The Name of the Rose

After burning “for three days and three nights,” the abbey is completely destroyed (605). On the third day, after the wounded were treated and the dead buried, everyone who remains gathers what they can of their belongings, and then, “they scattered” (606). Adso and William depart, heading east. When they reach the town of Bobbio, they learn that relations between Emperor Louis and Pope John have disintegrated: the Emperor has appointed his own antipope, Nicholas V, whom he has installed in Rome. William and Adso delay their return to Rome, fearing the outcome of these disputes. Arriving at the city of Pomposa, they learn that Rome has rebelled against Louis, who has now left for Pisa. William feels Italy is becoming unsafe for him, so he and Adso head to Munich. Here they must say farewell, for Adso’s family requires him to return to Melk to take his orders. Before parting, William gives his protégé “much good advice,” as well as the set of eyeglasses made for him by Nicholas (607). William embraces Adso with “a father’s tenderness,” and Adso never sees his master again (607). Later he learns that William died during the great plague that ravaged Europe in the 1350s.