the subject of Tito's revelations.
- Ser Ceccone
Another informer willing to serve the State by giving information against unsuccessful employers; brushes past Tito after the council meeting.
Key passages
“It was a faint prognostic of that hissing, gathered by Tito from certain indications when he was before the council, which gave his present conduct the character of an epoch to him, and made him dwell on it with argumentative vindication.”
Tito sensed a subtle disapproval from the council, marking this as a turning point in his life, and he felt the need to justify his actions to himself.
Highlights Tito's awareness of his deteriorating reputation and his internal rationalization.
“Unprincipled men were useful, enabling those who had more scruples to keep their hands tolerably clean in a world where there was much dirty work to be done.”
The council members viewed Tito as a useful but unscrupulous tool, allowing them to avoid direct involvement in questionable deeds.
Reflects the cynical pragmatism of Florentine politics.
“It did not enter into Tito’s meditations on the future, that, on issuing from the council-chamber and descending the stairs, he had brushed against a man whose face he had not stayed to recognise in the lamplight.”
Tito was unaware that he had passed Ser Ceccone, another informer, on his way out, foreshadowing potential future complications.
Foreshadows the dangers of Tito's double-dealing.