Why does Adelmo (first death) jump from the tower? Is it because he feels dirty and sinful for submitting himself to Berengar's sexual advances? William explains that he agreed to this in exchange for access to the library, so this doesn't make much sense... why would he agree to it if he didn't have to if it was going to make him so upset he became suicidal??
shareHe agrees to it and then regrets it. I think that makes sense, especially in a medieval Christian society. I think if *I'd* done Brother Berengar, I'd want to top myself, no matter how good the book was.
share@ persistenceofvision, your writting style is fabulous. made me laugh for five minutes. thanks
shareI had asked this question in a "User Comment" that was posted in 2005. The explanation offered by "persistenceofvision" does make sense, but the movie certainly never made that clear.
shareIn the book, Adelmo went to Jorge of Burgos for confession after "doing the deed" and instead of a loving confession, he got a "fire and brimstone" sermon from the old man. Certainly if Adelmo had mentioned anything about the search for the forbidden book and the lengths he went to get the information, Jorge would have scorched his ears with the fires of hell.
After that, I'm sure Adelmo felt that he was already damned - his encounter with Berengar after his confession reveals that, and he subsequently committed suicide. Jorge may not have pushed him to his death literally, but surely he did figuratively.
In the book, Adelmo went to Jorge of Burgos for confession after "doing the deed" and instead of a loving confession, he got a "fire and brimstone" sermon from the old man. Certainly if Adelmo had mentioned anything about the search for the forbidden book and the lengths he went to get the information, Jorge would have scorched his ears with the fires of hell.
After that, I'm sure Adelmo felt that he was already damned - his encounter with Berengar after his confession reveals that, and he subsequently committed suicide. Jorge may not have pushed him to his death literally, but surely he did figuratively.
I had asked this question in a "User Comment" that was posted in 2005. The explanation offered by "persistenceofvision" does make sense, but the movie certainly never made that clear.
When Connery is explaining to the main priest what happened, he does say that the kid was regretting his decision so he jumped.
shareit's a shame that so much is omitted from the movie that made the book so lovely. Like the role Jorge played, he really was everywhere and was in fact running the abbey instead of Abone. The other italian monks in the book are not happy about this fact.
- "is this the secret headquarters of the gestapo?"
- "It was"
I am finally starting to read the book for the first time. Seems to be a long book, but I hope it will answer my questions i had after seeing the movie, several times in the last 20 years
share