"La sorella" by Giambattista della Porta is a comedic play written in the early 17th century. The story unfolds in Nola, revolving around romantic entanglements, complicated relationships, and the schemes of a range of characters, including the young Attilio, his servant Trinca, and other various figures caught up in love and deception. At the start of the play, we are introduced to Attilio and his servant Trinca, who discuss Attilio’s impending marriage
to Sulpizia, which causes him great distress. The opening scenes highlight the tumultuous emotions surrounding romantic relationships as Attilio expresses his anxiety over both his upcoming marriage and his love for Cleria. Other characters, including the lovesick Erotico and the scheming Balia, further complicate matters as they introduce themes of desire, jealousy, and trickery. These dynamics set up a stage filled with interpersonal conflicts, showcasing a blend of humor, tension, and the human experience in matters of the heart. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Produced by Claudio Paganelli and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (Images generously made available by Editore Laterza and the Biblioteca Italiana at www.bibliotecaitaliana.it/ScrittoriItalia)
Reading Level
Reading ease score: 63.4 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.