Character Relationship Map: Senso

Characters

• Il Tenente Franz Mahler (played by Farley Granger) — protagonist

  An Austrian lieutenant who meets Livia during the nationalist protest at La Fenice and begins a secret affair with her. He exploits her wealth and devotion, accepts money to avoid combat, betrays her...

• La Contessa Livia Serpieri (played by Alida Valli) — protagonist

  An Italian countess trapped in an unhappy marriage, Livia becomes completely devoted to Franz after meeting him in Venice. She finances his evasion of military service with money intended for the Ital...

• Il Marchese Roberto Ussoni (played by Massimo Girotti) — supporting

  Livia's cousin and an Italian nationalist, Roberto organizes the protest against the Austrian occupation at the opera house. Franz's actions send him into exile, after which Roberto plans to use money...

• Il Conte Serpieri (played by Heinz Moog) — supporting

  Livia's older aristocratic husband, described as stuffy and emotionally distant. When the war intensifies, he takes Livia away from Venice to their country villa in an effort to protect her from the f...

• Clara, la Prostituta (played by Marcella Mariani) — supporting

  A young prostitute found with Franz in the apartment paid for by Livia's money. Clara becomes the immediate evidence of Franz's infidelity and humiliation of Livia, as Franz forces Livia to sit and dr...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Il Tenente Franz Mahler → Clara, la Prostituta (Romantic Lover) — Franz is with Clara when Livia discovers his infidelity.

  Livia arrives at Franz's apartment and finds him in the company of Clara, a young prostitute.

• La Contessa Livia Serpieri → Il Conte Serpieri (Family Wife And Husband) — Their marriage is unhappy and emotionally distant.

  Livia is described as unhappily married to the older aristocrat Il Conte Serpieri.

• La Contessa Livia Serpieri → Il Tenente Franz Mahler (Romantic Lovers) — A consuming affair shaped by Livia's devotion and Franz's exploitation of her.

  They meet during the nationalist protest at La Fenice, become secret lovers, and Livia remains devoted to Franz despite his exploitation and betrayal.

• La Contessa Livia Serpieri → Il Marchese Roberto Ussoni (Family Cousins) — Livia is Roberto's cousin and holds funds intended for his cause.

  The plot identifies Roberto as Livia's cousin and says she holds money that he intends to use to support the Italian partisans.

Story Dynamics

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

• La Contessa Livia Serpieri → Clara, la Prostituta (Conflict Rivals In Franz's Affair) — Clara's presence exposes Franz's betrayal and becomes part of Livia's humiliation.

  Livia finds Clara with Franz, and Franz forces Livia to sit and drink with Clara before throwing Livia out.

• Il Tenente Franz Mahler → Il Marchese Roberto Ussoni (Conflict Political Adversaries) — Their opposing positions place Franz against Roberto's Italian nationalist activity.

  Roberto organizes the nationalist protest, and Franz is responsible for sending him into exile for his radical behavior.

Story Analysis

Livia's consuming affair with Franz entangles personal obsession with the Italian-Austrian war and ends in betrayal, exposure, and ruin.

Plot Progression

1. A Protest and a Meeting — A nationalist protest interrupts an opera performance at La Fenice, where Livia conceals Roberto's involvement. In the commotion she meets Franz and becomes smitten with him.
2. An Affair Built on Money — Livia and Franz begin a secret affair while Franz has already sent Roberto into exile. Livia gives Franz money and becomes increasingly jealous when he fails to appear for their meetings.
3. The Betrayal at the Villa — As war separates the lovers, Il Conte takes Livia to their country villa. Franz asks for money to avoid combat, and Livia gives him funds intended for Roberto and the Italian partisans.
4. A Letter and a Reckless Journey — Franz's letter thanks Livia for her support but warns her not to travel to Verona. She disregards the warning and goes to him, only to find him with Clara.
5. Exposure and Ruin — Franz humiliates Livia and throws her out. She gives his letter to the Austrian Army, Franz is executed, and Livia runs into the night in a state of insanity.