The Betrothed: I Promessi Sposi

The Betrothed tells a story in which the law and justice are not always compatible. The novel is set on the Italian peninsula in the early 17th century, a time of disunification, rule from abroad, and widespread corruption. Local barons are rich and powerful; they employ the bravi to do their dirty work, using hardened criminals to police the land as they see fit, rather than in accordance with any loftier idea of justice. Don Rodrigo embodies this form of corruption. With his band of bravi, he is the legal institution in the region. He cannot be questioned, due to his connections to the powerful, his wealth, and the armed men he has at his disposal. He is also closely associated with the local lawyer, Professor Argle-Bargle, and the Mayor, which adds a bureaucratic legitimacy to his authority. Don Rodrigo’s word is the law, but his decisions do not in any way adhere to some idealized form of justice. When Renzo is denied his marriage due to Don Rodrigo’s interference, he visits Professor Argle-Bargle. The lawyer is willing to help, but only when he mistakenly believes that Renzo is one of the bravi. When he learns that Renzo is the injured party, he chases Renzo from his office.