Mandragola

"Mandragola" is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance theater and remains one of the most celebrated satirical comedies in Western literature. Written by the renowned political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, this biting play explores the depths of human nature, deception, and the moral ambiguities of desire. Set in 16th-century Florence, the plot follows Callimaco, a young man determined to win the affections of Lucrezia, the virtuous wife of the pompous and aging Nicia. Through a series of elaborate schemes involving a corrupt friar and a cynical marriage broker, Machiavelli weaves a tale of trickery that serves as a sharp critique of contemporary society and religious hypocrisy.

Beyond its clever dialogue and comedic timing, "Mandragola" serves as a theatrical extension of Machiavelli's political theories, demonstrating the concept of how ends might be used to justify means in the pursuit of personal ambition. This edition, featuring the translation work of Stark Young, captures the sharp wit and rhythmic flow of the original text, making it accessible to readers and scholars of classic drama. It stands as a vital work for those interested in the evolution of the comedy of manners and the enduring influence of Machiavellian thought on literature and culture.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.