Severinus of Sankt Wendel Character Analysis in The Name of the Rose

Severinus is in charge of the infirmary, where he works as the abbey’s herbalist and doctor, ministering to the sick and dispensing medicine. He quickly strikes up a friendship with William, with whom he shares a passionate intellectual curiosity. When he finds a mysterious Arabic manuscript in the infirmary’s library, he immediately informs William, but by the time William arrives at the infirmary to see the book, it is too late: Severinus is found dead and the forbidden book is stolen shortly afterwards.

Severinus of Sankt Wendel Character Timeline in The Name of the Rose

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

William and Adso meet Severinus of Sankt Wendel, the herbalist, who gives them a tour of the abbey. On the... (full context)

After morning prayers, Venantius’s dead body is found in a barrel of pig’s blood. Severinus determines that the cause of death was not drowning, since Venantius’s face isn’t swollen, and... (full context)

Examining the corpse, Severinus confirms that Berengar died of drowning. He also suggests that Berengar and Venantius might have... (full context)

Malachi comes in to speak with Severinus, but quickly leaves when he sees William and Adso there. Salvatore accounts for the presence... (full context)

Severinus finds the stolen glasses in the dead Berengar’s pocket and returns them to William, just... (full context)

...and physical brawling, and Bernard’s archers have to intervene to separate the opposing parties. Meanwhile, Severinus enters the chapter house and asks to speak to William privately. Apparently Berengar was in... (full context)

After the debate, William and Adso go to check on Severinus. When they get to the infirmary, it is too late: they find Severinus murdered. He... (full context)

Left alone in the infirmary, William, Adso, and Benno search for the “strange book” that Severinus had mentioned. William thinks they are looking for a Greek book, since everyone who has... (full context)

The Subversive Power of Laughter Theme Icon

...when he figured out that he had been visiting the library by night, and when Severinus spoke to him about a “strange” book. (full context)

...Venantius, Berengar, and Malachi (explaining their blackened fingers and tongues). He convinced Malachi to murder Severinus by claiming that Berengar had been sexually intimate with him in exchange for the forbidden... (full context)

...to read the book himself, but died shortly afterwards from the same poison. Malachi killed Severinus, and then died after trying to read the book that Jorge seemed so intent on... (full context)