Dom Casmurro

Dom Casmurro (1899) is a novel by Brazilian author Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis. The narrator, Bento Santiago, looks back on his life in Rio de Janeiro in an attempt to reconcile with his past. Bento recounts his childhood affection for Capitú and their marriage, pinpointing the incidents that ignited his suspicions of her affair with his close friend, Escobar. Embracing ambiguity, the author challenged conventions of his time through the novel’s unreliable first-person narrator while navigating the central conflict around the protagonist’s jealousy.

Dom Casmurro is now considered a classic of Brazilian literature, and was pivotal in the development of Brazilian Realism.

This guide uses the 1953 edition published by W. H. Allen & Co, with a translation by Helen Caldwell.

Content Warning: The source material features suicidal ideation and ideation of domestic violence. Additionally, it uses outdated, offensive terms to describe Black and Romani people, which are replicated in this guide only in direct quotes.

Plot Summary

One day, while at home, 15-year-old Bento Santiago overhears José Dias, a dependent of his family, raising suspicions about his close friendship with the neighbor’s daughter, Capitú. In a conversation with Cousin Justina and Uncle Cosme, he reminds them of Dona Gloria’s pledge to have her son, Bento, enter the priesthood, and how a romantic involvement could jeopardize her wishes. Reflecting on the conversation, Bento recognizes his affection for Capitú, prompting him to visit her. At Capitú’s home, he discovers their feelings are mutual, and they share their first kiss later that day. During the following days, both craft elaborate plans to prevent Bento from entering the seminary, which inevitably fail. Before leaving for the seminary, Bento vows to marry Capitú one day.

Feeling lonely after Bento’s departure, Dona Gloria grows closer to Capitú, who frequently visits the household. While biding his time to exit the seminary, Bento makes weekly visits to his mother, excitedly anticipating his encounters with Capitú. During one such visit, he witnesses Capitú exchanging a glance with a passerby, which sparks intense jealousy within him.

Bento befriends Escobar, a young man at the seminary who shares his intention to leave the priesthood. After confiding in each other, Escobar proposes a plan to have Bento’s mother sponsor another for the ecclesiastical career, allowing him to leave. His plan is successful and Bento leaves the seminary for law school, moving temporarily to a neighboring state.

After returning to Rio de Janeiro, Bento marries Capitú, while Escobar weds her friend, Sancha. As both couples welcome children, Bento and Capitú name their son Ezekiel, after Escobar, while Escobar and Sancha choose Capitolina for their daughter. Living nearby, they share meals and beach outings, enjoying a close-knit friendship.

Bento grows increasingly more jealous of Capitú, who has shifted from her determined adolescent defiance into a meeker and more compliant demeanor, accommodating her husband’s jealousy and controlling behavior. As their son, Ezekiel, grows up, the couple notices certain traits that bear a striking resemblance to Escobar.

Tragedy hits when Escobar drowns while swimming, devastating Bento and Capitú. During the funeral, Bento notices Capitú’s solemn gaze toward Escobar, firing suspicions of infidelity in him. As Ezekiel’s resemblance to Escobar becomes more apparent, Bento’s resentment grows, and he becomes convinced of Capitú’s adultery. Overwhelmed by despair, Bento attempts to poison himself but Ezekiel unknowingly interrupts him. Bento almost poisons Ezekiel, but stops himself. Following the incident, he confronts Capitú over Ezekiel’s paternity. She denies his claims and blames his suspicions on his unfounded jealousy.

Their marriage collapses, leading Bento to banish Capitú and Ezekiel to Europe while he remains in Brazil. Years pass and Ezekiel pays a surprise visit to Bento after Capitú’s death. Despite his resentment over his striking resemblance to Escobar, Bento maintains the facade of a father-son relationship. Soon after, Ezekiel dies of typhoid fever, leaving little impact on Bento.

The narrative concludes with the protagonist reflecting on his life and his unrelenting conviction of Capitú’s infidelity. Despite her alleged betrayal, Bento expresses a wish for her and Escobar’s peaceful rest and announces the start of his next novel.