The Name of the Rose: A Medieval Mystery

Summary of the Work

Young Adso of Melk accompanies the Franciscan scholar William of Baskerville, a former inquisitor, to a remote monastery. Their peaceful visit quickly turns into a chilling murder investigation.

Day One

Abbot Abbo reveals the death of Adelmo, found in a ravine. William is granted permission to investigate, but the library, a treasure trove of knowledge, is strictly off-limits. William reunites with an old acquaintance, Ubertino of Casale, and encounters the peculiar Salvatore. He also questions Severino, the herbalist, and meets key figures in the scriptorium, including Malachi the librarian, Berengar his assistant, Venancio, Jorge, and Nicola the glazier. Strange occurrences and whispers of the library’s secrets fuel speculation about the Devil’s involvement, but William suspects suicide.

Day Two

Venancio is found dead in a vat of pig’s blood. Suspicions of poisoning arise. William interrogates Benci and Berengar about Adelmo’s death, learning of a book by Aristotle on laughter and a clandestine meeting. Aymara, another monk, confirms the abbey’s unsettling atmosphere. William’s investigation in the scriptorium is interrupted by Benci, who hints at a secret. Later, William and Adso learn of a possible illicit encounter between Adelmo and Berengar. They seek information on accessing the library after hours and discover someone in the scriptorium, who flees, leaving behind a missing book and Venancio’s glasses. Inside the labyrinthine library, they encounter disorienting mirrors and strange fumes. The Abbot reveals Berengar’s disappearance, and a bloodied cloth is found in his cell.

Day Three

Adso discovers Salvatore’s heretical past. Ubertino shares stories of the radical monk Dulcinus. Adso has a passionate encounter with a village girl, only to find a bloody animal heart afterward. He confesses to William, who absolves him. Berengar’s drowned body is discovered in a bathtub.

Day Four

William and Severino examine Berengar’s body, noting blackened fingertips and tongue, similar to Venancio. They suspect a stolen poison. William extracts confessions from Salvatore and Remigio, the cellarer, about heretical activities and their involvement with villagers. Severino returns Venancio’s lens, found on Berengar. William deciphers Venancio’s manuscript but remains puzzled. Cardinal del Poggetto and the infamous inquisitor Bernard Gui arrive, focusing their inquiries on the laity, contrasting with William’s approach. William and Adso explore the library further, aided by a map. Salvatore and a girl are apprehended by Gui’s archers, accused of witchcraft.

Day Five

A meeting on the poverty of Jesus takes place. Severino requests a meeting with William, claiming to have found a strange book. Monks observe the meeting. Severino is found murdered in the herbarium. The book, written in Greek and Arabic, is missing. Bernard Gui accuses Remigio, who confesses under duress to the murders, including Severino’s, although William doubts his veracity. Ubertino is advised to leave the abbey. Benci becomes the new assistant librarian and hides the book.

Day Six

Malachi dies during prayers, exhibiting the same black tongue and fingers. Benci is appointed librarian, and Nicola becomes cellarer. The Abbot dismisses William. William discovers the entrance to finis Africae, the secret chamber. Someone becomes trapped in a passage.

Day Seven

William and Adso confront Jorge in finis Africae. Jorge reveals his role in the deaths, explaining the poisoned book. He and William debate Aristotle’s views on laughter. Jorge eats the book’s pages and escapes. The library catches fire, spreading throughout the abbey. William and Adso escape.

Last Folio

The abbey burns for three days. William and Adso part ways. Years later, Adso returns to the ruins, salvaging fragments of books. The final message resonates: “Stat rosa pristina nomine, nomina nuda tenemus.”

Historical Context

The 14th century, a period of late Middle Ages, witnessed the decline of feudalism and the rise of cities. Social upheaval, political instability, and recurring plagues marked this era. Medieval culture, centered on monasteries and the preservation of ancient knowledge, began to shift with the emergence of universities and private libraries. The Church’s authority was challenged by heretical movements and the Western Schism. Intellectual discourse focused on the secular state, independent of the Church. New spiritualities emphasized direct experience with God and apostolic living. The Inquisition targeted those deemed heretical. Scholasticism sought to reconcile faith and reason, while humanism emphasized individual worth. Neoplatonism explored Plato’s metaphysical ideas.

Aristotle’s Poetics

Aristotle defined tragedy as an imitation of a serious action, complete and of a certain magnitude, with incidents arousing pity and fear, leading to catharsis. He emphasized plot over character, though acknowledging the importance of both. He identified six elements of tragedy: plot, character, thought, diction, melody, and spectacle. He outlined three types of plot to avoid and discussed the origins of tragedy and comedy in improvisations related to religious rituals.

Symbolism and Investigation

Monasteries symbolized Jerusalem, with the altar as the central focus. The east-facing orientation of churches represented Christ as the light. William’s investigative method relied on logic, observation of nature, and a step-by-step approach to problem-solving.

Personal Opinion: This captivating novel offers a thrilling mystery while providing insights into 14th-century thought, culture, and the power of knowledge. The author’s intelligence and research shine through, creating a rich and thought-provoking experience.