# XXV: Outside the Duomo explained — Romola

> Chapter companion for Romola by George Eliot.

## What happens

After Savonarola's sermon, Baldassarre is freed from his cords by Piero di Cosimo, who offers him help but is rebuffed. The chapter then describes the diverse crowd leaving the Duomo, illustrating the various social and political factions drawn to Savonarola's preaching, and reflects on the mixed nature of his influence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Political and Religious Corruption

Savonarola's preaching mixes spiritual fervor with political manipulation, and the crowd's varied motives reveal the corrupting influence of power.

### Redemption and Moral Choice

Baldassarre's refusal of Piero's help and his single-minded pursuit of revenge highlight a choice against redemption.

## Character check-ins

### Baldassarre Calvo

Freed from his bonds by Piero di Cosimo, he remains suspicious and refuses further aid, driven by his quest for revenge.

### Piero di Cosimo

Observes Baldassarre and cuts his cords, offering shelter and a portrait opportunity, but is declined.

### Girolamo Savonarola

His preaching draws a massive and diverse crowd, and his influence is analyzed as both noble and compromised.

### Niccolò Machiavelli

Mentioned among the men of ideas who attend Savonarola's sermons to observe and report.

### Dolfo Spini

Representative of the licentious young men who attend out of hatred and a desire to find grounds for accusation.

## Key lines

> In Savonarola’s preaching there were strains that appealed to the very finest susceptibilities of men’s natures, and there were elements that gratified low egoism, tickled gossiping curiosity, and fascinated timorous superstition.

Savonarola's sermons contained both noble appeals to the best in people and base elements that satisfied selfishness and superstition.

_This reflects the mixed nature of his influence._

> No man ever struggled to retain power over a mixed multitude without suffering vitiation; his standard must be their lower needs and not his own best insight.

Anyone who seeks to maintain control over a diverse crowd inevitably becomes corrupted, catering to their baser instincts rather than his own higher understanding.

_The narrator comments on the corrupting effect of power._

> Let us fling away the chalk, and boldly say⁠—the victim is spotted, but it is not therefore in vain that his mighty heart is laid on the altar of men’s highest hopes.

We should acknowledge Savonarola's flaws honestly, but his sacrifice for humanity's ideals is still meaningful.

_A defense of Savonarola despite his imperfections._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romola_se/chapters/xxv-outside-the-duomo
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romola_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romola_se/chapters