La Cintia

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25198

Title

La Cintia

Language

it

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Giambattista della Porta's *La Cintia* is a Renaissance comedy set in Naples, exploring themes of gender identity, deception, and love. The play follows Cintia, a woman disguised as a man, and Erasto, a man disguised as a woman, as they navigate societal expectations and forbidden passions. Through witty dialogue and dramatic irony, the work challenges norms of nobility and gender while celebrating the triumph of true love and honesty.

Summary up to 500 words

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Naples, Giambattista della Porta's *La Cintia* presents a complex farce exploring themes of identity, deception, and the fluidity of social constructs. The narrative centers on Cintia, a noblewoman raised by her father, Arreotimo, under the false belief that she is his son, Cintio. This profound misunderstanding originates from her mother, Ersilia, who, after being seduced by Arreotimo, prayed fervently for a male heir to secure her family's honor. Upon giving birth to a daughter, Ersilia secretly swapped the newborn with a male infant provided by a midwife, successfully deceiving Arreotimo into raising Cintia as a boy. As Cintia matures, she falls in love with Erasto, a childhood friend and fellow student. Erasto, however, is secretly married to Amasia, the daughter of Pedofilo. To facilitate their union, Cintia and Erasto engage in an elaborate ruse: Cintia disguises herself as a man, while Erasto dresses as a woman. They maintain a clandestine relationship, believing themselves to be a heterosexual couple, while Cintia's father remains oblivious to his daughter's true sex. The plot intensifies with the arrival of a violent Captain, an obsessive suitor of Amasia. Mistaking Cintia for Amasia due to her disguise, the Captain threatens violence against Erasto. The tension culminates in a chaotic confrontation where the Captain's rage is diffused only by the revelation of Cintia's true gender. Upon seeing Cintia's face, Erasto is moved to tears, realizing the depth of her love and the innocence of her deception. The play resolves with the full disclosure of the truth to both families. Arreotimo is overjoyed to learn he has a granddaughter and a grandson, while the families of Cintia and Erasto unite in celebration. The story concludes with a festive atmosphere, emphasizing the restoration of honor and the triumph of genuine affection over rigid social expectations. Through this intricate web of disguises and revelations, della Porta illustrates how love and truth can dismantle even the most entrenched deceptions.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Drama