Cities, since the beginning of time have pivotal events influence its portrayal. However, some events may not represent the most idealistic view and are reflected through an author’s ability to weave their views of the time and city in their writing, bringing along an allegorical message for the reader. The city of Rome has very different portrayals before and after the sack in the 1500s. Aretino’s play, The Courtesan, displays his portrayal of Rome and the Catholic Church being a corrupt dystopia, by using the allegory of prostitution, and reflects these ideas within the play and the characters. After the sack, there was a need of the Catholic Church to revive Rome to a utopian portrayal. Pope Paul III commissioned Caro to write a work to …show more content…
This shows Aretino’s bias to Rome. He paints Venice in a refined and utopian light with using the word “gentility,” but shows Rome as having negative attributes. While he cannot outright say it, the characters are the outlet for his thoughts and expect the reader to pick up on his opinions.
Writers embed an allegoric message for the reader to grasp the work’s greater meaning. Aretino uses the allegorical message of prostitution. This message of prostitution is used to compare the similarities between prostitution and the courtiers, but defines the approval and disproval of the two. Aretino was aware of prostitution and did not view it in a negative light. Prostitution is a business and completes a “transaction,” and one does what it takes in order to make a living, which is respected. However, Aretino views Courtiers in Rome as acting as prostitutes in they are completing a “transaction,” mainly “sucking up” to get what they wanted. These actions, if done by prostitutes are deemed as okay. However, being in a religious sect and doing certain actions for the sole purpose of personal gain and not out of religious selflessness is corrupt. …show more content…
Caro had a considerable amount of damage to fix and needed a message to patch up the church. Caro’s allegorical message conveys that through the revival of the church, Rome and its citizens can seek conversion, forgiveness, and justice. In Act 3, the attorney is introduced to solve the jewel dilemma. The attorney reassures Mirandola when he says, “Every kind of lawsuit in the world is known in the tribunals of Rome,”” (250). Caro is placing Rome as the exemplar of finding justice and the attorney reassures Mirandola of the same. It continues through conversation between the Attorney and Agatina, who is feeling hopeless. The attorney becomes the hero by expressing, “To think of such assaults in Rome, in the time of Paul III. This villain will be punished,” (258). The attorney reassures her it is only the church that can find justice. He shows additional strides for justice by stating, “Leave it in my hands, my daughter, and I promise you satisfaction,” (259). Giovanni is convinced Rome is the only place to seek justice. When he finds out his beloved may be dead, he declares, “I’ll find justice in Rome. Justice!” (248). It equates the city as the only place to be heard and find justice. Caro also showed how one can be converted and forgiven. This is apparent when Pilucca states, “From now on we promise to be good and honest men,” (274). This shows how in the city of Rome he