Character Relationship Map: Obsession

Characters

• Giovanna Bragana (played by Clara Calamai) — protagonist

  Giovanna Bragana runs a roadside tavern with her older husband, Giuseppe, whom she married for financial security but dislikes. She falls in love with Gino Costa, helps him pursue an affair, and consp...

• Gino Costa (played by Massimo Girotti) — protagonist

  Gino Costa is a wandering tramp who becomes involved with Giovanna Bragana after stopping at her tavern. He begins an affair with her, helps arrange Giuseppe's death as a staged traffic accident, and...

• Anita (played by Dhia Cristiani) — supporting

  Anita is a young prostitute whom Gino meets after his relationship with Giovanna deteriorates. Gino spends time with her in her apartment and considers leaving with her, but Giovanna confronts them. A...

• The Spaniard (played by Elio Marcuzzo) — supporting

  The Spaniard is a traveling street entertainer who helps Gino by paying for his train ticket when Gino has no money. He becomes Gino's friend, advises him to forget Giovanna, and later urges him to re...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Gino Costa → Anita (Romantic Brief Companion) — Anita briefly becomes Gino's attempted escape from Giovanna.

  Gino seeks Anita after arguing with Giovanna, spends time with her in her apartment, and considers leaving with her for food.

• Giovanna Bragana → Gino Costa (Romantic Lovers) — Their passionate affair drives the central tragedy.

  Giovanna is immediately drawn to Gino, and they confess their feelings before beginning an affair.

Story Dynamics

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

• Giovanna Bragana → The Spaniard (Social Acquaintance) — Their connection is limited to the party encounter and its consequences for Gino.

  The Spaniard appears at Giovanna's tavern party while Gino and Giovanna are present.

• Giovanna Bragana → Anita (Conflict Rival) — Anita becomes the immediate rival in the lovers' deteriorating relationship.

  Giovanna confronts Gino outside Anita's apartment, causing Anita to run away.

• Gino Costa → The Spaniard (Social Friend) — The Spaniard offers practical help and personal companionship.

  The Spaniard pays Gino's train fare, travels with him to Ancona, and becomes his friend.

Story Analysis

A destructive affair turns desire, poverty, and guilt into an inescapable tragic fate.

Plot Progression

1. A Dangerous Attraction — Gino arrives at the roadside tavern and becomes involved with Giovanna. Their attraction develops into an affair after Gino earns a temporary place at the tavern.
2. The Abandoned Departure — Gino persuades Giovanna to run away, but she abandons the plan at the train station. Gino leaves alone and meets the Spaniard, who offers help and advice.
3. Crime On The Road — A chance reunion renews Gino's desire for Giovanna. Their repeated frustrations lead them to conspire in a staged traffic accident that kills her husband.
4. Guilt And Exposure — Gino feels imprisoned by the tavern and the murder. Suspicion from the Spaniard, the insurance revelation, and Gino's confession to Anita deepen the danger.
5. The Final Flight — Giovanna's pregnancy brings the couple back together, and they decide to flee. Their escape ends when a truck sends their car into a river.