The Italian, or the Confessional of the Black Penitents (1796) is a Gothic novel written by the English author Ann Radcliffe. It is the last book Radcliffe published during her lifetime (although she would go on to write the novel Gaston de Blondeville, it was only published posthumously in 1826). The Italian has a dark, mysterious, and somber tone which fixates on the themes of love, devotion, and persecution during the time period of Holy Inquisition. The novel deals with issues prevalent at the time of the French Revolution, such as religion, aristocracy, and nationality. Radcliffe's renowned use of veiled imagery is considered to have reached its height of sophistication and complexity in The Italian; concealment and disguise are central motifs of the novel. The novel is noted for its extremely effective antagonist, Father Schedoni, who influenced the Byronic characters of Victorian literature. Characters Vincentio di Vivaldi: Son of the Marchese and Marchesa di Vivaldi of Naples; Ellena's suitor Ellena Rosalba: Orphan niece of Signora Bianchi; Daughter of Sister Olivia; Vivaldi's lover Father Schedoni/ Count di Marinella: Confessor to the Marchesa; uncle to Ellena Marchesa di Vivaldi: Mother of Vivaldi; Conspirator with Schedoni Marchese di Vivaldi: Father of Vivaldi Paulo: Servant of Vivaldi Signora Bianchi: Aunt of Ellena Sister Olivia/ Countess di Bruno: Nun at San Stefano Convent, Mother of Ellena Spalatro: Conspirator with Schedoni and the Marchesa Nicola di Zampari: Accuser of Schedoni; Informer to Vivaldi Less Significant Characters: Bonarmo, Lady Abbess of San Stefano, Inquisitors, Father Ansaldo, Beatrice, Jeronimo Locations Naples: City where Vivaldi, his parents, Ellena, Schedoni, Paulo and Signora Bianchi reside Villa Altieri: Residence of Ellena and Signora Bianchi San Lorenzo: Church where Vivaldi first meets Ellena and Signora Bianchi San Stefano: Convent to Sister Olivia; prison to Ellena Santa Maria del Pianto/ Santa del Pianto: Convent and Monastery referenced to Prison of the Inquisition Plot The plot starts in Naples, Italy in the 18th century, in the church of Santa Maria del Pianto, where an English traveller is speaking with an Italian friar. The Englishman notices a man of extraordinary appearance in a shadowy area of the church, who is an assassin, according to the friar. When the Englishman asks why this assassin is protected in the church, an Italian friend travelling with him directs his attention to a famous confessional in the church, which was the scene of a particularly startling confession. He offers