Machiavelli's Comedy - Classics and Interpretations 10

Author: Liu Xiaofeng, Chen Shaoming (editors)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Machiavelli's extraordinary quality lies in the fact that he is both a genius playwright and an outstanding thinker. A serious reader who is amused by his works will surely ask: How are these comedies connected to his political writings? — Friedrich Schiller
The existence of comedy is for the benefit and pleasure of the audience. Recognizing the greed of the old, the passion of the lovers, the tricks of the servants, the gluttony of the gourmands, the stinginess of the poor, the ambition of the rich, the flattery of the prostitute, the treachery of everyone—truly, it can benefit anyone, especially the young greatly. The purpose of comedy is: a mirror of private life. However, holding up this mirror requires elegance, using words that can amuse people, making them eager to rush toward extreme joy, only then can they savor the useful lessons hidden beneath the extreme pleasure. — Machiavelli