Elvira Character Analysis in The Monk

Elvira is Leonella’s sister and Antonia’s mother. When she was a young woman, she eloped with the son of a marquis and moved with him to the West Indies. The marriage outraged the marquis, leading him to disown his son and take the couple’s firstborn, a young boy, in retaliation. The marquis claims that the son died, but this is revealed to be untrue: the son—Ambrosio—was left with the Capuchin monks. By the time Elvira and Antonia return to Spain following the death of Elvira’s husband, Ambrosio has no memory of his former life and does not recognize Elvira and Antonia as his immediate family. Though Elvira and Antonia sense that there is something familiar about Ambrosio, they don’t recognize him, either. Elvira loves Antonia and worries about her constantly, fearful that people will take advantage of her innocence. For this reason, she forbids Lorenzo from courting Antonia, and she also forbids Antonia from being alone with Ambrosio. When Elvira witnesses Ambrosio’s attempted rape of Antonia, Ambrosio suffocates Elvira to death to prevent her from disclosing his crime to the public.

Elvira Quotes in The Monk

The The Monk quotes below are all either spoken by Elvira or refer to Elvira. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

‘’Tis a young creature,’ said she, ‘who is totally ignorant of the world. She has been brought up in an old castle in Murcia, with no other society than her mother’s, who, God help her! has no more sense, good soul, than is necessary to carry her soup to her mouth. […]’

Related Characters: Leonella (speaker), Lorenzo, Antonia, Elvira, Don Christoval, Ambrosio

Page Number and Citation: 15

Explanation and Analysis:

Leonella speaks this quote when she and Antonia first meet Lorenzo and Don Christoval at the Capuchin church in Madrid. Antonia initially refused to remove her veil out of modesty, and so Leonella is explaining to the men—somewhat patronizingly—how her niece got to be so extremely modest, describing how Antonia’s mother Elvira completely cut Antonia off from the outside world. As a result, Antonia has grown up to be perfectly good and virtuous. But she’s also completely unaware that other people do not hold themselves to the same high moral standards as she does. Leonella’s explanation gestures toward the novel’s Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui e

‘[…] Artless yourself, you suspect not others of deceit; and viewing the world through the medium of your own truth and innocence, you fancy all who surround you to deserve your confidence and esteem. What pity, that these gay visions must soon be dissipated! What pity, that you must soon discover the baseness of mankind, and guard against your fellow-creatures as against your foes!’

Related Characters: Lorenzo (speaker), Antonia, Ambrosio, Elvira

Page Number and Citation: 22

Explanation and Analysis:

Lorenzo makes this comment to Antonia upon first meeting her at the Capuchin church in Madrid. He observes her most notable characteristic—her virtuousness—and laments the day she will inevitably lose it. Because she is so honest and pure of heart, Lorenzo notes to Antonia, addressing her directly, “you suspect not others of deceit; and viewing the world through the medium of your own truth and innocence, you fancy all who surround you to deserve your confidence and esteem.” Put differently, Lorenzo is suggesting that Antonia is too virtuous and innocence for her own good. Because she’s been brought up in Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a

‘I tremble for your sister,’ said she; ‘I have heard many traits of the domina of St Clare’s character from a friend who was educated in the same convent with her: she reported her to be haughty, inflexible, superstitious, and revengeful. […] Though naturally violent and severe, when her interests require it, she well knows how to assume an appearance of benignity. […]’

Related Characters: Elvira (speaker), Agnes, Lorenzo, The Prioress

Page Number and Citation: 189

Explanation and Analysis:

Lorenzo visits Elvira’s apartment in town after receiving the address from Elvira’s sister Leonella in a letter she wrote him. Though Elvira isn’t happy to see Lorenzo (it’s clear to Elvira that Antonia and Lorenzo have feelings for each other, and she’s worried that naïve, young Antonia might get hurt as a result), she chats with him anyway and finds him pleasant company. This passage is how Elvira responds to Lorenzo’s ongoing struggle to get in touch with his sister Agnes, who is living at the local convent of St. Clare. Elvira is concerned for Agnes because of what she Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laboriosam. Eum accusamus harum. Accusantium iusto voluptas. Totam quae corporis. Impedit non ut. Incidunt rerum est. Aperiam doloremque eum. Animi soluta perspiciatis. Ut minima autem. Modi omnis iure. Sint qui qui. Qui similique praesentium. Ex consequatur magnam. Aliquid i

He reflected on the enormity of the crime, the consequences of a discovery, and the probability, after what had passed, of Elvira’s suspecting him to be her daughter’s ravisher. On the other hand it was suggested, that she could do more than suspect; that no proofs of his guilt could be produced; that it would seem impossible for the rape to have been committed without Antonia’s knowing when, where, or by whom; and finally, he believed that his fame was too firmly established to be shaken by the unsupported accusations of two unknown women. The latter argument was perfectly false. He knew not how uncertain is the air of popular appease, and that a moment suffices to make him to-day the detestation of the world, who yesterday was its idol. The result of the monk’s deliberations was, that he should proceed in his enterprise.

Related Characters: Ambrosio, Antonia, Elvira

Page Number and Citation: 259

Explanation and Analysis:

This quote describes Ambrosio’s inner thoughts as he debates whether or not to carry out his depraved scheme to rape Antonia. Notably, the moral implications of committing such a vile act don’t factor into Ambrosio’s thought process: his concerns are limited to the likelihood of his being caught for committing the rape: though he does consider, briefly, “the enormity of the crime,” he only does so to weigh “the consequence of the discovery, and the probability […] of Elvira’s suspecting him to be her daughter’s ravisher” against the pleasure he stands to gain from committing the act. He does not Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui d

Ambrosio shuddered at himself when he reflected on his rapid advances in iniquity. The enormous crime which he had just committed, filled him with real horror. The murdered Elvira was continually before his eyes, and his guilt was already punished by the agonies of his conscience. Time, however, considerably weakened these impressions: one day passed away; another followed it, and still not the least suspicion was thrown upon him. Impunity reconciled him to his guilt. He began to resume his spirits; and as his fears of detection died away, he paid less attention to the reproaches of remorse.

Related Characters: Elvira, Antonia, Ambrosio

Page Number and Citation: 264

Explanation and Analysis:

This quote represents Ambrosio’s inner anguish following his murder of Elvira—he impulsively suffocated her after she interrupted his attempted rape of Antonia and threatened to inform the public of his sins. At first, Ambrosio appears to show remorse for his vile act: he is aware that he has just committed an “enormous crime,” and the realization “fill[s] him with real horror.” But whatever guilt Ambrosio feels at the outset is short lived. As days pass and “not the least suspicion [is] thrown upon him,” his guilt is “considerably weakened,” and he starts to ignore “the reproaches or remorse,” meaning his Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus

She paused. The abbot shuddered when she mentioned Elvira. Antonia imputed his emotion to pity and concern for her.

Related Characters: Antonia, Elvira, Ambrosio, Matilda/Rosario

Page Number and Citation: 293

Explanation and Analysis:

Antonia’s mother, Elvira, has just died (because Ambrosio killed her after she caught him trying to rape the sleeping Antonia). Ambrosio, determined to go through with his depraved desire to bring about Antonia’s ruin, returns to Elvira’s apartment under the guise of comforting Antonia as she grieves her mother’s death. When Antonia mentions Elvira by name, Ambrosio (“the abbot”) “shudder[s],” which Antonia innocently interprets as “his emotion to pity and concern for her” in her moment of great anguish. In fact, Ambrosio’s shudder is an expression of the guilt and anxiety he feels over his murder of Elvira—Ambrosio’s depraved actions Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia

Elvira Character Timeline in The Monk

The timeline below shows where the character Elvira appears in The Monk. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...lady has had a sheltered upbringing in an old castle in Murcia. The lady’s mother, Elvira, has been her only companion. (full context)

Leonella explains Elvira’s backstory: a young nobleman fell in love with and married her. The marriage was kept... (full context)

Thirteen years go by, Leonella explains, and then Elvira’s husband dies. Elvira returns to Spain with nowhere to go and no money to her... (full context)

Meanwhile, Antonia and Leonella are heading to Elvira’s lodgings after leaving the church. Leonella makes conversation with her niece, noting the attention Lorenzo... (full context)

...evil will corrupt Antonia’s future. The “gipsy” finishes her song, and Antonia and Leonella enter Elvira’s lodgings. Both are affected by the gipsy’s predictions, but they forget all about them soon... (full context)

Back at Elvira’s living quarters, meanwhile, Elvira scolds her sister Leonella for telling a stranger all about her... (full context)

Back at his hotel in Medina, Lorenzo reads Leonella’s letter, which tells of Elvira’s disapproval and gushes over her own attraction to Don Christoval. She tells Lorenzo where they... (full context)

After Lorenzo leaves, Antonia and Elvira sit in silence a while until Elvira confronts her daughter about Lorenzo. Elvira explains that... (full context)

...papal bull ordering the convent to release Agnes to his care the following day. Meanwhile, Elvira asks to speak with him. During their meeting, Elvira expresses her gratitude for Lorenzo’s help... (full context)

Lorenzo tells Elvira about his ongoing predicament with Agnes and assures her that, as soon as that problem... (full context)

After leaving Elvira’s, Lorenzo heads to St. Clare. He approaches the prioress after the church service and confronts... (full context)

...perform this rite. Ambrosio agrees and asks for the mother’s name. The woman replies, “Donna Elvira Dalfa,” and she gives Ambrosio the address. The woman, as it turns out, is Antonia,... (full context)

After promising to send a confessor to Elvira, Ambrosio returns to his cell, but he can’t stop thinking about Antonia. Unlike Matilda, whom... (full context)

...Ambrosio wraps his head in a cowl to disguise himself and makes his way to Elvira’s apartment. Luckily, Leonella—who would have recognized him and informed the entire city of his broken... (full context)

Back in the story’s present, Ambrosio arrives at Elvira’s apartment. When Antonia sees Ambrosio, she is overcome with joy and leads him to Elvira’s... (full context)

After Ambrosio departs, Elvira and Antonia gush over Ambrosio’s kindness and piety. Elvira admits that Ambrosio’s voice struck her... (full context)

After his initial visit to Elvira, Ambrosio returns to the monastery without anyone realizing he’s been gone, and so he starts... (full context)

One day, Ambrosio is visiting Elvira’s apartment when he observes Antonia reading the Bible—an abridged version that Elvira assembled in order... (full context)

...and pleads with him to stop, but he is undeterred. Just then, the door to Elvira’s room opens, and Ambrosio hurriedly backs away from Antonia. Antonia gratefully runs inside her mother’s... (full context)

Unbeknownst to Ambrosio, Antonia innocently relayed some of his attempts at seduction to Elvira, who immediately grew suspicious of the monk’s intentions for her daughter. Thinking that Ambrosio might... (full context)

...“human” means—not with the help of the devil. Matilda says this can’t possibly happen, since Elvira has banned Ambrosio from visiting with Antonia. Then she removes a mirror covered in odd... (full context)

...marriage to Antonia, and this, in turn, means Lorenzo can’t visit Antonia in the meantime (Elvira ordered Lorenzo not to see them until he could secure his uncle’s approval of the... (full context)

Meanwhile, after bidding Elvira goodnight, Antonia retires to her own chamber. She hears music coming from outside and looks... (full context)

At around 2:00 a.m., Ambrosio finally creeps inside Elvira’s apartment. He pauses for a moment to consider the grave consequences of the sin he... (full context)

Ambrosio undresses Antonia. But before he can assault her, Elvira bounds into the room, having been awoken by a nightmare that her daughter was in... (full context)

Thoughts of Elvira’s corpse consume Ambrosio for a time, but eventually his guilt fades. He tells Matilda about... (full context)

Back at Elvira’s, Antonia awakes, stumbles on the corpse of her mother and shrieks in horror. She falls... (full context)

...arrival. To pass the time, Antonia re-enters her mother’s chamber for the first time since Elvira’s death. She’s initially overcome with sadness, but this quickly gives way to fear when she... (full context)

At the monastery, Jacintha hysterically tells Ambrosio about Elvira’s death and the subsequent appearance of Elvira’s ghost. She relates a nonsensical story about seeing... (full context)

Ambrosio and Jacintha arrive at Elvira’s apartment in Jacintha’s lodging house. Seeing Elvira’s ghost so horrified Antonia that she disregards her... (full context)

...immediately in order to evade suspicion, but Jacintha reminds him that he promised to inspect Elvira’s old chamber to ensure the ghost was no longer there. Ambrosio reluctantly agrees and shuts... (full context)

...to apologize—she was the one behind the curtains. Just then, Jacintha approaches, moaning with horror. Elvira’s ghost told the truth: Antonia has begun to convulse and will surely soon die. Later,... (full context)

...confusion and reveals some disturbing truths to Ambrosio. The two innocent women he killed—Antonia and Elvira—were in fact his sister and mother. And it was Lucifer who had sent Matilda—a demon... (full context)

Elvira Character Analysis

Elvira Quotes in The Monk

Chapter 1 Quotes

Chapter 5 Quotes

Chapter 8 Quotes

Chapter 9 Quotes

Elvira Character Timeline in The Monk