Character Relationship Map: Parthenope

Characters

• Parthenope (played by Celeste Dalla Porta) — protagonist

  The central protagonist, born into the affluent Di Sangro family and named after Naples. She studies anthropology under Devoto Marotta, explores acting, becomes involved with Roberto Criscuolo, and la...

• John Cheever (played by Gary Oldman) — supporting

  A writer encountered by Parthenope during her 1973 visit to Capri. She recognizes and approaches him because she has read his work, making their meeting a brief but meaningful connection between her i...

• Devoto Marotta (played by Silvio Orlando) — supporting

  Parthenope's severe anthropology professor, who initially tests her during an evaluation but comes to respect her intelligence. He guides her research away from suicide and toward the cultural meaning...

• Sandrino (played by Dario Aita) — supporting

  The housekeeper's son and Parthenope's childhood companion, who becomes obsessed with her. During the Capri period he seduces Parthenope, an event witnessed by Raimondo and followed by Raimondo's suic...

• Greta Cool (played by Luisa Ranieri) — supporting

  An actress of Neapolitan origin whom Parthenope meets while attempting to enter cinema. Flora Malva directs Parthenope to her, and Parthenope later attends a party held in Greta's honour. Greta theref...

• Roberto Criscuolo (played by Marlon Joubert) — minor

  A mafioso whom Parthenope meets at a party celebrating Greta Cool. He brings her to a family ritual in which heirs of two Camorra families conceive a child to symbolize unity. Parthenope becomes pregn...

• Flora Malva (played by Isabella Ferrari) — supporting

  An elderly diva who teaches acting and becomes Parthenope's first professional contact when Parthenope tries to become an actress. Rather than advancing her career directly, Flora sends her to Greta C...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Parthenope → Greta Cool (Professional Acting Connection) — Greta represents a possible professional and regional connection during Parthenope's acting experiment.

  Flora Malva directs Parthenope to Greta Cool, an actress who shares Parthenope's Neapolitan origins.

• Parthenope → Devoto Marotta (Professional Student And Mentor) — Marotta becomes the most important intellectual mentor in Parthenope's academic life.

  Parthenope attends Marotta's anthropology course, challenges him during an evaluation, and later asks him for dissertation advice.

• Parthenope → Roberto Criscuolo (Romantic Sexual Relationship) — Their brief relationship has serious personal and physical consequences for Parthenope.

  At Greta Cool's party, Parthenope meets Roberto Criscuolo, who takes her to a family ritual; she later becomes pregnant by him.

• Parthenope → Flora Malva (Professional Acting Student) — Flora is Parthenope's first formal contact with the acting world.

  Parthenope visits the elderly diva and acting teacher Flora Malva while trying to become an actress.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Parthenope → John Cheever (Social Literary Acquaintance) — Their encounter links Parthenope's personal allure with her literary interests.

  During the Capri episode, John Cheever notices Parthenope, who has read his work.

• Parthenope → Sandrino (Social Childhood Companion) — Their long familiarity develops into an emotionally complicated bond.

  Sandrino is present at Parthenope's birth as the housekeeper's son, and they later grow up together.

Story Analysis

A woman's passage through desire, grief, scholarship, and memory becomes an intimate portrait of Naples and the life shaped by it.

Plot Progression

1. A Daughter Named For Naples — Parthenope is born into an affluent family in Posillipo and receives a name honoring Naples. As a young woman, she enters anthropology and establishes a demanding intellectual relationship with Devoto...
2. Capri Beneath The Sun — A carefree trip to Capri exposes Parthenope to literary fascination and the intense feelings surrounding Sandrino. The encounter becomes tragic when a family loss changes the emotional direction of he...
3. Grief Searches For Meaning — After being blamed for the family tragedy, Parthenope returns to Marotta for guidance. Her dissertation changes direction, while her attempt to become an actress leads her into new social and professi...
4. Miracles And Departure — Parthenope becomes a university scholar and researches the liquefaction of San Gennaro's blood. Marotta's retirement advice and the encounter with his disabled son contribute to her decision to remain...
5. The City Remembered — In 2023, Parthenope retires and hears students describe her influence. She revisits Capri, returns to Naples, and ends in a moment of quiet happiness amid football celebration.