Romola · Chapter
XX: The Day of the Betrothal explained
On the day of Romola and Tito's betrothal, a modest procession accompanies them to Santa Croce for the ceremony.
What happens
On the day of Romola and Tito's betrothal, a modest procession accompanies them to Santa Croce for the ceremony. Afterward, Tito presents Romola with a painted tabernacle by Piero di Cosimo, designed to hide away the crucifix from San Marco, symbolizing his desire to bury sadness and focus on their joy. However, a grim Carnival procession of Winged Time and the sheeted dead unsettles Romola, evoking her brother's vision. Tito dismisses it as mere fooling, but Romola's unease lingers.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Selfishness
Tito's gift of the tabernacle is a selfish act to bury Romola's sadness, prioritizing his own comfort over her emotional needs.
Female Agency and Marriage
Romola's submission to Tito's decisions, such as hiding the crucifix, reflects the limited agency of women in marriage.
Characters to notice
- Romola de' Bardi
Betrothed to Tito, she experiences a mix of joy and unease, troubled by the grim Carnival procession and the hidden crucifix.
- Tito Melema
Orchestrates the betrothal day, presenting a painted tabernacle to hide the crucifix, and dismisses Romola's fears.
- Bardo de' Bardi
Walks in the procession, led by Tito and Romola, and insists on the ceremony at Santa Croce.
- Bernardo del Nero
Walks as vanguard in the procession and gives Romola a pearl band as a gift.
- Bartolommeo Scala
Attends the betrothal with his daughter Alessandra, adding dignity to the occasion.
- Piero di Cosimo
Painted the tabernacle and the portraits of Romola and Tito, though he is not present in the scene.
Key passages
“Tito did not blench. Romola’s little illusions about himself had long ceased to cause him anything but satisfaction.”
Tito felt no guilt about Romola's misconceptions; he was content with them.
Highlights Tito's growing selfishness and deception.
“A cold horror seized on Romola, for at the first moment it seemed as if her brother’s vision, which could never be effaced from her mind, was being half fulfilled.”
Romola was terrified, thinking the procession was fulfilling her brother's prophecy.
Connects to the theme of historical change and continuity, and Romola's inner turmoil.