Trust, Deceit, and Disgust Within the Marriage Between Lucrezia and Nicia in La Mandragola by Machiavelli

Abstract

Niccolo Machiavelli (1469 - 1527) is most famous for his instructional book, The Prince, however, he experienced greater success during his lifetime for his play La Mandragola. The play is centred around one man's efforts, Callimaco, in having sex with Lucrezia, a young woman who is married to an older man, Messer Nicia. Despite being married for six years, the marriage between Lucrezia and Nicia has not yielded a child - this was unusual. Trickery ensues, with the play ending with Callimaco successfully duping Nicia and ‘getting the girl,’ with Lucrezia and Callimaco confident in their ability to continue this affair going forward. The unfortunate marriage dynamic of Lucrezia and Nicia was not one that was created because it differed from the norm, but rather the typical marriage culture and gender expectations of the time contributed to the discord of their marriage. Neither partner has respect for the other; Nicia has a certain level of complacency, perhaps even avoidance or fear, of Lucrezia and being reproached. On the other hand, Lucrezia sees Nicia as dim-witted and seeks many opportunities to avoid physical contact with him. Machiavelli provides a rich and nuanced picture of married life, albeit exaggerated at times as part of the larger plot of La Mandragola. The marriage of Nicia and Lucrezia also reveals that there is much more behind prescribed gender roles of being fertile and economically capable when it comes to compatibility within the confines of typical marriages in Renaissance Italy. The disrespect and dislike seen in the marriage between Lucrezia and Nicia is amplified through neither character satisfying gender expectations, and existing in a marriage dynamic that was, while common, still problematic.