The White Devil

Flaminio is closely related to many of the characters. As well as being Cornelia’s son, he is also the brother of both Vittoria and Marcello, and he has a close working relationship with Bracciano, whom he serves as an aide. However, despite these connections, Flaminio positions himself as an enemy to many, including his closest family members. He therefore emerges as the scheming, manipulative antagonist of the play. Flaminio’s plots are inspired by his desire to improve his family’s social standing. In the wealthy Italian cities of Rome and Padua, Flaminio sees the wealth and luxury enjoyed by the other families and resents his father for squandering whatever fortune his family once had. His plots are designed to lift his family up the social ladder, but to achieve his goals, he is willing to break every moral expectation of the era. Flaminio envies the rich and powerful and is so determined to join their ranks that he uses unethical means to endear himself to the wealthy Bracciano. He also tries to broker an affair between the married Bracciano and his own married sister, Vittoria. Through his relationship with Bracciano, Flaminio shows that he will do or say anything to win Bracciano’s approval and move himself closer to the wealthy elite.