The Crying of Lot 49

by

Thomas Pynchon

Pasquale Character Analysis

In Wharfinger’s The Courier’s Tragedy, Pasquale is the evil, illegitimate brother of Niccolò, who works with Angelo (the Duke of Squamuglia) to overthrow his father and usurp the Dukedom of Faggio. In some versions of the play, he marries his mother Francesca in order to unite Squamuglia and Faggio. Throughout the play, Pasquale is unaware that Niccolò is still alive and plotting revenge against him. Accordingly, he is surprised when Ercole interrupts one of his orgies and tortures him to death.
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Pasquale Character Timeline in The Crying of Lot 49

The timeline below shows where the character Pasquale appears in The Crying of Lot 49. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 3
Conspiracy, Interpretation, and Meaning Theme Icon
...his young son Niccolò. This would allow Angelo’s ally, the Duke of Faggio’s illegitimate son Pasquale, to take power. Angelo successfully killed the Duke of Faggio, but a dissident named Ercole... (full context)
Conspiracy, Interpretation, and Meaning Theme Icon
Media, Communication, and Human Relationships Theme Icon
...throughout Europe, because he does not want to reveal that he is secretly corresponding with Pasquale. So Thurn and Taxis hires Niccolò as a “special courier” to lobby on their behalf... (full context)
Conspiracy, Interpretation, and Meaning Theme Icon
American Modernity and Counterculture Theme Icon
...men torture and kill a priest who objects to the incestuous marriage between Francesca and Pasquale, and Niccolò learns that a group of 50 Faggian knights mysteriously disappeared just before Angelo... (full context)