Character of Caravaggio in The Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje

 

Character of Caravaggio in The Skin of a Lion

-             Michael Ondaatje

In the novel In the Skin of a Lion, Caravaggio appears as a decent thief. He is an Italian Immigrant, who works as a tar man, building of Bridge in Toronto, Canada. Caravaggio is an interesting and amusing man. In this novel a chapter is titled after Caravaggio. The most significant thing to note is even the protagonist, Patrick Lewis is not afforded with this acclaim.

           

       

     Caravaggio befriends Patrick Lewis in the Jail. With the help of Lewis, Caravaggio escapes from the

 prison. He teaches Patrick the art of “Demarcation”.  After absconding from the prison, he moves in a 

train. Then he jumps off from the train to buy turpentine. He meets a boy named Alfred who willing 

helps Caravaggio to buy turpentine. Caravaggio confesses the boy about his profession as a thief. But 

the boy gifts him with maple syrup spile as a token of love and expresses him to remember his name.

            Caravaggio meets Anne in a Canoe and he is moved by her friendship. He is not ready to conceal his identity as a thief and reveals his profession to Anne. This nature of Caravaggio makes Anne befriend the man. He behaves in a decently manner with women, which is one of the applauding characters of Caravaggio.

            Caravaggio has learnt the art of robbery through self-learning. His first experience of robbery is amusing. He jumps from a two-storey window with a valuable drawing, and breaks his ankles. He claims “not to steal from the place where you sleep” and teaches us a rule for robbery. He meets a woman near the cabin unveiling her clothes which makes him scared off. He warns the woman not to scare him and reveals his profession. He asks her to bring some food and chicken. The very next day she brings him chicken, salad, milk, banana and cake. He is intensely in love with Gianetta. He marries Gianetta and he shares a humble, supportive relationship.

            Caravaggio maintains his friendship with Anne. At the climax of the novel Patrick plans to blow up the Filtration Plant with dynamite and Caravaggio's helps. With the support of Caravaggio and Gianetta, Patrick enters the plant. In this novel Caravaggio plays a key role and his character makes the novel interesting and more amusing.