La Penelope

La Penelope is a tragicomedy by Giovan Battista della Porta from 1591 in five acts and 4111 (including the prologue: 4178) verses, based on Homer's Odyssey .

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All'illustrissimo Signor Don Giulio Gesualdo mio signore (To my illustrious Signor Don Giulio Gesualdo)

The dedication is signed by Pompeo Barbarito, editor of La Penelope and dated August 1, 1591. Naples is given as the place where the dedication was written. The dedication is justified by the fact that Barbarito heard Don Giulio Gesualdo speak of the chastity of Penelope, which with the help of the latter was ultimately able to prevail against the arrogance of the suitors. The author of this tragic-comedy almost made a mistake by not wanting to publish the tragic-comedy under his name in order, like Odysseus, to play a trick on slanderous persons whom Barbarito in turn compares with the suitors of Penelope, and in this way his To preserve honor. Don Giulio Gesualdo will not be disappointed with della Porta's work. On the contrary, it would increase his affection for the author, whose successful theatrical productions he had already enjoyed.

L'istesso a'lettori (The same to the readers)

As the title suggests, the preface to the tragic comedy is also written by Pompeo Barbarito. There is talk of della Portas' lack of conviction in the quality of his works. These were therefore initially only known to his friends and were in circulation as manuscripts. Barbarito published his first comedy L'Olimpia against the will of della Portas . He has planned to publish all further works by della Portas, should L'Olimpia please the readers. The publication of La Penelope is a fruit of the success of this publication. After the refutation or relativization of any objections, the Dramas della Portas are named, whose publication is to follow. It is also announced that a poetics will be published in which della Porta has stated that he did not follow Aristotle 's poetics . What follows is an emphasis on important points in the Poetics della Portas. This includes, for example, that the comedy character of a drama does not result from the ridiculousness of a joke that is inserted in some scenes, but from the wittiness of the drama as a whole, from the regular distribution of the jokes in the drama. Furthermore, a comedy is not characterized by a string of swans and jokes, but rather by the comedy of the essential components of the comedy: the vicissitudes and recognition that amaze the viewer or reader and make them laugh. Barbarito excuses his lengthy preface by saying that he cannot stand it when people dismiss the writing of a complicated work as being easy and with the affection he has for della Portas.

Prologo (prologue)

First of all, there is talk of the set, which shows a magnificent castle and therefore suggests a sublime plot. However, the following drama is heralded as a tragic comedy. However, the term tragicomedy does not mean that the drama alternates between cheerful and tragic events. The tragic comedy is generally cheerful. Tragic events are not played out, but reported orally. This would correspond to the perception of the viewer. On the one hand, comedy is suitable for joyful celebrations. However, low and vile people appear in the comedy. Serious things couldn't be dealt with in a comedy. The tragedy was terrible because of the bloody and sad events. Because of the high personalities that appear in a tragedy, it seems downright haughty. The author of the following performance has therefore combined the best elements from both genres into a tragic comedy. Respected personalities would appear in an act that was at first serious and finally joyful. Because of this, Della Porta is probably the first after Plautus ' Amphitruo to do this. In addition to this innovation, the beauty of the plot is highlighted. It is about the story of Odysseus and Penelopes, whose original author was Homer. The beauty of the plot is based on the authority of Homer and his work. The present drama featured mercenary leaders who did not boast, old and stupid miser, impudent matchmakers, voracious pimps, hungry parasites, cunning servants, impostors, idlers and lovers. Rather, the present drama would be about chaste and passionate love, Penelope's unbreakable loyalty to her husband. Penelope should serve as an example for women regarding their behavior towards men. Those who act against marriage would be punished in an exemplary manner. One can learn from tragic comedy to lead an exemplary life and to avoid any wicked act out of disgust. The speaker of the prologue closes his speech by saying that he sees Minerva, who is dressed in a heavenly or light blue robe and that he wants to let her speak.

first act

• The goddess Minerva first tells the prehistory. Odysseus was charmed by the nymph Calypso and was held in this way by her until the gods freed him. Since he aroused the wrath of Neptune , he continued to err through the world. When, however, one day Neptune went to Ethiopia to meet someone devoted to him, Minerva took advantage of his absence and pleaded with the gods to Jupiter , the father of the gods , to let Odysseus return home after 20 years of erring. After Minerva's speech, Neptune also takes the stage. He was angry that Odysseus had reached his home. He now feared that he would no longer be sacrificed because it should now have become clear that he did not have the power, at least not the sole power, over the sea. He justifies his original anger at Odysseus with the blinding of his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus, by the hero. In order not to embarrass himself again, Neptune intends to set free all sea monsters and in this way to display his power. When Minerva and Neptune meet, she informs him that Jupiter has decided to return Odysseus. Neptune is left with nothing more than to bow to this decision.
• Odysseus, however, has disguised himself as a beggar when he arrived in his homeland of Ithaca to check whether his wife Penelope still remembered him and to protect himself from a possible ambush. Minerva, disguised as a shepherd, announces to Odysseus that he will have to suffer a lot in his palace and turns him into an old man. She also informs Odysseus that she wants to protect his son Telemachus, who is on his way home, from an ambush by people who have been unfaithful to Odysseus.
• Readers and viewers learn from Eumaios that the heroes of Ithaca and the surrounding islands asked for the hand of Penelope during the absence of Odysseus, who surpasses all other women in beauty. Later they went on to occupy Odysseus' palace and squandered its possessions in feasts. Telemachus had meanwhile set out to look for his father. Laertes, Odysseus' father, had fled to another place in despair and hoped to die there as soon as possible. Penelope stayed in the palace and went into tears from grief.
• From Penelope, in turn, who steps in front of the palace, the readers or viewers learn, among other things, that the suitors in Odysseus' absence have now visited Ikarios, Penelope's father and urged him to marry Penelope to one of them. Should her father agree to the marriage, be ready to take her own life. Furthermore, in a dream she saw an eagle that had torn a flock of geese. Eurycleia, Odysseus' former wet nurse, who is with her now, interprets the dream as the ruin that Odysseus will one day prepare for the suitors. At a later meeting between Icarios and Penelope, a kind of argument arises which ends with Icarios giving Penelope the choice of either submitting to his will, i. H. to marry one of the suitors or to be cast out by him. He gives her a day to decide.

Second act

• One of the leaders of the suitors, Eurymachos, is not impressed by his advisor, who advises against marrying Penelope. Nevertheless, he is in a bad mood after the interview with his advisor and wants to distract himself from his bad mood by having sex with Penelope's servant Melantho. Eurymachus learns from Melantho that Telemachus has arrived in Ithaca. The suitors are prepared for Telemacho's arrival. They seek after his life. Odysseus, who is still out and about as an old beggar, has overheard the conversation between Melantho and Eurymachos.
• Penelope meanwhile tried to pierce herself with an arrow from the legendary bow that Odysseus used in his youth, but then fainted beforehand. After her fainting spell, Penelope reveals to her servant Eurycleia that she intends to postpone the wedding by arranging a competition among the suitors, the aim of which is to draw the bow of Odysseus and shoot the arrow through twelve rings. She sends her servant Eurycleia to Ikrios to let him know that she is ready to marry one of the suitors. When Ikarios and Penelope meet, she reveals her plan to him. Penelope's father sees through his daughter's intention to postpone the wedding, but lets her go ahead anyway. Antinoss and Eurymachos, who make it clear to Penelope that they would not shy away from violence in order to get their possession, also informs Penelope of the competition and of their willingness to marry one of them.

Third act

• The suitors try to persuade Penelope to marry with the help of an old woman with presents. But Penelope is not deterred. Although she accepts the gifts, she still has the competition held with the bow of Odysseus. Meanwhile, Odysseus is mocked and insulted by the goatherd Melantheus, and later also by Melantho. Then Antinous, another leader of the suitors Odysseus through Iros, has a beggar thrown out of the ballroom, but Odysseus defends himself. It comes to a fight between Iros and Odysseus, whereby Odysseus wins. Odysseus is allowed to stay in his palace while Iros is promised to be mutilated by King Echetus. The former swears revenge after the abuse he has experienced in his palace by the suitors and sometimes also servants and is encouraged by a favorable omen, a thunder (the sign of Jupiter). Penelope and the well-meaning servants also hear the thunder and rejoice. Odysseus assures Penelope (as an aged beggar) that Odysseus will one day come and take revenge.

Fourth act

• Eumaios informs Telemachus, who has returned to Ithaca, of the ambush of the suitors both at sea and on land. Telemachus sends Eumaeus to ask what else they are up to in the house with the suitors. Telemachos then meets Odysseus for the first time in 20 years, but does not recognize him because Odysseus is still transformed into an aged beggar and tells his son a fictional life story. Odysseus finally decides to reveal himself to his son as his father. At first Telemachus is incredulous, but later recognizes him. There is no happy recognition scene, as neither of them want to arouse suspicion towards the suitors. When Odysseus reveals to his son his intention to take revenge on the suitors for the shame he has suffered, the latter doubts the feasibility of the plan for lack of supporters. However, Odysseus assures his son that the gods are on their side. Regarding the plan, Telemachus informs his father that of the warring staff of Odysseus only Eumaios and Philoitios remained loyal to him. Odysseus intends to reveal his true identity to these two too. Then Odysseus meets Penelope and presents himself to her as a different person and tells her an invented life story. Penelope, in turn, at his request, describes how the current situation came about and how she managed to hold off the suitors with the wedding. She also tells him about the upcoming bow competition. She expresses the hope that God will come to her aid in the meantime. Odysseus puts Penelope to the test and asks her if she could imagine not marrying at least one of the suitors, which she in turn decidedly denies.
• Odysseus, has meanwhile entered his palace and has been verbally abused and abused by the suitors. He reveals himself to Eumaios. Since Eumaios doubts his identity, he lets him touch the scar that a boar's boar had inflicted on him as a child. After a short recognition scene, Odysseus has Eumaios and, indirectly, Phoitios lock the doors. Odysseus tells Telemachus to hide the suitors' weapons and to bring the weapons for him and his comrades to a place convenient for them. Dancers should meanwhile fill the palace with noise, so that no one would find out about the murder of the suitors. The female servants of the palace who were unfaithful to Odysseus would also be punished with death. Telemachus precedes Odysseus into the ballroom, Minerva appears to Odysseus and precedes him again.

Fifth act

• Laertes, who has moved to another place out of grief over the development of events in Ithaca, is now returning to his homeland and finds the gates to Odysseus' palace locked. From inside there seems to be a noise of joy.
• A little later the gates to the palace open. Eumaios emerges and explains to Ikarios that the suitors were murdered by Odysseus' hand. He initially won the competition because he was the only one who could draw the bow and shoot the arrow through the twelve rings. After the subsequent feast, at which one could have foreseen the work of Athens from the strange behavior of the suitors and the strange mood, Odysseus indicated by a sign to lock the doors. The revenge on the suitors began with an arrow shot by Odysseus. The arrow pierced Antinous' neck. Eurymachus saw this and tried to calm Odysseus' anger and bribe him - but in vain. Another suitor, Agelaos, then tried to leave the palace and get Melanthios to get the weapons. However, Agelaos found the door locked. Philoitios had gotten ahead of Melanthios and stood in his way. The singer Phemios, who was forced by the suitors to sing for them, and Medon, the herald of Odysseus, were spared. After the slaughter of the suitors, the faithless maids were brought from Eurycleia and hanged. Melanthios' extremities had been chopped off and thrown to the dogs to eat.
• Odysseus, meanwhile, tells Telemachus to fetch Penelope because he wants to put her to the test. According to his father's request, Telemachus goes to his mother and takes this opportunity to tell her about the journey he has undertaken to inquire about the whereabouts of Odysseus from Nestor and Menelaus . Although he tells what actually happened, he suggests that Odysseus' died. Telemachus is anything but happy about Telemachos' assertion that Penelope will have to marry a suitor in view of the situation he claims. She wants to die, but assigns her son to murder her. However, the latter refuses to obey her.
• Laertes also had to undergo a similar trial procedure. Telemachos tells him that someone succeeded in drawing the bow of Odysseus and shooting the arrow through the twelve rings. Laertes believes in fraud and would like to challenge it to fight, even if he would have to die in the process. Finally, Odysseus finally reveals himself to everyone for who he is. Eurycleia recognizes him immediately by the scar that the boar inflicted on him. The others are still standing there in disbelief. Laertes would like some more proof from Odysseus. So Odysseus tells of his childhood. There is a second recognition scene. Penelope's stubborn reluctance is explained by her distrust of Odysseus. She is afraid of being caught by a cheater. This is followed by a further recognition through Odysseus' description of the creation of the marriage bed in which he and Penelope once slept and which is immovable because it was carved on the spot from an olive tree and is accordingly rooted on the ground. There is another joyful recognition scene in which Odysseus praises the chastity, loyalty and otherwise the exemplary quality of Penelope. The treasures that Odysseus brought back from the Phaeacians are displayed in Odysseus' palace. Penelope's song of joy follows. Then she asks Odysseus to tell her about his adventures. But it is evening and Odysseus is tired. He will tell her about his adventures another time. Finally, the swineherd Eumaios addresses the audience and challenges them to imitate and preach the chastity and honesty of Penelope.

people

• Minerva , goddess
• Nettuno (Neptune), god
• Ulisse (Odysseus), King of Ithaca
• Eumeo (Eumaios), servant of Odysseus
• Ericlea (Eurykleia), nurse of Odysseus
• Penelope , queen, consort of Odysseus
• Icario (Ikarios), father of Penelope
• Consigliero (advisor), old man
• Eurimaco (Eurymachos), king
• Melanto (Melantho), servant of the queen
• Antinous (Anthinous), king
• Vecchia (old woman)
• Melanzio ( Melanthios ), shepherd
• Iro (Iros), beggar
• Telemaco (Telemachos), son of Odysseus
• Laerte (Laertes), father of Odysseus

Further information

Differences between Homer's Odyssey and La Penelope (selection)

• The gods have Roman names in La Penelope . Athena from Homer's Odyssey is the ancient Roman Minerva, Poseidon Neptune and Zeus Jupiter.
• In contrast to Homer's epic, Calypso succeeds in making Odysseus forget his homeland and thus also Penelope.
• In contrast to Homer's Odyssey , the cannibalism of the Cyclops Polyphemus is based on his suspicion that Odysseus and his companions were pirates who made the surrounding sea and islands unsafe.
• In Homer's Odyssey , Odysseus and his companions flee the Polyphems cave by tying themselves under the sheep that leave the cave each morning. In the tragicomedy this is interpreted to mean that Odysseus and his companions leave the cave under the sheep on all fours.
• Ikarios is only mentioned in passing in the Odyssey .
• The affair between Eurymachos and Melantho is described in much more detail in La Penelope than in the Odyssey
• In the Odyssey , the suitors have to shoot Odysseus' bow not through a series of rings, but from axes.

Others

• The prologue to La Penelope is inspired by Plautus ' prologues to Amphitruo and Captivi .

literature

Text output

• Giovan Battista della Porta: Teatro, I. Tragedie . Milano (Milan) / Napoli (Naples) / Roma (Rome): Edizioni scientifiche italiane, 2000.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ See Raffaele Sirri: Sul Teatro del Cinquecento (1989). Napoli: Morano Editore: 375.
2. ↑ See Raffaele Sirri: Sul Teatro del Cinquecento (1989). Napoli: Morano Editore: 390-391.