Prone to Madness and Poor Reviews: Antissia as Early Modern Diva

Abstract: Scholarship on the Italian actress or diva of the commedia dell'arte has expanded to include consideration of the influence of that figure on the English stage during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. In this article, I argue that such influence may also be observed on the character of Antissia in both parts of Lady Mary Wroth's Urania . Elements of the story-telling surrounding Antissia's bouts of insanity – which are particularly reminiscent of the internationally popular pazzie or mad scenes often performed by Italian actresses – reveal distinct references to the commedia dell'arte diva that illustrate the English fascination with and disdain for continental women on stage. Moreover, we may see the impression of commedia style on Wroth's imagination in her depictions of Nereana's madness and the contrasto or lovers' debate of Love and Fancy. In general, it appears that Wroth, like other theater devotees and playwrights of her time, was enthralled with the figure of the Italian actress that inspired characters on the English stage.