LA SCENA SI FINGE IN VENEZIA: TOŻSAMOŚĆ MIAST LAGUNY WENECKIEJ W KOMEDIACH WŁOSKICH Z XVII I XVIII W

Abstract

Myth of Venice has left its clear imprint in the collective imagination. It used to thrive first of all on the city wealth, its amazing legal organization and famous entertainments (carnival and masks which guaranteed anonymity of the participants of a play, casinos, theatres and courtesans). The fame of this city is excellently shown in the book by a Neapolitan author, Diego Zunig, who describes Venice as “magnet of Europe, attraction for foreigners” which is well-known for its jurisdiction, festivities, theatres and gondolas (La calamita d’Europa attrattiva de’ forestieri in cui si descrive la sapienza, giustizia, pieta, gratitudine, fedelta, generosita del Senato Veneto, le feste, i teatro, l’uso delle gondole, Bologna 1694). This stereotypical image can also be found in Italian comedies of 17th and 18th century whose plot takes place in Venice. They abound in rides in gondolas, serenadas, carnival and masks, entertainments such as casinos, beautiful courtesans and colorful and loud habitants of this city (bag carriers, gondoliers, massere, merchants, etc) and last but not least, Venice dialect. The most distinctive Venetian character is an old merchant called Magnifico or Pantalone, a character from dell’arte theatre.