Quotation: 

“CALLIMACO: Nothing’s ever so completely a lost cause that there can’t be some way to hope for it, even if it’s only weak and empty; the passion and desire a person has to get what he wants keeps it from seeming so” (Machiavelli 1.1 9). 

Comment: 

This quote comes from the beginning of the play Mandragola. The protagonist, Callimaco, is struggling because he’s lusting after a married woman, Lucrezia. There are of course many barriers in between him and what he wants, and his servant, Siro, wonders what Callimaco is planning. Callimaco speaks this line to show that he intends to move forward, because to him it’s still possible to be with Lucrezia (1.1 9). 

I chose this quote because, quite honestly, it frustrates me. In any other setting, this sentiment about not giving up one’s passions because of other factors that seem to get in your way might be admirable. But Callimaco is referring to trying to sleep with a woman who, by all accounts, is not interested. In my opinion, that’s not something that men should aspire to do. 

There’s this long running idea in our society and in our media that women are a prize for men. We are shown that they are desirable, that they need to be ‘caught’ or protected. On the flip side, we see that women are supposed to yield to men’s desires. Now, this may not be as obvious as it used to be. We are more critical of how women are talked about and portrayed in shows and movies, and the #MeToo movement is proof that women are done accepting harassment. However, these ideas do still exist, because they are at the core of sexism. 

In Mandragola, Callimaco showcases this idea of ‘getting the girl’ by any means necessary. His goal, as we see later in the play, is not necessarily to pursue a relationship with this woman but to have sex with her. (And even if he wants a relationship, that still doesn’t excuse his plan to try and break up a marriage). He doesn’t appear to care if she loves him back, or if this is even something she would want. In fact, the plan hinges on her being convinced of having sex with a stranger by her mother and by a friar, and not on him talking to her or getting her thoughts. Her desires come secondary to his own. 

Callimaco’s declaration, therefore, is not an inspiring line but an insidious notion that men are entitled to get what they want. That women are that grand prize for men who work hard enough. Anything’s possible if you keep trying. Even if you’re told ‘no.’ Even if you have to lie or use force. In the eyes of our protagonist, that solution of sleeping with a married woman was always there because he deserved it. It was just a matter of putting the pieces together in the right way and manipulating others. 

In all honesty, this entire play frustrates me. Even if it’s meant to be a comedy, its ideas about women are very harmful. The very fact that it is discussed as a comedy, meant to be humorous, is even more infuriating. I know this was written a long time ago in 1518, but as I said, these ideas still haven’t gone away. That’s why I think it’s important not to indulge such beliefs and critique them whenever they arise. Otherwise, we may be playing right into this system of oppression.

Question: 

Is it right to try and ‘get what you want’ if doing so is going to hurt other people? Are your desires more important than theirs? 

Class discussion and impact:

Once again I felt like we were on a similar wavelength in this discussion (for the most part). None of us enjoyed the play very much, mainly because of the moral ambiguity. In terms of my QCQ, we had a discussion about intent to harm and whether or not it can be justified, which was interesting. I mostly needed to get my thoughts out about the sexism in this play, so I hope I was able to do that. A few others (like Anna) had some thoughts about the play’s objectification of women, so I’m glad I wasn’t the only one noticing problematic issues. I hope to continue to be critical of works while still being able to examine them in more traditional ways.