C103
Scalabrini
1 Dec, 2016
The Stablemaster In sixteenth century Italy, one of the most equivocal and difficult friends to Italian rulers was a man also known as the “scourge of princes,” Pietro Arentino. Demonstrating his personal wit and fantasy along with the ornate comedy of Renaissance theatre, Arentino wrote The Stablemaster, published in 1533 in Mantua. This five act comedic play portrays a practical joke played on an unnamed stablemaster by the Duke of Mantua. This play demonstrates common renaissance themes of love and marriage while exploring the negative value given to marriage. Arentino’s The Stablemaster is notably the first drama to feature a homosexual in European history and showcases the power of the sovereign …show more content…
The Stablemaster’s boy, Giannico is the first to deliver the news to the Stablemaster. The Stablemaster first disregards the news as only a stale joke on behalf of the boy. However, his friends soon expose him to their plentiful thoughts on the matter, both for and against the idea of the Stablemaster’s matrimony. The first to speak her mind is the Nurse who advises him to realize the significant opportunity he has been given and take action. During this time, marriage is a step up in society because a married man is considered to be noble and more respected within the community. A little later the Pedant arrives and advises the Stablemaster to seize procreation as a duty of God. Based on the Stablemaster’s passionate disagreement to the Nurse and Pedant we can see as readers the direction of his sexuality points the other way. Meanwhile, his friend Ambrogio offers contrast to these views when he summarizes his marriage as living hell. While the Stablemaster reviews the perceived misery he has been put in, Giannico reminds him that is was none other than the Duke that put him in this spot. The story continues with an appearance of the Duke’s footman to the Stablemaster. The footman comes from