The Supposes

The Supposes is a 16th century Italian comedy written by Ludovico Ariosto, first performed in 1509. The play was later translated into English by George Gascoigne in 1566, marking an important step in the development of English Renaissance drama. The plot centers on mistaken identities and romantic entanglements in Ferrara, involving masters, servants, and lovers who switch places and roles. Characters navigate through deceptions and schemes while pursuing their romantic interests, leading to mounting complications. The action follows multiple storylines that intersect and overlap as various characters attempt to achieve their goals through elaborate ruses. The story incorporates elements from classical Roman comedy, particularly the works of Plautus and Terence. The play explores themes of social class mobility, the nature of identity, and the thin line between reality and appearance in human relationships. It stands as an influential work that helped establish conventions of comedy that would later appear in Elizabethan theater.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Ludovico Ariosto's overall work: Modern readers praise Orlando Furioso for its humor, interweaving plotlines, and blend of romance with action. Many note the accessibility despite its age, with one Goodreads reviewer calling it "surprisingly funny and readable for a 500-year-old epic poem." Readers appreciate: - The playful, ironic tone - Complex female characters - Fast-paced narrative style - Creative fantasy elements - Skillful verse translation by Barbara Reynolds Common criticisms: - Length and numerous subplots make it hard to follow - Character names/relationships require background knowledge - Some find the constant story interruptions frustrating - Medieval references can be obscure Ratings averages: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (180+ ratings) The Reynolds translation receives particular praise for maintaining the poem's wit while explaining cultural context. Multiple reviewers compare the storytelling style to modern fantasy novels and comic books, noting its influence on those formats.

The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare A tale of mistaken identity between two sets of twins leads to chaos and confusion in a Mediterranean port city.

The Twins Menaechmi by Plautus The Roman comedy that inspired many later plays follows separated twins whose reunion creates a string of misunderstandings.

She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith Class deception and misidentification drive this plot about a wealthy young man who mistakes a genteel house for an inn.

The School for Wives by Molière A man's plan to raise and marry the perfect wife backfires through a series of deceptions and mistaken assumptions.

The Hotel Paradise by Georges Feydeau Multiple couples engage in secret rendezvous at a Paris hotel, resulting in a cascade of misunderstandings and coincidences.

🎭 "The Supposes" was one of the first prose comedies written in Italian, originally titled "I Suppositi" when it premiered in 1509. 📚 The play heavily influenced William Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," particularly in its use of mistaken identities and servant-master role reversals. ✍️ Ludovico Ariosto wrote the play while working as a courtier for Cardinal Ippolito d'Este in Ferrara, where it was first performed at the ducal palace. 🎬 George Gascoigne translated "The Supposes" into English in 1566, making it the first Italian prose play to be translated into English. 🎪 The plot device of "supposes" (assumptions or suppositions) became a popular theatrical technique in Renaissance comedy, influencing numerous later works in both Italian and English theater.