Sull'onore. Un dialogo tra generazioni: Sidney Sonnino e Ugo Francesetti di Malgrà

The essay focuses on the concept of honor and its changes in the second half of the nineteenth century and the early years of the twentieth century. These changes are analyzed through a comparison between two generations, that of the well-known politician Sidney Sonnino (born in 1847) and that of the young naval officer Ugo Francesetti di Malgrà (born in 1877). The deepening disappointment with Italian events and institutions led Francesetti to move away from a Risorgimento idea of honor, while Sonnino remained faithful to his youthful ideals whereby his personal honor and the defense of Italian ‘patria’ coincided. In 1902, such a belief led Sonnino to face the risk of a “parliamentary” duel, demonstrating his adherence to the code of chivalry of the time.