Five Comedies from the Italian Renaissance

by Laura Giannetti (Editor), Guido Ruggiero (Editor)

A fresh translation of five important and popular comedies from the Italian Renaissance, along with an introduction addressing the texts, their translation, and the social and cultural world of Renaissance comedy. At the turn of the sixteenth century, Italian playwrights rediscovered and recast an old art form―the ancient Latin comedy―to create witty, ribald, and intricately plotted plays that delighted Renaissance audiences with their clever reversals of gender and class roles. Five Comedies from the Italian Renaissance brings together the best of these works in lively new translations by Laura Giannetti and Guido Ruggiero, who also place the comedies in their cultural and social context. Presenting a fresh perspective on the Italian Renaissance, these deft translations allow modern readers to experience the original artistry and carnivalesque humor of these delightfully profane and irreverent literary classics. The five The Comedy of Calandro by Bernardo Dovizi de Bibbiena; The Mandrake Root by Niccolò Machiavelli; The Master of the Horse by Pietro Aretino; The Deceived by the Academy of the Intronati of Siena; and A Venetian Comedy by anonymous

Genres: Plays, Drama, Fiction

Hardcover

First published May 28, 2003

Reviews

[Robert Kleinberg]

A good selection of comedies from early sixteenth century Italy, including plays by the ever-sharp Aretino and the brilliant Machiavelli. All are lively and entertaining, with frequent plot twists reminiscent of Hollywood screwball comedies from the 1930s and 40s. The characterizations, and the behavior of the characters, are true to life.

In addition to excellent, highly readable translations, the book also includes a lengthy introduction and useful explanatory footnotes. The editors clearly had fun with these works and their abundant humor and sexuality.

For those new to Italian Renaissance comedies, a good place to start would be Ruzzante (Beolco)'s "La Moschetta". Earthy and sharp.

[Rach]

This is a collection, as the title clearly states. I am not the biggest lover of plays/dramas/comedies what have you. Especially the renaissance period. But it is interesting as you trace the ideal of gender through out all five of the plays. There is this very much present separation between male and female. And it is tested through multiple situations. As discussed, I find it likable. Which is hard for me. But I didn't mind talking about these.

Included in the collection: he Comedy of Calandro by Bernardo Dovizi de Bibbiena; The Mandrake Root by Niccolò Machiavelli; The Master of the Horse by Pietro Aretino; The Deceived by the Academy of the Intronati of Siena; and A Venetian Comedy by Anonymous.

Calandro and Mandrake Root had obviously male female issues. BUT the one I really found interesting was The Master of the Horse because they brought in homosexuality. I mean if you think about how long ago these were written, it is so interesting to see the issue of a queer protagonist that is forced upon the most beautiful woman.

The theme of seeming versus being; queer, straight, male, female, trans, cores-dressing, an asshole ( yeah there are always those characters), is very present through out all the plays.

[Jamie]

I enjoy theater, so I have read many plays. This book pretty much introduced me to the Commedia dell'arte in Italy. This book contains truly some enjoyable plays. It is even funnier in the original Italian since some of the plays contain dialect.

[Tasha]

"Shakespeare was a pansy and a prude." -anonymous undergrad student after reading these plays