Parthenope

In 1950, the wealthy Di Sangro family awaits the birth of their daughter in the waters near Posillipo. The birth is attended by Achille Lauro, Raimondo, and Sandrino, signaling the child’s future prominence in Naples’ circles. Achille names the baby Parthenope in honor of the city, foreshadowing her lifelong ties to Naples.

In 1968, Sandrino becomes obsessed with Parthenope, and Raimondo develops an unsettling, incestuously attached interest in her. Parthenope enrolls in an anthropology course taught by the stern Professor Devoto Marotta. During an evaluation, she challenges him and earns his respect, setting the stage for a complex mentor-mentee dynamic.

During a 1973 trip to Capri, Raimondo urges Parthenope and Sandrino to join him. Parthenope’s carefree behavior draws attention from many, including the writer John Cheever, whose work she admires. Raimondo ingratiates himself with an heiress but cannot kiss her, only to realize his love for Parthenope.

After Sandrino seduces Parthenope, Raimondo throws himself from the cliffs of Capri. The tragedy shocks Parthenope and marks a turning point in her life as she confronts guilt, loss, and the consequences of desire.

Parthenope's father and mother blame her for Raimondo's death. She asks Marotta to advise on an anthropology dissertation about suicide, but he suggests researching the cultural impact of miracles instead. The shift signals a move from personal tragedy to a broader academic inquiry.

She briefly interrupts her studies to pursue acting. She meets Flora Malva, an elderly acting teacher, who directs her to Greta Cool, an actress who shares Parthenope's Neapolitan origins. The encounter pulls Parthenope into a new social circle centered on performance.

At a party in Greta's honor, Parthenope meets Roberto Criscuolo, a mafioso who takes her to a family ritual where heirs from two Camorra families conceive a child to seal unity. Parthenope later becomes pregnant by Criscuolo but procures an abortion. The episode deepens her entanglement with crime and fate.

Shortly after, Sandrino confesses his love for Parthenope, and she responds by blaming him for Raimondo's death. The accusation reshapes her relationships and intensifies the guilt and complexity surrounding her choices.

In 1982, Parthenope is established as a scholar and is asked to write for an anthropology magazine about the liquefaction of San Gennaro's blood. Marotta warns her about Cardinal Tesorone, a scoundrel who then asks her to have sex with him, and she reluctantly accepts. The episode blends intellectual ambition with moral peril.

Marotta reveals his plan to retire and suggests Parthenope apply for a teaching post at the University of Trento. He also introduces her to his disabled son, revealing a tender, human side that captivates her. The encounter accelerates her decision to relocate and stay in Trento.

In 2023, as she nears retirement from academia, Parthenope reflects on the profound impact she has had on her students and answers a few questions about her personal life. She visits Capri to recall her youth, then returns to Naples to finish her story.

Back in Naples, Parthenope smiles as a group of fans celebrate SSC Napoli's third Serie A championship. The moment ties her personal history to the city’s present-day pride, underscoring a life lived between memory, influence, and public adoration.