The Jealous Old Man

A Royalty-Free Play Script from La Commedia

There lived in Venice an old merchant named Pantalone de Bisognosi, who had a beautiful young woman as his wife, Isabella. The merchant was ardently in love with her. A handsome and rich young man of honorable character named Oratio Cortesi from Venice, fell deeply in love with her. In order to avoid the watchful eyes of her husband, the jealous old merchant, he decided to take her to his villa, located near Venice. The woman was pursued by her lover and they enjoyed passionate moments together. The old merchant, after reasoning with himself one day, was narrated in a facetious manner everything that had happened with his wife. Upon hearing this story, the old man realized his impotence and foolish mistake of living in jealousy. He then gave his wife to the young man in a most generous manner.

From a scenario by Flaminio Scala, published 1611

Translated by ChatGPT with oversight and corrections from Talia Felix in 2023

Characters of the Comedy:

Pantalone - Old merchant

Isabella - His wife

Pedrolino - Servant

Gratiano - Friend of the family

Capitano Spavento - Captain of the Hunters

Company of Hunters

Oratio, and

Flavio - Friends

Burattino - Gardener

Pasquella - Wife

Olivetta - Daughter

Cavicchio - Villager, pig butcher

Flaminia - Widow, sister of Isabella

[Three Wandering Musicians]

Villa on the Paduan countryside.

On to Act One