Romola · Chapter
LXXII: The Last Silence explained
Romola hears that Savonarola, upon signing his confession, said God had withdrawn the spirit of prophecy from him, shaking her faith.
What happens
Romola hears that Savonarola, upon signing his confession, said God had withdrawn the spirit of prophecy from him, shaking her faith. On May 19th, Papal Commissaries arrive in Florence to complete his trial, and the people cry for his death. Under fresh torture, Savonarola retracts his confession, declaring he spoke falsely and that his words came from God, but then retracts again under further torment, saying he lied to seem good. On May 23rd, 1498, Romola watches from a window as Savonarola is degraded, stripped of his vestments, and led to the scaffold. She hopes for a final word of truth, but as he looks upon the jeering crowd, his voice falls into eternal silence.
Themes in this chapter
Redemption and Moral Choice
Savonarola's final moments are marked by a struggle between his desire to seem good and his commitment to the truth, culminating in a silence that leaves his redemption ambiguous.
Political and Religious Corruption
The chapter depicts the corruption of both political and religious institutions as they orchestrate a brutal execution to satisfy popular demand.
Characters to notice
- Romola de' Bardi
Romola is deeply shaken by Savonarola's retraction and seeks to witness his final moment, hoping for a last declaration of innocence.
- Girolamo Savonarola
Savonarola is tortured, retracts his confession, and is ultimately led to execution, where his voice falls into eternal silence.
- Dolfo Spini
Spini is present as one of the Eight, part of the tribunal that pronounces the sentence of death.
- Jacopo di Nola
A young Florentine who stands near Romola, offering to tell her when Savonarola comes out so she need not watch the cruel scene.
Key passages
“Pray for me, for God has withdrawn from me the spirit of prophecy.”
Pray for me, because God has taken away my ability to foresee the future.
Savonarola's words upon signing his confession, which shake Romola's faith.
“I said it that I might seem good; tear me no more, I will tell you the truth.”
I said that so I would appear virtuous; stop torturing me, and I will tell you the truth.
Savonarola's retraction of his retraction under torture, revealing his desperation.
“The moment was past. Her face was covered again, and she only knew that Savonarola’s voice had passed into eternal silence.”
The moment had passed. She covered her face again, and all she knew was that Savonarola's voice had gone silent forever.
The final, tragic moment of the chapter, marking the end of Savonarola's life and voice.