The Monk · Chapter
Chapter VIII explained
Lorenzo, armed with a cardinal's letter, prepares to expose the crimes at St.
What happens
Lorenzo, armed with a cardinal's letter, prepares to expose the crimes at St. Clare's convent. Meanwhile, Ambrosio, aided by Matilda's magic, attempts to rape Antonia but is discovered by Elvira. In a panic, he murders Elvira by smothering her with a pillow, then flees back to the abbey.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy of Religious Institutions
Ambrosio, a revered monk, is revealed as a lustful murderer, embodying the corruption within the church.
Fall from Grace
Ambrosio's descent from saintly preacher to rapist and murderer is starkly depicted in this chapter.
Innocence and Corruption
Antonia's innocent sleep is violently corrupted by Ambrosio's lust, and Elvira's protective innocence is destroyed by his murderous act.
Characters to notice
- Don Lorenzo
Receives a cardinal's letter and prepares to punish Antonia's assassins, unaware of Ambrosio's plot.
- Ambrosio
Attempts to rape Antonia, is discovered by Elvira, and murders her to avoid exposure.
- Antonia
Falls into a deep magical sleep as Ambrosio prepares to assault her; remains unconscious throughout.
- Elvira
Wakes from a nightmare, discovers Ambrosio with Antonia, threatens to expose him, and is murdered by the monk.
- Matilda
Implied to have provided the enchanted myrtle that enables Ambrosio's entrance to Antonia's room.
- Don Ramirez de Mello
Promises support to Lorenzo and selects archers to prevent popular opposition.
Key passages
“She left her, and returned to her instantly, threw herself into her maternal arms, and bathed her cheek with tears: she felt uneasy at quitting her, and a secret presentiment assured her that never must they meet again.”
Antonia, filled with a foreboding that she would never see her mother again, returned to embrace Elvira tearfully before reluctantly leaving.
Foreshadows Elvira's imminent murder and the permanent separation of mother and daughter.
“Turning round suddenly, with one hand he grasped Elvira's throat so as to prevent her continuing her clamour, and with the other, dashing her violently upon the ground, he dragged her towards the bed.”
In a desperate move to silence Elvira, Ambrosio grabbed her throat, threw her to the floor, and pulled her toward the bed.
Describes the violent onset of Elvira's murder.
“He replaced the pillow upon the bed, gathered up his garments, and with the fatal talisman in his hand, bent his unsteady steps towards the door.”
After the murder, Ambrosio composed himself, retrieved his clothes, and used the enchanted myrtle to flee the room.
Shows Ambrosio's cold calculation even after committing murder.