Character Relationship Map: The Borgia

Characters

• Rodrigo Borgia (played by Lluís Homar) — protagonist

  Rodrigo Borgia is the central patriarch of the family and a major political force within the Vatican. He uses marriages, religious authority, and military alliances to expand his influence in Italy, d...

• César Borgia (played by Sergio Peris-Mencheta) — protagonist

  César Borgia is Rodrigo’s son, a duke who was forced into an ecclesiastical career but longs for military power. He is accused of murdering his brother, denies the crime while admitting he wished him...

• Lucrecia Borgia (played by María Valverde) — supporting

  Lucrecia Borgia is Rodrigo’s daughter and is treated by her family as an instrument of diplomacy. Rodrigo considers marrying her to Alfonso de Aragón to strengthen the Borgias’ connection with Naples,...

• Caterina Sforza (played by Paz Vega) — supporting

  Caterina Sforza is a powerful opponent of the Borgias who is taken prisoner during their expansion. When César confronts her, she taunts him about his brother’s death and the suspicion surrounding it....

• Juan Borgia (played by Sergio Múñiz) — minor

Canonical Relationships

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

• Juan Borgia → Lucrecia Borgia (Family Brother) — Their sibling connection is part of the family structure surrounding the central conflict.

  Juan and Lucrecia are presented as members of Rodrigo’s immediate Borgia family during the family’s rise in Rome.

• César Borgia → Lucrecia Borgia (Family Brother) — Their sibling relationship exists within the family’s broader dynastic struggle.

  César and Lucrecia belong to the Borgia family, whose political and marital strategies are presented together in Rome.

• César Borgia → Juan Borgia (Family Brother) — Their brotherhood is overwhelmed by competition for military and political dominance.

  The plot identifies César and Juan as brothers and emphasizes the rivalry and hostility dividing them.

• Rodrigo Borgia → Juan Borgia (Family Father) — Rodrigo directs Juan’s military career in service of Borgia power.

  Rodrigo appoints Juan Captain General of the Vatican army and sends him against the Orsinis.

• Rodrigo Borgia → Lucrecia Borgia (Family Father) — Rodrigo uses his daughter’s marriage prospects to advance the family’s political position.

  Rodrigo treats Lucrecia as an instrument of diplomacy and considers arranging her marriage to strengthen the family’s connection with Naples.

• Rodrigo Borgia → César Borgia (Family Father) — A powerful father-son relationship shaped by dynastic ambition and political expectations.

  Rodrigo Borgia is presented as the head of the Borgia family, while César Borgia is identified as his son and political successor.

Story Dynamics

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

• Rodrigo Borgia → Caterina Sforza (Conflict Political Opponent) — Caterina represents resistance to Rodrigo’s expanding political influence.

  Rodrigo’s expanding power brings the Borgias into conflict with rival families and with Caterina Sforza.

• César Borgia → Caterina Sforza (Conflict Adversary) — Their confrontation places César’s ambition against Caterina’s resistance.

  The Borgias come into conflict with Caterina Sforza, and César confronts her after she is taken prisoner.

Story Analysis

A dynastic struggle for Italian power unfolds through political marriages, family rivalry, military ambition, and growing rebellion.

Plot Progression

1. Arrest And Ambition — César Borgia is arrested and accused of murdering Juan. He nevertheless declares that he intends to rule Italy.
2. The Family In Rome — The story returns twelve years to Rodrigo’s struggle to establish the Borgia family among Rome’s powerful houses. Religious authority and marriage diplomacy become central tools.
3. Brothers At War — César resents his ecclesiastical role while Juan receives command of the Vatican army. Their rivalry grows as Rodrigo directs Juan’s military campaign.
4. Caterina’s Defiance — The Borgia expansion brings César into conflict with Caterina Sforza. After her capture, she attacks him with the accusation surrounding Juan’s death.
5. Rebellion Unleashed — César releases Caterina, but resistance spreads through Piombino and Urbino. Rodrigo learns that a coalition is forming against the Borgias, leaving the conflict unresolved.