Alinardo of Grottaferrata Character Analysis in The Name of the Rose

Alindardo is the oldest monk at the abbey, and is thus a useful source of information, showing William and Adso how to enter the labyrinth. He believes that he should have been appointed as librarian many years ago, and bears a grudge against Malachi as a result. Throughout the novel, he maintains that the Last Judgment is at hand. His persistent apocalyptic rhetoric makes William begin to wonder if the murders are following a pattern according to the Book of the Apocalypse. Although this is later proven to be untrue, Alinardo’s words are significant in that they also convince Jorge that the murders are the result of a divinely-sanctioned plan. William and Adso later learn that Alindardo alone was aware of Jorge’s secret, but his words were discounted as the ramblings of an old madman.

Alinardo of Grottaferrata Character Timeline in The Name of the Rose

The timeline below shows where the character Alinardo of Grottaferrata appears in The Name of the Rose. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Alinardo of Grottaferrata, the oldest monk at the abbey, tells William and Adso that they can... (full context)

...sex with the peasant girls. On their way to the baths, Adso and William meet Alinardo, who again predicts the Apocalypse. In one of the tubs, they find Berengar’s dead body. (full context)

...into the murders, focusing on peasants rather than the monks. Adso and William talk with Alinardo, who continues to suggest that the pattern of the murders is following the Apocalypse of... (full context)

...of librarian remains vacant. Benno is told to ensure that the scriptorium continues to function. Alinardo, Aymaro, and a group of other Italian monks appear pleased that “the German” librarian is... (full context)

...the librarian eventually becomes abbot. This was why some of the Italian monks—like Aymaro and Alinardo—grumbled against the appointment of foreigners to the role. It is possible that Malachi and Berengar... (full context)

...was another librarian, Paul of Rimini—he was appointed about sixty years ago, or around 1270. Alinardo complained that, about fifty years ago (around 1280), he should have been made librarian instead... (full context)

...also absent (he is closing the scriptorium), along with Nicholas (who is making dinner) and Alinardo (who is not well). When these facts are pointed out to Abo, he becomes visibly... (full context)

...Jorge, who alone could read all the books and understood the workings of the library. Alinardo knew this and tried to accuse “foreigners” of running the abbey (Jorge is Spanish), but... (full context)

...apocalyptic pattern was a false one, it still helped William find the truth. One day, Alinardo was raving about an “enemy” who had been sent to seek books in Silos and... (full context)

...stables, until soon there is no more water to try to put out the fire. Alinardo is trampled by Brunellus, one of the horses that have caught fire. The terrified horses... (full context)