We encourage you to buy and read the full version of Umberto Eco’s book! But if you can’t, due to the Corvid 19 emergency, here’s Chapter 4 of our ‘Riassunto facilitato per studenti di italiano L2, da Francesca Colombo’, which corresponds approximately to pp. 73-127 of the original Italian version.
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I due ospiti del monastero continuano a indagare. Guglielmo entra nella fucina del maestro vetraio, che sembra simpatico e aver voglia di chiacchierare. Guglielmo gli mostra con orgoglio i suoi occhiali: due piccole lenti incastrate in un’asticella di ferro. L’artigiano è sbalordito, non ha mai visto nulla di simile! Guglielmo, per entrare maggiormente in confidenza con lui, glieli lascia provare e studiare, poi lo incoraggia: “Forse potreste provare a riprodurli!”, poi aggiunge: “Che sapete dirmi della biblioteca?”
Il vetraio spiega che, di notte, strane luci si accendono in quel luogo. Quando escono dal laboratorio, Adso chiede preoccupato: “Ci saranno forse degli spiriti in biblioteca?”
Guglielmo sghignazza: “Ma quali spiriti!? Qualcuno lascia delle candele accese in modo che i curiosi abbiano paura di entrare!”
La mattina del secondo giorno, i monaci riuniti in preghiera sono interrotti da alcuni servi che, con il terrore negli occhi, fanno irruzione in chiesa e corrono verso l’abate. Questi si alza subito e, insieme a Guglielmo e Adso, li segue in fretta. Giunti nel cortile, vedono le gambe di un uomo spuntare da un recipiente utilizzato per contenere il sangue dei maiali.
Il cadavere indossa i sandali da monaco. Il suo volto, ricoperto di sangue suino, è quasi irriconoscibile. Ma, una volta pulito il viso, si capisce che si tratta di Venanzio, uno degli amanuensi colleghi di Adelmo.
Guglielmo fa analizzare il corpo all’erborista Severino, ma non vi è nessun segno strano, eccetto la lingua molto scura. “In tal caso” dichiara l’investigatore “è probabile che sia stato avvelenato”. E aggiunge: “Sospetto che sia stato ucciso nella biblioteca”.
Adso allora chiede: “Perché proprio lì?”
Il suo maestro gli spiega un po’ spazientito: “Prova a ragionare, ragazzo! In qualsiasi altra zona del convento, il cadavere sarebbe stato ritrovato in fretta, poiché tutti vi hanno accesso… ma in biblioteca no! Non subito almeno, e credo che l’assassino volesse far sapere a tutti della morte di Venanzio. Vedi il modo umiliante con cui è stato gettato nel sangue dei maiali? Sembra una sorta di punizione e di messaggio. Venanzio deve aver provato a leggere un libro in biblioteca, lo stesso libro che anche Adelmo ha provato a leggere. Ma c’è qualcuno vuole nascondere il contenuto di questo manoscritto e sta comunicando agli altri monaci di star lontani dal libro proibito. Molti di loro lavorano vicino o nella biblioteca… L’assassino sa che qualche altro curioso proverà a svelare il mistero, e sta tentando di tenere tutti lontani da tale manoscritto. Siamo tutti in pericolo, caro Adso, soprattutto noi, che ficchiamo il naso nella questione”. Il ragazzo guarda preoccupato il maestro e rabbrividisce.
Guglielmo interroga l’amanuense Bencio, che si guarda intorno nervosamente mentre racconta a bassa voce: “Il giorno prima della morte di Adelmo, nello scrittorio, si discuteva della risata: padre Jorge sosteneva che fosse peccaminosa sempre, mentre il defunto Venanzio diceva che lo stesso Aristotele definisce la risata uno strumento di verità. Ma il libro sulla commedia, in cui il grande Aristotele scrive della risata, pare sia stato perduto da secoli…”
Guglielmo lo incalza: “Ho assistito a una scena simile ieri. Poi cosa è successo?”
Bencio continua: “Il vecchio Padre Jorge se ne è andato, e Venanzio è rimasto a confabulare con Berengario, l’aiuto bibliotecario, finché il bibliotecario Malachia li ha sentiti parlare del ‘Finis Africae’ e ha trascinato via bruscamente Berengario. Tutti sanno in convento della relazione che Berengario aveva con il defunto Adelmo… Perché non parlate con lui?”
Glossario
fucina: forge
vetraio: glassmaker
incastrate: set, nestled
recipiente: container
in tal caso: if that is the case
si discuteva: was debated
risata: laughter
defunto: departed
Esercizio
Completa il testo con le preposizioni semplici o articolate adatte:
I due ospiti (1) _____ monastero continuano (2)_____ indagare. Guglielmo entra (3) _____ fucina (4) _____ maestro vetraio, che sembra simpatico e aver voglia (5) _____ chiacchierare. Guglielmo gli mostra (6) _____ orgoglio i suoi occhiali, due piccole lenti incastrate (7) _____ un’asticella (8) _____ ferro. L’artigiano è sbalordito, non ha mai visto nulla (9) _____ simile! Guglielmo, per entrare maggiormente (10) _____ confidenza (11) ____ lui, glieli lascia provare e studiare, poi lo incoraggia: “Forse potreste provare a riprodurli!” E aggiunge: “Che sapete dirmi (12) _____ biblioteca?” Il vetraio spiega che, (13) _____ notte, strane luci si accendono (14) ____ quel luogo.
Quando escono (15) _____ laboratorio, Adso chiede preoccupato: “Ci saranno forse degli spiriti (16) _____ biblioteca?” Guglielmo sghignazza: “Ma quali spiriti!? Qualcuno lascia delle candele accese (17) _____ modo che i curiosi abbiano paura (18) _____ entrare!”
Soluzioni | Back to Italian Literature page
Daniel says
Happy Easter, book clubbbers!
Where I live, we call today ‘Pasquetta’ (Easter Monday), otherwise known as il lunedì di Pasqua or ‘Il lunedì dell’Angelo’ – which I’ve not heard used, but then I don’t frequent the circles in which these things are much discussed.
Yesterday (Easter Sunday/Pasqua) we had special meals and virtual family gatherings, so today should be quieter and less troubling to the digestive system. Everything is closed, of course, but even if it weren’t, we couldn’t go out. Sigh…
Oh well, I suppose there’s nothing for it but to pick up ‘Il nome della rosa’ and keep reading! I’m getting close to finishing it (as I started earlier…) You guys, if you’re keeping pace with the material we’ve been publishing should be nearing the end of il Primo giorno and making a start on il Secondo giorno.
Don’t worry about trying to match our ‘riassunti’ with the actual book that (hopefully) you’re reading at home – I’ve tried and failed!
Just keep reading. We’re about a fifth of the way through, which doesn’t seem like much, but you’ll see – soon it’ll be two-fifths, then three-fifths, and so on.
Remember two things:
1.) There’s no shame in skipping the boring/heavy parts (I just read about 15 pages of Adso describing a dream, and honestly, wished I hadn’t bothered!)
2.) With this type of ‘extensive’ reading, the dictionary is not your friend. You may think it is, right up to the point at which you give up because the text is ‘too difficult’. Think of Eco’s story as a wave and yourself as a surfer riding it – you want to keep your momentum, keep going right until the end. Drowning in detail will just ruin your hair style while someone else gets the glory.
Buona lettura, allora!
Stella moore says
Happy Easter to you all.
Thank you for taking the time to set all this up Daniel. As I am reading, I am now learning which bits to skip as they look indigestible, and which parts to read more carefully.It is certainly helping me to relax, as I am in the garden, and time does not matter any more!
I will plough on!
Daniel says
Enjoy your garden, Stella. Here in northern Italy it’s clouded over somewhat.
John Cole says
Daniel,
Thanks for being a tough but smooth talking taskmaster. I am greatly enjoying the challenge and am nearing the end of day one.
I have also been tempted to explore a little of the real-life thirteenth century ‘Ruggiero Bacone’, who, I imagine, would have been capable of helping the detective work.,
Keep speaking to us!
Daniel says
Don’t get distracted, John! It’s a long book.
Christina Haire says
Grazie Mille Daniel. I look forward to your emails, all of them, I find your writing style very engaging and I enjoy them all. . I also read, more than listen, I’m afraid’, , to Easy Italian News, and am reading Dante on the side. Lol. I fear I spend more time reading about how to learn Italian than actually learning Italian but I also believe in osmosis.. I am not normally a commenter but here in lock down, Annapolis, Maryland, our lovely state Capitol, I enjoy your emails even more. I am reading Il Nome Della Rosa and have overcome my need for the dictionary and as I wallow through thinking I have not understood a word, I am then amazed to find I have actually gotten the storyline. Bravo! Grazie!
Daniel says
Brava a te, invece, Christina!
Chris says
Buona Pasquetta! Also sat in the garden on a cooler day but the sun is shining.. Ready for the easy reader capitolo 4 and ploughing through the book on Kindle.Definitely got lost in some detailed descriptions on the Kindle version.
Grazie mille for doing the book club and easy reader option . A presto
Mary says
Buona Pasquetta!
Yes, you’re right Daniel! A real treat! Poor Venanzio’s feet sticking up out the vat of pigs’ blood. Thank goodness it is Winter or the smell would be appalling!
Daniel says
You’re not suggesting that Benedictine monks have smelly feet, surely, Mary?
Minou Alexander says
Here it’s Pasquetta, so buongiornio! This is a genius service/opportunity so thank you again, Daniel et. al. Your reminders about how to read senza dizionario are beginning to get through (i haven’t snuck a peek yet today). It really is amazing to me – at my beginner level – how much i CAN understand. (Although i did get confused about poor Brunello: in my first several pass throughs i thought he fell into the crevice!) I have been following on Riassunto…. Very Helpful. Finally now have Engl and Itln hard copies; looking forward to wallowing through w/ you all!
P.S.: i love all that dream and filosofia stuff — now that i have the books, i plan to read the english after the italian in the denser parts…. that’s kinda “senza dizionario,” si’?
A mercoledi’
Daniel says
A mercoledì, Minou.
Colleen Gilbert says
I look forward to your pep talks, Daniel. I am enjoying my struggle with Il Nome della Rosa. The audiolibro and the riassunto facilitato are really helping me to stay the course.
Ann says
Hi All
Well Easter. came and went and was fairly uneventful but we did have the traditional lamb roast and a certain amount of chocolate, It was a shame not to have family and grandchildren here with us in Liverpool, but we FaceTime every day.
My thanks too, to Daniel for getting me to start reading this great book. I’m at the end of day 1 on Kindle and luckily I can look up vocabulary instantly, but I try to guess a word instead, to avoid constantly stopping. I read the English for day 1 after the original and will continue like this. I have also done the exercises you have kindly provided with each riassunto. And I’ve watched the Sean Connery film in full. There’s another much more recent version of the film which was broadcast in 8 parts last autumn by the BBC, starring John Turturro and Rupert Everett.
Lastly, as I’m doing more knitting and crafting at the moment I can continue to do this whilst listening in Italian to the 30 part adaptation of Il Nome della Rosa from RAI3.
There never a dull moment!!🌈🇮🇹
Chris says
Ann, thanks for your comment about the film and series! Dohhh to me! I completely forgot about the film an certainly didn’t link the 2!!
Happy reading, listening and crafting
Chris 🙂
Isabel says
I love your cheerleading Daniel!! The whole idea of yours is great and I love the surfing metaphor
I am only reading the Easy Reader version and I feel like i’m a real cheat, (I’ve been unable to source the full book in Victoria, or anywhere else in Australia.) Like someone else said, it’s easier for me to understand the sense of some words I don’t recognise if I read out loud. Chocolate also helps ! 🙂
Daniel says
I started with ‘easy readers’ myself, Isabel, after arriving in Italy in the autumn of 1998, with a pregnant not-yet-wife and just a few words of the local language. Clearly, reading ‘real’ books is a lot more of a challenge: some people get there because they have no choice (me!), while others have a thirst for authenticity and the time/energy to appreciate it. The important thing, though, is to be moving ahead, learning, improving. Perhaps one day you’ll lay your hands on Eco’s text, maybe next time you visit Italy? Book shops are opening up again now, I hear. So you’ll have something to look forward to!
Wendy Hartnell says
This was the point where the summaries overtook my own reading and that finally forced me to go dictionary-free so as to keep up. I can guess a lot and sometimes it’s unusual sentence structure rather than vocabulary that impedes understanding. I’m enjoying it though and never imagined I could read such a difficult text in Italian. I saw a recent TV series but the book is better because you get to know each character. I do skim the long-winded bits and find that some of the arguments come up more than once so there’s a chance to get it second time round.
I have read Italian novels before and it was always a Herculean task and I am slowly realising that the dictionary didn’t help that much! You were right Daniel although it’s a hard habit to break.
Thank you Daniel for your support and encouragement.
Wendy
Lynne F says
At first I found reading this really difficult and after about 10 minutes my brain was hurting . But sitting in the garden enjoying the unusual prolonged spell of sunny weather here in Lancashire I decided to read on. Amazingly it got so much easier. My brain really tuned in to Italian and I was understanding more and more.. So now no more short bursts, . Thanks for all the encouragement Daniel and to fellow book clubbers, for sharing your ideas and difficulties and successes!
Daniel says
Short bursts, Lynne. Keep at it!
Rosalind says
Phew! Just got up to date for the next instalment. Can’t say it’s getting easier though. The dialogue is generally fine but I tend to get bogged down in the long explanations of doctrine or practice.
Thank you very much for having this idea.
Margaret says
The conversations are much easier to understand than the long descriptions. I saw the Sean Connery film, but fortunately can’t remember ‘whodunnit.’
Chris says
I find the same. The descriptions are like the digging in a mine and the conversations like riding the wave ( as am amateur mind) as Daniel said in his last mail !
Pam says
Like many others finding the conversations easier than the descriptions, although I did enjoy reading about the ‘miniatures’.
Several years ago our State library had an exhibition of illuminated texts….so beautiful and inscribed on some those odd little caricatures…..also read somewhere that the lavish use of gold leaf was to make the pages glow in the candlelight…..just imagine in the dark churches of the 13 C the glow from the page would have seemed magical.
Interesting to hear that your bookshops might be opening Daniel…here in Melbourne we are still in lockdown..Hurray for wifi
Marjorie says
I started a little later than most – but I’m catching up. I bought the book on Kindle but have chosen to read the ‘riassunto’ and do the ‘esercizio’ first. I can’t believe how much I can understand without a dictionary! The ‘Glossario’ is brilliant. ( ….of course there is much I do not know! )
Thank you Daniel, for getting me started on this book. I will read it on Kindle and listen to the Rai audio later. This will help me with the pronunciation of some words I’m not sure of. I am really enjoying this.
Annalinda says
I am a bit behind and just finished capitolo 4 of the riassunto. I found 3 and 4 more difficult than 1 and 2 but resisted looking g up anything in dictionary from 4.
On an entirely different subject Instarted watching Inspector Vivaldi on Amazon. In Italian with English subtitles but I am trying not to look at the subtitles and just absorb what I hear.
Hey, it’s all good.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Annalinda
Anita says
I am enjoying the challenge and have now started to read and not use the dictionary – as per your advice Daniel. I have been surprised at how much I have understood, so will now put the dictionary aside and just concentrate on the story. I haven’t got the book yet but will do so shortly. As it is a rainy (much needed) afternoon here in Queensland, I will sit and listen to the story on Raiplay.
Many thanks Daniel for organising this.
Laura says
Daniel,
Ho paura di scrivere in italiano, ma voglio provarlo! Mi piace molto il misterio del nome della rossa! Grazie mille per i riassunti e per organizzare questo club. Sto imparando molto e nel riassunto di capitolo 5, prima cerchero di leggere tutto senza l’aiuto del diccionario. E sicuramente piu facile da leggere in italiano che da scrivere! Scrivo questo per una mezz’ ora. (E il mio primo paragrafo in italiano.) Mi chiedo chi sara la prossima vittima e se la sua morte sara tanto grafico e raro quanto la morte di Venanzio?!! Aspetto nervosamente, ma io so che Gugli-Elmo salvera la giornata!
Ciao e grazie!
Laura
Daniel says
You write well, Laura! A very effective first attempt, not sure I could do better…
One peculiarity of Italian (or maybe it’s English that’s odd) is that after the initial salutation, then a comma, they start the following line with a small letter rather than a capital. It’s one of those things that when you notice it, you’ll always see.
Dear Laura,
this is how Italians do it.
rather than the Anglo-Saxon:
Dear Daniel,
Oh, now I see.
Buono studio!
Laura says
Daniel,
grazie del consiglio! Io
sono felice che tu abbia capito la mia scrittura! Allora e tempo per capitolo 5 (il riassunto)…
Mi chiedo chi muore prossimamente?!!
Laura
Rob Lee says
Just a note to say I’m still going and enjoying this book more and more. The characters are colourful and just as you think Eco has got bogged down in naval gazing philosophy, off he goes again at a gallop. I’m starting to get interested in the history of the Benedictine and Franciscan orders and might do a bit of research after the book ends to see if Eco is writing from a factual basis or making all this up. If anyone already knows the answer to this do let me know.
PS Daniel, I know you are a busy man so don’t go spending any time trying to answer this question, its just in case any other readers are still in the game who might know the answer. i suspect not however.
Daniel says
It’s not a problem, Rob. If you read the ‘Postille’ when you get to the end (only another 30 pages or so, and by then you won’t mind, I’m sure), Eco explains how much research he did, and why. I wouldn’t know for sure, but I expect from what he wrote that you’d be hard pressed to find any historical details that weren’t right on the mark.
Slog on. The last 100 pages or so, when you get there, go very quickly.
Rob Lee says
Thanks Daniel. I’ll save my curiosity re the facts behind the story until the Postille. Grazie mille.