According to Merriam-Webster, arrogance is “an insulting way of thinking that comes from believing that you are better, smarter, or more important than other people.” In think that word best describes Tonino in The Venetian Twins.
A few times during the play, Tonino proclaims to others that he is a “gentleman” and a “honest man.” An example is after he is given Zanetto’s jewels and money by Arlecchino, “A casket of jewels, a purse full of money, it would have made a good haul for somebody, but I’m an a gentleman, and I don’t take other people’s things.” However, I believe his true character shows as the play progresses. Not long after he acquires the money and jewels and swears to find who they belong to, he uses them for his own amusement at the Professor’s house, “she’s [Colombina] picked the wrong pigeon this time. But this could be fun” and decides to play detective. He also revokes his friendship with Florindo after seeing that he is trying to steal Beatrice from him and insults those he views as inferior to him, (to Lelio) “what about you, you little caricature.” Tonino does redeem himself by defending his friend Florindo before he is murdered in the street and with his speech on why women and marriage do not destroy a man, but instead men allow themselves to be destroyed. In between these great actions, though, he seems to strut about the place finding the faults in others while not realizing his own.
In my opinion, Tonino’s character was one that the audience could learn a lesson from. That lesson being: no one is perfect, no matter how much one thinks they are. People in the 18th century may have seen how heroic and kind-hearted a person Tonino was at the beginning of the play, when he saved Florindo, and thought to themselves, “this character is just like me” and by the end of the play had them thinking, “I know I try to do good, but what am I doing that is causing harm to others?”
I have to disagree about Tonino being arrogant. I didn't get that at all from him. He didn't keep the jewels or the money. Zanetto was the one who wanted women to fall at his feet, and he wanted to punish them by ignoring them when they did. Really, the only thing I didn't like about Tonino was the fact that he said a husband could whip his wife if she didn't obey him. It was also ironic that Tonino talked about being such a gentleman, when in fact he was concealing his identity over slapping someone.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with this. Tonino WAS quick to judge, but he wasn't exactly wrong, and the problems he brought about just stemmed from the entire mistaken identity plot.
DeleteTonino was definitely arrogant. I think he felt himself important and handsome. I'm not saying that Zanetto was any better, but he wasn't arrogant.
ReplyDeleteI also liked Tonino at the beginning of the play, but by the end, I was wishing that he wouldn't get the girl.
I just felt sorry for Zanetto, because he was too stupid to be able to take care of himself. I agree that Tonino was arrogant, because though he did swear to be a gentleman, and gentlemen don't take other people's things, he took them anyway, and as you point out, used them to play with people's feelings. Then he tried to turn Rosaura on her own father, when he couldn't really know if he was pimping her out or not. I think he was just stirring up trouble for the heck of it. I was upset at the end that nobody particularly cared that Zanetto was dead though, especially Tonino, who was probably pleased as punch that he would get Zanetto's money.
ReplyDeleteProfessor Balanzoni looked more pleased than Tonino in the idea that Tonino would inherit Zanetto's fortunes. He even said something about it to Rosaura near the end of the play on the Youtube video. Like Olivia, I almost hated Tonino for almost turning Rosaura against her father. However, towards the end, Professor Balanzoni did show his desire in money. I do NOT think the Goldini did a good job in developing Balanzoni as a money-loving character. My first impression of Balanzoni was a kind, gracious, gentle old man. At the end, his greed showed in what he said.As for "pimping out" Rosaura, I think it was a social norm at the time for setting up arranged marriages, especially for bettering wealth or reputation.
ReplyDeleteI know it sounds like I'm siding with Tonino, but I actually agree with Stevan in believing Tonino was arrogant (how he sees other people's faults than his own). In Megan Bell's post, one of her examples was of him deciding to use Zanetto's name and causing the whole confusion/problem, which ended with poor Zanetto's death. At the end of the play, Tonino gave his thanks for finding his long lost sister and getting a bride. I know he and Zanetto didn't get along, but they're brothers. They're family, yet I did not see him honor or say anything kind about Zanetto after his death. I will say I'm not sure people would question themselves "what am I doing that is causing harm to others?"... Maybe this play was too light-hearted to have the audience stop and think that. Most viewers don't really analyze the play they watch for entertainment unless they like analyzing it or they're a critic. I know I don't really analyze movies or tv shows I watch. I just watch it for the entertainment of the plot.
This post certainly has inspired some excited responses! Arrogance, according to the provided definition, does seem at times describe Tonino, but arrogance might be too strong a term here. There certainly is an air of superiority to him, and how he uses that superiority might be at times questionable. Still, I know one more thing that we should discuss in class tomorrow!
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