Politics of Irony in Carlo Goldoni’s The Mistress of the Inn

Abstract

his paper explores the complex social commentary embedded in Carlo Goldoni’s play The Mistress of the Inn. The issue at hand is the use of irony to critique entrenched gender roles and social hierarchies in 18 1

th century Venetian society. The problem addressed is how Goldoni’s portrayal of Mirandolina subverts traditional assumptions about female subordination and aristocratic superiority. The methodology combines feminist theory, focusing on Simone de Beauvoir’s insights and New Historicism, as articulated by Stephen Greenblatt, to analyze the play’s text and context. Along with this methodology, Linda Hutcheon’s non-fiction book Irony’s Edge: The Theory and Politics of Irony is used for the comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted nature of irony. The conclusion reveals that Goldoni’s ironic treatment of characters like the Count and the Marquis not only serves as a personal triumph for Mirandolina but also critiques the broader societal norms of gender and class. This study’s significance lies in uncovering deeper layers of meaning in the play, demonstrating how Goldoni’s work aligns with Enlightenment ideals and offers relevant insights into the dynamics of power, gender, and social stratification. Keywords: irony, politics, society, feminist, power, gender, enlightenment, aristocracy