Crime

One of the most prevalent themes in "The Italian" is the theme of crime. Vivaldi and Paulo are locked in the monastery of the Spirito Santo. Ellena is kidnapped to prevent her from marrying Vivaldi. Marchesa di Vivaldi and Schedoni plot against Ellena and Vivaldi, with illegal methods. Schedoni and the abbess of San Stefano accuse Ellena of committing crimes against the Vivaldi family because of her love for Vivaldi. Schedoni has Ellena kidnapped a second time during her marriage ceremony to Vivaldi at lake Celano. She is taken to a house on the beach where Spalatro has been hired to assassinate her. Vivaldi is arrested by the Inquisition during the ceremony on charges of heresy, due to Schedoni's accusation.

Schedoni's sordid past as the Count di Bruno is revealed toward the end of the novel. The Count di Bruno killed his brother and married his brother's wife...