Serafino

Serafino lives a nature-filled life in the Italian mountains and never attended school. He relishes the simplicity of shepherding in Arquata del Tronto, Marche, far from formal education or city concerns. This early life sets the tone for his carefree approach to later events.

Serafino is drafted for compulsory military service in a big city. He immediately clashes with military life, causing various troubles and earning an early discharge. The episode contrasts his carefree nature with the rigid expectations of the army.

When he comes back, Serafino finds his cousin Lidia has become an attractive young woman. The reunion also highlights shifts in old relationships and social dynamics. This sets the stage for his later entanglements.

He neglects his longtime friend Asmara, a local hooker, and begins a secret romance with Lidia. The affair exposes his impulsive nature and blurs loyalties among his circle. The dynamic foreshadows the more complicated family entanglements to come.

Aunt Gesuina dies, and Lidia's family shows its greed as Serafino becomes heir. Serafino's sense of fairness clashes with the sudden fortune. The moment shifts the balance of power in the family.

Gesuina designates Serafino as her heir, granting him control over the inheritance. He does not hesitate to celebrate the windfall with friends. The money becomes the catalyst for the forthcoming misadventures.

Serafino squanders the inheritance by buying gifts for friends and a brand new convertible for himself. The lavish spending alarms those around him and foreshadows the consequences. His carefree attitude continues to clash with expectations of responsibility.

The car gets stuck in a pothole while out with friends, and their attempt to push it out culminates in a driverless car plunging into a ravine and wrecking completely. The incident shatters any illusion of safety and exposes Serafino's reckless nature. Agenore's reaction intensifies the family tension.

Agenore, furious at Serafino's behavior, petitions to have him declared mentally incompetent. He believes Serafino cannot handle the inheritance or marriage responsibilities. The legal action marks the start of a formal struggle over Serafino's status.

In court, Serafino defends himself but treats the proceedings with a joke-like casualness. He gloats that even the military couldn't control him, undermining the seriousness of the case. The judge must decide whether Serafino can manage his own affairs.

The judge rules that Serafino is not mentally incompetent, so he remains capable of governing his affairs. Nonetheless, Agenore is still unable to grab hold of Serafino's money. The ruling preserves Serafino's autonomy, at least legally.

Hearing that marriage could make a wife his legal guardian, Agenore attempts to force Serafino to marry Lidia. He hopes to seize control of the inheritance through marriage. The maneuver adds a new layer of manipulation to the family feud.

Serafino pretends to be too dumb to comply with the forced marriage, at least long enough to avoid losing control of his life. He successfully navigates the pressure and delays any arrangement. The ploy keeps his autonomy intact for the moment.

In the end Serafino marries Asmara, restoring his life as a shepherd and leaving behind the entanglements of wealth and courtrooms. The marriage closes the circle of his earlier relationships. He returns to his simple, rural existence with a sense of acceptance.