Giacomo’s Role in Cenci

Giacomo, used to “beds of down, and delicate food, hundreds of servants, and six palaces” (2.2), pleads with the Cardinal to intervene with his father, Cenci, on his behalf. Cenci, who stole his wife’s dowry, and refused to help Giacomo financially, has provoked him into desperate action. The cardinal, however, tells him “though your particular case is hard, I know the pope will not divert the course of the law” (2.2). In other words, we do not bite the hand that feeds us. Thus proving the church will not become involved if they have

Giacomo, although a seemingly minor character, is a necessary personality in the Cenci. He not only exposes the hypocrisy within the church, but exposes his father as an evil man going back into their childhood. Giacomo loves his sister dearly; however, he is a weak character, who cannot accept blame. Through his weakened state, he confesses their misdeeds, sealing everyone’s fate. All the while laying blame on anyone or thing but himself, as he does throughout the play.

“Have I confessed? Is it all over now? No hope! No refuge! O, weak, wicked tongue which hast destroyed me would that thou hadst been cut out and thrown to dogs first! To have killed my father first, and then betrayed my sister.” (4.2)

Giacomo displays his devotion to his sister, as well as his weakness as a man when Orsino asks him to run rather than be captured like Beatrice, his sister. He cannot allow his sister to take the blame for the heinous crime, but he also cannot accept the blame personally. He then focuses his an

Some topics in this essay:
, father giacomo, seemingly minor character, giacomo seemingly minor, minor character, weak character, giacomo seemingly, accept blame, seemingly minor,