Adso's Love for the Peasant Girl

The novice's first experience of love and desire, which ends in tragedy and loss.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Encounter in the Kitchen

A Forbidden Meeting The Girl's Desperation Adso, wandering alone at night, finds a young peasant girl in the kitchen. She is poor and hungry, having come to the abbey to trade sexual favors for food. She is frightened but also curious. The Seduction Adso is overwhelmed by her beauty and innocence. He recites verses from the Song of Songs as they make love. The experience is both ecstatic and guilt-ridden. Adso feels a profound connection. The Aftermath Afterward, the girl leaves, and Adso finds a package containing an ox heart, which she had intended to take. He is horrified, thinking it is a human heart. William later explains it is from a slaughtered animal.

The Arrest of the Girl

A Tragic Capture Salvatore's Stupidity Salvatore, trying to perform a love spell, brings the girl back to the abbey with a black cat and eggs. They are caught by Bernard Gui's archers. The girl is accused of witchcraft. Adso's Helplessness Adso witnesses her arrest and is devastated. He wants to save her but knows he cannot. William tells him she is "burnt flesh" and that nothing can be done. The girl is taken away to be executed. The Loss of Innocence Adso's first love ends in tragedy. He is left with guilt and sorrow. This experience marks his transition from youth to adulthood, and he will carry the memory for the rest of his life.

Night of the third day

Night of the fourth day