Mandragola - Softcover

Machiavelli, Niccolo; Maloney, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 088145415X ISBN 13: 9780881454154

Publisher: Broadway Play Publishing, Incorporated, 2008

Synopsis

Machiavelli's 16th-century comedic classic. Callimaco wishes to bed Lucrezia, though she is the wife of the aging Nicia. Consequently trickery and deceit are in order if Callimaco is to obtain his desire. A plan is hatched involving a plant, the "mandragola," with supposedly magical powers. Nicia is fooled, but will Lucrezia prove as gullible? "So you don't think Machiavelli had a sense of humor? Then go see the rollicking production of his comedy MANDRAGOLA at the Shakespeare Theater ... MANDRAGOLA, adapted by Peter Maloney, is filled not only with Machiavelli's rather questionable wisdom, but with a surprising amount of wit ... If comedy seems an unlikely métier for Machiavelli, the action of MANDRAGOLA is of the any-means-to-an-end variety ... These days, when Machiavellian strategy is being taken all too seriously, it's refreshing to laugh at the old boy." -J. Wynn Rousuck, The Sun, Washington, DC "A naughty comedy by that great Italian Renaissance guy, Machiavelli ... performed with great flair and precision ... a very funny, bawdy play ... a farce about lust, both physical and financial ... A hilarious and lively visit to the streets and gutters of 16th century Florence." -Jane Horwitz, WTTG TV, Washington, DC "Machiavelli's realistic and unflattering opinion of human nature, expressed most notably in his classic The Prince, is given full voice here, but to obvious farcical effect." -American Theater "In this Renaissance sex-comedy human greed is the motor which drives the characters to chase each other around and around during a day and a night in old Florence." -Play Source, Theatre Communications Group

About this title

About the Author:

Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian politician, diplomat, founding father of political science, and author of the preeminent political treatise, The Prince. Born in Florence, Italy, Machiavelli held many government posts over his lifetime and often took leading roles in important diplomatic missions. During his time visiting other countries and nation states, Machiavelli was exposed to the politics of figures like Ceasare Borgia and King Louis XII, experiences which would inform his writings on state-building and politics. Machiavelli s political career came to an abrupt end when the Medici overthrew Florence, and he was held as a prisoner under the new regime. Tortured for a short time, he was released without admitting to any crime or treason. At this point, Machiavelli retired and turned to intellectual and philosophical pursuits, producing his two major works, The Prince and Discourses on the First Ten Books of Titus Livy. He died in 1527 at the age of 58.

Review:

So you don't think Machiavelli had a sense of humor? Then go see the rolicking production of his comedy MANDRAGOLA at the Shakespeare Theater... MANDRAGOLA, adapted by Peter Maloney, is filled not only with Machiavelli's rather questionable wisdom, but with a surprising amount of wit... If comedy seems an unlikely metier for Machiavelli, the action of MANDRAGOLA is of the any-means-to-an-end variety... These days, when Machiavellian strategy is being taken all too seriously, it's refreshing to laugh at the old boy. --J. Wynn Rousuck, The Sun, Washington, DC

A naughty comedy by that great Italian Renaissance guy, Machiavelli...performed with great flair and precision...a very funny, bawdy play...a farce about lust, both physical and financial... A hilarious and lively visit to the streets and gutters of 16th century Florence. --Jane Horwitz, WTTG TV, Washington, DC

Machiavelli's realistic and unflattering opinion of human nature, expressed most notably in his classic The Prince, is given full voice here, but to obvious farcial effect. --American Theater

A naughty comedy by that great Italian Renaissance guy, Machiavelli...performed with great flair and precision...a very funny, bawdy play...a farce about lust, both physical and financial... A hilarious and lively visit to the streets and gutters of 16th century Florence. --Jane Horwitz, WTTG TV, Washington, DC

Machiavelli's realistic and unflattering opinion of human nature, expressed most notably in his classic The Prince, is given full voice here, but to obvious farcial effect. --American Theater

About this edition

• Publisher: Broadway Play Publishing, Incorporated
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 088145415X
• ISBN 13: 9780881454154
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 110