La crisi: commedia in tre atti

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22499

Title

La crisi: commedia in tre atti

Language

it

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in Milan, 1904, Marco Praga's 'La crisi' explores the volatile intersection of honor, passion, and deception within a wealthy family. When a military officer's past indiscretion threatens to shatter his brother's marriage, a dramatic duel and a final confession force a painful but necessary truth, challenging societal norms and the very definition of fidelity.

Summary up to 500 words

Marco Praga's *La crisi* (The Crisis), a three-act comedy set in Milan, explores the fragility of marriage and the complex nature of honor. The play opens with the return of Piero Donati and his wife Nicoletta from a three-year absence. Tensions immediately arise with the arrival of Piero's brother, Colonel Raimondo, who has been stationed in the Congo. Raimondo is suspicious of Nicoletta's relationship with Ugo Pucci, a young lawyer. His suspicions are confirmed when he discovers letters between them, leading him to believe Nicoletta has betrayed her husband. Compelled by a sense of duty, Raimondo arranges a duel with Pucci to defend his brother's honor. However, upon learning of the duel, Nicoletta panics, fearing the consequences for Piero, who is deeply in love with her. Raimondo returns from the duel, having stopped the fight to avoid bloodshed, but the crisis deepens. He attempts to manage the situation by lying to Piero, claiming he won and that Nicoletta only committed a 'stupid lapse' rather than a full affair. He plans to leave Milan to give the couple space. Overwhelmed by guilt and the fear that Piero's love is dying, Nicoletta decides to confess the truth before Raimondo departs. She admits to the affair but reveals she never loved Ugo Pucci, explaining that her marriage to Piero was based on genuine love she had tried to suppress due to boredom and societal pressure. She confesses because she realizes Piero was already doubting her and could not live in the lie anymore. Piero initially collapses in grief, but Raimondo sees a path forward. He explains to Piero that Nicoletta's confession proves her soul belongs to him; she has reclaimed her integrity. Raimondo argues that while her body was unfaithful, her heart remained true. Moved by Nicoletta's honesty and his own realization that he judged her unfairly, Piero accepts the truth. The play concludes with Raimondo deciding to stay in Milan, having resolved the crisis through honesty and the restoration of trust. The narrative underscores the theme that true fidelity lies in the heart and soul, and that honesty, even when painful, can heal a relationship and restore genuine love.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Drama