Romola · Chapter
LXIV: The Prophet in His Cell explained
Savonarola, under intense pressure to undergo the Trial by Fire, struggles with his own doubts and fears.
What happens
Savonarola, under intense pressure to undergo the Trial by Fire, struggles with his own doubts and fears. Tito Melema visits him, offering to carry letters to France, but Savonarola is initially hesitant. Tito reveals his plans to leave Florence, and Savonarola eventually entrusts him with a letter to the French ambassador, unaware that Tito intends to betray him by having the letter intercepted by agents of the Duke of Milan.
Themes in this chapter
Political and Religious Corruption
Savonarola's secret letter to the French king to depose the Pope, and Tito's betrayal of that letter for political gain, underscore the corruption and intrigue within both religious and political spheres.
Betrayal and Deception
Tito's manipulation of Savonarola's trust, pretending to be a loyal messenger while secretly plotting to intercept the letter, exemplifies the theme of betrayal and deception.
Characters to notice
- Girolamo Savonarola
In his cell, Savonarola grapples with the impossibility of the Trial by Fire, his mind torn between prophetic conviction and practical fear. He reluctantly entrusts a letter to Tito, unaware of the betrayal.
- Tito Melema
Tito cunningly manipulates Savonarola into giving him the letter, while secretly planning to have it intercepted by Milanese agents. He also reveals his intention to leave Florence.
- Domenico Mazzinghi
Mentioned as a disciple of Savonarola and a member of the Ten, who was expected to carry the letters but whose return is uncertain.
Key passages
“Savonarola’s nature was one of those in which opposing tendencies coexist in almost equal strength: the passionate sensibility which, impatient of definite thought, floods every idea with emotion and tends towards contemplative ecstasy, alternated in him with a keen perception of outward facts and a vigorous practical judgment of men and things.”
Savonarola had a dual nature: one side was deeply emotional and prone to mystical visions, while the other was sharply aware of reality and made practical decisions.
This highlights the internal conflict that makes it impossible for him to face the Trial by Fire.
“To appeal to heaven for a miracle by a rash acceptance of a challenge, which is a mere snare prepared for me by ignoble foes, would be a tempting of God, and the appeal would not be responded to.”
He reasoned that accepting the challenge would be a reckless test of God, and that God would not answer such a provocation.
Savonarola justifies his refusal to undergo the trial by framing it as a temptation of God.
“I intend, then, soon to leave Florence, to visit the chief courts of Europe, and to widen my acquaintance with the men of letters in the various universities.”
Tito tells Savonarola that he plans to travel to Europe's major courts and universities to expand his scholarly connections.
Tito uses this as a pretext to gain Savonarola's trust and obtain the letter.