Group Members: Alyssa, Kira, Jasmine, Vitaliy

Act I.

Central conflict/Summary:

The first act is somewhat of an introduction to the story.  The central conflict is presented as Callimaco explains his passionate longing to be with Lucrezia.  The problem is that Lucrezia is married to a rich fool named Messer Nicia.  She is an honest woman committed to her husband.  Throughout the act, Siro amd Callimaco brainstorm ideas about ways in which Callimaco may be able to satisfy his passionate longing for Lucrezia.

Quotes:

” I don’t think there’s much truth in that old proverb about marriages that says ‘God makes men, they match themselves”’. (pg. 12)

This refers to Lucrezia and her husband Messer Nicia and that she was clever, refined and fit to rule the kingdom and he was stupid and just  lucky throughout his life to become wealthy and marry a beautiful woman.

“And after many arguments back and forth, Cammillo,somewhat irritated,said even if all Italian women were monsters, a certain relative of his could win back their lost prestige.”(pg. 8)

This quote helps to stress the beauty Lucrezia possesses which is a main source of Callimaco’s longing for her.

“One is the utter simplicity of Messer Nicia, for although he has a doctor’s degree, he is the silliest and stupidest man in all Florence.” (pg. 9)

This quote provides an example of one of the ideas that Callimaco brainstorms, of which he can use to his advantage in finding a way to satisfy his need for Lucrezia.

Group Members: Sara Ramlakhan , Franklin Penaloza, Julianne Patrina, Pablo Vasquez

Central Conflicts:The central conflict is gaining the trust and  convincing Nicia of the plan to give his wife the Mandrake root potion.

Scene 2, pg 18

Callimaco: It could also be that this sterility is  caused by you, because of impotence.  In that case, there would be no possible remedy.

Nicia: Me? Impotent? Oh, you’ll make me laugh! I don’t think there’s a man more vigorous and virile to be found in all of Florence!

This quote is significant because it never questions Nicia’s fertility but immediately puts the blame on Lucrezia.

Nicia: When would she have to take it?

Callimaco: Tonight after supper, because the moon is in its right phase and the time couldn’t be more propitious.

The mandragola is the root of fertility and the story revolves around it.

Nicia: get my wife to agree, which i don’t think she”ll ever be willing to do.

Callimaco: you’re right, certainly;but i wouldn’t want to remain her husband another minute if  i couldn’t make her do what i want.

This quote is significant because it shows the competitiveness of men and it questions Nicia’s  manhood.

Group Members: Arbnore Kukaj, Annelise Schroeder, Michael Zarbaliev, Julia-Zoe Hung

Summary/Conflict: The scene opens up with Callimaco awaiting Ligurio’s arrival to inform him whether or not Friar Timoteo convinced Lucrezia to go along with the Mandrake potion plan. Once he finds out that she agrees, Callimaco realizes he told Messer Nicia that he would accompany Ligurio, Messer Nicia, and Siro to capture a random man to sleep with Lucrezia. This creates a problem because if he is searching with the rest of the group, then he cannot be the one to be captured.  Ligurio comes up with a solution to disguise the friar as Callimaco, so Messer Nicia will not notice that the man they actually kidnap is Callimaco. At the end of the act, Callimaco is captured by the men and brought into Messer Nicia’s house.

Quotes:

“…if that should happen this would be the last night of my life, for I’ll either throw myself in the Arno, or I’ll hang myself, or I’ll fling myself out of those windows, or I’ll stab myself on her doorstep.” (Scene 4)

This quote shows that Callimaco is willing to go to any length just to be with Lucrezia. It shows that his love has made him suicidal.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I would have put a couple in my mouth, too. You know how important it is not to be recognized by the voice.”

“Oh, you disguise your voice very well.” (Scene 8)

These quotes collectively demonstrate the stupidity of Messer Nicia. He is easily manipulated and fooled by Callimaco and Ligurio’s plan.

The photo above is of a marble sarcophagus (a stone coffin) telling the story of Selene and Endymion. And while I am not particular educated in Roman mythology, I really appreciate the detail and intricacy of this coffin. The stone is not only carved to show a simple scenery, but it even tells a tale of a goddess going to see her lover. Someone looking at this piece will not easily be bored; there is so many different facets to analyze and admire. I love that such a solid, stiff piece of material can be molded and manipulated into something so refined and beautiful.

This second photo is of a limestone panel showing the Buddha at the Gateway of  Stupa. Like the Roman piece, this Indian piece demonstrates a story. In fact, there are several different events going on on this one panel. On one portion of the panel, the Buddha’s half-brother, Nanda is joining the Buddhist order. Another portion displays Siddhartha leaving the palace to seek enlightenment. In comparison to the sarcophagus, this panel has many more elements fitted into a smaller space. It feels as if this piece is of a screenshot of what a busy city would be like. While the Roman piece was very beautiful and delicate, this piece seems more real. There are the highly spiritual people praying and achieving enlightenment. Yet, at the same time, the panel includes many ordinary people and beggars.

Julia-Zoe Hung

Of the whole Rubin Museum, my favorite part was seeing the shrine room exhibit. Although it was interesting to see the various Buddha statues and paintings throughout the galleries, getting to see the religious context behind the art made it more real. I am not very familiar with Buddhism, so being in that room helped me to better understand what kind of religious practices members of the community participated in.  The entire room felt very peaceful and serene with the dimmed candle lighting, dark wooden furniture, and pillow seating. In addition, the chanting music created a very holy, serious atmosphere. I very much appreciated all of the time and detail put into creating the different ornate elements (i.e. the pillars, applique craft, and wall art).

– Julia-Zoe Hung