William's glasses

William's glasses are a forked pin that sits on his nose, holding two ovals of metal with thick glass almonds. William explains to Adso that they improve his vision for close reading, compensating for the hardening of the eye that comes with age. He describes them as a product of the learning of Roger Bacon, who believed that the aim of knowledge was to prolong human life. The glasses are a practical embodiment of William's empirical, rational approach to the world, allowing him to see what others cannot.

Introduction and Function

William first uses the glasses in the scriptorium to read the catalogue of the library. The other monks look on with great curiosity, as the instrument is not yet known in that place. Adso feels proud to be at the side of a man who possesses such a wondrous device. William later explains to Nicholas of Morimondo, the master glazier, that the glasses are an example of divine magic, a tool that transforms nature and can prolong human life. He warns that such knowledge must be protected from the simple, who might mistake it for witchcraft, and from the powerful, who might use it for evil ends.

Theft and Recovery

During the night expedition to the scriptorium, William uses the glasses to read the Greek text on a page found under Venantius's desk. He holds the page close to his face, and when Adso moves the lamp, the flame grazes the parchment, revealing hidden zodiacal signs. William is about to decipher the message when a mysterious figure throws a book to distract them. In the confusion, the figure snatches the glasses from the desk. William realizes the thief is clever: he knows the glasses are essential for reading the fine Greek script and the hidden signs. The loss of the glasses forces William to rely on Adso's eyes to copy the zodiacal signs, and he must work without them for the next day. The glasses are later found by Severinus inside Berengar's habit, confirming that Berengar was the thief. William is overjoyed, as he now has his lenses back and knows for certain who robbed him.

The New Lenses

While William is without his original glasses, Nicholas of Morimondo works to create a new pair. He grinds glass discs and tests them, but the best lens breaks, and another cracks as he tries to insert it into the fork. William is bitterly disappointed, but the next day Nicholas arrives with a finished pair, mounted on a fork. William tries them on and declares them better than the old ones. He decides to keep the old pair as a spare and use the new ones always. This moment of triumph is immediately followed by William's successful deciphering of Venantius's zodiacal code, as he can now read the Greek text with the new lenses.

Narrative Role and Significance

The glasses are more than a simple tool; they are a symbol of William's method and his vulnerability. Their theft demonstrates that the murderer is not only violent but also intelligent, understanding the value of the instrument. The glasses also highlight the theme of knowledge and its protection: William must hide them during inquisitions to avoid being accused of witchcraft, and he must guard them from those who would use them for evil. The glasses are a physical manifestation of the power of observation and reason, and their loss and recovery mirror William's own journey from confusion to clarity. They are the instrument that allows him to read the hidden messages, and ultimately, to confront Jorge in the finis Africae.