Romola · Chapter
XLV: At the Barber's Shop explained
Tito returns to Florence after a diplomatic mission to Pisa, delivering his report to the Ten at the Palazzo Vecchio.
What happens
Tito returns to Florence after a diplomatic mission to Pisa, delivering his report to the Ten at the Palazzo Vecchio. He then visits Nello's barber shop, where he engages in political discussion with Niccolò Machiavelli, Domenico Cennini, and Francesco Cei about Savonarola's influence and the Medici faction. Tito learns that Giannozzo Pucci is away at his villa, which he needs to know to deliver a ring from Piero de' Medici's envoy.
Themes in this chapter
Political and Religious Corruption
The chapter discusses the manipulation of political and religious power, with Machiavelli's cynical analysis of Savonarola's leverage and the Medici's secret scheming.
Betrayal and Deception
Tito's double dealings are evident: he feigns attachment to the popular government while secretly serving the Medici, and he hides his true intentions from Bernardo del Nero and others.
Knowledge and Erudition
The barber shop serves as a gathering place for intellectual discussion, where Machiavelli and others debate political theory and the role of prophecy.
Characters to notice
- Tito Melema
Returns from Pisa, delivers diplomatic report, seeks a shave at Nello's shop, and discreetly gathers information about Giannozzo Pucci's whereabouts.
- Bernardo del Nero
One of the Ten, admires Tito's diplomatic skill but harbors distrust and dislike for him, especially after the library sale.
- Niccolò Machiavelli
Present at Nello's shop, engages in political analysis of Savonarola's position, showing his characteristic cynicism and insight.
- Domenico Cennini
A practical man, discusses the political situation, expresses belief in Savonarola's integrity, and mentions Giannozzo Pucci's absence.
- Nello
The barber, serves Tito and participates in the conversation, commenting on Romola's pale appearance and the famine.
- Francesco Cei
A poet, expresses strong hostility toward Savonarola, calling him a false prophet.
Key passages
“Ah, he said, inwardly, that doubtless is the reason she has taken to listening to Fra Girolamo, and going amongst the Piagnoni, which I never expected from her.”
Bernardo del Nero thinks Romola's interest in Savonarola is due to her unhappy marriage.
Bernardo's internal reflection on Romola's changed behavior.
“These women, if they are not happy, and have no children, must either take to folly or to some overstrained religion that makes them think they've got all heaven's work on their shoulders.”
Bernardo believes that unhappy, childless women turn to excessive religion.
Bernardo's patriarchal view of women's behavior.
“The Frate's game is an impossible one. If he had contented himself with preaching against the vices of Rome, and with prophesying that in some way, not mentioned, Italy would be scourged, depend upon it Pope Alexander would have allowed him to spend his breath in that way as long as he could find hearers.”
Machiavelli argues that Savonarola's political ambitions make him a target for the Pope, unlike mere preaching.
Machiavelli's analysis of Savonarola's political vulnerability.
“He is accumulating three sorts of hatred on his head—the hatred of average mankind against everyone who wants to lay on them a strict yoke of virtue; the hatred of the stronger powers in Italy who want to farm Florence for their own purposes; and the hatred of the people, to whom he has ventured to promise good in this world, instead of confining his promises to the next.”
Machiavelli lists three sources of opposition to Savonarola: those who resent strict morality, foreign powers, and the people whose worldly expectations may be disappointed.
Machiavelli's cynical prediction of Savonarola's downfall.
