The Marescalco

by Pietro Aretino

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

Genres: Plays

149 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1533

About the author

Pietro Aretino was an Italian author, playwright, poet and satirist who wielded immense influence on contemporary art and politics and invented modern literate pornography.

Reviews

[Judy]

The Duke of Mantua plays a trick on his blacksmith, the Marescalco, by proposing to marry him with a dowry. But the play is about his disgruntlement because he is gay. Homosexuals are not made fun of in the play, but women are. At the end of the play a footman in disguise as the bride reveals that she is a boy. In the introductory passage, the translators explain that the dramatist intended to convey how those in a community were subject to the whims of the dukes.

[Aaron Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an extraordinary text from 16th-century Mantua. Aretino's wordplay is delightful. I find the plot itself quite repetitive, which is, I guess, why it doesn't get more than 3 stars from me, but the innumerable references to sodomy in this little commedia erudita are enough to make me love The Marescalco. For years this Sbrocchi–Campbell translation was the only good edition in English, but now there is the even more accessible Giannetti–Ruggiero edition in Five Comedies from the Italian Renaissance published by Johns Hopkins University Press. I'd recommend that over this out-of-print edition.

[Joyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

doesn't live up to aretino's reputation in several ways