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The Comedies of Ariosto
English (translation)Original Italian
322 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1975
About the author
Ludovico Ariosto
1,047 books117 followersKnown Italian writer Ludovico Ariosto, or Lodovico Ariosto first published
Orlando Furioso
his primary epic comic poem, in 1516.
He best authored the romance. This continuation of Orlando Innamorato of Matteo Maria Boiardo describes the adventures of Charlemagne and the Franks, who battle against the Saracens, with diversions into many side plots. Ariosto composed in the ottava rima scheme and introduced narrator commentary throughout the work.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludovic...
He best authored the romance. This continuation of Orlando Innamorato of Matteo Maria Boiardo describes the adventures of Charlemagne and the Franks, who battle against the Saracens, with diversions into many side plots. Ariosto composed in the ottava rima scheme and introduced narrator commentary throughout the work.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludovic...
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 14, 2017
Ariosto helped define renaissance comedy, building on the Plautian model. For drama lovers, the Pretenders is an entertaining and well-made play.
The Coffer *** – This is a Plautian farce about a young man trying to swindle a pimp of the woman the young man loves. The plan goes awry and hilarity (supposedly) ensues. (Though it seems to end rather abruptly.) What makes this play so innovative is lost in the translation. Ariosto was one of the first Italian dramatists to write plays in his native language, including Italian settings and cultural components. This is a mildly entertaining work.
The Supposes **** – This entertaining play (translated as The Pretenders) is a classic mistaken-identity farce. (No twins, though!) It has its humorous moments, and it rises above a Plautian imitation. It was quite influential in the plays of Shakespeare (notably The Taming of the Shrew) and other writers as the “mistaken identity” theme was a comedic mainstay for generations.
It appears to me that the “mistaken identity” or “traded identity” plots of old are much less common/popular today. Is that true? I wonder why?
The Coffer *** – This is a Plautian farce about a young man trying to swindle a pimp of the woman the young man loves. The plan goes awry and hilarity (supposedly) ensues. (Though it seems to end rather abruptly.) What makes this play so innovative is lost in the translation. Ariosto was one of the first Italian dramatists to write plays in his native language, including Italian settings and cultural components. This is a mildly entertaining work.
The Supposes **** – This entertaining play (translated as The Pretenders) is a classic mistaken-identity farce. (No twins, though!) It has its humorous moments, and it rises above a Plautian imitation. It was quite influential in the plays of Shakespeare (notably The Taming of the Shrew) and other writers as the “mistaken identity” theme was a comedic mainstay for generations.
It appears to me that the “mistaken identity” or “traded identity” plots of old are much less common/popular today. Is that true? I wonder why?
November 15, 2010
a parte le commedie più note, il resto dei lavori non brilla affatto. alcune sono veramente noiose e difficilissime da portare a termine.
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October 22, 2017interisting
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews